Birthing my little Angel Angie

Nothing is impossible, isn’t it? A week after giving birth to Angeline, I am still euphoric over my natural delivery. I still can’t believe that I did it all without epidural either! So anyway, here’s how it all began.

I woke up in the middle of the night at about 4am. The mild menstrual like cramps that I’ve been having since the night before were still there. As is usual around this time, I had a very full bladder and went downstairs to pee. For some unknown reason, I decided to lie down on the bed we had assembled downstairs. This was meant for me to labour on. I guess there’s nothing like a woman’s gut instinct.

At this point, I had a flash of panic. “Oh my god, If this is it, I don’t think I am ready. I haven’t practised my hypnobirthing enough yet. I haven’t massaged my perineum yet!” (something I had been putting off for weeks like I had the luxury of time! Ha!)

I knew I had to relax and grabbed my ipod and earphones and started listening to my birthing affirmations and relaxation scripts. It worked. I became brave again and relaxed. Soon, I realised the cramps were becoming pretty regular, like every 10 mins or so, and they actually came in gentle waves, peaking then tapering off.

From here on, everything was really peaceful and calm. I breathed in with each surge, visualising my uterus dilating. An hour later, I went to the toilet and there was a spot of blood on the toilet paper.

I woke Mark up and told him to call Ginny, my doula. She told us to stay at home and labour and keep her updated. I decided to have some milo and biscuits while I still could. Mark started tottering around, packing stuff.

The rest of the morning (a good 5 hours) passed like a dream. Mark said I just lay there sleeping, hardly even moving. For me, I knew I was busy breathing away each surge that got longer and closer together. It was very manageable though. I can honestly say there was no pain at all, just very strong pressure at the pelvic region. Easy peasy.

In between, I remember asking Mark if we should make our way to the hospital.I didn’t want to get caught in the morning peak hour jam and I didn’t want to go when surges got too uncomfortable. I didn’t want to scare people at the hospital!

But Mark said not yet, he said we don’t want to get there too early and to wait till my contractions were at least 60 seconds long (which would usually mean that I would be about halfway through, 6 to 7 cm dilated) At that point, they were about 30 seconds long. He also said Ginny did not appear to show any urgency, so should be ok to continue at home.

I was so relaxed then I actually agreed (bad move!) and just carried on breathing away the surges as Mark stroked my hand to further relax me. I still can’t believe how relaxed I was.

A very short while later, the contractions started lasting 60 seconds and each time they came, I would order Mark not to touch me. It was a very primal instinct.

Then, suddenly, the surges changed in their nature and I realised I couldn’t breathe in and up anymore but had the urge to breathe down and out. I also started making low grunting noises as I breathed out.

Ginny had told us once the woman starts to make low grunting noises and seems to be bearing down, the baby will be born soon.

I could hear Mark frantically smsing Ginny at this point.

At this point, I had another moment of anxiety, as I started to get the urge to really bear down. What’s more, at each surge, I felt something big and round bulging at my vagina. Shit! I might have to give birth in the car!

I quickly got up to get ready. I actually wanted labour to slow down at this point and was willing the surges AWAY! I hoped that going to the hospital would slow things down . They always say it does.

Well, apparently not when you are so advanced in your labour!

It was quite manic getting ready!The surges were a few minutes apart and when they came, I had to focus all my energy and strength. Mark was dashing back and forth, offering support as each surge came. I made one last trip to the toilet. More blood and I just couldn’t wipe myself clean. The more I wiped, the more mucous and loads of other stuff kept coming out. Screw it, I just moved quickly out before the next surge came.

My journey to the hospital was all but calm. On hindsight, I think I should have left the ipod earplugs in and continued to listen to my relaxation music. I might have looked more like a calm hypnobirthing mum then.

Anyway, one lift was spoilt. So, the maintenance guy and another American chap had the trauma of watching me moan and grip the walls (anything I could get my hands on as each urge to bear down came.)

Ginny came and we all went to the car. She suggested getting on all fours if I found it difficult to sit. I sat on my legs and clutched the back headrest. Ginny guided me through each contraction and when I listened, it became more manageable.

When we reached Thomson Medical at 1pm (the very time I dreaded as it is the busiest time then!), I remember the attendant asking urgently if I was heading for the A and E department. Ginny, the ever calm one simply replied, “No she’s just in labor, we’re going to the labor ward.”

The time in the delivery room was to me the longest part. I spent all four hours pushing. I thought I was the quiet type but truly I can make the loudest “ Kek Sai” sound. Haha. Each time I bore down, I made that low gutteral sound which Mark keeps teasing me about now.

I wanted to birth in the side lying position as I thought it was the most comfortable. It was good for the first part and two hours later, my waterbag burst! So, that was the bulge in my vagina!

Ginny told me things would pick up now as the baby now had space to descend into my pelvis. One and a half hours later of pushing, still no baby’s head.

Dr Paul Tseng had already come in twice and each time, I declined a vaginal examination. Haha, I really didn’t want to be touched. So, he actually went home I think.

I started getting really tired and desperate. Ginny suggested I sit on the birth stool and see if gravity would help the baby come out. I really didn’t want to move but it was THAT or what to me seemed like "never ending pushing!".

Things progressed quickly on the birth stool. Finally, the nurses spotted Angeline’s hair. But I wasn’t pushing effectively. All the breath kept escaping through my mouth as I let out my low moans. Angeline’s head wouldn’t crown.

Finally, Ginny suggested I squat. Oh God, I thought. Where got energy left to squat? But I so wanted Angeline OUT. So, I did.

First push, the baby’s head crowned. Second push, more came out. I could hear the midwife rushing around. She shouted to me, “ Don’t push, wait!” I tried but there was no stopping the urge. Angeline just came tumbling out, heads, shoulders, knees and toes!

We did it!


The birth team that made it all happen! Mark, my brave husband who lent his shoulders for me to push down all the way! Ginny, my fantastic doula without whom I tell you, we would not be able to do it. And Dr Paul Tseng who was so relaxed I never got to panic. By the way, he arrived only after the birth to sew me up! Hah.


Me during labour! NOT! It was relaxing but not that relaxing! This is just after when I was a bit hyper and really estactic, gushing away to Ginny about how amazing it all was!


Breastfeeding immediately after birth. I never did this after my Csection. No chance. This time was wonderful!


The happy parents. Doesn't Angie look like Mark?

Reflections after birth and more video clips coming up! Stay Tuned!