My Lacta-Moments (with my 1st two babies)

First and foremost, I’d love to proclaim that breastfeeding is a gift for mothers from God Almighy. How honoured we (mothers) are to be able to have our children’s food, nutrition, medicine and comfort within us.

            Looking back at my first pregnancy..

            I was in the final year of medical school. Being in that field of studies, of course I was enthusiastic to breastfeed my baby because I was aware of the benefits of breastfeeding. Little did I know that there was more to breastfeeding than just theoretical knowledge. 

            Just like other first-time parents, during my 7^th month of pregnancy, we went shopping for our upcoming newborn. There were the cots, the toys, the clothes, and the diapers. Little did we thought of breastpumps, storage bottles and cooler bags. My perception of breastfeeding at that moment was that babies just drink straight from the tap, burp and go back to sleep. No milk supply problems, no cracked nipples, no painful engorgements and no colicky baby.

            I delivered my baby girl via spontaneous vertex delivery after 12 gruesome (yet blissful) hours of labour. Alhamdulillah, mother and baby had no complications. I was drowsy after delivery because of the painkillers and wasn’t ready to hold my baby until about 3 hours after delivery. After I was conscious, I asked for my baby to breastfeed her. The first time holding her in my arms was so heart warming. I melted and broke down in tears. She was so beautiful. She was silently staring at me with those round, wide eyes. Those tiny eyelashes curled, just like my husband’s. After about an hour of staring at each other silently, she began to nudge and wiggle. She seemed uncomfortable. That’s when I thought it was a feeding cue, and attempted to breastfeed her.

My 1st Daughter as a newborn

            Of course, my first attempt wasn’t as fruitful as I thought it would be. She latched on for a while and went to sleep. When I unlatched her, she cried. Then when I latched her again, she only latched for few seconds and went to sleep again. The cycle continued for 2 hours until I gave up when I saw blood oozing instead for milk. I became frightened. The nurse comforted me saying it was normal for new mothers to experience that. Hence, my spirit was still high, and I was still optimistic.

            Since we were discharged the next day, there was me and my husband to take care of the baby on our first night at home. We were given a small tin of formula milk sample from the hospital upon discharge. That tin of formula milk became my saviour at that moment. My baby was always crying, never satisfied at the breast and only became calm after formula feeding. So what I understood at that moment is that I might not be producing enough milk  to meet my baby’s needs. I slowly gave up direct feeding because I really felt that I was going insane with the baby shouting and me being in pain.

            I then opted for expressing milk. Someone gave a low-grade electric breastpump as a gift upon my delivery. I tried using it but no milk came out, so I decided hand expression works better. I only manage to get an ounce or so after half an hour of expressing. In total, my baby only gets about 3 ounces of expressed breastmilk a day.That too, the quantity became less and less each day, until finally, my baby was just comfort nursing.

            Yes, that was the sad reality of my first breastfeeding experience. Alhamdulillah, my baby got a taste of breastmilk. Any amount of breastmilk is better that none, I am sure of that. 

            Moving on to my second pregnancy..

8 weeks POG

16 weeks POG

 

My 2nd Daughter as a newborn

            We were more mature this time. I decided to try breastfeeding again. I bought a branded single electric breastpump, because it wasn’t as pricy as a double breastpump but the MAIN REASON deep inside, I am still unsure that I can do it, so I wasn’t keen on splurging on a breastpump,  just in case I fail again. I lost confidence from my first experience!!

            My baby came four weeks earlier than expected. I informed the labour room staff that I wish to breastfeed my baby as soon as possible and to avoid formula milk feeding. Being hypertensive during my pregnancy this time, I was told to rest upon delivery and only held my baby about 5 hours post-partum. Of course she was already given formula. Best part is, the nursery nurse proudly exclaimed ` She feeds well, she drinks 2 ounces at one go’. Can you imagine how my heart broke hearing that? A newborn’s stomach is so small that only 7ml of milk per feeding would be sufficient for them. 

            I didn’t think twice and demanded that my baby be given to me for every feeding, even at night. This time around, I stayed for about 2 days post-partum because the doctor insisted to monitor my blood pressure. I attempted breastfeeding at all my baby’s feeding time, but history seems to repeat itself. She was never satisfied at the breast, and kept clinging on until blood started oozing again.

            The same scenario continued at home, and desperate for some sanity, I resorted to formula milk. To add to my despair, some gave remarks such as `Don’t torture you baby, you are not producing milk so just give her formula.’ 

            Desperate to make it work this time around, I tried expressing milk using my pump. It was more fruitful this time around. I manage to get a total of 10 to 12 ounces a day. It was enough for my baby the first two weeks, but as she approached the first month, my supply dwindled and her demand increased. I became discouraged. I was very weary. I had two children to think of this time around. After much struggle, and after my supply sank to an ounce a day, I gave up. Believe it or not, I gave up.

            Days pass by, and my baby was about 3 months old. She was overweight and put on a lot of weight after being fully on formula. As pleasing as it was to see a chubby baby, she was always colicky. Deep inside me, I yearned to breastfeed her again.

            God granted my wish. I was determined to breastfeed again. I told myself that I am not going to give up this time around.

            So I started my relactation programme when my baby was 3 ½ months. The first week, there was no milk at all, followed by droplets for the next 2 weeks. As if it’s not challenging enough to find the time and energy to pump, pumping only air with no milk is even more emotionally disturbing.  To top that up, there were the disturbing comments and unwanted so-called advice. Determined not to give up, I continued pumping 4 times a day. I stuffed myself with what I believed to be milk boosters. I tried latching on my baby directly but she angrily refused, so I decided to exclusively pump. 

            Alhamdulillah, the quantity of milk increased day by day. 

When my daughter was 6 months old, she was fully breastfed (of course, she started weaning as well). How contented I was. Goodbye to colic, hello to happy and healthy baby! When she was 6 ½  months old, we bought a deep freezer to store excess milk. Few months later, I have about 1200++ oz of milk in the freezer. Believe it or not? Yes, do believe it :-)

From droplets of milk..

To a freezer full of milk..

 I even give some to my elder daughter  mixed with her cereal. I make ice-cream and smoothies from my milk for her. I even had the chance to make soap from my milk for her to bathe with. My children eat, drink and bathe from my milk, Alhamdulillah. Being a mother who failed and learned from experience, I want other mothers to learn from my mistakes and successfully breastfeed their babies.

Mother's Milk Soap

Mother's Milk Ice-Cream

            I hope this inspires other mothers out there to breastfeed no matter what the problem was that caused them to stop or not breastfeed at all. It can be done! Consult a lactation counsellor to help you overcome the problem, and please do not resort to formula milk. Every individual case is different, so different approaches need to be taken to help you successfully breastfeed. Breastmilk in every way is the best food, drink, nutrition, medicine and comfort for your baby.

Jazakillahu khayr.

Pilgrimage while Breastfeeding

Assalamualaikum Mummies :-)

Love to share my personal experience with you with regards to performing Umrah while breastfeeding..

Alhamdulillah, I got the chance to perform Umrah while in the nursing period :-) This happened last year.

I suppose that Mummies can relate to this post to travelling to other places while Breastfeeding as well.

I had a short Umrah trip (4 days, 3 nights). Mashallah, such a beautiful experience, don't know how to describe it in words. Even thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.

Hubby & me brought our 4 year old daughter (at that time), and left our 5 month old baby with our mothers at home. So, being seperated from baby, I had to plan properly how to manage time to pump breastmilk and manage the storage (keeping in mind the long hours of flight and transits). Alhamdulillah, my efforts were eased!

 From KLIA to Jeddah to Medina:

Home to KLIA about 1 hour. Waited in KLIA for about 2 hours. Flight KLIA to Jeddah about 7 hours. 
Waiting for transit plane from Jeddah to Medina about 1 hour. Flight Jeddah to Medina about 1 hour.
Medina Airport to Hotel in Medina: 1 hour.

So that is about 13 hours of journey to consider about.

Night before journey: Made sure ICE PACKS was in freezer. Just before leaving home, made sure ICE PACKS was taken out from freezer and kept in COOLER BAG.

Before leaving the house: Pumped, washed and dried the parts and packed it up.
I kept my breastpump, poncho, cooler bag and ice pack with me in HAND LUGGAGE the whole time.

While waiting for the flight: I pumped in a corner which was a bit discrete (covered with a nursing poncho).
After pumping, kept the breastmilk in cooler bag and went on board.

On Board: I pumped about 5 hours later. I asked to borrow their chiller to keep my milk and ice pack as it has already been 8 hours since I left home and I am worried that the temperature might have dropped a bit and I want the chill to last for at least another 5 hours.. Unfortunately, the stewardess did not allow that. I convinced her, telling her the importance of the breastmilk etc etc and finally she agreed to provide me with some leftover ICE which she wrapped in a plastic and I stuffed it into my cooler bag to ensure the coolness remains for another 5 hours. I prayed Allah ease my efforts..

So we arrived in Jeddah airport, transit, board the next plane and finally arrived in Medina. My next pumping session was in Medina hotel. Being worried about the freshness of my breastmilk, as I took it out of the cooler bag to put in the chiller, I noticed the bottle of milk was so cold (almost frozen-like) but not frozen! Mashallah..how Allah eased my efforts!!! Logically, it couldn't have happened after such long hour journey..

So happy, took it as a positive sign from Him..

So the days went by and whatever milk I pumped in Medina, was kept in the hotel room chiller.

On my day of transit from MEDINA to MECCA..(which was by bus which takes about 6 to 7 hours)
Packed my EBM into cooler bag along with ice packs just before leaving. I asked the hotel for Dried Ice so that I can put in my cooler bag ensure extra coolness. Alhamdulillah, journey was smooth and as soon as we arrived in the hotel in MECCA, placed our luggages in the room and EBM + Ice Pack in chiller..We went to perform our UMRAH.

Subhanallah..Even thinking about the experiences can bring a chill of sensation and tears to my eyes..
What an honour to be invited there..

Since my hotel was just a few steps away from the mosque, I had my pumping sessions in the hotel only and kept EBM in hotel room chiller. But for mummies staying a bit far from the mosque, you can bring your breastpump and cooler bag into the mosque and pump milk and store it in cooler bag while prostration. I saw some mothers doing it as well.

So days passed and it was time to go home.
As usual, kept my breastpump with me along with my cooler bag in HAND LUGGAGE so that I can pump and store milk in between the long hours.
 I brought a larger cooler bag and extra ice packs as well to keep the EBM that was collected over the 4 days. Night before check out, kept the ICE PACKS in hotel kitchen FREEZER to ensure it can keep cool for a long journey. Before check out, took the ice packs from kitchen freezer, kept in with the 4 days EBM that was collected in the Larger Cooler Bag and place in in LUGGAGE (which was going in the cargo).

Why I did this?
This is because most airlines do not allow you to hand-carry liquds for more that a certain amount of `ml'. You have to obtain a certain form to declare the liquids before you can hand-carry it. So to save the fuss, I just packed in along with my baggage. (Which was better I think, I heard that airplane cargo has cold temperature!)

Reached home with the EBM intact, safe and sound :-)
So happy to feed baby with it, pumped in Tanah Suci! :-)
I hope she gets the Barakah of it!!!

NURSING MOTHER'S CHECKLIST FOR TRAVELLING:

1. Breastpump & Accessories
    -you might want to buy extra spare parts just in case you haven't washed your breastshields and it is already time for next pumping session. 
    -you might want to use a breastpump which has double pumping (saves time) and battery usage (just in case there are no universal plug points in the hotel you are staying and you might need to pump in flight or in the gate lounge while waiting for flight)
2. Small Cooler Bag (for hand carry)
3. Ice Packs (for hand carry)
4. Large Cooler Bag (to keep EBM when travelling back)
5. MORE Ice Packs (to keep EBM when travelling back)
6. Nursing Poncho (or shawl) for coverage
7. Ensure enough EBM stock for the duration that you are not around :-)
    It took me a week to prepare the stock for while I am gone.
8. Educate caregiver on how to feed baby EBM

So the above is how to manage EBM if you are travelling for less that 5 days.
What about travelling for more than 5 days?

Let's say you are going somewhere for 10 days. Than you can store your EBM in hotel kitchen FREEZER to ensure freshness. Bring along more ICE PACKS and keep the ICE PACKS in hotel kitchen FREEZER before day of check out so that they can retain coolness longer (since frozen milk cannot be re-freezed if it melts). Make sure you have a large cooler bag (luggage kind) to ensure freshness. Pack the Frozen EBM and Ice Packs alternating each other or in other words, the ice packs have to be surrounding the EBM @ Ice packs harus berselang seli dengan EBM atau Meliputi@mengelilingi EBM to ensure enough cool temperature.  :-)

 Hope this was helpful!

Jazakallah!

Handling EBM during Blackout (Power Failure)

Assalamualaikum..
In my 18 months of breastfeeding / breastmilk feeding, there has been 2 episodes of which there was electricity power failure.

1st time it happened last year, when my baby was about 10 months and deep freezer was full with EBM.
I was at work that afternoon when my helper called from home telling me that there was a power failure. First thing crossed my mind was that kids are surely going to be uncomfortable and was worried about my EBM. I called TNB and was told that it was a major discruption and should be fine within roughly 6 hours.
Called hubby and asked him about what I should do about my EBM  and he said it should be fine and would not melt in deep freezer within 6 hours provided we didn't keep opening and closing it as it would disturb the temperature if we did so.

Being super worried about the 1000++ EBM I had in my deep freezer and worked so hard to pump and collect it, I went home to `rescue' the EBM. I was a panicked as it is the first time such thing happened. I bought some ice from 7-eleven on the way home.

 At home, I took out the EBM from deep freezer and arranged it alternating with ice in large plastics. I sprinkled some salt as it is supposed to slow down the process of ice melting and help retain coolness.

Then, I placed the EBM into picnic cooler box like the ones in the picture. (Being paranoid me, I thought of blackout and what I would do to rescue EBM, and bought few of these as standby  months ago).

 

Anyway, ironically, after nicely arranging the EBM in plastics with ice in cooler boxes, the electricity came back (just after 2 hours of being off)!!! Should have left the EBM in deep freezer right? *Sigh* Hubby was right!

So second time around, went the power went off, I just kept calm knowing that I have cooler boxes and ice to `rescue' the EBM if the power went off more that 6 hours. I left the EBM in deep freezer without opening it, and 5 hours later, the electricity came back. I checked my EBM and it was just as good and no signs of melting, Alhamdulillah.

Hope this was helpful..

Gaining Knowledge & Confidence in Breastfeeding

Greetings Mummies..

During my previous two pregnancies, I never had any engorgement or breastmilk leaking. Nor did I ever truly believed that I would succeed breastfeeding. That is why I was even not bothered to gain knowledge about breastfeeding during my first pregnancy. Despite being a final year medical student at that time, I simply thought breastfeeding was as simple as placing baby to breast and baby drinks and all is happy :-)
Little did I know that it takes a lot of learning and preparation. Hence I only managed to breastfeed my eldest for 2 months.

The dissapointment of not being able to breastfeed my 1st child for long haunted me. My confidence was crushed. Then 3 years later, Alhamdulillah, I conceived my second child. Yes, I was more prepared this time. Gained more knowledge and prepared breastfeeding equipments. But when the time came to actually breastfed her, I was challenged since she had difficulty latching (she had tongue tie which was only detected when she was few months old). Hence, my milk supply dropped until it was totally dried out. Alhamdulillah, I managed to regain full supply via pumping exclusively and once in a while my daughter latches. I managed to provide her breastmilk fully until the age of 2 years and 3 months. At the same time, I even had some extra milk and became a milk mother of two beautiful children, Subhanallah.

Just after 1 month of stopping nursing my second child, my milk dried up and I conceived for the 3rd time, Alhamdulillah.
At 22 weeks gestation, I felt discomfort and fullness. I tried expressing and Subhanallah, to my surprise, manage to get the amount of milk (as in the picture)!

It shows that breastfeeding is all about having FAITH, CONFIDENCE &KNOWLEDGE that you can breastfeed! I regained confidence after providing my second child breastmilk for quite a long time. Therefore, Alhamdulillah this time around, just at 22weeks gestation, milk already came in!!

Of course, this also shows "rezeki" @ sustainance for offspring is already provided by our Creator even when the fetus is in the womb, MashaAllah!

So moral of the story Mummies, is FAITH, CONFIDENCE & KNOWLEDGE!

Breastfeeding During Confinement

Assalamualaikum :-)

It's been a while since I've blogged. Feel so good to be able to write in this entry..Yes, I am exhausted & sleep-deprived from taking care of my newborn who is now 6 weeks already, Alhamdulillah. And yes, on top of that, looking over my 2 elder children who are at schooling age. But I have been really wanting to write this entry and here is why..
I REALLY WANT OTHER MUMMIES NOT TO GO THROUGH WHAT I HAVE WENT THROUGH& HOPE THAT THEY HAVE A SMOOTH START TOWARDS SUCCESSFUL BREASTFEEDING.

Hopefully this humble entry of mine might somewhat trigger & inspire mummies to search for more knowledge!

Eversince I was pregnant with my first child while still in final year medical school, I wanted to fully breastfeed my baby. But on certain circumstances, I only managed to breastfeed her until confinement ended (that too, not fully breastfed but mixed with formula occasionally).
With my second child, even though I was more prepared, history seemed to repeat itself. I only managed to breastfeed her until confinement ended, and that too, mixed with formula. Yes, I was in utmost despair when my milk totally dried up and she was fully on formula at 6 weeks old. I began relactating when she was 12 weeks old & Alhamdulillah 3 months later, she was fully drinking breastmilk again until she was 2 years and 3 months old!

So I noticed from my past 2 experience that the confinement period is such a "crucial" phase to ensure that breastfeeding and bonding is established. Alhamdulillah, I think I got the hang of it this time around :-)
Took me 3 children to learn the odds of breastfeeding! Haha! But guess what, it is so rewarding to be able to fully breastfeed my son who is 44 days old now. Watching those hair and nails grow with only breastmilk, MashaAllah..!

Anyways, to recap, I had a waterbirth at hospital with my son this time around. Below is the link to my gentle birth story:
http://birthandbeyondbiz.blogspot.my/2014/12/blissful-water-birth-of-our-son.html


Soon after birth, I held him on my chest and we had 2 hours of skin to skin contact. I propped up and left him crawling on my chest to latch by himself. It's called the "breast crawl", I think :-) Alhamdulillah, he was such a champ, following his natural instincts and succeeding in latching. Such a blissful moment, I felt so rejuvenated & empowered after birth..!

I was discharged on 2nd day after delivery, so on the 2nd night, I was left alone with a newborn. Fear creeps in. I remembered my past experience with trying to breastfeed my babies, and after 1 hour of non stop latching & sore/cracked nipples, baby cries even harder. What I did at that time? Mixed some formula & gave it to the baby. Baby drank vigorously & slept. And how I felt during that time? Like the biggest loser!!! I had latching issues in my previous experiences, which was a major factor causing me not able to successfully fully breastfeed. Alhamdulillah, with knowledge this time around, things were different.

Anyways, this time around, things were a bit different. I watched baby for feeding cues, did not wait for him to cry, and breastfed him every now and then, ensuring that he had the properly latched. Alhamdulillah, he seems content after breastfeeding. Also this time, I noticed that my baby had a tongue-tie which caused me inevitable distress everytime he latches (so painful, I cried each time he latches). On day 5, we brought him to the surgeon for a frenectomy & Alhamdulillah, mother & baby were happy with breastfeeding & latching.
FYI, tongue tie interferes with proper latching & hence, baby would not get enough milk, leading him to being fussy, causing mother distress, mother tops up with formula, breasts not emptied regularly...and last resort, leading to low milk supply! :-(

This time around, I did not want to introduce my son to bottles during confinement period. Even during my "urut" session which was on the 3rd day of confinement, I gave the nanny a syringe to feed him expressed milk. Unfortunately, on day 4 & day 5 (before releasing the tongue-tie), I was in desperate measures due to the pain during latching, so I had to express milk & my nanny fed him the milk with a bottle. I was so afraid that he might not want to latch again, but Alhamdulillah, he did latch like a champion 2 hours after the frenectomy! :-)

I started expressing milk on day 3 confinement using my hands (because milk full of colostrum & sticky during that time) so pumping might not be a good idea, because the milk might just stick to the breastshields & does not reach the baby, hence such a waste of good nutrition.Why start expressing milk so early? Because I had urut sessions on day 3, 4 and 5; hence I needed someone to tend to the baby for 2 hours while I "mengurut".I started using the breastpump to collect milk on day 5, since the milk was maturing & not so sticky anymore.

We co-sleep at night to make breastfeeding easier. Yes, he wakes up every hour for feeding. But that doesn't mean he is not getting enough milk. It means that breastmilk is easy on baby's tummy & easily digestible, hence babies who breastfeed tend to nurse frequently. It is also a God's made miracle, whereby the more babies suck, the more milk will be produced, hence milk supply will be established!
Darn, if only I knew this during my first baby, I wouldn't have been topping up with formula milk thinking she is hungry & I do not have enough breastmilk!!!

And yes, sometimes babies do get all fussy & want to nurse all the time. But that does not mean he is not satisfied from feeding at the breast. He may be having a growth spurt & simply wants to feed round the clock. The baby feeding round the clock is a mechanism to help increase your breastmilk supply. Again, nature takes it's course! The next day you know, things will be back to normal. Again, if I only knew this!!!

When do I find time to pump breastmilk?
I am indeed a busy mother. So mostly during confinement, I disciplined myself to pump 4 to 6 times a day. Mostly tandem pumping (breastfeeding baby on one side, pumping on the other side). This method saves time so that I can get some rest or tend to other kids while baby is sleeping.

Tandem Pumping

Another method is I usually pump right after baby breastfeeds. This method not only helps to empty breasts efficiently but also helps to build up milk supply as your body will work to make more milk in assumption that baby needs more milk because of the extra stimulation from pumping. That being said, for most mothers, I do recommend pumping 1 hour after breastfeeding (if you feel your breasts are "empty" after direct feeding. Reason being is, firstly, pumping straight after direct feeding might lead to you not getting as much expressed milk as you expected. Hence, this might be a source of discouragement for new mothers. Pumping 1 hour after direct feeding instead of immediately after direct feeding is recommended because after effective direct feeding, your breasts has already removed themilk so automatically more prolactin will be secreted to make milk (without the need of pumping), so there is no need to pump just yet. But, 1 hour post direct feeding, there will be accumulated milk in your milk ducts already, hence pumping as an additional method of milk removal from the breasts at this time would be beneficial to empty the breasts and stimulate the production of prolactin (& hence more milk).

It also helps that I am using the Lily Breastpump as it is rechargeble& handsfree so I can move about while pumping to tend to other kids, or do other things like eating etc. I also use the Pearl Breastpump & found it superb in emptying breasts as it is a heavy, duty double breastpump.

Lily Breastpump
Available at www.evelove.com.my

Pearl Breastpump
Available at www.evelove.com.my

I even pump when I go out for a short while like when I went out to register my son's birth certificate.This is to ensure that the breasts are always emptied & milk supply is established.

How do I keep track of my breastmilk stock? Using the Eve Love Breastfeeding App which is available for download at Google Playstore.

So how much breastmilk stock did I manage to yield during confinement? First 28 days: 250 oz. Last 12 days: 250 oz. TOTAL: 500 oz!!!

I am not saying that you need this much breastmilk stock to make breastfeeding succeed. But my point is, I am the same person, who was told that I cannot make enough milk for my babies. I am still the same person who cried my heart out because I was unable to breastfeed my babies. But now, I am the same person who managed to fully breastfeed my baby & yield this much breastmilk!

Above: My 1st bag of EBM
Below: My 2nd bag of EBM
I seperated the stock according to months to store in my deep freezer

What did I eat? Any special milk boosters?

I just ate all the nutritious & healthy food to ensure that my baby gets quality nutrition :-)
Below are some which helped my breastmilk supply increase. Please note that every individual is different, so the food that increased my breastmilk , might not work the same for you. And special thanks to my dear friend, who took the trouble to prepare chicken essence & some traditional herbs for me (which indeed, helped increase my breastmilk supply & kept me feeling energized).To me, natural source of food are the best!

Bone Broth @ Sup Tulang

Grilled Garlic. Chicken Essence (Below)

Some other foods that have helped me as milk boosters: Dates, Oats, Cheese, Herbs (Fenugreek@ Halba, Fennel@ Jintan Manis), Horlicks, Goat's Milk


So mummies, do equip yourself with knowledge as much as you can while pregnant. Knowledge is king.
Million Thanks to my dear husband who has supported me throughout, giving me encouragement to breastfeed :-) He has been with me through my ups & downs of breastfeeding all these years!


I have came accross a quote somewhere which says, Breastfeeding is 90% Mental, 10% Physical. I guess it's really true. You have to have a goal, have a plan on how to achieve the goal, & of course, pray & surrender that The Creator grants your humble wish to fully breastfeed your child. InshaAllah, you will succeed :-)

Blissful Water Birth of Our Son

Assalamualaikum.
Just to share the pregnancy and birth story of our miracle baby :-)
Hopefully it inspires other families to consider more on gentle birthing, InshaAllah.

First Trimester:
Got to know I was pregnant just a 4 weeks. Could feel some changes such as light headedness and increase olfactory sensations. Did a UPT and it was confirmed :-) Shared the news with Hubby, family and some friends.

It was indeed a miracle since just few weeks before that, I got really interested to know more on gentle birthing, bought the AMANI Birth book & so inspired by it and some of the gentle birth stories I read. As I was wishing to experience a gentle birth someday, Alhamdulillah, Allah blessed us with this new pregnancy!

Surveyed for a healthcare provider and the options we had for antenatal care and birthing. My hubby was new to gentle birthing concept but he just kindly agreed to my wishes.. Alhamdulillah, heard so much about Dr.Idora from Pantai KL and decided to make an appointment to meet her at 7 weeks pregnancy. She seemed to be supportive of my ideas of birthing Alhamdulillah, so we decided to continue with her throughout the pregnancy.

My only drawback at first trimester was having GERD annd terrible vomitting until I lost 5kg during the first trimester. At first, I tried my best not to take any medications and tried all sorts of natural remedies like ginger, honey etc. None seemed to work, and with worry that I might not provide enough nutrients for my baby, I resorted to taking PPI for 2 weeks. Alhamdulillah, at 14 weeks pregnancy, vomitting resolved and appetite caught up :-)

2nd Trimester

Blissfully uneventful. Found out we were expecting a boy at 15 weeks POA. Felt fetal kick at 16 weeks POA while performing terawikh on 1st Ramadhan during 1st rakaat Terawikh. Alhamdulillah managed to fast the whole month of Ramadhan.

Did Antenatal Exercises like Tailor Sitting, Squats, Walking on Treadmill & Belly dancing.
Alhamdulillah felt perfectly healthy during my 2nd trimester. Happy that I got to resume with daily chores as usual.

3rd Trimester

Pressure symptoms like pelvic pressure, frequent urination and sciatica catching up. Many sleepless nights & indeed exhausted. Slowed down on exercise, just did normal household stuff like cooking, light walking here & there and concentrated more on Kegel exercise. Getting excited & nervous at the same time :-)


THE BLISSFUL BIRTH STORY

Sunday, 30 November

4 a.m: Woke up with painful surge. Timed surges around 1 in 10.
6 a.m: Waited for Subuh, showered and prayed. Applied clary sage essential oil on my ankles to help increase surges. Went to sleep soon.
10 a.m: Woke up with surges again. Told hubby about it. We called labour room to book a waterbirth suite for us.
4 p.m: Arrived at labour room. CTG showed contractions 1 in 6. Upon VE, I was told cervix was still posterior & only 1 cm dilated. Adviced to go home & rest, let nature takes it course.
Feeling a bit dissapointed, we went hime  tht day.

Next 2 days was just the same. I was restless & exhausted with on & off contractions.
On Tuesday night, 2nd December, Hubby let me rest alone in our room while he took tge kids to another room to sleep. I on the diffuser & put some Balance Essential Oil in it. Again applied clary sage oil on my ankles. Alhamdulillah, I got such wonderful sleep that nightt.

Wednesday, 3rd December 2014

1 p.m: Felt surges becoming stronger. Rested on bed after Zuhur prayers.
5 p.m: Woke up with painful surges again. Told hubby & we decided to go to labour room after Magrib prayers.
9 p.m: Contractions showed 1 in 3 at labour room. Upon VE, cervix still only 1cm. I was upset but Hubby was convinced that I was in true labour this time around. We stayed on in labour room that night.

Hubby on the diffuser with Balance essential oil.
Time to time he fed me with dates & also let me drink
"Air Bunga Fatimah". Both are supposed to provide energy & help with muscle contractions.

12 a.m: Surges getting stronger. I was so restless, walking around the room & squatting with each surge. I felt squatting helps to relief pain & also help open pelvic outlet to descend baby. I called the midwive for VE. Still no progress..definitely was upset but hubby told me to stay strong & reminded me, every surge is bringing us closer to the baby..

Hubby put on the Ocean Serenade music to keep me calm while he dozed off a while. I worked on tolerating the contractions, reminding myself not to fight the pain but to work with it as it serves as a purpose (to help me bring out the baby). I tried relaxing all the muscles including my jaws while the contractions came so that all energy can be focused on the uterus doing its job. This went on until 6 a.m.

6 a.m: Cleared my bladder & requested for VE. Had some bloody show. Upon VE, dilated 3cm. Hubby informed the nurses that I am a fast progresser once dilated. They got the water tub ready for me. He also applied Helichrysium Essential Oil on my back to prevent hemorrhage.

8.30 a.m: Was in so much pain, started losing control. Upon VE was 5 cm dilated.
Started behaving differently & was in so much pain. Thank God hubby was with me all the way, holding my hand, rubbing my back & praying for me.

9 a.m: Dr arrived. VE 7cm. Was told that I could get in the water tub.
They nurses helped me into the tub.
Subhanallah, the warm water was such a pain relief!!
They on the Ocean Serenade music again to comfort me.
The nurses kept on pouring warm water and comforting me.
Dr Idora was so gentle with her words. I remember her saying " Just go with the urge". & " Keep breathing well "..

9.15 a.m: Felt urge to bear down. I was in a sitting reclining position.
wanted to squat but had no more energy to do so.
With each surge, I breathe my baby out into the world.
Hubby was there stroking my head and saying kind words. After few pushes, my baby's head was out along with his amniotic sac. It broke when he was halfway out.

9.20 a.m: Baby was out & on my chest. Muhammad Saiful Islam was born at 3.14kg.
We came out of the tub & Dr. Idora started stitching me soon (I had just 2 stitches for some superficial tear).
while stitching was going on, my baby latched like a champion, Alhamdulillah. He did the breast crawl thing & found his way to latch!
Soon the cord dried out (we had about 10 minutes of delayed cord clamping)  and my hubby was given the honour to cut the cord. Few seconds later, felt the urge to push out the placenta & it was out naturally.
We then had 2 hours of skin to skin time.

Alhamdulillah, felt so empowered and refreshed by this experience. Hubby seemed amazed too & mentioned he was proud that I did it without anaesthesia! To me, he was my pain relief..nothing can beat a loving support during labour!

p/s: Couldnt have done it without my hubby! Special credits to all who supported & encouraged me towards gentle birthing. Love u Mummies!