An emotional roller coaster

WELCOMING your child into the world is certainly an experience like no other – besides the physical work and feelings, both the mother and father go through a gamut of emotions.

As prepared as you think you are, going through the delivery experience is a different ballgame altogether, reveals Ranjeeta Kaur, who gave birth to her first child last month.

“Though I felt physically drained, I was overwhelmed with joy when I heard my son’s first cry,” she says.

“At first, my emotions were running all over the place and then a sense of calmness took over. I don’t think one can be fully prepared for these emotions,” adds her husband Dr Sukdeep Singh Pannu.

Though the experience of childbirth may be different from one pregnancy to another, meeting your baby is usually a wonderful experience.

Mavis Chor Yit Wah, for example, says that she really did not know what to expect during her first delivery but was calmer during her second.

Both times, she savoured meeting her baby and giving the infant its first kiss. She does, however, admit that after her first baby was born, the question “What’s next?” popped into her mind.

This is nothing unusual, especially for first- time parents. Seeing the new life that you have created out in the world for the first time can be overwhelming.

“Immediately after the birth, I did get emotional, especially when my wife was given the newborn to hold. The sight of the life that we were now responsible for was both exciting and terrifying at the same time,” says T. E. Low, who welcomed his first child into the world in February.

Mother of two Chieng Ho Ming had a similar experience after the birth of her first son.

“When I first held him, the first words out of my mouth were ‘ What am I going to do with you?’ I was surrounded by a cloud of fear,” she says.

Chieng experienced a difficult delivery and had to undergo an emergency caesarean section.

“Partly because of this, I did not experience the ‘ love at first sight’ that everyone talks about when meeting my The World Health Organization recommends that all pregnant women have at least four antenatal ( during pregnancy) care assessments by or under the supervision of a skilled attendant spaced at regular intervals throughout pregnancy, commencing as How do you know if you are in labour or just experiencing discomfort or a backache? If you are very near your due date, here are some signs to look out for:

Your water breaks

This is when your amniotic sac ruptures and the fluid surrounding the baby comes out. This can happen in a one- time gush or slowly trickle out over a day or two.

You can check that it is amniotic fluid and not urine by determining the smell. The smell of urine is sharp and pungent while amniotic fluid is sweet and musty. You must consult your doctor or go to the hospital if your water breaks.

You have a show

The “show” is a sticky blood- stained discharge and is actually the mucus plug in your cervix.

– This is the bleeding you experience after birth that is like a heavy period.

It is how your body gets rid of the uterus lining and may last anywhere between two and six weeks.

Use cooling maternity pads if you can find them; the cooling gel will ease any discomfort you feel.

You should avoid using tampons for at least the first six weeks after your delivery as they can introduce bacteria into your still- healing uterus.

Lochia

– The area between the anus and the vulva. This area might tear during childbirth, though most of the time the obstetrician will work to prevent it by massage or will make a surgical incision in the area before tearing happens, as a clean incision

Perineum

baby. There is this expectation, fuelled by the media, that as a mother you must immediately be joyful and capable.

“The truth is, every first- time parent will have some kind of fear now that you are responsible for this little person’s welfare and sustenance,” she continues.

Chieng’s experience with her second delivery was completely the opposite – she was relaxed during the delivery, happy to meet her second son and did not panic when she had initial difficulty breastfeeding.

Comparatively, she says that she only really started to love her first son when he went home with her and she started to breastfeed him.

“The truth is hard, but now I love him more than anything,” she says. early as possibly in the first trimester. However, this is the minimum standard of care. Malaysia’s Health Ministry, therefore, recommends more regular visits – once a month before the 28- week mark, every two weeks until 35 weeks, and then every week at 36 weeks and above.

It may come loose as early as a few days before labour starts to just before, and it can come out in one lump or gradually over a few days. Consult your doctor if you think you have show – they will want to check if it is mucus or if you are bleeding.

You have contractions

These will be regular and repeated contractions that are coming faster and faster, staying longer and longer, and getting stronger and stronger. Some women experience false labour pains ( called Braxton Hicks contractions).

You do not have to go to the hospital immediately upon feeling contractions. Inform your doctor, but relax at home for a while until the contractions become intense and you have about three one- minute contractions in 10 minutes. will heal better than a jagged tear. The incision will be sutured after childbirth.

– The thick form of milk produced just prior to and immediately after giving birth.

It contains antibodies to protect the newborn from disease, a high protein concentration and is a means of delivering essential nutrition to the baby right after birth.

Colostrum

– these are contractions in your uterus that come and go, and may feel like period pains.

Unlike actual labour contractions, they do not get stronger or get closer together with time. They are basically your uterus practising for the birth.

Braxton Hicks contractions