On this day, 2 months ago….
Before the sunrise, since the morning of 17th May, 7AM, I’ve been at the hospital, accompanying my wife which was admitted since the night before. It has been a very anticipating experience, for someone like us, to be the first time parents. I spend my whole day at the hospital with my wife till the evening, when I went home to fetch my mother to the hospital as well.
Throughout the whole day, my wife condition isn’t ready for labor yet although pills have been given to her to induce the labor pain. Mid of the day, my wife started to feel the pain coming through but rather mild and slow contraction. Good wishes from friends and family from any mean of communication medium are sent to us.
By late noon, my wife started to feel the pain and its getting more intense than the earlier time. Nurses and doctor examined but she isn’t ready for labor. As the husband and father myself, I feel the tense and anxious of my wife and our daughter condition, but nothing much I could do other than keeping her company and pray for all went well. Pray and seek for the good blessing so that both mother and daughter are safe, and that is all I could do.
Coincidentally, on the 17th May, it is the celebration of the birthday of Lord Buddha. Procession along the streets will be commencing in the evening and certain roads will be closed and inaccessible. I told my wife that I am heading home to fetch mother over to the hospital and will be right back shortly. At that point of speaking, my wife started to feel the pain more often and all I could do is believe that my wife is in the good hand of the nurses and doctor. I dropped by the nurse station, leave them my name card, informing them to call me immediately if there are any situation changes.
I sped off from the hospital, leaving the hospital around 6.15PM and reach home after 10 ~ 15minutes. Thank god, there was not much traffic at the very moment. Fetching my mum from my home, I sped off, heading back to the hospital and rushing up the 5th Floor and head-on to my wife ward. At this very moment, she felt more pain and it’s getting much more intense, however, she’s still not ready for labor.
By 8PM, the pain is very much unbearable and the Nursing Sister suggested that my wife is to be send to the labor room. Took along the valuables and necessary items along with us, we headed down to the labor room; however, as she is not ready for labor, therefore I’m not allowed to enter. Outside the labor room, both my mother and I are there waiting. I could not sit still and walking up and down, try to looking through the windowed door of the labor room. This has been going on for a while and finally, I sat down. Out of my conscious, I doze off at the sofa outside the labor room. I have no idea how long have I slept but when I woke up, it is now 11PM. Repetitively the same routine again; can’t sit still, walking up and down, looking through the window.
Alright, ‘ENOUGH’, I said. I must be out of my mind for no reason to speak of that. I went to the wash room, wash my face and headed back to the waiting lounge outside the labor room. I rang the bell of the labor room, and I am granted to go in to accompany my wife. Glad to see that she’s taking some rest and she’ll need more strength later when the labor time has come. Seeing her in such pain and agony, I feel heartache but on the other end, it’s a bundle of joy.
The moment in the delivery suite, I felt that the time was ticking utmost slow and by 12AM, the mid-wife came in and check on my wife. The mid-wife is now briefing my wife through what to be done and ‘push’ when she ordered. I wasn’t too sure if that means my wife is ready for labor or not however, it is something different that I’ve heard from the last 12hours or so. Now comes the real challenge…..
The mid-wife and her assistant came in…both of the speaking to each another and now, the mid-wife told my wife that she’s ready for labor. Hearing this, I feel more anxious and tremble. I’ve no idea what I could do for my wife but the very least is to be by her side, supporting her. For the few times, she did as what being told by the mid-wife; “PUSH…..PUSH…..PUSH…YES, PUSH HARDER NOW”. I feel the suffering and pain of my wife, yet our little daughter has yet to come out. By then, the time is now 12.25PM and the mid-wife has actually called for the doctor. At 12.35PM, the doctor reached and he took over the delivery process.
Situation at that moment is very tense and my wife is being dripped and induced for quicker delivery, I supposed. All I could remember is I’m by her side, holding to her hand, and supporting her from the back to motivate her. I could only remember chanting to her “Yes, you are doing great, keep it up. She’s coming out soon….keep it up dear, you are doing well”. Less than quarter to 1AM, our little daughter has been delivered safely; safe and sound. God-bless, both mother and daughter are in good condition and all I could ever say is my prayer has been answered and blessed.
For the very first time, tear of joy dropped out of my eye and the feeling is very much indescribable. The joy, happiness, and excitement of being a father has now begin its first chapter. Walking to my wife, I say, “You did a good job, dear” and I kiss her on her forehead. I walk out the delivery suite and check out our daughter, and upon hearing her crying out loud, and yes, I mean is very loud, that shook the world and I couldn’t stop smiling and feel the wonderful excitement in me. The nurse carried her to me, and for the very first time, I carried her and she opened her eyes wide opened looking at me.
I speak to my daughter for the first time; “Welcome my daughter. I will now name you – Allison Phua Jia Xin, daughter of Julius Phua and Sabrina Lye”. The joy and happiness that moment as I said, it is beyond words of description.
For the first time too, I carried her to my mother and the very first time, they both met. The excitements of my mother were indescribable and she was in full-joy. She had waited long enough for her grand-daughter and of course, the first time being a grandmother. Who doesn’t want?
I send Allie back to the nurse to perform further checking, measuring and weighting for medical records purposes. I returned back to the delivery suite and check out my wife. We were both delighted and grateful for the blessing and gift from heaven to us. I approached the doctor and I said, “Dr. Suresh, thank you very much” and I took out my mobile phone and send the messages to my brother, Steven Khoo, and the rest of the relatives and friends.
Allie was taken out and place beside my wife and now mother and daughter has met each another. The long wait for the whole night has been very worthwhile, even though lacking of sleep, the cries of Allie for the first time has banished all the fatigue, tiredness and stress.
It is now 3.30AM, 18th May 2011. My mother and I reached home around 4AM and did I mention the whole night long is without dinner? Well…doesn’t matter…all of us are tired but with joy…and nothing matters now.
Today, 18th July 2011, marked the day, Allie is now 2months old. I was caught off guard to know it has been 2months since then. It has been a very joyous journey throughout her growing up time.
Every day is a blessing, and a miracle. I thank you for your blessing and watching over my family. Every day I wake up, I see and learn from my daughter and I am grateful for all the good she had learn and grow each day.
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