FYI, admission after 11pm will be considered as next day admission in TMC. My husband and I went to the hospital at around 11.30pm. The registration process was a bit long because there were only 2 counters and they were occupied.

Furthermore, the receptionist will ask if you're claiming maternity expenses under your insurance provider. If you have initially decided not to claim under your insurance provider during the registration and change your mind later on, then you will need to pay for the processing fee incurred.

Do remember to increase your credit card limit to ensure smooth payment process. We have opted for express checkout option in which we need to fill up a form with our credit card information during registration. Upon discharge, we can just leave the premise without the need to make payment over the counter. They will then send an interim bill within a week and you may contact them if there's any dispute. A finalised bill will be sent to you within a month from your discharge date. 

We were told that there's no vacant 1-bedded-room at the time. Lucky for us, we've gotten free upgrade to a premier room at the end. 🍀

My c-sect delivery is scheduled at 8am and I am required to fast 8 hours before the surgery. No food and drinks including plain water while fasting.

A nurse came into my room 2 hours prior to my surgery and did bowel prep by inserting some liquid into my anus. I have diarrhoea in less than 2 mins after the procedure.

I remember I couldn't sleep at all that night. 🐼 In contrary, my husband is able to sleep soundly and snoring out loud throughout the night. 😆

I remember vividly that I was extremely nervous when the surgery had begun. It is a completely different experience from another major surgery I had under general anaesthesia. 😨 I laid on the operating table and all I could do is looking at the operating lights while Dr. Claudine chatting casually with the anaesthetist about bringing their kids to the zoo. 

I can feel all the tugging and pushing on my tummy throughout the ordeal. It wasn't painful, it's more of a discomfort. It's getting more and more nerve-wracking as I am listening to the accelerated beeping sound from the heart rate monitor. Furthermore, I was shivering like crazy from the anaesthesia's side effect.

My husband entered the operating theatre right before baby is out. To be honest, my mind went blank and seeing my husband doesn't make me feel any better. The anaesthetist gave a few hard pushes on my upper abdomen and "NGEH~ NGEH~ NGEH~" my little girl has arrived. 💗 It took around 20 mins up to this point. 

Frankly speaking, it wasn't a love at the first sight. I thought I would be in love with my baby the moment I held her in my arms. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I was too pre-occupied with nervousness and I just wanted to get out of the operating theatre soonest possible.

After a few photos being taken with baby, both my baby and husband were brought out of the operating theatre and doctor begin to stitch me up soon after that. All in all it took around an hour for the whole surgery.

Following the completion of the surgery, I was told no solid food for me for the next few hours. I was also bed-bound for a day. Regardless of how strong the oral painkillers I am taking, I could still feel a sharp pain when certain movement stretches skin near my wound. Nevertheless, I was able to get up and start walking in day 2. Now that I look back, I wish I had asked my husband's help to get up all the time though. I was too stubborn for my own good but it did help with my recovery. 😅 In general, I would describe the c-sect wound as great discomfort with tolerable pain level (with the help of painkillers of course!).

I genuinely thought that I am out of the woods now since the surgery is over. Little did I know a tough road ahead is awaiting me.

I have started collecting colostrum a week before hospital admission. It wasn't a lot but enough to boost my confidence when it comes to breastfeeding. So I actually thought that breastfeeding would be easy.

My daughter was brought in to my room from time to time for feeding. My breastmilk was not established until day 3 after my daughter was born. During the first few days, the nurses kept encouraging me to have my baby direct latch on me. I believe it was to trigger breastmilk production. Unfortunately, my baby couldn't latch well and none of the nurses were able to help me with it. At this point, I started feeling frustrated and stressful because my daughter would cry murder during each feeding. 

It wasn't helpful since my MIL kept telling me while I was pregnant that women are designed by nature to be able to breastfeed their babies. She described breastfeeding as an effortless chore which isn't true for all women. As a result, I have instilled a mindset whereby I must breastfeed my daughter. I have gradually putting more pressure on myself and my daughter would continue to cry hysterically when she's hunger.

Even when my breastmilk has finally come, it wasn't enough to meet my baby's demand. On one fine morning, I've tried direct latching and failed terribly as my baby would shrill cry as usual. I asked the nurse how much my baby should be drinking and to my surprise it is way more than what I could supply. I couldn't hold my tears and broke down right after the nurse left with my baby to feed her formula milk.

That was the very first time I felt so helpless in my life. I was feeling useless for being unable to provide enough (breastmilk) for my baby. I was also traumatised by my baby's cry. I became very disoriented and fearful every time she cries. I felt disconnected from my baby and I can't seem to seek emotional solace from anyone including my spouse.

I personally find breastfeeding the most challenging part of my early motherhood. If I could turn back the clock, I wish I had called the nurses right away when my baby started crying to feed her formula milk. I wouldn't persist with breastfeeding which resulted in tremendous pressure I had to shoulder. Subsequently, I wouldn't be so traumatised by the whole breastfeeding experience and my baby's cry. Mind you, it took me some time to finally get over the depressive episode.

However, if you are planning to take private hire car such as from Grab or Gojek, then you need a baby/infant car seat.

Plan your transportation method beforehand and always check the latest law and regulations on car seats.