Amy, Like Ollie your Mum kept a short diary for a while before you were born and right after. So I’d like to share those thoughts with you now sweetie.
My baby Amy.
I was so happy when I found out you are a girl. It makes me smile, even just thinking about the day of the scan.
Even before the scan I had a strong feeling you are a girl. You ‘spoke’ to me and told me you are Amy. It’s true the name just popped out in my head. Then we found out Amy was the name of your great great grandmother. It is also written ‘British Beauty’, how perfect!
Pregnancy with you was fine, apart from my atrial fib. I was on a pill called Flaccainide until 6 weeks and I was so worried so much it caused you harm. But again you ‘spoke’ to me and told me you were alright.
We moved to SIngapore at 20 weeks. Singapore was hot and humid, I have to have the aircon on all day and night.
At 28 weeks I woke up with dull ache and ended up in hospital with suspected premature labour. Had ventolin to stop contraction, that gave me atrial fib. Such a shame as it had gone away until then. But the main thing is that the contractions did stop and you were OK. You needed to stay in there a bit longer darling. I remember that was during Chinese New Year of 2008.
At 35 weeks woke up again with dull ache. This time classed as pre labour, or false labour as the contractions were very strong and regular and you were big enough to come out. Admitted to hospital again.
This time we all expected you to actually come out. I was even moved to delivery room and signed informed consent form etc. Then suddenly the contractions stopped. After nearly 12 hours of contractions, you did a u-turn and decided not to come. Was not sure if I felt relieved or disappointed. I so wanted to see you but knew you could do with another few weeks inside.
After this incident contractions were coming often enough to keep me awake every night, yet it never developed to proper labour. In the end Doc decided to induce me at 38 weeks as I was getting so exhausted with lack of sleep. The days was set to 28th April!
Inside my womb you were delicate. You moved a lot but so gently and delicately. Really felt like a girl. I often feel your heel sticking out on my right side of belly. Such a cute little, thin heel. Lot’s of hiccups = just like your brother.
You were most active late at night and very quiet in the mornings. I spoke to you a lot. I was so happy carrying you, for the entire pregnancy.
Cravings = ice cream. All dairy products. Completely off sea food. Loved sweet things, not so much salty stuff. I wonder what you are like as an adult?
28th April was a Monday. Calmly made my way to the hospital. It was 3rd time there so I knew the place very well by then. Oliver stayed with his fried Ethan after school and Daddy joined me a few hours later.
Drip started around lunch time. Epidural right before then. I pushed you out after 3 contractions at 17:19. You were so pretty from the start. That’s the first thing I said: “Brian oh God she’s so pretty!”
So you were finally out. Finally in my arms. Love you love you. Thanks for coming to me. Thanks for picking me. You are so precious.
We brought Oliver within a few hours because we knew how excited he was. He was so happy to see you. I’m sure you’ve seen the pictures. He would hold you so proudly. He told everyone at school about you.