Welcoming the birth of Sofiya

It's been a week already since the birth of my first niece, Baby Sofiya. I received an SMS from my sister last Saturday, telling me that her cervix had dilated 4 cm. I was at my inlaw's place in Gombak, so the next morning, I went to Prince Court Medical Centre (PCMC) after breakfast with Mama (mom-in-law). I got to the labour room at about 9.30 am, to my surprise, Tiyah was in her happy bubbly mood. Even more surprising she was GLOWING with her colourful headband and some lip gloss! I thought that the augmentation might have taken it's action by the time I reached the hospital, I was wrong. Her obstetrian, Dr. Seri started her on a low dose, so the action takes some time. I stayed in labour room with her, I had fun talking and laughing before the active phase of labour. Tiyah's MIL and FIL was also there, we had nasi lemak and the trifle that Tiyah and Aiman had made the day before... while she was in labour! Hihi. Time was passing by really slow, I cannot wait for the labour and at the same time, I felt sorry thinking how Tiyah will be in pain. At about 1 pm, Dr. Seri came and performed amniotomy (ARM - artifical rupture of membrane)... she said that the next time she sees Tiyah, she wont be smiling and laughing. She was right! After about 10 minutes from the amniotomy, her contraction became stronger. Aiman calmed her down with his sweet words and reading the Quran. It was so touching to see the two of them and how much they loved each other... Thank you Aiman for loving my sister. Whenever Tiyah was about to have her contraction, she would alarm us and she will grab our hands. My dad couldn't bare seeing her daughter in pain, he kept looking out the window, refusing to see Tiyah with tears running down her cheek. I just admire Tiyah's strength, she didn't scream out loud at all. When the contraction got even stronger, she just hugged my mom and said, "Mak, sakit..." I just cried hearing her say that.

Tiyah and Aiman in the labour room

After about 1 hour, she felt like bearing down. Then Dr. Seri came and we waited outside for the active part of labour. I just stood outside the labour room and I heard all the motivation coming from the staffnurses and Dr. Seri herself. I was in tears, hugging my mom. Then, after about 2-3 minutes, I heard Sofiya's first cry. It was one of the best moments in my life! Hearing a baby cry after delivery is a big blessing... I realized this since I joined the obstetrics rotation. It was 4.42 pm. My mom didn't wait for the permission by the team to invite us in, she went straight in. I just too a peek behind the curtain, then later Dr. Seri saw me peeking and called me in. Tiyah and the baby was fine, alhamdulillah. Her eyes were blinking... looking up, I guess she was wondering what the hell just happened! Then we called Ayah... and he was overwhelmed with the fact that he's a grandpa! The same with Mak. Aiman azan in Sofiya's ears, and her eyes blinked non-stop! Then, they took Sofiya for her first top-to-tail wash... I stayed with Tiyah and left the room as soon as Tiyah fell into sleep. Aiman and Mak chose which clothes to put on Sofiya... then they pushed Sofiya to her room. I think, I can sit and look at Sofiya all day! The nurses came a few times to aid Tiyah with breastfeeding... Sofiya gets better and better at sucking. A few visitors came to see Sofiya, Aiman's siblings, aunties and uncles, including Alia Ali.

Sofiya and Papa

Sofiya after top-to-tail wash

Both parents after labour, both are tired

I went back home at 11 pm, I wish I could stay. The next morning when I woke up, the only thing that I could think of was Sofiya! I wished that I don't have to go to work and stayed with them in PCMC. Sadly, it was my first day in obstetrics, so I had to report myself and start tagging until 10 pm. The MMS helped!