Singapore mum gives birth in toilet, shares account

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http://yourhealth.asiaone.com/content/spore-mum-shares-dramatic-account-how-she-gave-birth-toilet

My husband had just stepped out of the house. I needed him to pick up his mum quickly so she could watch over our two children while we rushed to the hospital.

Earlier, I had already felt a sharp pain in my stomach. I ignored it and continued to tuck them in. After all, the intervals of the cramps weren't consistent, so I didn't think anything more of it.

I was into my 37th week of pregnancy - and was due anytime. But I'm an experienced mum, so I knew what labour pains were like.

The contractions subsequently got worse and more frequent.

Then I felt a strong urge to pass motion.

But when I sat on the toilet, I realised that something wasn't right. The continued urge to push despite the lack of results triggered warning bells.

I had two normal deliveries without epidural and could clearly remember the feeling of having to push a baby out. I suspected that it was going to happen soon, and that prompted me to squat to reach below. True enough, I felt something hairy and knew at once that it was the baby's head.

I screamed for my husband - but he had already left.

The urge to push was already quite intense, and I instinctively got on all fours. It felt like only a few seconds had passed from the time I felt his head… and baby was out. In fact, he slipped out and landed on the floor. I didn't manage to catch him because things were developing so quickly.

Thankfully, he wasn't hurt, probably because the water bag was protecting him.

There was blood all around the toilet but my attention was on the baby. He looked purplish and lay on the cold floor quietly.

I panicked. Why wasn't he crying?

Then I realised the umbilical cord was coiled around his neck - twice. I quickly untangled him.

Right away, he wailed and became pinkish. I felt such a wave of calm and relief.

Holding him close, with the umbilical cord and placenta still on me, I hobbled over to the bedroom to call my husband.

All the while, the other two children were sound asleep in their room. It was such a peaceful, surreal moment. I didn't feel tired, maybe because the whole process was so short. Neither did I feel as much pain as in the previous two deliveries.

I never imagined I'd have a home birth. It was a scene straight out of a TV drama and nothing short of an amazing experience!