4D3N C-Sect at Thomson Medical Centre (TMC)
10 April 2025
12.45am - Checked in at midnight to level 2 of TMC’s delivery suites. I was brought to an observation room for induction & CTG monitoring of baby’s heartbeat plus contractions/dilation. Nurses came to administer Cervidil shortly after in hopes of inducing labour within the next 24 hours. Also given stool softener to clear bowel for natural birth. Immediate effect within seconds!
6am - Contractions started happening 6 hours after administering Cervidil for induction. Pain level: 6/10 to 7/10
8.15am - baby’s heartbeat started dropping prob as a result of distress due to Cervidil being administered and nurses immediately rushed in to administer IV drip. Was asked to breathe through some transparent looking tube probably for oxygen. After 10 mins, baby’s heartbeat resumed to a normal rhythm.
9am to 1pm - Remained at the observation room further as we were waiting for updates on when an available ward will be ready so we can head up to continue resting (while waiting for induction)
1pm - Contraction pains became so mild after being transferred to normal ward unlike those felt in the observation room
3.45pm - Decided to head back to observation room to monitor contractions as they were getting mild and progress of inducement was very slow
11 April 2025
9.50am - brought to level 2 of labour ward Room 3! Gynae came in to help dilate til 3cm through a sweep (which was awfully uncomfortable and pain!!) She also burst my water bag (slow warm gush of liquid started trickling down) and administered some IV drip to further speed up contractions, doing all she could to help me achieve my birth plan of a natural birth as much as possible.
11am to 3.30pm - During this period, contractions became more intense and frequent. Pain level: 7/10-9/10. Also had a light and early lunch in the labour ward. Nurses came in almost every hour to check on me. Service was impeccable. Still 3cm dilated.
4pm - Decided to switch to emergency c-sect as dilation was taking too long and I didn’t want to spend further time and energy waiting for dilation to happen. The transition from inducement to C-Sect happened so swiftly thereafter!
4.15-4.20pm - Within 15 mins of deciding on C-Sect, nurses and gynae made the necessary arrangements - booked an OT, found an available anaesthetist and I was pushed to the OT while hubby went to change into some protective wear. I was asked the reason for doing C-Section,
made to sign some indemnity form and whether I had a binder (or compression stockings). Before I knew it, I was transferred over to a table. There were like 5 staff there waiting. I was asked to breathe through an oxygen mask that made me slightly delirious. Anaesthetist injected epidural into my spine which felt like an ant bite. My legs went totally numb. After some 10 mins later of pulling and tugging, they lifted our baby boy up 😍 held him close for a short while before they took him for his measurements.
5pm - 5.30pm: I remember being pushed out of the OT and wheeled to an area for further observation for 30 mins while hubby accompanied baby boy to nursery. Was shivering intensely at this point and all i could recall was just dozing off.
12 to 14 April:
*For C-Section patients, upon removal of the urine catheter, a nurse will come in and ensure that you’re able to pass 200-250ml of urine (this is mandatory). They’ll come in again to ensure that you pass this amount.
These few days were mostly about trying to focus on resting and recovery, removing the urine catheter. There was also a free visit by the lactation consultant (LC) on the day after delivery — to guide us through what we needed to know about breastfeeding (I didn’t realise I was alr producing milk just 2 nights after delivery day and I woke up feeling boobs becoming full, rock hard and pain - called the nurses in to assist and they told me how to massage and it was because (“milk was being “filled up”). Was also taught by LC on how to massage and to pump every 3 hours. She also checked the breast pump flange size and nipple size. If not for her, wouldn’t have known that we had the wrong size.
Anyway, the first walk after they removed the urine catheter was the most difficult and painful (So take all the time and go slow. It’ll get better with time). Staff nurses came in hourly to check on my blood pressure / I was also administered a total of 3 injections to the stomach (probably antibiotics?) which I can’t recall anymore. Pain level: 0-10 probably because stomach still had fats from just giving birth 😅
Room service team was also very prompt and they delivered food as early as 7am! Housekeeping attendants did a good job in maintaining cleanliness of the room as well, coming in every now and then to clean & clear rubbish.
On the first night after the surgery, a nurse came to wipe down my entire body and helped with mouthwash. Enjoyed impeccable service from the staff nurses while being served their signature dishes like the green papaya fish soup and longan red date tea until check out :)
Tip: on the day of discharge, do opt for express checkout so you can avoid the queue.
If anyone is considering private hospital to give birth at, I recommend Thomson Medical for the stellar service. Oh! They also followed up 3 weeks post delivery to find out how I was doing, definitely a plus point and a positive touch to my already pleasant experience there ❤️
When considering giving birth at a private hospital like Thomson Medical Centre, one aspect that truly stood out to me was the comfort and environment of their maternity wards. The observation room and labor wards are well-equipped, providing privacy and a calming atmosphere which greatly eased my stress during the long hours of induction and labor. In addition to the medical care, the availability of a lactation consultant was a huge support for me. Their guidance on breastfeeding techniques and help with selecting the correct breast pump flange and nipple size made breastfeeding much more manageable, especially in those critical first days after delivery. If you’re expecting, I highly recommend making use of this service offered free of charge. Furthermore, postpartum care at Thomson Medical Centre was comprehensive. Nurses checked vitals regularly and provided attentive care, including assistance with hygiene after surgery, which helped alleviate discomfort during recovery. The staff’s attentiveness even extended to dietary service—the food was nourishing and served promptly, offering comfort during my hospital stay. For patients concerned about room options and charges, exploring the various maternity package details and room rates beforehand can be helpful. Thomson Medical also offers health booklets and prenatal classes which can prepare expecting parents for labor and delivery. Lastly, a tip for those discharging: opting for express checkout saved me time and made leaving the hospital a breeze. This small convenience was appreciated after days focused on rest and recovery. Overall, my stay at Thomson Medical Centre combined excellent professional medical attention with comfortable accommodation and thoughtful post-delivery support, making it a recommended choice for childbirth in Singapore.
See more comments