Sue's story :

It was in early 2003 that I had my fifth boy. I was happy but tired because I thought this time, I would be blessed with a girl. But God had fated otherwise. Anyway, I was truly thankful that my pregnancy and delivery went well and that I was blessed with a handsome bouncing baby boy. We had not yet given up on the idea of having another baby as we still have high hopes for another little girl. However, we were quite surprise that it had come sooner than later. My youngest boy was no more than a year old when I discovered that I was conceiving my sixth child.

Obviously, I was quite exhausted, having to tend to a year-old baby, my four other boys, my hubby, the household chores and being pregnant at the same time. I was already 36 then. It really took a toll on my lethargic body. Moreover, we were in the process of selling the old house and buying a new one.

Imagine, having to keep the house clean and tidy most of the time as we expected the house agent to call every now and then to say that there were potential buyers who wanted to come and view our house. Any mother who have many boys will know how tiring it is to manage and maintain a tidy house, let alone a spick and span one at that. My job was made more difficult as I have no one to turn to for help because my mother and siblings have their own commitments.

Anyway, we managed at last to get a buyer for our old house and at the same time, agreed to buy another, albeit a bigger one, before I was due to give birth somewhere in mid August 2004. We had planned it all out nicely ; by mid July we would move into our new home and got everything ready for the baby's arrival. That was what we thought! Alas, it was not meant to be!

Just a day before we got the keys to our new home, I started having brownish discharge. I must have been exhausted, I told myself, what with having to look after five active boys and packing our stuff into boxes. I assured myself quietly that it was okay, I was not due yet, I still have another month to go before I gave birth and that all I needed to do was get some sleep and get plenty of rest. But, by nighttime, the discharge became heavier and turned into bloody discharge the next morning. I panicked, what if anything happen to this precious little baby girl which I have been waiting for all my life?!

I called my husband who had barely arrived at the office and broke down as I told him the grim news. He came back home instantly and later, after arranging for the five children to be taken care of, admitted me to the emergency department of the hospital. The doctor in charge told me that I was well on my way to deliver my baby, although I did not feel any contractions and the fact that I was still in my 36th weeks of pregnancy. As I recalled, the last time I went into early delivery was at 35th week, when I gave birth to my twin boys.

By God's grace, my little girl was safely delivered, all in 2.85kg, shortly after midnight, after about 10 hours of labour. Sarah, that's what we named our girl, with scarlett lips and puffy nose, looked so beautiful as she opened her big round eyes wide and looked inquisitively at the doctor and her surroundings. Only God knows how thankful I was when I looked at her, the most beautiful, gorgeous gift I've ever dream of! And it did not even matter anymore if I was tired, if I was in pain, if everything we had planned had gone haywire ; just seeing my sweet lil' pumpkin washed away all my pain and worries.

When the doctor pulled out my afterbirth or placenta, they discovered a torn part to it. That was the reason why I bled earlier. I searched my brain for things which I had done which could have cause such a damage to my placenta. Then I remembered ; I had been pushing the heavy cupboards and wardrobe a few days before my delivery. Hmmm... whom do I think I am? WonderWomen?! I must have been out of my mind then and it almost put my baby's life and mine in imminent danger. To all pregnant ladies out there and those who plan to have a baby, please... I implore u ; DO NOT overstrain yourselves during pregnancy and get as much help as you possibly can. Don't even think of trying to be a superwoman!

Anyway, after eleven months of riding through physical, emotional and psychological roller-coaster, I am slowly adjusting now to my new home with my rambunctious boys and girl and a whole load of chores to do with having so many kids. Oh gosh, help...!!!