Taken before we left for the hospital

Early this morning, our family of three went down to Thomson Medical Centre (TMC) for Catherine to take her Glucose Tolerance Test (see Revisit to Darius’ Birth Place) and a final consultation with our gynae, Dr Adelina Wong to do a pap smear.

Catherine had her first blood test done at 8.45am, and we had to wait till 10.45am for her next test, after she had drank up a cup of really sweet solution. So we had 2 hours to ‘waste’ before then.

To be prepared for Darius’ next feed, we asked the nurses there where the feeding room was, and we were told to go to the ladies’ toilet for feeding. We weren’t comfortable with that arrangement since it was not exactly hygienic. They then mentioned about a feeding room on the third floor (the laboratory was at the fourth floor).

When can I eat?

And so we went down to the place, only to realise that it was just a single breastfeeding room, and it was in use. We were quite surprised at TMC’s lack of facilities for parents and babies, especially for those who are breastfeeding, which TMC advocates strongly.

Even if the room was not in use at that time, we wouldn’t want to occupy the room for our bottle feeding and deprive another mother who wishes to breastfeed her child. Therefore we moved down to the Family’s Waiting Lounge at the second floor. This was the place where I waited for Catherine after she was warded in the Observation Ward for her delivery, and I found it a quiet and cosy place which would be suitable for our feeding.

When we reached there though, the room wasn’t as empty as I thought, as there were families with their toddlers moving about. Seeing that there were many parents and children waiting outside the paediatricians’ clinics, I believed they were from there too.

Anyway, Darius started crying for food almost as soon as we found a seat, and I quickly prepared the milk for him. It was a comfortable place to sit down and relax indeed, especially we had two long hours to spare. I then noticed there were hot and cold water dispensers along the corridor outside, with a diaper changing mat and a sink. These facilities were very useful with so many babies/toddlers around. Still, a room dedicated for parents and babies would be much appreciated.

Finally, the time was up for Catherine’s second blood test, so we proceeded back to the laboratory. After that, we had to wait for another hour for the results to be sent to Dr Adelina’s clinic. Meanwhile, we went back to the Family’s Waiting Room again.

While we were feeding Darius halfway, a nurse and some people came into the room, with the nurse setting up items for her class. We immediately knew she was going to conduct her daily parentcraft session for new parents, but we were unable to move out as we were feeding Darius halfway, and he would get very cranky if we were to disrupt his feeding.

Still, the nurse requested us to leave, making us disgruntled. Only when Catherine stood up with Darius in her arms then she realised our baby was still so small. She told us to continue with the feeding at the sofa on the other side of the room instead. Despite her change of mind, we were still a little unhappy for her wanting us to stop the feeding halfway earlier, since she as a nurse would know very well the implications of disrupting a baby’s feed.

After the feed, we went up to walk around until 11.45am, when we went up to Dr Adelina’s clinic. There were quite a number of patients around too, so we had to wait for quite a while for our turn. When it was finally our turn to see our gynae, she asked about the condition of Darius and Catherine and she was relieved both were okay. She could remember us quite well because Catherine was probably one of her patients with the most complications after delivery. She also asked about our hefty hospital bills as she was shocked that our hospital stay was so expensive.

She then showed us Catherine’s blood test results and we were glad there was no indication of any Impaired Glucose Tolerance nor Gestational Diabetes. This was a rock lifted from our hearts.

After the consultation, Darius started crying as it was his feeding time again. Fortunately, the receptionists there, Kelly and Jolin, allowed us to use one of their small rooms in the clinic for our feeding. (Cat: took the opportunity to weigh myself: 46.3kg! back to my pre-pregnancy weight hee…) After the feed, we needed to change his diaper and clothes too, and they showed us to the another room. This was the same room where Catherine did her ultrascan (see Visit to the Doctor- 38 weeks 2 days) .

After changing his clothes, we then realised that he looked like a hip-hop baby!

And so this ended our final consultation with Dr Adelina Wong, and probably the last time we will be at TMC for the coming months. Hopefully there will be better facilities for parents and babies the next time we are there.

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