Sara Shantelle Lim Giving Birth to
Baby Boy Stefan & Baby Boy Skyler
at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital
Under Selective Cesarean Birth & Selective General Anesthesia
(Baby Stefan 22.3.2022)
(Baby Skyler 1.8.2023)
I gave birth to two baby boys recently at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital Singapore. Baby Stefan on 22 March 2022 and Baby Skyler on 1 August 2023. Both of my baby boys were given birth via Selective Cesarean Birth & Selective General Anesthesia. Why did I choose to do Selective Cesarean Birth & Selective General Anesthesia? So a lot of mothers would choose to go for natural birth, that is actually really brave and amazing. I on the other hand, is totally afraid of pain and trauma, so I choose to go to sleep and wake up with my baby in my arms. Having to choose which birth plan for your pregnancy is totally your personal choice. Do not let society, family, friends or even your husband decide for you, as this is your own body, your own life, your own baby and your own story.
Back in 2021, I had a baby boy that I couldn't keep at 5 months, and I had no choice but to terminate through a natural birth. It was a very traumatic experience, the whole 5 months. There was a lot of uncertainty, a lot of crying and sadness. The whole tragedy, took a toll on my mental and emotional health. Luckily, I had a lot of family and friends support at that time. Also, we were blessed enough to have another 2 babies, one after another. So I was basically, pregnant for 3 whole years consecutively. That's another whole story to tell next time..
Point is, I've experienced both Natural and Cesarean Birth to be able to know and compare the difference between the two birth plan.
So for Natural Birth, like some or a few mothers would have done, I had to induce labour with medication. The doctor would stick a pill up the vaginal to trigger labour and contractions. So there are a few medication that doctors may use for inducing labour: oxytocin, pitocin, cervidil, misoprostol, dinoprostone and prepidil as the main ones.
After sticking the pill up into my vaginal, I started to feel pain, very gradually, but the pain pressure was certainly getting stronger and stronger. Contraction has started. The doctors gave me Pethidine injected into my thighs. The whole process of contraction was still very painful for me despite the Pethidine painkillers as I was not allowed to get an Epidural. I'm not sure why, but I think Epidural is only allowed for full term babies.
After sticking the pill up into my vaginal, I started to feel pain, very gradually, but the pain pressure was certainly getting stronger and stronger. Contraction has started. The doctors gave me Pethidine injected into my thighs. The whole process of contraction was still very painful for me despite the Pethidine painkillers as I was not allowed to get an Epidural. I'm not sure why, but I think Epidural is only allowed for full term babies.
After about 12 hours, the pain was so so so strong that I felt my whole body went into shock and extreme pain for like 5 seconds and than the baby was delivered. Because my baby was only 5 months old, he was small and tiny compared to a full term baby, I would have experienced a much less painful and faster and instantaneous birth as he sledded out of my vaginal. I cannot imagine what amount of pain anyone would have to go through if it was a full term baby. I would think that it was at least 100 times more painful that I've experience that day.
My Natural Birth PAIN Experience was 10/10.
(Without Epidural, only with injected Pethidine)
(Without Epidural, only with injected Pethidine)
10 Being in Extreme Pain.
What is Pethidine Painkiller?
Pethidine is a synthetic opioid analgesic similar to morphine although less potent and shorter acting. Its analgesic effect usually lasts for 2 to 4 hours. The analgesic effect occurs after about 10 minutes following parenteral administration.
How long does pethidine injection last?
Pethidine injections in labour
It takes about 20 minutes to work after the injection. The effects last between 2 and 4 hours, so would not be recommended if you're getting close to the pushing (second) stage of labour.
How is pethidine injection given?
DBL Pethidine Hydrochloride Injection can be given via the following routes of administration: intramuscular, subcutaneous, slow intravenous bolus injection, intravenous infusion and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).
What are the side effects of pethidine injection?
Other side effects are similar to other opioids, and include:
constipation.
headache or dizziness.
fatigue or drowsiness (especially soon after taking a dose)
loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
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Birth of Baby Stefan
22 March 20222
Fast forward to 2022, I was blessed enough to give birth to Baby Stefan at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital Singapore, Under Selective Cesarean Birth & Selective General Anesthesia.
Why did I choose to give birth at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital Singapore?
Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital Singapore would have been considered one of the most newly built hospital in Singapore, and I wanted to be comfortable to stay in a new delivery suite room. I also feel comforted to know that all their hospital rooms and equipment would have been the most updated. Also, I would think that they would have the latest technology, since it was a new hospital.
Which OBGYN Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Doctor did I choose with Give Birth with?
I chose to give birth with Doctor Wendy Teo at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital. Reason was because I knew I wanted to do a Selective Cesarean Birth & Selective General Anesthesia, and I have quite a few family and friends that went to her that also did a C section procedure with her. They only have great reviews about her skills and professionalism.
Doctor Wendy Teo is also known to be very calm and motherly, hence you would feel safe and relax with her. I also felt more comfortable with a Female Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Doctor. On top of that, I also wanted a doctor who was not too young and not too old. If the doctor was too young, I would worry if he or she would have little and minimum experience in cutting up people. If the doctor was too old, I would worry if the doctor would have eye side problems, like Presbyopia , or nearsightedness, is a common refractive error that affects older adults, usually starting around age 45.
If you do a Natural Birth or a C-section using Local Anesthesia (you are awake during the C-section), your husband would be allowed to enter the birth room with you to witness the beauty of your birth. So yea, my cousin did 2 C sections with Dr Wendy Teo with local Anesthesia and her husband managed to go into the operating theatre to witness the cutting of her C-section. In his words, Doctor Wendy Teo's hands were really stable and she did a very quick cut. I feel comforted to know that someone I know has seen her skills 1st hand, twice (2 births). And he so confidently said that she was really skillful. There was no hesitation or uncertainty at all when she did the C-section.
Local Anaesthesia involves numbing an area of the body using a type of medicine called a local anaesthetic. These medicines can be used to treat painful conditions, prevent pain during a procedure or operation, or relieve pain after surgery.
Why did I choose to Give Birth under Selective Cesarean Birth & Selective General Anesthesia?
I chose to give birth to my babies under Selective Cesarean Birth & Selective General Anesthesia because I wanted to not go through the trauma and pain anymore. I did not want to experience the slow and gradual pain that builds up slowly through contraction. Nor did I wanted to psych myself to go through the PUSH and PULL of the baby out of my vaginal. I just wanted the quick and immediate SLEEP AND WAKE UP with baby in my arms.
Even just getting push into the operating theatre, I was so anxious and nervous that my body and legs were shaking, I was literally shivering. It might be due to the cold, but certainly, I was freaking out, both times. You would think that if you have done it 1 time before, you would be less scared the 2nd time. No.... I was scared both times. Then again, my pain tolerance is low. My mental capacity for pain is also really poor. I was not ready to put up with pain, at all. Hence, I chose General Anesthesia.
What is General Anesthesia?
General Anesthesia brings on a sleep-like state with the use of a combination of medicines. The medicines, known as anesthetics, are given before and during surgery or other medical procedures. General anesthesia usually uses a combination of intravenous medicines and inhaled gasses.
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Birth of Baby Skyler
1 August 2023
Is it Painful after you wake up from Selective Cesarean Birth & Selective General Anesthesia?
So the main and most important question is, is it Painful after you wake up from Selective Cesarean Birth & Selective General Anesthesia? My answer would be yes and no, but you can control the pain. The amount of pain you feel after you wake up from the C-section can be easily controlled by the amount of painkillers your Anesthetist Doctor give you. Hence, if you feel very pain, then just ask for more painkillers.
So overall, I would say, choosing C-section birth is much Less Traumatic and much Less Painful for me. I was given 3 different types of pain killers to manage my pain: Tramadol, Arcoxia and Panadeine. All these 3 painkillers have little side effects for breastfeeding. So I was able to breastfeed as per normal like any other mothers. I also think that the start of breastfeeding to trigger the Colostrum is really painful too. I was glad that I was on the painkillers, if not it might be even more painful. With all the massage and squeezing of the breast to trigger your 1st drop of milk is painful!
My Selective Cesarean Birth with General Anesthesia PAIN Experience was 6/10.
(General Anesthesia GA - Put to Sleep for the C-section)
(General Anesthesia GA - Put to Sleep for the C-section)
10 Being in Extreme Pain.
What is tramadol used to treat for?
Tramadol is an opioid medicine used for the short-term relief of moderate to severe pain. It is not usually recommended for the treatment of chronic (long-term) pain. Tramadol is only available with a prescription from your doctor.
Is tramadol a strong painkiller?
Tramadol is a strong painkiller from a group of medicines called opiates, or narcotics. It's used to treat moderate to severe pain, for example after an operation or a serious injury. If you have long term pain, your doctor may also prescribe it if weaker painkillers no longer work.
Is ARCOXIA a good painkiller?
ARCOXIA relieves pain and inflammation with less risk of stomach ulcers compared to NSAIDs. However taking aspirin with ARCOXIA may reverse this benefit (see Before you take ARCOXIA, Taking Other Medicines). In clinical studies, the risk of developing ulcers on ARCOXIA was lower than with NSAIDs.
What is Panadeine?
Panadeine provides effective temporary relief from strong pain and discomfort associated with headache, muscle pain, period pain, arthritis, neuralgia, migraine headache, cold & flu, tension headache, back pain and toothache. Panadeine also reduces fever. Panadeine contains paracetamol and codeine phosphate.
Is Panadeine and Paracetamol different?
Panadeine – Contains the same 500mg of Paracetamol that is in panadol but with an additional 8mg of codeine phosphate. Codeine is from the opiate/narcotic family, with the strength of approximately 17% of morphine. In fact, a small amount of codeine actually converts into morphine when metabolised within the body.
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How Many Cesarean Birth can a mother go through in Singapore?
Many mothers like myself always wonder, how many Cesarean Birth procedures can a woman go through? Because, some of us might want to have many many more babies.. I always heard and thought a woman can only go through maybe 3 C-sections in a lifetime. But no, I was wrong. When I asked my Obstetrician Doctor Wendy Teo, how many Cesarean Birth procedures can a woman have? Doctor Wendy Teo said, she as personally done 5 Cesarean Birth procedures on 1 of her patients. I'm really glad to hear that, because I hope to one day, I will have more children too.
When can I get pregnant again After my Cesarean Birth?
A lot of mothers also wonder, how soon can they get pregnant again after a Cesarean Birth? I think maybe every doctor and mothers would be different. But based on my age, and my personal experience and doctors' advice was: I should only try to have another baby again after 6 months of my 1st Cesarean Birth. And my doctor told me to wait for 1 year before I try to have another baby again after my 2nd Cesarean Birth.
I hope my personal birth story would have helped you to make a clearer and better decision for your own birth experience. Cheers to all mothers out there!
It does not matter which method you choose to bring your baby out into this world.
What matters most is HOW WELL YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR BABY after he/she is BORN.
LOVE YOURSELF
LOVE YOUR KIDS
LOVE YOUR FAMILY
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Sara Shantelle Lim's SGD$40,000 Birthday Bash 2014
Club Altimate at 1-Altitude (1 Raffles Place)
Candylicious Neon Party
PART 4
YAHOO! NEWS SINGAPORE
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Blogger Sara Shantelle Lim's S$40,000 Birthday Bash
Club Altimate at 1-Altitude
Club Altimate at 1-Altitude
Featured on 2 June 2014
CANDYLICIOUS NEON PARTY
CANDYLICIOUS NEON PARTY
Original Video Link: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/video/singapore-blogger-sara-shantelle-lims-080807098.html
YouTube Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u0BGjVEEec&feature=youtu.be
Sara Shantelle Lim's Birthday featured on 98.7FM Radio Singapore
Video filmed by Billy from Vzuall Studio Productions
Video filmed by Billy from Vzuall Studio Productions
YouTube Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u0BGjVEEec&feature=youtu.be
Click here to Read about my Entire Wedding Journey!
Dr VT & Sara Shantelle Lim's Penang Wedding 2019
Coming Soon.. Stay Tuned!
Wedding Gown by Alisha & Lace Singapore. Suit by The Old Fashion House.
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Sneak Peek Video of Dr VT & Sara Shantelle Lim's Penang Wedding
Video taken beautifully by KEZMAX Productions
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Song - Rewrite The Stars - The Greatest Showman Movie
Wedding Gown - Alisha & Lace Singapore
Groom Suit - The Old Fashion House
https://www.kezmax.com.my/
Song - Rewrite The Stars - The Greatest Showman Movie
Wedding Gown - Alisha & Lace Singapore
Groom Suit - The Old Fashion House
Dr VT & Sara Shantelle Lim's Prague Wedding Video
Wedding Video filmed by Vitali Frozen, edited by Istudio
YouTube Song - Perfect by Ed Sheeren
Bridal Wedding Gown by Alisha & Lace Singapore
Groom Suit by The Old Fashion House
YouTube Song - Perfect by Ed Sheeren
Bridal Wedding Gown by Alisha & Lace Singapore
Groom Suit by The Old Fashion House
Dr VT & Sara Shantelle Lim's Pre Wedding Video taken in Prague Czech in June 2019
Wedding Video filmed by Vitali Frozen, edited by Sara Shantelle Lim
YouTube Song - Beautiful in White by Shane Filan
Bridal Wedding Gown by Alisha & Lace Singapore
Groom Suit by The Old Fashion House
Wedding Video filmed by Vitali Frozen, edited by Sara Shantelle Lim
YouTube Song - Beautiful in White by Shane Filan
Bridal Wedding Gown by Alisha & Lace Singapore
Groom Suit by The Old Fashion House
Weddings - Dr VT & Sara Shantelle Lim's Pre-wedding Photography
in Czech Republic Prague - https://www.prague.eu/en
Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral,
Church of our Lady before Tyn, Old Town Square, Powder Tower
Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral,
Church of our Lady before Tyn, Old Town Square, Powder Tower
Wedding Gown by Alisha & Lace Singapore & Suit by The Old Fashion House
Destination Photographer - Vitali Frozen
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READ MORE ABOUT DR VT & SARA SHANTELLE LIM'S PORTUGAL PORTO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY HERE
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Portugal Porto Wedding Photography Part 1 - Bolsa Palace
http://www.sgsisters.com/2019/06/weddings-doctor-teng-sara-shantelle.html
Portugal Porto Wedding Photography Part 2 - Porto Catherdral
http://www.sgsisters.com/2019/07/weddings-doctor-victor-teng-sara.html
Portugal Porto Wedding Photography Part 3 - Carmo & Carmelitas Churches
http://www.sgsisters.com/2019/07/weddings-doctor-victor-teng-sara_9.html
Portugal Porto Wedding Photography Part 4 - Porto Luis Bridge + Porto Lighthouse
http://www.sgsisters.com/2019/07/weddings-doctor-vt-sara-shantelle-lims.html
Read about Dr VT & Sara Shantelle Lim's ROM in Singapore
at 2 Michelin Stars - Shisen Hanten at Mandarin Orchard Hotel
http://www.sgsisters.com/2019/05/weddings-doctor-victor-teng-sara.html
Their Cartier Wedding Rings, Flowers by Royal Blooms, Wedding Cakes from WeddingCakes.SG
Destination Photographer - Vitali Frozen
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READ MORE ABOUT DR VT & SARA SHANTELLE LIM'S PORTUGAL PORTO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY HERE
- CLICK HERE -
Portugal Porto Wedding Photography Part 1 - Bolsa Palace
http://www.sgsisters.com/2019/06/weddings-doctor-teng-sara-shantelle.html
Portugal Porto Wedding Photography Part 2 - Porto Catherdral
http://www.sgsisters.com/2019/07/weddings-doctor-victor-teng-sara.html
Portugal Porto Wedding Photography Part 3 - Carmo & Carmelitas Churches
http://www.sgsisters.com/2019/07/weddings-doctor-victor-teng-sara_9.html
Portugal Porto Wedding Photography Part 4 - Porto Luis Bridge + Porto Lighthouse
http://www.sgsisters.com/2019/07/weddings-doctor-vt-sara-shantelle-lims.html
Read about Dr VT & Sara Shantelle Lim's ROM in Singapore
at 2 Michelin Stars - Shisen Hanten at Mandarin Orchard Hotel
http://www.sgsisters.com/2019/05/weddings-doctor-victor-teng-sara.html
Their Cartier Wedding Rings, Flowers by Royal Blooms, Wedding Cakes from WeddingCakes.SG
Sara Shantelle Lim on Singapore Airlines First Class Travel
Read more about Sara Shantelle Lim Travels around the World
on Singapore Airlines First Class & Business Class
on Singapore Airlines First Class & Business Class
Read about my First Class Singapore Airlines Travel to New York: CLICK HERE.
Read about my First Class Singapore Airlines Travel to San Francisco: CLICK HERE.
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Read about my First Class Singapore Airlines Travel to Sydney: CLICK HERE.
Read about my Business Class Singapore Airlines Travel to Bali: CLICK HERE.
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Read about my Business Class Singapore Airlines Travel to London: CLICK HERE.
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Read about my Business Class Singapore Airlines Travel to Cebu: CLICK HERE.
