During my pregnancy with Jordan, I drank so much coconut water just because people told me this will avoid jaundice in the baby. Josiah had jaundice too and it was a most terrible time for me. So on Jordan’s Day 4 when the nurse came to visit, she told us that Jordan is definitely yellow, very yellow in fact. My biggest fear. So the next day, we had to bring him to the KK Kajang for a blood test. Actually, later I realised we could have just gone to the Emergency Department of Kajang Hospital which is so much nearer. Anyways, at the clinic, we got the shock coz his jaundice level was 18.6 which was like really really high. The doc at the clinic was extremely worried and told us to quickly check in the hospital and not go anywhere else. At the news, my heart sank, as I remembered the nightmarish 3 days I had at Kajang Hospital the last time.
No choice, we went home and quickly pack my hospital bag, at least this time I knew what to pack. We went straight to the Emergency ward and poor Jordan was later put on double phototherapy. Lo and behold I was put on the same bed as 3 years ago, what are the odds. This time being more experienced, I knew what to expect. I settled myself in for a 3 day camp. I did nothing much but watch Jordan and sleep. Of coz, it was impossible to sleep though! That night, there were lots of patients. If you know the SCN ward in Kajang Hospital, it is actually an open area with about 20 beds, no curtains, no walls. I guess this is to make it easier for the nurse to monitor and make rounds. Here is the place they place all the post natal baby cases, from jaundice to meningitis, thyroid etc, to more serious cases in the ICU. Anyways, that night, there were some babies that cry so much and in high pitch, that I couldn’t sieep a wink. Thankfully, Jordan was a good boy and slept in predictable hours.
By the next morning, I looked on with envy as some of the patients got discharged. Well, I thought to myself, at least I will have some peace that night. Jordan’s jaundice level dropped a little to 16, which was still too high to be discharged. I prayed that at least he didn’t have to go through phototherapy that night, he already went through, one day, one night and one whole afternoon. By that evening, I was so thankful when the nurse came and took away the phototherapy. I wasted no time to put some clothes on him and wrapped him up with his Woombie. He finally slept soundly and happily that night and so did I.
The next day, the 3rd day, a specialist came to check on us. And guess what, good news, we were allowed to go home. Couldn’t have been happier at the news. We still had to take blood tests for a few more times. I must say that my experience at Kajang Hospital SCN this time was not as bad as last time. I even managed to help some new mothers who struggled with breastfeeding and taking care of their babies. I could see their sorrow like I had last time, some of them sobbed quietly to themselves while watching their babies. Dear government, would you please upgrade the SCN ward soon, it would make such a difference if all mothers can choose to be in rooms and not in a huge open space like this.
After getting home, Jordan is a baby that eat and sleep lots. He knows how to fill himself up with milk and will feed for a long time, and then he will sleep for a pretty long time, sometimes up to 4 hours.I love this compared to Josiah’s cluster feeding last time, when he would feed every half and hour. I look forward to Jordan settling down with his routine and prayerfully, sleeping through the night very early on in life! Oh by the way, within the first week, he also put on weight to 3.6kg.