thomson medical centre

both my two daughters were born at this 190-room private hospital which was established in 1979. before that it was known as 'wc cheng clinic' at 329 thomson road. the present address is 339. i remember the number '329' because it is a number associated with one of the local gangs.

ivy was born in 1983. lay bee went into labour in the evening of june 2. as it dragged on, i told the gynaecologist and obstetrician dr tan that i would rather go home and sleep than stay there and wait indefinitely. told them to contact me when the baby was due. anyway, i was back at the ward in time to see ivy make her appearance in this world.

in the case of ida - who was born in the year of the dragon, in 1988 - the waiting time was rather short. before we were prepared for it, ida decided to show up. i was not allowed as much space and freedom as when we were waiting for the first birth. the nurse actually wanted to shoo me out of the delivery room.