This is my birth story of our second baby. We named her Lexie Mariae. "Lexie" means strong, a fighter. "Mariae" derived from Maria, Mama Mary.
A little background, I was on bed rest starting my third trimester due to premature labor. I am not allowed to be stressed or do long walks and travel. I took care myself very well and almost stayed home for 3 months.
Even the week before our full term I am still on bed rest, no exercise because my Ob was still out of the country. I really want her to assist me because I am aiming for VBAC (Vaginal Birth after CS) and it is her forte.
Exactly on my 38th week, I had my BPS (biophysical scoring) I was disappointed when the sonologist told me that my baby was small. She said her size was only 36 weeks which was late for 2 weeks. I texted my Ob Dra. Menie Reyes right after and shared to her the result. She didn't immediately replied but I was just thinking she might have a patient or in a meeting. But then at around 11PM she called and comforted me that my baby is ok, her size is ok. There's nothing for me to worry so I felt relieved.
That day too I am already on my 38th week! Hooray! We are already full term. Thank GOD! I did a full squats watched YouTube. I do have projects/ system upgrade (because I am working from home) andI am not ready to give birth yet but back of my mind I am excited to see my baby. Also my Ob advised that it's the best time to give birth for GDM (gestational diabetes) patient like me.
My knees are already painful after doing full squats and exercise for almost 4 hours. Yes, I did squats for 4 hours! I also reminded my husband who has basketball game schedule the next morning after his office duty to always look and answer my call just in case it's time for me to give birth. Maybe it was an instict!😊
I logged out (work from home) to my computer at around 2AM already. Come on at 4:30 am while I was sleeping I felt gush of warm water. I stand up and my pajamas became wet, its continuously leaking so I know its not urine.
So I called my dear husband, Thank God he answered immediately. I asked him don't panic too much, there is no pain yet. I managed to take a bath first before going to hospital because I know I could not take a bath for several days after giving birth. 😝 I also put some light make up too!
We arrived at St. Lukes Hospital in QC at around 5AM . There is no pain yet, I am scared to be charged immediately in the Delivery room so we stayed at the chapel first. I prayed for God's guidance, for successful normal delivery and healthy baby. That there will be no harm and complications to both of us and the doctors and medical staffs that will assist us. At this time, I am little bit scared but I put all my trust to the Lord. "Lord, Ikaw na po bahala. Wag mo po kami papabayaan mag ina".
Around 6AM, there still no pain yet. I asked my husband to walk and have breakfast at McDo near the hospital. I ate egg mc muffin, I am so happy to eat at McDo before giving birth. Few minutes after eating I felt light contractions, I asked my husband to go back to the hospital its about 100 meters walk I think.
When we arrived in the hospital, I called Doc Menie and advised me to go to the Delivery room.
7:00AM - We arrived in the Delivery Room, they have plenty of questions good thing I prepared my birth plan. Everything I want for my birth is indicated there. It was signed by my Ob Gyne and Pedia. One thing I regret from my first birth is I didn't prepare a birth plan.
It's also indicated there that I aiming for VBAC and unmedicated birth
7:30 AM - Contractions are still manageable. I can still look at the camera and asked my cousin Nicole to take picture of me ☺️ I am 3cm dilated at this time.
After my husband had my papers for admission, I was transferred at the HRPU, since I want my husband to be there as my birth-partner too.
9:30 AM - this is how I looked contractions are already painfull!! Good thing St. Lukes has this yoga ball and I borrowed, it eases some labor pains.
I am only 5cm at this time.
They also gave me food while I am in labor but I only ate 3 spoonful of rice. This time it's different with my first birth because I was too starving!
My husband who doesn't fan of selfie, took a picture while I look worst at this moment. Urrggg!
My Mother came there too. I don't have plans telling them that I am on labor. But she still learnt and it was her right she said. She prayed me over and keeps on touching and talking to my belly. But I am feeling irritated as it is still painful especially when I am contracting.
It's so unfair when they trying to keep picture while you are at your worst. Contractions became more painful every hour, every minute.
11AM - I was so sleepy and my husband too. I was trying to sleep but when contractions attacked I'm getting awake. I am asking my husband to massage my lower back as it was so painful. And I know he is so tired too!
12NN - I heard my OB Dra. Menie Reyes talking to other resident doctors. She went to my room and saw how much in pain I am. I could almost break the bed rails! Haha.
She helped me to get up and held my hand. I complained to her. "Doctora, ang sakit sakit po." She was relaxed and in a nice voice tone. " Kaya labor tawag dyan kasi masakit talaga. Open your legs and relax your shoulders, your face. Akin na ang hands mo we will pray together. " Yes, she prayed for me and the baby..she IE'd me and I am still 6cm. After that she left me because she has another patient. I did open legs wide and tried to inhale exhale with mouth open and much relaxed way. She asked me to eat because for me to have energy but I am in pain and still full with what I ate in Mcdo.
Before she left she get me some ice cubes from the nurse, she even asked me if I wanted to take a bath before giving birth. But husband didn't allowed me too.
2PM - ang sakit sakit na talaga!!! Dra. Menie went back to me and IE'd me again. I am doing a good progress! I am already 7cm and my cervix was already soft. She asked my husband to brush and tie my hair. But my husband doesn't know to fix haha. She voluntarily brushed and tied my hair. She also asked for my lipstick and face powder. Imagine my Ob putting on my make up. So it is really true that when you are in active labor you cannot do anything na!
She even asked my husband to prepare and put on his scrub suit because they will bring me to the delivery room.
230PM - Dra., napo-po-poo na po ako! My lower back pain is so painful. The feeling that I am constipated and but I cant control but to push! Back of my mind I was thinking of getting anesthesiologist, an epidural. I almost blame myself why I didn't get a Doula.
But Doc Menie began told me "Oh Joan, diba mag vbac ka? Kaya mo yan.. "
Nahiya ako sa sarili ko. Kelangan ko panagutan na mag VBAC ako. Hahaha
She IE'd me and I am already 8cm! So they need to bring me to the delivery room.
3PM - there is no Operating or Delivery room available that moment. But they wheeled me already. I was still shouting " Dra, ayan na napopopoo na po ako!!!"
Still in a calm voice, Sige lang push mo lang. Malapit na tayo. Before we enter the room I was surprised, they brought me to the Birthing Suite!
Me to myself: Wow ang mahal nito!
I am so sleepy and tired. Contractions are very frequent. They transferred me to the birthing bed and I am so perspiring! Good thing there is an aircon in front of me. I asked them to open and few minutes more push, the baby doesn't come out. I am already 10cm, a resident doctor and Doc Menie assisted me the correct push every time there is a contraction. Which was a big help because it wasn't told me with my first birth.
Again, she prayed me over to Papa Jesus for successful delivery and healthy baby.
If I remember correctly there were five Nurses inside, Resident Doctor, Doc Menie's assistant and Resident Pedia. I asked her who are with us inside the room.
Doc Menie, told my husband while he was "natutulala" looking at me. Pwede mo sya lapitan, hawakan mo sya.
I was too sleepy that time, I did more than 5 times pushing. My husband said, andyan na si baby malapit na nakikita ko na yung hair nya hindi sya kalbo.
Doc Menie: Tulungan na kita Joan ha.
She injected a local anaesthisia, then had episiotomy.
After one strong push!
3:32 PM - Baby comes out! Finally!! I made it!
Doc Menie: Naka cord coil pala, Triple Cord coil. She unloosen one cord from her neck then to her arms.
Sobrang nakakatakot, that was the reason why she can't come out. But God saved my baby and saved me!
After that, she asked me to push again for the placenta. After taking picture, she puts on the baby to my chest. Then she stitched and fixed the cut in my vagina. It hurts and I really can feel while she is stitching me, nanginginig halos yung tuhod ko.
My husband cuts the baby's umbilical cord. It was delayed cord cutting for more than 5 mins I guess.
Yey, finally it's our first picture as a new parents again. I can smile, all the pains are worth it!
Doc Menie: Amazona ito, wala syang Doula, wala pang anaesthisia, kaya nyo ito? (said to her Resident Doctor and Nurses while stitching me. Ang sakit pa din! I can feel everytime tinutusok ng needle. )
Me: Hay, ayaw ko na.. Ang hirap manganak.
Doc Menie: Wag ka magsalita ng tapos pag nasa ganito ka situation.
Me: Ay sorry po.. 😊
Five minutes after Doc Menie stitched my cut, she asked me to pee. There was a CR inside the room which was more than 10 steps away. Amazingly, I could walk immediately! She opened the faucet for me to initiate pee.
When I get back we prayed again together and Thanked God above for fulfilling his promise.
She even asked my husband to go with her para makapagpapicture with this I am a St. Luke's Baby wall.
Hello World! I'm Lexie Mariae. See I can open my eyes already.: Hay, you are so pretty my little girl. All the pains are worth it for you.
Finally, We are now family of four! Our first family picture!
Thank you Lord for giving me strength, for keeping me safe and my baby.
Thank you for my husband who was there bravely support me while in labor until delivery.
It was so empowering that I experienced unmedicated, vaginal birth after CS.
Indeed, this is my healing birth.
