Here’s how the best day of our lives went. Some details may be TMI (too much information!) but they could serve some of you well. Here goes:

August 21, Friday

8 am. I wake up to do my usual bathroom routine. After peeing, I notice blood on the tissue. I go, “Hmmm…” So I pee again, and yep, there’s a bit of blood alright. But I wasn’t feeling any pain. I walk into the bedroom and tell H, “Hon, there’s blood. I think we have to go to the hospital.” While he gets ready and places our bags in the car, I take a quick shower. I even have a little time to blow-dry my hair, haha. While getting dressed, I feel another gush of blood — good thing I was already wearing a sanitary napkin by that time. Before we head out though, we ask Mama to take one last pic!

One last pic before leaving for the hospital
– our last pic as a pregnant couple!

8.15 am. We leave home and head to the hospital, which is a 30-minute drive away. I pray that there wouldn’t be any traffic jams. I’m feeling hungry and our OB did advise me to get a light snack, so H & I pick up some burgers on the way. Halfway through my burger, I begin feeling mild contractions, which can be likened to menstrual cramps. I start timing contractions.

8.30 am. Still on the road. My water breaks in the car!

9 am. We arrive at the hospital. My dress and shoes are soaked! I’m wheeled to the prep room, and I hand over my information sheet and latest lab tests to the doctor. My contractions are still moderate and 7 minutes apart. After an internal examination, I’m told that I’m 4 cm dilated but the baby is still way high, hardly engaged. I’m not allowed to walk anymore because my bag had already ruptured. I’m hooked up to an IV.

9.30 am. I’m transferred to the labor room. Contractions remain the same, 7 minutes apart, moderate. I’m hooked up to a machine that monitors my contractions and Timmy’s heartbeat. A doctor remains by my side the whole time. The anaesthesiologist arrives. A catheter is inserted into my spine so that he can just inject the epidural through the IV when I ask for it later on. Another doctor arrives for my antibiotics skin test and oooh boy, that injection stings! It hurt even more than the catheter insertion!

11.30 am. Not progressing contractions-wise and I’m still at 4 cm. Baby’s not engaging either. We decide to augment labor so I’m given oxytocin through IV.

12.00 pm. The contractions are strong. REALLY strong. 3-4 mins apart now. I can handle the first few waves of strong contractions, but I feel myself getting weaker with each wave. H joins me in the labor room. I hold on tightly to his hand whenever the strong contractions would make an appearance. He whispers words of encouragement and I feel better.

12.15 pm. Holy crap. The contractions are super strong. I ask for an epidural. It takes effect 45 minutes after it’s given, so oh boy, I had quite a few rounds of contractions that made my legs feel like jello. How I dealt with the pain: squeezing H’s hand, exchanging stories with the doctor monitoring me and the baby, praying the rosary, offering my pain to God, thinking that every contraction brings me closer to meeting Timmy.

1 pm. Another dose of epidural is given as I didn’t feel much relief after the first one. After awhile, I feel so much better. I can still wiggle and feel my toes, and the contractions are easier to bear now. I have a high threshold for pain, but I had a feeling not taking the epidural would do me worse.

1.30pm. H and the medical team gather ’round while my OB does another IE. After awhile he goes, “Makakauwi tayo nang maaga.” (“It looks like we’re all going home early!”) My cervix is dilated at 9 cm and contractions are 3-4 mins apart. The baby has also engaged. My OB tells H, “Get your camera! And change into your scrubs na!” Then to the staff, “DR na!” Delivery room already? I am in a daze while everyone excitedly shuffles about. We were all expecting I’d give birth around 6 pm onwards.

2.00pm. At the delivery room. I’m being taught when and how to push. I also try to remember what we were taught in birth class. We’re also waiting for the baby to descend a little bit more. By this time, I’m already hungry. VERY hungry. My motivation to push? Timmy of course. My other motivation? TO EAT!!! I ask the doctors beside me, “Pwede na ba ako kumain agad after delivering?” (“Can I eat right after delivering?”) They answer I can eat after spending 2 hours at the recovery room. That’s a long time! I don’t even know what time I’ll deliver yet! My tummy grumbles.

2.10pm. I start pushing. The team is fantastic. They’re all saying out loud together “Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale, hold and push! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, exhale slowly… Inhale, hold and push! 1-10, exhale slowly…” I could hear H cheering along too! I rest in between contractions. Since I got an epidural, I couldn’t feel much down there. I didn’t know if I was pushing right, but the doctors assure me everthing’s going well. By the 3rd round of pushing, some doctors help push the baby down also. I hear the doctor say that the head is coming out. I push with all my might.

2.34 pm. Baby Timmy says hello to the world. His APGAR score is 9/10. I’m still lying down on the delivery table, but I can see Timmy being cleaned up while H hovers about with the camera. After a quick clean, Timmy is brought to me to latch, then we share our first picture together. The team congratulates me and I thank them — we all did it together.

Timmy: “I don’t think I’m in Mommy’s womb anymore…”

3.30 pm. Recovery room. I try to get some sleep but the adrenaline of the past hour keeps me wide awake. I close my eyes and say my thanksgiving prayers. I still cannot believe that I had just given birth. When my light snack comes (a piece of chiffon cake and bottled water), I feel so much better too.

5.30pm. I’m transferred to my room. My family is there and we all talk about the birth experience. My Mom comments that I’m quite talkative and strong for someone who just gave birth. I’m not feeling tired at this point. There’s happiness rushing through my veins!

Evening onwards. Timmy’s pediatrician comes to visit and update me on the baby, OB checks in on me. Everything is going well. I devour dinner. And then I get to experience breastfeeding Timmy for the first time ever — it’s an awesome, beautiful experience.

The following days. I get stronger with each day. On my 2nd breastfeeding session with Timmy, I walk to and from the nursery with little assistance. Despite some soreness, I can move about easily. Timmy is my motivation. The walks to the nursery are helping me heal better. By the time Timmy and I are discharged from the hospital, we’re both stronger. I’m a little bit scared about what the next days will bring me, but I believe I can be the best Mom I can be for my baby. My support system is wonderful, and with this beautiful, healthy baby, who wouldn’t want to keep doing her best?

Baby Timmy

And so this is Timmy’s birth story. This is just the beginning of a new and beautiful journey for H, me and Timmy – my family of three. Such joy!

*****

Thank you for the wonderful wishes everyone! Timmy and I are doing great. I’ve read all your comments, and my heart fills with all the joy you share. Many thanks!

Taken moments after his birth

“I’m here!”

It’s nice to meet you!

Timmy is here! Born on the afternoon of August 21st, weighing 6.9 lbs., healthy and happy! Timmy and I are doing well. Thank you for all the positivity and the prayers. Birth story to follow soon!

And so the bags are by the door. That’s Timmy’s bag on the right, the cute striped one. And whose bag is that on the left? Is that the Mommy bag? Nope, my bag is still in my bedroom since I still keep taking things in and out of it. Is that the Daddy bag? Nope, it’s also still in our bedroom. So whose ever-so-ready blue bag is that?

It’s the grandmother’s bag! Nonna (as Timmy will be calling my Mom) has prepared her own bag for the hospital too. Can you guess what’s in it?

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• I’m still pregnant! Technically, I’ve been 9 and 1/2 months pregnant. How cool is that? My doctor’s hunch is that I’ll give birth this weekend. Let’s see if he’s right! Will Timmy be a Leo (Aug. 22) or a Virgo (Aug. 23)? I wonder.
• Sore is the word for 39. Braxton-Hicks contractions are uncomfortable, and so are pelvis pains. It just all means that my body’s still preparing for Timmy’s entry into the world. I’m trying to be patient with all these aches, as I know they won’t compare to the pain of labor!
• My weight has now plateaued. The books say your weight stabilizes on the last trimester. True for me. Even if the baby’s growing, my weight hasn’t increased too much. So that makes it a total of about 30 pounds gained throughout my pregnancy. Not bad!
• Infants are so cute and cuddly! H & I visited the nursery this afternoon, and golly gee, those newborn babies are soooo cute. They’re all so tiny and beautiful! Timmy, I wonder who you’ll look like. Daddy or me? Hehe.
• If it’s true that bellies are itchy because of baby hair, then Timmy must be growing an Afro. I’m sure it’s just my skin stretching. Boy, does it iiiiiiiiitch. Lotion helps. Temporarily. The rest of the time I just try to massage my belly or distract myself by playing Diner Dash.
• “All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go…” Baby bag? Check. Mommy bag? Check. Daddy bag? Check.
• Am I getting impatient? A little bit. I want to meet Timmy already! I’m even excited to go into labor already. I just hope and pray that I won’t have to be induced, that I’ll deliver normally, that Timmy and I both do well. I ask for your positive thoughts and prayers please.

“It’s great that we’re starting this relationship even before the baby is born.” As soon as the pediatrician I was talking to said those words, I knew I found Timmy’s doctor. Yes! I felt like I had scored a goal! W00t! Woah, wait. What’s this celebration all about? Let me explain.

A lot of the books and articles I read encouraged looking for a pediatrician even before the baby arrives. It’s a little bit daunting for a first-time Mom, but it makes sense, doesn’t it? If I took special care in finding the right OB for myself, I should take even better care in finding the right doctor for my baby.

I had doubts at first. My OB has a partner pedia anyway, so why worry? There’d be a pedia in the delivery room, that’s what’s important. I could just look for the right pediatrician after the baby’s born. That makes sense too.

But it didn’t rest well with me. I wanted to meet Timmy’s doctor even before he’s born. Relationships matter. I don’t like communicating with doctors in a simply transactional manner. I also need to know my philosophies and the pediatrician’s go well together. And so the hunt for the pediatrician began. And what a great success it was! I felt so illuminated after talking with her and I believe we clicked. So whew! GOAL!

Here are some tips that worked for me. I hope it helps you too.

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A “babymoon” is a vacation you and your partner take together before the baby arrives. It’s an opportunity for you to get away from drudgery of everyday housework, to take a break from baby planning and to just enjoy your time together as husband and wife.

You may ask, “Do I really need one? We’re okay as we are. We’re not stressed out or anything.” It’s really all up to you, just as a honeymoon is optional after the wedding. My advice though? Take one. Go on a babymoon. It’s a great way to destress, relax and to reconnect with your partner!

The second trimester would probably be the best time to take a babymoon — one is strong enough, can still travel, and you’re notyet that pressured in getting baby stuff together. H & I planned on this during my 5th month of pregnancy, but the AH1N1 scare pushed us to just stay home. Oh well, we thought, we could do without the babymoon.

Thankfully, part of my friends’ present during our 2nd baby shower was a stay at the hotel where we celebrated the shower. When my friends said bye-bye for the afternoon, we had the suite all to ourselves! It was an impromptu babymoon, and we enjoyed every minute of it.

What I loved about our babymoon: It was a welcome break from baby planning and a great way for us to reconnect as husband and wife, not as Mommy and Daddy. There were no dishes in the sink to think about. No bed to make in the morning. Breakfast was a delightful spread, no need to get up early to cook. I didn’t have my staple baby books to read, so I just relaxed while watching DVDs with H. Sure, there was talk about the baby, but nothing about baby planning. It was more “The next time we stay at a hotel, Timmy will be with us!” than “Did we buy enough diapers and bottles for his baby bag? Let me check my list…” It was ideal to get away from our home even for one night. If I were home, I probably would’ve found some chore to act on. Since we were in a hotel, it was all about chilling out. And both of us badly needed some chilling out.

On our way home the next day, we were both so recharged, so refreshed. All of that in just one night away from home!

How you plan your babymoon is all up to you! It could be as simple as a day away from home or a whole week. It could be a quick overnight stay at a nearby hotel or a vacation out of the country. Just be sure to get your doctor’s approval if you’re traveling far, far away.

However which way you plan to spend your babymoon, make sure it’s all about you and your partner. Sure, baby talk will make its way into your talks, especially when your belly’s oh-so-big! But do make an effort to make your little vacation more about you two. Note that it will probably take a long time before both of you go on a vacation all by yourselves.

While everything will be more exciting when the baby arrives, spending time together as husband and wife — just the two of you — is also precious.

Image credit: D Sharon Pruitt

Everyone’s excited about Timmy’s arrival, but there’s one person who seems more excited than all of the family combined.

My Dad has a garden full of trinkets, and that pumpkin has been a mainstay even beyond Halloween. Imagine my surprise when we came upon this graffiti’d pumpkin a few days ago! Yep, the grandfather (“lolo” in Filipino) is very much excited with his first grandchild’s coming.

Another way of showing his love and enthusiasm? Painting Timmy’s closet and toy shelf himself. The bedroom closet was pretty beat-up, and the toy shelf I had since I was a child looked pretty aged. They both needed some refreshing, and so I asked my Dad to help tap a painter to do the job. He said he wanted to do it himself. I asked him to just hire someone, as I didn’t want to tire him out. But nooo, he insisted. I think it was his own way of showing some Timmy love.

Clockwise from top left: My beat-up closet. Lolo paints the closet white.
Reviving my toy shelf for Timmy. Clean and white, thanks to Lolo!

There’s so much Lolo love going around the home it feels all so warm and fuzzy. I can’t wait for my Dad to meet and greet his first grandchild. I’m sure they’ll have a relationship like no other.

I have a watermelon on my lap. I’ll be carrying Timmy full-term this week. Good baby! Yay! My tummy’s so heavy that when I’m seated, I feel it resting on my thighs. Maybe Timmy’s practicing for when he’s being cradled on my lap already.

Baby reads for Mommy. These are baby books I’m reading and am about to read. On this table. There are more on other tables. It’s one way I enjoy chilling out. Information overload? Nah. The trick is knowing when to stop reading and not taking everything you read so seriously! My favorite book so far has been Dr. Susan Hoe’s “How To Have A Smarter Baby.” The Infant Stimulation techniques are sooooooo interesting. It’s been a good read so far.

We’re getting there with the baby stuff. Crib? Check. Beddings? Check. Carrier? Check. Baby bag? Check? Clothes? Check. Diapers? Check. Name? Check. My Mommy bag? Check. Baby? Coming soon!

Walk it out, rock it out. It’s getting harder to get out of bed in the mornings. My joints ache, my pelvis is feeling strained, I have to pee more often… I can go on and on about how uncomfortable being 9 months is! I walk around the house to ease the pain and to rock this little baby too. He kicks and punches a lot when I walk, during car rides, when I play music… it’s so cute.

And so this is how being 9 months pregnant feels. I feel like I swallowed a watermelon, but the cutest one at that. Soon I’ll be pushing this watermelon out. Ouch and wow, right?

*****

Thank you for the birthday greetings and wishes! I enjoyed those balloon trips! In between working and preparing for the baby, I’ve just been chilling out by reading, surfing absent-mindedly (you guys should try Roller Coaster Kingdom in Facebook) and hanging out with family. Tired times but good times.