Birth!

Tomorrow, we are going to celebrate the birth of my daughter Chesca, which made me reminisce,

At this time last year, I was already admitted to the hospital 33 1/2 weeks into my pregnancy.

Two weeks before giving birth, I sent my ultrasound results to my doctor and upon seeing it, I was advised to bed rest.  But me and the baby were okay.  I took a half day from the office and went home.  From then on, I either stayed at my mom's house or at our apartment.

At around 2 a.m. of April 19, I had some leaking.  Calmly, I told my husband about it.  We briefly discussed about going to the hospital just to be sure, but, still, I was not feeling anything.  We were not in a panic or anything.  I told him that we do not have yet our baby bag, but he said he will just pack if I will be admitted (I was planning to ready bag that week!).  On the way to the hospital, I asked if he was nervous, and he said no.  I was not nervous as well.  We were just calm about it.  Well, after a few checks, I was advised to remain in the hospital for observation since my baby and I are ok.  No need to induce.  It was discussed that the baby should be in my tummy as long as she can since she is still premature.

So I stayed there in the hospital, with Allan, my relatives and Allan's sister taking turns in looking over me.  Every now and then I was brought to the delivery room for checking the baby's heart beat.  And yes, my water bag was still leaking.  No, it did not burst.  Since my water bag did not yet break and the baby was still ok, yet too early to be born, there was no need to induce.  Yes, I just watched TV and one time prepared an exam for my law school class, hehe.

While in the hospital, Allan and I discussed that we do not know when I will give birth and the hospital bill is piling up.  But we were comforted in knowing that both the baby and I are ok, and that is what kept us going.  Money will come and we will borrow if need be.  

However, on the afternoon of my 6th day, I had green discharge, which means the baby has pooped.  After evaluation, they said that I have to give birth already.  I was induced and after a few minutes I felt pain in short intervals ... I even asked "Mao na ni? Paspasa ba sa effect" haha.  I was thinking that the intervals would be longer.   I was able to sleep afterwards, eat and poop as well (haha .. sorry, too much information but I had to share it so that moms about to give birth need not worry because it's normal).  I slept for a while and I think at around 10 or 11 pm, I was given epidural (yes, I already informed my OB beforehand that I would go painless).  I then introduced myself to the anesthesiologist since he is a friend of my husband.  After that, I was still made to sleep and wait in the delivery room, with a nurse near me.  Everything was calm.  At around 2 or 3:00 a.m., they checked on me and said it's time.  So I was given instructions how to push among others.  And no, I was not feeling anything at that time.  I was just told to push as if I was to poop but stronger and harder .. haha

So without any pain, I just pushed as much as I can, with the help of a midwife/nurse, and after a few minutes, it was done.  My baby did not cry right after she was out of me.  I asked my OB about it but she said it was ok she will cry in awhile, which she did right after.  

That's how I gave birth.  I was not expecting it to be as calm as that.  My husband and I was prepared of the eventuality that my water bag will break with a "splash" just like in TV.  I was envisioning myself hurrying my husband to bring me to the hospital because I cannot bear the pain.  I saw myself shouting, crying and perspiring as I give birth.  But none of that happened, hehe.  Every delivery is a different story indeed!

Honestly speaking, I did not feel any pain during that time.  The most painful moment was right about that time after I was induced.  But after I gave birth, I felt weak .. so that's how it feels!

My baby was so small and cute.  And I was just so happy that she was healthy and ok, even if she was born at 35 weeks.  And so Chesca Myelle was born :)

My 2014 - Part 1

Yes, I know.  I am fully aware how less I blogged in 2014.  I posted the fewest blogs in a year from the time I started blogging.  Let me just say that my hands were indeed full.  Nevertheless, to cap the year that was, here is my 2014 summary.

JANUARY

I celebrated New Year's Eve in one of my favorite cities in the world - Melbourne.  And on the first day of 2014, took a plane from Melbourne to Manila and from Manila to Davao City.

Happy New Year from Melbourne! 

Of course, I was very happy to be a part of my friends' special events - attending Teen's birthday and thanksgiving party as well as Cloud's baptism.  

 With law school friends at Teen's party (Ate Jo not ready for the picture .. hehe)

 Godparents at Cloud's baptism

 And there's that once in a blue moon beach outing with law school friends.

Beach time at Paradise!

This was also the year I turned 33.  I was very lucky to have people greet me before, during and after my birthday.  I feel so special having celebrated it with family and friends.  

Turning 33 at Yakimix!

How sweet!

Simple but fun lunch with this bunch!

FEBRUARY

My February usually starts with a joint birthday celebration with Lyn.  This time, we spent it at Vikings!

 Mukhang busog na ako dito :)

Teaching wise, I was very flattered having a talk with my former teacher now my co-teacher in undergrad.  

And of course, my BL Entrep Class was very amused with my perfect circle in class.  I do not have any picture of it, but my students surely took a picture of it.  I just drew a circle on the board and amazingly, it looked as if it was a perfect circle.

MARCH

I had a sumptuous dinner sometime the first week of March with friends.  

Food galore at Cellar de Oboza

Things happened so fast towards the last week of March.  It was quite shocking and surprising for the whole family and we just all hoped for the best.  To this day, I always thank GOD for the strength He has given our family as we went this ordeal together. 

Taken at 1 am after we fetched Jeni and Ally from the airport.

Our dad was very surprised when Ally was the one who woke him up at 1 am! 

Paradise again with family!

APRIL

One thing I will be always grateful is that of GOD's presence in my life.  Without Him, I have already faltered.  But what is amazing is that my faith remains steadfast in Him.  Our family has truly been blessed by Him, and with that I am always thankful.

To be continued ...

Bite Me!

I have come across a few centipedes. However, my sudden encounter with such kind last May 29 made me go to the hospital.

I was going over my clothes that fateful Tuesday night, trying to pick out what clothes to bring for our upcoming trip. As I was rummaging through my closet, a number of clothes fell on the floor and something bit my big toe.

That was so painful! I saw some blood and tried to adjust to the pain. But it was so painful! I then tried to lift the clothes to check what bit me and lo and behold, I saw one long centipede scampering away from me. I then called my brother that I got stung by a centipede and to go after it. But we could not find it anymore.

Anyhow, I remain seated on the floor and tried to release blood from the sting. I could not help but cry. I decided to wash the wound but the pain remained. Later, my brother tried to elevate my foot and put a cold compress, and later a hot compress. But the pain remained. I then felt some cramps and I was worried that the centipede might be venomous. And it was still painful!

I told my brother to tell mom and dad that I got stung by a centipede and the sting was so painful. I was rushed to the emergency room of the hospital and the hospital staff was not aware what was the first thing to do. After a few minutes, they put me in a stretcher, put some ice on my toe and injected some pain reliever into my veins. The hospital staff said that all they could do was to manage to pain. There was no need to worry about the poisonous sting because it would not spread to the other parts of my body, only to that part bitten. However, it was indeed poisonous such that it was so painful.

I was anxious and agitated because the pain was still there. My mom asked how painful it was - I said "parang kusi na dugay kaayo". I was admitted to the hospital. It was after more than an hour when the pain somehow subsided but the pain was still there. It was only the next morning when there was not much pain but the swelling remained. I stayed in the hospital for two nights for observation.

What an experience! I can't say if I was traumatized. I hope not. I just hope it would not happen to me or to any one I know. I would not wish such pain to anyone. And I thank GOD that I got over it!