Isaiah’s Birth Story

September 23, Wednesday

Although I had concerns about leaving my little girl behind while I’m at the hospital, deep down in my heart, I was so excited to give birth. I want so much to see our little boy and I wanted the physical pain that accompanied my pregnancy to finally end. I told a friend that this time around, I felt like I was pregnant for years!

So that day, I double-checked my hospital bag, prepared Amelie’s stuff for “school”, made sure that emergency contact numbers and Amelie-related routine/stuff were printed and posted on the pantry door in the kitchen (for my Nanay Lei’s reference).

Evening came and I couldn’t sleep. While hubs and Amelie were already in dreamland, I sat in bed with my ibook and chatted with my preggy friend in the US. I was even able to write this entry.

September 24, Thursday

Past midnight, I started to feel tummy cramps that came and went in 30-minute intervals. I thought it was just Braxton Hicks and I chose to bear with the discomfort. After another hour, the cramps came in 15-20 min intervals. I was still in denial that I could be in labor because my mind was “fixed” to give birth by induction procedure on September 25th. But it was not meant to be. I decided to rest and after a short while, the contractions came in stronger and in much shorter intervals, I finally decided to wake hubby up! I asked him to call my mother so she could look after A who was still sound asleep.  I then continued to give instructions to hubs to pick up my hospital bag and to call the hospital. Yep, despite the intense pain, I was still very alert! He he.

We were on the road in no time. My contractions were coming in 3-minute intervals. I didn’t know how painful going through labor was until that time. I wanted a dose of epidural! I was quickly wheeled in to the birthing suite and the midwife did quick checks and confirmed that I was already 6cm dilated. She called my O&G and waited for her to order administration of epidural. The anesthesiologist came which made me so happy (really, really happy!).

My O&G came in and asked me to try pushing but I couldn’t feel the contractions anymore. She asked the midwife to lower the epidural dosage and in twenty minutes, I retained sensation on my legs and started pushing. My little bub was out in no time!

After resting a bit at the birthing suite, we were transferred to our room. I stayed at the hospital for 3 1/2 days although the standard is 4 1/2. And as much as I enjoyed the meals and the 24/7-midwife assistance, I wanted to go home so bad.

God is so good. Isaiah is one healthy boy and I had no delivery complications. Isaiah’s Apgar test result was 9/10, he passed the hearing test and the pediatrician gave a go-ahead for an early discharge at the hospital.

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