How I delivered my miracle and the things I learned.

If you have read my previous posts, you would know that it took some time before I finally gave birth to Janna, we waited several weeks before we decided that it was time for plan B. I was really pushing for a normal/natural delivery but time did not permit me to do so. I was already on my 40th week but my cervix has not dilated and I was not progressing at all. I even took supplements and walked everyday to help bring in the contractions but all were ineffective. 

So on my last check up, my OB advised me that since I'm already on my 40th week and still have not progressed, I can already undergo an induced labor procedure, though there was no guarantee that my cervix will open and if that happened, I would need to undergo a c-section. It seemed like I was running out of time so right then and there, Miguel and I agreed for me to skip the whole labor drama and just be operated via a cesarean section.  

And that was it, that night, the 27th of August, my OB called in the hospital and gave instructions that I will be admitted by 7PM and will be operated by 9AM the next day. Oh-EM-GEE! Can you just imagine how scared I was? Haha! I have never had any major operation in my entire life, Not to mention all the articles that I've read about the whole procedure! Hay! It also felt like I was cheating the whole experience of becoming a mother. 

To ease my tension, before I was admitted to the hospital, Miguel and I dropped by megamall to shop for some of Janna's things. We also attended mass to of course pray for my safe delivery. By 8:30, we arrived at the hospital and went straight to the labor room. 

LABOR ROOM EXPERIENCE

Well, basically, nothing much happened here. My labor was not induced so they just checked if I progressed and to my surprise, I did. My cervix was 1 cm dilated but Janna was still so active and I was not having any contractions at all. Two resident doctors interviewed me for my medical history and I was brought to my room after. 

( Note: In the whole duration of my pregnancy, I did not want my photo to be taken because I knew that I really did not look good. HAHA But since it was my last night of being pregnant, I said, WHAT THE HECK? CLICK!")

WAITING - NIGHT & MORNING BEFORE MY OPERATION

I loved my room! We got the deluxe-private and it did not fail me. Well it was not fancy as a suite but for it's price, it was not bad. I also got a free pillow and it really made me happy. It was so fluffy that up until now, I'm still using it. HAHA. 

I was advised to fast by 12 midnight, so at 10:30PM, I asked Miguel if we could order at KFC because I wanted to have their fully loaded meal, at least before my operation. (parang last supper, eh noh? haha) But unfortunately, the branch delivery service ended at 10PM. So we decided to order in Jollibee instead. I fell asleep at around 12:30 AM, I think but I was not able to comfortably sleep, maybe because I was nervous. 

At 5AM, I woke up and took a bath and fell asleep again. When I woke up someone knocked on the door and delivered a food tray. I seriously thought it was mine, I even told Miguel to just eat my food since I'm still on fasting. But upon checking the instructions written on the small paper, "Food tray for companion" HAHA! It was really not meant for me! It was so hilarious! (Assuming talaga ko!) Upon seeing the tray, it felt like I was being tortured. I felt really hungry but I had no choice. :(

By 7AM, they already inserted my IV, Mom and Dad came in and I was already being prepped to go to the operating room since my operation was at 9AM. I was shivering. I'm not even sure if I was cold or I was just nervous. 

By 8AM, the nurses took me to the operating room and I did not stop shivering. I just held on my Padre Pio rosary and prayed to God. I said, "I'm really scared but I'm offering everything to you." 

THE C-SECTION

I have read a lot of articles about mothers undergoing c-section. Most of their stories described the whole procedure to be painless but really painful as soon as the anesthesia wore off. I got really scared of the spinal anesthesia since most of the mothers I know told me that it was going to be really painful and one wrong move can lead to paralysis. But I told myself, I should stop thinking about all the negative things and just focus that everything will be alright because I trust my doctors. 

And they did not fail me.

My OB and anesthesiologist were both veterans in their field. My anesthesiologist looked a bit snob when I saw her but I can very well remember that she held my hand in the whole duration of the procedure. (Well, of course after she had done her part.)

I was asked to be on a fetal position because they will be injecting the spinal anesthesia, Gosh, I was so nervous. I really anticipated that I was going to feel the horrifying pain but it took a while so, I tried to look back to check but then the nurse suddenly held my head and said "Ma'am don't move, na-iturok na po!" And to my surprise, until it has been removed, I did not feel a thing. (Sus! Sisiw pala.) 

I was awake the whole time, I even heard them talking about Jean Napoles, next thing I heard, my baby was already crying! HAHA, the operation started at exactly 9AM and Janna was out by 9:40AM! 

MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME

After they cleaned up Janna, she was immediately given to me since it was important for her to latch on me so she can drink milk. Seeing her for the first time felt surreal. She was so white and tiny. I could not believe that she came inside my belly! After latching, I kissed her and she was already taken to the nursery.

Our first official photo together - Still so maga! 

After the operation, I was brought to the recovery room. I had to stay there for three hours. It was the longest three hours of my life. I was so excited to see and be with my baby that I kept on asking the nurse on duty, what time it was. I even remember saying, "Nurse, anong oras na? Di pa ba ko i-aakyat? baka nag aalala na sila sakin?" HAHA! Forgive me, I was really groggy. 

RECOVERY

I went out of the recovery room and was brought back to my room by 3PM. I felt really itchy which was of course one of the side effects of morphine and it felt really hot in my room. They even had to transfer my bed in front of the AC because it felt like I was in an oven. I was really perspiring! I was also not allowed to talk for a while but knowing me, I was so excited to share my experience, so I talked but to my surprise my voice was really husky. I was not allowed to move yet so I just slept the whole day, I think.

My room was beside the nursery, so as soon as I was allowed to walk, I walked and visited my little one immediately.  I also started breastfeeding her on our third day in the hospital.

Everyone was really surprised because I recovered pretty fast and when I say fast, it meant that I was already walking on my second day. I guess, it was because I conditioned my mind that my "arte" could no longer be tolerated. HAHA

So, you might ask, if I did feel the excruciating pain as soon as the anesthesia wore off? well, honestly, I was in doubt of myself too. HAHA I'm not even sure if I was still under pain killers back then, but I seriously did not feel any pain. Even after I was discharged of the hospital. Well, I did but it was really tolerable and it did not hurt much. Most of the people that saw me even asked if I really underwent a C-section. Haha, well, I guess my mind over matter mantra really worked!

I am really grateful for my OB because she really took care of me and made sure that everything was in place. I guess, it was also the reason why I was not that scared because I knew I was with the best. 

The whole JDMH Staff were very kind to me and my family as well. All of them were nice and really accommodating and they really live up to their mission - Committed to life, for life. :) 

LEARNING

In this whole experience, I have learned a few things that I want to share to all future moms out there: 

1. Always trust your OB. Especially when it comes to medical advises. She's not  called to be an OB-Gynecologist for no reason. 

2. Old wives tales are old wives tales. Throughout the whole duration of your pregnancy, you will hear many comments, unwelcome advises and remarks, one classic example: if you're nose gets big your child will be  boy. Oh crap! Please do not believe them! Physical changes are part of being pregnant. It does not have anything to do with your baby's gender. 

3. It is your experience. You may hear a lot of advises from different people, especially from those who have already experienced being pregnant, but again, all experiences are different. period. So do not compare. 

4. It is always MIND OVER MATTER.  No matter how scared and inexperienced you are. For as long as you have already conditioned yourself that everything will be alright, it will be alright. Just have faith. :) 

5. Being a mother need not to be learned, it is innate. For all first time moms, Do not be afraid your mommy duties. You don't need tutorials or classes to become a mother, it will come out from you naturally. 

I can proudly say that the best task/job that has been given to me was to become a mommy to my Janna. I have never felt so happy and fulfilled. She's the greatest gift God has given me. 

It is true that being pregnant is not easy, you will go through a lot of pain and discomforts but they were all right when they said that everything will be worth it as soon as you hold her in your arms. It was one experience, I will never forget.

xx