World, I'd like you to meet my rainbow baby, Calista Danilei. Her name means the most beautiful in Greek and God is my judge.
This was her first picture upon rooming in. So serene, right? For those who want to hear how I deliver her to this world. Scroll down more.
The story started when we went to see my doctor for my 35th week checkup. We were seeing her weekly already from then. From that week, we were still managing my UTI so I was under a lot of meds. We were also monitoring my Amniotic Fluid via Bio Physical Scan because that time it was at 8 cm. This, according to my OB, was at the low end already. Normal range is 5-20 cm. But all good, she said. I was just advised to increase my water intake and Evening Primrose Oil was added to my oral meds.
On my 36th week, Amniotic Fluid dropped to 7 cm and my UTI was still there. The doctor changed my antibiotics from oral to vaginal insert. She warned me that if my water level continue to drop she may have to open me up so we should start thinking of undergoing Cesarean operation.
The real action started on my 37th week checkup. It was a Saturday. The baby was doing fine but my amniotic fluid dropped to 6 cm. And I'm pretty confident that I was not leaking. She asked us if we already thought about CS, but I said I wanted to try to deliver naturally. She told me to take 3 EPO then. But since she was worried about my fluid levels, she asked me to come back on Monday. If the level still continue to decrease then we will have to decide some major things.
On that Monday checkup, my freaking amniotic fluid dropped to 5. This was critical already, but my face must have shown that I wanted to still deliver naturally so what my OB did was she dabbed the Evening Primrose Oil to my cervix instead of me taking it orally. She said that it will take effect faster. I was just at 1 cm that morning even after taking 3 EPO days before. And still no contractions. She asked me to come back that night so the resident OB can dab another EPO on me. She also ordered a Non-Stress Test because she wanted to see the condition of the baby. For all we know, she might be in distress already because there's not enough amniotic fluid for her to swim at.
D went to the office first to fix some things at work while I prepare everything that we might need for the hospital. By then, I knew we might not come home that night so I took a proper bath. You know, scrubbed everything because I might not be able to do that for a long time. We also ate a full meal (spell Chowking Lauriat) because I might not be allowed to eat for hours.
We were at the hospital at 9pm, the NST they said will last for 20 minutes. They strapped some wires to my belly to monitor the baby's heartbeat and my contractions. It was a little bit scary because the sound was loud so I asked if they can increase the sound of the TV. Oh yes, good things there's television bacause D was not allowed inside the room. Phones were not allowed also. After 20 minutes, the resident OB called D and discussed the results with us. The results were good with just some outliers but if she were to be asked she'll advise for me to have CS already because of my decreasing fluid. She said that I'm still at 1 cm after the IE she performed. She was aware that my baby was conceived after a miscarriage (they call them precious baby apparently) so she's confused why are we risking it. I was really hesitant so she left us alone in the room to talk. I told D that I really want to try naturally, maybe we can try induction via medicines first. When the OB came back, we asked to talk to our doctor. Dra. Flida said that they already gave me EPO and there's still no favorable results. Even if I be inducted, my fluid was too low that I may have a hard time because the baby might not slip down my birth canal. She talked to D that time and told him that D should decide for us and her recommendation was to do Cesarean ASAP. D agreed and so that's it.
After losing the battle (huhuhu), I was strapped back again to the baby monitor overnight. I was scheduled for operation 11 am the next day. I am allowed to drink and eat until 6 am only. D, meanwhile, arranged for my admission. I heard he also slept in the room already and called our parents. Our decision to have CS turned out to be beneficial, because during that overnight monitoring, Banana's heart rate constantly increased to 190s. Normal rate is at 120-160 bpm. By 5:30, D sent me siopao and water. The nurse asked him to buy me soft food the night before so that's what he bought. Haha!
By 8 am, a nurse came to shave my vagina. She asked if I wanted her to take if all off or just the top part. I said just the top because you know it's itchy when it grows back! Oh yeys, my birth plan indicates I wanted a bikini cut, not because I wanted to still wear bikini (as if! hehe), but because I wanted to try VBAC later on.
By 10 am, they let me see D one last time before the operation. I half-jokingly reminded D of the files I prepared for him if I die on the table and to ask for breast milk donation for Banana. Well, who knows right?!
At 10:30, they already wheeled me in the Operating Room. This time, I saw everything because I was wearing my eyeglasses (which I specifically asked in my birth plan). Oh BTW, I learned later on that D forgot to give a copy of my birth plan to the nurses. That's why they keep on asking for my details. Anyhoo, while lying on the table I felt the urge to poop. Maybe because I was too nervous! I asked to go to the toilet. The nurse told me that she can just put bed pan under me and I can poop there but I told her I can't. Eeeww! She had to ask the doctor if I can stand up. Luckily, I was allowed. They called D to accompany me to the bathroom. Yikes! My doctor arrived shortly after. Upon entering, she noticed that there were male nurses inside. She told them "Ayy alis kayo. Maarte and pasyente ko, ayaw ng lalaki". Hahaha! Well it was in my birth plan! I was traumatized by being hugged by a male nurse before so I asked for an all-female birthing team.
At around 11 am, the Anesthesiologist and the Pedia arrived so they started the operation. My doctor told me that they will just ask an elderly to hold me in a side lying fetal position so they can administer the Spinal Anesthesia. I obliged because I know the effect if they hit the wrong point. After that, I started to feel numbness. The friendly Anes stayed at my shoulder all throughout. She was kind enough to dictate what I might feel at the moment. Well true enough, when she said that she will bring the pillow up because I might feel uncomfortable on my shoulders, I felt it right away. She was whispering everything that was happening beneath the cover. Oh yes I was conscious. I asked to be. Although of course, I was a bit groggy. But I can see and sense everything. I heard when the backup OB said "Ayy wala na nga talaga sya tubig" as soon as they cut me up. Apparently, the reason why doctors wear aprons is too avoid water spills. In my case, there's no water to spill. Going back, the anes told me when they pulled out my baby "oh ayan nakalabas na si baby, umiiyak rinig mo?" And then I heard my baby's first cry.
There she was! My baby was born at 11:15 am on July 4, 2017. The day Mommy and Daddy celebrated their 10 years of togetherness. What a nice gift no?
And while they were stitching me up, the Pedia made Banana latch on my breasts. Now that I'm writing it and seeing the pictures, that's all they did. That's not unang yakap right? Anyhoo, what's done is done.
And here's Banana and mommy's first picture together. Excuse my pimple-laden and oily face! Oh babe was I so happy to see you. Finally, after losing your ate (I know in my heart Lemon is a girl) having you felt like a real blessing from God. I cried of happiness also because you were so white! Yey I won! Oh girl was I so wrong. Hahahaha!
My little baby is so small weighing only 2.35 kg. Had my fluid levels been normal, I could have delivered naturally. Haayyz!
And this was Daddy seeing her princess for the first time.
Their first picture together -
My baby girl finally resting -
But was brought to recovery room as soon as mommy woke up.
After being able to move my leg, they wheeled me back to my room. There I was reunited with D. What a relief! There's Mama and D's parents also. After a few hours, Banana was roomed in with us. Then that was the start of my struggle as a breastfeeding mom (which I will talk about in a separate post).
I started to feel the pain of my stitches a few hours after, but was still masked by the meds. I was told to remain at the bed and not to take anything by mouth until some time and until I passed gas. As soon as I was allowed to incline my bed, I used the opportunity to try to move. After I farted, I feel the urge to do number 2. I did not want to poop at my diapers so I forced myself to stand up and go to the toilet. That was the most painful thing I've ever experienced in my life. The nurse caught me standing up and she was amazed! According to her, I was one of the few who can stand up the day after the operation. Well, I was told not to baby the pain so I can recover faster. And the advise is gold! I was able to go home just two days after the operation when some took at least 3 days!
How days passed by no? Now, my Cali is already 3 months and very much an active baby. 3 months ago, I was thinking that I will never give birth again. Hahaha! But if ever D and I decide to give Banana a sibling, I wanted to try VBAC bacause I want to experience contractions. Hahaha silly me! Oh well, having had Cesarean doesn't make me less of a mother, right?
Happy Mommy,
Yosh
