My Birthing Story (the second time around)

I gave birth to Janysha Andrea Recta Jamias on December 23, 2009. I've been into a series of unfortunate events that only now I had the time to share my 2nd birthing story. All is well with this 2nd pregnancy. But giving birth to Jandi was very traumatic not only to me but to my husband and the whole family as well. Gotta warn you that this might be a very long post. Don't worry, I won't bore you as I will post some photos with it. So are you ready?

November 2009
My OB had me on bedrest because my cervix is semi opened. All I was thinking that time is how can I do some shopping for the little one, and of course, I need a new outfit before I give birth. I was so disappointed.

December 18, 2009
This day marks my 37th week. House arrest has been lifted, and I went with my family to do a bit of shopping. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the whole time, coz I've been experiencing a little contractions and some pains in my tummy. And of course, everybody's busy shopping for Christmas, a lot of people inside the mall. I'm having a hard time breathing and a lot of people just accidentally bumped into my tummy that made me so grumpy.

December 22, 2009
I went out with Janna and my brother. He bought his remote control for his camera while me and Janna stayed inside the car. After that we went to the mall to do another attempt to shop something for me and the baby. But again, another series of contractions were present and my super kabadong brother told me that we should head home at baka daw sa mall pa ako putukan ng panubigan.

December 23, 2009
My scheduled day for my weekly check up. OB did an IE and she smiled and asked me...

Dra. Nogoy: Kailan mo gusto manganak? Ngayon, bukas ... kailan?
Me: Doc bakit po?
Dra. Nogoy: Eh kasi you're 4 cms dilated na ... actually, 5 cms na
Me: What? Di na ako aabot ng January 2010?
Dra. Nogoy: So ano kailan mo gusto manganak?
Me: Eh di ngayon na doc, wag na natin pigilan.

She reserved a room for us at FEU Hospital right away and was advised to proceed to the hospital by 2:00p.m. I was at her clinic at around 11:00a.m. I texted Jason, asking him to go home immediately. I'm not going to give birth to this baby without knowing that he's with me. But my ever workaholic husband told me that he can't make it by 2:00p.m. coz he has to go to the bank to withdraw some cash for his laborers. It just happened that day was their Christmas party, too. So I asked my O.B. if I can buy some more time because I'm still waiting for my husband to come home. My O.B. told me that I'm in active labor but it would still take a while for me to give birth. She told me to just relax while I wait for Jason.

2:00p.m. the bloody show ... I texted my OB ... OB sa "Doc, may bloody show na ako, do I have to go to the hospital na? Wala pa din kasi si Jason." OB said, "Normal lang yan kasi dinutdut kita kanina (she's referring to the IE), ok lang yan, mag-relax ka lang habang hinihintay mo si Jason."

3:30p.m. I asked my brother to take a photo of me. Coz I haven't had a decent preggy photo (again) the whole time of my pregnancy with Jandi. So my brother took some shots of me while waiting for Jason. Take note: I'm on active labor and I'm 5 cms dilated hehehe.

I didn't realized I was this big ... when I had Janna, I was a bit smaller ...
a bit lang naman hehehe!

Since I was on bed rest on the last leg of my pregnancy, I didn't have the chance to buy a maternity dress for myself. I have no choice but to wear the same maternity dress I wore when I gave birth to Janna.

4:00p.m. Finally, Jason arrived ... he and my brother hurriedly put everything inside Jason's pick up ... hospital bag, baby bag, laptop (yes laptop ... hehehe!), PSP, everything we need on our 3 day stay at the hospital. By the time I was inside the car, contractions went on every 15 minutes. The baby really wanted to come out that day already. She's so active and I could feel she's pushing her way down there. Arrrghhhhh labs, bilisan mo at nakakaramdam na ako ng sakit!

4:30p.m. Jason parked his car near the lobby of the hospital, not near the ER ... so I have to walk a bit until we arrived at the ER. Labs, wala naman sinabi si doc that I need to walk para mag-descend ang bata, pinahirapan mo pa ako maglakad! Anyway, while I was at the ER waiting for my cue to go to the DR ... I started praying for me to have a safe delivery... no complications please, Lord. And make it safe for my baby ... I'll make sure I'll push hard so she'll get out in no time ... gagalingan ko talaga promise.

5:30p.m. I was wheeled to the LR. I kissed Jason, for I will not see him for hours. For sure he will not bore himself naman sa hospital room dahil my brother was with him the whole time, at meron siyang dalang Sun Wireless Broadband (shameless plug). This is it ... I'm back after a year and 7 months ... in the same bed that I was when I had Janna, with the same OB residents. Just like when I had Janna, I was the only one who's into labor that time and I'm so lucky that all people are focused on me. Actually, every now and then umaalis sila kasi Christmas party ng OB Gyne department ... hala! While waiting for my OB, they advised me to sleep. Sigurado kasi pag descending na si baby eh hindi na ako papatulugin ng sakit. Ang kainis pa is yung mga interns na tanong ng tanong ng history mo na paulit ulit mo naman kailangan sagutin. Nakakaloka! Paano pa ako makakatulog nun?

9:00p.m. OB made an IE, and I'm already 6 cms dilated ... She popped my waterbag and the pain is unbearable. She asked the anesthesiologist that its about time to give the epidural. The anes had the hard time inserting the epidural on my spinal space. Tumaba daw kasi ako and naka-dalawang shots pa siya sa akin. Hello? ang sakit kaya nun no! I was shouting that time, nakakahiya pero I had too to bear the pain. I think every 30 minutes, I can feel the pain. Err doc, painless di ba? bakit may nararadaman ako ... grabe na ang sakit eh.

11:00 p.m. A resident checked on me, when she saw there's oozing blood already in my vajayjay, she immediately did an IE ... she said, "Tawagin na si doc, ready na to naka-position na" ... So that's the reason why the pain is so unbearable ... Oh my God, this is it! I began to pray again, and trying to relax myself coz I wanted to get things over ASAP. They wheeled me to the DR, I know this place looks familiar ... I was here 1 year and 7 months ago hehehe. As usual, may cheering squad nanaman ako sa tabi ko, they keep telling me to push hard. Yah yah yah alam ko na yan ... pangalawa ko na kaya to!

"Inhale! Exhale! Inhale then push ... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10" Oo, kabisado ko yan ... since I was on epidural, everything should be in sync. Everytime I'll feel the contractions, I have to tell them and the next thing they'll do is to say those lines. I think I did better with the push this time. I think I had 10 pushing lang eh, basta sandali lang, di ako masyado nagtagal sa DR unlike when I had Janna that I stayed for 2 hours kasi she won't descend when I push. Muntik pa na-CS.

11:42 p.m. Baby out 11:42p.m. baby girl ... I was sedated already that I didn't have the chance to see how she looks like. I didn't even know they let her latch on my breast. Funny though, we had a photo together, which I smiled but didn't quite remember that it happened. Medyo nagising lang diwa ko when my OB and a resident was talking while they clean me up ... "Grabe, sobrang madugo ... sana tumigil na to" Ano? Sana tumigil na to? Anong klaseng statement yun? you mean may possibility na di tumigil yung pagdudugo ko? After that, everything went black!

I was awake again for the second time around when they wheeled me to the Recovery room. This time, and dami nakakabit sa akin na kung ano-ano. They're checking my vital signs every now and then. Hmmm ... mukhang serious to ah ... then my OB went inside the room. "Sheryl, about sa date and time ng baby out, hindi sila pumayag na maging December 24 kahit ilang minutes nalang. So, we changed the date stamped to its original time and date." Nakakalito? it's a long story, wag nyo na alamin. Okay sige na nga. I asked kasi kung pwede gawin nalang December 24 yung birthday ni Jandi para Christmas Eve and ka-birthday ng kuya ko. Hindi pumayag yung sa NICU kaya back to original time and date ang birthday ni Jandi. Then she explains that they had a difficult time cleaning me up. Super dami daw ng dugo ko, nakailang gauze daw sila just to pat the bleeding. napatigil naman nila, yun nga lang ipinaalaml ang niya sa akin yung naging situation.

December 24, 2009 ... 2:00a.m. ... Inakyat na ako sa room, but I'm kinda wondering bakit hindi pa tinatanggal yung catather ng epidural sa likod ko. When I had Janna, tinanggal nila agad. When I was there sa room, they strictly advise me to lay flat in bed for at least 8 hours. Huh? that's new ... para san yun?

8:00 a.m. super sakit ng ulo ko ... tumayo ako dahil I want to pee. As soon as I got up, I had this really super painful and nakakahilong headache sa tanan ng buhay ko. Umiikot paningin ko and my head was like pounding talaga. Whew ... kahit dati pag nakakainom ako, hindi ganito ang hangover na nararamdaman ko after that. Grabe, parang mamamatay na ako sa sakit ng ulo ko. Then I could feel something is dripping from the catather. I informed the nurse about it ... lalaki yung nurse, he said "Ay mom, asan yung nakakabit dito, yung parang lock?" "huh? may lock ba yan? eh nung nasa recovery room palang ako wala na nakalagay diyan." "Sige po, humiga lang po muna kayo at itatawag ko po sa anes."

Sobrang tagal ng anes ... feeling ko hindi na siya pupunta. Nung dumating na, tinanong nanaman niya ako ... "Mommy, asan po yung lock na nandito?" "Hindi ko alam, kagabi palang wala na yan lock na yan. Di ko nga alam itsura nun eh" Umalis siya ulit, went back with a small thing that he put at the end of the tube, and began injecting NSS to it ... wow ang lamig naman nun. He explained why I'm experiencing headache. "What you're experiencing right now is spinal headache. blah blah blah ... what you have to do is lie flat in bed for at least 8 hours again, walang tayuan, pa weewee use bed pan. Pag kakain ka, patulong ka sa husband mo. You have to lie flat po."

December 25, 2009 ... 7:00am ... argh! that headache, it's still here! Bakit ganun, ayaw ako lubayan ... Then dumating nanaman yung anes na resident and again put NSS on my catather .... wow ang lamig talaga nun. Then he said to gently get up, sit down ... asking if there's still headache, and I said no! He let me walk a few steps, asking if nahihilo ba ako or what. I said, No! And he said "ok, you're ready to go!"

10:00am ... we called the NICU if we can room in the baby since we're going home na. After 30 minutes, she's already here ... oh my precious Jandi, you're so pretty like your Ate Janna.

She looks like her father again but some says she looks more like me. Well, it doesn't matter who she looks like. Important is she's healthy and normal.

We didn't enjoy Christmas that time because we were at the hospital. My in laws went over for a visit and see their 2nd apo/pamangkin na di mapagkakailang kadugo nila. Itsura palang kasi di pa ba obvious na kamukha nila hehehe.

December 26, 2009 ... SPINAL HEADACHE AGAIN!!! I was really crying and couldn't do anything about it. I texted my OB about my situation so that she can inform the anes to have my blood patch immediately. Dad and I went to the hospital while Jason stayed at home to take care of Janna.

They inserted a catather again on my spinal space and injected 10cc of my blood. Ewan ko kung ano medical explanation nun, pero after the blood patch, super abrupt yung relief. They let me lie down first for 30 mins, then they let me get up, sit down, walk ... the headaches gone! Grabe sana ginawa na nila to while I was at the hospital para di na ako balik pa ng balik tsk!

January 4, 2010 ... after breastfeeding Jandi, napansin ko lumalakas ang discharge ko ... sabi naman nila normal daw yun. Kasi it helps daw para tumigas ang matres. But by the time I went inside the bathroom to take a bath, the maternity pads were already soaked with blood. And bloods oozing alreading in between my legs. Chunks of blood were also present. I texted my OB, who was in Singapore that time that I'm heading to the E.R.of FEU and relayed to her what happened.

They checked on me and the blood stopped. So they let me go home and bed rest for a while.

But when we arrived at home, my napkin is soaked again with blood and oozed again in between my legs. We decided na magpa-admit na ako. All I was thinking that time is for me to get well kasi my kids were still young and ayoko pa mamatay. I want to be there when they grow old. I want to be there for them, for my husband. Jason was crying that time coz we don't know how this things could happen to me.

To make the long story short ... lumambot daw ang matres ko ... stress ... pagod ... everything ... by January 7, I'm already at home. But it didn't end there...

January 8, 2010 ... it was Jandi's turn to be admitted at the hospital due to neonatal pneumonia. Nahawa siya kay Ate Janna niya who has colds and cough that time. We stayed in the hospital for 7 days.

My 2nd pregnancy is quite very traumatic. I just hope to have no babies for now coz I want to enjoy Janna and Jandi while they grow up. And I want to be back to my pre-pregnancy shape before having a baby again. I know it would take a lot of discipline and sacrifice but I'll do anything just to be healthy for my family.

My Birthing Story 05.11.2008

I gave birth to Julianna Alyssa Recta Jamias last May 11, 2008 (Mother’s Day) at 6:01 a.m. thru normal delivery. She weighs 5.53 lbs. and 47 cm in height at 37 weeks and 3 days. Allow me to share my birthing story. It was truly a very memorable experience for me… how it feels to be a mom for the first time. Not to mention, to celebrate Mother’s Day with Julianna as God’s gift for me and Jason.

April 28, 2008 - 35 weeks and 5 days
I was admitted at FEU Hospital for preterm labor contractions. When hubby and I went to hear mass last Sunday, April 27, 2008, I felt a huge kick in my tummy na halos ma-weewee na ako sa sakit that went on for a couple of seconds. Jason told me to ask my OB if we have to worry about it or not. Pag-uwi namin sa bahay, I was already having back and abdominal pains, although it’s pretty much tolerable naman pero very alarming. OB told me to have complete bed rest and pumunta na daw ako ng clinic niya kinabukasan.

Nung nandun kami sa clinic ni OB, she already knew that I’m having preterm labor contractions. Contraction intervals went on every 15 minutes. Ang akala namin ni Jason movement lang ni Baby J yun kasi everytime nagmomove siya eh may kasamang contraction. She advised Jason that I would be admitted in the hospital to observe my contractions.

I was at the Labor room for one whole night. Contraction intervals went on every 15 mins. … to 10 mins… to 7 mins… to 2 mins. I keep on praying that time, if it really is time for her to be out, please make her healthy and help her to recover fast. With the help of some meds they made through dextrose, Baby J was still in my tummy, patiently waiting for her right time. I stayed in the hospital for more than 3 days.

April 30, 2008 – 36 weeks
I’m still in the hospital, had my schedule for another ultrasound to check on Baby J. Everything is normal, but then again, she didn’t gained any weight since her last ultrasound, which is last month. The OB Sonologist got worried and advised my OB for me to have a Doppler study. Kinabukasan pinauwi na ako ni OB at complete bed rest nanaman ako.

May 3, 2008 – 36 weeks and 3 days
Had another ultrasound but this time it’s a Doppler study. Everything is normal except that my amniotic fluid went down from 13 to 9. Saka dun sa part na dapat amniotic fluid ang nakikita eh nakita ng OB Sono puro umbilical cord daw. So hindi daw niya alam kung less na yung amniotic fluid ko or not. He advised me to have a Non-Stress Test to know whether Baby J is reactive inside my tummy or not. Good thing she’s okay and very reactive. By the time I went to OB’s clinic, she just advised me to continue bed rest, drink 2-3 liters of fluids a day so that my amniotic fluid won’t go down again.

May 7, 2008 – 37 weeks
Went to OB’s clinic again for my weekly prenatal check-up. According to her IE, my cervix already ripened and thinning. Bed rest is over and now allowed to go out. Pwede na ako matagtag weeeee … Sabi ni OB kung hindi pa daw time ni Baby J lumabas eh she advised me to have another ultrasound on Saturday. Jason and I went to the mall to purchase last minute stuffs needed in the hospital and baby cabinet drawer for Baby J. Is it too obvious? Masyado kami atat matagtag ako hehehe. Natagtag nga ata ako dahil nung umuwi kami ng bahay halos di ako makatayo dahil masakit ang likod at puson ko. Pero hindi naman siya nagtuloy-tuloy, so false alarm lang.

May 9, 2008 – 37 weeks and 2 days
Jason and I attended a surprise party of one of Jason’s colleague. I was entertained by them about their stories on how they gave birth on their first born and they all wished that I give birth soon, coz it’s a lot better if you’re already cuddling your little one rather touching and talking to your tummy. Nung gabi na yun, I was starting to experience slight contractions and little abdominal pains. Later on back pains were already present as we are heading back home. I told Jason that maybe I might give birth on Mother’s Day. Of course, I was only kidding that time.

May 10, 2008 – 37 weeks and 3 days
I had a hard time getting up because of the pain that I’ve been having since last night. I’m walking like a penguin and my Mom told me that I looked like I’m in labor already.

12:00nn - Off we went to my scheduled ultrasound. OB Sono told me na parang bumaba na daw yung head ng bata. Jason and I exchanged looks with glee. Fetal weight is still the same as last week … nothing has changed. I was advised to go to OB right away.

2:30 p.m. - OB checked on me and told me I’m already 2 cm dilated. She told me she has to induce labor already because she’s worried about Baby J not gaining weight. Kung hihintayin pa namin na mag-dilate ako the natural way, eh baka ano pa mangyari sa baby namin. She gave us a new admission letter and asked us to reserve a room at FEU Hospital. I should be in the ER at

7:00p.m. Pinauwi na muna niya kami at ihanda na ang mga gamit namin. At wag ko daw kalimutan maglakad-lakad. Para at least daw pag nasa hospital na ako ng 7:00 p.m. eh at least 4 cm dilated na ako.

Everything is all set, all our bags are packed. Mom told me to take a bath already coz matagal daw akong di maliligo (matandang pamahiin na bawal maligo ang bagong panganak). So I did. I also ask Jason to take pictures of me, coz I haven’t have any preggy photos eversince, though I had one when I was still 4 months pregnant. Grabe di ko ma-imagine ganun pala kalaki ang tummy ko. Kasi pag tumitingin ako sa mirror, parang ang liit ng tiyan ko. Eto lang ang lone picture ko na buntis ako ... buti na-document ni Jason hehehe.

6:30p.m. - My Dad told us to go to the hospital before the rain pours hard. So off we went to the hospital. We were still at the lobby and doing some rounds of walking while waiting for OB’s advised when to go to the ER because we’re 30 minutes earlier. Nag-text na siya at sinabing pumunta na kami sa ER coz she already informed the OB residents na nasa hospital na ako.

7:00p.m. - pumunta na kami ng ER and they gave Jason our admission slip to get the room we reserved that afternoon. After that, they wheeled me to the DR, kissed Jason before going inside, coz I know it will be a long night for him and for me. He’s not allowed to go inside the DR so he just stayed in our hospital room and wait for OB’s instructions.

8:00 p.m. – OB instructed the OB residents for me to have nipple stimulation to increase the contractions. Good thing, I’m the only one whose in labor that time, so all JI (Junior Interns), PGI (Post Graduate Interns), OB Residents, midwives and nurses were all concentrated on me. I didn’t get bored by the way, they never left me and they always make it a point to entertain me hehehe.

9:00 p.m. – established already the right interval for my contractions. The fetal monitor was hooked in my tummy and my contractions are now under observation.

10:00 p.m. - When OB checked on me, I’m already 4 cm dilated. She asked Jason to visit me at the Labor Room because the time the Anesthesiologist injects the epidural, he will never be able to see me until I deliver Baby J. So he went, and OB told him the situation and the procedures to be done. OB broke my water bag and checked the water if it’s contaminated or not. If it’s clear, we will proceed on induce labor. If the water is in greenish color, that means nakakain na ng dumi or dumumi na si Baby J. Clear naman so proceed to epidural and induce labor na.

11:00 p.m. – Bago ang epidural, pinag-nebulize muna ako ni OB dahil baka daw ma-trigger yung asthma ko during the procedure. It’s one of the worst feeling I have that time. Hindi ko alam na ganun pala ang procedure sa epidural. You have to curl up dahil ini-inject siya sa likod sa pelvic bone ba yun. Correct me if I’m wrong, basta dun sa dulo ng spinal cord. Tapos habang iniinject yung gamot, nararamdaman mo yung daloy ng meds sa likod mo and it’s super duper makirot. Kailangan ko magtiis, kasi super masakit na ang contractions ko that time. Kaya kailangan ko na ng epidural. Feeling ko nagflashback yung childhood memories ko nun. And I was hyperventilating that time because of the pain. But the Anesthesiologist told me to relax kasi pag na-over ako sa oxygen eh mas malaki magiging problema ko. Mga 5 na injections ata yun. Basta marami yun. The epidural take effect after 5 – 10 minutes. I felt relieved and I slept.

May 11, 2008 – The D Day
2:00 a.m. – Every 2 hours nawawala yung effect ng epi … kaya nagpapa-inject ako palagi sa Anes … susme … kahit sabihin nila na mas maganda may konting pain pag nagdeliver ako ng baby eh di ko kakayanin. Masakit talaga for crying out loud. OB again checked on me… bagong gising pa siya nun ha hehehe! I’m already 7 cm dilated. 3 cm’s to go. Contractions are now 10 – 5 minutes interval. Pati heart tone ni baby J under observation na kasi may time na bigla nag 96 bpms ang heart tone niya. Pero bumalik din ulit sa 130’s to 140’s. At natulog nanaman ako.

4:00 a.m. – Nag-trip yung kuryente sa pinagkakabitan ng fetal heart tone monitor. Nawindang ang mga nagbabantay sa akin dahil hindi na nila marinig yung fetal heart tones ni Baby J. Buti nalang may Doppler sa tabi, yun muna ang ginamit nila, magastos nga lang sa battery pero what the heck, buhay ang binabantayan nila dun.

Tinawag na nila si OB, again bagong gising siya ulit hehehe. 100% induced na ako and OB checked on me and was already 9 cm dilated. She coached me na try ko umire that time … and I did … she asked if na-wiwiwi daw ba ako, I said oo … she asked one of the nurses to bring a bed pan. She then again told me na umire … and right there, I’m now 10 cm dilated. They rushed me sa birthing room. Inayos ang paraphernalia and everything, inayos ang position ko, binantayan ang contractions ko. OB gave me 2 hours para mailabas si Baby J. Pag hindi pa daw siya lumabas, CS na ako. And since maliit lang si Baby J, she insisted na mag-normal delivery ako dahil kaya ko daw siya iluwal, may konting effort nga lang.

5:00 a.m. – hindi pa din nagdedecend si Baby J. Nakikita naman ni OB na nag-oopen ang kwelyo ko pero hindi bumababa ang bata. Sabi niya walang force ang pag-ire ko kaya ganun. Some of the PGI’s told me na isipin ko na nagpu-poopoo daw ako na sinlaki ng buko yung ebs ko para daw mapilitan akong i-ire si Baby J. Yun nga ang ginawa ko pero wala pa din nangyari.

5:45 a.m. – bago ang lahat, the reason why alam ko ang oras is because I was monitoring the time (nasa tapat ko kaya yung clock hehehe!). And since 2 hours lang ang binigay sa akin ni OB, panic mode na ako niyan na kailangan ko na talaga ilabas si Baby J bago mag-6:00 a.m. She decided na I need some help na. Kaya she asked one of her assistant to help me push the baby by pushing my tummy. At ganun nga ang nangyari, lumabas na ang portion ng ulo ni baby J.

5:50 a.m. - nag-ready na lahat, may tela na nakaharang na right in the middle of my body. Somebody put oxygen in my nose, I could hear the Anesthesiologist coaching me to give all my strength sa huling ire na yun. I could see OB instructing a JI when and where to position the camera. After the scandal in Cebu, nagkaroon na ng restrictions in taking photos and videos sa loob ng operating or delivery room. And like I’ve said, ako lang ang nanganak that time, kaya madami ng tao sa paligid ko. Marami na nakabantay.

It’s time, one of OB’s assistant coach me to push and hold for 10 seconds. At the count of 6, yung isang OB resident eh sumampa sa akin sabay pinush yung tummy ko hanggang sa hindi na ako makahinga dahil super bigat niya. Akala ko magpa-pass out ako that time. Kahit sinasabi nila na mag-relax ako eh hindi na ako makarelax. Gusto ko sipain yung babaeng nasa ibabaw ko para umalis na. Hindi na masaya to … waaaaaaaaahhhh! Then I’ve felt may lumabas sa akin down there na parang large chunk of something.

6:01 a.m. – “Baby Girl Jamias was out 6:01 a.m.”, someone said … and I was furiously crying over what happened. OB even told me, “Oi Sheryl, ano iniiyak-iyak mo diyan, eto na baby mo oh.” Iba ang feeling, lalo na nung narinig mong umiyak yung baby mo. I could hear her cry na super parang pa-cute pa na di maintindihan. She was brought outside the DR for a while to be cleaned. I can still hear her cry and I was so giddy to hold her but I can’t … the anesthesia and the sedation’s keeping me from doing it. Not to mention, nililinisan na ako ni OB that time. After a few minutes, they let her latch on my breast (hay bakit nakapag-latch siya nung time na yun, samantalang ngayon ayaw na niya) … pagkatapos nun di ko na alam ang nangyari. I passed out already.

7:00 a.m. – I gained consciousness and saw 4 guys dressed in scrub suits transferring me to another bed. I’m wearing diapers and super duper gaan na ng feeling kasi wala ng mabigat sa tummy ko hehehe. I was transferred sa Recovery Room and stayed there for 2 hours.

Since nawala na yung sedation, and the anesthesia is starting to run out, nararamdaman ko na yung pain. Super duper umiiyak na ako kasi gusto ko na makita si Jason. Gusto ko na umalis dun sa Recovery Room. Gusto ko na sapukin yung isang Junior intern na nakabantay sa akin. Wala naman daw idudulot na maganda pag-iyak ko kaya tumahan na daw ako … eh upakan ko kaya siya … ang sakit na nga ng sugat ko eh.

9:00 a.m. - Two hours was like forever. Super duper naiinip na talaga ako. Bakit kasi hindi ako sinidate nung time na yun, eh di sana naka-recover nga ako ng maayos di ba? Buti yung isang nurse na guy na in-charge sa akin eh mabait. Pinakalma niya talaga ako kasi I was crying na talaga sa sakit. Inalis na ng Anesthesiologist yung catather sa likod ko.

After a few minutes, inakyat na ako sa room … nandun si mom at dad, at siyempre si Jason. Nung nakita ko si Mom, bigla nanaman ako umiyak, sinabi ko sa kanya “Mommy, ang sakit!” and I saw my mom crying, too. Ngayon naiintindihan ko na paano maging ina … mas na-aappreciate ko si Mom ngayon. And si Dad muntik na din umiyak. Si Jason naman kissed me agad by the time he saw me. And they were telling me na ang cute ni Baby J, she’s so malikot daw and kamukha ni Jason hehehe.

The whole day I was just resting and patiently waiting na makita si Baby J. 9:00p.m., Jason and I decided to visit her in the Nursery. Too bad, hindi nanaman pwede siya pumasok, and mommy lang daw ang pwede. And then I saw her … she’s so pretty and tiny … she really looked like her dad and I could say matindi ang magiging bantay ni Jason sa kanyang prinsesa. I tried to latch her pero super tulog siya. Kahit ginigising namin siya nung isang midwife, talagang sleeping ang drama niya. Nabigo nanaman ako on breastfeeding her, so we just went back to our room.

May 12, 2008
Around 7:30a.m. they room-in Julianna, super tuwa ang Lola (si mom kasi nagbantay sa akin the next day kasi si Jason may site visit) at na-cuddle na niya ang kanyang unang apo hehehe. I was taking pictures of her using my cellphone to send MMS to Jason para mapaaga ang balik niya sa hospital. Hindi naman ako nabigo, kasi maaga nga bumalik si Jason, excited na makita ang kanyang prinsesa. Nung gumabi na, dumalaw naman ang Mommy Lola Perly at Tito Jade. Excited din sila dahil unang apo din siya sa side nila Jason.

May 13, 2008
Umuwi na kami ni Julianna …

Realizations …

• The battle on breastfeeding has started and getting me frustrated already. She’s having a hard time latching and I on the other hand is having a hard time increasing my milk supply. Hay buhay!
  
• As a first time mom, I welcome myself to the world of sleepless nights and less social life. Kahit puyat lagi, I do love the job in taking care of my Baby Julianna. Being a mom is the most highest paid job in the whole world, kasi ang pambayad sa iyo is LOVE.
• Pumapayat ako kahit hindi ako exclusively breastfeeding dahil sa puyat hehehe.
• Hindi pala biro maging ina … masaya and fulfilling pero exhausting din. I know naman it’s just for a few months lang naman. By the time Julianna grows up, male-lessen naman lahat ng pagod mo. Kaya Mommy, mahal na mahal kita.
• Hindi mo maintindihan kung bakit isang iyak lang ng anak mo eh natataranta ka na gawin yung gusto niya ipagawa mo.
• Kahit gaano ka-busy si Jason sa work, maaga siya umuuwi hehehe. At kahit pagod siya, he gives his share of responsibilities for Julianna.

Eh makita mo lang ang baby mo na ganito palagi … sabihin mo sa akin kung nakakapagod nga maging mommy. Tiring, yes ... but it's all worth it!



Thank you Lord for keeping us safe from the time I got pregnant until I give birth to Baby Julianna... for keeping her healthy and normal ... for making me strong to endure all the pain from labor to delivery... for helping us to be financially stable to cover all the expenses from day 1 up to the day I give birth. Thank you for everything ... for giving us this wonderful gift.

Thanks to Dra. Cecilia Nogoy (OB Gyne) for not giving up on me and for being patient the whole time on my pregnancy. Dra. Espanol (Anesthesiologist) for making my birthing experience painless hehehe. To Dra. Ma. Paz Ong (Pedia) for taking care of our little princess, who patiently answers to all my queries. To all JI, PGI, nurses and midwives who are present that day, I can’t thank you enough how grateful I am on how you took care of me from labor until my delivery to Julianna.

To my family, Jason's family and our friends who showered us with prayers and support. I appreciate it a lot.

And to my loving husband, Jason… for taking care of me and our little princess all throughout my pregnancy and until now. We love you so much mwah!

Nice Surprise

I wasn't expecting this one. Mom's friend promised me that she will share some of the expenses for my baby shower. But due to busy schedules and hard to find friends to have this occasion, she told me to use the money nalang to buy Baby J's things. So, last weekend while Dad was in Laoag for my late grandpa's birthday bash and Jason was in Pampanga for a UAP Capitol Chapter Conference, Mom, Kuya Stan, Butchoy and me went to the mall to shop. My mom was aching to have her feet massage while Kuya Stan and Butchoy is itching to buy new clothes (as usual sweldo kasi) kaya sumama ako. I had money enough to buy all of this ...

I could feel that Baby J was so happy ... coz while we were having a talk with the saleslady, she's so malikot. Avent has a promo, whenever you buy a set of their products, you get a 4oz feeding bottle for free. Since I bought 2 (sterilizer and breastpump), we have 2 4oz bottle for free. Included with the sterilizer and breastpumps some freebies like pacifier, 2 feeding bottles, bottle brush cleaner, bottle nipples, and nursing pads. Hindi na muna kami bibili ng maraming bottles. Sabi naman ni Mom if I'm planning to breastfeed exclusively, baka nga daw di magamit yan mga yan hehehe. So far ok na muna yan 6 bottles.

Thanks to Ate Del for the gifts!

Now let me check my list ... so far so good!

BABY CHECKLIST:
Shirts,Pajama/Night Time Wear, Going Home Outfit, Newborn Diaper, Baby Wipes, Baby Toiletries, Baby Book, Breastpump, Robe, Nursing Bra, Mittens, Bottles, Bottle Nipples etc., Stroller, Booties and Cap, Towel/Blanket, Cloth diapers and Diaper clips, Diaper Cream, Baby J's first aid kit, Baby Classical CD's, Bathtubs, Toys, Crib/Playpen, Beddings, Pillows, Sterilizer, Bibs, Pacifier, High Chair,Books, Diaper Bag, Baby Sling

Weeeeeee .... konti nalang! Hay, we still have plenty of time ... we still have less than 2 months to do all that. Hirap talaga pag lagi busy si hubby, pero natutuwa naman ako kasi pag maraming project marami dadating na blessing :) Thanks you Lord for all your help mwah!

Shopping List

Here are some of the baby stuffs mom had bought for Baby J. Puro puti no? Kasi mga pambahay lang naman yan. Sabi din niya, it's best to buy white ones kasi para makita yung dumi ... and obviously, lampin baby si Baby J, she bought 2 dozens of cloth diaper. But guess what she forgot to buy ... diaper pins wahahaha! Si mom talaga oh, makakalimutin talaga ... naku I'm sure magiging ganun na din ako ... ganun daw pag na-anesthesia daw, nagiging makakalimutin.

Since I'm just staying at home, and never letting boredom get in the way, I'm starting to make a shopping list for Baby J's stuff. Though some of the small things are already in hand, medyo kulang nalang yung mga big stuffs. I got some of the list from the N@W files.

BABY CHECKLIST:

1. Shirts
   
2. Pajama/Night Time Wear
3. Going Home Outfit - eto ang wala pa ako, it's for the baby and the mom kasi after giving birth. Kay baby J walang problema kasi kumpleto na siya sa damit. Ako ang wala pa wahahaha. I have to buy something na may buttons in front para madali daw magpabreastfeed.
4. Newborn Diaper
5. Baby Wipes
6. Baby Toiletries
7. Baby Book - Jason bought this for me last December through my mom's friend. Sinabay sa pagbili ng Harry Potter 7. But I'm still planning to buy a baby album for more pictures. Kasi tong Baby Book parang nililist lang yung mga important dates sa buhay ng anak mo. Kaya bibili ako nung paglalagyan ng photos.
8. Breastpump - dati hesitant ako to buy, pero ngayon bibili na ako ... pero manual na muna since SAHM naman ako. Some choices are Avent, Medela and Pigeon. But I'll gonna stick with Avent.
9. Robe - Kailangan daw to pag mag-stay ka sa hospital para magpabreastfeed sa baby. Pero maybe I'll choose nightwears nalang na may front buttons for easy access.
10. Nursing Bra
11. Mittens
12. Bottles, Bottle Nipples etc. - Avent na bibilhin ko ... all the way hahaha!
13. Stroller - A lot of people I know were suggesting to buy Graco strollers, kasi suer naman daw sila na masusundan si baby J kaya magagamit ang stroller na to kahit bulky siya. Nakita kasi namin yung mga umbroller, parang hindi durable.
14. Booties and Cap
15. Towel/Blanket
16. Bouncer/Carrier - wala pa din kasabay na to ng stroller
17. Cloth diapers and Diaper clips - nakalimutan bilhin wahahaha!
18. Diaper Cream
19. Thermometer, Nasal Aspirator, Nail Cutter
    
20. Baby Classical CD's
21. Bathtubs
22. Toys
23. Crib/Playpen
24. Beddings
25. Pillows
26. Sterilizer
27. Bibs
28. Pacifier
29. High Chair
30. Books
31. Diaper Bag - order ako from a fellow N@Wie, Morning
    
32. Baby Sling - order ako from a fellow N@Wie din, si Jen

May nakalimutan pa ba ako? Just leave some love kung may nakalimutan pa ako ha. Hindi ko pa pinapakita kay Jason to, baka nga lagnatin yun pag nakita yung gagastusin niya hahaha. Pero sabi nga niya sa text nung isang araw "Kahit ano basta para kay Baby J, bibilhin natin dahil siya ang prinsesa ko". How sweet ... starting to get jealous now hahaha. Baby J is now 25 weeks ... here's how she's growing:

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. His hair is probably recognizable now (in color and texture), although both may change after he's born.

Baby J's First Gifts

Credits:

Sleepy Dreamer Background by: Divas Playground

Weathered Decor frame by: Misty Cato
Alpha Bonbon by: chriscrap
Dream in Coloured Alpha by: Mónica Guerra Leiria

Thanks to Tita Evelyn, Tita Yolanda and Tita Josie for this wonderful gifts. I'm sure Baby J will love them. And I can't wait to let her wear them all. Obvious na girl anak ko no? Puro shades of pink hehehe!

I had my prenatal check up last Wednesday. Baby J's already in her 24th week. 6 months to be exact ... only 3 more months to go weeeeeee! I'm on medication right now due to colds and cough for almost a week now, OB gave me antibiotics... actually, I have no colds anymore, but the thing is ... hinog na ang plema ko (pasintabi sa mga kumakain) kaya I need medical help na. I've been having series of I'm-having-a-hard-time-breathing nights, that's why I need to take antibiotics. OB told me it's ok naman with the baby kaya never worry. Thank God for Neti Pot ... my Tita Yolanda gave this to us because my kuya watched this in Oprah one time. Good thing she did watched that episode. It's a Nasal rinse similar to Salinese drops babies uses. It really do wonders ... it gets rid of those sticky mucus in your nose. After the nasal wash, just sneeze and it will all come out without effort.

Baby J is now super duper active ... I could always feel her moving even at day. When we were at OB's clinic, OB felt her move, too. She's so malikot hihihi! That's a good sign I know. Even if I'm gulping lots of medicines right now, I know she's fine and active. According to babycenter.com, this is how Baby J's growing:

Your baby's growing steadily, gaining about a quarter of a pound since last week, when she was just over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), that makes a pretty lean figure, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon put on more baby fat. Your baby's skin is thin, translucent, and wrinkled, her brain is growing rapidly, and her taste buds are developing. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance **that helps the air sacs inflate easily.

Everybody's getting excited already especially me and Jason. We're planning to buy Baby J's things next month. It's the big stuffs we'll gonna purchase, like Graco playpens, strollers, infant car seats, beddings, Avent sterilizers and Avent feeding bottles. Mom's gonna purchase the lampin and white sando or shirt for baby J. She said kasi, it's better to buy infant clothes in white, para daw makita kung may langgam, or kung ano man dumapo sa kanya. I won't buy breast pump muna, kasi hindi ko alam if I'm like a milking cow. Mom and her sister never did breastfeed because they're not capable of having one. Even my Dad's sisters are the same. When I asked OB about it, sinabi niya na it's heriditary ... pero these days wala ng impossible ... meron na daw iniinom para magkaroon ng milk ang isang nursing mom. Well, I'll just keep my fingers crossed, sana nga magkaroon ako ng milk by the time Baby J's here na.

Baby J's have a name already but Jason wanted to keep it a secret for a while. Saka na daw i-reveal pag lumabas na daw siya. Mom did won on the baby's name. We don't want to argue with her kasi baka magtampo. It's a nice name naman kaso a lot of girls have that name already. Gusto kasi ni Jason yung wala pa sa Google yung name hahaha! I don't know if she'll gonna have a second name or what ... I was thinking that maybe if ever we'll give her a second name baka mahirapan magsulat sa school ng pangalan niya. The first name is quite long na din kasi ... oh well ... We still have 3 months to decide on that.

Baby J @ 21 Weeks

Some snaps of baby J's congenital screening last Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008.

Credits:
Back multi paint stripes background by:Melany Violette (at Simply Clean Digi Scraps)
Felt Alpha Pink Scallop by:Melany Violette (at Simply Clean Digi Scraps)
Frames by: Benthai
Oval Tag by: Anne Langpap (Two Peas in a bucket June 07 Freebie)
Funky Flower Stickers by: Misty Cato

Baby J is a ...

Yup, it's a girl ... big hunch ko pa naman it's a boy... before I'll tell you about the congenital screening, kwento ko muna what happened yesterday.

Since Thursday kasi di kumikilos si Baby J. Medyo napraning nanaman ako and may I text si OB about what's happening. She told me to go to FEU Hospital sa Pay Treatmeant Room at hintayin ko daw yung resident OB dun. She wants to know baby J's heart tone. Pagkadating ni Jason galing sa clieant meeting eh dumiretso agad kami sa hospital. Nandun na ang OB pero wala pa ang doppler... naliligaw pa ... namasyal mag-isa ang doppler hehehe. Nung napakinggan naman ang heart tones ni Baby J, normal naman. In other words, nasa deep sleeping state si Baby J. Or she's doing some moves pero small lang kaya di ko masyado nararamdaman. Then my OB texted me na tomorrow na ako magpa-congenital screening, kasabay ng sister niya. Super na-excite nanaman kami ni Jason ... sa wakas malalaman na namin yung gender ni baby weeeeeeeeee!

Since biglaan ang decision ni OB sa aking congenital screening, eh hindi nanaman nakasama si Jason. Ang bilin naman niya, pag nalaman ko na ang gender tawagan ko daw siya agad. Kasama ko si mom at dad sa ultrasound room. Everytime the sonologist would tell it's diagnosis, I can hear my mom saying "Hay, salamat sa Diyos". So kung 15 diagnosis yun, naka 15 na "Salamat sa Diyos" din siya. Lalo na nung nalaman na ang gender ni Baby J eh girl ... I can't forget the look at mom and dad's face ... grabe PRICELESS! I wish I have my camera. Sarap nila kunan ng picture wahahaha! Yung ngiti di natatanggal. At first naman talaga, they wanted a girl pag galing sa akin ang apo. Pero gusto niya pag galing kina kuya at kay bunso, gusto niya lalaki para may bearer ng family name hehehe.

According to babycenter.com:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. His eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed. And you can certainly feel him move. He's oblivious to your schedule, though, so don't be surprised if he starts working out just when you're settling down for the night. If you're having a girl, her vagina is formed now, though it will continue to develop until birth.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual aches and pains associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. Relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester will bring some mild discomfort from carrying a baby who is nearly full-term.

That's not to say you don't have some minor glitches to deal with now. Increased oil production may have given you a mild case of acne, for example. If that's the case, be diligent about washing well with a gentle soap and water twice a day, but don't take any oral acne medications — or even use any topical acne products — without checking with your practitioner first.

You're also prone to varicose veins now (especially if your mom has them). That's because pregnancy puts added pressure on the veins in your legs. (Your blood volume is increased and your uterus puts pressure on the inferior vena cava, the large vein that returns blood from the lower half of your body to your heart.) As if that's not enough, an increase in the hormone progesterone causes the walls of your blood vessels to relax, so as your baby and uterus grow, the veins can become more and more prominent. Varicose veins tend to worsen with each pregnancy, and while they're most likely to show up in your legs, they can also appear on your vulva.

If your legs ache, put maternity support hose on first thing in the morning. Increasing your circulation with a brisk walk each day can also help, as can elevating your legs and sleeping on your left side with your feet propped up with a pillow.

So now, we are on the name hunt already. Ang daming pangalan na cute pero kailangan isa lang ang mapili hahaha! Oh well! Goodluck to us!

Baby J at 16 Weeks

This was taken a few days before I hit 16 weeks. Di pa masyado halata no? Inip na nga ako lumobo ang tummy ko pero sabi ng iba pag first baby daw talagang matagal daw lumobo ang tiyan. Usually mga 6 months pa. Tagal pero malapit na yun hehehe.

Napaaga ang prenatal check up ko. Instead na Dec. 15 pa eh napaaga ng Dec. 5 ... bakit? Kasi nung Dec. 3 mega hanap ako ng dress to wear para sa wedding ng friend ko. Naging todo pagod ata ang nangyari sa akin, nung gabi na yun nahirapan na ako makatayo kasi I felt numbness on my back and butt. Kinabukasan, naka-lie down pa din ako sa bed. Nagtext na ako sa OB ko, I told her kung ano yung mga na-experience kong mga symptoms kasama na ang slight cramps sa puson. Pinapunta na niya ako sa clinic niya ng Dec. 5.

Since ako lang ang patient that time, nagkaroon ng maraming time hanapin ni OB si Baby J. Makipaglaro ba naman ng hide and seek at habulan eh. Kasi pag natatapat na sa kanya yung doppler, bigla tong nawawala ... siyempre hahanapin nanaman ni OB kung nasaan siya. Pag narinig na heartbeat niya, bigla nanaman nawawala. Susme! siguro mga 10 minutes bago siya nahanap ulit at napirmi sa isang lugar. Super duper likot kaya niya. Samantalang bago kami pumunta ng clinic, kinausap na siya ni Daddy Jason na wag malikot hehehe.

On medication nanaman ako to get rid of pangangalay ng likod ... Duvidillan or Isoxilan ... mga muscle relaxant yun para maiwasan yung pangangalay. Tinake ko siya until matapos yung day ng birthday ni Daddy. Sa ngayon ok nanaman ako pero kahapon kasi medyo nangalay nanaman ang likod ko kaya ayan slight bed rest nanaman ako. Hay o hay!

A lot of people were trying to guess baby J's gender ... majority hula nila boy daw ... ayoko na tanungin kung bakit kasi baka isagot nila dahil ang pangit ko eh ma-depress lang ako wahahaha! Since malikot daw and di daw ako mapili sa pagkain or wala daw ako pinaglilihian eh baby boy nga daw ang baby ko. Yung iba naman kaya girl ang hula eh dahil blooming daw ako. Hala sige hula pa... eh sa February pa namin malalaman ang gender niya eh.

Simula nung nalaman nila na buntis ako, wala na silang tigil kakahimas sa tummy ko. Ako naman pag may humihimas eh kinakausap ko si baby, "that's tita Rema baby ... that's Lolo baby" mga ganun ... nakakatuwa ... bilbil palang hinihimas nila, what more kung talagang malaki na tummy ko hehehe.

According to babycenter.com, here is how baby J is growing:

At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

Baby J, 5 months to go ... sana wag ka masyado makulit kasi minsan nahihirapan si Mommy. Pero ok lang, at least I know you're active and strong kaya nararamdaman ka na ni Mommy. Daddy is so excited na. We're planning to buy you books sa floating bookstore para he'll start reading stories na for you. So excited!

Baby "J" at 8 Weeks

Here's our baby's ultrasound at 8 weeks done last Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007:

First time I heard his/her heartbeat during ultrasound. Nakakatuwa!

Super liit pa niya no? Wonder what he/she look like on his/her next ultrasound hehehe!

The hemorrhage is still there but only a little of what I have 2 weeks ago. That means more bed rest again ... bawal matagtag. I will take Duphaston for a month ... grabe nagiging vitamins na namin ni Baby J yung Duphaston ah. 4 days ago nga pala, nag-blood spotting ako. Ewan ko kung bakit, basta pagkagising ko, may blood sa undies ko. I freaked out, actually iyak ako ng iyak ... natatakot kasi ako. So as Jason, nakita ko na namumula mata niya (mukhang umiyak). Alam ko worried siya pero di lang niya pinapakita sa akin para di ako matakot . Pinapatahan nga niya ako kasi makakadagdag sa stress yun. Eh anong magagawa ko, natatakot ako no! Anyway, nung afternoon naman nagstop na yung bleeding kaya ok na ako ulit. Complete bed rest ako that day. As in breakfast, lunch at dinner in bed. At wag ka.. may pizza pa for meryenda just to make me relax.

Yesterday, we went to an allergologist. I told OB that it's been a week that I've been having asthma attack. Hindi siya nawawala, it keeps on coming back. Kaya my OB referred me to Dra. Lim, a pediatrician and an allergologist. She explained to me sometimes asthma and other allergies are caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy. When she heard na medyo mabigat nga ang paghinga ko, she prescribed Bricanyl syrup, 1 tsp. every 6 hours round the clock! It's safe for the baby naman, actually pampakapit daw yun. Kaya yun ang binibigay nila sa mga buntis palagi who have asthma. Sa skin allergy naman, she told me to observe muna everything I eat. Because nag-va-vary daw ang allergic reactions sa food during pregnancy. The best solution is avoidance. Pero kung talagang malakas ang allergies ko daw sa skin, saka na niya ako bibigyan ng skin test. I'll be coming back on Wednesday. Sana nga magwork na yung Bricanyl... ayoko din kasi mag-steroids coz it's bad for the baby. Sana ngayong first trimester lang to. Sana next trimester wala na.

Oh God help me!

First Sign of Life!

Credits: Federal QP by Anita Designs

According to Babycenter.com, I'm 4 weeks pregnant. My baby will be born on or around Wednesday, May 28, 2008.

According to Babystrology, my baby looks like this...



After I got the job two days ago, here's one good news naman. I haven't visited my OB yet but I already called her and told her the good news. I texted her when I was on my way home. I told her that I'm having this pangangasim ng tiyan and some pagduduwal even if I'm so busog. She said ganun na ganun din daw yung symptoms ng ate niya na polycystic ... ngayon pregnant na siya. Kaya nag-isip ako na magpreg-test kahit alam ko na wala pang one month. And there... POSITIVE! OB wanted to see me on Saturday to check if the baby's okay. Mixed emotions ... natutuwa ako na kinakabahan na di maintindihan.

Again, Lord ... you're so good to us. Thanks so much for all the blessings!

Now the question is ... Will I'll still go to work or not? What do you think?

Hay badtrip!

Today I was scheduled to have my TVU with follicular monitoring. This isn't the first time I had my follicular monitoring. My first was last month. My OB told me to have it in FEU Hospital. And since it's only a 10 minute drive away from home, I agreed.

At first, akala namin konti lang ang patients. When I went up to the receptionist, she told me I'm patient no. 10 na daw and kakaumpisa palang ng procedure kay Patient no. 1. We paid for the procedure and waited for my turn. We were there at around 4:00pm.

At 5:00 p.m., Jason became a little bit cranky (mainipin kasi) already, asking bakit ang tagal daw. So I went inside to talk to some interns. They told me they're already with Patient no. 5. Lima nalang pala, so hinintay na namin. Nung malapit na mag-6pm, naiinis na si Jason, kasi 2 hours na kami naghihintay at di pa din kami tinatawag. Yung mga katabi namin eh sila pa din katabi namin. Meaning wala pa natatawag ni isa sa amin. Pumasok ulit ako ... si Patient no. 7 hindi pa pala tapos, at si Patient no. 6 pa din ang inu-ultrasound. I asked again, pang-ilan pa ako? Sabi nung intern ... pang-apat pa daw ako pero may sisingit from ER na ultrasound din. Huwat??? Actually hindi lang isa ang insiningit ... dalawa pa. SOP kasi nila na priority yung mga in-patients. So sabi ni Jason i-refund ko na ang pera namin at umalis na.

So I did, and texted my OB na hindi na ako magpapa-ultrasound ever sa FEU. Super tagal ng services nila grabe! Naloloka ako. The first time I went there naman, na-late yung OB Sonologist ng 2 hours. So late na siya nag-procedure ... eh pang-number 14 ako nun. Buti nalang some of them already backed-out. Kaya naging pang-lima na ako. But this time, hindi ko na ma-take talaga. Hindi na ako magpapa-ultrasound dun sobra! Stress na nga ako dahil nahihirapan kami magka-anak... lalo pa ako na-stress sa kanila! Sish!

PCOS

According to Medifocus Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome or functional ovarian hyperandrogenism, is a complex endocrine disorder associated with a long-term lack of ovulation (anovulation) and an excess of androgens (male hormones, e.g., testosterone).

The disorder is characterized by the formation of eight or more follicular cysts of 10 mm or smaller in the ovaries, a process related to the ovary's failure to release an egg (ovum). PCOS is one of the most frequent causes of infertility.

I had it eversince, my first OB didn't see this all along. And I'm glad I made the right decision on changing my OB. This is the reason why we're having a hard time to get pregnant. Right now I'm on medication. I'm taking Metformin 500 mg 3 times a day. Know side effects of this medicine is dizziness, nauseous, drowsiness and headache. My OB said that I could take Metformin even hindi pa ako kumakain. Pero sa akin, it doesn't work. Super nag-throw up talaga ako sa super sakit ng ulo ko. And iba nag chemical reaction pag magkasama silang iniinom ng Clomid (Chlophemine Citrate). Nagkaroon din ako ng vertigo kaya natatakot ako lumakad mag-isa pag may pupuntahan. Gusto ko may kasama. Saka I do sweat a lot... isa daw sa symptoms yun na I'm having low blood sugar. Sabi ni Kuya Jade and OB, just take a glass of Coke to normalize my blood sugar. It really works sometimes.

And since I'm on treatment, hubby is taking Korgivit-E 3 times a day to normalize the motility of his sperm cells. Kumbaga pinapahanda na sa kanya para healthy ang mga punla niya.

And OB also told me to try again to lose some weight ... easier said than done ... I'm really having a hard time losing weight. And eto pa, because of Metformin, super dalas ako mag-weewee na super nadedehydrate ang skin ko. My derma told me to moisturize and take lots of fluids. Pag nafi-feel ko na daw na natutuyo na lalamunan ko, drink a glass of water agad. I have atopic dermatitis (excessive dryness of the skin) and I'm allergic to my own sweat ... so how can I go on a working out in a gym when after that my body is all red and itchy because of my sweat? waaaaaaahhhh! Ang hirap no?

Buti nalang I'm a SAHW ... if ever I'm working... siguro dumadami na ang leave ko dahil hindi na ako makapagtrabaho because of my treatment. As you can see, gagawin ko ang lahat magkaanak lang kami. Sana nga tulungan kami ng Diyos na malagpasan namin ang pagsubok na ito.

Red! Red! Red!

RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED . RED .

Minus pa din

I used the Medic brand (EPT Kit) I bought from Mercury Drug yesterday. And ang result ... NEGATIVE!!!! Pero nung nag-dry up na siya, may faint line nanaman sa 2nd line. Counted ba yun? Sabi nga ng kuya ko "Hangga't delayed may pag-asa, keep the faith". I was crying again last night. Sabi ko na nga ba eh hindi ko mapipigilan ma-disappoint nanaman eh. I texted my hubby about the faint line, sabi niya "Labs hintayin nalang natin sa ibang araw yung result, wag ka na masyado mag-iisip ok? luv u" Awww, isn't my hubby the sweetest? :)

Hangga't delayed may pag-asa ... hangga't delayed may pag-asa ...

Alam nyo ba kung ano nararamdaman ko ngayon? I'm such a loser ... wala na nga ako trabaho, di pa makabuo ng anak ... oh life is so cruel sometimes :( and I can't help but wonder why ...

Plus o Minus?

Besides having my food cravings, I experienced this what they call morning sickness. Weird nga lang, I only experienced it twice, after that yung cravings na ang sumunod. I can also feel the discharge that's flowing from my toot toot na akala mo period mo, pero when you check it hindi naman pala. Tapos yung puson ko di ko maintindihan na parang namamaga na mabigat. At pag gumagawa ako ng chores sa house, halos sumisigaw na ang likod ko kasi masakit parang ayaw na niya ako magtrabaho.

Katulad kanina napagod ata ako. Nilabahan ko kasi yung beddings ng mga puppies namin dahil wala na sila pampalit tomorrow. Tapos I mopped the floors pa while grilling tamban outside the house. Pagkaupo ko, parang ayoko na tumayo sa pagod. Medyo nagiging OC ako ngayon sa kalinisan, ewan ko kung bakit. Konting bahid lang ng dumi, kuha agad ako ng basahan at pupunasan ko.

Two days na akong delayed ... Jason bought an EPT kit for me to check if I'm pregnant or what. Super linaw yung first line (yah of course, the control line) ... and yung second line super labo na parang guni-guni lang... kaya sabi ko ita-try ko nalang tomorrow ulit yung test.

First thing in the morning, nagtest agad ako and very evident na yung 2nd line pero as usual malabo pa din siya. As in super labo pero malinaw na line siya (gets? gulo ko ata)Eh I told Jason before, whether malabo yan o malinaw, eh positive na yun. Ngumingiti na ang hubby, kaso bigla nag-comment ... "Eh teka, baka ginu-goodtime lang tayo nung EPT kit na yan. Bili ka kaya mamaya ng ibang brand tapos test ka ulit."

And so I did, I bought an EPT kit much cheaper sa binili niya yesterday ... ano lumabas??? Negative!!!?? hala! bigla tuloy ako na-confuse. Pwede ba mangyari yun? Sino ngayon sa dalawang brand ang accurate? waaaaaaaahhhhh! Bigla nanaman tuloy napigilan yung hope ko na preggy ako ... nag-text ako kay Jason, "Labs, nagtest ako ulit, negative lumabas :(" and he texted back, "nyak! di bale hintayin nalang natin maging positive yan" OO nga naman, 2 days palang naman akong delayed. Baka di pa ma-detect ang baby hehehe... Pero magta-try ulit ako ng EPT baka tomorrow or the next day, kasi nabili ko sa Mercury to, medyo pricey siya, eh sabi nung pharmacist super sensitive naman daw yun na EPT kit ... ows??? Sige nga try ko bukas ... and I'll let you know what happens.

Cravings

This past few days I've been craving for a lot of food ... funny thing is, hindi ko alam kung ano yun. Basta pag nakita ko siya gusto ko siya kainin.

Nakita ko yung Ice Cream Store last Wednesday after going home from the vet (pinaputol na kasi namin yung mga buntot ng mini pin puppies namin), I told Jason na bili kami ng Ice buko. Kahit against si Jason sa pagbili nun (baka kasi madagdagan nanaman ang pagtaba ko) eh bumili siya.

Last night naman may dalang pasalubong si Dad na green mangoes and suman na may cocojam, kumain ako ng mangga with bagoong ... kahit alam kong allergic ako dun kumain talaga ako. Tapos kinain ko din yung suman ... masarap siya grabe.

This morning gusto ko uminom ng Chocolait. Nung pumunta si kuya sa Doggy bags (dog food shop) nagpabili na ako kanina sa grocery dahil nga gusto ko uminom nun.

Then tonight, dumating si Dad may dalang laing ... grabe heaven! Kumain din ako. Nagluto kasi ako ng pinakbet, pero ang tamad ko kumain ... pero nung nakita ko yung laing talagang dami ko ata nakain hahaha.

Dalawa lang ibig sabihin nito ... it's either I'll gonna have my period soon ... or ... it's the other way around. Ayoko mag-assume, baka madisappoint lang ako ... but we'll see :)

I am not...

... pregnant! I won't tell you the details how they told us but we decided to change our OB for the fact she doesn't know the difference between menstruation period and early pregnancy sign. We'll just enjoy life as it is, waiting for our little angel to come. Enough of the professional medical help for a while because it's only 4 months since we got married ... and just wait until a year or so. Nothing is wrong with me, it's just that my I have an irregular mentruation cycle. Medyo mahirap lang sa timing kung kailan ang fertility period. I think it's time to buy ovulation kits. Thanks to all who reads my blog na super concern, mwah! Really appreciate it sobra!

While reading my mails, I came across this email that Ms. Benz and Mr. John sent out in the W@wie community. It's about Lea Salonga's wedding song for his husband Robert Chen. It's included in her album called Inspired. The song I was pertaining to is Two Words. Bigla nanaman nag-flashback ang wedding moments namin ni Jason. So touching, you should hear it.

Last Saturday, we went to the mall to buy a new cam. We're planning to buy a Canon 400D, but due to budget contraint, dad bought the Canon Powershot S3 IS. Goodbye to DSLR for me ... maybe next time when I'm really capable of buying one. Until now ginagamay ko pa siya ... but I love it's features. I can't wait to use it in Baguio this weekend.

Some shots I took with this cam are the following:

False Alarm na nga yata ...

It's not confirmed yet... but I've been bleeding for 3 days now. Menstruation flow bleeding I mean ... I hope it's not miscarriage. My 2nd transvaginal ultrasound would be in Feb. 21 pa. So by that time pa malalaman if I am pregnant or not. Complete bed rest ang sabi ni dok. But I've been lying in our bed for 2 days already and the bleeding keeps on going. If it's threaten abortion, it should stop once you're rested and not moving frequently. My OB told me it might be mentruation but still obserbahan ko daw. Sayang naman kung buntis na pala ako tapos nakunan ako. All test tells us I'm negative, even sa ultrasound. Kaya I'm pretty sure again I'm not pregnant. Nawiwindang lang talaga ako minsan sa OB ko kasi hoping pa rin siya na I might be pregnant eh ramdam ko naman na wala. Napapraning tuloy ako.

She gave me this testing pill called Duphaston ... it's also what they prescribe to pregnant women para pampakapit. 2 weeks ko siya ititake ... so by next week pa dapat ako mag-bleed or mag menstruation. Kaso biglaan eh 1 week palang nag-bleed na ako. Maybe because napagod ako sa pag-bake ng pandesal. OO, pandesal ... makulit ang nanay ko. Gumawa daw ako ng pandesal. Eh di gumawa naman ako ... after ko matapos yun, ayun nag-bleed na ako. ewan ko kung timing lang or whatsoever. She cheked my cervix, intact naman, di naman daw bumuka. Mahaba nga daw (ang ano?) and she looks at my blood sabi niya malabnaw naman daw yung blood. Kaya nag-complete bed rest ako. Pero last night, malakas yung flow ... siyempre 2nd day na, usually pag 2nd day of mentruation, heavy flow period talaga yun. I prayed to God, sabi ko "Lord, if this is not a threaten abortion sign, please let me sleep" after nun nakatulog na ako. So may feeling talaga ako na hindi ako pregnant. It's just my menstruation.

Well I guess better luck next time nanaman kami ni Jason. Hehehe ... sabi ko nga sa kanya wag na natin masyado i-pressure yung pagkakaroon ng baby para makabuo na tayo hehehe. Kaya ngayon sinusunod nalang muna namin lahat ng bilin ng OB ko. Jason is scheduled for sperm analysis tomorrow. Buti nalang nakiki-cooperate ang my labs ko. Akala ko nga hindi papayag eh. You know naman mga guys ...

How's your Valentine's day nga pala? Kami we just celebrate it at home with a heart shape cake and Max's fried chicken Fiesta Platter hehehe! Iwas traffic pa di ba. We never celebrate naman talaga on the day itself. It's either before or after Feb. 14. Excited nga din ako this coming Saturday. Dad told me he wanted to buy a camera for our Baguio trip. Baka mabola ko to buy the Canon 400D ... sana sana sana ...

Share ko lang some photos na natambak dito sa PC ni Jason na I forgot to blog about :D

Got a new haircut again ... and I love my hair this short because it's wash and wear ... pag sinipag sa pag blower sandali lang ok na siya. Unlike pag long hair matagal siya i-blower.

Yup, I made this pandesal ... sabi nila ok daw sa lasa ... walang bromite hahaha! yummy! ANg hirap lang mag-knead ng bread. Kaya siguro ako nag-bleeding huhuhu!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!