January 1, 2015. 2:37 am
As I type this I am at the lobby of Makati Medical Center tower 2 waiting for papa to come up from the parking. Bloody show was around 12:30 am and it seems water broke too. I felt some contractions but I wanted to sleep. After talking to Gigi who recently gave birth, she urged me to go to the hospital since there's higher risk of infection after water breaks. Tita Suey also said to go have myself checked already so here we are in my pajamas and shawl seated on a wheelchair. You are still moving around but not as much...
January 6, 2015.
They had to take my phone so I couldn't write to you. Anyway, it was a very quick delivery.
3:15am I.E. was 3 cm and I did feel contractions becoming stronger. The monitor was attached although I insisted on sitting down. I wanted to walk around still so I walked to the bathroom to change into hospital outfit. Papa wasn't with me but outside so he could have me "checked in."
4:25 am Papa finally arrived at the birthing room to hold my hand. This time contractions were really getting strong and closer together. I prayed to Mama Mary especially since it was the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary. And I told her to guide us, the doctors, the nurses the staff during birth. I also told her to decide for us if we go for an epidural or not.
4:35 am I told Papa I didn't feel as strong as I was when I was pregnant and in labor with Ate and Ant. The pain was getting unbearable. I apologized to you and said we were going to get an epidural and it would get into your system.
4:38 am I remember I was writhing in pain. I asked to be wheeled into the delivery room already because I had the urge to push. Doctors came to do an I.E. and I followed up on the Anesthesiologist. Papa said I was already screaming in pain at every contraction and I had tears. I heard 7cm only, "mataas pa and it would be perhaps 1 cm more per hour." And I said, no it can't be. She wants to come out na. I have the urge to push. So I think I did since I can't remember too well. Then I felt my water burst and that's when a doctor put her hand there where I felt slight comfort. I heard "sedate" and "i-table na" and "crowning na" and "let's go! let's go! let's go!" Papa had to let go of my hand since my bed couldn't fit the door. The doctor rode on the foot of my bed with me since she couldn't remove her hand and kept it there close to the birth canal.
4:48 am was the last glance I had in the birthing room digital clock before I was wheeled into the delivery room nearby. I heard the doctors say, "sir wait po kayo muna, we have to prep her before we let you in." I was screaming in pain and I started to feel lightheaded which worried me. At the delivery room I was asked to scoot over from my bed to the table. I said "di ko kaya kailangan buhatin niyo ako." I heard, "maam hindi ho pwede." I felt another contraction and I screamed, "I'm going to push!" and I did. The doctor still had her hand down there. Two men had to gurney me to the table as quickly as possible. A steel bar came in front of me and a blue cloth with the MMC logo was draped in front so I couldn't see below my waist. Another doctor came to my side and she wore a black jacket. The bed was cold the table was cold and the jacket looked nice and warm and I grabbed it and never let go. I felt 2 or 3 more contractions and pushed shouting like they do in the movies. I asked, "Andiyan na ulo niya? She wants to come out she wants to come out!!!"
I looked for your papa in the room. I asked the black jacket "kung mahahabol pa ang epidural." The black jacket replied and said, "maam crowning na po."
Okay I felt the doctor kinda let go down there. I literally felt the crowning. Everyone in the room disappeared into white. All I could see was my body lying down with you inside getting ready to come out, the black jacket and white all around. I felt a burning, vibrating, pulsating 10 cm crown with all the pain and glory as the final contraction came. I visualized a throbbing wave of flowing petals. Can I describe it as the crown of thorns and the burning bush hahaha! In my mind I said K let's do this you must come out now because mom is getting tired and might pass out. And we did one great push with a heave in between to catch a little breath and continued the push screaming "AAAAHHHHH".... and out you came. It was instant relief of pain and I felt my tears. I heard you cry and I heard "baby out 5:08 am."
5:08am I was so happy to hear you. I asked for papa and the black jacket replied, "papasok na po." I heard "congratulations maam happy new year."
