Labor Experience with DD#2, Part 2

Wow! Took me so long to continue my labor experience. But anyways, here it goes...

The anesthesiologist came passed 1pm. He asked me if I want the epidural and I said yes. He went out to get the machine and other paraphernalia. When he came back he asked me to get up and position myself. I got up and bend so my spine will be exposed. But suddenly the urge to push is so intense that I told the nurse I feel like pushing and epidural will be useless anyway. So it was stopped and then the midwife, nurses and OB-Gyne came to the room so I can start pushing without the epidural.

I thought I can't do it but our DD2 came out at 2:39pm. She's 7.4lbs and 18 inches long. Compared to my first, it was way more shorter labor than with DD1.The first one was 16 hours total from the time I checked in but this second only five hours. I was very glad that I did not have epidural because I was able to stand up without any hassle after almost two hours from giving birth.

My friend C was the one who accompanied me the whole time. At 4pm I was transferred to my room and C went home. I was left alone with DD2 from Wednesday night until Friday at the hospital. I was glad there was no complication and I only have two primary stitches. I didn't have a hard time getting up and down from the hospital bed, tending to our DD2's needs and going to the bathroom. If I need to use the loo I have to roll the bassinet with me coz it's not a good idea leaving your baby in the room even if there's only the two of you.

I would say that despite the absence of my husband and someone who can help me out at the hospital while staying there, I was able to manage and did not let self pity or loneliness affect me. It is just the circumstance that I don't have family around that can help me all out and hubby is thousands of miles away. Everything went smoothly. Me and baby are healthy so we were able to be discharged on Friday, April 16.

Labor Experience with DD#2, Part 1

Friday, April 9, I had my 38 weeks prenatal check and was told I was 3cm dilated and 75% effaced. On Monday morning I felt the contraction more often but still far apart but I saw a streak of pink tinge in my discharge. My friend C suggested I stay at their place for the night in case I will go into labor. On Monday night we stayed at their place. DD1 wanted to go home when we were about to sleep but I was able to talk her down.

Tuesday morning we went home and decided to stay at home since there's no blood show again and I still can move and do things around. When I woke up at 4:30am Wednesday to use the bathroom, there's the blood show again and it's very visible. I called my friend and she told me to call our other friend K to drive me to the hospital. I told her I will call the hospital's L&D first before going. I did called told them what's going on. I was told to time in my contraction and if it's 5-7 min apart and lasts for 30-60 seconds then I have to come in.

I told my friend C that K can watch the kids who are not going to school and she can drive me to the hospital. Friend F will be the one to bring the older kids to school and back home. My friends kept asking me if I want to go to the hospital already. I told them I'll wait until 8am to go to the hospital since the contraction was still around 10-20 min apart.

At passed 8am, with my friends coaxing, I decided to just go ahead to the hospital. I was already pre-admitted there and so they just ask few things. Then I went in to their observation room to check baby's heartbeat, contraction and then a midwife came in to do internal exam. The cervix was already 6cm dilated and completely thinned out and -2 station. The contraction was becoming intense. Hubby called me while I was in the exam room. I also tried calling my family back in Philippines but there was no answer from them. At around 10am I was told they're keeping me at the hospital and will move to labor and delivery and we'll have the baby out that day.

At 11am I moved to L&D. The nurse assigned to me was of Filipino descent and she's very nice. A doctor came in around 11:41am to ask me about my birth plan. If I want medication for pain and explain to me risks and complications in giving birth. I planned having epidural just like when I had our DD1.

To be continued....

38 Weeks Prenatal Check Up

Yesterday at 1pm was my 38 weeks pre-natal check up. I arrived at my appointment 15 minutes early and it didn't take long for me to be checked in and seen by a nurse first then the OB-Gyne. The usual procedure was done like getting weight, height, vitals and questions like do you smoke, alcohol, and any allergies. Everything is normal and the rest are negative so I was told to wait for the doctor to come in.

The doctor asked me if I have any concerns, pain or whatsoever. I just told her that I felt the contraction around my tummy is getting stronger but not that painful and only lasts in seconds. I did not feel the same with my first pregnancy because I gave birth early and my water broke first. Then she measured the fundal height which is a normal size and the baby's heartbeat is excellent ranging from 150bpm-160bpm. She asked me if I wanted the internal exam to know if my cervix is already open. I said yes so I will know and somehow be ready.

The IE was done and then she said the cervix is about 3cm dilated and 75% effaced. Knowing it I asked her if an imminent labor will happen soon and she said we can't really tell since a pregnant woman can still go for a week while 3cm or even 5cm dilated. When the mucos plug will be swept and have blood showing and then my amniotic sac broke then I really have to go to the hospital and checked in at labor and delivery. And if there's any problem at home I should not hesitate to go directly to L&D.

After the check up I made an appointment for 39th week and 40th week in case I will still not give birth. Everything was a breeze and I decided to go to the Commissary to get some groceries. I have to stock up so I will not drive a lot this week while waiting for hubby. I only meant to get few things at the store but decided to load up so I will not go back and forth to stores. I was pushing the cart very slow inside the store fearing I will go into labor :-) So far everything went well and was able to get home safe and still pregnant :-)

38 Weeks Pregnant

I am getting there so to say :-) Accordingly, anytime from now until my due date I can pop. But I am hoping I will give birth when hubby is here already. Though I have the plan on what to do in case of emergency. Lately, I felt contraction already but it's normal when your body is preparing for the real labor. I am still driving around and though it's already very uncomfortable, I still have to do it since there's only me and our DD here. The husband will be here in a week's time. I am very fortunate that I have friends that I can ask favor when I need just few things at the store.

The very hard thing for me now is going to sleep. The position to sleep is so limited to only two, from side to side, unless you prefer sleeping while in a recliner. With my first pregnancy, I gave birth at 37 weeks because my bag of water broke already. I did not experience the difficulty of getting in and out of bed that much. But this time, it's very hard. I have to get up many times at night to go to the loo and my pubis symphysis hurt so bad. My back is ok though. It's not hurting as bad but my sides, wherein my tummy enlarges so much, it's like the muscles are being pulled to its limit :-)

On Friday, I will have my 38 weeks check up and I am hoping everything is good and that my cervix is not yet open :-) I know I am asking too much but who knows the baby can wait for daddy to be here :-)

36 Weeks Check-Up

I am still 35 weeks and 2 days but my 36 weeks pre-natal check was scheduled this morning. It was early and ever since got preggy I didn't like getting up early. I usually get out of bed around 8am - 9am unless I have an important appointment to attend like this. I also chatted early with my sister. It was night time in the Philippines and I am glad I can now have access to talk or see them online.

Anyways, my check up went well. Our DD#1 was so behaved while I was being examined. I had the GBS check which I will know the result in my next visit. Two nurse practitioners saw me today instead of an OB0-Gyne. They're very nice and gentle. They asked me lots of questions and since I don't have any concerns as of now I didn't stay long in there. The heartbeat of the baby is excellent and she's already head down position but face up according to the nurse. She even said that we may have a thumb sucker according to her position right now. I also had an IE. It's not a comfortable feeling at all but she's checking my cervix. It is thinning since I'm almost due but still closed which it is should be at this time. I am feeling the Braxton-Hicks contraction more often now :-)

After the exam I went to the Admission office of the hospital to do the pre-admission paper work process. I remember when we had our DD#1, me and hubby did the pre-admit thing. It's not a hard process though. When everything was all set, me and our DD#1 went straight home. Had our lunch and cooked dinner early. Now my friends are calling and planning for a met up in one of our friend's apartment. We will bring the food that we prepare for dinner and have an impromptu salo-salo. I have to remember not to eat too much though to avoid the heart burn and indigestion at night when I go to sleep.

32 Weeks Check Up

I had my 32 weeks of pregnancy check up last 25th at 1:30pm at the OB clinic on post. When you make your schedule they will tell you to arrive 15-20 minutes early. I arrived at the hospital like 30 minutes early. I immediately checked in at the front desk and then was told to wait to the other hall. I didn't wait that long considering my schedule is still at 15 minutes. I went in to the exam room, the nurse took my vitals and asked me questions that they always ask every visit - if you drink, smoke, and such.

The nurse went out and when he came back in he handed me a questionnaire, an optional one, just to know about your emotional status being pregnant. That is, if you are suffering from depression or what not. It says it's optional so you can refuse to answer it. But I answered it anyway since my emotional status right now is great despite hubby is not around. I would say that being pregnant and taking care of a toddler then your husband is deployed is really a lot to attend to. But in God's grace I am coping well.

I already finished answering the questionnaire but the doctor did not come in yet until after 20 minutes of waiting. I am so glad having my blackberry. I was able to browse the internet and read emails as well as visit facebook :-) It kind of made the time go fast. When the doctor finally knocked, she only spent less than 10 minutes since there's no issue concerning my pregnancy. She just informed me of the glucose test result which is normal, answers my questions and then measure the fundal height and checked the baby's heartbeat which is excellent. My next check will be at 36 weeks and will have it in mid March.

I know I didn't say it but....

we're EXPECTING! Yes, and I am now in my third trimester, exactly 31 weeks. I haven't posted it here then for personal reason although I am so dying to tell the whole world that we have another blessing. My due date is fast approaching and right now I am doing the preparation all by myself since hubby is not around. I am just glad that I have friends around that I know I can call if little peanut decides to come out before Daddy gets home. But crossing my fingers and toes for hubby to be home before I give birth.

Anyways, our next addition to the family says,

Yep, another princess. She'll be our Darling Daughter #2 :-) The big sister, DD#1, is very excited. She refers to her now as baby sissy. I know she'll be a good ate since she likes kissing and hugging my tummy and always love to hear me telling her that baby sissy said "good job ate Shi-Shi" if she does something good. I am always praying that they both love each other and take care of each other when they grow up.

Gurgle, Your Pregnancy Information Site

Before I got married I was thinking how it would be when I get pregnant. There are many questions that hovered in my mind. Then the time came and I don't have my Mom beside me. I don't have anybody to ask what to expect on my pregnancy. I am just glad that you can go online and check out information about pregnancy, parenting and many more concerning it. One site that is very informational and helpful is gurgle.co.uk. There is a gurgle pregnancy portion in the site that will walk you through what to expect in the whole nine months of carrying a miracle in the mother's womb. They have answers to different questions that bother soon to be Moms on their pregnancy. Not only this, the site is very fun to browse with. If you register and create an account, you will be able to post your baby's cute pictures and milestones, create calendar for your due date, ask expert's advices and connect with other Moms to be or parents and many other cool stuffs. For parents, this site also helps in choosing perfect toys and gears for your little ones. You can even enter sweepstakes or contests that will give you a chance to win fantastic prizes for your kids. This is really a great site. I have so many questions regarding my toddler and I am glad this site gives me the answers. So, check them now and enjoy the good things and information they offer.

In-Take Appointment

I got home around an hour ago from my OB-Gyne appointment. The appointment was called in-take appointment, it was all about paper works, orientation and information. The one who saw me was a nurse practitioner. After giving me all the information, she had me scheduled for the first real one on the 23rd. Before that appointment I need to go to the laboratory for some blood tests. So I scheduled it on the 11th. Hubby will be here on the 10th so he can take care of our DD while I have that tests. On the 12th I am also scheduled to attend the Genetic Counseling. Pretty much this month I have a lot of appointments lined up.

The nurse estimated my due date to 20th of September. My estimate was 14th of September which is just 6 days advance. So this put me now at 11 weeks and 3 days pregnant :-) She also gave me pre-natal vitamins that I am going to take daily. I dreaded this because it can really make you constipated :-) Anyways, I am glad I already had this in-take appointment and then I can focus now on my monthly pre-natal appointments and other laboratory tests. Since hubby will be here next week, I can at least get some rest :-)

I Feel Queasy

I am not sure yet how far I am with my pregnancy. My first OB-GYN check up will be on the 4th but based on my last period I am now on my 8th week (unofficial though). This pregnancy is definitely different with my first one. Right now I feel queasy all the time. The sickness that I am feeling is all day long. Accordingly, 80% of pregnant women experience this 'morning sickness' while others are spared and doctors can't really explain why this is so. I've read also that the nausea and vomiting that expectant Moms are feeling is due to the increased level of estrogen earlier in the pregnancy. Estrogen stimulates part of the brain that triggers this dizziness. This however will wind down during 13 to 14 weeks. I do hope so because it is awful not to be able to eat good.

My ex-boss told me before that saltine crackers does helped a lot and avoiding spicy, oily or fatty foods. So now I have my saltine crackers and bottle of water all the time at my side. Portioning my meals into smaller ones but frequently will get me through the day. I think I also need more exercise to at least boost up my energy daily. I guess not being active is also the reason why I am sluggish :-) Oh well I can blame it to the weather too. It's still dang cold here and walking outside will entail me and our DD to bundle up before we can step out of our door.