The due date - 8 August 2012

R and I finally saw Umi on 8 August at 1:36 in the morning. She weighed 2.945 kilograms, had a height of 48 centimeters, and an APGAR score of 9.9. We were very pleased to see our little girl – that we actually contributed to the creation of such a lovely doll, it was unbelievable! And amazing.

But what I’d like to share are the hours towards Umi’s birth. I would always recall those four arduous hours of labor as a testament to a prayer-filled teamwork between R and me. If we made it through Umi’s delivery naturally, that is without anaesthesia or through normal spontaneous delivery, it would definitely be because of God’s grace. 

8:00 am - 12:00 noon, 7 August. It was a rainy Tuesday. There was a low pressure area throughout Luzon and several areas of Metro Manila were already flooded. I was scheduled for check-up that day after my ob-gyne, Dr. Marietta Sapaula, prescribed primrose capsules on Saturday to thin out my cervix. However, the doctor informed me through a text message that she would not be reporting to her clinic because of the rains and if I was already experiencing continuous and regular contractions (the type that is 1 minute long on 4-minute intervals), I should report immediately to the hospital’s emergency room. By lunch time, all I felt were mild menstrual cramps. However, I wanted to know the status of my eventual delivery so R and I decided to go to the hospital, all set with the possibility of a delivery by having our labor bags, birth plan, and cameras in tow.

The question was which hospital to go. Our place was very near Medical City. However, our doctor was based at St. Luke’s Medical Center along E. Rodriguez Ave. in Quezon City. Officemates and friends earlier informed me that some parts of the road towards St. Luke’s had already been flooded. So R and I agreed to try Medical City first. In the cab to Medical City, I asked the driver if he could drive us to St. Luke’s to which he said yes because the flooded part was only after the hospital. We did make it to St. Luke’s hospital after 20 minutes without any traffic jam.

2:30 pm, 7 August. It was 2:30 in the afternoon when I had an internal examination by the hospital’s resident. My cervix was already 1 cm dilated. Hooray to the start of (early) labor! But the pain was still very manageable and the irregular contractions were still akin to very mild menstrual cramps that no pain reliever was needed. (I used to experience severe menstrual cramps that I would always have a pain reliever in my bag.) Since it was still a long way towards the active phase of labor (which starts at around 5 cm), the doctor advised me to walk around first and come back at 7 pm.

R and I didn’t plan to go back to our place as it was already raining heavily. Instead, we decided to let the hours pass at the hospital’s cafeteria while I walked around the hospital to hasten the dilation of my cervix, and thus, the progress of my labor. 

7:00 pm, 7 August. At 7 in the evening, an internal examination indicated that my cervix was already 5 cm dilated although I did not feel changes in the intensity of the cramps (that were actually contractions already). Some nurses congratulated me as I would already be admitted and expect to deliver, with much hope, real soon.

That was when I started to get nervous. My heart started to beat faster. R and I decided to pray together. We knew then that we were headed towards those challenging hours. We learned about the process of childbirth after attending Chiqui Brosas' chilbirth classes and reading books and articles online. And we knew that those difficult hours of active labor (and that most intense transition phase) could just be a few hours away, if we were lucky (because it could take much longer in many cases). But they remain grueling, painful, scary hours to our minds.

So we prayed. And I prayed that my delivery be smooth and quick. And that I will be able to overcome the pain of childbirth. I also knew then that some people were praying for us and the thought gave me the courage to face what was ahead of R and me at that time.

8:00 pm, 7 August. Already admitted to the hospital, R and I initially stayed at the high-risk pregnancy unit (HRPU) while I was on labor. The menstrual-cramp-like pain (which I think occurred in 10-minute intervals) was still very manageable that I could still walk around the area. That was exactly what I did while R processed my hospital admission papers.

10:00 pm, 7 August. By this time, I could already feel the pain intensify. And the intervals of the contraction became shorter (like around 5 minutes - I earlier downloaded this mobile phone app to time my contractions but I wasn't able to use it at this point anymore). There were more frequent urges to pee. I kept on walking around until the pain became more frequent and could no longer be relieved by walking. I decided to lean my forehead against the wall while R would massage my lower back to ease the pain of contraction. Again, it was still quite manageable that I could still talk to R and analyze our labor status in between contractions--we thought we were already in the transition phase until I would realized later that there was even a more painful stage. It relieved me that the contractions occurred in intervals. I could anticipate when the pain would start to build up and dissipate. An internal examination indicated that I was 6 cm dilated.

11:00 pm, 7 August - almost 1:00 am, 8 August. Eventually, the intervals became shorter that I got tired of standing and leaning my hand against the wall. The contractions could be a minute long, occurring every 2 minutes. I laid down on the bed on one side while my legs were curled up slightly close to my chest. R continued to massage my lower back. The pain was no longer manageable. Sweat was building up on my forehead. I thought of epidural then, but it would already be quite late to have – it would only take effect 5 minutes later. So I tried to manage the pain the best way I could. I started to have the urge to scream. And scream I did, as I writhed in pain! Shortly after, I realized that the shouting didn’t help and I recalled the type of breathing exercises reserved for this stage of labor (I realized then that I was already in the transition phase--the most intense part--of labor). The breathing sounded like ha-ha-hu. And my ha-ha-hus became louder and stronger with each contraction. But the breathing should come from the diaphragm (deep breaths). However, frequent breathing from the diaphragm was tiring and I would often fail by shallowly breathing from my chest. I knew it was wrong as I would feel my chest hurt. With such feeling, it was relieving to have R massage my upper back repeatedly in a single, downward direction.

Words of encouragement from R, the nurses and resident doctors and eventually, from our ob-gyne, Dr. Sapaula, became music to my ears. The occasional ice chips also prevented my mouth from drying up and somehow quenched my thirst. There was already an urge to push which felt like I was about to poop. But I had to resist the urge to push (before 10 cm) as it would only make my cervix swell. By this time too, I have well-appreciated the presence of my labor coach in R - from his reminders to breathe deeply whenever I falter to the lower-back rubs when I would reach the peak of every contraction.

1:00 am, 8 August. My water bag broke at 10 cm. Shortly after, the series of madly painful contractions stopped. It felt like there was a long silence within me. I also took this time to really rest. And then... another kind of pain started to build up. I was entering the actual pushing stage (of labor) where there was a very strong urge to push that I just had to ride with it. Again, the urge to push came in intervals so there was time to rest. But I did not know how to push - I initially thought it was like pushing your pee when you urinate - until I realized it was actually like pushing your poop out when you are constipated. By this time, I was transferred to the delivery room.

1:00 am - 1:36 am, 8 August. It was very encouraging to hear from Dr. Sapaula that she could already see our baby’s hair from my opening. I knew then that Umi was coming out real soon. When she informed me that she was about to do an episiotomy, I did not feel any pain at all - just as described to us by Chiqui, our childbirth teacher. Umi finally came out on my fifth push. She was immediately placed on my chest. Umi stared at me. She then latched on my left breast. R, on the other hand, cut Umi’s umbilical cord. Umi and I took the time to know each other while I was being stitched. We then celebrated by taking pictures of our newest family member with the birthing team. 

Umi quite shy at first to face me

The birthing team (with Dr. Sapaula carrying Umi)
all relieved and happy after the delivery

2:30 am, 8 August. When R, Umi and I were back at the labor room (HRPU), R and I celebrated with orange juice and a pandesal sandwich – the only food R could get from the nearest convenient store at around 2:30 in the morning – while recalling in disbelief what we just went through. And that, yes, finally, we can already actually see and hold Umi who was at that time, peacefully asleep.

Sunday morning palengke (market)

One Sunday morning, R invited me to go on a date with him to the market. And indeed to the market we went! We took the train from Ortigas to Quezon Avenue station and found ourselves at the Sidcor Sunday Market at Centris Walk. The market, which is open on Sundays from 6 am to 2 pm, boasts of a variety of things to sell - from ready-to-wear goods to fruits, vegetables, fishes and meat to plants and ready-to-eat dishes and desserts! After all, the Sidcor Sunday Market claims to be the biggest weekend market in the Philippines! Well, I didn't realize that until one eventful Sunday morning.    

Years ago, when R and I were still a new couple, one of our adventures included a visit to Farmer's Market in Cubao. This time, however, marketing is no longer just an adventure. We would be off to the market to fill our otherwise unfilled refrigerator and find some believed-to-be galactagogues to increase my dwindling breastmilk supply. 

Nonetheless, it was a pleasant experience to be able to do simple activities with R again. I can indeed count this experience as one of our lovely dates. :)

We spent around Php700 on lots of green leafy vegetables, half kilo of mussels and clams (believed to enhance breastmilk supply), half kilo of pork and fish, 100 grams of Coffea Liberica (coffee), a papaya, and a kilo of Sabah (banana). I will share some of the photos I took at the market. 

The Sidcor Sunday Market at Centris Walk (very near Quezon Ave. MRT station).
There's R well-involved in his craft.

R holding a patola that will definitely be swimming in one of our dishes for the week.

The bountiful seafood! Oh, the scaloops! :-P

We tried the heartwarming palitaw.

The market is near these clean toilets within the Centris compound.
And if you want to escape the searing heat of the sun, the Centris Mall is just a few meters away.

We will definitely be going back. And will buy a kilo of mangosteen. Next Sunday? Who knows. =)

Would you let your baby wear this onesie?

Grabbed from babycenter

More funny onesie inscriptions here: http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/110812-would-you-let-your-baby-wear-these-onesies/

My favorite is this:

A man who is dating three women decides to settle down. Which woman does he choose?

You know what

I'm quite happy with what I have done here - compiling my random thoughts since June 2010. This platform has indeed placed some structure to my otherwise messy state of mind.

Maraming salamat, blogspot. =)

Umi dresses like a grown-up

We had Umi try on her new clothes (thanks to Tita Teenie and Tita Mae) one Sunday morning. How lovely the little lady modeled her new frock!

Umi's job application at mom's office

Disclaimer: Do not take this post seriously. (As if my other posts can actually be taken seriously. :-p )

Wearing her white jacket that made her look like a baby gorilla, Umi and her entourage visited mommy's office last Friday, 26 October. The visit was actually a potential job interview for Umi with mommy's boss. It was decided that Umi could take a job while she's up in the middle of the night.

After registration at the office gate, the group had their photo taken by the fountain.

Umi all set for her interview

Umi's entourage by the office fountain

Since the interview was only in the afternoon, Umi joined her entourage for lunch at the cafeteria as she took a quick nap.

Lunching at the office

Of course, it would not be Umi's day out without her poses. So here they are.

Umi doing her stunts while her entourage was having lunch

Hanging out for coffee after lunch..

And still doing some stunts

After lunch, the time of the interview finally came. So she headed straight to mommy's work area for the interview. However, mommy's boss deemed it fit for Umi to stay at home and try her best to sleep through the night. And so, Umi instead entertained mommy's officemates with her seemingly refined and delicate hand gestures while pretending to be asleep.

Umi asleep with mom's officemates 

See? She's really asleep! :P

And that's how the story went for Umi one Friday at mommy's office.

But wait... Later that evening, Umi insisted that she's actually big enough to take on a job.

Look, mommy, I have an office bag!

Towards breastfeeding gracefully in public

Ah, the joys of breastfeeding. And to think I almost gave up because of the pain. Thank God I didn't! And thank God for the milk. Such an amazing experience. (As if motherhood is not happiness and fulfilling enough!)

And I intend to breastfeed anywhere for as long as I have milk (and Umi wants). Join me as I perfect the art of breastfeeding in public, gracefully and in style. =)

Beside F. Hidalgo's paintings at the National Museum of the Philippines

Spent one holiday afternoon lounging over coffee and good music

Before Juan Luna's Spoliarium

Before Felix Hidalgo's painting

With collegemates during Umi's baptism reception

Umi having lunch at my office

While waiting for our turn with Umi's pediatrician

Celebrating our 4th month of breastfeeding
while attending a baptismal party

Feeling sick - while waiting for my turn
(and yaya's) to see the doctor 

This is how I actually start to nurse Umi
- playing with her underneath the boncho
as she doesn't like to be covered.
Not graceful at all.
Yes, I have already given up on my quest
to become graceful while breastfeeding
and instead focus on how to entertain
Umi to keep on breastfeeding in public.   

A pose with Umi's yaya
(who looks like my hairdresser in this photo!) 

Just after a session with Umi
at Thai Me Up in Cagayan de Oro City, Phils.

At CoffeeWorks, Cagayan de Oro City

At Lumbia Airport, CDO
waiting to board the plane back to Manila

Breastfeeding Umi in 3 steps (at Boracay Island)

Breastfeeding before the Boracay sunset

Crushed, bothered, heartbroken after listening to a friend's recent unfortunate experience in Shanghai, China

That I can't focus on work anymore. Details to follow on my colleague friend's personal account of his experience.

It was the most awaited beer in 10 months!

Finally, I had my first San Mig Light after 10 months of fasting. The pregnancy book I was reading said that it was fine to drink small amounts of alcohol even when breastfeeding. We feasted at Uncle Cheffy's two days before my mom returned to Bukidnon.

Umi's day out

Umi had her first day out yesterday. We took her to Podium Mall which is just a few meters away from our condo. We could have taken Umi out earlier if not for the bad weather. Finally, yesterday turned out to be one sunny Sunday afternoon, permitting us to walk to Podium.

R was very proud to carry her little lady.

Umi initially looked terrified with the bright lights, several faces, and multiple colors around her that she took refuge on her father's chest. But she eventually warmed up and started to cheer up. I was able to breastfeed her in the mall while having coffee and got to change her diapers peacefully. Later during dinner at the mall, I breastfed her again. It was a fine day out except that Umi became too stimulated back home - she slept at 4 am!

Happily breastfeeding

And my maternity leave starts now…

A recollection of the start of my maternity leave on 6 August 2012, 12:30 pm

It was a rainy Monday afternoon when I started my maternity leave. To celebrate it, I invited Mama and R to have lunch with me at the office, where R finally tried the much-celebrated MOD – meal of the day! At Php55.00, you already have 2 cups of rice, a vegetable dish, a choice of the four main dishes, a bowl of soup, and a dessert. And it’s even served by Barrio Fiesta, famous for its kare-kare! Now, who would not agree that is a very good deal? No wonder it's my no-brainer lunch at the office.

Of course, R was very happy with his chosen meal. Mama and I, on the other hand, opted to order from Café Mediterranean, which just recently reopened at the office cafeteria. Mama had roasted chicken with buttered rice and I had the falafel meal with lentil soup. And of course, since it’s Café Med, the tabouleh was not spared. Umi shouldn’t be a stranger to Greek food any longer. =)

After lunch, we dropped by the newly opened deli where we had coffee and some pastries, including the famous crinkles. On our way home, we checked the items sold at the office shop. R checked some new books that are for free at the shelf. He would usually get some reading materials from the shelf for his toilet reading. It was there that I noticed a nice coffee table book displayed on the shelf designated for stuff that can be taken freely. I asked R to get a copy to which he declined because it had a price tag – Php1,000.00. Unconvinced, I asked the person at the cashier if the book was actually sold at the said price, to which he said, “It’s free! You want more?”

R was ecstatic to hear this that he ended up with four copies in his arms! He planned to give them to colleagues as presents. We also planned to give a copy to our obstetrician after I give birth. This gesture would actually pay off as our lovely doctor really liked the book she even gave us a discount for her professional fee!

See how happy he is to grab copies of the book???

I also shared the news to an officemate. And, indeed, I didn’t fail in making two guys happy with a freebie!

Umi pics

A photo with the birthing team

Umi's adorable photo minutes after she was born

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Pics taken at home