i finally had an epidural {nash's birth story}

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For part I, head here. 

Hubs and I decided on an epidural. Do not take offense that I included my husband in the decision-making. It was my decision. I was the final decision-maker but he was a key player in all of my deliveries. Allow me to explain.

I was exhausted and anxious. He was exhausted with only an hour of sleep. He was my labor partner for five unmedicated deliveries. He has done his fair share of supporting a laboring mother.

This decision was not an easy one. I knew what to expect with unmedicated births. I was entertaining the unknown by asking for an epidural and that made more anxious. I also felt like a failure (which I quickly shoved that lie away!) I asked myself: why do I need an epidural when women around the world go through deliveries without one? How come praying and meditating was not enough?

I did not have answers.  I knew I needed support and I could not go through another unmedicated delivery without 100% support. I kept praying and I offered up the intentions left on my instagram post. I prayed and prayed. But when  I arrived at triage and found out I was only 6 cm dilated, I made up my mind that I can have the epidural.  I knew right then. I had time to get it... 

we slow-walked this baby out {nash's birth story}

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Early labor probably started  Tuesday morning of the 18th of June from 3-4am when

I was  38 weeks+ 1 day. I got very nervous bec I had clinic that day (all day). I moved from my bed to the couch and ended up falling asleep.  Falling asleep was a clue that labor did not progress. 

I made it through the entire morning and afternoon clinic - amidst the frequent bathroom breaks. Hubs and I were alone Tuesday evening. Usually we take the alone time as date nights. So when I asked him for take out instead - he knew that my body was telling me to slow down. If I pushed myself - would have I gone to active labor Tuesday night? Not sure. I knew for certain though that I was uncomfortable, with lots of ligamentous and back pain that I just wanted to recline on the couch after a full day in clinic. 

I rested well and slept in until 930 Wednesday morning.  I awoke with more Braxton-Hicks by mid-morning. It must have been hunger or my bladder that prompted quite frequent and painful Braxton Hick contractions. I called the OB office when I was contracting every 8 minutes.

I was told to go to the office if contractions were every 8 mins. But go to the hospital if contractions were consistently happening every 5-6 minutes.  After the phone call, we packed our hospital bag (finally). 

Since the office was closed from 12-1p, I just relaxed at home and ate.... I waited until 1p and when I noticed the contractions did not progress , I called the OB office again telling them that "I’m not going to clinic and instead we will try to walk this baby out. We are going to Costco." exact words. I bet the office staff thought I (we) were crazy. 

So hubs and I went to lunch (our rescheduled date) and then made it to Costco. I slow- walked around Costco. I made it to the restroom and then just passed the registers. Hubs went around the store and picked up our items. 

On the gross-side of things, besides contractions I’ve been going to the bathroom A LOT all day Wednesday. I was very, very constipated. I persistently had the the urge to empty my bowels or empty my bladder.  These were more clues of early labor. Going to the bathroom every 20-40 mins was exhausting. I also noticed more mucus. Not the bloody show but the sticky white stuff. I thought I was leaking fluid so I wore a pad. It wasn’t amniotic fluid either. Just my bladder not holding urine well bec of a heavy full-term baby in my uterus pressing on my bladder. 

The Braxton Hick contractions continued but still not progressing. Since we did not go to the hospital after our Costco run (I mean slow-walk),  we picked up the older three to bring them to swim lessons. I was at the natatorium having Braxton Hicks every 12-20 minutes. But they weren’t progressing. 

Things turned around by midnight June 20th. After a tiring evening post-swim lessons (tiring as in all I did was recline on the couch anyway bec of my low back pain), I was still downstairs in the couch at midnight when the contractions were consistent and happening every 15 mins. I fell asleep in between them (hello tired pregnant lady) but woke up every time I had a contraction. That’s a sign of true labor if unable to ignore the contractions. 

An hour later, the contractions went from every 15 mins to every 8 minutes. Another hour and they were every 7 minutes. At that point (almost 2am) I couldn’t sleep anymore. I went to the bathroom every 7-10 mins. I was uncomfortable and emotional. I cried. I was tired mentally and physically. The painful braxton-hicks of Wednesday all day and going to the bathroom every 10 minutes were exhausting. Hubs heard my sobs. I told him to call his dad and come over. We were definitely going to the hospital that morning. 

I called the oncall line. The operator upon finding out it’s my 6th baby said "so you’re a pro at this... "

I asked myself: Am I? I may be am. 

But that doesn’t mean I’m a pro at experiencing pain. 

The OB on call was not my primary OB but one of her partners. She told me to go to the hospital since it’s been 2 weeks since my cervix was checked. We skipped last week bec things were doing ok and I had the children with me. 

We had to wait for my FIL. As soon as he came I hobbled out the door and into the car. I was having contractions every 6 mins then. I just stopped tracking them. But I told Derrick when they’re happening. 

I remembered that moving helped. Staying still just intensified the contractions and made them the focus of my mind. When he dropped me off at the hospital entrance for laboring moms, I didn’t sit. I roamed around. I even leaned forward on one of the window sills. I refused the wheelchair and instead walked to the 3rd floor. We took the elevators. I pushed the L&D intercom. The registration staff member greeted us. I walked slowly to the triage room. 

We were met by one of the nurses who instructed me to change to a hospital gown so she can check cervical dilation. I first emptied my bladder because hello - all

I did was urinate, stool, then contract then repeat and repeat and repeat. 

The nurse  checked and I was 6 cm dilated and stretchy cervix 50% or more effaced. 

I mentioned I wanted an epidural this time. I was still on the fence and could have been persuaded by the nurse (or Derrick or anybody) to continue natural unmedicated labor. But the nurse was understanding and said it’s all up to me. I looked at my husband and I can tell he was tired. He only had an hour of sleep. He was with me all day and saw my on and off contractions. I told him that without his support I won’t be able to continue laboring without an epidural. My anxiety was awful. Every time I had a contraction - I remembered transition phase and the pain. What happened to the mental exercise of focusing on one contraction at a time right? Nope that went out the door. I was mentally exhausted. 

I was moved from triage to the delivery room. I have never been turned away for all the sixth deliveries. Every time I came to the hospital, it was go time. I was afraid that I’ll have false labor signs so on my five previous deliveries, I mostly labored at home. I made sure it was truly go-time before coming to triage. That was partly the reason I couldn’t get an epidural. By the time I arrive at the hospital I was 7-8 cm dilated. For the first three I may be even close to the transition phase. It was just enough time for me to finish giving my history to the nurses and first cervical check then we were pushing within an hour. 

Head here to read Part II. 

For the first five's birth stories:
Daniel
Isabel
Sebastian
Lucy - part I, part II, Part III
Lucas

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Lucas' birth story

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I have waited the longest for you, baby Lucas. I was already off of work since you were 38 weeks gestation. I did everything to get you moving... well, not quite everything, since I did not have the eggplant parmigiana that my friend, Mer, used to get baby Sammy out.  But I went for walks, I had my pedicure done. I went back to furniture-making.  I ate spicier food.


I even made a VLOG the day before you were born. Funny that once least expected, that's when labor will start right?

Thursday morning:
I woke up late. I was not sleeping well for a few weeks before Lucas was born. Since I did not go to work, I was able to sleep in. I already asked hubs to telework on Thursday. (like I knew something was up). the real reason was I did not want to show up at Bastian's preschool, large and still pregnant.

stethoscope stories {physicians blog hop vol 4}

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Sorry for late post.


Welcome, welcome for another volume of stethoscope stories -- a monthly physicians blog hop. Last month, we extended the invite to all physicians and student doctors with blogs. Christy and I are so happy you could join us

For this month's prompt, please share your post and link up BIRTH STORIES. If you are a mom, it could be YOUR own birth story.... or it could be a birth you'd never forget as a med student doing OB/GYN clerkship.... or if you are an OB, why not share us your favorite or memorable delivery.

I am a sucker for birth stories. I love reading them. I love writing them.
--Here's the birth story for my firstborn
--for my black Friday baby girl
--For baby D3
--3-part story of Lucy's birth: part i...  part ii... part iii...
I am so excited that Pregnancy and Newborn Mag featured Isabel's birth story on their online blog. see it here.

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Lucy's birth story {happy birthday, lulu}

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For part I

For part II

When things turned around…

I finally had the appetite to eat some dinner and so I did. Was it a good idea? Bad idea?

Good idea because it sped things along.  It must be my bowels moving at the same time as the contractions increasing in strength and frequency.

Bad idea because of what will happen later.

In between trips to the bathroom, I told Derrick to call the OB line.  At that point my contractions were 2 minutes apart and 1 minute long. That call was just a formality. After my trip to the loo, I made up my mind that we are going to the car no matter what the OB said! Good thing we already have our bags in the trunk. We left in a hurry. I paused before I hopped inside the car, bracing for another contraction with the dslr hanging around my neck.  (I saw it on our way out, I thought I packed it already). Every single contraction I had, I was thinking my water would break and mess up Derrick’s car. I made him grab his emergency blanket in the trunk to cover the passenger’s seat.

We made it safely to the south entrance. Derrick dropped me off and I sat on one of the wheelchairs. I prayed through the contractions. I was scared at the same time. A gentleman left the quiet hospital. I was not sure if I should make eye contact. I did anyway… and gave a polite smile. (I wondered what he was thinking)… whoa that poor woman is about to pop!

We rode the elevator  to the L&D floor. The registration lady met us and showed me to my room. Apparently it was one busy day at the wards. It was around 8p when I arrived in the room. I kept asking Derrick if I can have the epidural. I asked the nurse, I asked the OB on call. They all were very encouraging telling me that I could go either way. I was afraid I would not know how to push when I am numb. The OB said I have done it before  and my body will remember what to do.  I told them if I have to endure labor for longer than an hour, I’m going for the epidural. I gave myself a deadline!

I changed to the fancy gown and waited to be checked. I prayed: please, dear God, I hope I am at least close to 7cm. The tocometer was placed on my belly. I had a feeling I was not at the transition phase but I asked the RN anyway. She said contractions were still 2-3 minutes apart. Oh…. My…. I knew that the worst pain is yet to come. (it truly sucks when you know what’s coming next!)

She checked me around 8:15p after all the history was taken and I was 6-7 cm dilated…

Afterwards, another RN  prepped the delivery table with the towels, sutures and other metal things (there you go, I lost all medical terminology knowledge).  The OB came. We had a discussion about the epidural and pushing… She said that once my water breaks, the pain will intensify but transition phase will go pretty fast at that point. She asked if it’s ok to do that. Since I was far along, I agreed.  I asked about the complications of artificialrupture of membranes which included: cord prolapse (yikes) and intensified pain down there because there’s no more bag to cushion the head. It was around 8:45pm when she left. She said we can do another cervical check in 15 minutes and if I haven’t progressed, she’d suggest that she artificially rupture the membranes.

I did not quite make it to 9pm. I don’t remember the exact time but I do remember telling them that the contractions were much stronger. As if the previous hour was not painful, those contractions were 10/10 pain. They called the OB and she got ready to do a cervical check. She said: I don’t feel any cervix. I silently praised the Lord in delight: Thank you, God!

She asked if she can break the bag of waters and I said yes. I even amazed myself that I was able to raise my bottom when the OB asked me to. She had to place the drapes and bags to catch all fluids. I felt  a warm sensation when membranes ruptured.  I heard her say: the amniotic fluid is stained with meconium (just like with Sebastian), call peds. I said, I had to push but they had me wait out a few seconds till peds team came. I raised my legs up: hubs supporting one and RN holding another. If you arenot comfortable about bodily fluids, you may want to skip the following….

One of my pet-peeves is not having privacy when going to the bathroom. Urinating is fine… but having a BM with my children running around the bathroom is unacceptable. I start teaching them about privacy. Also one reason, I cannot be a nurse is that I do not like cleaning up stool. Nope, nope, nope.

So when I strained to pushed, guess what came out first before the baby – yup.. you guessed it. Remember I just ate dinner a couple of hours ago and I haven’t emptied my bowels since calling the OB. Oh yuck. 

But the medical folks are ready for such things. Laboring moms having bowel movements during delivery is actually common. I just did not want to be one of them L  I pushed with one contraction… She told me to slow down and ease the power. I took a deep breath. I tucked my chin to my chest and pushed again and held it for 5-8-10 seconds.

The pressure….

The burning sensation….

Aw, aw, aw….

Then I heard the OB and RN say: you’re doing a good job. Push again. There’s the head…. One more good one…

Then the weird sensation again of something sliding out – yup, the head.. then they asked me to give another push. I felt the shoulders out… Then Lucy is out.

I did not look down at all. I was so tired. I don’t remember who said it first.. was it Derrick? Was it the OB who said, it’s a girl. I asked: is she blue? My OB said no, she’s all pink. I do not even remember Derrick cutting the cord.. but he said he did. I was so exhausted. I just laid there.

Thankfully the rest of the birth story is unremarkable. Peds did not have to do anything extra on Lucy. The Neonatalogist introduced herself and said everything was ok ( I actually know her… doubt she remembers me but I was one of her residents years ago). Placenta came out with tons of cramping and some pushing. Then I had to have my sutures.

Derrick brought her to me and I just cried… Seeing her and holding her made all the pain worth it.

I was exhausted and happy that it’s all over. I told them I cannot believe I was a wimp. The RN objected. I guess on their point of view, I just pushed an almost 7 lb baby without pain meds so that was no wimpy thing at all…. But in my mind, failing and letting anxiety kick in made me feel like a wimp. If I am going to do this again, I will have to  re-learn some major breathing and relaxation techniques…. Or just have the epidural. 

Facetiming with Kuya Bastian. The kids were still up and super excited!

The next day was so precious. Look at the children's reactions meeting Lucy. 

I am a mama of 4.... wow. 

linking up with camp Patton.  she has over 340 stories in her linkup... go indulge yourself. :)

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Lucy's birth story {morning of}

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For part I, head here...

I remember Derrick kissing me goodbye as he left for work early Friday. I woke up a little past 8a without any belly soreness or contractions. I thought – nope, not having the baby today. I was supposed to go in and see a patient at the hospital. I wanted to be a team player and help out. Officially, my clinic was already closed for my maternity leave. Since it was a stormy late morning, I worked at home. My boss told me not to come in anyway (“you do not need to be delivering at the Peds ICU of xxoo hospital” his exact words)

(anyway, if I did break my bag of waters while working, I’ve got a plan.. I will walk (or ask for help) to go to the 3^rd floor and cross the hallway and check myself in the L&D ward. Then Derrick will just meet me there) Funny but not funny to those passerby helping a laboring woman.

So back to the story:

I started the Filipino soup (sinigang). I added my favorite veggies. I graded medical students notes for their clinical skills exam. I was so proud of myself finishing all the grading assigned to me while eating lunch! (high five!) I have had contractions, maybe regular, but did not think much of them.

At 2pm, after lunch, I was just on the couch resting when I truly paid attention to my contractions. They were 5-6 minutes apart and 30 seconds long. I was texting my sister at that point… And I totally freaked out when I realized this must be IT! It also did not help that I had to go to the bathroom because of the anxiety which made me feel hot and cold at the same time. I called Derrick’s cell and his workphone without any luck. And I freaked out even more. I was reminded of the memories and pain of previous deliveries. I remembered them all. I continued to freak out until I remember to pray. I called St. Lucy. I called St. Therese and two male saints (names we have picked out if baby D4 is a boy). But I was still panicking.

I remembered I did not have my hospital bag fully packed. So I went upstairs and finished that.  That’s when Derrick messaged me and said he’s at a meeting that will be finishing in 5 minutes. I told him to finish that then come home.

I started to calm down at that point. I was not going into labor or delivery on my own. There was no way I could do natural birth on my own. Hence the panic attack and fear. All that talk of walking myself to L&D and waiting for Derrick there, obviously, I cannot handle that!

Amazing enough, once I have calmed my nerves, the contractions were there and still4-5 minutes apart but not as painful… Derrick came home and I was on the phone with the OB clinic staff. It was 3:30p and I knew as a courtesy that I should at least notify them that I am in early labor. The NP said come in and we will check you. What??? I was hoping she will just say, ok just call us when they are 2-3 minutes apart and you’re ready to go to the hospital. I did not expect to be summoned.

But I was a good patient.

So Derrick and I loaded our bags and we headed to the OB clinic. It was like taking a test. I am hoping for a good grade when OB checks my cervix.  I was hoping I would be 5 cm dilated. Derrick said 4 cm…  Who’s right?

Then another thought crossed my mind, how many laboring women have delivered at the OB clinic? Hmmmm…..

I saw my OB who was finishing a full Friday clinic after an overnight call. She looked tired but still cheery. She introduced me to the doctor oncall for Saturday. I have met her before. My OB said I am still happy and talkative myself so that’s a good sign (meaning I would not deliver there). The doctor on call Friday was actually at the hospital already.

My OB checked me… I was….. only 3 cm!

I am a wimp. That’s all I could think of.  All that pain, all that anxiety. I cannot handle them anymore as well as I did the first time around. They were uncomfortable contractions but I was hoping I was progressing more than 3 cm!

So of course, I was sent home which I have already anticipated. My thinking was I will head to the hospital around 9pm when the contractions were getting closer and closer and stronger and stronger.  I asked Derrick when he expected the baby to arrive. He said after midnight. Oh my…. I did not think I could make it past midnight enduring all the labor pains.

I did not have much appetite though it was dinnertime. I was in the mood for ice cream though. Hubs and I stopped by our favorite ice cream place and just sat there. I was contracting regularly but the ice cream made me forget the anxiety. It was relaxing.

We borrowed a movie from the redbox. I was half into it, half not into it. I was on my phone  doing what I like best – shop! Yep, I was contracting every 3-4 minutes for 30-45 seconds and I was shopping (insert roll eyes, here).

Here's part iii, promise it’s the last installment. 

linking up with CampPatton. 

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Lucy's birth story {the day before}

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I brought the crew and my grandma to my scheduled 38 week ultrasound. My belly was measuring small similar to my previous pregnancies. The ultrasound showed a perfect head  with ventricles, 4 chambered heart and normal amniotic fluid level. Yet the tech measured baby’s weight as 5 lbs 15 oz – same as 2 weeks ago.

I did not believe it.  Since they use biparietal diameter (head size), abdominal measurement and femur length to “estimate” weight, it’s hard during 3^rd trimester ultrasounds to determine accurate weight. Lucy’s head is already engaged. The tech had to push on my pubic symphysis to look at head size.  

Ob said she will not let me go past 39 weeks with above measurements, though fluid is normal.  She was not worried about the weight because of what I wrote above. US at 38 weeks can be tricky and may be off as much as ½ a lb. If baby really has intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), she said that fluid also tend to measure low (which I did not have).

She wanted me to schedule an induction on Wed July 1^st. I told her I cannot do natural birth with an induction… I said, give me 6 days to this on my own.  She then proceeded to perform my  first cervical check.  (I sent the children out at this point). I was only 2 cm.  I have gone 5-7 days after a cervical check showing 2 cm, before going into spontaneous labor. This time around, OB asked if she could “strip the membranes.” What? I am a doctor myself, but I think this is one of those topics I shoved out of my mind to make room for peds neurology topics.  “strip my membranes.”   It was uncomfortable but bearable.

She had me schedule a f/u appt on Monday (4 days later) instead of what I already scheduled at 39 weeks +1. She said that night would be a good night to deliver because she was on-call. I was not a believer. But I did have a mental check that I better have a spontaneous onset of labor before Wednesday because I do not want an induction… not yet at least. Come Monday though and if I still haven’t delivered, I would choose baby’s welfare before my fear of induction.

After OB appt, my grandma and I took the children to Chick-Fil-A. It was a “normal day.” Again, I still was not a believer that I will have the baby soon.

My OB also asked me do fetal kick counts. Honestly, this was something I did not consistently do this 4^th pregnancy. Call it busyness of having 3 older children. I felt the baby move but I did not sit and count them out.. That afternoon after ChickFilA, Lucy only kicked 5-6x/hour x 2 hours. I was about to call when at the top of the 3^rd hour, she moved 9-10x! ok, she’s fine… so I did not call.

I have also felt that the Braxton hicks were definitely different after the OB visit/”stripping of the membranes.” Instead of the tightening ball of pain all over the belly when I over-exert or just stand for a long time, I started having cramps from the bottom of my belly and sometimes radiating up. Again, I told myself, I could be in pre-labor for hours or DAYS so I did not keep my hopes up.

My mom took the older kids as per usual Thursday night arrangement. Derrick and I went to get Thai food (kinda like what we did before Daniel’s labor started). I ordered panang curry (again the same thing I ordered before Daniel’s birth). We headed to Costco and bought more cherries! Yumm…. I was slower than a tortoise at Costco leaning at the cart and stopping every few seconds, really. Derrick asked if I was doing ok several times. I felt fine. I felt the contractions but I was just a little tired.

We went to Asia Mart across the street from CostCo and bought veggies not usually sold in the regular grocery stores (taro root, bokchoy) and then I saw the fresh shrimp! Yumm… I had a menu planned out for the week!

Here's part ii….

(and apologies that this is going to be a novella of sorts)

Linking up with camppatton. She has over 300 entries there. Read to your heart's desire. 

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The day D-crew became party of 5

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Delima is a Portuguese last name. But the literal Filipino/Tagalog translation of Delima is of five {de = of ; lima = five}
Our family is blessed with D3's arrival 2 weeks early and now we are a party of five.



I knew something was different the day before Sebastian's birth. I felt tons more pressure on my bladder. I frequented the bathroom only to realize i really don't have much bladder contents. {didn't want to say the u---- word for those not comfortable with bodily fluids} I thought I actually have a urinary tract infection.

^^conversation with my friend^^

So I went about my day. I saw patients in the afternoon and finished all my dictations. I regretted not calling my OB's nurse while driving back home. My plan was if the pressure continues, I'm gonna ask for a urinalysis {urine check} the next day.

The evening with the fam went fine. I made dinner and I finished the last of the freezer meals. On one of my bathroom trips, I noticed more discharge {sorry for another bodily fluid} yellowish and thick. I called Derrick and said : this might be my mucus plug???

Anyway, I continued working in the kitchen. Finally around 9:30 or so I started paying more attention to my "Braxton hicks". They actually went away and came back although irregularly. I took our prenatal class book from 2009 for D1's birth and reviewed the stages of labor. {hey even MD's have to review things like this}.

11p: my contractions were coming 7-8 minutes apart. I told Derrick that we are most likely in early labor and he should probably call his parents before it's too late. My in-laws came around midnight and picked up the sleeping kids. After that, I obsessively timed my contractions using this free app.

I knew I needed to rest and sleep but when the contractions started, I opened my iPad or iphone and timed the contraction. I must have slept for 30 Minutes maybe less, maybe more.

Around 4:00a, since contractions were about a minute long every 5 minutes for an hour, I called the OB line. My OB was on call! Yesss! She told me to take a warm shower, whatever's comfortable and head to the hospital.

There was NO traffic! We got to the hospital in less than 10 minutes. I was still smiling and joking around with the nurses in between my contractions. My labor nurse was so sweet. I rated my pain as 7/10. She checked and I was 7 cm dilated. So yes my contractions were doing something to prepare my body for delivery. I was so thankful. the pain was actually doing something.

I was moved to the labor and delivery room. D3's heart rate was fine during contractions.

Changeover for nurses was at 7a. My admitting nurse bid us goodbye and wished us good luck. I met my other nurse who was as helpful and sweet. I also agreed to a student nurse to follow me along. {I'm a resident. I know the value of learning and teaching so whatever, I can share this once in a lifetime experience as a "teacher"}

I thank my husband. I would not have made it through another normal, unmedicated birth without him. I prayed during contractions. I focused on my breathing and expanding my lungs. I kept thinking: one contraction at a time, and tried to forget that the pain will intensify and continue during the transition phase. The anxiety and anticipation was worse this third time around. I knew what was coming and I was scared. I'm so grateful for my husband who is an awesome labor support.

As the contractions came back to back, I held my husband for dear life. I held him for strength while my nurse stayed with me and rubbed my back to relieve the pressure and back pain. She checked me in between contractions and I was progressing fine. I was 8.5 cm dilated. Again, I whispered thank you Lord because the pain was doing something.

It's a blur now but as the contractions grew stronger and closer together, I asked Derrick to call my mom. I needed her. He called her but he predicted that mom won't make it in time. Baby would have been delivered by the time she drove up to the hospital with the rush hour traffic. {Derrick was right. Mom came after Sebastian was born}

I asked my nurse to check again because the pressure and urge to push intensified. She said i was 9.5 cm dilated but my bag of waters was still intact. She asked if she should call the OB and have my bag of waters artificially ruptured. I said yes.

My Ob came. She told me Peds staff and nurse were coming because amniotic fluid was stained with meconium {Sebastian had a bowel movement in utero}. My ob ruptured my membranes artificially. I remembered saying: baby coming now! She said: yes, baby coming now.

I pushed with all my might thinking get this baby out! I didn't even realize the contraction was over. My Ob had to stop me and say milder push on next contraction. second contraction came and I pushed again! Sebastian had a nuchal cord. I remember my Ob saying she had to reduce the cord but Sebastian did it all on his own. One more push and he was out!

Derrick said: it's a boy! {oh thank you Lord}

I saw Derrick and he cried {just like when Isabel was born. He told me later that he cried mainly for me because my pain was finally over}

I didn't hear Sebastian cry which frightened me. But Derrick saw Sebastian with his eyes open and looking around. His apgars were actually 7 and 9 at 1 and 5 minutes of life. Those are pretty good apgars!

There were probably 10 people in that room. Quite a crowd compared to my other deliveries. The RT was there. The Peds nurse was there. Thanks be to God, they did not have to do anything {like suction his trachea to get the meconium out}. They checked him out and by the time I was done delivering the placenta and getting my stitches, he was in my arms!

With my other babies, they were already in my arms when I was delivering the placenta or getting my stitches. This time, it's a little delayed but I am glad Sebastian is alright and healthy. He had some minor forehead bruising and conjunctival hemorrhage {rim of ruptured blood vessels surrounding his iris} because of the fast delivery {and I pushed like a crazy woman} but overall he is healthy, eating well, pooping and peeing like what a newborn should do!

He's already a blessing in other ways --- I had two phone job interviews 8 hours after and 11 hours after his delivery. One was scheduled a week before his birth. I thought I'd still be pregnant. Derrick thought I was out of my mind talking with employers when I had lack of sleep and lack of prep or questions for them. Must be the joy and adrenaline of having a new baby but I accepted the challenge. I was just so excited to have my boy and the opportunities to talk with employers.

Thanks for the prayers. My prayer request was because of my job situation. I thought I had a job here but now it's all up in the air. Hence my challenge right now applying to other hospitals in-state and out of state.

I wasn't ready to share my job situation because it's such a sore topic. I grieved for my job that would allow me to work part time and stay home with my little ones part of the week.

Now, I had the courage to share because I have my great blessing in my arms.this baby is a blessing. This maternity leave is a blessing.

As David wrote in psalm 37: Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
I prayed for a healthy baby and we got Sebastian.
Now I continue to trust as God takes care of my family of five and leads us wherever he wants us to go.

---

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Black Friday Diva: Isabel's birth story

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I am a slacker second time mummy. I totally did not blog about Isabel's birth story..... Poor Form!



Since Ms. Grace @ Camp Patton is hosting a link-up, I better put it out there the birth story of my second child! I am a sucker for link-ups and yes, I feel guilty about not printing her birth story out there in the blogger world for everybody to read!

Isabel was born Black Friday. Just a few days before my due date (5 only actually), when her brother Daniel, my firstborn, was 8 days early.

Soooooo. I totally had tons of belly ligamentous pain the 38 weeks onward and slept and laid in bed forever! But it's definitely true about the "burst of energy" before labor. I totally got that Thanksgiving Day. No pain at all from the ligaments getting pulled by my humongous belly. No Braxton Hicks! nada! I totally thought I will carry baby 2 to her due date.

Yet, labor pains started early Black Friday morning. Thanks to my trusty iPhone Labor app, I was able to track my contraction minute intervals. I was even chitchatting on the phone with my friend, Dr. HS even while having contractions. That was around 11a. {She said I totally impressed her, talking on the phone just 5 hours before I finally delivered}

Around 1p, I had to ask Derrick to bring me to the hospital cos yes, we are having a baby. I just know it. Even though, the contractions are only 5-6 minutes apart and some 3-4 minutes, they're irregular and inconsistent but yes, baby 2 is coming.

2p at the hospital: all checked in, changed to a glamorous gown. This time it was just me and Derrick. my mother did not want to be a labor support anymore. She volunteered to babysit Baby 1. (must be the stress of seeing somebody's pain WITHOUT meds). soooooo......

2:30ish IV started, that liter of fluid was placed on gravity mode w/o pump. I got a bolus of fluid as if I was a trauma patient... so you know what that means, I had trips to the throne several times, getting rid of all the fluid my vein just received.

In between, contractions, my husband offered to play Bones DVD on TV. It only played for 10 minutes maxed because I had to stop the movie. who can concentrate with the plot of decaying flesh and gorry bones when there's contractions every few minutes! even warrior Isis cannot do that....

at 3p I rated my pain as 7/10. Then just before the OB had to rupture the membranes, I rated it as 8/10. Heck I was trying to be brave! little did I know, I was already on full dilation mode and still with intact membranes. whatever.

I really don't have anything else exciting to say: just the fact that it was probably more painful this second time around. yet I only rated the pain <10 .=".">
So before 4p, I was already pushing.... And all I could say was "it hurts, it hurts".  (I think the RN might have said: of course honey, you're having a baby)

4:06p: Baby Isabel Francesca was born....

And hubby who did not cry when D was born, shed tears this time. When I asked him why, it was NOT tears of joy for Isabel but tears of relief that my suffering is over. {how sweet!}

Again, the medical staff and my hubby said I made this delivery look so easy. 2-3 minutes postpartum, even 2 days postpartum I was convinved they were lying. It was not easy. But now, 13 months later, I forgot all about the pain and yes, ready to welcome another baby into this world (maybe after this last year of residency).

Like for baby D's delivery, I offered up the pain for all those kids without parents who love them, or do not have family at all. Looks like I am not the only one offering up suffering, unifying them with the Lord's suffering.

And I am crazy enough to wanna do it again.

And then there were three

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Daniel Isaac born 7.20.09 at 1452.

Birth weight: 6 lbs 5 oz

Length: 19.5 inches

Head circumference: 31 cm

Early Labor started 11p Sunday night but I was able to sleep for about 1.5 hrs. When I got up to use the bathroom, the cramping was still present. And I could not sleep anymore. I woke up Derrick after a few more consistent cramping every 5-7 mins. We called the OB on call at 4:30a but we knew I was still in early labor so no chance of going to the hosp yet. The OB-on call adviced us to notify them when the contractions are consistently every 5mins or less. I tried to sleep some more as adviced by the OB-on call and failed (as expected). I knew I had to save my strength. At 6a, I went to take a shower -- I just had to do something and I was getting ready for the BIG day! At 8:30a, we called the OB clinic. We were asked to go to the clinic for a cervical check and fetal reactive tracing. (I could probably have been sent to the hosp then if I wanted an epidural. But since I wanted to go natural and I was still smiling even with the contractions, they opted to bring me to the clinic).

At the clinic, baby Daniel had a consistent heart rate on the 140s but since I was hungry (and did not really feel like eating either) he was not moving as much as my OB wanted. I was offered apple juice and cheerios which I ate slowly. And as expected, the baby's heart rate reacted with the contractions.

At 10:30a, my cervix was 4 cm dilated and I had more and more bloody mucus (bloody show).

We were sent home to relax and take walks etc. but my OB said if I had to concentrate more and more with the contractions then we have to go to the hosp. If we haven't gone to the hosp or called her by 1p, she wanted a quick update anyway.

So Derrick and Mom ate lunch at home and at that point, I knew the contractions were getting stronger. I was pacing all over the first floor of the house, used my exercise ball, and concentrated with my breathing with every contraction. I asked to be brought to the hosp right after they ate. I tried to eat as well but only a little bit since I felt nauseous.

We were on our way to the hosp at 1245p. Arrived at the hosp around 1p. After they checked the contration and fetal heart tracing again and finished their History and Physical (which showed that I was 7 cm dilated!!! oh yes I was on active labor and knew the hardest part is coming -- the transition phase!), my amniotic sac broke. When it happened, I was about to get up bec the nurse asked me if I'd like to take a walk, use the shower or the hot tub, or sit on the birthing ball, etc.

The transition phase came and it was definitely LABOR!

What a weird sensation, with increasing strength of the contractions, I could feel my uterus pushing (by itself!) and I truly felt the urge the push. The nurse called my OB bec of how fast my labor was progressing. My OB came and was running to the hosp. And I was 10 cm dilated when she checked! yup, I was ready to push!

It's funny that I know in my head how to push after seeing women in labor, however, I was still very much out of sync! I was not pulling my legs, instead I would grip the top of the bed. I was extending my neck instead of crunching. I would push while exhaling when I should keep my breath in. But one thing I remember, I was able to hold my breath and push for the full 10 seconds!

After a few more contrations - I think I finally got it - I was able to push the little one!!! I was so excited to see his face! He was placed on my chest/abdomen skin to skin! I was able to breastfeed before they took him for measurements. He is a good latcher, very awake and active. (probably bec I did not get any pain meds -- not even Tylenol).

I looked at him. I forgot how painful the contractions were (now I know 10/10 pain). I did not even feel the pinch of the needle for the local anesthetic -- it was nothing compared to the labor.

My mom asked me if I'd still do it again natural since the experience is still fresh on my mind and I answered "yes, I will do it again natural". The pain was worth it for little Daniel. The pain I also offered up to the Lord for all those little children that do not have parents that love them.

I looked at my little Daniel on my chest. I was speechless. He is perfect!

What a great feeling! I am a mother!

click on the pictures to enlarge

Delima Family

Papi Derrick, Mummy, Daniel

weight: 25th percentile


proud father


I love my son!

Precious gift from God

My labor support team is resting (my mom felt like she went through labor as well)

I was offered to eat -- thought it was a joke! But I saw the menu and chocolate cake was available. I did not finish my entree but I finished that cake! I just had a work out!

Daniel: I am fed.

Never co-sleep with your infant!

He did not want to be placed in his bassinet! and I was really tired.

Adorable

Mummy and her little peanut

The hosp gave us a bottle of sparkling grape juice with Daniel's name and stats. Also written: produced by Derrick and Sarah Isis Delima in Indianapolis, IN. cute!

On our way home. Derrick looks tired-- but happy.

Tiny baby, huge carseat

We're going home!!!

And then, there were three.