I have been updating this blog about my pregnancy. I always make sure that every week, I document what is happening to me and my baby. Now I would like to share the day that we finally got to meet and hold her in our arms.

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Saturday, January 10, G and I went to see my OB (despite my scheduled appointment on the 12th). We told her that even after taking EvePrim (a supplement which can induce contraction), there are still no changes. She did an IE and measured 1 cm dilation. She asked if we already wanted to be admitted and have an induction. Though we are prepared with everything, we decided that we would go to the hospital on Monday, after lunch.

Sunday, January 11. We kept ourselves busy at home. We cleaned our house, did last minute preparations and we even washed some of our clothes. We went out around 6:15 pm to catch the 6 pm mass but when we got to the church, it was already finished. This confused us because our house was merely 10 minutes away from the church.

Since tomorrow is the day, G decided that we should attend the mass in Balibago instead. We got there exactly as the mass was just starting but a little late to find a seat. We stood the whole duration of the ceremony. After the mass, the priest blessed the people with holy water. I was eager to be blessed so we went in front. When the priest got to our side, he saw that I was pregnant. He asked when the baby is due so we told him that anytime she can already come out. The priest gave her special and personal blessing. We were so happy and relieved that we were on the right place at the right time.

Monday, January 12, before going to the hospital, we dropped by SM Sta. Rosa first. We bought some books that I could read during our stay in the hospital. Then off we went.
3:30 pm - we entered the ER. I showed the doctors the admission notice that my OB gave. The resident OB asked me to lie down as she has to do an IE on me. After the IE, she told me that it still has a long way to go. 'Nasa Quezon City pa lang to. Matagal pa ito'. While G was working on our admission papers, paying for the deposit, etc., a nurse was with me. She took my vitals and put my dextrose. 

4:00 pm, I was brought up to the Labor room. My monitoring started. I was hooked with the fetal monitoring machine and a nurse was on stand by checking for contractions and baby's fetal heartbeat.  I was given Buscopan to start the contraction.

6:00 pm, I am 1 cm at this stage. The OB phoned and told me that she is already on her way.

6:30 pm, the OB arrived and personally did an IE on me. Stll, no changes with my status.

7:00 pm, they let G enter the Labor Room to talk to me. He looked nervous but I told him that I am okay . We chat for some 30 minutes since it was the only time allowed. That was the last time I saw him for the day. He wasn't allowed to enter the delivery room to witness my birthing and I think he won't feel comfortable being inside as well.

9:00 pm, I was 2-3 cm dilated. This status remained until 1:00 am. 1:00 am, I felt something leaking. I told this to the nurse on duty. When she checked on me, she told me that my water bag broke. I started to feel little contractions by then.

2:00 am, by this time, I was given increase in dosage of Buscopan (this was the drug that they used to induced me, I think) since I was still 2-3 cm dilated. I tried to sleep in between so that I have the power to push during the labor itself.

3:00 am, the pain became more frequent and stronger. I can already hardly sleep at this time. Contractions were really painful, I can't compare it with any other pain that I previously felt. This was the first time I complained of pain for the whole duration of my life. I remember saying to the nurse, 'Sobrang sakit na po. Di ko na kaya'. I was glad that the nurse was so warm and understanding. She kept on soothing me. She was even massaging my back, which relieved me so much.

4:00 am, I kept complaining to the nurse of the pain. I told her to do something about it. She did an IE and found that I am already 8-9 cm dilated. I heard her calling a team to prepare the delivery room. I don't know how I was brought to the other room but when I woke up again, I was already strapped on the table. The nurse taught me how breath and how I should push. Honestly, I can no longer concentrate on how I would do it. I wanted to have epidural or even CS already just to stop the pain but I don't know when to ask for it.

The OB arrived and everyone started doing their jobs. I had three rounds of practice before they started with the push. All I can remember is that I am in so much pain. I had my eyes closed all through-out. I can hear them coaching me. One nurse was telling me, 'Hingang malalim. Push ka pag bilang namin'. They were counting up to 20. When I started pushing, I can hear one telling me not to make any sound. 'Walang tunog, parang natatae lang. Put pressure sa bandang pwet area'. Then I can feel someone pushing my tummy. After counting 1-20, everyone stopped but I remember shouting 'masakit pa rin'. So I had to make another push. With the help of the male nurse's push, I was able to survive. I felt something flushing out of me. 'Parang merong bituka at kung anu-anong lumabas sa akin pero sobrang relieved ako after. Yun pala I already gave birth'. Then I heard my OB shouting baby out! 4:56am. After that, I heard my OB talking to me. 'Pwede ka na matulog. Ilalabas ko na lang yung placenta. Wait tignan mo muna si baby before ka matulog'

Then I saw my baby. She was so puti and she has chinky-eyes. The next thing I know, it was already 7 am and I am set to be transferred to our room.

Here is my baby's picture, GWEN MARI SALVILLA, on her first week.