Marriage came to us in 2014 and we certainly hoped for a little bundle of joy to come. Without encouragement or prevention (so that we won't have our hearts frustrated), we were granted that 2 red lines 10 months after our wedding-- in a timeline somehow we wanted (after both our birthdays).
I wouldn't describe that my pregnancy went smooth-- At the onset of my 3rd month pregnant, due to pain on my upper right abdomen i was discovered to have gallstones. To what i thought i was going to have days of being able to eat what i crave for, i ended up not thinking about what i wanted to eat but more of what i didn't want to eat. I was not allowed to eat fried food to keep my gallbladder quiet-- which was not an issue coz i started to not like the smell of anything fried. ( I hated even the poster of chicken joy on EDSA). I hated the smell of garlic and the most ironic of all, I hated the smell of coffee. I moved back in to my mom's during the Christmas holidays to get good support as Pierre was ever so busy with hotel activities and functions.
We greeted 2015 with a ferreria family trip to HKG-- where we celebrated our first year as Mr and Mrs. We toured and moved around with care (with sport seat/cane in tow), it was one of those relaxing travels I've had. Trip to disney, IFC, and Causeway bay shopping as it was our home base.
This was when things started to look up. I finally was enjoying eating again-- but to the "Safe" food that i can eat. I loved Chicken noodles of Ha Yuan, Pomelo, and ice cream (!!) :) But there would be days that the usual smell of garlic and coffee would turn me off. We took double precaution with food intake that i actually ended my first trimester losing 4 lbs. what a stressful situation that was.
The second trimester came as a breeze. I drowned myself with "infanticipation" as i was at our Makati condo most of the time. I was not allowed to drive anymore to lessen stress factors.
Pierre and I took birthing classes under Ms. Rome Kanapi. Those 6 days of classes prepared us mentally on what we ought to do when labor day comes. what we needed to bring, what we needed to do when we get to the hospital, when do we know if it was active labor or false alarm. This created a small support group eventually when everyone gave birth already. Makes parenthood more fun!
Since Pierre's job was always long hours, we decided to move back again to my mom as due date of June 26 came closer. When the calendar turned to June, i was on my way back to my old room. now with crib and baby stuff around. Bets were being made in both businesses i manage on when do i give birth. It feels nice to have strong support systems even outside family.
June 13 was a scheduled check up with Dr. Tetchi Brion, Our OB. What seemed to be a routine check up, when she checked me baby was already engaged and i was already 1cm dilated! and i cried as it finally sank in that i was to give birth to this child! I was advised to walk around so that the baby will slowly go down the birth canal.
June 14 was Tita Josie's (My mom's sister) and Tita Ofie's (my mother in law's sister) Bdays. so we had brunch blowout and a dinner blow out to go to. In-between, we had to bring home tita bonet who joined for brunch. Since it was in the Manila area, we decided to visit the National Museum-- i didn't want to walk in malls anymore.. hence the museum. We spent 2 hours there walking around and looking at arts and paintings. We got back home before we decided to go for the dinner. Before we left, my mom advised us to just have ourselves checked in SLMC. But i didn't feel any need to do so. But for peace of mind we did. Lo and behold, when i was checked at the Delivery Room, i was already 4cm! and 60% effaced which means admission! (yes it was one of those "i told you so" moments)
It took us from 6pm of June 14 to June 15 2:10pm to get to baby out status. My dilation progressed slowly but surely. I was even walking around the delivery room at 5-6cm. And as a surprise, beside us in the HRPU was one of our classmates in birth class! It was already midnight and i remember falling asleep despite machines that were attached to me which says that the contractions showed highest point of pain. It was only when they ruptured my bag at around 5am that i felt the REAL labor pains. (But heck all those IE's were more painful to my memory!). Soon as the sun rose, i was wheeled in for epidural. the pain of labor was controlled and the IE pain was just pressure. i continue to fall in and out of sleep. But i was hearing the doctors to also ready me for CS coz it was taking some time for me to get to 10! at 12noon, they were about to wheel me in when Doc T checked, i progressed to 9. so we wait again an hour coz small progress is progress! by 1pm, I was being ready to wheel in for delivery as i have reached 10cm, + 2 station.
the delivery room was very vivid. Pushing and breathing as I've learned in class. Holding Pierre's hands all the time for more support to get to baby out. I remember my last push which was a whole lot of scream (even if i learned not to scream coz i will use too much of my energy.)but it helped me push GAVIN RAYMOND out. :)
Hence this post i would like to thank our amazing support system thru out pregnancy
Our parents.. pop, mom, dad and mom. For never ending support as we embark to this crazy parenthood.
Our siblings (Donn& Jaymee, Paul&Ber, Bill, Alexie&Chris, Acky&Kitty) for cheering us on all the way thru. For looking out after us as your youngest and still cutest siblings with the cutest little Gavin.
Our OB-GYN, Dr. Tetchi Cadiz. I cannot put in words how much i will endlessly thank you for your patience with me. With the number of times i have cried during check ups. Even since 8 years ago with the fear of not be able to bear children... AND not pressuring me to get married for the sake of having kids:) I honestly miss having check ups now with you. Pierre and I always look forward to seeing you for check up and chats that were longer than the check up routine. we've learned a lot more than pregnancy care from you. Your moral and professional cheers made our pregnancy chapter a breeze. Thank you for being part of OUR STORY.
Our Anesthesiologist Dr. Rene Berden.. for making it an awesome experience for me with still letting me feel the birth pains. Thank you for make it easy to work with you despite my cries at the HRPU. You made it more awesome with your awesome camera and taking our first family photos and Gavin's professionally done and literally new born photos!
Rome Kanapi and our classmates ...Ms Rome,you do what you do best! Thinking of all the years you've been doing this it must be tiring but you don't know how much you've help helpless new parents like us. Our classmates, Being on the same page with you guys makes things more bareable. :)
And to dear dear dear Gavin.. Thank you for giving direction in our lives.... Sing it Loud so we can hear you!
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