Welcome Breanna Samantha Quiros Jacinto!

November 28 (Thursday) - Tim and I wento Makati Med and had our check up with Dr. De Joya in one of herfriend's clinic (Dr. Cruel - the OB/sonologist who did the CAS on our baby).  She made me lie on the bed and IE'd me and still I was 1cm.  After the IE, I saw blood on her gloves, she said, ok lang daw un.  Since I was already 39 weeks pregnant by then, we discussed our options.  I told her na inip na talaga ako and I wanted to be induced (with Tim's approval of course).  Sabi ko nga, better pa un kasi wala akong kasama sa house, so baka pag nag-labor ako, hindi ko pa alam kung pano ako makakarating sa hospital.  She asked when do we want it and we answered, now na if you want. Hahaha! Hindi naman halatang excited kami, pero we bought our hospital bag na just in case may improvement sa cm ko and I need to be confined already.  She told us to wait until tomorrow, get some rest and she'll meet us at 7am in Makati Med Delivery Room.

After our check up, Tim and I decided to have a "last date" as a couple.  We went to the mall first and syempre naglakad-lakad pa din ako.  When I went to the washroom to pee, I noticed I had some bloody discharge.  I called my OB and she asked if there was a lot of blood.  I told her "konti lang naman".  So she said, it must be from the IE, but told me to monitor it.  If hindi naman lalakas ung bloody discharge, okay lang daw and wait for the next day kung kelan talaga kami scheduled to go to the hospital.

The bloody discharge did not stop the whole day.  Although hindi naman malakas, continuous pa rin.  Para lang akong may monthly period na patapos na.  Syempre si Tim worried about and asked me if okay lang ba un and hindi ba kami dapat pumunta sa hospital.  I told him what Dr. De Joya told me.  We had dinner at Chocoloate Kiss and then went home.

At home, I doubled checked the stuffs that we need to bring to the hospital.  I want to make sure that we'll have everything we need (baby stuffs/daddy and mommy stuffs/paper works).  While doing this, pinapapakiramdaman ko na dyan ung tyan ko.  I told Tim parang I can feel contractions already pero tolerable naman. We decided to sleep early para we can wake up early din for our 7am schedule in the hospital.  I was able to sleep pa naman, pero pagising-gising na din trying to feel my tummy.  At around 3am, I told Tim I can feel na tumitigas ung tummy ko and may konting pain na din akong na-feel.  I decided to pee na rin and I saw blood pa rin on my undies. Suddenly, I feel a sudden gush on my legs and saw lots of blood.  At this point, kinabahan na ko and decided to call my OB. I told her na hindi na konting blood, super dami na kasi tumulo na sa legs ko.  She told me to go to Makati Med na and don't wait for my 7am schedule.  I told Tim to get ready while I take a bath.

Off we went to Makati Med. I told Tim not to hurry kasi na-feel ko na super bilis nyang mag-drive.  He dropped me off sa entrance ng Makati Med and I was wheeled into the Maternity section.  Tim had to park the car kaya he followed na lang.

Once inside the Maternity section, they checked on me and said I was only 1.5cm dilated but already contracting. What? 1.5cm pa rin? Eh ang sakit na ng contractions ko!  Tim was allowed to see me and told him about the 1.5cm. I told him to call my parents and his parents to inform them that we are in the hospital already and to check about available rooms.

The resident doctor said she'll call my OB for any instructions.  They put on some wires on me to monitor my contractions.  Hay, I thought mataas tolearance ko sa pain pero sa 1.5cm pa lang, na-feel ko na ung saket.  Not enought for me to shout, pero enough para mapapikit ako.  The resident came back and told me that she was instructed by Dr. De Joya to transfer me to the labor room.

I was asked to changed clothes and remove my jewelries and shoes. I was given a private labor room.  I noticed this because on the other side of the room, there were beds with curtains to separate each patient.  I can hear mothers screaming - hindi naman ung exag na sigaw pero alam ko na naglalabor na talaga sila.  Siguro I saw 3 patients there.

De Joya arrived around 7am, and she checked and I was only 2cm dilated.  She decided to speed up the pace of my labor.  I was strapped on different wires to monitor my contractions and my heart rate.  I've been looking at the monitor for the contractions and I can see when the contractions will be.  I was surprised when De Joya told me that I was only 2 cm dilated.  Whaaaat??? Eh super sakit na.  I was already asking my OB for anesthesia.  No exag to, pero every time makikita ko na ayan na ung contractions, humahawak na ko sa rails na bed ko and napapapikit sa sakit.  Hay. I even told De Joya na because of the pain, ayaw ko ng manganak ulet.  Ung 5 anak na plano ko, ayaw ko na!!! Isa na lang. Tumawa si OB! She told me, iba-iba talaga ang pain tolerance, sya daw 5-6cm na, wala pang na-feel at nakikipagkwentuhan pa. Since wala pa si anesthesiologist, kaylangan ko pang tiisin ung pain.

When my anesthesiologist arrived, my OB told me she's the wife of my perinatologist - Dr. Reyles.  After the anesthesia, hay, ang sarap ng pakiramdam.  I can see the contractions pero wala akong pakialam. Hehehe! Wala kasi akong na-fifeel.  Pagbalik nga ni OB, sabi ko sa kanya, if ganito lang ba ung contractions, kahit 5 anak pa! Hehehe! Ang yabang ko na!

Around 10am, OB checked me again and said I was 3cm dilated.  She decided to rupture my water bag to speed up my labor pa din.  Ang bagal kasi ng pagdilate ko kahit na I was given oxytocin already.  I told her that Tim's waiting outside and please inform him of my progress.  Around lunch time, there was no progress, I was still 3cm dilated and I told my OB na medyo nafifeel ko na ulet ung contractions.  After lunch, around 2pm, I was only around 4-5cm dilated. Hay, inip na inip na ko.  Nakita ko ng lumabas lahat ng patients dun sa kabilang wing and ako nasa 5cm pa lang.  Since na feel ko na ulet ung contractions, I asked De Joya for another anesthesia.  She came back with some results and told me na bumababa ung heart rate ng baby.  I asked her what does it mean and she said we need to have emergency cs na.  I told her GO! Ilabas na ung baby kasi ayaw ko na kung ano pa mangyari.  She said she will talk to Tim first and informed him about the situation.  She came back and said they will prepare me for CS already.  Kahit masakit na ung contractions and kinakabahan na ko, naalala ko pa to ask for the camera.

After a while, they transferred me to the operating room and from there, everything was a blur.  I remember na nilagyan na ko ng anesthesia and i can't move my legs but I'm still conscious.  And then I heard a cry then I can also remember na pina-latched si Bea saken. Officially, on October 29, 2010 at 2:57PM, our little princess was born.  After that, I blacked out.  As in wala na kong naalala until I woke up in the recovery room.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I asked the nurse if I can be transferred to my room already and if I can see my baby.  The nurse approached me and asked me if I can moved my legs already, and that's when I realized na hindi ko pa pala na-feel legs ko.  The nurse told me I need to wait kasi may certain time dapat sa recovery room (can't remember if 2 or 3 hours) and hindi pa ko umaabot sa time na un.  Hanggang sa nawala na ung effect ng anesthesia and siguro nakulitan na ung nurse kasi I kept on asking if pwede na kong ibalik sa room, she finally told me na pwede na.  Unfortunately, inabot pa siguro ako ng mga 30 mins before ako natransfer kasi wala silang mahanap na pwedeng maghatid saken sa room ko.

Finally, nakabalik na ko sa room and I saw Tim, Kai and my mom. We decided before hand  na hindi namen i-room in si Bea as adviced by our OB na din.  She said I needed the time to rest and recover, sabi nya nga, after the hospital, magkasama na rin naman kami ni Bea so might as well take advantage na meron pang pwedeng mag-alaga sa kanya.

Tim showed me the pictures in the camera and nagulat ako kasi we have pictures together! Meron pa nga na naka-smile ako! Hahaha! Promise, wala akong naalala and I can't even remember na nakapasok pala si Tim.  They called the nursery and after a few minutes, a nurse came with our beautiful princess.  Finally, Breanna Samantha or BEA is here!  It was love at 2nd sight! I felt this overwhelming love for our little girl.  Thank God we are both safe and thank you for giving us this beautiful gift.

STATS:
W: 5bs and 5oz
H: 47cm (18 1/2inches)
Apgar Score: 8,9
Age of Gestation: 39 weeks

Waiting for Bea

It was a long and complicated nine months for me.  I was considered as a high risk pregnancy because of my hyperthyroidism.  I had a total of four doctors looking after me: my OB (Dr. Madelende Ang- De Joya), endocrinologist (Dr. Josephine Raboca), cardiologist (Dr. Amor Lauro) and perinatologist (Dr. Ramon Reyles).  Since my health card does not cover pregnancy related cases, imagine our gastos with blood tests, consultation fees, ultrasounds, etc.

It was Tim's bday, Feb 26, 2010 when we had our first check up after getting a positive PT.  I was nervous and excited at the same time. Dr. De Joya requested for an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy, however, the result was negative.  The only sign of pregnancy was the thickening of the uterus lining, there was still no sac.  I was really disappointed, I was hoping to see something -- anything -- that would prove that I am pregnant.  My OB explained that maybe it was too early to detect anything.  She asked me to come back after a week for a follow up check up.  We left with a heavy heart.  We didn't make any announcement because it was not yet confirmed.  We didn't even tell our families what we're going through (except for my sister who I called first when I saw the positive PT).

After one week, we were back at Patient First, Glorietta waiting for our turn.  My OB requested for another ultrasound and during the procedure, I remember feeling anxious and nervous again.  I was hoping for good news.  Super kinukulit ko ung nagtake ng ultrasound to tell me what she sees. Syempre ayaw nyang magsalita and hindi daw sya pwedeng magsabi ng result. I was asking her over and over again until finally she told me.. "Mam, ayan po ung sac". I was close to tears upon hearing those words.  Finally, we have confirmation that I am indeed pregnant.  Too bad Tim was not in the room to see our "baby".

After the ultrasound, I went back to my OB and she then confirmed that there was indeed a sac, HOWEVER, there was still no heartbeat.  Again, she told us it may still be too early to detect one and she asked us to come back after a week for another ultrasound.  Another week of waiting.  I volunteered to go on bed rest for that one week of waiting.  I wanted to be sure that baby will be alright.

After a week, we went back for another ultrasound. Super kulit ko dun sa technician to tell me if may heartbeat na ba. As in pagkalagay pa lang nya nung device sa loob ko (TVS), tinatanong ko na sya and to let me know agad.  Lying there, I was really nervous because I've been praying so hard for this baby.  Then I saw the technican adjust something in the monitor, I asked her what it was.  She smiled and told me, "Mam, may heartbeat na po" and then let me look at the monitor.  At that moment, I felt tears in my eyes.  This is it!  Nakabuo na kami ni Tim! Thank you Lord!Ü With that, I asked a lot of questions: Isa lang po ba talaga? Hindi ba twins? (hoping ako talaga.. hehehe), Nasa sac ba ung baby? The techinican patiently answered all my questions.

When I went out of the room, deadma look pa muna ako.  Tim then asked me how was it and I cannot anymore contain my excitement! With a big, big smile on my face, I told him that I already saw our baby and they were able to confirm the heartbeat. Medyo na-sad sya kasi he was not able to witness it, kaya puro tanong din sya saken.

From the start, I never that it would be a smooth sailing pregnancy for me -- because of my hyperthyroidism.  I was not on medication when I found out I was pregnant because I made sure I was in good health when I got married.  I talked to my endocrinologist that we will be trying to have a baby after our wedding and since my lab results are all normal, I don't want any medicines in my system (mahirap na baka masama sa baby!).  Dr. Raboca (my endo) agreed, so kahit maintenance ko, wala!  When I got a positive result on my pregnancy test, I immediately scheduled a check up with her.  Na-feel ko kasing nagpalpitate ako and not because Im super duper happy with my pregnancy.  True enough, when we got my lab result - super hyperthyroidism ako!  Hindi man lang, a little above normal ung pagtaas ng hormones ko, pero super super taas.  Hay.  I was really hesitant to drink any type of medicine. I repeatedly asked my endo if PTU (my medicine) is safe for the baby.  Sabi ni endo, oo naman.. baket ko bibigay sayo if hindi? (tama naman), but still, I had to ask if pwedeng wala na lang. She said, ang taas taas ng result mo, nagpapalpitate ka pa, tapos ayaw mo ng gamot? Hay. Meaning, no choice ako.  I had to research PTU online and read that it is really the medicine given to pregnant women.  I had to call my OB to tell her the bad news about my hyperthyroidism and to ask again (for the nth time) if it is okay to take PTU.  I had to make sure that I will not be doing any harm to our baby.  Di bale na lang na ako ang mahirapan, wag lang magkaron ng bad effect ung gamot sa kanya.

Good thing that when we had our CAS for our baby, everything was normal - from the size of her haid, to the number of her fingers and the position of her internal organs.  Yes, I made sure I asked if the organs are where they are supposed to be.  Nakahinga na kami ng maluwag ni Tim when we passed this stage.  Our baby is normal and growing beautifully inside my tummy.

However, it was really a struggle for me to lower my heart rate to the average level.  It was really the worst time for my hyperthyroidism to act up.  Since I was on meds already and still my heart rate goes above 100, my OB referred me to a perinatologist and a cardiologist.  So Tim and I went to both clinics in Makati Med.  The perinatologist decided to increase the dosage of my PTU since he thinks the lower dosage is not working anymore (I requested the lowest possible dosage from my endo) and that is why my heart rate is not decreasing.  The cardiologist gave me additional medicine to control my heart rate. Hay, more medicines??? Eh ayaw ko nga ng PTU, tapos dadagdagan pa? But all doctors assured me that the medicines that they gave me were safe for me and my baby.  I was also ordered to have a ECG and doppler test to make sure there are no other problems with my heart (good thing they both have negative results).  My OB added that at this stage that the baby is doing well, I need to think of my own health.  Hindi daw pwedeng bigla na lang akong magcollapse at himatayin dahil hindi na kaya ng heart ko ung bilis ng heart beat ko -- OMG, heart attack pala ito.  So being the good patient that I am, I strictly followed all their instructions and before I know it, my heart rate improved and went back to the average range.  Dun ko na-feel na may difference nga ang average heart rate sa bilis ng heart rate ko dati! Hindi na ko laging kinakabahan!

As I was going to the last trimester of my pregnancy, my OB informed that she will be leaving the country for a training.  What??? Pano ako??? She said, she will be endorsing me to another OB which holds a clinic in Makati Med.  She looked at her calendar and she said, I can give birth while she's away, but if my baby goes out as scheduled, she will be here on my 39th week and will be the one to assist me.  She referred me to Dr. Chotangko who is also a sonologist.  When we first met her, sabi ko kay Tim, parang ayaw ko sa kanya kasi mukha syang masungit. Hindi sya ung makwento and machicka type like my original OB.  We considered looking for another OB and I even asked friends and relatives for referrals.  However, since I was considered a high risk patient, we decided it would be best to stay with Dr. Chotangko since my original OB has given her my history already.

On my 38 weeks, I had my check up with Dr. Chotangco and still 1cm pa din. Ano ba yan! Halos everyday na akong nasa Megamall - kabisado ko na nga ung mga tinda dun, pero 1 cm pa din?!? At this point, super inip na ko. I feel like a bloated penguin (penguin talaga naisip ko kasi parang pernguin na kong mag-walk!), masakit na ung back ko and parang ang bigat na ng tummy ko.. and gusto ko na talagang makita ang princess namen.  Dr. Chotangco advised me to get an ultrasound and blood test in preparation for giving birth.  Since she is a sonologist as well, sya na ang nag-ultrasound saken and she said, normal pa naman ung water level ko, pero nakaikot ung cord kay baby. Okay lang naman daw un kasi 38 weeks pa lang and pwede pang ma-alis un. She assured me that I don't need to worry about it. Nakita nya siguro na mukha akong nagpanick about sa cord.

Since I know that my original OB is coming back, I sent her an email asking her exact date of arrival here in Manila and telling her that I am still pregnant.  She told me na ako na lang ang natira sa mga pasyente nyang buntis na nirefer nya kay Dr. Chotangco.  I told her, sya talaga ang hinihintay ng baby ko.   She told me we can meet on Thursday and since ayaw pa talaga nyang mag-clinic, ako lang daw ang i-meet nya to check on me.  She said she'll inform me na lang kung saang clinic kami pwedeng mag-meet since ayaw nya pang pumasok sa Patient First - and that was our last check up.  My next post will be about giving birth to Bea!Ü

Planning My Pregnancy

After our wedding, Tim and I decided to wait for least six months before trying to have a baby so that we'll be able to enjoy our first months as a married couple.

However, a month after our wedding, I remember the exact date - December 26, 2009, I had my monthly period and I felt sad and disappointed.  Naiyak pa nga ako. Although our initial plan was to wait for a few months, I still wished that maybe.. just maybe.. God would already give us our baby.  Tim and I talked again about our plans and we both agreed that our waiting period is over.  I want to have a baby already and that's when I decided to visit my OB.

I told my OB - Dr. Madelene Ang De Joya about our plans of having a baby.  She scheduled me for a series of ultrasound and that's when we found out that I have polycystic ovary and that even though I have regular monthly period, I don't ovulate and there is no way of getting pregnant since I'm not producing any eggs.  She asked me to take "Clomid" to help me ovulate and then return on a specific day so that we can check the progress of my egg cells.  The medicine worked and believe or not, we were able to monitor the growth of my egg cell through ultrasound.  She said we just have to wait and see if our effort for that month was enough.

It was a long wait.  There's still two weeks before my scheduled monthly period.  I remember clearly that I was expecting to have my period last February 20, 2010 and it was the next morning when I tried the pregnancy test.  I knew then that chances of the test being positive was really small since I was only a day late.  The test came back as negative and  I called my OB in the afternoon to inform her of the result.  When I told her that it was negative, she asked me if I waited for 5mins as instructed.  I told her "No".  She then asked me if I still have the test and to check on it again.  Since the test kit was already in the trash can, I told her, I'll get it and will just call her again.  I found the test kit and imagine my surprise when I saw a faint second line on it!  Since I have another pregnancy kit, I tested again and this time, waited for 5 mins before looking at the result.. and again, there was a faint second line.  I did not know how to react, my knees felt weak and my hands were cold.  Since Tim is still in the office and I won't be able to reach him, I called my sister and told her about the result.  She screamed but I told her to keep it quiet since I want to keep it a secret first until we are really sure.

I then put both pregnancy test on the table and waited for Tim to come home.  When he arrived, I showed him the result and told him I think our efforts paid off.  You should have seen his smile!Ü  It was one of our most unforgettable day - February 21, 2010 - exactly 3 months after our wedding, when we found out that we're going to be parents.Ü