False Alarm

Last Tuesday (Aug. 20) I noticed some mucus-like (vaginal mucus plug) thing on my underwear everytime I go to the restroom. From the whitish color, it became pinkish during the night. I didn't tell Phil since I am not feeling any pain or contraction, but I was thinking of when to tell him. I took a bath, because I thought that if that's the start of labor and if I'll feel the contraction at dawn, at least I was able to take a bath the night before. I was a bit worried too because of Typhoon Maring and because it was in the news that some areas going to De Los Santos Medical Center are still flooded.

I fell asleep, woke-up two times (in both times there was no mucus discharge) and finally get up at around 9:30am. I checked my underwear and there was nothing. After around 30 minutes, Phil woke up so I brew his coffee. Then I went to the bathroom to pee. And there. There are blood in my underwear. I immediately texted my OB, and she advised us to go to the hospital so we can be sure.

Phil was still in bed playing PVZ2 on his iPad. I was a bit nervous on how and what to tell him. I kissed him and told him we have to go to the hospital because there are blood on my underwear. He finished his coffee, brushed his teeth and changed his clothes (while I was preparing too!). He asked if I feel any pain, there was none. So we were a bit sure it is a false alarm, that it is not labor yet. We just brought the backpack and was in the hospital around 30 minutes after I texted my OB.

I went to the labor room, they checked my vital signs, counted my contractions and did an internal exam (IE). And I was already at 2cm cervical dilation. They advised me to walk for 2 hours. When we heard that I was already at 2cm, we were kinda sure that I'll be in labor that day or the day after. But after walking for 2 hours, I was still at 2cm.

Doc Joy explained that it could progress or stop for a while and she gave me pointers or signs on when to go back to the hospital. So we were sent home.

It was frustrating. But well, Baby, I'll see you soon!

BPS Ultrasound

BPS stands for Biophysical Profile Scoring Ultrasound. Detailed information is available in BabyMed and BabyCenter websites. But to give the basic BPS is "a simple, painless test that's performed during pregnancy to assess the baby's well-being, specifically, whether he/she is getting enough oxygen in the womb". It is a combination of Nonstress test and ultrasound examinations ( Fetal tone, fetal movement, fetal breathing and amniotic fluid volume; each test is graded 0 - 2. And a total of 8-10 is considered normal, while below 8 needs further evaluation. Below is a sample grading chart from BabyMed.

August 17, 2013

Baby is at 37 weeks and 4 days already. Doc Joy said we have to take the BPS Ultrasound to check if the baby is ok (or if we can still wait for the due date). So last Saturday we went to De Los Santos Medical Center for my weekly check-up and for the BPS ultrasound.

Doc Joy examined my pelvic and she tried to locate the head of my baby, and she told me that the baby is too high and I might deliver past my due date. And since the baby seems so big (by belly is big) we do not want to extend the pregnancy anymore because the baby will grow bigger and it might be harder for a normal delivery. Additionally, the baby might move and change position (from cephalic), her position now is already perfect. So she suggested walking. Walk walk walk so the baby will engage (head on touching the pelvic floor).

Her ultrasound schedule is in the afternoon, so we had lunch then we waited near the ultrasound department. I was second in line but since the first one was not back yet and Doc Joy has been there already, she examined me first. We paid Php 630 for the ultra sound, Php 550 for the stress test and Php 450 for the reader's fee.

At the ultrasound, my baby scored 8/8 (for the fetal tone, fetal movement, fetal breathing and amniotic fluid volume) and it was confirmed that the my baby is still high. The ultrasound also showed that my baby weight between 6.5 and 8 pounds.

37th Week

Today, we are exactly 37 weeks. Wow! Baby, can you believe it? We are together for 37 weeks already. It was such a wonderful journey (with enough downs) but we are this far already at konti na lang. Are you excited na? I am very excited to see you. Please be okay inside my tummy until that day when daddy and I can finally hug and kiss you.

We are not the only ones who are excited. People in the department are excited too! They are betting on the day that you'll come out. Well baby, anytime! Just as long as you are okay and healthy and please let's have a normal delivery. Whenever you are ready baby. Basta, bawal maiwan sa hospital. We have to go home together. Daddy may be a little nervous, but once he sees you healthy, he will be okay and happy.

We also received a gift from Jacob and Ate Grace. It's a purple baby comforter with pillows. Ohh and we bought you a cradle/crib and a bed with mosquito net.

Ma. Josefina Paguirigan - Kayaban

I may lose her calling card and her number so here it is for safe keeping.

Ma. Josefina Paguirigan - Kayaban
MD, FPOGS, FPSUOG

Obstetrics-Gynecology, Ultrasound
Prenatal, Childbirth, Women's Diseases

Secretary's No: Esmie - 09164716106

Hospital Affiliation:
Mary Chiles General Hospital:
667 Gastambide/Dagupan St. Sampaloc Manila

De Los Santos - STI Medical Center
201 E.Rodriguez, Sr. Blvd Quezon City

Perpetual Soccur Hospital

36 Weeks

Today is Purple Raine's 36th week in my tummy. We are so excited already. In a week, I'll be in full term already and we may see soon. Last night, Phil said, he is super excited to see PR already. We both are.

She moves a lot lately (which is contrary to other's experience when their baby is past 33 weeks), I can't even sleep properly at night because of her hyper movements (and because my body is itching all over). My check-up already weekly. Doc Joy said, she'll start checking (via ultrasound) if we can wait until she's 40 weeks to deliver her.

We are super duperly excited now!

Breastfeeding: (Early) Worries

To be honest, I am a bit worried now. Maybe especially since I am a first time mom. I am worried that when my baby arrives, I will not be able to produce breast milk, and worst, that I will not be able to stick with it.

I read an article from Rappler and was a bit saddened by the fact that no matter how determined you are to start and do breastfeed, there are really a lot of things that might set you back and disappoint you. The article was inspiring as well, but it is not enough assurance that like her, if ever something (or any breastfeeding conditions or situations) happen to me or my baby, I'd be able to do a work around. Haaay.

I also came across this blog, which is very interesting since it is all about nursing and natural parenting stuff. I'll read some of its entries. :)

Breast Feeding Lessons from Book

Since we are decided to breastfeed our baby, Phil bought me a book entitled, The Everything Breast Feeding Book: Basic techniques and reassuring advice every new mother needs to know by Suzanne Fredregill and Ray Fredregill.

It discusses the importance of breastfeeding (for me and baby), Breast development, anatomy and breast milk content, prenatal preparations, the basics, concerns and much much more.

I'm done reading up to Chapter 12 Express Yourself (out of 23 Chapters) and I already learned a lot. I thought breast feeding is an easy job that just requires strong will and determination against the 'benefits' that formula milk offers. Apparently, in every aspect, breast milk is much much more than the formula.

Kala ko after colostrum yung regular breast milk na agad. There's transitional milk pa pala before the mature milk. While the mature milk is composed of fore milk and hind milk. Akala ko it is ok to use the baby bottle that contains breast milk, but no! We should not offer anything that will make the baby refuse a real nipple. And more akala ko...

There's such thing as Colic too! It is any condition that causes inconsolable crying and screaming in infants.

The first few weeks (or even months) would be very challenging. There will be a lot of frustrations and down days.

Yay. I hope I have (and Phil too!) the determination, patience and strength to face all of it. Not just the breastfeeding part but all that comes with being a mother. I hope I am prepared enough for that very big role in life.

Baby, we love you. Let's be good to each other, ok? Let's be best nursing duo and the best mom-baby tandem ever!

I still need lots of reading and learning to do. Aja mommy rose!

Decors and Props 2

Here are more DIY stuff.

1. Monogram Letters (printable here)

2. Vintage Dresses (printable here)

3. Popsicle (instruction here)

4. Kusudama Flower  (instruction here)

5. Ice Cream Tag (download here)

6. Paper Rose (instruction here)

7. Paper Orchid (instruction)

8. Paper Tiger Lily (instruction)

9. Mobile Bird (instruction)

Decors and Props

I want my baby to have a very nice New Born Pictorial and eventually her 1st birthday. So as early as now, I'll collect things, pictures and DIY instructions for those special days.

I am thinking of a Vintage Theme with lots of roses and pastel colors.

Here are some interesting pics.

1. Center Table
2. Paper and Lace Dress

3. Ice Cream Cone Decor

4. PaperBag Puppet. (instruction here)

5. Veggie and Fruit Cocktail

6. Pastel Cupcakes

7. Vintage FairyTale Paper Dolls (printables here)

8. Baby Basket

9. Instead of Basket...


10. Pinwheel (source/instructions: 1 here, 2 here, 3 here)



11. PaperBag Flower. (instruction here)

12. Paper Flowers (instruction 1)


13. Crepe Paper Flower (instruction here)

14. Bird Cage Lantern (instruction here)

Picture Sources:
Miss Rose Sister Violet
Vintage Fan Girl
52 Mantels
Etsy
Vintage Pretty
The Bride Cafe
Lilluna

Baby Clothes

We need to prepare stuff for baby, me and Phil when the big day comes. And of course after. We thought that the first and most important things that we have to have soon are baby clothes. I searched the internet to look for a list of things to prepare and bring to the hospital and found this site. Though I will not bring all that is listed, atleast I have an idea of the essential things to bring.

As of today, we are at around 70% packed. We still don't have diapers for baby and my clothes are not complete yet (I can't decide what to bring) haha. Here are some pictures of the baby clothes that we bought at SM Department Store.

Mostly are pink (and so bading) since my OB said we are having  baby girl. So if boy ka bigla baby, we will buy you another set of clothes na lang yun lang, sa first few days mo ang bading ng stuff mo.

BTW baby, daddy chose most of it (esp the socks and the jumpsuit). He wants you to know that. :P