Baby Shower

August 17, 2013

It was a surprised baby shower for me. And they were good. Even Phil was good at keeping it a secret to me.

Less than a week ago, Ada told me that she and Karen will meet and if I want to join them for dinner. I told her I am available on the date they scheduled (Actually, I was not 100% sure of my availability, I forgot that nanay and ken might stay in our house). So we scheduled a Saturday 6pm dinner at Seoul Garden. Ada even invited Phil but I told her na baka hindi sasama yun. Nagpaalam ako kay Phil, and to my surprise, gusto nyang sumama. I thought kaya ok lang sa kanya sumama e dahil hindi naman nya naging student si Karen plus gusto nya kumain sa Seoul Garden. Kaso he reminded me na darating si nanay. Sabi ko, icancel ko na lang yung dinner with Karen, sabi nya, wag na. Magprep na lang kami ng dinner for nanay and Ken (hindi rin natuloy si Nanay at Ken)

To my surprise, Karen was not in Seoul Garden and Ada was not alone. Manica and Sheli was there too. So I thought, ininvite din siguro ni Karen. But wait, JA and Aubrey was there too! So doon ko lang naisip na aba, this is for me. And I saw gifts pa.

Shower of gifts for our baby!

Individual pics available on my FB or Instagram accounts.

Plus a video of greetings and well wishes!

(Will attach the video soon! Still have to ask for a copy from Ada)

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. :)