Labor Pains and Giving Birth to Our Little Bubwit

This blog entry may contain graphic descriptions of events that might offend the sensitive nature of some individuals.  Reader's discretion is advised.

For posterity, I shall document my journey to the delivery room and beyond.

On the Monday of my 38^th week, I waddled my way through our office doors.  Around lunch time, I admit, I felt a little odd.  Like I was restless, (but not the exaggerated kind of restlessness) I just could not quite put my finger on it, but I felt it enough to silently blurt out to Marita (my officemate): “Feeling ko, baka nag co-contractions na ako, but only very mild…”  But generally, I felt okay.

I was set for a final interview with the PGM of GSIS the next day, so I quietly whispered to my little itlog “Baby, after the interview na, ha?”

On our way home (my husband picks me up from our office at The Fort to bring me home to QC), I was feeling discomfort.  That’s how I would describe it.  There wasn’t any pain (not at that point, at least), and the discomfort wasn’t anything I couldn’t deal with.  Still, just to be safe, we called my OB-GYNE to check in.  She told me to time my “contractions” (although I told her I wasn’t sure if they were actual contractions).  I did for the duration of our trip home, but lost interest after a while.   By then it was happening every 10 minutes or so.

At home, at around 10, I couldn’t sleep, so I started timing the “contractions” once more.  At around 11 pm, I noticed that the uncomfortable feeling started to intensify.  I called my OB-GYNE to tell her about this.  She told me to go to the hospital to get checked out.  I told her I didn’t want to be the lady who cried “I’m having my baby!” too soon.  She told me to go na rin just to be sure.

So the hubby and I took our sweet time… getting our packed bags and enjoying light banter.  When I reached the first floor of our apartment, I suddenly had the urge to pee.  After peeing, I noticed a pink blood-stained gelatin-like substance in the bowl.   I knew then that this was the “bloody show” or the mucus plug that I have read about.  Still, I calmly told my husband and just texted my OB-GYNE about this development.

The drive to the hospital at almost midnight was a breeze and we weren’t really in a hurry.  Looking back, I think this easy journey (with light conversations between hubby and I) helped in keeping me calm. 

I walked from the parking lot to the hospital building.  It was when I was about to step foot inside the building that I first felt the intense pain that can only be described as the feeling you get when you’re having an upset stomach/diarrhea –only times 10 more intense.  Yep.  That’s a contraction right there.

I still managed to walk to the labor room and checked myself in.  Upon internal examination (IE), the resident doctor determined that I was just 2cm. So she had me change back into my clothes first.  As I was about to do so, I felt something literally pop inside me, and water flowed like pee from my vajayjay.  I called out to the doctor to inform her of this, and she immediately asked me to lie down for an IE again. Lo and behold, I was now 4cm. 

The significance of 4cm is very important… especially to me.  At 4cm, you are now in active labor and could now ask for an epidural if you wish to have one.  An epidural is an anaesthesia wired to your body through your spinal area to make the pain go away.  And THAT is what I definitely wanted.  After experiencing maybe 3 to 5 rounds of real contractions, I had enough.  Painless labor for this mommy-to-be, por favor! :)

So, I slept for I think 4 hours until I woke up in the delivery room ready to push.  I pushed for more or less an hour and gave birth to our baby girl.

The next thing I knew I woke up in the recovery room where they had to keep me hostage for 4 hours.  I was then (finally) released and carted to my room to see my hubby and have a glimpse of my little bubwit. :)

Will I do it again? Go for a vaginal birth? Definitely.  Within a few minutes  from being released to my room, I was sitting up, standing, and I walked several meters to pee.  I only hope that the next time, my body is still strong and healthy enough to endure the procedure.