My Birth Story: The Second Time Around
My second pregnancy was unplanned. We were scared of it. I could still remember those pregnancy signs I started to encounter around December of 2017. We were not ready but we had to be.
The moments when I was about to give birth to our bunso was still so clear in my memory, even as I write this a year and 9 months later. As they say, every pregnancy is different. The same goes for the actual instance when your child finally comes into the world. But given that this was already our second pregnancy, we knew were more prepared. But it's true as they say that every birthing experience always feels like the first time. Every birthing experience is different.
The moments when I was about to give birth to our bunso was still so clear in my memory, even as I write this a year and 9 months later. As they say, every pregnancy is different. The same goes for the actual instance when your child finally comes into the world. But given that this was already our second pregnancy, we knew were more prepared. But it's true as they say that every birthing experience always feels like the first time. Every birthing experience is different.
At around 7:30 in the morning on the 22nd of August 2018, the sudden gush of water woke me up. I did not know if I just peed or it was already my water breaking as it wasn't something I experienced with my first one. The signs then were more expected. I was not alarmed though since I could not feel any signs of labor yet until I started to feel some very mild contractions half an hour later. My husband and my toddler were still asleep so I just left them in peace.
I was at 39 weeks and 2 days gestational age at that time based on our early ultrasound. I have been bringing home my work laptop just in case I would get into labor anytime soon. Just like my first, I have planned to start my maternity leave on the day that I would give birth. Lucky for me, my babies seem to always show signs at the right time, telling me that they're about to come so I shouldn't go to work anymore.
I started timing my contractions. Even if they were mild ones, the average interval was already at 4 minutes, though sometimes, it would last until 10 minutes. I wasn't sure if it meant I was already in active labor since the pain was much bearable compared to my first time so I took my time and relaxed. I opened my laptop and informed my colleagues about my situation. I was even able to set my out-of-office email all through out my contractions.
I woke up my husband to give him a heads up that I was already having my contractions. At the same time, I was messaging my family in our group chat, informing them that I think I was about to give birth already. Afterwards, I also begun double checking our hospital bags. They were already prepared days before but I wanted to make sure that everything was set.
My calmness surprised me all throughout these times. It could be because I was having my labor at home, making me feel secured since it's a familiar environment. I have always dreamed of giving birth at home but we wanted to be sure so we stuck with the same setup we did with our first. Or it could also be that my attempt to practice hypnobirthing had indeed somehow helped. Quite possibly, I also knew already what to expect since I have done it before.
Suddenly, another uncontrollable gush of water came out, leading to unexpected painful contractions. Right then, I knew that I needed to get to the hospital. I tried to manage the pain with my breathing but the pain was almost intolerable. Almost. The pain was different this time. The pain then felt more urgent, unlike with my first, it felt like an agony being prolonged.
As we prepared to leave, we entrusted our Kuya Axel to Ate Gemma since we couldn't really bring him. My husband drove me to the hospital, as I continued breathing through my contractions. It felt more laborious then and the interval was more frequent. Despite the bad traffic, we were able to arrive in less than 30 minutes. The travel could have been shorter since the hospital was just very near our place. We couldn't even find a spot to park but there's an area for emergency cases and we'd like to think our situation can be considered an emergency.
I wanted to walk but a medical staff spotted me and wouldn't let me, as he noticed me searing in pain. He made me sit on the wheelchair as he wheeled me to the maternity area. When I arrived, they immediately brought me into one of those delivery rooms to check how far I was: 8 CM dilated. The attending doctor seemed happy as I was about to give birth already. "Just a few minutes more," she said as I breathed through the contractions.
I stayed in the labor room as I waited for my dilation to proceed further. The attendants there continued to do their usual interview, with their repetitive questions. A part of me was annoyed but I understand they were just doing their job. This is something normal to them already. We were supposedly prepared as we have personal information sheets pre-filled already so we could just give those to answer their questions but my husband had them, who was busy handling our admission.
My calming music continued playing as I constantly do my deep breathing. One of the staff was impressed with how I handle my contraction. Despite the pain, I also felt satisfaction that my contractions didn't feel as painful compared to my first one. At some point, one of them tried to ask me a question and I couldn't respond since I just had some strong contractions. I ended up even yelling at her since she was insisting me to answer though I honestly didn't mean it. Somehow, it was satisfying as it somehow lessened the pain. Maybe I needed to release a bit of tension.
After around 30 minutes of deep breathing, they checked me again. My OB-GYNE, Dr. Irma Rajagukguk-Magnaye had finally arrived. They said I could start pushing, which was a relief. As soon as I felt the contraction coming, I made the push. The push felt so natural, as if I need to poop. I couldn't even stop it, he had to go out NOW. I'd push as soon as I feel the contractions coming in as they wheeled me to the delivery room. The push was so satisfying; my baby and I were both ready.
It was after 5 hours of mild to sudden intense labor and a somehow easy delivery when I heard the first cry of our second born, Cael Grey Sylim Allanigue, who came to the world at 12: 46 PM. I couldn't wait to hold him and look at his face. They wiped a bit of vernix from him and immediately placed him on my chest, commencing our Unang Yakap. This baby was pretty smart as he easily latched on me. My husband stayed by my side as usual. After a few minutes of delayed cord clamping, Doc Irma declared that my husband can proceed to cut the cord, which was a first for us since he wasn't able to do that with Axel. Later on, my husband had told me that cutting that umbilical cord was harder than he thought.
A few more pictures were taken and Cael continued to breastfeed while the umbilical cord was delivered. For some reason, I was more aware about my surroundings at that instance. I could feel everything even while I watch my newborn hungrily feed. I could even feel it while they were stitching me, which was really painful that I couldn't wait for it to be over.
As Manila Adventist Medical Center has always been a baby-friendly hospital, Cael and I were immediately roomed in together. Doing our skin-to-skin was important in order for the baby's temperature to adjust easily to the environment. Since there was no private room available yet at that time, we stayed temporarily in a ward.
We insisted we stay in a private room so that we can bring along our Kuya Axel. It didn't take long until we're moved to our preferred room and my husband was finally able to pick up our first born.
When our Kuya Axel finally came to visit, we made sure to put Cael in the cot first instead of me holding the bunso as advised by one of those books we've read in preparation for a second child. We weren't sure how Axel would react but we've been preparing for that moment.
I am still not sure how Axel's reaction was when he first saw Cael even until now. It wasn't love at first sight but it wasn't something negative as well. One thing's for sure: Axel just seemed to be happy to be with his mama and papa again even probably while still comprehending why there's suddenly a little creature with us. Though we've been telling him that Cael was our "baby tummy."
My husband went home with Axel that night and his cousins stayed with me in the hospital. Children were not really allowed in the hospital that's why Axel was only able to stay for a few hours. We tried to get him acquainted with his baby brother but, of course, as a 2-year old boy, he's still somehow a baby and he just liked to play around.
.
During our stay, the nurses had a concern on Cael's heart beat as it was much faster than the normal. They were worried that it may be because I had a UTI prior to giving birth, though it wasn't really that bad. There were fears that they might have to work up the baby, which made me cry. I really felt bad because it felt like it was my fault.
Thankfully, Cael was cleared twice: first, by the pediatric resident doctor and, later on, by our pediatrician, Dr. Magallanes. That helped us get discharged after a day in the hospital and go back home, accompanied by our Kuya Axel.
I was at 39 weeks and 2 days gestational age at that time based on our early ultrasound. I have been bringing home my work laptop just in case I would get into labor anytime soon. Just like my first, I have planned to start my maternity leave on the day that I would give birth. Lucky for me, my babies seem to always show signs at the right time, telling me that they're about to come so I shouldn't go to work anymore.
I started timing my contractions. Even if they were mild ones, the average interval was already at 4 minutes, though sometimes, it would last until 10 minutes. I wasn't sure if it meant I was already in active labor since the pain was much bearable compared to my first time so I took my time and relaxed. I opened my laptop and informed my colleagues about my situation. I was even able to set my out-of-office email all through out my contractions.
I woke up my husband to give him a heads up that I was already having my contractions. At the same time, I was messaging my family in our group chat, informing them that I think I was about to give birth already. Afterwards, I also begun double checking our hospital bags. They were already prepared days before but I wanted to make sure that everything was set.
My calmness surprised me all throughout these times. It could be because I was having my labor at home, making me feel secured since it's a familiar environment. I have always dreamed of giving birth at home but we wanted to be sure so we stuck with the same setup we did with our first. Or it could also be that my attempt to practice hypnobirthing had indeed somehow helped. Quite possibly, I also knew already what to expect since I have done it before.
Suddenly, another uncontrollable gush of water came out, leading to unexpected painful contractions. Right then, I knew that I needed to get to the hospital. I tried to manage the pain with my breathing but the pain was almost intolerable. Almost. The pain was different this time. The pain then felt more urgent, unlike with my first, it felt like an agony being prolonged.
As we prepared to leave, we entrusted our Kuya Axel to Ate Gemma since we couldn't really bring him. My husband drove me to the hospital, as I continued breathing through my contractions. It felt more laborious then and the interval was more frequent. Despite the bad traffic, we were able to arrive in less than 30 minutes. The travel could have been shorter since the hospital was just very near our place. We couldn't even find a spot to park but there's an area for emergency cases and we'd like to think our situation can be considered an emergency.
I wanted to walk but a medical staff spotted me and wouldn't let me, as he noticed me searing in pain. He made me sit on the wheelchair as he wheeled me to the maternity area. When I arrived, they immediately brought me into one of those delivery rooms to check how far I was: 8 CM dilated. The attending doctor seemed happy as I was about to give birth already. "Just a few minutes more," she said as I breathed through the contractions.
I stayed in the labor room as I waited for my dilation to proceed further. The attendants there continued to do their usual interview, with their repetitive questions. A part of me was annoyed but I understand they were just doing their job. This is something normal to them already. We were supposedly prepared as we have personal information sheets pre-filled already so we could just give those to answer their questions but my husband had them, who was busy handling our admission.
My calming music continued playing as I constantly do my deep breathing. One of the staff was impressed with how I handle my contraction. Despite the pain, I also felt satisfaction that my contractions didn't feel as painful compared to my first one. At some point, one of them tried to ask me a question and I couldn't respond since I just had some strong contractions. I ended up even yelling at her since she was insisting me to answer though I honestly didn't mean it. Somehow, it was satisfying as it somehow lessened the pain. Maybe I needed to release a bit of tension.
After around 30 minutes of deep breathing, they checked me again. My OB-GYNE, Dr. Irma Rajagukguk-Magnaye had finally arrived. They said I could start pushing, which was a relief. As soon as I felt the contraction coming, I made the push. The push felt so natural, as if I need to poop. I couldn't even stop it, he had to go out NOW. I'd push as soon as I feel the contractions coming in as they wheeled me to the delivery room. The push was so satisfying; my baby and I were both ready.
It was after 5 hours of mild to sudden intense labor and a somehow easy delivery when I heard the first cry of our second born, Cael Grey Sylim Allanigue, who came to the world at 12: 46 PM. I couldn't wait to hold him and look at his face. They wiped a bit of vernix from him and immediately placed him on my chest, commencing our Unang Yakap. This baby was pretty smart as he easily latched on me. My husband stayed by my side as usual. After a few minutes of delayed cord clamping, Doc Irma declared that my husband can proceed to cut the cord, which was a first for us since he wasn't able to do that with Axel. Later on, my husband had told me that cutting that umbilical cord was harder than he thought.
As Manila Adventist Medical Center has always been a baby-friendly hospital, Cael and I were immediately roomed in together. Doing our skin-to-skin was important in order for the baby's temperature to adjust easily to the environment. Since there was no private room available yet at that time, we stayed temporarily in a ward.
We insisted we stay in a private room so that we can bring along our Kuya Axel. It didn't take long until we're moved to our preferred room and my husband was finally able to pick up our first born.
When our Kuya Axel finally came to visit, we made sure to put Cael in the cot first instead of me holding the bunso as advised by one of those books we've read in preparation for a second child. We weren't sure how Axel would react but we've been preparing for that moment.
I am still not sure how Axel's reaction was when he first saw Cael even until now. It wasn't love at first sight but it wasn't something negative as well. One thing's for sure: Axel just seemed to be happy to be with his mama and papa again even probably while still comprehending why there's suddenly a little creature with us. Though we've been telling him that Cael was our "baby tummy."
My husband went home with Axel that night and his cousins stayed with me in the hospital. Children were not really allowed in the hospital that's why Axel was only able to stay for a few hours. We tried to get him acquainted with his baby brother but, of course, as a 2-year old boy, he's still somehow a baby and he just liked to play around.
.
During our stay, the nurses had a concern on Cael's heart beat as it was much faster than the normal. They were worried that it may be because I had a UTI prior to giving birth, though it wasn't really that bad. There were fears that they might have to work up the baby, which made me cry. I really felt bad because it felt like it was my fault.
Thankfully, Cael was cleared twice: first, by the pediatric resident doctor and, later on, by our pediatrician, Dr. Magallanes. That helped us get discharged after a day in the hospital and go back home, accompanied by our Kuya Axel.
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