It has been more than a month since I gave birth. Cinzia has become the center of our lives since then. She is such a beautiful Pan-Pinoy kid. Before I forget my experiences prior to and on 7/7/2011, let me reminisce them here.
July 1 - During my regular OB appointment, Dr. Wu said I am 3cm dilated. He reviewed my records and said, I have two due dates. It could have been on July 1, based on my last period, OR on July 13, based on my ultrasound. Before Alex and I left his office, he said, "If nothing happens during the weekend, see me on July 5."
July 5 - Alex and I went to see him. Apparently, nothing happened over the weekend. He said I am still 3cm dilated, there was no improvement from last time. After he checked on me, he invited us to a private conversation at the back of his clinic. He told us that if we wait longer (until my 40th wk), Cinzia might get bigger because genetically she can get bigger because of her dad. Medically, my body is not suited to carry a baby that big because I am small, relatively. To avoid C-section, we might as well have the baby this week. He suggested that we check in the hospital Wednesday night that week and he would induce me that night. The plan was for us to have the baby at 12nn on Thursday, 7/7. Alex and I agreed to the idea. Dr. Wu said, "I am the pilot here and I believe this is the best for the baby."
July 6 - Friends Ritche and Rose came to our place for moral support. They brought Alex and me to a Korean restaurant close to Glendale Adventist Med Center where I will be delivering. We then checked in the hospital at around 8:30pm. It was so funny because right when we opened the door to the delivery and labor area, the nurses welcomed us with, "Glaze?" They were already waiting for us. I then changed to the hospital gown they gave me. They then attached tubes and the IV. They also put monitoring devices around my tummy. They injected pitocin through the IV. That was the drug to induce me. Alex and I slept.
July 7 - This is the big day so I am going to write down more details.
12:30 am - I felt the contractions but they're light still. I kept on going to the bathroom to cleanse my bladder then I went back to sleep.
2:30 am - I needed to go to the bathroom so badly!!!!I woke up Alex and it took him forever to unattach the tubes and stuff so I could go. I was getting frustrated. When I got up, I felt a trickle of water down my leg. My water just broke! When I sat on the toilet, nothing came out. My nurse arrived and she said it must be the baby pushing out. I laid down again and a gush of water just came out! It was warm and uncomfortable. Then my contractions just got stronger. They were painful. Alex and I started doing the breathing exercises we learned at the lamaze class. The nurse checked on me and I was already 6 cm dilated. She then asked me if I wanted the epidural. I said yes. The pain was tolerable but I did not know how long I can bear the pain and how long my labor will be.
3:00 am - The anesthesiologist came to give me the epidural. My contractions were getting stronger and more painful. She injected it to my spine and I felt pain but it was nothing compared to the contractions. The epidural slowly kicked in. Alex and I decided to sleep again.
6:00 am - The nurse checked on me and I was already 10 cm! She said I was ready to push!Her words, "I am calling Dr. Wu now" scared me. Alex and I were looking at each other. Our stares were saying, "This is it."
7:00 am - Dr. Wu came and checked me. The nurses asked me to push.
I forgot what time it was but Dr. Wu came back with his team. He said Cinzia was in a 7o'clock position, instead of 6o'clock. He had to vacuum her. With the nurses, they told me to push.
7:35 am - I finally heard Cinzia cry. She has come out!I cried and cried. I was so overwhelmed.
Here is our first family picture and a picture with Dr. Wu. He is the best OB! Thank God for him! It is such a blessing to have Cinzia. She is an angel.
