Birth story

There's a Chinese proverb that says to leave a legacy, plant a tree, have a child and write a book. Here's the birth story of our little legacy written in between contact naps, unlimited latches and four-hour sleep (on a good day). 

Oct 22, 2022 - We went for my 37th week check up with my OB, Dra. Perona at The Medical City (TMC). The week prior, she said she’ll do an internal exam (IE) on week 37 to check my cervix. I prepped myself and watched as many videos as I could on Youtube to know what to expect because I heard IEs are painful. We were surprised that my cervix was already 1-2 cms dilated! All those walking must have paid off. My expected delivery date is Nov 9 but Dra said our baby would come out sooner! And yes, the IE was painful especially when Dra started “stripping” to hasten the dilation, I closed my eyes and held onto the rails. I was instructed to walk more and drink more water because although my ultrasound showed normal amniotic fluid level, it was lower than what I had the week before. We also started with evening primrose oil (EPO) that night. 

Oct 23, 2022 - I had some spotting but this was normal according to my OB after IE. I walked for an hour that morning and my friend Rach came over in the afternoon to bring her gifts to our baby. I showed her our roof deck and we saw a full rainbow! I remember telling her it might be a sign that I’m giving birth soon!

Oct 24, 2022 - I woke up at around 4am to use the bathroom and saw what I thought was my mucus plug tinged with blood. I didn’t feel anything unusual so I told Kiko he can just do his usual hospital rounds. At around 6am, I texted my OB. She instructed to insert EPO again and proceed to the pre-labor room (PLR). I was surprised because I wasn’t even feeling any contraction. I was already getting nervous at this point so I called Kiko and he said he’ll be with me soon. I managed to eat breakfast and took a quick shower. Since our hospital bag is already in the trunk, all I had to do was fix my personal bag and do some last minute check.

I got emotional on our way to the hospital because when I texted my family, my mom sent a PM saying she feels so sorry she couldn't be with me. Hay, mama. 

We were already at the hospital by 8am. An OB fellow said I was 3cm dilated (the first of my unli IE hahaha). Dra Perona called and ordered another ultrasound. I was wheeled back to the PLR by around 10am and saw my OB. She did another IE and said I will be delivering my baby either in the afternoon or evening. She called Kiko who was waiting outside and gave some instructions— to buy me lunch and reserve a room. To the OB resident, she asked to give me enema after I’ve eaten my lunch and another round of EPO.

After an hour or so, Kiko brought my lunch and a pair of socks which I requested early on. At around 2 pm, they brought me to the Labor Room. I have my own room with monitors strapped to my belly. Since Kiko is no longer allowed to come see me, and they took my phone, I had to ask a nurse to tell him that they’ve brought me to the Labor Room.

By 4pm, Dra Perona came in to check on me. I was surprised because I was expecting her to be there only when I get fully dilated but she was with me all throughout and was checking on me from time to time. I was 5cm dilated at this point. She was about to break my bag of water but the location was not too ideal so we waited it out. I didn’t have labor pains yet but my anesthesiologist already arrived and gave me the wonder drug that is the epidural. It kicked in so fast that I couldn't feel anything from waist down! From this point on, all my IEs were painless! I didn’t even feel a thing when Dra ruptured my bag of water. 

Fast forward to 8:30 pm, I was already 7cm dilated. Three centimeters more to go. All of a sudden, the nurses and midwives at the labor room disappeared and I needed help in topping up my epidural because my contractions were only few seconds apart and I can feel the crashing pain. I was holding onto the rail of my bed when one nurse passed by and I gathered all my strength to call her attention. I was crying and talking to my baby around this time to help mama. They topped up my epidural after what seemed like eternity! My anesthesiologist was patting my hand when he reached my room and saw me moaning and panting in pain already.

I was fully dilated by 9:30 pm. Dra came and taught me how to push. We practiced pushing for a few minutes but they noticed baby’s heart rate was starting to decelerate. I was given an oxygen mask and was asked to change position- from lying on my back to my side- and baby’s heart rate went back up again. Dra assured me that everything is fine and that Kiko will be with me at the delivery room. 

By past 10:00 pm, I heard Kiko’s voice and I felt very relieved. He was with Cha, his barkada from medschool who is also training at TMC. He held my hand for a while before I was brought to the delivery room. 

All the doctors even Kiko changed into their scrubs. I started to push whenever I felt a contraction coming. Because baby is still a bit too high, I needed help from a doctor who can do fundal pressure. My OB’s instruction was to push while the assisting doctor is pressing my tummy. I thought I was going to die because pushing plus the added fundal pressure was too much to bear. Kiko kept on encouraging me and whispered I have a mocha frappe waiting!

I pushed for maybe 10 times and with that one final push at 11:22 pm, our baby was born. Hearing her loud cry was so surreal. Tears started to fall when they placed my little baby on my chest… such a beautiful tiny human being. 

They sedated me after because I was already shivering (side effect of epidural). My eyes were shut but I could still hear my OB saying goodbye and thanking everyone, and Cha telling me I will be brought to the recovery room. 

The team of pedia fellows assisted my baby to latch while I was at the recovery room. I can feel her latching but I didn't have the strength to open my eyes. I finally woke up at 2:30am with our daughter by my bedside sleeping peacefully. We were brought to our room at 4:00am and Kiko was there waiting for us. 

And there we were, the three of us, our little family. 

Thank you baby, for making me a mother— a part of me that never existed before. We will grow together, you and me. Mama and papa love all that you are and all that you will be. 

Hello!

 

That's our little baby saying hello :) Sometimes I still can't believe a little human being is inside me, but I smile with her every kick and flutter. I rub my belly, quietly praying our baby will be strong and healthy, hoping she grows in a world that is kind and full of love– at least in the little world that we'll build for her. 

I was about to un-publish the whole blog site in 2020. But one evening after logging out from work, I checked my emails and saw a lengthy note left by one expat in Taiwan saying how this blog helped her navigate life in Taipei. It made my heart so happy that I renewed my annual domain hosting. 

And I'm glad I did. It may sound silly but one of my dreams is to write my child's birth story and to share it here in my online home. I remember reading so many birth stories years ago, wondering if my time would ever come. And here we are, just a few months away from meeting our little one. I can't wait to write my own story. Until then :) 

Life Update

Hello, world. I'm now married to my first and only love– that person who swept me off my feet. 

Walk Down Memory Lane

Last night after running some errands, I took a walk down memory lane. I was around Zhongshan area, where my first work and apartment used to be. It was close to dinner time so I headed to that night market where my colleagues and I spent many a summer night chowing down fried chicken fillets, iced sugary drinks and our favorite dessert- ding xiang dou hua (tofu pudding).

I strolled a bit, re-familiarizing myself with the place. A few stalls closed down including one of my favorites- the omu and sukiyaki rice stall. I bought my 'usual' meal- seaweed takoyaki with mayo and freshly-made sugar-raised doughnut. The tea shop had a long queue so I settled with just a bottle of water from nearby Family Mart. I walked to the end of the lane until I reached the children's park.

I sat at one of the benches and watched little girls and boys take turns going down the slide. I ate my food in peace while observing moms and dads from afar, happily looking after their kids. It was endearing to see parents enjoying a moment together-- peaceful and quiet, without the worries of tomorrow.

Memories of 8 years ago came rushing. I was 23. I was happily employed at my first job after my MA graduation, just moved into my first apartment, made new friends with new colleagues, started learning the ropes of adulthood. This night market became a third home and even a friend-- the place I run to when my horrible PMS strikes with only the basil fried chicken can pacify... or when days are slow at the wire desk, or when I'm having one of those give me a break I'm so homesick- kind of day.

How different my life was back then. I actually smiled at the thought of this... my thumb traced the piece of jewelry wrapped around my finger... and my eyes shut for a moment. I never knew this would come. I looked at the people in the park and imagined a future like theirs.

And just when I was about to be emotional, I was reminded of the dessert place's closing time. The auntie at that stall can be masungit when you place your order before her closing time so I had to rush. True enough, she was still masungit but this tofu pudding is still the best. I ordered the iced version, with mini sago, sweet potato balls and nuts. The hot version is perfect during colder months. What a nice and sweet ending to a small trip down memory lane :)