Have Baby, Will Prepare: Finding a Pediatrician.

3. Interview and choose a Pediatrician.

All parents always  desire the best for their babies. Your pediatrician is someone who you will see for the next 18 years of your child's life, so it is essential that you select one before your baby is born. Selecting your pediatrician before the baby is born ensures that someone that you trust, will be there to check on your baby the moment he or she makes the grand entrance to the world. I would like some tips and things I considered when I choose our pediatrician.

• Location, location, location and Schedule

Your pediatrician should at least be credited or hold clinic on the hospital where you choose to give birth. Your pediatrician should (at least) be present during the time you will be giving birth, to ensure that your child is well and to check if there are no complications or any abnormalities. Having your pediatrician present while you are giving birth also allows you to have your baby be roomed in as soon as possible.

Location is also important, because you will be visiting your pediatrician every month for the first year of your baby's life. The pediatrician's office should be readily accessible, especially in emergency cases or when your baby gets sick.

Also consider the waiting area. Is it spacious enough? Is there a separate area for well-babies and sick-babies? Do they provide some toys or activities for you while waiting? These are some things you need to consider, because sometimes there are a lot of patients, and you have to be patient and wait for your turn.

The schedule is also important, especially if you are a working mom. Check to see if your prospective pediatrician has a schedule for evening or weekend visits. 

• Response to Phone Calls and SMS

As first time parents, we tend to be praning (paranoid) when it comes to our babies.There are times when you need a doctor's opinion ASAP, or it's already late and the doctor's office are already closed, that we need to resort to phone calls and SMS. So, you need to know how the pediatrician handles queries through that channel. Does he give out his mobile number, or does he allow 'free consultations' through SMS, these are some questions you need to ask your prospective pediatrician.

• Philosophy, Thoughts and Opinions

It is important to consider your pediatricians philosophy, thoughts and opinions on how to raise your baby, because your pediatrician will be your partner in ensuring that what you do will be the best for your baby. Some things you should consider are: breastfeeding, immunizations, ear piercing (for girls) and circumcision (for boys). Also ask your prospective pediatrician their opinions on attachment parenting, baby-wearing, co-sleeping, and other issues which concern your chosen parenting style.

It is best to get recommendations for prospective pediatricians from your family, friends, or even your OB. Your pediatrician need not be the best in the field, he or she should be the best for you and your baby. Find someone who you will be comfortable with, and one who wouldn't hesitate to answer all your questions. Because, as parents you will surely have a lot of questions, and there are so many things that you will need guidance with. Lastly, make sure that your baby (or babies) will be comfortable with your chosen pediatrician.

Happy Anniversary B!

Happy Anniversary B! To my one and only ,my coach, my partner-in-crime, my pig-out buddy, my sounding board, my financial adviser, my driver, my bestfriend, and the only one I ever loved. You are my past, present and future. I love you now, always and forever.

Have Baby, Will Prepare: Childbirth Class

2. Enroll in a Childbirth Class.

My Mama gave birth to 2 of my sisters through Lamaze, together with my Papa, they encouraged B and I to enroll in a childbirth class. They said that it was a wonderful and memorable experience for them, so enroll in a childbirth class we did.

We took Chiqui Brosas' class around my 27th week of pregnancy. For four Sunday afternoons, lasting 3 hours each, we learned about what to expect regarding natural childbirth, pregnancy and breathing exercises, massages and breastfeeding. 

Photos Courtesy of Ms. Chiqui Brosas

Learning the proper way to Push

I researched and read about pregnancy and childbirth through various sites and books, but nothing compared to learning from the actual, firsthand experience of someone who has trained and studied about Natural Childbirth.

This class has also brought B and I closer, as he was my 'coach' and motivator. Together we learned about how we could give our child her best birthday gift, a natural birth.

The things we learned really came in handy when it was time for H to say hello. I had a relatively short labor (lasting almost 8 hours), and was a generally calmed and relaxed laboring woman (right B?). When it came to push, my OB told me that I was a 'good pusher', and so H came out just after 3 pushes.

So, thanks again Ms. Chiqui! :)

Have Baby, Will Prepare: Get the Best OB

I had ample time to prepare for baby H. I scoured the internet for different tips and suggestions. Read countless blogs and searched through different local forums. I wanted to be as prepared as I can be for my very first baby. But, no matter how much planning you do, there are some things that you just can't plan on. Well, here is a list of some things that you can plan on:

1. Get the best OB (for you). One who will really take care of you and, one who you will be comfortable with.

When I first suspected that I was pregnant, I just selected a random OB who was available during the time that I was in the hospital. She was older, and a little bit intimidating. I felt that it was all just routine for her, and that she didn't care about me, I was just a patient. After getting prescriptions for test to confirm that I was indeed pregnant, I never went back to again. I wanted to be as comfortable as I can be with my OB. Pregnancy is such a new and alien thing to me, and I knew that I would have to ask a lot of questions.

    My second OB, was a friend of B's brother. She was younger, and treated me more like a friend. We were very comfortable with her. She would gladly answer all of our questions, and doesn't rush us through our consultations with her. She would remind me, not to put on so much weight, and only gain the appropriate amount of weight for this pregnancy. She would also respond to my questions through SMS.

     She also supported our desire to give birth to H naturally, without any pain medications. During the time of my labor, she never suggested any pain relief or medication, because she knows that we aim for a natural birth.

     It is also important that your OB be informed of your decision whether to breastfeed or not. I chose to breastfeed, as I believe that this is what's best not only for my baby, but for me as well. I informed my OB of my choice to breastfeed, so that any medication I would have to take after giving birth won't interfere with breastfeeding. 

     Getting an OB is one of the most important decisions you will ever make as a mother, not only will your OB take care of you, but she will also take care of your unborn child.

H's Natural Birth Story

For my first ever blog post, I would like to share H's birth story. The start of my journey to Motherhood and beyond.

PS. It is a long post. Happy reading!


July 2 2011.Saturday


0445

My water bag broke. Woke up to the feeling of water trickling down. In my mind I know that it's showtime. H will make her grand entrance today. H has perfect timing, because just the day before I was given the 'all-clear' signal from my OB, no more UTI,  I can give birth without any worries.

Eventhough I'm still a hundred percent sure that I'm going into labor already, I waited and checked if it's really my water bag that broke, and that I did not just peed in my panties.

0500

After making sure that I'm really in labor, I woke up B who was drugged from antibiotics and still recovering from his minor operation due to abscess (pigsa). In a really calm voice I told him, 'It's Go Time. H is ready to say hello'. 

After waking up B, I then woked up the Grandparents, Lolo drove us to MMC, while Mamita will be joining B and I inside the birthing suite.

My contractions had already started, so I started counting it and recording it in my Labor Sheet, as we were instructed during the Birth Class. Contractions lasted about seconds with 1 minute intervals.

Contractions actually feel like a 'timed dysmennorhea' I had dysmennorhea eversince I had my period, so it was not so very painful for me. 

0700

Finally arrived at MMC. Went straight to the Delivery Room and then to the Triage. After doing IE, I learned that I was already at 3-4cm (I was already 1cm 3 days before), and I had no more amniotic fluid. I was also hooked up to have the NST, they found out that H's heartbeat goes down whenever I have contractions, this is probably due to the cord coil that we saw during the last ultrasound.

While having the NST, I can hear the nurses and the doctors discussing my condition, and how we were planning on having a Lamaze birth. That means no pain relief, no epidural. Just a normal, 'painful' delivery. I think that they are surprised that I opted not to have any pain medications, and don't believe that I can do it. Well, they were surprised.

Anyway, contractions are now getting stronger, and I had to concentrate more on my breathing and relaxing exercises. I can't wait to be inside the birthing room.

0800

Was finally transferred to MMC's birthing suite. It was HUGE! Basically, it had the Birthing Bed, a television and a sala set. The Birthing Suite is where I labored, delivered H, and also were I had my recovery period. You can have a maximum of two persons with you inside the room.

My very 'manas' look

Mamita lounging in the Sala set

I was hooked to the NST machine, as they were monitoring H's heartbeat and was also given IV to keep me hydrated. I was not able to walked around as planned, but it was fine, as my contractions started to get longer and more painful.

Holding on to B while having contractions

The best coach, B.

Having attended a birth class, I can say that I was prepared for H's delivery. I knew the stages, watched out for the signs, and knew that it was gonna be painful. I prepared for the worst. I was really grateful that B (my coach and partner) was with me to hold my hand during contractions, to do breathing exercises with, to say encouraging words to me, and of course to tell me that getting an epidural and anaesthesiologist would be really expensive. Thanks B for being the best coach ever!

Being calm and in control really made my labor faster. Being relaxed is the way to go.

1000

5-6 cm already. I really wanted to go to the comfort room and 'poo' in peace, but my OB did not allow me anymore, so there goes the bed pan. It was really difficult having to poo with people around. First poo-poo attempt: FAIL! But the urge to poo was really strong, I can feel it more than the contractions, I even thought that my contractions had stopped because I can't feel it anymore, all I can feel was the urge to poo. After about 30mins, for my second attempt:SUCCESS!

1130

But wait, there's more! Or so I thought. After finally getting the poo out, I still feel the need to poo. I was getting cranky, and so Mamita and B, left me alone to 'poo in peace'. Little did I know it was already H ready to go out.

I was really concentrating and praying,"Lord please make me poo-poo, I don't want H to go out with my poo-poo".

And so, I prayed and concentrated, while B the coach and Mamita was taking a nap on the couch.

I thought about making  poo-poo so hard, that I didn't realize I was already in the Transition Phase of labor, the most dreaded stage. 

1230

After 7 and a half hour of labor, my OB checks how far along I am. My first reaction when she came to the room was "Doc, I really want to poo-poo", and so she checked. Lo and behold, she told me that, "Toni, that's not poo-poo, it's H's head already, you're ready to push!". Wow, those words were magic to my ears" !

Getting ready to push!

1250

After 1 practice push, and 3 big pushes, H is finally out! Whew!

Bloody Baby H. Our first family picture.

H came to the word quietly, no wailing and crying involved, and my first words to her  was "Hi". That was all that I could say. I was overwhelmed with joy, relief and of course LOVE. 

Cleaning Baby H

Baby H and Daddy B

Breastfeeding H for the first time.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family and B's family for the support. The medical team  of MMC's Delivery Room, the nurses, the interns and of course my OB, Dra. Carla Espina-Castro and our Pediatrician Dra. Pamela Caedo.

I would also like to thank Ms. Chiqui Brosas-Hahn for sharing her knowledge about natural childbirth. Attending this class, prepared us and really made my journey through childbirth faster and easier. You may inquire class schedules through her website.

And of course, Thank you Lord, for the safe and relatively uncomplicated delivery of H and for giving us a beautiful, chubbylicious, baby girl.