February 25, I was supposed to have my version and induction but things didn't go that way. I received a go signal on February 27, 2022 instead. They said to come at 2pm. So we did.
Feb 27th
We got checked in, met our nurse Kajsa (Kaysa). 3pm, got settled in, had my IV after 3 tries. Finally got my IE and I was still not dilated. I thought it's going to be a long day/night. At 3:35pm, I had my meds to ripen my cervix. They told me to stay hydrated, drink lots of water, so I did. I kept going back and forth to the bathroom and when I had my first pee, there was blood in the urine, They said it was normal since I took the meds for my cervix. There were contractions happening but I wasn't really feeling them yet.
6pm, we had our dinner. Had to walk around, use the pregnancy ball, use the rocking chair etc. to help open up my cervix.
7pm, nurse Tracy took over.
9pm, had my cervix checked. They said 2/80/-2 posterior - Dr. Cutler.
11pm, feeling the cramping at my back. It was tolerable at first, but when I lay down, I could not rest at all. I was able to nap for a few minutes, but then I would wake up to pee and I would feel the cramping at my back, I could not get comfortable at all. I would place pillows at my back but this didn't help at all. I had to potty every hour or so, and kept having a bloody show, which they said was a good sign--it means the cervix is thinning. I asked if I should move around, and nurse said to rest for tomorrow, my body will be doing so much work. I then just tried to lay down and get that rest as much as I can.
*****
Feb 28th
3am, I had my first dose of Pitocin, just a small amount, 2oz. Around this time, back cramping was gone. My front belly felt the cramping/tightening. Nurse kept asking how I was, I was saying I was still okay, pain level around 4 to 5. They kind of get disappointed that I was still okay. They were waiting for me to feel the pain and say that I am not okay. That didn't happen until later that morning.
4am, I had 4oz of Pitocin
5am, I had 8oz of Pitocin. I feel my front/belly to be cramping some more.
630, had a potty, still getting a bloody show and feeling the cramping/early labor.
730, cervix check with Kim and same still: 2/80/-2
800, "breakfast" but could barely eat the food as the contractions keep getting stronger at this time. Tried staying/sitting/resting on a rocking chair but the contractions are worsening. The nurses say "that's good" upon learning that I am experiencing the "pains."
830, Kim requested for an epidural. (Thank you, Kim!!! Life saver!) I couldn't tell if this was it, or if I could still take the pain as it comes and goes. It would have been a very different story if we missed this opportunity for an epidural. With this, I am so thankful for our nurse Kim at this time. Very very thankful.
830-930, prep for epidural / epidural with Dr. Chou. One poke and it was over. Had a lot of moving to the sides, staying still and just hoping to get it done fast. It was smoother than my 1st, 5 years back.
10am, cleaning and IE by Dr. Bienenfeld. 7/90 - She mentioned if you feel like you need to poop, then it means it's time. This is exactly what I was feeling so I mentioned to our nurse Kim if it's normal to feel like I need to poop. She mentioned it to Dr. B and she didn't let her leave the room.
10am-1020, prep for delivery. IE check by Dr. B and she said I was already 10/100
1020, started pushing. I had Dr. B press where I need to push, which helped me focus on that part. When a contraction is coming, they count to 10 and they had me take a deep breath and keep one big push throughout that 10 seconds. At one point they said they could already see the eyebrows. Before that, they mentioned the black hair. I think I had 4 rounds of 10 counts.
1041, baby Mateo is out! He cried after he was placed on my chest. They said there were 2 cords around his neck. It was good that he was out quickly, otherwise, it may have turned differently for this delivery (meaning CS because of the cords). The very last push I felt Dr. B pulling him out, which was a big help.
Here is our little trooper!
1050, post delivery stitches, 2nd degree tear; cleaning baby, cleaning mom, weighing baby, latching etc.
****
1pm, transfer to recovery room; peeing needed a support walker. Hi-tech.
2pm, lunch; nurse Leilani.
630, ibuprofen (every 6 hrs)
1130, 1st poop of baby; spits amniotic fluid
*****
Mar 1
930, baby's first bath; screening test; bilirubin check - result came back with 7.5. Due to blood type incompatibility, baby's bilirubin could go up. Baby has dad's B+ blood type, mom has type O blood type. Baby needs to get rid of O, otherwise, bilirubin will spike up. Was advised to stay another day for phototherapy.
10am, formula was provided; Media also advised to supplement with formula so baby starts pooping and peeing consistently.
11am, OB Dr. Guillet provided information on circumcision.
1pm, baby started with phototherapy. Only take baby out for 30 mins feeding.
2pm, OB took Mateo to another room for circumcision.
220, Mateo is back under phototherapy
10pm, fussy Mateo most likely due to his circumcision and the anesthesia that's not working anymore. Nurse Nicole helped calm him down. Nurse Rachel gave him sugar water.
***still bleeding, swollen feet, can't lift esp my right leg, hemorrhoid
*****
Mar 2
2am, Had to rest on the rocking chair to keep watch over Mateo,
**still could not raise feet esp right feet/leg. No milk still. Still bleeding, no drowsiness.
430 to 730 - zonked out.
9am, baby's first bath
930, bilirubin check. Another poke on baby's heel.
1040, bili count at 8. It had jumped from 7.5 count, still with the phototherapy session. Doctors said it would have gone higher without the session, so, Pedia mentioned a possible 2nd session of phototherapy or we could go home and observe. We decided to go home
1150, ready to be discharged
1pm, home @kuya Andrew. Camilla meets Mateo for the first time!
**still bleeding, swollen feet can't lift leg esp right leg. hemorrhoid
*****
Mar 3
11am, Pedia visit with Dr. Wong. Bilirubin check: 15, from yesterday's 8.
3pm, Post-partum visit/lactation session, Bilirubin check from their TCB was 17.3. Nurse and Dr. Wong spoke on the phone, had bilirubin checked again through Labcorp. On a good note, Mateo passed his hearing exam!
430, Labcorp Bilirubin blood draw from the nurse there was the smoothest Mateo had. He didn't even cry. She placed a warmer on the heel and poked the fattest part of his foot. Their vial got filled in no time.
6pm, Bilirubin came back at 16.3; Pedia visit was again set up for the next day at 9am.
**still bleeding, swollen feet can't lift leg esp right leg. hemorrhoid. Had to hop in and out of the car, or in and out of the bed, or in and out of the shower tub and have had a hard time for the past 3 days. I've decided to give compression socks a chance so I ordered one online.
9pm, breast were swelling and getting harder/more sensitive. This is the time when my body starts to produce milk/colostrum at this point. I couldn't even pump properly as it is really painful. I thought the milk ducts were clogged because I just didn't make a clean exit the last time I was pregnant and ending my pumping session. So, I had to do a hot compress the next morning. Before that, I had to leave a cold compress on top of my breasts to ease the pain as I go and try to sleep. My body was aching all over. From my swollen feet, to my unraisable legs, to butt, to bleeding and stitches, to engorged and sensitive breasts. All of these were happening while I try to pacify and cater to Mateo and Camilla. I think I was pumping from 8pm to 1am. I had to send an SOS to crazy sexies for advise on milk and breasts. So hot compress it is and massage.
*****
Mar 4
4am, woke up with an engorged breasts, still sensitive and painful. Had to place several hot compress over them but still super painful. Colostrum were coming out but not much has been produced yet. 1 ounce in total?
6am, had to prep Camilla for school.
9am, Pedia visit of Mateo with Dr. Wong. Bilirubin check
1140, call from Dr. Wong saying Bilirubin is at 19. Was recommended for another phototherapy @Swedish First Hill c/o Dr. Hoff. Brokedown in the closet. Then Dr. Wong calls back with contact information.
1230, Camilla came home from school, dada fetched her. Had to tell the news that Mateo needs to go back to the hospital and mommy and dada would need to be with him again for a few days, hopefully just for another day or two.
6pm, Mateo started his phototherapy
730, met Pedia. Phototherapy, 18.3
9am - Bilirubin was checked, blood draw.
10am - Bilirubin was 12.4
10am-6pm - stayed in the room, off of phototherapy.
630, Bilirubin was checked
730, Bilirubin was 12.1
9pm, discharged
**Still bleeding and all that jazz. Breasts were able to breathe
*****
Mar 5
More colostrum came out. Milk pumped was at 2 ounces.
*****
Mar 7 - Mateo is 1 week old!
10am, appointment with Dr. Buschard
1015, Bilirubin was checked
4pm, got a call from Dr. saying lab lost Mateo's blood sample. However, he's not worried since Mateo is gaining weight, eating good, pooping and peeing consistently. After all the poking, here are baby Mateo's heels:
Mar 15 - Mateo is 2 weeks old!
1030, 2 week appointment. So far all good. He has a 2 week screening for diseases. Might as well check his Bilirubin again so I requested for it in case there are extra blood that could be retrieved since he is getting poked anyway. Bilirubin came back with 13 counts. Again, not too alarming they said since he is gaining weight, and consistent with his poop and pee. His color is also improving. That is a relief.
Weight: 8 lbs 10.3 oz
Height: 55cm/ 22inches
HC: 35cm/13.78inches
BMI: 10%
Weight change since birth: 8%
Weight gain pat 8 days: 11 ounces (babies should gain at least 1 ounce per day)
Umbilical stump fell off. Doctor had to remove the scab and place a "sealant" so it doesn't ooze and completely closes up. He had an umbilical granuloma. Until this dries up, he can't have a soaking bath yet. Was told to wait for 2-3 days or more as per Dr. Wong. We are scheduled for a hip manipulation on April 29, his 8th week. They said since he was in "breech" or "transverse" position, the likelihood of his hips having trouble is highly, so an ultrasound was requested.
Baptism:
Baptism is set on April 20, Wednesday 6pm. Birth certificate would be submitted to the Church when we receive it.
***
I could say my body has been better. Every day after the 5th or 6th day, I noticed my body going back to its "normal" shape and I am getting rid of each of the physical pains that I was having since Mateo's delivery. My feet slowly returned to normal. Thank you for the compression socks! No more swelling around 7th day. No more pain in the butt after 8th or 9th day. Less bleeding after 10th day. I could raise my legs normally after 12th day. Again, I am thankful that my body is healing fast as I needed it to take care of my babies. I am also thankful for our family, for all the help and support throughout this pregnancy journey and even post-pregnancy.
***************
Camilla has been such a loving and sweet ate since Mateo's arrival. I am thankful as well that she's been very understanding as we need to attend to baby and bring him to the hospital quite a few times since his birth. Again, I still don't know how to take care of 2 kids, I am learning as we go along. I hope that Camilla stays more patient and understanding as I (and dada) go through this transition with her.
***************
Dada has been very supportive as well as I go through all these changes. I have been my weakest (physically) after giving birth and although we make fun of it as we look at my swollen-shrek feet and ankles, he has been helping me move and get through each day. His paternity leave was very much worth taking since it was used to take care of Mateo as we go from one hospital/appointment/check-up to another.
Cheers to our family of four!
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