Labor Stories

Continuation from this…

I was then admitted. The nurse who tended me before started to prep me for labor. Since I’d opted for pain med instead of epidural, she inserted the immobile needle into my wrist. She tried to poke and missed the vein. She decided to try the other wrist. Missed again. *cilaka* Then she went back to the original wrist. After 2 tries the 3rd one was successful. If I weren’t in so much pain, I would have given her a piece of my mind..haha.

She then strapped a belt onto my belly to monitor the fetus heartbeat and contraction. She clipped something onto my index finger to monitor my heart rate. While the nurse was prepping me my hubby tried to do breathing exercises with me. I went hoo hoo haa haa for 3 mins. Hubby counted so fast, I couldn’t catch up with him. In the end I told him to shut up. The pain meds kicked in within 15 mins. I felt so sleepy and dozed off. My hubby got some sleep too. He slept on the couch and it wasn’t comfy but he was so tired he snored right away.

The pain sensation kicked in after 30 mins. I tried to get the hubby to wake up and it took him a few seconds late to rouse from his sleep. I told him to call the nurse to administer the pain meds again. The pain meds I was on last for 30 mins and I could only take 2 additional “booster” dose. If I still couldn’t take the pain, epidural would be needed.

Thirty mins flew by and another 30 mins whizzed by me. I couldn’t take the pain any longer. Apparently, the nurse gave me Pitocin along with the pain med. Pitocin is used to induce or quicken the contractions. Each time the nurse gave me the booster dose, she would check my cervix and the blardy cervix was still stuck at 1cm! By the time we called her in for the 3rd dose, I requested to have the epidural. I told her to call the anesthetician before the pain med wore away.

I got my epidural and hubs helped out by facing me and giving me encouraging words. At that time, I would do anything just to feel numb. The epidural kicked in after 10 mins or so. I felt sooooooooo relieve. By that time, the nurses changed shift and a new nurse who was assigned to me. She was a mature lady and a mother too. She was very different from the previous nurse and was very motherly towards me. She even asked if I needed water and cold towel to put on my forehead.

So, what did the hubby and I do after the epidural kicked in? We slept. Slept we did until the nurse told us we slept like babies. LOL! I remember she asked me how I am feeling and I replied, “I Looooooooooooooooooooooooooove Epidural!” She and hubs laughed out loud upon hearing that.

Gosh, this is getting long. I better wrap up, huh?

After I had the Epi I was able to relax and next thing I know, I fell asleep, again. Jon slept too. The nurse came in few times to check on me and she even chuckled and always said, “Aw, look at you two…sleeping like babies.” The Epi did its magic. I was so relax to the point that my cervix dilated to 6 cm within 3 hours.

Jon decided to go home to check on Junior (our dog), shower and pick up his mom on the way back to the hospital.  Since the nurse told us 1 hour for 1 cm, we thought we had ample time. After he left, I went back to sleep. I did not eat anything except for some dry saltines and sips of iced water. I think Jon left around 11am and the nurse checked on me around 11.30am. I told her I felt uncomfortable down there. She checked and she said, “Honey, you’re ready to push now.”

My mind darted back and forth and I remember saying this to the nurse, “I can’t push now! My husband isn’t here!” She laughed it off and started to prep me for delivery. After a few minutes, another nurse came in and I requested for the phone. I called Jon and told him to come quick ‘cos Belle wasn’t gonna wait for him. He told me he had just picked up his mom and was pretty near the hospital.

I remember looking up at the clock: 12pm. I was so hungry and I tried to send telepathy message to Belle. I told her to come out quick so that Mommy can have lunch.

Just as I was about to do my first push, my hero husband emerged from the door. My MIL followed suit. The nurse immediately instructed each of them to hold my legs up. I was sooooooooo embarrassed ‘cos my MIL saw EVERYTHING! The exposed breasts, the exposed pubic area…Aiyo! I was so hoping my Mom to be there but Belle was too anxious to come out. *sigh*

The ObGyn came in (oh yea, she came in few times before, I just didn’t bother to write it down previously). The nurse did 90% of the work. She consoled me, she guided me, she wiped my forehead with cold towels, she was my MOM during the entire process. What did the doctor do? She just stood there. Apparently, the doctors are there to just receive the babies; and, yeah, in case any abnormalities happen. I was told  by law the nurses cannot receive babies. The hospital probably are afraid of lawsuits.

Anyway, back to the delivery. I pushed whenever the nurse told me to push. I relaxed AND breath whenever she told me to. I was so glad to have such an experience nurse that day. Miraculously, Belle started to crown very early. The doctor told me to touch her head and I did. All I felt was sofy, gooey, gell-liked thing. Till today I have regretted for not requesting for a mirror. I would love to see my baby emerge from me. Each time I pushed, Jon became excited and said, “I see her scalp..I see her head.”

Her head came out and within few seconds I felt a blop. Her body just came out and all it took me 30 MINUTES to deliver her!

What’s next? The usual stuff: The doc sucked out the mucus, the nurse put some antibiotics into Belle’s eyes, Daddy cutting the umbilical cord, etc.

We had a safe delivery. Thank you, God. And, thank you, Belle, for cooperating with Mommy just so Mommy could have her lunch.

I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes (GD) during the tail-end of my 2nd trimester. I was so miserable throughout my 3rd trimester ‘cos I couldn’t eat all the food (meaning dessert) I want. Who would’ve expected to be on a “diet” during pregnancy? I was so unprepared for this GD thingy.

Nonetheless, I’ve managed to control my glucose level through proper dieting. I was assigned a Nutritionist to guide me through this phase. She checked my weight and height, planned my meal chart and gave me endless advice whenever I met her (once every 2 weeks). I was also given a chart to jot down what I have eaten; which is a pain in the rear ‘cos I have to write down everything from the amount (note: down to the teaspoons) I had consumed to the reading result from my glucose meter (oh yea, pricking the fingers 4 times a day was so much fun…NOT!).

My meal plan consisted of 6 meals: 3 main meals & 3 snacks. It sounded great but it wasn’t. The carb portion was so small and I felt hungry all the time. Worse of all, I couldn’t snack on fruits (high on fructose) and drink any juice (high on fructose too). To me it was a torture! No pasta, no fruits, no juice, no chocolate cake, no ice-cream! Argh!!

Nonetheless, I had “survived.” Through GD I got to know E, who is my coworker/friend’s close friend. She went through GD when she had her son, Jayden. E was my source of inspiration and guidance. She gave me all the tips aka tricks she had gained from her GD experience.

So, what can a person do to lower their glucose level? This method works for people who are diabetic too.

1) Take a 45 mins to an hour long brisk walk after each main meal. Walking does wonders to the glucose level. By walking we will be able to burn off the glucose from all the carb taken during meal time.

2) Each meal should have all the basics: Carb (rice, pasta or bread), Protein/Fat (meat), Fiber (vegetables) & Vitamins (everything). To feel as though you’ve eaten something, your meat portion can more than usual. I found eating more meat kept my tummy full. I was also told by my nutritionist the fat from the meat will slow down the glucose absorbtion into the bloodstream. Oh, when you’re preggie, cholesterol will not be your enemy. So, take the opportunity to pig out on meats till your heart contents.

3) Eat food that helps lower glucose level: Bitter gourd is the magic veggie for all diabetic people. You can stir-fry with eggs or add meat to it. My glucose reading was always under 130 mg/dl (I think that’s the measurement, can’t remember anymore) after each meal of bitter gourd.

4) Need a soda fix? Drink diet Coke or diet Pepsi. You can always substitute sugar with Equal, and other faux sugar condiment. I’m not advocating drinking soda during pregnancy but when there is no dessert or any sweet drinks, our mind will always want SUGAR, SUGAR, SUGAR. IMO, diet Coke kept my sanity.

Thankfully, my meal plan worked and I was able to control my glucose level without taking insulin shots. I did lose weight during the first 2 weeks. It was difficult to get use to eating in smaller portions but I managed to pull through and my weight, rather my baby’s weight, gained steadily after those first couple of weeks.

GD moms are prone to have big babies. Belle was extremely small for my condition. So, all you moms out there who are diagnosed with GD, it isn’t the end of the world. Do keep to your meal plan, exercise and drink lots of water ‘cos you’re not only doing good to yourself , your baby will be healthy too.

p/s: My GD went away after Belle was born.