The day I officially became a Momma!

Hello there 💗!

As I was playing with my baby Brielle today, I was reminded of the time I gave birth to her. It just came to my mind out of nowhere. Maybe because seeing how big she is now and the milestones she's showing us, I'm kinda amazed. How time flies really fast! And made me reminisce those days. A very roller coaster experience for a first time preggy wife. :)

Brielle @ 13 months

So lemme share you the painful (literally) but one of the happiest times of my life - giving birth to Brielle Margaux.

I wanted to share this because I was not able to testify this in our church. I really wanted to, but no chance. So maybe, this is the right time. 😘

Disclaimer: 

This may not be an interesting topic for you, but I want to share how God really blessed, protected and showed His love to us during that big day of mine.

God plans everything.

This is the first lesson I learned.

We're told that my expected delivery will be on June 2 (that is when Brielle is just 5 months in my tummy). But as she grows, it's moved to June 8. So, I decided to work until May 28 thinking to spend more time with my baby after giving birth. The day after, I have a checkup with my OB, but before that we decided to do an ultrasound first. The OB who conducted the ultrasound told us that I should be admitted as I don't have much amniotic fluid (panubigan). Yes! My husband and I are now nervous... this is it, the big day! We then went to the hospital to get admitted. 

See? God plans everything, even with my maternity leave. It was really the right timing.

Moving on...

God comforts and gives peace.

The second lesson I learned.

I did not expect that I will be left in the labor room alone. I mean I'm not alone, there are other preggies there in labor, in pain. What I mean is that, it's not the setup I imagined. Haha! (Lack of research on this regard 😅). My husband Jez was instructed to process the papers for my delivery and all while mommy is in the labor room all by herself. :(

At first, I was really scared and nervous. My mind is shouting, "Waaaaah, waaaaah, waaaaah. Can anyone be with me please?" But of course, a big NO, not possible. I keep observing other preggies and they are really in pain, one woman near me already asked for an Epidural injection (pain relief during labor). What I did, I prayed, I worshiped in silence. I asked for God's protection and comfort. I asked for my baby's safety as well as mine. I asked for peace. I asked God to take away the nervousness I'm feeling. I asked God for the strength.

I keep singing these songs in my heart:

• Oceans
• Strength of my heart
• 10,000 reasons

Worshiping God (even in silence) gave me peace. I was assured that God is with me. He comforted me through these songs. Though worship is meant to glorify God, the amazing truth is that we are also comforted in worshiping. That’s how thoughtful our God is! We still benefit as we worship Him.

God is miraculous.

Third lesson :)

I entered the labor room around 4 in the afternoon. Because of my condition (amniotic fluid is getting low), I do not feel much pain or labor yet and I am still 1 cm., OB in-charge told us that I should do labor induction - this is a procedure to help preggies go into labor. It may take some time, 2-3 shots of meds, may take effect 6-18 hrs. depends on mommies' condition. So, the waiting time begins... We all thought that I will give birth the following day since I really don't feel any contractions (tbh, at first, I am actually not sure the feeling of contraction, I just relied to the nurses/doctors whenever they checked me with the machine, hehe).
 
First miracle:

In the labor room, they monitor preggies from time to time. They are checking the contractions, baby's heartbeat, mother's vitals, etc. There was a time that someone, I think he’s an intern, checked me and my baby. He called the OB-in charge and whisper to her that he's having a hard time hearing the child's heartbeat. My heart is pounding, since I'm alone and I have a very sharp ears, I heard him and it made me nervous. "Why doc? Is there something's happening to my baby?" Thoughts in my head are exploding. Again, I prayed and pronounce the power of Jesus’ Name over me and my baby. Then suddenly the OB said something like “maternal”, I’m not sure if that’s a special code or what. She asked for my hand and puts it in my tummy. Then I realized that she wants the baby to feel my hand. And then poof! The heartbeat is back. All I can say is Thank you God! A big thank you! 

After that incident, I talk to my Baby. I told her that there is nothing to worry about. Hang on a little bit and we’ll see each other real soon! I also asked her to come out already and help mommy to have a safe and not too hard delivery. Well, Brielle is so obedient to mommy and the second miracle begins…

Second miracle:

My personal OB arrived late in the evening. I think she just checked me once or twice. She said that I have a long time to go. She’s expecting me to give birth on the following day, morning or in the afternoon. She told me to just relax. She even asked me to take my dinner and have a walk first outside together with my hubby. My sister Ate Bem was also there. We walk, for I think 15 mins. After the eating and walking, it’s time for my second shot of meds. It’s around 10 in the evening. I lay down and tried to go to sleep, but after an hour, I feel something different. I am now in pain, I keep pulling my hair to divert the pain I am feeling, but It’s not helping. I called one of the nurses and told her what I’m feeling. But they're kinda busy so they kinda ignore me. So, I called my OB myself and said the magic words “Doc, I think something will come out, I think I want to poop!” Upon saying that she then checked me and she was surprised that I am now at 8 cms. Imagine? From 1 cm. to 8 cms. She then offered if I wanted to have an epidural, and because I’m in pain now, I said yes. They immediately called for an anesthesiologist and prepared the operating room. Then the breathe in, breathe out, push, push harder happened.

That’s our second miracle from God. Instead of giving birth in the morning of the 30^th, Brielle was delivered at midnight and I only experienced a short time labor (max 30 mins?). Brielle is obedient too! She listened to Mommy’s request, come out already and help mommy. Good job baby, and Thank you Lord!

Say Hello to Brielle Margaux! 🤗

Third miracle:

It’s our baby Brielle Margaux! She’s one of the best miracle God has given us.

All the pain and fear were gone after hearing her first cry, after feeling her heartbeat next to mine, after touching her for the very first time. It was so overwhelming!

I thank God for the gift of life. For entrusting us Brielle Margaux. For giving me my life, my family.

 

Our first family photo 😘

P.S.

Here’s another story about the “God plans everything” lesson. Jez was instructed to buy 3 meds (for induction labor) but he only bought 2. Why? Because God planned it. He knew that I will only be needing 2 meds. Amazing, right?