Breastfeeding

They say that the first latch of the baby to the mother, upon birth, is very crucial to breastfeeding. Hopefully for the last time, I will blame diabetes, because when I gave birth, I had hyperglycemia while my baby had hypoglycemia. The pediatrician had to give formula to Euen right away.

A few hours after the delivery, she was brought to my room and we tried breastfeeding. She was able to latch successfully for the first time. She sucked and she sucked real hard. Unfortunately, there was no milk coming out of my breasts. Not even colostrum. This was the second reason why we couldn't have her roomed-in with us. The hospital didn't allow formula feeding on the patient's rooms. The nurse told us that it was okay and we'll just have to keep on trying. Four to five times a day, our baby was brought to us, she'll just sleep beside me and when she wakes up, we try breastfeeding. Then, she was fed formula milk when she's brought to the NICU.

We were sent home after a couple of days and during the first two days at home, there's still no milk so had to give her formula. On the third day, I sat for five straight hours with her just changing from one breast to the other, breastfeeding her. I take an hour or two for breaks, then I breastfeed her again when she cries. I had a feeling that she was still hungry but I held off giving her formula and just offered her my breasts with the hope that there will be a drop or more. Twenty four hours passed, no formula milk. Then forty eight hours passed, she was still satisfied.

My breasts were tender and my nipples were cracked and sore for the first couple of weeks. I tried pumping twice just to know for myself if there's milk coming out. I admit there was one point that I wanted to give up because I fear I might be able to give enough. But she didn't give up on me, she latched and sucked every time. That kept me trying.

Now on Euen's third week, my nipples still hurt a bit when she latches, my breasts sometimes get tender when supply is full. Euen feeds by the hour during the day and every 2-3 hours at night. I have adequate supply of milk for Euen. I'm very proud of my baby, of our achievement.

Two Weeks with Papa

Denden took two full weeks leave that included his seven day paternity leave to attend to me and our baby. A few days after being discharged from the hospital, we were first time parents to our little angel.

Because I was still recovering, my movements were limited. My only task was breastfeeding Euen, all others, the new Papa took charge. That included taking care of me and not only Euen. The first few days I couldn't go up and down the stairs so food was brought to me. My wound needs to be cleaned daily as well. On top of that, he took care of the house and the dogs.

Not bad for a first time dad, Denden courageously led on taking care of our precious princess. Knowing him, he was fully equipped with all the research that he did on the web, he was prepared. From changing diapers, to which diaper brand is better. From using the co-sleeper to not using pillows and blankets for the baby. He looked forward to the morning-sunny-time on the stroller with Euen and the dogs. My favorite part is when he bathes Euen. The baby cries on the tub when she's washed with soap but she suddenly stopped with we put her on the pail to be rinsed. She enjoyed being soaked on the water. I guess it reminded her of the swimming pool in my womb.

I have to give three stars for Denden's well done jobSSSS. I wished the two weeks never ended. I felt and experienced, that we are a family.

But "Papa" needs to go back to work. So, goodluck to Euen and me next week!

The Day I Gave Birth

At the beginning of my pregnancy, our doctor already told us the high probability of a Cesarean delivery due to my diabetes. Nearing the end of my term, on the 34th-36th week, she mentioned that she could try inducing labor on the 37th-38th week and perhaps we could go on a normal delivery. But she didn't want to get our hopes up. On the 37th week, I had an IE and she said that inducing labor wasn't possible because my cervix is still too high. Plus, we found out on the ultrasound that there was a cord loop. I was a little disappointed because I somehow wanted to experience labor and hoped for a normal delivery. We had a choice to wait a few more days, on February 16th at the most, to go on inducing labor. But after the 16th, she'll have to cut me. She didn't want the placenta to be too old due to my diabetes. We decided to go for our first date of choice, February 12th, and went ahead with the C-Section.

I have been admitted the night before. Everything was right on schedule. At 8AM, I was all prepped and ready at the operating room. My OB was there and a number of nurses. I remember the anesthesiologist putting the medicine on my back. He asked me if I'm feeling anything, waited a couple of minutes then I fell unconscious. Next thing I know, I woke up hearing the most beautiful cry in the whole world. I saw my baby. Exact time of birth was 08:56 AM. She was 7 pounds and 11 ounces.

After a few seconds, I fell unconscious again then next time I woke up, I was on the recovery room already. That's all there is to tell. I actually have a video of my whole operation but I think it's too much information already. Perhaps, I will let Euen watch it when she's old enough...NOT!

This day marks the end of one chapter of my life--Pregnancy. It was short and bittersweet, but it was worth it.

This day also marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life--Motherhood. Fingers crossed. Goodluck to me!

Family

I look at our baby and I still cannot believe that this little angel was just inside my tummy a few days ago. I pinch myself sometimes to make sure that I am not dreaming. I stare at her from the dark strands of her hair, her blinking eyes, her tiniest lips, her reddish skin, up to the tip of her toes. I watch my sleeping beauty and never imagined this perfection. Everyday for the rest of my life, I will thank God for this gift He's given us.

Now that Euen is finally here, our family is complete.

2-12-12

Finally, you're here.
I will never love anybody else more than I love you.

Old Friends with New Babies

I salute OFW's for choosing to work overseas for greener pasteurs. But it breaks my heart on the thought that they are away from their loved ones.

Gladly, this is not the case for my two OFW friends that we recently met. They've been working abroad but they brought their family with them. Rupert, Malu with their two kids, Rob and Baby Marley visited from Australia and I'm happy they spared some time to visit our home. They wanted to see me with a big tummy as well. Thanks for the gift for baby Euen!

Also, my former housemate and college classmate, Arman, is back from Ireland for a short vacation, with his wife, Tere, and their four-month old baby Eli. We attended Eli's christening last weekend. Thank you for the cute baby clothes for Euen!I am surrounded with babies everywhere! Euen's soon to be playmates and friends. It is good see good old friends, now with families and babies.

January 27: Thirteenth Maternity Checkup @W36

Euen started to lay low in her movements this week. This is because she's growing fast in my tummy and her swimming-pool-world inside is beginning to be small for her. She can't toss and turn as much, at this point. Blood pressure normal and my weight has been constant for three weeks now. Though it looks like there is an extra large watermelon, still growing, inside my shirt. Had another nonstress test today, to record Euen 's movements, even those that I've been barely feeling. No contractions yet.

My OB, Tita Cel, is out of the country for a week. I need to cross my fingers that Euen will not want to come out, until she comes back. The D-day is set! Two more weeks to go!

In other news, after trying on the baby wrap with brown bear, Denden needed a model, smaller than brown bear, for the car seat. I was surprised to see Amy the bear, strapped on it last night.

A few days more and Denden will install it in the car.