Welcome Our Baby Robert!

Hello, hello! It's been a week since I gave birth. I wanted to share in my blog how happy and how difficult it was to give birth... the second time around! :)

I gave birth last May 22 at 11:21 AM via NSD (normal spontaneous delivery). Everything happened just like 3 years ago (2010) when I gave birth to our firstborn Jethro. It was the same Wednesday night, and water leaked around the same time -- 1 AM. But this time, I was able to be calm and cool about it. I even put on my lipstick and some mascara :)) The same thing happened, we arrived at The Medical City 10 minutes after (there is no heavy traffic in Ortigas Ave. at midnight, luckily it happened around the same time like before). Before that, my mom and hubby were even able to order some food at Jollibee Drive Thru. So upon arriving at the hospital, I was able to still walk to the prelabor room as my only concern was amniotic fluid (AF) leak. Anyways, as soon as I got there, I was able to FB post to my mommy GT friends what's happening to me at that moment. The litmus test was done to check if it was indeed my AF, and it was. My contractions were irregular so they opted to do an "augmentation" (or induction of labor) so that my labor would progress further. And after a few minutes, I was wheeled to the labor room.

This is the fetal monitor. It measures baby's hearbeat, my contractions, along with baby's movements

The labor room doc did not proceed in giving me the oxytocin (hormone) in my IV yet as they noticed I was starting to have regular moderate contractions. I remained like that for about 6 hours, they kept on monitoring my cervix in terms of the measurement in centimeters by doing the internal examination (IE). Initially when I got to the prelabor room, I'm still 2cm and 60% effaced, after a few hours I got to 3cm and 70% effaced, forward to 7AM, I'm around 4cm and 80% effaced. They called my anesthesiologist as I was really feeling the labor pains. My epidural was put on around 8:30AM, and we have to wait until 10AM that my OB came, had my next IE and shocking as it was, it progressed to 8cm and 90% effaced. Baby was almost there! My pains are worsening even though they added more anesthesia because of the baby's head almost popping out of me. A few minutes later, my OB pronounced that I'm ready to give birth. 10cm, fully dilated cervix. I was wheeled to the delivery room ASAP.

Daddy took this shot in our room as soon as we're in

My delivery room experience wasn't as fun as my last time, I was in so much pain and then suddenly the anesthesia worked little by little. I can't feel a thing anymore, though there's little contraction pain that I feel. Whenever it happens, my doctors would tell me to "push", coaching me every 10-second count. 4 other contractions came and I pushed while my anesthesiologist finally helped me in pushing my baby... and at 11:21 AM, Robert came to this world at 6 pounds 7 ounces, measuring 49 centimeters. We did the "Unang Yakap" and latching so we could breastfeed as early as a few hours after labor. After that, they attached the Hugs and Kisses thing that would alarm every time my baby is near me or away from me. It's something new from The Medical City, to enable the mom and baby bonding and also to prevent baby thefts.

Welcome to the family, Robert!

The next stop was the recovery room. I was the only one there as the two other women in the labor room with me still haven't progressed with their labor. Afterwards, my baby came in, they had to keep us latching together as it is beneficial for breastfeeding, again. Then they moved me to another recovery room as we booked the superior room for our stay. My husband was allowed to come in, wearing a scrub suit and hairnet so as to keep sterility. He stayed with me and our baby for about an hour until we are both ready to go to our room. My son Jethro and my mom were both anxiously waiting for Robert's arrival. It was such a happy day for all of us. :)

Proud breastfeeding mommy! I'm wearing a Belly Maternity top
and a nursing bra from Tupperware brands. 

After staying in the hospital for 2 and a half days, we were finally discharged. I was really feeling better on day 3. And yes, up to now I'm still exclusively breastfeeding my 9-day old son :D

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www.gudanggrosiran.com Categories: family, happy, Health, recenthappenings

Medela Freestyle

Today, I bought my very first investment and the first on my list as mentioned on my post: "Post-Pregnancy Beautification Plan". I'm making a small change on it though, because I mentioned I'm going to buy a Belly Bandit BFF, but I ended up buying Squeem as mentioned in this blog. Oh, I'm really excited to get it this May as I already pre-ordered. The rest of the list items would be completed anytime soon after I give birth next month.

Of course setting aside the "slimming benefits" of breastfeeding, me and my hubby would really devote ourselves to exclusive breastfeeding as it has so many benefits like saving money and making our baby healthy. We already attended about 6 seminars about childbirth and pregnancy to learn so much about breastfeeding. We frequently went to Medela House in New Manila, QC for extensive breastfeeding seminars and also to some La Leche League Manila meetings at Mothercare, High Street BGC Taguig. I'm so glad he's really supportive and my mom, too, as she sponsored half of the expense for my pump.


I would just want to share some photos of my Medela Freestyle :)

Box = front

Box = back

Tote Bag :D really nice, could be a diaper bag, too!

Manual, warranty card, info cards... this item is straight from the USA

The tubes and the connectors plus the 24mm breast shields.  

This is the digital monitor and main control system together with the adaptor. Works both on 110v and 220v outlets.

27 mm breast shields extra and free, and the teat for one of the bottles

Inside the cooler bag: an ice pack and the 4 bottles

Cooler bag :) small and compact

one of the 4 free containers/bottles without teat

Straps and clips for hands-free breast pumping

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www.gudanggrosiran.com Categories: family, Health, Purchases

"Post-Pregnancy Beautification Plan"

I've been meaning to list this as Wishlist Part 2 for 2013 (the mid-year one). I have so many things I want to regain after my pregnancy. I'm still hoping this would be my last (unless I wanted to have a baby girl badly or some accident happens again--which, I would be more careful now haha). But as most women mentioned in the forum about childbirth, almost everyone wants to become beautiful again after giving birth (let's admit it, we don't really become blooming as we carry a child for 10 months!). Therefore I drafted my PPBP or my Post-Pregnancy Beautification Plan. I have a list of things to buy in order for me to achieve this. As early as now, I've been saving up lots of money for my grand plan.

1. Medela Freestyle Breastpump- I want to breastfeed my baby for as long as 2 years if possible. I started looking for breastfeeding support groups. I heard this breastpump is really great--it's portable and convenient for working mommies (I plan to work sometime in late 2013). This is actually a great buy for me. They say breastfeeding will make a woman who gave birth lose weight easily ;)
   
   
2. Belly Bandit B.F.F.- The binder is said to have been used by people from long ago already. I watched a Taiwanese drama and also saw the binder worn by a woman who just gave birth. Recently, I saw testimonials in forums that this kind of thing actually works! They even metioned they had a better waistline compared to their "before pregnancy" sizes. I'm excited to use this because I did not use any on my first baby.
   
   
3. Trilastin Body Contour System 2- I've always eyed this product and it always had great reviews. They usually have sales and promos up to 40% off so I would be waiting for the next one and grab onto it. US celebrities have been known to have used this. I hope this also improves my previous stretchmarks from my single days :D. I'm expecting much from this product that no other treatment would give the same effect.
   
   
4. More MUD Products- I would definitely get the black eye pencil and more of their blush colors. I don't think I'm ready to put on eyeshadow yet (okay, maybe just 3 colors first) because I'm quite uncomfortable with it. I'm also getting additional brushes for the lips and probably some of MUD's Lipsticks/Glosses.
   
5. Dance Classes, Yoga or Gym- I was once a member of an all-women gym in Serendra called Curves. That was my first time to pay for my own gym membership after my mother-in-law gave me a free 3-month membership at Slimmers World. I once attended Belly dance classes at MDS or Movement Dance Studio at Unionbank Plaza. I had fun and my "attire" is still with me (probably waiting for me to go back to the dance floor? haha). I will choose whatever's more easy or accessible for me. :D
   
6. New haircut- I'm planning to go back to Mr. Shin or to Mr. YS (both Korean hairdressers) because my locks love their scissors lol. They are the best I've ever tried and also Louis Phillip Kee (I went to his salon at The Fort). When I got my haircuts from them, I got compliments. I am not sure if I could also have the hair color or the perm with my plan to breastfeed (most likely not) so I think I would wait 2 years before I have those again. Let's just see :)
   
7. Laser hair removal- Uh, I think they wouldn't really do a procedure with breastfeeding moms :( I still have a 2-year unlimited LHR for my underarms at Skin Station Timog. I wonder what I should do about it. :/

So far, I've already saved for the pump. The rest would be saved for later. I am now looking to this situation more positively as I now plan on what to do in the near future.

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www.gudanggrosiran.com Categories: beauty, finance, Health, makeup, shopping

I'm Having Another Baby Boy and Other Updates

The "bird" is just right there. :))

The excitement to knowing my baby's gender is gone. After a session at In My Womb SM Megamall, I already learned that it's ANOTHER BOY. I must admit, I was hoping he would be a "she" this time. I even wished it on my birthday. :( I felt a little depressed upon knowing it. However, I already predicted he would be a "he" because I'm getting lots of pimples despite having regular facials with Belo Med. It did not help that I also chose a lot of VMV Hypoallergenics Products, I still had these bulging pimples everywhere in my face. Sad, sad, life.

L-R: Essence Skin-Saving Conditioner, ID Monolaurin Gel,
Essence Skin-Saving Toothpaste, Spring Cleaning Oil-Control
Antibacterial Scrub for Oily Skin, Essence Skin-Saving Superwash
Hair+Body Milk Shampoo, and testers

Anyway, I had it returned to VMV yesterday via Air21, and the delivery was just overnight I was so happy. The fee is cheap, and it was good customer service. I called Air21 for the package's status and they gave me complete info. They never failed me since 2010, I've been their customer (both receiving and sending packages). I also called VMV and they have the kindest reps. They even called me back on my mobile number, and messaged me back on Facebook. I was a diligent customer anyway. I followed everything in their return rules. But still, I could not believe they are crediting back the 2000 pesos worth of items I bought. Thank you, VMV and Air21. :)


Wishlist Update:

Earlier, I had a post about my 2013 Wishlist, and as you can see in this photo, I finally had achieved more than 50% of it. ;) Yes, the Macbook was really included in the original list on my Financial Planning Notebook. Make up is the only thing which is not yet bought. I'd do it next year during my MUD Workshop. For the meantime, I got my brushes from Sigma, but still no word from Johnny Air Cargo Plus. It should be here in Manila by now, but then again maybe because it's the holidays that is why JAC Plus is busy too. I would wait for updates on their Facebook page.



Anyway, here are some holiday photos of me and my family. Actually, this is more of me and my in-laws, because being an only child I obviously just got absorbed in my husband's big family events. And by big, they really are many. We celebrated earlier at Bulacan with the Garcias and later on Christmas day at Pasig with the Dalisays. We did not have a fam photo at Bulacan due to the late night celebration.

 

Starbucks and DQ GCs care of Tito Volts and family :D

Photo taken at Lexington Garden Village, the Dalisays (hubby's mother's side). 

Happy Holidays! 

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www.gudanggrosiran.com Categories: family, Health, Purchases, shopping

Taking the Pill

I went to have the annual pap smear at Healthway Market! Market!. My previous OB Gynecologist was in Medical City but my mother-in-law got us a Privilege Card from Healthway and Premier Card from MyHealth. From last year, we have been getting check-ups from doctors inside the malls on Metro Manila. Previously, I had Depo Provera as form of contraception. However, I had irregular bleeding as a side effect. I had been using it for 2 years. It was a terrible experience.

So now, my OB Gynecologist Dr. Ong-Sy suggested I try the pill with the brand Diane 35. I haven't heard about this pill before as it was my first time to try this form of birth control. I am just waiting for my first day of period to try it. One pack of Diane 35 is around 500 Php. And from what I have researched so far, it has good feedback about clearing pimply skin. I am looking forward to using it.

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www.gudanggrosiran.com Categories: family, Health