The Day TNLO Said Hello

*TNLO - The New Little One
*TLO - The Little One - newly promoted Ate (older sister)

I'm trying to remember as much as I can (forgive the diary-like statements) about TNLO's debut on planet Earth while giving back to the community of mommies searching for answers online. I found a lot of answers and comfort in mommy blogs the entire time I was pregnant. I hope that these TNLO entries will be of assistance to even just one infanticipating mom.

Full Term Redefined

The last time I was pregnant (2008), full term = 36 weeks. And then you'll hear plus/minus two weeks for first time moms. This time around, the doctors said that 37 weeks is the new full term and that the optimal # of weeks in the oven is actually 39! The changes had me consult Dr. Google once again and found this - confirmed. According to the article:

• Early Term:  Between 37 weeks 0 days and 38 weeks 6 days
• Full Term:    Between 39 weeks 0 days and 40 weeks 6 days
• Late Term:   Between 41 weeks 0 days and 41 weeks 6 days
• Postterm:     Between 42 weeks 0 days and beyond

TNLO Scheduled Arrival

TLO was born in April and based on some sad stories about siblings sharing birth months (ex. the wild competition and adverse response to being compared/under each other's shadow), I wanted TNLO to be born on his 40th week, May5. My dear OBGYN said "ok" but gave a stern warning that although I can pick the date (scheduled CS delivery as my first born was also delivered CS), I will need to go through an emergency CS operation the moment I go into labor.

However, as we got closer to the favored date, the waiting game became more and more difficult. I, at one point, had to be rushed to the delivery room due to early labor contractions. TNLO was only at his 36th week back then - not yet ready based on new definitions - and so the doctors managed the contractions through medication. I had to go on "bed rest" = d i f f i c u l t.

Because of this, we also had to choose a new date for TNLO. May5 just didn't seem realistic. I looked like I was going to pop with one monster sneeze/cough. Also, we got an expense scare. It seemed that if we chose a date and I give birth before said date, we'll need to pay extra. No way. So Apr26 became the new ETA.

T Minus... Whatever

Apr19. Remember what I said about bedresting? Ok, here it is =  d i f f i c u l t. So I gave in to a desire to go somewhere --- for TLO her cousins and doting tita M. Everyone had fun at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. Kahit nakaupo lang ako, fun din.

Apr20. The Hubby and I were alone in the apartment. TLO's still on vacation. We had an irreverent but BFF meal for dinner... while watching Toy Story 2. Juvenile! We finished the humongous fries and I had my first Quarter Pounder... side dish = contractions. Yes, I was in pain the entire evening. It was too painful to lie on my back that I only slept for a few hours while sitting down.

BFF Burger Bundle (Photo from McDonalds and Coca Cola)

Apr21. Must I pay so dearly for the BFF meal and Coke? Madrama ang umaga. May iyakan bago pumasok si Hubby sa work. Why? If you're a woman, imagine your most painful dysmenorrhea and multiply the ouch by 100. If you're a guy... imagine your body and arms tied to the backrest of a chair, your legs spread apart... then a big guy comes in and starts kicking you in the 'nads, every 3 minutes. That's the kind of pain I felt.

Apr21. 9AM. Tadaaaaaaaan - Bloody Show! I immediately texted my doctor and to my surprise, he didn't reply via text. He actually called. "O nagle-labor ka na niyan. Punta na kayo sa Makati Med. Pa-schedule ko na CS mo ng 11AM." I was really shocked. I asked "ngayon na agad doc? diba sa April 26 pa tayo?" To which he replied - "aba'y anong gusto mong gawin natin, alangan namang patapalan ko yan, di naman puwede." I love my OBGYN!

I then called the hubby and started the call by saying, "don't panic ha, punta na raw tayo sa hospital." Projection is the best. Ako naman talaga ang nag-panic hindi siya. Pero in fairness sa akin, nakuha ko pang maligo. Napapasandal nga lang ako sa dingding sa sakit. Iyon ang unang ligo na hindi masaya.

Up next - Makati Medical Center, here we come! Are you ready for images na pwede sa Animal Planet or Nat Geo? Heheh!