April 8, 2010 wasn't really my schedule to give birth to our baby, but since I was already having contractions every 8 minutes, my OB-Gyne decided to make an emergency CS.
Initially, my husband and I decided, April 20 will be the date, since I'm on C-section, we have the option to choose the birth date for our baby. Our OB agreed with the date but reminded me that I shouldn't go on labor on any dates prior to April 20, it's (I think) a no-no to go on labor if a CS procedure will be done on pregnant women.
I went to my OB's clinic on April 8 just for a check up but my OB sensed a regular contraction, meaning it was just time for me to bring out Mita Ysabel Mangila Ponce to this wonderful world.
After an hour or so a baby girl now completes our family, my husband Lem, myself and our son Leon, gladly welcomed Maia to the family.
Thanks to all, our family, relatives and friends who likewise welcomed Maia and congratulated us for our baby girl.
Thanks also to the One up there who blessed us with another angel. Now we have two :)
March 30, 2010 was my scheduled visit with my OB. Since I'm already on my 35th week and 3 days, we discussed the possibility of scheduling my delivery on the 20th of April since I'm on c-section.
While doing the regular check-up on my tummy, my OB mentioned about not reaching the desired date. As she sees it, my tummy's quite low already, she suggested for us to get an earlier date just in case. While on our way out of the clinic, me and my husband decided that we schedule it on the 15th of April, the latest. So, on my next check-up, which is on the 10th of April, we'll tell my OB that I'm ready to be opened on the 15th, hoping only that I won't experience labor pains before that date.
Anyway, with barely 2 weeks to go, both me and my husband are getting more and more excited about the coming of our second baby. Leon, our first-born is already 3 years old and he too is quite ready as he's already accepted that he'll be a "kuya" soon...sometimes telling me that he'll help me prepare the baby's milk (which is still far-fetched at the moment because I'll be breastfeeding the baby just like what I did with Leon) or change the nappies...cute! Although there are still times when he tells us that he's still our baby :)
Since all of Leon's baby stuff can still be used by the baby, there are still a few 
stuff to buy though. I've received a nursing pillow from my office friends, given to me during the baby shower with a free pack of small-sized baby nappies. A close friend gave me a stuffed dolphin also for the baby. She gave Leon then a stuffed dog.
Today, we're off to buy the following:
1. Feeding bottle nipples for new born - just to be ready, I'll do breastfeeding though
2. Diapers for new born
3. Bedding with mosquito net
4. Cloth diapers - we want the baby to have his/her own set of these.
5. Baby bag - though Leon's bag is still good, Daddy M wants the baby have his/her own as well.
I've asked the nanny to wash all baby stuff and are now ready to use. Plus the above additional, we're all set to welcome our second child to this wonderful world.
I'll be on my 31st week of pregnancy by tomorrow. I'm due May 2nd but since I'm on c-section, we're scheduling my delivery 2nd week of April, that will be exactly a month and a week from now. Excited? Yes! Though this is our 2nd child already, but as parents, the coming of a child whether it's a firstborn or not is a reason to prepare and celebrate. For like more than two weeks already, this baby I'm heavy with keeps on moving around, making us more excited for the coming. I had my ultrasound already, but as mentioned in my previous blog, me and my husband didn't want to know the sex of the baby -- this is one reason why we're excited. There's more though, me and my husband are having fun listening to our friends' guess of what the baby will be...boy or girl. I even have a tally sheet in the office of my officemates' guesses. What's leading? Most of them guess this child would be a girl. Quite funny because, the reasons behind their guesses are mostly based on how I appear to them as a pregnant woman. Others would base their guesses on the movements of the child in me -- if the baby is behave, most probably it's a boy, while if the baby often moves, it'll be a girl.
But what makes me more excited is the reaction of my husband whenever the baby moves. He often compares it to my first pregnancy, in which our son then wasn't as active as this one now.
Much also to my excitement is when I started to bring out our eldest son's infant clothes and other stuff which will be worn and used by this baby. Another reason is that I've overheard some of my officemates about the baby shower they're preparing for me.
Hmmm, I don't know when but soon I will start counting the days till my delivery...
Definitely, with all the emotions attached to being pregnant, a child is a gift from God!
Last Tuesday, I had my monthly check up with my OB. While waiting for my turn, a lady who was also waiting for the OB showed me her ultrasound result. She was too excited about the whole idea, telling us that she'll be having a girl. Understandably because her last pregnancy was thirteen years ago, ultrasound technology, I guess wasn't as available as it is nowadays.
After a few more conversations, she asked about my pregnancy, when I was expecting the baby? how old I am? if I already had an ultrasound? if this is my firstborn? and more. When she asked me what I was expecting, I told her that me and my husband decided not to know the sex of our coming child as we want it to be a surprise just like our firstborn. Hearing my reply, she seemed to be wondering why we decided that way, it showed in her face, even my husband, on our way home, commented about the lady's reaction to my answer. As if my reply was an absurd one...it was then our turn to wonder how come people react that way whenever we tell them that we want it to be a surprise...
Boy or girl, we love to play with the idea of guessing what our baby would be...even how he/she would look like. We do also love to hear people close to us guess what the baby would be. I even play with the idea of tallying their guesses...
It would not be any hassle on our part, in terms of baby's items, as we prepared white colored clothing and items for our firstborn. The same items can still be used by our coming child. We will just add items once it is very evident whether the baby is a boy or a girl.
Come to think of it, during the time when my mother was bearing me, ultrasound wasn't available and yet I came out healthy and my body parts are complete, same with my siblings.
Not that I am not in favor of the technology but some people really depends on it too much. In fact, I do appreciate the existence of ultrasound. As early as 3 months, we'll get to know if the baby's healthy. Otherwise, the OB can do something to adjust the case. On the 5th month, yes we'll get to know the sex of the child. Aside from that, we'll get to see the baby's body part, the fingers and toes, the shape of the face and more. Ultrasound helps us prepare for the coming child. I just hope that those who depends too much on it won't blame the technology once they find out that the baby isn't what they really expected them to be.
Science is good but trusting in the One who gave the child to us and doing what is right during pregnancy, maintaining good healthful habits are the most important things I think pregnant women should do.
Slightly old school, isn't it?
After an hour or so a baby girl now completes our family, my husband Lem, myself and our son Leon, gladly welcomed Maia to the family.
