The Day I Gave Birth to Nigel

I arrived at the New Era General Hospital at 8:30 a.m. It was January 20th, 2009 the same day Barak Obama, the very first black president of the United States of America was inaugurated.

My Ob-gyn, Dr. Virginia Lopez-Yarcia ( also a dear first cousin of mine) did an ultrasound to make sure the baby’s position was suited for a normal delivery. Everthing looked well so I was intravenously given a labor inducing drug called oxytocin. Only after a few minutes it was injected I started feeling painful contractions. I was taken to the hospital’s labor room.

Unfortunately, Butch, my husband wasn’t allowed inside. We just communicated through text messaging and cell phone calls.

The contractions became more frequent by the hour. I only used to hear about it from moms- the pain of being in labor. Now, I know. It’s sort of like my uterus was being wrung and bludgeoned at the same time. After 6 hours of labor, the doctor did an internal exam to see how much I’ve dilated. I could tell from the doctor’s facial expression, I didn’t do too well. After hours and hours of excruciating pain, I was only 1 cm. dilated.

It was very disappointing, my labor wasn’t progressing.

At that point, my doctor decided it was best to do a c-section.

I was trying my best to prevent this, but I guess that was the best way to go. I braced myself for surgery ( my first time to be cut open!) I said a little prayer in my mind.

Three doctors were present. The Anesthesiologist, a Pediatrician and my Ob-gyn of course. Laying on the operating table, I started to sneeze (oh man, this was just the best time for my allergic rhinitis to act up) They gave me Benadryl to prevent more allergies. They also nebulized me to make sure I wouldn’t have an asthma attack. Soon enough, both drugs side effects started kicking in- tremors and thacycardia. I was shaking and my heart was beating really fast. A couple of minutes were given for the side effects to fade afterwhich I was asked to lay on my side in a fetal position. The epidural was injected on my back. The doctors and nurses had to hold me making sure I was very still because I was still trembling a little. It didn’t take long for me to feel the numbness and drowsiness then I blacked out.

I remember waking up just for a moment. I felt that they were shaking my body or something. Then, I heared a baby crying. Nigel was fnally out! I remember saying his name over and over again while crying. I was still very much groggy so I went back to sleep. The next thing I knew, I was I think in the recovery room. I saw a nurse hooking me up to a machine. I saw my mom. Then I said Nigel, Nigel, Nigel. “Your son is okay.” My mom said. Then Butch came. I was happy to see him but I wanted to see my son. “Nigel, Nigel, Nigel … “ I said. The nurse forbade me talk saying air might get into my stomach and I would get a tummy ache.

Another nurse arrived carrying a bundle of blanket in her arms. “Here is your baby!” she said. I was too weak to hold him so the nurse just laid him beside my head. Then, I saw my son Nigel for the very first time.

The only word that came into my mind was BEAUTIFUL. He looked so beautiful to me! At that moment I couldn’t believe a being so beautiful ( and a baby of that size) came out of me! I caressed his cheeks and his eyes just looked at me as if he was studying my face. I cried uncontrollable tears. Then, he was taken away from me. He needed to be further examined or something.

Nigel came out at 8:15 pm. He weighed 8.4 Ibs. and was 51 cm. long. According to the doctor, the umbilical cord might have been wrapped around his neck and that prevented him to go down. No wonder I was still 1 cm dilated even after 6 hours of labor. Thank God the cord did not choke him!

I was taken to my room. Hours later, I began feeling the epidural wearing off. My stiches and insides began to hurt.

Despite the pain, my doctor encouraged me to move around after 24 hours of surgery. She said the earlier I try to move, the earlier I will recover. I was admitted to the hospital for induction of labor Tuesday morning. By Thursday afternoon I was discharged. It was still painful to move. But I could walk, urninate and move my bowels already. I am still recovering from the surgery. I take mefenamic acid for the pain.

Unfortunately, we were not able to take Nigel home with us. He has to stay in the NICU for a couple of more days because he is still being treated with Ampicillin (an antibiotic). He has to take this because he already pooped inside my tummy. Butch and I visit him everyday till he finally gets discharged this Wednesday.

Butch and I cannot wait to take our li’l angel home. I miss him very much. During our visits, I memorize his face so when I close my eye at night, I could picture him. I think I am in love with Nigel. I am certainly going to enjoy being a mom to him.

I’d to thank all those who prayed and supported Butch and I throughout the pregnancy. My family, our JOHIA family and of course, my co-bloggers who read about my journey to motherhood. Thanks and I am happy to say that NIGEL IS FINALLY OUT!!!