April 11, 2014

It was like any normal day. At 40 weeks and 6 days, I have given up the waiting game and decided to just let Amos come out whenever he wants to. Although for the past days I have been feeling contractions–some light, some intense–but nothing regular that would make me think I’m in labor. My husband, Daniel, decided not to go to work to assist me around the house since we still didn’t have a helper and Ziki is becoming extra energetic for me to handle. Around lunch time, I decided that Ziki and I go with him to do errands and just have lunch outside.

And so we went–we had lunch after driving around for a while, paid electricity and water bills (was able to take advantage of the express lanes, yay!), went to the bank and did a bit of grocery. And during all of these, I was feeling contractions already. The only intense ones I felt was during lunch (my belly was as hard as a wall!) but I thought it just might be because of what I ate. “Braxton Hicks,” I would silently tell myself and breathe through it. It was really not painful only uncomfortable, especially when you have to care for a toddler too.

So after everything, we headed home. It was past 5PM. Ziki and I played a bit while Daniel attended to some of his work load from his office. Because Ziki didn’t complete his 3-hour afternoon nap, he obviously became sleepy around 6-ish. We went up and I put him to sleep. I wanted to catch a few zzz’s too but somehow sleep was elusive. I ended up reading instead.

A few minutes later I felt a menstrual-like cramp in my lower abdomen. I ignored it for a while but when I noticed some pattern, I started timing it with the contraction app I downloaded–duration: 1-2 minutes, interval: 4-5 minutes. I recalled from our childbirth preparation class some 2 years ago that when that happens I am in active labor already, which means it can pick up speed or it can stall. So I texted my midwife and told her that I noticed regular patterns with the pain. She told me to try to nap for strength in case it is labor time.

I suddenly had the urge to go poopy and called out to my husband to look after Ziki while I take a dump. I was feeling a bit shaky now like any person who has diarrhea (caution: there might be TMI up ahead hehe). I still kept monitoring and noticed the interval going shorter and the duration becoming longer. My husband ran down and checked on me, kept asking “Is this it?” And I just said “Yes, it is happening. I’m in labor!” I texted my midwife again and told her labor has started. The midwife called (or Daniel did, I didn’t know anymore) and she told me she is attending to another homebirth in Pasig and they are monitoring the baby since the baby aspirated meconium but they will try to come immediately.

Early on we decided that if my labor started during the day, I will have the waterbirth at home and if it commences during the evening until early morning then I will give birth at Shiphrah Birthing Home in Taytay. By then it was around 7PM so Daniel was asking me if we should load up the car and head out. But with the intensity of the pain building up and Friday’s mad traffic, there’s no way I will labor in that vehicle or worse give birth right there! Also we had to think about Ziki too since we can’t really leave until my mom arrives.

And like on queue, my mom arrives with my brother, Tita Vilma (our family friend) and the new helper–who was still reeling from car sickness. Daniel updates them of our status and my mother, in her usual worried tone, tells us to go already. My brother had to leave immediately too since he also needs to bring Tita Vilma home, so they prayed for me and left.

Time check: few minutes past 8 o’clock. I tell Daniel to get the pool ready because we are not leaving anymore and I am giving birth at home. He contacts our midwife and tells her about it. However, she won’t arrive soon enough because they had to bring the baby to the hospital for further checking although they will try to get sooner and  keep in touch until they arrive.

So it is just us, as God willed it. I prayed and asked the Lord to lead us every step of the way because I really do not know how this will transpire. As I was laboring on the couch, Daniel plays our birth playlist and preps the pool. He orders the new helper to help heat water and fill up our kiddie pool. Just then, Ziki cries out loud. You have to understand that our firstborn doesn’t like waking up abruptly without mommy or daddy in sight. My mom is with him upstairs but the stress in his wail needs assurance from either one of us. Daniel rushes upstairs whilst I keep on praying and repeating Bible verses and affirmations as the harp music plays. This was my meditation to help manage the pain and to keep myself calm. The pain is becoming more unbearable and I just kept telling myself that I will soon get a bit of rest when my contractions stop. But after some minutes, the contractions still kept coming and the rest I was expecting to help me keep it together did not come. I was letting out a few moans and didn’t realize I was scratching my face already when the pain peaks. I reached for our childbirth prep class manual to check what phase I am in. After reading all the signs, it is obvious I am in transition.

Suddenly I felt a strong urge to push. I screamed for my husband and he dashes. It was all too fast! The pool was not yet filled half way and the hot water was not enough. I didn’t even have time to change into my birthing clothes. I lost it right there and shouted “I need to push!” My husband almost rips my pants off and tells me to breathe. I was really not confident to push even if my entire body wants to because I was worried I am not 10cm dilated yet and it might stress the baby inside. But like a refreshing breeze, the Spirit of the Lord gave me assurance in His words,

“It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world.” John 16:21

“Fear not for I am with you. I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you.” Isaiah 41:10

That brought me peace.

Then my bag of waters broke. At this time I didn’t want to move anymore, but like a general, Daniel tells me “You wanted waterbirth, right?” When I managed to move I immediately went and sat in cold water. We weren’t able to get the water heater so they had to manually heat water in the kettle. I actually didn’t care anymore if the water was cold, the water still helped alleviate the pressure down there. But it would have been so lovely if it was warmer.

Not a minute passed and the urge to push was there again and this time I am really feeling intense pressure down my vaginal area. I surrendered to God and let my body do its natural design of bringing this baby out, 10cm dilated or not. Our midwife was now on speaker phone and Daniel was telling her what’s happening and I bet she can hear my screams. She asked Daniel to check if the baby is crowning and if the baby comes, to catch it and bring the baby to me for skin to skin and breastfeeding. I reached down to feel the head. I felt the membrane first then I finally felt the head. I was telling him that the baby is coming out. Daniel held out my legs to check the progress. Another painful contraction and I gave a push then Amos’ head pops out. Daniel announces that the head is out, and immediately another push and the rest of Amos’ body slid out. Daniel caught him and lifted him from the water. His umbilical cord was coiled around his neck so I quickly removed it (in nanosecond) and brought him up to my chest. I asked for the towel to keep Amos warm. Supposedly his body should be submerged in the water, but since it was cold I just kept him in the towel as he nursed.

Wow! We did it, Daniel and I! I was so elated with the entire experience, the natural high was extreme–I was partly laughing and tearing at the same time. I looked at Amos and he was perfect. So healthy and pink He was nursing in his quiet alert state and looked so peaceful. He did cry a bit as if to announce “Finally, I’m on earthside!” My husband also was a wreck, crying and laughing too. Praise God all went well. He was with us indeed. I stayed in the pool for some minutes to wait for the placenta to be expelled, but I felt the chill of the water so I decided to come out of the water. I changed the soaked towel to make sure Amos stays warm. I laid on the couch (as per our midwife’s advice) and waited for the placenta to come as naturally as Amos did. We did not cut nor clamp Amos’ umbilical cord because we are doing a full lotus birth. I had a strainer and placed the placenta there after it came out. I was savoring it all, thanking and worshiping the Lord for how faithful He has been from my pregnancy until this beautiful moment. I never realized that I had that much strength and courage…it was all Christ in me.

Our midwives arrived shortly after and they checked on me and Amos. I tore because of my previous episiotomy (unnecessary hospital protocol actually) so Lorni, our midwife, needed to stitch it back. Deborah, one of our midwives too, helped clean and prepare the placenta (for me to consume and for the lotus birth). After an hour or so of monitoring, everything was well with me and Amos. They kept telling me to rest and get some sleep but I was so pumped that I was still smiling and chatty even if it was midnight already.

The only unfortunate thing here was that we weren’t able to document the entire thing on photo or video. Daniel did ready the laptop to record it but was too occupied with delivering the baby that he forgot to press the button! We have photos and videos, alright, but most are blurred or for our eyes only (hehe!). Here are some snapshots that passed the viewing board:

Amos fresh out of the water.

 We did it, love! :’)

First selfie with the newest Herrera

Ahhh the scent of a newborn. <3

Our midwives, Lorni and Deborah of Shiphrah Birthing Home

Deborah making me some powered up smoothie. ;)

Be still my heart. <3

 Our beautiful water-birthed baby

At exactly 9PM with Chris Tomlin’s Indescribable playing in the background, this 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 47cm. wonderful blessing arrives into our lives. We give all the praises to our faithful God for this journey!

Welcome my dear Amos Shelumiel!