Our Birth Story

Nella and I really wanted to do a natural birth.� We attended bradley-lamaze classes in the Philippines with one of the leading childbirth classes instructor, Chiqui Brosas.� I even cancelled my scheduled training in St. Charles, Il because I did not want to miss a class.� Anyway, the class taught us a number of things, from daily exercises, breathing techniques and massages during labor, etc.� But the most important thing we learned from the classes was the determination to go for it.� We read materials on the subject.� And from the time Nella was� 7 months pregnant, everyday after work we would always walk atleast 3 Km =� 1.9 mi (3 rounds in the

Here comes our last visit to Nella's obstetrician, Dra. Menefrida Reyes.� She suggested that Nella be induced since she was already a few days�delayed aside from some scientific reason which is hard for me to explain here.� We decided to schedule the induction on Dec. 7th so that the baby would (we hoped) come out on December 8 which is Immaculate� Conception Day. (Note: labor averages 12-16 hrs. for primies (first babies) and labor is usually triggered 12 hrs. after induction.)

All bags packed, off we went to the hospital on December 7th.� Nella was then induced. � Hours passed and still no progress.� In between waiting, I answered pages from work (wasn't that pathetic?).� The next morning on December 8th, Dra. Reyes advised that Nella� be induced again.� After that, Nella's BOW (bag of water) leaked.� You can just imagine my feelings of excitement and worry all at the same time.� Nella started having tiny contractions and then by 1 PM she reached 2cm.�� At 6PM, we were transfered to the Lamaze Room (we were only allowed to transfer there after she reached 4 cm).�� Don't forget that all this time, Nella was having contractions and here I was 'coaching' her.� I could tell how much pain she was experiencing each� time contractions occured.� I actually thought that we were doing pretty well that time.� To give you a little background, I thought (and Nella's mom asserted also from past experience) that Nella had a low threshhold for pain.� I was surprised at how Nella was able to cope with the pain.� Two hours passed and Nella was still at 4 cm (10 cm is the final stage, for those who don't know).� Nella's progress was about 1 cm for every 3 hours which was slow.�

December 9th 6am (after 9 hours):�� Nella was at 8cm. �At that time, it was only perseverance and prayer that kept us from saying , "alright, we're quitting".� But we hung on.� I was already very exhausted (I could just imagine my wife's).� We would fall asleep in between contractions, me in the bean bag and Nella on the delivery bed. � Then the contractions started appearing at longer intervals which was not good.� Nella's BOW also broke around this period.� By 9am, Nella was already at 9cm and I whispered to Nella that this was it - that her hardwork, courage and perseverance will finally lead us to seeing our baby.� If you think about it, a centimeter is a very small unit of measurement but you will not believe how each one of this inspired us to come this far.� There was no improvement after a few hours but the contractions were the strongest this time.��

Dra. Reyes, who has been very supportive all this time and is a real advocate of natural birth method finally gave us a deadline.� She said that if by 2:30pm, there is still no progress, they will have to open up Nella to avoid fetal distress (Nella's BOW already leaked the day before and finally broke on this day).� We had no choice...� This was the last thing we wanted to happen but our priority was the safety of both my wife and the baby's.� This was the lowest point of my life.�� It seemed to me that all those sacrifices did not do anything for us.�

We continued trying to no avail but 2:30 came fast so they brought Nella to the operating room.� Dra. Reyes allowed me to go inside the operating room. � I watched Nella's operation with worry for my wife's safety.� The operation took about 30 minutes then at 3:36pm, I heard our baby's first cry. � I could not help but smile.� Even Nella who was slightly sedated managed to smile.� My exhaustion for participating in Nella's 28 hours of labor suddenly disappeared.� Danielle came out very healthy and cute and Nella recovered well from her operation.��