I thought my water broke on Thursday morning around 4:00 am. I was wrong. Sadly wrong. Two sets of grandparents came over to tend to three kids (school-aged) and my one toddler. Hubby brought me to the hospital triage to be monitored. The kids were brought to school, and the grandparents had a chance to hang out with their 11th grandchild.
At the hospital...at about 9:45am, the nurses released me back into the wild and to visit my doctor. I was only about 2 cm dilated and the found my water DID NOT break. So, off to the doctor's office to confirm what the nurses found. At 10:19 am, I signed in at doc's office. He checked on me, and yup! Only 2 cm dilated. BUT...in my mind, I knew I was having the baby because I did have a little bloody show. It's happening soon. My doctor even said that there was a good chance I would have the baby in the next 24 hours. However, he also said...but don't be surprised if the baby does not come either.
We got home by 11:00 AM and decided what to do for lunch. We met a friend at Del Taco, and by 1:00 PM, I was experiencing contractions approximately 6 minutes apart. I was still able to walk over to See's Candies to get a couple of gifts for the nurses station at the hospital. Then we got back home around 1:30 PM and I stayed at home laboring, letting my contractions get stronger, feeling them get closer together.
I posted my status on Facebook at 2:19 PM and we were soon off to the hospital. At the triage, the nurse finally checked my progress and found...yup! I was 4 cm dilated and my water was bulging. "YES! This is happening today!" I thought. I was so glad this day had come.
It was probably about 3:00 PM or 3:30 PM and we were admitted to the hospital. I pretty much was checked in, and stayed in the bed because my contractions were getting closer together and more intense. I didn't feel much like walking around. I think by 5:00 PM, my contractions were about every 4 minutes. Maybe soon after that, the nurse found I had progressed to 6 cm...then about 30-45 minutes after that, 8 cm. I knew it was almost time!!! Drug free, as I did with my first four deliveries, Baby Halina was delivered at 7:51 PM. I will say that my pushing this time around was more challenging, yet it still all happened fast. I am extremely happy that the delivery went well, I didn't tear, and so grateful that the day had come and gone.
Now is our time to enjoy this wonderful bundle of joy! She is so precious! I'm in love all over again!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
It's Only Been Six Days! Sheez!
I know that some women experience a variety of emotions postpartum. I am generally an emotional person, so depending on who the person is making me feel whatever "emotion" at the moment, my feelings can be more intense or I can easily let go. Well, a couple of days ago, it was my mom who was paying a visit with my dad and a couple of other relatives. I know what she said was in joking and should have been taken lightly. But I am still sensitive and the amount of weight that I gained with this fifth pregnancy, I am ultra sensitive about my weight and how I look. In some instances, I can care less. But I would hope that at least my mom, also a mother of five, would be more kind. I only gave birth six days ago!
On the way out, as they were leaving and everyone was saying their goodbyes, she turns to me, and touches my belly with both hands and says, "Is there another baby in there?" or some shit like that. Fortunately, I didn't snap at her. At least there is that. But that was totally insensitive of her to say that! She has no clue of course. She's just being her. I still can't deny the fact that it hurt my feelings and made me upset. I gained an additional 43 pounds with this pregnancy. That's huge! I know I'll be able to bounce back into shape though. So, in that sense I am not worried and for all the people who judge me or look at my physical self, just wait and in 6-8 months, I'll be in the best shape I've ever been in.
So, please, for people out there who have loved ones who just delivered a baby, do me a favor and tell those ladies how beautiful they look! Don't say anything to them about their bellies or their weight. Tell them that they glow and that they make a beautiful new mommy! It's nicer, kinder, and should be true. New motherhood is a wonderful thing!
Another thing, if you are going to visit a family who has other children PLUS a newborn baby, my opinion is that you should not expect to be served. In fact, YOU as the visitor should be offering to provide a meal or to extend your helping hand. I know my husband is extremely helpful. He is a wonderful husband, son-in-law, and SO MUCH MORE! So, just because he's home and is here to cook or clean, he still has a lot of work to do himself with recovering mommy and newborn baby at home. Our visitors actually made us work a little more. What is that about? It's just frustrating. So, ordering take out for dinner is what we did and it minimized work on us. However, there was still table set up and clean up , dish washing, floor sweeping, etc. It would have been nice for the "guests" to say..."Oh, you sit down! Why are you still standing and walking around? You need to heal. Sit down and we'll clean up for you!" But that didn't happen. Oh well. What can you do?
On the way out, as they were leaving and everyone was saying their goodbyes, she turns to me, and touches my belly with both hands and says, "Is there another baby in there?" or some shit like that. Fortunately, I didn't snap at her. At least there is that. But that was totally insensitive of her to say that! She has no clue of course. She's just being her. I still can't deny the fact that it hurt my feelings and made me upset. I gained an additional 43 pounds with this pregnancy. That's huge! I know I'll be able to bounce back into shape though. So, in that sense I am not worried and for all the people who judge me or look at my physical self, just wait and in 6-8 months, I'll be in the best shape I've ever been in.
So, please, for people out there who have loved ones who just delivered a baby, do me a favor and tell those ladies how beautiful they look! Don't say anything to them about their bellies or their weight. Tell them that they glow and that they make a beautiful new mommy! It's nicer, kinder, and should be true. New motherhood is a wonderful thing!
Another thing, if you are going to visit a family who has other children PLUS a newborn baby, my opinion is that you should not expect to be served. In fact, YOU as the visitor should be offering to provide a meal or to extend your helping hand. I know my husband is extremely helpful. He is a wonderful husband, son-in-law, and SO MUCH MORE! So, just because he's home and is here to cook or clean, he still has a lot of work to do himself with recovering mommy and newborn baby at home. Our visitors actually made us work a little more. What is that about? It's just frustrating. So, ordering take out for dinner is what we did and it minimized work on us. However, there was still table set up and clean up , dish washing, floor sweeping, etc. It would have been nice for the "guests" to say..."Oh, you sit down! Why are you still standing and walking around? You need to heal. Sit down and we'll clean up for you!" But that didn't happen. Oh well. What can you do?
Monday, October 11, 2010
False Labor Sucks
Early Sunday morning, 10.10.10, I thought it this was it. I was feeling regular contractions of sorts rather quickly...about every five minutes. They didn't last too long though. Only about 20-30 seconds. Then I thought to myself..."Well, not quite ready for the hospital yet, so let me see if I can take a nap before I do the big push!" I fell asleep, woke up an hour and a half later, and found myself frustrated.
Once again, patience. Acceptance. Patience. That's all I can do. She's ready when she's ready. God speed her safe delivery, yet please let her be ready.
Once again, patience. Acceptance. Patience. That's all I can do. She's ready when she's ready. God speed her safe delivery, yet please let her be ready.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Awaiting the Fifth Child
It doesn't happen too often anymore. Couples deciding to have children these days decide one or two is good enough. Then add a dog or other pet or two. Us? Well, although it was not a decision we had contemplated when we exchanged vows, we knew we wanted to share children, become parents. Twelve and a half years later, we await baby number five. It doesn't happen very often to see a family with five children. However, we know we are truly blessed.
Aisa, our evening prayer, was so sweet. Perfect. Born a little early at 35 gestational weeks, he has always been a trooper with leader qualities. Smart, kind, sensitive, and caring. He definitely has many of his boy moments, but a wonderful child all the way.
Iman, leader, persistent, intuitive, loving and kind. She was born early Christmas morning. She knew she was special enough...made it through a Christmas Eve party. We got to the hospital around 9:00 PM, walked around a bit, contractions started getting stronger and closer. BUT...in no way was she going to be a Christmas Eve baby. Soon after midnight, she was born. Same day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. She wanted it this way.
Mayumi got here on her own time, too. Never broke a dish in her life, delicate. That's what her name means. And her personality does reflect that. Gentle, sensitive, warm and caring. She was born with a full head of hair and we loved it all through her first couple of years! Smart and loving, she continues to grow as a delightful young girl.
Karisyo, almost six years later, surprised us all. He is animated and lively, just as his name is defined. He is a joy through and through, making everyone smile and laugh. Doing all the right things when prompted, giving hugs and kisses, blessing the elders, copying everything the older siblings do. He is truly a joy.
Now, almost two years after Karisyo, we await Halina. Another wonderful blessing that we know only adds complete bliss to our lives. Parenting and grooming a family is not an easy task, but it is a task nonetheless that God felt we could handle. She is due to arrive, according to the doctor's estimation, on October 27. In no way do I think she will stay in the womb for this long. My guess is middle of October. My hope is TONIGHT as we are technically ready to go any day now. She's approximately at 37 gestational weeks now. Now, we sit and wait.
I have come to terms with that she will arrive when she is ready. I want her to be born sooner because with this being the fifth child I have nurtured in my belly, add the fact that I am a much older woman, I am over being pregnant. Some woman love being pregnant. Now, at this point in my life, I just prefer her out of the womb more than keeping her in.
So, as much as I want to introduce some natural ways to induce labor, I don't want to go through the frustration and am willing to be patient and let her get here on her own time. I can only pray that it will be sooner. I don't like thinking about my weight gain. The more I gain, the more I'll have to lose and get back into shape.
Hence, my blog. Fit After Five. I am determined to get back into shape after five children. Everyone around me is running marathons, doing triatholons, P90X, all kinds of activity. Me, I can barely get up from a sitting position at this point. Patience and acceptance is what I need right now. My active time will come. I know I should enjoy this. And I do, to some extent.
Thank you to the heavens above for bringing us this wonderful (and final) addition to our lives! Halina, come safely and swiftly!
Aisa, our evening prayer, was so sweet. Perfect. Born a little early at 35 gestational weeks, he has always been a trooper with leader qualities. Smart, kind, sensitive, and caring. He definitely has many of his boy moments, but a wonderful child all the way.
Iman, leader, persistent, intuitive, loving and kind. She was born early Christmas morning. She knew she was special enough...made it through a Christmas Eve party. We got to the hospital around 9:00 PM, walked around a bit, contractions started getting stronger and closer. BUT...in no way was she going to be a Christmas Eve baby. Soon after midnight, she was born. Same day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. She wanted it this way.
Mayumi got here on her own time, too. Never broke a dish in her life, delicate. That's what her name means. And her personality does reflect that. Gentle, sensitive, warm and caring. She was born with a full head of hair and we loved it all through her first couple of years! Smart and loving, she continues to grow as a delightful young girl.
Karisyo, almost six years later, surprised us all. He is animated and lively, just as his name is defined. He is a joy through and through, making everyone smile and laugh. Doing all the right things when prompted, giving hugs and kisses, blessing the elders, copying everything the older siblings do. He is truly a joy.
Now, almost two years after Karisyo, we await Halina. Another wonderful blessing that we know only adds complete bliss to our lives. Parenting and grooming a family is not an easy task, but it is a task nonetheless that God felt we could handle. She is due to arrive, according to the doctor's estimation, on October 27. In no way do I think she will stay in the womb for this long. My guess is middle of October. My hope is TONIGHT as we are technically ready to go any day now. She's approximately at 37 gestational weeks now. Now, we sit and wait.
I have come to terms with that she will arrive when she is ready. I want her to be born sooner because with this being the fifth child I have nurtured in my belly, add the fact that I am a much older woman, I am over being pregnant. Some woman love being pregnant. Now, at this point in my life, I just prefer her out of the womb more than keeping her in.
So, as much as I want to introduce some natural ways to induce labor, I don't want to go through the frustration and am willing to be patient and let her get here on her own time. I can only pray that it will be sooner. I don't like thinking about my weight gain. The more I gain, the more I'll have to lose and get back into shape.
Hence, my blog. Fit After Five. I am determined to get back into shape after five children. Everyone around me is running marathons, doing triatholons, P90X, all kinds of activity. Me, I can barely get up from a sitting position at this point. Patience and acceptance is what I need right now. My active time will come. I know I should enjoy this. And I do, to some extent.
Thank you to the heavens above for bringing us this wonderful (and final) addition to our lives! Halina, come safely and swiftly!
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