My Gentle Birth Story

It was last October 20, 2019, at 4:53 PM, our new bundle of joy was born ~ James Gadiel Marfa, my third baby.

As of writing, he just turned 1 month. Wow! That was really quick. Oh, how time flies..

Anyway, here is our gentle birth story...

I woke up around 3:00AM with the urge to pee and poop. I was surprised to see "bloody show". At first, I hesitated to wake up my sleeping husband but my instinct told me to inform my OB about it. I remember experiencing the same with my second born ~ loss of mucus plug.

I immediately sent a message to my OB about it, mentioning to her, that I'm just on my 36th week (and 4 days to be exact) of pregnancy. She asked if there is a lot of blood which I responded with "not really". I was advised to wear a pad and observe. I also told my husband about it but unalarmed he went back to sleep.

At 5:17AM, I gave an update to my OB that there's no more bloody show (or so I thought) but I started feeling contractions every after 5 minutes interval. In my mind, it's just the usual Braxton Hicks. Although, it's getting more frequent and I can feel pain from the back.

6:00AM, I have another urge to poop and was surprised to see another bloody show. I'm still having contractions every 5-6 mins which I immediately told my OB.

It was 7:10AM, I gave an update that pain is progressing at 5-6 minutes intervals. I decided to take a warm bath, put my "kilay" (kilay is life even during labor) and lipstick on. I also started packing our things. It was funny because we don't have our hospital bag ready yet. We don't expect our baby this early and our baby stuff is not even complete. Our room isn't ready for the coming of the new baby. We planned to have a general cleaning sometime this week. I was asking my husband while packing up, "Is this for real?". To be honest, I'm not ready.

My OB advised us to go to the clinic. We arrived at Mother and Child Cradle of Health past 8:00 AM. At that point, I was dilated to about 3CM. My OB said that I could have our baby that day or because it was our third, it could be a couple of days. So, we need to observe if it will progress within the day. She advised us to go somewhere nearby, maybe go malling first and be back by lunch.

It was the last day of a 3-day sale at SM Bacoor and it was perfect timing because we still need to buy some baby essentials. So we were at the mall at 9:20AM. Good thing it was opened since 9:00AM. So, I was shopping and resting during contractions.

I observed I don't feel too much pain when I'm moving, but when I got the chance to sit, I realized the pain has progressed. I gave an update to my OB at 10:34AM that contractions were consistent at about 5 minutes intervals and the pain has progressed. She asked where we were at the moment and advised us to either eat lunch or grab food and travel back to the clinic. We decided to grab food via drive-thru in fast food and I ate in the car.

We arrived back at MCCH 11:37AM. We were ushered to our private room for admission, thus the waiting game. I was asked for my Birth Plan, which I don't have. I knew most of my request is already automatic to my OB. Although I forgot to mention that I'm aiming for Water Birth. They only realized this after some time, but it was my fault. We had the chance to watch CCF Service Live Stream through the screen in the lobby while waiting.

Afterward, I was advised to use the birthing ball. I was on 5-6cm already. This time,  the pain and contractions were overwhelming. For the first time in my pregnancy, I cried because of too much pain. I lamented to my husband that in my two boys,  I didn't cry during labor. But then I realized, I had epidural in those pregnancies. This time,  I didn't have it. I was asked to do lounges on the right leg during contractions.

Trying to smile while resting from contractions

Doing lounges every contraction

My last IE check was at 7cm, then we transferred to the Water Birth Room and I was asked to soak in the warm water. I find it relaxing and it somehow eases the pain. I told my OB that my water bag doesn't usually break on its own. She said that's actually a good thing, so she broke it and was surprised to see very few waters. After that, the pain elevated and the intervals became closer. I was told that if I feel any urge to push, just go for it. 

So, we were there, waiting. The pain was to its peak. My OB announced that the lip of my cervix is blocking the head of the baby that's why I'm having a hard time. So, I was asked to do a few more lounges during contraction.

My OB needed to push the cervix while the contraction is ongoing. However,  she said my cervix is very stubborn and doesn't want to give way. My OB finally decided to transfer to the dry room or delivery room, so she can forcibly move the lip of my cervix over the baby's head to allow the baby to come down further. She had two assistants on both sides and they did coach pushing. I'm not really good at pushing. I remember with my firstborn, I got help by pushing my tummy. My OB said she cannot do the same this time since I had stitches on my uterus due to my previous CS.

I was already exhausted from pushing and my OB told me, "Ikaw lang talaga yan", which means, the job is really with me. I need to do it right if I want this to end. During those moments, I was thinking that I might end up with CS again and if that is the case, so be it. I just want to get over with it since I'm really, really exhausted. I can feel my knees shaking already. But my OB was very calm and encouraging. She encourages me that she can see the head already, few more pushes and baby will come out. So, I reminded myself that each wave brings my baby closer to me. Finally, when I felt a strong urge to push, I gave one long push and my OB announced, "baby is out!". I had minor tear but Praise be to God,
we did it!

Our baby boy was in my arms and I felt wonderful! We enjoyed the first hour of life skin to skin with me.

We delayed cord clamping and hubby was able to cut the cord.

The first bath was also delayed. My OB spread out the vernix all over my baby's body. This will help protect him from infections.

Breastfeeding within the first hour or so after birth is important. Thus, the baby had his first latch. 

All my boys are with me in all stages of labor. They were witnessed to everything. It was one of my requests. Since this is a family experience, I want them to become part of it and I'm happy that they did. It was a whole new experience for our entire family. While on the process, my eldest, Gabi can't help but asked a lot of questions and my OB generously answered them all.

I am very thankful to have my hubby with me. He is very involved this time. He gave me a massage during contractions. He encourages and coached me while giving birth. He shared with me that he was amazed after witnessing the whole process. I guess he had deeper awe on how God created a woman's body. He said tears fell on his eyes upon seeing the baby.

The next day, my newborn had his first bath in the morning done by one of the midwives of MCCH.

In the afternoon, he had his expanded newborn screening.

Then, we were sent home.

I thank God for this journey. Gadi's birth was unexpected but it was a qarah moment, everything was orchestrated and it was a success! My delivery happened on a Sunday. Usually, we borrow my Nanay's car on weekends. So, we didn't have to worry about traveling. It also happened while we were still at home because we are usually away on weekends. My OB also mentioned that it's a good thing that the baby came out this early. Otherwise, he will gain more weight (he came out 3 kg) and it would be more difficult for me (because of my cervix). When I was on the verge of giving up, I kept reminding myself that my body is made for this. My verse is Philippians 4:13, "I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." God also provided for our needs. What a faithful God we have!

I also want to thank my OB, Dra. Bev Ferrer. She is the best! Thank you for supporting my desire to have a natural birth. I am inspired by your passion and dedication. No wonder, many pregnant moms are choosing you. Thank you for taking care of me and my baby. We are forever grateful. I'm glad that God allowed us to cross our paths. Thank you, Doc!

Thanks also to Mother and Child Cradle of Health, their staffs are kind and friendly. 

To our family, small group, and friends who are with us in prayers thank you for interceding for us! Although it was a failed Water Birth, it was a successful VBAC. 

Glory to God!