Nola Jiselle - Birth Experience

 

So it has been awhile. I have been meaning to update this site, but I have been so occupied with my new life as a momma. Yes, indeed, my baby girl is finally here, after much excitement and anticipation. I wanted to write her birth experience before my few brain cells erode my limited memory.

Nola Jiselle was born on May 15, 2009 via a caesarian delivery. She was a breech baby, which means that she was positioned wrong in my tummy. Babies are supposed to go head down toward the birth canal at the latter end of pregnancy, but my baby girl was positioned "butt first." Yes - she was stubborn, even prior to birth. The great doctors at UCI Med tried to position her into place a week prior to the scheduled C section by massaging the heck out of my very pregnant tummy, but baby girl was determined to stay where she was comfortable.

When I found out that I was having a C section, it threw me off guard for a minute, because I was not prepared for it. I was very knowledgeable about the vaginal birth process. I have read up about it, and knew what to expect. Therefore, to find out two weeks prior to my due date that I was going to have a C section, I was nervous for a minute because I was not familiar with the procedure.

I am not going to lie. I was scared about the whole giving birth process - be it vaginal or C section. Some women look forward to the experience. I am not one of them. I don't like hospitals. I don't like surgeries. I don't like pain.

Thank God however for the internet, and bless the heart of so many women who had posted their C section birth experiences on line. I read many, if not all of them. Reading someone else's experience, allowed me to somewhat relax and face the process with a bit more enthusiasm.

I was very nervous on our way to the hospital for my scheduled C section. Once we arrived at the hospital, the whole process was very quick and very efficient. I changed into my hospital outfit and was immediately prepped for surgery (insert IVs, monitor the baby, etc).  We came in at 11 AM. A lot of the time was spent waiting around for everything to be ready. I was wheeled into the surgery room just a little after 1 PM. Once inside, they asked me to sit on the OR table. It was very intimidating - there were a lot of people in the room (at least 8, maybe 12). There were nurses, a pediatrician, OR technicians, anesthesiologist, and doctors. I couldn't believe all those people were there for me, performing a specific function. There were wires and machines everywhere. I had to hunch down like a shrimp with my back facing the anesthesiologist, as he injected my spine with a numbing agent. There was a very kind nurse who held my hand and pretty much hugged me through the process. She kept saying, "don't be scared. This is the worst part of it. You are going to have a baby in a few minutes." I kept saying, "I am nervous." 

Once the numbing agent was in - the anesthesiologist then proceeded to inject me with the epidural on my freaking spine. The worst part of it was that I felt the needle go in, and I almost jumped out of the OR table.  This scared the hell of the anesthesiologist, and he gave me more medicine to numb my spine before giving me the rest of the spinal epidural. He kept telling me that he couldn't find the right space on my spinal disk where he could inject the medicine.  This whole process was supposed to only take 15 minutes - but I think mine took at least half an hour or more.

Once the medicine kicked in, everything below my chest was numbed. I couldn't feel a darn thing and it was scary. I vomited all over the place as a side effect of all the drugs they injected in my system. The nurse was right though - that was the worst part of it. Once the drugs kicked in, and they laid me on the table - my husband was allowed in. The staff each introduced themselves - they called time - and they began. 

I didn't even know, when they started cutting me open. I just laid there and couldn't feel a thing. Before I knew it, the baby was out! It was so quick. She was born at 2 PM. She was immediately cleaned up, weighed and checked out at a table nearby. I didn't get to hold her because I was tied down at the table, and the doctors had to sew me back up. 

They took her to the nursery, but she was given back to me once the surgery was over (took about 30 minutes to stitch me up), and I was in the recovery room. 

We stayed in the hospital from Friday to Tuesday noon. The nurses, doctors and staff at the hospital were amazing.  Their quality of care was excellent. We felt pampered, well taken care of, and it seemed like they went out of their way to make this experience pleasant for us. 

There was pain - yes there was, especially when I tried to stand up that Saturday and tried to urinate.  However, it is bearable.  

I now have a beautiful baby girl - and she is well worth it. 

Baby Nola Slide Show

Here's a slide show of Nola Emralino:

1 day and 20 hours to go

We are now nearing the tail end of my pregnancy adventure. My much awaited baby girl is going to be born via c section on Friday, May 15, 2009, at 1 PM. This is going to be a day that I will celebrate and cherish every year for the rest of my life. Wow...I am going to have a baby. I have waited so long and have gone through so much to have her, and finally, she is only hours away from arriving.

I am very scared about the whole abdominal surgery process, but my friend, Raazia was here today, and reminded me that in exchange for any pain or discomfort of childbirth, I am going to get a child - what a gift! I thought about it more and more, and she was right - I would have given anything up to have her and to make sure that she is okay and perfectly healthy. The pain and discomfort of surgery seems miniscule compared to what my child will give me - the chance to be a mother, to experience the love and joy, of holding her tiny little hands and kissing her tiny little feet. I should be so lucky to even have that opportunity. I have yearned for so long to be a mom, and now, she is only hours away from arriving into this world.

Oh, baby girl...you have no idea how long I have waited for this moment. I am about to embark, in one of life's most beautiful adventure...motherhood. What a blessing.

3 more weeks to go!

As we approach THE DAY - I found myself more and more excited about meeting this little human that has taken over my body. I can't wait to see her.

I have been feeling more and more anxious lately - like time cannot go by any faster. I wanted to move on to the motherhood part. I want to fast forward to the giving birth and all the pain and aches associated with labor. The more I know about the child delivery process, the more it freaks me out.

I have been on maternity leave now for 7 business days. I thought I was going to be able to do more at home, but of course, as soon as I go on leave - my body starts falling apart. I have a severe case of carpal tunnel and my wrists are in so much pain - that it hurts to even just un-snap my bra hooks. My hands are numb. My feet are swollen. I waddle around the house like a big disabled elephant (literally!). The last 6 weeks of pregnancy is definitely uncomfortable, to say the least.

Well, at least we finished her nursey. Progress! Yey - we can check that off our list. We are still in search of a few minor items (just as a little bookcase) but for the most part - it is done!

See you in approximately 3 weeks, baby girl. Don't get too big in there.

Nola's Baby Shower

Our families and close friends hosted a beautiful baby shower for Norm & I, in celebration of our soon-to-arrive baby girl Nola. It was held at the Mayfair Park in Lakewood. It was a sunny Saturday, wonderfully spent with family and friends - many of whom I have not seen for months and months. The food was great. The gifts were so super cute. Most important of all, it was nice to see and catch up with my friends whom I have not seen in awhile.

Raaz was there with her family. I missed her dearly. Angelica was there with her baby boy Jakey. Sherry got us the cutest looking lady bug three tier cake I have ever seen. She holds a big space in my heart as the sweetest and one of my most dedicated friends - the kind you keep for a lifetime. I finally got to meet her sweetie - Raul. Terry came by - she came all the way from Northern Cal & was just here for the weekend! Maria who has been M.I.A. for awhile was there with her hubby. It was definitely nice to see her. Jan and Jay were there. Jan made the cutest little favors. She is so talented. My little sis took care of all the games (and even bought us a gift!). My other sis got us my fav mulberry playpen - very cute!

It is really such a nice feeling to celebrate this special moment with everyone. In between this baby shower, and the one thrown by my work - our baby girl has gotten SO MUCH gifts. She is one lucky baby girl. She is definitely well loved.

Thank you all. We appreciate everything very much.

29 weeks...11 more weeks to go!

hello there...so it has been awhile. I am now 29 weeks pregnant, and just 11 weeks shy of giving birth. I cannot believe time has gone by so fast. I don't even know what happened to February. I woke up, went to work, went to sleep, then it was March.

My pregnancy has been wonderful. I feel good. I don't feel sick and I haven't really had anything to complain about except for the sleepiness and fatigue, that I think could be blamed more for the long and daily commute to work, than to the pregnancy itself.

Although for the most part, my pregnancy has been great - I am constantly worried about her well being. I worry that my belly is smaller than other pregnant women, that she doesn't move as much as I think she should, and I make up these scenarios in my head that could go wrong. My co-worker said that it is normal, given my personality, and the fact that I have never been a mom before. I like to be in control of things. I like to know exactly what to expect, what is going to happen, how it is going to happen, and how to make sure it is going to go according to the mapped plan. Motherhood however changes all of that, and throws it out the door. You just do not know what you are going to get. Will she cry a lot? Will I be a good mom? What if she gets sick? Did I eat something bad that could affect her development?

I need to learn how to relax, and just enjoy the experience. I really should be thankful that I have an easy pregnancy thus far, and that from what the doctors can see - everything is okay and normal.

My tummy is round as a ball. I am carrying high, but I usually feel the baby just under my belly button (no stretch marks yet! yey!).
I think her head is down there now, and she is now in birth position. She wakes me up at night and I usually have to go to the bathroom every two to three hours. When I hold my pee, the little brat wiggles around until I use the restroom.

Until next time. I have to cook.

Baby Furniture for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a time of love. It is when women generally receive chocolates, flowers and jewelry from their husbands, boyfriends, or significant others.

For Valentine's Day - my husband and I went shopping and purchased baby furniture. We bought Nola's crib, mattress, and changing table/dresser. I know some may say it is unromantic, but buying needed things for my baby makes me incredibly happy, and spending the day with my husband discussing which crib, which mattress, and which dresser/changing table will work best for our bebe is just priceless. We have been going back and forth to Bergstroms and other baby furniture places around the area for three months now. We have been attracked to a few pieces of furniture, and we finally decided to just make a final decision and buy the crib and the baby dresser/changing table.

We purchased the empire cherry crib and dresser from the Creations Carragio baby furniture collection. The Creations Carragio Bedroom Collection is influenced by the French and Rococo revival designs that became extremely popular during the reign of King Louis Philippe. The crib converts to a twin bed that she can use once she is older. The dresser is also a piece of furniture that will grow with her. My hubby and I think the pieces are a really good buy, and suits exactly what we need.

So that is it. The nursery room is now completely furnished - we have a crib, a dresser, a rocker, a crib set, and curtains. All we have to do is empty it out and paint.

We are ready for you Baby N - see you in a approximately 3 months. Can't wait!!!