The Medical City Baby Friendly Ward

I delivered baby Isay at The Medical City through their normal delivery package. The package is an estimated P57,000 inclusive of Labor and Delivery charges, Hospital Room and Professional fees. The price is really good considering that a normal delivery usually costs 80k to 90k pesos. To qualify to this package you need to be endorsed by your ob and have met the following conditions:
        1) Pregnancy is at 38 weeks or more
        2) No complications (eg. High blood pressure)
Once you get a go signal to avail the package, you will be given a form by your ob that you will present in the pre labor room when admitted. Also, one of the conditions of this package is that you will be staying at the Baby Friendly Ward. Room upgrade is not allowed.

While I was in the labor room, the nurse told my husband to secure a room in the ward for me. The baby friendly ward is different from an ordinary hospital ward. It is a special area with a nurse in charged and 6 rooms (I think). Each room has an accordion divider so there is privacy. There are 2 common CRs, 1 on each end. The CR also has a shower area.

The room is quite small, just enough for 1 companion. It has a bed, chair for companion, bassinet for the baby (Rooming in is required in TMC), a drawer for your things and this movable table. I think it is good for the price, it is small but there is privacy and enough room for you, hubby and your baby.

My Labor and Delivery Story (Part 3)

Everyone was rushing. I was still having chills when I was transferred to another bed. They placed my bp monitor, got me more anesthesia and someone was preparing the "exit path" thru shaving and putting some betadine (Sorry TMI).

The resident ob instructed me on how to push. Inhale then push for 10 seconds. I tought "ok sounds easy". They were all very encouraging and let me practice how to breathe when pushing. My hubby finally arrived at the delivery room and held my hand by my side.

My very cool ob on the left, Dra Rowena Rivera

Then it began, i thought it would be simple but heck it was actually difficult. I was on epidural but it was not 100% painless so that I will be able to feel the contractions and know when to push. There were 2 doctors holding each of my legs. And the resident ob helped me by putting pressure on my tummy as I push.

After 3 tries I still wasn't able to do it. I was already preparing myself should there be a need for emergency cs. I just prayed for my baby to be delivered safely. They were already worried that baby Isa is now under stress and each time I finish pushing she is pulled back. They encouraged me to try again and collect my strength. Finally her head came out then after another push she was completely out

Hello princess

We were able to perform unang yakap and she also latched perfectly. Afterwards she was checked on another side of the delivery room while my ob was stitching me. I felt overwhelmed with joy and reality was starting to sink in. I am a mother now. 

My sweet bundle of joy

Our first family picture

Proud daddy

I would like to thank the doctors and staff of The Medical City for my smooth and successful delivery :). Should we be blessed with baby number 2 I would still deliver here.

My Labor and Delivery Story (Part 2)

By 10:30 AM I was transferred to the Labor Room. I think there were 3 of us in labor at that time. Each mommy has her own room so there is privacy. Unlike in the movies that you can hear each mom cursing and crying out the pain, it was quite peaceful. By lunch time I was allowed to have light lunch so they asked hubby to buy a meal for me. After that I asked the resident ob if I could walk so that my labor would progress. I was really dreading to have an emergency cs. Plus I was also under the delivery package of The Medical City for Normal Delivery.

I walked for around 30 mins then when I felt my contractions to be more uncomfortable I went back to my bed and took a rest. By 2pm I was only at 4 cm but it was getting untolerable since the interval was more frequent. I asked the resident ob if I can already be given an epidural. She was a little worried since its a little too early but I told her I couldn't rest due to the contractions. By 3pm Dra Cos and her team arrived and they administered the epidural. I was asked to be on C position and an orderly was there to hold my body in place. It was scary as I was trying not to move but then the contractions are becoming stronger. By 5pm my ob Dra Rivera arrived and did an IE. I was already 7cm and 80% effaced. My water bag was still intact. I was able to sleep thanks to the epidural. It wasn't completely painless but it was tolerable.

By around 6pm my ob ruptured my water bag and told me it was clear. My baby did not poop yet. Around this time I was beginning to feel the contractions again so I asked for another shot. By around 7pm I asked for a bed pan. I said I felt the urge to pee or go on number 2 but I am not sure. The resident ob checked on me and I was already at 10cm and 100% effaced! They called my ob and rushed me to the delivery room. Everything happened so fast there were a lot of medical staff and I remember feeling cold and having chills. I felt nervous and excited and the same time.
They called my hubby to change to a scrub suit and go to the delivery room to be with me. As they were prepping me I prayed for a safe delivery. Finally we are about to meet baby Isay :

Love is sweeter the 2nd time around. My 2nd Saya Carrier

A few months back I bought my first Saya VTB in Oro Black. After a few tries I found it complicated to use with my then 3 month old girl so I sold it online. Now that my daughter is turning 6months (7kg) it became harder to carry her so I became interested in babywearing again. I got a Chicco SSC which I thought would be better but it gave me shoulder and back pains. Also I found out that it is a narrow base carrier which is not recommended (Read: Hip Dysplacia)

Luckily I was able to order another Saya through babymama.ph. This time I got a VTB Element (Brown) in size 1. Now I am determined to utilize it. I find it much easier now that my baby has neck control, putting her in the Saya is such a breeze compared to before. Yesterday we were able to test it while we were strolling through the mall. In just about 15 mins she fell asleep and it lasted for around 2 hours I think.

Isay sleeping soundly

Am I satisfied? Definitely! ♡

How I pump breastmilk at work

My daughter will be turning 6 months in a week and I am really overjoyed to have been able to exclusively breastfeed her. For working moms like me, here is what I do to successfully provide milk for my baby.
First let me show you my kit:

Pouch for my electic pump, igloo insulated bag for my bottles and ice pack

For an 8 hr work here is what I need:
    Double electric pump (Spectra M1 from babymama.ph)
    Pump accessories stored in a lock and lock container
    2 bottles to be connected to my pump (I use avent bottles since the spectra bottles seems loose)
    3 breastmilk storage bottles (Looney tunes brand)
    5 Ice packs (The blue one lasts only around 4 hrs while the silver one around 6 hrs)
I decided to use a double electric pump so that I can be more efficient time wise. Instead of 15mins per breast I can be done in 15mins for both breast. I used to have a handsfree pumping bra but I dont use it anymore since I find it much of a hassle to put it on so I just hold both breast pumps using my left arm. Then my other hand is still free to do some stuff (Facebook, online shopping hihi)

Here is my pumping schedule:

06:45 Arrive in the office
07:00 1st Pump
           I store it in our clinic's ref together with 3 ice packs
10:00 2nd Pump
15:00 3rd Pump
**17:00 If I need to extend time in the office I would still pump. Otherwise I go home by 16:00 hihi

I don't clean my pump after each session. I just store it back in my insulated bag together with the avent bottles and leave atleast 2 ice packs. During my 2nd pumping time I just change ice packs from the ref. This remains cold throughout the day. As for my expressed milk I keep it in my looney tunes bottle and store it in the clinic's ref

Each session usually lasts around 15 to 20 minutes for me. And I normally get 4 to 5 oz. So everyday I am bringing home around 12 to 16 oz for my baby girl's consumption for the following day.

I think the key to sustaining breastfeeding for working moms is to pump regularly. Try to express milk every 3 to 4 hours to maintain your supply regardless of what technique you will use. Some moms has done it using hand expression which I have yet to try.

My Labor and Delivery Story (Part 1)

It was 1:00 AM on April 29 that I woke up to pee. I had some bloody show again but my water bag was still intact. I was already at 40 weeks and 3 days by this time.

I couldn't get back to sleep as I felt uncomfortable due to abdominal pains.
I felt some mild contractions that were still irregular.
I used my contraction timer app to check the interval. I was still in denial at this point that I did not woke G up. I did not sleep, instead I just checked my hospital bag, prepared our pocket money for the hospital bill, ate some snacks and just waited for the time.

By 6:00 AM G woke up. I told him I was having contractions but not yet strong enough for us to go to the hospital. I told him that we can wait for my ob's clinic to open (I had false labor a week ago which costed almost 2k for the prelabor room so I wanted to be sure already). At this point I was actually uncomfortable already. I tried to do some breathing techniques to manage the pain and it did work on some point but sometimes I needed to stop still and just wait for it to pass.

We arrived at The Medical City around 7:00 AM and decided to have breakfast first at Pancake House since Dra Rivera's clinic starts at 9:00 AM

The Pancake House. Excited for our little girl

Upon arrival at my ob's clinic, she performed an IE and said I was already at 2cm and 70% effaced. She confirmed that I was already in labor (yey!). We immediately went to the pre labor room. I was asked to change to a hospital gown. Remove all my clothes, jewelry and glasses. The resident ob monitored my contractions then informed my ob. When my ob gave the go signal the midwife gave the enema (hate this part). After a few minutes I felt stomach pains like I had a bad case of diarrhea. I really hated this part! Aside from the discomfort, I felt so ashamed that it wasn't discreet. I think everyone outside the restroom heard my ordeal hehe.
When I was done I was then escorted to the labor room. Time check: 10:30 AM

Last selfie before meeting Isabelly