After my long hiatus, finally I got time (and enough sleep) to start writing again. I haven't posted in a while, you can probably guess that SHE FINALLY CAME! First of all, I can totally testify that every pregnancy is different. With my first born, I didn't experience any serious problems during my pregnancy. While on our second baby, I had recurrent urinary track infection, preterm labor (Read: Surviving Preterm) and false labor. As you can remember, I wrote about my experience with preterm labor when I was still 31 weeks pregnant. Since then I've been taking medicine and was advised to a complete bed rest. We also found out that she has a cord coil around her neck. Despite of my situation, I've always imagined that my birth plan will be followed. I stated there that I wanted to have an unmedicated childbirth, delayed cord clamping and breastfeeding right after baby was out just like what we did with my firstborn. But we went through few bumps along the road. Without further ado ...

Margaux's first photo

hooked up to oxytocin and waiting for regular contractions

5 cm and just right before we went to the labor room. Look how low my tummy is!

8 p.m - I am already in the delivery room. The contractions are coming at 2-3 minute interval. They got crazy strong. Soon, my clenched teeth turned into open-mouthed moans, and eventually just full-blown yells. I found myself squatting, bending over, lying down, and in all sorts of different positions to ease the pain. Before I knew I was 8 cm dilated. The pain was unbearable. We didn't experience delayed cord clamping because baby's cord tightens around here neck whenever I tried to push her shoulders out. So just right after her head popped out they need to immediately cut the cord. And after 30 minutes of hard, determined, but controlled pushing with the support of my amazing ob-gyne and nurses, my baby girl was born at 8:55 p.m., weighing 2.9 kilos thru Normal Spontaneous Delivery. We immediately perform Unang Yakap at Unang Hakab. Holding and feeding her for the first time is indeed a very magical moment. It was equally the most intense, beautiful and surreal experience I’ve ever gone through, especially getting to experience it with Keith.

Finally, I'm on my trimester of pregnancy! Now at 36 weeks, I've just finished packing my hospital bag version 2.0. I wanted to share these items that I will help me get through this birth, somewhat gracefully. Unlike on my first born, I packed too much stuff which I did not even use at the hospital. As much as possible I would like to keep things minimal. For this list, I researched a bit on my own and also based it on the things I really need. 

TIP: Pack things you will need that is good for 3-5 days only. 

Obviously, this is more of a "what's in my storage box" post. Lol. Instead of using luggage bags, I prefer using 2 stackable storage box and 1 tote bag. Why? It is easier to see the items in the boxes. Since it's transparent and organized, you can easily instruct your caretaker/watcher where to get the items you needed.

2-3 pcs. Adult Diaper

Documents (SSS, PHIC) & I.Ds - place it in a waterproof envelope
3 pairs of Comfy Clothes - shorts & shirts

6 pairs Undergarments - underwear and nursing bra

1 Maternity dress - my going-home outfit

Towel

Maternity Sanitary Pads - I prefer overnight/all night pads

Hand Towel

3 sachets of Shampoo and Conditioner

Bath Soap

Feminine Wash - my OB suggested using Betadine Feminine Wash

Comb

Toothbrush & toohpaste

Tissue Roll

Lip Tint - for picture taking! Atleast din man lang ako magmukhang zombie

Thermometer

I'm 31 weeks pregnant with our 2nd baby and I thought everything was going smooth. There was no problem throughout my pregnancy. I didn't experience any morning sickness at all. Unfortunately, I  was wrong by ignoring the early signs of Preterm Labor. So I decided to write this post for those of you who are pregnant, for those that may experience the same preterm labor scare, and also for myself, to remember this time in my life.

For the past 2 days I've been experiencing a lot of tightening in my stomach, which was really my uterus if you want to get technical. I didn't mind it and thought that was just normal Braxton Hicks. Whenever I stand, I also felt some pressure in my pelvic area. That was still tolerable so I didn't mind to contact inform my OB.

January 10,2017: I woke up out of my sleep at about 1:30 a.m., because my stomach was hurting so bad with a lot of pressure in my pelvic area. It felt like I had to have a bowel movement or I was extremely constipated. I thought it was just flatulence, so I tried to change my sleeping position and still had no relief from the feeling. So when I went to the comfort room to pee, I found out I was spotting blood on the bowl. I know this TMI, but this is the only way I can share and describe my experience. I yelled and woke up my husband to let him see what was happening. He tried to calm me by hugging and stroking my back. But it was no use, my stomach is still contracting. As I was sitting and trying to comprehend everything, I suddenly felt that my knees are shivering. Later on, my whole body was shivering uncontrollably. "Am I giving birth now?" "She's too small it's just 31 weeks." or "will she survive if I give birth now", those were the things going thru my mind at that moment. I tried to keep calm as much as possible, got dressed and then we rushed to the ER.

At the emergency room, the nurses and doctor on-duty checked my vital signs and also my baby's heartbeat. They also asked me few questions about my symptoms. It was a relief to hear that her heart is still beating normally. If I remember it right, that was 145 beats per minute. I'm still shivering, my stomach contracts every 5 minutes and my heart is pounding. They gave me 2 tablets to be taken orally to stop the contractions and was hooked up to an IV drip. They called up my Ob and she decided to confine me to monitor my baby's vital signs.

After a few minutes, the medicine kicked in. Finally, the contraction slowed, I was delivered to a private room to rest. Contractions are much farther from the last one, around 20 minute interval. While, my baby's heartbeat is monitored every 1 hour. As I lay in bed, that was the time when everything sunk into me. I started crying and worrying about my baby. Will she be alright? I was praying and hoping that I will not give birth that night.

January 11, 2017: By morning, my OB requested for a pelvic ultrasound and some additional medication to inject thru the IV drip. She also gave me steroid shots for my little girl's lungs. The spotting is still there. I was not allowed to stand for long or even walk to the bathroom. I am only allowed to pee in a commode near my bed. Though the contractions are less painful, lasts for 10 minutes and occurs 4-5 times that day. At least there's an improvement. Heartbeat monitoring is still round the clock. My little girl's heart beat is also improving, from 145 to 150+ beats per minute. 

The ultrasound results are fine. Baby's is safe and she is still active. There's no hemorrhage or any problem at all. Except for a cord coil that the sonologist found out. According to my OB, that was nothing to be scared of. She has experience in delivering babies with cord coil. I am very thankful that my doctor is comforting and caring. By night, the contractions were gone and the spotting stopped. Ob said that if in the next morning, the pain and spotting will not come back I can be discharged.

January 12, 2017: There were no contractions overnight. I am feeling well and eager to go home. I am so relieved that my labor did not progress. By lunch, I was finally released from the hospital I was placed on bed rest until I reach 36 weeks (few days before Valentines Day), and now I must go to the Doctor every two weeks for heartbeat monitoring and prenatal until I deliver. I have a sneaking suspicion that we will be having a baby Valentines Days baby. We shall see!

So, for the next few weeks, I will be resting as much as possible to keep our little girl baking for as long as possible. No more going to events and lakwatsa for me. It looks like lots of movies, TV shows, blogging, surfing Pinterest and working on blog posts are in my future. Though, it was difficult, I had to have someone with me at all times and I wasn't able to do anything more than get up to go the bathroom. I had a 6 year old son to take care of! Luckily, I have a great support system and had my family coming to help take care of my son while I was down. I am also thankful for my Husband's patience in taking care of the house while I am not allowed to do any household chores.

As always, I would love to answer your questions. If you're going thru the same situation, share your stories below!