Misis Blog – For Moms and Dads: PREGNANCY

Never Lose Your CHECKLIST BEFORE BABY IS BORN Again

Having a baby is an exciting and life-changing event, but it can also be overwhelming as there are so many things to think about and prepare for. One thing that can help you stay organized and on track is to create a checklist of everything you need to do before the baby arrives. This can include everything from setting up the nursery to packing a hospital bag and preparing for the financial aspects of having a baby. By following this checklist, you can ensure that you are as prepared as possible for your new arrival and avoid the stress of last-minute scrambling.

Here is a comprehensive checklist to help you stay organized and prepared for your new baby:

1.Set up the nursery: This includes everything from setting up the crib and changing table to putting up curtains and decorations. Make sure you have all the necessary furniture and baby gear, such as a stroller, car seat, and diaper pail.

2.Stock up on essentials: You will need a lot of diapers, wipes, and other baby essentials, so start stocking up now. You may also want to consider purchasing some larger items, such as a breast pump or high chair, in advance.

3.Prepare for the financial aspects of having a baby: This includes budgeting for additional expenses and considering any potential changes to your income. You may also want to start a college savings plan or update your will.

4.Pack a hospital bag: Make sure you have everything you need for your stay at the hospital, including clothes, toiletries, and any medications you may be taking. Don't forget to pack a going-home outfit for the baby and a car seat for the ride home.

5.Plan for postpartum care: Make sure you have a plan in place for how you will manage the first few weeks after the baby is born. This may include arranging for help with childcare, meals, and household tasks.

6.Take care of yourself: Remember to prioritize your own health and well-being during this time. Make sure you are getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, and staying hydrated.

By following this checklist, you can ensure that you are as prepared as possible for the arrival of your new baby. Don't be afraid to ask for help or delegate tasks to others if you need to. The most important thing is to take care of yourself and your new family.

January 11, 2023 No comments

May—A very special month for our little family, as it marks the birth of our precious daughter. To celebrate her first birthday, I'm sharing our birth story.

It's truly a wonderful memory to reminisce, one that I never wish to forget. So here it goes:

Baby Is Coming

It was a sleepy afternoon at the office on May 10. I was working on some last-minute edits on my writing project, trying hard to concentrate while the contractions came and go.

The contractions had been kicking in since early that morning, at 15- to 30-minute intervals, until it got closer and much more pronounced as the sun started to set.

I already informed my manager that I might not be able to come in the next day.

I was not due until May 26, but the past days, I have an inkling that my baby might come sooner than expected.

As my shift ended later that day, I've already texted my husband, my OB, and the rest of my family that D-day is near: our little girl is coming.

Despite the 10-minute contractions, I still had time to eat dinner, go back to the office to get my slippers, walk around IT Park, and wait for my husband outside my office while he took a dump (I know).

Admitted

By 8:00 PM, Jerome and I arrived at the Perpetual Succour Hospital with my hospital bag in tow.

My then-pregnant sister and her husband were already there, busily prepping me on what to do next.

It was my first baby, so I didn't have a clue on where to go and what to do next.

As the nurse helped me to lie down on the gurney, I asked him if I could just walk to the Delivery Room instead. The nurse, bemused, told me I couldn't for safety reasons.

As we approached the door to the Delivery Room, I took off my jewelry and wedding ring as I hurriedly kissed and hugged Jerome.

He was visibly tense and nervous. I was too, and I wished he could go inside the DR with me, but sadly he couldn't (hospital protocol).

I was still 2 cm dilated, but the baby's head was already engaged.

The resident doctor gave me the option to go home for the night and wait it out, or have myself admitted to the hospital for monitoring.

I went for the latter option; I had a strong intuition that my labor will progress between the wee hours in the morning, and we lived a considerable distance from the hospital.

Labor Room

At around 11:00 PM, I started getting bored and hungry.

I was the only patient in the Labor Room and was strapped to the non-stress test machine all night, which meant I couldn't walk around freely.

I wasn't allowed to bring any personal items, even my phone, but I took the risk and asked the doctor if I could read a book.

Surprisingly, she said yes. I asked her to get my book from my husband, and for a few snacks and some water too.

By around 1:00 to 2:00 AM, my contractions became more regular and more painful. With every strong contraction that came, Romans 8:18 was on loop in my head:

The pain that you've been feeling can't compare to the joy that's coming.

I read my borrowed copy of Lisa, Bright and Dark while the resident doctors slept, all the while wondering what Jerome and my sisters were doing outside while waiting for me.

I munched on the cookies and brownies that Jerome gave me. It was a long, long night, and all I could do was wait, read, and eat.

Occasionally, I unstrapped myself from the non-stress test machine on my own so that I could go to the comfort room to relieve myself.

And then I strapped myself back again, confident that I did it correctly because I watched the doctor closely earlier that evening.

Come morning, I was half-expecting I was already in active labor, but to everyone's dismay, I was still 3 cm dilated.

I worried that I might be put under the knife, considering how slow my labor was progressing.

More patients started coming in at 8:00 AM. By 11:00 AM, there were already four of us in the labor room, and doctors from the Cebu Institute of Medicine relieved the night doctors.

It was also by then that my OB decided to artificially induce my labor with oxytocin.

Induced

By noon on May 11, an hour after the induction, all hell broke loose. I was in terrible pain.

I could't bring myself to eat, my book and cookies forgotten at the bedside table.

I couldn't think straight. I begged for the doctor beside me to lower the dose or to get me an epidural.

I never knew induction could be this painful.

"Ma'am, naa pa'y mas-sakit ana. Three cm pa ka (Ma'am, the pain will be worse than that. You're still at three cm)," the doctor said, attempting to soothe me.

Yeah right, I thought sarcastically.

I was positive I was more than 3 cm dilated at that point, but I was too much in pain to retaliate.

I was mostly ignored after that, and they transferred the non-stress test machine to the new patient beside me, so my contractions weren't monitored anymore.

I cried silently as the contractions became stronger and more frequent. It seemed that I only had a few minutes' respite before the contractions came again, more painful than the one before.

I couldn't resist the urge to push; it was like my body unconsciously telling me what to do.

Finally

By 2:00 PM, a resident doctor finally checked on me. As her gloved fingers hovered near my opening, about to perform an internal examination, my water broke in a large gush.

Just like that.

It was a blur of harried activity after that:

The resident doctor supporting my opening as my baby's head crowned.

The other doctors frantically calling my OB, who was thankfully only a few minutes away from the Delivery Room

The nurses and hospital staff preparing the DR.

The orderly ushering me to sit on a wheelchair to be transferred to the DR.

The nurse supporting me as I mounted myself on the delivery bed.

My OB running, her heels loud on the tiled floor.

"Okay, Kris," my OB said. "Hold the rails beside you, pull your body up, and look at me. Push!"

I did as I was told, took a deep breath, and pushed.

In a split second, I heard my baby cry. A cry so loud and determined, I couldn't believe my ears that she's finally here.

At 2:15 PM on May 11, Juliana Kate was born.

All the pain, fear, and anxiety I felt during pregnancy and labor vanished the very second I heard her strong cry—her first breath.

After she was cleaned up, she was brought to me by the midwife.

The first thing I said was her nickname that we fondly started calling her even before she was born: Kitkit.

The moment I said her name, her tiny eyes fluttered and stared back at me.

She had a curious expression on her face, and when our eyes met for the first time, my heart melted.

They say motherhood is a calling. I never knew what I wanted more in my life until that very day, the day I had Kitkit.

It was then that I knew that being her mother and being Jerome's wife was what I was made to do.

And there's no greater joy than that.

May 16, 2018 No comments

Everyone seems to talk about postpartum depression (PPD). There are myriads of reference articles, research, and support groups available for PPD.

However, prenatal depression seems to be swept under the rug.

Prenatal depression, antenatal depression, or simply depression during pregnancy is a real thing.

Often, people discount the feeling as something "normal" and "expected" during pregnancy, what with all the hormones and bodily changes a woman goes through.

But the truth is, being depressed during pregnancy is not normal nor expected, just like how being clinically depressed isn't normal for non-pregnant people.

Here are some useful information on what you need to know regarding prenatal depression.

I've also included some practical tips on how to cope with depression during pregnancy—coming from someone who also struggled with prenatal depression.

What is prenatal depression?

Prenatal depression, or antenatal depression, is a form of clinical depression that occurs during pregnancy.

Like clinical depression, it's a mood disorder caused by a number of reasons, mostly attributed to a hormonal imbalance.

Causes of prenatal depression

The cause of prenatal depression is, unfortunately, poorly understood.

But studies have shown that certain risk factors may trigger depression during pregnancy:

genetics
personal history of depression
pregnancy complications
previous pregnancy loss
being in an abusive relationship
going through stressful life events like divorce, death in the family, and more

Symptoms of prenatal depression

Chances are, you're having prenatal depression if you experience the following for more than 2 weeks:

being extremely sad
constantly distracted
sleeping or eating too little or too much
being very anxious
mulling over suicide
feeling generally low

Prevalence

According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), prenatal depression affects 14% to 23% of women.

Depression during pregnancy is, in fact, not rare. But many pregnant women feel that they are alone, partly because no one seems to have the courage to talk about it.

How do you cope with depression during pregnancy?

1. Open up about your depression to someone you trust

It's sometimes really hard to open up about something that's laden with stigma, but it's one of the first steps to recovery.

Talk to someone you trust—it may be your husband, your parents or siblings, your best friend, or your pastor—the important thing is that you're comfortable talking with that person.

Tell them about your thoughts, no matter how incoherent it may sound.

The one you're talking to may not fully understand what you're going through, but just having someone to listen to you makes all the difference.

Bonus Tip: If you're not comfortable talking to someone you know, you can talk anonymously to a trained volunteer through Samaritans, a community of volunteers based in the UK who aims to help those struggling with mental health issues.

If you're living overseas like me, you can opt to email them through jo@samaritans.org.

2. Read or sing to your baby

While there aren't enough studies to prove that depression during pregnancy affects your unborn baby, it may negatively affect your capability to care for yourself, which in turn could affect your baby.

Depression could also potentially lead you to feel unattached to your baby.

To help you bond with your little one, and also to help you unwind, try reading or singing to your baby.

Read aloud children's stories and fairytales; your soothing voice can aid in your baby's vocabulary development. It also helps you keep your mind off negative thoughts.

Listen to classical music and let your baby hear it too. Studies have shown that classical music can positively impact your unborn baby's brain development.

3. Walk around your neighborhood

Exercise is one of the best and non-pharmaceutical ways to ease the symptoms of depression.

Any form of physical activity like walking around your neighborhood prompts your body to release feel-good hormones called endorphins, which can help you improve your sense of well-being.

Exercising during pregnancy also helps you maintain a healthy amount of weight gain, as well as helping you prep up for labor when the right time comes.

Bonus Tip: Walking around may not be an option for you if you're on bed rest or having a complicated pregnancy.

You can try brain-stimulating exercises instead, such as solving crossword puzzles and Sudoku.

4. Pamper yourself

Self-care is often overlooked when looking for treatment for depression.

Being able to pamper yourself by going out for a haircut, having your nails done, or simply getting a good warm shower can help you feel good, even for just a little while.

Bonus Tip: You can also ask your husband or your family to do things for you when you're feeling down in the dumps.

Ask for a back rub, breakfast in bed, or a trip to the mall to help you recharge and have a change in scenery.

5. Seek help from a professional

This sounds pretty cliché, and most websites will tell you the same thing.

But if you feel like you're becoming a threat to yourself, such as having recurrent suicidal thoughts and having bouts of rage, it may be the best option to seek help from a professional.

Try going to your nearest hospital and look for a psychiatrist.

Don't worry about the potential effects of anti-depressants while your pregnant; some brands are considered safe to use during pregnancy.

You may also be able to work out a treatment plan with your psychiatrist without needing medications.

___

Battling depression during pregnancy is no easy feat. I managed to cope with mine without having to seek help from a psychiatrist.

Untreated depression during pregnancy could increase your likelihood of having postpartum depression, so it's important for the issue to be addressed early on.

If you feel that you have depression—pregnant or not—please feel free to contact Samaritans.

They were a really big help when I was pregnant and even after pregnancy when I had the baby blues.

Or you can always contact me. You can do it, Momma! :-)

March 13, 2018 No comments

Giving birth is probably the scariest thing a woman could ever face in her whole life. The pain of giving birth is insurmountable and something you should be prepared for.

Of course, no amount of detailed planning could ever prepare you for the joys and pains of motherhood, but there's nothing wrong if you try.

To help you prepare for birth, here's a checklist of important things to ask your OB before baby arrives.

I've also included a free and downloadable printable that you can bring during your prenatal visits :-)

Important note: This is focused on a Philippine setting.

DOWNLOAD FREE PDF PRINTABLE HERE:

Things to Ask Your OB Before Baby Arrives

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Health Insurance

Is doctor accredited with your health care insurance?

If you have a personal health care insurance other than the government-mandated PhilHealth, it's important to ask if your doctor is accredited.
This could help you save tons of money, and could help you decide whether you want to switch to a doctor who's accredited (though this should be something you need to carefully consider especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy).

What hospitals is doctor accredited?

If the doctor is indeed accredited with your insurance, you need to know which hospitals she's accredited to practice.
Health insurance has two levels of accreditation: one for the doctor and one for the healthcare facility.

How much is her professional fee? And how much does your insurance cover?

Depending on your health care plan, the coverage of doctors' fees vary. Typically, the lower the plan, the lower the coverage of the PF, and you would need to shoulder the rest of the fee.

___

Birth Preference

Are you a candidate for normal delivery? For cesarean delivery?

The type of delivery obviously affects how much it costs to give birth. Ask your options whether you're safe to give birth normally, or if your condition (and the baby's positioning) calls for cesarean delivery.

If for normal delivery, can husband go inside the delivery room?

Most hospitals in the Philippines do not allow husbands to go inside the delivery room, but it's still worth a shot to ask.
Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu, in particular, gives a nod to allowing husbands in the delivery room, given that they have attended a birthing class.

If for cesarean delivery, when is your schedule?

If your condition calls for an elective cesarean delivery, be sure to ask when your schedule is.
This helps you determine the start of your maternity leave, and a better way for you to prepare for birth.

Do you need to be scheduled for an induced normal delivery?

Some factors come into play when a doctor advises for an induced normal delivery.
It could be that the doctor has a scheduled out-of-the-country trip during the week of your delivery, among many other things.

Should you have epidural anesthesia (painless delivery) during labor?

Epidural anesthesia is optional, so this is mainly a personal decision.
Most health insurance companies do not cover this, so be sure to ask your doctor how much an epidural will cost if you ever do decide to have one.

When should you start your maternity leave?

Depending on how far along you are, the condition of your baby, your dilation and effacement, your doctor can give you a rough estimate on when you're most likely to give birth.
Discuss your options whether you need to start your maternity leave a few days before you give birth, or if you can wait it out until true labor ensues.

Which hospital should you give birth?

Factors like the health insurance accreditation of your doctor and the distance from your home or office are important to consider when deciding where to give birth.
In the end, it's still your personal choice, but your doctor could still give you advice.

___

Pediatrician/Anesthesiologist

Does your doctor have a pediatrician she can recommend?

While the choice of the pediatrician for your newborn baby highly depends on you, if you're a first-time mom, you can ask your doctor if she has a pediatrician she can recommend.
Other things to consider is whether the pediatrician is also accredited with your health care insurance.
Be sure also to ring your pediatrician weeks before giving birth and ask if the pedia doesn't have out-of-the-country trips within the timeframe of your due date.

If needed, does your doctor have an anesthesiologist she can recommend?

If you're a candidate for cesarean delivery, or if you opt for epidural anesthesia, you would need an anesthesiologist.
You can choose your own anesthesiologist, or you can ask your doctor if she could recommend one.
There is only a handful of anesthesiologists who are accredited with health care insurance companies, so be sure to research on that too.

___

There are so many things to prepare for when you're pregnant, but don't let anxiety dampen your spirits.

Motherhood is such a beautiful thing. Enjoy the journey :-)

October 19, 2017 No comments

Caring for your baby begins even before she is born. This is why it's important to have regular prenatal visits with your OB-GYN.

The moment you suspect you're pregnant, it's best to have yourself checked by a doctor. The earlier you could have your prenatal checkup, the better.

If you're an anxious mom like me, it's helpful to know the frequency of prenatal visits and what to expect during each checkup.

It's also a good way to know how much you would be paying each prenatal visit (if you don't have a health insurance).

Here's a simple guide on the frequency of prenatal visits for a normal pregnancy, what to tests and procedures are done, and how much you might be spending for each visit.

Important note: This is focused on a Philippine setting.

First Trimester Pre-Natal Visits

1 to 2 months (4 to 8 weeks)

Checkup once a month

Average cost: 300 to 350php/visit

Transvaginal ultrasound for confirmation of fetal heartbeat at 8 weeks

Average cost: 800 to 1,300php

Routine laboratories: urinalysis, complete blood count, random blood sugar, hepatitis-B, HIV

Average cost: 1,000 to 1,5000php total

3 months (12 weeks)

Checkup once a month

Average cost: 300 to 350php/visit

Fetal heartbeat can be heard from Doppler machine in doctor's clinic
Doctor to check your weight gain, blood pressure, fundal height, and general health condition

Second Trimester Pre-Natal Visits

4 months (16 weeks)

Check up once a month

Average cost: 300 to 350php/visit

Routine checkup: fetal heartbeat, weight gain, blood pressure, fundal height, and general health condition

5 months (20 weeks)

Check up once a month

Average cost: 300 to 350php/visit

Earliest time to detect gender

Average cost: 800 to 1,300php

Routine checkup: fetal heartbeat, weight gain, blood pressure, fundal height, and general health condition
Administration of tetanus vaccine at week 20

Average cost: 100 to 150php
Tip: You can get free tetanus shots at your local health center!

6 months (24 weeks)

Check up once a month

Average cost: 300 to 350php/visit

Routine checkup: fetal heartbeat, weight gain, blood pressure, fundal height, and general health condition

Third Trimester Pre-Natal Visits

7 months (28 weeks)

Check up twice a month (every 2 weeks)

Average cost: 300 to 350php/visit

Ideal time to have 3D/4D gender ultrasound

Related read: Affordable 3D Ultrasound at All About Women, SM Cebu

Routine checkup: fetal heartbeat, weight gain, blood pressure, fundal height, and general health condition
Additional laboratory: glucose challenge test

Average cost: 300 to 500php

8 months (32 weeks)

Check up twice a month (every 2 weeks)

Average cost: 300 to 350php/visit

Routine checkup: fetal heartbeat, weight gain, blood pressure, fundal height, and general health condition

9 months (36 weeks onwards)

Check up every week until baby is born

Average cost: 300 to 350php/visit

Routine checkup: fetal heartbeat, weight gain, blood pressure, fundal height, and general health condition
Internal examination of cervix

It's important to note that the frequency of prenatal visits highly depends on your doctor's judgment.

If you have any health problems before or during pregnancy, or if you have a high-risk pregnancy, your doctor might require more prenatal visits than usual.

She may also order additional tests to make sure you and your baby are okay.

October 11, 2017 No comments

September 12, 2017 No comments

When your due date is looming near, it gets a little daunting, especially if you're a new mother. The nesting period can be both exciting and stressful at the same time. But don't worry; not everything has to be prepared before your baby arrives.

Here are a few tips you might find useful to ease up your nesting anxiety.

1. Know the essentials

Being a new mother means being bombarded with lots and lots of unsolicited advice. You can listen to what others say, but you can safely ignore what you don't think is applicable to you.

When nesting, stick to what the essentials are, such as the following: baby clothing, baby gear for going out, and paraphernalia for sleeping, feeding, bathing, and grooming.

2. Crowdsource for pre-loved baby items

While you would want to give the best (and brand-new) to your baby, there's nothing wrong with using pre-loved items, for as long as these are still usable and are in good, working condition.

Don't be ashamed to ask help from family and friends, especially those who recently had a baby for the past one to three years.

However, stick to clothes and other items that were never or just very slightly used. Make sure to check the safety of baby gears, like strollers and cribs.

3. Buy within your means

Most nesting moms tend to get carried away with all the baby shopping, even frugal moms like me.

It's both an overwhelming and exhilarating experience to shop in the infant's section of the mall, with you bubbling all over to get everything your baby might need.

When going baby shopping, it's a smart idea to make a list of what you need and set a budget. Always, always stick to your budget.

And bring your husband, or alternative healthcare giver, with you; other people can help you keep things in perspective.

4. Ask help with tedious activities

Before your little one arrives, you'd want your house to be squeaky clean, and doing a general house cleaning is a tough job.

Don't do this on your own; even sweeping the floor becomes difficult when you're only a few weeks shy of giving birth.

Ask help from your husband or other family members to clean the house. Don't carry heavy stuff, bend over, or climb ladders. Heaven knows what harm this will do to you and your unborn child.

Your safety is more paramount than the neatness of your house. Remember, harm yourself and you'll harm your baby.

5. Don't be too hard on yourself

The anxiety of becoming a mother can be very overwhelming (and crippling). Please know that you are enough.

What others may say about you doesn't affect your worth as a mother. Don't be too hard on yourself. Again, not everything has to be super prepared before your baby is born.

Take time to relax and enjoy the last few weeks you have with your baby still in your womb.

You only have nine months of pregnancy, but you'll have a lifetime to spend with your little bundle of joy.

September 04, 2017 No comments