The Misis Chronicles

I never thought that I can fall into a depressed state. I’m a person with a positive outlook in life and always see things on the brighter side. I always have this cheerful disposition in life that even if problems occur, I can still smile.

But after I gave birth, I suddenly felt sad, I cry even at the slightest issue and worry even if it’s only inside my mind. Am I going through post-partum blues? Maybe, aside from that, I’m still adjusting to motherhood, things are so new to me. I’m not used to being stuck inside the house doing nothing. There are times that I feel like a slave because I’m breastfeeding Gwen, and she’s on me every hour or so. I’m left with nothing to do but just lay in bed too.

What’s making my post-partum depression worse is the fact that I miss my husband terribly. Weird, I know, because we’re together 24/7, but being married for 3 years and childless at that, I miss our cuddle and bonding time together, just the two of us. But with baby around and the exhaustion I get, I feel I’m neglecting my husband and not being able to take care of his needs.

*sigh* Good thing I was able to tell Jeff how I feel and he completely understands but I still feel bad. I hope this goes away soon because I don’t think any expensive material thing like a new phone, htc sense, can elevate my mood.

I was sort of disconnected to the outside world for about a week after giving birth, well, I kinda sneaked-in a blog post as you have noticed, hehe… My mother said this is to avoid “binat”. Here are the things my mother imposed on me during that 1 week hiatus:

• Do not take a bath or even wash hands for 1 week. (I cheated on this because I have to wash my private part down there, hello?)
• Do not watch TV, read or use the computer. Grrrr….
• Don’t drink cold beverages or food.
• Have plenty soups such as tinola to increase milk supply.
• At the seventh day, I thought I can rejoice because I can finally take a bath. Only to find out, I have to use the water with boiled leaves and no soap or shampoo.
• The next day, finally, a warm shower with soap and shampoo too!
• After taking a bath, get a manghihilot for a massage. (We’re still searching for a manghihilot until now…)

There are plenty of Filipino beliefs and myths during pregnancy right? I’m even not sure if all of these are true, some Chinese friends also have Gelai to follow where a woman who just gave birth is not allowed to take a bath for ONE month.

The most difficult part of the 1 week hiatus is not being able to use the computer and go online. I can last a day without TV but with no Internet?, no way! I was very eager and excited then to look for Baptism invitations ideas for my little princess. Well, I’m glad I’m past that phase…

I gave birth at Chinese General Hospital via NSD. My OB, Dra. Mitch Borbe is affiliated with the hospital that’s why I chose it there aside from it’s the one near our place. We went to the delivery room at 1 AM in the morning and I gave birth at 9:53 AM of December 22, 2010. I thank God that I had an easy delivery, the most excruciating pain of labor lasted for only an hour before the final GO! My OB is also happy that I didn’t gave her a hard time on my delivery, after 3 or 4 pushes, baby’s out!

Our hospital bill costs Php 28, 606.55. That includes private room charge, nursery room charge, delivery room and labor room fees, PF of both OB and pediatrician and the medicines and other miscellaneous items. I was not able to use my Philhealth at that time because it’s a holiday and no one can sign the form, I’ll just reimburse it next year.

Private room charge in Chinese General Hospital is Php 1750 in the old building and Php 2000 in the new building. Jeff chose the old building because it’s near the delivery room. Rooms are clean and the comfort rooms are clean and well-maintained.

Most of the bulk of the cost in giving birth is due to the high PF of doctors but I’m lucky to have a very good OB with minimal PF. Dr. Mitch Borbe’s PF is Php 10,000, but with less Philhealth, it’s only Php 7,500. If you’re looking for a good OB, I recommend her because although she’s young, she took care of me throughout my pregnancy and had me and my baby safe and healthy. She has clinic schedule at Centralle Medical Diagnostics at 6th Avenue, Caloocan City every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. She replies through text messages whenever I have questions or I just need some quick consultations too.

Whew, I’m glad that I breezed through this pregnancy and Jeff and I were able to save up for this pregnancy that we don’t need to use any payday cash advance. I’ll just claim my SSS Maternity benefit next year to recover part of the costs.

We celebrated our first Christmas as Mommy, Daddy and baby Jessica Gwen. I gave birth last December 22, 2010 at 9:53 AM, the happiest day of my life.

baby Gwen

I just have to sneak in this post, I’m not allowed to use the computer or watch TV yet because of “pamahiin” and “binat” when giving birth.

Happy new year everyone!

How I wish I can do it, going sabbatical on sweets that is! Especially this Christmas season where almost all chocolates and mouth-watering desserts tempts me everywhere. Add to that is my soda (Coke) cravings… sigh.

I’m really trying and I just remind myself that it’s just a matter of weeks or days of sacrifice until the baby’s out. 38 weeks and I eat like there’s no tomorrow. I think I need a colon cleanser after giving birth because of my holiday binging.

OB also seems on a rush for the baby to come out earlier, aside from Eveprim, she also added Buscopan, also to ripen my cervix. I hope it works…

37 weeks and full term! It’s the waiting game that really kills us. Being first-time parents, we don’t know what to expect, when to rush to the hospital, when to panic, etc… The husband is quite on the paranoid side, I think he’ll be more frightened than me. I played episodes in my mind a dozen times on how to say to him that “I’m giving birth and please bring me to the hospital” as calm as possible.

Blame it in the movies we watched particularly Tagalog movies where the pregnant woman shouts at the top of her lungs “Manganganak na ako!!!” and then there’s a commotion not only inside the house but the also around the neighborhood. But friends who already experienced giving birth assured us that it’s not like in the movies, *exhales*, what a relief!

Meanwhile, I might be needing some plus size lingerie after I give birth…

I haven’t given birth yet but I already bought an abdominal binder at SM last week. I just bought a rubber stamp that day and since I’m done with my errand, I thought of searching for an affordable binder I can use after giving birth. I found one at Sorella, around Php 250, and bought the nude one. I got the one with velcro for easier wearing than those hooked ones.

abdominal binders

Read more…

I never really paid attention as to how important a health insurance is. I have one provided as a benefit from the company I work in, but I seldom use it unless I’m really sick and needs prescription drugs. Before I got pregnant, I used my healthcard, Medicard, maybe just once or twice a year. I find visiting a doctor/hospital as one of the least things to do.

Then came this pregnancy in which one is required to do monthly check-ups turned weekly check-ups. Not to mention the laboratory procedures such as urinalysis and ultrasound. Let’s see, my OB charges Php 400 per visit for non-health card patients and since I always use my health card, my check-up is free. That’s a whopping Php 3,600 savings for 9 months! Now, I’m really grateful for the company I work in for providing their employees a health card for its employees and dependents. I know I’ll be using it more often once the baby’s out too.

Trust me, look for an affordable health insurance and you’re gonna thank yourself for doing so. Single individuals won’t appreciate the value of this thing but once your married, pregnant or with dependents who constantly needs medical attention such as children or the elderly, it will give you peace of mind.

4 weeks to go! I hate counting by single numbers but heck, like I told my OB last week, THIS. IS. IT! The hardest part is the waiting game, I never know when and where it will pop. On my last check up, I just have to take Trihemic (iron supplement) and a new supplement called Eveprim, an evening primrose oil brand. So what does it do?

I was told that evening primrose oil helps in softening and ripening the cervix. I was advised to take 1 capsule at night. Evening primrose oil has plenty of prostaglandins that helps to prepare the body for labor. In some pregnancy forums, pregnant moms who took evening primrose oil supplements gave birth just after taking 2 or 3 capsules. Hmmm, now let’s see how long will the effect on me…

I have to smile when my OB told me that I still don’t have stretchmarks at 34 weeks. Though I already have existing stretchmarks on my legs prior to pregnancy, my tummy is still stretchmark-free, I hope they won’t appear post-pregnancy. My secret? I applied Cocoa Butter since the early stages of pregnancy to increase my skin’s elasticity. A lot of pregnant mommies suggested Palmer’s Cocoa Butter but I opted to look for other choices, I tried Vanilla & Co. Organic Cocoa Whipped Butter, made with 50% cocoa butter.

Vanilla & Co. Organic Cocoa Whipped Butter

For an in-depth review of this product, head on over at my beauty blog. Most of the products I used throughout my pregnancy are listed there such as organic soaps, shampoo, etc. Don’t expect reviews about diet pills for women though, coz I haven’t used one yet.