CC: Labor, Delivery and Bring Home Baby

When I gave birth to Chloe Nina Marie by c- section last June 27,2009 , it took me about 32 hours before I see her. It is because I need to have full rest due to the incision.  Aside from being cut horizontally below the navel and just above the mount pubis, other reason that the duration of meeting the mother and child took that long was the fact that  she was being observed due to feeding problem.  She vomited the formulated milk which was given to her. When I knew this, I am really eager to see her if she is ok. I wanted to nurse her.

It was Sunday evening of June 29 when the nurse told me to go to nursery room to breastfeed the baby. Me and my husband did not waste time upon hearing the news that we were allowed to see her. I still felt a little of dizziness. But I need to stand and walk to the room. The feeling of being a mother was really evident at that very moment.  My husband requested a wheelchair so I could use it.  When we reached at room 314,  my heart really beats so fast, the eagerness to she her face on how she looks like, whether she’s complete and healthy. When I enter the room, I noticed that she was the only baby left in that room. All the babies were sent to their respected mother. The nurse told me to wash the hands and changed. I wore a duster with an overlap opening in front of the chest so this would be easy to breastfeed; head cap and mask. She gave me piece of wet cotton and instructed me to clean the areola. When I am done, she took my baby from hospital crib. The baby cried. It my second time that I have seen her face. (The first was when she came out). She so cute and small. I am afraid to hold her. The nurse assured me just to hold her. The time I cuddle her in my arms, mother instinct prevails. The nurse helped me in breastfeeding. I don’t know how to let her latch on. She kept on touching the face of my baby to motive her to latch my small nipple. Still baby Chloe cried a loud. I kept on saying that I am her mother. I am here. I really looked her straight to her eyes. I can’ t help it, I wanted to cry. I felt that I am really a complete woman. I wanted her to latch on so she could drink my milk. But still she kept on crying. I imagine, how many hours that she hasn’t feed. I talked to her slowly. I let her understand why she needs to be feed in my breast. I let her understand that if we let her relay on formulated milk, we can’t afford to buy it. After that talk, she latched on. Since it was my first time to breastfeed, I felt the pain. However, I need to give priority to her needs. After about 5 minutes, she cried again. She cried because I don’t have enough milk supply. I feed  her using the formulated milk. The hospital doesn’t allow to use a bottle feed. So, I just use a dropper. When she was full, the nurse told me to let her burp. This is to avoid extra gas that could upset her stomach that leads to constant crying. After burping, she was placed back to the crib. I asked the nurse if  the baby was allowed to room in. She replied that she has to wait for the signal of the doctor. After this conversation, me and my husband together with my co teacher went back to the room. As we were about to reached the room,  I tried to walk without using the wheelchair so I could be strong and ready to take care my baby. Two hours after I went to the nursery room, the nurse told us to go back to the nursery room for the baby was now ready to roomed in.  Excitement and nervousness were being felt at that time. Excited for, I could cuddle  and nurse the baby; nervous for we are first time parents. We didn’t know what to do. So, we called my mother to help us in taking care the baby. When we went back to the nursery room, the nurse told me that the baby will be roomed in for she was the only one left, then the room will be used by other patient. I found it out that room was not really the nursery room, it was just a temporary room. Two things that came up in my mind, the reason that they allowed my daughter to be transferred in my room was she left alone. Consumption of electricity and nurse’s duty were the factors that may lead to an increase of hospital’s expenditures? or they just wanted the parents  to took care and face their responsibilities. Nevertheless, I was happy that finally I got my baby.

I could never forget that night June 28 , 201o, that was my first encounter with my baby Chloe. The night that was  full of hopes, joy, and happiness felt by a first time parents.

After 5 days July 1, I finally brought her in our home. We were so happy to have her.

Chloe's 5 days old

Chloe's 5 days old

At this photo, she’s 9 Months and 3 weeks old.