My Pregnancy and Birthing Story: Ma. Suzette Afable Timbreza

Hi guys! Recently I read the birthing story of Cristine Reyes at Smart Parenting. This gave me an idea to share my story to you guys. 

Back in December 18, 2013, I got married to my boyfriend of 6 years and 10 months. It was a an almost secret wedding. We become secretive of it because we want it to be intimate and also our budget is not too big to accommodate everyone we know. That special day I also have my period.

Since our wedding is low key and its a surprise to everyone. I heard that some people think I was pregnant back then. Inside I am really laughing because like what I've said I have my period on my wedding day.

A lot of people always ask me if when will I have a baby. I always say I hope 5 years from now. Its because we really want to be prepared when that day comes. I do not want to be empty handed during the time that my little bundle of joy is already around.

January 2015 I was a bit puzzled why my period is again delayed. I took a home pregnancy test twice and its always negative. Then I become busy and my sister's debut came and I had a lot of commitments so the idea that I might be pregnant was taken out of the picture for a while.

February came. In that picture I was the host of my sister's debut. The next day after the party I told my Mom that I my period is delayed for a month. So she accompanied me to the nearest hospital for a checkup. I told the doctor that I already took a pregnancy test twice and its negative. So she advised me to take another test. The result is still negative. She then advised to undergo a TransVaginal Ultrasound for further test. The result showed that I have PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. There are small cysts that are growing inside my ovary that leads to hormonal imbalance. Also the doctor told me that my right ovary is the only one functioning and producing egg cells. This may lead for me not to have kids. I was shuttered by that. Of course I want to have kids. I always find myself crying when I am alone. I always pray that God will still bless me to be a mother.

I also asked for a second opinion. I went to another hospital here at Las Piñas. The same result. I was put into medication to help me go back to my regular cycle. In case it may also help me get pregnant.

Then I become busy again with work, friends and family. 

Jarvey is sick with measles this time. I am about 2 weeks pregnant. I have no idea.

Then the week before Valentine's day came. February 10, 2014. I felt my breast and stomach is always painful but I ignored it thinking it is only the effect of the medicine I am taking that time. 

Bid adieu for now to my bff Sheng. I am even teasing her to have a baby soon.

Lunch out with my colleagues.

Then February 14 came. My breast and stomach pains are worse that day but I still went to work. 

Snacking on ice cream that day.

My husband and I were planning to have a date that night but I told him to just cancel and just fetch me at SM Mall of Asia and go home. February 15 and 16 I was not feeling well those days. I do not want to move. I am really in pain. 

February 17, Monday. I woke up feeling tired and in pain. I move so slow that I asked Jarvey to just go ahead. I was able to get myself ready but I cannot bear the pain. I took a leave that day to rest. 

February 18, it was supposed to be our 7 years celebration but we chose to go to the hospital. When I sat there I told the doctor that my breast are in pain then she quickly said that I am pregnant. That was her sign when she was pregnant but to make sure she gave me a pregnancy test again. I took the test at their comfort room. In seconds I saw the first line showing up then there comes the second one. This means I am pregnant. I showed it to the Doctor and she confirmed it. Jarvey looked very excited that time. Me? I am just surprised. I do not know what to feel because I am really in pain that time. So the doctor said I should undergo TransVaginal Ultrasound again. 

The results showed that I am pregnant with one baby. However, there is an internal bleeding and its fatal. I am about to lose my baby. I felt scared. The doctor advised me to be on bed rest immediately. 

It was a difficult pregnancy. We were hiding it first to our family because we do not want them to think too much with my condition. I was too weak to walk, move, even to eat. I always throw up. I can feel that my stomach is always empty. There are times that I felt I was going to faint. 

After 2 weeks I went back to my doctor. She said that the bleeding is already gone. However I am still not allowed to go out without a companion or move a lot. I should be careful because my pregnancy looks very sensitive.

So happy that after tow weeks of staying at home I am going out again but just to go to the hospital.

We were still secretive about the pregnancy. We finally told our family around my 8 weeks pregnancy. Everyone was so excited and happy for us. We broke the news to everyone by posting this photo in the internet with the caption "Cradling my baby"

Until May 2014 I was on leave. I was not allowed to travel alone. I should always be accompanied.

June 2014 I went back to work.

At first, everything was smooth. But then I become tired of everyday travel. My commute is tricycle, bus, jeep, mrt then van. Its just on the way to office. Going home jeep, mrt, van then tricycle. Everyday was a battle for me. At night my legs are so painful and I always have leg cramps. I am scared that something might happen to me. Then I am getting sick. It was really difficult. It was also stressful because there are people who thought that my condition is a false story. They do not know how scary it is to bring a life in your womb not knowing what is happening inside. Sometimes I cry to sleep.

July 2014 I had my first Congenital Anomaly Scan. This is another type of ultrasound. However with this one you will see if all the baby's body parts and internal organs are in good condition.

such a cutie....

My baby is all fine. Nothing to worry about her except that I have a partial placenta previa. So the placenta is right a bit next to my cervix followed by my baby. This is not a good position because my baby might accidentally kick it and I might bleed which may cause to early labor and delivery. I cannot also stand the daily pain in my legs. One time, I got stuck in a jeepney on my way home due to heavy traffic and heavy rain. I was hungry, thirsty, cold and very tired. I already ate my biscuits and drank all my water. Then I felt that I need to pee. I really want to cry. 

So I asked for my Manager's approval to take an early medical leave. I can no longer bare that long hours of travel. I travel back and forth for 3 hours. 

I rest mostly during my early leave. When I had a second Congenital Anomaly Scan. The placenta was already in a right position. I was very positive that I am going to give birth normally.

September 27, I had a baby shower at home. 

We announced in the baby shower that our baby's name is "Julianna Sera". I heard Julianna before in Richard and Lucy Gomez's baby. Then there was this movie "Flipped". Hubby and I love the character of the protagonist named "Juli" then we found out that her name is "Julianna". Then "Sera"  means "heavenly winged angel".

The next day we had a Do-It-Yourself photo shoot. It was so fun.

October came! We are so excited and we are really happy. However things changed due to a tragic accident. We lost a love one. My husband and I decided to change Julianna Sera to Julianna Sherrie. This is to give love and in memory of our sister Cherrie Dianne.

October 4, the doctor said I am already in 3 cm. So we expect the baby will come sooner. However, there is no big improvements until week 3 of October I am still in 3 cm.So the doctor decided to give me medicines that will induce labor and ripening of the cervix. She also advised me to undergo an X-ray that will check if the size of my cervix can accommodate the size of baby's head. 

October 19, Sunday, I noticed that my underwear is always wet. There is fluid coming out of my vagina that comes in a water form. I brushed it off because I thought its just pee. 

October 20, Monday, I undergo the X-ray prescribed by my doctor.

October 21, Tuesday, My husband and I went back to the hospital to get the result however due to unexpected events we were not able to get the result. As we were about to leave the hospital premise, we bumped into my husband's cousin who is also a doctor. I told her about the water coming out of my vagina and she told me that it could be a leak from my water bag. She told us to quickly go see my doctor. It is a sign that I am about to give birth.

Since I do not feel any pain, I told my husband if we can eat first then walk home instead of riding a jeepney so I can exercise also. At home, I took a bath first then changed clothes before heading to the hospital. At the hospital, the resident nurse and doctors checked me. By that time I was already in 5cm. I was no longer allowed to go home. Its around 8 t0 9 pm that time. I was given a lot of vaccines to induce labor. The head nurse told me that I will give birth at around 12:30AM.

I was in the delivery room with the other Mother to be. We are 4 patients in there. There is this one in another small room. She gave birth in normal delivery. Then another patent who keeps on walking, she gave birth on normal delivery. Then just a table away from me. A woman who is in such pain, she also gave birth in normal delivery.

Me? I do not feel any pain. From time to time the head nurse will check on me and I am still in 5cm. Then after the last patient gave birth. They checked on me again. The resident doctor asked the head nurse to check on me. While checking me she said that she can feel something. Then I felt like she pinch something inside and a big flow of water run down. Then the pain started.

It was unbearable. I am losing breath everytime I try to speak. My tears began falling. The head nurse said that my baby already pooped inside. They hope my baby did not digest it. I was still doing my best to be strong. Then my doctor came but I am already running out of breath and my baby's heartbeat is already at low. 

I can hear my doctor talking to my husband. Then I felt I was moved to another table and it was moving. Then I see big lights and there are doctors talking to me until I lost consciousness. Before I close my eyes I knew I will give birth via Caesarian Section. When I wake up I saw my baby already beside me. At 1:19 AM, October 22, 2014, Wednesday, Julianna Sherrie Afable Timbreza came. The nurse told me to kiss my baby. Here is our first kiss.

First photo with Daddy

We are a family now

Pregnancy is a journey. It's not a one way road. There will be bumps along it and of course mostly happy and filled with exciting memories. Birthing is not just about the pain and long hours of labor and waiting. It is the beginning of the countless happiness that will come to your life. 

Thank you for reading my story.