Heaven Caeli

Just as the birds are hardwired to build nests to protect their hatchling, we humans are primed to create a safe environment for our new offspring.

I’ve been talking about my OCD from my previous blog posts.  This did not leave me alone as well during my pregnancy despite the back pain and body aches I was feeling.  I had learned about “nesting.”  Nesting tends to set in at the third trimester when all of the other important things are done such as the baby shower, hospital tours and baby stuffs shopping.  It comes in naturally for most pregnant women.  A mother has a strong impulse to clean, declutter, re-organize and prepare our home for the baby’s impending arrival.  I made myself a checklist on my daily planner on which area to clean during my off days with deadlines and it is exceptionally overwhelming.  Those days I realized how irrational am I and in some cases alarming.  I just couldn’t stop myself from cleaning even in the wee hours of the night and even when I felt like a sharp point was stabbing my back from pain.  I just wonder how my husband thought about this.  Good thing he never stopped me because I literally can’t stop myself either.

As funny as it seems but nesting is preparing every nook and cranny of your house to meet a tiny little stranger, who quite frankly doesn’t care whether or not the drawers are organized or the floor is shiny.

As different as each pregnancy may be with other women, there are certain things that all moms-to-be can relate to, no matter how smooth or difficult your pregnancy is.  There’s something about hearing that another woman is feeling the same way you do that creates a sense of camaraderie and the feeling that you’re not as crazy as you thought.

Hitting third trimester was the hardest especially during the last few weeks.  I just couldn’t wait for Teeny to come out and waiting for the D-day was like waiting in vain UNTIL on mid March  when the Doctor told me that I would be induced.  I was not prepared for that; I did not even research about induction of labor (it never occurred in my mind).  I was wondering what was going on when I was even able to manage my sugar.  Doctor also informed me that I might be having a difficulty during delivery as I have a big baby.  I told her my first-born was 3.7kgs when he was born 12years ago and it was a normal vaginal delivery.

30^th March was Good Friday for us Roman Catholic, At 7PM Dubai time Riggi and I were able to go for the Station of the Cross in St. Francis of Assisi Church and thankfully one of the priest had blessed me and the baby in my tummy.  Spiritually, I was totally prepared.  I prayed hard for this. 

As many of you may already know, I already delivered my baby last 31^st of March.  I was weighing myself whether to share this birthing story of mine and I realized that I want to encourage all women out there that birthing is not only pain and struggle as what we saw on movies.  I myself was so worried and terrified about my own labor and delivery before it actually even happened.  All women have different birthing labor and delivery stories, that’s one fact I know for sure.  Just believe in yourself, be mentally and physically prepared.  Most of all believe in the power of prayers. 

I was scheduled for the induction at 10PM Dubai time (30^th of March).  It was one of the scariest day of my life as I have a very low tolerance in pain.

Induction, Labor and Delivery:

30^th March

2215h – arrived in MEDCARE Women and Children Hospital (Sheikh Zayed Road)

A hospital manned almost entirely by women.  I trusted them as it is fully equipped to deal with pregnancies across the full spectrum, from normal labor to high-risk pregnancies.  I chose the hospital because of its location close to home and it is part of my husband’s insurance network.  I had given them a 5 star review all throughout my check-ups because I had positive experiences especially with my ObGyn and the nurses.  They were friendly, knowledgeable and very reassuring.  The rooms are fantastic; they look and feel like a hotel that made me feel calm.

31^st March

0015h  - A resident OBGyn started my induction with propess pessary and augmented with Syntocinon infusion as per their protocol.  I was able to sleep for a couple of hours as well as Riggi who was beside me all the time inside the labor room. 

0430h – My contraction started but it was still manageable.  I took a shower with the help of the nurse.

0500h – I started asking for epidural but I was still doubtful as I would love to have a no medication during this delivery same as my first.

0730h – I was already screaming for help and asked Riggi and the nurse to give me epidural as soon as possible as I couldn’t take the pain any longer.  That feeling when you want to poop.  Then I heard the nurse started calling other nurses and my ObGyn.  I realized; I am about to deliver without any epidural, as there is no more time for it.  I was fully dilated.  My ObGyn arrived within a minute and was so calm and relax.  I heard them all coaching me to breathe in and push hard once I feel the contraction.  It was the most painful situation I was in as far as I could remember.  This one is more painful than my first.  

Riggi was holding me all the time and wiping my sweat from my face and he was so white with no blood on his face.  I remembered him inhaling and exhaling hard and telling me to breathe.  I remembered asking him to please shut up, as he doesn’t understand how painful it was.  Yes, I was screaming for him to shut up.

0829h – my beautiful 3.375kgs baby was born after 4 hours of labor and with only less than 8 pushes.  I saw her in front of me with the umbilical cord and then they kept her on top of me and took her again.  I remembered Riggi kissing me and whispering words of “I LOVE YOU.”  I remembered seeing my baby from a distance, the nurses were checking her and Riggi was there too, taking photos and saying so many things but I couldn’t hear anything.  Now I do realize why it is called labor and it is not called labor for nothing.

I was still in shock but I was wide awake, I remembered my ObGyn was doing my stitches and was talking to me to lay down still so she will not give me a crooked stitches.  Riggi was quick to ask:  Doc was it really crooked?  The Doctor laughed and told him she was just joking.

Yes, it was painful but the pain is all worth it after seeing your baby.  I am so blessed that God answered my prayers, the whole process was fast and it went so well.

One of the sweetest thing that I shared with my relationship with Riggi is that he was the best during this whole pregnancy time.  He was there beside me supporting me during my labor and delivery.  I saw his eyes speaking from his heart; it was pure.

“I saw the most beautiful woman.”  That was Riggi’s words a few days after I delivered when he was rekindling that special moment in his life when he saw my actual birthing process.  The way he spoke to me about it made me think over and over again how amazing he will be as a father.

Introducing our bundle of joy:  HEAVEN CAELI (read as Kaye-Lee).  Little did we know that Caeli comes from the Latin word ‘caelum’ which means ‘from heaven.’  While Caeli is typically chosen as a creative spelling of Kaylee which also comes from a Latin word meaning ‘from the heavens.’

Heaven Caeli – literally means “Heaven from the Heavens.”  She is our own sweet Heaven on earth and we can't thank God enough for this pure bliss.

Here is a video edited by my Husband, I hope you guys will enjoy it. 

This is our story from Riggi Neis on Vimeo.

Love,

M xo

Disclaimer:

This is a personal blog.  The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer.

In addition, my opinions may change from time to time.  I consider this an open-minded consequence of my thoughts and personal views.  This blog is intended to provide a semi-permanent point at the time being and as such any thoughts and opinions expressed may vary in the near future.