Mommy’s Journey
It has been over 2 months since I first met my little Erika Charlize. She now has several nicknames: Ikang, Ikay, Kikay, Ika, Cha (as one of my friends insisted on calling her), Bulinggitay, Jerika (gerry & karen combined), etc. Ika’s weight increased triple since her birth weight at 1.2kg to 3.7kg to date. How happy we all are that she’s catching up quickly. She just recuperated from a very stubborn cold that she had for more than two weeks and right now, she’s in her best state…so far.
It had been a roller coaster ride of emotions for me as a mom. When I was pregnant, I was anxious, excited, impatient and hopeful that Erika would be as normal as she could get. When we found out that something was wrong and we had to get the baby out as soon as possible, I was a nervous wreck (but not as nervous as my hubby). That was February 16, a Thursday when my doctor detected that my water level is abnormally low and that baby’s size is way smaller than her age. My due date accdg to the Ultrasound is on 2nd week of May as opposed to the original April 14 that the same machine consistently read for the previous months. I was diagnosed as having placenta previa (excuse my spelling) in which my placenta matured much faster than the baby and refused to give food and nutrients to the baby that caused my her stunted growth in my tummy. The doctor immediately injected steroids that would have my baby’s lungs ready anytime she gets out.
We went back to Sorsogon that night feeling as normal as ever. The next day was a different story. February 17 when the fetal movement became less and less evident and I had to rush to another obgyne in town to check things out. I was advised to go to legaspi City and have myself confined so that my ob could better monitor me. She then schedule C-section the next day Feb 18 at 1pm. But the baby’s condition inside was getting worse by the hour. At 10am, I was lying in the Operating Room, cold, scared to death, shaking all over and wide awake. The operating team said a very solemn prayer that made me cry…it was like at that point, I was really lifting everything to God. "Lord remain faithful to all of us especially to Karen and her baby." It was total resignation as I recall having calmed down after the prayer and shortly before the effects of the epidural anesthesia hit me. It was like I was having a seizure - I had no control at all - shaking like I would never ever shake in my life again. Kulang na lang eh ung 80’s na song sa background na "Shake, body body dance.." Really frightening experience…and funny too now that it’s over.
I soon realize that the worst isn’t over yet. Burning skin aroma soon filled the room, I can feel the doctors making incisions somewhere down there minus the pain. Then they were "rummaging" inside my stomach. I cannot see it since a curtain hinders my sight but I did know what they were doing - rearranging my insides so that they could get the baby out. Weird feeling. I was ready to sleep but not before I hear my baby cry.
A few more minutes….she’s out…she was crying…I thank God…and fell asleep. Maybe a big sigh of relief painted on my face…I dunno…I was asleep.
Oh, this is only the beginning of the journey…as I will learn after waking up in my hospital room with excruciating pain preventing me from doing almost everything. But all was worth it, I’d have to assure you. And happier days are yet to come for me, my hubby and our little angel.
Next time naman…