Meet Little Zeeka: The Birth Story

Zeeka’s Birth Story

A week before March 8, 2013, Ej and I and our obstetrician already decided that we were going to have a Cesarean section instead of a normal delivery due to my medical history and a number of reasons. I was quite relieved, but at the same time sad that I won’t be going through the experience of having labor pains and waiting for my baby to be delivered. But then again, to keep me and the baby safe, we opted to do the C-section.

I chose the date March 8, 2013. Dra. Sarmiento then advised me to be checked in on March 7, 2013 (the day before) in the afternoon. That day, I was so excited. I couldn’t keep still. People were texting me and wishing me luck. Thank you all for all your prayers.

At 3:30 pm, we left our home at Taguig to drive to Asian Hospital in Alabang. We immediately went to the admissions department. People were very courteous. The processing was also very fast. We booked a standard private room at the Asian Hospital at around 5:30 pm. We fixed our things and I could still eat until 12:00 midnight. Just to be sure, I ate my last meal at 10:30 then just drank water from that time until 12 midnight. That night, I had to undergo some final tests (urinalysis, etc.) and and some preparations (fleet enema, etc.). I met the doctors that night prior to the surgery — the anesthesiologist and the pediatrician.

The room was already quite big and comfortable (there was a pull out couch for Ej, my husband to sleep in and a couch for the yaya to sleep in), but I couldn’t sleep. I guess it was all the excitement.

At 7:00 am the next day, our birth photographer, Polly Fong of Oh Happy Day Birth Photography, arrived and took some pre-labor shots. I’ll share with you the pictures from Polly once I get them.

At exactly 8:00 am, March 8, 2013, I was wheeled into the Triage area of Genesis, the labor and birthing area of Asian
Hospital. Ej was with me the whole time. My doctor had one C-Section to do before me, so we had to wait. At around 10:30 am, Dra. Sarmiento, my obstetrician visited me and told me that we were about to start in a few minutes. At 11:00, they already brought me into the operating room and prepared me for the surgery. I was given spinal block for anesthesia. The anesthesia wasn’t that painful. It was actually cool not to feel half of your body!

Dra. Diana Sarmiento and the Team

Ej was allowed to come in and to take pictures. I was glad he was there. I could hear what the doctors were discussing and talking about. I was actually fully aware of what was going on. I wanted to talk, but I was thinking of the advice of everyone to just keep quiet to avoid having gas enter my stomach. I was feeling okay, but it was getting difficult to breathe. I think I remember the anesthesiologist say that it was because of the oxytocin or something. I kept on saying a prayer in my head during the entire time.

In a few minutes, at 11:45 am, our baby Zeeka was born. (Thank you Daddy Ej for documenting each moment wonderfully!)

Checking the weight of Zeeka

Zeeka and I first meet

Our first family picture

Our Zeeka was born healthy at 7 pounds and 3 ounces. I remember that she had a really loud cry. I started to shed tears… tears of joy. It was an amazing experience! I couldn’t believe that this baby came from me. They brought her to me right away to latch. I really wanted to breastfeed so I wanted to see Zeeka right away. The first thing that came to my mind was that she was so cute! We had skin to skin but it was only for a few minutes since the doctors had to stitch me up already and I was having a hard time breathing.

Nothing can compare to the emotions that I felt during that time. I’m such a proud momma!

This is Zeeka’s Birth Story.

Love lots,