My Birth Story: Amy Michaela

For 9 months, I have been preparing myself for labor and delivery. I researched, asked other moms, did prenatal exercises, research some more, prayed, and waited.

We were hoping for a natural delivery but the Lord has other plans. I encourage those who were in the same situation like I was, who went through emergency C-Section,  to read through and be encouraged that God is still on His throne and He is always good. 

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I was so sure baby won’t come out before 40 weeks because as I have read from other first time moms, firstborn usually comes out later than the due date. By the way, my due date was December 15 when calculated using my last menstruation (LMP) and December 19 according to the Ultrasound.

37th week – my cervix was still closed.

38th week – still closed but I was 1 cm on the external.

39th week – still closed and still at 1cm.

My doctor told me to get a BPS (Biophysical scoring) to check on the baby and my fluid. Results came in and everything’s fine with the baby. 8/8 score. Good amount of fluid and baby is already sitting low, ready to come out soon!

Although the bps result was good, my doctor said if I will not begin labor on my 41st week, I need to get induced to avoid risks.

Again, I tried my very best to induce labor naturally, consistently doing exercises, drinking pineapple juice, eating spicy food, etc. 

My husband and I were praying everyday for baby to come out soon. But I made a little request from the Lord if it is His will, that baby will come out on a Sunday. 😄 I became more anxious as the days go by, thinking that it might be the day we were going to meet our child.

December 17 came, I was 40 weeks and 2 days. My OB did another IE and praise the Lord, my cervix has opened and I was at 2cm. She told me to monitor my contractions and she said that it might be soon. 

Around 7pm, I started to feel mild contractions but they were 8-10 minutes apart. They were really mild so I didn’t really pay much attention. My husband and I decided to go for a walk that evening even if we’ve already walked around a nearby mall after our check up. 

By 9 pm, I tried to sleep but woke up at around 11:30pm. Contractions seem to become more painful but not painful enough for me so I still tried to get some rest. I again woke up at 1:30 am and thought to myself, iba na ito! 

I began monitoring my contractions: 

At around 2 am, I decided to text my doctor. 3 am I took a bath, woke my husband up and we prepared to go to the hospital. I was more excited than scared at this moment. My husband and I prayed before we head to the hospital and although the contractions are a little bit more painful now, I was so at peace and knew that the Lord will help me get through this.

3:40AM I was admitted. The resident OB did an IE and said I was at 3cm 70%effaced. My OB allowed me to stay first in our room so I can walk freely and do some more exercises.

8AM – I was at 5cm 80% effaced already so I was brought down to the labor room. 

At this stage, contractions are getting more intense but I can still manage the pain. I was so sure I could get through all this since I was progressing fast. In the labor room, I was attached to a machine to check on my baby and my contractions. They were 5 minutes apart but would only last for a minute. My husband was still allowed to be with me and I am very, very grateful for that. He would massage my back on every contraction and it was really helpful. 

9:30AM – 6 cm and 80%effaced. My OB ordered for my water bag to be broken at this time. Unfortunately, it was dark green which means baby has already pooped inside and there’s a high risk that she might have consumed it already.  This was the point where my faith and trust in the Lord was tested. I know that baby pooping inside the tummy is equal to a C-section. 

I began remembering excerpts from the book that I was reading (Loving God with all your mind by E.George):

If you and I think “what if” questions, we fail to acknowledge God. 

That’s when we need to turn to His Word and be reminded of the many promises that God is with us wherever we go. (Joshua 1:9)

I was still hoping that we could get the baby out naturally but after that baby’s heart beat decreased on every contraction more and more each time. 

My OB arrived and decided to induce me so we might still get the baby out naturally. Unfortunately, baby is still not coming down and her heart rate is still decreasing. At this time, contractions became intense. My OB is already explaining the situation to my husband and I knew right then, I was going to undergo C-Section. I broke down in tears. 

All those months of preparations and still I’m having a C-section. But praise the Lord for His word, my husband read a Psalm to me at that time and it says, 

Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. Psalm 85:12

The Lord is good and He will give that which is good. I never spoke against the C-section because I knew that it is true, the Lord will give us that which is good. We can put our trust in Him even during the times where we think we know better. 

My OB began explaining the situation to me this time and I just nodded and answered questions like what kind of cut would I want, etc. 

Contractions became more and more intense and at this time, we were just waiting for the anesthesiologist to arrive. I think it wasn’t really that long before he arrived but because of the pain, I thought it took him forever to come. I was actually raising my voice now, calling for the anesthesia! (I remember after the operation saying sorry multiple times because I was really mad at him for coming in late! Haha)

Anyway, I don’t remember the exact time I was brought in the Operating Room but after the anesthesia sets in, I believe it was less than an hour and I just heard them say, baby out! And I heard a little baby crying…my little girl. 

My husband came in so we could take pictures together. I am just so blessed to have my husband by my side during this time. He reminded me of the Lord’s sovereignty and goodness.

December 18 2016 at exactly 12:08pm, Amy Michaela was born. 7.7lbs and 50cm long. 

She had to be taken to the NICU to be observed because she already consumed her poop. 

But praise the Lord we were out of the hospital on Wednesday December 21.

I also didn’t think I was capable of recovering fast from a C-Section but I was able to walk after 24hours from the operation. The Lord is good.

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At first, I was really disappointed that I had a C-Section. I felt like a failure. I felt like other people are thinking down on me for not being able to deliver vaginally. But, you know what? The Lord meant it for good. It is no longer about me but about my baby. I couldn’t risk anything for my child. Besides, who cares about the mode of delivery as long as your baby comes out safe…and who gets an opportunity to get a battle scar as a reminder of this wonderful stage of life? This momma right here! 🙋

I was at peace that it was for the best because I have the source of peace living in me. When I trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, He became my peace and it made everything easier. 😉

Now, say hello to our almost one-week old baby Amy! 

One last thing, amidst all these… The Lord did answer this momma’s little request. Amy was indeed born on a Sunday. He is good! 😉

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I would like to make a recommendation for those who are living in the South, our OB was a huge blessing from the start:

Premier Medical Center -Paranaque City

OB – Dra. Jam Aaron 

(Ate Mei, Dra. Jam, Hannah)