Meet our NEW baby!yay!

Meet Korby.  A new addition to our family.  I've had my routine check-up last Saturday, July 24, 2010 and had my internal examination.  My ob said I was already 2-3 cm dilated.  So I was already expecting that a few hours or so, I'll be taking that trip to the delivery room.  And dreading that thought all along.  But ob said there was still that possibility that there was still one more week to go before I pop.  I doubted it..given my previous pregnancies, I knew that my 3rd pregnancy was also a fast one in terms of labor and delivery.  And so, we went home and the day went by without a hitch with me still not feeling an ounce of labor pain.  By 10:oo pm or so, I felt sharp contractions.  But the contractions were spaced about 2 to a minute apart and I knew then  that that was it--delivery day! and so I told hubby that we had to rush to the hospital fast.  We arrived there at 11 pm and I gave birth on July 25, 2010 at 1:35 am.  I was so thankful that it was a fast one.  There were a few pregnant moms in the labor room who labored for 24 hours or more, i bet it was that exhausting!  With my 3rd pregnancy, I felt less pain during labor.  It almost felt like mild menstrual cramps.  The nurse on duty told me that I should be whimpering in pain but I did not.  It's a good thing also that Korby wasn't a big baby.  He was only 2.82 pounds by the time he came out.  But I had to push a couple of times before he was out.  With my first, it was only a single long push.  With the second one, it was a short push and a loooooonng push.  With the 3rd, it was a series of pushes that left me panting.  I guess as you age, the more difficult it is to deliver the baby although it varies from mom to mom.  Everything went well, thank God and we went home after 24 hours.  I so love the nurse on duty.  She was very accommodating and friendly.  She thought it was my first baby.  lol.  An I had to correct her silently that it was my 3rd.  hehe.  Unfortunately, I didn't know her name but I guess I was able to thank her right after.  Anyway, when we got home kid-o number 2 was giving me the stare.  I guess he didn't like how he was left with my mom while we were in the hospital.  And much to my dismay, my 2 other kids had colds and cough.  What a way to welcome the baby!  Kid-0 number 2 was screaming the whole 2 days right after.  I guess he wasn't feeling well and to add to his confusion,   there was that new baby that felt like a total stranger to him.    Now that I've given birth, the real challenge is how to efficiently run the household and take care of 3 kids at the same time with each of them being given the same equal amounts of love, care and attention.  I sure hope that this is a trial that I may be able to surmount.  I'll keep you posted!! *kisses*

Packing for the BIG DAY--BIRTH TIME!!!

Today, I turn 38 weeks preggo.  I just think that I'm about to pop in a few days or so..I gave birth to my eldest Khym aka hpergamer [who's now 6] at 37 weeks due to mild pregnancy complications and my doctor didn't want to take any chances that will further risk my then unborn child.  With my second one, Kliven aka plumpkin [who's now 1 and 2 months old], i popped at 38 weeks and I'm due with the 3rd in a few days time..I guess I'm putting an end to my baby factory, i mean 3 kids? more than enough.  And with me staying at home 24/7 that would probably take a toll on my sanity.  i used to think that I'm super mom and that I could take care of 3 kids on one go never needing any help from anybody but as the days progressed and I was nearing my due date, I've had more than enough of self-doubts and worries that could last a lifetime.  And it left me and my husband with one decision, we definitely need a househelp--a good one if that's even possible.  This weekend, we are going to meet up with a prospect and hopefully she'll be well-equipped and well-mannered enough to keep me and my kids company each day (fingers-crossed!).

As I'm nearing my labor day and delivery, I tend to imagine a lot of scary scenarios that would leave me listless and crying.  I don't understand why I can be this scared now when this should be my 3rd child.  I should be more fearless.  but no, I tend to be more nervous each day.  With my 2nd child, I think I over prepared but come labor and delivery day, I forgot to purchase an adult diaper which they had to put on me for excessive heavy flow bleeding.  We ended up handing them a maternity napkin which is of course, not the correct item.  So hurray to the nurse in the delivery room, she sells adult diapers for patients who were extra forgetful like me :-)  So this time around, I've made up my own list and peeked in various sites as well for comparisons and references ;-) just so come big day, I won't care whether I'll travel light or heavy as long as I'll have the right items to pack.  Hopefully, this will be of big help to other moms as well.

THE HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST:

FOR MOM:

1. 1 cotton nightgown or house dress for labor and delivery

2. 2 sets of clothes for after giving birth and going home outfit (the number of clothes you bring to the hospital all depends on you..whether you want to change often or seldom)

3. breastpump and breastpads- when you're trying to express milk

4. 2 large adult diapers (i used only one piece because I feel uncomfy wearing them) and maternity pads.  I used MODESS maternity pads from my first baby up to this one.  It works well for me.

5. TOILETRIES:

•  shampoo and conditioner
  
• 1 soap for bathing and 1 anti-bacterial soap for hand washing and the like
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• lotion--to moisturize chappy and rough areas of your skin
• moisturizer for your face--you don't want to look all dry in the facial area
• deodorant--you don't want to smell funny
• a light scented cologne--not too strong, you don't want to irritate baby's skin or his sense of smell
• BETADINE FEMININE WASH-- Before, I used to detest the smell of Betadine.  It smelled of medicine and it looks kind of weird given its dark maroon color.  I could only associate it with medicines in treating wounds.  But it honestly has wondrous effects on the private area.  It removes itches and leaves you squeaky clean.
  
• a roll of tissue paper for wiping areas and hands as well
• 70% alcohol-- used to disinfect contaminated areas, to dab on hands before handling baby and used to squirt a few drops on baby's navel
• Chapstick or any other fave lippie balm
• hairclips or scrunchy to tame post-delivery unruly hair
• a makeup kit to look presentable when visitors are around

6. undies (preferably dark colored to be safe from stubborn after delivery blood stains) and socks

7. an extra pillow for labor

FOR DAD:

1. a digital camera- to record and shoot baby's first moments.  just make sure the batteries are all ready and fully charged.  We have an extra batt ready in case the other one runs out

2. clothes for him

3. something to keep him busy- psp, magazines, laptop etc.

4. toiletries 

5. since mom is doing her own thing, going through labor and all, it is dad's responsibility to keep track of the important documents that should be taken to the hospital.  this includes:

•  Birth Order or Birth Plan (this should be handed to nurses or whoever is in charge in the delivery room; so that they will know your current state and your ob's orders regarding your case)
• Important documents- Philhealth contributions, Philhealth forms 1 and 2, Marriage Contract
• Enough cash
• Ballpen

FOR THE NEW BABY:

1. clothes for the hospital stay and clothes for going home

2. bonnet and mittens

3. onesies and pajamas

4. booties and socks

5. receiving blanket

6. a pack of diapers

7. baby wipes

8. Lactacyd Baby Bath (the blue one)

There you have it.  My hospital bag checklist.  I could have forgotten some or maybe over-listed but i hope this could be of help to anyone reading this.  Happy Packing! :-)