The miracle of life……….and the power of prayer After the finishing touches in the nursery were completed, Christmas shopping done, after all the preparations for Thanksgiving, we were just waiting for her arrival…….and then she came. About three weeks early. I went to the doctor for a check up because I was spotting only to be told that I was having mild contractions every 6 minutes which I didn’t really feel. She said, baby can come as early as that night or as late as 3 more days given my contractions. I went home, rested, placed the hospital bag in the car & just timed my contractions. By 6pm, November 29, my contractions were becoming painful and consistent (40-60 seconds every 6 minutes). I decided to stay home and wait it out. Chris & I reviewed our breathing/ relaxation techniques from Lamaze class. By 9 pm, we decided to go to Bellflower General Hospital in LA. Checked in at 10 and was put on the electronic fetal monitor for observation for 3 hours. Results show that contractions were getting longer and more intense, though I was only 1 CM dilated….and baby’s heartbeat was fine. All throughout the contractions, I would be doing the breathing techniques and praying. Praying for strength and endurance for the actual birth. By 1:30am, I was finally admitted. I was still a long way to go…..I had to be at least 8 CM dilated to enable baby to pass through me. My doctor wanted to speed up the process by giving me the Pitocin drug but it affected baby’s heart rate so it was stopped immediately. I was checked every 30 minutes by nurses who were very helpful but I couldn’t sleep. I read the Scripture but got dizzy reading while lying down. Chris was there to keep me focused and relaxed. By 4am, the pain was really bad and I hadn’t slept. The nurses kept on offering me different kinds of drugs to help alleviate the pain…but we decided that we wanted to go as natural as possible. By 4:30 am, I accepted a drug to help me sleep. The sleep was very light for I still could feel the pain of every contraction. I would cry for help in prayer and kept focusing on my breathing. By 6:30 am, the sleeping drug has worn off so I was wide awake and was hurting real bad. The contractions were so painful but by this time, I was 6 CM dilated, almost there. My doctor arrived at 7 am to check my progress. The monitor showed the intensity of the contractions and she told me that she just wants to observe me for another hour and then I should try pushing. I kept praying the Hail Mary and just crying out for help in prayer. Chris would hold my hand and try to massage me, but that didn’t decrease the pain. By 8:30 am, my doctor started feeling the baby inside me. Told me that I was experiencing back labor, meaning baby was in the posterior position – she was facing towards my front w/ the back of her head putting pressure on my spine. She should have been facing my back. Plus her hands were high up in her ears (as if doing the wave). No wonder I was having such a hard time lying on my back. Then I told her I wanted to start pushing already. She agreed and had me transferred to the Delivery Room. There under all the spotlight, I started pushing with all my might. It hurt so much but again my prayer was like a chant. Chris was my cheerleader, my support and my coach. The room had just my doctor, a Filipina nurse, Chris and me. There was a time I almost wanted to give up but I kept going on, praying in my mind & focused on the task at hand. After almost 7 powerful pushes, at 10:10 am. (November 30) she came out. I felt so happy that I cried and very much thankful for the safe and normal delivery. All I can think of was that our team made it – Chris, me and baby. No medications whatsoever, all natural…of course, I’d say divine too. The Lord was there watching over us. While baby was being checked, Chris cut the cord and I was
being stitched up while I was wide awake……I could hear baby Christina joyfully crying. The succeeding pain was nothing compared to what just happened. Thank God it was finally over. It took a few minutes before she was given to me…she looked angelic……a gift from God. Truly a very precious miracle. Christina Therese……..Christina (of Greek/Latin origin means Christian, follower of the Anointed). Therese (of Greek origin means – reaper, gleaner). She was named after St. Therese of the Child Jesus – The Little Flower- known for countless blessings and miracles. I was then transferred to the recovery room and stayed there overnight. Got to room in with baby for feedings at 3 am and 9 am of the next day. By 6 pm, we were discharged from the hospital. Our little family was ready to go home. Wow, we are now a family. I can’t truly describe what I’ve went through. All I can say is that miracles happen especially when you pray and believe that the Lord will always give us what is right for us. All things happen in His time.