A Year After...

The month of March will always be very memorable for me and my husband. I can vividly remember everything that happened last year...

January 3, 2014 was the day I got married to the man of my dreams. It was extra extra special because believe it or not, I got my period in the middle of the church ceremony. Funny, right? Anyway, February came and after the second week, I began wondering how come I have not gotten my period yet. So I asked my husband to buy a pregnancy test just to check...and the result was positive. I have to be honest, neither one of us expected to have a baby so soon because we were planning to have one after a year or two. Anyway, we were still happy with the surprise news. A baby is a blessing.

Funny Note: the moment I saw the two red lines that confirmed positive pregnancy, the first thing that came to my mind was...how will I tell my parents about this? Then I realized, hey I am already married. :)

The next day, my husband and I went to St. Lukes BGC to have a checkup. Armed with no experience and knowledge on pregnancy, we went to the first available OB, Dr. Elsie Pascua. She gave a pep talk that pregnancy is not an illness, explained the do's and dont's of pregnancy and handed us a recommendation to have an ultrasound to determine the age, expected due date and if there are any complications. Out of excitement, we got an ultrasound on that same day. The result was I was already at 7 weeks. However, the OB - Sonologist informed me that the gestational sac is still empty. I informed my OB about the result and she told me it is normal and it may be too early as it is still developing. She told me to have a repeat ultrasound in 2 weeks time.

After 2 weeks, we came back for another ultrasound. Because it's our first pregnancy, we weren't aware that husbands can accompany you to the ultrasound room. I was alone with the OB - Sonologist when:

Doctor: "You are already at 9 weeks but the sac is still empty and no heartbeat detected."

Me: "What's that supposed to mean?"

Doctor: "You should ask your OB about this."

I wanted to cry right then and there. From that moment, I knew something was wrong. I asked myself, But how can it be? I feel perfectly fine. The moment my husband saw me at the lounge outside the room, he asked what's wrong because he could see it in my face. I told him what the Sono said. We went to the OB for her to see the result of the ultrasound, she was not happy with the result either, but she was still hopeful. She said give 1 more week to have a final ultrasound because it might just be a late bloomer and that my cycle is just off.

The car ride from BGC going home to Cainta, all I did was to cry my heart out. My husband tried his best to comfort me. I knew he was also very down but he also knew he has to stay strong for both of us. When we got home, I researched possible causes and the most common term I read was BLIGHTED OVUM. 

A blighted ovum occurs when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus but doesn't develop into an embryo. It is also referred to as an anembryonic pregnancy and is a leading cause of early pregnancy failure or miscarriage. Often it occurs so early that you don't even know you are pregnant. - WebMD

Both our families were still hopeful, but I couldn't bring myself to be that way. I want to prepare myself for the worst because I never liked disappointments. I have to be physically, emotionally and spiritually ready for this. That dreaded week came and the ultrasound result showed my gestational sac was still empty. It was indeed a Blighted Ovum. My OB said possible causes could be a weak sperm or egg when they fertilized. But she told us very reassuringly that my husband and I have done nothing wrong to cause this miscarriage and we certainly could not have prevented it.

On March 23, 2014 I got the very first surgery of my life, D&C (Dilation and Curettage) at St. Lukes Hospital in BGC.

Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a brief surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and a special instrument is used to scrape the uterine lining - WebMD

My room at St. Lukes Hospital - Bonifacio Global Center

While waiting for my scheduled operation. I was never a fan of needles.

It has almost been a year since then, but it doesn't mean I shouldn't forget that moment. It may have been a very shattering moment for me and my husband, but everything happens for a reason and we believe God will grant you blessings in His right time. 

Though she stumbles, she will not fall. for the Lord upholds her with His right hand.

-Psalm 37:24 

St. Lukes Hospital BGC - Maternity Rooms 101

Hello non-existing readers! Happy 2015!

It's that time of the year again wherein my blog will be updated. I just scanned my previous blog posts and it seems - no matter how few - my blog entries have reflected the different phases of my life. The transition of interest on food and fashion, to travel and wedding plans...and now on my new phase - motherhood!

Yes, my husband and I are so blessed to be expecting our little bundle of joy soon. As of today, I am on my 2nd trimester (19 weeks to be exact). And today, I will share to you information you need to know about St. Lukes Hospital at Bonifacio Global City.

Now, a lot of people, when they hear St. Lukes Hospital - BGC...the first thing that comes to their mind is the word expensive. I will be honest, this hospital may be a bit pricier compared to other private hospitals. But do keep in mind that, you do get what you pay for - bigger rooms, state-of-the-art equipment, nice lobby, and very clean facilities. And if you ask me, when your health is the topic...it's best not to be kuripot about it.

St. Lukes BGC lobby - view from the 2nd floor

My husband and I took a tour of their maternity rooms and suites last weekend. I think this is a very necessary step to expecting parents so you would know how much you need to prepare and save in the coming months before the baby comes.

Now here is what I learned:

If you are already experiencing THE contractions, you need to proceed to the 3rd floor Delivery Room. From there, you will be taken to their admission room wherein the resident OB and nurse will evaluate and assses your status. After that, you have the option of choosing to have your labor at the Labor Room or the High Risk Pregnancy Room. The Labor Room is NOT a private room, there are 6 beds separated by accordion and you will be joined by other mothers in labor. Eating and bringing of companions are NOT allowed in this room. The cost is Php 1,500 for 24 hours.

High Risk Pregnancy Room - It doesn't mean you must be at high risk to be admitted here. You can choose this room when you are in labor and you want more privacy. This room is equipped with an LCD TV, private bathroom and a lazy boy for your companion. Eating is allowed in this room and the cost is Php 4,620 for 24 hours or Php 300 per hour if you do not consume the 24 hour period.

High Risk Pregnancy Room

High Risk Pregnancy Room

After the tour at the 3rd floor, we where then directed to proceed to the 8th Floor which is the Maternity Wing. Located here are the Private rooms and suites. There are 4 types of private rooms (Small Private, Regular Private, Deluxe Private and Executive Private). This will be the room you will go after you give birth to recover. We only viewed the first 3 rooms mentioned as the Executive Private Room is already out of our budget. :)

Small Private Room - This is the smallest room in the private room category. It includes an LCD TV, refrigerator, cabinet and a day bed for your companion  The cost for this room is Php 2,500 per day.

Small Private Room

Regular Private Room - This is around 2 square meters bigger than the Small Private Room and has a better view and larger windows but with same amenities. The cost for this room is Php 3,500 per day.

Regular Private Room

Deluxe Private Room - This is much bigger than the Regular Private Room. It has same amenities as the first two rooms plus an office desk. And there's a bonus lazy boy for your companion or for you when you breastfeed your new born. The cost for this room is Php 4,150 per day.

Deluxe Private Room

Compared to the private rooms, if you choose to be admitted in a Birthing Suite, you don't need to be transferred to different rooms during the different stages of birthing. In here, you will have your labor, delivery (for normal delivery only), and recovery all in one room. There are 5 types of Birthing Suites (Regular Suite, Deluxe Suite, Executive Suite, Ambassador Suite and Presidential Suite). We only viewed 1 Suite Room because the Regular Suite is occupied during our visit and the rest are out of our budget. :)

Deluxe Birthing Suite - This is a quite a big room and has lots of seating for expected visitors. I just don't favor the choice of wallpaper though. I think it's kinda "chaotic looking". The cost for this room is Php 12,000 per day.

Deluxe Birthing Suite

Deluxe Birthing Suite

Keep in mind when choosing the room...Doctor's professional fees are dependent on the room you take. "The more expensive the room is, the higher the doctor fee will be."

That's it for now! I'll be blogging about childbirth classes which my husband and I will take next month! :)