Birthing class

In my first pregnancy, we were set to attend a birthing class but i had a bedrest for a month at the time we were supposed to attend plus we thought 5k was a big money to spend for a birth class.  We definitely were wrong about this decision.  That's why with this pregnancy, we are really decided we will attend a birth class.  We attended a birthing class with Chiqui Brosas last Sunday (Batch 238).  Velvet, our doula, recommended that we attend one so we readily researched which class to go to. She highly recommended Lin Fernando but after several attempts to contact her, i was'nt able to get hold of her. So we contacted Chiqui Brosas.  She was very prompt in replying to our queries and asked us to pre-register immediately.  Fee is 4,900/couple for 4 consecutive sundays, from 2-5pm.  Every month, she holds birth classes and venue will depend on which venue would accommodate her participants.  For our batch, we had it in Makati.

When we went to their Makati venue, we had a hard time parking. We're new to Makati so we're not familiar with the parking rules and we're scared our car might be towed.  We parked near Makati Square, had lunch then walked to the venue.

Soliman Corporation Center 2182 Don Chino Roces Ave. (fromerly Pasong Tamo), Makati

Ask lobby receptionist which room and floor, (Usually 3rd F/ Room 1)

on the ground floor of the building is a BPI atm,

it is located between Herald Suites & Oriental Plaza buildings.

Near Makati Cinema Square and Japanese Town restaurants.

Park on the available slots along the road.

Things I love about Chiqui's class:
-  She loves to talk about her birthing experiences and for the five natural births she gave, she talks about it like it just happened recently.  You can feel the passion, sincerity and delight.  That's what i desire, to share my birthing with love, and joy and not in a traumatizing way.
-  She's an advocate of natural birthing.
-  She always incorporates faith, prayers and God in her sessions.  I love to be surrounded by people who love God and share the same love to birthing and faith.
-  Her technique (lamaze bradley) is easy to understand.
- She's very pleasing to look at because she's soo pretty haha.
- She's OC so the manual that comes along with the class even has a list of things you need to bring to the hospital.  She even checked the labor kit bags we're gonna use and see if it will be allowed in the hospital that we are giving birth at.
- She does placenta encapsulation which we are considering as well.

You can contact chiqui here for inquiries and pre-registration:

Text SMART: +63920-905-27-37 (for texting only) 

Call GLOBE: +63917-477-06-28 (you may call Dorz)

EMAIL: birthtimes@gmail.com
BLOG: http://chiquibrosas.blogspot.com/

Those Braxton Hicks

I started having these when I was about 33 weeks. They're irregular, feels like something is tightening your tummy and it should'nt really have a pattern, meaning it may come and go. In my first pregnancy, I don't recall monitoring these braxton hicks thus, when we first had some symptoms, it was just false labor.  To recognize a true contraction from a braxton hick, you can do the ff:

- walk it out. if after walking and it goes out, it's not a contraction
- rule out thirst
- rule out hunger
- rest and look for a pattern. note down the time and how long the hicks were.

It may be false labor but braxton hicks can be a good way to start practicing your breating patterns :)

Changing doctors

I’ve always felt I’m looking for someone who will comfort me when it comes to my pregnancy and our decision to do VBAC. And after every check up, I’d always feel something is lacking.  I yearn for that emotional support from a doctor, that kind of encouragement to say that yes I will support you in any way I can.  I envy those women who have a special relationship with their doctors.  My doctors are good, don't get me wrong, we just feel that finding your doctor is like looking for a friend, your personality should fit with your doctor. For disclosure purposes, i won't reveal their names.  

I'm on the 32nd week when we went to Dr. Menefrida Reyes of St. Luke's QC.  We are TMC patients since i was younger.  We never tried other hospitals except when we need to do some laboratory works but confinement and check ups are all under TMC so it's quite a new environment having to transfer hospitals...last minute.

I knew about Dr. Reyes thru my online friend, Pinky Dy.  She gave birth to all her three kids thru lamaze and she is just an inspiration to me.  When i was so desperate about finding the right OB, i asked about her doctor and gave it a try.  I told her this will be my last try. If we feel that we'd have to go back to the first two doctors, we'll just choose between them. We met with her last tuesday.  Her clinic hours are only from 5pm onwards. We were 6th in line. We were seen around 645pm. 

Meeting her is like meeting a new friend.  She talks very calmly.  She's like a mom, but not the old type. :)  When i told her about our situation, she simply told me, "This is your best time to try VBAC and i will support you" it's like i wanted to cry. Did i hear it right? Did she really say she will support me.  I've always wanted VBAC, we've always wanted to have a natural birth but to me, the process of this pregnancy and the birth is our ultimate goal...having to be in control of everything, making informed decisions and being involved in every step of the way.  We're tired of being like a dog obeying its master.  We want to learn, and then decide what's best for our baby and us.  She checked my history. She asked me a lot of questions which i so appreciated.  My sugar level is normal, my tummy size is okay, she does'nt have any concern about my accessory lobe placenta.  When she said that it does'nt pose a problem, it was like music to my ears.  Can't believe how easy it is to talk to her.  I know there will always be risks, specially in my condition but I also believe that support from my caregiver and people around us will be a great factor as well. At least I can say that I've done everything i could and if i still end up with CS, i would'nt regret the decision. 

Oh and she's a Christian too. Among the OBs i've seen, she's the first one who touched my tummy and talked to my baby "God bless you baby". wow! simple gesture, big impact! 

So yes, we've finally met the one. thank you Lord. here is Dr. Menefrida Reyes' digits (via Secretary Ms. Mildred):

St. Luke's Medical Arts Room 224

Contact number: (02) 725.6854