After 9 long months of having him in my tummy, we were able to finally meet him at last! On December 8, 2010 at 7:56 a.m., I gave birth via an elective C-section to a healthy baby boy at Baxter Regional Medical Center. The surgery was a tough ordeal for me, Jeff and my family. If I had a choice, I would have wanted a normal vaginal birth. So why elective, you might ask? It was an informative wise option presented to us by our doctor. I didn't jump at it right away since I didn't want surgery in the first place. My younger sister and some friends went through that and I know how hard it can be to take care of a newborn then recuperate from a major abdominal surgery at the same time. But the situation presented at that time was not favorable. I was a few days past my due date. I was not showing any signs of labor. My pelvis is narrow, I was not dilating and still carrying the baby very high. The doctor knew from experience that I was going to have a big baby. Induction of labor of course was also part of the option but my cervix was unripe to break the bag of water and if we opted to go for induction, 85% chance that I would still go through a cesarian section, not to mention the stress of labor I and the baby will have to go through only to find out in the end that I still won't be able to deliver him vaginally. We were given some time to decide. We didn't feel pressured by our physician but we knew what was at stake then. With Jeff and my family's support, we went for a planned surgery. Indeed, the baby was big! He was 8 lbs. 4 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long with a head diameter of 14 1/8 inches. The surgery didn't take long but the recovery will be. My sister and a family friend drove from Illinois to be with me at the hospital. I was so thankful she was there. She's my only family here and it was a great comfort to have her there knowing she too had gone through the same experience as mine though hers was an emergency c-section.

The first time they had me walk to the bathroom with assistance on the second day of my hospital stay, it was hell for me. It felt like all my guts would fall off. The incision was throbbing but they say I had to do it because it will help with my speedy recovery. It has been almost 2 weeks since the surgery. I can say I feel better as far as pain from the incision is concerned. I am trying to breastfeed right now and it has been a challenge because of the operation. But I'm managing it pretty well I guess. I am losing weight which I think is awesome, hehe! I am no longer taking pain meds. I can walk with no assistance now. I haven't healed perfectly yet but with God's help and time, I'll get back to my normal self. After everything that I've been through, I'm just so thankful that the surgery was a success and that I was rewarded with the joy of seeing our little boy.