“I’m Pregnant!” – Ginger

It was a Sunday morning and I felt weird the past few days. I felt queasy at really odd times of the day. I thought it was low blood sugar from all the dieting that I have been doing, so I stopped and increased my food intake. Nothing happened. I still felt weirdly nauseous (even after eating).

I knew that there was something ‘new’ going on in my body. I just had a feeling. I wanted to confirm it, so I bought 4 packets of home pregnancy tests. That Sunday morning in July, I took the packet, read the instructions (I have forgotten how to read these tests) and went through the test. I was both scared and excited.

I was scared since I didn’t want to go through all the pain and anxiety that I felt during the last pregnancy that I had. I was scared that complications were going to occur again. These were some of my blog entries during that time: http://gingerarboleda.com/2010/06/08/waiting-to-exhale/ and http://gingerarboleda.com/tag/chemo-for-placenta-accreta/

As I checked the test, lo and behold, it was positive!

I was really happy. Ej and I were trying for a baby this year. It was an answered prayer. I guess I knew that this time I was ready to have this. I was healthier than ever before and I was mentally and emotionally prepared. I went out to the dining room and showed EJ the test. He said “ano yan? (what’s that?)”. I just looked at him and smiled. Then he said, “Really? For sure?” I said, “yes, I tested twice.” Then he came and hugged me and said “Congratulations, baby!” It was really sweet… up until he danced his really weird dance.

First Visit to the Doctor
I had to take a leave from work. Of course, I had to tell my bosses and they were really happy for me. That Wednesday, I went to visit Dra. Sarmiento, my pretty OB, so also has her own website – http://www.filipinamd.com/ (how cool is that?!). Upon entering her clinic, even before we really sat to talk, she gave me instructions to have lab tests done and my trans-vaginal ultrasound done. We rushed to the different clinics and had all these tests done.

I just have to say that all these tests that I had done in Asian Hospital was a breeze. The people there were very efficient and accommodating. Bravo, guys!

Anyway, I went back to my OB’s Clinic. she looked at the results and said that everything looked normal. I was in my 4th week so the baby wasn’t really in sight yet. She instructed me to come back after two weeks. My heart skipped a beat and negative thoughts entered my mind one by one. What if this was like my first pregnancy? What if in two weeks still no baby were to be found? There were a lot of what if’s… I forced myself to look at the brighter side of things. The gestational sac was just about the right size. The ovaries were healthy. Nothing seemed to be wrong. All I had to do was wait for the next visit and it was quite a long wait.

Week 6
I, of course, wanted to tell my parents. They were excited, but scared for me, too. They knew the hardships that I had to go through during my first pregnancy. They advised me not to tell people yet. I kept the secret and it was killing me. I started eating ‘normal’ food and I let go of my South beach diet. My OB advised me to drink milk, so I tried Anmum, Frisomom, etc. On August 1, I had to go back to the hospital to have my tests.

I went to the Women’s Health Unit first to have my ultrasound. Ej, my hubby, was extremely talkative and funny. I knew that he was scared for both of us. I knew that he knew that this was it. This was the time when we were to find out if we had a baby or just another false alarm again. I asked him to come with me to the ultrasound room. He normally stays in the waiting room, but this time, I wanted him to come and see the screen. We entered the room. I laid down on the retractable chair and the doctor came in. She looked at my records and saw that I had a miscarriage. She asked if this was the first time ‘if ever’ that we were to see the fetus. I said “yes”. We began the ultrasound and in just seconds she said “Congratulations” and pointed at the baby in the screen with the mouse.

Baby Arbo!

We both were so happy. Words couldn’t explain how I felt. I knew that Ej felt the same way. The doctor had us hear the heartbeat. It was so amazing! So that was how it felt to hear your baby’s heart for the first time. It was truly a miracle and I felt happy.

While waiting for our appointment with the OB, we couldn’t contain our happiness so we posted this picture already in Facebook (of course!).

The doctor already advised me to take care and she gave me several tips. I am so excited to share with you my 9 month journey. Today is Week 9. Aside from the frequent nauseous feeling and the occasional cramping, everything seems to be going smoothly and perfectly.

Well, that’s my big story. I’m pregnant.