When I turned 40 two years ago, one of the first things that came to mind is perimenopause. I remember my mom kept reminding me and my sister to watch out for symptoms as soon as we turn 40.
So I did, and it came at a time when we were also preparing for Mommy’s treatment as her diagnosis came a day after my birthday. I immediately thought of our food intake, our lifestyle, arrangements at home and mom’s after-surgery care and chemo treatment plan.
The following year, we dedicated to changing our diet, leaning to more whole foods and vegetables. As the main caregiver, I had to also adjust my work schedules, homeschool routine of my daughter, and household set up as we take care of mom. I also began losing weight, not that I was meaning to, but my friends got to notice it first. I then find myself including swimming twice a week as part of my physical and mental exercise.
That lasted for the first half of last year. The latter half began with the great news–we got pregnant. At 40 turning 41. I was confused, amused, afraid, overjoyed, and very, very grateful for this blessing–a prayer item that could have lasted forever. Never expected for it to come true anymore because of our ages.
It took a while for me to tell friends and family about the pregnancy. Maybe I was just being very careful, because I am aware of the risks of geriatric pregnancy. And only on my third trimester, particularly the ninth month, did I really feel I was pregnant, with all the symptoms and complications presenting themselves one by one.
That I was able to share this journey with our teenage daughter also was very special. She was at first in denial and in total shock, but when we have all finally embraced this child, it was a truly heartwarming feeling for our family.
Our baby is a testament to God’s goodness. During pregnancy, I had a lot of monitoring being done. Blood glucose, blood pressure, blood tests, name it. I had to restrict myself to no sugar, no salt, no fat diet. Had to take medicines and insulin. The routine is tiring, not to mention expensive, but when I think of the baby, I get back on track.
Thankfully, I was able to work all throughout the pregnancy. Together with my daughter, sister, and niece, we had a quick vacay to Hong Kong. I got to travel for work in various locations, and even had to go to weekly rehearsals for a concert. I sang, taught, gave workshops until before labor day. Never a day that I felt morning sickness or any “lihi.” I really cannot do anything with my cravings though since I am under a strict diet.
My husband was planning a party to welcome the baby. I kept on pushing back the day of the Baby Shower (Sprinkle, as per my sister), because I or some of my family and friends were busy, and also, I was kind of unsure whether I really wanted it, cos I was so scared of my conditions. But I am very thankful to my husband for doing all of the preparations for it, along with my family and friends, and the event turned out truly heartwarming and fun, not to mention, overflowing with food, gifts, and love.
Equally grateful are we because of hand-me-downs! I posted, unashamedly, on my Facebook, to ask who can gift us with hand-me-downs cos we would be happy recipients. First to respond was my cousin, whose daughter gave birth a few months earlier, so most of the newborn clothes we got from them. A number of friends also gifted us with clothes, blankets, even a crib and booster seat! Saved us a lot of money to buy new ones. And just right for our “declutter” theme at home.
Then came my 38th week pre-natal check up. I already knew the doctor wanted me to deliver the baby at this week, so she immediately ordered another ultrasound. And because my amniotic fluid went on overdrive, all the more she wanted the baby out so as to avoid complications. I got admitted that evening, was given inducing gels, and after 12 hours, baby came out normal, without epidural, and me screaming the pain off the entire time.
Marcella is beautiful. And strong. We both were at that time, and I was so overjoyed with this achievement, same feeling with birthing our firstborn. My husband was allowed to enter the delivery room for photos and to see his new princess.
Ate Aria was equally excited to see her Ading (younger sibling). We made sure to catch on video her reaction in seeing the little baby she has loved and witnessed growing inside my womb.
What a miracle, what a gift, what a lesson this pregnancy and birth has taught me. This is just the beginning, and we are excited for what life has in store now that we are a TEAM of four.
