Here comes the sun!
As I write this article, my eldest daughter Ella is comfortably resting on the sofa while her youngest sister lie on her chest, lost in dreamland. It’s an amazing sight to behold. Ate Ella is free of her Blackberry’s spell for this moment (this is like a miracle because through her BB, she is in touch with the world with Twitter, Facebook, BBM, etc.) and her undivided time and attention are firmly set on the youngest member of the family. I cannot get over being awed by the many ways we all have slowly been transformed as individuals and family as a whole with this new addition to our home. How a tiny baby has made us all gentler, more sensitive, and a bit more calm in our approach, and excited to welcome the new day to cuddle with Solana is simply amazing! Even Benjamin, who was revered as the baby of the family for nine years, has been tamed by our new baby. From the very first time he learned that I was pregnant, he struggled with what he thought was having to be dethroned from his being the apple of our eyes. It didn’t help when well-meaning but somehow tactless people would comment that he’s no longer the youngest. It’s like inserting a dagger in his heart, which we had to process with him for quite a period of time. I assured him that every time a mother is pregnant with a new child, not only does her tummy grow, her heart expands as well to be able to overflow with love for all who need it. It doesn’t mean taking away love from one member of the family to accommodate another child’s need. That thought has stuck with him it’s one he’s held on to when faced with the fear of being neglected when the baby arrives. Surprisingly, the minute he saw Solana in the hospital, he held her in his arms and declared, “I love you, I love you, I love you!”
Solana means sun
Solana Emmanuelle means sunshine and “God is with us” or the sun and Son are with us. Yes, sunshine has entered our lives and the presence of God is so much more evident in each one of us. Whereas there was some concern in my heart about jealousy and sibling rivalry, what I have observed is really more of arguing about who gets to spend as much time with the baby first. Everybody wants a piece of her. Well, I have also realized that I need a piece of everybody as I go through some post-partum blues myself. When I sense my weepiness coming, I focus on what’s good and I ask for attention. Here, I put much emphasis on the fact that I try my best to ask and not demand for attention though there is much temptation to do so. My water birth attendant reminds me that it also helps to stay close to the baby as our skin-to-skin contact helps produce happy hormones. Anthony’s hugs also provide a haven of rest for my sometimes weary soul. Thank God for family and connection!
I have to keep on pinching myself to wake up to the reality of having given birth to a fifth child in my 40s! My goodness, Solana is adorable and super cute in all her 10.4-pound glory! I delivered her via the water birth method. I had opted for such a delivery because it is so consistent with who I am as a swimmer. I also wanted to give her the option of being born in this world the most natural way possible, and it was truly an unforgettable experience!
12-Hour labor, water birth delivery
I labored very hard for around 12 hours. Sadly, Anthony had to be in Legaspi for a parenting seminar so he assigned Donny, my eldest son, and later on Ella, my eldest daughter, to take over. I am so glad that my water birth midwife, Deborah Gustafson, volunteered to provide support by coaching me through my labor until delivery where she and my doctor Mene Reyes were partners. Being in the water diminished the pain from my contractions by around 40 percent. The warm water provided a sanctuary for my aches and pains, and relieved me of a lot of stress. There was a lot of concentration required though as being in the water also allowed me to be so in touch with every part of my body. The contractions were much more bearable with the use of proper breathing technique I have learned from the Bradley births of my children. My water bag broke spontaneously without much effort as soon as I was in active labor and when I went on my left side. The most difficult part was pushing the baby out. That was when I felt I was too old for such an un-medicated birth, but I had to remind myself how much fit I have been from my serious sports involvements for the last three years and how I kept up with my swimming until my delivery. So I gathered all my strength to summon all my core muscles to work and voila! It took only four pushes to bring Solana out into the water and safely in my arms. Deborah had to scoop out her arm because it was resting on her chin as I was delivering her. Imagine that the head plus her arm! No wonder it took a while to have her come out.
I knew Ate Ella was transformed after having witnessed Solana’s birth. She had the chance to see her come out and then catch her. It was she who ushered my mom to cut the umbilical chord after it had stopped pulsating. Anthony was on the phone the whole time as well. All the pain was erased as soon as Solana was wrapped in my arms and I began breastfeeding. It was a picture of bliss and a feeling of tranquility.
As soon as I got out of the water though, I lost a lot of blood, which later had to be arrested by draining and blood transfusion. Thank God, I am fast recovering through rest and medication. Because I’m anemic, I have to be most diligent with my iron intake. Because I’m exclusively breastfeeding my baby, I also have to double up on my nutritional vegetarian meals. It’s a good reminder to love myself a little bit more so I can give so much more to my family who needs me the most.
As the world turns and life goes on for everyone else here in our home, being on “house arrest” for my maternity break has paved the way for a brighter, newer, and fresher perspective of looking at life and wanting to live it to the fullest one day at a time and only by the grace of God. Thank you, Lord, for new beginnings and hopes for a better tomorrow. A ray of hope comes with the sun that continues to shine in our lives through our baby sunshine, Solana.
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Follow author on Twitter @mommymaricel.
