postpartum

          Few weeks ago, I was affected by the news about troubled mothers.  One story that shocked me was a mother who killed her husband and children. It was so horrible to imagine how that mother committed such act to her loved ones. The report pointed to the negative effect after giving birth, postpartum. 

         The word postpartum simply means after the act of giving birth. From the latin word partum  means after childbirth; post + partum,  accusative of partus  a bringing forth, equivalent to par ( ere ) to bear.

          When I gave birth to my eldest (Nathan) via cesarean , it was a mixed emotions.  In the hospital I was very anxious as a first time mom.  When we got home, I cannot explain why tears keep on coming! It was unexplained sadness.  My thought at that moment was on my husband. Why his attention became divided between me and our son. I felt I am now unimportant to him.  I also pitied my husband for being tired taking care of me and our baby. I had a bit of indifference to my new born son. It was very hard to control my emotion at that time. It continued for more three weeks and it came to a point where my OB suggested that maybe I need to visit a Psychiatrist. What I’ve been through, I found out that it was postpartum blues.

The postpartum blues

After the baby is born, many new mothers have the "postpartum blues" or the "baby blues." The word "blues" is not really correct since women with this condition are happy most of the time. But compared to how she usually feels, the new mother:

• Is more irritable
• Cries more easily
• Feels sad
• Feels confused

The postpartum blues peak three to five days after delivery. They usually end by the tenth day after the baby's birth. Although the postpartum blues are not pleasant, the woman can function normally. The feeling of the "blues" usually lessens and goes away over time.
Medical experts believe that changes in the woman's hormones after delivery cause the postpartum blues.

 Postpartum blues syndrome was repeated again when I gave birth to my second child. Compared to the first, it  was mild.  My reason for crying this time was pity for my eldest son.  Thank God  the postpartum blues this time end  shortly. Before, I thought postpartum blues is like postpartum depression. 

The postpartum depression

Postpartum depression may appear to be the baby blues at first — but the signs and symptoms are more intense and longer lasting, eventually interfering with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Postpartum depression symptoms may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Intense irritability and anger
• Overwhelming fatigue
• Loss of interest in sex
• Lack of joy in life
• Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy
• Severe mood swings
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Untreated, postpartum depression may last for many months or longer.

The severe type of postpartum is the postpartum psychosis.  The sad news of mothers hurting their babies said to have this kind of illness, postpartum psychosis.

The postpartum psychosis

With postpartum psychosis — a rare condition that typically develops within the first two weeks after delivery — the signs and symptoms are even more severe. Signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis may include:

• Confusion and disorientation
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Paranoia
• Attempts to harm yourself or your baby

When I gave birth to my third and youngest child (Mathia), I never imagined that I will go through a difficult situation.  Few days after I gave birth,  I felt so dizzy and had a severe headache. There was a circle-like in my vision and so discomfort. When my baby had her first check up, my OB noticed that my face was swollen same with my legs and feet. My blood pressure was 170/110! My OB referred me to another doctor (cardio) and gave me medicine for hypertension.  I thought after I took the medicine for hypertension my blood pressure will be normal, but I was wrong!  I monitored my blood pressure every day and it did not change. I consulted my OB and a cardiologist, they notified me that I need to be confined in the hospital.  Initial findings of the doctor, hypertensive due to pregnancy. They called it, postpartum preeclampsia.  

Postpartum preeclampsia

Postpartum preeclampsia is a rare condition that occurs when a woman has high blood pressure and excess protein in her urine soon after childbirth.

 Most cases of postpartum preeclampsia develop within 48 hours of childbirth. However, postpartum preeclampsia sometimes develops up to four to six weeks after childbirth. This is known as late postpartum preeclampsia.

 Postpartum preeclampsia requires prompt treatment. Left untreated, postpartum preeclampsia can result in seizures and other serious complications.

Postpartum preeclampsia can be difficult to detect on your own. Many women who experience postpartum preeclampsia show no signs or symptoms during pregnancy. Also, you might not suspect that anything is wrong when you're focused on recovering after childbirth and caring for a newborn.
Signs and symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia — which are typically similar to those of preeclampsia that occurs during pregnancy — might include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension) — 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater
• Excess protein in your urine (proteinuria)
• Severe headaches
• Changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision or light sensitivity
• Upper abdominal pain, usually under the ribs on the right side
• Nausea or vomiting
• Decreased urination
• Sudden weight gain, typically more than 2 pounds (0.9 kilogram) a week

 While confined in the hospital, it was indescribable loneliness. I'm missing my kids so much.  I want to hug and kiss my baby girl. My breast was swollen because of breast milk so sad I had to excrete it while my baby needs it! When I got home from the hospital, I had to take maintenance for high blood.   For three months after I gave birth, I am always  in the hospital (out patient) for check ups because my blood pressure was like roller coaster which goes up and down. I had to go through also overcoming postpartum depression.  Depression became severe because of anxiety over my health status. I was so irritable and feeling bored to the point that I insisted my husband to look for another place for us.

There's saying in tagalog: "Pag nanganak ang isang babae ang isang paa nasa hukay." Based on my experience, I believe it is true. Going back to postpartum.  How I overcame this? The support of the people around me especially my husband was an important contributing factor why I survived from these post pregnancy dilemmas. I am blessed to have a husband who's very supportive and hands-on with our children. He did a  lot of things to make me comfortable and calm during these hard times.   I am also grateful to God that He restored my mother's health and my mother's presence and help makes me feel at peace. Prayers from friends and church mates did help. I also realized that I need to fight to win for my little kids.   All in all, God is there.  His promises from the Bible gave me the assurance of victory if I just let Him do His part. I did.  God be praised!

I asked some mothers if they experienced problems (postpartum) after they gave birth, some said they did not or maybe they simply don't know what it is.   I don't know if the age of a mother is contributing factor for postpartum, if the youngest or older moms has  more chances to experience postpartum? I really don't know.  What I knew is that even celebrities admitted they experience postpartum.  Celebrities like Brooke Shields,Gwyneth Paltrow, Amanda Peet and many others. 
May this blog will be of good help and be a source of small infos for mothers like me.  

For the singles who's dreaming to be a mom someday, don't be afraid.  To be a mom is the best experience that God has given to us women.  God bless us moms!!! :-)

with my three gifts :-)

source: http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/the-postpartum-blues.aspx
             http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/postpartum-depression/DS00546/DSECTION=symptoms
             http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/postpartum-preeclampsia/DS01199
             
           
           

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand and Me

      When I came to know the Lord Jesus as my personal savior, I am always hungry to His Word.  I've finished reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation several times.  Now that I am a mother of three, it's hard for me to maintain my Bible reading like before when I was single. But my love for the Lord always accompanied with my daily reading of His Word, the Bible,  which makes my faith stronger and it makes me happier.  If I missed a day not reading His Word, there's a feeling of emptiness in me that's why even I am busy with my children and the many household chores, I always find time to read the Bible.  
     My Bible reading now is in the New Testament.  While my boys are at school  and whenever my younger daughter had her nap, that's the time I read the Bible or during the night when children are already asleep. 
     I started last week reading the book of Matthew. I've been reading this book several times and almost memorized all the stories. But the Lord is good, His revelations is always fresh and new for me.  In Matthew 15: 29-39, God revealed to me new things.

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

29Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

32Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

33His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”

34“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”

35He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 38The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. 39After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.

         My eyes was opened in the verse 32. I 've examined what Jesus said.

"I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. "  I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way".

      From this verse, I want to share the new things I've learned. 
 1.  God's love is proven. The act of calling His disciples to look for food showed His great love and compassion for these people. Oh, how great is His love towards us! 
2.  Jesus is our satisfaction.  Yes, the people were there to be healed and witnessed the miracle of Jesus, but they were there also to just experience Jesus. For three days, Jesus satisfied them.  It did not stated in the verse if the people were hungry during the time Jesus was ministering to them. It's just a proof that the people were satisfied by simply being in the presence of Jesus.
3.  Separation = starvation. After three days, the people will have to go home.  They will leave the presence of Jesus.  Being away with His presence means hunger and starvation.  For three days they were contented and filled. Filled with His love, goodness and care.  Oh, how I love to be in His presence, for in His presence is fullness of joy.
4.  God always made a way. In the story, the people did not ask for food.  It was Jesus who took the initiative to feed them. Jesus doesn't  want to send them away hungry. Jesus doesn't want these people to perish.  In this act of Jesus, I was reminded of God's love towards us from the beginning.  When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, still God showed His grace to them by killing an animal  to cover their naked bodies.  Many times the Israelite people disobeyed and provoked God to anger, yet we cannot count how many times God had forgiven them and showed His mercy and love for them. God made a way by giving His Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross for all our sins. 

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the 

Father except through me.  

 John 14:6

     I thank the Lord for giving me new revelations of His Word.  He fed the 4,000 and He fed me too!   Now I am more excited to open my Bible and be amazed again for the new things I will learn from Him. Praise the Lord!!

Outing sa Momarco Resort

 May 1, 2013, core at music group outing. Naka plano na sa Bakasyunan kami pero pagdating doon fully booked na sila.

Tumingin sa ibang mga resort na malapit. At napili ng grupo ay ang Momarco Resort.

2x olympic size swimming pool..picture taken from Momarco Resort website

Sa wakas! Nakarating din kami sa Momarco Resort sa Brgy. Bathala, Tanay Rizal.

 Si Adrian at Nathan posing agad pagkadating :-)

Small cabanas P800  ang renta

 Dahil sa maluwag ang lugar pwedeng maglatag ng mga tent...

Adrian, Nathan and John sa tent nina Michelle :-)

 Sa wakas nakapag tampisaw din sa malawak na swimming pool na parteng mababaw at malalim.

trees

flowers (picture from Arman Aquino)

Lon and Mathia

mini zoo

play ground

resto

sinigang

couples...

billiard

Nine hours in four provinces

It was our first road trip going to an island province with Carry (our mini van).  Our destination, MARINDUQUE!

Original route to Marinduque

Instead of taking the original route, we decided to take the alternate route which passes through Rizal, Laguna and Quezon provinces. 

in Pililia Rizal, overlooking Laguna lake

With my husband and three kids, we left our home in Antipolo nearly five in the morning.  Without knowledge of the route, we continued remembering this quote,  "THE ROAD IS IN YOUR MOUTH" which simply means to ask for the right way. In Rizal, we passed by Teresa, Baras, and Pililia.

rice field somewhere in Laguna

From Pililia, we reached the town of Mabitac, Laguna. From Mabitac,  we were kinda confused if we are in the right direction going to Lucena.  My husband doubted so we started to have stopovers to ask for direction.  The people we've asked questions were very kind and helpful. God bless these people!

In Lumban, we stopped again and ask for our way.  From there, we found out the two routes going to Lucena.  The first route is through Pagsanjan and the other through Caliraya lake in Cavinti, Laguna.  We asked which of the two is the shortest way and one answered that it is almost the same.  But this time, Pagsanjan road is not passable because  the bridge was under repair.

stop over @ caliraya

caliraya

We arrived Caliraya at around seven in the morning.  We stopped to eat, rest, take some pictures and look for a pay restroom.  From Caliya (Cavinti, Laguna) we drove through many towns of Laguna. 

nearing Lucban, Quezon

We arrived Lucban, Quezon around 8:00am and from here we traveled an hour to Lucena City.

Dalahikan Port, Lucena City

We were anxious when we arrived Dalahikan Port in Lucena City because we were not sure if we can take the first Ro-ro going to Boac, Marinduque but praise the Lord we're just in time! We paid  P2,100 for our mini van included the passengers. 

ready to load to roro

heading to Starhorse Shipping Co. (roro)

We were excited to load on ro-ro. This was my kids first sea travel.  I've seen the amazement in their eyes.  They were not afraid to tour the ship and view in the balcony the children who were diving to get the coins being thrown by the passengers. 

coin divers

The ship leaves Lucena  at around 11:00 in the morning. We ate our packed lunch there but we forgot to buy some drinks and snacks for the children.  The price of snacks and drinks in ro-ro were doubled  to the original price.

My husband and youngest daughter enjoying the wind :-)

We enjoyed our voyage.  Four three hours travel from Dalahikan Port (Lucena City) to Balanacan Port (Boac, Marinduque) we were in the balcony of the ship enjoying the view and the salty wind blows.

Marinduque island from afar

small islands in marinduque

source of electric power of the whole marinduque

Balanacan Port, Boac Marinduque

We arrived Balanacan Port in Boac, Marinduque  exactly 2:00 in the afternoon.  It was a long travel started in Rizal, through Laguna and Quezon and finally we are now in the province of Marinduque, known for their Moriones Festival and the province considered to be the heart of the Philippines based on the map location.  So excited for what the province will offer to us.  Thank God for the safe and enjoyable 9-hour trip via land and sea through the four provinces.