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Some Sunshine on a Rainy Week... (Teaser Post)

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Hello Sunshines and Picnics!

It was a rough week of heavy rain and flood in the Philippines. Many lost their homes and some lost loved ones. But the Filipino spirit is strong and resilient. We are a country that is familiar with hardship. We are a country that cannot easily be broken. As we rise above yet another calamity, let us remember even amidst difficult times, the Filipino will always find something pleasant to smile about.

Hello to sunshines and picnics! Have a good week everyone!

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The Winner of a FREE BIRTHstory Photo Package!

CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of a FREE BIRTHstory Photo Package. Raffle was run by Chronicles of a Nursing Mom. I am looking forward to documenting your BIRTHstory! Wishing you a comfortable pregnancy and a smooth and safe delivery!

After Much Anticipation, We Welcome Baby "S", a BIRTHstory

In continuation to my “31 HOURS OF LABOR AND LOVE” post, this entry is dedicated to Baby “S”. After over a day of laboring, Daddy, Mommy and even I were all exhausted. The delivery went by quickly and smoothly and within a few minutes, Baby “S” was welcomed to the world!

She was in no way exhausted like the rest of us though. She came out with an immediate huge cry with her long fingers and toes sprawled all over the place! In my joy, I almost forgot to snap away!

In that moment I thought to myself, I love this job… no, wait… it no longer felt like a job but something I truly enjoyed. In that moment my heart was full. I completely forgot about my lack of sleep and was smiling ear to ear, mesmerized by this newborn creature of God. So this is what it feels like to follow your passion…

Anyway, Baby “S” was brought to the side to get cleaned and measured. She was so clean, virtually free of any vernix! She lay behaved in her bassinet most of the time hardly even crying. I could tell she would be a strong one like her Mommy.

Baby “S” was brought to her family to bond. Mommy’s eyes were fixed at her the entire time!

Daddy and Doctor took a closer look at Baby “S”, both happy and relieved for a job-well-done.

To Baby “S” I wish all the love, comfort and happiness in the world! See you sometime soon!

31 Hours of Labor and Love, a BIRTHstory

This is their BIRTHstory from my eyes…

Mommy messaged me Friday morning informing me that she had been laboring since 2am. At 8am she was 5cm but progressing slowly so the doctor allowed her to labor at home and return to the hospital when her contractions were 5 minutes apart. I called Mommy as soon as I got the message to gauge how far along she was. From her tone, I knew she still had a long way to go. But you never know with births, so I cleared my schedule and patiently waited…

At around 3pm, Mommy messaged me that she had checked in the hospital. Contractions were more regular and she was 5-6cm dilated.

I remember this couple to be such a sweet and giggly pair and I wanted to get some of their untainted moments on camera so I decided to join them in the hospital.

Labor progressed at a very leisure rate with the contractions getting stronger each hour, but the couple remained a smiley, giggly and sweet pair. It was such a blessing to witness how gentle and loving they were towards each other despite the physical pain and emotional anticipation.

Every time a contraction would come, Daddy would immediately drop anything he was doing and run to Mommy’s side to relieve her pain and encourage her.  

Even their doctors were so smiley and jolly the whole time!

At around 6am the next day, the resident doctors informed the couple that Mommy was almost fully dilated. We were all ecstatic! After over 24 hours, Baby was finally going to meet the world! The couple did some trial pushes and were ready to have their ideal birth.

However, labor stopped progressing from there and after over 24 hours of waiting, it was time to opt for a c-sec.

I could see Mommy was disheartened. But Daddy was there to comfort and assure her all the way.

At the operating room, the Doctors skillfully took care of both Mommy and Baby! And after 31 hours of labor (and love), we met an alert, healthy and beautiful baby girl!

This BIRTHstory will be memorable for the longest labor I have attended, for the first cesarean section I photographed, but more importantly for the one where I saw genuine love and friendship between husband and wife. This day I witnessed how the inner strength of a woman and the gentle love of a man can get a family through anything.

See "After Much Anticipation, We Welcome Baby "S" Into the World" for the continuation...

FREE Childbirth Photography Package!

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