Joey M.D.

I got hospitalized 3 times, at least in recent memory. I’ll just recount the best experience of them all!

The first time I was hospitalized was when I gave birth to my son. I went to the hospital at around 11PM because amniotic fluid was already leaking. Since it was my first pregnancy, I was hoping for a normal vaginal delivery. But I already knew how I wanted to be anesthesized, and my choice was an epidural. I wanted the pain muted, but I wanted to be aware of the whole process of birth. I want to remember the experience. I want to see my baby when he finally got out.

The OB residents did an IE on me and determined that I was not even 1 cm dilated and that there was already some fluid pooling. Oh boy. I knew that I was due for a long wait. I also knew that I could not be given the epidural unless I was at least 4 cms. But I was prepared to endure pain. My baby is worth it.

By 8AM the next day, my obstetrician did an IE, and I was still less than 1 cms. I was already having contractions but they were not very regular yet. She decided to start induction.

With the start of induction, my contractions became more regular and more painful. However, after 8 hours of induction (and 20 hours since my amniotic fluid started to leak), my cervix only admits my OB’s fingertip! I knew then that my OB was going to do a CS. I can’t be leaking for more than 24 hours. My labor is inefficient. I do not think the another 4 hours of induction would make my cervix suddenly dilate to 10 cms.

I underwent the Cesarian section. I was very brave about it. My anesthesiologist was very good. I curled up like a shrimp for the epidural and I was very still because I did not want my anesthesiologist to have problems with me. I was awake when I was cut open and I heard my baby’s first cry. I looked around for him. They cleaned him up and brought him to me. I said, “I love you baby” and kissed him on the top of his head. He stopped crying.

My husband was with me in the operating room. We had our first family picture together.

How was I as a patient? I was very good, come to think of it. At least for this hospitalization, because I was excited. I was very understanding when the intern fell asleep while watching me labor. I did not demand for anesthesia prematurely. I did not cry out at all during my labor. That’s mainly because I knew that I had to save my strength for labor, and also because I’m too embarrassed to be “skandalosa” :). The staff knew me because I am a visiting physician there and I wanted to maintain a semblance of dignity.

Our (my son and I) subsequent trips to the hospital as patients were not as joyful. I’d rather not dwell on them right now. What’s important is that we’re all healthy right now. I am grateful for that.

I hope I get to go to the hospital as a patient again, but only when I’m going to give birth again. In fact, I’ll be looking forward to it if that’s the reason I’m going there.