My wife Cheds, gave birth to our first child, Liam, Last June 25, 2018. While she was pregnant, we already decided that we will go with St. Lukes BGC. First, because her OB-GYN is there. Second, since this is our first child, we really wanted the best for Cheds and the baby. St. Lukes BGC is known for the best and modern equipments, their building is new and clean, and im sure many of the best doctors are there as well so we really felt that this was the perfect hospital for us.
But, let me tell you right now, going for the best is not cheap. Specially for us since, we just got married the year before. Just a tip for you guys out there. Before you propose to your girlfriend, do make sure that you have enough money for the wedding AND the first baby! Going for SL-BGC is expensive, but i can also tell you that its WORTH IT. We were at ease knowing that Cheds and our baby were in good hands and were getting the best care possible. The nurses were always friendly and polite, the rooms were spacious and the amenities were really nice.
Our Experience:
*again i am sharing only as much as i can remember
So, as i wrote on my last blog, we went to SL-BGC at 1:00am on a monday, so the trip was a breeze.
When we got there we went straight to the OB-GYN complex (When in labor, go straight to OB-GYN complex, not the Emergency Room, so you wouldn't be charged Emergency room fees). We left our big luggage in the car, and only brought our prepared baby bag and a personal bag.
On my next post i will be sharing what we brought to the hospital (hospital & baby bag) and also what we wished we brought.
After the confirmation that Cheds was indeed in labor (5cm dilated) i met Cheds at the HRPU room.
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| HRPU Room |
She was dressed in hospital clothes already, and On the bed when she was brought in
Monitors to measure heart rate & contractions were attached to her.
As the hours go by, the pain started increasing, and the contractions were getting closer and closer together.
The nurse would bring in the paper works for me to fill up and sign.
The nurse also informed us that they already called our OB, Dra. Regina Capistrano. (We always wondered how our dr will be informed when cheds will be in labor, now we know, the hospital will call the dr)
I was advised to secure our deposit at the cashier in the Main Lobby, so I went out for that.
I had no sense of time, but i guess it was around 6 am when they brought in food, strange because Cheds was no longer allowed to drink or eat, so i guess that was for me. (Cheds was only allowed to drink water when she got to the recovery room after she gave birth, so she was extremely thristy)
Cheds was 7cm dilated when she finally asked for the Epidural. But by the time, the pain was unbearable already. I didn't realise that the epidural was a whole procedure in itself. Chedell was brought to another room for this, and it took a while before she was brought back. She was more relaxed, since the pain is gone, but she told me about the whole ordeal. Guys, again I have to commend my wife for this. The whole experience is frightening, imagine inserting a needle in your spine! Our wives really do go thru so much, during child birth.
A few hours later, our OB arrived and checked in on Cheds. Whats nice about her is that she made sure the atmosphere is calm and she was very chill, this was very helpful for Cheds. Read up below about our OB she's great.
So after her last IE, she (ob) informed the nurse that we are ready for the delivery room, and went ahead because she has to prepare also.
I kissed my wife before she was brought out. I was given my own clothes to wear in the delivery room, and asked me to wait to be called. I used this time to pray for God's hand in the whole procedure.
Finally when the nurse called me, she guided me towards the delivery room.
Cheds was already pushing. 2 other doctors were literally pushing her tummy. It wasn't long before they declared "Baby out". I asked Cheds how she was, she was really really tired. The pushing is not easy guys. It really drained her. She had a Normal Spontaneous Delivery. The whole procedure took about 30 mins.
Finally we saw Liam. I cant describe the feeling. If i could describe it in one word, id say "overwhelmed" He cried for a bit, after a few wipes, they gave him to Cheds to breastfeed for the first time, he latched instantly. I think they call it "Unang Yakap". Cheds was being stitched up at this point. I didn't look. Our OB also reminded me not to look. Why would I.
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| Hello Liam! Unang Yakap |
Then after a few minutes, they asked permission to get the baby for measurements. They called me in for this. We went to the table and showed me all the measurements. They measured the size, length, weight. They counted the body parts, including the fingers. they recorded the birth marks. They made sure that i know all of these. By this time i could here the nurses at the back announcing the inventory of the instruments used out loud, thats good, at least we know they didn't leave anything inside Cheds.
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| Liam's Weight |
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| Other measurements and check up |
They dressed up Liam. The whole outfit was from them. That was the time when they handed me my son for the first time. I wasn't scared to hold him. I introduced myself to him " Hi Liam, Im daddy". I just held him for a few minutes, still cant believe that im holding my son.
The nurse asked if I wanted a picture in their photo wall. Of course. So we had our pictures taken, i also asked our OB for some pics. I thanked her for the whole thing after.
So, I brought Liam back to the room. He was given back to Cheds. Cheds was all cleaned up by this time. We said our goodbyes, because she will be brought to one of the recovery rooms with Liam so she could rest and they could monitor the baby as well. I could tell Cheds was so exhausted, but she could still smile after enduring everything. You are amazing Cheds.
I went to one of the nurses at the reception of the OB Complex, i think i filled up some more paper works there. She only asked for our swaddle, since Liam was already wearing the St.lukes baby clothes. Then she told me that i can already go to the lobby so i can get a room for us already. They don't allow you to get a room before the baby is born.
So i went to the lobby to get a room for us. I wanted a small private room, unfortunately non was available, so i got a Regular Private room instead. The Regular Private room was nice, and spacious, so the next day when they offered us if we wanted to transfer to a smaller room, since its available already, re refused because the Regular Private is more comfortable. You'll need the extra space for your guests.
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| Regular Private |
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| cool baby bed |
Speaking of guests. Since the baby is very vulnerable to viruses, and of course Cheds and I were still very tired and overwhelmed, we only limited our guests to 1st circle family and only few of our closest friends. I would advise others to do the same so you would have more time focusing on your new born rather than entertaining guests. Also dont be shy to tell your guests, and even your family members that they cannot kiss the baby yet. There are so many horror stories of babies getting infected by life threatening virus and diseases because they were kissed by a carrier that had no idea they were carrying viruses.
I think Cheds stayed in the recovery room for 5 hours before they called me that i can come and get her. So i went down to the ob gyn complex again, she was brought out still in her bed, and Liam is in a glass bed stroller. we were assisted by a nurse who went with us us to our room and made sure that cheds will be able to transfer to her bed properly.
We stayed in the hospital for 3 days. Cheds was able to walk already by the time we were discharged.
St. Lukes BGC really is a great hospital. The rooms are nice, spacious, and clean. They had good amenities. The nurses are friendly, and are always happy to answer our first time parents questions like, is it ok that our baby has hiccups. The patient's food were always good also, i know, because i would always eat half of it. The doctors always took time to answer our questions. We have to commend the head nurse during our stay there, Nurse BEA JOSEPH, she really took care of Cheds, and would always make time to go to our room to make sure that were fine and would stay to answer our questions, and give us advise. Thank you Nurse Bea!
My wife's OB:
My wife's OB is Dra. Regina Capistrano. She first went to Dra. Capistrano for her routine check up when we got engaged, in her clinic in Mega Clinic in SM Megamall. Its good that once we got engaged, Cheds went to the OB even just for a regular check up, i think this was the first time that she went for an Ob Check up, and the purpose was because she just wanted to make sure that everything is ok before she gets married. Thats when we found out that she had PCOS. But since she was checked early, the condition was corrected.
I think I need to share that choosing the right OB-GYN for your wife is very important. From experience, since my wife met her OB more than a year before she got pregnant, they were able to build a good relationship already. Once you are in the delivery room, the constant communication is going to be between your wife and her ob, Our job as husband is to comfort and try not to faint, so its very important she is comfortable with her doctor. This definitely helped Cheds alot while delivering Liam.
We love Dra. Capistrano because she's very practical and very maingat with her patients. She's also very remindful sa mga bawal during pregnancy, and she takes her time during consultations. Sure, because of this, sometimes it could take an hour before you get to see her, (do come early for your appointments), but she really does listen to you and takes her time in explaining the details, and we really appreciate that since we were first timers.
I think the best thing about Dra. Capistrano, is that we felt her love for Cheds as well. She has this very caring, and motherly vibe, thats one of the reasons why Cheds felt comfortable with her right away. I remember, a few months before her due date, Cheds was telling Dra. that she's getting scared already of the the whole birth procedure, and have been having mini anxiety attacks already. But Dra. would always assure her, that its not usually how my wife imagined it to be, and it never is like what they show in the movies. Sure, enough when the time came, Dra. gave Cheds her final IE in the HRPU, and was very chill. She made sure the mood in the room is relaxed, to make sure the mom to be is relaxed as well. She was actually surprised when she was called for Cheds because we were not in her list yet since Cheds just hit 37 weeks exactly. Even the way she told the nurse that its time to go to the delivery room, she just nodded to the nurse with a smile saying something like "Room na tayo" as if just inviting someone for lunch. So Cheds did not get that anxious.
Ched's delivery, though it felt like hours, only took 30 minutes. Like what i said, communication and trust between mom and ob is really important and i think that helped a lot with Ched's fast delivery. After the procedure, Dra. even gave Cheds a small kiss on the forehead, as if saying "good job", i don't know if she does that to all her patients, but like what i said, they developed a good relationship already. Its really nice.
So if you are still looking for an Ob, do try, and we do recommend Dra. Regina Capistrano.
Dr. Ma. Regina E. Capistrano
St. Lukes Medical Center Global City
RM 315, Medical Arts Building
Tel No. 789-7700 Loc 7315
M.W.F. 8:00am - 11:00am
T.Th.S. 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Mega Clinic
5th Flr. Bldg A, SM Megamall
Tel No: 637-9661 - 68
Monday - Saturday 12:00pm - 2:00pm
*schedule & details may change without prior notice
So how much do you really need to give birth at St. Lukes BGC.
I think it wont be the same fo all, because each delivery will be different from the other. It will depend on the procedure, complications, the meds, your labor room, your room where you will be staying in, and the PF of your OB, Pedia, Anaesthesiologist etc.
So there are many factors to contribute to the cost. If you get a semi private, or a ward, if you availed of their Maternity Packages (im not sure if this is available for 1st time moms), i think youll be able to pay lower than what we paid.
For us. We stayed in an HRPU Labor room. We had a Normal Spontaenous Delivery. We got a Regular Private Room and We stayed in the hospital for Three days.
So we paid roughly around P170 - P180k. Again, not all deliveries are the same, so others may have paid less or more than this
Yes, i know its a lot but, do keep in mind that your wife and your newborn baby will be getting the best care possible.
Looking back. I do praise and thank God for this wonderful experience, and for his provisions that we were able to have our baby delivered and my wife cared for by one of the best hospitals in the country. If we are blessed to have another child in the future, if we could, we probably would choose this hospital.
I hope i was able to give you a glimpse on what its like when your wife is giving birth, i hope this has also been an informative entry for the 1st time parents out there preparing for the big day.
Thank you for reading! Do let me know what you think!
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| Liam sleeping peacefully :) |
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