08 January 2013

Celebrating Life at Jesus Delgado Memorial Hospital

It has been a year since I gave birth to my second child and I haven't shared my extraordinary experience  when I gave birth to this lovable baby. With my first child Frankie, I was already blessed with a normal delivery. But during the process, I was completely dazed with the medicines and pain killer given to me in the hospital. I was half- awake when I delivered Frankie, but as soon as he was out, I fell asleep immediately that I wasn't able to hold him. It was my husband who held him first.
With my second son Mikee, my husband and I decided to move to a new hospital. My admission letter was addressed to the Labor room of St. Lukes Medical Center, but the day I was going to give birth, I decided to go to a different hospital. And I made the right decision, for I was given a different feel of giving birth with my second baby.

There's 1 reason with the sudden change of hospital:
*Since I'll be spending a short period of time in the hospital, I thought that it is going to be more practical if I get admitted to a private hospital that's not too big and can still cater to my needs and standards as a patient. We chose Jesus Delgado Memorial Hospital.
Ever since, Jesus Delgado is known as a Maternity Hospital that has now expanded as a General Hospital. Aside from the fact that Jesus Delgado has been in service for decades, this hospital has been getting good feedback on their facilities and services. Plus, we have friends who highly recommends it. And my mom told me, that during her time, Jesus Delgado Memorial Hospital was the "St. Lukes" of Maternity Hospitals. I guess even up to now, because Jesus Delgado is able to maintain that standard that gave me the best experience when I gave birth to my son Mikee.
In my opinion and with my experience, Jesus Delgado Memorial Hospital specializes on "traditional" maternity care. I arrived at the labor room exactly 8:30 in the morning with 2 cm. Once they got my admission letter from my OB who's a very known doctor in the industry, the nurse aide immediately began preparing me. I was impressed with the process. It was fast, clean and efficient. And of course, the nurse aide was explaining to me everything in the process and the purpose of each. By 10am I was ready and waiting. My husband was outside waiting as well. My OB doctor dropped by to check on my condition and gave orders.
You know what's amazing with the staff of Jesus Delgado Memorial Hospital? (particularly in the labor room and delivery room)  Everyone inside are doctors with nurse aides. So instead of getting a ratio of 1 nurse: 1 patient, it's 1 doctor: 1 patient, how relieving is that? It's something I didn't experience in my previous hospital. I was greatly secured because aside from my OB and Anesthesiologist, there's another doctor looking after me (bedside). They're very pleasant, they're very knowledgeable, they know the whole meaning of health care service.
Labor pain began around 3pm with 5cm. In a matter of minutes the pain went stronger---but--- for me, it was still bearable. Learning from my previous experience on giving birth, pushing while contracting eases down the pain. I was awake the whole time and without any pain killer.
In Jesus Delgado it's different. They will administer the pain killer on the go signal of the patient. Again, basing it on my experience, the doctors told me to give them the go, (as instructed by my Ob-Gyne) if I want the pain killer to be injected. We patients have options and our decisons matter. And I felt I was given value when they asked me to decide on it. By the way, the process with the pain killer was explained to me ahead, the moment I was admitted. Though, it became really, really painful,  thinking of the life that's about to say hi to the world made me endure everything until I reached 10 cm +2. Meaning, I was fully open, my water has broken and the baby's about to come out.
In my opinion, I guess that's how you give birth the traditional way. I pushed and pushed (minus the screaming and all the crying :D) while the doctors helped me get through. It was an amazing experience. I'm very proud of myself as a mom... After, I was able to hold Mikee with his umbilical cord still attached... It's just wonderful and rewarding once I was able to embrace Mikee wide awake.
I stayed in the hospital overnight. That's how fast I recovered. When my OB and the other doctors visited me in my room, they were amazed that I was already mobile and I even walked to the nursery to breastfeed my baby. The recovery was fast because I was well taken cared of. I was a first time patient in that hospital, but it felt so homey. I will never forget the kind hearts who gave me this experience. My Ob- Gyne... she's the best. I look up to her just like my mom. She never introduced or even mentioned C- Section to me even the first time we met. All she kept on saying was " Kaya mo yan mag normal delivery! Kahit 8- lbs pa yung baby" (You can do normal delivery even if the baby weighs 8-lbs). Of course in reality, if the situation asks for a C-section, then if it's for the best... But then again, it's all about the encouraging words to go for a normal delivery which makes it inspiring and that motivated me as a mother to do well and to give my best for the baby.
 Life is a blessed gift. Every individual brought into the world is bestowed with a unique characteristic.

26 comments:

Xyesa said...

Hi,

May I ask who is your OB po? I'm 6 months pregnant and reconsidering giving birth in Makati Med kasi super layo. I'm from Quezon City. Plus their maternity package is expensive and I want to be practical as much as possible without compromising my experience.

Thanks,

Xyesa said...

By the way, how much was your total bill, if you don't mind me asking :)

Enchie said...

Hello! My OB is Dra. Climaco of St. Lukes Medical Center. Over-all, my husband and I spent 35K with Philhealth. But without Philhealth, it's going to be at 40+K including doctor's fee.

Kay said...

Thank you for sharing your story. I am torn between slmc and delgado. May I ask how their private rooms are? Also, are you able to "room-in" your baby?

Kay said...

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am torn between SLMC and Delgado. How are Delgado's private rooms? And are you able to "room-in" the baby?

Thanks! :)

Enchie said...

Hi Kay! The rooms in Delgado are clean and nice just like any other private rooms. I stayed overnight so I opted for the baby to stay at the Nursery. The following day, we went home already. I think, if you'll get a private room and if you feel safe, you can room-in the baby.

A friend of mine who lives in Singapore went home just to give birth in Delgado. The couple friend of mine were very happy with Delgado's services as well.

Princess said...

Hi Enchie,

It is possible to give birth at Delgado without any consultation record from one of their Ob-Gynecologists? From what I know kasi, one must have at least a record of consultation from any of the Ob-Gyn of any hospital before you can be accommodated to give birth. I go to Medical City for my pre-natal check-ups and I find their maternity package too expensive kaya I'm looking for less expensive ones and I'm considering Delgado. I'm on my 7th month na din. Due date on March. Can you also refer an Ob-Gyn there?

Appreciate your help. You can reply to my email dyan.taverna@gmail.com.

Princess

Enchie said...

Hi Princess!

Sorry I have to send my response to you thru my blog. I'm having a hard time opening my emails since yesterday. For now, here's what I can recommend.

Based on my experience with my 2 boys, I always have an admission letter from my OB addressed to the hospital of my choice and which my doctor is affiliated with, plus I have the Mommy Book with me where my OB documents the development of the baby every month or for every visit I make.

It's best to consult your present OB with regards to the consultation and admission process. Ask your doctor if she or he is affiliated with Jesus Delgado. If not, still seek for advice with the hospital choice you want. Maybe your doctor can refer you to another OB who can attend and look after you in the hospital you prefer.

Ruwine said...

Hi enchie,

Is the husband allowed in with you while your delivering? Can he hold the baby when he/she is out? Im kinda concerned about the husband's role in thaT hospital...

Thanks :)

Enchie said...

Hi Ruwine!

My husband wasn't allowed to be in the labor room with me. But the waiting area is just a few feet away, so the doctors can still give him updates. I'm not sure if your other half can hold the baby though... maybe check with your OB :)

Unknown said...

Hi Enchie!

Ask ko lang what room ang kinuha mo, I'm planning to give birth here. Hehe, I'm due this Oct or Nov. :)

Enchie said...

I stayed at the maternity ward since I got cleared to go home the following day. For security, my baby stayed at the nursery then I just go to there to cuddle and breastfeed once in a while.

The maternity ward is clean and still offers privacy. But of course, you still need to have someone with you just to be safe.

I don't have any knowledge of their present rates for private rooms.

http://www.jesusdelgadohospital.com/

Abbey DB said...

Hi. Im planning to give birth at Delgado this coming March. Did you give birth at the ward? When my doctor quoted the price for private its around 70k.. too expensive for me. So I'm considering ward or semi private. Is their ward okay?

Enchie said...

Hi Abbey! Yes, the ward is okay and clean. But you just need to have somebody with you for security.

Unknown said...

Hi ms. enchie is your ob is accredited po ng maxicare ? plan q po kse magpalit ng ob .. since ung ob q is from private hospital den d nya p po pinaparinig yung heart beat sakin n baby after q po ung ultrasound q po saknya nung 2nd visit q.. den puro i.e lng aq. im on my 14wks n kse po eh

Thank you .

Enchie said...

Hi Richelle! Unfortunately I can't answer your inquiry. But I suggest that you ask or request your OB if you can hear your baby's heart beat. Also, don't hesitate to ask your OB questions or secure yourself with answers you think you need to know as a patient and it's a motherly instinct to know what is happening to your baby.

Vanessa said...

Hi may I know the name of your OB Gyne at Jesus Delgado? Im about to give birth next week. Thank you :-)

Inezzy said...

Hi! Did Delgado process the birth certificate of your baby? Thank you! :)

Enchie said...

Hi Vanessa! Dra. Climaco

Enchie said...

Hi Inezzy! Yes they did but you have to be the one to get the original copy from NSO. You can actually order it online: http://nsohelpline.ph/

Anonymous said...

Hi ma'am. Ask ko lang po mga magkano aabutin yung magagastos including PF tpos ward. Manganganak na kasi wife ko this september. Medyo costy kasi s OB namin kaya ocular ako s iba. Last minute lipat. Thank you po

Enchie said...

Back in 2011, we spent 35-37K overnight lang sa ward nabawas na ang philheath sa price na yan.

ashenvale said...

Hi Enchie, My Ob is Dra. Climaco din, kaso sa healthway ang checkup niya then affiliated sya sa Delgado,QCGH and St.Lukes, im 6weeks pregnant, first time ko sa knya. Okay ba sa DELGADO?? and sya ba ung mismo na nagpaanak sayo?? Thank you Enchie.

Anonymous said...

Hi! Is your doctor, Dra. Cherrie Climaco? Is she still affiliated with JDMH?

Enchie said...

I apologize for the late response, I was out of the country for months.

Enchie said...

Ashenvale I haven't seen her for the past years. But during my time, yes, she was there to assist me with my youngest in giving birth at JDMH and with my eldest at St. Lukes.

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