I was very nervous during my pregnancy I really wanted to be as prepared as possible to welcome my baby. I know you probably are also feeling that way and might be a little flustered by the fact that you can find so much information online that one really doesn’t know what to trust. Taking into consideration that most information is based on experiences in other countries I’d like to share my experience from my C-Section journey in Panama City, Panama, specifically in the Punta Pacifica hospital beside Multiplaza Pacific Mall. Here we go!

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Obviously, we all have different experiences but I’ll be as specific as possible to describe all the processes and usable information and tips possible.

We went in just for a regular check-up with my OBGYN Dr. Jorge Ng Chingkee at the female clinic in the Punta Pacifica Hospital on the 27th of September 2022. Little did we know when we walked into the doctor’s office we’d be having our baby the very next day. As recommended by the doctor he scheduled my c-section for the 28th of September at night since there were no available other openings in the OR for the next day. He called the check-in office at the hospital and instructed us to go pre-check that same day.

The check-in office at the Punta Pacifica at this time was located on the first floor of the building near the main entrance. We waited for maybe 20 minutes before we were received by nice check-in officers. There we had to sign some legal papers and provide information about our insurance and means of payment.

Our insurance provider is Blue Cross and I must say that for this experience it was quite an easy-going process. Also, I have to mention the great work and customer service we received from our insurance broker «Quitza Paz» from Si Seguros.

Once all the legal requirements were done with they gave us copies of all the documents and a few pieces of paper with our pre-checked information for, let’s call it fast pass for our entry the next day. We headed home for the day all the while in complete awe of what was to come in less than 24 hours. The moment we had long waited for was finally in reach.

I got home rushing to check I had everything I needed in my c-section hospital bag for the days to come. We’d be staying for 4 days and 3 nights. Our insurance covered a nice suite with two rooms. One room with its own bathroom, the main room where we would stay (Vite, the baby, and I), and a connecting room that was a small living room also with its own bathroom. At the moment the hospital didn’t accept door decorations or big decor inside the rooms. Also take into consideration that small children are not allowed, at least not in the maternity wing of this hospital.

Here’s what we packed for our stay and the decor for the room.

Day 1 – Check-in and Delivery
First of you need to know that you won’t be allowed to eat during the prior 8hrs before your procedure so I only had a late breakfast that day before heading to the hospital. Checking in was pretty easy. We went back to the office we had prevously checked in the day before and they asked us to wait until our room was cleaned and ready. After our express check-in we were acommodated in our room. It was around 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon. I started un packing every as fast as I could. If there was something I did know about surgery was that I was certainly going to be in no mood or state to un pack and leave everything at hand for me later. I quickly finished organizing all of my things and then went on to shower and fix my hair to be ready at 6:30 p.m. which is when I was supposed to go down to the ER. I was extremely nervous but I’ll always apperciate the team of medics that were very nice and soothing to me. They even allowed us to chose th music that would play in the OR so that we or mostly I could be as comfortable as possible during the procedure. If you’d like to read more in depth of my experience welcoming Rafaella in the OR check out «The Day I became a Mother» blog post.

NITE 1 – MEETING OUR DAUGHTER
At the hospital you have the choice to take care of your child as you wish. For example I decided I would solely be breastfeeding Rafaella but it you chose to rest, mix or go for formula they’ll also feed the baby as you prefer same for chosing whether to keep the baby in your room overnight or chosing to rest instead and having the baby during the day only. In our case Vite and I decided to stay with our baby the whole time. That meant nite feedingd, diaper changing and putting to sleep were left to us. I must admit the first nite isn’t for the weak of heart. It can turn out to be very frustrating. At least it was for me. I was over stressed about how little collostrum I was producing and thought maybe my poor baby was hungry since she cried some the first nite. She would fall fastly asleep on her daddy’s chest yet not on mine. Anyway the nurses were always just a call away to promptly enter the room and aid us if necessary something else I really appreciated. We were very lucky to have a very nice team of nurses taking care of us everyday.

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Day 2 – First food and Walk
After surgery your kept pretty much sedated from the waist down with the epidural. I had a little pump that I could open or close depending on how numb or hurt I felt. When it came to standing up for the first time I was instructed to close the pump so that my feet and legs could wake up enough for me to take my first walk. Here’s a tip for first time mommies like I was. Take it slow and easy! I didnt feel that bad and after placing my feet on the ground thought I was okay enough to raise and drop my left foot as I normally do but my stitches ended on that side of my abdomen so when I dropped my left foot it really really REALLY hurt. So make sure to walk really slow and gentle and you’ll be okay. Atleast I was after I started walking that way.

I walked my self to the bathroom being held by Vite and the nurse. She acompanied me all the way to the shower and helped me shower. This is a must. Vite was there the whole time but the nurse didn’t allow us to do it by ourselves.

After showering and jumping laying back on my bed I was pleasantly greeted by a nutricionist that talked to me a little about what was recommended for me and my diet specially for the next few days. At this point you are still channeled and the nursing team is checking if you are producing urine effectively. After you are able to pee they ‘ll then check on you asking when you are able to poop as well. Remember you just went through major surgery there and everything inside might be a little fuzzy still.

I ate three meals and two lunches that day all provided by the hospital. Food was not bad at all. They offered me a few options at the beggining of the day and I got to choose what I wanted to eat from within their options. I actually very much enjoyed some of the plates I was able to eat.

Day 3 – Continued Recovery
On our third day in the hospital Vite went to register our daughter in the hospital’s public registry office. Two of our dearest friends, not relatives, accompanied him and got «Rafaella Victoria» her panamanian id number. She was officially and legally our daughter. This day I was able to stand with help of Vite and showered by my self. Managed to walk a little around the room to exercise a little and help the healing process jump start. Also had the menu choice wih three meals and two lunches.

Day 4 – Check-in Out
Checkin out of the hospital was pretty easy and fast. Vite went down to the office were we originally registered in and he was presented with the charges (not covered by our insurance). Initially they’ll ask for a retainer that you will probabbly use in full. We did and also payed around $100 extra. Before leaving we had Rafaella ears pierced. We took photos of our room and Rafaella in her parting clothes. Thanked the team of nurses for everything they did for us those few days. Then one nurse came and picked us up in the room with a wheel chair for me. I sat on the wheelchair carrying Rafaella and was rolled out by him to the main entrance of the Maternity wing. There were some security questions asked before leaving and after answered we were on our way down to the parking lot were the nurse left me.

All in all we had a very nice time at the hospital. Vite was able to be with me during the c-section (post COVID) something that some hospital aren’t yet allowing, he also stayed with me in my room and we were also able to have friends an family over for visits. I must admit I wasn’t convinced at all with giving birth after seeing the little information they have on their website but the images and information isn’t as good compared to our really happy and memorable stay at the Punta Pacifica. I for one am glad to have chosen this hospital as my final choice even if it wasn’t the newest option available. I would recommend this hospital just for the fact that we had excellent customer service and our wait times weren’t bad at all. Topped with some nice food I’d say it would be a great choice for you too.