Monday, March 19, 2012

Things I Learned During Pregnancy


Pregnancy, this is when I learned a lot of things instinctively. Realizing that this is not just me now, it's me and the baby. So like I said in my previous posts, I need to have discipline when it comes to things like nutrition, sleeping patterns, drinking medicines and triple plus awareness and alertness against diseases such as Dengue, Rabies etc almost to the point of phobia. :3 *freaky, I know!*

Nevertheless, I'm on my third trisem, exactly seven months and is super-duper excited to see and hold this little bean that's been floating inside me. hehe It's my first time and for sure this won't be my last. Definitely looking forward for our next bean! hihi

So, I list here the general things I learned and experience during my pregnancy...
  • when you feel unusually sleepy for the past few days, you might have been carrying a babe all the while.. fortunately for me, i didn't experience exaggerated morning sickness, fainting and headaches, just a few dizziness mood swings, fatigue, food cravings, tender breasts and of course the finale; missed period.
  • when you're like me, who have a regular monthly visit, when you missed it, its positive. well, just for the formality of it, even though I positively know I'm positive, we took the PT and its two lines. Didn't need a second PT.
  • after confirming via PT, I decided to visit an OB. My first OB visit confirmed I have a single live intrauterine pregnancy with cardiac, normal ovaries with corpus luteum on the right. later on we found out that it's a boy. But the old wives tale, that when its left its a girl and right is a boy, I still don't know... Either way, sperm cell is the one that predicts gender, right?
  • yes, that was my first and last visit to my first OB, heck, IDK, I don't feel I belong to her clinic. It is important for me personally to have a GOOD, I-CAN-CONFINED-WITH OB, you know. Pregnancy for me is VERY PERSONAL, so if I have to burst out my secrets it should be to someone I feel comfortable with. And yes, I chose a female doctor too... :)
  • for the past 7 months, I collect my laboratory tests which generally consist of Urinalysis for my urinary tract infection, 2D Echo for my follow-up check-up of my PDA heart surgery (yes, and it's been like 4years ago but just to make sure), blood tests for my mild beta-thalassemia (good thing the baby is not affected), several injections like TT(tetanus toxoid), fetal cardiac monitoring, ultrasounds and a lot more. Actually the test depends on each individual according to your health state.
  • Sleep is what I used to do and what I usually do during my first trimester, I love eating sour, like tamarind based soup and some serious fruit cravings!
  • I gain my strength again during my second trisem, but my OB advice me not to travel much because I had spotting and this time I get down to serious business of fighting stretchmarks. Plus this is when (5months) I first feel my baby's movement, first I was shock  but I realize it was him swimming around, I guess. During my 6months I started experiencing leaky breasts.
  • now, I'm in my third trisem, and I can feel the weight sometimes is unbearable especially when I had to walk and stand around for too long. My baby moves stronger, longer and faster. I can feel when he's practicing to breath and his hiccups are cute! When he stretch out, my ribs sometimes hurt, that's why I talk to him saying like 'hey baby, take it easy'. hihi My legs cramps especially in the early morning. I'm bloated, every curve of my body is literally swollen! I easily feel full and easy to get hungry! Leaking boobies continues but I'm becoming more used to it now. Thank goodness.
  • I hate smoking. When I was not yet pregnant, I tend to move away to avoid smokers. But this time, especially when I'm commuting, I tell it to their faces! >:D
  • This is no time for diet. Eat what you want, just not too much. The key is balance. But during the third sem, my OB advice me to take it slow. hehe Like eat 5 to 6 times a day in small portions rather than exact 3 heavy meals. Makes sense to me. :)
  • Exercise is a must to avoid and lessen beriberi and being bloated. Light exercise that is. A walk in the park suits me. And I soak in the sun for about an hour in the early morning to get a good dose of Vitamin D.
  • There is no better way than to have the baby in Normal Spontaneous Delivery. But since I have cardiac issues, I talk to my OB and she recommended me the Painless Normal Delivery if I could get my cervix expand to 10cm, but if not, I'll embrace the Ceasarian Section Delivery! We decided to use a private hospital with my personal hematologist and cardiologist ready in action.
  • Ooooh, I almost forgot. The baby's name. Well since I'm the one incharge of carrying the baby. I throw this task to my hubby and he is quite serious on his assignment. hehe Since it's a boy, he decided to name him Jerson Clyde. Clyde which means powerful enough to be heard from a distance.
  • It's better to buy baby's things slowly, so not to hurt the pocket too much. Also its wise to wait and buy when it's on sale, no need to rush! :) Here is my baby's first shopping haul. Watch out for my second haul, when I turned 9months and it would probably include diapers and baby's personal hygiene essentials, can't wait! :P
  • While waiting for my baby, I am happy to search, read and watch on things I should know about newborns, like how to take care, hold, take a bath, put to sleep, etc etc.. I know it'll be much more serious and different when it's the real thing but it's still good to know I have back up on my head. :P
The last things that I'm not yet learning thru experience are the labor, delivery and the real thing with my baby. And I'm definitely looking forward to it! :P

31 comments:

  1. this is a great post, chronicling and sharing to us your pregnancy experience, i'm taking notes haha; always take care ms. gerilen

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  2. OMG! We practically have the same preggy learning. Everything you listed is almost exactly the same as what I experienced being pregnant! Have a safe pregnancy and delivery too! :)

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  3. Great write-up sis.. my pregnancy a decade ago almost take my life.. God bless and take care..

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  4. Hi! With the egg cell coming from left or right we had the same experience. Mine is from right also and it's a boy too.

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  5. Arrrgggh...as if carrying a heavy load for 9 months is not enough, the finale delivers a very strong punch. That's why I say women are the stronger gender hehehe. Kudos to all mothers. It's all worth it when you see the little bundle of joy, right?

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  6. I am a mummy of 2 boys myself, and I found myself smiling at your list! Haha... Very apt! Welcome to the wonderful world of motherhood! ;)

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  7. It's nice that you wrote something about your pregnancy from the beginning. Look at it made things more memorable and unforgettable in the present. I need to write my birthing story for my 2nd daughter naman. hayst!

    Visiting from CE Sept4.

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  8. Enjoy pregnancy. And sleep well now, as soon as baby Clyde is out. "night life" will have a different definition. :)

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  9. Reading articles about pregnancy can really help. Mommy when she was preggy, she used to read many articles about pregnancy same with me so I have idea how it really runs and what need to prepare as father to be. It really help a lot. Congratulations and have a safe delivery.
    -daddy allan (visit from BCB)

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  10. I am excited for you! Two more months is just fast so you will be delivering your baby boy very soon.

    Be safe!

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  11. Each pregnancy is a learning experience. Luckily for me I didn't have much issue with morning sickness for all 3. No normal delivery as there were complications so all were via c-section.
    Have a safe delivery.

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  12. Many realizations you've gained through this experience! When the next baby comes, you'll be a wiser mommy by then :)

    I'm scared to go through it due to the risks brought about by my injury. I'm blessed though that I am surrounded with my nephews and niece and a new baby nephew coming this November. Take care!

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  13. Enjoy your pregnancy. It's a bumpy and wonderful ride, you'll love this journey. :) Good luck.

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  14. I don't know what to react other than "awesome post you have!" I am afraid getting preggy, I don't know why. Maybe I will love and appreciate it when it's time for my turn LOL

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  15. thanks for sharing...i hope one day i'd get to experience this also. we have been praying for that little miracle to come. :) have a good pregnancy.

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  16. Such an exciting time for you and the daddy, best of luck with the pregnancy and may you have a safe delivery. Love that this post is very positive. :)

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  17. that's a lot of tests, good thing I do not have to undergo a lot of tests when I was pregnant it should be hard in my part if ever I did since I am a single parent..good luck

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  18. very useful post here... great for first time moms to read...

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  19. Third trim, huh? When you're down to the last week, it would seem forever waiting for the due date. When the baby comes out though, it would seemed that you conceived just the day before. :D Oh and don't buy too much baby stuff. You'll get plenty from friends and family during the baby shower and the baptism.

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  20. Great lessons learned to keep in mind for the next pregnancy. Goodluck on your delivery!

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  21. Been pregnant twice and all i could say is that you are doing a great job! Enjoy every minute. Take good care of yourself and the baby. ;)

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  22. A definitive post in terms of pregnancy. Kudos to you!

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  23. Wow! Thank you for this perfect post sis, I learn a lot... di pa naman ako preggy pero ang daming tips... salamat

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  24. omg you bought stuff already?! Wait for the ninangs, aunts, and random people to give you gifts!~ lol I realized people love giving gifts to babies. When bf's niece was born, I was ready to buy her a set of everything. *stage future tita*

    Wah I hope I will be as calm as you are. I'm probably going to be too OC about it. Plus I'm scared because of the pain! I have really really low tolerance to pain. It really is a sacrifice to bring out life into the world.

    I'll pray for you and your baby! and I'm bookmarking this post! :)

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  25. hmmm.. i can't relate.. hehe i hope someday i can share my own pregnancy stories! :)

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  26. Thanks for sharing. I keep this in mind. :D Sooner, I'll be having my own in years by now. :)

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  27. This is a great post sharing all your experiences going through your pregnancy. I would be a great help for expectant mothers. Good Luck! :)

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  28. Nice of you to share your pregnancy experiences... Take good care always! :)

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  29. I hope to experience another pregnancy. My first time was a success the second one was a failure. I hope the 3rd will be successful.

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  30. Yeah, a pregnant woman's instinct is to be protective to her child. Hence, your reaction to the smokers.:)

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  31. How's motherhood treating you so far? Hope all is well. This is an informative post.

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