In the Womb: Carm’s Pregnancy Blog

As early as 9 am of tuesday, my obgyn called me at home to confirm whether I would go for induction this week or not.  Its so hard to make a decision overnight and with that, I asked her if she could give me more time to think about it and promised to call her that same day.  Yea, promises are made to be broken, I called her the next morning not to confirm my induction but to let her know I’ve got bloody show since last night.  “Bloody show,” a pink- or brown-tinged stringy mucus discharge, is a sign that my cervix is dilating and/or effacing. This is a definite signal that Im well on my way toward labor and delivery.  I had minimal contractions that night and as hours passes, its subsiding as well as the spotting.  (more…)

I am experiencing nesting syndrome!  yeah, the kind of thing when women who are about to go into labor starts to clean, organize and decorate their home right before the delivery of the baby.  Im on full term now and anytime soon, the baby could come out!  Everything is pretty much ready and so am I.  Can’t wait!

Before anything else, I would like to thank those who generously shared their favorite baby names with me.  I am hoping to get her name at least from that list.  There’s no final name yet at this moment although few more days are left on my calendar.  Again, thank you so much for everyone who visited and dropped in their suggestions.  I really appreciate your effort.

My baby has gone down in preparation for birth, it dropped right head down thus increasing the pressure in my pelvic area.  I haven’t felt any contractions yet at this moment.  

I began to slow down a little bit this week.  I am shopping the baby’s stuff right after my doctor’s visit to cut down the time of going outside and be close at home as possible.  I am in a week which is considered as full term although its not yet on the 40th.  I can deliver the baby anytime now so I have to be very careful as to where Im going.

I began to see my doctor on a weekly basis.  She started monitoring me and my baby’s progress and watch for early signs of labor.  She may call for induced labor as she mentioned to me on my previous prenatal visit if continuing it more than my due date will pose a significant risk like having a bigger baby or the water broke and I do not start laboring within 24 to 48 hrs.  On my first pregnancy, I had induced labor for convenience and comfort.  As Ive mentioned before, she asked me to have induce labor coz she’ll be out of town for conference that week and most pregnant women of the same week as mine had given birth.  I remember I almost failed on the induction coz my cervix wont dilate fast, which means I might end up by emergency c-section.  Giving birth is risky and nerve racking.  C-section on the other hand, means longer hospital stays and longer recoveries, higher rates of complications too.  My induction before cause strong contractions that hyperstimulates the uterus, thus stressing me and the baby.  If I really have a choice, I dont wanna go through all that again.  Its traumatic!

This week, I find myself addicted to coffee, sodas and chocolates.  Thats the disadvantage of halloween.  Right after trick or treat, I’ll always have bag of snickers set aside for my sweet cravings and comfort.  Then somehow, I saw myself snicking out some from my daughters goodies, now where the weight watch has gone, I really dont know.  Anyway, coffee, sodas and chocolates are the big culprit of caffeine, which may lose calcium and impede our body’s ability to absorb iron, a nutrient important to pregnant women.  I hope I could stop this addiction soon! 

Increased in body weight and size is significantly evident towards a good pregnancy.  Its an indication that you’re baby’s growing with you.  The hormones released in our body trigger that changes including changes in our breasts.  There are significant changes in the nipple, and as early as 7 months, colostrum may begin oozing from nipples.  It looks weird but its one way to prepare our body for breastfeeding. 

I had the privileged to see my baby once again on my second abdominal ultrasound today.  This time to check if its size is perfect for its age and of course, to check again the gender.  At last, I found out which color to pick when shopping for baby’s needs.  Its a girl!  Its probably official and no doubts that I saw a line in between her legs with nothing sticking out.  Im relieved and still are excited to see her face.  There’s nothing much to buy on clothes coz Ive kept old baby clothes of my eldest.  I’ll just  buy few new clothes that she could wear outside when we start strolling.  I can’t wait to hug and kiss her.  I told the good news to my closest friends and my hubs which of course couldn’t help but accept what is given to us and to my daughter who never runs out of excitement when it deals with the baby.  According to the sonographer, my baby weighs approximately 6 lbs and 12 oz… she’s big and looking great!  Im quite scared that she’ll grow bigger like half pound each week until I deliver so I gotta be careful with what Im eating and drinking.  I haven’t changed a lot except for big tummy so it looks like everythings doing well, only the baby keeps on growing.

Im getting very close to delivering and  I havent packed my bag yet.  Here are the few things that I should start packing this week:

For Meeh:

• Robe or Bed Jacket
• Socks
• Slippers
• Nightgown
• 2 to 4 Nursing Bras
• 3 to 6 Underpants
• Toiletries:  Toothbrush/toothpaste, soap, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, lotion, brush, lip balm
• Hair clip for pulling hair back during labor
• Prayer and Inspirational Books
• Going home outfit
• Lollipops or hard candies to keep my mouth  moist during labor
• Laptop
• Baby book recording every details and first moments with my baby, baby’s hand and foot prints on the appropriate page while they are inked for the hospital records
• Makeup, lipstick, perfumes

• Address book

For Hubs:

• Insurance information
• Hospital preregistration information
• Change of clothes and toiletries
• List of people and phone numbers to call
• Camera and compact flash cards
• Camcorder and its tapes

For the big sister:

• Change of clothes and toiletries
• Toys

For baby:

• T-shirt, socks and hat
• Going home outfit
• Receiving blanket
• Car seat

My baby is moving a lot and I can see my stomach changing its shape from one minute to another.  A loud noise from a complete silence will make it move or a touch of one hand will get it changes position.  Probably, my baby is running out of room that I could readily feel its hand, elbow or head pushing against my belly.  Its a playful thing to do especially when my daughter is around.  Its like getting to know each other. 

Some women like my sister are put on bedrest to insure they don’t go into labor early.  She and other women sometimes feel the baby is too low it might come out anytime.  Although the possibility is  endless and they  could go into labor anytime, extra precaution is still safer and recommended.  Mine is still too high, Im actually having hard time breathing because its squeezing my lungs. 

I am still shopping and still on  a look out for other baby’s needs and clothing.  I haven’t finished it yet and its so hard to pick the colors since I never had another ultrasound since my last on the 16th week.  The sonographer told me its a girl but we are still hoping he made a mistake so to play it safe, I go with yellow or green, but there is always  a touch of blue, can’t believe it. 

I had a pleasure of having my friend in College last Saturday at our house.  I haven’t seen her for years.  I have been blessed to have this kind of friendship around, its like bringing the good times and memories on my younger years(not so long ago, lol).  Despite adversities and extremities of life, we are able to laugh and enjoy with each short moment.  She’ll definitely on my list of the Godparent to be for my next baby.  Its nice to see her back.

I am starting to worry how to get to the hospital when I started feeling the uterus contraction.  The fastest way to get there is using the freeway and if there’ll be a traffic, I dont know what to do!  I still want my hubs to be there in sight, what if he’s in the office?! I haven’t come up yet with a solution, the only thing Im thinking of is either beginning to exaust myself before the weekend starts(pls get out baby, lol) or do the induced labor which I definitely hate because I experienced that on my first.  Its very painful and exhausting process! Not recommended as far as my opinion is concerned, but its totally an open option for every pregnant women especially  if necessary.  I had to undergo before for induced labor since my ob-gyn will be out of town for conference that week and she said that all other pregnant women of the same week had given birth and since I dont want surprise labor, I agreed, not knowing how painful it is.

I have food cravings and sweet tooth!  and I just gave in!  This week, I bought four different types of chocolates, I crave for Ice Cream, Cakes and a cup of coffee.  I have a sip or two occasionally, bites here and there once a day or thrice a week just to satisfy my cravings.

I also began to experience shortness of breath since Ive realized, my baby has gone up to my chest squeezing my lungs to expand.  And every morning, my leg cramps has been part of me before I wake up, to relieve the cramps, I simply straightened my legs and Im good to go, thank God, back pain wasn’t that bad for I’ve mastered lying on my side when I sleep. 

Ive started monitoring my baby’s kick for two weeks now.  To do that, I have to drink a glass of water or milk before going to sleep, lie on my left side and count the kicks for an hour, if its four and more, there’s no need panic.  Thank God, its more than that, with or without water intake.  I just wanna see my baby and see if he/shes okay and Im totally relieved.

I am probably few of many pregnant women who’s having the best time of pregnancy ever since my skin doesn’t change much at all.  When I had my first baby, my skin was dry thus prone to breakouts.  I am also using lotion for stretch mark right there on my navel although I dont have any yet, just a precaution.  And Im not sure if this is normal but my belly is pinkish than the rest of my other skin, its probably because it’s tight and hard on that part.  I also notice frequent restroom breaks every now and then, its because my baby  is putting too much pressure on my bladder and I hate it.   The good thing, only my belly is getting bigger, the rest is still okay, although Im already anticipating few more pounds before I give birth which is perfectly normal.

Unlike the first time that I had the baby, the “wants” for my baby every time I go shopping  has replaced by the needs of the house.  If we are filing up receipts from Gap, Victoria’s Secret, Toys R Us, now, we have tons of receipts from Home Depot, Lowes, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Levitz, Sears, Target and Walmart.  Its not terrible but the idea of buying these cute little things for my baby has gone down to my list, at least for now.  So I promise myself that after few weeks, I will attend to his/her needs for he/she’ll be coming out pretty soon.

I had pretty amazing weekend last week.  I had the pride of having my HS friends around the house and helped me out with almost everything including the cooking, cleaning and the endless cruising since we are still new at the place.  Thank you for your patience.    Their presence is irreplaceable and I will surely miss them at our home, their fun and laughter still lingers in my ears and the memories are all printed in black and white.  They brought me special gifts and thoughts I would always treasure for the rest of my life.  My friends, if you are reading this, thank you for everything you gave me including the laughter and tears we shared.  Our recent get together was something we could keep in our hearts until we are old and grey.  You are truly my friends for life.  We also would like to thank one of our friend from SF who hosted the baby shower, we are very grateful for her kindness in touring the whole group in the bay side and welcoming us in her place, we will surely miss the fun with you too.

I am completely resting this week as I had been lacking some sleep from the first day we started moving in.   I am completely bewitched in our new home and can’t wait to do home makeover soon.  We are slowly adjusting ourselves to the new errands and schedules of our everyday life.  Pretty soon, the cry and endless laughter of the baby will be heard all over the house, we are still very excited.  I have sorted my eldest old baby clothes, line up the gifts from friends and listed all other things needed when the baby comes, all I have to do now is to do some shopping as my delivery date(thanksgiving it is) is nearing soon.

Its hubby’s birthday two days ago, Happy Birthday!  No big celebration this year as we recently moved in and just started to settle at our new home.  We just had small dinner with close friends, I really don’t have any big plan since we’re all exhausted last week and the last thing I want to do is cook.  So I just prepared him spaghetti for long life, nilagang baka bulalo style– one of his favorites, bought small bday cake and there it was!  Very simple, he actually has no idea so just in time, our friends dropped by to help us out in settling the new sofas inside the house, then we ate that simple dinner I prepared, thanks God they understand that I really wasn’t prepared at all. 

After the major moved-in last sunday, I was running like crazy back and forth from our old apartment to our new home.  Its like 15 to 20 mins. drive one way.  There are still few things left so I had to go there to pick, pack, and clean the apt as we will hand back the key to the apartment manager this week.  There are times that I experience hardening and contraction of my abdomen, when it happens, I stop for a few minutes and go back again to what Im doing.  Its very exhausting since I had to drop and pick up my kid and do the errands while she’s at school back and forth from the old to our new place.  That was the case this week so I didn’t gain that much which Im not perfectly sure if its okay with my baby, I bet it doesn’t coz I know he/she also get tired from mommy’s frequent moves and nonstop driving.

Tomorrow, two of my friends from LA and one from New York will be coming over for our first bay area reunion, they are three of the five gals Im expecting this weekend to stay over the house, make fun and laughter, reminisce the old days and shower my baby with gifts which they had prepared few months ago.  This will be the best time in our lives and had been dreaming for this for quite a few years now since we all had migrated to different parts of USA and one from Canada.  Together, we will surely make the difference because its just once in a lifetime event we had been wanting.  Im very much excited and thrilled to see each and everyone.