What I Miss While Being Pregnant

To be honest, when it comes to pregnancy stories, I always hear mommies complain about pains, aches and such. They would also say it's worth it and they would sometimes miss certain aspects of being pregnant.

As for me, I would say I am thoroughly blessed because my pregnancy was smooth and good. My morning sickness didn't last very long, I didn't get crazy hormonal, my food cravings are minor and manageable, aches and pains are pretty basic and no complications at all.

Seriously, I have no complains about being pregnant (at least for this child). Okay, maybe I complained a little when I started to have stretchmarks and swollen feet but that was it.

So here what I will miss while being pregnant.

😘 I miss the fact that when I'm alone in the house, I'm never really alone because I have baby in/with me.

😘 Which brings me to feeling baby moving, kicking and wriggling in my belly. I would stop what I'm doing and just stare at my distorted or moving belly with a smile and feeling of warmth.

😘 Ever since my belly was showing, everyone, even strangers will fuss over me. There was never a moment when I could not get a seat or offered a seat.

😘 People are also extra nice with me especially the elderly. They would smile, acknowledge and make conversation. As lady people always mistaken as stuck-up or unapproachable, it's actually a nice thing.

😘 Ever since I got pregnant, I've been forced to dress up nicer when going out. I wore more dresses and even though naturally, I am a jeans and shirt kinda gal, I actually enjoy wearing dressy all the time.

😘 Now that I have an infant to care for, I definitely miss proper sleeping hours. Sure, during my pregnancy, I do have my sleeping struggles but I do still managed to clock in those deep sleep hours.

   

What I Did & Didn't Do For My Pregnancy

Disclaimer:
Every woman and pregnancy is different no matter what age, race or body size. What works for me may not work for you. Do not use my list as a guide on what you should do (or not); ask your doctor for professional advice. I am simply sharing my experiences and what I did and didn't do throughout my pregnancy.

What I Did Do

✭ I do light pre-natal yoga exercises/ stretches like hip circles, cat-cow poses, bending over a counter, pelvic exercises almost every day but only for less than 10 minutes. It helps 'prepare' my body and a life saver when a slightest body ache occurs.

✭ Ever since I found out I was pregnant, I slather myself with Palmer's Cocoa Butter day and night. I do not have stretch marks until my 7th month. It was only because my underwear was tight and it kept rubbing my bikini line so that's where my stretch marks are.

On the 8th month, more stretch marks appeared (remember that stretch marks are also genetic) but managed to 'control' them with cocoa butter and/or coconut oil.

✭ I ate my pre-natal vitamins every single day and only missed 4-5 times. Yes, very proud of that. haha I also eat more fruits which explains why I never had constipation problems expect for that 1 time when I was really sick.

✭ I walk; a lot. Especially on days when I am feeling okay, I would walk maybe at least 1 hour everyday.

✭ I drink plenty of water and even more when I see signs of water retention on my feet. As soon as I don't see my veins on my feet, I make a conscious effort to drink even if it takes me to the toilet every hour. I am happy to say that my feet has never been severely or even moderately swollen until my last month of pregnancy.

✭ I do indulge on gassy/ sweet/ cold drinks. That also includes oily, fatty, processed food and sugary deserts. Not everyday but basically similar diet as before I was pregnant. I do try to limit myself though.

✭ I do drink coffee in the first half of my pregnancy but like once every 2 weeks and just a cup? I'm not a coffee drinker but I do drink once in a while. I stop after a while because it made me wide awake at nights and I don't need that. I am more of a tea drinker but I limit to maybe once or twice a week.

✭ I do still eat spicy food. I don't have heartburn problems and even if I do, it's very minor.

✭ To ensure the best sleep (in pregnant woman standards because we all know what is true sleep when you have to get up to pee all the time), Jhon or I will give a quick massage on my feet and calves with my favorite ointment. More so after I hit 8 months of my pregnancy. It works wonders!

✭ As long as I am not in pain, tired and generally comfortable, Jhon and I do indulge in le sexy time.

✭ I did ate salmon sashimi when I was 3-4 months pregnant because I was craving bad but that was it.

✭ I make a conscious effort to sleep or lay down on my left side as it encourages more blood flow and oxygen for baby BUT I do rotate to the right and back (with upper or side body propped up with pillows, never flat) especially when left starts to get uncomfortable.

✭ I drink soya milk occasionally throughout my pregnancy and more on coconut juice during my 3rd trimester.

What I Didn't Do

✭ I do not drink pre-natal milk such as Anmum Materna. I mean, I tried but one of my aversions during my first trimester was milk. I can't even handle 1 sip. After wards, even when I can drink milk again, I don't. Plus, doctor said it's not necessary as long as I constantly eat my multi-vitamins and have a balanced diet.

✭ I didn't go for any pre-natal massages mostly because I don't feel that much pain or discomfort until I needed one.

✭ Jhon and I didn't attend any birthing classes or parenting classes. But we did attend a breastfeeding talk conducted by KKH.

✭ I didn't sign up for any pregnancy insurance.

✭ I do not eat "for two" which is a common misconception and express train to quick weight gain. I just ate like I always do, if not lesser on periods where my stomach feels small and squished.

✭ I don't smoke or drink in the first place so I don't know why I am writing this here.

✭ I do not eat a balanced meal (meat & veggies) 3 times every day (only every 3 days or so to I get my fiber intake)

✭ I didn't get those pregnancy sleeping pillows. I just use a bolster for my front and a pillow for my back.





   

3rd Trimester, 9th Month (The Last Lap)

Read: New Chapter in Life,

          1st Trimester, Month 0-1, Month 2 (pt.1 & pt. 2), Month 3

          2nd Trimester, Month 4, Month 5, Month 6, Month 7, Month 8

3 August 2017 - 16 August 2017

Weekly Appointments Start

Since I am at my last stretch of my pregnancy, the weekly appointments has started which triggered Jhon to take afternoon half-day leaves. To be honest, waiting time during afternoon appointments seems to drag longer for us even though last week's appointment didn't seemed that long. I think we are just morning people and we feel sian by afternoon.

On 10th August, I had my regular check up which I assumed to me fast and easy but boy, I was wrong. I think it has to do with that it was a public holiday the day before so it seems the clinic's patients doubled in size. Anyways, Little One and I were fine as everything was cleared and heartbeat strong. We discussed again about C-section and yup, it's confirmed people. Unless Little One decided to appear earlier, we have set a delivery date and action emergency C-section on 23rd August 2017 since the operating theatre is still fully booked.

On 16th August, we had our standard check-up again. This time around, a date has opened at the operating theatre and an elective C-section has been booked. Baby is fine, I am fine and Jhon is nervous because he his fear of blood or anything hospital related might br elevated.

But again, I reminded Jhon that it still boils down to baby's decision to come out.

Our next appointment will be on the 23rd August 2017 to have my blood drawn to get ready for the big day on 25th.

Pre-Delivery Registration

I think this is an optional decision by couples where we can pre-register our delivery. In this process, we will meet up with a financial consultant where the nurse will go through an estimation of our surgery and hospital charges. You can decide and choose what ward and eventually place a deposit. Since it's an estimation and/or basic charge, we might have to top-up after discharge should there be any additional medical procedures needed. BUT if it's lesser, you can get the excess money back.

Some couples don't do pre-registration by choice or baby comes out before they could even. Take note that they will only accept pre-registration after 36 weeks of pregnancy. The doctor/ nurse would not ask you to go so you have to bring yourself to the admission. Jhon and I prefer to pre-register because

1) Although we can estimate ourselves through MOE website how much it will costs, we want a more detailed estimation.
2) We wanted to have at least 1/2 of the deed done so when I do go through labor, Jhon does not have to go through too much stuff on his own.

By the way, everyone has and will meet up with a financial consultant whether before you go into labour or between contractions.

Stretchmarks Galore

I've been diligent with my stretchmarks cream and it helped so far but as I mentioned before when I was 7th to 8th month, I started to have stretchmarks on my bikini line because underwear was getting tight and it was rubbing my skin. The marks very slowly but surely gradually spread upwards and by the time I am entering my final month, they just went cray-cray because baby is getting bigger and I could feel my skin stretching, aching and itching. It's not THAT bad because I've seen worse. I would considered it as the standard amount.

Anyways, I knew it would be a given thing because stretchmarks are ultimately a genetic thing. If your mom had stretchmarks, you would probably too. I had stretch marks from just gaining weight too fast when I was underweight decades ago so, I am not surprised that I have it now. I am just glad I got it later in the month. I still put stretchmark cream and coconut oil everyday because it does ease the itchiness and moisturizes my skin but that was it. At least my mark are not so 'garang'.

No more swollen feet?

I had swollen feet since late July and half way in August, my feet suddenly not so swollen anymore. In fact, it was barely swollen. I don't know I've done different. Every day ever since it was swollen, I try to drink more water, rest more, feet up and had my feet lightly massaged and socked up every night. One day, my feet was actually okay! With that said, it does go back to being swollen when I'm on my feet often.

Labour Signs

As I am going closer to to my EDD, every sign could be a labour sign. I'm getting more braxton hicks and random mild pains. They are not prominent labour signs though. In fact, my belly is not even low. I don't know does it has to do with Little One being breeched but I could tell, if I'm going natural, it will take a long time.

Cord Blood Banking

I knew I wanted to donate cord blood instead of keeping it. I just don't know how to go about it. While waiting for our turn to see the doctor, one of the cord banking representatives from Singapore Cord Blood Bank. They are government based, non-profit organisation where we can let them store cord blood for free. If I do need it for some unforseen circumstances, I can retrieve it (provided it has not been used and suitable). Let's say they already used the cord blood, they will look for a compatible one for us at no charge.

The Mommy Haircut

I decided to cut my hair off, all 5 inches of it. Shortest length I ever had since I was in primary school. Even though I always bun up my hair at home, I'm starting to find it a hassle to twirl my hair so many times to bun up. The weather has been so hot and need hair washing time to be reduced when baby comes.

Presenting my 'kopek' face. At that moment, I don't care about make up anymore and walking out to go grocery shopping and have breakfast for 2+ hours is so blah!

See how swollen my feet were. I can barely fit my worn off slippers.

Busy Crocheting

During my last lap, I stopped going to Mak's house mostly because walking 10 mins to her house is just a chore, even more so at 12pm, under the blistering heat. So I confined myself at home, busied myself by watching online movies, crocheting and doing light housewife duties.