Whale-ly Updates 15

Went for our 30 week check up yesterday. Everything's good!

1. Mom and baby are at ideal weight. And I should just continue on my eating spree (wheee!)
2. There's ample amniotic fluid.
3. Baby's still bridged (but we're calm and confident that she'll turn in due time)
4. I am currently 59.4kg... I was 50 pre-pregnancy
5. Antenatal classes are starting next Saturday (we're really excited!)
6. I've been getting very little sleep the past week due to pregnancy discomforts but it's good training for the confinement month
7. Baby currently weight 1558g!
   
8. We have 9 weeks + to go... Wow
   

Whale-ly Updates 14

Here's some updates at the start of the 3rd trimester. =)

1. When Justin measured my bump today (29 weeks + 2 days) he said "are you ready for the news?" My eyes went --> O.O He said... 99cm. Wow... Last week it was 97.5cm. Wow.
2. My back has been aching =( Can't seem to find a suitable position as my bump gets so much bigger and heavier by the day (I feel)
   
3. My baby girl is still kicking inwards and today, she did lots of dances and squirms... especially when daddy came home. She loves the sound of daddy's voice (much to Justin's delight of course). It's so nice seeing daddy and girl bond like that =D

Other than these... nothing much has changed.. Oooo ya... my shoes are getting tighter... water retention perhaps?

=)

But I'm really thankful for being given this gift. I love my family.. Hehehe.. As Justin pointed out, we're going to be a family soon. =) Thank You Lord!

Whale-ly Updates 14

Hello!

Some updates

1. My waist now measures 97.5cm!
2. I have this blue black/purplish ring around my belly button... and my belly button's still an innie =D
3. Been feeling heavy this past week... especially when baby shift position and lands on my tummy... with the heavy boobs pressing down, and baby pushing up, it gets really uncomfortable.. and I honestly don't feel like eating.
4. Baby's movements are not as strong as 2 weeks ago. Starting from last Thursday, I've been feeling much less movements, and the movements are somewhat internal... err... as in, I don't feel her limbs kicking outwards. Feels like she's kicking inwards... get it? Possibly because of her position. Read on the internet that sometimes babies shift positions so that they are facing mom's spine, therefore movements will not be felt as much. So maybe that's why? I'm trying hard not to worry. =) But I've still been counting kicks as the doctor recommended. And she's still been giving me more than 10 movements per day =) It's cute to see my belly change shape sometimes... I still can't figure out which part of her is causing my belly to protrude. Sometimes the right side is more pronounced, then she decides to shift and then the left bulges up! Heheheh. Cute!
5. I've been having trouble sleeping.. seriously. Past 3 nights have been horrendous. I find myself wide awake at night because I simply can't find a comfortable position to be in!!! I've tried bolsters, pillows, blankets and all to help, but nothing seems to work for long. Once I get comfy, my bladder calls. =( And I've only just started my 3rd trimester.... babycenter says that from now till 37 weeks, baby's weight will triple!!!!! *faints*
6. the round ligament pains are back... after taking a hiatus for the whole 2nd trimester, it has come back... welcome back my old friend..=.= I have to beware of how I turn in bed and get out of bed. One wrong (too fast, too hard) turn and that's it, I'd pull a muscle. So I have to repeat to myself.. gentle sher, gentle, then hold on to my bump and move sllooooowllyy...
   
7. I officially only have 2 pairs of pants I can wear now. I can no longer fit into anything but skirts and dresses!!!! =( The horror....... I've not bought any maternity clothes yet... maybe now's the time to consider at least one pair of pants? But they are grossly overpriced!!!! Grrrr...
8. Ooohh I can still see my feet. Muahahahaha!! =D But am having trouble bending down to scrub my toes in the shower now. Very soon, Justin will have to do that for me... Ooh thank God I don't have shoes with shoe laces =D hehehehehe.
   

Well, I guess that's all the up

Whale-ly Updates 13

Hello!


New updates:

1. Bump now measures 94cm =)
2. I've developed a VERY sharp pain in my upper left buttocks. It feels like some sort of nerve pain... like someone stabbed me with something real sharp. It's a come and go pain. Just the stab, then it goes away. And it gets really bad when walking or standing. Just last night we were out shopping and there were times the pain threw me off course and I almost couldn't remain standing. I've tried doing some internet research but it turns out the main ones like Pelvic Girdle Pain and Sciatica pain just don't seem to fit the bill. But I am somehow confident that it'll be healed very soon. Keep me in prayers =) I've been trying to sit the pain out, trying not to add any pressure on my left butt.
3. Still been waking up 2-3 times a night to pee. But I'm getting used to the routine so much so I am much less lethargic as compared to when these spells first started.

I guess that's just about it. Baby Bean Sprout will turn 26 weeks tomorrow! Wow... that means I have 2 more weeks of this trimester left till I meet and greet the THIRD TRIMESTER! Woooooo. I've read and heard alot about it... but oh well.. I'll only know when I'm there =) Till then, tata!

Whale-ly Updates 12

An amazing yet scary thing happened about 3 weeks ago, and it happened again last night!

My girl packs a real punch. About 3 weeks ago, while trying to fall asleep on my side, I felt Bean Sprout squirming, and my bump needed support as it was still too small to fully rest on the mattress. So I placed my hand between my bump and the mattress to support it a little. All of a sudden, I felt this PROD!! It was like someone poked a pencil at my hand!! This was the very first time I felt such a defined movement of my Bean Sprout!!

Last night it happened again, MANY times!! And this time, daddy Bean Sprout got to feel it too!! It was strong, and it did hurt a little. But it was wonderful la!! I felt a mixture of fear (too much alien and predator movies where aliens grow inside humans cause this I think =S), awe, and excitement! She has indeed grown, and is now packing lots of power in her punches and prods!!!

And just today while relaxing on the couch, Bean Sprout was up and jiggling for a good 2 hours! Some movements were so hard that my entire bump moved from side to side, or up and down. It was so amazing, and I watched with anticipation for the next movement. Even held my camera on record mode so daddy Bean Sprout could watch too, but as recording started, no movement, once recording stopped, I got a huge bumping around inside. =/

This is really interesting! But I'm starting to wonder how much harder can she kick. Last night's kicks really hurt. Oh well, no complaints at all, I'm so thankful my Bean Sprout's jiggling and active. As my gynae said, this is an active one =D

Lord You are so so so GOOD!!!

Oh oh, my bump now measures 93cm. Seems like it's been growing by 1 cm each week. =)

Whale-ly Updates 11

I can sum up what I've been feeling in a sentence "Ohhhh the heat wave!!!!!!"

1. Been sweating profusely whenever I'm not in an air-conditioned room.
2. My bump now measures 92cm.
   
3. I feel big but still blissful.
4. Had bad backaches on two occasions.
5. Body has more or less adapted to waking up multiple times a night. I now feel less exhausted in the day =)
6. Still no cravings =/ I was hoping I would crave for something, then it'll make my choice of food much easier.
   
7. At my last check up (5 feb '10) I weight 55.2kg. That's roughly a 4.2 kg increase since pregnancy.
8. And I'm still feeling.... GREAT!! =) I love this trimester!!
   

Whale-ly Updates 10

Hello!

I haven't written about my progress in the journey towards whale-likeness for a while. So here's a compact list of what's been happening, or rather changing!

1. My waist now measures 90cm.
   
2. My bump has lifted and it's "peak" is now at the level of my belly button.
3. My belly button is shrinking by the day (according to Justin who measures it diligently everyday). It started getting shallower by the weak, then it started shrinking in diameter somewhere about middle of last week. Nope, it hasn't "popped" out yet. Am not looking forward to the popping of belly button... I still find the belly button bulge disturbing. =/
4. I've put on weight (how much exactly I have no idea, but my watch doesn't fit anymore) and I can't fit into the new ring Justin bought me for my birthday this year!!! T_T
5. I think my feet are getting bigger as my shoes are feeling snugger...
6. My breasts have stopped increasing in size, but the nipple is seriously darker and significantly bigger now. =(
7. The linea nigra (or the dark line running through the middle of my belly) has started developing above the belly button. I find it amusing that it's perfectly in the middle, like it's attempting to part my belly. hehehehehe
8. I've been having a hard time sleeping at night. I keep waking up every other hour to pee, even though I tried not drinking any liquids prior to bedtime! Wonder where all that excess fluid is coming from.
9. I AM HOT! Literally!! I've been feeling HOT HOT HOT!! I'm a person who rarely sweats. But as of mid last week, I've been finding myself perspiring throughout the day whenever I am not in an air conditioned room! That includes rainy days and breezy days. Imagine the adaptation I have to go through from never feeling sweaty to constantly feeling sweaty! As a counter measure, the air cond has been blasting whenever I'm at home. Poor Justin has to fork out more money. =(
10. Leg cramps are now my companions... accompanied by the heavy belly... these two make it hard for me to stay asleep at night. Thank God the cramps have reduced greatly following my MIL's advice on how to stretch my legs properly. =)
11. I found that exercising really helps!! If you're like me, you can't stand exercise, DO NOT FRET!!! There are BASIC stretching, leg lifting, squatting exercises that you can do, which are not hard but work! I do basic exercise coupled with 2 swimming sessions a week, and I've found that everytime I exercise, I tend to have a better night's sleep, and my abdomen and tummy doesn't feel as stretchy. =D Of course in the long run, exercise has been proven to decrease labour time and pain in delivery! =D
12. My energy level is up, but has been hampered by the lack of sleep at night.
    
13. Appetite is also up! Woo hooo.. But I still tend to gravitate towards chinese food.
14. Oooohh my doc said that I am borderlining Aneamic. So I've been drinking red date juice everyday now. It tastes yummy! I think it helps... cause on days when I drink, my cheeks are slightly rosier.
15. I've also been disciplined in drinking my Anmum Materna every morning and night. I kinda like how it tastes now =D I don't know if it's a placebo, but my clumsy spells have decreased ever since drinking Anmum!! @@

So these are my updates! I am loving the 2nd trimester!! But I'm already half way through it... awwww...

Watch out for my next update on Baby Bean sprout's movements!! Sooo exciting!

Whale-ly Updates 9

Hello readers!

This week, nausea and gastric reflux has decreased to 10% of my worst weeks!! That's a huge 90% reduction. Reduction started about 1 week back and symptoms have been decreasing almost daily! I admit I am a bit worried, but there is still this calm in me. Thank you Holy Spirit!

As of today, my only symptoms include: lots and lots of lethargy, heavy white discharge, breast tenderness, feeling bloated, and I needing to eat every hour to 2 hours. =)

My next gynae visit is next Thursday. Hope to see a healthy, alive, and jiggling 10 week bean! Oohhh yaaa we've named the bub Bean!!! Justin blurted out Mr. Bean which sent us laughing. =D Mainly because we saw a kidney bean on the dinner table and realised that the bub and the bean resembled each other. So bean bean it is =D

Whale-ly Updates 8

Hello readers.

Haven't written about my bodily changes in a while.

First stop, I'm putting weight... 1kg to be exact (since getting pregnant) and it shows in my tummy and arm area, so some people have started speculating that I'm pregnant. =/

Secondly, there's this crazy lethargy that surprised me this afternoon. I felt really really tired before and throughout lunch. When I got home, I only had enough energy to change and climb onto bed and then falling into a deep sleep for 3 hours. And now (9.48pm) I'm still tired! Why I'm surprised is because I haven't been feeling this tired for about 2 weeks now.

Gastric reflux is gradually decreasing (HOORAY!) and hunger pangs have decreased significantly in this past week. =D But I've learned that I MUST eat on time, especially dinner @ 6pm. Anything later will mean gastric reflux and my whole night will be spent dealing with metallic taste in my mouth, trying to burp so the gas will leave my stomach, and at the same time trying to make sure I keep my food down.

In addition, I can't eat heavy meals. I need to eat small amounts at a frequent time span. Take yesterday for example. I ate dinner at my mom's about 6.15, and at around 7.15 I took another round. Also, I've realised that for me, warm/hot food sits way better than cold stuff. Ooo and soft drinks are a no no. Too much gas = bad bad gastric reflux.

My abdomen hasn't been feeling as sore and stretchy as few weeks ago, but this week my back has been terribly sore! I don't know if it's the bed, my sleeping position, or the pregnancy. I know I haven't put on enough weight for my backbone to feel it but... Any one has any clue?

Finally, mood swings.... =/ Over the past 2 weeks, I've been ding-donging from worried + crying to placid. This few days, I've been somewhere between placid, angry+crying, and feeling very lonely. Everything's just a mess, and some days I just wish I could retreat somewhere for a nice long holiday... I just want to be somewhere where I can not look at the mirror, not need to try to look or feel normal, and just relax. I told Justin the other day, I don't feel beautiful anymore. I feel like crap, and I even look like crap now. Especially when gastric reflux and nausea hits, I look pale, listless, and grumpy. And people keep reminding me to stay happy so that I will have a positive and happy child. Oooohhh how I wish I could. I want to celebrate my pregnancy too... but at this stage, it just seems physically, psychologically, and emotionally oh-so-challenging.

But all that said... I'm currently at week 9. So that leaves me 3 more weeks of this. I have approximately 2 weeks of progesterone pills to go, then I'll be off of it! I'm sure that will minimize the morning (whole-day) sickness. Hallelujah!

Note: I'm not trying to sound ungrateful. I am 110% grateful to God for this baby! And if I was told that I would suffer like this before I had this baby, I'd still ask God for this baby. It's just nice to share how I'm feeling in this trimester of great bodily change. =)

Whale-ly Updates 7

Hello again.

I'm currently at Week 7 and 2 days. I had a good break from gastric/nausea from last Wednesday to Saturday evening. Yesterday (Sunday) was bad... I had so much pain, nausea, and a few almost vomit sessions... spent the whole night not being able to sleep well... And this morning, I finally vomited. Felt much better after that but I'm worried about trying to keep the Progesterone pill in. Haven't been able to take much food today... water is worse... at most I can only take a few sips before feeling queasy again. =/

Oh well... I told God, please... may this only be confined to the 1st trimester. I want a beautiful 2nd trimester! So that would mean that I have about 4 weeks and 5 days more of this.

Oh my baby... you better love mommy!!

Whale-ly Updates 7

Hello again!

I'm currently at Week 6, and my body is slowly but sure morphing!

Updates this week:

My boobs have grown =( , last night I woke up twice to munch on something cause the gastric was just too unbearable, I've been feeling tired and gastricy throughout the day. Dizziness has been mild so that's a plus point. My abdominal area is still tender and I've grown a little (must be all the food I've been eating =( ) So I've been unable to put on my jeans now, and the number of shorts i can wear comfortably are... running out.

Till next time

tata!

Whale-ly Updates 6

Hello again!

My days now consists of waking up in the middle of the night to munch on Jacob's cracks because of gastric juice build up. Then waking up in the morning because of the same. Justin then cuts a kiwi for me to munch on before I get out of bed, because it is not advisable to get out of bed with an empty stomach. The activity only further excites gastric juices and causes me to go into a gagging-almost-vomiting phase. And once that phase takes place, it will carry through the whole day regardless of what I do to appease the angry stomach.

So note to those like me: Jacob cracks (or any other saltine biscuits) work. Always munch on something before getting out of bed. And try to drink at least 2 liters of water a day. If you can't keep water down (or it makes you queasy like me) try Ribena or some other fruit juice.

I've been getting moderate dizzy spells on and off. They last for about 10 minutes or so. A remedy is to put your head between your legs in a crunch position to promote blood flow. =)

I've been surviving. Thank God for a supportive and loving husband who's willing to wait on me hand and foot. Still trying to get him to post something on this blog though. He's just too busy =/ Come on future daddy, the readers want to read what you have to say too! *hint hint*

Whale-ly Updates 5

Hello!

Since the start of this week, I've been feeling as though I've slept through the days... In the previous pregnancy, I was dead tired towards the night and slept at 9.30. This pregnancy, I'm tired throughout the day! Especially after lunch. Real bad.... Yesterday I dozed off halfway through peeing. =/

I watched a video by a renowned gynae in an introduction to the second trimester. She mentioned that "while you may feel that you've been sleeping through your first trimester, the second trimester promises a renewed energy level". How true... I'm really looking forward to the second trimester.

I'm also going to start a new category of writing about baby developments called "Baby spurts" =D

Whale-ly Updates 4

Hello!


Started taking Utrogestan 100mg (progesterone) on Friday and everything was normal. Pink spots went away on Saturday!! =) But Saturday morning was freaky. Half way through music practice, I felt like I was almost fainting. Couldn't control my body and it was swaying! Started having sweaty palms, vision was fuzzy, and I just felt like my body was turning to Jell-O! Imagine my fear! Rushed to gynae's office right after practice and I was number 42, they were serving number 21. So we left for lunch and came back 2 hours later to discover they were only at number 30! In short, we didn't get to see her on Saturday.

I still continued with the supplements on Sunday and I felt quite normal. But Monday, half way through lunch, it happened again! Finally met gynae on Monday evening and she said this was normal... caused by the dilation of blood vessels and a lack of blood to my head... Lack of blood = lack of oxygen = fainty. Wow... I have to keep eating this until I'm 12 weeks. Hmmmm This is week 5, so there's another 7 to go. =/

But I'm rest assured that this is good for baby and that baby is doing GOOD!

Baby's gestational sac measured 0.89 cm on Friday, it measured 1.03cm yesterday (Monday). Talk about rapid growth.

Week 5, I have 35 weeks more to go. Yipee!

Whale-ly Updates 3

Hello!


This morning we had a scare again... I saw pink spots.... Yes pink spots. Ever since getting my period many years ago, I noticed pink spots. These pink spots (non itching, non painful, no feeling) always were present before or during my menstrual. Which means some hormones which signal my period signal the pink spots. And hormones that signal menstruation work against a pregnancy. So, I saw pink spots and my heart raced, I almost cried, and I prayed so hard...

After talking to my husband and parents, I decided to go see the gynae. Waiting in the gynae's office for 1.5 hours was painful... The last time I waited anxiously in her office, I found out I had lost my baby. My hands shook, I was cold, and I was basically very very very anxious... My dad gave me a book on scriptures I could read and I kept reading those scriptures to myself over and over again.

The gynae was pleased when she saw the gestational sac or baby's 'house' as she called it. It was small, so she concluded that I was only about 4 weeks pregnant. No heartbeat seen yet cause it's still too early. She kept repeating that I should relax and not be worried. I had 2 bits of good news: 1. I am indeed pregnant, and the baby is implanted in the right place. THANK GOD.

But then I brought up the issue of my pink spots and how they emerged during menstruation and how it was present the week I found out I was pregnant. She was so nice and patient enough to look through my file, upon which, realised that I had polycystic ovaries. She explained that having polycystic ovaries meant that I had progesterone deficiency. Which was bad, cause a pregnancy is sustained by progesterone.

In conclusion, she prescribed me progesterone pills to be taken twice a day which would help sustain the desired progesterone level and sustain the pregnancy. Thank God for a good health care professional who was patient enough to listen to me and calm my nerves. Thank God for great promptings to see the gynae today... Only God knows what would have happened if we saw the gynae only in 4 weeks' time.

My next appointment is in 2 weeks, where a fetal heartbeat would be seen. =) Following which, she'd prescribe another medication to promote blood flow to the baby.

I just thank God.... I really thank God and supportive family members. =)

Whale-ly Updates 2

Hello readers!

I shall write about whale-ly updates when I get new ones.

I had diarrhea today... 4 times from morning till now... not very pleasant at all =/ ... But not to worry. =) Here's something from a website Justin found to help others like me be more at peace:

Constipation is a common side effect of pregnancy. But what of diarrhea? No pregnant woman wants to suffer from diarrhea during pregnancy. Unfortunately many do. Diarrhea may result from a number of causes during pregnancy. The more common culprits include a lactose intolerance, dietary or hormonal changes or sensitivities to certain foods while pregnant.

Fortunately diarrhea during pregnancy is typically short lived and not something to cause concern. If however you experience diarrhea accompanied by severe nausea or vomiting, it is important you consult with your healthcare provider. You may need medical intervention to help prevent dehydration.

So in a nutshell: diarrhea is quite normal in early pregnancy.

When to worry: When diarrhea is accompanied by dehydration, vomiting, pain or cramps, and/or spotting.

I also noticed soreness in my abdominal area when I raised my voice or walked around too much. Didn't help that I had to watch the younger students today, so raising of voice and walking around was a prerequisite. But all is well when I get to rest a little.

So that's all the new ones I've been getting.

Oops.. one more, I slept at 10.30 last night... Unimaginable... By 9.30 I was struggling to keep my eye lids open. Hehehehe think that's been helping my complexion =D

Shall update when more changes occure.

Till then,
tata!

Whale-ly Updates 1

I've entitled updates on my body as whale-ly updates. So here's the first.

Fatigue has been moderate... Not falling asleep at work yet =) But sleeping time is steady getting earlier.

Feeling bloated in the abdominal area. Couldn't wear my jeans today without having it unbuttoned. And just last week I was able to fit it perfectly =/ Justin thinks I ate a bit too much in our Singapore trip last week.

Having some abdominal soreness and heavy discharge. Chest soreness is still very very very minimal, unlike the last one. =)

I don't exactly know how many weeks I'm curently at... My calculations say not more than 3 weeks. But based on my online cycle calculations, I'm at 4 weeks. we'll find out when we see the gynae in 4 weeks =)