What People Don't Tell You About Pregnancy

Time flies! I'm almost on my 3rd trimester. I can give birth on my 36th or 37th week and that's like 10 to 11 weeks from now! We still have so many things to do before I deliver...

Since this is my 1st pregnancy, I feel like I'm learning on my own. Everything (process, experience, etc.) is a first time. 

There are things that people just don't tell us about being pregnant. I think it's time I break the silence and share some of the surprising discoveries I've made along the way:

Constipation: Who knew baby could wreak such havoc on the digestive system? Dr. A. advised me to drink prune juice but I never liked the taste. I take Nesvita instead and lots of fiber fruits. 

Sleep-deprivation: I was in the impression that this will only come in once the baby is born. WRONG! I've mentioned this many times in my previous entries and sleep-depivation is the worst thing I've experienced so far next to constipation and morning sickness.

Hair growth: Hair on my belly is not quite a gorgeous thing to see. Will it be there forever? 

Nosebleeds: Due to difficulties in breathing and the feeling that my nose is full I blow my nose many times in a day that causes it to bleed. Dr. A. said it's normal. 

Baby Kicks: INTENSE babies' kicks were felt yesterday and today.  Seeing the lumps and bumps on my tummy (might be the butt, knees, feet, head...) was a disturbing experience for me. No one ever said that babies amazing little kicks would start to feel like aliens trying to burst out of my belly! Tummy is extra heavy when babies are active and made me stay in bed the whole day. 

Hot and Sweaty: I had to take 2 to 3 showers a day! I didn't know that I'll also sweat in the underwear region!!! It's only February, what am I going to do in the next few months when the weather is more humid? Thinking of having a brazilian wax. 

Insane hunger and extreme food aversions: I feel like a pig. 'Nuff said!

Exhaustion: I'm also feeling like a horse! Haha.

Have you experienced any of these?

Baby Names

After determining babies' gender, the next big thing is to give names to them.

Choosing the right name for your baby is not only important but for me is a big deal. What you name your baby will be something your child lives with for years. I believe it is a responsibility of parents to give pleasant names to their children. 

I want something timeless. However, DH has a name in mind for a baby boy already since he was in high school. (yes, high school kaya pagbibigyan ko na siya...) So I guess I have no choice but to follow the pattern or initials of our girls based on that name DH has been obsessing for many years now...

It's Andre Sebastian. 

Since we are St. Pio devotees, he's thinking of tweaking it a little bit which makes Sebastian Pio as his other choice. 

I'm sure our list will go on and on, to help us decide MIL got this book for us.

Whoa, 100,000 baby names! I'm overwhelmed...

Cranky Mom

Sleep can be elusive with all the changes in my body. I can feel my babies move more often and I noticed they're most active late at night until past midnight. Would you believe that I slept past 1230am last night and was wide awake every hour until I finally decided to get out of our bed at 530am? Whoa! Had my quick fix of Nesvita hot chocolate and right after I finished a cup, I was able to doze off immediately and one of my girls calmed down. She must be hungry. Hehe. I just can't imagine what will happen when I deliver them already...

Now, I'm cranky and having a slight headache. 

I'm following a routine since I experience difficulties in sleeping. Let me share some:

1. Warm bath before going to bed. Helps me to relax and be in the mood to sleep early.

2. Regularly change our beddings (2 weeks or less). I like the smell of freshly laundered sheets. 

3. I find it extra effort to breathe at night. According to Dr. A. air-condition tends to dry the air in the room. So installing a humidifier or airoma helps moisten the room air that can make breathing easier. Believe me, it works! 

4. Pillows all over help me get a good sleep. I have 2 under my head, wedge pillow for my tummy, long pillow between my legs, a pillow to support my back when facing left of right and another one to hug.  I get to use all our pillows only when Hubby is out. When he's back I had to give up 2 pillows for him. Hehe.

I also love covering myself with duvet. Can't sleep without one. I love the feeling of a hotel room so we tried to make our room look and feel like a boutique hotel where I can stay inside the whole day! 

5. Play with my 9-month old nephew in the afternoon to burn some calories. Helps me to doze off at night. 

I've read somewhere that the 3rd trimester would give more challenge to the moms so good luck to me. For now, I want to take things one at a time.

Glucose Challenge Test

Most doctors routinely recommend a glucose screening test (also called a glucose challenge test or GCT) between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy to check for gestational diabetes --- a high blood sugar condition that some women get during pregnancy. 

I had mine yesterday.

I was given a chilled sugar solution that contains 50 grams of glucose (looks and tastes like Royal orange, the soft drink). I had to get all of it down in 5 minutes. I finished it up in 2 minutes since I was thirsty and I liked the initial taste of it. After which, I felt the awful after taste. I was not allowed to drink or eat after taking the solution and was asked to come back after an hour for my blood sample. The idea is to see how efficiently my body processes sugar. Result was forwarded to Dr. A. 

I passed it with flying colors! *haha* My sugar level is normal. Right after I received the SMS from Dr. A. I wolfed down a bar of chocolate! *haha* Well, something to reward myself for being a good girl. *smiles*

Upset

Nothing grand, sale was only at 10% and most of the major items were out of stock to think I was their first customer for the day. Settled to buy 3 cribs but they only have one on stock/ display (with scratches) and I didn't like it. I had to wait for new stocks to arrive. Sigh. Got some small items like nasal aspirators, hair brushes, burp pads, etc. just so I won't leave the store empty-handed. Frankly, there was nothing good to buy. Online shops like Amazon, BabiesRus, etc. are still the best if you want variety and better prices. Oftentimes, they give promos specially if you buy more (ex. buy 1, get 1 50% or free).  

Good deals seldom never happen in Philippines! *sad*

Baby Company Sale

Good news to all moms out there. 

Oh, I love sale.

Attention Much?

More often than not, 9 out of 10 people think I'm due anytime. Wherever I go, may it be in the mall, bank, grocery or church they can't help but notice stare at me maybe because of my body built, I'm petite and has a tummy that is unusually big. I don't like the attention, but I appreciate some perks!

Let me share some:

1. I hate going to the banks due to long queues. Bank staffs normally approach me and I get to skip the line. On ATMs, strangers let me go first so I can go back to the car immediately. I love it!

2. I'm always offered seats wherever I go. I feel like a VIP! *haha*

3. I'm the priority on elevators and escalators. They give way but sometimes it's embarrassing already.

I also get to meet and speak with quite a number of strangers already.

Normally they'll ask me if I'm due anytime and if I'm alone (looking and sounding worried) everytime I tell them 'no, I'm on my 5th month only' I can see big question marks on their faces. For the brave ones more curious people I'm given follow up comments that my tummy is big for 5 months...

They never fail to amaze me everytime I tell them that I'm expecting triplets then I smile. *haha* If only I have video cam with me all the time, it would be nice to capture their comical reactions. I've even encountered some Lolas clapped their hands and jumped while in St. Pio chapel queuing for the relics. Apparently, she's a Lola to a twins.

Earlier in a bank, a korean looking guy approached me and as expected tried to guess that I'm due anytime. I got the same reaction. He said he's good on guessing baby's age based on tummy size since his wife is an OB-Gyne/Gyne-Onco (in Medical City and St. Lukes). I think he's a doctor, too but I failed to ask.

I'm sure our babies will get more attention when they come out. I should be ready and get used to to it...

Afraid!

Last night was a nightmare. I woke up past 3am I couldn't breathe. I felt something was wrong. I got scared, teary-eyed. I was helpless. I thought I'm gonna die (of course I'm exaggerating). Tried to relief myself by clearing off my nose (there was nothing inside), applied tons of Vicks on my nose, throat and chest (thinking it might help me go back to sleep). I prayed real hard...then, tears started falling.

Called up Hubby (he's out of town) and cried some more.  Seriously, it was a frightening experience. Wish he's here to hug, comfort and rub my back. He has work...I get to see him on weekends only. I don't know how long I can endure this situation. 

I hope I won't experience this again tonight and the nights to come. It was hard.