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.

Bear with me, I'm pregnant

I don't know if its just me but I guess most pregnant women can be extremely sensitive. Or maybe some people are just really insensitive or innocent.

Here are some things I hate hearing from people:

"Your tummy is so big but you're payat!" Every woman and pregnancy is different. Of course my tummy is big, I'm carrying three. I should worry if it's small and not all expectant moms should gain gazilion pounds. It can get a little annoying to hear people say I'm payat or should I be flattered? As per Dr. A. the baby should be the one growing big and NOT the mommy. I believe him.  Being big doesn't mean the baby is in good health. Every pregnant woman I know is only concerned about one thing --- delivering a healthy baby. When people around me say I'm payat, I feel like they assume I'm not eating. I eat well A LOT! And my babies are fine.

"Triplets? Hindi ba delikado yan?" Grrr. Can they just shut up if they don't have anything good to say? Or maybe they're just too naive to understand things? I know some of them are sincere and mean well. Some just don't know what to say. I can't help it, but this line makes me freak out.

"Eat well, you are eating for 4 now." I eat well but I don't believe in eating for 4. Should I force myself to eat even if I'm full already? Note: I'm eating like 4-5 times a day instead of 3 full meals. I get hungry most of the time.

"Wow triplets, swerte yan! (while rubbing my tummy)" Phuleeeeez, I'm not a po-on! You don't need to rub my tummy, hope to be lucky and prayers to be answered. That's insane! Few people are only allowed to touch my belly --- my husband, my family, close friends and my doctor.

Hormones or whatever, bear with me. This too shall pass.

Week 21

I feel there's an increase of oil production in my body. I'm having zits on my forehead and my hair is extra oily. Ugh! Since I cannot visit my derma and salon for treatments (shocks, I can't wait to have my hair styled and colored...) I have to resort to solutions that won't harm my little ones.

To start off...

I clean my face using Cetaphil (morning) /or Shu Uemura foaming cleansing water (at night). When I'm wearing mineral make up (I'm a Colorescience fan), I use Shu Uemura cleansing oil to wash my face. I exfoliate twice a week using my new love and discovery:

Cure Natural Aqua Gel

Learn more about Cure here. I so love this product! Xave is also a fan! *beams*

Most importantly, I moisturize moisturize moisturize!

Remember mommies, there's no excuse to be fugly when pregnant okay? *wink*  Since I'm a bit oily these days, I only apply oil-free moisturizer to some dry parts of my face (cheeks) skipping my T-zone until my skin goes back to normal. I use Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion GEL. I'm not hiyang on the lotion version.

My hair is low maintenance. I only use and hiyang to Pantene (Hair Fall) shampoo and conditioner. I read somewhere that once or twice a week, we need to remove residue caused by shampoos, conditioners and styling products from our hair (just like exfoliating our skin) by using an anti-residue shampoo then go back to your favorite shampoo.  Neutrogena has this anti-residue shampoo that I have yet to try.

Been searching for it locally but no luck. I guess I need to find time to check on some PX stores nearby.

So there you go. Instead of feeling depressed due to some physical (and emotional) changes happening in us caused by pregnancy hormones, not to mention the stress in completing all medical tests and worrying about the results,  be happy and feel beautiful. *smiles*  Find time to relax and enjoy 'pamper me time', indulge and be positive. You'll be surprised with the outcome. *wink*