SuRPriSinG SiDe EffEcTs oF PrEgNanCy

common pregnancy symptoms that we usually hear includes :

• morning sickness
• frequent urination
• fatigue
• constipation / diarrhea
• indisgestion / heartburn
• food aversion / craving
• mood swings
• shortness of breath

however, there are also some not as common pregnancy symptoms, such as :

• pica : craving of non-food items like ice, chalk, or even dirt
• stuffy nose : you may start to wonder why your cold / flu is so lengthy and doesn't seem to improve. it is called "rhinitis of pregnancy", and can continue until your baby's birth or even a few weeks afterward
• excessive salivation : experts do not know the actual cause of this in early pregnancy, but hormonal changes may be a culprit. this symptom is also known as "ptyalism" or "sialorrhea". but fret not, because it doesn't affect your baby in any way. in fact, it could help with heartburn because each time you swallow, your saliva bathes the walls of your esophagus and helps neutralize the gastric acid. this may also explain why those who are vomiting tend to salivate more

WheN You’Re FiNallY PregNanT

one fine day, period was delayed and like most couples, we tested using the home test kit. and yup, it was positive, we’re pregnant!

we collected my first urine of the day in a disposable cup and placed the dip stick in and waited. when it’s time to look at the result, i couldn’t do it. i was terrified!

i stood by the bathroom door as hubby checked the result. he was quiet and as he turned, he said “dear, it’s positive. we’re pregnant.” he was very happy and had a big smile on his face.

hearing that, i went “oh.” i was stunned and couldn’t believe my ears.

hubby realized that something was not right and so he came over and comforted me. all i could say was “i don’t know” and “i’m scared”. it struck me that i was going to be a mom and that i knew nothing about it. this little one is going to be depending on us and i was not sure if i could handle the great responsibility. i started crying and was having mixed feelings. i was happy that we’re finally gonna be parents, yet i was so, so scared…

so yeah, that’s the ugly truth, that not all experiences are the same. do not expect everyone to be hopping in joy and screaming in excitement like how it’s usually portrayed in the movies. they’re movies, honey, MOVIES… so if you do cry like me or do not appear as excited, no worries because you are absolutely normal. it’s something major and your life is about to change forever. it’s understandable and there’s nothing wrong with feeling overwhelmed by the whole experience and new responsibility that comes with it.

anyway, after the initial excitement and settling in, we called our families and shared the great news. life goes on or so we thought! not long after that, i started noticing some unusual rashes on my skin. they appeared like mosquito bites but hundred times the itchiness! and it gets worse in the evening. i would sometimes awake in the middle of the night due to the severe itchiness. numerous visits to the doctors could not fix the condition. eventually, i was referred to a dermatologist.

the first thing he asked was about my feelings when i first discovered that i was pregnant. asked him why and what does that have to do with my skin condition. smiling, he repeated his question. as i shared the story, he smiled all the way. he then told me that the rashes are actually stress hives and that he will prescribe me with some cream and pine tar shower gel to reduce the itchiness. yet the best cure would be to relax and try to come into terms with the pregnancy and being happy about it, and they will go away in no time. and they did!

conclusion : i thought i was ready... i wanted this baby... we have been trying for a while now and this is exactly what we wanted. but even with that, i ended up developing stress hives! so i have to admit this - they are right, you will never be ready. just get on with it and you’ll do just fine!

DeCiSion To StarT A FaMily

i used to wonder… when would be the best time to start a family? how would i know when i’m ready to be a mommy?

the answer given by most people that i spoke to was “you will never be ready! just get on with it!”  

i was like “it can’t be… there must be something that tells you when you’re ready, maybe a gut feeling or something… perhaps age?”

the usual reply : “you will be ready once you have your baby”

~~~~~~~~~~

the pressure builds up with time. every casual conversation would eventually dwell into the topic of “when is your little one coming?” holiday seasons will sing “see your baby next year ya?” i’m sure all these sound very familiar to you.

i even got this in the office pantry one day… can you imagine? we were having lunch at the big table one day with lots of others either sitting around or moving around making drinks and so on… a female colleague in her 50’s out of good intention asked “when do you plan to have a baby? are you trying already?” thanks to that, all eyes fixed on me.

with utter awkwardness, i replied, “errr… maybe next year. i don’t think we’re ready.”

“don’t wait… you should start now... do you actually think it’s that easy to conceive? that once you want it, you’ll get it? you would, if you’re lucky and everything goes well. but what if you turn out to have some problem, if you start early, there’s more time for you to fix the problem. rather than to only seek help 10 years down the road. it’s too late… you’ll be old...”

then who and who started telling me their own set of stories of how NOT easy it is to conceive.

~~~~~~~~~~

given all that, we decided to wait after all - for the right time and for us to be ready!  hahahaa...

all that said, i eventually have to agree with them that you will never be ready. trust me, i’m speaking from first hand’s experience! i was full of doubt myself, remember? check out my next posting for the full story!

SiGns oF AllerGic ReAcTion To FoOD

here are some of the signs that a baby could be having allergic reaction to a new food.

• sudden loose, diarrhea stools and/or vomiting
• sudden rashes on the skin and bottom
• runny nose
• hives
• irritability and/or gassiness
• breathing or other respiratory troubles
• swelling of the face, lips and/or tongue
• closure or tightening of the throat

should you have just introduced a new food to your baby and he/she is showing any of these signs, get help immediately! don’t wait!