Pregnancy Diary: The Third Trimester

Seventh month: During the first week, I had a Pelvic Anomaly Scan, Glucose Screening Test and a Tetanus shot. We were so happy that in spite of everything the baby is healthy and my blood sugar is below normal (given that diabetes runs in my family and eating lots of sweets—sorry, can’t help it!). We found out that we’re having a boy. Our Ob-Gyn told me that I have to stop drinking milk because the baby is sooo big. It’s hard to sleep now because of the added baby weight. I’m still on Ixosilan and Progesterone which I take thrice a day and once a week respectively. During the last week of the month, we finally bought our baby stuff. We went to the mall and I had to be put in a wheelchair as Tatay pushes me around while we look for clothes and stuff. I was so happy that time and thinking about it still makes me so kilig!

Eight month: I had to be on complete bed rest again. I had to control my calorie intake as the baby’s gaining weight rapidly! Tatay shopped for the remaining things that I need like maternity undies, abdominal binder, toiletries and makeup (yes! makeup!). Isn’t he the sweetest?

Ninth month: Well, I thought that during the last month, we’ll just have to wait until my due date, but I was admitted to the hospital again due to bleeding and contractions. It was terrifying because we thought that I was about to give birth by then (and I still can’t because the baby is just 34 weeks). I was closely monitored and sedated to lessen the contractions. Luckily, I was discharged after two days. I have UTI once more (tsk!) and had to take Cefalexin for a week. A week and a day after that (exactly my 36^th week), I gave birth to a bouncing baby siopao!   

Pregnancy Condition: High risk; Contractions, Preterm Labour

Skin Condition: Sensitive

Medication: Cefalexin for UTI, Terbutaline Sulfate for uterine contractions

Tests: Pelvic Anomaly Scan (7^th month), Glucose Screening Test, Urinalysis, CBC

Vaccine: Tetanus shot (7^th month)

Vitamins and Supplements:  Hemarate Iron + Multivitamins

Diet: Baby is a carnivore!

Fitness: Stretching        

I’d like to say that this pregnancy was the hardest thing I had to go through (yet) all my life. It was emotionally, mentally, physically and financially draining. It was one hell of a roller coaster ride and it was all worth it! Given another chance, I’d do it again. It made me realize a lot of things like how powerful prayers can be, letting go of the little insignificant things, people who matters-- family and friends. We made it! We’re healthy and a baby who sleeps to DMB? We couldn’t be any happier! Indeed, I’m sooo blessed to be a mom. <3           

Pregnancy Diary: The Second Trimester

Fourth and fifth month: I had to quit work in the middle of a training week. It was depressing at first but anything for the baby! The bleeding stopped and we were more convinced that all I needed was to rest. But it wasn’t easy at all. I had to be in bed at all times. I have bathroom privileges but I couldn’t take a bath standing, I have to do it sitting on a stool. I couldn’t even sit for more than an hour or else I’d bleed again so it also means that I can’t exercise and I think it made my body weaker! I decided to eat red meat again because my Ob-Gyn insisted me to do so. The baby and I gained weight instantly.

Sixth month: Everything’s been smooth sailing but I’m still on house arrest. I finished all the books I haven’t finished in a long time. I’ve had DVD marathons all day long and when I got tired of watching the telly, I started tuning in to FM station. I love a certain FM channel which plays classical music all day long. I’m used to doing my new routine now and it’s not that boring anymore. I found out that for two months, Tatay has been replacing my low-fat milk over full cream ones because he desperately wants me to gain weight. I started having low-impact arm and leg exercises.

Pregnancy Condition: High risk; Threatened Abortion, Uterine Contractions

Skin Condition: Dry and flaky all over

Medication: Ixosilan for uterine contractions, Utrogestan (Progesterone) for bleeding (orally)

Vitamins and Supplements:  Hemarate FA, Anmum Materna

Diet: Baby is a carnivore!

Fitness: Low impact arm and leg exercises on the sixth month

My skin’s dry and flaky all over that no amount of body cream or oil can soothe it. So I stopped using soap and used coconut oil and a loofah instead. After a week, my skin condition improved and its baby smooth again! I’d say that the fourth was the second hardest month for me. But I’ve learned so much from my second trimester. I think those were the months that we've prayed the hardest in our entire lives (we still do!) and it had brought us closer to God and for that, I’m very grateful. 

Pregnancy Diary: The First Trimester

First month: We found out that we’re pregnant and we were elated! But I was bleeding and having cramps during my second week so we had our first sonogram to have the baby checked. The baby is really small and we didn’t even see it and it was still too early that time to detect a heartbeat. We were told to wait for a month to see if the baby can survive the contractions. No vitamins were given that time but I started drinking Anmum.

Second month: We heard the baby’s heartbeat for the first time and we were just so happy. I’m still bleeding but very lightly. We had our second sonogram to check if the baby’s okay. The baby is well with good cardiac and somatic activities but we found out that I have a low lying placenta so I was ordered to have a weeklong rest from work. I started taking iron and folic acid supplements. My Ob-Gyn prescribed Ixosilan for the uterine contractions. I suffered a severe case of face rash and couldn’t eat nuts, eggs, chicken, fish and shellfish.

Third month: It was second week of the month; I was taking a bath when I felt a gush of liquid ran through my legs. I saw a lot of blood flowing profusely. I was so scared that time thinking I had a miscarriage and we went to the hospital immediately. It was the first time I got that scared all my life. We had another sonogram to check if the baby is okay. Upon hearing the baby’s heartbeat, we were relieved. I was diagnosed to have a Placenta Previa, my cervix was 3cm wide that time hence the bleeding and I have UTI. Our Ob-Gyn told me that I have to stop working and be on complete bed rest until I give birth. Week by week we waited and prayed for my cervix to close.

                

Pregnancy Condition: High risk; Threatened Abortion, UTI, Placenta Previa

Skin Condition: Allergies, Dry and flaky all over

Medication: Elica for skin allergy (for a week), Ixosilan for uterine contractions, Crinone Progesterone (vaginally) for bleeding, Cefalexin for UTI

Tests: Sonogram, Ultrasound, Urinalysis

Vitamins and Supplements:  Hemarate FA, Anmum Materna

Diet: Vegetarian

Fitness: NA

It’s a bit surprising because during my last two pregnancies, all I did was throw-up. Going back, I thought it was the hardest part of my pregnancy. But I’m up for a bigger surprise.