I am 35 Weeks Pregnant Today

Our baby today is 35 weeks. 5 Weeks left until he is born. I am very excited. I noticed that with each day I get more and more calm about labor issue. Other day I saw my neighbor who is supposed to give a birth to her baby girl 10 days before me. She kept saying how scared she is to deliver and that she is afraid she will die. It is notwher second pregnancy and labor, and I don't know why she is THAT scared. It is not like she is doing everything for the first time. Besides last time she has been doing systematic pain killers. She can do them again. I was with my mom, and lady was like "Awwww, I hope I will be delivering with you, so we can be in one room!". My mom was like: "Heck, no!" My mom doesn't want anyone or anything to stress me out about labor. I am just thinking that there is no point to be scared. I will have to deliver my baby. One way or other.... He is supposed to get out, right?

I have been craving so much today- pancakes. I know it is not good to eat them right now, but I couldn't help it and baked some. I ate just few, so it wouldn't affect my weight and my baby's weight. Besides I lost 1 pound these days.

Already couple days I have the pain in my belly from time to time like menstrual cramps. I talked to my doctor, and she said it can be due to my womb being tensed and I need to take some pills. They are completely safe for the baby or me. They will allow a better blood blow and oxygen to the baby, which will reduce all the tension.

I called to my doctor about analysis of my blood and urine. Blood is completely fine, but urine has lots of salt. I really slowed down on the salt and don't understand why I still have a lot. As well as apparently my kidneys do not allow water circulate well enough. But it is fixable. I would need to take some pills that are based on herbs. Hopefully everything will be just fine!!! Well, not hopefully... It will be just fine!

As well as I talked to her about having a private room. I really don't want anyone to be with me, except my mom and my friends. I am very private person. My doc said that we will arrange it closer to the due date.

I started already thinking about getting a good pediatrician. I believe it is very essential. But how to know which one is the best one?:(


By the way I saw these funny pregnancy comebacks to rude pregnancy comments • "At least I made somebody's heart and brain today. What did you do?" •
"You're huge too — and you don't have the excuse of another person living inside you." •
"Go ahead, but I'm not touching yours."

My Vision got better

I visited my doctor recently and since I have -4 for both eyes, she wanted me to go to optometrist to check my eyes out. Since she wanted to be sure that I can push during labor, and that I can have a natural birth. She told me that there are quite few women who lost all vision when they were pushing. We don’t want that! :) So I went to optometrist, who was so nice. She even gave her home number so I can call her and tell how my labor was and who I had (though I told her that I am having a boy). This really felt good when even strangers talk to you so nicely. So back to my vision. She made bunch of check ups and guess what? My vision got better!!! Now I have -3.5, not -4 like I had before. So these are very good news. It means I can have a natural birth so far. Well, my doctor said not get too excited yet, cause the position of the baby can change during this 1 month, or umbilical cord can get twisted around his arms or neck, or anything else. Have I ever mentioned that when I was born I had umbilical cord around my neck and my forehead? I didn’t scream when I got out from my mom and she thought I am dead. But the doctor slapped me in the butt and I started crying. Poor me!!!:( Well, I am glad I survived. Back then people barely were making c-sections, not like right now. Every second woman wants voluntarily to have c-section. However I am sure we are going to be all good. Me and our Baby Boy. Sweet Baby!!! Our Cutie Pie! So it is all good so far!!! Yay again, for my vision!!! Perhaps, cause I drink good vitamins. I take every day “Centrum” and extra calcium. My friends wonder if I have problems with my teeth, cause they say during pregnancy women tend to have problems with them. I absolutely don’t have any problems with my teeth. They are all healthy, without even a tiny hole. Knock the wood!:)

Preeclampsia

I would like to raise issue here about Preeclampsia, a potentially serious condition. Credit goes to The Book “Essential Guide to Pregnancy and Birth” Preeclampsia also knows as “toxemia”. It characterized by high blood pressure and protein in your urine. Preeclampsia causes your blood vessels to constrict, decreasing blood flow to many of your organs. This can lead to a host of symptoms (See Below) and in severe cases, serious complications, including seizures, stroke and renal failure. What sucks about this condition is that the only “cure” is to deliver your baby.

Possible Signs of Preeclampsia:

- Swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, more than slight swelling of your hands, excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, or rapid weight gains (more than 4 pounds a week).

- Severe or persistent headaches.

- Visions changes, including double vision, blurriness, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or temporary loss of vision.

- Intense pain or tenderness in your upper abdomen.

- Nausea or vomiting.

So if you have some of these symptoms, contact your doctor, just in case. Thank God I seem not having this condition. But I know a woman, who is my neighbor, she has a terrible swelling of her feet. It is unbelievable. However swelling can be caused as well of not a proper functioning of your kidneys. So pregnant women have to pay a lot of attention to this. By the way watermelon really helps to make your kidneys work better. And did you know that your right kidney actually gets a bit bigger than your left one when you are pregnant? I didn’t know that until I made an ultrasound of my kidneys when I just got to know that I am expecting. It is a usual condition to have during pregnancy, so don’t get scared if your right kidney is a bit bigger than the right one.:) And PLUS, if you pee a lot, it is good!!!:)

Update about me and baby

I do not feel very well today. Actually it started already from yesterday. I have problems with my stomach. I have no clue why. I didn’t eat anything bad for it to hurt, but it does. I read that it is not an unusual thing as organism is cleansing out before labor. I just hope it will over soon. Other than that everything is fine. Baby grows and feels good. I don’t put on weight, which is good as well. I was just thinking that one of my friends told me that her baby was kicking her so much, that she could feel where foot is, and where is hand. But I don’t. I mean he is moving and my belly is moving, but he doesn’t kick me THAT hard. I actually read that it is not good when baby kicks too hard; it means he doesn’t have enough oxygen. That’s why when a woman has contractions she needs to breathe very deeply and slowly. But if she will be panicking and breathing too fast and short, it can damage heart of the baby, or he even can stop breathing at all. So I thought I will mention it here for the ones who are due or going to have babies one day.

It is hot again here, and it doesn’t make me feel good. Did you know that a pregnant woman feels much hotter than a normal person? The temperature of the pregnant woman is higher than a normal one.

I have very long hair. They are now already lower than my back. I love my long hair. However some of my friends say that it will be hard to take care of them when baby comes. Well, no way I am cutting them off. It took me a long time to grow them. I think these say just lazy women who do not want to take care of their hair. I believe that long hair makes a woman more beautiful and feminine.

Well, that’s it for now. I am going to go and eat watermelon. My mom said that watermelon is very good for cleansing the sick stomach. Hope it helps. Anyway I love watermelons. Especially when they are cold, red and sweet. Mmmmmm…. A very good combination to bear a hot weather.

Only 6 weeks to go!

I can’t believe that there are only six weeks left and maybe even less, if the baby will want to see the world earlier than he is supposed to. We are slowly getting ready for his arrival and it brings us a lot of joy and happiness. I really can’t wait to see our son. I can’t wait to kiss his little cheeks, feet, and hands. I can’t wait for him to look at me and see that it is his mommy holding him.

My doctor told me that I need to slow down on eating things with glucose, including bread or sugar. Our baby right now weighs already 5.29 pounds, whereas at week 34 he is supposed to weigh 4 ¾. I can’t say that I put on so much weight, just 11 pounds, but I think most of it went straight to the baby. Since I would like to have a natural birth and do not want to have any complications during labor, I need to try not to put on weight, which is hard.

I must say that I am tired almost all the time. I just wake up in the morning BOOM... I am already tired. It is hard when I start cleaning the house or washing clothes because I get so worn out that it is unbelievable.

I am trying to enjoy the free time that I have left and trying to finish everything I wanted to, because I know I won’t have any extra time VERY soon. Baby will be with me all the time and plus I am a full time student. My studies will start from 1st October, right when baby arrives. So I would need to somehow combine being a mom and a student. I am sure I will handle all of this, especially when I have such a mom, and of course my dog. I am sure he will be helping us out with the moral support very much. LOL!

It was nice to read in my book that if baby will be born at this time, he will have no problem of surviving outside womb. However, I want him to stay inside me until the due date. I guess we will see how nature will take it’s course. Well, I am going to go and lay down. I am SO tired! Thank you for everyone who reads my blog and leaves comments. It is so great to know that there are people out there who care.

Update About Our Baby

Our baby is 33 weeks today with only 7 weeks to go. YAHOO! Baby is growing rapidly and I already have gotten so big. Today I went to the hospital to talk to a doctor who will be delivering our son. I really liked her. Tomorrow we are coming for Doppler sonogram and ultrasound. I will try to get more pictures of our baby son and show them off. Doctor told me that my belly looks a bit bigger than it is supposed to be at 33 weeks. So she told me to stop eating any sweets and bread, but I don’t eat any sweets anyway. However, I love sweet peach and rosehip tea and I eat bread so I am going to stop. I told her that I put on only 11 pounds and she said it is not bad but that I would still have to stop eating sweets.

Tomorrow she will tell me how much our baby weighs and will post the news here. Everything with our pregnancy seems to be going well and have had no real problems as of yet, so we are still expecting him in the beginning of October (the 1st or 2nd). She also gave a list of things I need to bring for myself and baby when will be admitted to the hospital so whatever I don’t have already, I will start buying it all. I want a bag with everything to be ready as soon as possible because you never know what can happen. I don’t want to be unprepared if our baby will come earlier.

Tomorrow I am going to see a private room and semi private room. I want to be in private room, but doctor said that most of them times it is occupied. Well, let’s see. I am excited for tomorrow, because I will see our baby again. I can’t wait to hold him though and am always so anxious about this. It is just so unbelievable to me still! When we got to the hospital, I felt like I am already going to deliver and it made me a bit shaky. It was just a weird feeling that soon I will be going there to deliver, and not just for check up.

Well, that’s it for now. I am going to sit and count the kicks of our baby just because I LOVE it!

P.S. Look what we want to get for our baby!!! Classic Pooh Bedding!!! Isn’t it adorable? Oh BTW, we have got it and Sandon still uses some of this bedding. :)

Breastfeeding - The first few weeks.

I found these great tips of how to breastfeed baby correctly, and make him to latch on to the breast properly. This will help make the process pain- free for the first few weeks: (Credit goes to the book: “Essential Guide to Pregnancy and Birth).

- The best latch on position is when your baby has more of the areola below your nipples in his mouth. To accomplish this, line up his nose with your nipple- that way his bottom gum will be far away from the base of your nipples when he opens his mouth.

- Your baby needs to take in a good mouthful of both your nipple and areola. Gently tickle his upper lip to get him to open his mouth wide; then move him to your breast with his chin (rather than nose) coming to your breast first.

- If one breastfeeding position isn’t working, try another- lie side by side or hold your baby like a football (cradled under your arm with his feet behind you).

- Squeeze your breast to express a few drops of milk so your baby can taste it on your nipple. Once he realizes there’s food there, he may grab on.

- If your baby is very upset, it can be hard to get him calmed down enough to correctly latch on. During these times, put your little finger (washed first, of course) nail side down in his mouth. Your baby will often suck on your finger a few times and calm down. As soon as he does, immediately move him over to your breast.

I hope these tips will be helpful for many breastfeeding mothers!

My Insomnia

My insomnia is back. It is a terrible feeling of tossing around all the time, being tired physically, but your mind keeps working and you just can't fall asleep. I tried to clear my mind and not to think of anything, counting till 100, counting sheep, stars- nothing works. So I decided to get my book "Essential Guide to Pregnancy and Birth" and read what I can do. They have few good things that I can do to help me to sleep better. So I just wanted to share some of them here. I think these tips are not only good for those who are pregnant, but for any person who has insomnia. I am going to follow these tips starting from today and see if they really help.

Tips to sleep better:

• Keep to a regular bedtime and morning wake- up time. And try not to nap too late in the day. Well, this is going to be hard, cause when I have insomnia I usually nap late daytime. As well as it is hard to keep a regular bedtime and morning wake. It is all depends from different things, if I have something to do that day, or just can relax and etc.
  
• Cut down on caffeine consumption, and avoid it altogether in the late afternoon. Well, I don't drink any coffee at all since I got pregnant (mmmm, I miss it though:() and some tea. Mostly at night I drink milk or skim milk.
  
• Avoid heavy, spicy meals before bedtime, and drink more fluids during the day and less in the late afternoon and evening. I don't eat spicy meals at all. It makes me sick. The heaviest thing that I eat during evening can be some fruit or vegetable. Well, I can't live without water though. I drink a lot of it always. It is just so hot not to.:(
  
• Get some massage by your partner or warm bath.
  
• Don't exercise or do any housework closer to sleep time.
  
• Make sure your bedroom is conductive to sleep. Well, it is hot, so it is not exactly conductive, I guess. As well as I have become very sensitive to any sounds.
  
• Stop watching the clock. I do this all the time when I try to sleep. I don't know why. I keep looking at the time and then think, man, it is so late already and I am not sleeping yet.:)
• If you aren't asleep 20 minutes after climbing into bed, get up and go to another room. Read a magazine or listen to music until you feel drowsy; then go back to bed. I think I should try this...
  

So these are the tips. I hope they will help me as well as whoever has the same problems I do with insomnia.

Circumcision

Tomorrow I am 32 weeks. And as you can see on the picture, that's how baby looks now. When I had an ultrasound, I was told that baby lays down in this exact position, which is very good.:)

Since we are having a boy, we decided to circumcise him. It is not that we are religious about this, but simply because of the hygiene, and as well because it has health advantages. I read in my book that some medical evidence suggests that circumcision lowers the risk of sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections and penile cancer. We didn't discuss this yet with our doctor though. I want to do it from one side and from another side I don't want our baby boy to be in pain. Though the baby can be given pain relief. So this is what we have decided so far. It would be nice to hear people's opinions about this... Well, Sandon has not been done any circumcision, cause I just didn't allow. I cannot bear that Sandon will be in pain. Kill me now! So.... we discussed and decided that when he grows up he will decide himself what he wants to do.

Baby is growing...

I didn't post a blog for some time. I know BAD me!!!:) I am feeling fine, except as usual getting very tired, having shortness of breath and heartburn. I can't say that my back hurts very much, unless I move too much, sit for a long time or clean the house. Mostly all the weight goes to my feet and buttocks. This is actually called sciatica. With sciatica, you may feel more pain below the knee, legs than in the back. As well as I have cramps on my left leg when I lay down, and what is weird only on my left leg. It is pretty unpleasant and even hurtful to wake up in the middle of the night from these cramps.

Also since the moment of me gaining 11 pounds, I just stopped right there and don't gain or loose any weight at all. This is good news for me, though in my books it says that I have to gain a pound each week during third trimester. Oh well, I guess every woman is different.

As for the baby growth, he now has toenails, fingernails and real hair. His skin is becoming soft and smooth. He moves all the time. My mom says that he just can't wait to get out already. Well, I want him to slow down though. It is too early. LOL I am as usual very hot and I just checked that it is going to cool off only after 11th August. So 6 more days to go. YAY!!! Finally!!!

We are slowly getting ready for the arrival of our little one. Buying things online and in stores. In my next blog, I will post few links of what we are buying for our baby. We think we are going to get for our baby Classic Pooh Collection Bedding. Who doesn't like Pooh? We love it! I am sure baby will love it too. I think choosing bedding was the hardest thing for us. :) Everything looks so cute. I just want to get everything and then change bedding every day. LOL!

The other day I asked my sister how was it when she delivered her daughter. All she said "listen to doctors". Then I asked mom, she told me the same thing.... So whoever I ask, they all say "listen to doctors". Nobody can't give me a response I am looking for. Oh well, I will just listen to doctors then.

I guess that's it for today and I will write more soon and will try to update my blog more often. Thank you all for sticking around and commenting. It encourages me! :)

Our Baby Boy is 31 Weeks Today!!!

That's right our baby boy just hit 31st week of his growth. It means 9 weeks more and he is going to be right in my arms. Well, maybe earlier. Who knows? I am feeling alright besides it started to be so hot again and I don't like it. As well today I had backache, and I couldn't even sit on a chair. I had to go and lay down for a bit and stretch my back. Baby moves in my belly very often, which makes me very happy. Today I tried to get a nap, and baby was apparently sleeping, so I decided to make a small experiment. I put my hand on my belly to see if he will feel that it is me, and guess what? He moved just at that place where I placed my hand. Isn't it amazing? He already senses and recognizes his mommy. It made me feel so good. I am really getting anxious for him to be born, but I won't rush anything. Let him to develop and be completely healthy and whenever he will want to get out, we would be soooooooooooo happy!!!

Well, this post is going to be short. Just wanted to share my feelings and my latest news.

Packing For Hospital

So.... I am feeling much better today.

Baby is doing good. I think he sleeps right now. Yesterday when I was getting ready to sleep, he was moving so much and I think I can actually feel what part of the body he kicks me with. I think yesterday I felt foot. It was so sweet. The foot was so small... Two months more and we are having a baby. YAY!!!

Well, I was going through today WalMart online store shopping for baby and guess what I saw? The list of the things you need when you are packing to go to hospital. So I thought I will post it here, so other pregnant mommies-to-be can see whether they packed everything right or not. :)

Essentials For Mom

• Nursing Bra- supports swollen, sore breasts and keeps breast pads in place.
• Breast Pads- These stop messy leaks by absorbing milk.
• Nursing Pillow- Reduces the strain on your arms, neck and back while nursing, especially in bed.
• Nightgown And Robe- More comfortable than standard hospital gowns.
  
• Slippers- For walking around the hospital during early labor.
• Socks- To keep feet warm and toasty during delivery
• Going- Home Outfit- Choose something that fit during your sixth month of pregnancy.
• Toiletries- Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm, makeup, hairbrush, shampoo and soap.
• Sanitary Pads- You will be more comfortable after delivery with your favorite brand.
• Camera- For all those important first photos.
• Address Book- You will have plenty of calls to make.

Essentials For Your Baby:

• Infant Car Seat- You can't leave the hospital without one.
  
• Going- Home Outfit- A stretchy one-piece sleepers should do the trick.
• Hat- Prevents heat loss by covering your baby's head.
• Booties/ Socks- To keep little feet snug and warm.
• Receiving Blankets- Newborns love to be swaddled.
  

Nice Extras:

• Video Camera- To document those precious first moments of your baby's life.
• Hair Clip or Band- Keeps hair out of the way during delivery.
• Massage Oils- Especially helpful for relieving back labor.
• CDs/ CD Player- Soothing music can help to relax before and after delivery.
• Pillow From Home- It adds a touch of familiar comfort.
  
• Magazines- You can expect some down time, but you won't want a novel.
  

These are pretty good tips. I have got almost everything ready from the list. Awww, it is so exciting!!!

Well... Life... I Guess...

I am so depressed right now... Do you ever have a feeling that you have made a mistake by choosing a particular path? That you shouldn't have done it, that it wasn't worth it? I have this feeling from time to time and now it gets stronger. I am not sure what to do yet, but I know I will figure out, because I simply don't have a choice. I have to... I won't go into details about what is happening in my life. I mean, really, what for? All people have their own problems without thinking about mine.

I cried today. I cry from time to time. Usually I am very happy and optimistic person. If you would see me in public, you would think that I am the happiest person you can ever meet, but nobody really knows what is going on inside my soul, my inner world... I know how to hide my feelings. I know I shouldn't cry. I read somewhere that baby actually feels the pain and the feelings of what his mom feels. This saddens me, because I would never want my baby to cry, unless these are tears of joy and happiness. I just can't stop thinking that this is not how I wanted my life to be and it kills me. I thought I always made good decisions, but the one that I made almost two years ago wasn't one of them. I am so pissed at myself. I was just a stupid naive girl thinking that it will all get better... But it won't and now.... I need to fix it, no matter how hurtful it can be. Time will make it better. It always does...

Four Simple Exercises To Prepare Your Body For Delivery Day

So, here I am again! I am very bored right now. Baby kicks from time to time, maybe getting into a comfortable position to sleep. Awwww.... Can't wait to see him.

Since I am bored, I was going through my wonderful book "Essential Guide To Pregnancy and Birth" and guess what? I found exercises that will help labor to go easier and less painful. This is what I really want. I actually found those exercises yesterday and already tried them out. They are not very hard and feel great! I will make sure to do them every single day until my labor begins.

So......

Exercise #1. Kegels.
Why? They strengthen pelvic-floor muscles and help shorten stage of labor.
How? You can actually do them any time and anywhere. But I must say it is not so easy to recognize whether you do this exercise right. This is exercise for the inner muscles in your vagina (the ones that help you not to pee when you want to). You need to squeeze these muscles for eight to ten minutes and then relax for few minutes and do them again. In order to make sure you are doing them right, place a hand on your belly while you are doing Kegels to make sure it stays relaxed, only muscles inside should work, everything else should stay relaxed.

Exercise # 2. Angry Cat
Why? It strengthens abdominal muscles and eases back pain during pregnancy and labor.
How? Get down on your hands and knees with arms held straight and spaced shoulder-width apart and with your knees spaced hip-width apart. Next, take a breath in, and exhale as you tighten your abdominal muscles, round your back and tuck your butt under. Then inhale and relax back into a neutral- but not a swayback- position. Repeat three times. Work up to ten repetitions when feeling stronger.

Exercise # 3. Squatting.
Why? It may not look elegant, but squatting is a time-honored way of preparing for and giving birth. Since pelvic opening is the widest when squatting, it can be a good position to use during the pushing stage of labor. Doing squats now strengthens legs so there will be an ability and stamina to use this position if need be when the big day arrives.
How? Hold on to the back of the steady chair for support. Stand with your feet spread slightly wider than hip-width and your toes pointed outward. Bend your knees and slowly lower your bottom toward the floor as if you were going to sit on a chair. As you lower yourself, contract your abdominal muscles, lift your chest and relax your shoulders. Most of the weight should be resting on the heels. Slowly return to standing. Repeat five times, or as many as you will feel comfortable with.

Exercise # 4. Tailor or Cobbler Sitting.
Why? This exercise helps to condition and increase the flexibility of inner-thigh muscles in preparation for birth and eases lower-back tension.
How? Sit either with legs crossed or with the soles of your feet touching each other and your knees are to the side, as well as make sure to maintain good posture. Stay in this position for as long as you are comfortable.

So there are the exercises. Hope they will help all the pregnant women and hope they will help me very much.:)

Well, I gotta go for now. I am going to go and bake some cookies. Mmmm.....

Our Baby Is All That is On My Mind!!!

I am 30 weeks and 2 days. Time is passing by and I know the next 10 weeks will pass very fast. I had insomnia for the past couple days and just couldn't sleep. First of all I thought I was hot, but then it was actually pretty cool, and I couldn't fall asleep anyway. I tried to clear my mind and count to 100 but nothing helped. I must admit it is a terrible feeling not being able to sleep. But last night I slept fairly good, which makes me very happy. I needed this sleep and rest. Baby moves a lot, especially at night. I told you, we are having a little owl. :) Yesterday, I was recording on my camera the baby movements. It would be a good memory of our baby moving. I have a cough and I don't understand why or where it came from. I don't feel bad, nothing hurts, but I just cough. I have to admit that I have pretty weak lungs. Well, trying to drink lots of hot tea with fresh raspberries. Mmmm, I love raspberries. Yesterday I asked my mum, how would I know that I am having contractions. She was like, well, you will just know... Hmm, this is not exactly the answer I was expecting.:) Did you notice that women cannot actually explain HOW exactly contractions feel? I noticed that I am not afraid of the labor at all. Really!!! I am kinda curious now, what is that and how it will feel? Well, I am going to go to make me some tea.:) Weather is hot, but there is a really good breeze and I have a good mood. I might call to one of my neighbors to come over and sing karaoke, or just sit and hang out and bring her mom along. They need to get out of their house right now. My neighbor's dad passed away about two months ago, and her mom's not in the best health right now. But hopefully everything will be fine. It just has to...

Baby And Nutrition During Third Trimester

I am doing good so far, though now I cannot walk without a special bandage around my tummy. When I take it off, I feel like my belly is pulling me down. Believe me, not the best feeling you can ever experience. Our baby is growing rapidly and thus makes me worry about my weight gain. I weighed myself today and so far during all 30 weeks I have gained about 13 pounds. I don't think it is too much, but I don't want to gain anymore than this.

The reason is not that I am worried that I won't be able to loose weight, but I am more worried because I am going to have a natural birth and I think it is better if I gain as little as possible. However, don't get me wrong I am not going to starve myself. Just will eat smarter and healthier. I already try not to eat too much of bread or sweets. My doctor said that the following nutritions are very important right now:

• Calcium and Vitamin D. Since baby's bones are developing, I would need extra calcium. Total of the day portion is 1.000 milligrams. Check!!! I do take every day about this amount of calcium. Personally, I have very weak bones. I remember when I had just started at my university and was only into one week of my studies, I was coming down the stairs in a pair of tennis shoes. Right at the last step I put my left foot in a bad position and.... I broke foot. I still can't understand how the heck did I do that? This foot never healed properly and I can never run or do some exercises with it too much. So, I am making sure our baby gets enough calcium. Vitamin D. We actually get this from the sun and 15 minutes a day is enough but as a supplement of the sun; milk, fish, and fortified cereal will do well. It is funny, I hated milk and everything dairy before I got pregnant, NOW, I can't get enough of it. You never know what pregnancy can do to your body... and your tastes...
• Iron. I think I have it enough in my Centrum vitamins, since this mineral is very important for my growing baby and the placenta that nourishes him.
  
• Fat. Weird huh? But baby needs it too. Since baby's brain and vision will undergo a big developmental spurt this trimester, fat is very essential. I need 1.4 milligrams of omega. Well, personally, I don't like fat. But oh well, what wouldn't you do for your little baby? Good sources of fat are fish, walnuts, flaxseed, canola oil, and dark leafy greens such as kale. Man, I don't like fish nor walnuts. :( Yeah, yeah... I know, I have to eat them! Again, everything is for our little boy to be healthy...
  
• Protein. I need to eat at least 71 grams a day. A lot of protein, as far as I know is in meat, right? And OF COURSE once I got pregnant, I stopped liking meat. But I still eat a small piece of chicken or beef every day. I am actually being forced to eat it!!! You don't really want to argue with my momma, when she says that I HAVE to eat it.
  
• Water. Oh yes, I drink lots and lots of water and I am loving it, especially now when it is so hot! But, it is weird, that people have different views about water. I met like two women who said... God, no, don't drink too much water, it is bad.... Hmmm, ok... how is it bad exactly? You should eat more... Yeah, right, so that my baby will be like 15 pounds and I won't be able to deliver him? Hmmmm.... let me think!!! No, thank you very much!
• Vitamin C. This nutrient is important for tissue repair and can aid my recovery after giving birth. I have to have 85 milligrams a day. I actually get 90 of it. Nice!!!
• And the last, but not the least. Folic Acid. My body and baby need folic acid to produce and repair DNA and allow it to function. It is also important for the production of red blood cells. I should get 600 micrograms a day. I actually get 400. Need to increase my dosage!!!

So it is all good and I feel great, cause I just took a nap. Now I just require having a nap during the daytime. I always remind myself, take a nap and sleep as much as you can, cause soon... you won't have this luxury. Well, that's it for now.:d

Thank you so much to everyone who reads my blog and comments.

Approaching 30th Week Of Pregnancy...

First of all I am getting tired so easily... I try to go for a walk every day, but it starting to get so hard. I breath so heavily with each step that i sound like I sound like an old choo-choo train that is climbing up a hill. I don't sleep very well cause I am always hot and plus baby wakes me up by kicking all the time. I think we are having a little owl. He is awake at night and asleep during the day time. As well as he wants me to sleep only on my back, as every time I try to sleep on my sides, he gives me such a good kick, that it actually wakes me up. This boy knows what he wants and apparently he gets it. LOL!

I went shopping for Sandon today. I bought a few clothes and some blankets and I really had a great time. It is so amazing realizing that you don't really think about yourself anymore. Now, I only think, hmmm what else to buy for my little one. Before it was all about me and my mom. Now.. it is all about our baby. It is like the whole world revolves around him. Though I would never forget about My Mom.

Well, since I am approaching to the 30th week there are some symptoms that pregnant women should never ignore in the third trimester. I got this info again from my book "Essential Guide to Pregnancy and Birth". I think it will be helpful not only for me but whoever is expecting like me:

• Pelvic pressure, low back pain, abdominal pain, cramping or more than 4 contractions in an hour.
• Blood spotting, if even it is pink.
• A decrease in baby's movements.
• A severe or persistent headache.
• Blurred or double vision.
• Severe or persistent vomiting, or any that are accompanied by pain or fever.
• Any swelling in the face, fingers or hands, or sever or sudden swelling in the legs, feet and ankles.
• Rapid weight gain. (more than 4 pounds in a week)
• Pain during urinating or no urination at all.
• Chills or fever over 100 degrees F.
• Fainting, frequent dizziness, rapid heartbeat or palpitations.
  
• Difficulty breathing, coughing up blood.
• Persistent itching all over.
• Trauma to your abdomen.

Well, I think so far I am not having any of these problems, which makes me pretty happy. Well, gotta go for a walk...

Epidural: Pros And Cons

Well, as you already know I am due on 1st October and I believe I already have to think about labor. I want to have a completely natural birth, no pain killers, no c-section, no epidural... I have read in my book "Essential Guide to Pregnancy and Birth", some pros and cons of the most popular pain killer for birth; Epidural. I have heard many different stories that some women enjoyed it, but mostly women had problems with it, or they have problems now- with their backs. As well, it seems that this problem will never go away.

First of all it freaks me out that this medication is delivered into the epidural space just outside the membrane that surrounds spine. No way someone sticking any needle, no matter how thin it is into my spine. So let's see pros and cons of this medication!

Pros:

• An epidural is a very effective pain relief.
• Since the effect of epidural is localized, it means a woman will be awake and alert during labor and birth and can even rest and sleep. Therefore, she will be able to have more energy when time will come to push.
• Unlike systematic narcotics, only some of the medication reaches the baby. (Hey, but some still does, right?! I am not sure WHY it is pro!)

Cons

• A woman has to stay in an awkward position for about 15 minutes when epidural is put in, and then about 20 minutes until it starts working.
• A woman might loose a sensation in her feet, and she won't be able to stand. (Hmmm, it just gets better, huh?)
• A woman and a fetus have to be always electronically monitored.
  
• Epidural might slow down labor. A woman might require Pitocin in order to get it back on track. ( Yeah, let me not take any pain killers during my whole 9 months, but then let's just put bunch of them, just because I am afraid of the pain!!!!)
• Since your lower body will loose sensation, it will lessen the bearing down reflex and may take it harder to push baby out.
  
• Having epidural increases a chance of having a vacuum extraction (by the way I saw some babies having this, and believe me they were never just normal kids) or forceps delivery.
  
• The drugs that are typically used in epidural may temporarily lower blood pressure and decrease a blood flow to the baby, which will actually slows his heart rate.
• An Epidural increases fever during labor.
• Drugs delivered through epidural can bring nausea, itchiness. Some women might have severe headaches.
• In rare cases (rare, not rare, it happens, right?), an epidural can affect breathing, as well as nerve injury and infection.
  

Hmmmm, not very many pros huh? Do I really have to go through this, when I just can go through the pain for maybe maximum a day? I believe many women just started to feel sorry for themselves, without realizing how many problems it can cause. I remember my mom telling me that she was with me into labor for 2 days. Think, 2 days without any pain killers... But hey, she is alive (Thank God), I am alive and healthy. How women were delivering before, when no any epidural or systematic medications weren't even discovered? Birth is natural. Woman's body is getting ready for it during all these 9 months. I think we just create this myth that it is so hurtful that without medications we can't do it. I believe a person can do anything, he/she just has to believe in this, and not allow fear take over...

Visit to My Friend

Yesterday I visited my friend who delivered a baby girl one and a half months ago. The baby is adorable and so cute. They named her Elizabeth. It was so interesting for me to hear all she had experienced and how the labor affected and how she was feeling through it all. She told me that she was getting ready for the labor from the moment she got to know she was pregnant. She was going to swimming pool, shaping, breathing classes, taking vitamins.

However a few days before the due date, she got sick with pneumonia. That part sucked. Doctor forced her to stay in the hospital and get a treatment with antibiotics. She didn't want to do that, but she had to in order to make sure that this pneumonia will not go to her daughter. Though due to her intake of antibiotics, baby right now has problems with her tummy, and they are taking medicines for that.

On top of that my friend had very fast labor. She delivered a baby in 6 and half hours. Contractions usually start first of all every hour and then more often, but she had them every five minutes. Poor thing didn’t have enough time to recover from each contraction. She said that it is not good when a woman delivers a baby too fast, it is better to be in labor for awhile rather than everything to be fast. Since baby was born too fast she had some swelling of the brain and they have to undergo treatment for this as well

My friend said that it really helped her that her husband was present during her labor. He was massaging her back and supported her so much. When I asked her about pain, she said that it is not true that it hurts so much. She said, yes, it hurts, but the fear makes it worse. Other than that it is all bearable and worth it.

As well as she told me that I need to get a Doppler Sonography of the baby. It actually can be done at the same time as ultrasound. It measures blood flow in different parts of baby’s body, such as umbilical cord, brain, liver and heart. My friend gave me much good advice, though I already forgot half of it. I think I need to write everything down. I want to make sure that when I go into labor I have everything with me. Well, just wanted to share this…

It's A BOY!!!!

I just had my usual ultrasound check up because we wanted to know for sure whether it is a boy or a girl. AND drumroll please... we are having a baby boy for sure!!! We are both very excited and happy! I had to make two ultrasounds in order to determine his sex. The first time our baby just didn't want to show us, crossed his legs, like he was resting. He probably was thinking, "What do you want from me? I am just laying here and looking all white and fuzzy." LOL!!! Then couple hours later I went for another ultrasound and this time our sweet little baby just couldn't get enough of showing everything.LOL! It was really cute. I saw his heart beating, it was so sweet. His heart rate is 137, which is very good. Everything is perfectly in order and all is well. We are so happy and now we just have to wait for another 11 weeks and we will hold our son. Each day I am getting less and less scared of the labor. I know that everything is going to be just fine. Why? Simple, because I want it be fine. I always get what I want and how I want, sooner or later.:)

Our Son's name is Sandon Alexandre. We wanted something unusual and handsome sounding and after going through many, many names we went there it is. It is so unusual for me to say SON. It is still so unbelievable to me that I am having a baby growing inside me. It is unbelievable to see through ultrasounds his legs, tummy, head, hands and what he is doing in there. I must say he doesn't like when a doctor was pushing ultrasound thingy on my tummy, however he is a very brave and very strong boy.

Sigh... I am so happy. I am going to post pictures of him very soon. :)

AND... I can now start shopping for everything BLUE!!! Awwww, he is going to be the most cutest boy in entire world!!! LOL!

Our Little Baby moves!!!

So..... our baby moves... I know this isn't real news but you should really be here to see HOW he moves. Yesterday I sat in a chair and decided to watch his movements. I am really so curious what exactly he is doing. Imagine my belly and that one side is so much bigger than the other. That's how our baby wants lay all the time. I start to wonder is it his head, his butt, or he is pushing his leg or hand? This is a big mystery for me. Then my belly starts to move back and forth... right and left... from one side to another. It makes me laugh and so happy. Sometimes I am thinking that he is everywhere, all over the inside of me. I read somewhere that it is good to sleep on the left side, so you won't have cramps and blood will circulate better through your veins. However, guess what? I can't sleep on that side. Every time I try to sleep on it, baby somehow gets on that side and start kicking me, but when I turn around on right side and sleep there... He is completely fine. I always wonder why? Is it like his special place where he rests and when I sleep on that side, I make him uncomfortable? Too cute...:) I can't wait to hold him.

Our Baby is 28 Weeks!!!

Our Baby is 28 weeks and it makes us very happy. It means we have another 12 weeks to go and our little one will arrive. Scary and exciting at the same time!!! I feel fine, except I get tired so easily. As well, as have I have a constant backache that sometimes gets so unbearable. Today I went to swim with my mom and had a great time. I heard from someone that swimming really eases the backache and yes, it does. I am barely hurting now. So swimming is GOOD!!! It made me so tired, but tired in a good way. Does that make sense? Anyway, I can't believe that I officially entered 3rd trimester! Our Baby weighs a little over 2 pounds and measures almost 15 inches. He actually can blink his eyes, and his eyelashes started to develop, and his eyesight is getting better with each day... Amazing!!! Well, besides all of this excitement... I noticed that I am starting to get stretch marks on my belly. This is not exciting. I am putting a lot of vitamin E cream, but skin still stretches. I am sure all pregnant women go through this but still, it sucks!:(

Chinese Horoscope Says That 2007 is The Lucky Year To Have A Baby

Chinese Horoscope says that this year is a very good year to have babies. Couples from Asia try to have babies in this year in order to ensure their newborns get a happy, wealthy life by starting off in the Year of the Pig.

This Chinese lunar new year, which starts on February 18, is believed to be an especially auspicious "golden pig year" which only comes around every 60 years.

South Korea is going a step further, saying it's the best time in 600 years to have a baby due to an anomaly on the Chinese calendar where this pig year -- known as "red," the color of wealth, follows a year with two days to mark the start of spring. Source: China Daily

I want to believe in this very much, cause this is when our baby will arrive. YAY!! Well, we know anyway that baby is going to be happy, beautiful, healthy and wealthy... and very smart....and very cute.... and just our little baby...:)So good luck to everyone who is going to have a baby in 2007!!!

Today Our Baby is 27 Weeks

Today our baby is 27 weeks... Few weeks more and we will have our little treasure in our arms. Today I sang to baby... Honest to say I am not good at singing, but this way he will get used to it and will know it is mommy. Well, I am feeling pretty good today, though my back hurts, and I have cramps in my legs. I am sure the reason is that they simply are carrying extra weight.:) Believe me though, this is a very pleasant weight. I have insomnia sometimes, so I need to make myself very tired in order to fall asleep. I am getting tired very easily, but other than that I feel good. Today I was remembering when we made second ultrasound, I saw our baby sucking his thumb. That was so adorable!!! Our baby is already acting like a new born. He sleeps and awakes at regular intervals... opening and closing his eyes. God, I want to see him so much!!! Can he hurry?:)

Just a Blog

I went to the doctor today for a random check up. Tomorrow I am suppose to know the results, though I am pretty sure everything is just fine. Well, time is going by so fast and I realize that very soon I will go into labor. It scares me from one side and doesn't from another. I know in order to be able to deliver without any problems, I need to learn how to breath properly during contractions and during labor. My mom got me a very good magazine with an article that teaches techniques on what to do during labor. I read somewhere that it is painful because women make it painful themselves mentally. They actually set their minds that it is going to be very painful. We don't realize that our mind plays tricks on us. I don't say that it is completely painless, but I don't want, at the same time, to put myself in a position to panic when the time comes. So in order to be completely prepared I believe I have to do one thing- to be ready for everything. Not knowing what to expect freaks me out a little bit. I often ask myself, when some of my friends say, that it is painful.... HOW painful is it? Can I compare this pain with anything else I have experienced? Oh well, million of women do this every day.... so I will do it as well...:) At the end I have no choice... Baby needs to be born one way or other, right?:)

My Dream About Our Baby

I had a wonderful dream today about our little baby. I don't exactly remember all the details but I remember being in labor and delivering our son. Yes, it was a boy!!! His skin was actually glowing, like an angel. He had blue eyes. The Baby opened his sweet eyes, smiled and made me so happy. And... I woke up... :( I don't like to wake up from these kind of dreams... But when I woke up I realized that this dream soon will become a reality. I will soon hold him in my arms, and sing him a lullaby that my mom used to sing to me... I will do everything to be a great mom. I just will love our baby with all my heart and soul... the rest will just come along...

Our Growing Baby

Today our baby is 26 weeks and 5 days. As you can see on the picture we are getting big... Baby's ears are better developed and more sensitive right now. I believe he already can hear my voice and my mom's when we talk, and even distinguish which voice it is. The skin started to get smooth and looking all cute. God, I can't wait to kiss this sweet skin, and feel how baby grabs my finger, and looks at me with the beautiful eyes with a confidence that I will never let anything happen to him. I really can't wait for the last months to pass faster. I want to see him so much... I am so thankful to God for our little treasure that grows inside me. I know once I deliver him, I will miss carrying him, cause all these 9 months he was always with me, but then I would have to go back to university and study. It would mean leaving him for few hours. I know he will be in good hands of my mom, but hey, he lived in me for so many months. I actually was developing him with vitamins, reading books, picturing him, eating what he wants, counting his kicks, playing with him and trying not to get upset so that he won't get upset. I know, I will miss all of this... But I know there are so many beautiful and wonderful moments are awaiting ahead of me and all my family... This baby will make a difference not only in our lives, but in every life that he will ever touch...

RIP Little Perfect Boy Benjamin

Today was supposed to be the due date of one of my friends... but... baby died few months ago.... His name was Benjamin... And I want to dedicate today's blog entry to him and his family. This is something that one never wishes anyone to experience. I remember my mom telling me that the worst thing that can ever happen to a parent is to live longer than his/her child... I cannot imagine the pain that my friend and her husband feel. Today baby was supposed to be born, try to open his eyes, smile and make these two people the happiest couple in the world, but, sadly... it won't happen. Yes, my friend will be able to have another child and she will love them so much, however they would never fill the void she will always have with the loss of her little boy Benjamin. I cannot say to them that I feel the pain they feel, because one cannot say this, unless he/she experiences it himself/herself. I pray to God, that I will never have to face this unbearable and horrible pain... All I want to say is without this little boy, this world got smaller and darker... But I hope so much, that he makes everyone smile, laugh, and be happy in Heaven...

My First Post

This is my first post in this blog. While I am writing I feel how our baby kicks inside me. This Baby is only 6 and half months, and he is already loved so much. I picture him every day. I think of how he will look at me, how he will smile. I was told before that when I first got pregnant that I would love this baby more than anything. I denied this at first, but I feel already how much I love our baby, and that I would give my life for him.

I am the happiest woman in whole world... (On the picture our baby is 18 weeks)