My pregnancy: Week 33

Week 32 had a lot of surprises in stored for me. I had never mentioned this, but for the past 2 weeks I have been having tummy cramp and belly pain. But last week was the worst. Since I don’t know the cause of it all, I decided ask my gynea, Datuk Dr Razif about it and have it checked out. The result was the biggest surprise of all. I was having contraction. Contraction??? Now??? I am just 32 weeks. I still have 4-5 weeks to go. Okay, some of you might be thinking, “why the hell I don’t know how contraction pain feels like since this is my 2nd born”. LOL… Guess what? I asked the question to myself too. May be because it has been 4 years and during that time I was on epidural during the whole process which numbs me from any sensation of pain (Thank GOD!!!!) whatsoever.

Due to this, I was admitted immediately (it was on Monday), but it was not for labor since my cervix has not opened yet, it was to reduce the occurrence of premature contraction which was at 6 minutes apart. I was given Ventolin drip for 24 hours. Throughout the night, I didn’t feel any changes at all; I was still having pain and cramps, and even the CTG still shows I was still having contraction at 6 minutes interval. Fortunately, it got better in the morning. I had less pain; it was such a relief to be able to move around without continuous pain and even a bigger relief that I don’t have to go through premature labor. I was discharge that evening (on Tuesday) even though my gynea wanted me to stay for another night (it must be due to my charm and the roundness of my tummy.. hehehe) just to make sure the contraction count has gone down. Still, I insisted to go back plus the fact I was just living less than a kilometer away and if anything does come up, I can be at the clinic in less than half an hour (it would be lesser if I walk, but I doubt I’ll be doing that). I am on Ventolin tablets for the rest of this week up until my next appointment with the gynae next week.
The next day (Wednesday), I went for my regular check up at the government clinic and just to have the record straight, I informed them what had happen. It was no big deal they say… But the result from the check up brings up another surprise; my hemoglobin count drop from 11 to 9 which is dangerously low. Aaaarrrgghh!! One after another it keeps on coming. Now I need to take Saferon tablets and I need to eat food that can increase my blood (while keeping track of my sugar level and blood pressure … how annoying). The nurses even made a visit my house last Friday to check and ensure the baby was still active and my blood pressure is under control. Ok to wrap things up... I had pregnancy diabetes, premature contraction and now low hemoglobin count. This time around it was not as smooth sailing as the 1st one, sigh!

My resolution after this delivery is to lose all the unhealthy fat and I want to make sure I’m free from cholesterol which I feel is the devil’s advocate for the whole shinanegan.

Your Pregnancy: Week 33
You're large, but you most definitely don't feel in charge, since the baby seems to be completely taking over your body. Up several times a night to go to the bathroom? It's all just practice for getting up in the wee hours for feedings, changings and general fussiness. The one difference: Cuddling that babe in your arms for a feeding is way better than heaving yourself to the bathroom for the sixth time—in the dark.
Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...

What You're Thinking:
"Isn't there anywhere you could stand besides on my bladder, baby?"

Your Body
At about this point you have probably begun to obsess over labor and delivery. You may have a vision of how you'd like the whole event to go: contractions are brief and painless and in one push out pops your baby to the background music of "Chariots of Fire." That fantasy is all well and good but it's important to be flexible and brace yourself for little surprises that may occur. Also, keep an open mind as far as medication and labor support go once you're in the thick of things.
Research your pain relief options. There are countless natural options in addition to medicinal options for managing labor pain. Now would be a good time to decide who you want in the labor and delivery room with you. We advise against inviting someone you may be embarrassed to see what's going on "down there."

You also might want to start thinking about what you are going to pack in your hospital bag. Don't forget your lip-gloss! When everyone wants to take a picture of you and the new babe, you'll thank us.

Your Baby
The big news this week is lung development—baby's respiratory system is almost completely mature. That means if your baby was born this week, odds are he'd be a healthy bouncing baby with a just a little help from his friends (aka, the NICU). Some of the specifics are:
Your baby can now detect light and tell the difference between night and day (of course that ability will miraculously disappear once he's born and up all night screaming). His pupils will constrict and dilate in response to light. If you shine a flashlight on your belly, your baby may shy away from the light as if to say, "Cut it out, Ma. You're soooo annoying."

The bones in your baby's skull are soft and are not yet fused together. In other words, now is not the time to teach him how to do a headspin while breakdancing. This pliability allows the bones to overlap; making that trip down the tight birth canal possible (and resulting in that surprising cone head look your baby will sport for the first few days post-birth. Don't worry, it's totally normal and that's what hats are for.)
Your baby will continue to pack on the pounds gaining around ½ pound a week from here on out.

Your baby weighs about 4½ pounds, as much as a grownup duck, and is approximately 17.5 inches long, about the same as a collarbone-length pearl necklace. (Did somebody say push present?)

Your Life
Birth announcements will be low on your list of priorities once baby comes to town (below showering, but above getting a pedicure) so have a plan of attack now. Create an email list so you can send out a blast—the easiest way to alert the masses about your new baby. Attach a digital pic of your new bundle so everyone can see whose eyes and ears your Mini wound up with.

Rather do it by snail mail? Consider making your own announcements. Or, if you're craft-challenged, pre-order announcements from a stationary store. Address the envelopes ahead of time, so all you have to do is lick 'em between feedings and drop them in the mail. (We won't even go into the thank-you notes now. ...)

And speaking of licking, go hit up the candy store at the mall for some gourmet lollipops and hard candies to toss in your labor bag. This occasion calls for better than your Granny's butterscotch stand-bys.

My pregnancy: Week 29

I can’t believe just another 72 days before my due date. Some say my tummy look cute and small but I can’t agree with that. Sleepiness night because the baby moving while you asleep and also feeling difficult to breathe in certain sleeping position wake me up most of the nights. Even thou some might think I’m stayed home mom so I can sleep whenever I want, unfortunately that’s not true. Since my younger day I never train myself to take a nap during the day so It’s kind of difficult to start it now. So even thou I’m at home in cozy raining day, I will not sleep during the day like some people dream of when they in the office.

The weekend most of it full with plan spending time as family. Take Aaron to the Zoo for the 1st time and also picnic at Bagan Lalang. Next project is to prepare Aaron’s room. He’ll be sharing the room with his new sibling later on. Still not sure what color we want to paint the room but chances very high it will be light green.

Let’s see what going on in my belly this week…. (kinda funny about the bra. I never imagine to have small bra through out my life thou)

Your Pregnancy: Week 29
Among the many perks of becoming a new mother is having someone other than yourself to shop for (a big plus when the jeans you like are $100, but a cute onesie can be had for a mere $6.99). So if you're feeling out of sorts about your ever-changing body but have a shopping itch you need to scratch, indulge in something mini and adorable for your new babe.
Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...

What You're Thinking:
"How can one pair of tiny little socks make me so happy?"

Your Body
Let's get right to the point: You're a bloated, water-retaining mess. Chances are good you can't get your sneakers on or your wedding ring off, so get comfy in your slippers. Your pants don't fit. Your shirts don't fit. And now, thanks to the swelling in your feet, your shoes don't fit. You can thank a wonderful thing called edema for that. Go edema!
Extreme swelling (as in "Oh my god, what happened to my hands?!") might be a sign of preeclampsia, so make sure to see your doctor. For mild edema, your doctor may recommend support hose—with plenty of room for your belly—and drinking plenty of water. Also, a low-salt diet may not be any fun (No potato chips! No soy sauce!), but it may help to minimize edema and water retention.
On the bright side, edema is a great excuse for sitting down, propping your feet up, and asking your partner to bring you a cool drink and this week's US Weekly.

Your Baby
Having a baby prematurely is frightening, no doubt. But here's a reason to relax: Due to the impressive advancements of medical technology, if your baby is born this week, she'd have a 9 out of 10 chance of survival, which is seriously great news. Other awesome developments:
Baby's brain can now control her breathing and body temperature. She can also cough, and her sucking abilities have been perfected. Look out, boobs!
Your Mini's skin is looking less wrinkled as she packs on the pounds. She's starting to look more like a Pampers model and less like a Depends model. She's now beefing up on the energizing and insulating white fat she'll be born with (unfortunately, white fat is not energizing and insulating for adults!).
And speaking of energy, your little Energizer Bunny is on fire these days. You're sure to feel your share of kicks, punches and elbows, especially when you're lying down. You might want to start keeping a kick chart to monitor your baby's movements, and also to later show your 13-year-old child what you endured for him or her. Ask your doctor how to count kicks and how often you should do it.
This week your baby is a little over 15 inches long—about the length of a loaf of bread—and weighs about 3 pounds, as much as a Macbook Air laptop.

Your Life
Remember those sexy little bras you used to wear in your former life? Chances are good you can't even get it around your ribcage these days. Sad to say it, but it's time to visit a maternity store to get advice on a new nursing bra.

A well-fitting bra will not only support your back during these last months of pregnancy, but it will help prevent mastitis down the road and allow you to breastfeed discreetly. You'll need one or two bras now, and a few more after the baby comes—when your body will have changed yet again.
Don't forget to buy nursing pads, because you will leak breast milk and wet stains on your boobs are never a good look. Also, get some lanolin to help with dry and cracked nipples once your baby starts her feeding frenzy.

This week, take a bath. One with bubbles, a trashy novel, a face mask, the whole works. Your big bod feels so much better and lighter in water, and what's more relaxing than a bath? Just make sure it's not too hot (under 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and that you're careful getting in and out.