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.
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