8 Months Pregnant Update

I am 32 weeks/8 months pregnant today. My app says the baby is around 3.5 pounds and is as big as a squash. I'm definitely feeling the weight - I guess this is what they call "heavily pregnant". Baby girl kept me up last night, just like her older brother, she's a squirmer and kicker in the evening and early morning. When I woke up, I was feeling out of breath, not sure if due to the heaviness or sleeplessness.

I better get on preparing stuff for the baby. First task is to organize her closet and launder her white clothes. The big items left to purchase are the sterilizer, crib and breast pump spare parts. I'll be reusing most of P's stuff, never mind if they're colored blue.

A couple of friends are planning to throw me a baby shower on September 8. I really really really hope somebody gets us a diaper bag haha.

I still commute to and from work. It's the only exercise I could get so far and I hope to give birth through NSD again.

And oh, I had another bad constipation episode last week. Only a suppository worked. My OB prescribed a laxative and I've been okay so far.

I'm also due for a check-up this Saturday. I hope my OB does not cancel last-minute like she did last time. I'm hoping we could check out the rates and rooms of the hospital.

My Favorite Time of Pregnancy

I am currently 25 weeks and 1 day pregnant. Just 104 days to go. GAH. I think this is actually my favorite time of pregnancy - the bump is big enough that there's no mistaking that I'm pregnant but it's not yet too heavy, and the baby is kicking well enough that you can feel it with your hand over the stomach but it does not hurt. Just reveling in this feeling right now, my yayas are leaving in a couple of days without any replacement yet. So help me God.

37 Weeks

... Or is it? During last Saturday's check-up, OB again brought up the discrepancy between baby's gestational age and ultrasound age. I guess her point is that I can give birth in January na hindi considered over-term or overdue. So per gestation, I'll be 38 weeks this coming Wednesday but per ultrasound, I am only 36 weeks today.

But I want to give birth before the year ends! We have a long Christmas vacation and I have nothing to do. We can't go to the province because I might give birth anytime. And I had another extreme constipation episode. :( I'm a tad tired these preggy aches and pains, I just want to meet my little boy.

Maternity Shoot part deux

Since work was cancelled for all government offices yesterday while hubby was working from home and on a special non-working holiday, we decided to stage part deux of my maternity shoot. The first part was during my friend's wedding while for part three, hubby wants to take pictures of me against the Christmas lights in Trinoma. We'll see if we still have time for that one as I'll be 37 weeks tomorrow. :P

I scoured Google for inspiration and here are two of my favorites. Bought a cheapo white curtain for this silhouette shot.

Nekkid belly shot. We bought the metal decal (?) from Dimensione I think before I got pregnant. We just put it up recently because there are tacks behind the metal and the thing is meant to be put on wood or cork and we have no place for it. I was even thinking of selling it. Then, hubby accidentally snapped off one of the tacks so he proceeded to remove all the tacks and duct-taped the words to our concrete wall. Hubby really wanted this shot because it took us four years to have our baby. Okay, I better stop before I start crying. :P

 

36 Weeks

During my last check-up, OB remarked that baby may be in breech position. So she scheduled for a pelvic ultrasound and biophysical profile today, along with CBC and urinalysis.

CBC is okay, slightly anemic, so she prescribed an iron supplement. Urine appears okay although she had me do some urine culture lab test something, and a vaginal swab for Group B streptococcus screening or GBS. Results will be known on the next check-up next Saturday (yes, weekly check-up na!)

While waiting for my pelvic ultrasound, a nurse came up to me to discuss cord blood banking. The Medical City offers two options - public bank and private bank. In sum, public bank is where you donate your cord blood then when you want to avail of it, you pay a fee. Private bank is where they store your baby's cord blood for your own use only. They have two packages, basic costs P45,000.00 while the comprehensive costs P80,000.00, inclusive of first year storage. Thereafter, storage is P7,500.00 a year. Much as we want to avail of it, we don't have the extra moolah. Besides, the nurse said it is only available for CS delivery, although my OB said she just had a vaginal delivery who availed of cord blood banking.

As for the ultrasound, baby is in cephalic a.k.a. not breech position. YAY! Hope he stays that way na. His BPP is 8/8, I still have enough fluid though I should drink more water pa daw. His estimated weight is 2.5 kg or 5.5 pounds. By the way, I measured 136 lbs. today while I weighed 138 lbs. two weeks ago (maybe because I haven't eaten yet?) However, I weighed 140 lbs. (!!!) at the office clinic last Tuesday - maybe because I pigged out at the wedding last Sunday? Hehe. 

Mommy has been bugging me to walk walk walk. Okay, I will try to wake up early for it. I haven't been going to Trinoma for my me time during weekday nights since we got our kasambahay eh. Which could also explain why I get leg cramps these days. I hope baby comes out around Christmas basta before New Year's and that he comes out normal and healthy. Pray for me! :)

35 Weeks

Last Sunday, we attended the wedding of one of my high school friends, the last in our group of girls to get married. Hubby and I have been talking about doing my maternity shoot but since we're almost always doing something during the week-ends, we haven't gotten around to doing it.

Since I was all made up and dressed up for the wedding, we did our shoot in Ayala Westgrove while the couple was doing their couple portraits heehee. Buti na lang the reception is in Alabang pa, so we had about an hour. Since hubby was taking the pics, I was left to direct myself and didn't bring any props. Just me and my bump. Here's one of my favorites that I converted to black and white:

I also want to do some candid-white-shirt-in-bed shots, but we'll see if we still have time. I can't do nekkid close up belly shots though. For the most part of the pregnancy, my bump has stayed smooth. But I think a month ago, I developed pimple-like bumps on my belly, breast and nape. EEEK. And dark armpits. DOUBLE EEEK. Then just a week ago, I saw two lightning-like stretch marks near my belly button. Sigh. Battle scars.

Baby don't breech

At today's check-up, OB said baby is probably in a breech position after feeling my bump, hence, we might go the caesarean delivery route. But to be sure, she scheduled a pelvic ultrasound next week.

I'm a bit dismayed because I want a normal delivery for faster recovery and of course, it's more affordable than CS delivery. So I guess I'll be talking to my balong and urge him to turn. But my foremost wish is that he comes out healthy and normal.

Also, the OB has gotten me confused again with my due date. I've mentioned here before that per our first ultrasound, my EDD is January 12, but based on LMP it's December 31. For a while, we were going with the ultrasound age. Then, since the discrepancy is less than 14 days, OB said we can go by LMP. But now, we are going back again to ultrasound age. Argh. I hope the ultrasound next week will sort things out.

As if protesting the OB's diagnosis, baby's been kicking me like crazy. Ouch.

34 Weeks

34 weeks today. What happened to weeks 32 and 33? Well, week 32 was when hubby got sick then I got constipated after. Meanwhile, attending to potential workplaces after the boss's retirement kept me busy during week 33.

This week I think everything's coming up roses (hope I don't jinx it). Last week-end, my entire family came and even slept over. Never thought five people could sleep in our tiny guest room! We went to the Ayala Triangle Garden's light show and had dinner at Wee Nam Kee. Sunday we had lunch at Pino. Mommy also helped me set up the baby's closet. I was asking her to extend but the DA has hearings and she needs to take care of him.

The parentals also brought along our new kasambahay. Our first kasambahay after four years of marriage and 8 months of pregnancy! I'm totally not sanay even if I begged my mom to find me one because as the eldest, mas sanay ako na ako ang inuutusan. So I still do some stuff, like prepare hubby's baon or make my milk before bedtime. So far, Ate's doing great. We just got a washing machine and thankfully, Ate has some working knowledge in operating one because I'm a complete noob.

The challenge so far is thinking of our meals. Whereas before, hubby and I were content with toast and fruits for breakfast, we have lunch in our respective offices, and dinner is whatever I feel like cooking. Also, we eat out on Tuesday and Friday and most of the week-ends. But I can't do that now with another person who definitely has to be fed lest she collapses while doing chores haha. Hayayay.

As for the baby, he's been squirming and wriggling a lot. Sometimes, I feel my abdomen hardening. No pain though. Braxton Hicks perhaps? I've been told I should start packing our hospital bags. Ayayay. :)

Constipated

TMI post but I have to blog it. You've been warned.

Last week, I accompanied hubby to the doctor because he was not feeling well. I've been feeling constipated recently - one of the dreary pregnancy things - but I get things done in the morning. That day though, I ate some fried bananas at lunch. Uh-oh.

When we were about to go home, I felt the urge to go. So I went, but, nothing. I walked around and tried again, still, nothing. But my abdomen hurt. We decided to go home.

It was so horrible. I stayed in our comfort room and I was straining and I thought I was going to give birth already. I texted the OB and she said to take Dulcolax. It took effect after an hour but it was still so painful huhu. During our check-up, she advised to take prune juice and eat suha. I bought a bottle but I haven't tried it yet because my BM has been okay again.

For the the meantime, I'm steering clear of bananas.

Crybaby

We've all watched movies or tv shows where pregnant women are shown to cry at the slightest whim. I can be a bit emotional so I was expecting that I'd be weepy all the time. Except for a couple of episodes in the first and second trimester, I've been cry-free.

Until recently. One time I got up to pee then I couldn't go back to sleep and found myself crying until dawn. I was thinking about my bleak job hunting prospects. Then, later in the day, I was talking to my mom about our yaya prospect who was having second thoughts and suddenly I was bawling. Thank goodness I was alone in our office floor as it was lunch break. I guess I'm feeling overwhelmed. The pregnancy part is going swimmingly well, just the other issues in life are stressing me out. I envy those who can sit back and just enjoy their pregnancy. While here I am, still doing some chores, still going to the office and may be possibly jobless after I give birth. Sigh. You can't blame me for crying. 

31 Weeks

31 weeks today. It has been a week of highs and lows.

Last Friday, we went back to the ultrasound place for the 4D re-scan. As soon as we saw the baby, he was hiding his face with his hand. He even lifted his leg ala-ballerina to cover his face. But he showed us his penis in all its glory. Naughty naughty boy. The sonologist kept remarking that we may have to go back for a re-scan. Thankfully, near the end of the session, he showed his face and even stuck out his tongue.

Then we were off to Dagupan to celebrate my mom and aunt's birthdays and one of my sister's engagement. It was a week-end of gluttony - I had my fill of seafood like bangus, crabs and shrimps and our usual merienda of palabok and lumpia. My mom scolded me though for wearing leggings under my belly and "forced" me into a frilly daster as soon as I arrived.

The low is on the job hunting part. I never imagined that my growing belly can be such a turn-off. I could not help but cry about the whole thing last night. Sigh.

30 Weeks

30 weeks today. Busy busy busy on all fronts.

Last Saturday, we had our 4D ultrasound. Balong covered his face, first with his arm, then with his leg. Hahaha. Buti na lang we are entitled to four free rescans. So far we were able to see that he has my forehead and nose and hubby's lips. Also, he hasn't just been kicking, he's been squirming and wriggling. I read somewhere that this is the "alien stage" - like there's something trying to jump out of your tummy. Just last night, I woke up and scolded hubby, thinking that he elbowed me in the stomach. Yun pala it's the bebe. Aguy.

We are still sprucing up the second room to serve as the room of the yaya and play area of bebe. We also disposed some furniture to make more space so we are currently sofa- and table-less in the living room. 

On the job front, I have passed out a couple of resumes in the compound and awaiting calls for interviews. 

Everything's happening so fast and at the same time. I am yearning for some quiet time. A staycation perhaps?

29 Weeks

Hit the 29th week today. A busy day, er, night, as the shelves and pull-out bed we were expecting arrived at around 6pm. Thank goodness our neighbors didn't complain about the drilling past 5pm.

Yes, we are in a nesting frenzy now. The second room's still a mess though as the stuff we just sold are going to their new owners by the week-end. Will try to post photos here soon.

On the bebe front, balong is really really active. The other night, I thought there was an earthquake so I checked my water bottle and the hanging light for movement. Turned out it was only me moving because bebe's squirming like crazy. I noticed that he also gets active when I'm at the sink and the faucet is on - I guess he likes the gushing water? 

I am all parts excited, nervous and overwhelmed. 

Hiccups

I always get a kick when baby is moving in my belly. Sometimes his jabs and kicks are so strong that I see my belly moving. When we watched Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends, he was kicking so hard during the fight scenes that I almost went out for fear that he was getting distressed by the sound effects. I just covered my bump then with a jacket.

Then there are times that his movements are slight flutters. I've generalized all his movements as "kicks" until I read in the What to Expect app that by this time, 28 weeks, baby is hiccuping because his diaphragm is still "practicing". Hence, the tiny flutters are actually him hiccuping and not kicking. How quaint! :)

Third Trimester Check-Up

Had my first third trimester check-up last Saturday. Henceforth, our check-ups will be every two weeks na. Gah.

I gained 7 pounds in 5 weeks, 2 pounds more than necessary because I should be gaining only a pound per week. Must be the Oreos and Starbucks butterscotch bars, yikes! OB said it's okay pa naman, but of course, better be on the safe side. Goodbye, Oreos and butterscotch. :(

Last Trimester

On to happier thoughts... Today marks my 27th week per gestational age. We are 1 week away from the 7th month and the last trimester. Yey!

Busy busy busy. I've bought a few bottles, blankets, bibs. Mommy insists on buying the white newborn clothes. The biggest thing we've bought so far is the bottle sterilizer. Might buy a stroller soon while the crib is when I give birth per Mommy's strict instruction.

On the homefront, we are installing shelves (again) and re-arranging stuff. Bills, bills, bills. No Christmas shopping for this mommy-to-be but I will be getting the best gift ever! I hope he arrives (well and healthy) before Christmas hehe! 39th week ko ang December 24, pwede na nun, di ba? Yey! 

Swollen Feet

26 weeks this week. Lately, I've noticed the ever slightly swelling of my feet. I've taken to wriggling them while in the office. Today, I went to the office clinic to have my blood pressure taken and it's 120/80. My usual is 110/70. Googled like crazy, okay naman because not so drastic.

However, while I was drinking my milk tonight, I noticed that my feet are more swollen than usual. Ack. So now I'm in bed with my legs propped up on pillows. I really really hope I don't develop preeclampsia. 

 

I have a stuffy nose, too. Dunno if I'm getting a cold or it's just stuffy-nose-as-a-pregnancy-thing.

Entering the third trimester in a couple of weeks - eto na ba mga bagong aches and pains? Sob. 

Passed my OGTT!

Had my oral glucose tolerance test early this week. Having been diagnosed with PCOS, I've been warned that I am prone to developing diabetes. I've always had a sweet tooth, so while we were TTC (trying to conceive, yo) I tried watching my sugar intake. I cut back on coffee and softdrinks. I drank hot choco for breakfast for a while then eventually replaced it with green tea. I opted for dark chocolate. Since I wasn't still losing weight, I took up running in January and started taking half-rice lunches in March.

When I got pregnant, the particular cravings I got were Dunkin' Donuts choco butternut and Pan de Manila's spanish bread - hello, sugar! But I didn't crave them always so I wasn't too worried. Besides, I even lost two pounds during the first trimester.

However, after the OGTT was scheduled, I began craving Oreo and Starbucks' butterscotch oat fudge bar. Ack!

Bra Extenders

One of the perks (pun so intended) of being pregnant is that you get bigger boobies minus the breast augmentation price tag.

I think it was the near the end of my first trimester that I noticed my bras were getting snug. My cup didn't overfloweth and I can still close the snaps but I get the urge to un-snap them as they were uncomfortable. I wasn't keen on buying new bras because they aren't cheap and I won't have any use for them when the ladies shrink back to normal.

I remember reading about bra extenders once so I went to Landmark to find them.

This pack costs P89.75 for three different colored extenders. The saleslady also offered me a Barbizon one which I think was the same price but for only one piece. I'm all for getting the most bang out of my buck so I got this pack. They work naman. Although, the finishing of the stitches is kinda sloppy, there are some loose threads that you can just pull out, so if you're OC about that, this brand's not for you.

During this trip, I also bought a few maternity panties, the big granny ones which cover the belly hehe. I wear them when I wear dresses.

Now I'm thinking, do I have to buy nursing bras?

Cravings and Feelings

Today was not a good day. Ironic, because the weather was sunny and okay after days of rain, no mishaps on the train, and anything of that sort. I just felt down. I felt sorry for myself. Guess I woke up on the wrong side of the bed? Guess my hormones are acting up? 

I decided to have lunch early by myself at the nearby mall. Devoured beef caldereta and fresh lumpia which elicited a few somersaults from the wee one. But the real reason why I was in the mall was because I was craving Starbucks' butterscotch oat fudge bar since Tuesday. Thankfully, meron sa Midtown, worth the long walk. I wanted to buy one more but I didn't bring enough cash. Good luck to my OGTT next week. Yikes.

I barely accomplished anything in the office. I want to start shopping for the baby but I don't know where to start. Gah I hate this feeling.