mellomouse* » Pregnancy Symptoms

Pregnancy Updates 45: Is This It?

mellomouse — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:37:54 +0000

At approximately 4.07am this morning, I was shot awake with a bad cramp in my belly. I’ve not been able to go back to sleep because the pain returns every 10 minutes or so. It is now 9.34am *yawn*

Could this be the real deal or a false alarm?

The contractions are similar to that of a very bad period pain like what experienced Mommies and books described it. They last about 1 to 1.5 minutes each time. Since it started 5 hours ago, the cramp has gotten more and more intense.

I know it’s going to take a long while before we can decide if this is it. Unless my water breaks — no it doesn’t happen like in the movies — or if there’s bleeding, we’ll have to wait until the contractions are 5 minutes apart before we make a move to Gleneagles.

We actually have an appointment with Dr Tan today anytime after 3pm. But it looks like I might not be seeing him in his room, but in the Delivery Suite instead *fingers crossed*

Am I scared? Out of my wits! (-__-||)

To be continued…

Pregnancy Updates 44: Headache.

mellomouse — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:01:24 +0000

Last night I gave the husband and myself a fright after an unexpected headache appeared out of nowhere just before sleeping time. We were happily exploring ~~like kampung kids~~ the mobile internet features on our identical Sony Ericsson when the sudden pain surprised me.

Remembering what the staff at Dr Tan’s clinic told us — headache could mean high BP — we went down to my parents to measure my blood pressure. Thankfully it was normal! *phew*

Causes of Headaches During Pregnancy

Headaches are common during pregnancy, especially during the 1st & 3rd trimesters.

In the first few months of pregnancy, they may be caused by normal changes in your hormone levels and an increase in blood volume and circulation.

During the 2nd & 3rd trimesters, headaches may also be caused by a serious condition called pre-eclampsia — high blood pressure during pregnancy.

I just noticed that I am still feeling a bit heavy headed now. My eyes are feeling especially heavy too, which I suspect is because I lack proper sleep. Nature has been calling me at every hour during the night and that has left me feeling more tired than ever — the body’s way of training for the days soon to come!

Somehow it is easier to sleep in the day than night. So I’m going back to bed in awhile, now that I’ve fed both myself and LBJ *waves*

Pregnancy Updates 43: Blood Pressure.

mellomouse — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:33:52 +0000

During our last antenatal appointment, my BP somehow shot a bit higher than normal with a reading of 130/80. I’m still wondering how it got so high since I was seated the whole time waiting for our turn *puzzled*

Blood Pressure during Pregnancy

By the 6th month of pregnancy, you will have produced an extra two and a half pints of blood, which your heart has to pump around your body. All this extra activity may make you feel warmer than usual.

The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes the walls of blood vessels, which is why your BP often falls around the middle of pregnancy – especially during the first 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Your BP will return to normal in the last few weeks of pregnancy.

I have no idea what were all my previous readings because it never dawned on me to ask. We trust Dr Tan completely *an ignorant’s excuse*

By looking at the chart above, 130/80 does seem high. Should I be alarmed? Dr Tan did not mention anything when he took the reading, so I guess we shouldn’t be too worked out. It was his reception that cautioned us while we were paying. That’s how we knew about the higher pressure…

On Monday, my reading was better at 105/90. I’ll just have to be careful not to be over stressed – like how heavy LBJ would become! – and I will be alright

Pregnancy Updates 40: Cinderella No More.

mellomouse — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:53:55 +0000

These may not be Glass Slippers
But they could well be since I can’t fit them no more

The swelling almost always goes down a little during morning time. They are at worst in the evening due to the burden of carrying me — 16kg of excess baggage — the whole day long, and also because of water retention.

But since yesterday morning, the swelling didn’t go anywhere and now I do feel like walking on puffy buns. They hurt a little, and my toes can’t curled as they used too

Besides my feet, both of my hands are swelled up too. I know I’ve whined about this 2 weeks ago, but as they are getting worst, I am getting worried as well. Simply because a sudden increase of swelling is a sign of something very serious! *yikes*

As I am typing this, I’m downing gulps and gulps of water. Hopefully by keeping myself extra hydrated would help my body to retain less water so my hands and feet could look more human again *fingers crossed*

Pregnancy Updates 39: Fetal Hiccups.

mellomouse — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:12:46 +0000

It is such a shame that I did not record when I first felt LBJ hiccuped. I think it was as early as when I first felt him moved. The feeling is very different from his aerobatic stunts, and are consistently in rhythm.

Why do babies hiccups in the womb?

Only the more mature fetuses will hiccup, as hiccups rely on the development of the central nervous system.

It is believed that the fetus breathes in amniotic fluid or drinks it. When this happens and the amniotic fluid enters and exists the fetus lungs then the diaphragm contracts and hiccups results.

Continue Reading

During the earlier days, these hiccups felt like tiny flutters. If you put your palm over my belly, you can’t really feel it. But now as he is bigger, you can actually see a small heartbeat-like motion on my baby bump where LBJ could possibly be facing in utero ♥

LBJ hiccups rather frequently. I’d say around 4-5x in a day (Note to self: I really need to keep a record on this!) I was rather worried before and Dr Tan assured me that it is a good sign of maturity. Thank God!

Are fetal hiccups normal?

They are extremely normal and almost all moms will feel the babies hiccups at least once if not several times a day every day.

Hiccups are actually soothing to your baby, and help to relieve a variety of pressures on his growing lungs and organs.

Continue Reading

As cute as it may sound to others — the part about small heartbeat-like motion — it does feel rather uncomfortable each time LBJ hiccups. And they often last longer than a minute. I don’t know how to explain the feeling, but it is annoying *oops*

I’ve started calling LBJ my “Hiccup Hiccup Baby” every time he does that. Whenever I feel him hiccuping non stop, I would always try to imagine how he looks like. And all I can say is awww

Pregnancy Updates 38: Fat Mama!

mellomouse — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:06:22 +0000

Unfortunately, I suspect that’s exactly what you’ll be calling me because I will simply become one. Though I don’t mind being called Phat Mama, but reality is often bitterly cold *humph*

Since September last year (16 weeks into my pregnancy), my weight has been going up, up and up *blaming it on the milk!* @#$%& (-__-||)

At first I didn’t worry much because I lost a few in the early months. But now after looking at other expecting friends — why are they so tiny?!? — I am fearing! I am gaining way too much for my small frame and the weight has been taking a toll on my tiny swollen feet *sobs*

This is what I ought to be
I’ve now exceeded it by 2.5kg and I’m not even due yet!

Want to know what’s yours? Calculate it >here<

I’m looking at another few kilos of weight gain in the next few weeks. Once I hit full term this weekend, I might be sky rocketing at 1kg per week. So if I were to deliver on my EDD at 40 weeks, I’ll possibly gain another 4kg. Making that a whooping Two-Zero-Kilo-Grams! *faints*

Btw, 29.96lbs is equaled to 13.59kg. So that means I’ll exceed by 6kg! How am I going to loose 15kg? That’s if the Fetal weight is 5kg. Else I might be looking at more *numbed*

I promise that I’ve not been eating for Two, if that’s what you’re wondering

Pregnancy Updates 36: Stretch Marks!

mellomouse — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:01:04 +0000

Or should I call them Glory Marks? Else the pregnancy would not be complete without them *console self*

Although some women are lucky to avoid them completely, I am not that fortunate because genetics plays a role in this peeving aftermath. If your mother or sister had them during pregnancy, you will certainly do too

What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks are small, depressed streaks in the skin when the belly is rapidly expanding to accommodate a growing baby.

They are caused by changes in the elastic supportive tissue that lies just beneath the skin.

I actually thought I’d escape them. I didn’t realise that they have been hiding right below my baby bump — where I could not see — all these while *pouts*

In late September last year (4 months into my pregnancy), I actually started using Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula with idle hopes to prevent developing stretch marks.

Within 2 weeks, I was almost done with the 1st bottle and went to buy a spare. That’s when my belly and both of my breasts began to sprout nasty PUPPP pregnancy rash. Immediately I had to stop on Dr Tan’s orders, or literally die itching *sobs*

What can I do to prevent stretch marks?

Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do.

There’s no proof that any of the creams, salves, and oils that claim to prevent stretch marks actually work.

Do stretch marks ever go away?

They become considerably less noticeable about 6-12 months after childbirth.

Although the marks fade later, but they will never totally disappear.

So now the new bottle is kept wasted in my drawer. I dare not use the lotion again since the PUPPPs have not fully gone away. I’ll just have to wait for my marks to fade away naturally *fingers crossed*

If you’re currently using other stretch mark products, by any chance you’d be interested to buy this off my hands? Or better, I can give it to you as a gift! I’d rather the latter than to waste. The husband has been complaining that I’m spending on things I cannot use *humph*

It comes in a boxset of: 1) 250ml Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks, 2) 50ml Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks and 3) 20g Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E for Dry Skins.

I got it from Guardian Pharmacy, so you can pop by any of their outlets and have a look. Do let me know if you’re interested!

Pregnancy Updates 35: Water Retention.

mellomouse — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:14:45 +0000

The 1st time I wrote about my swollen feet was back in November. In actual fact, my feet has been slowly increasing in size since late September (17 weeks pregnant) when I had to borrow my Mom’s sandals. Now my once skinny tiny feet has grown snuggly into the generous size 6 Mary Jane!

Swelling During Pregnancy

This is quite common and some women tend to swell more than others.

Hormone fluctuations can also contribute to edema, which involves swelling of the hands, face, ankles, neck and other extremities.

Besides the swelling feet, my hands have also filled out. And thus, I have not been able to wear my wedding band for months now. I was not born with long slender fingers, so now my hands look even squarer because of the water retention.

The swelling is not really that obvious. But once I curled them into a fist, I can immediately feel the puffiness. Or if I clasped my hands together, my fingers can no longer fit in between each other comfortably.

What annoys me most is my chubby cheeks. And that pesky double chin! I didn’t realise how much they had puffed up until I compared some recent photos of myself. I am Fat!

I know I shouldn’t be whining, but vanity is a woman’s 2nd nature. Not to mention that my once clear complexion has also gone haywire *sobs*

Why it “has to” Happen?

During pregnancy the body produces roughly 50% more blood and fluids than normal to accommodate your growing baby. It can contribute up to 25% of weight gain.

Water retention helps keep the body flexible and allowing ample room for expansion during pregnancy.

The extra fluid contained in the tissues and muscles of the body also help our joints prepare for labor and delivery.

Pregnancy Updates 30: Braxton Hicks Contractions.

mellomouse — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:13:44 +0000

I’ve actually been having these contractions for some time now without knowing that they were IT. Only yesterday evening that I was 100% sure after doing some readings on them. All these while, I thought it was naughty boy LBJ pressing from within

What is Braxton Hicks Contraction?

An intermittent, painless contraction that may occur every 10-20 minutes after the 1st Trimester.

It was first described in 1872 by British Gynecologist, John Braxton Hicks.

Usually women will notice them by casually brushing their hands against their protruding belly and notice that it has tightened.

Find Out More

It feels exactly as described by Dr Hicks — my baby bump feels tight and hardened for a few good minutes. They are not uncomfortable yet, but now it is fairly obvious compared to weeks before when only by touch that I notice it being there.

As my body prepares itself for labour in the coming 8 weeks, I hope I will be mentally prepared too by then *fingers crossed*

Would you believe me if I tell you that I am excited for this life changing experience? But also scared out of my wits!

Added 11/1/10, 8.25pm
Did I only say that the contractions are “not uncomfortable yet” last week? Well it is uncomfortable now!

They are not supposed to be painful. But the tightness can get very uncomfortable. I’m trying to find the words to describe it as I am having one right now.

The discomfort is slightly below my belly button, and it feels like LBJ is pushing from within but I know it is really the uterus tightening.

I can’t imagine how the real deal will be like on D-day itself *fear*

Pregnancy Updates 26: Stuffed Nose.

mellomouse — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:47:58 +0000

Which I rather be stuffing a Turkey for Christmas, than myself *humph*

Why can’t I breathe?

Common nose problems during pregnancy include stuffiness, a runny nose, and nosebleeds. These problems may start early in pregnancy and may continue throughout pregnancy.

The hormones of pregnancy may cause the lining of your nose and sinuses to swell, so you feel continually blocked up and stuffy.

Find out More

Thankfully this problem only started over the weekend, and not since early in my pregnancy like some unfortunate Mommies are facing.

Whenever I lie down to rest, the right side of my nose would be blocked. Besides the nagging backache, falling asleep with a stuffed nose would then be even more difficult *sigh*

I was beyond shocked this morning when I was startled by my own noisy breathing. I actually opened my eyes in an instance when I heard the first Snore *OMFG* I Do Not snore!

With the recent heat rise and increased body temperature, I look forward to an air conditioned room at night. But my nose seems to think otherwise, being especially annoying and gets blocked because of the dry cold air.

So I’m left with the fan, my stuffy nose and my sweaty self *ugh*