Prenatal Visit before the Grand Reunion

Oct 26 - I had my prenatal check up to see how little Spanish Pinoy/Pinay is doing. I gained one kilo from the last visit which is very ideal. Blood pressure 100/50. Baby's heartbeat is very good. The midwife's words for overall evaluation: "Mejor imposible" - Can't be any better. I am so thrilled.

We are so ready for our grand reunion with our family in the Philippines. Spanish Pinoy/Pinay will hear non-stop tagalog and I do hope he'd pick up words as early as now :-D He'll have his first taste of authentic Filipino food as well... my mouth is already watering just by the thought... mmmm... My mom's ampalaya, paksiw na pata, lechon paksiw, ihaw-ihaw, squid balls, real sweet corn, real green mango and all other tropical fruit we have in the Philippines that're not available in this part of the world, sinigang na baboy with okra!, bopis, goto, lugaw with tokwa't baboy, chocnut, Filipino chuchiriyas... I have to stop or I am just going to get frustrated by not satisfying my cravings.

So, my little one, get ready for the first longest travel you are about to have!

That's like half of the world!

15 weeks!

15 weeks today. My baby should be about 10cm big by this time. He's now breathing through the amniotic liquid where he floats as this will help him develop his lungs. Although his eyes are still closed, he can already feel too much light. So if I try to put a lamp on my belly, he will for sure try to get away. But mami won't do that... I don't want to want little Spanish Pinoy/Pinay get uncomfortable with too much light.

Another interesting fact is that the taste or flavor of the food I eat can end up in the amniotic liquid. That means as early as now, I can already train little Spanish Pinoy/Pinay to get used to tastes of healthy food like veggies and fruits. Never early to start training babies! :) But then, what about my junk foods? I am a super headache when it comes to junk food... I like chips, chocolates, chips, and did I say chips? Cheetos! Doritos! Cheese curls! Potato Chips! and anything of this kind. I'm even munching on one of these while blogging. Oh no.

Well, little Spanish Pinoy/Pinay will eat potato chips, corn chips, cheese curls, that's fine. We'll just work it out to be not on the excess and balance it out with other healthy food :) Deal, little one?

I heard him yell "Deal!"

Paranoid Preggo

They said it is normal for pregnant women to worry a lot about the baby and its well-being. Especially first time moms as everything is new and exciting and scary at the same time. I say, in this very unpredictable world, who wouldn't worry?

I worry a lot that's what my hubby always tells me (and he would even add: "Actually you worry a lot about everything not just about the pregnancy). How comforting isn't it? Well, I don't worry A LOT about EVERYTHING! (my hubby always exaggerates) but I must admit, I do worry a lot about my baby. I often stare at my belly and wonder "Is everything ok in there?". I stop and roll my eyes from left to right trying to concentrate and understand every little thing that I'd feel different. If I feel a little pain somewhere in the abdomen, my heart would skip and think, is this some sign something's not going ok in there? Then I'd rummage through the internet and see what other pregnant women's experience about this. Then I'd make note of it and make sure to ask the OB on my next prenatal visit. Paranoia, ignorance whatever that is called... that's me! If I don't gain weight for a period of time or so, I'd worry. But I'm pretty sure that if I gain weight more than what's recommended for a month, I'd worry more too. I am soo keen to following every letter that my midwife or OB tells me to do... sometimes, overly keen that I worry if I am doing things the right way. Craziness, isn't it? I just feel so responsible for my baby's health and well-being and I don't want any mistake that will harm him... but I do realize sometimes that worrying too much wouldn't help either... probably would even make things worse.

I notice this when I started to suddenly wake up in the morning, would abruptly look at my belly and wonder where's my baby? what happened? Lying in my back, my tummy feels small at this time and waking up so suddenly looking at my seemingly flat belly just scares me and would make me think my baby's gone. Of course I'd snap out of it after a few seconds and realize that's just silly of me. But all day long, I would just wish I have my own ultra sound unit to look at my baby and see how he's doing anytime I want to. Or just watch him all day moving around my tummy.

I know. Bad. I am really trying not to worry. But it's just so inevitable for me. The least I can do is talk it out. I tell my husband whatever worry I have and no matter how silly it may sound. He'd laugh at me many times and would always tell me "Believe me, the baby's doing OK. I can feel the baby is doing just fine. I can imagine him having the time of his life inside, dancing and kicking. Being the father, I just know. So stop worrying" How valiant, isn't he? I would just sigh. But I know he's right.

He worries too though. Only, not as absurd as I do. One day while he was about to leave home for work, he heard me coughing while I was still in the bed. He had already closed the door by that time. He went down the elevator, entered the garage with uneasiness in his tummy. He couldn't go as he was thinking what if I was coughing and having too much hard time or what if I choked. So he hurried back to our apartment, went upstairs and checked on me in our room. I was sleeping and was awaken by his gentle kisses on my shoulder. He was asking me "Are you OK, hon?" I just said yes and didn't really realize that he was asking if I was ok because of the coughing. Later on that day he told me how he got worried and had to go back to check on me. I think he worries too much just like me but at the same time, it's really sweet of him.

Now that this worrying-too-much thing is in the air, I'll really try even more not to be a paranoid preggo. My baby's going to be fine... we will be fine. I always have to remember over and over what my midwife has told me from the last prenatal check up I had. The baby is healthy developing well. That should be my chant every morning I wake up :)

Tummy's getting bigger now and I am getting more excited. With tummy getting bigger, I developed a new habit... caressing my tummy :) ... while worrying. Joke!

at 13 weeks and 5 days

The Onset of the Second Trimester

That's more or less the size of the little Spanish pinoy/pinay now on the first week of the second trimester. I am now starting to notice the little bump in my tummy. Although it's not yet that obvious to others especially if I am wearing a bit lose clothing. The most difficult part of the baby's development has already passed and that also means lesser risk for miscarriages now. Have I really passed the most difficult period of pregnancy? I have yet to find out. They said that some women have the same condition as of the first trimester throughout their pregnancy but I am really hoping that is not my case.

Little Spanish Pinoy/Pinay now measures about 7.6 centimeters and ha a size of a big shrimp! My little one is now completely formed and much more proportionate than few weeks before. I remember the first time we have the ultra sound, my little one's head still looks bigger than the body so I tease my husband that the baby's going to be like him - big head! What's amazing is that I've read that by now, my baby's baby's fingerprints are already formed. Can't wait for the time to finally touch those little fingers and feel their grasp on my finger....

¡Dichosa hormona!

Until now I am so amazed what hormonal revolution can do to a pregnant woman's body. Every change on a woman's body (except for the big bump :) ) is practically caused by sudden spike of hormones. I do make sure to mention to my OB whatever strange thing I experience to know if it is something expected or something that we need to look at. I would also normally search the internet about these things to see what other experts say and to know first hand info from other pregnant women. What I have been learning is just fascinating. How the body works 24/7 to prepare everything for the new life that's about to be welcomed by the world, is something more than wonderful.

Although many of the effects of this hormonal changes is something that doesn't help a pregnant woman makes her life easier (I, for one!!), just knowing that all these things are just secondary to a more ethereal purpose, I think it helps one to endure all these effects.

Some of the effects of these hormonal changes are the following: (Some I've read and some I've personally experience)

1. Mood changes - this is very common to most pregnant women... so hubbies, just be more patient to your loving pregnant wives as this is something beyond their control.

2. Nausea and vomiting - one of the very common pregnancy symptoms as well. Although there is nothing in concrete that can explain the nausea and vomiting, many experts contribute this to nothing else but hormones.

3. Fatigue - as the body works 24/7 to accommodate all these changes(no wonder about the fatigue), the body also produces more hormones particularly progesterone which is primarily produced by the placenta. I've read that a body of a woman is working as hard as the body a non-pregnant woman climbing a mountain... isn't that fascinating?

4. Acidity - progesterone helps inhibit the smooth muscle in the uterus from contracting and decrease prostaglandin formation, both of which allow the fetus to grow with the expanding uterus. Bad thing is this same progesterone also affects other part of the body that causes acid reflux and heartburn.

5. Pain on hips - progesterone is also responsible for softening cartilages in the bones particularly in the hips that causes pain for pregnant women

6. Darker spots on the skin - what else to blame? hormones! dark areas becoming darker... horrible. Estrogens and progesterone stimulate melanin cells in the skin to produce more pigment.

7. Breakouts! - What else can I say... becoming an adolescent once again.

8. Linea Negra - This is what they call the normally white line running from the navel to the pubic bone. Many times, it is not noticeable but during pregnancy, this line becomes darker... this is the least to worry about though, as it is not seen and will probably be gone after giving birth.

9. Spider veins - Those much-discussed pregnancy hormones, along with the increased blood volume cause those tiny, squiggly red or purple capillaries just below the surface of the skin to branch out and become more visible during pregnancy.

10. More hair - to some women, too many production of hormones not only increases the amount of hair on their head, but also generates extra hair on the face, breasts, back, stomach and arms... ugh hideous!

And there are more! more changes due to these hormones. I am complaining yes. But I do understand that all these changes (both good and not-so-good) are needed to produce a healthy baby. This must be understood and accepted by pregnant women so as not to feel bad about all these changes in their body and start to hate it. At this point there's really not much to do. I do admit that there are some times that I worry about these changes and I feel ugly... but my supporting husband really helps. He has always seen me as a beautiful woman. His words and his eyes tells me so. And being the woman that's carrying his child, I've never been more beautiful to him than before. So during those depressing times, (that obviously is brought by this raging hormones), I just look at my husband and I feel prettier than ever and more excited about this wonderful gift in my tummy.

12th Week

12 weeks and so far, so good. First trimester is almost over. Just after 6days, I'll be starting with my second trimester. My widwife told us that the baby is developing well. My OB has called and gave us a good news about the triple screening (consist of blood extraction for analysis) result. The baby has low risk for any malformation such as down syndrome and that I don't have to do any other test about the matter. That was a big relief for us and for our family. I knew my little one is going to be a healthy baby :)

11 +6

I'm on my 11th week and 6 days - just one more day and I'll be saying goodbye to my first trimester. In general, I am already feeling better but there are still days that I feel really bad with nausea, gas, acidity and vomitting. Not as often as before though.

I had my second visit with the midwife last Monday and I was given a good news that my little one is developing well. We also heard the heartbeat of the baby and my little kung fu started kicking from time to time a few seconds after the midwife put the instrument to hear baby's heartbeat on my abdomen. It might have felt the cold creme that was applied on the instrument and didn't like it. I was in between tears and giggles while listening to the heartbeat and the loud thugs from the kickings.

Today, I attended a short seminar (about 2hrs) for pregnant women in the first trimester. The midwife who sat in the seminar told us a loooot of things about pregnancy. Too much information for my head and maybe and maybe too much words for my hungry tummy. I do am glad to attend the seminar though as it gave hubby and I useful information about pregnancy and what to expect. I also feel better having surrounded with other pregnant women sharing questions and experiences in this important part of my womanhood. Plus we were given another box of gifts :)

I also get to consult the midwife about the future long travel my hubby and I will be doing in a month-time. The midwife was honest about the risk of doing long travel but considering that I haven't seen my family for almost 5yrs, she said that the depression, anxiety and/or frustration about not being able to see them while I am pregnant may be even worse. So she gave us advices about what to do while traveling and what to be aware of. She also asked me to go back days before the travel for them to check if there's any problem or just to see how my pregnancy is doing. She also asked me to go back and see them right after I come back from the long Philippines. They want to make sure everything is fine. Lastly, she gave me a numbet to call for any question or doubts I may have.

So far, I am glad with the service and attention I am getting from our social security here. I hope that this continues until my delivery :)

Silent Prayer

A candle and a silent prayer for those affected by the typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines...

First Glimpse of the Miracle

The day has finally come for us to have a visual of the little Spanish Pinoy/Pinay. It was such a marvelous experience to say the least. As this is our first time, we never knew what exactly to expect. Based from pregnancy articles I read, at 10weeks, the size of the baby should be like a walnut... so we thought we'll see something like that with the ultra sound. I remember the series Friends where Rachelle got pregnant and when they did the first ultra sound, Rachelle couldn't even decipher where the baby actually is. So, I imagined something like that.

To our utmost suprise, we actually saw little Spanish Pinoy/Pinay constantly moving around. At the beginning it wasn't moving that much but the doctor wanted to get a view of its side profile but little rascal doesn't seem to like this, so the doctor asked me to cough a few times. The baby suddenly jumped and moved around some more this time. With the arms moving around the top of the head as if dancing some 70s step and the legs constantly kicking like the movement of someone swimming.

We can't contain our emotion to finally meet our little one through a digital image. As I stare at the monitor trying to record everything I see in my memory, I noticed my little one's little toes. My little one has little toes already! My heart was simply over-filled with joy. My husband in between tears, kept on exclaiming an excited laugh everytime our little one made his movements.

The only disappointment we have is that we were not given a copy of the images. The doctor said they are not allowede to give copies of these. Had we know this beforehand, my husband could have made some photos using his mobile... but too late for that.

Then again, we are overjoyed just seeing how our little one move and seem to be enjoying the environment where is.

I was asked to go back tomorrow for a blood analysis. This will determine the risk for Down Syndrome. The thought of that is a little terrifying but I am positive about my little one... seeing how he dynamically moved around, there is no doubt, he'll be a healthy baby :)

I'd like to look for a private clinic where we can do another ultra sound and provide us copies of the result... I hope we find one and won't charge us an arm and a leg.

See you soon, little one!

Cravings

With less vomiting, I started to get more appetite to eat... and started to have different cravings. Sad part is that many of my cravings are not available here in Spain. Hubby gets frustrated too as he doesn't want me to get frustrated not being able to eat what I want... but both of us are helpless. I guess it's something I have to live with being pregnant and away from my beloved Pinas.

The other day though, I suddenly had cravings for Jamon Serrano. The famous Spanish cured-ham. I was never a big fan of it but I like it just in a normal way. It actually cost me big guts to get used to it. At the beginning I felt like it is raw and had icky feeling eating it. People here couldn't believe why I don't see it as something mouth watering. I must say, it does have big fame as Spains' national treasure. It is more than just a Spanish delicacy. There is nothing more Spanish than a Jamon Serrano. And it is also widely appreciated by other countries and is considered as a very expensive good outside Spain.

Anyways, it was a big surprise when suddenly, I craved for Jamon Serrano. It took me a few minutes to really assimilate that it is Jamon Serrano I am craving for. I told hubby I want some Jamon Serrano. With eyes wide and mouth open for a couple of seconds, he said "Really?". At that time, we were at my in-laws' house so he asked his mom if they have Jamon Serrano. Then we all laughed together.

How obvious it is that I am carrying a half Spanish little one in my tummy. Making me crave for something that can never be more than Spanish but Jamon Serrano.

Then my husband exclaimed: "Wait till he makes you crave for rabbits!!" (I don't eat rabbits.... I consider it as a pet and not food!!! Although here in Spain, it is a different type of rabbits... not the ones we have at home that are really cute, fluffy and white... they are wild rabbits from the forest... but even so, I can't and won't make myself eat rabbits!)

So I told hubby... no, not with rabbits! I will have a big fight with this half Spanish if he makes me eat rabbit... just can't be! He can eat all the rabbits he wants if he wishes to but not while inside my tummy!

And we all had a good laugh.