Tuesday, October 2, 2007

I’m 8 weeks + now and starting to feel nauseous. And, it feels… yikes!

It started with an upset stomach (kind of acidic feeling) and it goes up to my mouth. Then, I feel like some metalic taste which is so not tasty. I really (really) hate this weird taste in my mouth.

It’s yikes… and yikes… and yikes some more!

But, I’ve found my morning sickness remedy!!

It’s not the cracker or the ginger beverage. It’s APPLE - the fruit!

I don’t know how and why but chewing apples really (really) help a lot. The weird metallic taste in my mouth is gone immediately and so does the nausea. And, the headache too.

I tried ginger drink (fresh bits of ginger mix with hot water and some sugar), but it only makes my nausea worsen. The horrid taste got worsen.

But, after I ate two slices of apple (any kind - green or red), I feel better in an instance!

And, I actually feel much (much) better and healthier.

I mean, since the last few days I didn’t have any appetite for any kind of food (due to the horrid taste in my mouth). But, within minutes after eaten the apple, I could actually consumed two packet of Banana cakes!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

I know the ClearBlue pregnancy test showed the plus (+) sign which indicated that I’m pregnant. But still, I want to triple-sure that I am really (really) pregnant.

So, yesterday I left the office an hour early and dropped by at Guardian. Oh.. I got my boss permission to left early because I was having stomach pain.

And, I bought 3 more pregnancy test sticks of different brands!

Dip ‘n Tell, Guardian and ClearBlue Digital.

That afternoon, I tested with the Dip ‘n Tell. And, within seconds the two red lines appeared so very clear. Okay, that’s a positive sign also.

And, that night, before going to bed, I tested with the Guardian pregnancy test.

Want to guess the result? Of course, it’s positive!!

The two blue lines immediately shown within seconds.

I slept with a smile that night…ha..ha…

So, there was one more test left - the ClearBlue Digital.

I tested this morning in the office toilet.

This one is digital so I have to wait about 30 seconds before the result came out. This test do not show lines but tell me in words that I am definitely pregnant.

So, there is no doubt that there’s a new life forming in my belly. Yeay!

Since 4 weeks of pregnancy, I have been scouring the net for information about pregnancy, giving birth, breastfeeding etc.

And, there are a lot of “pregnancy blessings @ side-effects” that we pregnant lady may experience throughout the 9 months.

One of it is, Braxton Hicks!

As early as six weeks into all pregnancies, the uterus, which is a large muscle, begins to contract rhythmically. These contractions (called Braxton Hicks contractions or `False labor`) are usually irregular and painless, and, because they usually do not cause the cervix to dilate, they do not threaten the pregnancy. They last about one to two minutes. These contractions might be noticed during the second half of pregnancy, some women don’t even notice them.

Braxton Hicks contractions aren’t usually painful, just uncomfortable. It feels like a tightening of your belly in your lower abdomen and groin.

Yeah, right!

Painless. Just uncomfortable?

Not in my case though.

You see, since week 28, I have been having this contractions quite a lot. I guess I have been having BH (Braxton Hicks) much earlier but never notice that. Perhaps, the contractions were not so strong to be noticed.

But, the first strong BH surprised me so much!

I was sleeping and suddenly awaken by this strong tightning of my belly. It was hardening like a ball of stone. Like someone was pulling my skin so tight. And, I have this incredible pressure like I need to poo!

It lasted about 1 minute.

Since then, I’ve been having Braxton Hicks on and off.  There was nothing to worry about.

But, since yesterday, my Braxton Hicks are getting stronger. And, closer!

These BHs make me feel really unwell. I don’t like it when my belly hardening like a rock ball. It’s…. uh… don’t feel good.

O yes, I’m having a BH while I’m writing this…..

No wonder, most birth stories mentioned about the strong feeling to poo / to pass stool -(rasa nak berak) when the moms were in the birth phase… It was due to the uterus contractions pressing the intestine… ha…ha…ha

Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Yes! I tested at 2am this morning using a Clear-Blue pregnancy test. To my delight, the positive sign showed up within seconds. I rubbed my eyes, still couldn’t believe what I saw.

But, the blue positive sign was getting darker. And, darker. Yes! I am pregnant!

I will only be seeing my doctor at LPPKN next week for the pregnancy test and to verify that I’m truly pregnant.

So, why took the pregnancy test at home. Well, because I suspected that I pregnant. And, my period was due yesterday but it didn’t come.

I’m also having lower abdomen pain since last week. Feel like my uterus is expanding. And, having some constipation.

It’s the same kind of feeling that you will get right after the Pregnyl injection (to release the eggs from it’s follicles).

Only this time it continue for days. And, I only feel the bloating early in the mornings (when I asleep).

After Subuh prayer this morning, I showed the pregnancy test stick to my husband. And, he was very (very) happy!!

Alhamdulillah!

Wow! I’m already in the third trimester of pregnancy. I’m in my 32nd week already!!

So far, everything is progressing well. Not much pregnancy complications except for the low hemoglobin count and the low-lying placenta.

Here’s my update!

1. My hemoglobin count has increased from 9.3 to 10.5!!! Yes! It almost reach the minimum level of 11. In addition to the prescribed ferromed pills, I also eat lots and lots of steamed cockles (kerang) and crab soup. I’m almost no longer anemic, yeay!
2. How about the low-lying placenta? Erh.. bad news - it has become Placenta Previa Major. Notice the word “major”? It means, the placenta is completely covering the cervic opening. And, which means, I can’t birth my baby through the birth path. And, 95% chances of me having a Cesarean surgery to deliver my baby. Sigh *****

I still have more or less 1 and a half months to go. Hopefully, the placenta will move up, away from the cervic.

I’m praying for a miracle - because I want to give birth to my baby naturally, drugs-free.

You see, I want apply what I learned during my Hypnobirthing course so that my baby can have the best during his/her birth. I want him/her to be a happy baby!

But, with surgery:

• My baby will be forced to come out when he/she is not yet ready! My baby will not be happy!!
• Me (and indirectly the baby) will be drugged prior to the surgery (epidural or general anaesthetic. Ouch! Epidural is painful - they inject the pain-killer into the spine!)
• They will cut open my belly layer by layer!
• The surgery might cause severe pelvic adhesion to my uterus (part of the healing process). Thus, it makes it harder for me to conceive my next baby.
• If I do conceive in the future, most probably they’ll do Cesarean on my future babies too.
• The pain from the surgery can makes it impossible (if not harder) for me to breastfeed my baby right after birth.
• It will take me longer to recover from the Cesarean birthing compared to the natural birth.
• I can’t use the traditional methods of recovery from birthing such as whole body massage from traditional midwife (including a massage to get the uterus back into pre-pregnancy position), hot stone massage, herbs binding etc. Huh!
• I will be most likely be 100% dependant on my old mother and my hubby during the first 3 weeks of confinement.
• Lots of other unforeseen negative effects.