My bucketlist for the next pregnancy

Ehem... No, i'm not pregnant! I know it's still too early to contemplate on this because we plan have the baby at least two years from now. But since it's my birthday, i have a loooong wish list for my second pregnancy.

Exactly two years ago, the hubby and I were clueless schmucks waiting in line to have our very first visit with the OB.  Learning that i was pregnant was actually the best birthday gift i ever received! From that day forth, every pregnancy-related issue we encountered we dealt with utmost care and caution.

Since the first time is always trial and error time, i hope my next pregnancy can go on more smoothly and much more enjoyable!

Here are  my "points for improvement" for next time.

VBAC! 

•  I had C-section on my first pregnancy because of placenta previa. This is why i'm aiming to give birth the natural way the next time around.  I just hope VBAC will be possible in my case.  We need to discuss this with the OB.   Most of the moms i know who had CS on their first also had CS on their second!  Actually i don't know anyone who had vaginal birth after cesarean. 

More control over the delivery process

• I know, delivering a baby is a medical procedure but moms should also play active participation. In my first i was just very passive, it was really like i don't know what's going on. I guess second timers will know more about the birthing process and they can probably ask  "more intelligent" questions. For my second, i'll definite assert that baby be latched right away.

[caption id="attachment_2329" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I'd love to experience breast crawl, which i did not get to do the first time!
Source: Unang Yakap's Facebook page[/caption]

• I got to touch my baby only after 3 days, imagine that? By the way, did you know that a sign that your hospital is baby-friendly is if they facilitate breast crawl? I'm just not sure how it is for other hospitals or clinics, but when i was pregnant i totally did not know about breast crawl, that first close contact between mom and newborn right after birth. Our Department of Health says Unang Yakap is essential for the well being of both newborns and moms! I'll definitely discuss this with my OB and the pedia for the next time around.

To check out with newborn in tow

• When i was discharged, my baby was left in the nursery for 5 more days! His birth weight was very low and very very mild pneumonia. We patiently waited for the go signal from Doc until our newborn was well enough to come home with us. So it's my earnest wish for my next baby to be healthy so we'll be able to go home on the same day!

Photos galore! 

• I did not have decent pregnancy pictures! Actually i was camera shy back then. I was actually taking photos of my growing belly week-on-week through the What to Expect app during my first trimester. But i got impatient and stopped taking pictures later.  We did not have pics of the baby in the delivery room. On d-day we were in panic mode and we forgot about the camera! I can vividly recall the OB asking for the camera in the delivery room. If i was not given anesthesia, i'd probably get up and get my camera just to capture that special moment!

[caption id="attachment_2320" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I would love a fab shot of my belly!
Source of photo: virginia.gov[/caption]

• Now i'm relishing the thought of having a photo session - as in full on pregnancy  and breastfeeding pictorials!  I love to have some fab photos of my mommy journey.  And I'll definitely insist on bringing that darn camera in the delivery room! I would love to have photos so that we can have a cherished memento of his first day out.  

Fabulous maternity wardrobe

• I was penny pinching during  first pregnancy. I think i bought just 5 or 6 sets of wardrobes that time.

[caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Who would not want to have nice clothes during such a special occasion?
Source of photos:eden.com.ph[/caption]

• Now i realized it will be worth the investment, if i get dual purpose wardrobe - as in clothes for both maternity and nursing. Here and here are some of the nursing wear i'm currently drooling for.  

They say every pregnancy is different but we can try new things to get better the next time around. We always learn from the mishaps from our previous pregnancy!

How did you first pregnancy fare to your second? Were you able "to do better" the next time around?

Also worth reading:

• Learnings from an emergency cesarean section

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Guest Post: Tips for Staying Healthy During Pregnancy

This article was written by our first ever guest blogger, Katie Moore.  A mom of one. Katie says the best thing about being a mom is continuing to watch her daughter grow and develop into a little person, along with the joy and happiness she brings to her life every day.  She started blogging as an outlet to write and research and to connect to other moms and women online... and that's how she found my site!  

Katie is an active writer within the blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood, prenatal health, childbirth and other topics within this niche.

In this guest post, she shares tips for staying healthy during pregnancy. Once again, thanks for these tips, Katie.  

Not surprisingly, pregnant women should pay special attention to their bodies and health during pregnancy in order to provide an optimal environment for the baby to develop in.  By taking advantage of these tips, a mom-to-be can ensure she’s starting her pregnancy off on the right, and healthy, foot.

[caption id="attachment_406" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Source of photo: ods.od.nih.gov[/caption]

Keep doctor appointments

When a woman realizes she is pregnant, the first thing she needs to do is make an appointment with her ob-gyn, to check how far along she is and to monitor her health and the baby’s health. Throughout pregnancy mom’s doctor will be essential in helping plan for her delivery; there are many choices that should be discussed and made in advance, such as what type of birthing process she would like, what pain medicines to use and other optional procedures like cord blood banking and circumcision.

Eat a healthy diet

Many women think that it’s okay to eat whatever they want when they are pregnant. While it’s okay to occasionally indulge in sweets, pregnant women should eat a mostly nutritious diet. They should consume 300 extra calories a day to give their babies the nutrition they need. A pregnant woman should eat a diet filled with lean meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. They should stay away from raw foods, processed meats, certain fish and soft cheeses. A pregnant woman should also drink plenty of water. Water can help keep a pregnant woman hydrated and prevent constipation.

Get plenty of rest

Pregnant women feel more tired than usual, so it is important for them to get plenty of rest. As a woman’s stomach grows bigger, it will be difficult for her to sleep in certain positions. A pregnant woman should sleep on her side with her knees bent to ensure comfort. Lying on her side can also prevent hemorrhoids, veins and swelling.

Exercise regularly

Even though it is more difficult to exercise while pregnant, women should make the effort to work out regularly. They should get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. They could do yoga, go for walks outside and swim. Exercising during pregnancy can increase energy, improve sleep, prevent extra weight gain and reduce pain and swelling.

Avoid alcohol and nicotine

Women need to stay away from alcohol and nicotine while they are pregnant. Alcohol and nicotine can cause birth defects, low birth weight, stillbirth and asthma.

Take prenatal vitamins

Even if a woman eats a very health diet during pregnancy, she can still not consume enough vital nutrients. That is why she needs to take prenatal vitamins during her pregnancy. Taking prenatal vitamins every day can help prevent neural tube defects, reduce the risk of low birth weight and promote strong bones and teeth.

[caption id="attachment_418" align="aligncenter" width="201"] Source of Photo: chfs.ky.gov[/caption]

With all of the above health tips taken into consideration, as well as any special recommendations for her a doctor, a woman will be doing her best to stay healthy throughout, and even after her pregnancy.

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If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter @moorekm26. A copy of  this post is also published at http://tiffskinnyjeans.blogspot.com

Do's and Don'ts with Placenta Previa

To give a clear view of what to expect with placenta previa, let me recall what happened when baby was born.

Baby had very low birth weight. 

• Pulô's birth weight was just 4 pounds and 13 ounces or 2,177 grams. This was 300 grams less than what's considered normal. In the Philippines, babies less than 2500 grams at birth are considered low birth weight infants. That he was delivery prematurely contributed to such low weight.

I had emergency cesarian delivery.

• Husband and i were discussing which day in the third week of January 2012 was a good birthday for P.  But all the discussions were futile. I had severe bleeding, 10:30 am of  December 22, 2011.  Things happened very fast after that. We called the OB, she said i will be delivering baby that day so  I was brought to the hospital. At 11:30 am I was on the operating table. At 11:44 am, i heard my little one's first cries!

Baby was born premature. 

• We were all worried because baby wasn't due for another 3 weeks! When baby was finally cleaned and tested, we found out that baby was on his 36th week. According to the pedia,  37th week was considered full term.

Baby was in  NICU for one week.

• Bago pa ako manganak, sinabi ko na kay husband, "Ang sakit siguro kung madidischarge ka tapos maiiwan pa sa ospital si baby!" Totoo nga, base sa experience ko. I was discharged on Christmas Day and it was also the first time i ever held by baby boy! But it was also the first time we had to leave him. Since baby was 1 week short of a full term, he had to be left in the NICU. He was put under observation and was confined in an incubator. This was supposed to make up for the 1 week remaining of the time baby should have been inside my womb.

I had blood transfusion post delivery.

• I think i lost about 500ml of blood in that prebirth bleeding. Bleeding was painless but we were really alarmed. My husband was shaking when he saw all the blood. Akala ko kasi napaihi lang ako bigla. Yun pala, dugo na ung lumalabas sa akin!  One day before i checked out of hospital, i received blood thru transfusion. It was a painful experience, by the way, as blood kept flowing back into the pin.

Placenta previa is manageable. Extra effort is required to ensure your own and baby's safety.  Check my previous post if you want to know how this pregnancy complication is diagnosed.

[caption id="attachment_3267" align="aligncenter" width="300"] All your worries and fears about this condition melted when i finally held my newborn in my arms![/caption]

Here are some do's and don'ts when dealing with similar condition.

Do’s

Do take extra care.

• Placenta previa is considered high risk. Be careful and think twice before doing any activity. Seek clearance from your doctor if you need to take long trips, undergo an exercise routine or want to take any new medicine or supplement.

Take a break if you get tired.

• Pregnant moms get tired easily. Getting tired can cause contractions of the uterus, which is a no-no for previa patients.


• After my first bleeding episode I had to spend two weeks on bed rest. It was really frustrating.  Sayang, kasi na-imagine ko ang sarili ko na nagwa-walking sa UP habang buntis.


• Not all previa cases need to take full bed rest for the remainder of their pregnancy. It’s based on one’s situation: how far along is the woman and how severe the bleeding is.


• I was working while pregnant. I had many absences when after i had  bleeding on the fourth month. That's when i was diagnosed with placenta previa. After that i went back to work, but i was extra careful - no climbing stairs, no comutes, no standing for too long.


• My OB wanted me to take a maternity leave as early as 7th month, but i couldn't bear to leave work. I couldn't take any more forced bed rest! I really thought going on leave that early was OA! I pleaded with my husband so i could just take the leave in the 3rd week of December, that's on my 8th month.  I said i'd die of boredom at home. He said yes but made me promise to be extremely careful, that i'll go home if i feel any contractions! My last day at work should have been December 23.But  baby wanted to get out early! He made his grand entrance on December 22.  We were prepared, but we could have been MORE prepared!!!

Be on the look out for any spotting in any stage of your pregnancy.

• Always wear light-colored undies so any spotting will be seen easily.


• Inform your doctor at once of any bleeding.

Follow your checkup schedule and if possible, heed your OB’s instructions.

• Your OB will give you clear and proper advice. Ask any questions, no matter how no brainer you think they are. It pays to be makulit!

Eat lots of fiber.

• Fiber softens your poop. Pooping should be effortless, so you don’t strain.  You’ll be instructed to drink iron supplement, which tend to harden your poop. Banana was off limits as well since banana hardens poop. Some fiber rich foods include pears, oatmeal, whole wheat breads. It's also good to include prunes and yogurt in your diet, these aid digestion.

Consider getting steroid shots.

• Past 7 months our OB instructed us to get Diprospan (betamethasone) shots.  Steroids will help mature  baby’s lungs.  We were hesitant to get the shot but my doctor explained why we needed it.  In my case daw kasi, bleeding is imminent, lalo na habang mas lumalaki ang tiyan ko. Our OB says that steroids will help prepare baby’s lungs if I had any bleeding in my last trimester. Getting the shot was a life saver because my baby was born one week before full term!


• OB gave us the steroid prescription. We had to scour hospital pharmacies because steroids are not readily available in most drugstores. Once we have the right drugs and enough dosage, we went to the hospital emergency room, where a nurse administered the steroids. She injected half of the dose on my left arm. Then the other half was injected on the right arm the next day. As i remember i was on my 32nd week when i got the shot.

Pack your hospital bag early.

• Severe bleeding beyond 7 months will lead to delivery. We didn’t pack our bags early on so we were caught off guard. Our baby was born earlier than expected. We haven't prepared the baby bag yet! Sure, we bought and washed all his clothes and other supplies but it was still a mess. As a result, we really had a hard time getting organized at the hospital. Prepare your actual hospital bag and its contents on the early part of the 7th month, to be safe and ready!

Don’ts

Don’t climb stairs, even just 1 storey.

• Always use the elevator when getting from one floor to another.  Climbing can be tiresome for pregnant moms, especially in the last trimester because she's getting heavier.

Don’t ever allow pelvic exam or internal exams.

• This was one of my OB's strict orders. Internal exams can reach into your cervix, then into your placenta. Any poking of  sorts can lead to bleeding. Explain this to any physician or nurse who intend to examine you.

Don’t do excessively strenuous activities.

• Unlike other moms-to-be who were advised to exercise, I was limited to bed rest. My OB says it’s better to be safe than be sorry.


• Speaking of strenuous activities, we were also banned from having sex. This was really a bummer. Husband and I had to be  celibate for the remainder of my pregnancy. Hayyyy… My boobs were also off-limits since breast stimulation can induce contractions.

It made me very thankful i had a safe pregnancy. Husband and I are lucky because we knew of the complication early in the pregnancy. We're also thankful that we had a good OB, who, aside from being an expert ,  was very  patient in answering all our questions.

Having conquered placenta previa, I wondered. How about those pregnant women in the far flung barrios? Access to an ultrasound is limited in these areas, how can they know if they have this condition? This could be why maternal mortality is high in our country!

Also worth reading:

• My pregnancy complication: Placenta Previa

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Hello Moms!

I'm one year into my journey as a mother!

Husband and i had a lot of  experiences in the course of my pregnancy, delivery and now, in  taking care of our baby boy!

Most are enlightening and challenging!

Some are just daunting and disappointing.

Some days we just charge to experience.

But all these experiences as a new mom and wife are just so rewarding!

Through this blog i document these precious memories. I  hope to shed to some light (of some sort)  in this journey called motherhood for my fellow newbie moms! Check this blog out for tips and tricks we've learned in the early part of our lives as parents.

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