My Bump: The Journey of Being a Pregnant a Woman
"I am pregnant!"
Yep. Once upon a time, I absolutely had a hard time announcing that to everyone, especially to my family, even to myself.
Ironically though, my husband and I had planned and made efforts to get pregnant even out of wedlock. It was unconventional but we preferred it that way for our own reasons. I would love to write more on how we prepared ourselves in getting pregnant but that would require a separate blog post.
The moment we found out I was pregnant, I truly did not know what to do and how to react. Our first pregnancy test came it negative. After a week, I still did not have my period. We took the test again in the evening before sleeping and there was nothing different in the result. Surprisingly, the single line was doubled when we woke up in the morning.
It was hard to explain how I felt that time. I was scared, nervous, amused, excited, worried. But haveingthe little crazy addition in our family was one of the greatest blessings we have. We made it a point to make our pregnancy very much worthwhile.
Here are some of the things that we did during our pregnancy that made the whole journey exciting.
Meet regularly with our OB-GYNE
When we found out that there was already a little human inside of me, the first
thing we did was to go to the doctor. I did not have a regular OB-Gyne yet
then so we just asked for any random doctor that that our health card could
recommend.
I was asked us to do a lot of laboratory tests and we spent a fortune on the tests alone since we decided to take them in Makati Medical Center. Later on, we found out that there were cheaper alternatives which we get to take advantage of during the rest of our pregnancy.
I was asked us to do a lot of laboratory tests and we spent a fortune on the tests alone since we decided to take them in Makati Medical Center. Later on, we found out that there were cheaper alternatives which we get to take advantage of during the rest of our pregnancy.
I had to let go of my OB in Makati Med and met Dr. Irma Rajagukguk-Magnaye, who became "The One" for me at the Manila Adventist Medical Center in Pasay City. Meeting Doc Irma was a bit of an accident since I was initially opting for her mother. But when I met her, I just knew she was the one for some many reasons:
- She was easy to talk to and she made me feel at ease
- She was very pro natural birth and she encouraged me that many Filipino women can give birth un-medicated (this was even before I got introduced to Gentle Birthing).
- She allowed me to work out and lift.
- She agreed to most of what I have put in my birth plan.
- She allowed my husband to enter the delivery room so long as we provide a birthing class certificate.
- Most of the things she agreed and disagreed with me, she explained why with the studies she have.
I believe choosing an OB (and whether to have one at all) is very critical. I decided to choose someone who can cater my needs and wants and with whom I feel very comfortable discussing things. It was almost as if looking for the perfect shoe fit.
Install pregnancy tracking apps
I installed two applications in my mobile
phone: Babycenter and WhatToExpect.
Having them helped me keep track on what to expect throughout my pregnancy, especially on how my baby’s developing by day, by week and by month. It definitely helped to know what was normal and what was not. These apps gave explanations on why I was feeling or experiencing certain things. Having them kept me sane on the many changes in my body.
Having them helped me keep track on what to expect throughout my pregnancy, especially on how my baby’s developing by day, by week and by month. It definitely helped to know what was normal and what was not. These apps gave explanations on why I was feeling or experiencing certain things. Having them kept me sane on the many changes in my body.
Go on a babymoon!
Traveling could be difficult for a pregnant
woman but it could also be fun and exciting. On my first trimester, we got to visit Japan and it was extra special since it was my husband's first time to be out of the country. The Japan
trip had been planned a really long time ago but me being pregnant on that trip was just a sweet addition.
Prior to our trip, I had to ask for medical clearance from my OB. She prescribed some medicines I should take before and after the flight and if ever I feel nauseous or if I feel any contractions. It was recommended to buy my medicines and have them ready before I leave.
For our plane ride, I did not bother declaring I was pregnant even though I should have been part of the priority lane. I was worried that they won't allow me to ride since I did not have a medical certificate to show. I did not have a baby bump then yet anyway but somehow, a part of me wished to have allowed myself have the special treatment since I had to stand up and line up when boarding the plane.
Prior to our trip, I had to ask for medical clearance from my OB. She prescribed some medicines I should take before and after the flight and if ever I feel nauseous or if I feel any contractions. It was recommended to buy my medicines and have them ready before I leave.
For our plane ride, I did not bother declaring I was pregnant even though I should have been part of the priority lane. I was worried that they won't allow me to ride since I did not have a medical certificate to show. I did not have a baby bump then yet anyway but somehow, a part of me wished to have allowed myself have the special treatment since I had to stand up and line up when boarding the plane.
Roaming around Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto required a lot of walking for our part. I was thankful that my pregnancy was normal and low risk. The walking was not a problem. In fact, it was a welcome exercise for me.
Being pregnant though had limited me to ride some of the more exciting rides in Universal Studios. But it motivated me to someday come back with my baby in tow. Though I'd probably be riding the kiddie rides and have to wait a few more years for the more adventurous ones unless we'd have someone with us to take care of our baby.
Traveling also helps release oxytocin, the happy hormones. It is also considered the hormone of love and birth in pregnancy world.
I love traveling with my loved ones and capturing all the memories. It is definitely one of the best bonding experiences with the family.
Join Facebook mommy/parenting groups
The great thing about Facebook is how people alike are brought together. One of the great features are the parenting groups I was introduced to by fellow mommy friends and relatives. Many of them are support groups with very helpful information and members who are willing to answer questions and concerns. Joining them made me feel that I am not alone in my worries, fears, doubts and, of course, joys!
Here are some of my most recommended local FB groups that had helped me during my pregnancy and, even now as a mother of a one-year old boy:
- Breastfeeding Pinays - a local breastfeeding support group
- Modern Cloth Nappying Pinays - a local support group for parents who are into cloth diapers
- Cloth Diaper Addicts - another cloth diaper group
- Babywearing Philippines - a local babywearing support group
- Buntis Brigada PH - support group exclusively for women mostly for pregnancy/motherhood concerns
- TBDM Mommy Club - a spin off The Baby Depot Manila (Mommy Jelly Lagman's online shop group) where mothers can post anything under the sun so long as they follow the rules and regulations
- Gentle Birth in the Philippines - it has everything you need to know about the Gentle Birthing experience
- Usapang Nanay - another mommy group for any concerns related to parenting, family, being a wife, etc.
- Glam-O-Mamas - Amanda Griffin's official discussion group for motherbood and womanhood
I have spent many hours browsing through these groups for info in preparation for my baby. It can get quite addicting if you really get into the whole motherhood stuff. I am proud to say that I am able to apply many of the things I have learned from these groups so far. I still usually go to them though when I have questions and when I am bored LOL (there's a lot of mommy gossips there haha!)
Attend a birthing class, breastfeeding seminars, parenting classes, etc.
When a friend of mine advised me to attend a birthing class, my actual thought was that, "Do I really need one?" And after attending The Birth Basics Workshop by Birthing is a Blessing, my conclusion was, "we should have done this earlier!"
And so, I always encourage soon-to-be mommy or daddy friends or any pregnant couple I know to attend classes especially a birthing class. It definitely helped us know our options and prepare for the "Big Day".
What I love about the class was that we were provided with options to come up with our birth plan. Having my husband with me there helped give importance to the father's role into the whole birthing experience. Deciding to go for the birthing class solidified our objective to have a natural, un-medicated birth.
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The Birth Basics Workshop Class No. 33
Photo grabbed from Birthing is a Blessing FB Page
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Attending the birthing class also changed my overall perspective on giving birth. I have never thought of birthing as something to fear about which is quite a thought of many first time mothers. But it helped us truly prepare for the actual day and even for the days that eventually followed after our time in the delivery room.
To know more about birthing is a blessing, you may check them out with the details below:
Website: http://birthingisablessing.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/birthingisablessing/
Email address: birthingisablessing@gmail.com
Contact No: 09165205787 or 9861546
Here are also other options for birthing classes that I have learned about later on:
- Pinay Doulas Collective's Binhi Childbirth Preparation Class - You may check their website or Facebook Page to know more about their one-day class. They also other offer workshops related to motherhood.
- Rome Kanapi's Preparation for Childbirth class - Her class lasts for four consecutive Sundays which means there will be more topics that can be tackled. Her class is advantageous if you can free up and dedicate these days for the birthing class. There are lots of blog posts about her class searchable on the internet.
Move around and be active
After the first trimester and after much research on lifting weights during pregnancy, I was able to go back to the gym. Of course, I was only confident to continue doing it since it had always been part of my lifestyle pre-pregnancy. Icing on the cake was that my OB gave me the go signal.
I mostly focused on working out my legs and had to let go of movements that may be risky to my situation.
During my pregnancy, I wanted to empower woman that being pregnant doesn't mean you cannot move around. Exercising could help for your and your baby's healthier overall well-being during and after pregnancy.
Exercising makes it easier to manage aches and pains that pregnancy brings about. In addition, doing it will make it easier for a pregnant woman to recover and go back to her pre-pregnancy weight after she gave birth.
Going to the gym had always been a thing that my husband and I do even before we got pregnant. Having my husband with me definitely motivated me to keep on exercising.
Of course, I have also done some simple exercises for pregnant woman for opening the pelvis and strengthening the core. I also needed to do this to make sure my baby would move to cephalic position. These exercises I have learned from spinningbabies.com.
On the last weeks of my third trimester, I have also gotten myself into yoga at Yoga+ Express in DLSU's Enrique Razon's Sport Complex. I mostly did yin and flow classes and they definitely helped since my back and feet started to hurt a lot during my last weeks. We also requested for a special prenatal yoga class with my family and it was a good bonding experience for us.
I have continued lifting weights and doing my usual exercises until I was at 38 weeks and 6 days gestational age. That was just two days before I gave birth and keeping active helped with my pregnancy.
Pamper myself
Pregnancy can bring a lot of achy feels on various parts of a woman's body. Treat yourself to a prenatal massage being offered by many of the spas and massage parlors. Compared to the normal massage, you'd have to do a side lying position with a pillow in between your legs.
We also bought a Snug-a-Hug pillow that made sleeping for me more comfortable. There's just too much discomfort in being pregnant and I'd like to think there's nothing wrong with pampering myself a bit. Taking extra care of myself was also taking care of my baby.
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| Prenatal Massage Photo grabbed from BabyCenter |
We also bought a Snug-a-Hug pillow that made sleeping for me more comfortable. There's just too much discomfort in being pregnant and I'd like to think there's nothing wrong with pampering myself a bit. Taking extra care of myself was also taking care of my baby.
Experience a 3D/4D ultrasound
A 3D/4D ultrasound may be a bit pricey but
the experience was worth it! We had our 4D ultrasound at In My Womb and we even
asked my family to come with us so they can go see our baby as well. All seven of them get to squeeze themselves into the tiny viewing room of the ultrasound and OB-Gyne center.
What makes it even better is that if the clients are not satisfied with the photos or videos depending on the package they have chosen, they can go back again for a certain period of time. For us, we just kept coming back while we can for the experience!
Check out the 3D/4D package rates of In My Womb on their website.
Shop for baby stuff
I think I started shopping baby stuff when I was
around 3 months pregnant. There were some superstitious beliefs that if you buy
too early, something bad may happen to the baby. I was never
really the superstitious type though (Hooray, Science!). I mostly did browsing of baby
stuff online at first so I can compare prices before purchasing.
Thankfully, there was the Mom & Baby Expo at the Mega Trade Hall in Mega Mall and we ended up buying a lot of stuff from there.
We also bought a lot of newborn stuff from Divisoria. They were mostly white baby clothes so that in case we choose to have another baby and this next baby turns out to be a bebe girl, the clothes can still be used. It's always best to buy baby items in neutral colors or designs.
Aside from the baby clothes, we also bought items I would be needing for our breastfeeding and cloth diaper-ing journey (I got addicted to those at first!). Thankfully, we have also received baby gifts from relatives and friends so we did not have to buy too much.
Despite the excitement of having a baby, I had to remind myself that I must have self-control from splurging too much. I still do this up to now. There's just a lot of baby items that are often heavily advertised but a lot of them, we ended up not using. I am planning to write a separate blog post for all those items we bought that we found useful and not useful.
Get hitched! LOL!
This may not be recommended for very
traditional couples and to their more traditional parents! Even
the priest who did our interview and the facilitator in our seminar were against getting married just because of being pregnant. Deciding to do the same should be the discretion of the couple.
We actually got married twice in 2016: We had our civil wedding first in preparation for our Church Wedding. It was much easier to get the church requirements with this setup.
We actually got married twice in 2016: We had our civil wedding first in preparation for our Church Wedding. It was much easier to get the church requirements with this setup.
Our civil wedding only had our closest family members (about 10 of them) while our church wedding had about 100 attendees with just our relatives and our godparents.
On my part, organizing a wedding was very
stressful and that stress may not be good for a pregnant woman. I think that’s
what I hated the most. I am a worrywart so I get anxious a lot. We only had 4
months to plan the wedding but having that much limited time helped us have a
simple celebration. I was truly thankfully that I have my family and friends who helped me made it happen.
Track your baby bump
I loved taking photos of myself with my baby bump. I would take a picture every week and would not really see much progress which is expected. When I finally looked at the photos collectively, I was surprised at how much my tummy had grown to accommodate the little monster inside of me.
Go on a hospital tour
Before the special day, we wanted to familiarize ourselves where I will be giving birth. It was essential for me to be as comfortable and as relaxed as possible on the Big Day in order to help me with my labor.
Most, if not all, hospitals allow potential patients to do a hospital tour of the labor room, delivery room and the wards or private rooms so long as there is no one using them. We were toured by one of the nurses and even explained to us what we should do once I have go to labor. The advice from the nurse and from our OB was to go straight to the maternity section and not to the E.R. or else, we may have additional and unnecessary charges.
Most, if not all, hospitals allow potential patients to do a hospital tour of the labor room, delivery room and the wards or private rooms so long as there is no one using them. We were toured by one of the nurses and even explained to us what we should do once I have go to labor. The advice from the nurse and from our OB was to go straight to the maternity section and not to the E.R. or else, we may have additional and unnecessary charges.
Do a prenatal photoshoot
At 34 weeks, with the help of my cousin, Geschelle Manuel as my make up artist and our photographer, we had our own DIY pre-natal photoshoot just right at home. Our theme was boudoir.
The photos were amazing even without any editing done! I loved how my body looked with my baby bump. We get to have a professional-looking photo shoot thanks to the amazing skills of my cousin.
The photos were amazing even without any editing done! I loved how my body looked with my baby bump. We get to have a professional-looking photo shoot thanks to the amazing skills of my cousin.
Doing a prenantal photoshoot is a fun addition to your pregnancy. But do not be pressured if you're not comfortable with it just because you see others doing it. But with the right people involved, it could truly be a fun experience.
Here is a link to a separate blog for my prenatal photo shoot.
Not every day of pregnancy is easy, but every day brings me closer to you! -BabyBumpApp
Every pregnancy is unique and different regardless if it's the first time or the nth time. It can be pleasant and easy to someone but could be difficult and hard to another. No matter the circumstance, every pregnancy is special knowing that a woman is capable to produce and bring another person into the world.
In the end, it's all about how we make the most of our journey and who we choose to spend it with that will make everything worthwhile. And every woman deserves a pregnancy experience that is worth remembering.
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