Weight Gain in Pregnancy

Let's talk about my all-time favourite topic - weight gain!

I know you're expected to gain weight during pregnancy, it's only natural, you're carrying a baby. But it can be darn demoralizing. I think I had a good start, losing weight every month in my first trimester. The weight gain didn't happen until I was in my 5th month progressing to the 6th. But in that one month, I put on 4kg, which is not a lot for the entire pregnancy I feel. However, according to the nurses, it is quite a bit to put on in just one month.

Yesterday at my sister's place, I made a mistake of stepping on the weighing scale. I've put on 2 more kg. That brings the total to 6kg to date. Again, I think at almost 7 months pregnant, 28 weeks, 6kg seems reasonable. But I'm worried about the rapid gain. I've been trying to control my diet to only the more healthy stuff - cereal/oatmeal for breakfast, fish bee hoon/chicken macaroni soup for lunch, salad/sandwich for dinner. What more can I do to slow down the gain? I'm trying to fit in exercise, but I know that's not going to help a lot as I only swim once a week. What else what else?

In my attempt to make myself feel better, I went online to search what the optimal weight gain should be like and where it will go to. From Baby Center:

• At birth, baby will weigh about 3.3kg
• Placenta about 0.7kg
• Amniotic fluid - 0.8kg
• Muscle layer of uterus - 0.9kg
• Blood volume increases and weighs an extra 1.2kg
• Extra fluid in body - 1.2kg
• Breasts - extra 0.4kg
• Storing fat to give you energy for breastfeeding - about 4kg

I feel slightly better after reading this, coupled with the BMI chart weight increase recommendation.

Pre-pregnancy BMI	BMI	Total Weight Gain	Rates of Weight Gain 2nd and 3rd Trimester (Average Range/Week)
Underweight	< 18.5	13-18kg	0.5-0.6 kg
Normal weight	18.5 – 24.9	11-16kg	0.4-0.5 kg
Overweight	25-29.9	7-11kg	0.2-0.3 kg
Obese	30 or more	5-9kg	0.2-0.3kg

3 more months, I can do it!

My Favourite Thing On Earth Now...

Is feeling B's movements. His movements have changed across the last week. From the usual thumping and jerking to the now slow movement elbowing you and feeling him move from one end to another end. Every time he does that, its like slow motion and I get a cheap thrill out of it. He's doing it again as I'm typing this. So much for bonding, I feel like I have a secret that only he and I know.

I'm starting to get anxious, like, really anxious about the EDD. Part of me can't wait to meet B, part of me worries I won't be a good mother and care for him enough. How much is too much? When is it to stop? When to let go? How much control to exercise? Will he love me?

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........

Last Week of Second Trimester

Next week, both little B and I will graduate to the next level, the third and final trimester. That begins the countdown to 38-40 weeks. As the EDD draws closer, I feel more and more excited to meet the little one. Every time we walk past a little baby, DH and I unknowingly pay more attention and often find ourselves amused with their little actions and even tantrums. We're imagining how baby B will behave and for some strange reason, we picture him as a cheeky, mischievous boy. I guess that's the common perception people have of little boys isn't it?

I hope to get back into my swimming routine again. Well, it was never a routine to begin with, considering how I only swam once a week during the weekend, but it was at least some form of exercise during pregnancy. Once I hit my second trimester, it seems that the novelty of being pregnant wore off a little, and I got lazy. Now that I'm beginning to feel a little heavy, I'm worried about the weight gain and how I might shed those off later, I decided maybe I should do something about it.

With only three more months left to our club membership, and to be frank, it is quite a hassle for us to get to the club, we signed on as members of a local hotel where we get F&B discounts, room discounts and benefits as well as access to the gym and pool. We went there yesterday for breakfast and to use the pool. It was actually really nice, apart from the fact the nearby mall was undergoing construction, but it was a nice way to spend our Sunday morning.

As we move into the third trimester, the aches and pains are taking its toll. I've been having pain around my pelvic bone for almost a week now. I've read that it's fairly common and the pain is actually manageable. I feel that it improved after swimming yesterday, so maybe some form of exercise is good. The setback about this pain, it makes walking a little tough. DH commented that I'm finally walking like a pregnant woman, which I hate. You know how some ladies move their body weight from left to right as they walk? Yah, I hate that. Thankfully, I only do that for the first few steps after sitting or laying down for too long. Once the joints are "seasoned", I walk normally. I hope.

A lot to look forward in the coming weeks, Chinese New Year is round the corner. We've done our annual CNY shopping at chinatown already, house is decorated, now we wait!

Traumatised

I made a mistake last night. A grave mistake.

I went on Baby Center and clicked "Watch Live Birth: Natural" and "Live Birth: Epidural".

Grave, horrendous mistake. What possessed me to do it?

Well, I thought it might be helpful to be a little prepared and know what to expect, thinking it will be good for DH. I was freaked out. It wasn't how the mother squirming and moaning in pain that scares me, it was seeing the baby's head crowning at the vagina that killed me. It is not a scene for the faint-hearted. It's like seeing an alien coming out of you, it is THAT SCARY.

I guess I now can imagine why episiotomy happens.

Good lord, why oh why did I click on not one, but two of those videos???

I'm scarred.

Emotional Rollercoaster

They say when you're pregnant, you're an emotional wreck. DH begs to differ. Because according to him, I am an emotional person, pregnant or not. I hate to agree, but I do cry at the slightest thing. I have no idea why. 感情豐富吧。

I was just looking back at some of the posts I've written pre and post-conceiving. I remembered the initial days where we just found out we were pregnant, and were waiting to see Dr W to get a confirmation. DH had to travel a few days after we found out, and as I was driving to work one morning, Adele's Make You Feel My Love came on the ipod. I couldn't stop tearing. It was all snorts and tears and damn was it dangerous being on the road. I remember thinking at that time how surreal it was, and how badly we wanted this.

We have come a long way haven't we? Now at 26 weeks, it's still a matter of waiting. Waiting for the next doctor's appointment, waiting for the next scan, waiting to meet little Bradley. Lady In Waiting, how apt.

3 months!!!

Prenatal Massage Bliss

I've always love massages, maybe because I have a chronic shoulder pain from an injury many years back, and of course the peril of a desk bound job. Since being pregnant, I've stopped all forms of massages, and my body has been screaming in pain. I did go about looking for prenatal massages, but many of those were either way over my budget or they seem too commercialized for my liking.

Again, from the April mummies group, they shared a deal about a complimentary trial prenatal massage. I had my trial on Saturday morning, and let me just say, it was AMAZING. The therapist was very nice and professional, no hard sell or unnecessary chatter during the massage, the organic oil they use smells so good. I was so relaxed that I went back to sleep after the massage. Bliss.

At 26 weeks now, I keep getting waves of emotions. I'm not sure if its the pregnancy hormones, or just me being me. This morning, as I walked to work and saw my reflection (belly is still relatively small btw), I can't help but feel all this is going to be over soon. I'm really enjoying every bit of the pregnancy (ok, maybe not the discharge or infection or itch), but carrying a baby really makes me feel complete. Coupled with his movements, I can't imagine being any happier, except perhaps when I get to hold him.

It's all coming together, isn't it?

Comfort ≠ Sexy

I've always been a black-lacy-bra-and-thongs person, but recently all these have changed. My bra size remains unchanged, but its the belly that pushing the wired bra to cut into my skin, so tight and uncomfortable.

The April mummies group I'm in organized a bulk purchase for "Comfy Bras".

        

They are not exactly what I would call sexy, or something I would wear, but these have been godsend so far. That reminds me, I probably need to start sourcing around for nursing bras eh?

I'm meant to put together a list of items I need to buy before delivery date, but I've been procrastinating for the longest time. It's not that I don't want to do it, I don't know where to start!! All in due time, all in due time.

I'll also be doing a glucose test at my next gynae visit - I have a family history of diabetes and I think this is just a precautionary measure. Personally I'm not concerned but if it turns out I do have gestational diabetes, it's only a few more months of controlling diet, we'll survive!

Girly moments

Baby blue for Baby B

Controversy Surrounding Public Transports

I count my blessings that I do not rely on public transports heavily. I take the train occasionally from my office to DH's and its only 3-4 stations away. One of the reasons why I dislike taking the buses or trains is you witness ugly acts of humans, from rushing in before allowing passengers to alight, to taking up spaces for their personal belongings, not giving up seats to the elderly or pregnant women. With the recent frequent train breakdowns, I think that makes the travelers an unhappy bunch. Next time you're on a train, pay attention to the commuters, they all look so sulky and grouchy!

I did, however, had 2 lovely experiences this week of people giving up their seats for me. The first came from a young Indian lady, she doesn't look local. The moment she saw me, she stood up immediately and gave up her seat. I was touched. The second day, a frail looking old lady in her 60s I presumed called out to me loudly and asked if I would like her seat. I was extremely grateful and since I was alighting 2 stops away, I graciously thanked her and explained I was getting off soon. Besides, I wouldn't have the heart to take a seat from the frail looking lady. Still felt touched. I guess like my friend put it, I'm finally looking pregnant.

We'll have a staycation this weekend, I hope the weather holds. According to the weatherman, there will be thunderstorm every day. Then Monday, we have the day off to go see little Bradley! Can't wait to see what he's up to again this time, hopefully we can ask Dr W to get a shot of his face. I'm sooooooo curious.

Week 24

Over the weekend, we had my family over for prawn noodles. DH's family sold prawn noodles for more than 30 years and each time we have a prawn noodles party, it was a great sold-out success and so much fun!

By the time everyone left, we were dead beat and slept till almost 10am on Sunday. A first in a long time. I wanted to try my hand at baking some CNY pineapple tarts, so we set out to buy some ingredients. 

It was actually very fun and easy to make, and I'm planning on making a few more batches to give away. I wonder if B will turn out to be a gourmet as I've been cooking and baking a lot while pregnant with him. As long as he's not a fussy eater!

Oh, lastly, let me leave you with a belly shot at 24 weeks!