Belly Blessed Fest 2013

Calling all expectant moms and dads! Celebrate the magic of motherhood and wonders of womanhood at the Belly Blessed Fest 2013!

Celebrate the many joys of pregnancy with Belly Blessed Fest 2013! A three-day event dedicated to expectant moms, Belly Blessed Fest will be held from July 12 to 14, 2013 at the 2nd and 3rd Level Atrium of The Podium Mall in Pasig City.

There’ll be exciting interactive stations to delight expectant moms and dads-to-be like the Pregnancy Portrait Booth, Clay Medallion Making Station, and a wishing wall where moms can write special messages to the miracle growing inside their wombs. Alongside the activity stations will be booths showcasing the latest mom and baby products and services in the market today. Moms-to-be can also browse and shop for essentials at the mompreneur booths.

There will also be products for toddlers and children, Crumbs and Grubs Lactation goodies and snacks for expectant and nursing moms. As part of the Mommy Mundo events' tradition, there will be raffles throughout the day.

Delayed Cord Clamping

It has been a while since I wrote about natural childbirth. I have been wanting to share about what I practiced (Delayed Cord Clamping and birth practices, in particular) when I gave birth to baby dragon, but lack of time got the best of me. Whenever we discuss my birthing options and plan, one of the things I was very particular about with my OB was Delayed Cord Clamping.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/o68j9jb

Delayed cord clamping is the practice of delaying cord cutting and clamping until the cord has completely stopped pulsating—about 2-3 minutes after birth. This is to ensure that upon childbirth, blood and nutrients from the placenta are transferred to your newborn. It provides your newborn additional oxygen, iron stores, stem cells, and an increase in blood volume about—1-2 months' worth of your baby's iron requirements. This is very important as iron is very crucial in preventing anemia and in aiding the brain development of infants. It is even more beneficial for preterm infants as it protects against against Sepsis and Hemorrhage. There are moms who even practice leaving the cord and the placenta attached to the newborn until it falls off on its own.

Post-Partum Hair Loss

Let's discuss something that most moms with babies as J's age experience- Post-Partum Hair Loss. Grrrr, it's annoying, disgusting, and scary, all at the same time! Imagine taking a bath one day and finding HUGE clumps of hair clogging up the drain. Think about brushing your hair and seeing a handful of hair stuck in between the bristles, with more hair falling off your shoulders and on the floor. Totally annoying and terrifying. I thought something was wrong with me or that perhaps my shampoo was too harsh.

I shall not post any photos of my hairbrush nor the clogged drain as they are too graphic. It would seem like "It" from the Addams Family resides in both. So anyway, as it turns out, post-partum hair fall or hair loss happens to all moms who have recently given birth and it goes on up until your child reaches the age of 1. One year old, seriously???

Dealing with Contractions and Pain during Labor and Childbirth the Natural Way

BABY BOY IS FINALLY HERE!

Just last week, we welcomed our dearest little boy into the world. My childbirth experience was not as difficult nor as scary as others described it would be. I welcomed the birth of my son in a calm, collected, and relaxed manner. At 9:30 am, I started to go into early labor, with my mucus plug & bloody show coming out along with slight contractions. I breezed through the first few hours of early labor and did my usual tasks (I was even able to mop, disinfect, and wax the floors and do other chores).

Prepared Childbirth Classes with Rome Kanapi

Last August, we enrolled in Prepared Childbirth Classes with Rome Kanapi at the Ateneo Institute of Social Order. Being new parents, the class helped us prepare and understand more about breathing and relaxation techniques (lamaze), breastfeeding, childbirth, exercises, newborn care,  pregnancy, and your partner's role in your pregnancy, childbirth, and as a new parent.

Rome Kanapi's Prepared Childbirth Classes were very helpful, informative, and fun! It gave us the confidence and knowledge we needed as new and inexperienced parents. As a soon-to-be mom, it helped ease my worries regarding pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and child-rearing. For dads, it gave them a "full view" of what it's like to be pregnant. It prepared us for the upcoming days ahead: what to expect and what to do during labor and actual delivery. Rome Kanapi's classes truly empowered me as a new mom, and us as new parents.

The classes are very intimate, there are about 12 couples or less in every batch. Rome is such a nice lady. She's very accommodating and motherly. She made us feel so at ease, like we can openly discuss all our thoughts and worries regarding childbirth and pregnancy. For new parents, it feels wonderful to know that you have the knowledge and support to empower you as first-time parents.

Rome Kanapi's Prepared Childbirth Classes are held every Sunday at the Ateneo Institute of Social Orders, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. Classes are held twice a day, morning and afternoon batch, and runs for 6 sessions. If you're interested in the classes, please note that you have to reserve a slot early on as her classes have limited slots and are always full. The classes also enables dads to be allowed with you (to coach you) in the labor and delivery room.

Rome Kanapi is a Certified Instructor from the Philippine Association of Childbirth Education (P.A.C.E).
For inquiries and reservations on Prepared Childbirth Classes with Rome Kanapi, you may call 436-1757/0917-541-5114 or email her at romeinquiry@gmail.com.

Are you a current student or an alumni of Rome Kanapi's Prepared Childbirth Class? All batches are welcome to join the Page! 

Visit the Facebook Page here: 

Rome Kanapi Prepared Childbirth Class

Oh, baby! Are we there yet???

Baby's Hospital Bag x Cycles and Cradle Giveaway

The fun and excitement just never stop! Less than 2 weeks until our little sunshine pops out! As I have mentioned in my recent post, so much preparations have been done these past few months for our little sunshine's arrival!

Prior to daddy and I's preparations for the Big Day, I've prepared baby's things that went into the hospital bag beforehand. I diligently checked and re-checked my lists to make sure we have everything baby will need upon delivery. I laid out all his clothes and layette sets, receiving blanket, going-home clothes, etc and prepared them for laundry, disinfecting, ironing, and further disinfecting. Yeah, by now you could clearly see how OC and extremely meticulous I am! I even hand-washed his clothes to make sure every nook and cranny is well accounted for.

Our prepared stash for the endless laundry and dishwashing duties ahead.

Since newborn skin is extremely sensitive, I used Cycles Mild Laundry Detergent to wash the little one's clothes, burp cloths, receiving blankets, and all his other stuff, which went in the bag. I really love how good it smells and how gentle it was not only on his clothes, but on my skin as well ( I have extremely sensitive skin). 

I also love that Cycles is made from environment-friendly, baby-safe, hypo-allergenic, phosphate-free, ultra mild ingredients and has anti-bacterial properties. It's specifically made for babies, so I am confident that Cycles will provide my baby's clothes and skin the same quality care it has provided thousands of Cycles babies and moms. As a first-time mom, I am very concerned about my child's health and his surroundings, as well. By using baby-safe and eco-friendly products like Cycles, I know that I am providing my baby and the environment with the best care a mother can give.

Available in 1.5L, 1kg, 800ml, 100g x 3, 250ml

Another thing about the brand which made me appreciate it more was that it was started by a mom, like me! Cycles is a brand started by mothers headed by Emily; a meticulous, loving and protective mom. Since mothers like her want to give the best personal care to their babies, Emily was prompted to form EVEolution, Inc. The company’s thrust is to become a reliable mommy partner because it understands the needs of mothers who continuously seek to provide safe, sensible and effective products to their precious little ones. Knowing that Cycles is made by moms for moms like you and I, is a very re-assuring thought.

They recently came out with a new Anti-bacterial Stain Soaker. It's color-safe and does not contain harsh chemical such as chlorine, optical brighteners, and dyes. It kills E.Coli, Staph, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (causes Respiratory Infections), and Salmonella. Perfect for soaking baby's stained bibs, burping cloths, and cloth diapers!

Available in 500g containers and Stain Pretreater Pen

I also used Cradle Baby Bottle and Nipple Cleanser for the breast pump, breast milk containers, and baby bottles. My hands get so irritated, sore, and dries out with household dishwashing liquid. Cradle was gentle enough on my hands, so I know it'll the same on my breastfeeding essentials. It's made from natural and edible ingredients found in plant extracts. Safe yet highly effective in removing tough milk and residues, and in getting rid of foul odors from feeding bottles, bottle nipples and other accessories. Cradle is so safe, you can even use it to wash fruit and vegetables.

Available in 700ml and 200ml Travel size Bottles, 500ml and 150ml Refill Packs

Win P 1,000 worth of Baby Products from Cycles and Cradle!

To share the same gentle care Cycles and Cradle provides my little one and thousands of other Cycles and Cradle babies, I am giving away a Gift Pack from Cycles and Cradle which contains the following:

Cycles Stain Soaker (500g)

Cycles Laundry Detergent Powder (1kg)

Cradle Toy and Surface Spray Cleanser (500ml)

Cradle Baby Bottle and Nipple Cleanser (700ml)

Just follow the steps on Rafflecopter below and get to experience the same gentle and motherly care Cycles and Cradle provides us Cycles and Cradle babies and moms.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cycles and Cradle are available at the following:

Luzon: Alabang Supermarket Babyland Baby & Co. / Nursery Care Cash & Carry Dept Store Cash & Carry Supermarket HB1 Landmark Dept Store Landmark Supermarket Robinsons Supermarket * Savemore * SM Supermarket * Shopwise S&R Super SM Hypermarket Rustans Dept Store Rustans Supermarket Unimart Waltermart * CVC Cainta, Malinta, Valenzuela, Caloocan Infanticipation Filinvest Alabang Jumbo Jenre DAU Pampanga NE Pacific - Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija Pioneer Superstore Mandaluyong South Supermarket Alabang Sta. Lucia Department Store Cainta Sta. Lucia Supermarket Cainta * selected branches only

Visayas: Metro Gaisano Gaisano Grand Foodah Park Mall Island City Mall Bohol Lee Plaza Dumaguete Mindanao: Gaisano Mall Victoria Plaza Department Store Chimes NCCC Mall KCC Mall

Have a Happy Mommy Day!

 ❤

Happy Mommy

Getting Ready for D-Day

Getting Ready for D-Day: Prepared Childbirth Class, Hospital Bag Checklist, and Hospital Childbirth Rates

In less than two weeks, we will be welcoming our little sunshine. Being a first-time mom, I always make sure that everything is ready and set for our little boy's arrival. One of the top things on my list were the delivery and hospital preparations. Knowing John, he will definitely be scampering around anxiously and forget all the things in our “to-bring” and “to-do” list, when that day comes. I don't want him to get too stressed out on D-Day, lest he ends up in the emergency room, rather than I.

Third Trimester: Changes, Tests, and Preparations for the BIG DAY!

We are now on our Third Trimester-lots of changes have happened in the past few weeks and been doing a lot of preparations for the BIG DAY! Today, baby and I are 27 weeks and 5 days old!

There’s no other feeling like the bliss and excitement motherhood brings; especially for a first-time mom like me. I would stay up all night just waiting and watching out for the little one’s every kick and movement It’s always exciting to watch and wonder “what are you doing in there, little one?” as you feel those tiny (and sometimes hard and startling) little kicks and all the gymnastics going on in there. I always look forward to those bonding moments with my baby. I just can’t help but laugh in amazement and of course, adoration, with every movement and kick. 

We are nearing the BIG DAY and I have just realized how much I am going to miss having the little one growing inside me and oh, those little taps of love from the little one, happiness! Carrying this wonderful angel around, feeling and waiting for every kick and movement, and just lovingly nourishing the little piggy in my belly. Nothing compares to the bond that a baby in the womb and its mother share. Nothing can ever compare to the pure bliss that motherhood and pregnancy brings.

I have been extremely sleepy and easily tired lately, probably due to baby’s almost non-stop gymnastics and hyperactivity! I got my first boobie stretch mark (please, excuse me for this) last week and I totally freaked out. I got my very first belly stretch mark this week as well and must I explain how freaky and a bit sad it felt? I’ve been religously  slathering Palmer’s Massage Creamsince I was on my 4th month (save for a day or two when I missed my “ritual”) and I thought the stretch marks would never appear, but alas, they do as I am almost done with pregnancy and nearing HAPPY DAY. The stretch marks, oh dear, they hurt and feel constantly sore! It’s as if your skin is being pulled and forced to stretch and they feel as if you’ve got some abrasions on your tummy.

We’re having our 4D scan on the 13th- we’ll finally find out baby’s gender! I must admit though, since our last scan (16 weeks CAS), it has been such a suspenseful event and I felt like the countdown would never end! And yes, I am guilty of splurging on baby’s clothes and shoes, despite the undetermined gender. Call it first-time mom’s syndrome or whatever you may, it’s special preparations for a very special little person.

I’ve been having endless dreams about the little one: as an adorable chubby infant, as a tiny tot on her brown potty, as a hard-headed little boy whom mama just adores, and countless other dreams. 4 more days until our 4D ultrasound and we’ve long been preparing for it and have been comparing Ultrasound Centers’ packages and rates. Here are the  packages and rates for 3D and 4D Scans of the two Ultrasound Centers we’ve checked:

San Juan Ultrasound Clinic: N. Domingo Street, San Juan, Metro Manila 

Call (02) 727-9828 for Appointment

Read my experience/review on San Juan Ultrasound Clinic at: http://happymommyadventures.blogspot.com/2012/07/second-trimester-16-weeks-happy-mommy.html

• Basic Package P 2,500: 3D Scan, Gender Determination, OB-GYN Report, 4pcs 4R Pictures, CD.

• Superior Package P3,500: 3D/4D Scan, Gender Determination, OB-GYN Report, 4pcs 4R and 1 5R Pictures, Ultrasound Video with Music in CD.

• De Luxe Package P4,500: 3D/4D Scan, Gender Determination, OB-GYN Report, 4pcs 4R and 1 8×10 Pictures, Real-time Ultrasound Video with Music in CD.
• Premiere Package P6,500

Map and Directions to San Juan Ultrasound Clinic

In My Womb: 

For Appointment

The Fort, Taguig, 2nd Floor, Golden Forum Bldg (Beside Shell), (02) 828-4143, Glorietta Link Building (beside Anson’s), 2nd floor,  (02)8565798, SM Megamall, 5th Level Building B, (02) 6389629, SM City Marikina, Lower Ground Floor (02) 477-2040, Mall Of Asia (MOA), 2nd Level, South Parking,(02)556-6271

• Pearl Package P3,000:  2D, 3D, 4D Scan, 5 high-res B & W 3D superior quality thermal photos,5 high-res colored 3D superior quality photopaper, Diagnostic comprehensive OB-GYN report, Gender determination of 99 – 100% accuracy, CD of Photos

• Ruby Package P4, 200: 2D, 3D, 4D Scan, 5 high-res B & W 3D superior quality thermal photos,5 high-res colored 3D superior quality photopaper, Diagnostic comprehensive OB-GYN report, Gender determination of 99 – 100% accuracy, Personalized audio-video edited DVD

• Diamond Package P7,000: 2D,3D,4D Scan, 10 high-res colored3D superior quality photopaper,1 8″ X 10″ high-resolutioncolored 3D superior quality photopaper of chosen facial fetal image, 1 CD with all the photos taken during the scan in JPEG format, Diagnostic comprehensive OB-GYN report, Gender determination (99 – 100% accuracy), Personalized audio-video edited DVD

• Platinum Package P12,000

*Free return visit for rescan within 14 days from the time package was availed if baby is not cooperative during your session (just show your official receipt).

TopHealth Medical Clinic*:

For Appointment

SM San Lazaro, SM Sta. Mesa

(02) 790-3129, (020 353-4461/ (02)714-0613 local 120

• 3D Ultrasound P950: 3D Ultrasound, Gender Determination, 10 still photos in CD

*Note: (Added TopHealth to list. Edited:  August 21, 2012) 

Despite the affordable and very low promo rate, I did not opt for TopHealth due to negative reviews by their recent clients and I already had my ultrasound when I found out about the promo.

Other preparations we’ve been working on:

• Prepared Childbirth Classes with Rome Kanapi (more on this on my next post)
• Birth Plan: Hospital, Doctors, etc  (more on this on my next post)
• Baby Clothes, Shoes, and Gears
• Looking for and attending every possible Pregnancy/Baby Event and Seminar
• Baby-proofing the house
• Researching about Natural Birthing/Water Birthing and looking for possible midwives  (more on this on my next post)

Baby is kicking again and I’m feeling a bit tired now. Heading of to bed now. See you on my next post!

Be safe and Have a Happy Mommy Day!

❤