Second Adventure: A late post

June 19, 2012

Third Trimester!
I'm now 20 weeks and 3days. (22 weeks According to LMP)
Baby is even more active than ever!
Movements and kicks are even more pronounced! I can see my belly move and raise up whenever baby kicks. Baby's kicking harder and I get startled and get woken up at times.
I've been playing intrusmental and classical music for baby at 2 months. Baby responds to music even more now and I think baby has already picked a few favorites from the playlist I made.

Halfway through my pregnancy and I'm just so excited to see my little angel.

I'll have my 3rd ultrasound at 26 weeks. I'll need another CAS again because baby was too young at that time. We will also find out baby's gender! Ooooh, I can't wait! I've been trying to get some gender "predictions" using tests with scientific studies and the Chinese Calendar.

CHINESE GENDER CHART
Click Image to Enlarge.

At 28 weeks, I'll have my TDAP vaccines. TDAP stands for Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis
By getting a TDAP Vaccine during pregnancy, you'll be able to transfer the antibodies to your newborn, which will help protect your baby from TDAP until he or she can be vaccinated. The TDAP Vaccine is P1,700 at St. Luke's Medical Center, to be administered by your OB-GYN.

Another test is FBS (fasting Blood Sugar Test).
Pregnant women, especially asians, are prone to Diabetes, due to our carbohydrate-rich diet (rice, noodles,etc).

I've started slathering that cocoa butter cream to "prevent" stretch marks and to relieve that weird ithcy feeling. My doctor said stretch marks are inevetable and serves as a pregnancy "battle scar"/"proof". Everyone who's gotten pregnant gets them. I beg to differ so I religously maintain my morning and everning ritual.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Massage Cream for Stretch Marks P495 is available at Watson's and Rustan's.  I like how it smells like vanilla and chocolate. The smell is relaxing and soothing. It's a thick cream that glides on wonderfully, a bit greasy for me, though. There's another brand called No Stretch Marks Lotion by J. Thomas. Its around P550 at Watson's. I haven't tried it nor have seen any reviews about it.

I've also started looking into Prepared Birthing Classes. I'm still undecided between Lamaze and Bradley Method. I've been reading a lot about other mom's experience with Lamaze under Rome Kanapi. All the feedbacks I've read were positive, plus Rome also holds classes at the Mayo Clinic in Ateneo.

Also been thinking about Cord Blood Banking. Considering the high costs versus the benefits for my child. Cordlife Philippines offers Cord Blood Banking Services. P40,000 fee upon enrollment and P8000 annual fee. StemCord Philippines, the country's pioneer in cord blood banking, costs around P55,000 upon enrollment and an P8,000 annual fee. Conveniently, StemCord has an office at St. Luke's Medical Center. I'm having mixed feelings on this matter.

In the meantime, I shall relish every single moment the joys of pregnancy gives me.

Til my next post.

Have a Happy Mommy Day!

Prenatal Massage Review: Zen Asia Spa

I wrote about Prenatal Massage as a way to soothe pregnancy aches and pains in one of my previous posts. Read about it at  http://happymommyadventures.blogspot.com/2012/07/soothing-pregnancy-aches-and-pains-pre.html

One of the Spas I've featured on that post was Zen Asia Spa located at 25 Timog Avenue, 2nd Floor Riviera Filipino Bldg, Quezon City. One Sunday Afternoon, Daddy and I decided to try out their Prenatal Massage services. 

Waiting Area

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the receptionist and were asked to fill out our names on a log book. We got the Couples Room, Prenatal Massage for mommy and Shiatsu Massage for daddy. After several minutes, our massage therapist asked us to proceed to the massage area and change into our robes.

The massage area was a dim narrow hallway, with curtains separating each area or "room". There weren't any massage beds, but they had massage mattresses on platforms. What I didn't like about it was that the curtains didn't provide much privacy and relaxation. You could hear footsteps, other people coming and going, and talking. During our therapy session, someone suddenly opened the curtain. Good thing there weren't other people at the hallway at the time or we would have been "exposed".

Hallway. Curtains separate each massage area.

The Prenatal Massage.

It was okay, considering it only costed 300. The therapist was very careful and gentle, I even had to ask her to knead harder. It wasn't as relaxing as I thought it would be but she was able to relieve me of the shoulder pains. She had to avoid the hands and feet as these areas/points are not supposed to be touched to avoid contractions on a pregnant woman. 

My Verdict: It was okay- I wasn't really happy and fully satisfied. The place isn't pregnant-friendly, to be honest. The floors were slippery with oil, they also did not provide non-slip slippers. These are major hazards for Pregnant Women.

Daddy's Verdict: He didn't enjoy it. His therapist's kneading felt uncomfortable and "sharp".

Zen Asia Spa is located at  25 Timog Avenue, 2nd Floor Riviera Filipino Bldg, Quezon City. 

Prenatal Massage rate is 300 per hour.
*photos from Zen Asia Spa's website: www.zenasiaspa.com

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!

❤

We are now on our 6th Month! Cravings, Mood Swings, Sleeplessness, and Lactation Cookies to Increase your Milk Supply

I can’t believe it, baby and I just turned 6 months last July 14! Time flies indeed! We’re almost on our Third Trimester now.

Some things I’ve noticed:

• Insane Cravings!

I didn’t think I’d go through this phase in pregnancy where I’d start having all these cravings, but I was wrong! It was insatiable; I won’t be able to sleep at night until I get to eat the stuff I wanted. Good thing it was nothing weird like anchovy and pickle ice cream or something. Mmmmmm ICE CREAM!

First Trimester

Nearing the end of my First Trimester, I used to crave for steak, mushroom sauce/soup, beef patties, kiwi, mango, milk, and everything BEEF. I hated desserts and couldn’t stomach eating nor even just tasting the desserts I bake. I also hated onions.

Question and Answer. Enfamama A+ Maternity Milk: When to start drinking, Constipation, and Lactose Intolerance

Upon my first pre-natal check up, my doctor advised me to start drinking  maternity milk to start nourishing my changing body and growing baby with the nutrients they need for healthy development and growth. (See Article: FIRST TRIMESTER. Pre-natal Needs Click Link)

Here are a few things moms wanted to know about drinking milk during pregnancy:

Second Trimester: 16 Weeks. Happy Mommy: Goodbye Morning Sickness! Healthy Baby: Baby’s Development, Flu Vaccine, and Congenital Anomaly Scan

If you’re now on your second trimester like me, congratulations mommy, we’re halfway there! No more morning sickness and you’re feeling more active, daring, and energetic as ever! Flaunt that pretty little bump!

The Second Trimester is when baby starts getting very active and busy withdevelopment. Baby is growing hair: those beautiful lashes that you’ll adore when you play “peek-a-boo” and those pretty little eyebrows and lustrous hair are starting to sprout at this stage. Baby is also practicing her reflex movements like swallowing, kicking, “punching”, and sucking. At this stage, you’re probably starting to feel those little feet kicking and jumping up and down your belly. Isn’t it the most precious feeling in the world? Baby isn’t just a little bump in your belly,you now get to finally feel your baby and interact more with her!

SECOND TRIMESTER. Pre-natal Needs: Tests and Costs, Vitamins and Supplements.

Week 13 marks the start of the Second Trimester of Pregnancy.We are halfway there! Baby isn’t just a little bump in your tummy anymore. You can now interact and play with your baby! The best part of pregnancy is finally here- no more morning sickness and you’re feeling better than ever! You are now enjoying the perks of pregnancy: Glowing skin, full and thick hair, and who doesn’t love that extra pampering and service we get from loved ones and even complete strangers!

Soothing Pregnancy Aches and Pains: Pre-Natal Massage

From aching legs and frozen shoulders to stiff necks, these are all parts of pregnancy aches. Pre-Natal Massage can help soothe your aching and very tense muscles and provide you with total relaxation. Pre-Natal Massage has lots of benefits; it helps reduce physical (and emotional) stress, reduce swelling, provide relaxation for mommy and baby, encourage blood circulation, and improves skin elasticity. It can also be very beneficial during labor!

FIRST TRIMESTER.Pre-natal Needs: Tests and Costs, Vitamins and Supplements.

Being a first-time mom, I sure was clueless on pre-natal care, needs, prices, and costs. Learning how to spend your money wisely and work on a budget was my first task on being a new mom.You wouldn’t imagine the costs of bringing a child into this world! So, I wanted to give myself a lot of options when it comes to choosing the proper pre-natal health care provider, hospital, medicines/supplements, and budget-friendly ultrasound or testing centers.

Pre-natal care requires a lot of tests to ensure you and your child’s health, so it’s very important that you find affordable, yet credible testing and ultrasound centers.