Powerful Prayer for Safe Delivery

 

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As my delivery due date is approaching, I can't help but feel anxious. Although I am excited to finally meet the little boy in my womb, I have this great fear in my heart. This is my second pregnancy and because I know what will happen, it scares me more.

I have encountered many pregnancy challenges for this one, but I am very thankful that we already came this far at almost 36 weeks and praying so hard we will reach the full term of 38 weeks. 

I have strong faith in God so I rest everything on Him. He blessed us with another baby and entrust us to raise another human being. I cast all my fears on Him for I know His plans are for the best for us. 

Prayers do really works. Sharing this A Prayer to St. Gerard for Safe Delivery. 

St. Gerard Majella, the patron saint of expectant mothers and unborn children. St. Gerard Majella had a reputation for performing miracles and having the ability to read souls and bilocate. He is most known for the miracle of a healthy birth.

With this I am asking to include us in your prayers. Prayers for our safe delivery and for our healthy baby boy will do miracle.

Thank you and keep safe everyone.

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Our Pregnancy Challenges and Risks

 

A pregnant woman. Image: Pexel

Ang bilis! The first time I wrote about my pregnancy after 10 years was when I was on my second month. Just like that 6 months have passed. Actually, I was supposed to write about our 7th month pero hindi ko namalayan it is our 8th month already.

This pregnancy is not planned but it's God's will as I always say. He gave us another blessing in a time when everything seems so uncertain. Something to look forward to and give us more hope and faith in Him. And we are beyond blessed.

However, this pregnancy is very challenging too. Aside from there's a current health pandemic, I had encountered several health issues maybe because of my age. It's a high risk pregnancy na actually.

On my second month, I had to take progesterone because my OB saw there's contraction on the ultrasound. She said kung hindi makuha sa medicine I have no choice but to have a bed rest. Thankfully, we made it through and now we are on the 8th month.

On my 7th month naman, I failed the OGCT (Oral Glucose Challenge Test). OGCT is a short version of the OGTT that is used to check pregnant women for signs of gestational diabetes. You will need to drink 50 g glucose solution within 5 minutes then after an hour (note that you are not allowed to eat/drink anything except water), blood will be withdrawn and test for glucose level. With that test we found out that I had elevated blood sugar level. I was advised to watch my diet for a week and take the OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test).

With the OGTT, you will be required to fast for 8-12 hours and then a fasting plasma glucose is tested. Then you will be asked to drink 100g oral glucose solution and blood samples will be withdrawn after 1, 2 and 3 hours. Again you are not allowed to take anything but water while you are waiting for the blood extractions to finish. 

Can you magine that 4 blood extractions in 4 hours? The waiting and pain was so stressful. That's why I am thankful when all my blood glucose tests are within the normal levels. 

But of course, this doesn't mean I am allowed to feast on carbohydrates and sweets. As much as possible, I eat low carbohydrates and sugar-free food.

I am also monitoring my blood sugar level at least twice a week to be safe.

We bought this Accu-Chek Instant glucometer.

In addition, since the first month of my pregnancy, I have been doing prenatal yoga for 10 minutes everyday. That helps me with my back pain and I feel lighter. There are lots of pregnancy exercises that you can try. Some are doing resistance band workout method using workout bands and bars like the one below.

However, to be safe for you and your baby, consult your doctor first before doing such exercises.

And just when I thought everything will be okay, yesterday on my 8th month, I had problem with my blood pressure. I don't know but it looks like I have phobia with blood pressure taken by other people especially when I am in a clinic or hospital. I feel so nervous that no matter how I calm my self, my heart beats even faster. Lol! So my OB said to be safe I had to do urinalysis to determine if there's albumin with it. 

The result came fast after 30 minutes and it's all normal. Whew!

I am actually monitoring my blood pressure because I know the pregnancy risks that comes with my age like hypertension and preeclampsia. It's always 120/80, so normal naman. I just can't explain why when I am at the clinic or hospital I feel so nervous just seeing the nurse holding the blood pressure gauge or  sphygmomanometer. Can anyone relate? Haha.

There's another concern pa pala with the weight of the baby, it grew another 1 kilo in only two weeks based on my ultrasound. My OB said my weight gain is from 81 to 83 kgs so its possible. But I told her, I only weigh 79-80 kg on our weighing scale so they re-weigh me and its only 81 kgs. Whew! As for baby's weight its really impossible how he grew that fast maybe its because of the ultrasound machine they used that day, which is different from the previous one they are using and it's an older unit.

To be safe, my OB prescribed metformin to control my blood sugar. Because it is possible pa din daw that I will have gestational diabetes even I passed the OGTT. She said metformin is safe for pregnant women and she also prescribe it to women who have PCOS to get pregnant.

Being a paranoid momma, I still  research on metformin. Here's what I read Metformin:

Metformin Metformin is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes, and to help prevent type 2 diabetes if you're at high risk of developing it.

Metformin is used when treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), although it's not officially approved for PCOS.

Type 2 diabetes is an illness where the body does not make enough insulin, or the insulin that it makes does not work properly. This can cause high blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia).

PCOS is a condition that affects how the ovaries work.

Metformin lowers your blood sugar levels by improving the way your body handles insulin.

It's usually prescribed for diabetes when diet and exercise alone have not been enough to control your blood sugar levels.

For women with PCOS, metformin lowers insulin and blood sugar levels, and can also stimulate ovulation.

Source: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/metformin/

Also, Metformin should be taken after breakfast. It shouldn't be taken with an empty stomach. 

Those are the pregnancy challenges I am having and been through for the past 8 months. I know I am the only one and worst there are pregnant women out there who are experiencing anxiety too. So if you happen to see a pregnant women, please be kind and cheer them up. It will make a big difference.

Hugs to all the preggy mommas like me! Praying for our safe delivery and good health for us and our babies.

P.S.: Will be posting about my baby finds, so please watch out :)

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Pregnancy Acne and Natural Options for Treatment

One of visible pregnancy symptoms is acne. Many women experience acne during the first and second trimesters.

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There are two major factors responsible for pregnancy acne. The primary cause is the increased hormone levels in the first trimester. A hormone called progesterone, which is responsible for helping create an ideal environment for s fetus, causes the glands in your skin to produce more oil called sebum. Because progesterone surges during pregnancy, the excess sebum can clog pores  leading to a build up of bacteria.

The second factor responsible for pregnancy acne is your body's tendency to retain more fluids to accommodate the growing fetus. However, because your body is releasing less fluid that contains toxin, your body may try to rid itself of toxin through your sweat and skin. This causes the toxin to build up in your pores that can lead to acne.

Managing acne when you're pregnant can be difficult because many prescription and over-the-counter medications come with a high risk of birth defects. That's why if you have pregnancy acne and wish to treat it, always talk to your prenatal care provider first. 

Since it is not safe to take acne medications, you may prefer to try more natural options for treatment. Here are a few ways you can try to reduce acne:

Clean your face twice daily

Prevent flare-ups by taking good care of your skin during pregnancy. Use mild, soap-free cleanser twice a day, in the morning and at night. Make sure to wash and rinse thoroughly. Don't scrub too hard to avoid skin irritation that can worsen acne. Also, wash your hair regularly and keep your towel, pillow cases or hats you use clean as well.

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Keep your skin moisture

Moisture your skin with oil-free moisturizer to minimize irritation. Also, an overly-dried skin is more prone to acne.

Drink lots of water to flush out toxins

Drinking plenty of water helps flush out your skin, keeping it moist and clearer. Drink at least eight glasses of water each day.

Increase your dietary intake of vitamin A

Increase the amount of vitamin A, which helps keep skin healthy. Vitamin A helps reduce the amount of sebum your skin produces that can help prevent your pores from clogging. Foods high in vitamin A include eggs, fish, and carrots, and milk.  However, although vitamin A can improve your skin, it can also be dangerous for pregnant women in high amounts. It is better to talk to your prenatal care provider about how to strike the right balance of vitamin A in your diet.

Eat smart

Cut out sugar and refined grains in your diet. Also, avoid eating unhealthy fats, those saturated fats found in fried foods and many baked goods. These can worsen acne, so it s better to replace these with skin-boosting healthy fats like avocado, salmon, walnuts, and almonds. Eat more skin-friendly foods like colorful fresh fruits and vegetables and, small amounts of dark chocolate. But just eat chocolate in moderation because it contains caffeine.

Buy oil-free skin care products

Look for skin care, makeup, and even hair care products, which are oil-free and are labeled non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic (won't cause pimples or acne). Oil-free moisturizers, make up and matte powder like pressed banana powder are good buys as well to help you conceal those unpleasant acne.

Pressed Banana Powder

This innovative matte powder, which is lightly banana-scented, is versatile and can be used to:

-Conceal dark under eye circles

-Set concealer 

-Highlight the under eye area, the brow bone, the bridge of the nose, the middle of the forehead and the chin

-Set foundation

-Matte eyeshadow

Consult your practitioner

When worse gets worst, talk to your practitioner who can recommend tropical acne treatment safe for pregnant women.

Those are ways to manage and treat pregnancy acne. Remember these stubborn acne will go away so don't stressed your self Mama!

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After 10 years...

After 10 years, God blessed us with another bundle of joy. Although, honestly, I am in great fear because of all the years it is now that a health pandemic is going on that I got pregnant. But I know, it is God's will and He will protect us.

Let me now tell you the story of the moment we are waiting for. The first time we did a pregnancy test was April 9. Is my menstruation already delayed? Yes for few days palang naman. But what prompted me to do the test was I was not feeling well. Like I feel vomiting every time I see food or when I eat food or when I smell food. Also, I feel so tired in the afternoon with slight dizziness.

So April 9 we did the first test and it was like this.

Let's take a closer look. There's a not so clear second line there and there's a possibility that I am pregnant already.

I am not convinced that I am not pregnant or I am just convincing my self I am not, haha. And still waiting for my period to come but after 2 weeks it didn't happen. So April 24, we did the test again and it was clearly positive na.

Like what I have said, I have great fear but I am so happy. Because this is God's blessings. Actually, nagtatampo na nga ako kay Lord bakit ang tagal na wala pa kasunod si bulilit namin. But anyway, katulad ng lagi kong sagot sa mga taong paulit ulit ang tanong kung bakit wala pang kasunod ang anak namin e ang laki na (relate ka?), "hindi pa binibigay ni Lord e, in His time He will give us."

Anyway, my husband is happy too and he gives all my cravings. Sobra pa nga e. I asked for kutsinta na may niyog sana kaso wala pa pero binili na nya lahat ng klase ng kakanin, haha.

These pomelo that he got from our neighbor's tree.

In my first pregnancy, pomelo din pinaglihian ko but actually I don't crave for it as much like before. Actually din I don't have cravings as much as before but still I don't like to eat chocolates and fish kasi nalalansahan ako sa lasa. Anything malansa I don't like. You can check the other Early Symptoms of Pregnancy.

To confirm if I am really pregnant, we went to my OBGyne. I was surprised to know that they still keep my old medical records.

By the way, when we went to the clinic the first time naabutan kami ng cut off to avoid crowding. Just to let you know, safe pa din po pumunta ng clinics because they are observing physical distancing there. Kaya huwag sana matatakot yung mga buntis na magpacheck up because you need it more for you and your baby's safety, especially now.

So ayun after waiting for more than 3 hours, we got the great news. It is confirmed that I am 6 weeks and 6 days pregnant with a heartbeat. Thank God!

My OBGyne also asked me to have blood and urine tests, which came out all normal. Thank God again!

Now, I am praying hard for a safe and healthy pregnancy. Nakakastress man yung panahon ngayon, I am keeping myself calm, positive and happy. There are so many things to be grateful for naman hindi ba?

Please include us in your prayers ha. Thank you!

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Early Symptoms of Pregnancy (Oopps.. False Alarm?)

Few weeks ago, I had experienced early symptoms of pregnancy. I felt nervous and happy at the same knowing we might have a new bundle of joy soon.

Early symptoms of pregnancy for some women begin in the first few weeks after conception. Pregnancy symptoms also vary in intensity, duration and frequency. Oftentimes, many of early pregnancy symptoms can be similar to pre-menstrual discomforts. I compile a list of early pregnancy symptoms (most of which I had experienced recently) to help you determine if you are indeed pregnant or just a false alarm.

Food cravings and aversions

Been craving for pancit malabon and puto. So I ordered these on Daddy A's lola's birthday.

Food cravings are common when you're pregnant. During pregnancy, you might also experience strong dislike of certain foods like coffee or the smell of garlic. These food preference can be attributed to hormonal changes, especially during the first trimester when there's an extreme hormonal change. 

Nausea with or without vomiting

I also experienced nausea but without vomiting. In my first pregnancy also, I didn't experience morning sickness and vomiting. Lucky me right? 

As early as a week into pregnancy, many women experience illness in the morning or morning sickness, some in the afternoon or evening while others may experience nausea throughout the entire day. It's not clear what is the cause of nausea but a part of it can be caused by the rapid rising of estrogen level. Also, pregnant women have a intensified sense of smell that's why various odors like perfume, cigarette smoke and smell of foods can induce nausea. There is no solution to prevent it but  there are ways to fight its effect like eating small frequent meals and eating saltine crackers.

Heartburn

Heartburn is a common complaint during pregnancy. I just had this recently and I had it worst in my first pregnancy. Heartburn includes a burning sensation in the center of the chest, but it has nothing to do with the heart. Heartburn occurs when the valve between the stomach and the esophagus are unable to prevent stomach acid from passing back into the esophagus. There's increase frequency of heartburn during pregnancy because the hormone progesterone causes the valve between the stomach and the esophagus to relax. Thus, the valve is unable to prevent stomach acid from passing back into the esophagus and irritates the lining.

Mood swings and irritability

Another common early symptoms of pregnancy is mood swings and irritability. The flood of hormones in the body during pregnancy can make you unusually emotional and weepy. Just what I had experience recently and this poor little poor tasted how bitter it was. Aw....

Frequent Urination

Many women start to experience frequent urination within a week or two after pregnancy occurred. During pregnancy, the uterus swell and immediately start to enlarge for the growing fetus. Thus making the uterus puts pressure on the bladder and makes you fell the need for more frequent urination. 

Constipation

Constipation is another common early pregnancy symptom that gets worse as the pregnancy progresses. The increase in progesterone makes the bowel functions slow down to allow maximum absorption time of vitamins and nutrients, which can lead to constipation.

Tender and swollen breast

One of the first symptoms of pregnancy, as early as two weeks after conception, is tender and swollen breasts. Hormonal changes can make your breasts tender, swollen and tingly or sore, and start to enlarge making the veins within the breast more visible. Nipples may start to darken in color, become more erect and be very sensitive.

Headaches, fatigue, dizziness and/or fainting

Hormonal changes, during early pregnancy, causes increased in blood circulation that may trigger frequent and mild headaches. Also, high levels of progesterone can make a pregnant woman feel sleepy and at the same time, the lower blood sugar level, the lower blood pressure and the increased blood production combine to absorb your energy during pregnancy. Dizziness and/or fainting is cause by the dilation of blood vessels and drop of blood pressure. This may also be triggered by low blood sugar during early pregnancy.

Over the past weeks I really feel weak and I easily get tired. Thank God I have this little boy who makes me feel better and love, amidst my being moody and irritable.

Raised basal body temperature

Basal body temperature is the body temperature at rest or wake up time. This temperature slightly increase soon after ovulation and will remain at that level until your next period. It's continuous elevation for more than two weeks may indicate pregnancy. 

Light bleeding or cramping

Another first early symptoms of pregnancy is slight bleeding known as implantation bleeding. This happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus lining, about 10 to 14 days after fertilization.  This kind of vaginal bleeding is usually a bit earlier, spottier and lighter in color, and doesn't stay long as with the normal period. Abdominal cramping, similar to menstrual cramps, also is being experience by some women during early pregnancy.

Missed period

The most obvious early symptom of pregnancy is missed period. When you've missed your monthly cycle, it's a possible sign that you are pregnant and will prompt you to search more for other pregnancy symptoms. Also, you may not have the above signs until you noticed you've missed your period just like what happened to me as shown in this period tracker app.

Those are some early symptoms of pregnancy. However, the above symptoms aren't unique to pregnancy. The onset and and degree will vary within women. Some symptoms can indicate that you are sick or that your period is just delayed and about to start. To make sure, you might want to take a home pregnancy test. In my case, my period was 13 days delayed and that prompted me to take a pregnancy test two times. Which turned out to be negative and the next day I had my period. Aw...

Experiencing most of the above symptoms and the missed period really made me feel I am pregnant. That idea, just like what I have said, excites me and made me feel nervous at the same time. Thinking we will have additional bundle of joy is love but remembering what I have went through in my first pregnancy scares me. Anyway, it may not be the right time. I believe in God's perfect time and He will bless us soon.

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