Pregnancy Profile (1)

Good day everybody!  It’s been a long time since I graced my blog with the presence of writing   I can assuredly say that this blog is not dead but just took an extended break.  This is due to the many changes that I have been experiencing during my pregnancy-I didn’t expect that having a baby takes up a lot of energy (at least for me, I’m sure there are many SuperPregnantWomen who can climb Mount Everest without breaking a sweat, haha!).

Currently, I am in my 5th month of pregnancy and thought of profiling my pregger status month to month here.  This is not so much for the educational benefit of my beloved readers (hey, is anyone still reading my blog?) because it’s always best to get medical information from reliable and qualified sources but more for general interest and an honest reminder to myself when I have the bundle of joy in my arms next year.  I don’t want to downplay the highlights of pregnancy (e.g. I’m puking all the time!) and neither do I want to gloss over the unsavoury aspects (e.g. ooh, it was smooth going all the time!).

Here’s a summary of my experience from Month 1 to 5:

Month 1

I had a sneaky suspicion that I had a ‘bun in the oven’ when I missed my menstruation (you may call that woman’s instinct, haha!).  Thus, like what most women do, I bought a home pregnancy test kit and the results was positive.  What may not be so common an action was that I bought another kit and tested again!    Yes, yes, Mei Leng can be paranoid at times and not rest until she gets something absolutely right…and of course the results came out similar!  My doctor was amused when I related this incident and had my first ultrasound scan to observe the baby.  The baby looked like a bean at this stage (pretty cute actually!).  Physically, I felt normal but bloated; similar to the feeling of overeating.

Month 2

I studiously took the folic acid supplement that was prescribed by the doctor.  It is a very essential acid to protect against Neural Tube Defects (NTD) which result in malformations of the spine, brain and skull.  The baby looked like a little lizard and honestly the sight wasn’t very appealing.  My strength seemed completely sapped and I was resting most of the time.  I was praying that I wouldn’t suffer from morning sickness but it inevitably came with a vengeance!  Most food consumed came right out into the toilet bowl (the washroom was my best friend during this period as I urinated more frequently too, haha!).  But I had my good and bad days; there were times when even though I felt nauseous, I didn’t threw up at all but at other times, I vomited a few times a day.  As a result, I lost about 2 kilograms in a month which the doctor assured me was pretty normal due to the vomiting.  She adviced me to take smaller but more frequent meals and to avoid spicy and greasy foods to prevent heartburn and indigestion.  Besides that, I was not allowed to consume Chinese herbs as the herbs can be harmful to the baby.  Due to the increasing hormone levels, my body was heating up very quickly and I decided to have my long locks chopped off.

Month 3

The morning sickness did not abet just yet though I was thankful that it did not occur everyday.  However, I could not attend church meetings occasionally due to the physical tiredness.  I also suffered from heartburn and indigestion especially during bed-time which made sleeping difficult and thus the vicious cycle of feeling tired the next day.  In addition, I became partial to porridge, Chinese-style soup and Nam Heong’s chicken rice due to the healthiness of the food.  Some clothes became too snug for me to wear (especially jeans) therefore EL and I went for maternity clothes’ shopping.  My favourite clothes from then until now are cotton shorts and T-shirts.  I enjoy taking frequent cool showers and love sleeping on the floor (with the cushions as a makeshift bed) as the heat was quite unbearable a lot of times.  But all these ‘little sacrifices’ to my body was more than compensated by the hearing of the strong and swift ’dup dup dup’ of the heartbeat and looking at the acrobatic antics and hip-hop dance movements of baby   There was even once when we espied a thumbs up from the active child!  It was a heartening sight indeed for us.

Month 4

It was getting more evident that I was with child as my stomach swelled increasingly though I do not carry as big as some other women.  I resigned to the fact that I could not fit into more of my clothes.  Thankfully my skin did not have major breakouts.  Some friends mentioned that I had a pregnant glow and looked healthy.  I suffered from swollen feet but that did not bother me much as I wore comfortable slip-ons.  Physically I felt much better compared to the earlier months as I did not have morning sickness anymore.  Even though I had moments of tiredness, I regained a little of my energy to do some household chores and cooking.  My appetite increased in bounds and had a shock during the doctor’s visit when I gained 4 kilograms in a month’s time!  The nurse actually weighed me twice to make sure that there was nothing wrong with the weighing machine, haha!   I went for the second trimester antenatal blood tests and we are thankful that the outcome seemed good for the baby.  The doctor started prescribing me multivitamins and had our first ultrasound scan picture printed out for keepsake.

Month 5

I am happy to note that I am able to partake of more types of food (except for raw/undercooked, spicy and greasy food, sigh).  Suprisingly, I have no food cravings  but I do enjoy eating carbohydrates like rice and bread.  By the next doctor’s visit this month, we will be able to know the gender of the baby.  My belly is growing bigger and there’s no hiding the fact that I am an expectant mother now.  For the first time in my life, I was referred to by the retail sales assistant as ’perempuan besar’ (big lady); don’t know whether I should laugh or sigh about that!   As the uterus expands to accomodate the growing baby, there were slight pangs of pain felt especially during the night-time.  Early this week, I finally felt baby’s movements in the middle of the night.  The baby’s punches and/or kickings were pretty distinct though not uncomfortable.  The feelings I had during that time were suprise and abundant love for this God-given child growing inside of me.  Sometimes, I will talk, touch (via caressing my stomach) and sing to the baby.  EL loves communicating with baby too which can be pretty comedic (to me) at times

During this period of pregnancy, some of the important lessons that I learnt were:

1) Dependence upon God

EL and I are truly thankful that God has blessed us with this wonderful gift of baby at His time.  Frankly speaking, there were times when I felt annoyed at well-meaning friends who periodically asked us when we were going to have a child.  Of course this is one of the usual questions asked of married couples and I concede to that.  But God is the One who is in control of all things.  We can only plan then submit and pray that God will answer us in accordance to His will and purpose.  It is not for us mere creatures of God to dictate to Him.  Thus, a little sensitivity and consideration from those dear and close would be truly appreciated (haha, one of my rare angst-y moments in writing )  In addition, I am always mindful that this child is a gift from God; God gives and takes because it is His right.  I constantly pray that God will protect this child and give me a safe and smooth pregnancy but at the same time, if something bad should  happen, to give us the strength to praise Him in spite of it.  Even though EL and I pray for the physical well-being of the child, it is more important as Christian parents to be concerned for the child’s spiritual health; that he/she will love the Lord Jesus Christ as his/her personal Saviour and Lord.

2) Loving and Supportive Husband

It’s a real bonus to have EL with me most of the time.  His presence played a significant role in me not suffering from mood swings and emotional ups and downs related with the raging hormone levels during pregnancy thus far.  He pampers me by preparing breakfast (or taking me out for my favourite breakfast, fried vermicelli with cheese-filled sausage and iced Milo at Murni Mamak), helping out with the household chores and making me a cuppa of my favourite warm beverage before I turn in for the night   The husband-wife relationship becomes closer because we know we are in the pregnancy, for good and bad, together.  As Wonderpets would sing, “What makes it work?  TEAMWORK!” (EL would probably cringe when he reads this, haha!)

3) To be more easygoing

The significant ebb of physical strength has really changed how things are done around the house.  Before this, I admit that I’m a stickler for cleanliness, neatness and organisation at home (hmmm, sounds more like an army base, eh?).  But now, I can look at the thin layer of dust that settles on furniture and the pile of unironed and unfolded clothes without getting worked up.  Initially, the undone household chores did bother me a bit but then I think to myself that the world won’t come to an end because of that.  Do I want to ignore the doctor’s advice and harm myself and baby from physical exertion?  Of course not!  Furthermore, the house is still very habitable and comfortable thanks to EL and with me being able to do more now.