Hi guys, this is the start of my pregnancy journal which I’m so excited to share with you. This will be a candid account of all things good and bad about my pregnancy that I hope will relate to all mummies and mummies to be, as well as an informative community where we can all learn and share tips. So please feel free to talk about your own experience in the comment box too!
I’ll start the journal by documenting the good and bad things. I consider myself having it rather good despite bouts of morning sickness, gastric flu and food poisoning. Being ill is NOT fun at all and my heart goes out to the mamas and mamas-to-be who have been through bed rest orders, amniotic fluid leaks, or never ending morning sickness. Everything for me is so new and unfamiliar as this is my first pregnancy and I take all advice, be it from relatives and friends with good intentions, or from Doctor Google, carefully. Advice can be a double edged sword as it might throw you into a neurotic frenzy which might result in overlooking the real danger signs, if any *touchwood*. Hence, with my pregnancy journal, I’m rather careful sharing my experience and I’ll like to reiterate that what’s best or worst for me may be similar or completely different from you. So here goes!
Best part of pregnancy
1. I’m never alone
At about 19 weeks, I felt Baby Fong’s kick for the very first time. It was like a tiny air bubble in my belly. At first I wasn’t too sure what that was, till some mummies told me that it was my baby moving! And from then on, with every week and kick, he grows stronger. I feel him growing and being a part of my daily life. When my husband was away for a week on a business trip, having Baby Fong means I’m never alone. Sharing your body with another being is a miracle that I still cannot fathom sometimes. This life inside me gives me the boost I need to be a better person, to get up and achieve things so that I can be better role model for him.
2. Balanced diet focused mind
Thankfully, during this pregnancy, I don’t crave for junk food, or anything too oily, too fried, too sweet or too spicy. In fact, they repulse me so much that eating them will usually send me straight to the toilet bowl. In the past, I read about how sugar gives you highs and lows, sending you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Thanks to Baby Fong for forcing sugar out of my system, I’ve realised my past mood swings were due to sugar! Ever since purging sugar from my diet and system, I’ve discover a brand new me with a clearer, more focused mind. No more mood swings and brain fogs! The cleansed mind has been starting to focus on what’s important and being a lot happier. My diet has been a lot cleaner, my body craves for simpler foods. And having a baby tend to make me more mindful of what I eat, wanting to only eat what is good for the baby. I’m so glad I’m also benefiting from eating healthier too!
3. Being zen
Some common advice from almost everyone is: “Don’t get angry. Don’t be stressed. Don’t cry as it’ll affect your baby…etc”. And there is definitely some truth in these advice as scientifically, when we are stressed, we release cortisol, a stress hormone, and it can be passed through the placenta to the baby. Anxiety, depression and other negative emotions can affect how the baby’s brain develops. Research have shown that if the pregnant woman has symptoms of anxiety or depression, this doubles the risk of her child having emotional or behavioural problems later on in life. I’m not sure if the baby’s chilled character has calmed me, or if it is a conscious effort from me to be more zen towards things around me. I’ve learnt to accept the things that I’ve no control over and choose to look at the brighter side of things in any situation. I’ve become more mindful about being zen and calm, rather focusing on finding a solution than dwelling on things I can’t control. This shift in mindset has definitely make me a much happier person and I feel this is the best part of pregnancy for me.
And now for the worst parts!
1. Morning sickness
I cannot keep track of the number of times I’ve vomited during this pregnancy! I do remember this incident when I threw up on myself in the car as my husband was driving us home. I absolutely hated the feeling of discomfort and the inconvenience about this aspect of the pregnancy. Thankfully, there are some ways to alleviate these symptoms – you can read more here.
2. Lower immunity
A pregnant woman’s immune system fades into a weaker version of its former self to keep from attacking the growing fetus, making expectant mothers more susceptible to coughs, colds and flu. I too have my fair share of flu, food poisoning and gastric flu and it is so draining! Stay healthy by staying away from anyone who is sick and be careful of what you eat.
3. The constant worrying
I never see myself as a worrier but this pregnancy brings that out from me. I’ve started to worry about everything – Am I eating the right fish? Are the upcoming tests and scans going to be ok? Is Baby Fong growing well? Is he kicking regularly enough? The list goes on. I guess that’s what they say about being parents, you’ll never stop worrying about your child. It makes me discover a new level of respect and love for my parents because I now know what they have been and are still going through – their constant worrying for us kids. I’ll try to do what I’m preaching here, that is, it’s ok to worry but just don’t overdo it since it’s not healthy for you or your baby. Believe in God, the universe or a higher power that you believe in and just do your best. What we can’t control… que sera sera.