Babies are blessings, they are angels sent from above.
I get delighted with news when my brides after a month or year from their wedding day, announces that they are no longer two but three.
I am a Mom of TWO.
And very OC one to be exact.
I wrote in a diary my journey during pre-natal days, I pile up my mini table at home with all the reading materials about being a mom and how to enjoy the moment in this special stage of womanhood.
So I would like to share this to other expectant moms out there, especially my former brides who are now expecting a lil angel soon. :-)
From the stressful (prenatal test! gaining weigh!) to the sheer fun (buying stylish maternity clothes! Baby Shower!), growing a baby involves a seemingly endless host of developments to expect, plan and accomplish.
Here's a timeline and checklist to help you Mom's to be!
40 Weeks Pregnancy Step-by-Step
1
You're not actually pregnant yet - the clock starts ticking from the first day of your last period. So even though pregnancies are said to be 40 weeks long, you only carry your baby for 38 weeks.
WHAT TO DO NOW:
Start taking a daily prenatal vitamins with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid; this B vitamin has been shown to help prevent neural-tube defects, such as spina bifida.
Quit any unhealthy habits, such as smoking or drinking. There's no time like the present
2
Ovulation occurs. For the best chances of getting pregnant, have "sexy time" one to two days before your expected ovulation date
WHAT TO DO NOW:
Keep (or start) moving. Experts recommend that you exercise for at least 30 minutes on most, if not all, days throughout pregnancy
Begin looking for an obstetrician or midwife, just in case. Many will already be booked up.
3
You may be pregnant but probably won't have any symptoms.
WHAT TO DO NOW:
Don't take any medications - prescription or over-the-counter -without checking with your doctor. Particularly avoid all products containing vitamin A or its derivatives, such as Retin-A or Accutane. However, many conditions, such as asthma and diabetes, require ongoing treatment, so talk to your doctor before discontinuing any necessary medications
Get a flu shot if haven't already; they're safe
4
Positive Test! You are Pregnant!
You may be starting to feel bloated, crampy, tired and moody, and experiencing sore breasts, nausea / vomiting and a frequent need to pee.
But don't worry if you're not - that's normal
WHAT TO DO NOW:
Invest in an extra supportive bra, especially if those twins are expanding. Many women grow a full cup size in the first few weeks
Avoid chemicals and secondhand smoke. Ask your hubby to take over the litterbox duties (cat or dog feces may harbor parasites that cause toxoplasmosis, an infection that can harm the fetus) and to pump the gas in your car
5
Though the embryo is only about the size of a grain of sand, the heart is pumping blood, most other organs have begun to develop, and arm and leg buds appear. You may starting to experience "pregnancy brain"
WHAT TO DO NOW:
If it helps, make a lists at work and at home to help your fuzzy brain function
Make an appointment with your OB. While most doctor wants to see you for the first time between 6 to 10 weeks.
6
Now that the pregnancy is feeling more real, you might be worrying about miscarriage.
WHAT TO DO NOW:
Reassure yourself that aside from extreme behaviors, such as using drugs, there's nothing you can do to cause a miscarriage.
Think about when you want to tell family, friends and your boss you're pregnant. Some women wait until after the first trimester, when miscarriage risk drops.
7
The embryo doubles in size but is still less than a half-inch long. As your pregnancy hormones increase, morning sickness may be worsening. Or, you may be ravenous 24/7
WHAT TO DO NOW:
If you're nauseated, try eating several small meals throughout the day, especially ones with ginger and citrus; avoid strong odors; and wear acupressure wristbands.
Try not to overdo it on the chow :-)
Weight gain should be minimal on the first trimester. But don't feel guilty if you give in to an occasional craving.
8
Your doctor may look or listen for the baby's heartbeat with an ultrasound. Once you see or hear it, your miscarriage risk drops to about 2 percent. He'll also give you an official due date - though very few women actually deliver on that day.
WHAT TO DO NOW:
Though your due date sounds very far away, start reading up on baby care now. You won't have time after your newborn arrives.
9
The pressure of your growing uterus on your bladder may cause you to leak small amounts of urine
WHAT TO DO NOW:
Start doing Kegels: Squeeze the muscles around your V as if you're stopping the flow of urine; do several at a time, a few times a day throughout pregnancy. They strengthen your pelvic-floor muscles, helping with incontinence while preparing your body for delivery.
10
Your inch-long baby is now called a fetus.
While the icky side effects of pregnancy may be starting to abate, your anxiety about having a healthy baby might be increasing.
WHAT TO DO NOW:
If you are 35 or older when you deliver, make an appointment to discuss genetic screening or diagnostic tests, such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS). They look for a certain birth defects and are usually done between 10-12 weeks. Your doctor's office may provide counseling; if not, as a referral to a genetic counselor.
11
Your cravings may run the gamut from cheeseburgers to chalk (really!)
Weird nonfood cravings are known as pica and can reflect a deficiency in your diet. This week, nearly all of the fetus's organs are beginning to function, and genitals begin to take on male or female form
WHAT TO DO NOW:
Call your doctor if you're experiencing pica.
Make an appointment if you're having the nuchal translucency test, which screens for Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. The test must be done between 11 - 14 weeks.
12
Your uterus has begun to expand outside the protective pelvic bones. It will increase in size by almost 1,000 times by the end of pregnancy! You may really be starting to show now, especially if it's not your first baby.
WHAT TO DO NOW:
From now on, steer clear of any activities that pose the risk of a fall or abdominal trauma, such as horseback riding. Also avoid exercises that require you to lie flat on your back - your growing fetus can place too much weigh on major vein, causing reduced blood flow to the uterus.
