My Baby Girl's 4D Scan at 31 Weeks...

Just a night before my husband left for Angola, we've managed to book a 4D scan to see our baby! It was the most wonderful bond we've ever had with our baby (even before birth).. Feels so amazing...

Sharing the photos with you is my great pleasure, as a very proud mum! We gonna be seeing her in a few weeks time, about 7 weeks!, can't really wait...

I Am 30 Weeks Pregnant - This Is What My Baby Looks Like!

At this stage my baby's lungs and digestive tract are almost fully developed. While baby may soon slow up growing in length, (he measures about 15.7 inches/ 40 centimetres from crown to toe by now), he will continue to gain weight until he's born.

This week baby continues to open and shut his eyes. He can probably see what's going on in utero, distinguish light from dark and even track a light source. If you shine a light on your stomach, your baby may move his head to follow the light or even reach out to touch the moving glow. Some researchers think baring your stomach to light stimulates visual development. But don't expect 20/20 vision when your baby is born -- newborns can see a distance of only about 8 to 12 inches/ 20 to 30 centimetres. (Children with normal vision don't reach 20/20 vision until about age 7 to 9.) To complete the picture, baby now has eyebrows and eyelashes.

A pint and a half/ around a litre of amniotic fluid now surrounds the baby but that volume decreases as he gets bigger and has less room in your uterus. As you and the baby continue to grow, don't be alarmed if you feel breathless, as if you can't get enough air; it's just your uterus pressing against your diaphragm. There is a light at the end of the tunnel though. At about 34 weeks (or just before birth, if this is your second or third pregnancy), baby's head will move down into your pelvis as the baby gets into the right position for birth. That will make breathing and eating a lot easier.

Source: Baby Centre UK

Unfinished Baby's Room

Just this afternoon, my super excited husband had managed to finished putting up the covings in our baby's room and finishing them with paints. Soon after, we both started placing the wall canvas, and The Farm border but haven't got a round to put all the stickers yet and some other decorations. This is what her unfinished room looks like!
A SOFT LIME (light green) and HAPPY DAZE (bright yellow) color motif. We're going to place her moses basket, crib and the cotbed maybe two weeks before her due!

Human Touch Massage Chairs for Healthy Living

Being 30 weeks pregnant, back pains have becoming a daily recurrence. I am aware that back pain is very common in pregnancy as pregnancy hormones relax joints, ligaments and muscles and the increasing weight also adds to the problem, especially as it is natural to push our bumps forwards which puts greater strain on our back. It has really never been easy for me to deal with back pains from the first time I'd experienced it, until I realized to do some exercise to help.

In fact, in some stage my husband and I have thought of buying a massage chair or anything that can help to ease the pains. Massage Chairs apparently are good in providing back pain relief and combine high-tech massage technology and undeniable style.

The Human Touch massage chair technology closely mimics known therapeutic massage techniques used by spinal and back care professionals. These techniques include:

• Compression that feels like hands pushing firmly on your muscles along the side of your spine and in towards the spine itself.
• Kneading, this mimics the feel of thumbs pressing firmly on both sides of your spine while moving in circular motions
• Rolling which is the gentle motion of pressing firmly on one side of the spine and then the other.
  
• Percussion feels like fists or the edge of the hands quickly tapping on back muscles.
  

Another great thing about a Human Touch massage chair, is that it really is a whole body experience. Not only does your back get massaged, but your calves and feet as well.

We've Got Our Travel System, Cotbed and Mattress Today

We've finally received our order from BabiesRUs today! Apparently, we have now all the accessories, bedding and materials needed for our baby's arrival. ALL COMPLETE!! Well, except putting decorations on baby's room wall, other than that, no worries at all...

I've Been Experiencing Lower Back Pains, Have Found this Natural Remedy

Back pain is very common in pregnancy as pregnancy hormones relax your joints, ligaments and muscles. Your increasing weight will add to the problem, especially as it is natural to want to push your bump forwards which puts greater strain on your back. Walking, prolonged sitting or standing in one position may make your back pain worse.

How can I prevent it?
Try to use your body more efficiently. Stand up straight and tall, ensuring your chin isn't tilting upwards. Avoid standing for too long in one position. If your job involves standing for long periods, keep changing from one foot to the other, sit down when you can and take a walk at lunchtime. In bed, use plenty of pillows for support; keep your thighs parallel to prevent your top leg twisting across your body (recovery position). When getting out of bed, roll onto one side, push yourself up to a sitting position, then slowly stand up.

Don't carry heavy shopping - shop online instead, or ask a friend to help you. Avoid carrying a baby or toddler on one hip, as this puts great strain on the back. Ask for help with housework and chores, or hire a cleaner for a few months, if you can afford it. Wear comfortable shoes with broad supporting heels and adequate straps to prevent your feet from slipping about and twisting your ankles. Wear a well-fitting supportive maternity bra with wide straps and adequately sized cups, to avoid extra strain on your shoulders and rib cage.

At work, you could ask your employer for a lumbar support or an orthopaedic chair, and avoid crossing your legs. Check the position of your computer screen and mouse and adapt these if necessary; leave your desk regularly to move about and get some exercise and fresh air at lunchtime. When driving, make yourself comfortable – and then adjust your rear view mirror so that you do not need to move your head to an unnatural position to see out of the rear window.

Self-help suggestions
Exercise
Gentle exercise, such as walking and stretching, may relieve stiffness and pain. However, don't force yourself to keep walking if you experience pain. Take a rest, otherwise you may strain your ligaments further. Swimming can help too, but avoid breaststroke unless your face is completely in the water, so that your neck and spine are in a straight line. Yoga, tai chi or relaxation classes may be helpful, but always let the teacher know that you are pregnant.

Massage
Gentle massage can ease some backache, but the effects tend to be temporary. If your partner gives you a massage, don't let him massage deeply in the dimples either side of your lower spine, as there are acupuncture points here which can stimulate contractions. If you have sciatica, avoid massaging directly over the affected area until the true cause is known, as this can worsen the condition in some women.

Aromatherapy
Relaxing in a warm bath with essential oils of lavender, ylang ylang or marjoram (for muscle pain) may help. Lavender oil should be used only occasionally in the first trimester, as there is some evidence that it may stimulate contractions (Cavanagh and Wilkinson 2002). Don't use more than two or three drops at a time.

Alternatively use a warm (but not hot) water bottle, or make a compress by adding two drops of each essential oil to warm water. Soak a cloth in this water and place it over the small of your back.

Homeopathy
If the pain is made worse because of injury or strain, gently rub homeopathic arnica cream into the area. Other homeopathic remedies which can be useful include nuxvomica. Try taking it in the 30c strength, if the pain is aching, dragging and bruise-like, but you have constipation and you are irritable and refuse to "give in" to the pain.

Sepia may work if you feel as if you have been "hit by a hammer", are run down, exhausted and feel worse when you are bending down or sitting, better if you walk about. If your symptoms do not improve after a few days, consult a registered qualified homeopath.

Herbal remedies
Herbal remedies which are popularly used to treat backache in non-pregnant patients, such as Devil’s claw, should be used with extreme caution as there is insufficient evidence regarding their safety in pregnancy (Gagnier et al 2004; Ernst et al 2006).

Source: Baby Centre UK

I Am 28 Weeks Pregnant - This Is What My Baby Looks Like!

Not long to go now, in fact, I have now less than 90 days before I could see my little angel! I must admit that I am getting bigger and heavier for the past couple of weeks! Phew, it is also getting harder of moving my body especially at night times, when I go backwards and forwards to the toilet,... and MY BABY is moving a lot these days, now I can say that this is an advance prize of having him/her!....

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It says that I'm in the home stretch now. The third trimester typically starts at week 29 and lasts until week 40 and sometimes even beyond. (Don't worry -- 42 weeks is the maximum! After that, a woman usually is induced to give birth.) Most women gain an average of 11 pounds/ 5 kilograms during this trimester.

By this week:

1) My baby weighs nearly 2.3 pounds/ a little over 1 kilograms and may measure 14.8 inches/ 38 centimetres from top to toe.

2) At about this time, my baby can open his eyes and turn his head in utero if he notices a continuous, bright light shining from the outside.

3) His fat layers are forming and his fingernails appear.

You're probably vacillating between feeling as if you've been pregnant forever and being nervous about labour and birth. Checking off things on your to-do list can help. Start selecting possible baby names and begin thinking about life after the birth as well.

Source: Baby Centre UK

Important Features To Consider When Buying A Pram or Stroller

Indeed, choosing the right set of wheels for baby is a task more consuming than most of us realize, and some would equate it to buying the family car. There are so many factors I need to weigh up in order to find what is best for me and for my baby. This is exactly the main reason why we haven't bought the pram yet, though I know it is still too early to buy but at least at this early stage I would what's the best for my baby!

How long to you want the pram to last you?
Many prams are designed to take you from birth to around 4 years (if you can keep them in the pram that long!).

• If you are purchasing for a newborn, bear in mind that it whilst it doesn't need to recline flat, it does needs to recline 130 degrees from the horizontal to be suitable.
• Are you considering changing to a lightweight stroller once your toddler is more active?
• Looking further ahead, are you planning on using the same pram for future children?

How much can you afford to pay for your dream pram?
Can you afford the pram you want without having to mortgage the house? Or will a cheaper model with all the same features do the trick?

Do both parents / partners agree on the pram?
Remember, it has to suit both your parental needs and physiques. You may need to consider things such as:

• The weight of the pram when lifting and fitting it into the back of the car or when having to carry it into the house or up stairs.
• Does it have an adjustable handle to suit both your heights?
• Do you need a physics degree to fold/collapse the pram? Or can it be easily and calmly achieved when you are pregnant, have a screaming toddler on the hip and your ice-cream melting in the car?

What activities will you be doing with the pram?

• Exercising a lot? If you intend jogging, you will need to look at brands that are designed with this in mind so that both you and baby are safe and comfortable.
• Heading to the beach often? You need to think about the wear and tear of sand and salt water on your wheel fittings and steel/chrome/aluminium surfaces if you want to keep the pram looking and working at its best (especially if selling it later is on the cards).
• Going to the shops? Some 3-wheeler models have a wider wheel base which increases its stability for jogging or rough terrain, however, it can mean you are limited when it comes to fitting through the check-out at the supermarket or between aisles of crowded shops.

General points not to be overlooked

• Does the pram fit into your car when folded, or will you need to buy a new car to fit it in (along with the groceries, the nappy bag, the toddlers' trike, the dog, etc)? Can the wheels be easily removed to accommodate fitting into tight spaces?
• Is the pram easy to manoeuvre in general? Remember, the size and weight of the pram will be different to control when you have an 11 kilo toddler in there in a year or so.
• Are the wheel locks sturdy and not easily disengaged?
• Does the basket under the pram allow you the space you need - quick trip to the supermarket, out all day at the zoo - and is the access to the basket easy - extra zippers and wide openings so that you don't have to pull everything out to get to something at one end?
• When walking into the sun, does the handle reverse so that your babies' delicate skin and eyes are protected? Or can you get a sun-protection cover to fit your pram?
• Ensure your pram has a 5-point safety harness that is adjustable to accommodate your growing child.
  
• Ensure your pram has one or more parking devices that limits the movement of the pram. The release mechanism must be located so that it is not easily accessible to a child when the child is properly restrained in the pram. The colour of the device used to activate the parking mechanism must be RED and surrounding framework must be a contrasting colour.
• All prams and strollers must be sold with a suitable tether strap that allows the pusher of the pram to be tethered to it whilst in use. Check the Australian Standards for more information on legal lengths of the tether strap.
  
• Does the hood offer a reasonable area of shade, and does it have a view window so that you can check on baby whilst you are pushing the pram from behind.
• Does the pram have a removable bumper? These are not only a safety feature on some prams but also double as a convenient spot for the baby to hold onto as well as great for attaching entertaining baby toys to.
• Are you wanting a pram that you can attach a toddler seat or a skateboard to as the family grows? (toddler seats are additional seats that attach to the pram to allow you to carry a toddler as well as a newborn, or two toddlers. A skateboard is a board on wheels that clips onto the back axle of the pram. An older child can stand on this, holding the back of the pram, whilst you push the whole ensemble from behind.

Source: Bubhub

New Arrival Checklist, We're Getting Ready!!

Preparation for baby's arrival in terms of baby stuffs depend entirely up to you really, and also the country you're in contributes a lot to it as well. These items I am about to enumerate were never used to exist in my mind and or never practiced in the Philippines especially in the rural areas, practical methods in any way is always been the case.

Typical example is having baby's own nursery, complete with accessories and decorations. We never had our own room when we were little, we stayed with our parents' room, and without any fuss of buying musical mobiles, wall hangings, glow in the dark lights, a proper baby bath, baby monitor, etc... You know what I mean? Even toys when we were toddlers, we had almost to nothing!

Anyway, I'm in a different country with completely different principles and practices, with only limited family members to give the new parents' a hand to look after the babies. This is what it is, entertaining them as much as you can to be able to accomplish something, I should say.

Here's the list of items we are both busy of completing before our baby arrives (as of today 10 weeks before her arrival), at least for for the 1st three months:

BABY CLOTHES:
1) 6-8 sleepsuits - done!
2) 6-8 bodysuits/vests - done!
3) 3-4 daywear outfits - done!
4) 2 x cardigans - still to buy!
5) 2-3 socks (pairs) - done!
6) 3 x baggies (pairs) - done!
8) 2 x hats - done!
9) jacke/pramsuit - still to buy!
10) shawl - my mum-in-law is busy knitting one

NURSERY:
1) Moses basketor Crib - done, Alfie's old one!
2) Cor or Cotbed - still have to buy.
3) Nursery furniture - we already have, no need to buy.
4) Room thermometer - done!
5) Bedding for moses basket, cot or cotbed - not yet!
6) 2-3 bkankets - done!
8) 1-3 sleeping bags - done!

BATHTIME:
1) Baby bath - done, Alfie's old one!
2) Baby nail scissors - done!
3) Brush & comb set - done!
4) Non-slip bath mat - done!
5) Top 'n' tail bowl - not yet!
6) Bath thermometer - done!
8) Bath support - done!
9) Cuddle 'n' dry robe- not yet!
10) Change mat - done!
11) Baby toiletries - done!
12) Nappy pail/wrapper - unnecessary!

PLAYTIME:
1) Cot mobile - done!
2) Bouncing cradle - done!
3) Playnest - done, given by my in-laws!
4) 2x soft raffles - not done!
5) 2x soft fabric books - not yet!
6) Cuddle toy - done, given by my in-laws!

For the travel system (a set of pushchair, pram, carrycot and accessories), we are going to buy within this month! I would always want to try to push it myself before buying. But I've seen one which I like (photo below)...

Been Busy Decorating Our Baby's Room

That's hubby re-painted our spare room from cream color to a SOFT LIME and YELLOW combination. Though we already have an idea of our baby's sex, but still we want to have a UNISEX or NEUTRAL color which is fair enough. We both really don't want to have a very PINKISH or BLUESH sort of colors.

Photo below is he sort of color combination we both wanted except, the WALL IS LIGHT GREEN in COLOR. While all the beddings and accessories would be more likely these colors, more on with YELLOW or CREAM touches! Will post some photographs soon after we finish decorating.

Isn't it very refreshing and relaxing color combination?

I am Experiencing Nosebleeds Recently (Nosebleeds During Pregnacy)

I was so alarmed of having my nose bleeding quite heavily, but hubby was just so relaxed trying to remind that it was quite normal during pregnancy. However, since it was quite heavy I could not help myself but to worry! In fact, I managed to sleep at almost 3am. This morning I have experienced exactly the same too... Therefore, I had to re-read articles again today, to ease my feelings and here's what I have confirmed myself. I would just like to share this to all my readers, this practical information.

Now the question is, is it common to get nosebleeds during pregnancy? Yes, nosebleeds do tend to occur more often during pregnancy. Pregnancy can cause the blood vessels in your nose to expand, and your increased blood supply puts more pressure on those delicate vessels, causing them to rupture more easily. Although it's unpleasant and inconvenient, an occasional minor nosebleed is generally harmless.

You're especially likely to get a nosebleed when you have a cold, sinus infection, or allergies, or when the membranes inside your nose dry out, as they do in cold weather, air-conditioned rooms, airline cabins, and other dry environments. Trauma and certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or a clotting disorder, may cause nosebleeds as well.

How can I stop a nosebleed?

When your nose starts to bleed, sit down, keep your head higher than your heart, and put pressure on the bleeding nostril for five to ten minutes. (Use a watch — it's longer than you think.)

Using your thumb and the side of your bent index finger, firmly pinch the whole soft lower part of your nose and exert pressure toward your face. Don't let up for a second — even if you're getting very curious to see if the bleeding has stopped — because that could interfere with the coagulation process.

Applying ice can help, too, because it constricts blood vessels. Hold a cold pack or a bag of frozen peas over your nose and cheeks with the hand that's not pinching your nostrils closed. Don't lie down or tilt your head back: You might end up swallowing blood, which could cause nausea or even vomiting.

If the bleeding hasn't stopped after ten minutes of pressure and ice, continue for another ten minutes as long as you're not bleeding heavily. Consult your healthcare practitioner if the bleeding doesn't stop after 20 minutes of pressure.

You'll need a medical evaluation if you get a nosebleed following a head injury, even if you only have minor bleeding. Let your practitioner know if you have frequent nosebleeds so she can rule out underlying problems.

Can I do anything to avoid getting a nosebleed?

• Drink extra fluids to help keep all of your mucous membranes well hydrated.
• Blow your nose gently. Aggressive blowing can lead to nosebleeds.
• Try to keep your mouth open when you sneeze.
• Avoid dry air, especially in wintertime or in dry climates, by running a humidifier inside your house and not overheating your bedroom. Also stay away from irritants like smoke, which you should be avoiding anyway.
• Use a lubricant to prevent nasal dryness. Some experts recommend petroleum jelly. Others suggest a special water-based nasal lubricant that is available over the counter at pharmacies. Saline nasal sprays or drops can help, too.
• Don't overuse medicated nasal sprays or decongestants. They can dry out and further irritate your nose.

I Am 24 Weeks Pregnant - This Is What My Baby Looks Like!

Not too long to go, this is now my last trimester of pregnancy and can't really wait to go! I've now been experiencing difficulties since about 3 weeks ago, and my feet and hands have now started to swell... I've really got huge baby bump, still wondering if I am having twins at all LOL though it has been confirmed to have only one baby inside.

The following are the facts about my baby:

Your fetus weighs more than 1.3 pounds/ 600 grams. Though she still has little body fat and her skin is thin and fragile, she's now well-proportioned. Her brain is growing rapidly, and she is starting to fill the space in your uterus. From crown to heel she could measure 11.8 inches/ 30 centimetres. If you went into labour at this time, however, many obstetricians and midwives would make every effort to halt the progress of premature labour to enable your baby to continue maturing.

You may be noticing faint, red or brown streaks known as striae or stretch marks on your abdomen, hips and breasts. While creams won't erase them, wearing a supportive bra may help prevent or minimise them on your breasts. They are very common at this stage of the pregnancy -- about 90 per cent of women get them. After you've given birth, the reddish or brown pigmentation in the stretch marks gradually fades, and the streaks become lighter than the surrounding skin.

Also, your eyes may be light-sensitive and may feel gritty and dry. This is a perfectly normal pregnancy symptom known as 'dry-eye'. To ease your discomfort, use an "artificial tears" solution to add moisture.

Source: Baby Centre UK

AVOCADOS, My Latest Cravings

It's been almost 2 weeks now since I've been eating Avocados (this was right after I had a month cravings for Mangoes). Unfortunately, I am finished with mangoes! However, I'm afraid to say that, my baby fat size has been doubled since I started eating them! Oh dear... I have been told that this is very fattening, as this contains very high in calories. But I just can't afford to deprive myself, as soon as I think about my baby's sake!

I tell you what, I really wanted to stop eating them, but my baby doesn't want to!! lol....

Here are some of the benefits of the avocado:
• They contains around 25% of the calories and total fat of dairy butter, by weight.
• When compared ounce for ounce they provide more heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, fiber, vitamin E, folic acid, and potassium than other fruits.
• Avocados are the number-one fruit source of beta-sitosterol, a substance that lowers total cholesterol better than a low fat diet, and even improves HDL cholesterol.
• It also provides vitamin C and vitamin B6, and about one-third of your daily requirement of folate, a nutrient that helps neutralize excess levels of heart attack-causing homocysteine.

Tips In Preventing Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

I've noticed loads of dark spots already on my tummy, but I'm afraid I could not really do much aside from continuously applying this Cocoa tummy butter, at least this would help a bit. Stomach stretches like a balloon and other places just aren't the same size that they used to be. But it is worth it to know that soon you will be holding that precious little person in your arms.

However, you still can't help worrying about developing stretch marks. This article will explain what stretch marks are and your risk of getting them. It will also give you some good tips on preventing stretch marks during pregnancy.

Stretch marks develop in the middle layer of the skin which is made up of collagen. When the skin is stretched continually past the breakdown point, the body will try to compensate by sending more collagen to the over stretched site. The excess collagen is what causes scar like tissue, or stretch marks, to develop.

Researchers say that the likelihood of you getting stretch marks during pregnancy will increase if your mother had stretch marks during pregnancy. But there are things that you can do to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.

These tips will give you the upper hand in the war against stretch marks.

• Eat a healthy well balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Rapid weight gain is a common cause of stretch marks and is unhealthy for you and your baby. Eating right during pregnancy can help you keep your weight gain under control. Talk with your doctor about how much weight you should gain during your pregnancy. Just because you are eating for two doesn't mean that you have permission to overdo it. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin well hydrated and pliable.
• Take your pre natal vitamins. Your body needs extra vitamins and minerals at this time so taking your vitamins will supplement those needs. It will also help you develop beautiful skin and hair during your pregnancy.
• Another way to avoid stretch marks is to use creams that contain vitamin E or cocoa butter. Massage these creams onto your skin where stretch marks are forming. The massaging action itself can increase blood flow to that area and diminish visible stretch marks. There are plenty of creams on the market that claim to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. You might want to try several to see what works for you.

For some women there is no way to prevent stretch marks. However, the good news is that they do fade over time. They will take on a much lighter color depending on your skin tone. If the stretch marks still bother you, talk to a dermatologist about the best treatment option.

Having a healthy baby should be the most important thing. A few stretch marks are a small price to pay for a beautiful, healthy baby. But if you follow the above tips, you may be able to succeed in preventing stretch marks during pregnancy.

Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Weight gain is a source of great anxiety to many pregnant women, like what I do sometimes! I'm afraid to say that I've earned at least 10-12 kgs and it's only on my 5th month of pregnancy, meaning I could still possibly gain double! Therefore, in 4 months time I will be almost twice as my original weight! OMG!!!! Shocking revelation isn't it?

You may worry about putting on too much weight during pregnancy, and not being able to lose it afterwards, or about not gaining enough, and how this might affect your baby. In fact, women vary tremendously in the amount of weight gain during pregnancy, and there’s no such thing as an ideal weight gain.

On average, a healthy, average-sized woman who eats normally in pregnancy will gain around 12.5kg, but women can gain anything from almost nothing to up to 23kg – and still have a normal pregnancy and a healthy baby. A lot depends on your pre-pregnancy weight, your metabolism and your level of activity.

The weight you gain is made up of baby, placenta, amniotic fluid, increased uterine muscle, enlarged breasts, extra blood, extra fluid and extra fat supplies (needed for making breastmilk). Most weight is gained between 4 and 7 months, although for some women the pattern is quite different.

Although the range of normal weight gain is large, there are disadvantages to being at the outer limits of it. At the lower end, a very low weight gain tends to be associated with lower birthweight babies, especially if associated with smoking, or poor diet, or drug or alcohol abuse. However, if you are a non-smoker, basically well, and eating a healthy diet, simply eating more will not increase the weight of your baby.

At the upper end, gaining a lot of weight makes you more likely to develop varicose veins and to have problems with breathlessness, heartburn or swelling. There is also an increased risk of developing complications such as high blood pressure, pregnancy-related diabetes or pre-eclampsia. This is why most experts would recommend that very overweight women try to lose some weight before becoming pregnant. If this is not possible, expert dietary advice may help prevent further unhealthy weight gain.

Do not be surprised if, after your initial visit, you are not routinely weighed during your antenatal checks. Research has shown that weighing during pregnancy is often inaccurate, a source of considerable anxiety, and unhelpful in clinical terms. Routine weighing is now generally reserved for women who are significantly over- or under-weight (although some pre-eclampsia experts still recommend weighing as part of routine screening for this condition).

What can I do about it?

• Rather than worrying too much about precisely how much, or how little weight you have gained, the important thing is that you eat well. Pregnancy is not a time for dieting, nor for eating too many empty calories. Both you and your baby need to be well nourished. Eat a full and balanced diet, and your body will take care of the rest.
• If you have a pre-existing weight problem – either too heavy or too light – ask your midwife or doctor to refer you to a dietician for guidance. Many women in these situations benefit from specific dietary advice and/or expert counselling.
• Some women weigh themselves regularly at home. If you chose to do this, do not weigh yourself more than fortnightly, and try to standardise when and how you weigh yourself, in order to minimise the normal fluctuations that occur during each day.

Weight gain alert

If you notice that you are putting on weight very rapidly in the last three months of pregnancy, tell your midwife or doctor. Sudden weight gain may indicate acute fluid retention – a possible sign of pre-eclampsia.

Hubby Bought Me This Support Pillow Back/Body Cushion

I started having difficulties in lying on my sides as soon as I was as early as on my 14th week of pregnancy (about 3-1/2 months)! You'd be wondering why not using a pillow instead to support my tummy? Yes I could do that really, but this has special features which is totally different from normal pillows (read below).

We bought this on Ebay UK, which only arrived the other day. I love this really, it has the same texture as duvets....I cuddled this for two nights now, but only on early evenings. I still love to cuddle my big baby LOL...
This Body Pillow may help relieve:

• Fibromyalgia, arthritis and osteoporosis pain
  
• Back, neck and shoulder pain
  
• Restless sleep
  
• Maternity discomforts
• Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction
  

This full length V body pillow can be sculpted into various forms depending on your needs. Gives great support for pregnancy, giving support to your back and bump at the same time. Won't shift in the middle of the night, as may happen if using multiple pillows to get comfortable. This is a great sleeping support for anyone with problems getting comfortable.

Measurements: Approximately 63" long and 2ft wide (each arm 1ft wide). Filled with high quality polyester hollow fibre, complying fully to all furniture and furnishings (fire safety) regulations (BS5852). Washable at 40ºC.

Fruit Salad, My Latest Cravings

Though my food cravings have slightly disappeared, but still I had never a day without eating at least a tin of FRUIT SALAD with Carnation Evaporated Milk and Ice. Uuuummmm absolutely yumyum :).....

Playing Music on my Bump!

I have been playing music on my bump since I was as early as 12 weeks of my pregnancy! Thanks to Dangz Dhemz for giving me this idea, it is really true! Though it was quite early when I started it, but it was never too early to get used to it right? Which I duly did, and while thinking and searching of what must be the ideal music for babies, I used to play my old country, love, and Christian songs.

Until, I decided to buy the most Classical ones and Lullaby's....Baby inside mother's womb becomes aware of the outside world from as early as 15 weeks, and will respond to sounds, like voices, music from 25 weeks. We might imagine it's quite in there, but our womb is actually quite a noisy place. Our HEARTBEAT and BREATHING, the blood flowing in our veins and our digestive gasses all combine to make up the sounds our baby hears everyday!
Talking, reading and singing or playing music to the bump allows the baby to connect with you even before she's born. Although she may not be able to understand what we're saying it's not what you say but how you say it that matters. The tone of your voice as you talk or sing your favorite song will help her to recognise you when she is born....