So You're Pregnant.. Now What?

For the recently preggy out there, if there are any of you reading this, this is about being pregnant and some of those weird side effects it brings.

Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters.

The First Trimester:

You may not know that you're pregnant until you realize you haven't had your period since.. maybe you can't remember.  Maybe a little test kit confirmed it for you with a faint pink line next to a clear pink line.

What you might feel:

-constant sleepiness, sluggishness and general laziness, this will probably show on your face too
-a frequent need to pee
-feeling bloated
-weird mood swings, being weepy or irritable
-"morning sickness" not necessarily in the morning.  This doesn't happen to everyone.  For some it lasts longer, for others its a vomiting episode or two, and some just feel obligated to feel vomity.
-your boobs might be sensitive or achy
-your sense of smell may be at par with your dog.  You smell everything and not everything smells nice.  The smell of rubbing alcohol made me want to crawl on the ceiling.
-some become disinterested in sex, while some become more interested

What to do:

1.) Time to head to a doctor. 
If you already have an OBGYNE go and see her (or him), if not, start looking for one.  Try to ask family members or friends who have recently given birth for referrals.  Tip: ask a friend whose lifestyle and estimated salary is close to yours as you may have the same birthing budget.  Ask someone who lives in your area too.  No point in asking your jet-setter friend to refer you to her doctor if the consultation fee will give you a heart attack or if the doctor's clinic is 5 hours away from where you live.  Save your doctor's number as you might have some questions in the middle of the night at some point during your pregnancy.

2.) Pick up your prescribed pre-natal vitamins and/or milk. 
Your doctor will probably prescribe prenatal vitamins like folic acid and/or a mommy milk like Anmum, New Mama, etc.  Buy these in small quantities or packs as you may or may not like the taste and smell.

3.) Stop smoking, drinking, taking drugs and doing anything that is blatantly unhealthy or dangerous.
You can still exercise, but avoid overly-strenuous activities that can injure you.  You may be adventurous but now is not the time for extreme sports i.e wall climbing, rappelling, cliff jumping, etc.

4.) Eat healthy.. not eat more.

The matatanda have a lot to say about what to eat and what not to eat, but my advice is just to eat a balanced diet.  Try to eat real food and avoid canned food.  Avoid raw food including vegetables.  You may feel entitled to binge but for your figure's sake control yourself.  Its not easy to lose all the weight after you give birth.  You don't need any extra calories in your first trimester, only an additional 340 in your second trimester and an additional 450 in your third trimester..  that's about one cheeseburger.

5.) Get into the program!

Download an app or two on baby development so you know what's going on month per month.  You will  be less rattled if you know what's going on.

The Second Trimester:

Your fourth month is the start of your second trimester, you may already look a bit pregnant by now.  In my opinion, this is the best trimester. 

What you might feel:

-most of the unpleasant symptoms during your first trimester start to go away or at least calm down a bit

-you may feel little flutters in your growing belly, these are from your baby moving

-your mood (if you were grumpy) improves

-some women experience stomach pains or heart burn.  This is normal and is due to a valve that's loose and unable to close all the way, allowing your digestive acids to rise up.  There's a scientific explanation for it that you can google but basically its because of the change in your hormones.  Your doctor may prescribe an antacid like Gaviscon.  Keep some handy in your bag, car, and office as the pain may set in unexpectedly and suddenly.

-some women experience urinary track infections also caused by hormones changing the chemistry of your body and throwing the balance of bacteria in the feminine area off.  Symptoms include fever, headaches, nausea, and chills.  Visit your doctor immediately if you think you have a UTI.

-your innie belly button may pop out at month 5

-you may feel fatigued and sluggish again, get as much rest as you can.  Nap during your lunch break, it'll work wonders.

-you might find yourself being forgetful and absent-minded.  Go easy on yourself and write things down to avoid frustration.

-your stretched skin on your tummy may feel tight and itchy, moisturizing will help ease this.  I found virgin coconut oil worked wonders, not a single stretch mark!

-you will be gaining about a pound a week

- it will be harder to sleep as you cannot roll around like you used to

What to do:

Keep your sugar intake low and continue to eat a balanced diet.  Your cravings are not an excuse to eat junk.

Month 4:

1.) File your Maternity Notification with SSS through your company's HR.  This is just a form you have to fill out.  You will have to submit your ultrasound and the results as an attachment.  File your maternity leave once you hit your fifth month too.

2.) Time to announce the little one on the way to friends and family!  Gender reveal parties are all the rage at the moment.  Have fun with this!

3.) Plan your delivery.  While you've probably had a general idea of where you will give birth etc. in mind as soon as you learned you were pregnant, now is the time to lay it out in detail.

   - Set a budget for your delivery.  Scout around your area for your preferred clinic or hospital.  Ask their information counter about their rates, they may not be able to give you the exact figure but they can give you the ball park figure.  Keep in mind that doctor's fees may differ.  You will have to ask your doctor about this directly.  Your Obgyn will usually pick the anesthesiologist and attending pediatrician.  Each of these doctors will charge separately.

   - Know how you will get to the hospital.  Assign someone to drive you and remind that person to keep his or her phone handy.

Month 5:

1.) Shop for maternity clothes.  I will post a separate blog on maternity clothes since its such a fun topic.  In general, stretchy fabrics are your friend.  Its easier to shop for dresses than pants, maternity pants can be expensive and may not fit you all the way up to your third trimester.

2.)  Clear your closet of tight fitting clothes.  Your maternity and post-maternity wardrobe will take up your closet space.  You might as well pack up that tight mini skirt for when you can fit into it again.

3.) You may be asked by your doctor to take some tests at this point.  

Month 6:

1.) Start shopping for baby's basics!  By your sixth month you may already know if you're having a boy or a girl.  Buy baby's first wardrobe (separate blog on that) and bottles.  Some mommies buy a stroller, carrier, crib and many, many other things but keep in mind these are not actually necessary but they do make things easier.

The non-negotiables are:

     - baby's clothes

     - bedding and bibs

     - feeding bottles if you will feed formula or will pump milk

     - a trusty breast pump unless you will feed directly exclusively

2.) Pack your hospital bag.  Some women deliver early.  Having your hospital bag ready  and waiting by the door will reduce a lot of stress for you when its D-day.  List of things to bring here: https://littleladymom.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-mommy-hospital-bag.html

Don't miss any of your check up schedules. 

Third Trimester:

What you may feel:

- heaviness.  You will be visibly pregnant at this point and you'll feel the weight of it.

- bloating and cramping

- some experience fake contractions or Braxton-Hicks contractions.  This is just your body practicing for the big day.

- discomfort as you internal organs are pushed by your growing uterus

- some indigestion and heartburn

- baby may seem to be moving less, this is because his or her space is getting tighter

- you may have gained 35 pounds already
- you may feel an inexplicable urge to clean and organize the baby things and space, this is your nesting instinct

What to do:

1.) See your doctor as he or she advises.  You may be asked to check in every other week by your eight month.

2.) Download a contraction monitoring app and figure out how to use it.  This will come in handy on D-day.

3.) Make sure all baby's clothes have been washed and are ready.  Same goes for bottles.  Wash and sterilize these.

4.) Ready your cash. 
5.) Take your leave from work 2 weeks before your expected delivery date.  While it's true you can actually keep working up to a few hours before giving birth, it would be good for you to have some time to quiet your mind and prepare your home and yourself for your coming baby.


Relax mommy!  Women have been giving birth since forever, it may not be the easiest thing but its also not as hard as they say it is most of the time.