Last July 8, we went to SM Megamall to have an ultrasound because I experienced contractions and pain.  I was really afraid that I was about to lose my baby.  So the doctor said the baby was fine, no casualty whatsoever.  I was relieved.  Everything was caused by my constipation.

And so, as the scan went by, the doctor asked us if we already know the gender of the baby.  We said no.  She said, if it’s a boy, we would know even if I was only 16-17 weeks that time.  At first, she said she can see a male part but she was not satisfied because it might be the umbilical cord.  So she tried so many angles and it was still there.  She wanted a good angle so she shook baby a bit and that’s when he opened his legs and the doctor got a good angle.  Here’s the scan:

Of course, the daddy was really happy.  I have not seen him that happy.  I guess it’s really different if you’re a dad and you’re having a son.

After the scan, we went to the food court to eat (I was really hungry, I didn’t eat my lunch that day).  On our way, we thought of a good name for him.  We cancelled the previous name we prepared and changed it to Juan Jaime Kismet, after his lolos and Kismet means fate (because I really think he’s destined to be with us).

So this explains why this pregnancy is very different from my first.

 

The Hardships of this pregnancy

I really have a difficulty in this pregnancy, up to now that I’m at 18 weeks.  I can still feel morning sickness but lesser compared to my first trimester.  I am sensitive to stress both emotionally and physically.  I get back pains easily.  But the good thing is, even if I’m feeling so much pain, baby is still not affected.

I am more prone to fainting than before.  I almost fainted while I was lining up for a free Nestle drink (imagine!!!).  It was not that hot but I guess the prolonged standing made my BP fall causing me to faint (well, almost).  Good thing I was able to reach a chair before I fell.  I was already seconds before I blackout.

I also fainted when we went to Divisoria.  Ok, my doctor said never to go to Divisoria (or any place with so many people) while I’m pregnant.  I would abide, promise.

This pregnancy is really difficult.  I am on a low-t0-no salt diet to prevent pre-eclampsia.  But there are times that I really want junk food so I would indulge a bit.  My salt intake, I can say, is really low this time.  I am more conscious.  Sometimes, my body reacts to the food (or drinks) that are not good for me.  So I really avoid them, or else I will get sick the whole day.  No-to-low caffeine intake (softdrinks or iced tea not even once a week..very rare).  Definitely, no coffee or brewed iced tea.  In cases when I eat something that my body (or baby) hates, my head will hurt and I will feel sick for the rest of the day.  Huh!

I am also having difficulty in sleeping.  I can’t sleep early nor wake up late (not me anymore!).  Dann said that his blood is so strong that baby alters my sleeping pattern.  He was actually surprised when I woke up before he did one time.  Hmmm..baby is the driver of my body now.

And, I really feel so lazy!

 

Kicking and moving and dancing? or jumping?

When I was still in my first trimester, I can already feel him moving.  I think he was moving too much that I can feel him.  At 16 weeks, Dann and Ria can already feel him when they touch my tummy and he moves.  I’m not sure what he’s doing inside, but there are times that I think he’s rolling or jumping or dancing.  His movements are too much (well, compared to Ria).

There are also times that his movements are painful.  What more when I’m already on my 8th month! Oh no!

 

Preparations (I’m like a new mother!)

Yes, I’m really really excited this time.  I always say to Dann that my emotions are different now compared to Ria.  When we were buying baby stuff that time, I was not that excited.  I was actually scared.  I didn’t know how to be a mother, how to take care of a baby.  But since we have learned everything that we need to know (for the basics), I can feel the excitement now.  Because I know we can handle it.  I know what to expect unlike before.

I’m already building my stash of cloth diapers now.  Here are some of the stuff we have bought so far:

I’m expecting my first bulk of cloth diapers this week.  I ordered 12 pcs yesterday and 2 pcs last week (but will be delivered by next month or the next).  I also asked Dann to help me because I know I’m biased with cuteness and pinkness and girly stuff.

We have chosen to use cloth diapers (as influenced by my good friend Honey) because first, it’s environment-friendly (no disposables, no garbage) and second, it’s cheaper than buying the disposables every month.  Imagine, we’re going to spend a total of P9,100 for the cloth diapers and inserts (with of course, the detergent to use) as compared to P28,800 of disposables for 24 months only (what if baby will not wean at 24 months).  So, we’re better off with cloth diapers.  Besides, they’re so cute! And less probability of having rashes.  We just need to learn how and be patient in washing.

I also told myself that my next child will be exclusively breastfed.  I promised myself that I will not let my second child be formula-fed at least 6 months from birth but I intend to do this until 3 years old.  I witnessed how sick Ria was a month after I stopped breastfeeding her (because of work).  Aside from better immunity, financially, there are advantages of breastfeeding.  I computed the differences.  For formula milk budget (our budget before), we spend P3,000/month and that translates to P108,000 for three years.  For breastfeeding stuff like pump and storage bags, we’ll only spend P29,400 for 3 years, given that I will use 60 pcs of storage bags per month.  A lot of savings then.

And so, this book is helping me learn the things I was not able to learn when I was breastfeeding Ria.  I am also designing nursing covers (which will cost me only around P75/pc – that’s a yard worth of cloth, enough for one piece).

I also plan to baby wear our next child (of course when I’m still on ML).  I will buy baby slings worth P950 each, but I guess I can again sew some which will cost me around P150 per piece (without rings, of course).

We’re also planning to buy some clothes, since no or less hand-me-down clothes can be used by baby boy (we still do not have a nick name for him; Dann calls him Jaime, Daddy calls him Juan, Ria calls him Calix, I call him baby boy..hehe).  But I will wait first because my cousin told me that she will give her son’s clothes to me.  What a relief. 🙂  Daddy said that they will also buy clothes for baby. 🙂

I started window shopping months before for baby stuff and I pick the ones with the lowest prices (with the same items).  I want to make sure that every centavo is spent wisely so I buy in bulk to have one shipping fee only.  I’m still half way through with my buying stage, half more to go! 🙂

Birth

So here’s the hardest part, financially.  We estimated that Marikina Valley rate is already P100k for a Caesarian delivery.  I checked with St. Lukes Global and they have a package worth P100k and P110k for CSD.  Given that I will not experience pre-eclampsia this time, we are good to go there.  Besides, I like their breastfeeding policy.  I’m not sure if Marikina Valley has it but they ask parents to bring formula milk and bottles.  So I really really like to give birth at St. Lukes Global.  I want to start my breastfeeding journey in a right way.