Throughout my pregnancy I read a lot about pregnancy, even on the contraction and labor and all because I thought that’s all I need to know and my doctor also tried to prepare me for the same but no one (surprised and shocked) ever mentioned even once to learn to be a mother!

I didn’t read much about newborn other than what all the things I need to buy for her, how to put on diaper, how to give her bath and how to give her massage.  What I learned was just a fun part without having awareness of sleepless nights, hunger cries, feeding issues and tiresome days. I was truly thrilled when I came to know that there are different meaning of their cries depends on the intensity of their voice!!!

And that’s why I come up with this article to share few things I missed to learn before step into motherhood and the problems that caused:

1. I need to feed my baby after every 2 hours: Feeding baby in every two hours count night time also. I could not get continuous sleep which troubled me a lot. I literally felt like is she having an alarm in her tummy or what? Though gradually I got used to with that I wished for one full night sleep as my birthday gift which was coming after 20 days of my daughter’s birth!!!
2. I need to change/check her diaper after every feed: Checking or changing the diaper after every feed means cutting off your extra 5 minutes sleep from your 2 hours sleep!!! Well not a big issue if I think now but during first 2 months I felt it’s a biggest problem ever!!!
3. I need to monitor my baby’s every pees and poops: Baby grows by the days and that docs can get to know by their no. of pees and poops. And that means I need to write down that in chart given by her doctor or need to remember till the end of the day to fill all the data together which was definitely not a good idea with my pregnancy brain. Again I would say not a big issue if I see now but at that time with my recovering body it seemed more difficult to me!!!
4. Baby eats for 40 to 45 minutes: Oh God this was certainly new to me!!! When for the first time my nurse told me that it will take only 40 to 45 minutes depends on your baby’s speed and I simply asked “how many minutes you said?” Yes that’s true and they get their speed in 6 to 8 weeks which really cut it off to half but initial time is always tough and tougher for me as I didn’t had any idea about that.
5. I did not know what colic baby is: I was not having any idea about colic baby and when that happened to my baby I was furious. I couldn’t understand anything neither why she was crying for hours without a pause nor why nothing works on the same. I wanted to help but couldn’t and that was frustrating. Luckily in next 4 days my appointment was schedule with her pediatrician and trust me when she asked me “how you are doing” I could say just well with my teary eyes. She consoled me for the things and suggested me to read a book on baby care. She shared all the troubles and solutions for colic baby and that really helped me a lot. She guided me so well that later everything became really easy.

Time after delivery is tough not because of your physical inconveniences but also the changes brought to you by your newborn. Many things you need to learn which are totally new to you and that too without good sleep and enough rest. Your body gives up, your hormones shows tantrums in terms of post pregnancy melt down and here is your baby whom you love a lot but does not respond you (for initial months) at all.

Yes of course all these things won’t be easy either if I would have known before but at least I could have time to prepare myself. As I always believe knowing is everything I feel If I could have known about these things I could have performed well. And that’s why I am sharing these things to all of you would be mummy. My intention is not at all to make you nervous but just to prepare you and your mind to accept the new challenges coming to your life.

Read as much as you can to make the motherhood easy and enjoyable that’s what I learned till the day.

Foster Feel

Hurrah you successfully completed 8 months and now countdown begins….if you already started counting the days then let me remind you, your baby can arrives as soon as you complete your 37 weeks or as late as after 42 weeks. Babies arrive in or before 37 weeks are called premature babies and babies arrive between 37 to 42 weeks are known as full term baby. Whether you give birth exactly on due date or in the weeks before or after doesn’t really matter if your baby is healthy.

Well today we are not here to talk about your due date but of course we are going to talk about what are the things you need to finish before your baby arrives:

1. Give final touch to your nursery: Creating a nursery is fun task. All parents want to welcome their baby in their own way and so don’t forget to give your own personal touch to your nursery. Go through the check list for the last time and complete it before time runs. Read Newborn Checklist
2. Finalize baby registry: Baby registry maintains your wish list and your upcoming needs with which your friends and relatives can get their gift ideas for you and your baby. Build it with your time and special interest or else you may end up your nursery with stacking up unnecessary kids’ items.
3. Find baby care options: It is important to plan your baby care options before you deliver. If you are planning to call your parents, book tickets a week before your due date. Search nearby baby care center or good baby sitter in advance. After delivery it won’t be possible for you to spend time to search baby care as you will be busy with your new arrival as well as your health may not support you.
4. Shop motherly stuff: Don’t forget to shop your comfort and that includes your after delivery stuff also. You may need some motherly stuff like feeding bra, feeding pillow, diaper bag, sanitary napkins (lots of), lip gloss, hair clips, moisturizer and many more. For clothes and lingerie buy one size bigger than your normal (before pregnancy) one. Your foot size will take time to fit in your previous shoes so don’t run to get your new shoes for now.
5. Tidy up your house: Your nursery and motherly stuff may need extra space so pack your unnecessary things for the time and put it away. Rearrange your nursery in such a way so that you can get the things handy. If you are planning to use your elder kids’ stuff, wash it clean it and sanitize it. If you are planning to use new clothes for your newborn, wash it couple of times before you use it for your baby. That will make the clothes soft enough for your newborn’s sensitive skin. If you are fond of well-organized clean home, start the cleanup right now as after delivery you won’t be able to get that much time and stamina to do the things.
6. Pack your hospital bag: you may need to run to hospital at any time so pack your bag with the need and comfort. What to pack in bag is depends on country as well as on individual hospital. Here I am sharing the link What to Pack which helped me to pack my bag when I was pregnant. Still I suggest you to visit your hospital and ask the facility offered there.
   
   
   
   
7. Talk about birth plan: It is good option to get birth plan done at the time of delivery only. Talk to your partner as well as your doctor regarding the same.
8. Go through baby names: Finding the perfect name for your baby is always difficult and time consuming so start it right now. You may think you can decide this later what’s hurry but trust me later you won’t get enough time and that may turn your fun into frustration. Start it now and have fun with new finding phase.
9. Have fun run to hospital: Labor pain mostly last for more than 8 hours but sometimes it’s so nominal that mother cannot differentiate it from normal false contraction. Plan a drive to your hospital, measure distance and time to reach there during different span of time as well as find out alternative routes. In case of emergency this knowledge will help you to plan accordingly. You can also visit your hospital to see the available facilities. It is always good to know the place where you are going to deliver.
10. Take a break from your work: If you are planning to leave your job or to take maternity leave, this is the perfect time to start. You may think it is bit early but at the same time this will give you ease from your stress and you will get enough time to welcome your baby in your own way.

Pregnancy is an unforgettable time for every mother and that’s the reason they will be always ready with their tips(many times those are just myths) For example, oh wow are you pregnant? Congratulations. Now you should take care of your health; you should drink at least 3 cups of milk in a day; you should go for walk every day; you should not eat junk food; you should not wear heals; traveling is not safe for you and many more advises like these. For them these are concern and for would be mother it will become head ache. After all who will like all of sudden restrictions on their life? Big changes of your life and no matter how much prepared you were, you may get angry to accept these changes and that’s perfectly normal.

Well you should accept those tips or not it is up to you but at least think twice “is it really truth or myth” before implementing those on yourself.

Here we are discussing some of those Pregnancy Tips or Myths:

• Pregnancy means a woman with a lemon in her hand: Craving for certain food in first trimester of pregnancy is very common. You may crave for sweets; you may crave for sour items; you may crave for spicy dishes or you may not crave at all. Everything is normal and everyone is different. We can’t measure pregnancy with a piece of tamarind or a lemon. Sour items are good to consume in nausea and/or vomiting which is very normal in first trimester and that’s why pregnant lady prefers to eat lemon with salt or tamarind during that period. So the truth is it is not a symbol of your pregnancy. If you crave for sour that’s okay but that doesn’t mean everyone will.
• If you are suffering from heart burn in pregnancy, you are going to have hairy baby: Hormonal changes in pregnancy is a common cause of heart burn (also known as acidity). That doesn’t mean everyone will suffer from the same as well as it is not related to baby’s hair at all.
• If you wish for a normal delivery, you should walk: Walking or any exercise (which is allowed in pregnancy) in limit is good for health but that’s not at all related to your delivery type. How will you deliver is depends on your health, your baby’s health and/or the situation of the time not on your exercise. Yes you can walk or choose any exercise which is allowed in pregnancy but only if your body permits. Don’t stretch your body just to have a normal delivery as it won’t matter at all.
• You can’t do waxing in pregnancy: There is no reason to be hairy in pregnancy. You can wax your hands as well as your legs. Actually your baby makes space for her in your tummy by stretching your tummy and abdominal area and thus your skin near tummy and abdominal become thin and sensitive. So it is good to avoid full body wax.
• You can’t apply mehandi or heena in baby shower: Baby shower is a dream for every mother and she wants to fulfill all of her wish during this function. Mehandi or heena contains some chemicals and any chemicals can cause reaction. Due to hormonal changes your body changed a lot and that’s why you may get reaction from that even if you never had before. This is the only reason to avoid heena or any chemicals. But yes you can always use mehandi stickers available in market and fulfill your wish.
• You can’t wear fashion during pregnancy: This is totally wrong. Truth is you can, you just need to wear fashion with comfort. There is a classy range of maternity clothes available in the market and you will be fully flattered to see the collection. Go and shop some comfort fashion for you and enjoy it. If you are kind of shy, you can even use designer scarf to cover your bump. yes you should avoid heals but you may replace it with fashionable flats or belly shoes which are really cool as well as comfortable.
• You can’t travel in pregnancy: Yes you should limit your travelling or you may need to restrict your travelling depends on your health during pregnancy. But again this is individual situation, some may travel a lot; some may travel a little or some may not travel at all. It is better to avoid unnecessary travelling during pregnancy but that doesn’t mean you should be locked in your house at all. You can if your body permits. For more read the article Pregnancy and travelling
• You should say NO to Chinese food: Actually it is not about Chinese food it is about the ajinomoto used in most of the Chinese dishes. Avoid ajinomoto in your ingredients and enjoy the meal.
• You will never get the normal body later: What is normal? Are you having the same body you had at sweet 16? Did you hold the same cuteness of your childhood even after teenage? No right? Then why are you expecting the same body after your pregnancy? Every age and every phase of life changes you more or less and you should accept the way it comes. That’s the beauty of life. Leave the worries behind and enjoy the motherhood with new shape, new feelings and new dream.

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey for every mother. As every best thing cannot be achieved without struggle, pregnancy also comes with its own troubles and solutions. Well those are troubles if you say so but I would like to call them challenges; challenges to make you stronger and patient, challenges to get best of you, challenges to reward you by the best thing in the world.

Pregnancy throws many challenges towards mother and most of the time she can handle it successfully. Yes I agree many challenges are really tough and need lots of patience but at the same time many are really mild.  Good thing is all these are just temporary!!! Some lasts for weeks, some lasts for months but when time comes all will be gone like never happened before. Some leaves their trails and some simply disappears but yes all leaves its fragrance in your mind.

Here are some of pregnancy troubles and solutions to deal with it:

• Mood swing: Starts in first trimester and it may get worst in third trimester. Yoga or meditation is good option to deal with this and can be cope up easily if you are surrounded by empathetic people. You can try to control it up to certain limit but of course can’t get rid of it so soon. Take it easy and enjoy the moment; you never know one day you may laugh on all these behavior!!!
• Nausea or vomiting: Troubles you most in first trimester; later it will visit you occasionally. Well the truth is you can’t control it so just try to find out the food or smell causing the nausea and omit it. Have some sour and salty things like lemon or tamarind with salt; it will ease you for a time. This is timely issue and will go by the end of 3rd month.
• Tiredness: Appears in first trimester and at most in third trimester. Drink lots of water, have nutritious food and take frequent break from the work. Listen to your body and don’t stretch unnecessarily.
• Abdominal pain: Mostly troubles you during first and/or third trimester. You can easily deal with it if you will listen to your body and take timely break from your work and chores.
• Craving for food: This will bother you only in first trimester. Well I believe this is the time to pamper yourself so go on and fulfill your need.
• Heart burn: Heart burn or acidity will arise in first trimester and may sustain till the end (more or less). If you are dealing with this try to eat in bowl (eat little and eat frequently). Cold water, cold milk, vanilla ice cream and ice are good option to consume in this condition. Eat before you get hungry. If its severer you may take pantoprazole (If your doctor permits).
• Gas / constipation: This can emerge at any time but mostly bothers you in second trimester. Avoid the food which can cause gas/constipation and add more fiber in your diet. Increase fluid intake and do not ever take stool softeners without asking your doctor. You can take tums if you want.
• Body ache: Mostly troubles you in third trimester. Lower back pain and legs cramping are very common. Warm water bath is good option to relax your body.
• Swelling: If your legs can’t fit in your old shoes, don’t think it will never be. This is due to swelling and will go after your delivery. Swollen legs are very common but at the same time swollen hands or any body parts are normal. Take frequent break, drink lots of water and free your legs whenever you get time.
• Sleepless Nights: Troubles you most in third trimester and you may pass nights in rolling over the bed (in fact rolling is also troublesome as you can’t change your position easily). Get the maternity pillow to ease your body. If possible try to finish your sleep in morning hours. Frequent power naps are also helpful.
• Varicose veins: Varicose veins are swollen veins that you can see just under your skin. Mostly occurs in legs but can form in other body parts too. Sometimes cause mild pain and mostly seen in third trimester. Take frequent break to free your legs. Long socks or stocking are not only good to hide it but also increase blood circulation and help you to get rid of it.
• Gestational Diabetes: You will come to know by end of second trimester and you can control it by proper diet and/or medication offered by your doctor. Add walnut or any dry fruits in your each meal. Don’t forget to take a walk after meal. Mostly disappears after delivery but it may come back in future.

Foster Feel

When I was 2 months pregnant I skidded on the snow and after that I was restricted to go out in snow!!! Well nothing serious happened but still I and my husband were alone in new country, new weather with my first pregnancy and so my husband became bit possessive about my health. Well that wasn’t the end….I was a person or better to say I am a person who can’t do anything normally. I want fun always and everywhere. If I can’t find it I will invent it with some childish behavior and because of that my husband kept bugging me throughout my pregnancy  “don’t run don’t jump don’t do this and don’t do that” well I consider it as a love only but yes truth is many things you have to either stop or slow down in pregnancy and one of them is Travelling.

I understand restrictions are not right but I feel this is just like when we get new car we become little possessive about the scratch and we prefer to slow down the speed. Big journey big moment and little sacrifice. Well actually the word sacrifice is not right as you can do it just with little extra care.

I would like to put other restrictions behind as I am here to talk about travelling in pregnancy.

First thing first everyone is different as well as every pregnancy is different so I would like to say you can travel or not; how much travelling is safe for you is fully depends on individuals. If your body permits; your doctor approves you can travel as much as you want and if not sorry to say but you have to find option for travelling.

In first trimester chances of miscarriages are high and so doctors recommend to limit your travelling. Just to limit not to restrict. You may need to drop your bike or you may need to stop rash driving or you may need to cancel your plan to visit hills and mountains but you can still go with slow steady driving; you can roam in or near by city which has good road and you can also travel by flight(except special case).

Second trimester is as normal as you are. You can go wherever you want until you get tired.

Third trimester comes with restrictions again but still if you want to travel you can check out with your doctor and plan accordingly. Many flights have restriction of 28 weeks to 32 weeks but the thing is they can’t judge you with your bump so better to carry your doctors letter if you don’t want hassle. Travelling by air is safe but still small flights or helicopters are not recommended. You can travel by car, bus or train if your body permits. If you are still not happy with these limitations I would like to say you are lucky that you don’t have to take bed rest, many would be mother has to. So enjoy the way it comes, listen to your body and listen to your doctors, don’t try to do something just because your friend or your mother could do that. Never skip your checkups in this trimester as it is essential for your due date as well as growth of your baby matters a lot in this trimester.

Well this is what we discussed about freedom, freedom of choice. You are free to desire if your body permits. But what if you have to travel in emergency?

Here we are sharing some tips to make your trip comfortable during pregnancy :

1. Don’t forget to concern your doctor first. Get checkup before you start travelling.
2. Get the idea of place you are willing to visit and read about that. Talk to your doctor regarding that and don’t skip vaccination or medication if doc recommends for example if you are going to visit Malaria zone better to get vaccination or medication to protect yourself.
3. Don’t forget to take your prenatal pills with you as you may not find the same brand in different city or country.
4. Try to keep your luggage light. Limit with comforts and need. Pack as much as you can carry.
5. Don’t hesitate to tick HELP if you are travelling by flight. Its okay if you won’t use it but plan it for precaution.
6. don’t forget to pack your favorite snacks for you and keep it handy. Don’t try to control your hunger during travelling feed your body as it asks for.
7. Stay hydrated. Keep at least one water bottle with you.
8. Don’t forget to stretch your body during travelling. Take frequent break to free your legs.
9. If you find anything painful try to change your position as soon as possible.
10. It’s okay to skip your diet chart but not all the times.
11. Don’t forget to check twice (allowed or not) before you get into any physical activity.
12. The most important is wear your comfort. Wear according to weather. Wear maternity clothes they are not only comfortable and Stylish but also protect your bump.

 Have A Happy Travelling

Image source Google

I chattered with my new neighbor on walking trail behind our building and when it came to sharing phone numbers I suddenly forgot the few digits!!! I tried really hard to recall but no use. I had to apologize with “I am so sorry but these days I am bit forgetful…I will give you tomorrow. I live in 201 please feel free to visit.”

When she saw sadness in my words because of inability to recall my phone number she humbly said “That’s okay I understand this is common in pregnancy. I too have two kids and experienced the same.  Don’t worry you will get your memory back.”

I was fully confused as I never heard about pregnancy and memory loss neither my gynecologist ever mentioned it. So I decided to search and read all the books and articles on pregnancy and memory loss. I was surprised to know the truth and I decided to discuss the same with my doc on my next visit. When I described her my memory issue she too simply smile and said “That’s normal!!!”

When my doc saw my fully confused face with “That’s normal” she started explaining the thing. Few days back I met a lady suffering the same and I came out with this article to help Would Be Mummy to understand “That’s normal”.

What is memory loss?

Inability to remember or recall important things which once was really easy to remember. This includes trouble in remembering phone no, house no or even vehicle no. You might misplace the keys or miss important meeting schedule. You might feel you can’t fully focus on the things and lack of concentration.

Image Source Google

Why Memory loss?

There is no full proof result came out of the research as this is temporary and don’t seem to appear in everyone. Few pregnant ladies feel perfectly normal while few experience the so called Pregnancy Brain (memory loss). Yes doctors call it Pregnancy Brain as brain in pregnant lady works (bit) differently than the normal one.

The research says:

1. That might be due to incomplete sleep and/or tiredness as we found Pregnancy brain mostly in first or third trimester.
2. Due to hormonal changes Pregnancy brain works differently and that cause temporary memory loss.
3. Your brain is working more on emotional side which will really make you stronger not only physically to deliver the baby but of course to make a strong bond with your newborn.
4. Your brain is getting ready to accept the new changes of upcoming exciting life in expense of your memory.

What to Do?

Well first thing to do is calm down. Its temporary and you will get your memory back one day so accept it. I know it’s frustrating especially when you were very good in that or never missed any appointments but try to accept the change and smile.

Be ready with options like note down the emergency meetings. Set the alarm day before important meetings, use post for important phone no. and notes and stick it on the place which is common to visit in your daily routine. Keep extra keys in your neighbor’s or friend’s house. Stick to the same place to arrange the things rather to change the places frequently that will help you to recall.

Serve nutritious food to your brain to encourage it to work perfectly. Add extra omega 3 which will help you to work with your memory loss as well develop your kid’s brain.

Even after all these if you feel lack of concentration or memory loss, just take it easy. Don’t get upset with your stupidity and try to make fun on that. Remember this is not you this is just pregnancy hormones with one more excitement.

Last but not least try meditation to ease your mind.

Note: No one can say exactly when will you experience the memory loss or when will you get it back but yes this is temporary and will give you back your normal life eventually for sure.

Many things about pregnancy kept me wondering and one of them was why 9 months? Why shall we wait for 9 months? Why can’t we have baby in just few days? Why the duration is exactly 9 months, neither 8 nor 10. In fact 10 is round figure!!!

During my pregnancy my mind asked these questions many times and by the end of the pregnancy I got the answer from my heart which I would like to share with you…..

Depends on the feeling and state of each month I gave them a Name.

First Month Unknown Phase: Most of the time you are not aware of your pregnancy in this month and so I named it Unknown Phase. By the end of this month your body will start sending you sign but till that nothing is sure. Even doctors can’t confirm your pregnancy until you enters in second month!!!

Second Month Time for Surprise: This month will reveal the truth of your pregnancy. Congratulations and thus I would like to call this month as Time for Surprise. If you are not ready for the baby then this can be shock for you but trust me whether you are ready or not, 9 months duration is perfect for you to make your mind to accept this precious gift. So even if this is your unplanned baby please have patience and take the decision.

Third Month Struggling Time: Your pregnancy is confirmed but still you have to take extra care of your body and baby as chances of miscarriages are really high in first three months. And that’s why this is struggling month. Your baby struggles to get a new life and you struggle to bring and accept her in this new world. I remember I was so desperate about a baby girl in first 3 months that I thought if it would be a boy I won’t be able to accept him!!!

Forth Month Time for Blush and Bliss: First three months risk is gone and now you are ready to declare your pregnancy. You are ready to share your perfect bliss with your family and friends.

Fifth Month Relaxing Phase: By the end of forth month most of your pregnancy problems like morning sickness nausea abdominal pain will go. You will be free from the worry of your baby’s life as you already hear her heartbeats. And that’s why I call this month Relaxing Phase (free from pain and worry).

Sixth Month Feel the Touch: By the end of fifth month Baby will inform you her presence by light kick but mostly you will identify that in sixth month and that’s why I named it Feel the Touch …. First time you will feel the touch of your baby and I know how much emotional moment is it. Enjoy the touch and feel the love.

Seventh Month Time to Plan: Now tiny tots will snatch your heart and mind. Babies and baby items are enough to divert your attention. Go for tiny tots window shopping but don’t buy anything in this month. Think how your nursery should look like, get review for your selected baby items and plan with the proper wish list or else you will surely end up with extra expenses. Watch wish think and plan to welcome your baby in your family and world.

Eighth Month Have fun with Shop: Now this is time for you to implement your plan into action.  Shop your wish list and prepare nursery for your baby. It’s beautiful feeling to imagine, shop and fulfill your dream.

Ninth Month Exciting wait State: This month is tiresome as well as you will be eagerly waiting for your baby. You are losing your patience and may count remaining days. But at the same time excitement will increase by the each day passed and so I named it Exciting wait state.

This is what I felt about 9 Months of my pregnancy. Agree with me? Then please like this post. Don’t Agree? Then please leave a comment and share your experience with me.