A letter to my little one

Little Munnu,

I can't wait to hold you and kiss you but all the pregnancy books say you need to stay in there for few more months so all the growth and developments happens. So hang in there till your time comes. I have so many dreams about you. I imagine holding you wrapped in a white cloth. I wonder how I will react. Will I cry seeing you or jump out in joy. I imagine touching your tiny little fingers. I imagine feeding you. I imagine how cute you will be rubbing your small nose with those tiny hands. I imagine you crying, laughing, smiling, staring, hugging and burping. I imagine you trying to turn to lie on your stomach. I imagine bathing you. I imagine you crawling down the hall and turning back to see me and smile proudly that you have achieved a mile stone. I imagine you trying to stand up and try taking those first few steps. 

Oh.. my life as changed from the time you were conceived. Its been like living in a fairy land expecting the arrival of a cute, little, innocent one. I am not sure if you are a he or she. My guess is you are a boy and your dad feels you are a girl. Lets see who guessed it right. I am assuming you would look like you dad, big  eagle nose. I don't expect you too be fair since both me and your dad are dark skinned. But I know you will be a very cute baby and our baby. There are lot of people anticipating your arrival. You are blessed with a big family, grandpas, gandmas, cousins, uncles, aunties. So get ready to get pampered.

I have been trying to eat and maintain a lifestyle as healthy as possible. If I was short of anything, I am sorry. You must be wonder why does it feel like caught in a turbulence sometime, it just me exercising to keep you healthy. I read that your taste buds have developed and you can hear well. I think by now you would be accustomed to my voice. How does it sound in there? I don't have a melodious voice. But I hope you love the stories I tell you. Are you hearing your dad speak? I wish you grow up like your dad, calm and composed. You have been the best baby I guess. I never vomited or felt nauseous. It been a smooth ride so far. I think you are growing fast, your kicks are getting stronger and I feel so happy every time you kick. 

We are preparing for your arrival. We have planned to buy you a crib and a rocker. We have shopped for you some body suits, tees, sleep suits, socks, booties, mittens, bibs, leggings, towels, swaddle, beds, and toys. Everything looks so cute. There are other things coming from your uncle and grandpa. I will be having the baby shower next week and then will be leaving to your granny's house. 

I wish and pray that you arrive on the ideal time, healthy and good. I can't express how much I love you already. Anticipating your arrival

Love

Mom.

  

Being Pregnant - A full time job

I am constantly being advised by my friends and family to take rest during the pregnancy since after the baby is born it would be crazy time. Hmmm.. Seriously, even during pregnancy I feel I am so much occupied. Its a hard time remembering everything I have to do and eat, and accommodating all the must do is quiet a puzzle. Its simple to say eat healthy, eating healthy really require a lot of work. All the healthy food requires some effort and are not available on order like junk food. I have realized one thing from being pregnant for the past 28+  weeks, Pregnancy is a full time job. Anyway, I have finally realized and framed a routine for myself that works good with me. How to develop a pregnancy daily plan:

1. List down all the things to do like walking, eating dry fruits, drinking milk or doing Kegels etc

2. Allot a time to each activity like morning walking between 6 to 7 for 30 mintues

3. Don't do too much at the same time

4. Keep reminders in you phone or laptop. esp. for medicines

5. Before going to bed check all the things to do

6. If not complete any particular day, always think I can do it tomorrow, for a good nights sleep

Its time for my protein shake now. So leave your comments. How do you manage a pregnancy routine?

Baby Shopping List

Though I was told that it is inauspicious to shop for baby before he/she is born. I think I have to be equipped with at least the essential ones and figuring out what is essential and what not is indeed a challenging task for new mom. I have been asking ideas from my friends and family. I am planning to buy these things, please help me figure out the additional ones that might be necessary:

1. Washable diapers (cloth ones)

2. Some tees 

3. Bathing things (soap, shampoo, creams, powder, oil)

4. Sheets and mats

5. Towels

6. Cloth wipes

7. Receiving blankets

8. Plastic sheets 

9. Blankets 

I am able to think of only these. Please add in your comments if there are any other things I need to buy, the essential ones for now.

  

Birth Class/ Prenatal Class/ Ante-natal class

With all the busy schedule in office and home, I somehow managed to squeeze in the pregnancy class for 3 weekends. I enrolled in the 9 months miracle program conducted by Asha Foundation in Indiranagar, Bangalore. 

It is a 4 day program conducted on Saturdays. First 3 Saturdays are prenatal classes and the last one is a one on one postnatal session. The timings are 10 to 1 but they dont rush through so can extend to 1.30. The group size about 10 couples and costs about Rs. 3500 which is a donation towards the charity trust run by them.

Thats the general overview, personally I loved the classes. Thats 3500 bucks well spent. The instructor is a very approachable lady, a physiotherapist who has a good knowledge on the subject. Frankly speaking I was expecting doctors and yoga masters, but she is more of a doula who spoke in a very friendly and girl next door kind of way which was very encouraging. The place is not a glamors one, but decent.

Coming to the classes, the first day was exercise and lamaze breathing. The exercises are simple and relaxing. The second day was diet and labor. Diet session was more like telling them what you eat and knowing what others eat and making corrections. It was really very helpful. Following that was a session on labor. Various stages of labor and everything related to delivery. They even showed a video which was little scary but an eye-opener for the first timers. The 3 rd day class was post labor and child care. Very interactive session and really boasts confidence and to some extend removes the fear of being a mom. The 4th class will be after the delivery so yet to take it.

My overall experience is that the class was very useful. I think if possible every first timers should enroll in the prenatal class. It has removed my fears to a great extend and kindled in me a confidence. You get answers to many small doubts that pops in our head every now and then. If you are in Bangalore Asha Foundation is the best place. Start your classes around the 20th week, its the best time.

Unsafe World

In the past 2 or 3 years, I have made myself more aware of the world we live in. When I was in school or college, I never took time or really tired to know the horrors going on in this world. Though I was aware of things like child labor or trafficking existed, I felt I am protected and nothing so can happen to me. 

But today when I read articles related to child labor or trafficking, there is a little fear sprouting in me. I am bringing a innocent little one to this unsafe world. I have the responsibility of guarding this small one till she/he can understand the world and guard him/her.

This world is also a very beautiful place with many wonderful people, breath taking scenery and a great experience. I want my little one to have a great satisfying life. But there is a fear of the bad things in the world. I can just wish and pray  for a safer world and be responsible to protect my little one physically and emotionally.

  

Flaunting the Pregnant belly

There are couple of moms-to-be in my office. While most of them hide their pregnancy belly behind the Shawls or Dupattas, there are few including me who flaunt it. I wouldn't lie that I am not showing off. But the other important reason why I flaunt is to let people know that I am pregnant and hence get those little perks like people holding the door, not expecting to run to the lift once it opens, giving me a seat, moving from the path and giving more space for me to walk etc. There is one more reason why I flaunt, there are few jerks in my office who feel they own the place and hence run around dashing people and stand on the way allowing no one else to pass through. Flaunting helps me inform them go slow or please let me pass. Hmmm.. Anyway I think its individuals opinion to show off the pregnant belly. But at least in public places its good to show off to make people aware and hence realize that they need to be careful around you.

Childbirth Class

Its been few days since my last blog. I had been busy with work. grrh!!!!.. Yesterday I had my monthly visit Doctor. My bundle of joy is having a great time in my tummy I guess, the doctor tried a lot to find the perfect location of the heart but he/she kept moving.. :)

Anyway, I am planning to take a ante-natal class. I have found a good place but yet to enroll. Meanwhile, I have found a good free online birth class material. I have read only the chapter 1. It seems good. Just sharing I case you are looking for one.
http://pregnancy.about.com/od/childbirtheduc/a/cbeclass.htm

As far the ante-natal Class is concern, I will be taking it July, probably and will soon post regarding the same.

Customs/Superstitious rituals during pregnancy

I happened to read a thread in babycenter.in, in which a mom-to-be have asked "How to have a clean hair during pregnancy?, since its their custom not to wash hair during pregnancy". Only one thought crossed my mind reading this, ridiculous. How can anyone stay without washing the hair for 9 months? I get headache of just 2-3 days. I am not against customs and rituals, but these are heights. I usually try to understand why these rituals are done than blinding believing them. I can think of only one possible logic. In olden days, people washed/bathed in the river. Since the river beds might have had slippery surface and there are chances of slipping etc., this custom might have originated  

I seriously believe as new age moms or mom-to be, we should not follow some stupid customs that make no sense in the modern day world. We should really put our foot down and stand against such practices and teach our children to be broad minded. 

Please reply about the pregnancy customs and rituals that you feel are ridiculous.

Started reading "What to expect when you're expecting"

After weeks of planning to buy "What to Expect: when you're Expecting", the so-called pregnancy bible, I finally placed an order in flipkarts.com on Saturday and got it delivered on Monday. Firstly, I would like to recommend flipkarts.com. I got a great deal about Rs.50 less than many book stores and it was delivered to my address in 1 working day [though it was mentioned that it will be shipped in 2-3 working days]. 

From the time we have been planning the pregnancy, I have read a lot of articles online. How to get pregnant? What to eat? What should be avoided? etc etc.Though I remember most of them, the reading was very dispersed. I would start reading about healthy eating habits and then clicking few links, the surfing would take off in all different directions. After kicking off with the book, I feel the reading is more streamlined. Most of the contents in book is already available online in various different formats, but I feel the book is good. The way the book is written is very encouraging. For instance, I found this sentence, "Eating healthy is the first gift that you can give your baby". How true! Probably, I should write it on my desk or take a print out and stick it around. I will surely remember these motivational words every time I get bored of eating all healthy and avoiding junk food. What better gift to my baby than good health!. 

Anyway, I am reading a little every day and probably get all the necessary information. I would recommend reading the book from the time you are planning your pregnancy. 

Something happening in my tummy

According to the weekly fetal development, the baby has started kicking. But for a first time mom, it will take some time to differentiate. For the past few days, I am sensing strange activities in my tummy, sometimes its like something is playing in there, other times there is a sharp pain for a couple of seconds and then its all normal. I am really confused whats happening inside. When I googled, I found that kicking would be like popcorn bursting or like butterflies in the stomach. Ya, true, sometimes it senses same. But when I asked my mom, there will be a little pain, once I get used to it, it will not be a pain anymore. Hmmm.. it is also happening. And above all, my tummy is also filled with gas most of the time. I am really confused. Is it gastritides or is the rattling activity baby's kick or the pain the baby's kick? How was your baby's kick? Was is it clear or as confusing as mine? 

ps. I am not able to describe the feeling properly in words. 

Becoming Selfish and Shameless

Being the first to eat, not sharing my food, eating even when there are people around, etc. Its imperative that I have lost some basic discipline and manners. But I don't feel bad about it. My first priority is my baby and taking care of my health. What am I supposed to do when no one in my house is hungry but my stomach is growling? I am hungry all the time, I am just waiting for the clock to show 12.45 and I start pinging people. I have also developed gastritis, and I am burping every now and then. Thankfully, people around me are supportive and ignore it. 

I think its necessary or okay to be selfish and little shameless during pregnancy. Whats your thought on that?

Being Normal Panic

Being in the second trimester, I am not sick most of the time. After few months of sickness and abnormality, when things are normal, I am panicking. [My husband laughs at it]. I have a little voice inside me saying "You are feeling good, Is everything fine?". I think being sick kept reminding me I am pregnant. Now that I am not nauseous or not  having any ache, I forget I am pregnant. The discomforts kept reminding me to take healthy food, drink lots of water and relax. It was like my alarm clock. Now, I have to keep reminding that I am pregnant and I have a responsibility. 

Pregnancy indeed brings lot of changes, both physically and mentally. And the funny panics like these makes it more memorable I guess :)

Hearing the Heart Beat

Yesterday I had my monthly doctor's visit. During the visit doctor tried to identify the heart beat of the baby. When she increased the volume in the device, I was able to hear the heart beat. The sound was like fast train crossing the poles when sitting in it with windows open. Dhak Dhak Dhak  Dhak. Even my husband jumped in to hear it. Wow! It was awesome. Feeling closer to my baby everyday. I am simply awestruck by the progress and development of the little creature in my tummy. 

The sad part is that Doctor has prescribed addition tablets. One of them is Mama's Protein. Its just horrible. I just had a sip in the morning and almost vomited. God, How can we drink that? I tried to drink by mixing it in mango shake, better but I think soon I will start hating mango shake itself. Any ideas how to make it drinkable? 

And, How was your hearing the heart beat experience? Share your blog link if u have written about it, I will love to read it.

Not Pregnant-women-friendly

I had been working from home and just returned to office for the past 1 week. Though I am dropped off and picked up by my husband from office, end of the day I am tired. The traffic is horrible, as always, it takes more an an hour to just travel 10 km. Worse than traffic is the road condition itself, humps, pot holes and patched road, makes the ride very bumpy. The other concern is the reckless driving by others on the road. 

Let alone the streets, even my office is not pregnant-friendly. My doctor has advised me not to lift or push heavy objects. Every door in the office is so heavy that I have to give my full strength to open the doors.I tailgate the main doors but the doors to rest rooms are the real problem. I am visiting the rest rooms so many times everyday, all the pushing and pulling scares me. The next problem is my office doesn't have a dorm or place to rest. If I feel giddy or wanna relax for a while, only option is to hunt for an empty conference or team room, pull the chairs together and lie on them. And finally there are no leg rest. As I am putting on weight, I sometimes feel the need to stretch my legs. So I have placed some cartons to put my feet on that. It will be great if they provided a stool or something. 

I am coming up with my own adjustments and tricks, but I really wish the company which employs so many girls should adopt an environment friendly for pregnant women. How about your office? Any tips to overcome my discomforts in office? 

A Weird thought and Now confused?

In the past few months, I have been talking to mothers of all ages, to understand how and what went through them while they were pregnant. Yesterday, it so happened that I was talking to my husband's granny who is a mother of 8 children Actually she had 10 children but only 8 saw the world. Her first and last child has a difference nearly 30 years. She was saying she used to have worse morning sickness every time and her 30 years was spent in pregnancy.

After hearing all those story I am having a weird feeling. I am just nearing 5 months and I feel being pregnant or bringing up a kid is not an easy task. All my time and thought is devoted to the baby. I don't want to be a compulsive mom. But I think its natural. We all want our baby to be good and health. I have made so much lifestyle changes that I have already started missing some thing I really love, like junk food, traveling etc. I know I can't indulge in all these things for another 1 - 2 yrs. I am finding it difficult but before the baby these things seem insignificant. But doing that for 30 years, about 1/2 of the life time seems unimaginable and scary.

Anyway I am not planning to have so many. First let me have one. Then may be other. Thats it. I think though my next 10-15 years will be devoted to bringing up the baby(ies), I will like to do things that I love. Huh.. I am really confused now. Will I be a bad mom? Have you felt the same? Do anyone feel there is a life other than kids also?  

I wonder if its a He or She??

I am 15 weeks pregnant today. As per the weekly fetal development, my baby's sex organs are formed and an ultrasound would show the gender of my baby. How is wish I could know the sex of my baby? I am not a person of secrets and mysteries. Even when I read any novel, I just blush past the chapters to know the climax.

I am very much anxious to know whether its a he or she. I am fine either ways. When I talk to the baby, I really not sure how to refer my baby. Also, I am planning all the baby room and stuff, the gender neutral things are less appealing. I really respect the law against sex determination and understand the significance of it. But, I just feel it would be great knowing the sex.

Anyway, this time I can't brush through the chapters. I want the baby to be in my womb till the essential time. So, this mystery will remain unsolved till November.

Do you think I am crazy or you had similar feeling???

My Pregnancy diet plan

When I say to people I am pregnant, the immediate advise would be to eat health and take a lot of rest. Eating has become extremely important in the past few months. Thankfully, I am not nauseous of any food. My craving is salt, I guess, I want to eat everything with an extra pinch of salt. Unfortunately, eating a lot of salt is not health and increases the blood pressure, so I am trying to overcome my craving. 

In the past few months, I am hungry all the time. My baby would love food I guess. Touch wood!!! I have to keep my mouth busy all the time. With so many advises from many people, I am making all efforts to eat health food. My diet Plan:

Pre-breakfast: All-bran + muesli flakes with milk, a fruit

Breakfast: Idli/poha/upma, coconut 

Post-Breakfast: fruits/juice, almonds, dates and dry fruits, Ragi malt

Lunch: Rice, sambhar, curry, vegetable, spinach, tender coconut

Post Lunch: Fruit and juice

Evening: Milk, fruits, multi-grain biscuits

Dinner: Roti, curry, fruit

Post-dinner: Milk with saffron

Hah, my stomach is able to hold so much. Great!!!.. Hopefully, I am taking in all the sufficient nutrients for the baby. If anyone has suggestions, please comment. I am open to any advise. It's my first time and like everyone else I want to have any healthy baby.

First Thought

Due date and the week of pregnancy has become my identity as a pregnant women now. As per my last ultra sound, I am 14 weeks and 5 days pregnant. I am happy to be identified in this matter though, I am cheered everytime I mention it.

I got to know I was pregnant in the 2nd week of March through hcG blood test. I was shocked, happy, top of the world when I heard the news. I had taken home pregnancy test earlier the week and it can out negative. So I had little hopes and my PCOS report was haunting me. The news just swept me off the floor. From then on, my life is seems much more complete.

I just completed my first trimester. It was full of caution, eating and rest. I am one of the few lucky women who suffer less during their pregnancy. I never vomited and was able to eat everything, though I restricted myself to health food. But nauesa and head-ache made me sick. Anyway knowing I am out of the risky time period is such a relief.

As such, I am a person filled with thoughts. Being pregnant raises so my discussions in my head that I wanna get it out and share it. So I think blogging would help me with that. I am loving "To Be Amma"