Prenatal exercises

And so i started with prenatal exercises. Walking is a part of my life. I love to walk...in the malls, around the village, while doing some grocery shopping so i'm confident i always reach the needed walking exercise everyday. Here are some exercises i considered. I'm not the type who sticks to a routine but better have some than nothing. :)

Kegel Exercises
I did'nt do this (well, none that i'm aware of) in my first pregnancy so i'm decided to try this as this will help me with my labor and birthing as well.  To explain furthere, here's a link to help you do Kegels the right way :)

Prenatal yoga
I bought a mommy yoga video because I can't seem to find the right time to do yoga in Urban Ashram since their prenatal yogas are during Saturdays only.  My husband downloaded a prenatal yoga.  Since i don't do yoga regularly, I chose the poses which are safer for me for the first few sessions then later on, maybe I can complete the whole session effortlessly. Tip: make sure to rest if you feel tired or stressed. do not force yourself to do the poses since every body is different.  Here's a picture to give you an idea of what the poses look like

Perineal massage
I have'nt started with this one since i read in the VBAC Companion book that this should be done on the last month of pregnancy.  Here's a part of the article i got for more info:

When can you start?

You can start perineal massage in the third trimester, or around week 34 or 35 of pregnancy. Try doing the massage for five to ten minutes daily, twice a day, washing your hands before and afterwards.

How do you do it?

Perineal massage can be done by you or your partner. If you've never tried it before, take a mirror and look at your perineum first, as this will make it easier when you begin massaging. Also make sure there are no rough edges on your fingernails.

Next, find a comfortable position. This might be lying on a sofa or bed, adopting a semi-sitting position or standing with one foot on the edge of the bath or a chair. You can also do perineal massage in the shower.

What's a good technique?

Lubricate your fingers with a special massage oil or KY jelly. You can also use vegetable oils, such as olive oil, but don't use mineral oil or petroleum jelly. Rub enough oil into the perineum so your fingers can move smoothly over the perineum and vaginal wall.

If you're doing the massage yourself, try using your thumb (although it might be easier for your partner to use his index fingers). Put the fingers or thumb well inside the vagina, moving them from side to side along the sides of the vagina in a U-shaped movement, to stretch the skin and muscles surrounding the vagina and the perineum.

Next, rub the skin of your vagina and perineum between the thumb and forefinger (putting your thumb on the inside, and your finger on the outside, or vice versa). After a few days of doing this, the muscles should relax and the tissue will start to stretch. Always remember to try and relax your muscles as you apply pressure.

As you become more comfortable massaging, increase the pressure just enough to make the perineum begin to sting from the stretching. This is the same stinging you will experience when your baby's head is about to crown during childbirth

Happy exercising! :)

VBAC Companion book

So my ever reliable doula, Velvet, gave me books to read.  VBAC companion and Silent Knife. I'm scheduled to finish four books all in all (five, if you'll include the one of Dr. Jack Newman's) by the end of September. I hope I can finish all of them. Anyway, the book is so nice. it's an easy read one, very easy to understand and the testimonies of those who gave VBAC birth are so encouraging.  One thing that struck me was when a birth doula, in one of her classes, mentioned to make circles of 10cm diameter and place them in places where you can always see them, your workplace, your bedroom, bathroom and remind yourself of your birth goal..to dilate 10cm :)

I also liked all the summary points and plan to retype them and compile so i can easily review them when i'm near my due date already.

I'll start with Birth partner this week and hopefully I get to finish it so i can start with Silent Knife. whew! bookworm in an instant :)

Nanay Rich and prenatal massage

Nanay Rich prenatal massage

So I got to reach Nanay Rich again for yet another massage session.  This is the only luxury i have for this pregnancy. It felt so relaxing. I was so relieved of my back pains. She has been taking care of me and massaging me once a month.  She’s really a lactation therapist (I don’t know how they really call it) but she also does prenatal massages. Here’s her number if you want to get in touch with her.

Nanay Rich – 0916.308.6434

Her rate is 1,200 per session.  This is home service so you don’t need to go and prepare. After taking a bath, you can just lie on your bed and then have a really good massage.

The dreaded OGTT

The OGTT test - first week of august

This is the dreaded OGTT test. I had an OGCT when I was five months pregnant. I passed the test but now, my OB advised me to take OGTT. I had two failed attempts for the OGTT. I overfasted and it was an awful experience having to fast and not be able to continue the test because I hungered myself far too long. Uggh! So I followed my friend’s advice (thanks Carl Biolena) to take the OGTT in the afternoon so my last meal would be in the morning then take it around 3 or 4pm. I went straight to Medical City Ortigas, filled out the form and went to the priority lane.  I vividly remember having a hard time drinking the orange juice so I conditioned myself now to drink it straight and not vomit at all.  It was a breeze having to drink the juice.  Then the guy extracted blood from me then asked me to come back exactly after an hour.  The first hour of waiting was okay.  I was able to check emails, surf the net and text clients while waiting.  No food, no drink and I cannot move around that much in that hour of waiting.  When I went back, the med tech extracted another batch from me.  This was the hardest part.  I forgot how the second hour felt like.  It felt like forever. I was literally seeing black dots all over the place. I can’t think anymore, can’t text much and I don’t want to check emails. So I just sat down and closed my eyes.  When it was finally over, I hurriedly went to the extraction room so I could be done with this.

I got the results a few days after and I passed! Wee!!!

Checking options

Checking options

First week of July – The public forum suggested to look for an OB who will be willing to help you with your natural birth.  I went to see Dr. Michelle Severino of Medical City as suggested by Velvet.  She was objective enough to inform me about the risks. Hearing the risks and what-might-happens can really be scary and can easily turn you down.  But when I asked her if the risks she mentioned happened to her already, she said “luckily, not yet. But I’ve seen one case”  So I’m ok with that. I appreciate her telling me the risks but if it’s still not my case, I’m not interested to find out yet.  What I liked about her was she asked me the preparations I needed to make as of now. I’m 22 weeks when I went to see her.  And here are her suggestions:

-          As much as possible, don’t make your baby too big. A 6lb baby is okay but if you can deliver a smaller baby, it will be better.  The bigger the baby, the bigger your tummy will get and the risk of thinning CS scar will be more prominent

-          Exercise

-          Attend birth classes

-          Don’t take anmum as it can only make your baby big.  Just stick to your vitamins

-          Do an ultrasound to check if the CS scar is thick enough as a starting base

Right after the first meeting, I went straight to the Women’s health department of Medical City to do my ultrasound.  My CS scar was thick enough and qualified for VBAC. Praise God. But they found out that I have both posterior and anterior placenta.  At first, the theory of twins came up. A group of sonologists surrounded me in the room and kept on moving around the ultrasound stick on my abdomen to further see my placenta.  They even had it in 3D and saved it for later discussion.  The following Monday, I met up with Dra. Severino for the results and she explained that I may have placenta acreta.  Although it’s not really an issue for now as the placenta may still move to a better position as the baby grows bigger.  After the consultation, I talked to my doula and she recommended me acupuncture to improve placenta position and prepare my tummy for VBAC. She also suggests for me to schedule a monthly prenatal massage with Nanay Rich to prepare my body as well. A separate post on that J

When it all started

Let me give a short history of how my preparations for this pregnancy went on from the time we knew we were pregnant and how our options were for VBAC.

So I went to see my OB with my first daughter.  She said she is open to option of VBAC.  We just have to monitor the thickness of the scar.  She did’nt give me more information or what preparations I need to make but knowing that some OBs do not encourage VBAC, I was comforted to know that she is okay with it.

The first preparation I made was to get a birth doula.  I’m a member of N@w, newlywedsatwork (an online community where moms and wives share different experiences and knowledge about marriage, family, parenting and everything under the sun.  Being a member of this group paved me a way to know more people who have social advocacies.  One of these is Velvet Roxas.  She teaches indigenous people on proper feeding, from birth to childhood, she helps moms and families as well and she supports a lot of things.  Oh and she is a certified doula too. So automatically, since we know each other way back, I know I had to get her, by hook or by crook.

She readily agreed when I opened to her my desire of delivering VBAC. We met up and she lent me books that I can start reading.  In childbirth, to be able to be successful in your desired birth method, three things to prepare for – spiritually, emotionally and mentally.  By mentally, I need to do research. As in research. Knowledge is power. When you know things, you are more prepared of what you’re up against.  You have more control of your body because you know how it works. 

So reading books is the first step.  I have Hypnobirthing The Mongan Method book 3^rd edition, The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers, and The Birth Partner. I’ll tell more stories or information about these books as we go along.

Six months

Turning six months made a lot of difference in my pregnancy journey.  This is the time where I seriously shopped for maternity clothes.  My bump became more obvious.  I don’t get the usual expression “you’re pregnant?!” (with a doubtful look) anymore.  I actually don’t know if I should be happy when I get reactions like those.  I gained weight and I know that. So it gives me a feeling that maybe they see me as obese even before then. Hahaha. But whatever it is, im happy and enjoying the bump.

I started to feel itchy specially on my waist area so I bought my Shea butter immediately from Body Shop.  The distinct smell of Shea brings me “pregnancy hormones” and makes me more emotional.  Whenever I rub my tummy with shea butter, I would always think of the days left of savoring these moments…these moments of growing a human inside me. Yea, you can blame it on the hormones but it can really well up your eyes. 

First Public Forum on Gentle birth

June 28, 2014

                So my birth doula, Velvet, advised me to join online groups who can support me and give me more information about natural birth.  I joined Gentle Birth in the Philippines in FB page.  They’re a group of people, mostly moms who have undergone natural births,  midwives, birth doulas and advocates.  I wanted to gather as much information as I can.  I was late because I had an event that day but luckily, I was able to get the information I needed from the talks I heard.  It was such an eye opener for me.  Here are my thoughts:

1.      1.  when Betty San Luis, a birth doula, mentioned in her talk that most doctors will say that they agree to do VBAC but do a research if the doctor actually has VBAC experiences and totally supports your decision.  Ask nurses around the hospital you plan to give birth, check the birthing rooms, interview your doctor and tell her/him about your plans.

2.       2.  A mother should have the right to give birth however she wants it.  Your doctor should respect what you want and help you how you want to give birth

3.      3.   You don’t have to say YES all the time.  This is I think the most common mistake moms do especially first time moms.  We are so trusting of our healthcare providers that we do not initiate to gather knowledge about giving birth, where you will be comfortable with, envision what you want for you and your baby.  Do NOT entrust your whole birth experience to your doctor.  Make sure it’s what you want.  If you don’t have an idea of what you want, research and read more about giving birth. If we can read gossip articles, magazines and novels, I’m sure we can spend time reading birthing books J

4.       4.  I was opened to a lot of natural birthing options and it’s a very big encouragement for me

5.      5.   Encircle yourself with a very strong support system. 

I   I'm looking forward to more talks like this...sooo encouraging :)