37-38 weeks

I was on hold from blogging because i pretty much got caught up with business and birthing preparations. So here's a rundown of what happened in the last two weeks

Hypnobirthing
- tried the CD a couple of times. there are a lot actually, 8CDs but it's like there's a CD for every week or phase of birth.  The hypnosis state kinda makes me uncomfortable or maybe i was doing it wrong, i don't know.  So after trying about two sessions (my husband transferred the files to my tablet), i decided to just go with my joyful affirmations mp3 file and stay with it until my birthing.  Maybe in the coming days, i'd try this again.

More Braxton Hicks
- the contractions are more often now, still irregular but you know that it's there.  It's somehow good that i'm busy so that i won't feel the tightening and focus on other things.

37 weeks
- felt more tightening of tummy that practiced my breathing more. Did more rebozos and squats, i make sure i meet my walking routine everyday (well, with shopping or not, works with me either way). Sometimes, i'd feel myself catching my breath but most of the time, it's just the usual preggy feel.  I feel so blessed that this pregnancy is such a smooth one. Thank you Lord.

There was a time my OB thought my tummy was small for baby's age so she requested for an ultrasound.  I was more confident that she has just tucking herself really good, the reason why my tummy does'nt show that much.  true enough, after the ultrasound, she's almost 3kilos at 37 weeks. So we'll probably have another 7-pounder baby this time. haha.

38 weeks
- visited our OB and our cervix has opened! yay! we're 1-2cm dilated and baby has come down more, halfway through the canal although still a little high.  It's on track according to the timeline but it will help more if i'd walk it out more and frequent contact with the husband (so, now he gives me the happy look haha).  CBC results and urinalysis results came out all good.  Although i have to admit, my baby suddenly got bigger this time. It's such a good time to eat now and i'm so bad, i've been having sweet cravings lately.  I know, i know, i really need to stick to the plan and be more disciplined.  The contractions are still irregular but more felt.  I can still sleep soundly with bathroom breaks in between but looking for the sleeping position has never been a problem. I think i'd also have to give credit to my Sung-a-Hug pillow. It works wonders with my sleeping position, or if i just want something at my back. It's really effective

I find myself having extra energy to go to places, buy last minute stuff, and still attend to my events. :) I think my baby bun is telling me to enjoy it while it lasts. hahaha.

Meeting our doula
- Met up with Velvet again, signed some documents with her, and just chatted with her for any birthing questions we might have.  But i somehow stopped asking too many questions and thought to myself, it's impossible for me to remember all these things so might as well go with the flow, trust God and the support system i have now (my wonderful OB, my husband, Velvet, family and friends)

I like to cherish the last few weeks i'd have my baby bun inside my tummy. I'm excited to meet her but at the same time, i'll miss this time that i can always feel her, be with her and literally connect with her :)

Pray with us!

Hypnobirthing

While researching on the birth method we are most comfortable with, we have found it beneficial to mix different methods to our pregnancy, to be able to find which one will suit best our needs.  I found hypnobirthing to be very relaxing and reassuring.  I started playing these joyful affirmations almost everyday. My friend, Pat Soliman, emaile me a mp3 file I just play it over and over to somehow help me condition to a positive pregnancy and birth.  I love how soothing the voice is and the affirmations are just right for mother and baby.  Somehow it gives me special remnders to eat more healthy, to give more informed decisions and take full ownership on our baby.  Next to these affirmations, if you are near to your due date, there's a separate hypnobirth CDs.  She lent me her copy last weekend and I intend to start on it this week.

you can check this site for more information and a sample of hypnobirth affirmations.

Here are sample affirmations:

Here are some samples:

• I know how to take care of myself in pregnancy.
• My body knows how to give birth.
• My baby knows the true birthday.
• Birth is safe for me and my baby.
• My baby will be born at the perfect time.
• My body knows when to give birth.
• I am a good mother.
• My baby will find the perfect position for birth.
• I love my baby.
• My baby loves me.
• I am a strong woman.
• Contractions help to bring my baby.
• I will make the right decisions for my baby.
• My pregnant body is beautiful.
• My baby senses the peace I feel.
• I accept the help of others.
• My baby's head fit snuggly into my pelvis.
• I accept my labor and birth.
• I am surrounded by those who love and respect me.
• I trust my body.
• I know how to take care of my baby.
• My baby feels my love.
• I will make plenty of breast milk for my baby.

Happy hypnobirthing! :)

Silent Knife book

This book is so enlightening.  It's very informative, objective and really focuses on all possible scenarios of having to go through VBAC.  I'm on my cramming mode and I need to finish all my books in two weeks. waah!!! so many things to finish, with so little time!

I personally love that it taught me to let go of my caesarean birth, to forgive myself for blaming myself, moving onward to another birth and celebrate life.  The assurance that I needed that caesarean made me feel that it was yes, a good call and i need to give myself a pat for having to endure the cesarean birth. Move on, let go and celebrate the life of my baby.

It's really a good read. I highly recommend this for those who seriously consider having VBAC.

Velvet's Birth Class

Velvet wanted to meet with me and Charmaine (another client of Velvet's with the same due date as mine haha) for a birth class to teach us about breathing exercises, prenatal exercises and breastfeeding advices.  It was so informative.  She does'nt really hold classes but for us she made an exemption.  To cut down on the expenses, she got three more moms to join us for the birth class and paid only 1k for the session.

~ I specifically love the Rebozo techniques.  We did'nt hear about this from the other class we attended.

~ I love that she emphasized to follow our mammalian instincts rather than our intellect on our journey to birth.  No one can tell us what to do except us moms and doctors and doulas are there to guide us and support us.

~ I love that she is into natural birth. I've been recommending her to a lot of friends already.  Whether we'll be successful with our VBAC or not, i would still recommend her.

~ She would always tell me... VBAC success is not defined as having to undergo VBAC and failure as to otherwise.  It is having more informed decisions about your birth and taking control each step of the way.

Love, love, love! Go VBAC!!!

36 weeks

And just like that, we're on our 36th week already.  We went to see Dr. Menefrida Reyes and now we'll be having weekly appointments with her.  She will email us a form about our birth plan then we'll do some last minute check ups to make sure everything is okay with the baby and me.  Everything seemed okay with her except when she checked my tummy, she found it a little small (fundal height) She advised me to drink my Obimin vitamins again, prescribed Moriamin (multivitamins with amino acids) and my Sangobion Plus.  I got worried with what she said and i cannot believe that i'm carrying a smaller baby bump.  She also requested for an ultrasound before we meet next week and told us that baby should be at least 2.3kg in estimated weight.  

I pray everything will be normal and that my baby just knows how to position herself well.  Velvet, my doula, called me right after  i texted.  She really knows the right words to say and to be fair, she just advised to have the ultrasound two days before i meet with Dr. Reyes again, so that at least i could have started with taking the additional vitamins needed and the five days would be a lot of help for the baby, and a repeat ultrasound won't be needed anymore.

Just a couple of weeks to go baby and we'll see you!