Yesterday I think I finally could distinguish contractions versus normal baby movement. I monitored my contractions the the day before which was Sunday and then yesterday the whole day. The intervals on Sunday evening was about 30 minutes apart and it got closer on Monday. The interval of the contractions was not regular yet but I called my doctor just to be sure.

She told me, I better get closer to the city (we live 2 hours away from where I plan to give birth) because I might be going on labor real soon. So we grabbed our stuff ( good thing we were already packed) and head to the city. On the way, I had some pains on my lower abdomen so I called my doctor again. She told me to go to her clinic so she could check me.

She checked me and I was at that time 1-2 cm dilated and my cervix is soft. It’s not that far yet so I guess we keep on waiting. The waiting is actually killing me! I just wanna have my baby in my arms like NOW NA!

Anyway, I’ll keep you posted my dearies!

The last couple of days my baby kicks me hard. It hurts most when he hits me near my belly button. It’s even worse during the night when I sleep, it seems like the time for him to wake up.

It’s very cute and funny, but painful sometimes.

Did you also got beat up by your baby when you were pregnant?

She said: No! That’s not normal. You might be in labor. Find a doctor that can check if you are already dilated.

We were not really comfortable having a stranger check me out so we decided to just drive to the city. We have planned to go to the city anyway. So when we arrived we went directly to my doctor. We waited a bit for her because she was busy with another patient’s delivery.

So when she did an IE, she said my cervix is still close but soft. For now, what I can do is monitor the movement of my baby after meal. She said I should feel him kick at least 4 times in an hour after every meal.

So I guess it’s back to waiting game for us…. will keep you updated.

Anyway, I don’t think I have told you already that I know now the gender of my baby. It’s a boy! And we already got a name for him: Sean Charles.

I am now 31 weeks pregnant. Can you believe it? My gosh it went by so quickly. I have gained 12 kilos already since I got pregnant. Although I am not really overweight, I try to lessen my carbo intake because I don’t want to have difficulty in giving birth.

Sean is very active lately, moving in my belly. It’s always a joyful time whenever I feel him moving!

In early pregnancy, sickness and tiredness may mean that you want to avoid the rush, fumes and pressure of early-morning traveling. Think about negotiating a later start time in return for a later finishing time. Later on, the sheer exhaustion of being heavier and more uncomfortable can make traveling stressful. Again, try to change your hours, even temporarily, to suit how you feel. If you anticipate that your employer might be unsympathetic, ask your GP or the antenatal clinic to back up your request.

You have certain rights regarding hazardous working conditions. If appropriate, ask to move to a non-smoking area and make sure you sit in such an area in the canteen. Don’t skip lunch – you and the baby both need it. If you do not feel like sitting, go for a walk or swim, but do take a break. Standing for long stretches of the day can cause tiredness, backache and swelling. If your job involves long periods of standing, see if you can sit for some of the time in a chair that supports your back). Again, if you anticipate problems, ask your GP for support.

There are three broad classes of state benefit to which you may be entitled

• those for which everyone can apply as of right
• those for parents or their partners on low incomes
• and those which apply if you are (or have been) in employment.

You will enjoy free dental treatment and prescriptions for you during your pregnancy and for a year afterward, and for your child until she is 16.

Child benefit: a weekly tax-free flat-rate benefit paid directly to the mother for every child until she is 16, or 19 if still in full-time education, with additional benefit for those on Income Support or Family Credit.

One-parent family benefit, plus advice, training and help to find work and childcare facilities.

You may be entitled to some of the following benefits as the size of your family increases; amounts usually vary and are dependent on several factors, including income, savings, size of your family, whether any member of your family has special needs and whether you or your partner is working.

Since most of us can no longer do away with these gadgets, the best thing pregnant women can do is look for maternity clothing that can protect the babies in their wombs. And that’s where Belly Armor products come in handy.

What is Belly Armor?

It is a line of maternity clothing which are not only fashionable, but also offers to give protection from the radiation emitted from almost everywhere.

The Products:

Belly Blanket - are so convenient to use they can easily fit in your bag. All you need to do is to drape it over your bulging baby-tummy to make sure that your baby is protected from radiation. You can use it anywhere, from your home to your office. It comes in different colors.

* Belly Blanket Chic
* Belly Blanket Luxe

Belly Tee – it is 95% cotton and 5% spandex and with RadiaShield lining. It comes in different sizes and colors as well. May be used as undershirt or the actual top by pregnant women.

Belly Band – coming soon in the market. It can be used under your clothes anytime you want and will snug-fit to any body form or shape.

The Benefits:

All Belly Armor products guarantee the user a 99.99% efficacy rate from shielding your baby to any incoming radiation emitted from the environment. All Belly Armor products are made of RadiaShield lining.

If you want to avail of this wonderful product to protect yourself or a loved one, visit www.bellyarmor.com.sg and especially for my readers, you can avail of the 10% discount by using the promo code: MOMWANBE. This promo code is case sensitive so make sure that you type it correctly.

• two shawls or wraps
• four vests
• four stretch suits
• two cardigans or matinee jackets
• one outer garment, such as a snowsuit
• socks (unless all your stretchsuirs have feet)
• a pair of mittens
• a hat (against the sun or the cold, or both., depending on when the baby is born)

For changing

You can change a baby on a waterproof sheet over an old towel, but a plastic changing mat with raised edges is a good idea. It is safest to put the mat on the floor; if you want it at waist weight, keep one hand on the baby at all times. You will also need:

* nappies (new babies get through at least six a day)

* baby lotion and cottonwool balls, or baby wipes barrier cream

* (if you are using terries) a bucket with a lid.

For feeding

If you are going to breastfeed:

* two nursing bras (these are not essential, but they are comfortable and convenient)

* If you are going to bottlefeed:

* bottles

* sterilizing kit formula milk

You may also want to buy a breast pump (although expressing by hand is a useful skill and breast pads (or cotton hankies). You will also need sanitary pads for up to six weeks after the birth.

Baby chair

Some of these double as car seats, others consist of a fabric seat on a lightweight frame which hold your baby in a semi-upright position. Both are ideal for when your baby is awake but don’t put them on a raised surface. Babies love being able to see what is going on, which is impossible in a carrycot.

baby carrier

Choose one that supports the baby’s head if you are buying one for use from birth. This is an essential if you have to use public transport a lot, and a good way of keeping your baby close to you. Many fretful babies are soothed by the contact and movement they get in this way.

It is, however, important that you are there for as long as possible. If your partner is in hospital for a few days, try to work then so that you can be at home when mother and baby come out.

As well as the practical support that you can give, changing nappies, bathing, spending time with the baby while your partner rests, Maternity leave does not count as time off’, so that pension rights, holiday entitlement and company car are unaffected by this break.

If you have worked for your employer for two years by the 12th week before your baby is due and your employer has more than five employees, you are entitled to additional maternity leave to your 14 weeks, until the end of the 29th week after your baby is born. This extra leave is usually unpaid, but many companies do pay something so it is worth inquiring.

To qualify you must notify your employer 21 days before you leave that it is your intention to return; you must also notify your employer at least 21 days before you intend to return to work. Your employer is entitled to write to you at any time after 11 weeks from the start of your leave, asking if you intend to return, and you must answer within 14 days. If you are not sure at this stage, follow the procedure until the final stage (21 days before your return).

Can you have a domino delivery? This means that the community midwife comes to your home and stays with you until she thinks it is time to go to hospital. She then takes you to hospital, delivers the baby and takes you home a few hours after the birth. She will continue to visit you at home. Will you have the chance to meet the midwives who are likely to deliver the baby? Most hospitals operate a team midwifery system for antenatal, delivery and postnatal care. This means that the same midwives look after you before, during and after the birth.

• If you prefer a woman doctor, will it always be possible to see one?
• Can your birth companion be with you at all times if that is what you want?
• Can you talk over your birth choices and have a record of them put in your notes?
• Will you be able to move around in labor and is there a variety of equipment so that you can give birth in the position that you find comfortable? Can you use a water pool during labor if that is what you would like?
• Do you have a choice in the way your baby is monitored?
• HOW long might you be expected to stay in hospital after the birth (you can discharge yourself whenever you wish, but it may help to know the average length of stay)?
• Is there good breastfeeding support?
• What are the visiting hours?
• Will there be a chance to talk about the birth afterwards with the midwife who delivered your baby and ask any questions about the birth?

You can arrange for a home birth through your GP, or via your local community midwives. Many GPs are reluctant to support first-time mothers in having a home birth, because there is no way of telling how difficult a birth is going to be (your experience the first time gives some indication of the ease with which you will give birth subsequently). However, if you have young children at home already and do not wish to disrupt them, or feel that the birth will be more relaxed at home, you may decide that this is for you. You have the right to a home birth if that is what you want.

Your GP may be able to offer you antenatal care. If not, contact your local FHSA for the address of a GP who has an interest in childbirth_ And contact your local supervisor of midwives who still arrange your antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care.

You will see the community midwife for all your antenatal checks, and she is the one to call when you think your labor has started. She will stay with you through labor and, perhaps with another midwife, deliver the baby. She will call a doctor or ambulance if you need to get to hospital in an emergency.



I read a bit more on their site and according to them what makes StriaFade work is it’s StriaFade ingredients which include natural and extra ordinary ingredients combined to make this amazing stretchmark solution. I have not personally tested the product, but I am definitely considering of trying it out because I am starting to see  teenie weenie lines on my tummy.

Now the question is where to buy Striafade?

Where we live, there are no big malls and department stores so I would just have to make use more of online shopping and it’s great that you could easily order StriaFade wherever you are, just visit the site and click the green button that says ORDER NOW.

I have always been a pro active person so I am preparing in case more stretch marks will come out as the much awaited day comes nearer and nearer. I would love to see myself back to its look before I got pregnant. But nothing beats the excitement of seeing my baby come out of this world.