Empty Calories is Bad

About the 5th month into my pregnancy, I went for a detailed check up on my baby's dimensions to ensure his limbs are fine, his heartbeat is all right, his organs are growing well. I thought this would be the highlight of the check up.

However, guess I consumed too much sugary stuff (McDonald's vanilla cone and Minute Maid orange) just before the check up. The sugar level in my urine shot up sky high. Turned out that I had to have a blood prick test to check the sugar level in my blood. Doc and her nurses were all very concerned that I might develop gestational diabetes which may hit from 5th month onward.

I was upset for a while. It was my birthday that day and I just happened to indulge myself in stuff I usually won't take and it had to affect my tests.

Anyway, I learnt my lesson. Don't eat or drink too much sweet stuff. They contain empty carbo which would affect my baby. He may grow too fast too soon for his own good. This may lead to high blood pressure and overweight problem in him.

And yes, those flutterings were indeed the beginnings of feeling baby growing in me.

Feeling Baby's Movement

I could feel this slight flutter toward the bottom of my pelvic area. I suspect it's baby's movement that I'm beginning to feel. How exciting... I shall confirm it when I next see my gynae.

16th Week - Our Baby Waved at Us

Finally, the day came for us to be able to see our baby's gender. This baby is a cheeky fellow. He/she waved at us in the ultrasound scan. But... we couldn't see. He/ she crossed his/ her legs. ;p

Alpha-Thalassemia Trait

Doc did a comprehensive blood test for me in the 14th week to check for Down's. Something surfaced. I was told my blood displays alpha-thalassemia traits. I'm a carrier of thalassemia. Berry had to go for a blood test as well just to be sure baby will not be stricken with thalassemia. When his test results came out, doc congratulated me for marrying the right person. Berry's clear of it. Thank God.

As for Down's, baby's all clear. Blood and neckfold are good.

Sadness Looms

Just a week after our last visit to the gynae, my father-in-law passed away unexpectedly. (It was a Sunday). We were all shocked. He hasn't seen his first grandchild. No goodbyes. No last word. The future seems bleak and uncertain. Time will tell.

12th Week -- Getting Clear

It was yet another 3 weeks and time to visit the gynae to look at our baby. We were a little excited. Perhaps we could find out baby's gender today. Went home a little disappointed. Gynae said it'd be apparent only about 14-16 weeks on.

Learnt something today. If the discharge is milk curd-like, please let the gynae know on the next earliest visit. It could be fungus growing there. I had a bit of that. Had to spend a bit to get it cured but better then leaving it untreated. Who knows how it might affect the foetus.

9-week Old Teddy Bear

Went to see my gynae in the 9th week. Asked a lot of silly, practical, but real questions on a preggie's mind:

1. Yes, I can eat crabs.

2. Yes, I can go for haircuts (separately, I read a website that said I can go to a dentist in the 2nd trimester).

3. Yes, I can eat birds' nests.

4. No, I cannot do crunches -- only brisk walking and swimming.

5. Yes, puking is normal. But gynae gave me vitamin B6 which is supposed to ease vomitting.

6. Yes, having discharge is normal. But if there are traces of red or brown, see the gynae IMMEDIATELY.

My baby's scan. Gynae said, "It's a teddy bear!" I beg to differ. That's obviously a kidney bean! 2.29cm in length. My dear hubby exclaimed excitedly, "Where where? I can't see!" That's how we got a blown up scan (with lower resolution >:[ I told my hubby not to talk at our next visit. I can't see clearly with this blurred scan). And all the terminologies of where is what on the scan.