Yesterday’s routine pregnancy check brought me bad news again! Twice in a row, my blood pressure was found out to be 140/90. At the same time, there were swelling of hands and feet, sudden excessive weight gain and trace of protein in the urine. All of these signs indicated that I might have a mild [...]

PIH, preeclampsia, Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), toxemia | March 28, 2008 12:11 pm | Comments (0)

During the 6th and 7th month of pregnancy, I always kept fetal/prenatal education in my mind.

During these two months, important work continues to taking place in the baby’s brain. Beginning the 6th month, her brain continues to grow, eventually it will contain some 100 billion never cells. These nerve cells connect to one another, guided by special substances in the brain, and they will eventually make more connections than there stars in the sky.

In the 7th month, her brain’s sections begin to take on their lifelong roles, such as memory and speech. (from American Baby’s As Your Baby Grows, Volume 16, Number 2, 2007)

Her hearing also continues to develop. By the end of second trimester or the beginning of the third, the ability to hear is quite well developed in the fetus, which means she is able to hear most external sounds or noises.

During this perid, I paid great attention to fetal movements, doing my best to understand the message sent by my baby via her movements. To me, this is so far the only way my baby communicates with me, telling me her needs, likes and dislikes.

Fetal/prenatal education series | March 26, 2008 8:05 am | Comments (0)

Message 4: I don’t like noise Nobody likes noise, either does my baby. One night, I washed dishes near the sink. The clashes of dishes, glasses, silverware, and pots struck up an unharmonious tune. I didn’t notice it until I felt baby moving restlessly in my tummy. I didn’t notice her movements when I washed [...]

Fetal Movements | March 25, 2008 7:32 am | Comments (0)

To vaccinate, or not vaccinate, that is the question. Days ago, M gave me an assignment: check the pros and cons of baby vaccination. He heard plenty of negative information, such as potential risks and side effects, of vaccine. He wants to have a balanced look about this topic and make an educated decision. I [...]

From Lina, immune system damage by vaccine, Vaccination of baby | March 24, 2008 7:45 am | Comments (0)

Message 3: I like rubbing and patting Since I felt my baby’s first movement, I have been noticing she likes rubbing and patting. When she is agitated, anxious, or restless, rubbing and patting always calm her down, or moderate her movements. Along with rubbing and patting, sometimes I talk to her, telling her what I [...]

Fetal Movements | March 19, 2008 12:57 pm | Comments (0)

I hope I will never have the glucose tolerance test (GTT) again!

This 11-hour fasting test, which involves a high-concentration glucose drink, is used to diagnose gestational diabetes. I was told not to eat anything from the midnight of Sunday until 11:15am Monday morning.

glucose tolerance test, Late-Pregnancy | March 18, 2008 7:19 am | Comments (0)

      Yesterday, march 15, grandma held a baby shower for me at her home. My first baby shower! It was a small-scale, all-woman home party. Cozy, affectionate, and warm! Grandma invited our neghbors Marsha and Joyce, her friend Senday, and my friend Karren. Aunt Chris and great grandma attened our party too. First, grandma [...]

Late-Pregnancy | March 16, 2008 2:11 pm | Comments (0)

It never rains but it pours!

Right after I finished the root canal treatment (I still need a final restoration of that treated tooth), my glucose screening test (also called a glucose challenge test or GCT) conducted on Wednesday came back with elevated numbers!

A glucose screening test (also called a glucose challenge test or GCT) at about

glucose screening test, GTT, Late-Pregnancy | March 14, 2008 8:05 am | Comments (1)

You cannot prepare too much during the pregnancy. Since being pregnant, I have been very careful with myself. I followed the instructions on Healthy Eating and Special Concerns and do my best not to get sick and take any meditations. But, I didn’t think about one thing: my teeth. I am definitely not one of those [...]

heathy pregnancy, toothache in pregnancy | March 11, 2008 8:12 am | Comments (0)

Since this month, I am entering the 3rd trimester. I cannot believe six months have passed by and I am facing the last trimester of my pregnancy.

Late-Pregnancy | March 4, 2008 3:21 pm | Comments (0)