On Motherhood

Motherhood is a gift. It has enabled me to provide unconditional love. It has made me complete as a woman. It has made me a better person. I am simply amazed how God wonderfully engineered a woman’s body to bear a child and to bring him to the world as a priceless present. Being able to successfully deliver our baby to the world, I am truly honored and privileged to have received such blessing.

I could never forget the experience of giving birth to our first born on May 1, 2009. Though hearing my baby’s first cry marked the reality of my being a mother, it has not yet fully dawned on me that I am already one; yes, until now! Perhaps the feeling of being a new mother just overwhelms me. I am adjusting to my new role. It was hard at first but I am learning the routine of feeding, changing diaper, bathing, bestowing touch therapy, giving vitamins, visiting Pedia, and so on. Eventhough my day is literally consumed of those routines, I see myself enjoying the new things I do. In my almost three months as a mom, I will rate myself the lowest on the scale because I am still a work in progress. Being a mom is the hardest job in the world. Every single “mom day” for me is a challenge sans the extravagant material reward. Despite that, I still get the grandest reward when my little angel flashes me a toothless grin. It inspires me to be better. It also sets as affirmation that what I did for him satisfied him and made him happy. No material thing could ever match the fulfillment I get from his innocent expression.

Epicurean Living

Have you heard about "Epicurean Living"? To me, it's my first encounter with the word. I learned about it when it was featured in Fit & Fab, a program in QTV 11. Simply put, it is best described as "celebration of life's pleasures". Each moment, be it glamorous, frivolous, funny, unusual, unexpected, or plain simple, can only be unique and special when truly enjoyed and shared with our loved ones.

Family, friends, religion, travel, music, work, food, hobbies, sport are some of the Epicurean sources of life. Now that I learned about it, i will start practicing living the Epicurean way. Some good examples I will do are these: savor my favorite food, enjoy a conversation with my husband, and treasure every single moment with our bundle of joy. There are so many things to enumerate; one thing is for sure, each will definitely be celebrated.

It's Nice to be Out Again!

Yesterday was my scheduled check up with my OB, five weeks after i delivered. Since it's my first time after giving birth to go out again, there's some sort of excitement in me. After the check up, my cousin and I went to the mall. I also took the opportunity to do some errands like paying bills, buying personal stuff, and grabbing some baby stuff that i think my baby would need. There are just so many things at the baby section; most of the items are totally attractive! If I am an impulsive buyer, I would have grabbed some more baby stuff that are not really necessary. Being a practical person that I am, I just satisfied myself to buying just the essential ones.

1. Baby Key Rattle

2. Brush and Comb for Baby's Grooming

3. Nasal Aspirator and Nail Clipper

The D-Day

On May 1, 2009, I finally gave birth to our baby boy via C-Section. I could have delivered my baby normally but unfortunately, my dilation got stuck at 6 cm. Even if induced, it did not work. Worse, the baby's heart rate was fluctuating; not a good indication of a good contraction. With that, my OB decided that I undergo the C-Section to deliver my baby. Well, i have no choice. I just nodded in agreement to my OB's advice. For my baby's sake, all i can do was whispered a prayer that everything will be ok. The procedure started at around 8:30 am and my baby was out at 9:02 am. It was not that traumatic after all. The procedure just lasted for about 15 minutes, and another 15 minutes in finishing it up - including the cleaning, stitching, etc.

When i heard my baby's first cry, i felt relieved. Indeed, all my hardships and pains vanished the moment i saw my baby. It was all worth it!

Sample Pictures of 3D/4D Ultrasound

Our baby boy's first pictures in my womb taken via 3D4D Ultrasound. At 32 weeks of my pregnancy, it is helpful to have this kind of ultrasound as it gave me peace of mind that my baby is doing fine inside my tummy. On top of that, I also know that my baby's heart beat is normal and that his size is appropriate for his gestational age. Other info such as presentation, weight and baby's size will also be provided in the OB-Gyne report.



Having a glimpse of how our baby looks like before he is born spills an awesome feeling to me and my husband. The more we get very excited of his arrival. :)
I had my 3D4D ultrasound at In My Womb, SM Megamall branch (5/F Bldg B). Rate varies depending on the package to be availed. I availed of the Pearl Package at P2,500.

Pearl Package includes:
* 20-30 minutes 2D, 3D, 4D session
* 5 high-resolution B & W 3D superior quality thermal photos of facial images
* 5 high-resolution COLORED 3D superior quality thermal photos of facial images
* Diagnostic comprehensive OB-GYN report *
* Gender determination of 99 - 100% accuracy
* Free return visit for rescan within 14 days from the time package was availed if baby is not cooperative during your session (just show your official receipt)
* CD of the above-mentioned B & W and Colored pics in 3D(still pictures) + 5 additional Colored pics (for a total of 15 pics)

2D Ultrasound

My husband and I are excited to have our baby's first ultrasound. We are specifically excited to know the gender and how the baby looks like inside my tummy.
It's really amazing to see a miracle growing inside me. We are blessed to be expecting a baby boy!!!

Preventing Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

I knew one of the disadvantages of pregnancy is having stretch marks. Stretch marks are not really caused by "kamot" if tummy is really itchy; rather, it is caused by the stretched skin due to growing belly. The skin is normally elastic and capable of stretching but if during puberty a woman got stretch marks, most likely she would also develop stretch marks during pregnancy. Weight gain is also a factor causing stretch marks. That is why, a pregnant women should also be mindful of her weight gain during pregnancy.

Recommended Weight Gain During Pregnancy:
1. Normal weight women: 25-35 pounds
2. Underweight women: 28-40 pounds
3. Overweight women: 15-25 pounds

Many believed that stretch marks can be prevented by using creams and lotions on the onset of pregnancy as it helps increase skin's elasticity. I was hoping not to develop stretch marks so I started putting on Palmer's lotion on my tummy, thighs, and breasts during my first trimester then later on used Palmer's tummy butter for my growing belly.

Palmer's lotion P475
Palmer's tummy butter P595

Both can be bought from Watson's.