VLOG| Mga Pamahiin para sa Buntis

You've probably heard a lot of things that you should or shouldn't do from our elderly when you were/are pregnant. Here are some of them:

1. Bawal pumunta sa burol/lamay - I think I've heard this one countless of times, although no one can actually tell me why. My husband is very strict when it comes to this particular pamahiin. From what I've heard from other moms, aantukin ka daw sa labor or it's because the formalin used there is bad (emphasis on really bad) for you and your unborn baby. Even though I haven't visited any wakes during my pregnancy with Maggy, I was in and out during my delivery with her. I blame the drugs used to induce me to labor. 
2. Bawal magtahi habang buntis - According to this pamahiin you would most likely end up having a C-section because of the sewing. I had no idea about this during my first pregnancy. I sewed (or at least tried to) mini cloth wipes in my attempt to be that eco-friendly mom who only uses re-useable everything. As you know I had a C-section in 2012 so this could be true. However, I also have a couple of friends who I know for a fact did a lot of sewing while they were pregnant and still had Normal delivery. 
3. Bawal tumambay/magstay ang buntis sa pintuan - Mahihirapan ka daw manganak kasi ma-stuck ang baby habang nanganganak. I don't personally know anyone who likes hanging out in doorways and I don't have that habit either. I have different "beliefs" for this one thanks to Charmed ;P
4. Kailangan maligo kapag lumindol at bawal tumingin sa buwan/eclipse - Correct me if I'm wrong because I only vaguely remember this, you're really not supposed to look at the eclipse directly. I think it's bad for your eyes or something. So I recommend not looking at it regardless if you're with child or not, for your eyes' sake. Magkakabalat daw sa mukha na parang buwan kapag tumingin sa buwan. I have a cousin who has a birthmark on her face but I'm not sure if her mom looked at the moon. I have to ask her about that...but she probably won't remember.
5. Hakbangan ang asawa para siya ang maglihi - Self-explanatory, pretty easy to execute. I've tried it. No matter how many times I do it, hindi siya naglihi. I had high hopes for this pamahiin. Tsk.

I'm not judging anyone who believes in the things mentioned above. Personally, I'm not a superstitious person so I don't follow or believe them with all my heart. Let me know if you've heard of other pamahiin while you're pregnant. Did you follow them? Why or why not?

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TIPS| Mommy Hospital Bag, What to Bring?

Since there's only at least 7 weeks to go before our delivery date, I decided to pack-up the things I'll need for the hospital. I will be bringing 1 "carry-on" sized bag and an eco bag and here are the contents:

1. Eco-Bag
   
• Caress Maternity Pads (2 packs) - PHP60 for 8 pads in Walter Mart; I haven't tried this brand yet, I used adult diaper and Modess maternity pads when I had Maggy in 2012.
  
  
  
• Caress Underpads (1 pack) - PHP168 for 10 pads in Walter Mart; I used hospital issued underpads back in 2012 and it cost me PHP40-45 each. This will prevent you from destroying the sheets, mahirap na matagusan.
  
  
  
• Toilet Paper
• Bathroom Slippers
• Newborn Diaper (pack of 4) - PHP30 in Landmark; as I've said from my previous post, this is expensive when bought in the hospital
  
  
  
2. Zebra-Print Bag
   
• Documents
• Marriage Certificate of Parents (photocopy and original) - hospital will ask for this when registering the baby.
• Medical Documents - bring all lab results since the beginning of your pregnancy for additional reference.
• PhilHealth/SSS - for those employed, forms are available online or thru your HR.
• Health Card
• Clothing
  
• Underwear - bring the ones that you don't mind having stain on. Bring at least 4
• Nursing Bra - for easy access during breastfeeding
• Pambahay - bring comfortable clothes, make sure your boobs are also easily accessible with these clothes for breastfeeding. Bring clothes good for 3-4 days.
• Hospital Gown - this is optional, but since I already have 2 from when I had Maggy, I might as well bring it. 
• Towel 
• Clothes for your husband - bring as much as needed.
• Socks - it gets cold in the hospital, this can help you get warm :)
• Cardigan - In case you're expecting guests, this can be a great cover-up on top of your pambahay
• Going-home outfit - Again, has to be breastfeeding friendly as the baby tends to feed a lot during this period.
• Binder - to help you feel firmer on your mid-area.
• Toiletries
  
• Nursing Pads - Although you may not have over flowing milk on your first few days, it's still better to come prepared.
• Wet Wipes - for wiping surfaces or to help you freshen up
• Cotton Buds
• Toothpaste/Toothbrush
• Deodorant
• Lotion
• Perfume
• Pen/Notepad
• Soap
• Alcohol
• Vitamins

I will also be bringing my usual bag (the one I always bring when going out), that contains gadgets and my make-up kit. But I don't think I will be wearing any make-up after delivery. I hope this list helps you in preparing for the things you'll need to bring to the hospital for your delivery. 

Let me know if I miss out anything or share the things you've brought on your delivery day. Also, please check out our youtube channel and don't forget to subscribe :)

Pregnancy Update| 31 Weeks

Belated Valentine's Day everyone!

We had our monthly check-up last Saturday and it's the worst thing ever. Traffic was so bad on the way to España. I forgot that a lot of people go to Dangwa during Valentine's day since flowers are waaaaay more inexpensive there than in malls. We had to take a detour but we already lost an hour. Good thing the my OB did not arrive until 3pm (we arrived at around 12noon).

So, on with the updates:

1. No wait gain since my last visit, Yay! Total weight gain so far is 22lbs. I was trying to make it as little as possible as I was hoping for VBAC.
2. Maes' (BB#2) position has changed since the last ultrasound which is great if I'll be going on labor now.
3. As suspected, I have UTI.
4. Although my previous OB stated that I had a low segment transverse CS, medical records says otherwise. I will have to go on scheduled CS instead of my dream of doing VBAC. 

According to my OB, should something happen to me or Maes she will be held liable as the cut made during my previous delivery is not the best if you want to try VBAC. Oh well, the important thing right now is to have him delivered safely. 

After checkup, my husband and I bought ourselves ice cream from Dairy Queen. Yup, that's valentine's day for us. How did you guys celebrate yours? 

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VLOGS| What's in our Hospital Diaper Bag?

Less than 9 weeks to go before my due date and I'm getting our bags pack just in case in comes in early. Here's the list of things we're bringing for our baby.

1. Changing mat (comes with the bag) - to avoid spoiling bed sheets when changing baby's diaper.
2. New born diapers - The hospital provides a pack with their newborn kit. But based on experience, newborn babies tend to soil their nappies more often so bringing your own stash is preferable than buying in the hospital pharmacy.
3. Baby clothes - I personally brought 4 sets of frogsuit and 2 sets of pyjama+shirt. 
4. Bath Essentials
1. Hooded towels
2. Sponge/Loofa
3. Baby friendly bath soap/shower gel
4. Alcohol
5. Socks and Mittens - It tends to get cold in hospitals and these can help your baby get warm and cozy.
6. Baby Wipes - for cleaning baby's butt ;P
7. Receiving blanket - to keep baby warm at night :)
8. Bonet/Hat - para hindi mahamugan si baby
9. Burp Cloth - to protect your clothes from baby's barf
10. Nursing Cover - in case you're not comfortable nursing in front of your hospital guests. Mine is from Next9 that I bought 2+ years ago. You may purchase one here.
11. Saya Carrier - First few nights with a newborn can be challenging but this helped me soothe Maggy when she was on that stage. You can purchase one here.

I hope I did not forget anything. I'm just basing this list on my memory when Maggy was born. Please let me know what else you think I should bring to the hospital or share your own list :)

Our video showing all items listed above can be viewed on this link. 

TIPS| 5 Things You'll Need to Prepare for Your Breastfeeding Journey

Breastfeeding is challenging. Breastfeeding is also rewarding. Breastfeeding has benefits for both mom and baby. As I prepare myself for another round of breastfeeding, here are some tips to help fellow moms as well.

1. Breastpads
• Disposable: These are widely available in most department store's baby section. They range from 400php to 800php depending on the quantity and brand. I've personally used both Avent and Pigeon. Although, it's been almost 2 years since I extensively used breast pads. Baka di na accurate yung review ko. I'll just post a review once my milk start to come in. 

  

  Avent Breast Pads

  
  

  

  Pigeon Breast Pads

• Re-useable/Washable: These are also available in department stores or online stores such as Tiny Tots or Babymama. They may be a bit more pricey than their disposable counterparts. I personally have not used one before. But I recently received a pack of 4 as a freebie which is great. I'll include this in my breast pad review in the future. What I did before was use Maggy's clean lampin to "catch" breastmilk. We had so many and I'm not using it on Maggy anyway. This was a cheaper alternative if you find breast pads expensive.

  

  Avent Washable Nursing Pads

  
  

  

  Adorable Nursing Pads Design by Tiny Tots

2. Nursing Clothes
• Using nursing clothes makes it easier for moms to breastfeed discreetly. They are available in the maternity section of department stores such as SM and Robinsons and you can also find them online. I particularly like the designs from Mamaway and Tiny Tots. Mamaway has a store in Shangri La Mall in Ortigas (or is that in Pasig? I'm not sure) and was able to try out some of their apparel during the Baby Fair. I'm definitely going back to buy some. Tiny Tots on the other hand is an online store that sells pretty much everything that has to do with babies. They're nursing clothes are affordable and definitely don't look like "nanay" if you know what I mean. Check out their collection on this link.

  

  Nursing Clothes collection by Tiny Tots

  
  

  

  Nursing Tops by Mamaway

  
  

  

  DIY Nursing Tops found in Pinterest

3. Breastpumps
• For a working mom, breastpump is a must if you want to continue giving your baby breastmilk after going back to work. A friend gave me an Avent Single electric pump when I was pregnant with Maggy. He bought it in HongKong. Unfortunately, the pump's motor broke down and I was in bed rest then so I was not able to have it repaired. I used the manual parts instead to build up my stash. It was ok at first but I started to feel the strain in my right wrist. I decided to look around and found Unimom Forte, read the reviews and bought it from BabyMama. I'm glad I did. I was able to build a stash that lasted until Maggy's 2nd birthday and donate three times. Avent breastpumps are available in department stores while Unimom can be bought in BabyMama website.

  

  Unimom Forte

  
  

  

  Avent Single Electric Breastpump

4. Supportive Husband (or Boyfriend/Partner)
• Have I mentioned that breastfeeding your baby is challenging especially in the first 2 weeks? Yes? Add postpartum depression to that equation and soon you'll be questioning that decision to give your baby the best or if you actually are giving her/him enough. Having a supportive husband can keep you on track or at least re-assure you that you're doing your best for your child. This, in my opinion, is the best words to hear when you're in doubt. He should be your number 1 confidante whenever you feel like giving up. My husband NEVER suggested to give formula milk to our daughter when I was crying because she was crying because I thought she's not getting any milk from me. I'm thankful that he's the one giving the "lecture" whenever we hear that Maggy is "malaki na" for breastmilk.
5. Breastfeeding Support Group
• Having a supportive husband is one thing. Having someone who's going through the same thing is another. Imagine? Pareho kayo ng pinagdadaanan. For me, every challenge become much bearable if you have friends who can relate with what you're going through. Sa friends ko (as in friends talaga ha?), ako lang ang mommy. I have no one to share my woes with. I have no one to ask or verify my questions to. Both my mom and MIL did not breastfeed because of different reasons. That's why I was really happy when I found an online support group for breastfeeding moms. This is a group founded by Pinays who are or did breastfeed/breastfed their kids. You can find all sorts of information regarding breastfeeding and share experiences as well. If you want to join this group, just type Breastfeeding Pinays on your Facebook search button and click on join.

I hope these tips will help you in your decision to breastfeed. Let me know if I missed out on anything or if you have anything you'd like to add :) I also have a new youtube video regarding the same topic uploaded already. :)

Pregnancy Update| Week 30

Finally, I was able to get my "to-do" list done. 

We went to University of Sto. Thomas Hospital last Friday, February 6. I knew, based on experience, na mahaba pila sa Hematologist. I suggested to have us listed there first before actually getting the laboratory and  ultrasound done. As expected, I'm the 20th patient waiting. I asked the secretary if it's ok to just come back in an hour so we can do other things while waiting. She said yes.

So off we go to find the OB-Ultrasound. It was on the Mezzanine of the main hospital building (not the medical arts). Since the OB-Sonologist is still in his clinic, we decided to go to the pathology laboratory. This was located on the ground floor of the same building. Waiting time took about 20mins. I was informed that the results will be available 2 hours after the sample specimen has been collected. 

Going back to OB-Ultrasound room, I was a bit disappointed that the doctor hasn't arrived yet. Got more irritated when a supposed "doctor" went antipatika mode on me. The conversation goes like this:

ME: Ate, matatagalan pa ba yung OB? 
(I called her ate because she's not wearing any lab coat or any sign that she's a doctor. Plus she's just sitting behind the counter)
Madame Doctor: Hindi ako "ATE", doctor ako
ME: ah ok. wala kasi nakalagay e

It was a good thing I brought my manners with me that day. But GRRRRRRR still.

We've waited for about an hour when the OB-Sono in charge finally showed up. They called my husband who was sitting outside the room (only patients are allowed to wait inside). I was glad that BB is doing good and that the doctor confirmed that he's 100% boy. Only downside is that he changed position again.

Last thing on our agenda that day is the Hematologist, Dra. Irene Castillo. She was unfortunately not available that day but had someone to look after her patients. They took my CBC and as usual I failed the hemoglobin count. I have to continue taking Folic Acid just to make sure that it doesn't go down as much that I need to have blood transfusion. 

Here are the list of procedures done that day plus how much it costs:

• Urinalysis - 278php
• Ultrasound - 1150php
• Hematologist + CBC - 1000php

It was a tiring day, but I'm glad that I was able to finish it all in time for my check-up next week. You can check out my pregnancy vlog/mommy vlog on my youtube channel.

Thanks :)

VLOGS| Grand Baby Fair Year 5

You know you're a mom when you missed the National Bookstore Warehouse Sale for the 2015 Grand Baby Fair. But that blog post is for another day.

 


Husband and I originally planned to go to the sale on its 2nd day (January 30). Unfortunately, traffic is bad (as usual) on that day so we had to post-pone it and went on Saturday (January 31) instead. 

This was the first time for me to go to a baby fair. When I was pregnant with our first, we were in Cebu and I'm not sure if they held an event like this there (I was mostly on bed rest then). I was so overwhelmed, ang daming tao! There are also a lot of things on sale: clothes, feeding essentials, diaper (cloth and disposable), wipes, etc. There were also booth for Cord Life, Wilkins, some photo studio (for your newborn or maternity photoshoots).

Although we were only there to buy baby clothes, we still have all the gears from when Maggy was a baby, we can't help but go through each aisle and look at the merchandise. I noticed that there are more sale items for baby girls than baby boys. 

Here are some guide to survive a baby fair:

1. go to the venue early - before 10am, if you're planning to bring a car because the parking is a nightmare (-_-)
2. make a list of items you're planning to buy - this makes it easier to stay focused even if you see a lot of great deals.
3. set a budget - even if all items are on sale, it will get expensive the longer you stay there.
4. bring water for drinking - you may not feel thirsty, but all that walking and scanning for the best deal will dehydrate you

There, how's that for my first trip to a baby fair? If you want to see the items we bought, I uploaded a baby haul on our channel. 

Let me know if you have other suggestions on how I can do better on the next baby fair. :)