MY 3RD TRIMESTER NIGGLES

The end is in sight and oh my gosh it could not have come sooner. Migraines, thrush, heartburn and kicks in my side have consumed my life. We went to the flea market today and we got my pregnancy magazines. Living and loving has been my reliable source since I was pregnant with Corbynne. My mom use to buy every months issue. Magazines are getting so expensive, almost R30! I know internet is faster and there's more to read but there is nothing that can beat a real-life magazine, the touch of pages and the smell of a new book.  Funny enough (I hate change) I bought a Mama's and Papa's magazine. Like I said I don't like change but I must admit it's kind of refreshing to read a new magazine and it's very interesting. I read up on thrush and how it can affect the baby but I am a bit confused and have a few questions to ask my gynae. Thrush sound like it can have the same symptoms as group b strep in a baby. I have a choice, either Google or wait for my gynae. Guess which route I am going... BOTH!

 

Will thrush affect my baby?

No. Your baby is safely sealed inside your uterus (womb) and won't be affected at all. If you have an infection when you go into labour, there is a small chance that your baby will catch it as he passes through your vagina on his way into the world. If your newborn baby has thrush you'll see white patches in his mouth. If you're breastfeeding, both you and your baby will need treatment because thrush can spread to your breasts, too.

You may find thrush comes and goes while you're pregnant. Although may take a while to clear up and be a bit of a nuisance, it isn't anything to worry about.

And Tuesday I will be asking Dr Wipplinger as well.

 

I have realized that I am craving coffee more and more this trimester and that no matter how many sugars I throw in my coffee it is just not sweet enough. I have about 9 cups of coffee a day at minimum.

 

Effects of Caffeine on Your Baby
Caffeine is thought to pose certain risks during pregnancy. Though researchers debate how much caffeine is acceptable during pregnancy, there is evidence to suggest than any amount will cause some physical effects on your little one. This is because caffeine passes through your placenta and is absorbed by your baby. Adults are able to break down caffeine fairly quickly, thanks to chemicals inside of our body. However, your developing baby can't do this as efficiently. This means that caffeine will be stored inside of his blood for longer periods of time, and could reach dangerously high levels.
Caffeine also affects other aspects of your baby's health. It is known to increase your baby's heart rate and may affect how much he moves in utero. Because caffeine is a diuretic, it can also affect the nutrition your baby receives from you. Caffeine intake may cause you to absorb less iron and calcium from foods, a possible detriment to your baby's overall fetal development.

SITES WORTH VISITING

Do you want to try new samples or products? Try these:
Home Testers Club and Save the Date

While I was in school I volunteered at Tygerbear unit at Tygerberg Hospital. I was thinking of volunteering again but thought I'd share the website with you to raise awareness.

www.mominventors.com
www.thenannynotebook.com

Free T-Shirt - sample fashion

Free T-Shirt - sample fashion

I'VE GOT ONE OF THE GOOD ONES

I am in my 3rd trimester of pregnancy and honestly I wouldn't be able to do this without my boyfriend. During the week I am by my parents and weekends I visit my boyfriend (hopefully we get a house soon). When I come to him weekends it is a huge relief. He disciplines our toddler, makes him food, pours him cooldrink and even lets me sleep when our toddler cries for someone to come lay in bed with him. I am so amazed at how amazing this man is during my pregnancy. He is so supportive and helpful. I go on BabyCentre a lot and I love reading the VENTS-posts and not everybody has a great guy like me, no offence since most of my traffic are from my fellow-BC-moms.

 

BABY BOY NAMES

So here I am sitting... I am wondering... what am I gonna call our baby boy. Daddy says Jacob and I've been thinking Zane. Jacob is a nice name but it makes me think of our president, Jacob Zuma and let's face it - he doesn't have the worlds best reputation. Are we ever going to decide?

 

I updated my post called FREE SAMPLES, yes fellow South African's - I got more products from places.

PREGNANCY JOKES THAT ARE SO TRUE

WHAT A BLESSING TO HAVE HIM

My painful contractions have subsided, hospital is booked and awaiting my 2nd gynae appointment plus baby is still in tact. My boyfriend has been an absolute blessing and I am so grateful about how supportive he has been with both my pregnancies. I repacked my hospital bag from 3 small bags to one big bag so at least it won't look like I am planning to move into Louis Leipoldt. Human rights day meant a "kind of" long weekend and we spent it together. Oh how I love this man! He bumped into his manager or something at one of their stores and eish I couldn't hide my big whale body but she at least told him I'm pretty :) but it doesn't matter because he thought that anyway otherwise he wouldn't be with me LOL. I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable and in a selfish way I wish it was time to pop and have a real, live, actual baby. Baby's all elbows and knees. Sleeping is becoming horrible and I am awake every few hours and so tired the next day. Karin and I made a joke and I told her that we are getting too old to have babies (24). I miss my friend so much and even though she comes to visit from Worcester every now and then I wish she was here in Cape Town. I am not even interested in getting other friends because nobody will be like Karin :(

Last night Karin and I were chatting and she said she can't wait to see what our babies look like. All I was thinking is "I can't wait to see what I look like after he is born". I found a few funny pictures overall on the internet and thought I'd share it with you guys since most of my traffic does come from BabyCentre. An extra note for my sweet wonderful boyfriend who has put up with my hormones... I love you more than words can describe (yes, I know you check out my site LOL you're the only other South African)

AS MY WEEKS PROGRESS

So here's why I have been so quiet. Between fighting with a medical aid, them refusing to take my sons grommets out and finding blood and infection in my urine and maybe having my baby before the time and being told he is going to have health issues... I have been having contractions and can't do anything.

 

Update: 24 March 2013

 

Still having some pain. I have been reading up on Braxton hicks and thought that any other momma's might ant to have a read as well.

 

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

Some time towards the middle of your pregnancy, or maybe even earlier, you may notice the muscles of your uterus (womb) tightening. If you place your hands on your bare bump when this is happening, you can feel how hard your uterus becomes.

Each tightening usually lasts for about half a minute, and probably won't cause you any discomfort. You may have this sensation once or twice an hour, a few times a day (Cheng and Caughey 2009). Not all of us feel these contractions. They get their name from John Braxton Hicks, the English doctor who first described them in 1872.

You may be aware of Braxton Hicks contractions from as early as 16 weeks (Shepherd et al 2004:238). However, without you realising, your uterus has been contracting gently on and off since about seven weeks (Murray and Hassall 2009:191). The bigger your uterus gets, the more you notice the tightening sensations when they happen.

What do Braxton Hicks contractions do?

Braxton Hicks contractions may just be a sign that your uterus is keeping its muscle fibres toned. It could be that these contractions keep your uterus in good condition and ready for the rigours of labour.

Some experts think the contractions also affect your cervix. In early labour

, your cervix starts to get shorter and more stretchy (Walsh 2004:430), ready to dilate and make way for your baby. It's possible that Braxton Hicks contractions give your cervix a bit of a rehearsal for the stretching stage.

Other experts think that Braxton Hicks contractions don't affect your cervix. They believe that your cervix doesn't change until the very last days of your pregnancy (Murray and Hassall 2009:192; Baker 2006:53), or once you're in labour itself (Cheng and Caughey 2009).

What's the difference between Braxton Hicks and labour contractions?

Most women who are pregnant for the first time will ask their midwives or friends this question. The answer is often maddeningly vague, along the lines of: "You'll know real labour when it starts." Fortunately, there are differences between Braxton Hicks contractions and labour contractions

that can help you tell them apart.

Braxton Hicks contractions:

• are infrequent, usually happening no more than once or twice an hour, a few times a day
• often stop if you change activity, so, walk around if you've been sitting, and vice versa
• are usually irregular, and if they are regular they only stay that way for a short spell (McCormick 2009:466)
• do not last long, usually less than a minute (McCormick 2009:466)
• continue to be unpredictable and non-rhythmic
• do not increase in intensity
(Cheng and Caughey 2009)

Compared to Braxton Hicks contractions, labour contractions are usually:

• noticeably longer
• more regular
• more frequent
• more painful
• keep on going, increasing in frequency, duration, and intensity as time goes on
(Cheng and Caughey 2009)

You may experience what is called false labour. This is when Braxton Hicks contractions come more rhythmically, perhaps every 10 to 20 minutes in late pregnancy (Murray and Hassall 2009:191).

False labour can be hard to tell apart from early labour, particularly if the tightening of your uterus feels uncomfortable. However, during false labour your cervix won't have started to change yet (Murray and Hassall 2009:191). Your midwife will be able to tell by carrying out a vaginal examination.

What if the Braxton Hicks contractions become painful?

As your pregnancy progresses, these contractions may become more intense and even painful at times (McCormick 2009:466). When this happens, they may feel like the real thing. But however strong they feel at the time, if they ease off, they are probably Braxton Hicks.

You may find it helpful to think of Braxton Hicks as practice contractions you can use to rehearse the breathing exercises you'll learn in your antenatal class.

You may notice that Braxton Hicks contractions come more often when you do even light activity, such as carrying the shopping. If you feel discomfort, it sometimes helps to lie down, or, conversely, to get up and take a walk. It's the change in activity that can help to ease pain (Cheng and Caughey 2009). A warm bath

sometimes helps, too.

When should I call my doctor or midwife?

If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, call your doctor or midwife if your contractions are accompanied by:

• watery discharge or bloody vaginal discharge
• lower back pain or cramping

These are signs that you may be going into premature labour

(Baker 2006:173).

After 37 weeks, call your doctor or midwife if:

• you think your baby's movements have slowed down
• you think your waters have broken
• you have any bleeding

Check out other pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore.

If your contractions become longer, stronger, more regular and more frequent then your labour may be starting. Your midwife will probably have talked to you about what to do when you think labour has started, but if you're in any doubt give her or the hospital delivery suite a call.