Four Tips for a Happier Pregnancy and Healthy Child

As the delivery date approaches, it is entirely normal for expecting mothers to feel a sense of anxiety accompanying the excitement. After all, there are so many things to plan for and seemingly not enough hours in the day to do it, especially with other pressing concerns, such as work or classes. The following tips will help to prepare an expecting mother for the big day.

Start a Running List
Organization is a key tool in preparation for delivery day. A list of things to do throughout the pregnancy will keep you organized. Try to keep the list in a highly visible place. The list can contain long-term preparations as well as short-term preparations. Also, create a separate list for what you’d like to pack in your hospital bag and for things you’ll want to grab on your way out of the door to the hospital.

The Exercise Program
There are many questions women find themselves asking when it comes to being pregnant and exercising. Woman generally want to know what exercises are allowed, what is risky, how long to exercise for and what exercises are good for the baby as well, if any.  According to the American Pregnancy Association, there are many exercises that will benefit pregnant woman. Some suggestions for working out while pregnant:

* Those with experience will know their limits and the precautions to take, but anyone new to exercise will benefit from the services of a personal trainer skilled in working with pregnancy.

* Classes for pregnancy exercise can be extremely beneficial, because they have safety precautions built in. Prenatal water aerobics, dance, and yoga classes are great choices. Information can be found through the obstetrician or alternative health consultant.

* Most important is maintaining adequate oxygen, blood flow to uterus, and hydration. During the second and third trimester, this means taking breaks and avoiding routines that involve lying on the back. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding temperature extremes is a good idea throughout.

Pregnancy and Dieting
Obtaining information on what a healthy diet during pregnancy looks like provides a remedy from worries about the best eating options. Generally, the recommendations are the same for all adults, which makes this task an easy one.

Whole grain foods should be the primary energy source. This includes not just the grains, like millet, oats, wheat and spelt, but also starchy foods like the sweet potato and yam. Vegetables and fruits should make up 5-7 servings daily. Dairy and protein sources come in last.

Special Considerations
There are some other considerations that you can bring up with your doctor and plan for. Cord blood banking is an option to consider; working with a reputable company, you can obtain a cord blood collection kit to bring with you to the hospital. After your baby is born the umbilical cord blood will be collected to be stored for your family. Cord blood stem cells can potentially be used in medical treatments should the need arise in the future. Other considerations include creating a birth plan. A birth plan acts like a guideline for how an expecting mother would like their birth to go. Whether you’d like no medicine or certain music playing, a birth plan can help relieve some nerves. Remember to try and stay positive, as will be s a special day for you and your newborn!

This article was written by Alan Cassidy, an active writer within the blogging community covering maternity and childbirth, and always advocating for infant and children’s health. Connect with him on Twitter @ACassidy22

Special delivery: A comprehensive guide for parents-to-be

(ARA) - If you're an expectant first-time parent, or trying to conceive your first child, you'll likely rely on the support and experience of many people, including your partner, friends, your own parents and medical professionals. But don't be surprised if you still have questions - having a baby is a unique experience and few things can prepare you for all of the changes that pregnancy brings to your body, life and family.

"There are few events in anyone's life that rival the significance - and the joy - of childbirth," says Dr. Myra Wick, co-medical editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy." Produced by Mayo Clinic's pregnancy and fertility experts, the comprehensive guide provides information on all aspects of conception and pregnancy. "You want to do all you can to help ensure a health pregnancy and a wonderful beginning to your child's life."

Your doctor will be a valuable source of information, but don't be afraid to seek out answers on your own, especially for important decisions such as when to begin trying and how to get pregnant, what type of delivery is right for you, and whether to breast-feed. To get you started thinking about these decisions, here's what Wick and the book have to say on some important first pregnancy questions:

Getting pregnant

When is the right time to have a baby? Only you and your partner can answer that question. Some phases of your life, however, may be more conducive to pregnancy and new parenthood than others. The "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" helps you explore the various factors to consider, and also offers plenty of information on how to get pregnant, diet and exercise recommendations to help improve your chances of becoming pregnant, and all of the latest knowledge to help you have a healthy pregnancy.

The C-section question

Cesarean delivery (C-section), a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through an incision in the mother's abdomen, saves the lives of many babies and mothers every year. Doctors may recommend a C-section for many health-related reasons. Sometimes the reasons will be an emergency, such as labor not progressing or the baby experiencing an abnormal heart rate. Other times, a doctor might recommend a planned C-section if you know you will face a serious health obstacle that may make a vaginal delivery dangerous.

Many medical professionals and pregnancy experts are concerned by the growing trend of healthy women choosing to have C-sections with their first babies. These planned C-sections are done to avoid labor or the possible complications of a vaginal birth, or so that the baby can be born at a more convenient time for the parents, doctor, or both. "These C-sections aren't performed for health reasons," Wick says. "Instead, they're done out of fear or wanting to avoid an inconvenience. And those are not good reasons to have a C-section."

When you're considering the decision of an elective C-section, it may also help to keep in mind that once you have one C-section, you may not be able to have a vaginal delivery with subsequent pregnancies. VBACs (vaginal birth after C-section) are possible in many cases, but are not without risks. "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" includes in-depth information to consider about elective C-sections and VBACs.

Breastfeeding basics

To breastfeed or not to breastfeed? It's a question many expectant and new mothers have. Experts agree that in terms of nutrition, breast milk is clearly best for baby, and offers health benefits to mom as well. But breastfeeding may not be possible for all mothers. Formula-feeding shouldn't make a mother feel guilty. If you're undecided about breastfeeding, ask yourself these questions:

• What does your health care provider suggest?
• Do you really understand both methods of feeding?
• Will you be returning to work and how might that affect your feeding decision?
• How does your partner feel about the decision?
• How have other mothers you trust and respect made their decision?

A first pregnancy is an emotional and exciting time. Gathering ample information on important pregnancy decisions can help ensure your pregnancy is happy and healthy, with as little stress as possible. For more pregnancy information and insights, visit www.facebook.com/MayoClinicHealthyPregnancy.

8th Month of Pregnancy

I'm now about 34 weeks preggy. As you can see, the baby clothes have all come out of storage. So exciting to see all those tiny clothes again. Can you tell I'm getting impatient? I'll only get more impatient as the weeks roll by.

Why am I impatient? Afterall, these are the few weeks left I have of uninterrupted sleep right? The few weeks left I have of being diaper free. The few weeks left I have of having normal size breasts. The few weeks left of having my arms free from weights. The few weeks left I have with dealing with 3 kids instead of 4.

Well, I'm getting impatient because this bump is getting really uncomfortable. I can't sit or lie down comfortably. Plus, it's difficult to do things. I'm out of breath a lot. My ears are stuck the whole day (don't know why). And I can't wait to get rid of this diabetes so I can eat my favorite desserts again. Oh, I also am tired of trying to remember to count baby's movements. AND tired of going to the clinic so often for checkups.

The clinic here gave me a referral letter to go to the Sg. Buloh hospital to make an appointment with the specialist. They said it was necessary at 34 weeks. So off I went last week. Must remember to wear a mask next time I go because of the H1N1 cases. They took a blood sample and told me to come back on the 26/8. So, now I have my checkup at the clinic on the 18/8 where I also do my BSP test the same day (which means going to the clinic 4 times that day to get my finger poked). Then I have to go to the clinic again the next day to meet with the doctor who will go through the results of the BSP test. The week after that I have to go to the Sg. Buloh hospital to meet with the specialist. And the week after that is my checkup again at the clinic. Sigh! Sooooo many visits to the clinic and doctors. Hopefully the doctor at the hospital do not ask me to go there for checkup too. If not I'll be going for checkup here and checkup there (sounds like "Old McDonald Had a Farm").

Okay, some of the things I'm grateful for:

• I don't have high blood pressure
• I don't suffer from heartburns
• I don't have edema

Need to do:

• Buy newborn diapers
• Pack my bag for the hospital
• Get diaper rash cream
• Get new rubber thingy for the baby tub
  

What I hope for:

• Quick delivery
• Normal delivery
• No tearing
• Good doctors and nurses
• Be able to bear the pain once again
• Baby doesn't stay inside past due date
  

BSP Test no.2 - Gestational Diabetes Update

Once again I had to do the BSP (Blood Sugar Profile) test on Tuesday. Once again I had my finger poked 4 times in a day. Actually, it was poked 5 times. One time they poked but not enough blood oozed out. The readings seem to be higher then the first BSP test: 5.4, 5.0, 5.5 and 6.5. The last reading was not satisfactory. They marked it in red, like having red marks on your report card when you fail. Hahahah. Ideally, the readings need to be lower than 6.0.

So, doctor told me to repeat the last reading on Wednesday night. I made sure I didn't eat too much rice and bumped up the vegetable intake. I cooked spinach and french beans with carrots for dinner that night. Thank goodness the reading was 5.5. I was so worried because if it was still high, then I would have to go to the hospital for insulin jabs.

On Tuesday night when the reading was 6.5, I had noodle soup (kuey teow and yellow mee). Didn't have time to cook a real meal that day so opted for something simple. Too much carbo I guess. Plus, I was hungry that night and may have eaten more than I should have.

Well, I guess I just have to keep on watching the diet. It's a bit difficult when I see my children and DH enjoying treats and I cannot participate. The sugar craving is still there to tempt me. 2 more months, 2 more months... 2 dragging more months. Sigh!

Counting Baby's Movements

Did you ever count your baby's movements when you were pregnant? I didn't do it with my first 2 babies. I had to do it with babyD and I've been asked to do it with this baby too. Many of my friends mentioned that they didn't do it. I've come to the conclusion that when you go to private clinics, this is not a requirement. But when you have your checkups at the government clinics, they suggest you do it and provide a chart for you to do your recording too. It's known as a Fetal Movement Count.

The procedure is as such:
Starting at 9am, count baby's movements until 10 times. For every movement, you put a check mark on the chart. Once you've had 10 movements, record down the time. So, if the 10th movement was at 2pm, you write 2pm on the chart. Now, the trick is, if baby continuously kicks you 3 times (like within 2 seconds), that is counted as 1 movement. And hiccups don't count.

The reason for doing this is to be aware of baby's well-being. By charting baby's movements, you can know if there is a decrease in activity which usually indicates that baby is in distress. If you cannot count 10 movements within 12 hours, you are to go to the hospital IMMEDIATELY.

The problem:
I KEEP FORGETTING TO COUNT!
I'll begin counting at 9am. Then I'll get engrossed in doing house chores and cooking, I'll forget to keep counting. Plus, when the kids do something wrong and I'm in the middle of blowing fire out of my dragon nostrils, how to remember to count? I mean it's almost impossible while you're screaming at the kids and fuming mad to suddenly stop and say "hey, that's movement no. 6". I wish there was an instrument that I could just attach to my tummy that would do the counting for me. I've put up a notice on the wall, just above my computer monitor that reads "don't forget to count." Even then, I still forget.

So, this counting business is good stuff... IF I remember to do it. You know what they say about pregnant women -- memory is not their strongest point.

Gestational Diabetes Update

I did the BSP test (Blood Sugar Profile) on Tuesday. They poked my finger 4 times that day to record 4 readings. Once at 8am, 12 pm, 4pm and 9pm. For the first reading, I had to fast 10 hours before. Subsequent readings required me to fast 2 hours before.

So, what was my result (in mmol/L)?
5.1, 3.8, 4.8 and 3.7

I believe a normal reading for blood glucose levels are between 5-7. So, my readings were pretty good. Met up with the doctor the day after the BSP test and she was satisfied. Said that it is what they are looking for.

So, what did I eat that day?
Breakfast = 2 pieces of wholegrain toast bread with butter and a few raisins.
Lunch = Sandwiches. 2 pieces of wholegrain bread with either a sausage or chicken ham, scrambled eggs, cucumber, tomatoes, and salad leaf.
Dinner = "Bangkuang char" with salad leaf.

Seeing my blood sugar level was pretty low during the test, I've loosened up a bit. Still worried but not as worried. Still eating in small portions - less rice, more veges and meat (protein). Also allowed small treats of rambutans and mangoes.

I have to do another BSP test in 2 weeks. We'll see if I can keep my sugar level at a steady low.

p.s.: Doc did a scan and said baby is probably a girl. But she also added "kalau keluar lain, tak tau lah". So what that means is it looks like a girl but there's the chance she could be wrong. Well, although not 100% sure, it's better than not knowing at all. At least now I have a reason to bring out all the girly clothes that I've been keeping for 8 years (yeah, hand-me-downs of jie-jie K). Can't believe I've been hanging on to them for so many years.

6th and 7th Month of Pregnancy

I forgot to post a record of my 6th month of pregnancy. It was very uneventful though. There were no problems and I was feeling great. Enjoying the last month of my 2nd trimester. All that "boring-ness" is now gone. I am now into my 7th month and my last checkup I had to do the glucose tolerance test. Sadly, I failed. My jaw dropped when the nurse said "you're diabetic." I couldn't believe my ears. My last 3 pregnancies were all smooth sailing. No problems nor complications (well, except for retained placenta during birth). Well, I guess this is what happens when you get pregnant at an older age.

Change is never easy. Having to change my eating habits is a great challenge for me. Cutting out rice and noodles is a big adjustment. Especially since it's been my staple food since I was a baby. Now I have to think of healthier food choices - wholewheat bread, high-fiber crackers, no-sugar peanut butter, more vegetables, smaller but more frequent meals, low GI (Glycemic Index) food etc.... My sugar craving is still there. I've had to practice a great deal of will power. No more Ribena and Milo. Only plain water. No more bread with butter and kaya. No more bananas, mangoes and rambutans (okay, got curi-curi eat a bit, but very minimal). Now it's back to apples for me. No more "char kuey teow". Now thinking of the cakes and jelly I'll have to skip during the kids' birthdays next month. I also bought some lemons a couple of weeks ago to make Lemon Bars. Guess that idea has to be thrown out the door. I've also started my morning walks again. They say exercise helps to control the blood sugar level.

Although I'm constantly worried about my condition, this worry is good for me. So, what am I worried about? Well, let's take a look at what complications Gestational Diabetes can bring:

• Since baby has so much sugar to feed on, baby might grow too big. They call it macrosomia. Then I will have problems when trying to give birth. Instead of a normal vaginal delivery, I might end up having a cesarean.
  
• After baby is born, baby may have a low blood sugar level. There is also the risk of breathing problems.
  
• Baby might have jaundice.

Here are some of my other concerns:

• Although gestational diabetes goes away after baby is born, there is no way to be certain that what I have is gestational diabetes. I will have to be tested again 6 weeks after delivery to see if I'm still diabetic. So, is this really gestational diabetes or Type 2 diabetes? There is no way to know now.
  
• If I get pregnant again, it's very likely that I will have gestational diabetes again. I know, I know, some of you are saying, "you already have 4, you want some more babies?" So okay, this is the last one okay (unless have accident-lah).
  
• This increases the chances of me developing Type2 diabetes later on in life. It seems there is a link between the tendency to have gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
  

Although I'm whining about this, it really is a good wake-up call for me. If this is gestational diabetes, then I have to endure this for only another 3 months or so. It's better I start making some lifestyle changes now before I have this condition for life and have to be on medication.

Well, today I have to do BSP (blood sugar profile test). I have to go to the clinic and get my blood tested 4 times - 8am, 12pm, 4pm and 9pm. Before my 8am appointment, I had to fast for 10 hours. The other 3 times, I have to fast 2 hours before. We'll see how today's test go.

On my to do list is going to the hospital to meet with the dietician. That will be good coz' I'm not sure if my diet is correct now. Am I eating enough? Eating too much? Eating the right stuff? Oh, and if you're wondering if baby is a boy or girl..... I DON'T KNOW YET! I'm meeting the doc tomorrow to go over today's BSP results. I'll see if I can get them to do a scan.

4th Month of Pregnancy

Morning sickness is over. YIPPEE! I'm eating better and have a little more energy now. Last check up at the clinic, I put on about 3kg. I'm now 67.4kg. This little baby likes spicy food. I've been enjoying Tom Yam noodles and anything with sambal. It's funny I never ate spicy food growing up. Now, I love it! So, what do you think? Spicy baby means boy or girl? Hahahaha.

I'm still eating apples like crazy. And must have my mint sweet after meals too. I find that I can't eat much even though I now can eat. I'm get bloated easily and feel like I'm having indigestion. I guess baby is getting big and that means less stomach room. Which is sad coz' the other day we celebrated the Relief Society Birthday at church and the food was super yummylicious -- the lamb was tender, the sauce tasted great, the mash potatoes with gravy was heavenly and the teriyaki chicken was to die for. I wanted to eat more but was not capable anymore. Sigh!
(By the way, the Relief Society is the women's organization in my church and it's now 167 year old. It's one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the world.)

When I was at the clinic for the checkup, the nurse used a doppler device to hear the baby's heartbeat. Unfortunately, she couldn't detect it. Then she asked if I've felt the baby move. I answered "no". This all got me a bit worried. I mean, no heartbeat, no movement... WAH, is baby ok? BUT the nurse didn't seem worried and just said, "maybe too early." Checkup was last week and I was around 16 weeks preggy. Did a little research on the internet and read that you can pick up a baby's heartbeat from 10 weeks onward. But some could only detect about 15-18 weeks. So the next checkup, I should definitely be able to hear it.

About feeling baby move, I think I felt something a few days after the checkup. It was like little bubbles popping. I quickly called kokoD to put his hand on my belly and he said he felt it too. But I haven't felt anything since. Belly is getting bigger and my bump will start to show through my clothes soon I'm sure. So, that's a good sign that baby is growing.

Summary of my 4th month of pregnancy:

• Increased appetite
• Increased energy levels
• Bloating and indigestion
• Constipation
• Bump beginning to swell
• Already have stretch marks from previous pregnancies.
  
• No matter how hard my kids are trying to hear baby's heartbeat by putting their head on my belly, they can't hear it that way. Sorry kids!
• Maybe felt baby's movement for the first time.
  

3rd Month of Pregnancy

I'm already a little past the 3rd month of pregnancy but the morning sickness is still around. It's not too bad during the day time but I really get uncomfortable in the evenings. At least I'm hardly puking anymore. Energy level is still down. Doing a little bit of work still exhausts me. If I need to do anything, it has to be in the morning. That's when I feel the most normal.

Eating is still a big problem. Gone is my appetite for noodles like "Chee Cheong Fun". Now, the only thing that strikes my fancy are sandwiches: chicken ham- a slice of cheese- pieces of apple, tuna in mayo-scrambled eggs-pieces of apple.

I was eating a lot of oranges last month. This month, the fruits of choice are watermelon, plums and apple. The mango tree at the back of my house started fruiting. What good timing. I managed to pull some down (while getting bitten by some angry red ants) to make 3 jars of pickled mangoes. Aaaah, a pregnant women's dream food.

I don't know what kind of mangoes they are but they are not that sweet. Anyway, I pluck them green so I have sour mangoes -- just nice to be pickled or to eat with rojak sauce. To pickle it is very easy. After cutting it up, I just rub them with salt. Leave it on for a while. Then I add on lots of sugar and put them into jars. After 1-3 days, you will see the mangoes give off some juice. So, don't need to add water or anything. This is how my FIL did it, so I just follow his method. I'm sure there are other ways to pickle mangoes.

Last checkup at the clinic, I lost 2kg. I'm now 64.2kg. I've not been below 65 kg for a looooong time. I'm sure I will start piling up the weight once I get my appetite back. I'm soooo looking forward to eating curry mee.

The tummy seems to be getting a little bigger. I haven't felt baby's movement yet. Hmmm... when do you start feeling the baby move? Pregnant for the 4th time and I still don't know this fact. Hahahah.

2nd Month Of Pregnancy

I realized I've never recorded any of my previous pregnancies. So when people ask me if this pregnancy is any different from the rest, I can't say much coz' I've only a vague memory to draw from. Yes, I admit that I have a problem with memory. My DH will attest to that.

The only few things I can remember from past pregnancies are these:
1. With the first, I had a lot of migraines. And I ate a lot of oranges.
2. Second pregnancy, I ate a lot of mangoes. Also had a short craving for KFC's Zinger burger.
3. Third pregnancy I lived on toast bread for more than a week. I fancied western food over asian food.
4. With all 3 pregnancies, morning sickness lasted for about 3 months.

Well, this time round I thought it would be good to journal down my pregnancy experience. I think I shall call it "MY PREGNANCY CRAZIES".

Image via Wikipedia

Let's see, I'm a little over 2 months preggy. Morning sickness is not as bad as the 3rd pregnancy. I'm not vomiting as much though I do feel uncomfortable throughout the day. I burp constantly like I have a dragon in the tummy. Where is all these gas coming from? I'm pretty okay with lunch but struggle with dinner. The morning sickness feels worse towards the evening. So, it is almost certain that my face will be looking down at the toilet bowl at night to make several disgusting deposits. Oooh, how I hate the taste and sore throat after. (Sorry if this is all disgusting to you. Pregnancy can be a disgusting affair. Hahaha).

I think all my body's energy is channeled to growing this baby that I have no strength to do anything else. I've employed my children to do the sweeping and mopping of the floor. Regular chores like these leaves me utterly breathless. So, the past few weeks I've been vegging out on the couch or sprawled out on the bed. Boy, I really do feel NON-FUNCTIONAL. Thank goodness I have a wonderful DH who has taken over the kitchen and the business of feeding the family. So single girls out there, make sure one of your criteria to look for in a husband is that he can cook.

I miss enjoying my food. It is torture to see food that I love but be turned off by it. I run out of the house when DH starts cooking coz' the aroma just makes me feel worse. Yes, I actually take a chair and sit outside the house until the cooking is finished.

I have had some cravings. It usually happens when I'm taking a nap; I start dreaming about the food I want to eat. I feel like a crazy woman. A few weeks ago I so badly wanted to eat hokkien fried mee and cantonese style kuey teow. Yesterday, I dreamed of eating "chee cheong fun". Unfortunately, I am not living in PJ anymore where it is easy to buy these stuff. And sad to say, I don't have one of those DH who will drive 1 hour across town in the wee hours of the morning to satisfy your craving. My craving was so strong at that moment that I even had a few choices for DH -- 1st choice = chee cheong fun, 2nd choice = tausa pau, 3rd choice = mee konno (kicap mee). DH finally agreed to satisfy my craving after I broke down and cried. YA, crazy! I actually broke down and cried. Crazy pregnant hormones. Unfortunately I had to settle for choice #3. It was the easiest for him to do. I'm still holding out for my "chee cheong fun" though. Pasar malam is tomorrow and I know they have it there :)

Regarding clinical checkups, I have opted to do them at the government clinic (Klinik Desa). The clinic is only a stone's throw away and it's FREE! Sure beats forking out RM80-RM100 for a doctor's visit. My last pregnancy I went to UMMC for check ups. That was cheap too - only a few ringgit each visit. I feel that the government facilities do a more thorough checkup than the private ones. They do blood tests for HIV and other stuff. There's also the glucose test. First time visit is always the longest because they have to take down your history and do all the necessities. Well, I haven't really decided where to deliver this baby. Thinking about the Sg. Buloh hospital but I think I'll have to visit the place first. Anybody has any experience there?

Battling Morning Sickness

I really don't need a home pregnancy test to tell me I'm pregnant. The nausea of morning sickness is a definite sign already. Past pregnancies tell me I have to endure this for 3 months. Can't wait for food to smell good again.

So, how do I combat this nauseousness?

• Don't let myself get hungry. Small meals and lots of snacking.
  
• Snacks usually comprise of crackers, fruits or toast bread. Because it's Chinese New Year, I have Chinese New Year goodies to keep me occupied too e.g. prawn crackers and "Matt Foong Tau" a.k.a Beehive a.k.a Bunga Ros.
• Bland food. No more nasi lemak or curry laksa.
  
• Lot's of burping. Hahahaha.
• Sour plums ("shin mui" or "semboi")
  

My energy level is almost rock bottom. I do feel grateful that I do not have to go to work to meet deadlines and please bosses. Kudos to working pregnant moms. So, if you see a little less activity from me these few weeks, just know that I'm probably sprawled out on the bed or hiding from nauseating smells.

Related post:
Things I Love When I Have Morning Sickness

UPDATE (6 Feb 2009)
I've heard that ginger is particular good in helping with morning sickness. After 3 pregnancies, I decided to finally give it a try. So, slicing up some ginger (about 4-5 slices), I put them in my mug and add some hot water and honey. I let it sit for awhile for the ginger to fuse into the water. Once I finish the mug, I just top up with more hot water and honey. Sipping it throughout the day seems to help. Well... I think that is what is helping me feel better. Make no mistake, I'm not CURED of morning sickness. The discomfort is still there but not so intense.
So, if you are pregnant and also battling morning sickness, maybe you can give this remedy a try.

What I Don't Want To Hear When I Tell You I'm Pregnant Again

I'm sure you know what the above picture means - Yes, no.4 is on the way. Before you make any comments or pass any judgement, read the rest of this post first.

It's been interesting to hear what people have said to me each time I announce that I'm pregnant (especially family members.) With the first baby, everyone is generally very happy. They'll say "Congratulations", "Great news", "I'm so happy to hear this" etc.... With the 2nd baby, the excitement is still there but not so much. The general reaction is like "Good, your first child will have a playmate" or "Yes, 2 children is a good balance". When I announced my 3rd pregnancy, it was like "Another one?" I felt like a brave soldier who was daring enough to have more children than I have hands. Now with this 4th pregnancy, the enthusiasm is definitely gone. My mom said "Up to you lah, since you're so fertile". Father-in-law had only 1 sentence: "ko chai pregnant?" That's hokkien for "pregnant again?" Not even a smile or a glimpse of happiness. Mother-in-law has yet to find out and we'll tell her when we go back for Chinese New Year this Sunday. Can't wait to hear what she says (yeah, right). I've also gotten questions such as "was this planned or was it an accident?" and "how many children are you planning to have?"

Well, I just want to point out that:

1. I'm happy to be pregnant again. Having a child is a good thing - it doesn't matter what number the child is. Each pregnancy is a cause to be celebrated. So what if the baby was planned or an accident? It doesn't make the baby less precious. Each deserves some enthusiasm and excitement, not dread and skepticism.
   
2. I've been taught that each child is a gift from God. I truly believe this. I feel honored that Heavenly Father trusts me enough to send that spirit to my home. Can I handle 4 kids? With His help I can. He won't give me something I can't handle. I know if I have faith, put my trust in Him and counsel with Him in all that I do, He will bless me with the skills and knowledge needed to care for this family. Successful parenting is not a one-person job. It involves 3 people: mother, father and God.
3. My children is my wealth. Yes, definitely our expenses will go up but I believe the Lord will provide. We try our best and do what is right and He will do the rest. We may not live in luxury but that won't scar my children. On the contrary, they will learn to overcome problems and hardships. Plus, what they really need is parental love, support, and guidance. When we come to the end of this life, family is the only thing that matters. I believe that families are forever. Not our house, car, money and possessions.
   

So, when I tell you that I'm pregnant, even if it's for the 10th time, be happy and give me an enthusiastic "CONGRATULATIONS!" I'm excited and that's why I'm sharing the news with you. To me, it's wonderful news. So don't rain on my parade. What I need is for you to be happy too. I need your support, not your judgement.

Okay, that's all I want to say. You can go ahead and make your comments now :)