preggo

ST. GERARD, PATRON & PROTECTOR OF EXPECTANT MOTHERS

June 27, 2014 by Little Miss Honey 1,051 Comments

I will be on my 39weeks of pregnancy by tomorrow. The waiting game makes me feel excited, anxious and a bit scared as a first timer. I did have few contractions last night but I talked to baby that maybe we can wait for his dad to arrive from Singapore in two days. Then, my contractions subsided.

I learned about this saint: St. Gerard Majella. He is the saint of expectant mothers. I learned more of his life, how he lived it and all miracles he performed. I am amazed of how he had lived his life for God and his mission to be a saint.

Every night I pray to God throughout his intercession. I will share with all the expectant mothers out there this prayer:

PRAYER TO ST. GERARD

Great Saint Gerard,

beloved servant of Jesus Christ,

perfect imitator of our meek & humble Savior,

and devoted child of the Mother of God,

enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity

which glowed in you & made you a seraph of love.

O glorious Saint Gerard,

because like your Divine Master,

you bore without murmur or complaint the calumniates of wicked men

when falsely accused of crime,

you have been raised up by God as patron & protector of expectant mothers.

Preserve me in the dangers of motherhood and shield the child I now bear,

that it may be brought safely to the light of day

and receive the sacrament of baptism.

Amen.

Hail Mary…. (3x)

(Taken from Straight from the Heart: A Prayer Companion)

I also pray through the intercession of St. Raphael the Archangel and St. Josemaria Escriva as well as praying the rosary. Mama Mary, Jesus’ mother is the perfect mother to emulate.

Tomorrow is my next prenatal check up. Wish me luck! Praying for all preggy mommies out there too!

PUPPS: PREGNANCY SKIN RASH AND HOW TO MANAGE IT

June 26, 2014 by Little Miss Honey 1,931 Comments

I am currently in my 38 weeks of pregnancy. On Saturday, I will be 39 weeks. I am hoping the day after that I will give birth na to my baby boy. My pregnancy was mostly an enjoyable, symptom-free except a very short stint of lethargy during my 6weeks to 8weeks pregnancy. However, I didn’t know that a bad bad pregnancy skin rash would visit and disturb my happy prepartum state in my third trimester. The skin rash is called PUPPS. It means Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy (that is mouthful!). It is just not an ordinary skin rash that will itch a bit. Its itchiness is like a curse. You would like to scratch your skin off until it bleeds. Some say that it is something that you wouldn’t even wish your enemies to have. It is very unsightly too. Those who have suffered this horrible condition will really sympathise with you because she would know how difficult and bad it is. Even the most patient and tolerant person will complain of this rash. Here is a link if you are interested in how PUPPS look like: Images of PUPPS. It is not pretty picture. You have been warned.

PUPPS is a skin condition that is often affecting pregnant women who is carrying male babies. They say it is the male hormones of the baby interacting with the mommy. Good news though this condition will not have any dangerous effect on the baby or mommy (just insane itchiness for mommy). Bad news is that the only cure is delivery of the baby. Some even had themselves induced to labor early because of this. I was afflicted by PUPPS in my 35 weeks of pregnancy but even just one day of it had me crying my eyes out. I couldn’t sleep, clothes that touches my skin makes it more itchy and painful, scratching makes it worst and if I do scratch with fingers or any course object, I have to dig into my skin so hard it bleeds. I was left with bleeding, dry, coarse scabs and dark spots. The rash looks like hybrid of chicken pox, shingles and heat rash.

But I wouldn’t allow to make my last few weeks of pregnancy miserable. I researched and I even asked the help of my medical school classmate who is now a renown Doctor in Alternative Medicine in Iloilo City for her expert advice.

I found out to how to manage this evil skin rash. So to those suffering from this condition, I hope these will help. But seek your OB-Gyne doctor’s consent and advice first before trying these out.

1. Upon waking up, I drink a glass of lukewarm water with squeezed lemon juice. This will cleanse your system.

2.I drink one glass of vegetable juice twice a day, preferable the V8 juice. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find V8 juice here in Iloilo, I make do of vegetable juices in the supermart. Juicing or making smoothies can also be a good alternative.

3. I ordered online Grandpa’s Pine Tar Wonder Soap. It is sold in the United States but I was lucky to find an online seller in Manila. This is a miracle soap. A lot of PUPPS sufferer are raving about this soap. And they are right! I used with a good loofah sponge. You will smell like camp fire after bathing and your bathroom floor might have blackish tinge but it will relieve you of your rashes. Within 2 days, the rashes went flat and my skin became smoother. It also gradually lightened my dark spots from the rash.

4. Bathe twice to thrice a day with cold or room temperature water. Avoid using very hot water which will only aggravate the condition.

5. Drink lots of water.

6. Take Dandelion Root capsules or drink Dandelion Root tea. This is best to consult your doctor first before trying this. Some take 3 capsules thrice a day. But I just took two capsules twice a day. If you are going to use tea, drink one cup 2x a day.

7. Apply Virgin Coconut Oil allover skin. I always hated the smell of VCO or lana. But it was the only thing that helped me during the worst stage of my PUPPS.

8. Try not to scratch. Ok, I didn’t follow this but if you can, don’t because your skin will be spared from ugly dark spots of extreme scratching. Believe me, not my skin have so many dots, my niece would say she can connect the dots. I even apply concealer or foundation on my skin because I am embarrassed of how it looks.

Here are some things that may help. SomeI tried but didn’t work for me but worked for some. Some I haven’t really tried but people attest that it works for them:

1. Apply cold compress on the rashes when its itchy.

2. Use antihistamines. Check with your doctor what is safe for you to use.

3. Use steroid creams or tablets. Check with your doctor what is safe for you to use.

4. Apply Calamine lotion on rash.

5. Drink Nettle Leaf Tea or take nettle leaf capsules.

6. Bathe with Epsom Salts.

7. Use oatmeal soap and lotion.

I am happy to say after 1-2 weeks, my rashes got better. I still have itchiness here and there, mostly probably from the stretch marks and dry skin of pregnancy. But the PUPPS never came back, thank God. I do hope that no one will experience PUPPS. It was an excruciating experience. Before trying any of this, please consult your doctor.

I can’t wait to see my little boy soon. I do hope it will be this week. Happy pregnancy to preggy mommies out there!

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

May 31, 2014 by Little Miss Honey 1,748 Comments

I am officially 35 weeks today. I gained a lot of infos of some pregnancy questions frequently asked by newly pregnant mommies-to-be. Most questions I asked myself during my pregnancy.

IS CAFFEINE SAFE DURING PREGNANCY?

I love coffee! But i was told to avoid that caffeine is not safe during pregnancy? Is it?

There are a mixed opinion when it comes to caffeine during pregnancy. After careful research, the good news is that yes, you can still have your cup of java based on a 2008 study. BUT it should be limited to 200 milligrams of caffeine intake per day which is equivalent one 12-ounce cup of coffee to avoid the risk of miscarriage. Some studies showed drinking more than 8 cups of coffee can cause stillbirth and some studies showed association of caffeine and reduced baby’s birth weight. It is also important to note that coffee is a diuretic which can make you lose water and if you are pregnant, it is essential to be well-hydrated. Coffee also can increase your heart rate, cause insomnia and trigger heartburn. Also it is not only in coffee you can find caffeine, you can find it in chocolates, tea, Mountain Dew, energy drinks and coffee ice cream. But if you can’t really resist a good cup of coffee, make sure not to exceed from the recommended amount of caffeine or at least only take occasionally. But if you can totally abstain from it throughout your pregnancy, that is much better.

But if not having caffeine will give you a terrible withdrawal headache, here is a guide for you from www.babycenter.com.

Amount of caffeine in common foods and beverages

Coffee Amount Caffeine
coffee, generic brewed 8 oz 95-200 mg
coffee, Starbucks brewed 16 oz (grande) 330 mg
coffee, Dunkin’ Donuts brewed 16 oz 211 mg
caffé latte, misto, or cappuccino, Starbucks 16 oz (grande) 150 mg
caffé latte, misto, or cappuccino, Starbucks 12 oz (tall) 75 mg
espresso, Starbucks 1 oz (1 shot ) 75 mg
espresso, generic 1 oz (1 shot) 64 mg
coffee, generic instant 1 tsp granules 31 mg
coffee, generic decaffeinated 8 oz 2 mg
Tea Amount Caffeine
black tea, brewed 8 oz 47 mg
green tea, brewed 8 oz 25 mg
black tea, decaffeinated 8 oz 2 mg
Starbucks Tazo Chai Tea latte 16 oz (grande) 95 mg
instant tea, unsweetened 1 tsp powder 26 mg
Snapple 16 oz 42 mg
Lipton Brisk iced tea 12 oz 5 mg
Soft drinks Amount Caffeine
Coke 12 oz 35 mg
Diet Coke 12 oz 47 mg
Pepsi 12 oz 38 mg
Diet Pepsi 12 oz 36 mg
Jolt Cola 12 oz 72 mg
Mountain Dew 12 oz 54 mg
7-Up 12 oz 0 mg
Sierra Mist 12 oz 0 mg
Sprite 12 oz 0 mg
Energy drinks Amount Caffeine
Red Bull 8.3 oz 77 mg
SoBe Essential Energy, berry or orange 8 oz 48 mg
5-Hour Energy 2 oz 138 mg
Desserts Amount Caffeine
dark chocolate (70-85% cacao solids) 1 oz 23 mg
milk chocolate 1.55-oz 9 mg
coffee ice cream or frozen yogurt 8 oz 2 mg
hot cocoa 8 oz 8-12 mg
chocolate chips, semisweet 4 oz 53 mg
chocolate milk 8 oz 5-8 mg

IS IT OKAY TO GET A BODY MASSAGE DURING PREGNANCY?

Yes it is BUT must be done only on your 2nd trimester, NEVER on your 1st trimester. I had a body massage in Batam, Indonesia on my 16 weeks of pregnancy. It is important that it should be done by an experienced prenatal masseuse. Some aromatic oils should be avoided and during massage the ankles and the spot between the forefinger and thumb shouldn’t be massaged and should be avoided because these pressure points can induce contractions of the uterus and pelvic muscles. The therapist shouldn’t touch your abdomen and you should never lie prone. You will be lying sideways with a soft pillow to cushion your gravid belly and one of your leg resting on the lower end of the pillow.

CAN I GET A PEDICURE OR A HAIRDYE WHILE I AM PREGNANT?

By 3rd trimester, your toes would look like pink sausages because of the swelling. A good pedicure would help prettify those sausages. It is fairly safe to get a pedicure but as much a spossible if you can bring hour own sterilised tools much better to avoid transmission lf infection from other users. Also pedicures should be done in a well-ventilated room for the pregnant lady avoid inhaling the strong fumes. Avoid use acrylics, there is no enough evidence if this is safe for the fetus. With hair dye, some of say that they did have their hair dyed during pregnancy. All you need is a well-ventilated room so you won’t inhale the fumes. But to err in the side of caution, I think your hair can wait a few months for a hair dye.

ARE THERE MAKEUP OR BEAUTY PRODUCTS THAT NEED TO BE AVOIDED DURING PREGNANCY?

During pregnancy, most women would complain that they never felt so ugly in all their lives. There are the acne due to pregnancy hormones, the hyperpigmentation, the dry skin, the bloating, the weight gain and rashes. We need a bit of help in the beauty department to look extra pretty even with a big bulging belly and what comes with it. But it is important that we should be extra careful with the products we use. Avoid products that contain retinols. Tretinoins, Retin-A, Vitamin A-rich creams, anti-ageing cream etc are sample of those with retinols. Also avoid those with paragons as well. Try to stick to hypoallergenic and organic products. Moisturise and moisturise to hydrate that dry skin. Also use sunblock because during pregnancy, the skin is more prone to hyper pigmentation. So to avoid aggravating this, stay away from the sun and use hypoallergenic sunblock.

I FEEL LIKE EATING EVERYTHING I SEE. IS THERE ANY FOODS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY?

After the 1st trimester nausea and vomiting subsides, your appetite will come back with vengeance. But hold your horses, there are few foods that you need to avoid during pregnancy.

– Raw egg : may contain a parasite called Salmonella

– Soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk, including Brie, feta, Camembert, Roquefort, queso blanco, and queso fresco : may cause E. coli or Listeria infection

– Fishes like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and golden or white snapper: may contain high level of mercury

– Sushi: most sushi contain raw or undercooked fish which might contain parasites or bacteria

Make sure to eat food that is well-cooked. Go organic as much as possible. Eat healthily throughout the pregnancy.

CAN I STILL GO FOR MY BRAZILIAN WAX WHILE I’M PREGNANT?

When you are going on labor and ready to deliver your precious one, the nurses and nursing aides usually shave your private parts with a razor in preparation of the vaginal delivery of your baby. Don’t you think this is better to get a brazilian wax instead? So if you are a regularly get a brazilian wax monthly, yes you still can. BUT you can also have it done on your 5th month of pregnancy onwards. Best to avoid in the first fragile few month of pregnancy. Also the skin during pregnancy is much more fragile and it is known to be more painful to have waxing done during pregnancy due to extra sensitive pain receptors. But if you are a regular waxer, your tolerance to pain might be higher than others. Some complain of irritation due to sensitivity of the skin when they having waxing done during pregnancy. Also the hairs can be more stubborn during pregnancy.

But before trying all of these, it is also best and safer to ask your own OB-GYNE doctor for advice.

Happy Pregnancy, mommies!