Things that change when you have a baby

Written by Rebecca Woolf and comments from the readers of babycenter.com

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.

2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.

3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.

4. You respect your body ... finally.

5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.

6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.

7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.

8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.

9. Your heart breaks much more easily.

10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.

11. Every day is a surprise.

12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)

13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.

14. You become a morning person.

15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

Comments from the readers:

1. "You discover how much there is to say about one tooth."

2. "You finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth."

3. "You now know where the sun comes from."

4. "You'd rather buy a plastic tricycle than those shoes that you've been dying to have."

5. "You realize that although sticky, lollipops have magical powers."

6. "You don't mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night."

7. "Silence? What's that?"

8. "You realize that the 15 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having."

9. "You discover an inner strength you never thought you had."

10. "You no longer rely on a clock — your baby now sets your schedule."

11. "You give parents with a screaming child an 'I-know-the-feeling' look instead of a 'Can't-they-shut-him-up?' one."

12. "Your dog — who used to be your 'baby' — becomes just a dog."

13. "You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late."

14. "You learn that taking a shower is a luxury."

15. "You realize that you can love a complete stranger."

16. You find yourself wanting to make this world a better place.

17. If you didn’t believe in love at first sight before, now you do!

18. You start to appreciate Sesame Street for its intellectual contribution.

19. You have to quit watching the news because you see every story from a mother's perspective and it breaks your heart.

20. You just plain love life more - everything comes together and becomes better because of one tiny person and your love for them.

21. You finally find out the real reason you have those breasts.

22. The support you get from other people surprises you, because the people giving it are not always the ones you'd expect.

23. Nothing is just yours any longer. You share EVERYTHING!

24. No matter what you've accomplished in life, you look at your child and think, "I've done a GREAT job!"

25. You want to take better care of yourself for your child.

26. You can have the most wonderful conversation using only vowel sounds like "ahhh" and "oooo."

Baby Blues

I thought I won’t feel this “baby blues” thingy. I thought I’m strong enough to handle the new chapter of my life. That everything is fine but I was wrong.

Couple of days after giving birth, I felt different. I can’t stop myself from crying. I’m irritated with the things around me, with the people around me. My husband asked me what my problem was. I kept silent, kept crying.

Deep inside me, I’m exhausted, unsure of myself, afraid to make mistakes because I haven’t done all of these before and the feeling of being trapped with the current situation. I felt so alone. I felt I have lost myself, and the feeling that I no longer have my own life. That I can no longer do things for myself that I have to let go and give up the things I used to do and enjoy. That Sannah as an individual is already gone.



But as days pass by and I have seen the support of my husband which I really need to overcome the situation I’m currently in, the blues just went away. It was replaced with the feeling that having a child has been my dream for such a long time and that dream was granted by the Lord. Looking at my husband’s and daughter’s faces while they’re sleeping give me so much joy and inspire me to be the best wife and mom for them.





I am so happy and very much contented with my life now; I thank the Lord and my husband Naj for giving me Jula.

Welcome Jula . . .

Name: Jula Sophia Padit Asne
Date of Birth: July 31, 2009
Place of Birth: San Juan De Dios Hospital, Pasay City
Time: 7:35 am
Weight: 6.26 lbs
Length: 49 cm
Nature: via Normal Spontaneous Delivery
Mother: Rosanna Padit-Asne
Father: John Cybill Asne

False Alarm

July 13th was my nth prenatal checkup schedule in San Juan De Dios Hospital, I have told my OB that my lower abdomen is painful this past few days. She checked my cervix and found out that it was already open. She advised me to take Isoxilan, a drug that makes that baby hold onto the womb and be on bed rest for 3 days because my baby was just 35 weeks and 3 days, not yet full-term.

After bed rest and medication, I went to the office to work already. July 18th, around 11:00 in the morning, I felt something came out from me. When I checked, it was a discharge that looks like mucus from a runny nose, yellow then became brown discharge. Since it’s my first pregnancy, I’d informed my supervisor; he accompanied me in the clinic together with my friend, and informed the nurse. The nurse advised me to go home and have an OB consultation which I did. The OB from Casa Medica told me that my cervix is already open, 2 cm in particular and 50% dilated, I was advised to go to San Juan de Dios. I went to Emergency Room since the OB Consultation is already close in the Out Patient Department. I thought I’m going to deliver the baby that day. Unfortunately, it wasn’t time yet. Yes, the cervix is already 2 cm open and 60% dilated but the baby’s time to see the world has not come yet. I still have to wait.



I’m kind of’ upset because I am really excited to see my baby, but I had learned to accept the fact that I will see my little angel in due time. I have to be patient.

My next prenatal checkup will be on July 27th. Just wish me luck and pray for my safe delivery.

Fears of the Expectant Dad

I and my husband, Naj, talked about his fears since I’m almost on my last month of pregnancy. That anytime now, I will be delivering the baby to this world. Here are some of his fears:

Financial / Security Fears



He has been asking himself if he can protect or provide for his family. Before I got pregnant, his income is more than enough for the two of us but now that the baby is coming, it will definitely stretch our budget.

Fear for me and our child's health





He is worried about the postpartum syndrome, a depression that affects women after childbirth. He hopes that he can provide emotional security because I might experience dramatic emotional shifts. He’s also worried about his child’s health. He just want the baby to be healthy.

Physical Appearance of the Baby



Since he will have a baby girl, he doesn’t want his baby girl to inherit his skin color. Of course, he would like her to have a pleasant appearance.

Relationship Fear




Once the baby is born, he fears that he might and I might love the baby more than anyone. That our love for each other and our communication will be lessened since we’ll be focusing more on the baby.

I understand where my husband is coming from because as an expectant mom, I also have my own fears. I just hope that our love with each other will be strengthen for the coming our little angel, Jula.

Tests for Pregnant Women

1. Ultrasound / Obstetric Sonography
- used to visualize a fetus during routine and emergency prenatal care.First trimester ultrasound is often done using a vaginal approach. Pelvic ultrasound is used during second and third trimester.

Obstetric ultrasound is primarily used to:

* Date the pregnancy (gestational age)
* Confirm fetal viability
* Determine location of fetus, intrauterine vs ectopic
* Check the location of the placenta in relation to the cervix
* Check for the number of fetuses (multiple pregnancy)
* Check for major physical abnormalities.
* Assess fetal growth (for evidence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR))
* Check for fetal movement and heartbeat. (biophysical)
* Determine the sex of the baby





2. Urinalysis
- reveal diseases that have gone unnoticed because they do not produce striking signs or symptoms. Example is Urinary tract infections for pregnant women.

- Physical (color, reaction, transparency, quantity, specific gravity); Chemical (albumin and sugar); Casts; Crystals; Microscopic (Pus cells red blood cells and epithelial cells) and Bacteria are being checked.



3. HBsAG (Hepatitis B surface Antigen)
- A test used to determine if pregnant woman is infected with hepatitis B.
- Negative value is 0.002 and positive value is 3.148



4. Blood Test / Hematology
- To know the blood / Rh type
- For hematology, the following are being checked:
* Leukocyte 5.0-10.0
* Erythrocytes 4.2 – 5.4
* Hemoglobin 11.0 – 15.0
* Hematocrit 37.0 – 47.0
* Thrombocyte 150 – 450
--- Neutrophil 50.00 – 70.00
--- Lymphocyte (P) 20.0 – 40.0
--- Monocyte (P) 0.0 – 7.0
--- Eosinophils (P) 0.00 – 5.00
--- Basophils (P) 0.00 – 1.00





5. Glucose Challenge Test (GCT)
- Blood test used to screen women for diabetes during pregnancy. The test evaluates the body’s ability to metabolize glucose (blood sugar). The test is usually ordered between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy, sometimes earlier.Blood is drawn one hour after the patient drinks a sugary solution. 0 – 140 mg/dL is the normal range.

BaBy ShOwEr

Last June 7, 2009; our baby shower was held in Las Piñas City, Philippines. I only had 1 week preparation for this event. The original plan was to do it July 4 or 5 but I made it earlier because I might not be able to do it by July and the emcee of the event might be busy by then. This wouldn’t be successful without the help of my friend, Joan and of course my husband, Naj. I’m so thankful because the guests participated and had fun that day.



The games and winners are:

1. Human Bingo - Bona
2. Mommy’s Tummy – Zig, Puma, and Justin
3. Q&A (How well do you know these couple?) – Group I (Shaider, Rhod, Puma, Justin and Kirby)
4. Baby Top 40. – Girls (Aika, Raine, Alie, Bona, Deng and Lyne)









I have registered the baby shower at Baby Co., SM Department Store – Southmall so my friends can get 10% discount on the gifts they will be buying for my little one.



I would like to thank the following for coming, for the messages and for the gifts:



TL Gelo – thermometer
Puma – stroller
Rhod – comforter
Bona & Kwek – baby wipes & photo album
Mhei & Migz – baby bath gift set
Deng – sterilizer
Joan – baby’s necessities, diaper clips, socks and shoes
Aika – baby bottle gift set
Vlad – baby wipes & diaper
Justin – diaper bag
Dennis – diaper bag
Zig & Alesx – bath foam, shoes & mosquito net
Jeff - high chair
Shaider
Lyne
Marvi - Php500 cash
Kirby
Casi
Alie
Raine
Mamang
Papang

Thanks guys for making it meaningful. Thanks for wishing upon our little angel, Baby Jula Sophia Padit Asne.



- sannah & naj