Constipation During Pregnancy

Lately, I've been experiencing constipation. It's so uncomfortable, to the extend that sometimes I don't feel like eating anymore. I always feel as if my stomach is so full, and there's a need for me to move my bowel. But when I'm already there, nothing happens.

They say that constipation is very common during pregnancy. This is mainly caused by hormonal changes brought by pregnancy and influences the whole digestive system. Symptoms often include the following:

• More than four days between each bowel movement.
  
  
• Feces are hard, which are difficult to pass.
  
  
• A feeling that not all the feces are being passed.
  
  

Aaarrgghhh, I really want constipation relief as soon as possible! If only I'm not pregnant, I would have taken one of those tea that I used to drink to help me pass my poops. But for now all I can do is to eat enough fibre, drink more water, and take exercise. I just hope these would help sooner.

Summertime is Back

Yep, summertime is back. And so we thought that it's over since the first week of May was rainy due to the two typhoons that hit our country. Now, it's hello sunshine once again. Although some people hated this summer heat in the Philippines, for me it's way better than the rainy days. It takes me 8 rides a day to and fro work, so this type of weather suits me well. And no doubt, if I’d be in Arizona, I’ll be able to manage well in spite of the heat. I heard there are new home developments in Arizona. If you're thinking about living in Arizona like hubby and I do, why not contact Scottsdale Arizona realtors now?

Hey, I Felt Him Move!

Yes, the little one is making those mini kicks again. I just felt him move a while ago. And it brought a smile to my face. As early as 19 weeks, I can already feel those little movements, and I can hardly wait to feel bigger ones as my pregnancy progresses.

Twenty-one weeks more and I'm off to see this little guy - (yeah, still hoping here that he's a little guy this time). Can't wait to see how he looks and touch his little hands and feet. Hmmm. I wonder if his foot is as cute as this one.

Image from: downtownbeatons.blogspot.com

Green Web Hosting for Phoebz Place

I've already secured a web hosting service for my domain name phoebeonline.com. Now, I'm thinking about getting another domain name and choosing a web hosting service provider for this blog, Phoebz Place. I've started this personal blog almost 3 years ago, created a couple of posts, and earned a little out of it. This year, I'm planning to give it a makeover, starting of course with a new domain name and web hosting.

With the domain name, I've already decided to get one from where I also acquired phoebeonline.com. But for web hosting, I'm still unsure what provider to choose. I'm thinking about going green this time - something which is more eco-friendly, a green web hosting perhaps. I want to contribute in my own way in saving the earth. So since a green host uses eco-friendly sources such as recycled wastes and plant trees to power its datacenter, it would be the best option for me.

To begin my search, I visited Web Hosting Geeks. And guess what I found? Really helpful green web hosting reviews, on which providers are also ranked according to their features and bonus features. A great site about web hosting, indeed! Finding the best green web hosting provider for Phoebz Place has been a breeze for a not-so-techie blogger like me.

Pregnancy Update: Week 18

I am now in week 18 of my pregnancy (almost 5 months at that). So far, so good. So good in the sense that I can manage to travel 8 short and long rides a day, to and from work. However, there are times that I find myself wishing that I'm just at home working and looking after the kids at the same time. In times like these, I simply console myself by saying this pregnancy will soon be over and that everything will be back to normal for me.

So, how am I and the baby doing in week 18? We're good, yeah! Although I'm not sure if I'm already placenta previa totalis-free. I haven't visited my OB-GYNE since my prenatal checkup last April and haven't had another ultrasound yet, so I have no clue. But still, I'm hoping that the placenta already migrated and that the baby shifted position from breech to head first. Anyway, on June 1, I'm planning to visit a new OB-GYNE near our vicinity. Only then will I know how my pregnancy condition is.

For now, I just update myself with what to look forward in pregnancy week 18 by researching on the Internet. So far, here is what I found out:

The Mom:

The hormones in pregnancy can cause changes in the appearance of your skin and hair. You may find that you have uneven patches of color or a butterfly shaped one called "the mask of pregnancy". These changes are more common in dark-skinned women. Your capillaries under your skin on your face can increase, causing you to look flushed. This is sometimes referred to as the "glow" that pregnant women are thought to have about them. You can use your foundation to cover both of these.

Your hair may appear thicker, it may gain a little curl, or it may start thinning. You will find that whatever your hair type, it usually becomes worse, i.e. dry hair becomes dryer.

You can now feel your uterus just below your navel.The average woman has gained close to 12 pounds by now.

SYMPTOMS YOU MAY EXPERIENCE

• Breast Changes, tenderness, fullness, darkening of the areola
• Frequent Urination
• Constipation
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Occasional headaches
• Stretch Marks (cocoa butter can help with these)
• Itching

The Baby:

This week your baby is about 5.6 inches long and by the end of the week will weigh about 5 ounces! She is really growing! You are also growing as well, Mom! You can probably feel your uterus just under your navel. You have probably gained about 10 to 12 pounds.

Source: http://www.amazingpregnancy.com/weekbyweek/week18.html
Image Source: www.babycorner.com

Scrubs - What is it?

When I gave birth to Baby Guian last 2007, the nurse who assisted me was very kind and friendly. She was also very patient in answering my questions with regards to postpartum concerns. I knew it was part of her job as a nurse. But after I read these inspiring nurses’ stories from Scrubs, a nursing clinical site, I realized that the nursing profession is far more than just caring, assisting, and answering patients’ questions all throughout their stay in the hospital.

Scrubs is a site dedicated to nurses all over the globe. It aims to inspire nurses and non-nurses alike through their articles, which are written by nurses themselves.

Recently, Scrubs launched this nursing poll with the question, “What is your favorite fictional portrayal of a nurse?” I participated and answered Carol Hathaway of ER. She’s really very effective in that role, and so I must say she’s my best choice. Well, no doubt, she has the highest vote as of today with 31%.

Aside from the nursing poll, Scrubs also has this Tip Jar page. It’s like a Q&A page, which is very helpful not only to nurses but also to non-nurses like myself. I’ve read through some questions and picked one that really caught my interest. It’s about How to Deal with a Patient Who Has Postpartum Depression. I’m currently pregnant, so the information I got from that tip would be really be of help. Thanks Scrubs!

Scrubs is really a great site to read. And now more than ever, I admire the nurses more, and so I’m looking forward to meeting the nurse who will assist me on my delivery this coming October.

Placenta Previa Totalis

Last April, I underwent an ultrasound. I made a post about it in my family blog, The Baby in Between. The result showed that I was experiencing a serious pregnancy complication called Placenta Previa Totalis. Some of you may be familiar with this condition. But for those who are not, you can hop on to my Placenta Previa post to learn more about it.

At first, I was so scared. But after reading various forums where moms, who also experienced the same complication, shared their PP stories, I felt a little relieved. Most of them were able to give birth normally because their placenta migrated after a couple of weeks or months, totally clearing the cervix to give way for the baby. So after reading, I'm more than hopeful that my placenta will also migrate since my uterus will still grow bigger as weeks pass.

I'm now on my 18th week of my pregnancy. Ten weeks more and I'm off to another ultrasound. Keeping my fingers crossed that my placenta already moved out of the baby's way. And I'm praying hard as well that me and my baby will continue to be safe all throughout this pregnancy.