So that’s how I look (more or less) right now? Hmmm… Mommy will definitely agree though when I say “I bet I’m more handsome than that” Hihihi!

Mommy’s getting nearer and nearer to the real thing and we’re both excited! We visited one of our favorite Mommy-Baby sites for an update on her pregnancy and we found lots of great information – from what’s happening to Mommy’s body, what’s happening to me (how big I am right now), and some fun facts to enjoy.

As of the moment, Mommy’s Braxton Hicks contractions are becoming more frequent and intense especially during her sleeping time (poor Mom, that’s when she’s getting lots of kicking from me). That’s one of the reasons why she already packed her labor bag and even kept it by the door. I am definitely coming huh!

I know these last few weeks of pregnancy can be so hard to Mommy (and it is). Now, Mommy’s way too deep in the waiting game! And I am playing with her too! Mommy’s feeling so large too, she thinks she’s a whale! And though she’s having backaches and leg cramps, all the pain are swallowed up in the anticipation of my impending arrival. She’s experiencing false contractions as well, on and off all through the day and night!

But Mommy’s been reading lots of books lately. Labor has always been a confusing term for many. When an expecting Mommy says “it’s time”, sometimes it isn’t the case. In reality, labor is never a quick event, it is a process, may be short or long for others, it varies (I wish Mommy will have a short one). Mommy will discuss the phases of labor in another blog post…

Now let’s talk about what’s happening to me, hihihi!

I’m sure by this time, my internal organs and systems are now completely developed. Yey! I’m ready to day “Hello World!” I guess I’m really coming out within the week, as my once spacious home inside Mommy’s tummy is now very cramped; I have difficulty stretching my legs huh! From that latest ultrasound, Mommy learned that I’m almost 6 pounds and about 14 inches long. Wow! I am really a man huh!

Now here’s an interesting yet fun fact that Mommy found out through her readings. According to a study made in Australia (the study was published in a magazine called Midwifery Today in 2007), women who ate throughout their labor didn’t feel or suffer any unpleasant or unfavorable effects from taking their snacks. Hey! Mommy loves to take her snacks, so this can be good right? Oh well, the downside however is that eating can slow down labor and Mommy doesn’t like that idea. So I guess Mommy won’t be eating much during labor huh!

Just a few weeks/days from now… Mommy and I are counting!

Since Little Nicholas is coming (felt like he’s knocking on the doors), Mommy mustered the courage to watch actual birth videos @ YouTube. Well, there are so many available videos to watch but what caught Mommy’s attention are these two videos entitled Pregnant Woman Giving Birth and Real Childbirth Video (I decided not to embed the videos here, some might not like the bloody scenes).

Mommy swallowed her saliva again and again while watching the videos. That’s how they do it? Some comments are right, it’s really scary! Do doctors really have to twist the baby’s head here and there? Is it really that bloody? I guess I’ll faint!

But then Mommy’s fear was easily replaced by relief and joy when she saw the baby’s hands coming out. Ah! Those cute little hands, so little, so soft! Then a few seconds after, the whole body followed, and he’s out! Wow! That was fast huh! Mommy felt silly crying in front of the monitor, witnessing that birth (bare with Mommy ok? She’s extra sentimental these days). It’s just beautiful to see a baby go out like that. Mommy can’t wait for Little Nicholas to go out too.

Oh! To hold Little Nicholas in my arms finally! No amount of blood or head twisting can stop me from giving birth. No amount of pain or fear can outweigh the bliss of seeing Little Nicholas at last!

Mommy read it in a book somewhere that the actual birth is painful due to many reasons. 10% is physical and 90% is functional (due to psychological and even emotional factors). Physical factors may include: the baby’s difficult position, baby’s big size, high blood pressure, fatigue, poor health and other unusual conditions. Functional causes can be:

1. Incomplete Muscle Relaxation - due to fear or counter responses to the physical pain

2. Improper Breathing - rapid and shallow breathing which depletes oxygen in the uterus and even causes toxicity and pain in every part of the skeletal muscles

3. Improper Positioning of Mom’s Body - some positions cause more pain

See? It isn’t so hard right? Mommy just have to make sure she isn’t scared and she’s [repared for D-Day. Everything will go smoothyl. It’s definitely a month (more or less) to go; let’s get the ball rolling and start the countdown. Mommy’s ready!