6 Months Completed

Completed 6 months, the second trimester. 

I can't see the tiny side bone on my ankle anymore. It's buried under all the new fat. Toes are visibly plump. I had to remove my toe-rings. I have already given away a big bag of clothes that I can't fit into anymore. And ordered my first 'nighty' from Amazon. I have not worn one since ... forever!

Strangely, I have never felt to eat raw mango even once during these 6 months. In fact, I did not feel so even in the earlier pregnancy. A pregnant woman craving for raw mango must be one of those over-rated movie cliches.

I remember my dreams were full of food last time. I was underfed and feeling hungry and craved for food during my waking hours. This time, I have not dreamed of food even once. I enjoy every little morsel that I eat even if it is something as simple as a boiled egg. Everything is tasty and I have not said no to anything. I am thankful for this. I truly am. Most pregnant women don’t realize the value of food because they are pampered silly during all their pregnancies. They do not know what not having means. They do not know what longing for and thinking about food all the time means. And I hope it stays that way. But I know! I have been through it. And today, it makes me so grateful for every plate that I have relished and polished off.

I am 64 kilos now. I was 58 at 3 months. That makes it a 6 kilo jump. I gained the max between the 5th and 6th month, that is, Oct to Nov. A friend remarked on FB: if I am 60 at 6 months, does that mean I will be 80 at 8 months?!! OMG! Scary thought.

3 months and 6 months

I had not observed and reacted with glee to the movements of the baby in the earlier pregnancy. This time I am observant of every little change, every twitch, every kick, every pain, every progress. I am eating well. I am sleeping well. I am happy. This is how I wanted my pregnancy to be. I had wished for it after Tanvi and I can’t believe God actually made my wish come true. I can’t believe I too am actually experiencing a pleasant and happy pregnancy.  I thought I was not fortunate enough for that and had made my peace with it.

God sometimes has the best plans laid out for you. Actually, not sometimes, - always. If I had not known the darkness of my first pregnancy, I would not have been able to enjoy the light of this one. Everything is in comparison to it. Everything is better too in comparison to it. Not just my own daily routine or health - both mental and physical - but also the relationship that I share with Sathya today. There is a sea change. Earlier, there was love but there was more pain, stress, distrust, doubt, anxiety, uncertainty. Now, there is a quiet assurance in everything we do. I am content because I am relaxed in the comfort of his care.

At 7 months last time, I remember telling one of his friends, I think it was Babu, that I will abort the baby. Things were SO bad! I am onto my 7th month now and I can’t wait to hold my baby in my arms. But most importantly, I can’t wait to hold him along with Tan and Satty. I can’t wait to see their faces. I can’t wait to show them the little one hiding inside me all these months.

Pregnancy is a wonderful phase in a woman’s life and only when one actually goes through it does one realize its full impact. 

Anamoly Scan

11th October entry:

It was time for the dreaded Anamoly Scan and fifth month check-up. There was also blood and urine test. I was made to drink 2 glasses of glucose and after two hours , the blood and urine samples were taken. 

The scan this time was to check if all functions of the growing baby were normal. And it was. The doc showed the lips, nose, brain, heart and kidneys of the baby. The stomach area was filled with fluid which means the kidneys were working fine. The brain was surrounded by a fluid which is also a good sign. The baby had clenched its fist the first time the assistant scanned. The scan went on for 30 mins. Later, after an hour, when Dr Veena did the scan again, she pressed the abdomen slightly harder and the baby actually opened its fist ever so slightly. 

In the first trimester scan, the visuals were clearer. We could see the entire baby. This time, it was sort of blurred and we couldn’t see the complete body. They said, that is because the baby has grown and we can't show the full body. The focus was on examining each organ in detail. The backbone of the baby looked just like fish bone. She said there is no cleft lips, the lips looked fine. 

My risk for birth defects has come further down - from 1.38 to 1.76. That’s good news. Next month check-up would be a regular one – checking BP, my weight etc. No scan.  Thank God. 

Sathya was trying to see the genitals as we had read that by 5^th month, if it is a boy, the genitals would be formed and would have dropped down and would be discernible. We couldn’t see anything though. We both would like to have a boy this time just so that we have one of each gender!! And of course, I want to raise a son, the way a son should be raised - taught to do household chores and helping out in the kitchen like we expect our daughters to do. 

My blood pressure has been consistently low – averaging at 100/70. 

I have completed 23 weeks. Have gained 2 kilos in the past one month, out which half a kilo is the weight of the baby. I am at 60 kilos now and the back pain is pronounced. I have started feeling the 
jerks of the baby. Can't say they are 'kicks' or 'movements' really - not just yet. But I am conscious of slight jerks and twitches. I have made Tanvi feel it too.

Tossing and turning at night has been a real ordeal. The tummy is "all out" and there is not enough space for the three of us together on the bed. Beginning this month, I forced Tanvi to sleep on her bunk bed in her room. She kicks in her sleep and takes up half of the bed, leaving me clutching my stomach and waking up in the middle of the night wanting to twist her arm! I have had to show her how much space my stomach needs now and somehow have made her to sleep separately. Satty and I sleep alone now - finally but every 5th day of the week, our little lady comes crawling back, like a cockroach, stealthily slides between us, promises not to trouble me and again, takes up more than half the bed! 

Have been walking at least four times a week for half an hour and that’s been good.

Weight Gain and Pregnancy

25th July '17 entry:

I was 49 kilos at the start of my first pregnancy in 2006. 

I am at 59 kilos at the start of my second pregnancy in 2017. 

Ten years later, 10 kilos added. One kilo added for every year. 

I peaked at 63 kilos at full term with Tan. 

This time I am starting at 59 and I dread to think what I will peak at!! 75 kilos, perhaps? Ayyoo Rama! How am I going to carry myself?!!

My weight hasn’t vacillated to the right of the weighing scale much throughout the years. I have been wavering at 50-55 all throughout. Only after I hit 39, I put on a couple of kilos and for the first time in many years saw the scale tilting right ward and the needle stopping at 58. Three kilos gained post 35. Hmmm!

I easily shed the pregnancy weight of Tan within a couple of months. I was back at 55 without any diet or gym or any exercise. I breast fed her for 3 complete years. 

Many say if we are on copper-T it makes you put on weight. 

Nothing happened to me. In fact there never ever was any pain or the slightest discomfort. Five years of protection for under Rs 3000 – I feel IUCD is the most economical, stress-free and comfortable family planning option. Daalo aur bhool jao!!!

Way back in 2011, I had gone to Mudbidri to meet Lizzy, my friend and senior in Mangalore University. During a conversation, she casually mentioned that we need to remove it past its expiry date. The expiry date is usually five years. That reminded me about my copper t!  As soon as I returned to Bangalore, I hurried home to check what the expiry date was on mine. I had completely forgotten about it!!!! I had crossed 2 months past the date! I had run to the doc the very next day, removed the first one and got the second one fixed. Thank God for that talk with her!