My Pregnancy Diary: 11th week

I'm on my 11th week now.  I'm  starting to feel some headache and dizziness at times which I've never experience before.   I'm still not gaining weight which I read is normal for some pregnant woman on their first trimester , but I really want to gain weight for my baby.  I'm still not showing but I already have a little bump that seems to get bigger after every meal which I find a little weird .   I always feel bad whenever people ask me if I'm really pregnant because I still haven't shown yet even people in the subway don't give me a seat since I don't look like pregnant  and end up standing all the way to my destination.   But I don't worry that much because I know that my bump will show after a few weeks.  I also wear dresses now instead of my usual office slacks and jeans because they don't fit me that well anymore, I think I need to go shopping for a new non-maternity clothes but still comfortable enough for my bump to wear.   I still feel nauseted sometimes especially when I smell something I don't like.  I'm going to hve my Check up next week and I'm so excited and I'm going to prepare some questions  to my GP.   

I'm Already 10 weeks Pregnant

I'm on my 10th week now. So far so good. I'm gaining appetite again which I can say is a good news because I used to hate eating in my first few weeks of being pregnant. I even lose weight form 100lbs to 103lbs to 98lbs. I hope I could gain more weight for my baby. I often feel some pain in my lower back which according to most people is normal because of my expanding uterus. I'm now starting to crave for food, like the other day I was craving for an Almond jelly and Panacotta I'm just so blessed because my hubby is always there to support me and he's really very patient of me now that I'm having some mood swing. They said that 10th week is the start of a crazy emotional changes, I'm not yet sure about.... but I'm starting to feel wasted and lazy maybe it's because of my high body temperature that make me feel irritated easily. And of course the never ending peeing, I sometimes cry myself because I could sleep continuously because I have to pee. I'm still nauseated at times but unlike before I only feel like vomiting when I smell something I don't like.
I still haven't shown yet, only people close to me notice the small bump I have, there are also times that I don't feel like I'm pregnant. Just like the other day, on our way to my office, I told my hubby that I don't feel like I'm pregnant that day but after a few minutes I felt something in my tummy that make me want to puke, it funny it's like my baby was trying to tell me that he is somewhere inside me and I don't have to worry about him of her.

Pregnant women with Diabetes should Monitor their Weight

It is important for pregnant women with diabetes to monitor their weight.
I just got a message from a diabetic friend that she's pregnant, so i did my research and send her this:

You should monitor your weight and food intake.

Drastic increase in weight approximately 6.5 pounds per month contributes to insulin resistance' while weight gain of only half a pound per week (or less than 2 pounds per month ) is a sign that you and your baby are not receiving sufficient nourishment.

you should receive a total of40% to 50% of your daily caloric count from carbohydrates make sure these are spread throughout the day. Low carb intake may result in hypoglycemia, while too much carb intake will elevate your blood sugar levels. Time and plan your day's first and last meals no more than 10 hours apart to avoid low blood sugar.

Choose food rich in complex carbs such as high-fiber breads, oatmeal, whole wheat and brown rice. Avoid refined sugars and sweets as well as instant noodles and processed breakfast cereals.

Protein should compromise 20% to 25% of your daily diet, limiting fat too only 30% (monounsaturated and Omega-3) Limit your sodium intake to less than 1/10 tsp per meal.
Evey pregnant women should watch what they eat, because they are eating for two. But Diabetic women should be more concern about their weight and food consumption.

Simple ways to Beat Stress during Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a time of added stress for both you and your partner. Although it is a special time in your life, it also is a time of physical, social and emotional changes. Some of these changes are due to the hormone increases that occur during a normal pregnancy. These can cause mood swings that interfere with your usual stress management skills, making those little problems seems bigger than they actually are. Because how you cope with stress affects your mental and physical health, keeping stress under control can help you stay healthy during your pregnancy.

Try one or more of the following strategies to help you manage stress in a positive way during your pregnancy:

• Eat a balanced diet = Not eating the right foods or enough food can make your irritable and tired, which may make you more prone to react negatively to the stress in your life. Avoid caffeine and cigarettes.
  
• Exercise regularly = Try to get some physical activity almost everyday, unless your Doctor tells you otherwise. Go for a walk.
  
• Make sure to get plenty of rest = Don't let the demands of everyday life overwhelmed you. Make time to rest, even if you have to schedule it.
  
• Find out what helps you relax = And then do it! Some things that might help you "wind down" could include taking a nap, resting your hand on your belly and feeling your baby move, taking a long warm shower or talking to your baby.
  
• Tune up = Playing classic or other music that you enjoy can help you relax and concentrate. There are also a number of relaxation tapes that combine nature sounds or soothing music with instructions that either ask you to visualized a specific scene or to teach you to relax specific muscle groups.
• Take some quiet time = Spend some time alone, meditate, read a book or keep a journal. Imagine your stress away = When you are feeling tense find a space where you can sit quietly for 10- 15 minutes.
• Hold that thought= When you have a stressful or negative thought, try these techniques : Stop the thought in mind stream. Actually say to your self "Stop" take a deep breathe and exhale slowly. Mentally take a step back, look at the situation objectively. Ask your self "Is my reaction overblown?" Remember that hormones swings during pregnancy may make things worst than they are. Then ask your self "What's a more constructive way to approach this problem ".
• Control your breathing to relax = Most meditation exercises use breathing techniques to help relax the body and mind. Try these simple relaxation techniques : Find a private spot where you can be quiet for 10-15 minutes. Sit erect , with your hands in your lap or relax at your sides. Close your eyes. Inhale deeply, hold your breathe for 5 seconds and exhale slowly. Sit quietly, concentrate on your breathing. Breathe through you lungs. On every exhale say the word "Calm". With every breathe, feel your mind becoming more still. Don't fight other thoughts or distraction, let them come, let them go. Just concentrate on your breathing. After 10 - 15 minutes, Open your eyes. Remain seated for 2-3 minutes. Resume your normal activity
• Tense, then relax = Progressive relaxation is a popular relaxation techniques that has been used for years. The idea is first to tense, then to relax specific muscle groups in a specific order. Try these techniques, when you begin to feel tense, if possible, find a quiet private place. Sit comfortably in a armchair or lie on the floor. (Do not lie flat on your back during the second half of your pregnancy, as this could decrease the blood supply to your abdomen and the baby) . Loosen any tight clothing. Remove your shoes, close your eyes and breathe normally, For each muscle groups tense the muscle for 6 seconds, then relax period. Repeat 3 times before going to the next group of muscle. These are sequence: Feet, calves, thighs , buttock, shoulders, hands, forehead and jaw (make a face, stick out your tongue) Reverse the sequence.
  
• Don't do it alone = Let others to help you. (husband, family, friends, neighbor) they can support you physically and emotionally before an d after the baby comes. They care about you and your baby's well being, but may not always know how to help you. Don't be afraid to tell them what you want and need.
  
• Dads get stressed too= Although they do not go through the same changes during pregnancy as mothers to be do, Dads get stressed too. They maybe worried about family finances, changing relationship and many other things. Take time to talk about what's going on. Give each other a hug, Dads also can help in a special way. Your partner can help you stay calm and relax by being aware of the changes you are going through and offering to rub your back or help with the housework, or just making an extra effort to keep the lines of communication often when things get tense.