Third Trimester

Another few weeks have just floated past and I am in the third trimester already!Back again after over a month of quiet.

Routine tests at 24 weeks- sugars, Hemoglobin and urine tests have been fine. And a scan for evolving cardiac abnormalities has been done and reassuring. Phew, now I feel free to plan for my "Godh Bharai" ceremony.

MIL wanted me to choose a gold ornament of my choice, but the prices have been so restrictive that I didn't have the heart to do it. She plans to pass on her old nice bangles to me, and I think I will skip buying any new gold for myself. I am not a big fan of jewelry anyway. For a saree too I have one I had just treated myself to at Kolkata a year ago. Considering how rarely I get to wear my fine sarees, I will resist the temptation of buying one more. Although buying and owning sarees makes me really happy..heh heh

Third Trimester Highlights

• Return of fatigue and somnolence of first trimester
• Heartburn at times
• More active baby movements, sometimes even seen as shaking of the abdominal wall!
• Breathlessness on climbing stairs (I take the Mumbai Local trains to work often)
• Backache, that had begun in the second trimester itself, makes an appearance sometimes
• Nesting is setting in and I have emptied few shelves of my cupboards for baby stuff

I really want to shop for the baby, but MIL and mother are quite against it. I think I shall buy some basic stuff anyhow.

For myself I have gotten a few loose kurtas and stretchable leggings, stashed away or donated my old dresses. I need to buy a pair of maternity pants. I regret missing the crazy August sales, but in August I wasn't even showing. I was worried about getting a pair of pants that's too small or large. Nothing sucks more than a pair of pants that won't fit.

In the hubbyland, my otherwise reluctant to have a baby husband is pretty excited- He's excited to see me happy, see my excitement about baby movements but somewhere in his heart I know he's scared of losing his freedom. And his own "childhood" I really hope and pray he has a change of heart for good once the baby arrives!

Mother is extra anxious now a days- typically. "You don't show so much" I guess being worried is a part of being a mom. And I worry too- my pet fear is me dropping my baby. Phew hope that never happens to anyone.

Eating During Pregnancy

Never in the past have, I been so careful about my diet, what I am eating and avoiding! Pregnancy and motherhood really change you so much.

Gastrointestinal Problems in Pregnancy

1. Heartburn and Acidity
2. Nausea and Vomiting
3. Early satiety in advanced pregnancy
4. Constipation
5. Aggravation of pre existing piles (Hemorrhoids)

While none of these can be prevented, they can be largely tackled with good care

Food Do's during Pregnancy

1. Eat non spicy non greasy food, every 2 hourly
2. Drink plenty of fluids- water, juices, milk and milk products
3. Eat foods rich in proteins, calcium, carbohydrates, iron and vitamins
4. Eat fiber rich fruits and vegetables
5. Have a 2 to 3 glasses of milk/buttermilk 

Food Don'ts during Pregnancy

1. Avoid eating raw uncooked food, sushi, mithai prepared outside
2. Avoid eating refined food- maida. Maida lacks fiber, and aggravates constipation
3. Avoid roadside chaats and foods. Risk of serious infections is high in pregnancy
4. Avoid prolonged fasting. Hunger aggravates nausea
5. Avoid spicy and oily food. Worsens acidity and heartburn
6. Avoid deep sea fishes (high mercury) particularly first trimester. Refer here for details.

Good Foods to eat during Pregnancy

The list is long and endless. Here's what I have been eating

1. Rotis, especially fortified with Ragi/Soyabean flour. Rice and dal, Dal khichdi
2. Fresh seasonal fruits. Wash properly before eating. Have home made juices or packaged juices if unable to eat solids, first trimester
3. All vegetables, leafy vegetables, pulses and sprouts in form of vegetables and salads
4. Dry fruits and nuts, dates. Keep in a small box, and carry along to work place as well!
5. Peanut jaggery chikki and ladoos as in between munchies
6. Milk, buttermilk, curds or lassi. Homemade milk products please
7. Kurmura Bhel made at home, corn bhel, sprouts bhel make good snacks
8. Soups made at home- avoid powders available in market. No nutrition, loaded with chemicals
9. Poha, dosas, upma, oat porridge, sandwiches have been my breakfast staples