We Interrupt This Program for Some Major News

As Prince William and Kate Middleton officially announced their engagement first on Twitter, I, too, am making an official public announcement first on my blog (as if we are on the same level right?)

WE’RE PREGNANT! Yup, we’ve known for a while but I didn’t want to make any formal announcements until it fully dawned on me.

This isn't the new baby. This is our daughter M at 15wks in the tummy.

And everyone knows what pregnancy means — being more O.C.!  There is a long list of things a pregnancy don’ts but I’ve tried to come up with my own list based on research, which has a bit more sane rules (Although it goes against O.C. principles, I feel that pregnancy can get depressing if you’re too strict.  It’s important to be well-informed and find out what you and your OB feel are best for you and the baby.  These are my rules I’ve made for myself and I am not imposing them on anyone ♥):

• MANI-PEDI. I bring my own manicure set when I get a mani-pedi just so I’m sure it’s completely sterilized and I don’t get infections.
• BATHING. I use a shower filter to make sure I don’t absorb harmful chemicals from tap water that can affect me and the fetus.
• FACIALS. I’ve already canceled all my facial and laser light appointments and have told my facialist I will probably only go back in 2013.
• HAIR DYE AND TREATMENTS. Although there is no actual evidence to show the risks of treatments or hair color to the fetus, my research on how our skin absorbs chemicals worries me.  I don’t have regular hair treatments since my bathing water is filtered and that’s enough for me.  Hair color is something I do once every 6-8 months but I think to be on the safe side, having plain black hair for 2 years won’t kill me.  So, I’ve also told my colorist I won’t see him for 2 years.  (No facials and hair color for 2 years!  That’s enough to pay for hospital bills!)
• DRINKING WATER. I only drink water from trusted sources.  Bottled water is not necessarily safer and should only be a last resort for emergencies.  I use my Aquasana drinking filter to filter my own water and I bring it around in a stainless or glass container.  I do not use plastic containers.
• CAFFEINE. My OB says I can drink coffee once a day.  My enabling and coffee-expert husband says an espresso-based drink like my favorite latte has only half the caffeine content than a cup of brewed coffee.  So my tall latte is only 1/2 coffee.  But I still try to limit it to 2-3 lattes a week.
• SUSHI AND FISH. Although a lot say pregnant women should say goodbye to sushi, my OB says it’s OK in moderation, and as long as I go to Japanese restos which are clean and who have sushi chefs who know what they’re doing (Keizo off Burgos Circle is a favorite Japanese resto of ours and they always serve fresh sushi!).  The American Pregnancy Association posted NRDC’s list of fish and their levels of mercury and how much pregnant women can safely consume.
• ALCOHOL. I didn’t know it but I was already pregnant during the Christmas holidays and my birthday.  What do those occasions mean?  Well, drinking alcohol.  Thankfully, the body has a way of protecting the fetus from the stupid things you do to it.  Up to 8 weeks, the fetus (supposedly) does not get affected by whatever you take into your body.
• TRAVEL. The last time I was pregnant, I was still able to travel up to 27 weeks (Although the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) say healthy pregnant women can fly safely until their 36th week.  I doubt if the airline will allow you though).  On plane trips, I try to get up and walk around to avoid deep vein thrombosis.  I also keep well-hydrated with (ugh) bottled mineral water.

When you think about it though, if there are things that AREN’T safe when you’re pregnant (and most of them are related to beauty), are these things EVEN safe when you’re NOT pregnant?  (Hmmmm…)

Thankfully, I’m one of those blessed women who have no uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms except for bleeding gums and swollen feet at 8 months.  I just have to follow the rules for the next 7 months and the year after that for breastfeeding.  Good luck to us.  =)

©OCMominManila

P.S. Happy Valentine’s to my dear husband J who gave me such a cool unexpected gift despite my anti-romantic belief that Valentine’s Day is cheesy.  I hope this public greeting will make up for my not having a gift for you.  (God, I am so lousy.)