Eating Instant Noodles During Pregnancy

Today, I just ate instant noodles. It was the first time that it was added to my cravings ever since I got pregnant.

I got curious if it's safe to eat during pregnancy. And to share, this was what I've found on the net:


Many expecting ladies crave to eat a lot of lavish stuff. Their desire to eat variety of food increases. For the very same reason doctors pressurize the expecting mother to have a healthy diet and eat whatever is good for her. It is advisable to avoid junk food or unhealthy food which includes instant noodles too.

Doctors says:

Having noodles once in a while, for a change is fine, but should not become a staple diet. Noodles contain a lot of starch, salt and MSG (mono sodium glutamate) which are not considered beneficial for the baby’s growth. Moreover, having excess of salt can possibly lead to hypertension. During pregnancy the fear of high blood pressure is already their and on top of it consumption of these noodles which contain high quantity of salt can be very dangerous for the mother as well as the baby.

Noodles should never become a meal, because it lacks protein, minerals, and other essential ingredients that enhance the fetus growth, in a right way. Once or twice noodles can be taken but only if the mother is taking a proper diet essential for the baby.

If at all, one feels like having instant noodles, the following tips must be considered:

* Add salt, just to taste, it should be less than half than what is mentioned on the packing.
* Try making it healthier, by adding hard boiled eggs, colorful vegetables like, carrot, capsicum, cabbage, etc. These green vegetables give it a colorful look and are very nutritious as well.


However anything in excess can be harmful and thus these instant noodles if are consumed on a daily basis or too frequently then they can be harmful for the mother as well as for the baby. There have been cases, worldwide, where women who have had noodles as their staple diet or more often, the baby at the time of birth was seen wrapped with noodles all over his body. In some cases the baby was even strangulated by them. Sad to hear, but this is where the reality lies. Thus it is advisable for the expecting mothers to be very cautious.


Source: Parenting Nation http://www.parentingnation.in/Pregnancy/is-it-safe-to-have-noodles-in-pregnancy?_426

Yay! 16 Weeks! :)

Inside the Womb at 16 Weeks

Photo courtesy of Babycenter

Child length: approximately 6.7Inches from head to toe (about the size of an avocado )

Child weight: 5.3 oz

At this stage: The baby has fingerprints. Girls develop sex organs and the ova.

The baby is growing fast, and your weight is likely increasing as a result. The baby's muscles are now developing to the point that the baby can hold its head erect, in a straight line, and its facial muscles can display a variety of expression.

The baby's nails are well formed and he or she is emptying out its bladder every 40 to 45 minutes. Depending on its position, the doctor may be able to determine the baby's sex on an ultrasound scan, one of the most exciting moments in pregnancy.

Days left to birth: 168

Due date: 11 November 2013

Data Sources: Babycenter, I'm Expecting & Pregnancy Assistant

15 Weeks! :)

Inside the Womb at 15 Weeks 

Photo courtesy of Babycenter

Child length: approximately 4.3 - 4.7 Inches (about the size of an apple )

Child weight: 3.1 - 3.5 oz

At this stage: Baby's skin has developed but is so thin and translucent that you can see through to its blood vessels. The skeletal and muscular systems continue to develop as your baby slowly becomes more active. Sweat glands work well and the baby can be...sweating.

Some fine hairs, or lanugo, are also developing all over your baby's face. Toenails are starting to form, The head is now erect and not tilted inwards as before. Primitive hearing starts now but it won't be until about 24 weeks that your baby will be able to hear fully.

Some baby's may even starting to suck their thumb around this time. If you've been pregnant before, you may feel your baby start moving at this time. 

Days left to birth: 175

Due date: 11 November 2013

Data Sources: Babycenter, Babybump, I'm Expecting, Pregnancy Assistant & Pregnancy Companion

2nd Prenatal Check Up (16-May-2013)

After my first prenatal check up last April 30 and my Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound last May 3, I have attended my 2nd prenatal check up today.

Same feeling, excited, specially that I will be able to hear my baby's heartbeat this time. :)

It was raining a bit hard with strong winds, I was thinking of it not a hindrance but somewhat as a blessing pouring on me for this special day.

I arrived on the clinic earlier before the 3pm appointment time. For the normal routine, for weight I got 57.4kgs, for the urine test it was normal. The blood pressure test was repeated three times and I was told to sit and have some rest (maybe I got tired while walking).

For today's check up, I was interviewed regarding my previous caesarian delivery. I was asked what prompted my previous OB for me to undergo a caesarian delivery and I told them due to small pelvis that was a result of my pelvic x-ray, and also that my OB was worried that I may not be able to stand a long labor due to my mild scoliosis. They asked me if my stitches inside my belly is also vertical just like my stitches outside. Just now, that I was given this knowledge that the position of stitches outside may not be the same as inside.

The doctor gave me a request letter to send to my OB asking for a copy of my antenatal record for them to be updated of my previous caesarian delivery history. I was also told that they will refer me to an Ortho to check my scoliosis so for them to be able to know if I can handle a spinal anesthesia if I will be undergoing a C-section once again. Though I told them that I did already when I gave birth to my first which is a general anesthesia.

The activity for today as a routine, the doctor checked my breast ( I'm glad this was included as during my previous pregnancy check up, I was never checked on my breast), also same with my neck, my breathing pattern, and my abdomen.

Lastly, the heartbeat of my baby, I told them it was my first time to hear it just now on my 2nd check up. And the doctor said the baby was happy. Such a wonderful feeling! I'm so excited to hear it again God willing, on my next prenatal check up scheduled next month 24th of June.

The date for my Anatomy Ultrasound was also given and is scheduled on 3rd of July. I hope I'll be given the chance to know the gender of my baby then. So excited! :)

Thanks be to God for this day...

14 Weeks Today! :)

Yay! Time flies so fast that I am now on my 14th week. Thanks be to God!

Week by week, I have always been counting on the number of weeks I've been through and I am so happy that I'm  now on my Second Trimester. :)

Inside the Womb at 14 Weeks

Photo courtesy of Babycenter

Child length: approximately 3.9 - 4.5 Inches (about the size of a nectarine )

Child weight: 2.1 - 2.6 oz

At this stage: The baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his or her thumb. The kidneys are producing urine, which your baby releases into the amniotic fluid around him or her (this continues until birth). The baby's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy layer of hair, called lanugo, that covers the body.

The baby started secreting hormones of its own from its matured thyroid glands. Its body systems are also starting to work on their own. The digestive system is practicing moving food through the intestines while the renal system is creating and eliminating urine.

The baby also continues to practice breathing the amniotic fluid through its lungs. Has developed soft nails on its fingers and toes. The baby's blood is also starting to form in its bone marrow and blood vessels. 

As the eyes and ears continue to move into place, the baby's mouth has gone through major development. The sucking muscles are growing strong and the salivary glands are almost fully developed. The esophagus, windpipe and larynx should all be present by the end of this week.

Though you can't feel tiny punches and kicks yet, your little one's hands and feet (which now measure about half an inch long) are more flexible and active.

Days left to birth: 179

Due date: 11 November 2013

Data Sources: Babycenter, I'm Expecting & Pregnancy Assistant

Watermelon Wonders During Pregnancy

Tonight, my husband sliced up some watermelons for dinner. I was just wondering what nutrients I can get from this fruit and what it can contribute to the body during pregnancy so I made I research and I was surprised to know its wonders... :)

Helpful facts it contributes to mommy and baby during pregnancy:

1. Watermelon eases heartburn and reduces swelling; its high water content (92 percent) and fruit sugars alleviate morning sickness and dehydration.

2. The minerals it contains can help prevent third-trimester muscle cramps.

3. Ounce for ounce, watermelon is richer than tomatoes in lycopene and that daily lycopene supplements reduced the incidence of preeclampsia by 50 percent.

4. Watermelon is packed with potassium that regulates water balance in the blood and body tissues during pregnancy. And you get all these benefits for less than 50 calories per cup.

5. Some pregnant women swear that watermelon is all they can keep down when morning sickness kicks in.

6. Scientists have discovered that watermelon is packed with vitamins A, C and B6, as well as potassium and magnesium. These nutrients are important for the development of your baby's vision, brain, nervous and immune systems, and more.


More than just a pretty pink fruit, juicy watermelon can soothe morning sickness, help you stay hydrated and build a healthy baby.

Data Source: Fit Pregnancy - http://www.fitpregnancy.com/nutrition-recipes/prenatal-nutrition/watermelon-wonders

Flutters, Flutters!

Just this morning around 7 while I am in front of the computer, I sneeze so hard that I felt a bit stretching pain on my abdomen. After a few seconds, I felt my baby move on my tummy. Such a wonderful feeling! Though I have already felt movements earlier at around 12 weeks but not as longer as what I felt this morning. Baby fluttering for like 15 seconds. I'm so happy! Thanks be to God!

2nd Trimester Here I Go! :D

Today, May 6, 2013, is the beginning of my 2nd trimester as I'm on my 13 weeks. As I've read this trimester is usually when women will feel their best as they grow out of the early signs of pregnancy and start to have more energy that's why this trimester is also called the "honeymoon of pregnancy" and many other annoying symptoms, like food aversions and needing to pee so often will likely lessen, if not totally subside.

The placenta takes over producing hormones. Added, the risk of miscarriage is greatly reduced at this stage. It's possible to learn the sex of the baby within this trimester.

Thanks be to God that I'm already more than a third of the way through my pregnancy! :)


Baby Stage Development:

Photo courtesy of Babycenter

Child length: approximately 3.2 - 4.3 Inches (about the size of a lime)

Child weight: approximately 1.7 oz

At this stage: The palate closes. Ears move to the sides of the head. Fingerprints have formed on the baby's tiny fingertips. The baby's intestines are moving outside his body to inside his belly.

At this stage, the baby's body is starting to catch up with that oversized head, which makes up just a third of this or her body size now. Vocal chords are beginning to form and he's developing some serious reflexes in there, kicking, and jerking his arms around and he'll actually squirm if you prod your abdomen.

If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. The baby is also starting to form urine and discharge it into the amniotic fluid.

Data Source: Babycenter, Bounty, I'm Expecting, Baby Bump, Pregnancy Assistant and Pregnancy Guide

Saw My Baby Today! :)

So to keep track of the previous days, April 30 got my very first prenatal check up. I was with my husband, first part of the appointment was the interview wherein they asked me about previous histories like any allergies, diseases, how many pregnancies. I told them I had one full time and one miscarriage same year of 2009. I was also asked about how I gave birth to my first, I told them caesarean and the reason was that I have a small pelvic.

The second part was the blood screening were they took 4 cylinder containers of my blood they say for HIV test, preeclampsia, etc...

I thought I am going to hear the heartbeat but I was not given the chance so a bit sad as I actually can't wait for this day to come then afterwards will not be able to hear one. But when I was given the next prenatal check up appointment for May 16, I was surprised that I was also given an NT Screening which is dated today May 3 (Friday).

Thanks be to God, we were able to see the baby today inside the ultrasound room. The feeling was very overwhelming since my husband is with me and also Amber Jade, my daughter. All of us we're very excited to see the baby. The Sonographer was very accommodating and friendly.

We were given the chance to see the baby in every position. The head and face, the body, those little tiny hands and feet. Seems the baby is also excited to see us as she keeps on wiggling, always moving. We were told the baby is happy inside :) and also normal.

We were not able to know the gender yet as we were told it's not yet possible. Anyway, what matters was that she's healthy and happy.

Thanks be to God for this beautiful moment, such a wonderful blessing...