Woah. What has happened for the past two months? A few things: little one cooking in the oven to its divinely specified time for a few weeks, 24-hour labor, postpartum adjustments, baby blues (A LOT OF TEARS) and postnatal treatment. I've shared my birth story on Birthlings here -- feel free to have a read and do share your birth story here if you are willing to! I actually have a few things to write about postpartum days... when I do have the time I'll write about them. By the way, did you expect your little one/s to take up ALMOST all of your time in a day? I didn't. *sheepish smile*

Not sure if this post is coincidental with the third installment of my "Pregnancy Chronicles, but I have decided to dedicate the third "Pregnancy Chronicles" for my third trimester adventures. In a nutshell-ish manner, of course. 1) (More!) Physical Changes. Let's start with that ballooning body that literally everyone who sees you knows well you are SOOOO pregnant. Many close friends of ours know that husband and I decided to keep this first pregnancy on the down low until little one arrives earthside, as evidence shows (or doesn't show lol) on our social media at least. As much as I enjoy the shock factor this baby brings to so many people, there is no way I can hide this wherever I go, haha. My pet peeve? When people I/we don't even meet on a frequent/daily basis start asking /interrogating me/us about it... without any consideration to convey congratulatory wishes. "When are you due?" "How far along are you?" And this one...

Exercise was in fact one of the topics discussed at length in my birth class with Birthlings (@birthlings on Instagram) last February (yes kawan-kawan, that was me in the February AMANI Birth group). Imagine my feeling awkward when I raised my hand after my birth class instructor asked who exercises during pregnancy. Though I stood out awkwardly for that, I felt reassured knowing that I was doing the right thing for me and the little one Alhamdulillah.   Pregnancy is also a reminder that my patellofemoral syndrome has moved into its second year already :( haha. It's not pregnancy-induced, but rather brought on by the I-want-to-kick-ass-in-a-partner-workout mindset, which to this day my husband keeps reminding me every now and then haha. My prolonged recovery is not because I'm lazy to do inner thigh exercises, it's more of the fact that the bump has made it uncomfortable for me to assume other exercise positions, except for when I'm in water where I'm featherl...

I talked to a lot of mothers (my own mommy included of course) just to hear their pregnancy stories. Not surprisingly, pregnancy is just like individuals: it is different from one person to another. The common denominator? There is always bound to be some challenge. A very good friend of mine experienced hyperemesis gravidarum in the first trimester which meant her sustenance came in the form of IV drip for a few days. An acquaintance talked about smooth sailing pregnancy with the occasional cravings. Others recall severe fatigue, food aversions and cravings. At 31 weeks, I still struggle with coming to accept that the weight gain is supposed to happen. How could I not? In the past few months, I have gained almost 10 kgs and if I don’t watch what I eat, I will have to say goodbye to my weight allowance. I might even have to part with my pre-pregnancy outfits! That thought scares me. Despite this, my dearest husband thinks that for someone 31 weeks pregnant I look rather fit. Gotta ...