My experience during pregnancy (the physical aspects of it)

Today I am officially 31 weeks 2 days pregnant. Alhamdulillah, so far pregnancy has been fairly kind to me.

The first few weeks of my pregnancy was pretty easy. I did not get morning sickness. The closest I got to morning sickness was just gas (I burped a lot). My appetite did not change much too. I did eat slightly a bit more than what I used to, probably because I always felt tired. Other than that, life went on as always. My tummy did not show as much too. It probably started to show a bit in week 8, but it was pretty much unnoticeable under clothes. I could still wear my jeans till approximately week 20.

I think 20 weeks of pregnancy was the point where pregnancy started to affect me (physically). It was the time when my appetite increased a bit more. I had to eat slightly more to feel full. My tummy was definitely showing, to the point that I had to get a pair of maternity jeans, and for other people to start asking. My back started aching too, specifically at the pelvic area where it was once dislocated. Other than that, everything was still normal.

Week 27, the start of third trimester, was the point where pregnancy really affects me. My appetite has definitely increased. However, because of the increasing size of the baby (and uterus, of course), my stomach has became more compressed and smaller, which forces me to eat less. But since the baby is currently trying to triple his size at this stage, I am almost constantly feeling hungry (and always crave for sweet things), so I usually settle by snacking (I usually try to get something healthy like a piece of fruit, but sometimes I go for something naughtier like a donut..or two.. hehe). Also at this stage, my back and ribs are driving me crazy. They almost always hurt, even when I was sleeping. My legs cramp quite a lot too, but it only happens when I am sleeping, or just about to get up from sleeping. I started to walk like a typical pregnant lady as well..I just hope it does not worsen, though. And I usually wake up in the middle of the night too..apparently my body is preparing for parenthood, so I read.

Owh, some of you might be wondering if I have gained a lot of weight or gotten stretch marks. The answer is, yes, I have definitely gained weight, but within the recommended range. I think I got a bit of fat going here and there, but I won't say I look fat..just a bit plump. I still wear my pre-pregnancy tshirts. The only thing that I cannot fit are my pre-pregnancy jeans and dresses (of course, they cannot stretch to accommodate my tummy). And surprisingly my rib cage is showing! I did not expect that during pregnancy haha! And thank God, so far I don't get any stretch marks because of the pregnancy. Probably thanks to the Cocoa Butter Formula oil that I have been diligently wearing even before pregnancy.

And that's all so far I think. I probably left some things here and there..I will add more if I remember. Anyway, last week my midwife said my baby has already engaged! Oh! :O

p/s: will post on my experience getting pregnant in Australia later.

My feelings during pregnancy

I am now officially 30 weeks, 3 days pregnant. So far, what I can say is, being pregnant is a very humbling experience.

Somehow, having a small little life inside of me makes me think of how amazing it is, for a life somehow getting inside my body, developing from two tiny little cells into a complete, complex human being. It really makes me feel how powerful God is, and how small humans are. SubhanAllah. And to feel this little human being moving inside my womb, is just, wonderful. It sometimes hurts, I won't lie, but it does not matter, for it is my child. And it only makes me feel so humbled by God's power. SubhanAllah, SubhaAllah, SubhanAllah.

Other than that, being pregnant makes me feel how truly blessed I am wish such a great husband. True, that a husband can't possibly know how it is to be pregnant, but I would say, my husband is sharing half of my pain and joy of being pregnant. From the early days of my pregnancy, he has always been here with me, going to almost all of my doctor's appointments, accompanying me to blood tests and ultrasounds, feeling the babies movements, and coming with me to all my antenatal classes. And he is always there through all my pains too. He wakes up in the middle of the night every time I have leg cramps, gives me a massage whenever I feel sore, helps me putting on my socks and shoes as I can't bend that well anymore, walks slowly with me since I can't walk that fast anymore, supports me whenever I want to get up from sitting or lying. He also helps around the house, washing the dishes, doing the laundry, cleaning the house..or should I say, he does almost everything in the house. The only thing that I do is cooking and occasionally cleaning the toilet and folding the laundry. Otherwise, he will do it. And of course, he is very supportive emotionally too. He never complaints and has been very patience with me whenever I become a little too sensitive or emotional, or simply too lazy. He is a great husband, he truly is. And I am sure he will be a great father too, possibly better than me as a mother. I am forever grateful for him. Thank you Allah, for blessing me with such a great husband. I can never repay you for everything that You have given me. Especially  for giving me such a loving, understanding, and supportive husband. Alhamdulillah. All praise to Allah.

Owh, and by now people have started to ask me whether I am scared about labor. And my answer is, no. Not because I am unaware of the pain of labor, but because I believe the pain is what makes it special. The pain is what makes being a mother is something. The pain is what makes me more grateful for the child. And I believe, that Allah will never makes us have to face something we cannot endure. Plus, women have been in labor since forever, and it's only natural. My mother has been through it, my late grandmother has been through it, and insyaAllah, I will go through it too. I just have to believe, and pray. InsyaAllah, everything is going to be alright.

p/s: will post more on pregnancy later, especially on the physical part of it.