Surprisingly, it's not a well-known fact especially in our country that potatoes can be a great source of nutrition for moms-to-be.  I guess it has something to do with its trait as a starchy carbohydrate which women who are body-conscious eliminate from their diet.  But did you know that potatoes are rich in Potassium and Folate?
I've been a mom three times and all my pregnancies had been healthy.  My last pregnancy came as a pleasant surprise to me and my husband.  I found out about my bun in the oven when I was about to end my first trimester.  OH MY!  Had I known right from the beginning that I was expecting, I would have seen my doctor immediately to properly care for my most delicate pregnancy phase, took multivitamins especially rich in folate, and ate healthier.  But you see on the other side, even without knowing I was pregnant that time, my baby inside was at his tip top shape.  I recalled what I had been doing and eating during my first trimester that made the baby healthy and normal even without artificial sources of vitamins and minerals.  I lightly exercised and ate a lot of foods with potatoes in it.  POTATOES helped me get through my first trimester smoothly.

WHY ARE POTATOES GOOD FOR MOMS TO BE?
I remember during my last pregnancy, I was always happy.  I felt energized.  I felt strong.  I wasn't sickly.  Lastly, I was eating a lot!  I lot of vegetables and fruits but more of potatoes, and occasional servings of my favorite sweet cravings.  I had a healthy pregnancy.
But what made that last pregnancy memorable and special, was not knowing I was pregnant during my first trimester.  Like what I shared earlier, I gave in to my cravings for mashed potatoes, potato cream soup, nilagang baka with potatoes, potato salads, and steamed potatoes.  And upon consulting my doctor, she said that it's good that I included potatoes in my diet because that's what helped me get through with my trimester without any complications nor what most mothers fear - miscarriage.

So why are potatoes super food for moms-to-be?  I'll tell you what my nutritionist friend told me.

FOLATE - Potatoes are high in folate, which is important in pregnancy for normal fetal brain and spinal cord development. Folate is needed for the development of DNA and other genetic material. As the baby grows, he or she will gain energy in the womb through glucose. This may explain why blood sugar levels may drop and cravings for starchy food begin.  So this explains why I had potato cravings during my early pregnancy stage. 

POTASSIUM - Having potassium in a pregnant woman's diet could help avoid horrible leg cramps at night.  Did you know that although a banana is one good source of potassium, still the best source of potassium is the potato?  I was also surprised to know this.  Plus eating potatoes help avoid fatigue and constipation.  This explains why I was always feeling happy and energized during my pregnancy. 

NO FAT, SODIUM OR CHOLESTEROL - These are three things moms on the way need to lessen in their pregnancy diet. 

VITAMIN C, B6, IRON, and FIBER - these help in digestion, lower blood cholesterol, increase immunity from common colds and cough (which I really prayed wouldn't have throughout my pregnancy).  Iron is good for the blood, that's why doctors give pregnant women iron supplements to aid in having a healthy pregnancy.  All these are present in potatoes which make it a super food for moms-to-be.

HOW HEALTHY POTATOES SHOULD BE COOKED  OR SERVED?
Sure we may crave for fries or hash browns because after all these are made from potatoes right?  But there are healthier ways to serve or eat potatoes.  When expecting or praying to conceive, opt for potatoes which are boiled or steamed. Limit fried (such as the case of potato chips, fries, potato balls, and hash browns).  And when choosing steamed or boiled potatoes, don't smother it with dripping cheese or putting too much butter and salt in it.

Everything has to be in moderation. Over consumption could result to health issues.  Remember, to also add other vegetables and even fruits to pregnancy diet.  Choose fruits rich in vitamin content than sugar.  Eat your recommended amount of protein from meats too.  Potatoes also are good sources of protein which expecting moms also need.   So just remember to always eat right and make sure diet is balanced.  Remember that your choice of lifestyle and dietary choices will have a great impact on the health of the baby.  So eat right, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy.  Add potatoes to your diet, you won't go wrong with potatoes.  To also be safe, plan your pregnancy diet with your doctor or nutritionist.

POTATO RECIPE I LOVE: MASHED POTATO
As shared earlier, I craved a lot for mashed potatoes or baked potatoes during the unknown first trimester of my last pregnancy, so I am sharing with you the simple recipe that helped me have a healthy pregnancy producing a normal and healthy baby boy (who is now 2.5yo by the way).

1. Peel and cut 8 medium-sized US Potatoes.  
2. Put the potatoes in a large pan, add enough water and bring to a boil for 15-20 mins.  
3. Drain water and put on low fire.  
4. Mash the potatoes.
5. Add 2 tablespoons of butter, salt, pepper, and ¼ cup milk.  Mix all ingredients.  
6. Make sure there are no lumps and the mashed potato is creamy.
7. Serve with a smile.

There you have it loves. just make sure to overall increase your veggie intake in general, and take a good long look at how potatoes can help your nutritional needs. Potatoes could be the answer to the nutrient gaps so many women are experiencing, this is whether you are expecting or not. 

So go grab a potato today.  Make sure to get high quality US Potatoes to ensure you get the best nutrition you and your baby would need!  Purchase US Potatoes at from major supermarkets and groceries nationwide. For more information on US potatoes, you can get in touch with the local Potatoes USA-Philippines office at +632.534.8534 and info@synergyasia.biz. You may also
visit www.potatogoodness.com or like and follow Potatoes USA-Philippines on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PotatoesUSAPhilippines.

After coming home from my OB check-up two weeks ago, I was told that my cervix is already 1cm dilated.  Wait, what?  Manganganak na ako soon?  NO.  Hindi pa pwede as per my OB.  I still have until June 8 to be cleared na okay, GO pwede na anytime.  So this means that I still have to be more careful, that my bed rest will be extended until June 13, and that I cannot be stressed or emotionally affected.  In short, deadmatic to the world.

That same day, hubby booked us a suite at Serenity Suites of Best Western Plus Antel Hotel for a quick R&R.  We were supposed to be with the kids, but my older one just had his circumcision that morning and the little one has an ear infection.  We decided to just staycation by ourselves.

Super dami niyang arte why we couldn't leave earlier for check-in.  He said he was tired and he's hungry, etc. parang siya yung buntis.  Yun pala, he was stalling me so that our friends could check-in ahead of us and set up the room.  May plano pa lang surprise si husband.

We left the house at around 4pm na and I really wanted to rest na lang sana.  So when we went up the room, ito ang bumulaga sa akin - SURPRISE!!!!  I have a surprise Baby Shower organized by my husband!

Hello loves!  I'm excited to share with you my first-ever maternity photo session with husband and kids.  I've never done anything like this with my first two.  I've always admired beautiful pregnant moms I see online who post professionally taken photos.  As I've said, every pregnancy is unique.  I see big, small, medium, irregularly-shaped preggy bellies captured beautifully on camera by (I'm sure) patient, gently, considerate, and understanding photographers.

Since I am still on an official bed-resting-phase (which I hope to be lifted on my next check-up, but husband would rather let me stay in until I pop), I rarely go out and my schedule hasn't been normal.  I may have a full-time job, I go to the office everyday meet and truly enjoy the company of the same faces, but I make sure I do something to not make it routinary.  Now I'm on house-arrest, there are times that boredom kicks in because I do the same things day in and day out, my activities are limited, so I try hard to fight it by doing these things.

There are times I get to go out, never without my husband, on weekdays to visit the office (with my OB's clearance of course), and on weekends with the whole family.  When I do, I make the most out of the day by putting an agenda in every preggy "field trip."  I never thought that going out could mean so much to me, especially with my condition, so I learned more about patience, contentment in little things, and appreciation during these times.  One of which that occupied one field trip day was shopping for our upcoming baby boy! :)

My usual mall or shopping outfit.  Comfort and style is for me!

Great day mommies!  Not so long ago, I shared a List of 3D Ultrasound Clinics in Metro Manila (at least near where I live) which offer 3D Congenital Anomaly Scan (CAS).  I researched and called these clinics one by one to ask if they offer a package and if not, the individual prices for the CAS and the 3D Ultrasound.

In my search of getting the most practical (spell S-U-L-I-T, add Super right before it pa!) package, hubby and I decided to have it done at MDCare OB-GYN Ultrasound Clinic, located at E. Rodriguez Sr., Ave., QC (just right in front of St. Luke's Medical Center.)
Why?  Because:
1) It offers a package for the tests I need (CAS and Pelvic Ultrasound in 3D);
2) It's the least expensive rate compared to other clinics (Only Php 3,000.00 for both);
3) Its package already saves 3D photos in a CD, with a promise of AT LEAST 10 photos; and
4) It's accessible by transportation and if you bring a car, parking is available.

Here's a quick tour of their clean, dim-lighted (which gave its guests a relaxing and comfortable ambiance), and less crowded clinic:

There were just a few of us when I went there on a weekend at around 2 pm.

Last weekend, my baby reached his 28th week milestone!  Hurray!  I'm on my third - and FINAL - trimester!  I've been on bed rest for the past three weeks already.  So one of the things that kept me busy is reading books or online about anything pregnancy related.

I read that by the end of the seventh month (28 - 31 weeks), my baby will have more fat deposited under his skin and other features like the iris in his eyes, nails in his fingers, and hair are more developed.  With the fats depositing under the skin, the baby's features could now be more appreciated under 3D Ultrasound.

I learned to appreciate going to spas with an inviting ambiance which offer great massages ever since I started working, a budding 20 something career woman.  When I was single, other than shopping, I indulge myself in spa visits.  I carried this habit until today and was even able to influence my husband to have regular massages as well (first time he went to a spa was with me!)

Now that I'm pregnant with my third baby and after having my OB's clearance, I wanted to try a prenatal massage which I wasn't able to experience during my first two pregnancies.  Of course I wouldn't do this without my husband in tow.  While searching for known spas for giving a good prenatal massage, BlueWater Day Spa came up on my list.

It's true that every pregnancy is unique from any other.  I'm pregnant with my third child and even the first two were a lot different from each other.  There were some people who would give me unsolicited advice, tips, and other list of things to do or avoid.  I know people mean well, but sometimes, it's better to just be supportive and not be a pregnancy guru to a pregnant woman.  Remember, the hormones are wild and unstable when pregnant.  So anything you say may affect one differently, you wouldn't really know.  Let me share my pregnancy stories.

I visited my best friend Karina and her baby last week to celebrate the little one's first month birthday.  I took her in my arms and smelled her hair, neck and mouth!  AAAAAHHHHH!!!!  Nothing ever smells so heavenly than a baby's scent.  I went crazy AGAIN over the thought of having another baby!

This idea has been toying in my mind since early this year.   Both my sons celebrate their birthdays on September (10 and 18) and I want my third (if we'll still be blessed with one more) to also be born on the same month.  So that he or she won't be left out, plus it's practical and I find it cute.

I think even my colleagues have been waiting for me to show signs of baby on the way.  Me being pregnant has been a constant joke in my place of work, probably because I constantly have a big belly?  Waah!  Ang panget!

Is there something stopping me?  I would say yes.  But do I want to get pregnant again?  I would say yes too!  Let me share what I think about this big monumental step in our family life.

Photo Source

So Why do I want to be Pregnant again?
First, having a big family has been a dream of mine since I was younger.  I don't wish for ten kids, that's too much for me to handle.  But since I had my first-born and experienced raising him, sending him to school, putting up with his kakulitan and when my patience was stretched to its maximum level, it changed.  Hirap pala, isa pa lang that time, then Wes came after seven years (which I believe is a very good gap).  As it is, our home is already crazy and my life is turning upside down already.  But two is too little for me.  Maybe one more I said (to myself) would be good.

Second, I have two boys and don't have a daughter yet.  Having just boys was what I really prayed for.  I only wanted boys so that I will be the only maldita or queen in the house.  Yup I know, I know it's a selfish reason.  But when I took care of my mom when she was sick and also decided for most of the important family decisions, I realized the importance of having a girl in the family.  But having a daughter is like having a best friend and a companion until a mother gets old.  Boys will get married, start their own family and leave their mothers.  But daughters usually stay.

Third, if not now, when?  If I don't get pregnant anytime soon (looking at within the year until next) then I think I will have a hard time carrying a baby at an older age.  There will be more risks when I get pregnant at a later age plus the toll that's going to give my body.

So What's Stopping me from getting Pregnant again?
Fear of the unknown.  I had a terrible childbirth experience with my first when I was 50/50 over a week after giving birth due to internal hemorrhage.  Which is one of the reasons why my second came after seven years.  God was so good to give me an almost painless labor and childbirth for my second time around.  Now if I get pregnant again, I just fear about what I might experience during childbirth.

Practicality.  They say having one or two children per family today is enough.  It's enough for a middle-class family to be able to support each child without having to tighten the belt each time and to be able to let the children experience a rather comfortable life.  They say having three or more children could spell impractical because of the higher cost of living.  But my take on this actually is God really provides and I know we could get through.  Even Daddy Practicality says that we both have sources of income and comparing ourselves to others who don't have regular jobs and still manage to raise more than four children, definitely we could afford another baby.

Looking at the above, looks like I want to get pregnant more than I don't.  But actually, and probably you're thinking of this too, it's not up to me to decide.  It's God's will that will be followed if he will be blessing me with another miracle, with another tiny human being growing inside me, with another replica of myself and Daddy Practicality and with another addition to our riot and happy family, then I would be the happiest!  If not and He says, two is enough, then I would accept it just the same and be happy about that too.

So until that miracle comes (or not), I vow to keep myself stress-free, positive, eat healthier, be more active and to fulfill my duties at home, at work and in the community with loving dedication and joy.  And I think, whether I yearn to be pregnant or yearn for something else, these things should be done.  You too could practice the same in order for you to have a stress-free, healthier and more positive life!  Who knows, you might get pregnant earlier than I do! :)

Reflecting on all these, they just boil down to three: Love God;  Love Others; and one that we often forget to do, Love Yourself.

Have a great week ahead loves!

Are you one of the many women who looked for products and other ways to prevent skin discoloration and marks during early stages of your pregnancy?

Did you ever feel ugly after giving birth because of those silvery sometimes reddish, purple or brown crooked lines on your tummy, thighs, and some on your breasts?

Have you searched for and tried numerous products or treatments to erase these marks?

If you answered yes to these questions, then we are in harmony with the many voices of women in general especially the moms out there.

Image from  Flickr Creative Commons by Mummalu

Why They Occur?
These popular marks on mommy bellies are what you call Stretch Marks.  They do not only appear during pregnancy, but also during puberty and muscle building. These marks occur when the skin rapidly stretches due to rapid growth or rapid weight loss.
Common areas where stretch marks are found: abdomen, breasts, upper arms, back, thigh, hips, and buttocks.  If you would notice, these areas are mostly where our fats are stored.
Prevention
I used to think this skin condition is heredetary in nature.  My mom, after four children, has the smoothest belly I've seen.  When I was pregnant with my first, I didn't mind that I was growing dramatically. I lazily applied olive oil and collagen creams with vitamin E.  My first-born was 9.2lbs big, just imagine how BIG my tummy was. Have you seen a blown up balloon which gradually lost air?  That's how mine looks.  
Can we prevent it? Answer is NO.  It is inevitable.  But the itchiness and dryness of the skin which may also be attributable to its appearance, can be prevented.  Though we cannot escape it, we can however, minimize it.
According to Pregnancy Best, women may try doing the following to help minimize appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy:

• Eat a balanced and healthy meal (particularly rich in Vitamins C and E) and drink plenty of water.
• Keep your skin always moisturized.  Almond Oil is very effective against itchiness.
• Olive oil or massage oils with Lavander and Jojoba oils when applied on your abdomen and hips regularly help make the skin soft and pliant.

How to Make Stretch Marks Go Away
Stretch marks become lighter and less noticeable 6-12 months after childbirth.  But if they really bother you, you may consult a dermatologist on how these may be minimized more.  
In my research, some treatments that may work wonders in minimizing (not disappearance of) stretch marks are the following:

• Moisturizers and Creams with Vitamin A & E - only works on the outer layer of the skin and helps during early stages of appearance.  You may also try cocoa butter creams.
• AHA Creams - moisturizes the outer skin and increase cell regeneration which help visibly reduce stretch marks
• Tretinoin (Retin-A) or Glycolic Acids Creams- it thins the outer layer dead skin, penetrates the dermis (where Stretch Marks occur) and increases collagen production.  Should be used with the correct dosage.  Not recommended for use during pregnancy and nursing stages.
• Laser Surgery - Makes the stretch marks fade not removed.  It is more effective for dark colored marks.  It improves skin's elasticity and changes the skin's pigmentation
• Other Invasive Treatments: Endermologie, Radio Frequency and Tummy Tuck (best to seek advice from licensed dermatologists)

The Effects of Stretch Marks
I used to be bothered by the appearance of stretch marks/ stretched skin for vanity reasons.  But these marks are also my badges of motherhood.  It also symbolizes the strength in conquering the fragility and dangers of pregnancy and childbirth.  
To handle issues on stretch marks, it would help soon-to-be moms to:

• Anticipate and accept changes in your bodies during pregnancy and after childbirth
• Keep a healthy lifestyle by eating well-balanced meals coupled with regular exercise
• Love yourself and keep a positive attitude all the time

"Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn't know you had, and dealing with fears you didn't know existed." - Linda Wooten 

Happy pregnancy and motherhood!  

Sources: iVillage UK , Pregnancy Best, Baby Center and Quote Garden


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39 weeks belly