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Friday, June 28, 2013

My Pregnancy Journal - Third Trimester


On my Third Trimester, I started the actual preparation of baby's things. I'm very thankful to my mommy friends and my sister who willingly lent me and passed on some of their baby clothes which helped save us some money especially the crib. I would also like to thank my thoughtful colleagues and friends who surprised me with a Baby Shower. Those gifts I got were really a big help for us. And it was my first time to attend a baby shower! Haha!

Nov. 10, 2012 at Kitchen's Best. My surprise baby shower. Thanks S! :)

Here are some of the big priced items that we spent for:
1. Medela Breast Pump and cooler bag with ice pack
2. Farlin Sterilizer
3. Alva Cloth Diapers and Curity Gauze Diapers
4. Prenatal check-up, supplements and Anmum Materna milk
5. CGH Hospital bills (OB fee, Pedia fee, Anesthesiologist fee, room fee, delivery room fee, etc.)

Surprisingly, I didn't spend on baby bottles at first because I just used the 4pcs of Pigeon Peristaltic Plus 4oz. bottles that I got for free from the events/workshops that I had attended. I also initially used the sample sachets of Cycles and Cradles that I got to wash baby clothes and bottles.

I started packing my hospital bag and important documents and left them at my mom's house as CGH is nearer to their place. Btw, I transferred to a different OB when I was on my 5th month. It was my sister's previous OB Dra. Justina Go-Julio in Chinese General Hospital. It was just my personal choice, decision and instinct.

When everything was almost set, I decided to have a maternity photo shoot to capture the beauty of my baby bump before I gave birth. I have to admit that I'm vain. :) I inquired many photographers and finally chosen Red Stilettos Photography to do it for me. I got a good rate because she was my friend and she was very accommodating.

Nov. 18, 2012 at 35 weeks, just few days before I had rashes. Photo taken by Red Stilettos Photography.

And just the day after I had my photo shoot, I was stricken with the worst skin rashes ever! I was at 35 weeks (Nov. 24) when I suffered this rare pregnancy rashes called PUPPP, short for Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy. It commenced when the stretch marks of my abdomen got inflamed with raised spots and increasing itchiness. Then my legs, thighs, arms and lower back eventually had tiny red rashes too, except for the face. Every night I can't sleep peacefully and in day time I can't function well because I kept on scratching those extremely itchy rashes. I even met a new friend online who shared the same sentiments as mine. My OB advised me to consult a derma Dra. Grace Ty on this. Before I visited, I had done my research so well that I already suspected it to be PUPPP. She prescribed me a topical lotion called Triamcinolone to be applied on the affected areas but I was very hesitant and careful as it contains some steroids that might harm the baby. I also tried using Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream and Grandpa's Pine Tar soap to help relieve the itchiness but it didn't help much. It just worsened over time. However, this disease is said to be harmless to the baby as it is hormonal and would go away soon as I have delivered the baby. Of course, I was worried too of the scars that might blemish my flawless skin but that was secondary, as long as baby would be fine. It was really disgusting and indeed caught the attention of people who saw those brown spots. As if those were some kind of a contagious skin disease, but not!

Nov. 27, 2012 at 36 weeks. The rashes were inflamed, very itchy and rough.



Dec. 3, 2012 at 37 weeks. Almost all skin were covered. It flattened and became brown spots. Same itchiness.

Two weeks left before I go full term or one month to go before my supposedly due date on Dec. 26. Those two weeks were the longest and most depressing throughout my pregnancy. I was distraught and had been counting the days, almost can't wait to deliver just so this itchiness would stop. I wasn't that excited anymore but I just prayed to God for a safe delivery and a healthy normal baby. I went to file my maternity leave and set it on Dec. 10 a Monday as I wanted to rest my brain already and just wait for my delivery day. I was anticipating that I might give birth anytime soon as I reached my 37th week.

I finalized my work on the night of Dec. 7 Friday as I was excited to take my much-awaited break. I took a bath, had our usual hearty dinner, brushed my teeth and prepared myself for a carefree peaceful sleep. It was also my time to finalize and do some last minute preparations for baby's coming. My closet was a mess and so full that I decided to pack away my pre-pregnancy clothes into a luggage for post-pregnancy use. During one of the routinary moments that I have to immediately answer the call of nature, I suddenly noticed that my pee was coming out beyond my control. I peeked through the bowl and saw some blood stains too. I quietly panicked and calmly told my hubby about it. I hurriedly gave a phone call to my OB and was instructed to proceed to the delivery room. That was around past nine in the evening.

We waited for an hour for the car to arrive as hubby's sister used it that evening. While waiting, I used the  remaining time to look up on the internet if it's a sign of labor. And because I learned from my childbirth class that when water bag breaks, the baby should be out within 24 hours. We hurriedly packed up and drove by my mom's house to get the essential things (Cordlife Kit and doctor's order) before proceeding to the delivery room. I started to feel some slight but tolerable contractions inside the car. I wasn't able to time the interval of my contractions as I was preoccupied by my nervousness. My hubby accompanied me to the 3rd floor Delivery Room. We showed the doctor's order to the nurse, asked me to remove my accessories and interviewed us for some details before we parted our ways. Hubby was told to return after an hour and I was assisted by a nurse to the Labor Room, bringing with me my Cordlife Kit.

Time was 11:30pm. The nurse told me to remove all my clothes and put on their blue disposable gown. A nurse took my blood pressure while another interviewed me for some details. A certain Dr. Sharon performed an IE (internal exam) and said that I was 3-4cm already. It was my first time to be IE-d and it was very painful. A dextrose was attached to my body and they injected something for faster effacement and dilation of my cervix. I could already feel the contractions come and go. My OB arrived at around 12:30am and attached an ECG belt to my belly to monitor my baby's heart beat. I endured the contractions at the Labor room for about two hours. The pain only got intense every minute just how dysmenorrhea feels like.

At around 2:00am, my OB asked me if I wanted to have an epidural anesthesia already. I was still hesitant at first because I thought I can still endure the pain but in the end I gave in. I was transferred to the Delivery Room, had an epidural and the contractions became more tolerable. I was IE-d the second time and I was at 8cm already! They attached a catheter and pressed my bladder to empty it. I was told to start pushing already when there is a contraction. Pushing in labor is just like taking a poop and you could hardly distinguish them anymore which one would come out. I had a hard time pushing out the baby because I was afraid my poop would come out in front of them. But they said it was okay so I did it. They even pressed on my upper abdomen to help push the baby out.


Welcome to this world Baby A! I was at 37w3d at the time of delivery.
I was awake all throughout the labor. I did my very best push and I finally made it at 3:09am! Wow! As soon as my baby was held in front of me, I couldn't help but to feel overwhelmed. I hardly could imagine that I was able to successfully deliver a child. I didn't cry out but deep inside I'm very happy and grateful that God really answers our prayers. I was just surprised to see that baby was so white. Her skin was all covered with the white-cheesy substance called vernix. First thing that got me fascinated was her girly tiny fingers and cute little lips. Glad that the nurses immediately put my baby to latch as I had reminded my OB many times during our check-up that I will be strictly breastfeeding my baby and rooming-in her afterwards. I was surprised to see my hubby inside the delivery room who took some photos of me and baby. I knew he was also deeply overwhelmed and happy to see baby normal and healthy. After that, I almost forgot that I haven't slept for the whole night. And all the evenings to come!

You know what really am I so thankful for? It is because baby was delivered at full term, just right after I passed my 37th week! What a relief! And with baby's arrival, I almost forgot that I had a rashes prior that! The itchiness eventually died down days after and the blemishes faded away weeks or months post-partum.

Stay tuned as I reveal my "ge-lai" experience and breastfeeding journey on my succeeding blog posts .


Thank you for your time. Hope you enjoyed reading my pregnancy journal trilogy.

Mommy Sally

P.S. Did you find any familiar or similar experience with my story? Any comments would be gladly welcomed. I would love to hear from you too. :)

31 comments:

  1. i was reminded of my rashes too which was mistaken by my ob as puppp. buti it lasted for 10 days lang!

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    1. Glad you didn't experience PUPPP. It was really horrible as if I was just waiting to be rotten alive. Extreme endurance and tolerance is needed coupled with lots of prayers. :)

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  2. Hi Mommy Sally! Great blog, keep it up! Am sure you'd get to help a lot of moms and moms-to-be through your new passion. I hope you'll continue to enjoy writing as much as you enjoy being a new mom and wife. ) --Kim

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    1. Thanks for dropping by my blog Kim! Comments like these inspire me to continue sharing my stories and hopefully help others in one way or another. :)

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  3. ohh myyy those rashes look really bad, it's a good thing you're a strong person, it's hard to overcome something like that, hope it doesn't again on your next pregnancy, love your cute little baby alexa!!! :)

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    1. Thank you Kat! Prayers and trust in God does all the miracles. :)

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  4. What a lovely post, Sally! I can just feel your sadness when you went through that itchy rough skin during your pregnancy. I'm happy that you and Alexa were safe when you delivered.

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    1. Thank you Mommy Glaiza! I don't want to remember that feeling anymore haha. Yes, am really glad we are all safe. :)

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  5. Hi dear, thanks for all the info on your blog. I am currently 36 weeks and I think ingot puppp... It itches so badly and I'm just absolutely miserable! It's been 3 days and the doc has given me Benadryl and prescribed betnovate ointment.. It hasn't spread so far but the itchiness continues.. I was wondering were were you able to get the grandpas soap from? I don't know if i can handle this itch for another 2 weeks :( I'm so depressed!

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    1. Hi! Thanks for reading my blog. Sorry to hear about that. I know how terrible the itchiness feels like and it really makes you insane.
      I bought the Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap from the Ministop, Annapolis Greenhills branch. Check out this site: http://shopwiserphilippines.com/product/grandpas-wonder-pine-tar-soap

      Avoid scratching your itch as much as you can to prevent leaving a scar or wound. You might want to put ice packs or rub cubes on the affected area to lessen/numb the itch for a while. Endure a few more days. By 37 weeks, maybe talk to your baby in the womb to come out already, hehe, and more prayers.

      Good luck and will pray for your safe delivery. You can do it Mommy! :)

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  6. Hi how long before the brown rashes faded...because i also have rashes all over my body it peaked when iam on my 6th month and the itchiness subsided now am on my 35th week but the rashes turn to brown rashes already but clearly it is till super visible

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  7. I also had that kind of rashes but mine started early...at 6th month am on my 35th week already and the itchiness subsided but the brown rashes remains will it really resolve after? I will be delivering on my 37th week too

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    1. Yes, my brown rashes faded few weeks after delivery. Just don't scratch so that it won't leave a scar. More prayers for you. :)

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  8. I have also rashes on inner thigh w/ my first child, sarap kamutin. but w/ my 2nd child d na nakaexperience ng rashes. Sarap ng feeling after seeing your baby nawala yong sakit, mahirap ipaliwanag.

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  9. wow..kahit preggy seksi k p rin,i really love your blog,keep it up

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  10. Those rashes are normal and its nothing to worry about. I'm a nurse and don't worry mawawal rin yan haha! Congratz on your baby!

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  11. hi, hope to ask where di you buy the Grandpa's Pine Tar soap?
    I am 26weeks and suffer from itching. :-(

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    1. Hi Jenny, I bought the Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap from the Ministop, Annapolis Greenhills branch. Check out this site: http://shopwiserphilippines.com/product/grandpas-wonder-pine-tar-soap

      Avoid scratching your itch as much as you can to prevent leaving a scar or wound. You might want to put ice packs or rub cubes on the affected area to lessen/numb the itch for a while. Endure a few more days. By 37 weeks, maybe talk to your baby in the womb to come out already, hehe, and more prayers.

      Good luck and will pray for your safe delivery. You can do it Mommy! :)

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    2. Thanks a bunch Mommy Sally!
      Hope the soap will work for me. I have been using aveeno lotion and coconut oil. It relieves the itch but it still comes back :(

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  12. hi there, i had a similar experience during my first pregnancy. had rashes during my 37th week and they look the same as yours. they started on my lower legs though and in just two weeks, have spread like wildfire all over my legs, arms, belly and lower back but none on my face. they were red, thick and itchy, not to mention, very unsightly! i consulted a dermatologist and she diagnosed it as puppp and told me that it will just go away after birth. she prescribed some clobetasol lotion to help relieve the itch, it didnt help much though. i could still remember how miserable i felt during that time. come 39th week and i gave birth to my first-born. the flare up has stopped and the rashes subsided a bit and turned brown. because of the gravity of my rashes, i asked for a second opinion from another dermatologist and after examining my rashes -- and how they looked like -- she told me that it was not puppp but a case of reactive vasculits -- an inflammation of the blood vessels. unlike puppp which usually commences on the belly, vasculitis usually starts from the lower part of the legs..well the lower part of my legs were actually "the worst hit." she gave me some anti-inflammatory creams and lightening gel to help lighten the scars. i was also told that it would take max of 6 months for the brown scars to totally fade. the thing is, its almost 6 months now and the brown scars which look more like pigmentation already are still visible although they have lightened from before, but yeah, still visible that i could not even wear shorts! so sad. im beginning to think if this is really a case of vasculitis or puppp given the differing diagnosis from my dermatologists and will i be scarred for life.. just want to ask you if your scars have totally faded after giving birth and how long did it take to clear up? or are they still visible? dont know if i should already opt for skin bleaching or any other means to get rid of them.

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    1. Hi Jennifer, I can feel you. Sorry to hear about your case. Fortunately in my case, immediately after giving birth, I forgot all about my rashes which means it didn't itch me anymore. Then after almost a month post-partum, the brown spots were all gone without any traces.

      You might want to join this Facebook group so you could share your sentiments with other fellow moms who experienced PUPPP too, https://www.facebook.com/groups/417030051681101/

      Hoping your scars would clear up soon.

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  13. Hi, Just want to ask kung pwede ako mismo magprepare ng baby shower for my baby :) or friends and relatives dapat? feeling ko kasi walang nkakaisip non e :p

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    1. Hi, I think you can do it yourself naman pero mas okay to request your close friend if she can organize it for you.

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  14. Hi. Do you still have the contact num of Dra. Justina Go-Julio? Thanks.

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    1. Hi, here you go: 0917-8638881. Thanks for dropping by! :)

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  15. Where did u buy the soap?? We went to mini stop annapolis and the crews doesn't know what we were talking about we even show them a picture of it.. where did you buy it? As in inside of the mini stop store?

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  16. hi do you know where can i buy grandpa's pine tar soap? please help me..it's so horrible

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  17. Where can I buy grandpa's wonder pine tar soap? I think I really need it to relieve my itchiness. I think I have PUPPP due to symptoms.

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  18. I had this kind of rash too, I can't sleep and cried overnight because of PUPPP, I tried to apply Tiger Balm and it works for me, kahit ung pamumula ng balat ay nawala at natuyo din ung mga kati kati, I highly recommend tiger balm to those who are suffering from PUPPP, it's a great help.

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  19. I had this kind of rash that lasted for almost a month now. I cried at night because it was so unbearable. I didn't have much trouble with my pregnancy instead of this so called PUPPP. I even prayed that it would be better to have my morning sickness back just to get rid of these rashes. I tried baking soda, apple cider vinegar, oatmeal, cold and hot compressed but it was no used. Then I heard about Grandpa's pine tar soap I was desperate to buy it but It was hard to find it in the Phil you have to order online. One day, I just thought of trying Tiger Balm (the white one) and this ointment help me a lot. It only cost P114.75 (30g) , the itching didn't go right away but after 3 days of applying the ointment, the redness on my legs, arms and belly due to rashes were gone and even the itchiness. So I highly recommend this product because it greatly worked for me and it's very cheap.

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  20. Hi Sally^^ask ko lang if sakali alm mu clinic and sched ni Dra every Saturday? Thank you.

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