Suffering from 'bekkenløsning'.

After I was confined in the hospital a month ago, I never went back to work. My doctor issued a 'sykemeldt' (sick leave), so I can stay home and regain my energy while waiting for the result of my bladder biopsy. Just 2 weeks ago, I had my regualar checkup with my doctor, he decided to prolong my sick leave until my maternity leave. Meaning I will never go back to work again until I give birth. My doctor told me I am suffering from 'bekkenløsning' or pelvic pain (SPD).

This is my second child (33 weeks). I have been having extreme hip/pelvic and siatica pain, it's so painful that sometimes I cry. It's hard to sleep, walk, get up, turning over in bed, going up and down the stairs, even getting into a car was pure agony. It really kills me a lot. I never had this kind of pain with my first child, which I delivered normally. My doctor told me to keep my legs together as much as I can when getting in and out of bed, standing up and sitting down because when I move one leg at a time I'm making one side of my pelvis move higher than my other side. This usually cause the pain. My doctor recommends me to undergo physiotherapy to relieve the discomfort and use crutches, which I don't prefer using since most of the time I just stayed home. I had my own doctor and midwife who check my pregnancy regularly. My midwife informed me that SPD only gets worse as the baby gets bigger, but should disappear almost instantly following the birth, which I really hope and pray that it will really disappear right away after I give birth. She also told me that it is safe to take paracetamol if the pain is really bad.

Today was a really bad day for me. It's hard to walk. I have to keep switching positions so it won't hurt too much. I'm really waddling like a duck now. My doctor assured me that this is normal pain and it's all part of pregnancy. I still have 6 weeks to go. I just want my body and energy back!

Approaching the end of pregnancy...

"It is an exciting and hopeful time for me and my family. It is approaching the end of my pregnancy, and sometimes I feel that my stomach is in the way."

Pregnant women undergo emotional and physical change, I know this is normal and I'm so thankful to my husband who's been very supportive of me. Now, that I'm approaching the end of pregnancy, I am definitely larger. People tell me they can’t quite see it, while others tease me about my frontal rotundity. Getting dressed every morning is a struggle for pants that fit. If only that was the only thing different. I honestly have too much complaints on my second pregnancy. By everything you’ve ever heard about pregnancy, number one on my list is the morning sickness. I also experienced  the “it’s time to eat again or else” sickness. I go from normal to starving Sally Struthers style about every two hours. It’s when I don’t answer that call that I get nauseated and struggle even more to find something I feel like eating. I don’t have any weird food aversions or cravings, but there are foods that make me happy. Among them – because it varies from day to day — are 'pansit', banana or chocolate milkshakes, spaghetti 'pinoy' style and boneless bangus dip with calamansi and anchovy sauce. I drink normally and have turned my nose up at the strawberry shakes I would order before. And as much as I always loved a spicy food like thai food, the thought turns my stomach which I’m not sleeping on. Paranoia has me off my back as well. I just turn from side to side, feeling like a fish flailing from side to side all night long. Sleeping is uncomfortable even with the body pillow. Waking up when I get up for potty breaks is hard for me because I can't go back to sleep right away. 

One thing I couldn’t have anticipated at this stage is sore hips and thighs. It's more painful than my experience on my first pregnancy. It’s like my joints are on strike. I stiffen quickly as if it will rain any minute. And sleep must be a really big part of the preparation. I’m so sleepy all the time that I feel lazy. And when I’m not sleepy, I’m just plain tired. Every day, it’s like I’m playing catch-up with my fast-moving life. 

As accepting as I’ve become of actually being pregnant, my approaching acceptance that I do need more food, more sleep and to keep taking my omega3 vitamin. I’m really just responding to feelings that seem to get hurt a lot more often though I pretend otherwise when it involves friends. 

It’s pretty clear that while I’ve got the physical stuff down, I’ve got to work on the emotional side of pregnancy. So, if you don't see me where I should supposed to be, know that I'm not milking the whole pregnancy thing. I'm just struggling my way forward and probably on my way somewhere to go cry about it when my indescribable mood swing attack.

Freebies for Pregnant Women in Norway

Want free baby stuff? What about free stuff for new parents? If you’re expecting a baby, then don't miss these great freebies for moms and dads. A huge list of free stuff that new parents can receive... at no charge! Amazing! 

Vitusapotek Babybaby:
Complete the online form, receive an email and print it off. Take it to your local Vitusapotek and receive your pack! This has to be the best box I’ve received so far so worth getting.  Register here

Apotek1 Babybox:
Complete the online registration and receive an email. Print off the email and walk into your local Apotek1 and pick up your box of goodies. This is a pretty heavy box so pick it up at the end of your shopping trip!  Register here

BAM gavepakke:
Register online and the pack will be sent through the post direct to your home. It’s a fairly small pack but there are some good offers and discount vouchers in there.  Register here

Liberoklubben:
Complete the online form and you should receive a pack of sample products through the post. I haven’t received it yet so can’t tell you what’s included but be patient.  Register here

Rimi Barnepakke:
Complete the online registration and you should receive a card through the post. Go to your local Rimi and pick up your pack. Really good box of goodies. It takes a while for voucher to arrive.  Register here

Life in a hospital: not as glamorous as Grey’s Anatomy depicts.

On my 28th week of my pregnancy, I need to be confined on the hospital. I’ve spent several days at Stavanger hospital. I had a rough week of staying alone, to say the least. After a couple of weeks of having weird fevers/blood in pee/pains in my lower back/thousands of tests, my doctor recommended me to have a full check up. As soon as I arrived in the hospital, when the nurse found out I'm in pain, they let me lay down on the bed while waiting for the doctor.

I thought I can go home that day but after all the tests, around 6pm, the nurse told me I need to stay in the hospital for few days for observation. That night, I slept on the hallway because there was no available room for me.

On my third day, I was transferred to a single room.  I had my own television without remote control and I also had my own toilet.

 

 

 

 

The initial finding was bladder infection, then the next day, it became kidney stone. On the third day, the doctor said it was kidney inflammation. I'm starting to be confused! I'm trying to understand that it was also hard for the doctors to really detect what was wrong because of my pregnancy. They can only do limited tests. On the fifth day, the doctor scheduled me for a bladder biopsy to suss out what was going on. The result will be after one week. 

 

usual breakfast @ 8:30am (buffet-style)

usual dinner @ 5pm (buffet-style)

While I'm in the hospital, I do freewriting. It's my way of getting my brain in gear. The result of my bladder biopsy will be after a week. Since I cannot wait for that result anymore, on the 7th day, (February 13) my birthday, I requested the doctor if it's possible to discharge me since I feel a little better and I am more comfortable staying at home recovering. I was not expecting his answer when he said 'yes'. It was an answered prayer! When I left the hospital, I didn't pay any single centavo. Everything from the antibiotic, pain killer, daily checkup, food, clothes are for free.

That night, when I arrived home, my hubby and son prepared a dinner for me. I'm so thankful for my husband for all the love, care and patience that he showed while I'm in the hospital. Now, I'm on the road to recovery! Thank you for all the prayers while I'm under the weather.

Pregnant abroad

 "The real feeling that you're actually carrying a life inside you is priceless."

My first clue that something was different came when I felt uneasy and paranoid that maybe I am pregnant. After 2 weeks, I told my husband to buy a pregnancy test to really find out the real score. Excited and nervous to be pregnant in a foreign country, I wondered what a mountain of responsibility I'd have to provide in 9 months, what the medical system in Norway would be like, and if I can keep my work on my present job since I just started working as 100% in a new company. Being pregnant in a foreign country is the ultimate way of "going native," the most "authentic" experience you can have. It's also challenging, sometimes scary, and limits what you can do, but this new experience is a great way for me to discover new culture, their hospitality, and traditions. Once I confirmed that I was in fact pregnant, I noticed how child-friendly Norway is, though not without challenges for the expecting expat. On my first visit on my jordmor (midwife), I listened to my baby's heartbeat for the first time. It brought tears to my eyes knowing that my baby is alive and thriving at 17 weeks! It was the most amazing feeling because the real feeling that you're actually carrying a life inside you is priceless. Plus she gave me lots of pregnancy book written in Norwegian language. Buying maternity clothes are limited. Monthly blood test and visit to the doctor is totally free of charge. Norwegians treat pregnant women with the utmost respect and care.

I found out my baby's sex at 18.5 weeks via ultra sound. I think every woman hopes for a little girl, I was no exception. I really wanted a girl since I already have an adorable boy. After the tech checked everything else (arms, legs, head size, tummy, etc..) FINALLY when she showed us on the monitor the gender and confirmed that "IT'S A BABY GIRL!", I literally screamed "Thank you Lord". This is what my husband and I both wanted, and we couldn't be more thrilled and emotional. We can't wait to see our little princess joins us.

Having a baby, especially a first, in a foreign country isn't for everyone. My family and support system is far away and I don't know where to go for things I can find easily in my hometown. My doctor speaks excellent English but some of the nurses and hospital staff do not, and my Norwegian is hardly fluent enough to cover every situation. Though the cost of domestic help is low, I'm not sure I want a lady with whom I can't fully communicate telling me how to raise a baby. I'm just lucky that my mother-in-law is always there to support me. My plan is to invite my parents to visit us on 1st week of April, before my due date.

On my second baby, I wasn't fortunate not to have morning sickness. My first trimester was a hell for me. I'm very sensitive on the smell of garlic, perfume, even taste of food. Growing a baby is tiring work, and it's hard to reconcile my usual work self (lots of walking, few breaks) with my pregnant self (tired and hungry almost all the time). The best part about pregnancy in another country is learning how each culture values pregnant women and mothers, hearing childbirth experiences from locals and foreigners, and seeing how kind strangers really can be. And all the food cravings help you discover the local cuisine, too.

Even though I found out that I was 3 weeks pregnant suffering from morning sickness, I continue to work as normal as I can because I don't want to lose my job. On my 10th week, I have to tell my boss because I need to stay home for few days because of my sensitive pregnancy according to my doctor's advice. In the beginning, I thought I will lose my job, that's why I'm very hesitant to open up, but after talking to her and really telling the truth about my pregnancy, I was very surprised on her reaction. She was very happy, hug me and told me not to worry on anything else. She even assured me that after 1 year of my maternity leave, my work is still there waiting for me. 

Now, I'm already on my 31st week of pregnancy.  just can't wait to give birth, kiss and hold my princess for the first time.

Farewell Party!

My boss gave this invitation last week. She's inviting our department in her house on July 6 at 7:00pm for a small summer festival celebration and at the same time a farewell party for me.

URL: http://able2know.org/topic/47979-1

I was very touched and overwhelmed when I read this!

To my Rica Aiport Hotel family, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation. It has been a great pleasure working with you all.

I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.
- William Shakespeare

Summer Fun

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, and the birds are singing.

Bore strand (beach)

Fun time is here again!!! After being trapped with indoor activities for months, now it's the time to break free and bask in the warm sunshine.

We ended the day by grilling outside our house together with some friends.

There's no ignoring summer time! Summer is definitely a strong and commanding season, where it leaves many traces of its presence.

7:00 in the evening (19:00) We're still enjoying the sun outside.

Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts! :)