As I am approaching the end of the pregnancy; there are many decisions that need to take place and the creation of my birth plan. Since Ahmed was my first, I didn't really understand much at the time. Only the stuff I read from books I bought. With experience now; I know I have many choices that I can make to make it a more pleasant experience and to my expectations and desires.
I created my initial birth plan with Corniche Hospital. It's the best one in town in sense of experience and quality of staff. Plus, the fact that I had a good experience with Ahmed's delivery previously.

Part of the decision to be made is if I want manage my pain through drugs. I remember it was a total torture! I was in pain for hours waiting to dilate. I don't remember enjoying this part of the labour at all. I remember having to go through this in front of strangers and I totally hated it. Now I am determined to go through most of the pain when I am home and only head to the hospital when contractions are very close and intense.
So back to pain management; I only had Entonox which is a gas inhaled to elevate the pain. It wasn't very effective. You feel high but the pain is still there. It was sort of a distraction, keeping you busy from thinking about the pain with something else. But it didn't take away the pain itself.
The mothers I know keep advising me to go for an Epidural. It is an injection given in the back to numb the area from the waist down. It takes 15 mins to take full effect and you usually don't feel a thing and enjoy the labour experience.
The downside of having an Epidural:
• When the needle is inserted it's uncomfortable
• There are chances of bleeding from the area, leaking of fluids or infections
• There is a rare minor risk of paralysis
• It makes pushing difficult since you can't feel anything from the waist down

I am not sure that's the way I want to go. Every time I think of pain, I get scared and honestly don't want to go through it. My hubby thinks I should just go for an Epidural. He doesn't want me to suffer like I did the first time. He finds it totally unnecessary. That still needs to be decided.

This time I opted to getting the stem cells blood collected. It's the blood that is found in the umbilical cord once the baby is born. Those very special cells are now used treat more than 100 life threatening diseases. Naturally the blood is a guaranteed match for the baby born. It holds 75% match to siblings and 50% match to parents. It doubles the survival rates in many complex situations.



When Ahmed was born; the collection of stem cells wasn't available in this part of the world. I am doing it through Cryo Save

• My hospital suitcase is now almost ready. I just need to add some minor items and I am ready to go.
• The baby's bag is also ready.
• The accessories for the room are set.
• The gifts are in place waiting for you guys to pick 'em up when you visit =)
• The special prayers book is also ready with my requests. If you need me to add something in there for you, let me know. Perfect timing for dreams to come true.
• Baby announcement messages are ready on my phone; waiting to be personalized with the gender and name.
• The orders for food and drinks are done.
• The maids are on standby waiting for my painful call.

more favors arriving to be added to the gift bags- colourful sugar in the shape of a heart- CUTE!

I am having very minor contractions now and then but nothing serious yet. I am due very soon but everyone says my stomach is still high (The way to find out is to place your hand just under the breast and check for space. Right now I can place one hand there and feel the emptiness).

My friend's daughter who is 7 keeps saying that I will deliver on the 4th of April. She says she has been dreaming about it for the past 2 weeks. I guess we'll wait and see how long it takes.

treated myself to this

gonna miss the bling in my office

baby Ahmed- my little man!

[9] diamonds (186 opened the sack)  [+] Jewel Link

Aha.. the nightmare is almost over. I still don't know how I feel about my pregnancy. I've taught myself to totally ignore the fact that I am pregnant in efforts to not get too attached to the baby. I know it's silly but again it's my 3rd one after having Ahmed.

I just didn't want to go through the emotional shock and face yet another depression. I decided to let it be. Just ignore it. Whatever is meant to happen will happen.

Gifts we're going to share with visitors- A tea partyyyy theme! You will get a paper bag filled with goodies. A mug, tea bags, spoons, heart shaped sugar, a coaster with a frame, a tea light candle in the shape of a cup- all personalized for our new born..

I've had my first ever prenatal visit just about a month ago. The doctor of course was paranoid calling me crazy for not following up with anyone.

My simple silly answer was "I wonder how they used to do it 30 years ago. They've survived without the whole high tech frequent prenatal visits. I thought I would too"

The doctor scoffed.

Doc: "so when was your last period?"

Me: "I guess it was sometime in the end of June 2007"

Doc pulling out the due date calculator- :"hmm, so that makes you.."

Me: "25 weeks pregnant"

Doc smiling: "No darling, that makes you 34 weeks"

*uaeyah in total shock!! Gulp gulp* huh!!



Still in denial, I was escorted to the ultrasound room and had my first sonogram.



It was the same technician who took care of me during Ahmed's pregnancy.

Dhalia: "I remember your face" she looks into the file

Continues: "I took care of you with your twin pregnancy"

Me: "I only had one baby after all"

Dhalia: "Oh I am sorry. I remember. Is the baby normal?"

I smiled and picked up my phone- showed her Ahmed's picture "Yes he is normal! =)"

Dhalia: "I am sorry. I don't mean to be…"

Me: "Don't worry. I get these sorts of questions all the time"

Dhalia: "What a beautiful baby boy we're having!". She then turns on the sound machine and I start hearing static. Heartbeats. I turn to the screen and there is my baby! ~ of course.. I start crying a river…

That is when I realized I was actually pregnant! I mean it truly hit me. I have been carrying a bun inside me but totally ignoring it for the past 30+ weeks. But at that moment it hit me.



I called my husband "we are having a baby boy"

Hubby: "Cool"



So he has been also ignoring the pregnancy for as long as I remember. He was going through the same thing or probably just didn't want to talk about it until I brought it up.



During this month I started shopping for baby stuff. I love this online store- Children's Salon. I brought so many things in blue. It was very exciting.

My quote: "Apparently I can't get off your site. I am addicted to Childrens Salon. My husband is begging me to stop shopping already but you guys are making it really hard. All your products are beautiful and are just a click away!"

Last week, I had another sonogram at the same hospital.

Technician: "Wow what a beautiful baby girl!!"

Me: "Baby Girl?- what the hell are you talking about?. I am having a boy"

Technician fiddling around with the scanner. Running it on my tummy from one side to another. "no- it's a girl!"

Me *a million thoughts on the blue stuff I bought* "no I was told I was having a boy!!"

Technician goes and calls in another technician. They disagree. One says it's a girl and the other thinks it's a boy.



And I am left totally confused.



I called up another hospital and the doc says "the best time to figure out the gender of the baby are between weeks 18 and 26. after that the baby is squished up it's hard to tell. You need to wait till delivery"



Well guys. I guess we'll wait till after delivery. Annoying! I want to know.



I already started shopping for pink stuff. You know- for just in case. It's more fun than buying boys stuff. Girls are so cute!!

when you don't know what you're having.. get everything!

these are so adorable- totally couldn't resist 'em

more adorable stuff- Classic Baby Prams as Favor Boxes

[15] diamonds (173 opened the sack)  [+] Jewel Link