Preparing For Baby's Arrival: What to Bring to the Hospital

The arrival of your new son or daughter is a time of excitement and joy. It's often a hectic time as well, so it can be difficult to remember to pack everything that you need to bring to the hospital.

About a month before the baby's due date, you should make sure you have the following items. Pack as many as you can beforehand.

You can use the following checklist as a guide to getting organized for the big event. :)

(This one is from my prenatal booklet handed to me by my OB-Gyne from Multicare Pharmaceuticals Philippines).

Most of my baby stuffs I got from the gifts given to me by my office mates during my baby shower. So, I only need to buy newborn pants, mittens, new born cloth (lampin) and my going home outfits also best to use when breastfeeding at the hospital.

You can also check out this site for more relevant items to bring with you upon your arrival at the hospital on this site here.

Also, don't forget to bring the following essentials especially needed in the hospital for medical/legal purposes.

• Identification Card (ID) for you and your partner
• Philhealth Claim Form 1 (duly signed by employer)
• Updated Philhealth Member Data Record ( MDR )
• Hospital Receipts and Bills just in case
• Medical Note given to you by your doctor upon admission if you are under a private doctor, for those under maternity package (your copy of prenatal results and forms given by the hospital)
• Medical provider ID (for those enrolled in a medical insurance plan i.e Maxicare, Philcare, etc.)

Hope this post helped you on your preparation for the coming of your newborns.

Anything you'd like to add to the list? Do leave your comments and share.

Till then,

My New Pair of Eyeglasses

Finally got myself a new pair of glasses for the third time. I was really bragging about my eyes for a few weeks already. My eyes are going nuts and I cannot fully concentrate facing the computer at the office for hours. So, finally I decided to go get one at Ideal Vision Center at SM Cebu.

I was examined and the Doctor found out my eyes grade already went up a notch.

I always loved the glasses from Ideal Vision as well so that was my second time to head down there for an eye check-up. Glad to know they have this sale of up to 50% for the frames!

I was ecstatic, this is it! I'm going to get one now!

The frame I got was perfect fit and the glasses was as well. My eyes seemed refreshed every time I wear them. Plus, I only bought it for PHP2300.00. Our company insurance will have to reimburse us with it naman so no worries. I can avail up to PHP1500.00 for my medical plan. 

So, that was it. Just ranting about my new pair of glasses! Which I really adore.

Do love and take good care of your eyes guys!

Till then,

REPOST: TIPS for a Healthier Working Pregnancy

This is a Repost taken from an online site which I personally used as guide throughout my entire pregnancy. Read on!

There are things you can do to make your working life easier. Few ideas to make  a perfect blend of career and pregnancy include:

# 1 Don't be a superwoman!

Get rest when you are not at work and reduce household chores, especially when approaching the delivery date. Studies show that one and a half hour of extra rest makes a lot of difference; uterine blood flow increases, and the supply of oxygen and other nutrients to your baby improves. 

  # 2 Relax when possible

If at all possible, lie down on your left side for ten minutes during your lunch break on a floor mat. Else, just rest your head on the table or elevate your feet. Relax your mind and body.

  # 3 When exhaustion overtakes you, leave work early

If you are commuting to work using public transportation, don't be afraid to ask for assistance with regards to a seat, if necessary, from the conductor or driver.

# 4 Negotiate a flexible work schedule

Work out a schedule that suits your health. If you suffer from morning sickness, ask about coming in later and ending your workday later. On the other hand if you are an early riser and get tired easily in the afternoon, ask to come in early and end your workday early. 

  # 5 Telecommute whenever possible

Try and work out such that you can group assignments and attend office 2-3 times a week. The balance days of the week when your presence at the office is not necessary, you can work from home. Another alternative is to work part of the day at the office and part of the day from home but ascertain you are always open for office contact. 

  # 6 Ask for help

If a project or assignment is causing your health to suffer, speak up to your boss about getting the help of a coworker or even a temp worker to fill in for you. If need be, request the project be reassigned to someone else and take a less stressful assignment. 


  # 7 Snack - time

To maintain energy levels and to avoid nausea & heartburn (common ailments of pregnancy), stock up a selection of snacks to work and eat something every few hours.

# 8 Pregnancy emergency kit

Keep the kit in your desk drawer. It should contain lemon hard candies to beat nausea, an extra pair of undies or sanitary napkin for incontinence accidents, an Evian face mister for instant cool-offs, and a cache of crackers, pretzels, wafer cookies for snacking.


  # 9 Write notes

Maintaining a notebook at all times can offset memory loss in the first trimester. Note down important work reminders. Jot down anything you consider important for you to remember or act on. 


  # 10 Heroine you are not!

If possible, start your maternity leave a week or 2 prior to your due date to give yourself ample time to rest before the big day. 



The Final Word 

You will probably decide on discontinuing work either on your doctor's advice or exhaustion. There are certain guidelines you should follow to minimize health complications that can worsen if you are working.


• If your job is more rigorous in nature entailing heavy lifting, climbing or bending below the waist you should stop work by week 20. But if you have moderate load to tackle with rest periods in between, you can continue working till about week 28. However you should consider giving up your job after conception if you are carrying more than one baby, had a previous miscarriage, or premature birth. Cut back on your work hours if you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. Bottom-line: listen to your doctor's advice on when to quit your job, how many hours you can afford to put in and the nature of job you can continue with. Don't ignore your doctor's recommendations, no matter what your financial status. 


• If your job requires you to be on your feet all day, you should consider switching to desk job or stopping work beginning in your 24th week. If your job requires you to spend more than 30 minutes out of every hour on your feet, consider shifting to something sedentary by week 32.


Returning to work after baby:

Much of this depends on how you feel and the health of your baby. If all is well then returning to work is a personal choice. Whether you decide to take 3 whole months, less or more, some workday precautions apply as when you were pregnant. 

• Avoid fatigue by taking short naps.

• Try to arrange to work from home sometimes.

• Go back part time rather full time until your body readjusts to your previous schedule.

• Push for a flexible work routine in order to accommodate to your baby's needs.

Above all, don't be afraid to enlist your husband's help with household and baby chores. Make certain to visit your doctor for a complete checkup before returning work. Take time out if despite your leave you still feel you need a break.

Source: http://www.welcomebabyhome.com

Till Then,