The Essentials of Weaning

Weaning is an important event in a child's life. There are various customs that families follow when it comes to introducing the child to food and drinks other than breast milk / formula milk. In India, a ceremony called 'Annaprashan' or 'first rice-eating' is commonly performed, celebrates the transition to solid food.

We never had a ritual as such for weaning. My husband and I decided to wean our child when she was precisely 4 months and 19 days old. One of the reasons why we chose not to wait until 6 months was because my maternity leave was coming to an end in a month and I wanted her to get used to different tastes and textures before joining back for work. I didn't want another person like a nanny to introduce solids to her in my absence, as you never know the level of patience she may have.

The initial process of weaning shouldn't be rushed. You need to give the baby enough space and time to get used to new food. In the beginning, there were days when my daughter used to have just half teaspoon of puree and there were days when she used to reject the same food which she liked earlier. She gradually improved over weeks and can now finish eating whatever is offered to her. 

I started weaning by giving her few sips of rice water once a day. After a week or so, I introduced different cereals like barley, oats and finger millet (ragi) once daily, using the 3 day rule. The porridges I made were runny in the beginning. I gradually increased the consistency by the time she turned 6 months. Once she completed 6 months, the frequency of giving her solids was increased to two times a day. I always made sure that her first meal of the day was always breastmilk and not solids. The frequency of feeding solids gradually increased to three, four and five times a day at 7, 8 and 9 months respectively. At present, I make sure that my little one who is nearing 10 months, consumes frequent small meals in the form of three main meals and two snacks (finger food) a day, in addition to breast milk. 

I began doing my research on weaning when my daughter was around 2 months old. I started collecting a lot of home made baby food recipes from various blogs and Youtube channels. I often spoke to my friends who were already moms and took valuable suggestions from them. It helps to speak to young mothers rather than moms of a different era. 

I have come up with a couple of Q&As that will help new parents to familiarise themselves with weaning. Some of these questions may have crossed your minds and some may have not. 

If you don't have the patience to read through the entire information below, just scroll down and read the 9th Q&A which has important tips concerning weaning.

1. What's Weaning?

Weaning is a process by which a breast-fed / formula-fed infant is gradually introduced to  adult-like diet. 

2. When should an infant be weaned?

The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommends babies to be exclusively breastfed upto 6 months of age. Ideally, weaning should begin from 6 months onwards. 

However, if the baby shows certains signs that he/she is ready to be weaned, the process of weaning can begin any time between 4-6 months. Its best to consult your pediatrician before going ahead with weaning.

Introducing other foods before 4 months is not only harmful but can also make your baby want to consume less of breast milk, resulting in poor growth.

3. What happens if I choose not to wean my baby at 6 months?

Breastmilk has all the essential calories and nutrients for adequate growth and development upto 6 months. The demand for extra calories and nutrients increases as the child grows. This can be met only if food along with breast milk (or formula milk) is given to the child. 

Choosing not to wean your child can lead to  serious calorie and nutrient deficits. Inadequate weight gain is a common issue. 

4. How do I know if my baby is ready to be weaned? 

You know your child is ready to be weaned if - 

* Your baby is between 4-6 months of age and weighs 6-7 kgs.

* Proper head control is attained.

* Baby can sit with support.

* Your baby shows interest in the food that you and your family eat. For example - focusses on what and how you are eating, smacks lips while watching you eat, tries to grab the food from your plate, etc.

5. How do I wean?

The process of weaning is spread over 3 stages depending on the age of the baby.

Stage 1 : 4 - 6 months

You can offer mashed food and purees once daily, during this stage . Make sure the puree is runny in the beginning and increase the thickness gradually. Add breast milk / formula to make purees. Remember, your baby should mainly get all the nutrients and calories from breast milk / formula.

Stage 2 : 6 - 9 months

Increase the quantity and frequency of meals depending on your child's appetite. Try introducing finger foods. 

Stage 3 : 9 - 12 months

At this stage, you can start offering grainy food and bite sized fruits/ steamed vegetables. Reduce the amount of breastmilk or formula to 1-2 times a day. 

6. What foods should I choose for weaning?

The basic principles to choosing the right food are  -

* The food should provide adequate energy, be nutritious and be easy to chew /swallow.

* It should be easily available to the family.

* It shouldn't be expensive. You can choose to prepare baby food from items that are already available in your kitchen, provided they are appropriate for consumption as per the baby's age.

Here's a list of suitable baby food depending on the stage of weaning.. [Link]

7. What items do I require to prepare baby food?

Most of the items required can be easily found in the kitchen. You can read my post here to find out the Top 5 must haves for baby weaning. 

8. I can't prepare baby food. Can I use commercially available baby food instead? 

The choice is yours. Being a working mom, I chose home made baby food instead. Here are my reasons why -

* There are so many brands available, it was difficult to choose the right one. I was to lazy to do too much ground work.

* After going through several customer reviews, I realised even the best brands had issues with packaging and quality. 

* Some of them were available in combination with milk powder which is of animal origin. I didn't want to introduce animal milk into my child's diet before 1 year. Moreover, animal milk may cause allergies or indigestion. 

* As a baby, I was introduced to Cerelac and a hell lot of readymade purees. I was also not introduced to different foods while growing up, which I feel, has led me to be a picky eater. I don't want my child to be like me. Its a good thing to expose your child to healthy eating at an early age. 

9. What important things to consider while weaning? 

* Do not consider it as a task. Enjoy the time you spend feeding your baby.

* Try not to switch on the television while feeding to avoid distraction. If you need to get your baby in the mood, make funny actions/sounds or play music in the background. 

* Never force feed the baby. If your baby doesn't like a particular food, try feeding the same food after a couple of days or weeks. I have also come across certain people who make sure that not a single ounce of food is left behind in the feeding bowl. Please don't expect and force your child to finish the entire bowl if he/she can't. You will have an idea after a couple of trials of how much your baby can eat. Prepare sufficient quantity just enough for a meal, if you are worried about wasting food. 

* Stick to a pattern while preparing your baby to eat solids. I used to stick to a routine of placing my child on a high chair, buckling her up, tying a bib around her neck and showing her the bowl. 

For more information on weaning, I highly recommend checking out the following links -

1. Baby weaning diet plan and recipes

    Gkk Food Diary

    My Little Moppet

    Indian Healthy Recipes - Baby Food

2. Baby food recipes YouTube videos

    Hebbar's Kitchen - Homemade Cerelac

    Gkk Food Diary

    

3. Articles on Baby Weaning

    CDC - Food and Drinks for 6- 24 months

    WHO - Infant Feeding

    Stages of weaning

References - 

1. WHO document - Weaning : from breast milk to family food, a guide for health and community workers [Link]

2. Philips Avent - Stages of Weaning [Link]

3. Stages of Weaning [Link]

My Private Detective ❤️

 

Around the world in 180 seconds

Go, atleast once a year, to a place you have never been to before... Unfortunately, I couldn't travel anywhere this year. 

My last trip was in October 2018 during the second trimester. From then on, I couldn't travel long distances as my OB advised me not to. My placenta was just close to being on the lower end of the uterus. After delivery, I couldn't travel anywhere as the baby was too small and  SARS-CoV-2 cases were on the rise. 

It's been close to a year since I have been on a "proper" vacation. I have been at home on most days, owing to the maternity leave, numerous lockdowns and staggered duty pattern at the workplace. Some may consider this to be a vacation, for me it's not. My idea of a vacation is to run away from the usual, explore places, try out new cuisines and return home with great memories. 

Lately, I have been dying to go on a vacation so bad. If I didn't have the infant with me, I would have definitely packed my bags and headed out to Thailand inspite of the pandemic. 😂

For now, I will just have to be happy with these vacation photos that I managed to click over the weekend. 

2020 - The year so far...

2020 has been quite an eventful year so far. I didn't even think in my wildest dreams that things would be different this year. I have come to a point where I have stopped making plans  and go along with the flow. 

Covid-19 has gripped the world and how. Raising a kid at this time may be a challenge depending on how old your child is and where you live. 

In India, we have had four major nationwide lockdowns since March 2020 with some relaxations in between. 

I am grateful that I have an infant to look after during these times. Unlike a toddler or an older child, I didn't have to worry much about keeping my little one occupied with activities, monitoring online classes and explaining why he/she can't step out of the house.

I was on maternity leave since February 2020 for six months. The option for a paternity leave was not available. Thanks to the lockdown, my husband was at home on most days and helped around whenever needed. I can't imagine how it would have been if I had absolutely no help. 

We make sure that the little one interacts with her grandparents through video calls. The last time she met them in person was in Feb - March, with the exception of my dad who still hasn't held her in his arms yet. 

Over the last six months, we hardly took our baby outside, for the fear of getting her infected. The only couple of times she has been out were for random strolls on the terrace, vaccinations and short car drives. She doesn't get opportunities to interact much with people. Even if she does, they are usually hidden behind a mask. To most people, this may seem to be in best interest for the child. As a mother, I am concerned if this may take a toll on her social skills and personality. She still has to discover that the world she lives in, is a much bigger and beautiful place. 😊 I can't wait to take her to the park, beach, mall, church and places where she can meet more people. I can't wait to show her how a crow, pigeon, cat or a dog looks like... There are so many things that I want her to see, feel and experience...things that we took for granted before Corona arrived. 

I just hope, like any other person, that the current situation gets better. I am looking forward to the day when we can finally toss the mask away and walk around freely. 

Review : Syga High Chair with Padded Seat

One of the most essential things required to wean your baby is a high chair or booster seat... My husband and I had a couple of prerequisites when we started out hunting for the perfect "throne". We wanted the chair to be easy to maintain, have a cushioned seat, meet safety requirements and fit our budget.  After checking out a couple of reviews and comparing prices of various brands on Flipkart, Amazon and FirstCry, we finally zeroed down on Syga High Chair with Padded Seat from FirstCry. 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

The Syga High Chair is available in different colours. You have different models that you can choose from - with or without cushion and with or without wheels. 

It can be used as a high chair or booster seat, depending on your requirements. 

The features of the chair are as follows -

* Suitable for ages 6+ months to 3 years

* Can bear a maximum weight of 18 kgs

* Adjustable chair height and dinner tray position

* Dinner tray with cup holder is easy to detach and clean

* Seat can be reclined if needed.

* 5 point safety harness

* Cushioned seat that can be removed and cleaned. 

* Footrest

* Can be folded for storage

PRICE : The product was priced at Rs. 6200. We purchased the chair during an offer while it was priced at Rs. 3554.03 on FirstCry.

REVIEW

We ordered the product online and received it in 7 days. The chair arrived as dismantled parts and required assembly. We were provided with an "Instructions" card and a printed paper bearing a link to a YouTube video on how to assemble. The Instructions card is not much of help as it was typed in Chinese. However, we managed to figure out things with the help of the pictures on the card and the YouTube video. It took us 45 minutes to set up the chair. The best part is you don't need any tools to assemble it! 

The quality of the chair is excellent for the amount paid. It comes with a detachable cushioned seat and was extremely comfortable for my baby to seat on. 

The 5 point safety harness and sturdy base makes it absolutely easy and less accident-prone to feed a fidgety baby. Cleaning spills from the detachable dining tray is quite simple. 

Since the chair is suitable for a 6+ months baby, I use cushions on either sides to make sure my 5 month old baby doesn't lean to one side. 

Overall, the chair has been a saving grace. My little one enjoys sitting on it while having her meals, playing with her toys and even watching me while I cook in the kitchen. 😄

LINK 

Syga High Chair with Padded Seat @ FirstCry [LINK]

Weaning Woes

I started weaning my little one about three weeks ago. It's been quite a task getting her to try out new flavors and textures. 

I am currently giving her single fruit / vegetable purees and cereals. She likes apple, pear, rice and barley. Vegetable purees and ragi porridge are a big NO! 

Blue or Pink?!

Disclaimer : Pre-conception and pre-natal gender screening or testing is illegal in India. This post is just a fun take on old wives' tales. 

From the time I knew I was pregnant, I was curious to know the gender of the child in my womb for two reasons - one to pick a suitable name and the other to buy outfits. 

Getting to know the gender during my pregnancy was impossible. So we started predicting based on old wives' tales and came close to believing that we were going to have a boy. 

(Photo by June from Pexels)

Now that we have a daughter, let's see how many of the predictions actually came true …. 😋

1. If you are carrying high, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low, it's a boy - I am not sure about this… I think I carried high. 
   
   
   

2. Presence of acne or other skin blemishes is more in favour of a girl… while a glowing, flawless skin indicate a boy child. - I had glowing skin until the last trimester.. In the third trimester, I had acne occasionally with pigmentation of the neck and face 
   
   
   

3. If you’re feeling cold and icy, it’s a boy! Hot and sweaty? It’s a girl! - Hot and sweaty all the time!! 😂
   
   
   

4. An old wives’ tale claims that slower heart rate (under 140 bpm) means boy, while heart rate over 140 bpm means girl. - During most of the ultrasound scans and use of fetal doppler, my little one's heart rate was lesser than 140 bpm… only during my last scan, days before my emergency c-section, the heart rate was more than 140 bpm.

5. If you crave for sweet things, you’re having a girl. If you’re craving salty or sour foods, it’s a boy. - I always craved for spicy and sour food throughout my pregnancy ..  Infact, most of my dinners included a bowl of sliced cucumbers and loads of green chillies, topped with a generous amount of lemon juice and low sodium salt. I couldn't resist eating it even when my doctor asked me to stop consuming salty food since I was borderline hypertensive. However, few weeks before my C-section I started craving for pastries and ice creams ….

6. I even tried out the Mayan calendar to predict the baby's gender which revealed that I was going to have a boy child. 

7. Presence of morning sickness means it's a girl - I never had that…. 

8. If your husband puts on weight during the pregnancy, an old wives’ tale says it’s a girl! - Ha!!! My husband did put on weight...Probably because he stopped going to gym and I cooked  awesome food throughout my pregnancy... all thanks to cravings! 😂

9. Swollen legs or ankles? It’s a boy! - My legs were swollen indeed …. But I guess that's seen in most women in the last trimester. 

10. If you're happy all the time, it's a boy… If you're moody, it's a girl - Oh boy! I was extremely moody in my first and last trimester. My husband was the lucky person to face the brunt of it.  😂

11. Some say that maternal instincts can also predict well… - Hmmm! I always felt that I was carrying a boy and often referred to the baby as "he" or "him".
    
    

Most of the old wives' tales didn't turn out to be correct. 😂 4 out of 11 predictions were true.

However, there is one thing that definitely turned out right. Years ago, when I was a teenager, I had a dream which seemed so real. I dreamt of me being in a hospital room… Every single thing in that room was white in color. I had a child in my arm wrapped in white cloth. It was a girl! She was the most prettiest child I had ever seen. The sun rays from the open window lit up her face even more. She seemed so pure. My eyes grew moist while looking at her...I woke up with tears in my eyes and was so disappointed since none of this had actually taken place. Dreams are easily forgotten, but this felt so real that I never forgot it…. 

I know this may sound cliché, but my daughter is my dream come true! 😀

What to pack in your hospital bag?

Preparing yourself for the big day when you can finally hold the little kickboxer in your arms, can be quite exciting.  

One of the most important things to be done when you are in your third trimester is packing your maternity bag. A maternity or hospital bag contains all the essentials required to ensure that you and your baby's stay in the hospital is comfortable. 

The average hospital stay for a vaginal delivery and C-section is 3 days and 5 days respectively. Always anticipate staying at the hospital for 5 days and pack accordingly. 

Here are few useful tips I would like to share, especially for new moms - 

• Pack your maternity bag atleast 2 months before your due date. Learn to expect the unexpected. You don't want to be caught off-guard.
  
  
• Keep your maternity bag in a room where it's clearly visible so that you don't forget to carry it along. 
  
  
• You don't need to buy a fancy, designer bag for the hospital. I used the cabin trolley bag that I already have. 
  
  
• All toileteries can be kept in a travel pouch.
  
  
• Maternity night gowns with front zip are quite comfortable to wear during your stay at the hospital and are ideal for breastfeeding. Incase you are unable to buy, you can always grab your husband's old shirts. I packed few of my husband's shirts for the hospital stay. I must say they were quite loose, comfy and perfect for breastfeeding.
  
  
• Carry few empty bags to pack soiled clothes so that you can wash them at home. Your little one  will have plenty of poop, pee and puke accidents.
  
  
• Cotton wear (also known as 'jablas' in India) is ideal for newborns especially born in summers. If your baby is born during monsoon/winter or you in live in a cold place, you can buy appropriate winter wear clothes. Avoid buying outfits that are dark coloured and have zips / classic buttons. Outfits with press buttons or snap buttons are preferred and are generally safe.
  
  
• Having a handsanitizer /alcohol based hand rub is essential especially when you have visitors coming in to see the baby. Always insist on using the handrub before touching the baby. 

Here's a printable list of things to pack for you, your baby and daddy. Hope the tips and the list come in handy 👍

What to expect before, during and after a C-section

The period between the last few weeks of pregnancy and first few months post partum can be stressful for a first time mom. Its very important to be aware of what can possibly happen and what you can do to make things better. 

You will find alot of articles on the Internet about what you should and shouldn't do before and after a C-section. You will even get alot of advices from the people around. 

But, here is a list of things that I feel would be absolutely useful to expecting moms and a couple of things that I wish someone had told me...

Some of the points mentioned below may also be applicable to a vaginal delivery. 

BEFORE

• Pack your maternity bag atleast two months before your due date. Make sure you have all the essentials for yourself and baby. You can also pack for the dad as well! 😉 Read my post on what to pack for the hospital stay.
  
  
• Don't be worried about shaving or waxing the pubic area. It is advised not to shave, 24 hours before a C-section. Also, with the huge baby bump it's impossible to visualise what's going on down there...Besides putting in a lot of effort, you may end up getting a few nicks while shaving! While you are being prepared for the C -section, a nurse or a female ward attendant will clip all the hair over the pelvic and abdominal area...so leave that to the expert! 
  
  
• Maintain a file with copies of your ID card (Aadhar card, in India), hospital card, health insurance (i.e if your insurance has maternity benefits) ultrasound scans, latest serology and blood group reports. Make sure your husband or any other family member knows where you have placed the file at home. Ideally, it's best to keep your file in the maternity bag itself. 
  
  
• Be flexible. Don't try not to be too rigid about how you want your labour to be. It's ok to draft a birth plan... But you have to realise that sometimes things don't turn out the way you want. Disappointments can be avoided if you don't have expectations. Speak to your obstetrician if you have any doubts regarding the procedure.
  
  
• Talk to your obstetrician about the kind of sutures you want. Absorbable subcuticular sutures for closing the skin heals beautifully, with minimal scar. You also don't have to go through the pain of getting the sutures removed, as the absorbable sutures dissolve by itself. 

DURING

Pray. Be calm. Go with the flow. 

AFTER

• Once the anaesthesia wears off, you will be in pain. You may find it difficult to sit up and walk around .. but you must try to mobilize! Ask your husband or a family member for help, if needed. 
  
  

• Spinal headache sometimes occur following spinal anaesthesia. This happens as a result of leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the lumbar puncture site, resulting in changes in pressure around the brain and spinal cord. It usually resolves after a couple of days. This was a major issue I had following my C-Section. The head and neck pain was more severe than the pain around the suture site. I continued breastfeeding even though I had a tough time doing so. Remember, the best way to recover from it at the earliest, is to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Caffeine can also help relieve symptoms.
  
  

• Try to breastfeed your baby as early as possible after the C-section. Breastfeeding was new to me as well as to the baby. Neither of us knew how to go about it. Even though the nursing staff were helpful enough to teach and monitor me… it took my baby three days to get a proper latch! Again, don't be disappointed if you don't get it right a couple of times initially.
  
  
  
• Your breasts can leak like an overfilled dam anytime after delivery, as a result of milk letdown reflex. This may cause you some embarassment in front of visitors at the hospital. Wear breast pads and breastfeed often. You can also choose to wear loose, dark coloured outfits to make the leak less obvious.
  
  
  
• The first time you pass urine or stools can be painful. Make sure you don't bolt the door to the toilet from inside. You can call out for help if needed. 
  
  
  
• Swelling of the legs following C-section is not unusual. Mine subsided after 1-2 weeks. You will pee alot after delivery and lose the fluid accumulated. Do keep yourself well hydrated. 

This picture was clicked the next day after my C-section

• Post partum blues is something that you need to be aware of... It's totally normal if you yell, burst out into tears or panic for stupid reasons! "Baby blues" can last for few days or even a week or two after your baby is born. But if your symptoms are severe and continue to persist for months, it could be a sign of postpartum depression which needs treatment. 
  
  
  
• Take care of your C-section wound. Keep the incision site clean and dry. Use a separate towel (not the same towel to wipe your body) to wipe the area dry, after bath. Do not rub or scratch the scar. 
  
  
  
• Wear loose cotton underwear. Special underwears are also available in pharmacies which are meant to be worn following caesarean.
  
  I strongly recommend purchasing NewMom Disposable Fixators and NewMom Disposable Maternity Pads to deal with lochia. These are super comfortable.

• Keep the baby's cot and nappy changing essentials close to your bed. So that it's easy to get things done on your own if you don't have much help at home. 
  
  
  
•  Continue to take your multivitamins, iron and calcium tablets regularly after delivery to meet the increasing nutritional demands during breastfeeding. 
  
  
  
• Try to not listen to unsolicited advices from people around you when it comes to looking after your baby. Don't do things simply to impress others.
  
  
  
• Trust your maternal instincts. Remember not all babies are the same. You know your baby much more than others do.
  
  
  
• Hiring a full time postpartum doula or caretaker is purely optional. I had a tough time convincing my husband that I didn't want a full timer. I felt having a full time post natal doula would interfere with my husband, baby and I bonding together. People often told me that I was doing a big mistake by not hiring one. My husband who finally gave in to my wish, hired a lady who came over to our house just for 2 hours daily for 40 days, to massage, give bath to the newborn and wash her clothes. I didn't opt to get special post natal food cooked and body massages for myself. I felt that was totally unnecessary. I got my post natal nutrition from all the good food I cooked along with with the supplements I took. 
  
  
• Extras😝
• Do not lift heavy weights or perform vigorous exercises/household chores for 6 weeks atleast or until your doctor says so.
  
  
• Avoid sexual intercourse till your doctor gives the green signal. Do not rush into having sex. Keep a lube handy.
  
  
• Inform your doctor if - 
• You develop high fever and intense abdominal pain around the suture site.
• You notice heavy bleeding or passage of large clots. 
• You feel a burning sensation while peeing or notice blood in the urine.

Hope these tips come in handy and help you glide through this whole beautiful process of motherhood smoothly. 

My C-Section Story

My daughter was born via an emergency C-section on 12 February 2020. I was 37 weeks and 5 days when I had her....

I always wanted to have a C-section for the sole reason that it's less traumatic. Having seen a number of deliveries, both vaginal and caesarean, during internship while pursuing my MBBS degree, I made up my mind that I would never go for a vaginal delivery if given a choice. 

Caesarean section was an important essay question in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OBG). As a medical graduate, I was aware of the pros and cons of the procedure. I had all the theoretical and practical knowledge, but I didn't have an inkling of a mother's POV until I was on the OT table. 

A couple of days before the D-Day, I started experiencing painful contractions that would last for a minute or so. There was nothing to worry as I could appreciate fetal movements and my check up went on great. 

On 11th February, I was at work when I started experiencing a leak... which I thought was probably urine. My obstetrician (who is also a close friend and batchmate of my husband) suggested to get a scan done since I wasn't willing to get myself examined. The ultrasound scan showed adequate amniotic fluid volume. 

Obviously, I was relieved. I wasn't mentally prepared to deliver so soon. I had a number of unfinished tasks that had to be done before the baby arrived... The apartment required cleaning, items required for the baby had to be packed in my hospital bag (I'd already finished packing my stuff, the previous week.. Thank God, I did!), a visit to the beauty parlour was necessary and my maternity photoshoot was scheduled for the evening that day. 😅

My obstetrician asked me to see if I was leaking again and inform her immediately if I did. I am glad she gave me some time before taking me up for C-section. Thanks to her, I managed to get my maternity shoot done atleast! 😂

The next day, I continued to experience a leak and this time it was more than just a dribble. I tried avoiding the speculum examination again... The idea of getting a speculum done has never been fascinating! 🥺

My obstetrician together with my husband tried their best to convince me till I finally agreed. We drove to the hospital around 6.30pm. I had nothing with me other than my medical records. The amniotic leak was confirmed. I had to be posted for a C-section immediately since it had been more than 24 hours that I first experienced the leak. 

The consent forms were signed and my section was scheduled for 7.30 pm.

I was overwhelmed with so many thoughts as I was being prepared for the surgery. I wished my mom was there. She was supposed to fly down to India the next week. 

I got into a gown and waited to be pushed into the theatre. My heart galloped like a horse, the whole time, I was in the pre-operative room.

As mentioned earlier, I have attended several surgeries as well as C-sections during my internship… And it was always exciting! But the feeling of undergoing a surgery is totally different … especially if its your first time! I was scared alright… But I also wanted to be done with the pregnancy and see my baby finally.

I was at ease when I was finally wheeled to the OT and saw familiar faces around me. The two obstetricians and the pediatrician that were present, happen to be my seniors from the medical college I graduated from. My husband had scrubbed in too. 

Following spinal anaesthesia, my body went totally lifeless from waist below in a matter of few minutes. Before I knew it, the section had already began... And the baby was out at 8.04 pm! She weighed 2.7 kgs at birth. 😄

The baby was removed and quickly taken to another room for assessment and cleaning. 

My husband who vowed to be with me in good and bad times, in sickness and health; suddenly disappeared to check out his little princess. 😂

The baby was brought to me while my abdomen was still being sutured. It was truly love at first sight... Obviously, one sided since her eyes were closed! 😂 She was then taken away. 

My section ended and I was shifted to the post-op room. That night, my daughter was looked after by the nurses as our families weren't around. 

I found it difficult to fall asleep that night. Everything seemed surreal. The thought that I finally gave birth to a child was slowly sinking in...

The anaesthesia soon wore off. I could wriggle my toes and move my legs. The excrutiating pain slowly started kicking in. I felt like I was being stabbed in the abdomen over and over again. By the time I got used to the sensation, I passed out in the wee hours of morning. 

Breastfeeding your newborn within the first hour or so, following birth, is important. However, I managed to breastfeed only when I woke up. 

I was shifted to my room at noon and was happy to see my two favourite people there -  my hubby and daughter! And yes... My hubby did manage to get my hospital bag and few essential items required for the baby, from home! 😉

So that was my C-Section story....! In my next post, I will be sharing useful tips on what to expect before, during and after a C-section. 

The 8.5 Months Journey

Pregnancy is a wild ride that lasts for 40 weeks.. 37 weeks and 5 days, in my case! 😉

My husband and I have been dating for 6.5 years until we said "I do" in February 2019. With just few months left for me to turn 32, we knew we shouldn't be waiting any longer as my biological clock was ticking away.

In a country like ours, women are expected to marry and have kids in their 20s. The current scenario is changing with a good number of women choosing to tie the knot much later. I have always wanted to be physically, mentally and financially prepared to have a child. 

After a false alarm (read - negative UPT) in April 2019, I missed my period by a couple of days again, in May. I didn't keep my hopes high. The UPT stick showed a faint line. My husband's classmate, who turned out to be my obstetrician eventually, suggested to get the test repeated after two weeks. 

Two weeks was a long wait… I repeated the test few days later, only to see that the line got darker… 😄 My husband and I were thrilled beyond our wits! 

I was on top of the world...and then fell flat on my face the next minute! Why? The first thing that struck me was that I had to give up on all the fun filled Saturday nights and ALCOHOL..!! 😭 I have always been the kind of person who went crazy with drinks on Saturday nights, dance like a maniac till 4am and wake up to have lunch at 1pm on Sundays. I never really got a chance to have my last booze before turning sober for who-knows-how-long...😭

Anyway .. long story cut short, my pregnancy was confirmed with an ultrasound scan. I was due for 1 March 2020.

My Saturdays changed from having Old Monk / Captain Morgan / DSP Black (P.S Don't judge me by the brands) to having packaged fruit juices. No more coffee! No more pineapples! 🤕 And no more Diet Coke!!!

I thought it would be tough… but giving up all the above was smooth. Infact, the smell of alcohol soon became a huge turn off. 

First trimester is supposed to terrible for most women due to morning sickness. Thankfully, I just had mild gastritis. The worst part of first trimester, however, was my mood swings… My husband was the only soul to face my wrath.. and still is! 😂😂😂 

People say that when you become pregnant, you develop certain cravings and aversions. I craved for spicy/sour food and developed a strong aversion for seafood. I cooked only what I craved for or enjoyed eating. 

Besides alcohol, I also had to give up working with heavy weights at the gym and started doing more cardio. I finally stopped going to the gym in the third month. 🙊

Second trimester was a breeze. My abdomen had just started protuding. I felt my first movement in October, while on a babymoon. 

From a gentle tap to a full blown kick...alot changed when I reached the third trimester. 

I developed borderline diabetes and hypertension. I cut down on sugar intake and switched to low sodium salt which did help alot. 

Third trimester was not so fun. As weeks progressed , I started getting more exhausted at work. I needed more rest and more food. Cooking meals and doing basic household chores became  tiresome. The frequent urge to pee was a nuisance, more so at night. Finding a comfortable position to sleep was another task , especially with the growing tummy. 

I wasn't visibly pregnant to many people until I reached 32-33 weeks. From then, my belly grew in size rapidly. I stopped monitoring my weight since I didn't like the digits displayed on the weighing scale. My clothes stopped fitting me. XLs and XXLs were out of my league. I started shopping at a plus size store as there weren't any good maternity wear options for work. 🤐 

My feet didn't look normal anymore. All my old shoes were packed to make way for new comfortable ones. 

Going to public places like malls, restaurants, pubs, theatres etc became difficult. People often didnt realise that I was pregnant and end up walking into me. I had to be alert all the time, strategically placing my hands in front of my tummy to avoid any casualties… 

Every night, before going to bed, I watched YouTube videos to prepare myself for pregnancy, birth and parenting. All that was good. But believe me, eventually only your motherly instincts and hands-on experience will get you going.

(A picture of myself when I was 36 weeks pregnant)

All through the 8.5 months and beyond, my husband has been my greatest support. I have watched him grow through various stages of being a great friend, affectionate boyfriend, caring husband and now a doting father. 

We managed to get a maternity photoshoot done, a day before my Emergency C-Section. I will leave you guys with a picture from the photoshoot. 

Hello World

Hi! Welcome to my Blog. This place is all about me, my journey through motherhood and helpful tips for new moms. 

I am a 30-something year old working mom who gave birth to a drool monster on 12 February 2020. A lot has changed since then. I am still in the process of figuring how this whole parenting deal works... 🙊

Why "The Two Legged Mombie" ? Mombie is a Mom turned Zombie. She is sleep deprived, usually fuelled by caffeine. Yes! That's me... 😅 I need atleast 5-6 cups of coffee to keep me going through the day!!! 

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