Temper Tantrums during Pregnancy... I thought I was the only one

After reading this article...

http://www.ninemonths.com.au/woman-who-have-temper-tantrums-during-pregnancy-put-babies-at-risk-of-heart-problems/

According to a new study anger can affect the development of babies' hearts in the wombs.

Researchers say angry behaviour even things such as door slamming, shouting loudly and even binge-eating whilst pregnant can affect the development of babies’ hearts.

Infants born to mothers more prone to these impulsive and aggressive acts had less variation in their heart rates after birth, the research found. Variation in heart rate is thought to be healthy because it indicates the body is flexible and adaptable to change. For example, different breathing patterns should affect the heart rate.

But if the heart does not adapt to change it is more at risk of disease and infection. It is already known that adults who have a lower variation in heart rate are more likely to develop heart problems.

Researchers also say the hormonal changes in the body which trigger aggressive behaviour may pass through the placenta to the unborn baby, and could have an influence on the way cells develop. And so staying relaxed and calm whilst pregnant is important – what a better excuse for a spa day!!

The study, led by researchers from the University of Sussex, recruited 49 pregnant women aged between 22 and 39 from childbirth classes. The volunteers were tested to see how likely they were to develop ‘impulsive, uncontrollable bouts of temper’. The women were asked in interviews to describe how they normally dealt with anger and their brain activity was monitored to see how they responded to certain sounds and images designed to prompt a negative reaction. They found 22 women fitted into the ‘angry’ category, nearly half of the volunteer group.

The researchers said this was a higher proportion than would be expected in the general population, attributing this to the fact that the study had been advertised as investigating the effects of temper on foetal hearts and attracted volunteers concerned about their anger.

After the women gave birth, the electrical activity of the babies’ hearts was measured using an electrocardiogram, or ECG. They found newborns whose mothers were in the angry group had a lower variation in their heart rate.

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I realize since we can't really control these kind of emotional outburst, it is important that we do when we're pregnant... I've talked to my husband about this, it really helps if we do.

Christmas Day... picnic at a waterfalls in Bentong, Pahang

It's Christmas day... and we decided to celebrate it at a Waterfalls, at Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia. Had a nice picnic there and enjoyed the scenery.

We really had fun. It was actually a bit far than we expected... in fact, everyone was actually hungry once we got there.

The food was nice... Pinakbet (a popular Ilocano dish from the Philippines) (it's a mixture of pork, bitter gourd, eggplants, tomatoes, string beans, and okra with bagoong alamang (shrimp paste)), Rellenong Bangus (stuffed Milkfish) (you actually have to take out the fish bones, take the bangus meat mixed with peas, raisins... to create the stuffing), Tinapang Isda (smoked fish), Black Pepper Chicken and Sweet and Spicy Chicken.

After having our lunch picnic there... we went to the waterfalls... just wading in the water... the kids went for a swim at a deeper (yet safe) part.

The water was cold... so we all enjoyed it. It was a bit dangerous though, cause of the rocks. We just had to be careful going down to the waterfalls.

My hubby took some good pictures of the waterfalls from a better angle... at the top of some huge rocks.

It was a good Christmas... we really had fun. :)

Noche Buena (Christmas Eve Dinner)

It's always good to spend the holidays with good home cook meals, laughter and cheer with family and friends.

We celebrated Christmas Eve at Tita Ruby's house. I made Tacos... both Beef and Chicken... since Uncle doesn't eat beef. Tita made some Pancit Bihon (Filipino dish), Rellenong Bangus (Stuffed Milkfish), and others.

After stuffing ourselves with good food... we hang out at the living room, watching some movie... chatting... and they had some Guinness Stout Beer. If I wasn't pregnant, I'd probably be drinking with them :) hehe. Guinness Stout is actually nice cause when you drink it (right amount though, not too much) you wake up the next day, feeling fresh... none of those really bad hang-over.

We had a great time. My hubby and I went back around 5am already. There house was just a few minutes drive from our place anyway.

Pasar Malam (Night Market) before Christmas

My hubby and I visited the Pasar Malam (which they always have every Wednesday night at Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia).

We like just going around the pasar malam, find some interesting items or buy some fresh fruits and veggies, or fish and meat.

They also have clothes, bags and watches. The best part is... it's cheap and near our area. Only a few minutes drive from our home.

Here, we actually bought some vegetables and meat to cook for Christmas... and to stock at home for the week so we don't have to keep running to the grocery for items.

Happy Holidays!!

To all my dear lovely blogger friends...

May the Christmas season

fill your home with joy

your heart with love

and your life with laughter....

Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

God bless you all! :)

Studying while Pregnant

I'm going through my final year of Law School right now. I've actually emailed the University in London, to ask if I could at least move my exam date around November instead of May, since my Due date is in April 2010.

They sent a reply saying that it wouldn't be possible, and that if I would like to defer, it would have to be in May 2011... which is ridiculous... I can't wait another year for it. I thought I could at least ask for November since exams for referrals occur during this time... and perhaps, maybe they could also give some leeway to students with special cases by moving it to November.

I'll still try and contact them in London about this. If the response is still the same, I guess I have no choice though, I have to buckle down for it.

I've read the thread of post about Dealing with Pregnancy and Studying:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Dealing-With-Pregnancy-and-Studying&id=2166769

I know there are a lot more pregnant moms who had to go through this, so it should be fine.

Here are some advice from the article that I find could be useful:

1. It is best to perhaps cut down on their number of social obligations and recreational activities in order to use those times to rest and rejuvenate. Particularly if these activities are daily or weekly in nature, temporarily removing them from a pregnant woman's calendar can allow for more time to rest without compromising a busy work or study schedule.

2. Women who are pregnant should avoid the use of caffeine while pregnant. Ordinarily, caffeine's stimulating qualities may give a woman the added boost that she needs to get through a busy day, but research strongly indicates that caffeine consumption during a pregnancy can greatly restrict the growth of an unborn child.

3. Every woman's pregnancy is different and few know what they will be able to endure while pregnant until they are actually with child. Making decisions based upon her physical health, energy, and overall strength is an important issue that a woman should discuss with her obstetrician, as the doctor will be able to lend valuable insight to assist her in making her final decision.

4. The woman's family should also be allowed to discuss the issue so that she can receive the care and support that she will undoubtedly need from them during this time.

It goes on to explain that whatever a pregnant woman's decision could be in these situation, whether to defer for a year or two or (having no choice) continue with the course, there are things that a pregnant woman can do to assist in having a healthy pregnancy. These are: getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, keeping all medical appointments and maintaining an emotional balance. Every decision during this time could impact not only a pregnant woman's life but it is also a crucial time in the life and development of her new child.

Hope everything goes well.

Cooking at Home - Chopsuey (Filipino Style)

This is actually my hubby's favorite dish.

The recipe for this dish actually includes Pork, which we didn't include here. We just added Chicken liver & gizzards... which when I cooked this dish, I tried to cut down as well... cause I've read some articles that said liver is not really good for pregnant women.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 kilo chicken liver and gizzard, sliced to small pieces

• 1/4 kilo cauliflower/broccoli, broken to bite size

• 1/4 kilo string beans

• 1/4 kilo snow peas (sitsaro)

• 12 baby corns (fresh), cut into halves

• 5 cloves garlic, diced

• 2 onions, diced

• 1 carrot, sliced thinly

• 1 piece red bell pepper, cut in strips

• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, dissolved in 1/4 cup of water

• 2 cups chicken stock (broth)

• 3 tablespoons of sesame oil

• 3 tablespoons of patis (fish sauce)

• 4 tablespoons of corn oil or vegetable oil

• Salt to taste

Directions:

• In a big pan or wok, sauté garlic, onions then add chicken liver and gizzard. Add 1 cup of stock, pinch of salt and simmer for 15 minutes or until chicken giblets are cooked.

• Mix in all the vegetables. Add the remaining 1 cup of stock, patis and the dissolved cornstarch. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the vegetables are done. Add the sesame oil.

• Salt and pepper to taste.

• Serve hot with rice.

This dish is easy to prepare. It's also a quick and healthy meal.