Project Baby: What I Got to Do Before Baby Arrived
Pregnancy can feel like both a waiting game and a crucial work project. You’re project manager, production lead, and personality hire all in one with an evolving deadline ending in a production number made with literal blood, sweat, and tears. And all of this while life still goes on. I was extremely blessed to have a straightforward first pregnancy which meant that with the right precautions I could continue my everyday life. But I didn’t want to just go on with my life, I wanted to make the most of my pre-baby days.
These are the things I didn’t think I’d get to do during pregnancy but did anyway.
Get a New Job
With pregnancy you’d think I would want stability right? Well, much like the thousands like me, I and all my coworkers found ourselves facing mass layoffs. We were taken care of to the best of our company’s ability but we found ourselves facing instability and scrambling for work. I was blessed to receive an offer from a great company that supports pregnant women and working moms with my pregnancy never being made an issue. With benefits in hand and SSS and Philhealth at the ready I could continue to prepare for Baby A.
There are a lot of rules when it comes to the SSS maternity benefit so be sure to read up on everything you need to know to avail on the SSS website. You can also call their hotline, the staff are helpful, and I never had to wait long to talk to a staff member. Check out this benefits calculator as well to see how much you are qualified to receive!
Do my first 5k
I was encouraged to continue exercising but where my pre-baby routine featured weights and machines, I now had to consider removing unnecessary strain on my body. My doctor advised that I knew my body best and to continue with exercise where I was comfortable. I shifted to walking as anyone who saw me lift anything heavy would tut and tell me to rest. So, when I saw that there was an indoor walkathon at Shangri-La plaza I signed up and looked forward to walking indoors with the AC blasting. Although, waking up at 5am for this event did have me reconsidering my position on exercise. As my pregnancy progressed, I started feeling heavier and tired more easily and soon walking became the only exercise I could see myself doing.
Make sure to discuss your options with your doctor on continuing exercise during pregnancy and take it to heart if you are advised to take it easy and take bedrest. Your health and safety and the safety of your family are topmost priority in pregnancy.
Learn to drive
Learning to drive had been one of my New Year’s resolutions for the past three years and I like many resolutions I never got around to it. When I got married, I had my husband to drive me around and the passenger princess life was too sweet to give up. But when I got pregnant, I realized now was the time. I needed the ability to drive in case my baby needed me. (Don’t ask why I didn’t think of this for my husband haha). So, despite my fears I signed up for driving lessons and I was unleashed on the streets of Pasig. I wholeheartedly recommend Smart Driving School. All the instructors were calm and assuaged my fears of driving. I learned the rules of the road and the street smarts I’d need to survive. They even taught me to honk when I was too scared to after an altercation with an impatient van.
Two months with Spotlight Cosmetics (left) and six months with Vice Cosmetics (right).
Attend events
Throughout my pregnancy, I continued to cover events and attend brand launches and even helped organize the last Beauty Creator Summit back in March. I enjoyed getting out of the house and counted it towards my exercise for the day. I went through pregnancy determined to still enjoy the things that made me happy, which were social events and learning about the newest and greatest in skincare, makeup, and selfcare.
I was also lucky enough to have been able to record my pregnancy through event photos. I didn’t do a maternity shoot but felt like I got one that lasted all nine months. Brands and organizers were lovely enough to make guests feel special with extremely talented photographers giving me mementos as I and Baby A grew bigger every month. I inadvertently attended events as late as 2 days before I went into labor. I gave birth to a healthy Baby A at 37 weeks which was a surprise to me and my family.
Nine months with Ever Bilena Cosmetics, a perfect end to my maternity photos
I fully enjoyed my pregnancy and with the new baby haze clouding my memory I now mostly remember the fun parts of pregnancy. I didn’t want to lose myself during this time and I like to think I did pretty well at that. With every pregnancy and mother being unique, whatever you decide to do during your pregnancy is valid and the correct choice. Consult your doctor if you have any questions or hesitation with your day to day life, a good patient-doctor relationship has room for all your questions.
I hope you find joy during this part of your life. It is such a short time in the grand scheme of things. It’s true what they say about children, the days are long but the years are short.
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