Getting back into shape

It's easier to update my blog while baby is sleeping, and baby monitor is the greatest invention ever, I can hear her & know her movement while in another room. The midwife said it'll take up to 3 months to get back into shape, and she recommended 2 exercises, the pelvic floor muscle (kegel exercise) and the abdominal exercise. There's a secret from Michelle Moss, the author of Pregnancy without pounds & Mommy without pounds to tummy exercise:

When it comes to flat abs, though, you really need to know the secret. For example, if you're thinking that you can just do situps every night - uh-uh!

The key to a flat tummy is training (and connecting to) your core. In fact, it's your deep abdominal muscle (transverse abdominus), and not your rectus abdominal (the 6 pack!), that will help you regain (or get) a flat stomach.
So forget the situps and rather start with this great exercise...

Heel Drag...
- Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Set your core by pulling your belly button in towards your spine (with a neutral spine, no pelvic tilt, and relaxed buttocks).
- Slowly slide one heel along the floor keeping your heel in contact with the floor at all times and then slowly return the leg back to starting position.
- Repeat 4 times each leg.

There's a video & audio program Fit Yummy Mummy , bascially a system on getting back a flat tummy, on nutrition and time management skills.

Still hunting for good breastfeeding bra, here's some tips.

Week 37 of pregnancy

Time seem to fly, can't believe it's already 37 weeks, my baby is 'officially' full term, only 3 more weeks (more or less) to go. Emotionally, I want to meet my baby sooner, and get rid of the back pain, carpal tunnel, leg cramps....anything that comes in the third trimester out the way, but on the other hand, I don't feel I'm ready yet. My hospital bag is not packed, and although have briefly read the stages of labour, still feel a bit not sure what will happen. I guess it's just the uncertainty that cause the worries.

Have jotted down some notes from Pregnancy without pounds to remind me of an easy labour:

- Let go of the idea that labour is painful
- Deep Breath, this will give oxygen to the baby
- Breath out to RELAX during pain
- Connect to your body, listen to your body
- Each contraction is one step closer to meeting my baby
- Don't strain your face when pushing
- Don't have any expectation (eg. natural birth), nothing but delivering a healthy baby matters
- Leave your dignity on the way into the labour room and pick it up when you're out, midwives/ doctors have seen it all



Hypnosis for a Joyful Pregnancy and Pain-Free Labor and Delivery

Also some ideas for the boredom at babycentre