MEMORIES OF MY CHILDHOOD

 I have been very nostalgic and sentimental recently. I am planning to move abroad. I sit and empty out the cupboards most nights, trying to figure out which items are going with me, which items to be sold, or to be donated. I came across a very special box which had very precious photos, some cassettes and CDs which I am keeping. My school uniform tie from Jeppe Girls was signed by my friends. Beautiful and tiny crochet baby boots! The baby boots really blew my mind. It humbles you knowing how tiny a baby is until it grows up. 

My first childhood memory goes back to around the time I was 5 years old. I had vague memories of Cyrus, my brother, when he was born. I remember Dad’s mother visiting us, and the house was full of visitors. It was quite disturbing. I remember trying to help my mother set the table or take the dishes to the kitchen to be washed. Up until now, I haven't liked guests, especially the ones who sleep over. I feel like they invade my space,  eat all my food, and make my house messy! I prefer to meet up with my friends in a restaurant. You will never find me trying to cook fancy food and set fancy cheeseboards to try and entertain people in my house in my adult life.             

Back in those days, we did not use disposable nappies. There were white cloths that had to be washed, disinfected, dried, folded, and stored in the cupboards. Another vague memory is when mom used to wash my brother's bump in the basin. He was definitely under six months. I went to school from the age of 3 years. I definitely was a very depressed child who had separation anxiety. I did not play with anyone; I hardly had friends. I would skip most of the school days. I was crying most of the days when I was in grade one in primary school. I remember Grandma was in charge of me during that time. Mom would drive me to primary school, and my brother to my old playschool. Grandma would help me with my homework, and most nights I would sleep in her bed, which was very fun. 

My brother grew up and became more fun. We would spend our days running around the house and the yard, screaming and shouting. We had a two-story house with a big basement. I remember I always enjoyed going to the basement area where my uncle used to study. Granny and Grandpa used to tell me I must not go there because there are rats there! One day, I went there all determined, shouted to keep the rats away,
and went to the basement, feeling very triumphant. My mom had to take us to the parks so we could play and have fun. I remember my first bike ride on the street. My dad was showing me how to keep the bike balanced, and I was very excited!

EXERCISE IN PREGNANCY

 This is a question I am often asked in obstetrics consultations regarding exercise in pregnancy. Most of the women we see take part in some sort of recreational physical activity, but only 15% of them exercise at the recommended level, which is 30 minutes of moderate activity every day of the week. 

Most women believe that pregnancy is the time to eat everything and gain as much weight as possible. Too much pregnancy weight gain can lead to problems such as Gestational Diabetes, large for gestational age babies, and a higher rate of caesarean section. We know that the woman's body changes during pregnancy, for example, her blood volume is increased by 40% and the stroke volume by 10%. There is decreased vascular resistance to enhance the placental perfusion. The growing uterus can shift the center of gravity and cause lumbar lordosis and back pain in 50% of pregnant women. The ligaments of the bony pelvis also become lax and can lead to severe discomfort. 

Moderate exercise can have multiple benefits for the mom and the baby. It can decrease the gestational weight gain and decrease the rates of pre-eclampsia, insulin resistance, and gestational diabetes. The guidelines suggest that overweight women should not gain more than 10% of their body weight in pregnancy. The recent trials have not found an increased risk of preterm birth or low birth weight in women who exercised in pregnancy. 

In summary, moderate exercise is encouraged in uncomplicated pregnancies. There is no evidence that moderate exercise can harm the mother and baby. We do not recommend exercise for women with chronic diseases such as severe anemia, cardiac disease, intrauterine growth restriction, or extreme morbid obesity. Forms of exercise such as horse riding, scuba diving, or skiing are also not recommended. I personally found moderate walking in the third trimester very helpful, although I was in so much pain and felt that my symphysis pubis in ripping apart. I tried to bounce on the gym balls as well, although I did not go to spontaneous labour and required induction of labour, but my labour progressed well, and I feel the exercise played an important part. 

FRECKLES

 I am back to reading fiction, and I am enjoying it. Back in the day, I used to enjoy novels from local authors, Jane Austen and Agatha Christi. In my late 20s, I decided to strictly read non-fiction books about politicians, famous people, etc. I think the last non-fiction book I read was Laura Bush’s memoir. I came across this book in the library, and the title suggested it must be a girly story. I finished it in less than two weeks! It was a beautiful and touching story about a girl who grew up in a boarding school from the age of five. She would spend time with her dad on weekends. They stayed in the rural parts of Ireland on Valentia Island.  Her mother left her after she gave birth. The book describes the girl's relationship with her dad beautifully. He has always been there for her and understood her. She had her freckles from her dad’s side. 

After finishing school, she moved to Dublin to pursue a career and to find her biological mother. Her struggles in Dublin are described in detail, and how she is shy and awkward around people. She comes across a guy who tells her she is the average of the five people she spends most of her time with. She is trying to find those people amongst influential celebrities, and starts writing to them. For sure, she knows her dad is at the top of the list of influential figures in her life. She even tries to find that popular girl from her school days that she always wanted to be friends with. At the end, she realizes she has enough friends and influential figures around her already who inspire her and love her. 

The moment of truth in the book is when she finally introduces herself to her biological mother, and it is quite a surprise. Another touching moment in the book is when she is in a hair salon, and her biological mother is doing her hair, and she is loving it! I enjoyed reading contemporary fiction where people post things on Instagram, send emails, and have smartphones. She is a hardworking girl trying to figure things out while trying to build her self-confidence and pay her bills. There is a lot of growth in her throughout the story, and her love for her father is as strong as ever. It is quite unique because he is the one who wanted her and raised her.