Belly Wriggles at 20 weeks

About a week ago I was lying in bed - awake at around 6am wondering whether I might be starting to feel the baby move. (all the websites say you'll probably start to feeling something between 18 - 20 weeks if it's your first one so I'd been hanging out for the big day).

But as I lay there, I convinced myself that it was more likely that I was simply hungry -- given my rather voracious appetite and desire to eat every few hours.

But within a day or two, there was no mistaking it. Friends had described the first foetal movements to me like a "pop", a "shudder", "butterfly wings" or even a similar feeling to when you poke your tongue against your cheek...but it was really none of these. More like a wee wriggly thing inside me. Alien-esque! But at the same time, very comforting and nice to finally feel the little banana-sized bubba -- after months of not being able to feel anything (except nausea)!

Thankfully, I've been sleeping like a log. That is, when I'm not otherwise up and about for middle-of-the-night trips to the loo (anywhere between 2 and 5 times). I've never been partial to a Nanna-Nap, not like Benjamin who adores the post-lunch siesta. So if I get around 8 to 9 (!) hours of sleep a night, then I'm pretty charged for the rest of the day. After all those seemingly endless weeks of nausea, I'm really grateful that this middle trimester really is proving to be a vibrant and active one.

Swam at the pool again last night -- though having taken a break for 2 weeks, I was ridiculously slow and felt like a bit of a barrel in the water -- and kept getting overtaken by two little brothers around 8 and 10 years old.

Still riding my bike to and from work, and around the neighbourhood. I'm probably the only pregnant woman in Tokyo riding a bike given what a big No-No it is. I'm wonder if I'll start receiving some disapproving frowns once my belly gets even bigger -- but at the moment I feel pretty well-balanced, confident and alert. Not to mention that I'm not riding on the roads at all...just through the park, and on the footpath.

16 weeks and counting

It's been a pretty exciting ride so far...being pregnant that is.

After the double positive pharmacy-bought tests on 18 May, followed by an ultrasound confirmation a few days later (at 5 weeks, 4 days) and then roughly 2 months of seeing my dinner at least twice each night ie. "evening sickness" made better by an abundance of rice cakes or vita-weets with promite, I've finally arrived at the so-called Honeymoon trimester. And what a relief that is!



I've got my Genki back. Swimming at the pool a few times a week - albeit much more slowly & cautiously than ever before. But I LOVE IT!! Just the sound of breathing and bubble blowing puts me into a slightly meditative state. It's kind of irrational but I have this remote fear that anyone doing breaststroke poses a threat to my tummy lest they KICK me there by accident -- something that's highly unlikely, I know, but it makes me swim double Skinnily whenever I cross a breast-stroker. Why more pregnant women don't swim in this country I'll never know. I've hardly got a belly yet, so I don't think anyone really suspects I'm preggaz (probably just a bit porky) but once I do, I wonder whether I'll attract much attention from people at the pool....who probably think it's unusual to swim while pregnant.

The first Japanese obstetrician I went to see back in May, told me "No bicycles. No sex." These were her only 2 pieces of advice, upon confirming that I was pregnant. Codswallup I say. I've been riding my bike (slowly like an elderly woman) through the park and down the footpath. Not on the road. Everyone I meet and every book I consult demands that I don't ride a (moving) bike, but I can't stand having to take 2 trains, spend $40 a week on transport and double the time to get to work...when it could be free & a chance to exercise & think! Is this reckless? I don't think so. Even when I listen to my ipod while cycling? Ahhh...but I'm going SOOOO slowly.

My darling friend and Kundalini yoga instructing buddy Aleta recommended a prenatal yoga DVD which arrived in the post from the US last week. I gave it a crack on Sunday and it was amazing. Besides the fact that I'm about as limber as an old piece of wood -- at least that's what my hamstrings feel like -- I really enjoyed the session. It was not only a lesson in physical movement, but also spiritual and emotional ideas and thoughts. And enabled me to start to feel a new and somewhat profound connection with the little living one inside me....

Towards the end, this beautiful song was sung. It's an old Irish blessing, but performed by the Kundalini musician & peace activist Snatam Kaur. So moving my eyes started welling up with tears --- a feeling of Intimacy and Joy and recognition that something very Special is happening now. Or was it just my hormones making me cry at the drop of a hat?