Pregnancy weight gain

I was devastated when the last check up showed that I gained another 4kg/month. It has been the 2nd time consecutively. I only ate the usual portion except for the extra ice-cream I took after dinner :p Well, my tummy is still as small as ever compare to my tremendous weight gain. To date (@week 28), I've gained a total of 12kg. Honestly, I think the extra 2kg was from the unnoticed weight lost I had when I first realised I was preggy. I mean...all along my weight was yoyo-ing around 54-55kg. But the first time I weight myself at the hospital, I was 53kg (the weight I was in when I prepared for my wedding - read: lightest). So I'm suspecting that actually I only gained 10kg, which was more comforting...hehe

I stumbled upon the weight gain calculator from http://www.babycenter.ca/ just a moment ago. After keying in all my height and weight, this is the estimation I get.

How soothing to know this 'fact'. But then...why do doctors or nurses in gov clinic be so alarmed when I gain that much?? I still have a buffer of say...5kg for the next 12 weeks..

Pregnancy and sex

Recently one of my closest buddy asked me a very personal question. She wanted to know if it's OK to continue to have sex after conceiving. Her open minded mom shared with her that throughout the whole 9 months of pregnancy, no intercourse are allow. According to those old wives tale, for if you do it, the sperms that were ejaculated into the vagina might hit the baby and cause him/her to be blind when born. However oral sex are allowed. I almost fall off laughing too hard hearing that from her. I just knew I read somewhere that says women sex drive might increase during pregnancy, to which I have to agree...*wink*

Today, I stumbled upon an article by parents.com that says,

'Now that you're pregnant, there's no doubt that your sex life will change. But just because you have a burgeoning belly doesn't mean that you have to spend the next nine months living like a nun.'

It also suggested different positions to accommodate the growing belly.

'Spoon: The spoon position can be very cozy and intimate. In this case you should lie on your side curled in a C, with your partner facing your back and curled around you. He then enters your vagina from behind while both of you are lying on your sides.

Side by side: Another good choice for late pregnancy, this position will control thrust and keep weight off your belly. You and your husband lie side by side, facing each other. He slips his leg over yours (your leg can be either straight and to the side or bent at the knee) and enters you from an angle. In a variation of this, you lie on your back and he on his side. Put your leg that's closest to him over his legs. He can enter you from the back and side, and still have his face next to yours.

Woman on top: This can be a satisfying position during late pregnancy, allowing you to control pacing and be more comfortable. Make sure, however, that he doesn't enter you too deeply.
Edge of the bed: Try lying down face-up on the edge of the bed, with your legs spread and the soles of your feet on the floor. Your partner can stand or bend over you. This position, however, does allow him to thrust more deeply, so you'll have to tell him how gentle and slow you want him to be.'

Danger of Vitamin A & E during pregnancy

A small excerpt I took while reading up info on http://www.pregnancy-info.net/ I thought it is good to share with others what Vitamin A & E are all a bout when in pregnancy.

"Vitamin E and Pregnancy
A new research study points out some possibly harmful effects of Vitamin E, stating that high intake of Vitamin E (over 1,500 IU) promotes oxidative damage, which damages cells and speeds their aging process. This could lead to heart disase and cancer. Critics of the recent study say the study is "making something out of nothing for the sake of headlines". Researchers behind the study say that you usually get enough Vitamin E in your diet and taking Vitamin E capsules may be more than you need.

Vitamin A and Pregnancy
Another vitamin that pregnant women shouldn’t overdue it on is vitamin A. In certain forms, this vitamin has been linked to an increased risk in birth defects. There are two forms of vitamin A – betacarotene and retinol. Retinol vitamin A, the type that is found in certain foods like liver, is thought to be dangerous during pregnancy and therefore should be limited to no more than 3,300micrograms per day. Vitamin A in betacarotene form is thought to be safe but discuss the issue with your health care provider to be sure. And if you are taking fish-oil supplements, pay attention to what part of the fish the supplement is produced from.
Any fish supplement that is made from a fish’s liver, like cod liver oil, contains vitamin A in retinol form and therefore should be limited. Supplements that are not derived from fish livers are less likely to have vitamin A in retinol form, but you may want to look for supplements that are specially made for pregnant women to be on the safe side. "