One of the biggest realization I had when I became a wife and a mother is that I need to take extra care of myself because my husband and son are depending on me.

        I used to just take for granted the changes in my body. My menstruation periods and/or the absence of it every month. Now I really take the time to record it and to count my cycle because I know any variation especially a much extended period means something is already wrong with my system.

        Despite the tons of things that I have to do as a wife, a mother, and in my job, I make sure that I get as much rest as I can. That I get to eat on time because missing meals and not eating on time will trigger my hyper acidity and my hyper acidity would trigger a throbbing headache all day, which would in turn mean less quality time with my husband and son.

       The usual picture of a wife and mother, is one that is fat, "lusyang," and fatigued. Most stay-at-home wives and mothers have almost become one of the house’s furniture because they have blended so well with their day in and day out surroundings. Too bad!!!

        As husbands, sons, and daughters, we need to help keep our wife or mother healthy. This is in fact our responsibility. Our wives or mothers have always been there, when we get home, when we were sick or when we had problems. We sometimes take for granted that she gets tired too and that she needs time for herself too. After all, who would cook our meals, keep the house clean, manage the family income, take care of you when you get sick or comfort you when you’re sad, if she’s not there anymore. . . .

    Becoming pregnant was the scariest and most exhilarating experience I ever had in my life.

    Pregnancy gave me a whole new perspective of life. I am both scared and depress, and excited and happy at the same time.

    How did I know I was pregnant? Instinct, pure woman’s instinct. But like most woman who did not plan of getting pregnant, I did not want to acknowledge that I was pregnant.

    However, I observed that my sexual appetite dropped to a negative, as in “nada.” I had to put 100% effort to making love but my husband still complained about my being “cold in bed.”

    I cry at the lightest provocation and meaningless jibes especially from my husband. And, my tear glands seemed to have suddenly doubled their supply of tears.

    The most exasperating of all signs is becoming sick (as in wanting to vomit) at any given time of the day. The usual smell (of perfume, sautéed garlic or onions) and taste (of fried egg and fried dried fish!!!) would seem to twist my insides.  

    I finally accepted my being pregnant after the fourth week. The denial and exasperation was  replaced by feelings of awe, excitement, and a deep sense of peace. It felt very right to be pregnant, to be in love, and to be alive.

    I read all the materials I can get my hands into about pregnancy and motherhood. I wanted to be fully prepared to take on this new role in my life.

    My son is already one year and eight months old, but I still have that feeling of awe and the deep sense of peace. Becoming pregnant took me and my husband a step deeper in love. It wasn’t just, “I am pregnant,” it was “We are pregnant,” because he totally shared with me the experience.