It’s two weeks earlier than due date, I gave birth to my first child (a boy, 7.5lb) safely at 11:23 p.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2021 (US time).

When I was lying down to sleep around 11:30 p.m. on the night of January 4th, I heard a "pop" sound coming from my pubic bone.

I thought it was my hip joint or something, but just to be sure, I woke up my husband and while we were talking, I felt a rush of amniotic fluid.

My water broke.

I was very upset and panicked when my water broke and started flowing.

My husband called the hospital immediately and drove me to the hospital.

A lot of amniotic fluid kept flowing in the car and after we got to the hospital.

The amniotic fluid was flowing so much, so I repeatedly checked with the nurse to see if this was a problem, but she said, "Don't worry, it will keep flowing, it's normal. Most of are baby's pee, and it's still making amniotic fluid.

I'll write more about the birth process later, but after 23 hours, the baby was born safely.

When he was born, I felt the most joy and relief I have ever felt in my entire life.

I felt as if all the anxiety and hard times I had gone through had been rewarded in this one moment.

It was a stormy day.

I'm now struggling to take care of the baby, with no time to bask in the afterglow.

I summarized a list of items that I thought were good and useful to buy during my pregnancy.

◉ Medicine case

• I no longer forget to take my vitamins.

• Good size in a circle shape.

• It has three letters in it so I don't mistake Tuesday(T) or Thursday(T)

◉ Tumbler 20oz (590ml)

• Purchased at Target

• The handle makes it easy to carry and drink.

• You can use a straw and just the right size (not too big, not too small, can fit in a car cup holder)

◉Straw

• Easy to drink

• Something that is good for the environment.

◉Preventing Stretch Marks Cream

• I started wearing it around my 4th or 5th month, and used a total of 3 of them (up to about $10 each).

• I almost didn't have stretch marks at all (I did have a few on my lower left side in my last month).

◉Hugging pillow with backrest

• It's much easier to sleep.

• After buying a white pillow, I wanted a backrest, so I bought a gray one (with a backrest is easier!).

• This looks nice too ↓

◉ Support belt for pregnant women</p

• In the third term of pregnancy, my doctors recommend to wear a support belt, 70% of pregnant women feel better.

• Walking and standing became easier (I always wore it when I went out).

◉Non-wire bra</p

• I sewed on some Velcro later because I was feeling a little tight even in size L. (I had nausea and upset stomach when I felt even the slightest tightness in my clothes.)

◉Heattech and undershirts for men

• The men's size is roomy and not painful (the women's size I brought from Japan was too tight and I couldn't wear it anymore).

• I bought it in my husband's size (M) so he can wear it after the baby is born.

＜Save money when you buy on sale!＞

• UNIQLO Men's HEATTECH：6 thin long sleeves, 2 thick sleeves

• Columbia Undershirts：9 tees

◉Jogger pants pajamas

• Don't let your legs get cold.

• Adjustable waist with ties and tied ankle to keep you from not falling.

• Large size to avoid tightness (size L): 2 pants

• OLD NAVY Jogger Pants

◉ Shower Chair

• In the third term, it was getting hard to get into the shower (standing up), so the chair made it much easier (I have also a bath tub, but I used mostly the shower)

◉Portable Urine Bags

• America is a car society. I often use the freeway, and there are many accidents and it can be congested for a long time.

• If you're pregnant, you're likely to urinate more frequently, so it's a good idea to keep bags in your car just in case.

◉ Maternal and Child Health Handbook

• It's not necessary, but it's nice to have (for example, in case you go back to Japan temporarily).

• Ordered from Rakuiku Manten-do and arrived in about two weeks (I heard that the Los Angeles consulate sometimes has it in stock, but it's too far away from here).

• Reference: Los Angeles Consulate (How to Get a Mother and Child Handbook)

It is now 2021.

Happy New Year!

We spent last night's New Year's Eve relaxing at home because of Corona & Pregnant.

We ordered pizza and watched the New York countdown live on Youtube and also counted down to Arizona time.

New Year's Resolutions

• Be able to take care of baby

End