a leak in the plumbing

Check-up. Another routine check-up for me with BBB in tow. Belly’s still growing so baby’s still growing. Sometimes the doctor has to hunt around for the heartbeat, because baby’s facing away from the world. Funny that. I imagine there isn’t much space inside of me for a little baby to move around in, but that is the case. Towards the end of the check up, I asked my doctor if it was possible to leak amniotic fluid. She should’ve seen the change in her face. From the usual smiling amused expression, it changed to dead serious.

Are you serious? She asked. Yes it’s possible.

I explained that there were about two occasions when I felt a wetness that I was sure was not pee. But it wasn’t a lot and wasn’t happening on a continuous basis. She was serious when she said that the next time that happens, I should immediately go to the maternity/delivery room and have myself examined. Whatever the results of the examination were, she would be informed for her to make a decision. It was likely amniotic fluid, and leaking could lead to two things. 1) running low or even out of amniotic fluid puts the baby in danger (no more sea to float in) and 2) leaking means the membrane is open—so if something can go out, other things like bacteria could come in and infect the baby. In the event that either one happens, she will have to induce me for delivery. Whoa. Serious stuff. Sure doc, I will. 

review: bench fix salon

i am a super low maintenance person. salon visits are not part of my monthly schedule. but when your super long hair starts to really get in the way (read: its so long you can sit on it), then perhaps its time for a haircut. 


(by the way, this pregnancy thing about not having nuclear hair fall out is true. my hair has never been as thick nor as shiny. ever. ever.)


also, guess what. when you have a belly that's about to pop, one of the things you cannot do is wash your feet properly. also, you can't reach down and cut your toe nails. a bit elementary, these things, yes. but all contribute to one's sanity. 


so it was off to Bench Fix, so they can fix me. they won the non-bid by default. i was gonna avoid Salon de Rose forever (because there is a 3-inch difference between 3 and 6 inches, and when its your hair, it does matter), and none of the basement salons appealed to me. 


+ Bench Fix looked clean and modern and popular
-  so popular that i had to wait my turn for about 15 minutes. 


around me were mostly kids. ok, i call them kids coz they look like they're in college or early 20s. the one beside me was definitely still in high school, a fact that was proven by his teenage friends who all looked like they had their hair done at Bench Fix too. meanwhile, i'd been going Daisy since 6th grade til after i graduated from college. Daisy, whose neighborhood parlor was a few blocks from st. scho. hair cut all those years was 50 pesos. beat that!


+ the place was crawling with floor staff, but they all looked like they knew what they were doing. 
+ i like that they had these caddies on wheels that they wheeled into place only when needed. that left the floor area free of permanent structures, so much so i could imagine yoga or dance classes in there if it wasn't a salon. 
+/- the staff were courteous though i still had to put up with 1) is it a boy or a girl? 2) is this your first baby? 3) and the various follow through questions possible. 
+ the foot spa lady (i upgraded my planned pedicure to a foot spa) was nice enough to explain that the reason massages are not recommended for the preggers was to do with the swelling and the veins. that is the closest i've received as an explanation from anyone. 


in the end, they all got the jobs done, and i walked out with a lighter head, shorter hair, and clean, relaxed feet with trimmed toenails. 


am i going back? likely yes, but not likely soon. 


cost:
cut: Php 350 includes shampoo and blow dry
foot spa-pedicure combo: Php 350