Childbirth Education Programme

Always have been skeptical about these kind of stuff, and of all the people, my gynae was the one who handed me a brochure of it during one of my earlier visits.

It is one of the many antenatal (well now they give a more holistic name to it…liao) programmes offered by our local hospitals. I hate all these….dunoe..why.

I chucked it aside for as long as I can remembered, until Kelvin asked me about it…just a month ago and urged me to give Mt Alvernia Hospital a call to enquire on their childbirth education programme.

On the hindsight, I was glad and happy that he remembered about this whole thing cos I told him before that it would be ‘good’ for him to know..why? Because..by going to the classes he can understand better about pregnancy…(heheh…yah rite..as if lor) ..the real rationale is for him to share my pain and difficulties mah..and be more considerate ehhehe…

Everything went on smoothly, from the enquiry to getting ourselves a place in the class and to the start of class. The class started on last Friday – 3rd Oct 2008.

3rd Oct is a memorable date..cos 10 years ago..we officially became a couple…hehehe…so embarrasing….to mention it here. Coincidentally, on this date in 2008 we are spending this special day with our Lil’ One at the first class of this programme, making it even more memorable.

The classes, consisting a total of 6, will be conducted at Mt Alvernia Hospital. But, last Friday class was abit disappointing in terms of its content, it was on pregnancy nutrition. I was expecting something more…*sigh*…but its gd for Kelvin to know…cos at the end of the session, he realized that his calcium consumption is too little….that’s why he got very soft nails…hah! Its more of a reassurance for me..as to whether I am eating properly.Well, the session lasted for 2 hours..with a few yawns here n there from the both of us..hehehe. I looked forward to the next three sessions where we (the pregnant women) will be learning n doing some stretching exercises…but hor I dunoe what the husbands 们 going to do leh?

Will update u guys on my next lesson..hehehe

 

It’s Been A While..

UPDATES ! UPDATES! UPDATES!

Ater much urging and request from friends and relatives, I have finally managed to get together some pictures of myself or rather my tummy…hhehehe…

Here’s just two precious one…the 1st taken i think while Lil’ One is just 5 weeks old in my tummy, the 2nd is the most latest..taken just awhile ago. Currently, our Lil’ Prince is about 26 weeks n 1 day old.

Hmm…still looking ’small’ for a ‘6 monthner’…a lot of people have commented..and only until now..then they knew that I am pregnant and came up front to congratulate me! Hahaha….maybe I can consider being a magician..? Well, I am not really bothered by that…so long as our Lil’ Prince is growing well and healthy..that is what matter most to me or rather to us ! )

Besides having to cope with the slowly growing tummy, I have been really busy with my new job assignments. Biangz…aye..thought the major reshuffling of duties in the office would do me some good..since I don’t have to do field work anymore…my life will be more relaxed doing desk-bound work..I was so wrong! I was more stressful for me…cos of the nature of those duties..it became more demanding on me…WORST Still…now plus the new working scheme that was offered to us by our HR…most of our workload increased so as to ‘justify’ for the $$$ they are paying us (mind u we are not getting much ok…so only a few cents diff. while so…got short change! I am luckier…but not much either!) ….this whole re-structuring is reallll crappy and disappointing…! I am really tempted to just quit after my maternity leave and stay at home to look after our Lil’ Prince whole-heartedly…Ok enough of lamenting….hehehe life still have to go on…I just hope for the better…if not just ‘change ship’ lor…what’s the big deal?? Right???

Buy, buy …and buy…but clueless…cos dunoe..what else we will need to buy for our Lil’ Prince..I mean his daily necessities..I had prepared a list of ‘what to buy’ items..but somehow..I can’t remember where I have placed it…forgetful…typical pregnancy traits..haha. As I am too lazy to draft the list again…so I just have to make more trips to Kiddy Palace, Mothercare and supermarkets more often..so as to trigger my memory..lor.

Ok…the most ‘disturbing’ n ‘mind-boggling’ matter now…on hand…is who is going to take care of our Lil’ Prince after my maternity leave? We or rather more of I have been thinking about this matter since the day I am pregnant. Easy-peasy…some might have said…but says who..? I dun have the luxury of parents or in-laws looking after him…cos all of them are working…shucks..so what’s next?

A few options came to my mind, in order of preference, nanny (I knew of one trusted one). infant care, those ‘come-to-my-house’ nanny and a domestic helper. Due to the circumstances that I am in now, and I will not want to elaborate further…the 1st option is out! cos, that nanny is staying too far away from us..and it would be a chore to fetch Lil’ one to n fro every morning…alternatively, we can’t leave him there from Mon to Fri..either and only comes home during the weekend..we can’t bear to do that..and my in-laws are not in favour of that! Domestic helper is the last thing on my…no matter how gd they are…I just simply can’t trust them…pardon me…but..I have no prejudice against them…and I know there are some gd helpers out there…who are dedicated to their work n the families they are working for..but not everyone is that lucky. Just imagine…being a 1st time parent, already having to cope and worry for the Lil’ one…and there u are having a new dosmetic helper…n having to take care of her..train her …n worst off…social problem…alamak I dun want to go any further! So domestic helpers…option, out! I am now left with the ‘come-to-my-house’ nanny and infant care lor…each has their own set of pros n cons…I just have to weigh them assertively…lor and see which one best suits us…HEADACHE ahhh….

Enough of all the lamentings…I am hoping to post more pics..next week of myself with my lil’ cutie pie – Eva who is back in town with her mummy (my paternal cousin). Eva has grown so much….the last I saw her in Singapore was when she is about 9 mths old…and now she is going to be 2 already..! How time flies…I can’t wait to see her..next week )

 

6th Visit To Dr Ong’s Clinic @ 23 Weeks

Our Lil' Prince @ 23 Weeks Old

Say hi to Lil’ One…this is his latest picture. Wah…my dream seems so real..man..he has got a big round nose….*faint*.. (Oh ..sometime back I dreamt that he has got this big nose..machiam like the whole face..the nose is the most prominent feature..and the first person that came to mind…was Jackie Chan..) We’ll know…when he arrives..hahaha..

Ok…I am so and not so looking forward to this check-up. I having mixed feelings; apprehension and excitement.

Cos at this check-up, Dr Ong will be doing the detailed scan for our Lil’ One and I really dunoe what to expect out of it. Will he be alrite..? Is he growing fine? Kept asking myself and Kelvin the same questions since the last check-up…over-paranoid I guess…but isn’t it normal..to feel this way? Nevertheless, I have to face it..rite…and alone some more…for better or for worse *touch wood*.. Well, Kelvin has limited number of annual leave..so he got to be more prudent in taking his leave, so that he can save it for Lil’ One’s arrival.

Ok..excitement.., mainly because I can’t wait to see how he has grown…his features, weight..length..and his active limbs…(as I am writing this.. he is busy kicking n boxing me…signs of protesting..?) I guess….I had too much pseudoephedrine or crabs…liao…hahaha

As usual, I had to wait for some time….before I could see Dr Ong…oh man…he is always so busy…gd thing I called the clinic before I headed over, and was told that he was held up in a meeting and there are still 2 patients waiting ..yet to be consulted…wah biangz….aye…but heng ah…I am in the heart of Orchard Road…and so that means I get to continue with my shopping lor…*LOL*..until they called me for my turn.
Guess what..for the first time, they are waiting for me…hehehe…

Very quickly urine was “dipped-sticked”, blood pressure and weight were measured….oh..it’s nice to know that I have gained another kilo…since the last check-up. Immediately I was in the consultation room, laid down on the couch, scanning starts…as I was watching over Lil’ One from an overhead screen. Dr Ong started scanning his head n brain.., down to his face, heart…the various chambers n blood flowing through it, the lungs, bladder, kidneys and his limbs…As Dr Ong was busy checking out his ‘vital stats’…Lil’ One is also busy…doing his usual acrobatic stunts…At one point he even tried to lift one of his legs above his head…gosh…very busy indeed….but he looks so cute doing that…

No matter how much sufferings..(all that sickening pregnancy symptoms n the on-n-off of falling sick…..) I have to go through…I guess it is a small price to pay for as long as Lil’ One is doing fine…I really don’t mind.

Lil’ One hang in there..and we will see u in another 100 over days…

 

Taka Baby Fair ~ 8th to 24th August 2008

Right after our visit to Dr Ong’s clinic, we headed across to Takashimaya Square for our brunch and of cos..the Baby Fair! It had started since 8^th August and till 24^th August. I have been waiting for this fair for a long long time, cos I have been told that there will be fantastic deals at this fair.

We got our brunch fixed at Crystal Jade Kitchen, where I had my favourite roasted duck noodle. Strangely enough, I had never ever eaten such dish at any eateries, but ever since I became pregnant I have learned to appreciate the fragrance of roasted duck and its nice succulent meat…and each time I order I will make sure I ask for the hind part of the duck somewhere near the thighs…not much meat…but a bit bony…but that’s the part I like it…hahaha….this is just one of the many crazy things I do ..during pregnancy ..I called that metamorphosis…hahah

Ok after the brunch is fixed…we headed on to the Baby Fair. Good thing that I have been doing my market surveillance ever since we learned about my pregnancy. When this fair started immediately I was able to recognise which are the good buys…hehehe.. Within 30 minutes, we managed to grab 3 big ticket items…and some small ones…and made payments for it. We knew that these are essential items and do not even think twice about buying them.

So what did we buy…? We bought a pigeon steamer bundle set, an Avent IQ UNO breast pump bundle set, a convertible car seat…some glass milk bottles and some cleaning detergents for milk bottles. As it was a Saturday, the fair was crowded and after getting what we wanted…we scrammed…cos we are too tired to continue shopping with such a crowd. We had wanted to look at other big ticket items like the baby cot…play pen…etc…but energy depleted liao…so bo bian…have to come back again on another day when it is less crowded….

We had also wanted to visit the Salvation Army to scout for another baby cot and play pen…but that would also have to be strike out from our itinerary as well..So that’s the end of our shopping spree….for Lil’ One.

 

Its Our 5th Visit To Dr Ong’s Clinic

We are always looked forward to each n every gynae visits, just like any new-parents-to-be.

During my last visit @ the 16^th week mark, I had forgotten to ask Dr Ong to show me Lil’ One’s limbs to see if they are visible. I became so paranoid and worried…and kept asking myself why I couldn’t see any on the past scanned photos…? Why didn’t Dr Ong mentioned anything…? I was plain worried and it was not uncalled for …since I have been taking so much medications…n so much so…that Kelvin had gotten worried too…hahahaha…..To console ourselves, we thought if really no limbs…Dr Ong would have mentioned it rite…? …????? were all over our faces.

So the judgment day came…on a rainy Saturday, ..sounds dramatic..hor…First thing first..I asked Dr Ong to look out for Lil’ One’s limbs…I bet he must have thought…what is happening…why the reacion?

To ease our worries…he showed us the limbs…one by one…and being cheeky I guess…Lil’ One waved ‘Hi’ at us…hahaha…that heavy stones of ours were straight away lifted from of our hearts and thrown out!

Besides showing us the skinny limbs, Dr Ong also showed us Lil’ One’s buttock…and cute side view..the round round head and tiny little nose…He did a measurement of Lil’ One’s tiny foot…and is only a mere 2.8 cm…so really tiny…then he showed us the most vital part…Lil’ One’s private parts….hehehee..

He just looked so cute…yes Lil’ One is a he…are we happy..? Yes we are truly happy and grateful…not because he is boy…but he is growing fine…and…well so far. Honestly speaking, right from the start, I have been worrying about the growth of Lil’ One. I have been in guilt and blaming myself why do I have to fall sick..n taken so many medications …and of all the times….but now. I told Kelvin..all I asked for is a healthy Lil’One…and nothing else would matter. I guess this is a bonus to us..and we are keeping our fingers crossed that Lil’One will continue to grow progressively and be fine.

Here’s Lil’ One’s vital stats…as of 16 August 2008, Week 20 and day 1 :

CRL : 13.04 cm (lagging behind hor…)

Weight : ~ 300 gm (Mummy thinks I am overweight…hahaha…just like her!

Length of Lil’ One’s foot : 2.8cm

As for me, my complains now are mainly..some nose bleed (i think the mucous membrane too dry liao and there is crack…within the nostril..hence slight bleeding) and traffic jams in my colon system. It started just a week ago…when my bowel movements became not as smooth and as sensitive as before, regardless of all the high fiber food that I have eaten. So bo bian lor…have to get something from Dr Ong…and Dhactulose came to my rescue…hahaha….Just one dose it helps to loosen my stools…and eased the congestion in my colon system (disgusting rite…?) Wah say its parts n parcels of pregnancy mah…

At the end of the session, Shirley made two appointments for me…on the next upcoming two months. In September, there will a detailed scan and in October the GTT..(yucks I hate that..downing the high conc sugar drink!) So long…and till then I will update again…on our visit to Dr Ong’s clinic.

 

Hello…Mammy?! R U There?

Call me insensitive.. or oblivious… or perhaps the more apt description would be inexperience…I just can’t differentiate between a kick or a box from my stomach flatulence…cos’ the ‘air’ is churning in there…

I am so suffering from a serial of “gas out-break”… n poor daddy.. he just have to tahan the air pollution..heheh paiseh..and maybe for an indefinite time..I guess… so u tell me lah..how to differentiate…rite.?

Have-been mums told me..or the Internet said that..some have reported to experienced the “butterfly fluttering sensation”…and etc lah…but I didn’t notice any of these sensations…hahaha..skin too thick liao…

Ok..so..on the 17th week and 3rd day of my pregnancy, on this significant day – 30^th July 2008 (Wed) and on this significant moment @ around 12:22 PM, I was traveling along with my colleague for a field work…suddenly…! I felt a slight ‘kick’ on the left side of my lower abdomen…and seconds later followed by another one… huh?..Based on my analysis, I supposed it could have been lil’ one’s kicking…

The reason for the kick…? I don’t know…but based on my assumption it could be due to..HUNGER..hehhehhe.. Cos I was feeling hungry at that moment…but little did I expect the kick! Protesting…liao..

When I told daddy about it…he was so amazed by it… and kept asking lil’ one…whether it did kick me…hahaha…so cute…Too bad..he could and will never be able to experience this sensation…(unless miracle happens..) Right, mammies 们?

 

Updates From Lil’ One

I have something to disclose to you all……and that is…my mammy is plain lazy…why?

She is supposed to update my vital stats here..but it has been 1 week since our last visit to Dr Ong.

She just kept delaying the scanning of my picture… ( ..why?…lazy lor…

So I can’t stand it anymore…I kicked mammy to urge her to update my vital stats…

First of all, this is how I looked like…cute..?

Cute huh..?

Well, a least daddy and mammy thought so…oh common’ it’s just an ultrasound black ‘n’ white scan only mah….

Mammy has a lot of complaining to do…at Dr Ong’s clinic.

Wah…she told Dr Ong…that I have been giving her breathing difficulties…she has been feeling breathlessness whenever she carries heavy things, walk for a short distance or ate too full (who ask u to be so greedy…?)

Luckily, Dr Ong told her it is normal to feel this way during this period of pregnancy…as it is due to the hormones…phew…!

Then she complained again…that she is having heartburn and acid refulx. Oh…my god…mammy u sure have a lot of problem..hor…one after another…?
Dr Ong told her that it will get worse as the pregnancy progresses…I can sensed that mammy is going bonkers…liao

Dr Ong was kind enough to help ease mammy’s worries…by showing a scan of me to her…

Dear uncles and aunties, so far I am doing fine..my current vital stats :

Gestation age (as of date of scan) : 16 weeks & 3 days old
CRL : ~ 10 cm
Weight : ~ 140 gm

That’s all folks…till my next update we’ll meet again.

 

Happy Or Not..?

I have been feeling rather breathless of late… the main suspected culprit that I can think of would be my ever-persistent cough!

My lungs are way too congested and ‘phlegmy’. I have been seeing doctors (both the Western and Chinese) for my cough..and the former claimed that its due to my post-nasal drip and the acid reflux thingy, while the latter said that my body is too heaty and gave me…so concotion to brew…and ask me to watch out my diet (no heaty food)

But until now…I am still feeling ever breathless whenever I walked for a short distance or carrying my heavy hand bag. What am to say..I am giving up soon….argghhh…

Just this morning I had left with no choice…but to call my gynae’s clinic and relate my condition to the ever helpful nurse – Sherly. As she is aware of my condition, she told me that I should use an inhaler – ventolin inhaler to be exact, and should not delay the treatment any longer…wah biangz….medicine again…so that means to go back to my family doctor again, who is also my gynae’s wife.

Then I checked with Sherly the result of my blood test…thank goodness that everything is in order )