Photos Galore

Here are some photos which were taken immediately after the delivery...

This is just moments after baby is born. She was placed on my tummy and I was struggling to keep awake. *haha* But one thing is for sure, she is definetely warmer than my tummy!

This was taken by the mid-wife after baby has been weighed and cleaned up of the white coating. My hubby said he should have positioned himself behind me instead... Don't you think I still look super exhausted and tired?

Now me and baby are ready to be moved to my own room. Baby has stopped crying and is peacefully asleep. Sweet realisation of a warm being lying next to me.

Back in the comfort of our own room, here is baby sticking her tongue at the camera. It's a sign of her wanting to feed?

PD visited baby early morning and told me that baby had slight jaundice. She was getting her tested and would let me know if baby could be discharged. Was so worried but as you can see in the photo, baby and me all dressed to head home. A final photo at the hospital!

Little Princess

It has taken me a long time to put up this blog. Being on the chinese confinement regime and a full time "cow" is not an easy job.  Before I complain about my miserable life of bathing with herbal water and not being able to wash my hair...

My wish for a natural delivery without epidurial has came true! My mum told me she survived without a drip of pain killer. And if I were to be giving birth during her era, I might have been forced to go without any form of pain relief. Here is my birth story:

5.00am – Had mild contractions and found some discharge with a little pink dot inside. Went back to sleep due to the false alarm episode.

7.00am – Contractions seem more painful. Found mucus plug (a thick yellowish discharge) with red lines. Discharge subsequently was red in colour. [Woke hubby up! Hubby instantly became excited and started to get ready. I went to bathe and began timing the contractions. They were 2 minutes apart.] 

7.50am – Reach TMC [Messaged my parents, sister and called my aunt to tell them that I am in hospital and most prob will be giving birth soon.]

8.10am – Went to the observation ward. Nurse check and found that I was already 4cm dilated, effaced and baby’s head was low. Contractions were much worse than the contractions from the false alarm. [Kept running in and out of the toilet with every contraction. Was so afraid I did not finish poo-ing.]

9.10am – After using the laughing gas (Ethonox), the nurse actually told me that I was coping well with the pain and what I was experiencing was the maximum pain. After a few more round of contractions, I decided not to risk screaming the entire labour ward down and I was given pethedine on my right thigh. 

9.20am – Gynae came in for the 1st check. He found that I was 6cm dilated and decided to break my water bag so that the labour will progress faster.  [For me, I could not feel the water rush out. But my bump did feel pretty good from the "water" gush!]

9.50am – Contractions seem to be getting closer, there was no time for a breather. My head was starting to spin a little from the contractions so I closed my eyes and breath each time one came up. Midwife transfers me to Labor Ward Rm 3.

10.40am – Feeling the urge to poo and pee, the midwife did a final VE. I was fully dilated and ready!

Pushing was put in progress... Baby finally arrived after less than ½ hr of pushing!

I kept falling asleep when the contractions were gone. But when the contractions came, I was rudely awaken! Half way through the pushing, I kept thinking if I could just "PAUSE" and that this will be the last time I attempt such an act. 

The pain was intense but forgettable (I have clean forgotten about how the pain is like). I guess it's second nature to a woman and when you ask me now, I will tell you that it is a once in a lifetime experience you have to go for! And yes, I will definetly have more kids.

Even though my gynae did a perinial massage for me while I was pushing, I still teared. I was given about 3 stiches there. The antiseptic lotion (alcohol) stung my wound. I was very tempted to not pee so that I can avoid cleaning the wound.

False Alarm!!!

You won't get a prize for guessing what this entry is all about. It was a costly boo-boo which also caused much excitement for both my hubby and my little sister.

My little sister took leave to keep me company while hubby is serving his national-duty (Erhm! I mean reservist ok?) on Wednesday - 10 Dec 2008. Feeling adventurous, we did quite some walking the entire day:-

- Walking to Bukit Merah Central for Mac breakfast (finally I satisfied my craving for sausage egg mac muffin);

- Retail therapy for 2 hours at the NTUC before strolling back home [Break for 3 hours and had lunch downstairs];

- Took a train to Tiong Bahru to buy my DHA pills (special one for pregnant women) then took a bus down to Chinatown market (the one near OG);

- Walked for 3 hours from shop to shop (till my sister splurged $170 on office wear);

- Walked more to the bus stop for a bus ride home.

At about 7.30pm, I noticed some cramps at my lower abdomen. During my bath, I had some bad cramps (i.e. a big pain/cramp followed by smaller ones before they disappeared) and I could actually time all these cramps. They were 8 minutes apart! Freaking out, I quickly SMSed my hubby for him to book out of camp after he was done with his out-field.

1.15am - Reached the hospital and told the nurses that I was not sure if I was indeed in labour.

1.30am - A vaginal examination (VE) was conducted. I was "effaced" and "2cm dilated" and hubby went to do the admission for me. In my heart I was thinking "Yeah!!! Baby is going to come!!!".

7.15am - It was a grueling 6hrs in the observatory ward as I couldn't get to sleep. Nurse does a final CTG check and sends me off to a labour ward.

7.30am - 2nd VE conducted. Diagnosis - I WAS STILL ONLY 2CM DILATED! (I was totally disappointed)

8.30am - Gynae came to see me. Moved me for a rest in my ward instead of staying in the labour ward room. Other than resting, he said I could do some walking and look at the babies in the nursery. After moving to the ward, I felt myself drifting off to sleep each time I lie on the bed. Guess I was just to exhausted from the wait in the observatory ward.

3.30pm - Mum and dad came to visit me. Mum was so excited because the admission people told her I have delivered already... (Well, next time she better call me to confirm)

4.30pm - Gynae's 2nd visit. Rephrasing his statement, he felt I was too relaxed (meaning no real contractions) and he was ready to send me home. I wanted to go home too. Felt so bad that I had a bed to rest while my hubby is stuck to a miserable chair.

Finally, we settled the bill (with some deduction from medisave - $450). The damage was still done - about $230? It was a lesson learnt and my gynae assured me that I should ONLY come back to the hospital when my contraction pains are real bad and real close. Even then I should have 3 hours or so before I deliver the baby. With this costly advice and feeling totally upset that I did not dilate and deliver on the same day, I decided to ignore most of the cramps that came on and off today. I really hope I do not have a cervix that doesn't open/dilate... It's another thing I have to start worrying about...

Thinking back, perhaps the whole day of walking did trigger the contractions. But still I have to thank my little sister for being there and keeping me company!

Will this be my last gynae visit???

Today is my week 39 appointment. It is also the first gynae visit without my husband. I took a cab from home to the hospital and the taxi uncle decided not to ask me what was my preferred route!!! He chose to cut through Orchard Road... I could not help but sigh each time we stop at the traffic lights. Not that I was impatient but I really running late!

Back to my appointment... The following were what I learnt from the nurses at the clinic:

a) My glucose and protein test stick came back as normal;

b) My blood pressure reading is usual (i.e. "normal");

c) My weight actually dropped!!!! I am back to 61.9kg (i.e. my week 37 weight). I read online that sudden weight gain can be caused by water retention. Further to that, my legs' water retention problem seem to have changed for the better. Hence it could be possible that I lost about 0.9kg of water!

When seeing the gynae, I asked him about the cramps/pains that I have been having. He said they were Braxton Hicks contractions and that I would have them more and more frequently until baby is born. Sometimes, I wonder if I am mixing up contractions, adominal pains and pelvic pains. Are they all the same? My doc also annouced that baby is head down and fully engaged. So it's a matter of time when baby will arrive. The doppler played the baby's heartbeat "Wow! WOw! Wow! WoW!", the prognosis - good!

In the end, no vaginal examination was conducted. I am glad since I heard from the many mothers to be that it can get extremely uncomfortable and painful. The worst after effect is bleeding! *Geez*

I do however wonder if this will be my last gynae visit. I really want to see you... my little angel! Don't you want to meet me and daddy too?

The count down starts... NOW!

Looking back, it did not seem like such a long time back when I first tested myself positive on the two pregnancy test kits which my husband bought from the pharmacy... I am officially into week 38 + of my pregnancy.  Which means I will be meeting my little angel pretty soon!

At the moment, I am loading myself up with things which I want to eat! For example, I had my first 2 half boil eggs for breakfast this morning. A lot of pregnancy books do not encourage pregnant ladies to have raw or semi-cook food. According to my dearest gynae clinic's weighing machine, I gained 0.9kg in one week! *GASP* I sure hope that baby is gaining most of that 0.9kg and not me. Having gained more than 12kg throughout this pregnancy, I turned to my hubby and asked "Do I look 12 kg heavier? i.e. bigger arms, etc.". Hubby did not blink an eye and he said "Nope! Can't tell!". Wonder if he is just getting himself out of trouble by giving me a politically correct answer.

Other than the 0.9kg I put on, my blood pressure seem to have gone down to the readings I get during the first part of my 3rd trimester (which is a good thing). My legs look like pig trotters in the morning, then they turn into elephant legs in the evening. Yes, my legs started swelling on their own last week. The water retention is confirmed since my skin does not jump back up after i press it down. *Tsk Tsk*

I asked my gynae if he has any idea when I will give birth. He only say that it is hard to tell since this is my first pregnancy. Of course, he did not do an examination on me to see if I have dilated or not. I will be seeing him again next tuesday! I really hope baby will make her birthday on 8 Dec 08. Isn't that birthdate just plain wonderful? 8 is my favourite number and I won't need to use my annual leave too! I am intending to take leave starting next week (i.e. from 9 Dec onwards).

Although I have been talking to baby on coming out next week, I will leave her to decide when she wants to say hello to mummy and daddy! 

Yippee! Week 37 already!

It has been such a long time since I updated this blog isn't it? The past two weeks has perhaps been the longest count down to full term. Starting this week, baby is officially full term. So no more pre-mature baby bad dreams, etc. 

On Monday, me and hubby went to see the gynae. I gained another 1.6kg, bringing my total weight gain to 12kg! After 2 appointments (i.e. one month) of not doing an ultrasound, I decided that I wanted to do an ultrasound so that my gynae could estimate my baby's weight! Baby has an estimated weight of 2.8 kg (a good normal weight) at Week 37. This time we forgot to ask the doctor for baby's heartbeat rate. During the measurement, the gynae said that baby is moving around. I must say the heartbeat always sound different on the doppler.

During the ultrasound, the doctor confirmed that all is well - including the amount of water in the waterbag, placement of the umbilical cord, etc. *Phew* While measuring the circumference of the baby's head on the ultrasound, I noticed that baby was turning her head from left to right - left to right - left to right... At this moment, my gynae said something along the lines "See your baby is turning the head from side to side! baby is trying to drill down!". Then he laughed. Both me and my hubby did too. It was indeed a memorable quote from my gynae!

Today, my baby's cot is nicely set up in the baby's nursery! I can smell it's "new"-ness from the living room right now as I am blogging. My hubby also used his creatity when putting up the little flower wall lamp (which we are using as night light) from Ikea. Thanks sweetheart! Now the nursery seem so complete! *GRINZ*

As you can see on the right, I also bought a second-hand playpen (which will be baby's afternoon bed at my MIL's place) from my sister's colleague. It's pretty much in mint new condition so I got it for quite a steal of $70. But I had to buy a mattress so that my baby can zzz in it. Hubby spent a little more to get a better mattress so good for baby! *Baby thanks Papa!*

Last week, I went to the Tollyjoy sale at Changi Industrial Estate. I was quite dissapointed by the offerings because the supposed cheap clothes were kind of clothes with defects or stains. I took a pretty long time before finally deciding on 2 pcs of clothing for baby's first new year. My hubby and I both liked the design (so that was a real plus). Other than the clothings, I also bought 2 4-oz plastic bottles at $1 each and cloth diaper liners.

Tummy Pictures!

Went for the first of the every 2 weeks gynae visit on Saturday. This time, we did not do the ultrasound, Dr Tseng said that it won't be necessary since we just did it 2 weeks ago! He measured my tummy size and it is on target (i.e. 34 cm for 34 weeks). Then he pressed the tummy and annouced that baby is head down (good! I hope baby stays that way!). Next he measured baby's heart beat... It used to be 160 (in first and early second trimester), then it was 140 (about wk 28), now the heartbeat is 130 at wk 34. The baby's heartbeat will slow as the weeks passes as it grows.

So far I have gained about 11kg already! From my pre-pregnancy weight of 49.5kg to 60kg... I can see the "fatty" lines on my thighs... Really hope all these weight won't stick to me for too long. My colleague told me she lost about 7kg after giving birth (depending on weight of baby, water bag, placenta, etc), so she told me not too worry...

I went to the hospital tour at Thomson Medical Hospital yesteraday and it was pretty eye opening. Seeing is believing! I was amazed by the single bedded (renovated) rooms. They look super tempting and nice!!! But I am sticking to my initial choice as the stay won't be that long. I rather spend the money staying in a hotel with hubby and baby!

Anyway, I promised some of my tummy pictures right? Here they are... The tummy has gotten bigger (exponentially since the end of 2nd trimester). And the most obvious: The protrusion of the belly button! 

 Wk 15 (The starting of a little bump...)

 Wk 20 (Growing a little more)

 Wk 23 (Did it grow? Seems like same size as Wk 20!)

 Wk 28 (Just 5 wks and u can see part of my belly button sticking out like a shelter)

 Wk 33 (The belly button is officially "blown" full size! n popping out like a little mushroom...)

 

 

 

Wk 35

 

 

 

Wk 36 (More expansion underway!)

 

 Wk 37 (Is it me? The tummy seems heavier at the bottom!)  

Hey! Baby is smiling!

Today, baby is 31 weeks and 5 days! I went to see my gynae early at 9am! Well, I did the usual glucose stik test and my last 4 weeks of diet control paid off! The stick shows my urine is back to normal! *Yeah* My blood pressure is normal and I gained another 2kg...

I asked the gynae some questions such as whether there is enough fluid? (Yes, there is a lot u can see here!) I also found out that the placenta looks good (double yeah!). This time, my gynae manage to capture on the ultrasound a side view of my baby's face! Finally! After close to 32 weeks I get to see baby's face...

While it's only the side view, I was more than happy to see it... During the last appointment, there was nothing that could be seen other than the baby's back! 

I happen to meet my Starhub ex colleague at Tampines Ikea. She was there with her family for some furniture shopping. I showed her the photo and she said to me that the baby is smiling! Hmm... Now that I think of it, she might be right (the lips are curled upwards)!

For the not very imaginative viewers, the baby's head is on the right and facing up... Let me know if u still can't figure. 

Regarding my tummy pictures, I have not been timely in capturing them! But I'll try to take a photo every week from now onwards. A bit sad that I missed taking photos that will show the milestone till the day I pop! However, I took the photo below when I was feeling tired (i.e. not online) and was just plain bored... You can see the Linea Nigera (dark line) running down the middle of my tummy.

I term this picture - "Tummy from Mummy's Point of View!"  My NUS classmate Rachel says it looks like a pig's face. My protruding belly button is the nose and my knees are the ears. (haha!) What else do you think it looks like? 

2nd trimester milestones

2nd trimester came in a flash and I am currently into the last leg of my pregnancy! As promised, I will be posting the ultrasound pictures which were taken during my 2nd trimester.

The trimester is the most comfortable as compared to the 1st trimester. Though there was no morning sickness, I guess I got used to the raging preggy hormones. So feeling more energetic and feeling over the moon was definetely something great! But the 2nd trimester was a period of time where the gynae loves to say "See you in 4 weeks". Seriously this means spending lesser money but it also means a long wait before you get to see baby! 

2nd trimester esentially starts in Week 14... But i didn't get to see baby until I went to do the detailed scan in Week 19+ which I blogged previously. So here are the pics:

BABY's ESTIMATED WEIGHT: 271 grms (a small packet of tetra-pak soft drink)

@ 19 weeks 3 days

[Above 2 pics] Here u can see the different measurements that were taken by the sonographer to ensure that baby is well within the normal range of babies of the same age.

[Above] Ohh... can u see bb's hands? they are clenched thou... and held near the face...

[Above] Nicely formed spine! You can even see the nice little bits and the spine fusing at the tail.

[Above] Erhmm... I wanted to mosaic this photo actually but u can see the sonographer has decided "GIRL" in less than 5 seconds after she complained that the bb's leg is closed n she can't see a thing. Very experienced sonographer?

BABY's ESTIMATED WEIGHT: 650 grms (2 cans of coke already!)

@ 23 weeks

[Above] Seriously, this is one of the most interesting ultrasound pic my gynae gave me... He explained what was wat in the picture but now i can't remember. I only remember that it includes the baby's heart... What else? Maybe u can guess n let me know what is it that's being shown. Gynae says that the umbilical cord is not around the baby's neck which is good.

BABY's ESTIMATED WEIGHT: 1000 grms (2 bottles of mineral water already!)

@ 26 weeks 2 days

[Above] Seriously, you can figure whats in the pic? The left is the back n tummy with a little bit of the face. 

During this visit, I told Dr Tseng "Can we see baby's face in the ultrasound?". Dr Tseng said he will try. So after rolling the equipment all over the tummy and not capturing any facial features, he gave up. In my words - Baby is looking out for my back! 

There baby goes again! Shy uh... Close legs when checking gender and now baby shows me the buttocks when i want to see the face. If u note in the ultrasound, the baby is facing the bottom part of the picture - indicating that baby is looking at my back.

Baby's heart beat has slightly slowed (i.e. from 160 to 140). Dr Tseng says its normal too since baby is growing and that explains why... Baby's head is also not head down yet and that too is normal as Week 26 is still way too early and there is time for the head to slowly turn.

Lastly, Dr Tseng told me to cut back on carbs and sugar as I am tested postive for glucose. However, no glucose test was ordered for me. So from today onwards, lesser rice, pasta, etc.

In conclusion, I really hope to keep my sugar in control... Dun want to be diabetic... Praying for a smooth sailing 3rd trimester!

Week 23...

I was Week 23 and 2 days when I went to see my doctor again. Asked doctor why I have been getting pains near the naval area and he said I may have had too much bean products which will cause gases n hence the pain...

I won't be uploading the ultrasound photo here until my next summary for 2nd trimester ultrasound pictures. According to the doctor, my baby is already 650 grams (weight of 2 cans of coke)! The last measurement at Week 19, baby was only 270grams (weight of a Yeo's packet drink). The measurements are usually an estimation based on measurements of some "key" areas of the baby (e.g. size of the head, size of adomen, size of femur, etc). While it may not be 100% accurate, the doc says the size is normal... YEAH... And no umbilical cord around the baby's neck too!

Here is also a little update of my "clothes" spree for little baby... Spent a total of $80! I should have asked the aunty for discount - but i did not! 

   

6 sets of pyjamas (long sleeve & long pants)

 

6 sets of day wears for home (short sleeve & shorts)

 

6 sets of booties and mittens

First outing clothes for my baby? - 1 set of outdoor wear (brown little bears)

12 pcs of cloth diapers

(lazy to take photo lah...) 

AND... 6 pcs of towel (adult size ones)

1st trimester milestones!

It's time for a little recap of how the "little one" looks like on the ultrasound. Presenting to you, a series of my "little one" ultrasound photos! Enjoy!














Week 4: There is obviously nothing to see from my ultrasound photo! Doc says the black patch is quite a thick lining. Good for baby and it is possible tat I am pregnant.

Week 5: See the little black dot? *haha* First signs of being pregnant. The fertilised egg is implanted to the lining.

Week 6, 3 days: The little black dot seems to have expanded? You can see from the ultrasound, the doc has made a mark for "fetus". Now the baby is officially a fetus!

Week 8, 3 days: See how much the fetus has grown! It's now bigger than just a little dot on the ultrasound picture and can see the body and head! *Wow* The second pic shows the fetus and the heart beat! The gynae turned on the sound and we can hear the baby's heart beating! Fast n strong! Gynae's only comment: "Very good!".

Week 13: Erhmm... now there is no need to squint at the ultrasound photo! There is little baby. To help you with your imagination, the head is on the right, the body is on the left (*dur*). Can you see the two little dots on the left hand side? It's the baby's feet! The gynae is happy with progress of baby.

There are some other scans such as the Oscar (which is to test for down syndrome) and the detailed scan (for Anomaly scan -20 weeks). Will take some pics of the 20 weeks scan and post it up with the photo of my little one during my gynae visit next week.

Detailed scan results!!!

Finally, the day for the detailed scan came! It was a long 6 weeks of wait. With anticipation and hope that the baby has good readings would definelty be an aim any mother would hope for.

Hubby and I mopped around in the house till we had little time left for travelling down to the hospital. So we "dashed" to the hospital just in time for my appointment. The sonographer this time was more experienced and she was really quick in getting the readings. I am Week 19 and 3 days during the scan.  Readings and observations were taken for the vital organs - for example: the circumference size of the baby's head, the functionality of the heart, the length of the baby's body, the thigh and the legs. 

Throughout the scan, the sonographer would take measurements and each time she says its within the average, I was going like "Phew". She also took a look at the blood flow from the heart as well as the umbilical cord - There were blue and red portions! This means that the flow of blood is two-directional. She had also checked for both the upper and lower lips + the fingers (5 knuckles n 1 thumb). Baby has been clenching the fist, putting the hands against the face and even crossing or closing legs!

She tried a few times to get a good look at the gender but bb was simply closing legs. Sonographer could only say "Oh baby is so shy... Covering face and legs" Finally the songrapher managed a shot! The annoucement, "See those lines? Girl!". Hmmm... My feelings are mixed! On one hand I was elated that the baby is healthy. On the other, I was hoping this baby would be a boy. Partly, my grandma is old and I would really like to give her a male grandson (she has 3 grand daughters only)...

Nevertheless, girl is of course good. I believe father of girls will be prosperous and happy. So girl is good too (definetely, my dad is a purr-fect example)! Well, my gynae previously thought the baby was a boy. So he said, we'll see in 4 weeks to confirm the gender.

I have gone for a little window shopping trip... Saw NUK bottles selling at $13.80 which includes the teat... I am choosing NUK baby bottles since they are proven to prevent nipple confusion. Since I will be doing both breast and bottle feeding, why not invest in something which would confuse the baby least? Other things which I have shortlisted includes, steriliser, food warmer, one more cot bedding set, manbe a few pieces of clothes, etc. These could burn up a little hole in the pocket - so gotta spend less and save up some money for shopping...