Singapore Cord Blood Bank (SCBB)

Back in 2008, I decided to donate my daughter's cord blood to the public bank. 4 years later, I made the same decision as I strongly believe the stem cells would have a better use to save lives of Asians who need stem cells for their medical treatment.

I called SCBB last week. The lady over the phone did a mini interview on the phone. After passing the phone interview, an appointment was fixed to meet a SCBB staff to complete the paperwork. The paperwork includes more indept questions which includes intercourse history (LOL!), medical history of mother, father and their parents.

There was some clarifications that i made with the SCBB staff:
1. All donors will recieve a "Thank you" card from SCBB
2. The donated blood is weighed and counts are made. Pass this stage and a information letter from SCBB will be enclosed in the "Thank you" card.
3. Further to the above, if you/hubby recieves a call from SCBB asking about the baby health when baby is 6 mths old and 1 year old, it means the cord blood is banked.
4. After the 2 calls, SCBB will then process the donated cordblood for DNA profiling and have it available for patients who need it. ;)

I sure hope that my #2 one will also be banked! ;) After passing the meetup interview, you will get 2 sets of document (one being the agreement and one to bring to the hospital when you are delivering).

Have yourself a merry little Christmas...

It's the end of the year and Christmas lightings are already up along Orchard Road! The little gal kept asking if she could have her own Christmas tree. This being the second year she asked, hubby initially told her that she could go to my neighbour's to see their tree.

Perhaps it's the pregnancy or because she has grown up and I wanted her to have the experience, so I told hubby that we would get one for her this year. Hubby of course jumped at the idea - he wanted a Christmas tree too, the first year we moved into our place. My reaction was "huh? For what?". LOL. The things we would do to win a child's joy and laughter...

Shopped around at both TANGS and GIANT hypermart for the Xmas tree. My criteria was simple, a tree that cost as little as possible but still look decent enough (since the tree will be back in the store room after a year). And this also applies to the deco.

Checked out the prices and decided to get the cheapest one at GIANT... Damage: Xmas tree 1.5m tall ($12.99) + Multi-colored lighting ($19.99) + Ikea Xmas 25 piece deco ($5.90). I know what the reaction will be: the lighting actually cost more than the tree!!! But it's really pretty with bells and snowflakes... ;)

And here are some pics of the little gal decorating the Xmas tree and a picture with the Xmas tree. :) haven't gotten the star so asked Hello Kitty to stand in first...

When there is only you and me...

It was a date with little gal... ;) Picked her up from mother in law's place and brought her for tuina at TMC's TCM clinic. At almost age 4, bringing her out is easier...

We adjourned to Starbucks for her "cake". Starbucks at United Square shopping centre is always packed! (its perpetually filled with students and there is no seats for customers like me). *oh well* This time I managed to get a seat by "sharing" it with someone (who was not studying). He left soon after partly because no privacy... *haha evil laughter*

Here are shots of the little gal enjoying her hot chocolate & oreo cheese cake.

High tea with mummies - Rose Veranda

After a tuina session for little gal and Jinny's baby boy, we met Stella for lunch/high tea at Shangrila's Rose Veranda. It was really nice to catch up with fellow mummies in the 2008 group. ;)

Stella brought Evan along. Evan and little gal had loads of fun together making animal mask, colouring and doodling which the mummies sipped tea and ate.

Here are pictures of them colouring, with the animal mask and little gal's doodling... ;)

Little gal's colouring... If u noticed, she added a sun at the top of the picture. The butterflies are drawn by me. The one directly below the sun is drawn by her (and it looks like a dollar sign...).



Little gal drawing her "My family" - from her left: Mei mei, mummy, daddy and herself. (noticed she has got two pony tails)



I asked her who was she drawing and she says: "Mama". Haha, not bad at least I look decent. And I have long eye-lashes!

Finally! Ultrasound photos!

With technology these days, getting ultrasound pictures during gynae visits make it super enjoyable and fun (despite the fact I burn $40 for the scans at gynae's clinic). 

 

My gynae recently changed his ultrasound machine (not the 4D one) but the clarity of the pictures are surely better. Not sure if I will ask for another ultrasound to be done during the next visit (since it is like 2 weeks from the last "spine" pic). If it's done, it's more for weight estimation. *keke* 

 

Here are the ultrasound pictures so far. As usual, imagination and creativity is required. Usually it requires quite a bit of pointing out to figure where is what... 

 

The very first ultrasound picture! The black dot (at the lower part of the photo) signifies a fertilised egg implanted in the uterus.  (Approx: Wk 6)

Second set of ultrasound: Heartbeat time...  (Approx: Wk 7) The appointment was supposed to be at week 8 but I was having pink spotting so ran down to see my gynae. The strong heartbeat gave the assurance every pregnant mummy will want to see.

Second set of ultrasound: With proper labelling from my gynae! *haha*

Third set of ultrasound: Once again must measure the heartbeat... (Approx: Wk 9) 

 

Third set of ultrasound: Maybe hubby's imagination is bad. So gynae decided to label this as well. The little black dot finally has a form to it. and can see where the head and buttock can be seen.



Fourth set of ultrasound: This one need imagination? Head is on the left and body is on the right... :p (Approx: Wk 15) There was a first trimster pre-natal screening which I did at about Week 13. Ultrasound was used but no "cute" pictures so never post here. The purpose of the Week 13 scan (or OSCAR) is to predict the chances of anomalies (such as down symdrome) by comparing the fetus's nuchal translucency (this liquid behind the neck) and nasal bone measurement and readings derived from the maternal serum (blood) against a set of "normal readings".

Detailed scan: The first time I can see the face of the baby. The left side shows a almost front profile of the face. (SO CUTE RIGHT???) *haha*  Actually I feel that the detailed scan is much better this time (vs my dotter's one) because the sonographer told us every single detail that she was looking out for. This baby was however less co-operative than big sister, because I had to go for a 20 min walk and come back for another scan. Her side profile could not be taken despite the tummy jiggles and coughs I made to make her change her position in the tummy.  (Approx: Wk 21)

Fifth set of ultrasound: Mmm... can you see the face (looking upwards. Head is on the right)? it's not an exact side profile of the face but papa is very happy to be able to see another ultrasound picture that captures her looks and check out the hands by the side of her face. :) (Approx: Wk 25)

 

The most memorable gynae visit (so far)...

Today marks the last monthly visit to the gynae and back to the bi-weekly visits till birth day. ;)

During the next visit at week 32, the clinic is going to collect the delivery fee! The heat is turned up further as the hospital has sent me a "pre-admission" form.

I am still as cool as a cucumber- baby clothes, breast pump and almost everything else is still in the store room. Nothing is washed/dried. Newborn diapers are still on the supermarket shelves... I wonder if that's how mummies prepare for their subsequent births! LOL!

Complained to my gynae about my cough that has been persisting for the last 2 weeks. The green phelgm is gone and I am super glad that I didnt need to take the GP prescribed anti-b. However, the persistent cough gave me the most memorable pressie this afternoon. After a hearty, fulfiling lunch of prawn noodles and ngoh hiang which I craved for, we headed to Vivo to get my lozenges. While in the carpark, a burp came up together with that cough. The unfortunate combination triggered a small "merlion" event. As hubby was shocked and concerned, my subsequent coughs triggered two larger "merlion" cycles. I think I was in shock too - trying to not ruin the car (too late) and was unable to puke outside the car (as i was still buckled). *roll eyes* To my horror, my face and eyes were all red and teary (yeah i look drunk alright) from the coughing and lack of air caused by the puking episode. Actually, I had two similar mini accidents prior to this. Now, i'm so freaked out, I have a plastic bag on the ready...

Also, asked my gyane whether "baby bump vibrations" were normal... During week 26-28, I felt my baby bump/baby vibrate. It was queer- like having swollowed a vibrating mobile phone. It was a "cute" but worrying sensation since common descriptions are usually flutters or bumps and kicks from the inside. Gynae laughed and confirmed that it's normal as the baby is having some natural reactions (like a shiver up the spine type of reaction some kids have while/after pee-ing).

Having decided to donate my #2's cordblood to SCBB again, I sought my gynae's support in collecting it after delivery. I will have to call SCBB after week 32 of my preganancy to get the paperwork done. ;) It's always better to donate than discard, since it could help save someone's life.

Other updates would include my suprising (under?) weight gain (only 5kg so far). Tummy size is normal (1cm per week progressed). Baby is still head up but gynae says it's ok since there is still some time to go. Ending off this post with a "spine" ultrasound photo which gynae took. :p Can tell?