week 40 and moving towards overdue!

Hihi,

I am still hanging around leh.. Today went for my week 40 check up.. and mentally prepared that gyane will asked me to be admitted today or tomorrow.. Did the CTG checks..

Princess J's heartbeat is normal and, what do you expect? active as usual! keke.. to my surprise, i finally noticed peaks on a more regular basis under the contractions section between 60- 100... looking good right?

After that, gyane did a scan.. water level still acceptable, baby is now 3.3kg (in just 1 week!! whoa!!!)

Next coming up: Cervix check... that was like ouch!! gynae starts to look abit grim.. and explained that my cervix is only dilated 1cm and still thick, on a scale of 1-10 for suitablity for induction, i only score 3, which means that in the next 2 days, he don't think i can induce..

***out flies the thought of inducing on 31st August for a 1st September baby..

However, as he have to balance between baby getting bigger and going overdue too much, and hence a lower chance of natural vaginal birth, versus waiting for my cervix to dilate.. so, gyane suggests that we set 4th sept for induction of labour.. unless the baby decides to pop by then...

Oh dear.. so headache.. Princess J.. when u wanna make your appearance & say hi to us??

Feelings @ week 38, 16 days to go..

Baby got big enough that it is now hard to view her on the ultrasound.. managed to upload my first video! i took a couple of these videos..with my trusty o2 throughout this pregnancy..

she weighs 2.8kg now.. a gain of 1kg, though my weight only went up by 500gms. diameter of her head is ~34cm?

Still headdown.. not in breech position, BUT, still also facing outwards.. kaypoh person siah.. If this continues when i am in labour, it means that my labour will be longer, as in this postion, her head diameter is bigger and harder to push out. Backaches are common, and often, gynae & midwives have to wait for the baby to slowly rotate herself before her head can appear.. In such a position, babies tend to arrive on or later then their EDDs and are not engaged into the pelvis earlier..

Solution? Wait and see.. meanwhile, i found out that it seems helpful to go on all fours for HALF AN HOUR every night? How does one maintain this position for this length of time anyway? Ok! still give it a try.. no harm..

I cross my fingers that i will NOT need to go into emergency C-section.. if i really need one, the gynae better tell me in advance so that it is easier for me to opt for it right from the beginning rather then to go through normal delivery, followed by attempted to assist with vacuum and forceps and finally concluding that NOPE! Gotta go under the knife.. Yikes! Still gotta keep the spirits up and stay on the positive side.. i stil tend to look at the negative side of stuff.. Hope baby doesn't take after me in that aspect..

week 38 scan..

Playpen is all ok and ready to go!

Ak decide to take a look at the playpen that was delivered.. it was more complicated then we thought..keke.. but, it is finally up! cost us 100 sgd.. size is 28" x 48".. bigger then normal..

Hearing lots of stories now.. the most worrying one is: if want to breastfeed baby, and opt for total breastfeeding, but baby is impatient type and yells for food, and no milk yet initially, the crying is really stressful... how how?? aiyoh.. so stressed!!

Some friends recommend that i supplement initially if 1st two weeks not so good and baby is still learning to latch on.. and to supplement only after attempting BF on both breasts and baby still hungry..

life ahead looks tough manz....... and what with all the nonsense about no bathing & washing hair during confinement.. sigh..

week 37... 24 days left! Baby weighs 2.7kg..

Wah.. first time, i went for gynae check up myself..cos gotta do it on a weekday morning for the strep B culture test... cost me 50 sgd...uncomfy leh.... ouch..

Oops, i forgot to call up the nurse to inform them i found my watch.. hehe.. make them panic for nothing.. so paisay..

Nope, baby isn't engaged yet. Though her head is down, she is facing outwards, not my spine... oops... looks like we gotta talk more to her to turn the other way and face my spine.. otherwise, i will be suffering from achy backpain & long labour and delivery might have to be assisted.. ouch!

Sigh, looks like, still gotta lun another 24 days!

Her weight gain is on track.. now is 2.7kg.. a gain of almost 600gms, though i put on almost 2kg! eeks, i weigh an extra 12kg! hope it will all go off after delivery!

Have booked the malay massage lady liaoz.. to prepare her for my pending delivery.. will be done @ home..min. of 5 sessions..

Next visit will be 1 week later.. hopefully, baby will turn around into a posterier position.. scrubbing floors is supposed to help?? keke.. think AK will faint upon hearing that suggestion..

Fendi watch found!!

hehe,

sotong daddy & mummy... my watch was actually at home! We scared ourselves and i was soooooooo depressed for 1 whole day!!

AK was like.. oh manz.... he was so pissed when the watch wasn't found @ the gynae.. keke... and before the watch was found, he volunteered to buy me another watch... haiz.. i know hor.. maybe i should have kept quiet on it!! haha! but, no lah.... prefer him to save that sum of $$...

Next gynae checkup will be another Monday (by then, i am week 36++).. by then, we will be doing a strep B check, plus perhaps a dilation check? time is zooming past fast..

Some of the Aug MTBs on the forum are popping one by one... makes me panicky.. so much has yet to be done..

35 weeks.. what's next??

Ok,

Last check up was last night.. As usual, baby is very hyper and can't wait to see the gynae to see how she is doing.. well, she has grown again, gaining 475grams and now weigh about 2.192kg @ 34 weeks, 4 days...

Took blood pressure, urine test, all clear! Only problem is.. I left my Fendi watch behind!! ARRGHHH!! I hope the next patient will not steal my watch.. sob......

Next visit, I will be doing the Strep B culture test and it will be in the morning.. so, won't be going to work..

Baby's name.. sigh.. that causes lots of headache..... Jadelle/ Jermaine Kwok??? hehe.... I kind of like Jadelle, but Jermaine seems more acceptable, cos more common leh..

Chinese name ah... Hui(4) Xuan (1)?

Today will be the 1st day of the Chinese 7th Month.. so, no going home late tonight.. and we will be praying downstairs..

keke.. hiaoz mummy, daddy & baby!

keke.. no need to say anything.. just see this! For more.. take a look at this link.. http://www.foto-u.com/portfolios/alb_show.php?show_folder=andyjas

Rounded tummy me......

We took maternity shots over the weekend at WP's studio.. She did charge us a very reasonable rate of 88 sgd nett... had some shots with natural sunlight also.. Spent 1.5 hrs taking the shots.. we brought along our own outfits.. (5 changes!!), brought along some props also (milk bottle, bebe listener, mp3 player etc..)

Did my own make up and didn't do much about my hair.. took ~200+ photos! The photos are ready liaoz.. can't wait to receive the CD ROM via post.. will be uploading it once i receive the CD ROM and downsize the photos.. Think i will print out the photos also for memories' sake and maybe to do up a scrap book? keke.. what do i know? I am the one bad at art!

Think i will get the CD tonight???

Work is getting more stressful.. I hope i can do up most of the projects/ presentations before end of this month. No idea how to hand over.. but no way i am leaving my laptop behind! Can't have the temp girl messing up my laptop! Can't bear that!!

before moving forward, we look back, just for a while...

AK juz gave me a link.. to a website he created for my 21st b-day... it brings back lots of memories.. keke.. and a very skinny me!! phew.. guess most of my TTC frenz won't recognise that it is me lor.. I added it to this blog, under family & frenz.. take a look!

Got news that JJ has BFP.. was so happy for her, and praying that all will be smooth now.. Also checking on R, hoping she is coping well with everything...

Time is moving fast... i muz treasure the last few weeks of our DINK lives.. Baby is moving about still naughty girl.. still not sleeping.. keke.. same as mummy!

Gynae's check up at week 32... 1.717kg liaoz..

Met Dr. Chandras last night for my scheduled 32 weeks check up.. blood pressure was ok.. we updated him that we have toured the wards & attending th antenatal class @ MAH.
Topics we discussed about:

Epidural
He suggest that we go for epidural once I cannot tahan the pain. The dosage can be controlled to regain some sensation in active labour stage which will allow me to feel the contractions.

Episiotomy
Most first time mothers can't avoid this cut, and it won't be painful when administered. However, i told him that it was the pain AFTERWARDS that i dislike. Fear of constipation, urination problems etc..

PD
He has already booked Dr. Terence Tan for us. So, no problem

Doctor's letter
Not necessary as this is required usually for scheduled deliveries.. like planned c-section, induced birth..

Ward preferences
Upon admission, I can inform the nurses/ clerks that I prefer to be in Our Lady ward instead of St. Raphael's. They usually try to accomodate, but, no guarantees.

Next appointment
3 weeks later. So, all seems fine, with my blood pressure & everything. My weight is now 52.5kg, from my pre-pregnancy weight of 44kg. Baby weighs 1.717kg now and is expected to be a 3+kg baby.. average weight. If baby needs to double her size, i will be like a clusmy sack of potatoes very fast over next few weeks. gotta remember to apply more & more cream & oil! Already, the rashes are starting up again!

This is week 32... & counting down..

Wow,

After 2 years, AK finally decided to help me to scan our wedding studio shots into soft copy!! Talk about a DELAY.. keke.. See under family & frenz for the uploaded link!!

It was clearly imprinted in my mind at the time of photo taking, i was grumbling about my "little tummy & flabby arms".. now, looking back at those shots, i decided that i don't mind my figure back then! Especially as compared to now! Especially comparing arms & tummy & thighs!!

Frankly, it is no fun watching one's body go through these changes.. especially for vainpots like myself! I wonder about 80% of the time if i will lose my youth as i put myself through all these extremely aging process of pregnancy.. Experts advise no dieting during this period as well as post pregnancy to ensure that one's body has the necessary nutrients to recover from the extreme process of pregancy & delivery.. This amounts to "fattening me up", according to me.. I see my underbust girth expanding from 32 to 34 and now approaching 38.. and i wonder about the plentiful cheongsams that i love so much in my now defunct pre-pregnancy wardrobe..

Youth, so fleeting, yet so cherished by me.., something that my other half fails to comprehend.. no amount of reassurance, consolation & hugs can pull me away from the thoughts that i am slowly, inch by inch, losing my youth...

Fear, of being one of those hated auntie-looking mummies around abound in my heart. yet, I do understand why they exist, when pregnancy is so tiring, sometimes, it is really hard to look hip & trendy & fresh.. expecting a princess supposedly helps me look radiant.. but, i can't help noticing the pronounced freckles & the eyebags beneath my small flat eyes....

Went for antenatal class on saturday where they showed a video about childbirth.. it was extremely squeamish for me.. especially the episiotomy cut.. i HATE.. i repeat.. I HATE HATE HATE OPERATIONS, WOUNDS & CUTS!!

They make me feel extremely vulnerable & subjected to other people's control.. kaoz..I think the coming months may mean plenty of nightmares about the impending labour process... wish time will move faster so i can get things over & done with.. then again, this means AK & my life will be forever changed.. Can't decide on which one is the lesser of the 2 evils....

Gynae's appointment tonight @ 7pm... at least i will be glad to see baby...

Tidying up the baby's room

Went with my mum & dad during lunchtime yesterday to toyogo's warehouse @ Toa payoh.. saw stackable drawers that can fit into our cupboard's bottom rack in the baby's room.. also saw a dim sum trolley that we can use to put frequently used stuff next to cot.. bought everything in blue! keke!



went back & check & confirm it fits into the cupboard.. looking good! now, things looked more organised...

gotta wash the cot sheets, the sling, the nursing top..the washcloths, the nappies for standby.... oh yes, & sterilise all bottles & pumps!

MIL went shopping again! i think, she got more baby stuff then me!

oh no.. what i put inside the hospital bag?? anyhow whack lah.. so far, i planning to bring:

- night gown x 1 with buttons
- hot/cold compress (for labour??)
- baby CD & my usual essential oil (clarins??)
- 2 change of baby clothing
- disposable panties
- sanitory maternity napkins (stick ons)
- extra NB size diapers
- 1 wrap blanket
- milk bottles x 2?
- biscuits, chicken essence, hot water bottle for AK & me?
- mobile phone + charger!
- mine & AK's IC, admission form, marriage certificate.
- clothing for trip home
- toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and toiletries etc.
- nursing bra
- Towel
- Few sets of breast pads
- 1 pair of socks (to keep warm)
- Shawl & sweater (for myself and husband)
- Plastic bag (for soiled cloths)
- Letter for admission from doctor
- Camera
- Slipper
- magazines to read..

week 30 this week & having backaches & hip pain! :(

was on MC last Friday, the back & hip pain was really bad.. woke up and got so frustrated with it that i felt like taking a hammer to my spine!

went to the gyane, hoping he can give me some relief ointment that is safe to apply.. it helped for a short while.. but.. no long term solutions!

To my surprise, he actually did an ultrasound to be sure baby is developing well, though i wasn't supposed to see him for another 2 weeks on 3rd July.. Now, baby weighs 1.315kg! and developing well.. I have gained 7kg so far..

Feeling a little fat now.... can't believe the amount of fat (& cellulite!!) i am seeing on my thighs.. wish i can jump straight into the pool & rectify it with extra laps! The cellulite is causing the numb feeling i am having on my inner thighs i think, cos of poor circulation..

I left the decision of stroller, car seat & playpen & mobile to AK.. so last weekend, we went to Baby Hyperstore to take a look. AK was bent on a combi model @ 388 sgd (with reversible handle) initially. Baby Kingdom was able to offer us 368 sgd for NT 500 model.. but, we went to Baby Hyperstore, & saw that they offered us the new Maclaren Techno XT 2006 model @ 335sgd as they are having 25% discount! AK was persuaded by the sales people on the value for money for this model, and at a cheaper price then the Combi model, no complaints there! I was pleased with the discount & we chose red colour for the stroller.. It will be delivered end July once the goods arrive!

Also bought a playpen which is bigger then normal @ 100 sgd. Size of mattress it can accomodate is 28" x 48". It should last longer then the normal playpen and can accomodate baby when she start to crawl & learn to walk.. We plan to put it at my parents' in law place.... My PIL, still bent on getting a sarong.. sigh... they kept aiming it at Baby Hyperstore.. but AK was firm and said no! Otherwise, we might have a problem if baby refuses to sleep in the cot back home at night, and we simply can't afford such problems with our work schedules, especially when i return to work.. If we get a sarong, all 3 places have to have it.. sigh.. we will see how first..

In any event, glad to see that baby is fine and active...wish the time will move faster, if i get over the labour part earlier, i might be less nervous..

wow.. now week 28!!

Its been a month?? this month has been pretty hectic.. shopping is almost done.. been enjoying ourselves buying stuff for baby.. and feeling her move everyday is a great motivator & provides great relief.

Went for gynae visit last Friday @ late week 27 and baby is growing really well, she was awake but wasn't hyperactive.. Dr. Chandras measured her femur and estimates that her weight is 1.096kg, above average!

Lucky siah.. before that, he was frowning at my weight gain.. only 0.6kg from 1 month ago.. i also dunno why leh.. still eating my oats, enfamama, vitamins, lots of ice cream cones.. durians.. hmm..so far.. i gained only a total of 5.6kg.. now i weigh 59.6kg..

Have told the nurse we taking Mt. A 2 bedder... hope i get the old wing.. it looks bigger & comfortable.. saw it when visiting a girlfriend who just delivered in the hospital
Will be approaching my third trimester liaoz.. TTC frens Jess, Lyn, Dora has given birth liaoz.. next one will be Erin..then me.. then.. keke.. a few more to come!

I am starting to feel more clumsy & like a duck.. sleeping is also tougher.. i get this lower back ache if i ly on my side too long.. got to keep turning periodically..

Might not be having a confinement lady after all.. due to my grandma insisting that we pay our nanny more then market rate.. so, i might have the maid come over daily to clean and wash and look after baby.. and someone else to help me cook confinement food (my mother in law of grand ma in law?? or i can cater..). I think about it and i think, not having my nanny around is also good, as she know nuts about BF? Won't be able to help much and won't be sure what type of confinement food will be suitable for breastfeeding mums..will need to standby numbers of the lactation consultants..

Am glad most of the shopping is done.. what's left?

- playpen
- stroller
- car seat
- musical mobile
- baby thermometer
- bath tub
- baby socks
- glass bottles for milk (FOC from Mt. A)
- confinement food & stuff for when we return back..
- erhh.. can't think of others at this point..

next appointment will be at week 32, then it will move to 3 weeks later and 2 weeks subsequent intervals.. time is moving fast.. feeling a sense of panic..

Week 24 check up.. 668grams!

Wah.. finally see gynae after 1 whole month!
Baby is doing really well, as usual, she is extremely active during the scan. Urine tests, blood pressure tests all pass! Yeah! measured her abdomen, head circumference, femur length.. and it all matches up to 24 weeks.... baby now weighs 668gms! I continue to buy the Prolacta for mothers from the gynae.. cost me 40 sgd!

Bought a cot @ OG, but not sure if i should exchange it for another item (& what item? breast pump or COMBI stroller?), since that cot seems a bit rough on the finish.. sigh......

Nevermind, will go with hubby to see again.

Spent alot of $$ this month.. wow!

Shopping time for bb stuff!!

Wah sey, been a while since i updated!
kanna complaint by jess! :P

ok, over the past 3 weeks, been busy accumulating stuff to get & prepare ofr baby. I am starting to feel clumsy liaoz. so hope can get all the stuff done before i can't walk much.

went JB shopping & stayed overnight at Hyatt Regency. Nice hotel! sea view, pool facing room, club floor, FOC cocktail & coffee & tea all day, nice pool, nice weather & complimentary parking! Went to Carrefour, Jusco Tebrau Aeon City (new place, juz after carrefour), Pelangi, Eden, and even visited Kota Tinggi! AK of cos, dun let me play the natural water slides.. sigh.. But we did soaked our feet., I also went to this new place called Danga Bay, a seaside mall/food paradise etc.. nice place! but not fully completed yet! saw some cheap ratten bags & home decor, but AK say, no more rubbish! keke.

Hm,
Stuff i bought in JB:
1) Maternity black pants with pockets - 49.90 RM
2) 3 x no wire pierre cardin bras - 97RM
3) nappy liners x 2 boxes
4) Pampers in S/M size
5) cotton buds & balls
6) Pigeon cloth diapers @ 25 RM/pack of 10 pcs (50% off compared to SG prices)
7) 1 litre Sebamed baby bath 73RM (SUPER CHEAP!!! SG selling 200ml @ 10 SGD)
8) J&J baby wipes @ 9.90RM/ refill pack (SUPER CHEAP!!)
9) 2 long sleeve tops @ 6RM each in 0-3, 3-6 mths size
10) nipple shields, diaper pins
11) Nappy detergent (local brand nappiklean) @ 19 RM for 1 litre, with FOC baby bath!
12) 1 x nursing bra, AMO brand by triumph, @ 29 RM
13) pureen brand maternity pads @ 19 RM for 20 pcs

Other bb stuff i have prepared:
1) 10 tops of 0-3 months & 5 rompers
2) 7 tops/rompers of 3-6 months
3) SQ biz class wash cloths
4) cooler tote bag
5) Avent milk bags & clips
6) pacifier x 1
7) disposable breast pads
8) 2 pigeon milk bottles (small one) & 2 NuK milk bottles (small one)
9) pigeon steriliser
10) bottle tongs, bottle brush, nail clipper, milk powder container, 2 spare teats, 2 bibs, 4 towels, desitin nappy rash barrier cream...
11) diaper covers x 3 (0-3 mths)
12) cot bumper & crib sheets & mosquito net

other stuff still pending:
1) cot
2) cot mattress
3) more mittens & booties
4) Baby monitor
5) Cot mobile
6) waterproof sheets from ikea,, more bibs from ikea
7) Breast pump
8) nursing tops
9) thermometer
10)hairbrush
11) ru yi oil
12) anti colic syrup
13) disposable maternity panties
14) baby bath tub & bath mat
15) baby lotion, baby oil, powder
16) milk bottle big ones..
17) stroller
18) sterilization tablets
19) bottle insulator
20) hooded towel.
21) long pants, bottoms, briefs..
22) plastic diaper pants

phew!!

Like lots of stuff leh!

Confirm girl lah!!

Wow... its been almost a month since the last check up... AK & I can't wait for the day of our detailed scan which occured this morning... :)

Went to East Shore Hospital for the scan, which occured mostly without hubby next to me.. for some reason, husband cannot come it during scan!! arrgghh!! only later on when the radiologist complete the scanning and measurements did she show us baby's 3D picture on the screen only!

First, it is confirm a GIRL! and radiologist commented that our baby is extremely active.. Normally, according to her, girl babies are quieter in womb compared to our baby.. so uh oh.. we might have a handful coming! Secondly, baby moved so fast & is too active, such that our radiologist took longer then usual to take all the pictures...

The 3D scan was cute, i could see baby's features already.. Radiologist commented: "Nice lips!"
Overall, the scan went well & was completed in 30 minutes..

Frankly, i was a little worried when she commented:" no good! baby too active!!" So pantang perhaps, me... but i worry that baby IS too active.. haiz.. hope i am worrying unnecessary..

Came out and I scolded baby... Told her off and not to play with her umbillical cord! That was what she was doing when we took the 3D scan!

Juz for records' sake, baby weight is estimated at 274grams.. and the detailed scan cost me 105 sgd. CHEAP!!

It's a girl!! (Maybe!!)

I went for my week 16 scan on last sat.. (18/03/2006). Was so nervous, as I was scheduled to take the glucose test, and draw blood for testing before & after the glucose test (Total of 3 tubes!! arrghhh!! The nurses almost cannot find a vein to strike at..!!)

We did a scan after that and baby was awake! The moment the gynae pressed on the tummy, the baby kicked against it and I felt it!! Hm, that confirms that the last few days' feelings were not imagined.. I was wondering if it was juz gas in my intestines & tummy..

AK was as usual filming down the scan.. I ask Dr. to see if he can detect whether it is a girl or a boy.. but guess what? baby was sitting cross legged!! As if its attempting a yoga pose.. :) And that pose, hides its genitals.. but the gynae said tentatively that he cannot see anything between the legs, so it is likely to be a girl, but the next detailed scan which is during my week 20, will reveal more details.

We were really happy to see baby again.. and that I can feel the baby now..its kicks are getting stronger.. but we were still worried about the blood glucose test results.. hope all is fine..

Today, Dr. called us and informed us that the triple test (for Down's syndrome) revealed very low possibility for Down's syndrome and my glucose levell is 99 after fasting and before ingesting the glucose.. after the glucose ingestion, the reading stand at 110, which means I have cleared it!! YAY!!

So relieved leh.. :D

week 14 scan

Well,

I had planned to see the gynae at night, but since Tuesday 4 pm, I have this migraine that kept going on & on.. even now..

Wednesday morning, I cannot tahan liaoz.. see the gynae for medication, MC and push forward my visit...

Found out that my blood glucose is too high... I have to cut down my sugar intake now, and 2 weeks later to come back for a glucose test that will take 2 hrs.

We then did a scan..I closed my eyes for an instant, fearful of anything unexpected.. but all was ok, baby was moving n waving around.. this time around, we can see its spinal cord.. and it has grown much bigger..7.61cm.. the baby is still curled up, and Dr. Chandras was not able to measure the neck.. so he gave up eventually... We kept peering at the image, trying to see if boy or gal.. but.. can't see much leh.. Andy thought he saw something, which i later realise was the baby's spinal tail and not the likes that indicate it is a boy..

Hmm, they say, if it is a boy, it will be detected earlier.. so, maybe this time it is a gal?? aiyah.. dunno lah..

i did not do the triple test yet.. Dr. informed us that the test is 90% accurate, but it might have false positives and lead us to do more pre-natal testing like the amniostesis (which carries a 1% risk of miscarriage). He point out that at my age, I have a low chance actually of having a Down's syndrome baby.. The test will cost 100sgd.. anyway, 2 weeks later, while doing the glucose test, we will then do the triple test..

One more visit after that will be the detailed scan.. hope all is fine... my head is still pounding.. haiz.. nearly fainted juz now in my boss's room.. think i stand too long..

This coming sunday will be our 1st trial yoga lesson.. looking forward to it.. feeling so stiff in my lower back..