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Showing posts from January, 2016

Welcome to motherhood

So our girl finally arrived after 9 months of pregnancy.  She is 2.99kg, perfect and have long fingernails now.   I tried breastfeeding for the very first time and not very successful.  I think because of the epidural, in which I was to fast and have not eaten since my last meal at dinner, 27 Jan 2016, I was so dry inside.  No wonder many said to avoid epidural. After latching the little one for 2 hours, yes, she refused to sleep and still suckle, I gave up.  My nipples were sore, she was exhausted from suckling and I was tired.  Coz she was still hungry, can hear her stomach growling and my milk has not kick in no matter how I squeeze my breasts.  Not even colostrum.  She was so frustrated and crying buckets and that's when I then decided to give her formula but will continue with breastfeeding.  Hope she prefers my nipples than the bottle. I also told the nursery to let her rest there for the night and take formula when she is hungry.  At least I get some sleep for now.  I have e

Birth story

Finally, the day has arrived.  I started to feel contractions at midnight of 27 Jan 2016. That's one day overdue.  At first, I thought it's BH, so I just brushed it aside.  Then it was 20 minutes each duration and about 50 seconds each time.  By 3am, there was bloody show.  I didn't know it was the mucous plug that came out until I reached the hospital. Very quickly, I was transferred to the Delivery Suite upon arrival.  The nurse hooked me up on the machine to check baby's heartbeat and contractions and everything is good.  Except that my cervix was tightly closed.  Not even 1mm.  It was 4am and since there is no progress, the nurse told me to sleep. Woke up at 7 and was told ObGyn will come by 9am.  He came by 11am and checked my cervix.  Still closed and tight.  Baby's head is high still.  Dang.  He doesn't want to induce me.  Instead just want to monitor my progress in the normal ward.  He said if he induce me now, will probably end up with c-sec coz looks l

Week 40

So, it's Week 40 today.  She is supposed to make her appearance soon, but still no sign of contractions. On Sunday night, I had period cramps every 30 minutes or so and thought it was time.  Turns out it was Braxton Hicks.  Yup throughout pregnancy, no sign of BH and now at the end, it decided to come and trick me.   I tried natural induce yesterday, by doing butterfly yoga pose and nipple stimulation.  Butterfly pose was still ok.  But the nipple stimulation gave me painful but short and fake contractions.  Bad idea. In the end, everything stopped.. No contractions, no period cramps, nothing.  Quiet as can be except baby still happily nesting inside with a naughty chuckle, thinking to herself, I am still comfortable here inside. Baby, if you are not out naturally by 28, doctor would force both of us, making things uncomfortable for you and me, both.  If you are a good girl and considerate, please come out on your own soon, before that.  Because by hook or by crook, doctor would in

Just great!

Just when I am about to go on maternity leave, my laptop died on me.  Looks like I have to use iPad for everything then despite the fact I hate typing on iPad. You know, I have been saying that I do not want to be c-sec and induced.  I don't discriminate those who chose these methods.  In fact, sometimes there's no choice but to choose these methods only. I am not afraid of either methods.  I have been through 3 major surgeries in my life.  Although I was not afraid of it and was also proud to tell the process behind each one, but I did regretted doing it all.  Sometimes, I viewed surgeries are not a necessity, instead it causes more problems. First was a surgery to remove a breast lump from my left breast.  I was 18 and the lump was benign.  It was a combination of tissues and hormones that causes it.  But it was huge, measuring 3cm x 5cm.  After the removal, my insurance company doesn't want to cover me for any further breast protection.  It sucks.  I have lumpy breasts a

The last appointment

So, today is my last scheduled appointment with Dr Jason.  And now only I find out how the whole system works at his clinic and the hospital.  Call me an idiot, which I did to myself today, but after 9 months of pregnancy, today I found out how to spend my time at the hospital effectively. First, go as early as 7.30am, or even earlier if you wish.  The numbering system has started although no staff will be there to man the counter yet.  And although the main glass door remain closed, you can enter through the side door.  I was No.3. By 8am, the counter will start calling the number.  Register and go for your breakfast.  I used to think that I needed to wait for the nurses to call me to pee and weigh and then only breakfast.  It is not arranged that way.  It's arranged as per your registration number. Go to Level LG to the cafeteria and order a nice breakfast.  Here in the mornings, they usually served fried kueh teow, fried mee, fried rice or french toast.  There are some kuihs too

The waiting game

I asked few of my colleagues who had been pregnant before, what were the signs right before labour?  Just like what were the symptoms right before a BFP kinda question. No one knows for sure.  Some said their water bag broke.  Some said they felt nothing.  Some said they felt contractions.  Everyone is different.  And every pregnancy is different. So now, the waiting game continues.  When is my due date? The gynae said it's 26 January 2016 based on my LMP.  I have a dilemma now and I am not sure if I am overthinking things (which my colleagues said I am) but just want to be rational about the whole situation. You see, the pregnancy can be 42 weeks.  I will be 40 weeks on 26 January 2016, that's when I am supposed to be due.  Baby is measuring at 3.2kg now, which means she can only add another 0.1kg = 3.3kg if she comes out at 40 weeks sharp.  I am not sure to what extend my gynae will induce me if I am overdue, like how overdue is overdue.  And is he the type w

Food movies

Something unrelated to pregnancy.  I don't have any cravings during this pregnancy.  Except for maybe cold, flavored drinks.  But not food wise. But lately, I have been into food/chef/cooking movies and looking for something with lots and lots of food porn.   Here's my list (in no particular ranking). 1. The God of Cookery (1996)  - Hong Kong Cantonese movie I first watched this when it was out in the cinema.  I loved Stephen Chow's movies and during the late 90s, he was having like a movie a year.  For me the best part of the show is always the cooking competition, where they show you their chopping skills, frying skills and then the end product.  I like to see like hot steam coming out from the dishes and makes it so super yummy and delicious.   There's not much food porn here, except during the first part where each chef were to showcase their specialty and the last part during the cooking competition.   2. Eat Man Drink Woman (1994 ) - Taiwan

Week 39 ~~ 1 more week to go

When anyone asked when I am due, I can now safely say it's next week.  How am I feeling while waiting to pop?  Extremely nervous although trying to keep it all in. First, since it's my very first time, I don't know what to expect.  Like what tolerance level.  I heard that the pain is like very extreme, so that already make me super nervous. Second, what will come first for me?  Water breaking?  Contractions?  Bloody works?  No one knows again.   It's all a waiting game and the waiting is making me very anxious.  Also very moody.  And taking it out on DH. Am I ready for what's there ahead of me?  I really don't know.  I can say I have made all the preparations there is, but in the end, I don't think anyone is ready for sure.   So, in order to put my mind at ease and not think about this every single second, I want to write about pre-CNY rush/craziness/madness. I love CNY.  But I don't like the pre-CNY craze.  When I was a kid, I d

More update

I am still here.  Still pregnant.  Approaching 39 weeks.  Not much sign.  Can't say no sign at all but there's some weird signs but stopped. My last gynae appointment, doc said baby's head already engaged.  But not deeply engaged, just like slightly engaged.  Apparently you can't determine engagement via ultrasound.  He has to use his hands to check my lower abdomen and see if baby's head is there.  It was slightly uncomfortable.  Not sure if I am dilated though. Baby is 3.2kg, add 0.1kg a week.  And now just waiting for labour.  Nobody knows when exactly.  But I still have a week to my due date.  So I guess we just have to wait. The signs that I am getting is feeling uncomfortable in the cervix area especially when baby is moving.  When that happens, then I get slight heart palpitations.  I was also getting diarrhoea and peeing a lot.  And not to mention, walking like a penguin.  And the sciatica nerves pain is back with vengeance.  Slight Braxton Hick

Clumsy

Last night, I fell.  Bump didn't hit the floor.  I basically did a split.  Right leg was straight out and left leg on my knees.  It was a very good stretch.  I didn't like fell on the ground but I did a very good split and stretch. What I did was I stepped on some water and it's not like a lot of water.  You see, I have sweaty feet and sweaty feet and wet floor is very dangerous.  So that's what happened. And then on top of that, my ankles were badly swollen.  Yes, I lost control of my legs now.  I can't estimate.  I can't even see my feet.  And yesterday, I totally cannot control how I walk.   I am super clumsy and bump into things and knock onto walls and things I cannot imagine of.  I guess my ligaments are really loose now.  I have to be extra careful. After that stretching accident, I felt a little cramp and a little sharp pain below.  I am not sure what it is.  There's no blood though.  I told my colleagues, if I don't dilate, that

Wisdom tooth

Throughout the whole pregnancy, my teeth and gums have been behaving.  Despite the midnight snacking and not brushing my teeth after that and all the acidity from vomiting, my gums did not get swollen and my wisdom teeth did not act on. Now towards the end of pregnancy, both my wisdom tooth (up and down) decided it's time to come out, together with the baby.  Come on! My family says it's because my body is really overheated up.  Like a furnace.  Which I think so too.  With the greenish phlegm and now wisdom tooth, I think my body had it already. A colleague asked what I want to eat.  I said nowadays I don't want to eat anything.  I just want to give birth. For the past 2 days, I have lost my appetite.  Not only that, I feel nauseous.  In fact, I would prefer to eat instant noodles than anything else.  And with the phlegm, it's even harder to go down.  Coz I know for sure it will come out again when I cough. Yesterday I started to eat forbidden food,

Week 38 ~~~ 2 more weeks to go

You know what?  I am not really sure now what's going to happen.  I was expecting that things to flow as it is supposed to be.  But right now, I am really not sure. You see, baby still has not engaged yet.  She did try to squirm her way down and I was feeling it last night.  It was a little like a cramp and then she pressed on my bladder and I felt like I need to pee there and then.  It also felt a little uncomfortable.  This happened after I went shopping with my mom and did a whole lot of walking. But after a good night sleep, she is back up again.   My colleagues remarked that my womb is still high.  My mom said the same.  The panel doctor that I went to see today also said it's quite small.  But since it's my first born, it's probably like that.  Nurses also gave me a shock look when she asked how far along I was and I said 38 weeks.  Same goes for the pharmacist who gave me the medicine and asked which trimester I was in.  But he probably doesn't k

A little update

Now have to visit the gynae every weekly to check progress.  It's a little tiring, the waiting I mean.  4 hours for merely 5-10 minutes and paid RM200 for it. She is 3.1kg now and I asked if I can have a natural delivery and he said I can try. Hmm....try.  Is he pro natural birth or not?  I dare not ask.  But I think I kinda know what he meant. Like if I cannot dilate big enough.  Or if water broke and still not dilated.  Or other complications that required emergency c-sec.   But I can try. I didn't give him a birth plan.  Coz I trust I am in good hands.  I mean we can read all we want on Google and take what Google advises us to do.  But when it comes right down to it, it is up to us if we want to follow or not.  Besides, I am not a medical professional.   He said she is a little on the big side.  But so far, I am all good.  No signs.  She hasn't even engaged yet although head is already downwards.  Enough amniotic fluid.  He did say 3.1kg is only

Facebook friends

About a year and a half ago, I decided to clean my Facebook list.  I put all my Facebook friends who were my secondary school mates to restricted list.  Not only that, I have stopped following some of them.  Especially those with children. I only followed some who post interesting things on Facebook.  I did that because I don't connect with my secondary school friends anymore.  Not since I left school.  And also I felt very negative when I see their lives on Facebook.  Most of them have migrated overseas.  They seem to have such a nice life.  Luxurious and filled with future.  Whereas, I was at the time and place where I couldn't see where I was going. In fact, I was full of envy when I see their pictures.  Their new car, new house, new job, etc.  And to know that someone at my age so successful and I have not reach their pace, I felt even more down. On top of that, at that time I was really struggling with fertility issues.  I can't bear to look at their happy

Disturbing

Update:  Found that this guy is a Taiwanese and involved is pedophilia group in LINE.  And I also heard that there are people who purposely have daughters or sons so that they can sexually abused them.  Or they let others abused.  Sicko.   I read a very disturbing news just now.  It's about a man who is sexually abusing his 2 year old daughter.  He touched his daughter's genitals inappropriately and post the photos on LINE.  I am now even talking about him changing his daughter's diaper and touched or cleaned the genitals or what.  He inserts his fingers into her genitals.  He even put his daughter's hand on his own genitals.  His reasoning was he wants to train his daughter early.  Chinese guy.  Looks like Malaysian.  Sickening. Since there were little details about him, there's nothing the police can do.   I feel like crying.  Because I am going to have a daughter soon.  I would want to protect her to the maximum from all these crazy people.  And to wat

Rude and ill-mannered

Youngster nowadays are so rude and incomprehensible.  I am talking about those Gen-Y going to college right now.   See, I worked in a university.  I see many of them day in day out.  Everyday, there is something to talk about regarding their behaviour, attitude and what not. Why does Gen-Y feels like they own the world?  Is it because of the upbringing?  Is it because the parents give them everything they wanted?   I don't know what's wrong with them.  But I can see they are becoming society's burden.  Rude and foul-mouthed.  I asked myself, is this how I want my kid to be brought up? I can make a list of their weird and strange behaviour which we at Gen-X would not understand. 1. After they have entered the lift, they don't keep the lift doors open.  Twice, I have been knocked when the lifts doors close while I was walking into the lift.   2. They enjoyed chatting in a group and walk in a horizontal row.  They don't care if they blocked any

Week 37 ~~ 3 more weeks to go

Hit with running nose and sore throat, thanks to DH for passing it to me.  It's really not a good time to be sick right now, when all I am doing it to ensure I am in good fit for delivery. Sleep at night has been interrupted so much that I can't really function in the day time.  What's weird is that only at night, baby will try to engage herself.  And because of that, I have to pee more.  And because of that, I can't sleep well. But it doesn't happen in the day time.  Hmm, is this a night baby? Since I haven't been feeling Braxton Hicks, I tried nipple simulation last night by cleaning my nipples.  It worked.  I started having menstrual cramps and backache. But I told myself, never again.  Because as it is, I am sick right now and having those cramps makes it even more uncomfortable. I was given MC to rest today and guess what.  I slept better in the afternoon.  No need to pee so much although I drank tons of water.  Braxton Hicks stopped to

What are signs of labour?

1. Cramping 2. Bloody show 3. Mucous plug came out 4. Water broke 5. Contractions that are very close to each other 6. Very bad backache I am watching all these signs.  But right now, I still don't feel anything.  My colleague said, baby still haven't engaged yet as my womb still looks high.  Sigh. Why am I sighing?  Didn't I wish for baby to come out only when she is due and not too early or too late?  Well, it's because I am peeing so much at night, like every 2 hours from midnight onwards, that I feel so tired the next day due to the lack of sleep.  So much so that I am so tempted to buy adult diapers. As it is, I am like a walking zombie now.  And I was told to relax and sleep more now before baby comes.  How to do that lah? No wonder some women said they got tired of pregnancy towards the end.  I understand now.   I have finally hit 10kg increase.  And if baby comes out in 3 weeks time, I think I would go up to 13kg?   If baby com

Things I do not understand

Sorry, I need to vent.  Need an output for this.  I really cannot stand these issues. 1. Whatsapp Call How many of you actually uses Whatsapp to make calls?  I know it's free, especially if you are overseas and want to make a call back home, it's very useful.   But if you are in Malaysia and you want to use Whatsapp to call because you want to save cost, please do me a favour, use normal call instead, which charges like few cents per minutes.   First off, the reception in Malaysia is so poor and slow that all you get is lagging calls.  You can't even have a proper conversation.  I would rather you send a Whatsapp message instead or better still, Whatsapp voice message. Second, you don't really spend a lot using a normal line to call.  You don't save a lot too if your conversation is just "How are you?" I have a friend whom it's like a "Hi-Bye" friend.  We don't meet much.  Say, once a year during big events?  Otherw

Happy New Year!

Hi everyone!  Happy New Year to everyone!  After a terrible year 2014, I vowed to start every new year with good things.  We made a mistake by starting year 2014 with a quarrel and hence the whole year was just downhill all the way.  And I am serious.   Never Ever Start An Argument or A Quarrel with Anyone on New Year's Day.   So, for 2015, I ensure I started the year with good things.  Meditate with good people.  Eat good food.  Stay good temper.  Year 2016 also was the same.  Because I truly believe now, how you start the new year, will dictate how your whole year will be.  Call me superstitious, but after going through a terrible, horrible year 2014, I will never allowed anyone to start a new year with a quarrel. Remember my colleague who is 2 weeks advance in pregnancy from me?  Well, she has given birth early this morning at almost 39 weeks. As for me, I am approaching 37 weeks.  Hospital bag already packed and ready to be brought.  So far experience very mini