Scare #1

Everything was going well in the first trimester until when I was into my 10th week.

One day after returning from work, I discovered I had brown discharge down there, which looked like blood. I started to panic and I told hubby about it. So many thoughts were going through my mind:

"I need to get to the hospital quickly!"

"Will baby be ok?"

"What if we lose baby??"

"I'm so scared!"

Besides the bleeding, I did not experience any pain or discomfort. Hubby came back and brought me to the nearby KTPH.

I was made to lie down and rest for awhile. It was so dramatic, I was transferred to KKH in an ambulance. Turned out I should have gone directly to KKH instead as KTPH don't have an ob/gyn or the facilities to check me.

When I reached KKH I had to wait to be seen by the doctor. From 7pm when I first discovered to the time I eventually saw the doctor, it was already about 11.30pm. Imagine the anxiety for almost 5 hours, not knowing if baby was ok. I cried at one point, asking hubby what if we lost baby.

The gynae at the 24-hour clinic put me at ease. She assured me it was very common and since the blood was not bright red, it could have meant that it was just old blood clearing from the system. After which, she proceeded to do a scan.

My cheeky little baby was moving so much! From the previous time at 6 weeks I saw him as a little wormie, I could now see his limbs and head clearly! His hands were moving frantically! (except I could not feel him yet as he was still so tiny, deep in my womb)

My anxiety dissipated and I was overjoyed. I told myself that God knew I can't wait to see baby so He set this up so I can see him before my next appointment . It was a blessing in disguise!

First Gynae Consultation at KKH

If I remember correctly, Hubby and I went for our first appointment when I was about 4 weeks pregnant. Naturally, we were very excited to see our baby!

But to our disappointment, all we could see was this:

The water bag? Doctor commented it was still too early too be seen. I actually started to worry if baby is alright.

Thus we were told to come back 2 weeks later... and finally saw a little wormie!!

I think that was the first time we saw baby's heart beating strong as well! Every little milestone was important to us!

My EDD was adjusted from 30th March to 29th March which was not much of a difference, although I thought 30th March looks like a nicer date. Haha. Most people don't give birth on their EDD anyway, it's just an estimate.

The consultation was short and sweet as I didn't have any symptoms or discomfort to report to the doctor. But after that I told hubby I should have done my homework and prepare a list of questions to ask her!

Unpleasant experience at the GP

After finding out I'm pregnant, we couldn't contain our excitement.

We told some of our close friends and dropped hints at our family members. *Yes, I didn't wait for 3 months to pass.*

I was told by my colleague to get a referral letter from the polyclinic so that I can be on the subsidized scheme at KKH.

My experience with a GP at the polyclinic was highly unpleasant. It was in the late afternoon when I saw her and I told her I missed my period and tested positive using a pregnancy test kit. I added that I would like to have a referral letter to KK. The first words she uttered were "Oh no."

Really? How professional.

She quickly sent me down to do a urine test and obviously it came back positive.

Moments later she saw me again and broke the seemingly 'not so happy' news to me. Trust me, it wasn't like how I saw in dramas. I did not hear the famous "Congratulations! You are expecting!".

"Yes, you're pregnant. You know you need to do family planning right??" She frowned. She made it sound like I got myself in deep trouble and I have to start clearing my mess. Afterward, I ask for a medical certificate and she berated me as I was not actually sick. Excuse me, how was I suppose to get the referral letter if I don't come in during office hours??? She gave me one reluctantly.

I got the referral letter and it stated something like 'to terminate'. I was disturbed by those terms but I did not want to assume that it was what I thought.

So when I was called up by KKH to go for my appointment, to our horror, this GP sent in a referral for me to go for an abortion!

Needless to say I lodged a complain with the polyclinic. Someone called me and apologized to me, explaining that the doctor was new to the polyclinic, the director had spoken to her, etc. I did not get nasty with her but I thought to myself, you don't need to apologize, that doctor should be sorry about it.

Till today I do not know why she made those statements. I did not, ever, mention anything about terminating the pregnancy. In fact when I saw her, I was really cheerful and smiley because I was elated!!

Was it because I look young?
Was it my attire? (I wore leggings and a tunic, shoes) I wasn't in fbt shorts and slippers ok!

She should never make those statements to anyone. Even if she thought I was a teenage mum who got pregnant out of wedlock. That was just so wrong.

I'm pregnant!

We started trying to conceive (TTC) about 5 months after getting married.

Our wedding shoot in Taiwan June 2013 ❤️

So... what's the rush? Firstly, I had the desire to be a mother since I was really young, like when I was in Secondary School! I would look at all the pregnant ladies and smile to myself. They look so blissful!!! What a blessing it was for them to carry a child inside them!

W and I had been dating for really long, since I was 16. We felt ready to move on from 2 to 3 :) Transitioning from dating to married life was not drastic as we knew each other practically inside out.

I wanted to have all my kids before I turn 30. That's my aim. Further education, career, money, can wait but my body cannot. Furthermore, I have been hearing from others that children don't come by so easily. Though I have to be honest, financially it will be a little tight for us but I also believe in a God who provides. When He gives us the desire, He makes sure to provide for it as well!

So after 3 months and 4 cycles later, God blessed us with a child!

I had to admit, though it wasn't a long time compared to others, I could still understand how it feels every time my period arrived. It was quite upsetting and I remembered crying once. It was on the last cycle that I just told myself: Whatever! I can't force it to happen, it had to be God's timing.

32nd Week

I'm officially in my 32nd week of pregnancy. All is well so far. I must say I am one of the very lucky few to experience a very smooth pregnancy.
1) I did not have morning sickness. I'm not sure if genes play a part as my mother did not have MS as well.
2) I did not develop any aversions to any food/drinks/smells.
3) Neither did I have strong cravings e.g. getting hubby to run out at midnight to get me durians from Geylang!
4) No giddiness (except for 2 times when I was on the train)
5) No constipation, in fact my bowels were much more regular than before.
6) NO ACNE!!! my oily skin was my biggest worry and I was on prescription topical medication before trying to conceive. I was afraid I would break out horribly.
7) No water retention... so far
8) No backache
9) No problems sleeping
10) No breathlessness
I would like to thank God that my body adjusted well to the pregnancy hormones. I actually felt so good being pregnant, hubby says I look beautiful <3 I still chase after the bus and skip down the stairs haha!!
Some effects which I didn't really like:
1) My underarms are so discoloured... they look horrible. (I have a tendency to have hyperpigmentation as I'm of a darker skin tone)
2) I see some emerging stretchmarks on my left thigh. Though they are very little, some days they look like they are non-existent. I hope they go away.
3) I was really, really, really, really tired in my 1st trimester.
4) I had 2 episodes of upset stomach, diarrhea when no one else had (though we all had the same food). I'm not sure if it was due to being pregnant. But I felt so bad that ZacZac was not getting food. Some of those days I cry and tell him I'm sorry I got no appetite for food. (later on I learnt that our body has 2/3 weeks of reserves for baby to tap on!)
5) Having more urges to go to the toilet
These aside, there were times we were so worried and unsure whether baby would be fine. More about it another time :)