39th week update

Time for another update! School holidays started yesterday, I went back to school just for an hour to finish up some admin work.

The visit to the midwife last week, she gave me lots of info on what to expect on the day of delivery. She said baby's head has gone down a little lower this time! :D My weight went down a little. From 12.5kg gain to 12.35kg. She was curious and mentioned another mummy also had the same issue and said she had lunch before coming in the other time. It was the same for me haha.

We went to book our room type as well. For subsidized we can choose from C, B2 or B2+ ward. I personally went up to the wards to take a look. Hospital directory will not indicate which level has which ward so it was a guessing game for me. I've seen the C and B2 class ward. Though they say its without aircon but there will still be air cooler. So its not so bad. But I wanted to have at least some privacy and basic level of comfort so I chose the B2+ which is actually a room with 5 beds and attached bathroom + aircon. Another tip, B2+ is the most popular among the subsidized wards so there is a high chance you might get an upgrade :D

I collected my photos last Friday too. Let me share some here...



Beautiful memories, I really encourage all expectant mothers to go for it at least once. I know some of you might be feeling self-concious about your body but you will not have your pregnant body forever. To me its even more important than wedding photos! These were taken one month ago on Valentine's Day. I passed the 38th week mark already :O

Met up with Linda and Wen on Sunday, went to SSC, not sure when will be the next outing? :( They might need to come over more often.

The baby cot is here today! I find that its a little big, but its still beautiful! I can imagine myself going into the room many times a day just to look at baby Zac... Mummy can't wait for you to be here. I love you <3.

I've finally gotten down to packing my hospital bag. The next few days will be about cleaning and tidying the house. More things to buy... OK time for a short nap. Till the next time... :D

Pre-mummy jitters

Sleepless nights, thinking about the impending birth. Worried about the pain (how can a baby go through down there??), worried about having to go through a c-sect if failure to progress. How bad would the pain be, will it warrant an epidural? Should I? Worried about not being able to breastfeed/low supply. Hubby admitted he is also 'scared'.

Reading about birth experiences doesn't help either, I'm curious la. Can't help looking. Also been reading lots of different stories mummies everywhere been through, trying to conceive, stillbirths, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage. Every woman who becomes a mother (or has the desire to be one) seems to share an unspoken bond.

I was just telling hubby its now 一天过一天. I'm at 37 weeks, day 3 - 19 more days. My appointment with the midwife this Friday again, and I wonder if I can make it to the next appointment?

There were some points during the pregnancy I asked "What did I get myself into??" Am I ready?? But other times we talk about when we are going to have a second one... haha

I guess we can never be ready.

I don't really like the month of March, I don't find any dates that look nice. But I thought my original EDD 30th March looks nice. That would be 40 Weeks + 1 Day. I told baby, can come out on that day?? :D

2 more working days excluding today. I will have 2 weeks of rest/preparation. Just waiting for time to pass and preparing to hand over.

Yesterday I took over the class for my colleague. Those adorable kids. Gonna miss them. When I'm back from long leave they would soon be in Primary 5, how fast kids grow up! One of the triplet asked me, "Why is your nose so red?" I replied, red and big right?? Then I told her that there are many changes when a woman is pregnant. she later add on, "how come your tummy become bigger but not your other parts?"

I felt better after that haha.

My maternity photos are ready! Gonna collect them this Friday too. I planned quite a number of things for this Friday. Planning to do my hair, go for my appointment, collect the photos, will be having dinner with the bridesmaid team.

I'm actually craving for apple strudel now... Can I fly to Australia for one? I missed the one my cousin brought back, had it during CNY! yummy.

I shall end off with a picture of my bump at exactly 37 weeks!

See you soon my cutie pie...

Officially full-term

Here I am at 5am, wide awake in bed. Oh Zac is starting to move again <3 it's really any time from now. Want to thank God for His promise, that this baby will indeed be carried to full-term. That's what He assured me when I often have fears of losing baby.

An update on the midwife visit on Friday, I tested negative for the Strep B test!! Woohoo one thing off my mind, another small step towards a smooth delivery. Baby's head still not engaged yet. In just one week I gained another 1kg - total weight gain: 12.5kg

Been reading up on cord blood banking and we decided to donate it to the Singapore Cord Blood Bank. My takeaway is that if baby has any kind of illness later in life, his own cord blood might not be suitable as it already contains the defective cells? No point banking it for private use, might as well donate it for someone else to benefit from it. See baby, you are saving lives the moment you are born and I'm so proud of you!

After midwife appointment and signing forms for cord blood donation I went for a short session on breastfeeding. Previously I attended Mrs Wong Boh Boi's antenatal class and it covered this topic. However I felt I needed a refresher and I'm glad I went for it! 

Hubby had already gone for his meeting after seeing the midwife together with me. After the session I had a sudden thought to go take a look at the nursery. Felt a little emo when I saw those babies...

I was in need of a mani/pedi so I went back to Northpoint. Removed my CNY gelish (not bad it lasted me for a good 2 weeks plus). Also did a classic pedicure, needed to get rid of the dead skin and trim my toe nails as well. It's getting uncomfortable to do it on my own. I might go back again before I give birth. The lady serving me was not bad! The price was reasonable as well at $35, I could do this more often :D

Hot pink on my toes! Can't stop admiring them though my feet is not the prettiest part of me. I always find that they look dark and dirty :S Slight swelling as you can see. I refer to them as sausage toes haha!

Had dinner, went home and waited for CG members to arrive. 

Been craving for Teh O... 

Discovered something funny when I saw myself walking towards the mirror. The bear on my nightie looks 3D due to my belly haha!! And when I walk it looks animated like the bear is tilting its head left and right!!! I showed hubby and he found it so cute!! Haha the position is perfect!

It's 6am now on a Sunday morning! It's my last week at work before I go on leave. I will have about 2 weeks of rest and preparation if baby arrives around EDD. Next appt with midwife will be on Friday again. So just another 4 more days of work.

Ok I should try to get back to sleep!

Days out of school

I've basically been out of school for most days this week. Last Friday I went to KKH, Mon and Tues I was on medical leave, and tomorrow I am going to the midwife again. I'm hoping I do not have the Strep B bacteria so that would be one less thing I need to worry about.

So I made use of the days at home to clean and pack the house (especially baby's room). I didn't buy a lot of stuff for baby and was unpacking and feeling really thankful for all the hand-me-downs and brand new stuff friends and colleagues have given to me.

I've been so emotional recently. I cried wondering if I will be a good mother. I was literally sobbing. I told hubby sometimes I feel like we are still kids and now we gonna have a kid of our own. I was at kiddy palace yesterday and looking at all the baby stuff made me feel so blessed that I have a son.

More people have commented on my huge oily, red nose!!! I'm not upset at them but I wish it wasn't that prominent! Its like the first thing people see when they look at me!!! In fact I think my face look kinda different.

But besides that I really do not have any uncomfortable symptoms at the 37th week (Yes I am officially full-term this Sunday!). It's been really a breeze. No aches even though I still do housework (laundry, vacuuming, dusting). Cramps are very minimal. Its just my NOSE, UNDERARMS, WEAK/ACHY FINGER JOINTS, FEELING WARM, STRETCH MARKS.

Some people commented "You are so fit/strong." Actually I wonder does a person's fitness level have anything to do with how their body handle pregnancy? Because I know I'm not the fittest person around. Not exercising regularly since 10 years ago and food choices not as healthy as before. 

One example, I just had laksa, and I finished the gravy. Who eats laksa on a hot hot day in a non air conditioned place, on top of increasing body heat in late pregnancy?? 

Entering 37 weeks

Went to the midwife today for strep B test. Just a swab below, simple and straightforward. Nothing much to report as usual. Hopefully I do not have the bacteria so I don't need to be administered antibiotics during labour.

Was more curious to find out how much weight I gained. From last month, I only gained additional 1.5kg. Not too bad. A total of 11.5kg weight gain so far. Started at 53kg and weigh 64.5kg now. 

Baby's head is still down but not engaged yet. Will be going back for the next appointment in a week's time. I asked the midwife if I will be seeing doc or doing anymore scan, she said no unless I have not delivered by 39 weeks. Well I guess if baby's fine and I am well, there's no need for it. That's how the subsidized system works.

Let's see if the subsidized scheme really is much cheaper than going private. If not, the next time I might as well choose private.

Feeling a little depressed when I see myself in the mirror. Seems like more stretch marks appearing. Not on my belly but my upper thighs and possibly under my boobs and on my lower back just above my butt. Oh did I mention I already have very old stretch marks (already white) on my butt due to puberty? My consolation: they are hidden as long as I am clothed. I think when they fade to white I will feel much better as fresh marks are like purple/red.

They say gaining weight gradually and applying lotion helps but I still couldn't prevent it so, I guess I am genetically predisposed to it. Some people who are much bigger dun get them at all, so it's not about your size.

My underarms look very dark and dirty but people say it will go away so I'm not so concerned about that.

Knowing how vain I am, this the sacrifice I made to have baby Zac. No regrets!

34th week

Time flies, it's already halfway through the school term! I will be finishing my lessons before Chinese New Year.

This also means I'm inching closer to seeing Zac... I try not to think too much about it because I will be worried that I can't handle labour pains. So I am enjoying now! I believe in visualizing and speaking out: I will have a smooth and fast natural delivery, no tear, manageable pain, baby and I safe and sound.

Of course if things don't turn out as I wished I will trust doctor's decision. Health and safety of mother and baby are most important. Although I really hope I do not have to go through a C-Sect.

Zac's movements are so vigorous everyday, sometimes I am concerned, is he getting enough sleep?? haha

But every time I feel so comforted when he moves, and I will acknowledge him by patting or stroking my belly. I will tell him "Yes, mummy is here, mummy love you." His hiccups are so strong now, I can see my belly 'bouncing'.

Current pregnancy symptoms, as usual nothing much to report on. Except for achy finger joints. I have also gained 10kg! I tell myself its all the baby and not me! Don't want to worry about gaining weight, most importantly baby must be healthy.

Went to see the midwife last Friday. No scanning was done but just to feel baby's position and measure heart rate. I already knew baby was head down ever since the last scan and I keep telling him to stay there! Midwife also showed me roughly how big is baby's head! She also informed me will be doing the Strep B test next appointment. A pity that my appointment falls on the day we have our Mass ALC Meeting.

Upcoming events for week 6:
1) I am going for my maternity photoshoot! Don't wanna miss this important milestone in my life!
2) Dasha's wedding :D

Week 7:
1) End of SDR and Chinese New Year week!

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.