I Am Free - Officially

Yeah baby, you heard me right... I am officially free. Free from pantang, duh.... What were you thinking about ?

Which means, baby Elisha is officially 1 month old already. She is growing very well. Next week will be her first check-up (6 weeks after delivery). Wonder what her weight will be, coz a week after she was born, her weight went up by more than 500g.

Thank you Lord.

Confinement - My Second Experience

My first confinement wasn't easy - I had post-partum blues, Daniel was admitted to the hospital for 4 days due to jaundice, I had difficulties eating the food my mum prepared and a long list of other issues.

Determined to have a better confinement this time, me and my mum made some slight changes to how things work. First, I dislike eating ginger, and you know for Chinese during confinement, ginger is a must. You practically eat, drink, bath with ginger - tons of eat. During my first time, my mum cut big pieces of ginger to cook with, and I was expected to eat that ginger, along with rice and others. Guess what I did - yup, I finished all the rice, and threw away those big pieces of ginger. This time, I asked my mum to slice the ginger and have it fried till golden brown. Its working coz I am finishing the entire plate - rice and ginger as well.

Second, during confinement, people normally cook using rice wine, which was what I had during my first time. And again, picky me, did not attempt to drink that rice wine that was cooked with the dishes, and into the dustbin those rice wine went. This time, my mum did not but any rice wine, but instead, she bought ginger wine, which I found taste better than rice wine. Again, this time, I finished all my food.

Thirdly, Chinse custom believed that we should avoid bathing as much as possible so that the "wind" won't be able to enter the body. Living in a hot and humid country with no bath was something unimaginable. But thanks to the advancement of technology, herbs that was needed to be picked are now readily available in simple packaging. One packet per day, with boiled water, was something which I looked forward to everyday.

Fourthly, I managed to find a lady to come to the house for "urut" session on the 2nd week of confinement. In a way, it helps alot to dispel wind that was already in the body. During my first confinement, I never thought of seeking one in the first place. Only after confinement, my mum's neighbour saw that I was very pale that she asked me to go for urut.

All in all, the second time was definately much better, and I have 3 more days to go before I officially can go jalan-jalan outside.

D Day Has Come.... Finally

The date is 24th October 2011, and I woke up with a feeling, "This is gonna be another long preggy day for me... " Received a message early in the morn from my colleague, asking me whether I'll be attending the training on vibration today. Thus I replied, "Yes, I'll be there" since I am not giving birth at any time.

Syg was abit jealous, coz I get to wake up later since my training venue was only a 5 mins drive away. This morning, syg decided to speak to the baby, telling the baby where to go out... It was kinda funny, but at the same time, I felt as though the baby heard the daddy's voice because I started feeling contraction there and then. So throughout the whole day of training, I was 1/3 listening, 1/3 replying office email, and 1/3 counting and timing my contraction.

I was lucky coz the training finished earlier. So, by 4pm, I reached home and continue to reply emails and settle some other issues. It was raining quite heavily when I had to make a run (in a car, of course) to the nearby shop to print out something. Brought Daniel back ealier and cooked dinner for all of us. The minute syg reached home, I told him, "Let's go hospital once we finished our dinner."

I have never seen an atmosphere where the two boys were absolutely in hyper mood. Was it because somehow they knew ? Anyway, we had to drop Daniel off with my mum, since we are not sure if I'll be sent back or admitted straight away. By this time, the contraction is pretty close - about 10mins per contraction, which lasts about 45 seconds to 1 minute.

By the time we reached hospital, I was brought to the labor room to be checked for the following: a) baby's heartbeat, b) contraction and its duration. The nurse was very nice and she told us the contraction is indeed about 7mins apart, but unfortunately, the opening was only 1cm. Long time more. So I asked them, "Does this mean we can go back to the house?" She said she will need to check with my gynae first. After giving a call to my gynae, the result was to have me admit to the wad awaiting delivery. While syg went and proceed with admission process, I was lying down, still counting my contractions. Finally, we have our room - Room 249. The last time, it was room 246. Hehehe...

Luckily, TV2 was airing Nujum Pak Belalang at that night, so we were watching the show, enjoying as though we were holidaying. As midnight is approaching, the contraction was getting more and more painful, until I had to ask syg to get the nurse in for a checkup. As the nurse checked me, she was in for a surprise. I had dilated and the opening is now 5cm. I was wheeled to the labor room at midnight, and in the labor room, the pain was getting worse till at one time I was almost screaming while being put on with the laughing gas. The nurse kept telling, "Don't push yet, don't push yet. Doc will be here soon,"

"Where the hell is the doctor", screamed my heart. I knew this baby is impatient to come out, as the baby was already trying to push her way down and out. Finally the doctor arrived and straight away they prepared me for delivery. It wasn't very long, by 2nd push the baby was out, and of course, it caused me quite a few stiches as well. All in all, 40mins in the labour room was all it took.

So, there you are - Elisha Egbert Adolf, borned on the 25th October 2011. Indeed God answered my prayer for a quick and short delivery, albeit no less painful than the first one. This time it was too quick till I didn't even have the time for painkiller injection and vacuum extract. Good sign, I guessed. But still doc has to burst my water bag first, and from my syg told me, the entire waterbag wanted to come out already, showing how impatient this baby girl was.

All I can say after the delivery ordeal was - "Praise the Lord, thank you Jesus."

Week 39 Going To 40

Here I am still waiting for d day ! Still working, attending meetings and training. Wondering if baby really decide to come out early or will I be induce ? People around me was already asking when will I pop ? I wish I knew the answer, and frankly speaking, that question has started giving a toll on me... Maybe because I thought the 2nd pregnancy will follow like the first one, which was 2 weeks earlier. I guess I had no choice. Just have to wait for nature to take control.

Week 38 Going To 39

Yes, I am still here.... My stomach has not pop yet. I am still pregnant. Don't ask me why, me too can't wait for the day to come....

Baby, o baby.... Mummy can't wait to see you already....

Getting Ready For Baby No. 2

Unlike the excitement of getting ready for first baby, this time, is mainly down to washing and cleaning. Basically, we bought all the necessary items like pampers, the first pair of new born clothe for baby upon discharge from the hospital, baby bath, milk bottles, clothes for 1 year old (don't ask me why, but is just that we did it for Daniel, so we are doing it again for the 2nd baby), mittens, and towels.

While the rest of the clothing will be those hand-me-downs. Mum believed that baby will grow faster wearing these hand-me-down clothing. I am ok with it, since Daniel also wore the same. Save our budget actually. Baby cot is there, pillows and bolsters for baby are also hand-me-down but it was brand new since it was actually a gift for Daniel but we never got around opening it for him.

We bought a new mobile cabinet for the two of them. Can't fit into our cabinet already. Let see, what else we have prepared - new blanket, new air-cond (more for mummy's comfort and to save electrical bill actually).

I am praying this time I would be able to breastfeed my baby immediately after birth. I still remembered the distress I had with Daniel for the 1st month. He practically closes his mouth and not willing to breastfeed at all. I do not know whether to cry or to laugh at that time. Hopefully this time, the baby will be more receptive. Hehehe...

So, all in all, we are ready for you, baby. Mummy is praying that you will come out soon, k....

Baby In Breech Position at 36 Weeks

It was a nightmare to me to hear that my baby suddenly decide to do sommersault and be in a "breech position" on the Week 36, approaching 37.

Imagined my surprise when all this while the baby was resting nicely in a vertex position, and suddenly 2-weeks ago, the head was at the top. I did felt the baby movement was slightly peculiar that week coz I noticed the "punching" at the bottom of my stomach was rather forceful. Looks like it was actually the leg kicking forcefully. Doc asked me not to worry as the baby still has time and room to turn about, but need to bear in mind, as the time goes by, the room will be getting smaller and smaller as the baby grows bigger and bigger and may end up not having enough room to turn back. And I may have to be ready for a C-Sec.

The following week, I was doing some reasearch on how to encourage my baby to be back at the Vertex position. The safest way was by placing music at the bottom of my stomach to encourage the baby to "swim" to the sound. So I did just that. I put on the music, I placed one pair of earphone at the bottom of my stomach and another pair on my ear (coz mummy also wants to listen to music ma...) and prayed that the baby will be guided to where the sound came from.

I did just that for the entire week, hoping and praying that it will do. I was kinda scared but anxious as well awaiting my next checkup, unsure if the baby is still in a breech position.

When it comes to the day of checkup, doc was asking me how I felt. I told him truthfully that I felt the movement much stronger at the top of my stomach, rather than at the bottom, but I was unsure if the baby has turn around or not. He said, "Let's check if the baby is behaving well or not." This was one time that I went up the bed with an anxious/scared feeling. What if what I felt was not correct and the baby was still in a breech position ?

As the doc did the ultrasound, he first went up on my stomach. As I looked with anxiety on the screen, I saw the leg bone. And immediately, I felt a sense of relief. That was my baby leg. To confirm, doc went to the bottom of my stomach and did the scan. Yes! My baby's head is there, in a vertex position. How very relief am I, knowing that I will have a natural birth, instead of a C-Sec.

So, here I am, on a week 37, approcahing 38 in few more days. Am hoping that my baby will be just like the elder brother who decides he wanna see the world earlier by 2 weeks. Hahahaha....

Thank you Lord, for listening to our prayer and to Mother Mary, for interceding for us...

A Family of Three... Soon To Be Four

Yes, I am expecting ....

In fact, our second baby will be due in another 10 weeks time... I continue to pray that it will be a smooth delivery and the baby will be a healthy baby... Please pray for us yeah...

Thanks.

2nd Baby ?

Ummm, by right, this should be the year to try for our 2nd baby... By God's grace, Daniel should have another brother or sister to play with end of the year (that's our target actually).

Hopefully, we will get a pair (I do love if the next baby will gonna be a baby gal) but all I hope for is we will get a baby that is healthy, regardless of the gender.

Though I have some worries of my work, well that is because all the equipments will be install, test and commission by this year. I hope I'll be able to plan the delivery till end of the year.

Wish us luck.

Masih Ada Bapa Yang Macam Ini Ke ?

Today Harian Metro reported this on their front page - Benci Dapat Bayi Perempuan

In an era as advance as it, you'll still find some men living in the era of neolitics where only boys are favoured and girls are meant to be tortured. I do hope the authorities will impose jail terms on this man for his unacceptable cruelty, both towards the wife and the baby.

I detest these kind of man totally !

Audrey and Daniel

The two cousins... Wondering what are they talking about ...

Back To Work Again

I started working as of 16 Feb 2009, after 2 months of maternity leave.

How should I describe my feeling - I am contented by just staying at home and looking after Daniel and the house, but at the same time, I am also looking forward to come back to the office.

Anyway, lets not dwell on the possibility of staying at home full time for it is not possible. Not when we need the money to pay our house loan and other expenses...

So, when am I gonna get rich so that I can goyang kaki at home ? Never mind, the Lord has blessed me and family in every way. He tends to all our needs as He said "My grace is sufficient for you..."

More on Daniel

Labour Experience - Part 2

Meanwhile, Hamid was doing all the admission process on my behalf. Initially, we wanted a 2-bedded room, to save some cost but some how I feared that it will be dragged till past midnight and I am sure I wouldnt wanna stay alone in the hospital. So when I managed to called up my syg using the public phone, I asked him if it is ok to take single room and he agreed. At the same time, he was trying to get back to KL from KK, waiting on the standby list.

Finally I got my room - thanks to Hamid who was there for me. A true friend indeed. And I managed to called up my mum to tell her that I will be in the hospital. She came over later, bringing some food and clothes for me to bath before I go for labour. And the time I admitted to the hospital was around 4.30 pm. And up till 11pm, it is still 2cm dilated, and my syg tak sampai-sampai lagi...

Finally, my syg arrived at the hospital around 12.30am, and by 1am, I started having more intense and frequent pain. That time I was 4cm dilated. The pain continued and I had to ask for painkillers as I couldnt stand. It doesnt take away the pain, it just sort of make it more bearable. It also helps to expediated the dilation. By 3 something, blood started oozing out and I was 7cm dilated. I was pushed in to the labour room and then that was when the "real" pain really started.

I dun think I wanna describe how the pain was coz no words can describe it. Praise the Lord that Daniel Egbert Adolf was finally born at 4.12am. Weighing at 2.97kg, he was just perfect. And with a very loud cry too !

After all the ordeal, all I can say was - "Syukur pada Tuhan."

Due to some problems with uploading the pics, I shall upload Daniel's pic another time.

Labour Experience - Part 1

From the start, Dr told me that my EDD (Expected Delivery Date) shall be 2 Jan 2009. But cautioned me to get prepared starting from 2 weeks before EDD.

I was thinking to only get ready like few days before EDD. Even my leave application was stated from 26 Dec onwards. But God knows better.

On the 17 morn, I woke up as usual - go take my bath but without my syg. My syg has gone to KK for an audit and was expected to be back only on the 19 Dec. That morn, I felt something differrent. My stomach was having kinda contractions rather frequently but not that painful. I took my bath as usual and then off to work. As these contractions are happening rather frequently, I gave a call to my syg... I even cried on the phone (mo mintak simpati kan) but I know he couldnt do much... I looked up on the internet on the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and labour contractions.

So, here I am - thinking that "Ok, this should be false labour contractions. Nothing to worry about."

Mind you, the interval for each contraction was every 7 mins one contraction. And that has been going on since morn. My mum was rather concerned about my state especially during night when Egbert is not around.

Finally I decided to give a call to my Dr but he was not around so I spoke to the nurse - Kak Zai, who was assisting my Dr all the while. So, I explained to her my current conditionsand she got a bit worried. She told me she will call up my Dr to ask for guidance and later, will return my call. So I waited for her to call. That was around 2.30 pm. When she called me back, she said Dr's instructions was to admit to hospital ASAP for a checkup. I got a bit panic. But still ok - I called up my syg and my mum and told them about going to the hospital. I was planing to drive to hospital alone as I was still working that time. So I told my colleague about my plan to leave early. They in turn got panic hearing that I was planning to drive to hospital alone. One of my colleague manage to talk some sense into me that it isnt safe to drive alone, and that he will send me to the hospital.

So, I packed my laptop and other things but I didnt manage to hand over my work to other colleagues but I guessed it couldnt be helped. So Hamid, my colleague drove me back to my house to grab my labour bag and then we head to hospital.

At the hospital, I went to the Emergency straight away. As they had been notified of my condition prior to my arrival, I was taken to the labour room for a checkup. And indeed, my contraction intervals was every 7 mins and when the nurse inspected me, I was already dilated with 2 cm and I need to be admitted to the hospital immediately.

"Oh no, this is it." And my phone battery went dead. I got a bit scared as I fear I will be alone during labour. So I search for phone charger frantically. Failing that, I went in search for a public phone. Thank goodness I had coins with me.

New Baby Cot for Our Baby

Yeah yeah... I am so happy. We went to Ikea yestersday, shopping for our baby and finally, we found our baby cot. Cost us RM169 just for the cot, RM50 for the mattress, RM59 for the cover surrounding the cot (in case baby's legs or hands decide to get tanggled up). So, all in all, we spent about RM278 just for the bed. Oh, the daddy bought one small, miniature lion (the type where you slip your hand into it and start talking as though is the lion that talks) to as well which cost about RM12.90.

Then we got some other stuff for the new house. I can't wait to move in - I wanna assemble the cot, put away all the new household items that we have bought, do some cleaning up and settle down before the arrival of the baby.

Mom got some news that they are planning to hand over the keys on the 20th Dec but as of now, the owner has not contacted me at all as to when they are planning to hand over the keys. I am really crossing my fingers that they will hand over to us by 20th. That will at least give us some time to settle our things. Not that we can do any renovations at all, at least not until after my confinement.

Lets just cross our fingers and hope that good news will be awaiting for us.

Baby Cot or Playpen

** Updated **
Ok, looks like we made up our mind to go for baby cot. Thanks to the input by Sharin and Yantie...

Now, is time to start survey for one. Malaysia's grand sale starting this weekend, right? Anyone knows where to get a good and affordable baby cot?


** Previous **

I still couldnt make up my mind - to buy a baby cot or a baby playpen ?

Which one is better ?

Play Pen by Graco (cost about RM549)

Baby Cot by IKEA

Playpen is used to place the baby temporarily while we go and do other things. Playpen won't be able to support baby till 1 year old. Baby Cot seems to last longer, according to what I read.

Um ..... Still thinking ....

Susah la ini macam... Sleep with mummy only la ... But scared la terhimpit my baby nanti ... Hehehehehe ....

Must go back and consult my syg first. Syg, any suggestion ?

34th Week of Pregnancy

My stomach is getting bigger, my legs are getting bigger, even my fingers are getting bigger...

**Sigh**

It seems every part of me is getting bigger. "I long to wear jeans" was what I told syg the other day .. "Sabar", he said ... Or at least I think that was what he said ... Hehehehehe....

Another 6 more weeks to go, but Dr said to get ready by 38 weeks coz baby can decide to come out from week 38 onwards...

So far, my baby is healthy. Of course la healthy, the mummy also healthy what. But I am truly thankful, coz I could say I had a rather smooth pregnancy. No morning sickness, occasional nausea for a month, and I can still "larat" to drive till now... Hehehehe....

God has truly blessed us.

Thank you ...

Holiday Mood

I must still be on holiday mood .... Nothing much interesting nowadays, not even politics interest me anymore. To me, it is just playacting by people who worries whether they have enough power or not.

We, the normal living people, is struggling daily to make decent living. With house and baby coming hand-in-hand, I am now beginning to wish that I will win in contests that offer cash as prize .... Blink, blink .... $$$$$$. Or maybe I should start buying lottery numbers - nah, it will be a waste of money. Probability of me to "kena" any number is extremely low.

I guess I need to ikat my perut (not that I can ikat much pun, with the baby growing inside me... hehehe ... wishful thinking, you may say) so that I can save up enough money ... But I trust in my Lord - He will provide all that I ever need (I also wish for a normal delivery on my expected delivery date which is 2 Jan 2009).

I have another 12 weeks to go - approx. 3 more months... Wish me luck !

Monthly Checkup

We went for our monthly checkup last Sat.

Was planning to consult doc on the various issues like :

1. Am I still having UTI (Urinary Track Infections) ?
2. Result of Triple Test ?
3. My weight ?
4. Feotal movement
5. Travelling by plane

Let me explain the first one. What is UTI ?

UTI is actually the presence of bacteria found in the urine, which if it is not treated, it will lead to kidney problems which will lead to premature birth. Naturally, I was worried when the hospital called me 2 weeks ago to ask me to come to the hospital. I asked the nurse what was wrong. Was it something wrong with my blood test a.k.a Triple Test ? She said no, it was the urine test. The pathology lab found traces of bacteria in it. So, I asked her - is it serious ? She put me to talk to Dr. BK Tan. So, doc assured me that it is not so serious but I still need to take some antibiotic. I went to the hospital 2 days later to get the antibiotic. I opted not to see the doc as doc said it is not critical and I can choose to see him according to my scheduled appointment.

So, after 1 week of taking the antibiotics, and another week of waiting, I went for my monthly checkup last Sat. This time doc even told me how to "catch" the urine sample, and truth betold - my urine test was fine. All I need to do is just to wipe it clean, release the first stream of urine (and beware not to let the urine touches the side of the vagina as this is where all the bacteria stays) and catch it. Hehehehe.... So glad that it was because of my worng technique.

Result of Triple Test

Triple test was actually a blood test. They called it Triple because it includes a test to check the percentage of the baby having Down Syndrome. Doc told me that this test is a must in other countries but in Malaysia, the government does not enforce it. But now, most of private hospital encourage their patients to do this test. I did a check on the Internet as well and found that even goevernment hospitals in countries like UK made this test a compulsory test.

And the result came out is NEGATIVE. Meaning to say, the chances of my baby having down syndrom is 1 in every 50,000 babies. Which is small. So, now I don't have to worry about my baby having Down Syndrome. God's blessing is certainly upon us.

My Weight

This is also another issue that I am afraid. The last check-up I have gained 3 kg and now the recent check up, I have gained another 3 kg. All in all, from the first check to the fourth checkup, I have gained a total of 8kg. Scary or not ? Doc said it is a little higher than the normal 2 kg, which I should gain in a month. I am still within the normal range - 8 to 12 kg for the whole of 9 months. Um, what should I do ? Can't go on diet. Jus have to make sure I eat healthy food, exercise a bit (which is something I did not do at all) and stay out of junk food. I must also try and eat small bits but frequent, rather than eating all the time. I hope this time I can manage to stay within the average rate.

Feotal Movement

I mentioned to doc that I am still unable to recognize any feotal movement. Sometimes it made me kinda scared not feeling any movement. Is my baby alive or what ? So, last Sat, I asked the Doc to show me the feotal movement. And my God, the feeling of watching the baby arm raised up, flexing his tiny fingers was indeed a joy to look at. And it is a marvelous feeling having watched the tiny one moving in your stomach and to learn it is slowly growing. My baby at this moment doesnt move a lot. He only raised up is arms once a while, flexing his fingers or gripping it. How I wish I can have this kind of monitor at home so that I can watch to my heart's content the movement of my baby. Hehehehehe....

Travelling By Plane

I will be going back to Sabah this Thurs, together with syg. So, need to get doc's consent whether I am ok to fly or not. Doc said is ok. I am only 21 weeks. is only when I am 28 weeks and above that I shouldnt be travelling at all.

So, all in all, I am healthy, my syg is healthy and my baby is healthy. Thanks be to God.

Muahhh ....