Can Drinking Young Coconut Water Prevent Jaundice?

During the recent Chinese New Year (CNY) break, we went back to my husband's hometown, Sungai Petani.

My husband was persuaded by his elder brother to go and pluck fresh young coconuts, as according to him his 2 sons were free from jaundice after his wife drank young coconut water during her pregnancies.  My mother-in-law also said the same.  

Personally, I do not think there is any connection between young coconut water and jaundice. I have read so many mothers' experience in the Internet that their babies were born with jaundice, despite them having drinking a lot of young coconut water, during their final trimester. However, since everyone in the family said so, both my husband and I thought that there was no harm for me to drink some refreshing young coconut water during the blistery hot new year season. 

So, on the 4th day of CNY, the whole family departed to En. Zainol's house, a family friend of my in-laws, to pluck young coconut for me. According to my brother-in-law, there was a short coconut tree in front of En. Zainol's house. The coconuts on that tree were within the reach of an adult's hand, and most importantly, it bore a lot of fruits.

Unfortunately, upon our arrival at En. Zainol's house, we found that the so called 'short tree' had grown so tall, practically beyond our reach. It would be a hard task for us to pluck the coconuts even if we were given a bamboo hook.  

My husband and I also found out that it was already about 6 years back, when they last visited that 'short tree', that was when the last baby of my husband's family was born. Of course, tree grows like the child does!

We ended up going around the town in search of stalls that sell young coconuts.

Yes, we finally found one and I drank one whole coconut plus chewing down its flesh. I left the stall with a stomach full of water. Let's hope that my baby will be free from jaundice, hehehe! 

That was my mother-in-law's hand, trying to pick the best coconut for me.

Pakcik is chopping the coconut before I can enjoy the tasty drink.

The baby gender guess!

Well, Dr. Paul has finally confirmed the gender of our baby, after the 3D scan done on last Friday.

Tang tang tang tang.....We are having a baby boy! Both my husband and I are all right with either girl or boy, as long as the baby is healthy and normal.

But prior to this, many of my friends predicted I will be having a girl. I do not know what basis they have upon their statements, because they just said 'we feel like you will be having a manja little girl, just like you!'. Hahah, so indirectly, I also know how's their impression towards me. However, in one occasion when I went to buy some maternity clothings, there was an Indian sales woman who confidently told me that I am having a boy as she said my stomach is small and pointy. And according to her, people will not know that I am pregnant if they see from the back of my body, because I still have my waistline. ( That was when I was in week 18, I don't think I still have waistline now, after the sudden weight gain after week 20!)

My mum is especially happy with us having a boy, because she has 3 daughters and my baby will be the first boy in our family.  On the other hand, my mother-in-law who openly wishes for a grandaughter (my husband's siblings somehow produce more boys than girls) has changed her statement after knowing the gender of the baby. She now says, boy is good, because boy can protect his younger sister(s) later on. Hahah.... I still do not know whether I can have another baby yet, and if I can, no one can guarantee the gender too.

After all, we are happy that the gender is confirmed now. At least we know what to choose when it comes to buying baby stuffs.

Boy or girl, we will love our baby!

Our angel at 26 weeks. He has his 2 hands grabbing his head, while this image is taken:)

Week-26 Routine Check-up Expenses:

• Dr Paul consultation and 3-D scan RM 158
• Gestational glucose test                  RM   28

                                                   TOTAL RM186

Update on week-26

This week marks week-26 of my pregnancy. Everything is going well. I have nothing to complain, other than I started to suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) from week-23. According to some medical write-ups, 25% of pregnant lady will suffer from CTS and I can just considered myself as one of the  'lucky one' chosen to experience this.

The tingling sensation and numbness on my fingers and palms that caused by water rentention has its good and bad days. During a bad day, usually in the middle of the night and upon waking up in the morning, I have difficulties to even grap a pen or turn a door knob.  I also have to opt for fork and spoon instead of chopsticks while having my meal.  The pain on my wrist also made it so difficult for me to fall asleep again after I woke up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night. I ended up feeling very lethargic during the day time.

It is already a norm for my husband to rub my feet and palms to ease the pain before I go to sleep every night.

Besides, my weight has increased tremendously.  I gained a total of 5 kg from week 20 to week 26 even though I only take 3 normal meals a day and remember? I was also down with sinusitis, which has killed my appetite for almost 2 weeks.  The mild swelling on my feet, the sudden weight gain and the symptoms of CTS made me worried if I am having preeclamsia or gestational diabetes.

Luckily a routine monthly check-up on week 26 shows that my blood pressure was normal (111/77). The gastational glucose test also showed that I am diabetic free. However, there is nothing that I can do to ease the CTS. Doctor did advise me to take some Panadols if the pain is too unbearable. But as long as I can endure it, this will not be my option. The good thing here is CTS is not permanent, it will go away after the labour (hopefully).

Thanks to the normal outcome of my routine check-up, at least I can enjoy the CNY celebrations with my family. But of course, moderation is the key here. I can only try a bite for each of the calorie-packed cookies and sweet delicacies. Pleanty of fruits, vegetables and plain water is the golden rules that I want myself to comply this CNY.

For all of you who are celebrating CNY, have a prosperous New Year, may you and family are showered with lots of good luck and good health!