The Arrival of Angel

Dear readers,

We are delighted to announce the arrival of our angel in the early morning of April 10, 2012. Co-incidentally, 410 is also our house number. Welcome angel, you have knocked at the right door!

At 7:45 am of April 9, I experienced bloody show and my water bag broke, 15 minutes later. The pre-labour signs were clear, though my EDD was still 16 days away. I first informed hubby, who was just about to step out from the house for work. Then, took a shower before calling up Dr.Paul's mobile at 8:15am. He instructed me to stay calm, pack my bag and admit myself to the labour ward within the next 2 hours.

I will write more on the details of the labour pocess after my confinement. The experience was intense for a first time mother like me. Overall, with a birth weight of 2.61kg,  baby Jaden was delivered via natural birth without epidural. My supportive hubby was with me throughout the labour process.

Despite extreme exhaustion, our lives are filled with happiness and gratitude ever since the arrival of Jaden. May he stay healthy, and grow up well.

P/S:  The belief of 'drinking of young coconut water in the third trimester of pregnancy can prevent jaundice in new born baby' did not work for me.  Baby Jaden's jaundice level increased to level 236 on the 3rd day, and is currently under-going phototherapy with a rented UV lamp at home. We will visit Dr. Chai Pei Fan again tomorrow, hopefully Jaden's condition is under control.  



The first moment of life



Jaden Tan, the miracle of my life

The nurses called him 'celik mata' as Jaden's eyes
were already widely open in just a first few minutes after birth.

Phototherapy at home.  Rental charges, RM445 for 3D2N. Additional day, RM 60/day

Expenses:
Mother and delivery charges (3D2N)  RM 3,616
Baby charges                                      RM 1,005
Total                                                 RM 4,621

Week 37 - Maternity Check-up

Date:  4 Apr 2012 (Wed) Appointment Time: 9:30 am
Waiting Time: 20 mins

Blood pressure: 70/110
Weight Gain: 0 kg
Urine: normal

Baby heart beat: 154 bps
Baby weigh: will measure next week
Amniotic fluid level: decreased, but still at the safe zone.
Position: engaged, head turned side way (not facing my back bone), hopefully his head will be facing posterior soon, that will be the most optimum position for natural birth.

After the ultrasound session, Dr Paul spent some time to explain to me and hubby how the baby will  move through the birth canal during a natural birth. He was also very kind to tell me that I can call him anytime, even in the middle of the night if I suspect (1st time mother!) I am experiencing contraction, spotting, leaking of amniotic fluid or any other sign of labour. Anyway, he did not see any clear sign of labour yet, so most likely I will see him again for another 1 or 2 weekly check-up before the labour.

Baby, mummy's tummy is still the safest shelter for you in the whole wide universe.  If you think you need more time to prepare yourself, go ahead, take your time. Mum and dad just want you to be healthy and comfortable. Do not rush. By the way, if can, please avoid coming out on 11 Apr, it will be a national public holiday, which means charges will be doubled for any form of delivery! Hahah....please be a co-operative good baby!

Expenses:
Diagnostic/monitoring   RM 0.60
Admin fees                   RM  4.00
Consultation                 RM 50.00
Ultrasound                   RM 50.40
TOTAL                    RM 105.00

Week 36 - Maternity Check-up

I have been down with flu, sinusitis and buried by work lately. Since tomorrow will be week-37 check up, I told myself I must update week-36 check-up tonite, by hook or by crook.

Date:  28 Mac 2012 (Wed)
Appointment Time: 9:30 am
Waiting Time: 25 mins

Blood pressure: 77/105
Weight Gain: + 1.5kg
Urine: normal

I was down with flu, gradually leading to a full-blown sinusitis, as expected.  Dr. Paul wanted to prescribe antibiotic for me but I did not want any foreign substance affecting my baby (although doctor insisted that it was perfectly safe for me to take a course of antibiotic at this stage of the pregnancy). I decided to rely on my natural immune system to fight the virus.  The concerned doctor at the end still prescribed Clarityne and Actifed, 2 types of medication to mitigate my runny and blocked nose. 3 days of MC were also given, but I did not make use of it. Just wanted to finish as much work as I could before the baby arrives.

Baby heart beat: 157 bps
Baby weigh: 2.5kg
Amniotic fluid level: optimum
Position: head down, engaged, condusive for natural birth

During the ultrasound, we saw our beloved baby, he definitrely had packed up some fat and looked more chubby now. Of course, without fail, he was posing his signature pose, that covered part of his face with one hand. Fetal movement was strong, sometimes I could feel that he was making the 'wave' with his arms and feet in my tummy. My tummy ended up distorted whenever he performed his stunts. Hubby is the number 1 fan of the baby's performance.

By the time of this writing, the condition of my flu is getting better, though is not fully recovered. Workload wise, have managed to clear up quite a major portion. I feel more relieved and can confidently say, yes, I am ready to welcome my baby, if he is ready too.

Expenses:

Admin fees      RM  4.00
Consultation    RM 50.00
Ultrasound      RM 50.40
Medication      RM 28.35
TOTAL          RM 132.75

Week-34 and counting

Last week was my 34th week check-up.

Date: 14 Mac 2012 (Wed)
Appointment Time: 9:30 am
Waiting Time: 45 mins

Blood pressure: 70/107
Weight Gain: + 1kg
Urine: normal

My water retention condition has become more serious as the baby grows bigger.  My feet and ankles were obviously swollen, even in the morning (it used to become obvious only in the evening). This has also worsen the condition of my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Other than feeling numb, heaty, pain and stiff on my fingers, my wrists started to ache as well. Since my blood pressure and urea are normal, there is nothing the doctor can do other than telling me these are part and parcel of pregnancy, especially for first time pregnancy because my body is adapting to the body changes for the first time. However, despite all these 'painful' experience, I will not want to have the baby to come earlier in exchange for the relief of the above symptoms. I want my baby to develop to his optimum level in my stomach until full term, if possible until 40 weeks. No pain, no gain, isn't it?

Baby heart beat: 159 bps
Baby weigh: 2.3kg
Amniotic fluid level: optimum
Position: head down, condusive for natural birth

There was no nice picture of the baby taken again this time as his face was facing to the side and he constantly covered his head with his hands! What a shy boy!

Hubby took this picture with Dr. Paul's consent during the ultrasound session.

I will go back again for another check-up in week-36. After that the check-up will be on weekly basis to closely observe if there is any symptom of baby arriving earlier than the EDD on 25 Apr 2012.

Expenses:

Consultation            RM  50.00
Ultrasound               RM  50.05
Admin Fees             RM    4.00
Diagnostic/monitoring RM  0.60 ( what is this for? this is the first time for this item to appear in the bill.)
                                        
TOTAL                  RM 104.65 

Week 32 - Maternity Check-up

This entry will be a short one due to my 'super numb' fingers caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Date: 29 Feb 2012
Appointment: 10 am
Waiting time: 10 min.

Blood Pressure: 95/65.  I thought this was a bit on the low side, but Dr. Paul said there was nothing to worry about it.

Weight Gain: 1kg ( gained in 2 weeks, so it was acceptable. I guess my effort to eat only nutritious food but not tasty food is showing the result!)

Ultrasound of baby: Baby has settled in the head down position. The chances for natural birth is high. But his face is facing my back (spinal cord), so his facial features remained mysterious to us this week.

Baby's weigh: 1.97kg (gained 270gm compared to 2 weeks ago)

Heart beat: 137 bpm (normal)

Before the ultrasound, I had just told Dr. Paul how agressive my baby was punching and kicking these few days. But for the 2nd time in a row, baby was fast asleep during the ultrasound sessions. Looks like my baby is 'camera' shy :)

Expenses:

Consultation RM  50.00
Ultrasound   RM  50.40
Admin Fees RM    4.00
                                        
TOTAL       RM 104.40 

Motherhood Expo @ KLCC Convention Centre

Hubby and I visited the Motherhood Expo held at KLCC Convention Centre last Saturday.
It was very crowded.  The expo hall was filled with expecting mothers, parents pushing their babies in strollers, and also running kids. Honestly, the environment was not very conducive for pregnant ladies, we have to truly pay attention to avoid many hidden obstacles while trying to walk in the hall. Not to mention, the super long queue at the toilets.

Anyway, we finally booked the baby cot for our baby boy.  It was the same cot that we have planned to buy from a baby shop called One Stop Baby Centre, situated in Uptown, Damansara (same row as AmBank and CIMB).  The shop participated in this expo and the same cot was having a good promotion. The package came with a cot, a coconut fibre mattress and a 6-piece-bedding set, all in for RM650 (inclusive of free delivery and fixing).  We did not hesitate long before purchasing the set as the original price in the shop was RM799 and the delivery charges was another addition of RM80. An arrangement has also been made to deliver the cot in the mid of April, nearer to my expected delivery date.



Model: TW-C25B(GR) (Japan Export Model)

Features :
•Three level adjustable base
•Non toxic finish
•Easy to assemble
•C/w small door at bottom for storage purpose
•Swivel castor with brakes

I also managed to grab 3 other products at very good prices, Bio-Oil 125ml (at RM47), Sunsweet Prune Juice (2 bottles for RM15, originally 1 for RM11.50) and Ghee Hiang Sesame Oil (2 big bottles for only RM30, used for cooking Chinese confinement food).





Constipation is a common problem faced by many pregnant ladies. I was lucky to discover that there were 3 types of food that can help me combat this difficulty, since the very beginning of my pregnancy. They are pitted prune, prune juice and dragon fruit.  

Since entering the 3rd trimester, I couldn't afford to walk long due to my swelling ankles and feet. So, we did not stay long before heading home.  There will be another parenthood expo in Mid Valley from 9 to 11 March 2012. We will probably make a visit to buy baby carrier and stroller, that is if my feet allows!

Week-30 Maternity Check-up

15 Feb 2012 (Wed)

An appointment was made at 1:30pm to see Dr. Paul. But my husband and I waited until 2:20pm before we went into the doctor's room. Year 2012, the year of dragon baby craze, waiting time of 50 minutes should be considered 'reasonable', I guess.

My blood pressure (70/110), urine glucose and protein level appeared to be normal.  However, the doctor is a bit concerned about my weight gain. I put on another 4kg since the last time I saw him, which was about 4 weeks ago. In total I have gained 14kg since my pregnancy.  I honestly told the doctor I didn't eat for 2 and I do not have any cravings for special food. In fact, I ate the same amount of meal 3 times a day, the same as what I did before I got pregnant. The only difference now is that I have stopped going to the gym. I blamed the excessive weight gain on water retention because I noticed that my weight shot up since week 23, and that was about the same time I experienced feet and ankle swelling and suffered from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

The doctor listened to me patiently (even though I guess he has heard the same answer many times from all the over-weight pregnant ladies, hahahha.....) . Dr. Paul said some ladies will suddenly gain excessive weight at certain period of their pregnancy, but it will then slow down again later. He asked me not to worry too much since my blood pressure and glucose level appeared to be normal. However, he wanted me to try to cut down the amount of food intake and reduce the materna milk to only 1 glass a day (currently I am taking 2 glasses a day, one in the morning, one before I go to bed). So, we will see how it goes when I see him again after 2 weeks.

The baby weighed 1.7kg, a normal weight for a baby in week-30. Heart beat was recorded at 147/min. Despite punching and kicking me like a kickboxer many times a day, my boy appeared to be unusually quiet during the ultrasound session. Dr. Paul said the baby was asleep so soundly (can tell from his sleepy chubby face). The only movement recorded was when he opened and closed his mouth occasionally. Aiyo, I did talk to him that morning, telling him that today we will visit uncle Doctor and he has to move his hands and legs during the 'photography' session, just to show papa and mummy he is a healthy active baby. But, obviously my effort was in vain as he was craving for his sleep so much during the cloudy afternoon.

The baby is sleeping. I know only the baby's own parents will be delighted when looking
at this kind of 'alien photo'. But this is part of our journey, please allow me. Thanks:)

The good news was my baby had turned down, with his head facing the birth canal.  Please baby, maintain this position for another 60 more days, so mummy can have a safe natural birth where both of us would not suffer too much. Also, money saved from natural birth will go to your education and toy fund! Be a co-operative good baby!

For the next 2 weeks, I will make an effort to eat only healthy food at a reasonable portion. I will also be more diligent in practising the prenatal exercise taught in the *antenatal classes. And the funny part now is everytime I thought of having some dessert like ice-cream or cakes, Dr. Paul's face will automatically appear in my mind. I told my husband about this and he couldn't stop laughing.
So far, my pregnancy is a smooth one, except for the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which is getting from bad to worse. Both my right and left palms and the fingers are constantly feeling numb, stiff and painful.  It took me ages to type this post.  But I have nothing to complain, I will endure this gracefully, just for my angel.

Expenses:

• Consutation           RM 50.00
• Ultrasound            RM 50.00
• Obimin (1 month)  RM 12.60
• Admin Fees          RM    4.00

         TOTAL                RM117.00

* My husband and I attended the antenatal programme conducted by Pantai Hospital. The programme runs every month, and there are 5 classes in total, covering topics from breastfeeding, nutrition in motherhood, labour process, pain relief during labour, care for new borns, prenatal exercise and labour suite tour.  The fees for the programme is RM300 per couple.