My Baby Girl - 24th September 2007

Hey all.. my baby girl finally arrived to this world on 24th September, Monday, Mooncake festival eve. In time to carry lantern.

It was a painless labour - due to Epidural ! I only felt few very painful contraction before i decided to take the injection at very beginning stage. after the epidural which was done in less than 20 minutes at my back.. the subsequent contractions were felt as tummy muscle tightening only.. not extreme diarrhea pulling your muscles(actual contraction)..

But, pushing part, i was really lousy. No energy to push baby out. ended up, doc has to use forcep to assist the baby's delivery. i can only felt thing sliding out from below.. no pain at all.. the magic of epidural.. even the stiching done by doc.. he said 3 layer of skins were stitched. the outer layer was stitched 5-6 stitches.

My hubby watched the whole process. including the moment when baby was out..he said.. very bloody.. as the baby's shoulder was out rather in rush.. doc din even have time to do the cutting.. so.. imagine the tear i got there..blood was splatter on the wall .. as if horror movie..haaa.. and basically my buttock was soaked in a pool of blood. Luckily i din see all these.. else, i think i may be the one fainting !!

The moment i saw my baby, really hard to believe i can actually deliver a human being of 3.3kg that i have carried for so long in my tummy.. so so so amazing..feel so touching when think about it..i have given birth to a new life...her first cry will always in my memory...

After the whole labour..i was wheeled back to ward. The side effect of the epidural i felt was naseauness.. but i din vomit.. just felt like vomitting, and very light-headed. i almost faint when i stood up to sit on tne bed. But after lying for awhile, i felt better. and i dun have very weak limbs.. just felt numbness ..so different people have different reaction towards the epidural side effect. But, whole night i cannot sleep well due to the soreness on my back..

I opted for total breastfeeding during my stay in hospital. Beginning it was ok. But the soreness is getting on me.. hopefully i can continue after this.

i stayed for 1 night in hospital, as eveything is normal, i can pass urine on my own and the stitches wound is not very painful. I was given pain killer, vitamins.baby is doing fine. so, off we go.. go home .. bring baby to her home for the very first time !

The first night home was a nightmare as baby cannot differentiate morning and night..so my mum and i became panda the next morning as we have to attend to her basically the whole night long.. only manage to catch fewm minutes of sleeps in between.. fainted.

More updates when i have the time..:)

Another Day Waiting...

mm.. no sign le.. no contraction le..im getting impatient.. LGG said "Man gong chu xi huo" meaning slow work give fine work..shake head...

the doc dunno "chun" or not...if dilation 2cm how come now still no contraction...

now i become power puff mum-to-be.. cos apply lots of powder to stop the itchiness around tummy n legs..so torturing..

today will make the wholemeal bread...hope successful !

Non-Jaundice

In order to prevent jaundice in baby.. mum been asking me to drink coconut drink & goat's milk.

I've started goat's milk ( one glass per day ) since last wednesday. Today i have had my last glass le..

coconut, i've started since last week. 2 coconuts a week. this week, one per day.

So, we shall see if this works. If my baby still have jaundice (yellow) means all this is not right one lah..

Jaudice is caused by immature liver. and people believed it to be heaty that causes the yellow. coconut & goat's milk both cooling to counteract.

shall see if it works.

One More Waiting Day

mm.. bb still haven come out le.. dunno what is she doing inside..choosing the best time ? the waiting time is even more nerve wrecking than exam...cos u dunno when it is coming...so just wait and see..geessss..

Yesterday, mum & i went to ikea, we bought some more flowers.. heee..now my garden is building up.. bit by bit..and then we went to giant to grab few more stuff..

I managed to make the pandan bread with red bean paste filling yesterday. This was picked up from baking class but no chance to re-try at home. Mum prepared the red bean paste, so we managed to get almots 12 red bean pandan buns out.

Sis visited us with mooncakes yesterday, so i made 2 pizzas for her and gave her some of my pandan buns..

i still need to get one more baby bottle cos Jenny said the bottles i bought are too big for new born..yesterday bought some newborn clothes too cos Jen said she dun have enough clothes cos cant dry up in time ..so to play safe buy few more ..

today backache not so bad already but rashes is getting bad.. arm and both legs all red red dots.. like measle..funny..

i still need to go and get the float..always forget to buy when go shopping..

wait.. waiting.. waiting patiently...

backachee...*_*

Not sure is it my posture not right or is it the symptoms...my lower left back is killing me..especially after i sit for some time or i sleep..the moment i wake up..i cannot really stand properly cos the pain is so much...

but funny thing is after start walking for awhile, it feels better, not as bad.. weird. only one side is painful..dunno why also.. and the rashes on my tummy and feet also so so unbearable. itchy itchy..

anyway.. im working from home now.. so i can still do my own things.. while attending to emails.. heeee..doing some slides for my boss presentation now..yawn yawn

later will go shopping with mum to get some stuff..maybe go during lunch time.. cos entile to go lunch also mah.. but maybe 2 hours lunch la.. cos no one sees me.. lalallalala...

happy waiting for bb's arrival..

ComiNg SooooN

Yesterday check up is my last antenatal visit le.. doc said my dilation is now 2cm..and baby will be coming anytime. he estimated by this friday i will get contraction. if no, monday i will be going to labour ward and he will do a manual water bag breaking..

So, i will be delivering, the latest next monday, admission is scheduled at 730am. so early !!

when he told me this news.. i was soo confused and lost. cos so sudden, my due is in october.. how come so soon.. i applied my leave starting from next week some more.

My mum get to see the ultrasound yesterday but she said all dark dark.. only see bb's heartbeat.. haaa..

now still at office.. back feel so sour when walking..
tmw will work from home le..

finger cross, i'll be just fine...

Symptoms ?!?

mmm.. one of the symptoms of baby coming is that we will have water retention on my feet.. i started to find my feet getting swollen.. i think it's coming soon.. Jen experienced the same thing about 2-3 weeks before giving birth..

i'm waiting eagerly for my bb's arrival..

APGAR

Article extracted from babycenter.

This is one of the theory we learnt from antenatl classes.

What is the Apgar score?
One minute — and again five minutes — after your baby is born, doctors calculate his Apgar score to see how he's doing. It's a simple process that helps determine whether your newborn is ready to meet the world without additional medical assistance.

This score — developed by anesthesiologist Virginia Apgar in 1952 and now used in modern hospitals worldwide — rates a baby's appearance, pulse, responsiveness, muscle activity, and breathing with a number between zero and 2 (2 being the strongest rating). The numbers are totaled, and 10 is considered a perfect score.
How does the doctor score my baby?
It's easy to remember what's being tested by thinking of the letters in the name "Apgar": Activity, Pulse, Grimace, Appearance, and Respiration. Here's how they're used to rate your baby:

Activity (muscle tone)
0 — Limp; no movement
1 — Some flexion of arms and legs
2 — Active motion

Pulse (heart rate)
0 — No heart rate
1 — Fewer than 100 beats per minute
2 — At least 100 beats per minute

Grimace (reflex response)
0 — No response to airways being suctioned
1 — Grimace during suctioning
2 — Grimace and pull away, cough, or sneeze during suctioning

Appearance (color)
0 — The baby's whole body is completely bluish-gray or pale
1 — Good color in body with bluish hands or feet
2 — Good color all over

Respiration (breathing)
0 — Not breathing
1 — Weak cry; may sound like whimpering, slow or irregular breathing
2 — Good, strong cry; normal rate and effort of breathing

What do the Apgar scores mean?
The one-minute Apgar score
This helps your practitioner decide whether your baby needs immediate medical help. If your baby scores between 7 and 10, it usually means he's in good shape and doesn't need more than routine post-delivery care. (Don't be disappointed if your baby doesn't score a perfect 10, though. It's unusual for a baby's hands and feet to have good color one minute or so after arrival.)

If your baby scores between 4 and 6, he may need some help breathing. This could mean something as simple as suctioning his nostrils or massaging him, or it could mean giving him oxygen. If your baby scores 3 or less, he may need immediate lifesaving measures, such as resuscitation. Keep in mind, though, that a low score at one minute doesn't mean that your baby won't eventually be just fine. Sometimes babies born prematurely or delivered by cesarean section, for example, have lower-than-normal scores, especially at the one-minute testing.

The five-minute Apgar score
This helps your practitioner see how your baby is progressing and whether he has responded to any initial medical intervention. A score of 7 to 10 is still considered normal at this point. If your baby scores 6 or less at the five-minute mark, he may need medical help and your practitioner will determine what steps need to be taken.

She is What you eat

today newspaper said when a mum-to-be consume lots of junk food.. like sweet stuff.. most likely the child born will be a big eater and crave for sweet food...

So, our baby is what you eat... mum-to-be is a great influence to her subsequent life..

Well.. whether you believe it or not.. it only stress up all the mum-to-be.. cos when preggy.. u'll have more craving for food.. any food.. appetite enlarge !

Dear O Dear

BB is now 33 weeks.. she is now 2.4kg le.. so big liao.. fren said soon soon....but i still have nearly 2 months to go le... doc said water bag, bb's pulse & heartbeat all normal..

cannot give birth until i've competed my bread making lessons !!!! wonder what happen if half way through the course and i have to give birth.. muahhh

After too much food from home.. my sugar level also increase scary.. but doc said is ok .. wonder how true.. the urine test already fail. tested blood using jen's kit, im within normal range.. weird why urine test & blood test can have discrepancy !?!

anyway, just got to control my food intake and amount. control !! Tahan !!!

BB Status

Today check-up again weight increased. 2 kg this time. Lucky thing is bb's weight is perfect according to doc. she is now 1.6kg. already turn downwards, meaning head down. also means i have chances to go through natural birth if everything goes well.

I just mentioned abt can hear bb's heartbeat in my previous post, i asked doc, he said it's not bb heartbeat, it's bb;s hiccup.. muahhh.. he said very normal for bb to hiccup at this stage as her lung it developing and she is practising to breath....

it really feels like heartbeat... so amazing..

next visit will be nearer apart from now.. getting more excited !

Her Development

so, now im into the 7th month of pregnancy..

From the photo illustration from www.babycenter.com bb should have turn her head down already at week 27.. and calcium starts to build up in her bones and fats starts to pad up on her body preparing her to the outside world.

I feel more & more movements now.. very hard kick and twist.. anytime..anywhere.. sometimes have to pat pat my tummy talking to her an d she will calm a bit.. then starts again.. very cute !

especially when her daddy talks to her.. she also responds with lots of kicks and twisting..
sometimes i can see the movement from my bare tummy.. she moves from one side to another.. so my tummy skin bulge from left slowly to right.. wonder is her head or buttock.. cos round round.. cant really see clearly .. maybe the thickness of my skin..

Just so unusual to observe all these.. a living thing inside of me.. so near...so close...

Today just collected Baby journal package from library for free.. this is a complimentary gift for all mum-to-be and mum..so im gonna start making my bb's journal..next time she can see it herself...how unusual a new life is...

GlimpSe of U...

My BB is now 1.2kg ..and put on another 4kg... sob sob..cry out LOUD..very very loud.. so scary to see my weight shooting up non-stop. nopause in between. how am i going to shed those kgs gained???

But,felt relief is that bb is healthy and normal. doc said bb is slightly bigger..another sob.cos that means if bb too big, harder to go for natural birth.. got to control what i eat le..

no more baking !

BB products

One more headache is the bb product shopping. there are so many brands in the market to choose from. Not sure which is better and with best value.

Fren recommended Avent as this brand is designed according to scientific research and the design will prevent some of the unnecesary problem experienced by bb of he past. Some books recommend Pigeon.. blahh.. many others.

Anyway, i bought a mixture..
pigeon breast pump + bottles + pad
Avent bottles + soother.
Pureen's diapers +pad + baby bath <-- bought at motherhood exhibition.. super good deal

I bought quite a lot of clothing from mothercare and gotten the VIP membership. but the stuff there are so ex. even the soother is much expensive compare to outside shop like metro/isetan.. so don't buy from mothercare.. bluff people one !!
I bought spring maternity wear from mothercare.. it is so much x compare to i buy it from spring shop itself... another super expensive shop is IOI.. kena bluff cos my first purchase of maternity clothes was from this shop. super expensive !!

still have some more thing to buy this weekend. gonna shop n shop

BB Movement

Every now and then i can feel bb kicking inside..sometimes she kicks so hard till i can see my belly pop up..

Lately, early morning 5am or so, she will start to exercise inside my tummy..i will wake up and cannot sleep anymore..notti.. no day and night..she moves the most when im resting..

According to readings, bb moving can be anytime, but just that during the day when we are busy with work/cooking/household chores, we might not notice the movements..and also bb may be sleeping cos the adult movement is some kind of lullaby to them.. like rocking chair..so they sleep when mummy is active..

So, when mummy is resting, calming down, she starts to move about cos no more rocking from mummy..cute huh !

i wonder what is she doing inside..kicking ? twisting about ? punching ? most of the time from ultrasound, we can only see her moving her arms and legs.. but those movements cant be felt so much like what im feeling daily..

and mummy is advised to sleep side way, best if on left side, cos this is the best posture for bb to get enough oxygen & nutrients flowing from mummy's body to uterus. I used to sleep flat on my back ever since.. so the adjustment to this sleeping posture is not easy..always having aching on my arm/shoulder when awake and need lots of cushioning like pillow/bolster to support me on each side..

after all these months, i still find sleeping side ways not so comfortable but kinda used to it already.

i do simple yoga almost everyday.. i think light exercise does help. at least i don't feel clumsy with my enlarging tummy. after giving birth i think im gonna pick up yoga again.. good exercise that can do anytime in your life stages. just in different phases..

I'm 24-WeEkS *O*

Im 6 months preggy now.. 4 months more to go !! can't wait to welcome my baobei to our world..

next week will see her again..this time i want doc to show me more of her look...but i think unless it's 3D else hard to see that clear.

Bee bee also preggy, givin birth in Nov. She is really something. one year one bb. muahhh

My BB Development

Time flies.. less than 6 months more i'll be giving birth..
Exactly like what i've read from book that second trimester is the most enjoyable time during the whole pregnancy journey.

I feel energetic, happy and feel the most of being pregnant. cos everyday i can feel my little one kicking inside me. i start to talk to her and try to make connection to her..everyday sleep with soothing music ..music therapy..muahh..

This is how my bb looks like in 23 week..

Exercise for Woman

One of the exercise i've learnt from book as well as antenatal class is kegel exercise. It's a pelvic floor exercise which is simple to do and strengten our pelvic muscle.

Man can do this too.

What is a kegel?
A kegel is the name of a pelvic floor exercise, named after Dr. Kegel who discovered the exercise. These muscles are attached to the pelvic bone and act like a hammock, holding in your pelvic organs. To try and isolate these muscles trying stopping and starting the flow of urine.

How do I do the kegel exercise?
Once you have located the muscles simply tighten and relax the mucsle over and over, about 200 times a day. These are basic kegels. There are many variations on kegels: elevator kegels (Where you tighten slowly, in increments going in and out, like an elevator stopping on several floors.), you can hold the muscle tightened for five seconds, you can bulge the muscles out at the end, and many other variations.
Why would I want to do kegel exercises?


Kegeling provides many benefits:

Conditioned muscles will make birth easier, and your perineum will more likely be intact (fewer tears and episiotomies)

Sexual enjoyment is enhanced for both partners

It can prevent prolapses of pelvic organs

It can help prevent leaking urine when you sneeze or cough esp after child birth

PERFORMING PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES:

1. Begin by emptying your bladder.

2. Tighten the pelvic floor muscles and hold for a count of 10.

3. Relax the muscle completely for a count of 10.

4. Perform 10 exercises, three times a day (morning, afternoon, and night).

These exercises can be performed any time and any place. Most people prefer to perform the exercises while lying down or sitting in a chair. After 4 to 6 weeks, most people notice some improvement. It may take as long as 3 months to see a significant change.

A word of caution: some people feel that they can speed up the progress by increasing the number of repetitions and the frequency of exercises. However, this over-exercising may instead cause muscle fatigue and increase leakage of urine.

If you feel any discomfort in your abdomen or back while performing these exercises, you are probably performing them incorrectly. Some people have a tendency to hold their breath or tighten their chest while trying to contract the pelvic floor muscles. Relax and concentrate on contracting just the pelvic floor muscles.


Happy exercising !

Pregnancy Yoga set

I found these from web. I've tried it this morning, Simple and easier for me to do. Now, i cant do the normal yoga like sun salutaion and etc.. cos very difficult to bend down..so these set come in handy..


Pregnancy Yoga Set #1


1. Stand up with arms next to the ears and palms together, Inhale, bend the upper body slightly back. Exhale, bend forward. 1-3 minutes.
2. Sit on heels. Inhale, raise body up. Exhale, sit on the heels, Hands rest on lower waist, 1 minute.


3. Stretch legs out. Support upper body with hands on floor. Inhale, raise right leg up. Exhale, lower leg down to floor. 1-3 minutes. Repeat with left leg.
4. Bring the soles of the feet together. Hold hands over toes. For 1 minute, rock side to side on the buttocks. Then, bounce the knees up and down. Continue for 1-3 minutes.
5. Easy Pose. Inhale stretch spine straight, Exhale, relax spine. 1-3 minutes.
6. Come into the squat, feet are flat on the floor. Relax in the position for 1-3 minutes.
7. Easy Pose. Slowly roll head in large circles. 1-3 minutes.
8. Relax on side. Lower leg is slightly bent. Support head with pillow. Inhale, raise leg up. Exhale, lower leg. 1-3 minutes each side.
9. Totally relax on your side.



Pregnancy Yoga Set #2


1. Easy Pose. soles of the feet are together. Inhale, relax thighs. Exhale, press thighs to floor. 1-3 minutes.
2. Stretch out both legs and spread them wide apart. Inhale, stretch back up straight, Exhale, lower upper body to left leg. Hold onto toes during the movement. 1 minute to each side.
3. Come onto the hands and the feet. Inhale and stretch the head up, relax back (but no sway back). Exhale, stretch up back (like a stretching cat). 1-3 minutes.
4. On hands and knees relax head and begin to rotate the hips in large circles. 1-3 minutes in each direction.
5. On hands and knees. Inhale, bend head and hips to the left. Exhale, bend head and hips to the right. 1-3 minutes.
6. Relax in baby pose. 3-5 minutes.
7. On hands and knees. Inhale, lift right leg and head up. Exhale, bring chin and knee to chest. 1-3 minutes. Continue on other side.
8. Come into the squat. Begin to move the knees back and forth with the elbows, 1-3 minutes, 9. Slowly roll head in circles. 1-3 minutes.


Pregnancy Yoga Set #3


1. Arms are parallel to floor and out to sides. Relax in position with deep breathing, 3-5 minutes.
2. Easy Pose. Inhale, stretch spine straight, Exhale, let back relax. 1-3 minutes.
3. Soles of the feet are together. Bounce the knees up and down. 1 minute. Then massage inner thighs for 1 minute. Repeat bouncing 1 minute.
4. Stretch legs straight out, spread wide, Grab onto toes. Inhale, stretch up spine. Exhale, relax upper body forward, bending from the hips.
5. On hands and knees. Relax head down. Begin to rotate the hips in large circles. 1-3 minutes. Repeat other directions.
6. Relax into Baby Pose. Spread knees to allow your abdomen to fall forward. 3-5 minutes.
7. Easy Pose. Place hands on shoulders. Inhale, turn upper body and head to left. Exhale and turn to right. 1-3 minutes.
8. Hands on shoulders. Inhale, raise up elbows and exhale; bring elbows to the sides. 1-3 minutes.
9. Press the palms firmly together. Breathe deeply for 1-3 minutes, keeping the pressure.
10. Hands in gyan mudra. Practice pelvic floor (kegel) exercises for 3 minutes.



Pregnancy Yoga Set #4


1. Stand with arms to side and parallel to floor. Inhale and swing whole upper body to left. Exhale, and swing to right. 1-3 minutes.
2. Easy Pose. Arms to side, parallel to floor. Hands in fist with middle finger stretched out. Rotate in circle, backwards. 1 minute.
3. Interlock fingers under hair behind neck. Stretch elbows back. Begin to rotate upper body in circles for 1 minute. Repeat other direction.
4. Place the thumb on the root of the small finger. Arms are straight. Inhale, bring left arm up 60 degrees and right arm 60 degrees below. 1-3 minutes.
5. Stretch both legs out, then place the right sole to touch the left thigh. Bend slowly the upper body forward, breathe very fully. 1-3 minutes. Change legs, repeat.
6. Soles of the feet are together. Relax. Inhale and relax the thighs. Exhale, stretch the thighs to floor. 1-3 minutes.
7. Easy Pose. Hands relaxed an the knees. Roll upper body in large circles. 1-3 minutes and reverse direction, same time.
8. On hands and knees. Relax head down. Begin to rotate the hips in large circles. 1-3 minutes and then other direction.
9. Sit on heels. Hands interlocked, arms next to ears. Inhale sit up onto knees and exhale lower body to sit an the heels.
10. Arms same as #9. Inhale, raise up body and sit on the left side of feet. Exhale, sit on the right side of f eet. 1 minute.
11. Easy Pose. Hands on shoulders. Inhale and turn upper body and head to left. Exhale and turn to right. 1-3 minutes.
12. Concentrate, between eye brows. Slowly rotate head in large circles. 1 minute.
13. Place hands on abdomen. Contract the pelvic floor, without using the abdominal muscles. First slow, fast and elevator. 100 times.

Baby First Steps

Been doing a lot of reading on parenting & baby's development.

I like this book, very informational.



This author wrote many pregnancy & baby books. Good if you are pregnant/plan to get pregnant to get hold of her book. I borrowed it from library.