Posts
It's down to Ashley versus Vanessa now, with the consideration of Sara/ Sarah as well.
My colleague laughed and said that at the rate we mulling over the name, we may not even decide within 1 month of the baby's birth!
Decisions, decisions, decisions ... let me sleep on it and see if anything pops up as inspiration in my dreams tonight!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Report for 37th week
1. I gained weight! 600 grams but I guess it's to make up for all the losses I had over that past 2 week with the vomitting and diahorrea.
2. No report on baby's weight since Dr Y says baby wouldn't have gained much over 1 week.
3. Amniotic fluid? LOTS of it, so level is very high - again, he asked me to walk more to bring on the labour earlier.
4. He commented that since my BP is so high - a very scary 180/110 for the upper reading and a 175/95 for the lower reading, and my feet is so swollen, I could do a test to check on my kidney and liver. Since it involved drawing my blood (meaning pain), I declined - after all, it's just going to be a few weeks more right? As long as I am a good girl and remember to take my medicine. right? Dr Y laughed when I took out the remains of my BP medication, "Judging from the amount of medicine you have left, you must have forgotten to take your medication quite a number of times!" Which, er, *blush* is very true - I tend to missed out the slot in the afternoon ;P Anyway today the BP could be higher because I was fuming away at work for almost the entire day. Not sure why but I was quite easily agitated today.
5. As for no. 3, no, I need baby to wait till the maid is here! Which means I need to keep her happy and cushy for 2 more weeks at least!
6. Dr Y said I have to keep count of baby's movements - he seems quite surprised that we said he didn't instruct us on how to previously! Anyway, now I have to keep track of her movements every morning from 9 am. *sigh* I just hope I can remember to!
7. Did I mentioned that the 2nd maid we shortlisted is not coming? hopefully we will be THIRD TIME LUCKY ... we shortlisted the 3rd maid today and assuming MOM is not going to question why this is the 3rd application we submitted within like 1 month (and cancelling 2 others), we hopefully will really get the maid BEFORE baby decides to pop out.
I'm looking forward to 6th April! My maternity leave will start on 9th April, so hopefully I will get to enjoy some rest at home before all the diaper change and milk production starts!
2. No report on baby's weight since Dr Y says baby wouldn't have gained much over 1 week.
3. Amniotic fluid? LOTS of it, so level is very high - again, he asked me to walk more to bring on the labour earlier.
4. He commented that since my BP is so high - a very scary 180/110 for the upper reading and a 175/95 for the lower reading, and my feet is so swollen, I could do a test to check on my kidney and liver. Since it involved drawing my blood (meaning pain), I declined - after all, it's just going to be a few weeks more right? As long as I am a good girl and remember to take my medicine. right? Dr Y laughed when I took out the remains of my BP medication, "Judging from the amount of medicine you have left, you must have forgotten to take your medication quite a number of times!" Which, er, *blush* is very true - I tend to missed out the slot in the afternoon ;P Anyway today the BP could be higher because I was fuming away at work for almost the entire day. Not sure why but I was quite easily agitated today.
5. As for no. 3, no, I need baby to wait till the maid is here! Which means I need to keep her happy and cushy for 2 more weeks at least!
6. Dr Y said I have to keep count of baby's movements - he seems quite surprised that we said he didn't instruct us on how to previously! Anyway, now I have to keep track of her movements every morning from 9 am. *sigh* I just hope I can remember to!
7. Did I mentioned that the 2nd maid we shortlisted is not coming? hopefully we will be THIRD TIME LUCKY ... we shortlisted the 3rd maid today and assuming MOM is not going to question why this is the 3rd application we submitted within like 1 month (and cancelling 2 others), we hopefully will really get the maid BEFORE baby decides to pop out.
I'm looking forward to 6th April! My maternity leave will start on 9th April, so hopefully I will get to enjoy some rest at home before all the diaper change and milk production starts!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Test Run No. 1
We had our first test run to TMC on Sunday - because I thought my water bag might have burst or leaked. I woke up at 5:38am on Sunday morning because I felt some trickle in between my legs - thing is, despite me being a heavy sleeper, I do wake up and visit the loo as often as my bladder needs me to. I did the smell test, amniotic fluid is supposed to have a sweetish smell as compared to urine, which well, smells like urine. What I had a whiff of was best described as carefree's scented panty liner, which I am not using. Anyway, as they all had drilled in during the pre-natal classes, I put on a big overnight pad, in case of futher trickle or the big burst ;P
This is the funny part - I tried to go back to sleep but I couldn't. So at 6 am in the morning, I was frantically trying to pack my hospital bag - until my hubby complained and asked me to go back to bed. Well, I did eventually, after gathering the basic stuff on the list (had to refer back to my previous posting!), and I conked off till almost 10 am! I checked the pad and it was dry, so anyway we decided to complete packing the hospital bag (ended up using my pink trolley overnight bag) and amazingly everything fitted in, including my hubby's change of clothes! Then we gave a call to Dr Y since we wasn't sure if it was really the water bag or my bladder couldn't wake me up, so he said to go down anyway for a check for just in case.
So we collected the doggies and deposited them at my mum's place enroute to TMC. So I waddle in and sheepishly told the admissions that I wasn't sure if my water bag had burst. So the lady kindly escorted me to the labour ward, and I got asked the same question 4 or 5 times, "do you have the doctor's letter?" I was quite baffled, and asked what letter they were referring to? In anycase, I don't have any and Dr Y did say that TMC will call him directly. So anyway, I had my FIRST ever cervix check and man, it was SO BLOODY PAINFUL! I'll never want to go through another and poor Dr Y is going to get lots of resistance from me! They strapped me up to the monitor (not sure what they are called) and asked me if I felt any contractions, to which I replied in negative.
Then, this midwife who was "watching" over me came back and exclaimed, "You just had a contraction! Did you feel anything?" Again, my reply in negative! She pointed out the monitor picked up that I had a contraction just then, and after a while we got the hang of the contraction thingy - it felt like the urge to go pass motion! The first few times were probably very mild contractions, hence I probably only felt discomfort, but everything was OVERSHADOWED by the after pains of the cervix check. They said it's probably reactive to the cervix check, but at least I know how a contraction is suppose to feel like! I just hope I won't mistake it for wanting to sit on the throne :P
Anyway, after 1 hour, they said I could go back and monitor the situation (I had fallen asleep in the meantime) since it's likely that water bag is still intact.
So what did we do? Went shopping - sorta, the Hubby had to pick up his phone from the repair shop and I picked up a scrapbook from SDU. On the way back, we also picked up the baby cot, and the dearest Hubby will fix it up after we clear out the nursery room tomorrow.
On a scale 1 to 10 for Operation Baby Vanessa, I would say we are around 7. Only problem is still the maid not having arrive and having to pack up both rooms - so hopefully I'll cmplete it by tomorrow.
I've submitted all the necessary forms to the HR today, and starting to complete my handover - I'll start my maternity leave by 9th April provided she doesn't decide to pop out early - just crossing my fingers really. Everyone's betting she's going to come soon, since the lightening is really really very obvious and my tummy is so low now. On a scale of 1 to 10 of how scared I am of the pending childbirth, I'll rank myself at 8 - very apprehensive, very nervous and just plain fearful of the pain =(
This is the funny part - I tried to go back to sleep but I couldn't. So at 6 am in the morning, I was frantically trying to pack my hospital bag - until my hubby complained and asked me to go back to bed. Well, I did eventually, after gathering the basic stuff on the list (had to refer back to my previous posting!), and I conked off till almost 10 am! I checked the pad and it was dry, so anyway we decided to complete packing the hospital bag (ended up using my pink trolley overnight bag) and amazingly everything fitted in, including my hubby's change of clothes! Then we gave a call to Dr Y since we wasn't sure if it was really the water bag or my bladder couldn't wake me up, so he said to go down anyway for a check for just in case.
So we collected the doggies and deposited them at my mum's place enroute to TMC. So I waddle in and sheepishly told the admissions that I wasn't sure if my water bag had burst. So the lady kindly escorted me to the labour ward, and I got asked the same question 4 or 5 times, "do you have the doctor's letter?" I was quite baffled, and asked what letter they were referring to? In anycase, I don't have any and Dr Y did say that TMC will call him directly. So anyway, I had my FIRST ever cervix check and man, it was SO BLOODY PAINFUL! I'll never want to go through another and poor Dr Y is going to get lots of resistance from me! They strapped me up to the monitor (not sure what they are called) and asked me if I felt any contractions, to which I replied in negative.
Then, this midwife who was "watching" over me came back and exclaimed, "You just had a contraction! Did you feel anything?" Again, my reply in negative! She pointed out the monitor picked up that I had a contraction just then, and after a while we got the hang of the contraction thingy - it felt like the urge to go pass motion! The first few times were probably very mild contractions, hence I probably only felt discomfort, but everything was OVERSHADOWED by the after pains of the cervix check. They said it's probably reactive to the cervix check, but at least I know how a contraction is suppose to feel like! I just hope I won't mistake it for wanting to sit on the throne :P
Anyway, after 1 hour, they said I could go back and monitor the situation (I had fallen asleep in the meantime) since it's likely that water bag is still intact.
So what did we do? Went shopping - sorta, the Hubby had to pick up his phone from the repair shop and I picked up a scrapbook from SDU. On the way back, we also picked up the baby cot, and the dearest Hubby will fix it up after we clear out the nursery room tomorrow.
On a scale 1 to 10 for Operation Baby Vanessa, I would say we are around 7. Only problem is still the maid not having arrive and having to pack up both rooms - so hopefully I'll cmplete it by tomorrow.
I've submitted all the necessary forms to the HR today, and starting to complete my handover - I'll start my maternity leave by 9th April provided she doesn't decide to pop out early - just crossing my fingers really. Everyone's betting she's going to come soon, since the lightening is really really very obvious and my tummy is so low now. On a scale of 1 to 10 of how scared I am of the pending childbirth, I'll rank myself at 8 - very apprehensive, very nervous and just plain fearful of the pain =(
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Nesting instinct?
Didin't really had the time to go down to the Baby's Fair at Taka today, just popped by to collect my annual gift from Swarovski and collected the 2007 prices/ product listings. Now I can plan what to use my $250 vouchers for :P
Anyway, I decided I had to get a pair of comfortable and non-slip shoes, and I bought a pair of Birkens ... and it's PINK ... of course the Hubby is complaining about buying excessive shoes as usual, but to me, as long as it's non-slip and comfortable for this last stage, it's worth it! Anyway it's adjustable, so when my swelling goes down, I can always tighten the straps.
Been thinking about packing up the house, and basically that's it. I bought groceries and cleaning products today (over $100 worth) - I guess it's time to throw out my mouldy sauces and what nots ;P in case my maid gets so horrified at what we use for cooking!
I plan to clean out the kitchen tomorrow, followed by the maid's room. Then when the maid arrives, it'll be cleaning out of the baby's room. I really hope baby will just happily continue to hiccup inside my belly till we are ready :P Oh ya, I need get around packing the hospital bag tomorrow!
Anyway, I decided I had to get a pair of comfortable and non-slip shoes, and I bought a pair of Birkens ... and it's PINK ... of course the Hubby is complaining about buying excessive shoes as usual, but to me, as long as it's non-slip and comfortable for this last stage, it's worth it! Anyway it's adjustable, so when my swelling goes down, I can always tighten the straps.
Been thinking about packing up the house, and basically that's it. I bought groceries and cleaning products today (over $100 worth) - I guess it's time to throw out my mouldy sauces and what nots ;P in case my maid gets so horrified at what we use for cooking!
I plan to clean out the kitchen tomorrow, followed by the maid's room. Then when the maid arrives, it'll be cleaning out of the baby's room. I really hope baby will just happily continue to hiccup inside my belly till we are ready :P Oh ya, I need get around packing the hospital bag tomorrow!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Report for Week 36
1) My weight remained the same - 70.5kg
2) My little girl gained 200g to weigh in at 2.6kg now (I was worried she would gain another whopping 600g!)
3) My blood pressure, unfortunately, isn't doing as well - it shot up again. Yesterday it was averaging about 150/95. Tonight, it was dinging the alarm bells at 165/107. Since I wasn't aware of the complications of having HBP, Dr Fong did tell us that he's worried that I may have fits, and that would cut off the oxygen supply to the baby. OK, time to put a neon pink sticker to my "what to do if I'm in labour list" in office. SEND ME STRAIGHT TO THE HOSPITAL!
4) Water level in the water bag is still high, which he says is good. He did ask me to walk more to bring about an earlier labour, but I wasn't too keen, since walking up and down the stairs with my swollen feet is quite a painful affair.
5) We talked about labour pains again - since he was saying that I may need to be induced. So i happily said that would mean C-section! He asking why I wasn't keen on natural, so I replied I guessed it's the fear factor of pain. He said there's always epidural. Labour pain will be the MOST painful thing I ever experienced (OK, at least he's a lot more honest about the pain level here than the blood test), nothing compared to the monthly pains I experienced. Then again, that was probably the wrong thing to say to me, since I always feel faint from the pain! So I said, "Won't I then faint from the labour pains???" "Epidural" was his short and sweet answer.
6) We won't know if the baby will be coming early or late, but she's low, very very low.
7) Things to look out for over the next few days - persistent ringing in the ear, headache, blurring of vision, and something else ;P I cannot remember! That happens, to go down to his clinic for a visit.
8) Time to clean up my desk, move everything back into my room, and note down all the outstanding things to be done!
Hopefully my maid comes in by next weekend!
2) My little girl gained 200g to weigh in at 2.6kg now (I was worried she would gain another whopping 600g!)
3) My blood pressure, unfortunately, isn't doing as well - it shot up again. Yesterday it was averaging about 150/95. Tonight, it was dinging the alarm bells at 165/107. Since I wasn't aware of the complications of having HBP, Dr Fong did tell us that he's worried that I may have fits, and that would cut off the oxygen supply to the baby. OK, time to put a neon pink sticker to my "what to do if I'm in labour list" in office. SEND ME STRAIGHT TO THE HOSPITAL!
4) Water level in the water bag is still high, which he says is good. He did ask me to walk more to bring about an earlier labour, but I wasn't too keen, since walking up and down the stairs with my swollen feet is quite a painful affair.
5) We talked about labour pains again - since he was saying that I may need to be induced. So i happily said that would mean C-section! He asking why I wasn't keen on natural, so I replied I guessed it's the fear factor of pain. He said there's always epidural. Labour pain will be the MOST painful thing I ever experienced (OK, at least he's a lot more honest about the pain level here than the blood test), nothing compared to the monthly pains I experienced. Then again, that was probably the wrong thing to say to me, since I always feel faint from the pain! So I said, "Won't I then faint from the labour pains???" "Epidural" was his short and sweet answer.
6) We won't know if the baby will be coming early or late, but she's low, very very low.
7) Things to look out for over the next few days - persistent ringing in the ear, headache, blurring of vision, and something else ;P I cannot remember! That happens, to go down to his clinic for a visit.
8) Time to clean up my desk, move everything back into my room, and note down all the outstanding things to be done!
Hopefully my maid comes in by next weekend!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Preview of Week 34 Pregnant belly II
My girl is going to be a little piglet and since I had this cute happy piggy bank (courtesy of Suntec and my shopping), I thought it would make a great picture.
Anyway got the Hubby to take the shot I wanted, and here it is! I wish my little girl will be as happy as the piggy bank!
Anyway got the Hubby to take the shot I wanted, and here it is! I wish my little girl will be as happy as the piggy bank!
2 days to 36th week
Scary - I'm inching closer to the D day and I feel like I'm really inadequately prepared.
The maid issue is partially resolved - met up with the agent today and shortlisted 2 candidates. Let's see how it will work out - hopefully everything will turn out OK *cross fingers* If OK, I'll get the maid by next weekend and she can really help me to clean up the rooms!
I finally recieved my package from USA, containing some pressies for my baby from her baby cousin Emily. It got mis-sent to Osaka, hence the "long" wait. Going to wash it later then pack it into the drawer.
How am I feeling? Erm ... tired and irritated with my bowels/ stomach. I threw up my breakfast/lunch/dinner yesterday in 2 major sessions in the evening and my tummy was aching almost the entire night - all the gas and intestines churning away. This morning had a run, but thankfully that was it. Lunch I took some bee hoon and nothing came out. I took 3 kueh dadahs and 1 fishball later at 3pm (was too hungry) and thankfully it's retained. Came home and cooked instant noodles (100& Ramen) and it seems to be happily digested by my tummy. I just hope it stays that way - for now i'm just slowly pumping in water, to make up for all the water loss.
As for baby, she's busy hiccupping now - she's sluggish today, probably due to a sleepless night (all the rock music from my organs), but if she was restless, I didn't really notice since I'm quite a heavy sleeper when I'm dead beat. With irritated bowels and stomach acting like they did, I am just so exhausted - I'm just glad I didn't had to run to the loo today. I wonder how much weight I've lost and how much weight baby has gained over this last week. Not that my face looks any slimmer though =(
The maid issue is partially resolved - met up with the agent today and shortlisted 2 candidates. Let's see how it will work out - hopefully everything will turn out OK *cross fingers* If OK, I'll get the maid by next weekend and she can really help me to clean up the rooms!
I finally recieved my package from USA, containing some pressies for my baby from her baby cousin Emily. It got mis-sent to Osaka, hence the "long" wait. Going to wash it later then pack it into the drawer.
How am I feeling? Erm ... tired and irritated with my bowels/ stomach. I threw up my breakfast/lunch/dinner yesterday in 2 major sessions in the evening and my tummy was aching almost the entire night - all the gas and intestines churning away. This morning had a run, but thankfully that was it. Lunch I took some bee hoon and nothing came out. I took 3 kueh dadahs and 1 fishball later at 3pm (was too hungry) and thankfully it's retained. Came home and cooked instant noodles (100& Ramen) and it seems to be happily digested by my tummy. I just hope it stays that way - for now i'm just slowly pumping in water, to make up for all the water loss.
As for baby, she's busy hiccupping now - she's sluggish today, probably due to a sleepless night (all the rock music from my organs), but if she was restless, I didn't really notice since I'm quite a heavy sleeper when I'm dead beat. With irritated bowels and stomach acting like they did, I am just so exhausted - I'm just glad I didn't had to run to the loo today. I wonder how much weight I've lost and how much weight baby has gained over this last week. Not that my face looks any slimmer though =(
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Countdown: 5 more weeks to go
Yup yup, to be exact I'm 35 and 1/2 weeks preggie now. So that's 4 and 1/2 weeks to go before full term *gasp* but she could come early by the 37th week, so that's really more like counting down to 2 weeks *GASP* and anymore than that is kind of bonus time to me.
Why? Obviously I'm not ready - the maid decided not to come last minute, so which means we have to do a search for a suitable maid. Hopefully we can get one to come in by end of next week. The rooms are still UNPACKED but at least I've already asked my part-time cleaning lady to help out sometime the week after to do massive packing.
My fallback plan? If the maid really can't come on time, then I'll just rely on the confinement lady, as well as my part-time cleaning lady. Just that, I won't have the maid in on time to learn some cooking and babysitting stuff from the confinement lady. I guess cooking is still OK, I can cook and teach a bit of that - just that I would prefer someone with experience or the know-how to look after the baby, since I'm a 1st time mother.
Ah well, just keep the fingers crossed then - I've come to a stage that I just want to finish up all my office work first, so that I can concentrate on the homefront. It's too distracting and tiring to be worrying on both ends.
Why? Obviously I'm not ready - the maid decided not to come last minute, so which means we have to do a search for a suitable maid. Hopefully we can get one to come in by end of next week. The rooms are still UNPACKED but at least I've already asked my part-time cleaning lady to help out sometime the week after to do massive packing.
My fallback plan? If the maid really can't come on time, then I'll just rely on the confinement lady, as well as my part-time cleaning lady. Just that, I won't have the maid in on time to learn some cooking and babysitting stuff from the confinement lady. I guess cooking is still OK, I can cook and teach a bit of that - just that I would prefer someone with experience or the know-how to look after the baby, since I'm a 1st time mother.
Ah well, just keep the fingers crossed then - I've come to a stage that I just want to finish up all my office work first, so that I can concentrate on the homefront. It's too distracting and tiring to be worrying on both ends.
Preview of the 34 week old pregnant belly
Yes, it's all mine. I finally got around to persuading the Hubby to take a few pictures of my tummy before "lightening" becomes too obvious (then the shape won't be as nice). Anyway, I was having so much fun playing with 1 picture using Adobe Photoshop, that I came out with the above. Truth is, these above are only a few of the variations I've cooked up. I'll probably print an A3 size picture later with some of the variations, like an pop artsy poster.There's another picture I'm working on, but it's not as fun as the picture above. I guess I hadn't touch Adobe Photoshop for ages, and it's like discovering a new play thing when I was doing the above.
Some of my friends were "shocked" by how big I am, but truth is, I think the camera makes everything looks bigger (read "fatter"). Anyway in reality, I still have people who seem to be oblivious to my huge bump!
I'll post up the rest later.
P/S: I very free? Haha. nope, just that "Photoshopping" has always been a great way to destress for me - cuz once you're working on something, everything else gets forgotten for a little while. I manage to complete most of the work I brought home too - just a final round of touch-up before I submit the stuff tomorrow. Yes, I'm still having the runs =(
Friday, March 16, 2007
Knees aknocking
Yesterday, I went back to work, had about 8 to 9 runs to the loo. Didn't really leave my seat other than the tiolet and the pantry, since my legs were feeling a little weak - managed to complete some work, but not as much as I like.
On the way home, I popped by a clinic - I figured out my runs probably won't stop on its own and I probably needed some help. Anyway got some medication, took it, and I still had the runs!
This morning, I had 1 run, following by vomitting out all the liquid I had put in this morning - so I am guessing I am really VERY dehydrated. So, now I'm sipping a warm cup of water - hopefully it gets retained, then I'll get a drink of 100 plus to replenish on the lost salts too.
*sigh* Yesterday a colleague told me that her sister-in-law/ sister delivered early because she had tummy upset too - apparently the tummy cramps triggered off contractions. I hope it doesn't happen to me - I'm not ready, the house is not ready, the nursery is not ready, and the maid's not here yet!
I'm just feeling miserable because of the tummy pains, as well as the pee - I need the water so that the baby can use it to flush out the waste too. It's really not fun. *cry*
On the way home, I popped by a clinic - I figured out my runs probably won't stop on its own and I probably needed some help. Anyway got some medication, took it, and I still had the runs!
This morning, I had 1 run, following by vomitting out all the liquid I had put in this morning - so I am guessing I am really VERY dehydrated. So, now I'm sipping a warm cup of water - hopefully it gets retained, then I'll get a drink of 100 plus to replenish on the lost salts too.
*sigh* Yesterday a colleague told me that her sister-in-law/ sister delivered early because she had tummy upset too - apparently the tummy cramps triggered off contractions. I hope it doesn't happen to me - I'm not ready, the house is not ready, the nursery is not ready, and the maid's not here yet!
I'm just feeling miserable because of the tummy pains, as well as the pee - I need the water so that the baby can use it to flush out the waste too. It's really not fun. *cry*
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Welcome to the family!
Dear baby Emily,
Welcome to the big family! All your cousins are waiting to huggy and kissy you! So are all the grannies, uncles and aunties!
Welcome to the big family! All your cousins are waiting to huggy and kissy you! So are all the grannies, uncles and aunties!
My new sweetiepie of a niece!
The wait ...
*note: this posting can be quite gross!*
After 1.5 days, finally my tummy aches will be gone for good, I hope! I had to rushed to the loo just now, and relief came fast! I just hope this is the last load of crap that has been processed and my system is back to normal. It's just not nice to have a big belly and tummy cramps that keeps me from sleeping well.
Some people have instant gratification, what goes in, if it's wrong, comes out almost immediately. In my case, I always have to think hard and long what I had for the past few days that could have caused the tummy trouble.
It could be anything that I ate on Friday or Saturday - the first runny stools started on Sunday, but only a little. Monday, a bit more, but occasionally tummy cramps and the lethargy kicks in big time. Tuesday, the vomitting, giddiness and the sleepiness. Today, I've been drinking lots of water because the weather is hot and the pee is not the right colour. I thought I must be losing lots of water when the amount that goes in, don't seem to equate that amount that comes out. Then ... the explanation came - the body's saving the water for the last flush :P
The funny thing is, she's a lot more passive today - not so much swishing, nor jabs or kicks. I guess my tummy and the intestines are not making as much noise for the past few days, so she can sleep!
Hopefully this sigh of relief will last, and not replaced by a "oh no!" within the next few hours!
*update* Still running to the loo =(
After 1.5 days, finally my tummy aches will be gone for good, I hope! I had to rushed to the loo just now, and relief came fast! I just hope this is the last load of crap that has been processed and my system is back to normal. It's just not nice to have a big belly and tummy cramps that keeps me from sleeping well.
Some people have instant gratification, what goes in, if it's wrong, comes out almost immediately. In my case, I always have to think hard and long what I had for the past few days that could have caused the tummy trouble.
It could be anything that I ate on Friday or Saturday - the first runny stools started on Sunday, but only a little. Monday, a bit more, but occasionally tummy cramps and the lethargy kicks in big time. Tuesday, the vomitting, giddiness and the sleepiness. Today, I've been drinking lots of water because the weather is hot and the pee is not the right colour. I thought I must be losing lots of water when the amount that goes in, don't seem to equate that amount that comes out. Then ... the explanation came - the body's saving the water for the last flush :P
The funny thing is, she's a lot more passive today - not so much swishing, nor jabs or kicks. I guess my tummy and the intestines are not making as much noise for the past few days, so she can sleep!
Hopefully this sigh of relief will last, and not replaced by a "oh no!" within the next few hours!
*update* Still running to the loo =(
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
the sleep monster strikes again!
I've been feeling really very tired lately, and taking the new medication doesn't help since it makes me feel giddy most part of the day (I can even feel my head revolving like a merry-go-round when my eyes are closed).
For e.g., on Sunday I took a afternoon nap for 3 hours, and I'm in bed by 11pm. On Monday morning, I could barely function at work - I was yawning my head off! By the time I reach home, I went to settle myself in bed and was promptly asleep by 9pm. Well, this morning the Hubby had difficulty waking me up again, but the cheeky girl helped him a bit.
I was half awake anyway, just waiting for him to finish his shower. I guess I must have dozed off again, when I heard him calling me through the haze of sleepiness. This cheeky girl, when he called me a second time, promptly KICKED ME! I was wondering if she was responding to him calling me, or she thought he was calling her, or if she just wanted me up, so she can continue her sleep without someone making noise in the background! *tsk* (she's having hiccups again now)
It's a workday, so I dragged myself to work (or to the car). At work, I was telling my colleague I wish she could just be delivered soon because I really find it very tough going now. I guess it had to do with me not feeling well. At 11am, I promptly threw up everything I had in the morning, my water, my tea, my prata, etc. I had to miss an office lunch event (free food! buffet somemore!) and I slept in my colleague's room - Dr Y's schedule's full so I had to do a walk-in at 3pm. I left about 2pm, reached there at 2.30, went to had some porridge (YUCKS! ALL MSG! NEVER EVER EATING IN THAT PLACEN AGAIN!), went back up to the clinic and this couple hogged all the magazines available for reading. Even they didn't want it, they just left it in between them, when they could have returned to the magazine stand. Ah well, I watched the TV instead but with my vision going downhill, I had to squint to read the subtitles/ translation. I was already dozing off when they called me in at 4 plus.
I had an initial BP done, and the reading was 145/90. So after discussing with Dr Y, I was told to stop the medication and observe the BP readings I take at home. The second set of BP readings were much better, in the rangs of 120+++ / 80+++. Anyway I'm on 2 days MC, he suspects that I may be coming down with a flu (I probably look liked when I did during the first trimester!) or food poisoning (I said I had runny stools and tummy cramps). Just hope I still have enough time to complete all the work due by this week. Sleep is sufficient but not pleasant, when all I dream about is work! I just hope the giddiness stop too, because it makes me so groggy and I cannot think straight. I need that clarity when I'm doing editing and proofreading!
For e.g., on Sunday I took a afternoon nap for 3 hours, and I'm in bed by 11pm. On Monday morning, I could barely function at work - I was yawning my head off! By the time I reach home, I went to settle myself in bed and was promptly asleep by 9pm. Well, this morning the Hubby had difficulty waking me up again, but the cheeky girl helped him a bit.
I was half awake anyway, just waiting for him to finish his shower. I guess I must have dozed off again, when I heard him calling me through the haze of sleepiness. This cheeky girl, when he called me a second time, promptly KICKED ME! I was wondering if she was responding to him calling me, or she thought he was calling her, or if she just wanted me up, so she can continue her sleep without someone making noise in the background! *tsk* (she's having hiccups again now)
It's a workday, so I dragged myself to work (or to the car). At work, I was telling my colleague I wish she could just be delivered soon because I really find it very tough going now. I guess it had to do with me not feeling well. At 11am, I promptly threw up everything I had in the morning, my water, my tea, my prata, etc. I had to miss an office lunch event (free food! buffet somemore!) and I slept in my colleague's room - Dr Y's schedule's full so I had to do a walk-in at 3pm. I left about 2pm, reached there at 2.30, went to had some porridge (YUCKS! ALL MSG! NEVER EVER EATING IN THAT PLACEN AGAIN!), went back up to the clinic and this couple hogged all the magazines available for reading. Even they didn't want it, they just left it in between them, when they could have returned to the magazine stand. Ah well, I watched the TV instead but with my vision going downhill, I had to squint to read the subtitles/ translation. I was already dozing off when they called me in at 4 plus.
I had an initial BP done, and the reading was 145/90. So after discussing with Dr Y, I was told to stop the medication and observe the BP readings I take at home. The second set of BP readings were much better, in the rangs of 120+++ / 80+++. Anyway I'm on 2 days MC, he suspects that I may be coming down with a flu (I probably look liked when I did during the first trimester!) or food poisoning (I said I had runny stools and tummy cramps). Just hope I still have enough time to complete all the work due by this week. Sleep is sufficient but not pleasant, when all I dream about is work! I just hope the giddiness stop too, because it makes me so groggy and I cannot think straight. I need that clarity when I'm doing editing and proofreading!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Updated - Things to Do
- Complete packing the hospital bag *sigh* let just say I'm washing the stuff to pack into the designated bag
- To clean out the maid's room and get in new furniture for her - time to go shopping at Ikea! Done partially - the furniture's in but my stuff is still hogging the space
- To clean out the nursery room and put up the cutesy pictures I bought - HAHAHAHAH absolutely NOT done
- To disassemble cot and reassemble cot when nursery is cleaned out - waiting to clean out the room and to transport the cot parts back
Buy furniture for nursery - mainly drawers and changing pad (white!) - Ikea too!Done - got the chest of drawers that the top can flip open to work as a changing top, not white though. Already packed baby's new towels in it. Now sorting out all the little socks, booties and mittens.To complete birth plan - to include some other minor details that I think should not be left to my hubby in case I get conked out on the epiduralDone Done Done!Wash and sort out hand-me-downs baby clothes - 80% done! Soaked the whites and pastels and managed to get most of the stains out, left the other 20% coloured clothings to wash, will try to do so by this weekend- left 1 small pack of baby hats- Clean out closet and donate old clothes to Salvation Army - must remember to be "cruel" to my clothes and if the hubby's still not doing it, to clean out his clothes anyway - Er ... let just say I've difficulty in packing even my own things =(
- Clean out expired stuff in fridge and around the house - should I wait for the maid to do this? ;P I think I'll wait for the maid :P
- Scan baby's pictures - before the hubby says,"But you kept them right?" Now he says he has no scanner *grrr*
- Just let me SLEEP ...
It's not HBP!
According to the hubby anyway, he proudly corrected me and said it's "Elevated Blood Pressure". OK, so if the ex-medic says so ;P
Went late to the TCM today and I couldn't get a number to see her (she sees only 100 a day) but they were kind enough to ask me why I needed to see the physician. So I explained that Dr Y had said I had high blood pressure and my swelling due to water retention, in particular my left hand, won't go away. So they asked if I had been eating any particular salty stuff recently (everyone asks that question!) and I said no. It's true because I don't really particular like food on either extreme ends these days, and I don't slurp down the soup even if I take soupy stuff (all MSG!).
So anyway they said she will see me but I'll have to wait till someone misses their turn (as in someone took a number and didn't turn up). Waited for 3 hours and managed to see her. According to the physician, because of my PCOS and my genetic inheritance (tendency towards diabetes and high blood pressure, etc), even if I don't eat the "correct group" of food to trigger the HBP, I would already have the latent tendency to develop the "problems".
Ah well, at least I know baby is healthy and growing well, that's a very good consolation. I've only 4 more weeks to endure the stiff joints and swollen digits/ limbs, but I'm counting down. The good thing is that in this condition, they won't let the baby overstay past its welcome (the full term 40 weeks).
Went late to the TCM today and I couldn't get a number to see her (she sees only 100 a day) but they were kind enough to ask me why I needed to see the physician. So I explained that Dr Y had said I had high blood pressure and my swelling due to water retention, in particular my left hand, won't go away. So they asked if I had been eating any particular salty stuff recently (everyone asks that question!) and I said no. It's true because I don't really particular like food on either extreme ends these days, and I don't slurp down the soup even if I take soupy stuff (all MSG!).
So anyway they said she will see me but I'll have to wait till someone misses their turn (as in someone took a number and didn't turn up). Waited for 3 hours and managed to see her. According to the physician, because of my PCOS and my genetic inheritance (tendency towards diabetes and high blood pressure, etc), even if I don't eat the "correct group" of food to trigger the HBP, I would already have the latent tendency to develop the "problems".
Ah well, at least I know baby is healthy and growing well, that's a very good consolation. I've only 4 more weeks to endure the stiff joints and swollen digits/ limbs, but I'm counting down. The good thing is that in this condition, they won't let the baby overstay past its welcome (the full term 40 weeks).
Saturday, March 10, 2007
High blood pressure and restless limbs
The strange thing was, I remember reading this high blood pressure thingy from She Said/ He Said blog, and it was covered in the most recent copy of Motherhood. So I went to dig out my copy of What To Expect When You're Expecting and did some reading up.
The condition is called Preeclampsia. The following extract is taken from http://www.preeclampsia.org/
Well, I know I do have the prolonged swelling of hands and feet (literally legs), that won't go away even if I've slept the night with my feet propped on pillows. The sudden increase of blood pressure (since my visit to Dr Y 3 weeks ago) also makes me wonder I have this condition. I'm not sure about the protein level in my urine, but I have this other condition, aka, restlessness of the limbs. Basically my legs just want to kick, and my arms just wants to twitch. Massage only partially helps to relieve the syndrome but sleep or rest seems to be the best way of getting rid of it.
I'm quite worried since the swelling of my fingers won't go away today - usually by mid-morning the swelling would have gone down quite a bit and I could clench into a fist - my right hand is OK, my left is not! I did borrow a blood pressure monitor and been taking my readings for today, but it did seem to indicate a "normal" blood pressure reading - around the range of 126/77 (for the few times I took). I'm going to try again an hour later, to check if the medication has any effect and if it's responsible for my giddiness. In any case, I'm going to pay a visit to the TCM tomorrow - hopefully she has something to get rid of the water retention plus twitching!
The condition is called Preeclampsia. The following extract is taken from http://www.preeclampsia.org/
Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period and affects both the mother and the unborn baby. Affecting at least 5-8% of all pregnancies, it is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and changes in vision are important symptoms; however, some women with rapidly advancing disease report few symptoms.
Well, I know I do have the prolonged swelling of hands and feet (literally legs), that won't go away even if I've slept the night with my feet propped on pillows. The sudden increase of blood pressure (since my visit to Dr Y 3 weeks ago) also makes me wonder I have this condition. I'm not sure about the protein level in my urine, but I have this other condition, aka, restlessness of the limbs. Basically my legs just want to kick, and my arms just wants to twitch. Massage only partially helps to relieve the syndrome but sleep or rest seems to be the best way of getting rid of it.
I'm quite worried since the swelling of my fingers won't go away today - usually by mid-morning the swelling would have gone down quite a bit and I could clench into a fist - my right hand is OK, my left is not! I did borrow a blood pressure monitor and been taking my readings for today, but it did seem to indicate a "normal" blood pressure reading - around the range of 126/77 (for the few times I took). I'm going to try again an hour later, to check if the medication has any effect and if it's responsible for my giddiness. In any case, I'm going to pay a visit to the TCM tomorrow - hopefully she has something to get rid of the water retention plus twitching!
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Report Card for week 34
1. I now am 70.5kg. Not too bad, considering the last 3 weeks covered the CNY period (food, food and more food). So I gained like ... 600g since the last visit?
2. I am guessing, whatever weight I gained, goes to baby, since she gained a whooping 600g since the last visit! She now is approximately 2.4kg!
3. Dr Y seems to remember my insistence on C-section when as the first thing he asked "So, you still going for the C-section?" I said "No, the plan is try for natural, and if the need to induce or any implications, then please cut me open." All this exchange was before the diagnosis (see 4). It seems I may get my wish afterall :P
4. I'm officially now being dosed with medication for high blood pressure. My blood pressure is now 150/95, and it's the lowest of the 3 readings done. The first reading, Dr Y eyes almost popped out. He asked me to please relax and he tried a second time. Still not satisfied with the reading, he switched to taking the blood pressure off my right arm instead and we arrived at the 150/95. So I'm medication for the next 2 weeks, before I go to see him again. I should have guessed, since swolleness of the legs have reached a stage that I can't even bend my right knee without being in pain, and sleeping with the legs raised didn't helped either (the legs are just as puffy).
5. The implications? I may have to deliver by 38 weeks if my blood pressure doesn't go down - so I have 4 weeks to get my act together. Could all this stress of preparations be the cause of the increase in blood pressure????
6. I was a bit worried that the reading is a fluke - because my blood pressure is normally on the low side, so I asked how would I know if my blood pressure falls below the normal when I take the medication. So I have to looked out for rapid heart beat and giddiness after I take the medication, in addition to monitoring the symptoms for high blood pressure like sustained headaches, giddiness and prolonged water retention .
7. I did asked if there was any medication for water retention since the swollen fingers and the pain in the right knee (when I bend it) is driving me nuts (ask the Hubby how nutty). I have difficulty getting in and out of bed, not because of the belly, but rather that I need to position my knee properly. Anyway the answer from Dr Y is "Delivery". *sigh*
So how do I feel? I'm glad baby is putting on the right amount of weight and is healthy (must remember to take my supplements) but I'm not sure if the high blood pressure will harm her development in any way. So let's see what happens in 2 weeks time....
2. I am guessing, whatever weight I gained, goes to baby, since she gained a whooping 600g since the last visit! She now is approximately 2.4kg!
3. Dr Y seems to remember my insistence on C-section when as the first thing he asked "So, you still going for the C-section?" I said "No, the plan is try for natural, and if the need to induce or any implications, then please cut me open." All this exchange was before the diagnosis (see 4). It seems I may get my wish afterall :P
4. I'm officially now being dosed with medication for high blood pressure. My blood pressure is now 150/95, and it's the lowest of the 3 readings done. The first reading, Dr Y eyes almost popped out. He asked me to please relax and he tried a second time. Still not satisfied with the reading, he switched to taking the blood pressure off my right arm instead and we arrived at the 150/95. So I'm medication for the next 2 weeks, before I go to see him again. I should have guessed, since swolleness of the legs have reached a stage that I can't even bend my right knee without being in pain, and sleeping with the legs raised didn't helped either (the legs are just as puffy).
5. The implications? I may have to deliver by 38 weeks if my blood pressure doesn't go down - so I have 4 weeks to get my act together. Could all this stress of preparations be the cause of the increase in blood pressure????
6. I was a bit worried that the reading is a fluke - because my blood pressure is normally on the low side, so I asked how would I know if my blood pressure falls below the normal when I take the medication. So I have to looked out for rapid heart beat and giddiness after I take the medication, in addition to monitoring the symptoms for high blood pressure like sustained headaches, giddiness and prolonged water retention .
7. I did asked if there was any medication for water retention since the swollen fingers and the pain in the right knee (when I bend it) is driving me nuts (ask the Hubby how nutty). I have difficulty getting in and out of bed, not because of the belly, but rather that I need to position my knee properly. Anyway the answer from Dr Y is "Delivery". *sigh*
So how do I feel? I'm glad baby is putting on the right amount of weight and is healthy (must remember to take my supplements) but I'm not sure if the high blood pressure will harm her development in any way. So let's see what happens in 2 weeks time....
The excitment of childbirth
Not mine, but someone close to me will be giving birth soon to a baby girl too! I'll say give take 1 week max before that little princess pops out!
So I've shipped over some herbal tea bags today (hope it's on time) as well as a little shopping at Amazon.com and the goodies should be delivered in a few days time.
For the herbal tea bags, it's meant for the healing process after childbirth. If you hadn't had a child yet, I won't bother with the gory details. If you are pregnant with your first child, you will get to hear all the gory details in antenatal classes, so I'll saved my swollen fingers a little work.
Anyway this herbal teabags, which I bought from MomsinMind, are meant for "rinsing" rather than drinking.
You can read the rest of the details here.
As for the shopping at Amazon.com, I bought the following 2 items because I thought they are so cute! I would have bought the same for myself, except the shipping costs to Singapore = the costs of the 2 books!
Humble Bumbles' Baby Journal: A Keepsake Journal for Baby's First Three Years
and
My Life As a Baby: Record Keeper and Photo Album
Cool stuff really, but I guess I'll just make do with my own little baby journal. I bet this girl will cringe when I give to her as a present at the age of 21!
So I've shipped over some herbal tea bags today (hope it's on time) as well as a little shopping at Amazon.com and the goodies should be delivered in a few days time.
For the herbal tea bags, it's meant for the healing process after childbirth. If you hadn't had a child yet, I won't bother with the gory details. If you are pregnant with your first child, you will get to hear all the gory details in antenatal classes, so I'll saved my swollen fingers a little work.
Anyway this herbal teabags, which I bought from MomsinMind, are meant for "rinsing" rather than drinking.
Mothers' Soothing Herbal Soak - This is a herbal combination that can be used
after birth to help soothe and accelerate healing of the mother’s perineal area.
It can also be used to assist healing after a caesarean incision. These herbs
reduce swelling, slow bleeding, and quickly heal
tears.
You can read the rest of the details here.
As for the shopping at Amazon.com, I bought the following 2 items because I thought they are so cute! I would have bought the same for myself, except the shipping costs to Singapore = the costs of the 2 books!
Humble Bumbles' Baby Journal: A Keepsake Journal for Baby's First Three Years and
My Life As a Baby: Record Keeper and Photo Album
Cool stuff really, but I guess I'll just make do with my own little baby journal. I bet this girl will cringe when I give to her as a present at the age of 21!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Preparation for the impending birth - bit by bit
Let me see, last weekend I've managed to
1. Confirmed the confinement lady - passed the details to my hubby and instructed him when to call her
2. Bought some of the chinese herbs she would need to use for the confinement (well, I rather get it done now, since my movements are already starting to be really awkward). While some of the stuff can be easily bought like sesame oil and old ginger, I bought the herbs first since the hubby will probably have problems with these:
- Dried seedless red dates
- Dried Longans (apparently there's 2 types and the darker one which is semi-wet is used for confinement)
- Wolfberries
- Tong Sum (or Dang Shen in chinese)
- Bak Kay (or Bei Qi in chinese)
I'll pack them up into my gladware boxes and dump into the fridge, probably later - I tire quite easily these days and I promptly conked out last night before 10pm.
Tonight the "attending" the online orientation course for employers (of maids) and I'll need to take a test later on *sigh* Let just hope my grey matter doesn't fail me.
Work wise, I've started some of the preparations of the stuff I need to handover - but the work that I need and want to complete is frustrating me. There's only so much I can do before I start to zonk out and stare blankly at the papers in front of me - so I'm quite glad I'm not spending time in my room, but a temporary housing in a cubicle where there's always things to distract me momentarily (my attention span is 15 minutes max before I blank out).
This weekend there's some events happening at work, but my colleagues had kindly slotted me in for the shortest slot/ event so I won't need to be on my feet the whole time. New furniture is arriving this Sunday too, so I guess I'll be spending Friday night cleaning up the room or making space for the new furniture *argh* Suddenly there seems to be a serious shortage of space in the house!
I still need to pack the hospital bag! *ack*
Sunday, March 04, 2007
It's countdown time!
I'm in week 33 or 34, depending on which website I look at.
It means basically I have 7 or 6 weeks, until the EDD. However, she's starting to engaged, the process called lightening.
It means basically I have 7 or 6 weeks, until the EDD. However, she's starting to engaged, the process called lightening.
When the fetus descends into the pelvic cavity. In first-time mothers, usually occurs two to four weeks before delivery; women who have already givenbirth usually don't lighten until they begin labor.
Taken from: http://www.babycenter.com/glossary/L
So how do I know? From the changing shape of my belly - It used to be a nice "round" shape, but it is now shifting down and forward. The belly size seem to be stagnant, although baby is suppose to be growing a lot rapidly now.
What does that mean? IT'S PANIC TIME!!!! It means I had better stay late at work this coming week and clear up my outstanding work. It's also time to complete my "What to do when I'm on maternity leave" guide book for my colleagues. I may have 2 weeks to go, 4 weeks to go or up to my EDD, but with a baby in the belly, it's no guarentee when she decides she wants to see who's been playing touch with her!
Speaking of which, she's quite cheeky. I was playing with her by tapping my belly with my cupped palm - she responded at first by kicking where I had tapped, but when my hubby tried - she decided she was tired and went back to sleep. I tried a few more times, tapping rapidly 10 times at each spot for several times, but she refuses to indulge me. Anyway, while I was firing up the PC, she started poking me rapidly! She did that a few times and I was wondering what she was doing! At first I thought she was having violent hiccups, but I guess she's awake now and decides to let me know that she hadn't forgotten that she was playing with me earlier! *awwww*
By this time, if she's awake and not doing much of her stretching, I could still feel her little movements by placing both of my hands on my belly. I'm not sure how to describe it, but it's like a tank of water, any movements in it, I can feel the ripples, or water swishing around.
It seems to make all the morning sickness, the pain, the needles, the gore (sight of blood) and other unpleasantness all worthwhile, to feel her poking me with her tiny hands or feet. Oh, I'm going to miss this pregnancy for sure - I don't look forward to being allergic to prawns again. I guess it's time to do some cooking at home and indulge in prawns while I can!
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