Archive for February, 2009

Two More Weeks to Go!

27 February, 2009 · Filed under baby, ME, pregnancy, work

Ok… So its 8pm and im still in the office. Just finishing up actually. As usual its because the Paris Bosses are coming and i need to make 5 sets of report.

Stayed back last night too… But last night was better because 2 great kaki (friend/colleagues) were there too and we had fun laughing while finishing our work. Tonight its just the boss and me and now he’s left already.

I’m still not finished but preparing for the stuffs to slot in on Monday.

Speaking of Monday, my temp will start on that day! I will have 2 full weeks to train her afterwhich she will be alone in the office with no other more exp staff around the next snr one also on maternity! LOL. She will also be coming just 3 days a week.

We have two weeks because i have more or less decided to start my maternity leave a week before my EDD of 24th Mar. Which basically means that by 3rd week of March ill be hanging around at home relaxing, playing game, treasuring the last few days with the hub at home as well as preparing for any more last minute items also should be doing lotsa walking…

A friend shared that during her time she wanted to work to the very last moment because she didnt think she could bare sitting around and waiting for the contractions to come at home. hehe… To be honest, i already feel anxious about the baby’s arrival … but i can’t wait to sleep all day too! LOL

And about baby…. Strange… today it is rather quiet that its normal self. Yesterday i was complaining to Z that the baby’s kicking me soooo hard and furious my tummy felt sore! Today the feeling was like… sombre… with only half hearted kicks and stretches. Should i start to worry? But i think it’s still within 10 times a day… just not the usual level of activeness.

Today i almost went crazy with itchiness on the tummy too! I think it might be because of the pants. Its not tight … just that it has got some ruffles where the elastic is that’s making some kind of mark on the tummy and making me BONKErs!

Oklah… That’s the update for tonight. I’m going off to pick up Z by cab from his class and then have dinner.

Night All.

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2nd Stage of Labour

26 February, 2009 · Filed under ME, pregnancy

So it was my first day back to work in the week yesterday and was sooo rushed to finish a report that by the time i realise it, it was already 6:15pm.

I dashed to the taxi stand and $12.35 and 18min later i reached KK just in time for the class to start.

I was quite disappointed that it wasnt the same physiotherapist though as i was looking forward to her class. However, the more disappointing part is that its more a revision of 1st stage of labour which i had just done the week before (other couples done many weeks before) because im actually attending a make up class.

The new stuff that she showed us was the C sitting position. She admitted that the best position for delivery is squatting with the natural help of gravity but that its not agreeable in hospital environment as you’d be strapped to machines. So instead they will bring the back of the hospital bed as vertical as possible and propped against a pillow we should sit as upright as possible with Thighs to open as wide as possible bent at the knees and hands holding on to ankle or the bed rail.

So embarrassing that we ALL had to practise to be in that position and furthermore i was alone. Thankfully the couple opp me against the other wall is quite far aways. In that position, we were told to do the bulge and push (??) technique during contractions. By this time, it should be coming every 3-4 min lasting for 2 min. We were told to lean back against the pillow, breathe deep filling ur tummy OUT, then face down, breathe out and PUSH. As u run out of breath, face up again to take another breath.

The first round, most of us were doing 4 breaths in 2mins. But the instructor said that its ok to be doing 6 – 8 intakes within that 2min so as not to be holding our breath.

Then at the crowning stage when you’re NOT supposed to push, you should employ the pant-pant-blow technique which is expelling 2 short breaths and 1 long one. Doesnt matter how or what u say in between as long as there are 2 short and 1 long breaths out.

The other thing she skimmed for us is common postnatal problems such as backache and stuffs and how to overcome them by tilting ur pelvic bone until ur back is straight against the wall and maintaining good posture. *YAWN*

Just as well that Z wasn’t there or he’d be soooooo turned off by antenatal classes. By the end of the class, which ended 40min earlier than scheduled, I swore that if she had said “as well” one more time, i’d punch her face. She was practically ending every other sentence with “As well” even when it was inappropriate!! Jeez!

But poor her. I think she was being evaluated in the class because she said she has a “colleague” with her that night who didnt say anything but just observed with a pen and paper on hand.

I did pose a question though, “How would the hospital view any other birthing position like on all fours?” She said its not advisable but you can consult ur doctor for that. But i told her, “I come from poly, and the doctor said that they dont entertain birth plan. So i dont know really who to tell my favourable position to.” Her answer? “Maybe you can try to give it to your obstetrics?” I just nodded but inwardly i was doing a mental eye rolling like, “HELLO???? Have u been listening to me??? ERgh!”

There’s another class tonight for Admission, spousal support and video. I’m not going since there’s no spousal support attending and i can’t bear to watch a real video.

So there!

PS: Oh God i’m sooooooooooooooo soooooooooooooooooo extremelyyyyyyyyyy sleepyyyyyyyyyy. Please Lord let me have a good night sleep tonight.

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Baby Things Shopping!

24 February, 2009 · Filed under ME, money, pregnancy, work

So i was on leave the past two days. It was nice to get to sleep in and stay up late. hehe

The purpose of the leave was to springclean the room before the baby comes and prepare whatever other things it may need.

On Sunday, working for almost 3 hours, i managed to get a headstart to the spring cleaning clearing out the wardrobe. Now the tudung drawer is all nicely folded. It used to be in a BIG MESS i had to forage around throwing all out to search for a matching scarf every night and then dump it all backed in in sheer disarray. i threw away 1 big bag of old clothes (to be recycled that is).

Now that was out of the way, Mon i worked on the bag, books and toiletries section of the wadrobe. I even managed to empty one big section where files and bags used to be. Can put more baby stuffs in there. This resulted in two bags to be thrown away. one containing old bags and dustry paper bags that i dont care to keep any longer. This took me 1.5hrs

Now today Tuesday… is the best part of the preparation… SHOPPING. initially wanted to go to Jurong POint but we prioritised sleep so just ended up at causeway point. We went to just one shop ie Mothercare because Z was pressed for time. Thankfully the kind sales assistant allowed us to use my sister’s membership just by giving her my sis’ contact no.

These are the things we bought:

  1. Changing Mat @ $6.93
  2. BABY CARRIER (Mothercare brand with 3 ways) @ $80.10
  3. BMilk Storage the plastic thingy Lansinoh brand @ 16.20 for 25pcs
  4. Newborn Huggies 24pcs @ $6.93
  5. 2 x newborn vest @ $11.70
  6. Nursing bra @ $38

Total $170.93.

Am very satisfied with my buys. But did forget to buy another tube of Stretchmark cream and baby bedsheet.

I would say im almost completely ready for baby’s arrival now, in terms of material save for stroller. As for everyday toiletries. Im hoping to use from hospital’s sample for the first few days first.

Speaking of which… i will need an electric breast pump. I already have the manual one from my sis for the first few tryouts. But with my injured hand,i think i will NEED the electric one. Does anybody has one to LOAN or to sell???

Let’s just hope i can be mentally and physically ready for the baby in a timely manner.

PS: Yayyy my boss said the temp will start this thurs!!

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Coping with First Stage of Labour

19 February, 2009 · Filed under dates, pregnancy

We arrived 2mins after 6:30pm.

Had to take off our shoes at the door. and sit on yoga mats. WOW!!! This is soooo gonna be hands on tonight. Zubair would totally NOT be bored.

True enough. The physiologist didnt even go thru slide by slide to explain the details of 1st stage of labour. Instead, she made it very interactive indeed.

First, we went thru the SIGNS of Labour:

1. A Show

– which is actually the mucus plug that’s been keeping ur baby safe inside the waterbag (imagine a CORK) being expelled vaginally.

– colour is brownish red and is normally just one gush/spot.

– no need to go to hosp just yet.

– is different from bleeding (bleeding redder and steadier flow) in which case u HAFTA go to hosp.

2. Contractions

– As far as possible, try to labour at home. Wait till contractions are 10 – 15min apart before going to the hosp unless you can’t cope with the pain.

– Where to go? Delivery Suite, 2nd Floor Women’s Tower. Alternatively, can also go to Basement 1 and they will wheel u up but DONT go to the emergency room, it will take LONGER. How ironic!!!!!

3. Waterbag Burst

– Odourless colourless

– Different from urine leakage in terms of colour and odour. like Duh. And that if you contract ur pelvic muscle, it still flows means its waterbag (aka amniotic fluid).

– You have 2 hours from now to take a shower, pack ur bag and check in to the hospital’s delivery suite. IMP: DON”T RUSH.

A new thing i learnt is that between the 1st and 2nd stage of labour, there is a transition stage where you will feel a strong urge to push but you’re NOT ALLOWED to. This is because your cervix is not dilated yet and can cause trauma to the cervix and/or baby if you insist on pushing!

So what can you do to NOT Push? Do the Fu-Fu-Ahhhhhhh breathing technic. LOL. That is actually 2 short breath blows and a long one. Dont know what its actually called. But if you keep on doing this, you will find that you have no time to even think of pushing. Or so she said. Otherwise, i’d say JUST CLOSE UR LEGS lah! LOL Also, try to lie on your SIDEs instead of back to ease the pressure of baby on ur cervix.

While having contraction pains, its best to remain UPRIGHT for gravity to pull ur baby down naturally. But LEANING FORWARD will ease the pressure off ur lower back. You can be in this position while standing (facing and leaning against the wall, or ur back to the wall) or sitting at the edge or a chair or straddling it. Rocking ur pelvis right and left will also give a soothing rhythm.

Now… massages…. There are 4 technics that she showed us. I have no idea how to note them in words. So i just hope Z will remember them in his mind. The only thing i can describe are:

  1. the massage is better done with no clothes in between to cause friction. Better still, use vegetable oil (for massage) for smoother flow
  2. Do not rub the spine too hard else it may cause injury. Light ones ok
  3. Tip to be good masseuse: Ask for feedback – too hard too soft?

We finished 45min earlier than scheduled! But that by no means we went home empty headed. I was really satisfied with today’s lesson i can’t wait for the next one. Oh if only Z could come for the 2nd stage and Labour Rehearsal class. Sheesh!

(Thank god the chilled goat meat didnt give off any embarrassing smell.)

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35th Week Check Up

19 February, 2009 · Filed under dates, pregnancy

18th Feb 09

Weighed in @ 67.6kg.

And that was after having lunch too! 5 weeks ago i was 66kg. I’m Soooo happy. I was afraid i’d go more than 70kg but i still have another 5 weeks or so to go so who’s to say what can happen from now till then!

We waited for some 45min but only saw the doc for 5. Furthermore, it was a MALE doctor! Lucky Zubair didn’t mind. While waiting i went thru many many times in my head of all the list of things to say / ask:

  1. Z’s blood test result from last check up
  2. Why am i having rashes on my thigh? It cant be the stretch mark cream nor aloe vera cream i’ve been using cos i’ve used it a lot of time before. Could it be Bed bug? Lol
  3. What are the things i should pack to hosp?
  4. Who should i give my birth plan to?

He was in soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much of a hurry he made me feel… outrageous to be imposing on him questions he didnt have time for. But i didnt manage to weasel 2 answers out of him.

Ans to No 1: All ok
Ans to no 4: We dont entertain birth plan. (he even managed to smirk when i said i wanna try without epidural.)

He was in such haste to dismiss me that 3min later as i was waiting to make payment, the nurse had to call me back in. She said, “Doctor wants to ask you about your Blood sugar level.” Bah! At the rate he was going, Of course he would miss A LOT of things to check! He recorded down my latest reading and said its still not so bad.

Because we didnt have an ultrasound scan done that day, he examined my tummy. and by examine i mean just stick the doppler ON my tummy, got the heartbeat and Done. Had to wipe my tummy on my own! Even poly wasn’t as bad as that! They had attendants to help us clean up.

I didn’t care and just interrupted his washing ritual and asked, “Where’s the baby’s head?” Carelessly he replied, “Down lor.” As if i was such a duffer. Fortunately he was responsible enough to come back, have a feel and confirm, “Yeah there. can feel the hard head down there.” And he had to wash his hands again. HA ha.

The reason i asked is because i’ve been feeling the kicks and stretchings on my sides and showed the gynae where. To that he said, “Yeah that’s the correct place lah. If you feel the kicks below, then that’s a breeched baby.” Ahhh ok at least i actually LEARNT something.

In reflection, I can laugh at myself. I’m a Sengkek (stingy person) who demands for Private-class treatment. How can! *shake head*

At the payment and appointment counter, i asked if i can request for an additional ultrasound even tho the doc didnt order for it. The nurse asked me what kind of scan i want. Er… how many kinds are there? I just wanna see my baby and know how much he weighs! So i just shoot with,

Me: A Growth Scan?

and got reprimanded,

Nurse: For what you want a growth scan? U already did it what.
Me: Yeah but that was like 5 weeks ago
Nurse: Aiyah no need lah. Anyways there will be another one at 37 or 38 weeks.
Me: Which is like this next appointment.
Nurse: *faltered* But in any case, the doc didnt order for it. But he will lah for the following appt, dont worry.
Me: *MENTAL ROLL EYES*

So 2 weeks from now is actually 4th March. I requested for a day earlier. 3rd Mar!! Which is our anniversary!! Fancy going to the hosp on my bday and anniversary. =D *beaming*

After that was appointment with the dietitian.

She reviewed my readings and said hmmm quite ok but noted the highest ranges for after lunch and after dinner. She almost empathized with my situation when i said its getting more and more diff to control the urge.

She saw that i had some fast food and choc milk. While she was fiercely adamant that i CANNOT ABSOLUTELY take Choc milk, she also listed some of the fast food items that i can take. And some of the things are Thin Crust Pizza of Hawaiian, curry chix flavours, meat lovers but only 2.5 pieces of the LARGE size. Hey that’s MORE than i can eat anyways. =) Fillet, nuggets and DOuble Cheese burger are also ok. In fact, i can still add 1 fruit serving along with it.

The irritating part tho is Z told on me, the kaki paoto (however u spell it)!!! He told the dietitian i still eat sweet stuffs and only just now bought Kuih tart. I mean c’mon i only ate 1 piece! Teehee… i know i know he’s absolutely right, i have been having the sweet stuffs. but IT’S REALLY HARD OK TO BE DEPRIVED! At least, i can still say i have some control about it. As in, i dont eat them as freely as before, surely. Humph

It was 5pm by the time we finished with our appointments. Next is our Antenatal class @ 6:30pm. We managed to squeeze in dinner and a quick visit to the temporary Tekka Wet Market for Z to buy his darling GOAT meat.

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Work Updates

17 February, 2009 · Filed under pregnancy, ramblings, work

1. FC’s assistant has tendered her resignation.

 

Because the asst hasnt yet finished probation period, her notice is only for a week! and we, the girls, are having lunch together later today @ secret Recipe.

It would be a happy gathering full of gossips. But for a very sad reason. We will have one less fun colleague to work with. *CRY CRY CRY*

Fortunately for her, she’s found another job already

2. But we have a new French guy who started yesterday.

Both the boss and office mgr are not in, so me and the other French guy had to help out with orientation? I surprised myself by making fluid conversation with him asking How he’s settling here in Spore after the weekend? He said they have trouble adjusting to the warm weather after coming from -1 degree in Paris! Their 8 month old baby is taking it badly. Coincidentally last weekend was unusual HOT for Feb.

His work station is right next to mine. So i get to hear a lot of French. It feels a bit odd cos i’ve always been surrounded by ladies. Also, he’s rather tall so can peer into my cubicle just by craning the neck. Hmmmmm…

3. The IT guy asked me, “Are you pregnant?”

LOL… im amused that some pple still cant notice my preggy tummy immediately. Granted, he’s only seen me sitting down. Yesterday he asked me to take a look at the copier why the print out is not coming.. unconsciously i rubbed my tummy to soothe the baby’s kicking, that’s when he noticed.

After that he was allll for excusing me from doing “heavy stuff” but i kept saying “No lah its ok no prob at all.” He wont even let me stand. LOL.

No wonder my friends missed being pregnant. Pple mostly always give in to us. Like that time i was arranging to go out with a single girlfriend and she said, “Ok anywhere that’s easy for u lah.” Of course easy for me is Causeway Point, but then it wont feel like really going out, so i chose town anyways.

Hopefully, pictures coming soon.

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Baby’s Cot

17 February, 2009 · Filed under baby, married life

This is the Baby cot Zubair bought from Kiddy Palace last week.

LATIDO red+Black colour @ S$210!

One night Syifaa’ insisted on being carried into the cot despite my explanation that this is for baby and she’s a BIG girl now. So in the end, we compromised that she can get in but can only sit down nicely and not jump jump around.

Zubair was not around that time. If he were, he’d definitely say cannot. I’m weak in that sense (or u can also say ine very sense). Always give in to a child’s request… or rather… tantrum. hah. He can easily scare Syifaa’ out of the room by GROWLING like the bear he is. hehe… and she will run away squealing.

ANYWAYs!!! the cot is taking too much of our bedroom space! I’ve asked Z to dismantle it first cos we had 6 weeks more to go then. It has been 1.5weeks now. Because the baby hasnt arrived yet, its the BARANG-BARANG (things) that are residing inside. GRRRRRR…

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Pasta Mania’s OVERRATED

16 February, 2009 · Filed under dates, Food, married life, pictures, pregnancy

14th Feb 09

Zubair has been wanting to give me a treat @ Fish & Co. But i’ve been rejecting… delaying etc… mainly bcos the last time i ate fish & Chip, my blood sugar level hit 9.6 when it should have stayed less than 7!

Then i saw on the papers that they are serving a special VDay menu only available on 13th and 14th Feb 09. I called up the Bugis Junction outlet to make a table reservation but unfortunately they dont take bookings for these two hot nights. Queue will be EXTREMELY Long i imagine.

So we decided to try out PAsta Mania then, which has just turned HALAL.

I met Zubair @ Marriott @ 8:30pm as he was from Bukit Timah. And he said that he saw there’s a Pasta Mania at Far East Plaza and we started walking towards there.

As it turned out, it was an ALL Al fresco dining style. read: HOT!!!!!

Yummy looking menu

This is a VEry hungy Look

I got a very confused perception of this restaurant. I am not sure whether it is a fast food or a real restaurant. You see… they hand out menus at the table… We can call on the attendant for Chilli sauce or any other things but we hafta go over to the counter to place our order and pay there. Also the menu is VERY fast food like with choices of 3 diff set meals to go along w the main dishes etc etc…

And then the food came…


Zubair had Turkey Bacon Aglio
I

t was disappointing at best. The serving was SUPER Small. Granted, they allow u to “UPSIZE” ur pasta for an additional $2.20 or something. But a small portion for $10 WITHOUT drinks?

And just look at the plate… sooo dry… not much gravy at all!!


I had a Chicken Basil Pizza
(How come i look so evil? as tho i was about to attack the pizza!)

7″ $10. Hmmm the dough was crispy which is just how i like it… but to me its not like REAL pizza lah… Perhaps lacking that tomato base. PLUS, its more like a SNACK for our ravenous selves. Zubair said its nice to the taste though…

Oh well, what could we possibly do other than go in search of more nutritional supplements. To make up for the guilt of eating too much, we walked to Plaza Singapura all the way from Far East Plaza! oh well… almost. Along the way, we made window shopping stops including one at John Little. I wanted to finally buy toiletries for the baby but seeing all those things was overwhelming i just cldn’t decide what to buy. But both Z and i agreed we should get the baby carrier first as opposed to the stroller. and a nice one that can carry front and back would come up to about $120.

Along the way, we saw Swensen’s and it’d be the PERFECT venue for supper + dessert! But damn the Queue was super duper long… AT LEAST 25 tables worth. Cldn’t be bothered to Q so persevered with the walk.

At John Little, we’ve already covered 2 bus stops and decided we could not even stand anymore after close to 1hr… so took the bus and had ICE CREAM!!

At last got my TRUE waffle. I should remember that its called a BELGIAN waffle this kinda thick, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside waffle.

I managed to look evil at EVERY food shot.

Worse, not many pple managed to take a proper STILL picture of me from the new hp.

Z ordered for just plain strawberry ice cream but ended up having most of my mango sorbet. Chet! So im still left unsatisfied.

When we reached Woodlands, we had a fries snack @ BK. But still Z felt the need to go to Al-Ameen right after he sent me home. But only ended up home an hour later disappointed that Tom Yam was not available (or so he said) and whipped himself his special omelette @ 2:30am.

Should i feel guilty eating like a glutton all night long? Probably not. As we all know, on weekends and Public HOlidays, calories don’t count. *wink*

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Hot Weekend

16 February, 2009 · Filed under ME, ramblings, S'pore

Lunch time last Week in the office proved a perspiring feat. But we still got late afternoon showers.

Over the weekend? it was like being GRILLED. and we were indoors! We can start to say bye bye to that breezy wind.

But last night was soooooooooooooooooo hot i cldnt sleep. I was in bed by 11… in between the heat, excitement over a present Zubair’s received and baby’s active kicking, i only managed a wink at midnight but came awake again sweating an hour later.

Took another hour to fall back to sleep and woken up at 4am. This time, too cold with the aircon and ceiling fan on as well as the standing fan not 1 metre away with no blanket.

So much so that i woke up this morning at 7:25am!!!!!! when we should have hit the road LATEST 7:35am.

=( i dont like being late.

Note to self: sleep earlier.

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My Preggy Tummy Nearly Got Poked

13 February, 2009 · Filed under married life, ME, pregnancy, S'pore

I boarded the bus to my antenatal class @ KK.

No. 57 single decker with only 4 seats on lower ground but ample space for standing passengers as well as wheelchairs. It was crowded.

2 Elderly Nyonyas boarded the bus somewhere from Fu Lou Shou Complex with bags of groceries. It had been raining and they had their umbrella sticks with them.

One of them was standing in front of me and suddenly raised her umbrella wanting to put it onto this empty panel as high as my ear level (remember i was sitting down) to my left. Somehow, she didnt quite get the aim right and actually poked my arm!!

I somewhat glared questioningly at the aunty as if to say, “HUH???” And she made a half sincere apologetic smile. I bet she didnt know i was pregnant and resented that i was sitting down. In retrospect, she could have hit my tummy by mere inches ok!!! Then Zubair would regret and feel guilty ALL his entire livelihood for not being there for me. HA HA HA… lol… Anyways, I didnt give up my seat because im selfish and i was afraid i’d fall. The driver was rather violent that day.

As i was about to alight, i almost almost almost wanted to tell this 40+ Malay guy to give up his seat for the aunties. Before i could muster enough courage, the bus had stopped and i alighted.

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