Waiting game

29 Jan 2008

It's waiting game for me. I've start my maternity leave early, as Dr. Chong mentioned "It's ANY TIME". I've went to see him again yesterday for my infection again. He did the dressing and check again for my progress. I'm still 2cm dilated but my cervix has soften further. I don't want to induce as i still got time. At 38th weeks... Not overdue yet. So the next visit to gynae is on Sat.

As for me, brown and red bloody mucous have been seen. More lower back pain and aching feeling all over the body due to the weight of Little Tsui. I get tired easily and want to sleep more.

Yesterday evening, i felt contractions with a 25 mins interval twice then slow down to 1hr interval twice, then it disappear without getting stronger and more frequent. False alarm! Disappointed... It's Braxton hicks!

I've went online to search for information and found some informative websites:

http://www.webmd.com/baby/tc/labor-delivery-and-postpartum-period-early-labor

http://www.pregnancy-calendars.net/labor-signs.aspx

http://www.pregnancyetc.com/signs_of_labor.htm

http://pregnancy.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Pregnancy_Labor_Signs

http://pregnancy.about.com/od/laborbirth/tp/topsignsoflabor.htm

Just paste the links here for sharing... My Amazing Journey is coming close to the finish line.

*Where is the next clue to the pit-stop?!"

The most exciting gynae visit

25 Jan 2008

We have the most, most exciting gynae visit today! I'm at my 37wk 3 days. Increase 1kg over the week and Little Tsui is already 3.2kg. Dr. Chong told us the most "scary", yet look forward news... The baby have engaged and i'm 2 cm dilated. All ready for the arrival of Little Tsui... He told us now is the moment~ ANY TIME, need to get ready!

Wow... Suddenly, it's so fast but very exciting. So we got the pre-admission form, admission letter, test results and paid the deposit for doctor fee. I'll need to get emotional ready for that 20 mins interval cramps to come. I do feel the cramps but not so frequent. A little brown and red bloody mucous have been seen. Lower back pain and aching feeling all over the body.

I think Little Tsui is doing his last min stretching before popping out.

But we still go Takashimaya for last min shopping and lunch. After that meet up with mum and bro at Bugis to the temple and buy confinement stuffs. Went back home for a short rest before we went to IMM for Japanese dinner.

Tired but happy...

My Early Chinese New Year

25 Jan 2008

Due to the "possibility" of early arrival of Little Tsui, I've an early celebration of CNY this year. I've decorate my house, have eat yu sheng at Inchiban sushi @ IMM and also early reunion dinner with family. Weird feeling but very exciting...


Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Let's compare!

22 Jan 2008
I've DIY and took some pictures of my bump. I'm very surprise that my bump grow so much when i compare pictures taken during 32 wks and 37 wks. Little Tsui is growing well!

And also my tummy skin surface changes so much... Now it look so red and over-stretch. And of cos, heavy load... walking like a penguin...

When is Little Tsui "popping out"? My bets are 31 Jan to 4 Feb...

Big headache on his chinese name

Have been thinking about Little Tsui's chinese name. I've went through a 664 pages Chinese/ Cantonese character Dictionary for a bit of idea. Chosen out a few words i like. Now doing the mix and match...

凱( kǎi, hoi) triumphant; victorious

博 ( bó, bok) extensive; ample; rich; universal love

友 ( yǒu, yau) friend

恩( ēn, yan) kind act

哲( zhé, jit) philosophy; wise

奕 ( yì, yik) abundant; graceful

崇 (chóng, sung) high; dignified; lofty; to honor

彥 (yàn, yin) accomplished; elegant

恆 (héng, hang) constant, regular, persistent

宇 ( yǔ, yu) room; universe

軒 ( xuān, hin) carriage; high; wide;

熹 ( xī, hei) bright; warm

熙 ( xī, hei) prosperous; splendid

卓( zhuó, cheuk) outstanding

P.S. Quite a good web-page to go when you are looking for the ping yi and meaning of the word.

http://www.mandarintools.com/chardict.html

I've reached 36th weeks!

16 Jan 2008

I'm finally at the 36th weeks stage. So excited... We went to the gynae today. Again, a few questions and answers... I get to see my little Tsui and hear his heartbeat... His head is downward but not engaged yet. He is still KPO-ing facing outside.

At 34wks, BB weight is 2.55kg. At 36wk, he have increase to 3kg. Amazing... Dr. Chong predict delivery weight might be 3.4kg. BB's head is still slightly bigger.

Mummy weight increase from 64.4kg to 64.8kg and to 65.7kg. OMG! I think it's my craving for milo now... Dr Chong told Ka Man "Just let her drink and eat whatever she wants, the last few weeks only" Haha!

He insert pill to cure infection again and also confirm some red marks on my tummy are STRETCH MARKS. Sighz...

Btw, the few questions and answers are:
Under what situations or condition do i need to rush to the hospital or to call/visit him?

1. Less BB movement (less than 10x)
2. Cramps with interval about 20 mins or less
3. Waterbag burst (a gush of warm water)
4. Serious bleeding or pain

Situations that can wait or can go eat something are:
1. Cramps interval more than 30 mins
2. Waterbag leaks (drips of water)
3. Light Spotting

He welcome the BB arrival anytime and placed his best bet that Little Tsui will be born in the year of piggy. So i'm counting down less than 20 days from date!

Ater the gynae visit, we went to Crystal jade for high tea (actually, our lunch) with mummy, sis and family. Then went over to OG to shop for her 2 little boys. CNY clothes! Same as last year, they are allow to make your own picks. For me, i just browse around. Even i brought new clothes no one will see, as i'm having my confinement during the period. Ka Man got himself 2 tops.

Later in the evening, we went for a early reunion dinner at Redstar chinese restaurant. Good food at affordable pricing. The whole family are looking forward for Little Tsui arrival too!

But m i ready?

Getting ready

6 Jan 2008

Need to start get ready for the arrival of Little Tsui. A bit Kiasu la... But we all Singaporean mah...

We've brought a white chest drawer at $280 from neighbourhood furniture shop, white baby cot at $319 from John Little and baby laundry detergent last week. And brought maternity pads and disposable panties to pack for my delivery bag (in case for early labour).

The "emergency pack" for hospital admission should pack:
1. A pack of 5 disposable panties
2. A pack of sanitary pads
3. (2 set) pyjamas with front opening
4. (2 set) maternity bras and breast pads
5. (2 sets) baby mittens & booties
6. (2 sets) baby clothings
7. Baby wrap for discharge
8. (1 set) mummy's casual wear for discharge
9. Shampoo and shower gel for Daddy
10. Facial wash, Toothbrush and toothpaste for both
11. Jacket for Daddy
12. Pre-admission form (if any)
13. Magazines (maybe)

This weekend will purchase the water boiler (should cost about $129) and start to wash BB bed sheets and some clothes. We decided not to paint the baby room, so Ka Man can relax.

I've discuss and submit my maternity leave form to my manager for approval. If everything goes smoothly, i should work till 5 Feb 2008. Then office closed for CNY eve on 6 Feb and PH on 7 and 8 Feb. My EDD is 12 Feb. I dunno whether i can "hold on" till week 39 a not. Maybe still can enjoy CNY. See BB good boy a not lo... But still planning for early reunion dinner this month (just in case).

I can tell myself having a bit of water retention. I look a bit bloated. Or it's just my eyes playing games?! Have a tough time going to sleep... wake up with back aches due to the BB weight. And BB keep having hippcup at night. Then i dream of myself giving birth... So funny... But i didn't see how the BB look like in the dream.

So many things to take note... But still pretty excited...

New Year, New Life!

2 Jan 2008

Happy New Year to all!

Times files... I'm in my 34wks plus and start countdown soon. I've went to my gynae today with Ka Man and my Mum. It's the 1st time my mum see Dr. Chris Chong.

I've brought along a long list of questions. I've list them out for other MTB reference:-

Qns: Back aches caused by sleeping position
Ans: Need to stay active, maybe go swimming (BTW, i can't swim. So I practice pre-natal yoga at home sometime to loosen my bones and relax.)

Qns: Blue-greeny veins on chest area
Ans: Expand of breast tissues and skin become thiner, the veins are more obvious

Qns: Itchy tummy
Ans: Tummy is stretching to maximum and stretch mark are "coming" (Oh, oh...)

Qns: Chinese Herb
Ans: Not Recommend. But MIL buying some back from HK.

Qns: BB hippcup
Ans: Normal and not to worry

Qns: BB movement
Ans: At least 10 times a day

Qns: BB position at 34wks
Ans: Head downward but facing upward.
Not engaged for labour yet.
Good progress, preferred delivery after 37 wks (which is after 22 Jan... coming soon!)

Qns: BB weight and growth at 34wks
Ans: As predicted, BB is over 2kg now. Weighing at 2.55kg and with a slight bigger head measuring at 37wk

Qns: Mummy weight increase
Ans: 2 weeks ago is 64.4kg, now is measuring at 64.8kg

Qns: Doctor fee for normal and c-section
Ans: SGD$1k and SGD$1.6k respectively

Qns: Pain relief options during labour
Ans: I told him i dun wan epidural, laughing gas can be considered

Qns: With frequent V-infection, is it OK to opt for normal V-delivery
Ans: Have to conduct a Group B Streptococci test (GBS), a common bacteria screening. But it's still safe, just need to insert antibiotics during labour

Then we have also done the pre-admission for Mount Alvernia Hospital.
It will be an exciting new year with a new life!