November 16th, 2007 | Babies, Breast Feeding, Diet, Health, Personal | 3 Comments
After spending 4 days and 3 nights in the hospital, I went back to my mother’s house for my confinement period. Previously, she took care of my eldest sister’s newborns so Clarisse is the third grandchild she’ll be taking care of. I’m so grateful she agreed to take care of us because the first month is an extremely busy and taxing time for families with a newborn. She has to cook for the family, household chores and apart from breastfeeding, she took care of everything else for the baby - bathing, changing diapers etc. It was a learning experience for me. I learnt the ABC’s of baby care by watching my mother.
We had worries about me lacking in breast milk production. My intention from the start was to fully breast feed Clarisse but she would cry after every breastfeeding session. My mother and I worried that I might not produce enough breast milk to satisfy her hunger so we supplemented formula after breastfeeding her. She would sleep soundly after a bottle of formula.
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November 15th, 2007 | Babies, Health, Personal, Pregnancy | 1 Comment
It’s been decided long before giving birth to Clarisse that I will breastfeed her for at least one year. My eldest sister was a big influence in my decision. She told me that she can see the difference in general well-being between bottle-fed and breastfed children. Her daughter was breastfed for only for 2 months, whereas her son was breastfed for up to 2 years. She told me her daughter easily fall sick, unlike his son who appears to have a stronger immune system.
From what I heard so far, I really do believe breastmilk is the best milk for my baby. First of all, baby could consume colostrum from the mother’s milk produced during the first few days after giving birth. Colostrum is essential for newborns because it is high in carbohydrates, high in protein, high in antibodies, and low in fat. It is by far the most beneficial nutrition your baby could get.
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November 13th, 2007 | Personal, Pregnancy | 1 Comment
Friday 9pm
I checked into the hospital delivery ward on a Friday night for my induced labour. Shortly after admission, my OB arrives and inserts a pessary containing prostaglandin into my vagina to ripen the cervix and hopefully stimulates enough contractions to jump-start my labor. After that, I was asked to stay in the delivery ward and get some sleep. If all goes well, I could be ready to deliver the next day.
Saturday 1am
My husband left the hospital at 1am. I couldn’t doze off no matter how I tried. After a few hours tossing about on my bed, I began to feel slight contraction pains at around 4am and from then on, all I could do is lie down and rest my eyes. There’s no way I could sleep with the pain being a constant bother. It’s during times like these I wish I could fast-forward the clock. Anyway, it was a really long, boring and uncomfortable night.
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November 10th, 2007 | Personal, Pregnancy | 1 Comment
During an appointment with my OB on my 36th week of pregnancy, I was adviced to opt for an induced labour sometime around the 38th week of my pregnancy. Due to my previous miscarriage, he told me my baby appears to be doing well and her head is engaged, it would be better for me to go for an induced labour. But I did not decide immediately.
I went for my 37th week check up after a week, my OB told me that my baby was in good condition but traces of varginal fungal infection remains. He precribed another type of varginal tablets, a 7-day treatment to completely get rid of the infection before labour.
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November 9th, 2007 | Health, Personal, Pregnancy | 4 Comments
By the eighth month of my pregnancy, my skin itchiness seemed to have suppressed quite a lot. Still, there were moments of irritation and itchiness but it was mild. Easily relieved by my preferred natural remedy mix of tapioca flour and bittergourd juice.
Just when I thought to myself, the worst of my skin ailments were over, nothing could’ve prepared me for the worst itchy skin problem I’ve ever encountered in my entire life. At precisely 34 weeks, a different type of rash started to appear on my thigh and stretch mark area. These rashes, which looks kind of like eczema, are much more severe than the earlier ones and they itch a lot worst. At it’s peak, the rash spread all over my entire left thigh making the skin dry and red. It’s the dreaded condition called “pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy“, in short: PUPPP!
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November 8th, 2007 | Health, Personal, Pregnancy | No comments
Fungal infection took over as the main problem eight months into my pregnancy. I was terribly stressed out because of it. The infection started right after my course of antibiotics for a minor ear infection. Could it be the cocktail of antibiotics upset the balance of good and bad bacteria in my body? I wondered.
Anyway, it started out very mildly and I did not inform my OB about it. I tried taking extra amounts of probiotics and yogurt, which contains live culture of Lactobacillus acidophilus. I also included garlic into my diet each day for it’s anti-fungal properties. Sweet stuff are kept to an absolute minimum as they are known to aggravate fungal ailments.
As it turned out, I had grossly underestimated the severity of my fungal infection. In less than a week, my condition was turning from bad to worst.
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November 7th, 2007 | Health, Personal, Pregnancy | 3 Comments
Time may have heal the wounds of my miscarriage but I could never get over my ignorance of premature labour signs. If only I have known more about the signs and symptoms of premature labour, I wouldn’t have suffered a miscarriage 20 weeks into my pregnancy.
I remember sensations of mild cramps on a Friday morning so I went to see my OB that very day. He told me that I might’ve been too stressful, suggests I go back and get some rests. Thinking there’s nothing to be too concerned over, I did what I was told. I went home and catch as much bed rest as I can. However, my cramps felt a bit more painful at night. It didn’t felt any better when I woke up the next morning. Following my OB’s advice diligently, I went about the day trying my best to release stress, put everything aside, relax and get as much bed rest as possible. My cramps felt worst and much more frequent by night time. It was midnight when I started to experience some bleeding so I immediately rushed to the hospital.
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November 5th, 2007 | Health, Personal, Pregnancy | 1 Comment
Having suffered a history of miscarriage 2 years ago, there’s a lingering concern that my baby would be born prematurely. My OB was especially careful with me due to my condition. I was told having had a miscarriage would not usually cause preterm labour if I take care of myself well. There are far more babies born late than early.
I hope you’d find the following advises on reducing the risk of having a premature birth from my OB helpful:
Stop Smoking - I can’t agree more! You’d be well advised to quit smoking if you plan to conceive or as early as possible in pregnancy. Pregnant women who smoke throughout their pregnancy experience a higher risk of premature birth. It will reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood stream which in turn deprives the baby of oxygen.
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November 4th, 2007 | Diet, Health, Personal, Pregnancy | 1 Comment
Bird’s nest is highly regarded as a miracle supplement which promotes general well being, moisturize the skin, maintain beauty, relieve fatigue and enhance the metabolism of fat. Naturally, I was told numerous times by caring family members and friends to consume bird’s nest during pregnancy.
It should be obvious by now I suffered skin ailments throughout my pregnancy. Chinese physicians and medicine practitioners recommended bird’s nest to improve my skin condition and overall health. I’m delighted to hear that not only is it good for the mother, my baby’s general well-being and complexion would also benefit from bird’s nest I consume. Well, I have always been wary of what I eat when pregnant but I’ve heared enough good things about bird’s nest to go out to get some and try it for myself.
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November 3rd, 2007 | Health, Pregnancy | No comments
Ever felt like you’re especially clumsy when pregnant? Well I did. During my pregnancy, I find myself accidently dropping and tripping over things. I would pick up something and it just slips off my hands. Sometimes several times a day.
Dropping stuff on the floor is definitely annoying. For my husband that is 
He’s the first person I’d call to help me out especially when things end up under a table or the bed. I know he’s fed up with it but hey, you don’t expect a pregnant woman to stoop down on her knees and bend way down to reach for stuff under the bed do you? 
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