Maternity Shoot - Photos Out !

Hello Baby !

Nice pinkie bootie for you. Do you know it's mummy's bootie once upon a time?

Mummy will love  and protect you. ; )

 Daddy will love and protect you too ; )

These are some of my personal favourites. Meanwhile, I am still pending for some editing works from DT. ^__^

Water Birth

I read about water birth few months ago from a book I borrowed from the library. However, I didn't give much thoughts but recently I chanced upon some posts from the forum.

At first I thought water birth is not available in Singapore. But water birth is actually available in Singapore, but not many people chose it cos it is not widely practiced in Singapore. One also has to understand the pros and cons of water birth.

In Singapore, the following hospitals have water birth facilities (as at of current updates):

• Mount Alvernia Hospital
• National University Hospital
• Thomson Medical Centre

One also must note that it is essential that one needs to have a doula should you wish to opt for water birth.

And it is recommended that one goes for hypnobirthing classes if you are into water birth.

The following are some of the places that teaches hypnobirthing:

1. BabyBliss
2. ParentLink
3. Four Trimesters

Channelnewsasia Article: 14 November 2009 on hypnobirthing:

Hypnobirthing ensures pain-free childbirth for some
By Venessa Lee, TODAY | Posted: 14 November 2009 1009 hrs

 SINGAPORE: Ms Regina Lim gave birth to her daughter in circumstances starkly different from most other women's.

"Actually, childbirth is not painful," said the 34-year-old, referring to her pain-free labour with Hannah and contrasting it with her experience giving birth to her two older boys, where labour had been induced.

Describing her daughter's birth at Mount Alvernia Hospital on February 20, Ms Lim said: "It's almost like your body's trying to do a split for you. If you just relax, it will gradually, over four or five hours, get into the 'split' position." Labour had been "fun", added the property analyst.

Ms Lim had practised hypnobirthing - a technique she credited with helping ensure a pain-free birth - with the help of her doula, Ms Ginny Phang. In ancient Greek, the word "doula" meant a woman of service. Today, a doula is a professional who assists women during childbirth, providing practical and emotional support.

Actress Nicole Kidman was reported to have had a doula at the birth of her daughter Sunday Rose last year.

Dr T C Chang, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Thomson Medical Centre, told Weekend Today that hypnobirthing "can reduce the need for pain relief." "Some patients will tell you ... they didn't feel pain. Others will say the pain was reduced markedly", obviating the use of pain relief during labour, according to Dr Chang, who said that 15 to 20 per cent of his patients use doulas.

Hypnobirthing, which can comprise visual and auditory cues, is "a mind-body technique to teach women to relax during labour," said Ms Phang, who owns FourTrimesters, a firm that offers doula services.

According to another doula, Ms Kiki Porter Wolff, hypnobirthing "is mind over matter, the mind controls how the body reacts. It won't get rid of the pain per se but it reduces the pain to nothing but an irritability."

Said Dr Chang: "They don't even use the word 'pain' ... they refer to every contraction as a 'surge'."

Ms Lim was part of a small but growing group of women who employ doulas, who number fewer than 20 in Singapore.

Ms Di Bustamante, the director of ParentLink, a company whose services include doula and pregnancy-related services, said the firm provides doula services for eight to 10 births a month, compared with five or six such births per month, two years ago.

About half her clientele are expats and half are locals, she said.

The numbers involved are still tiny, however. Since 2007, for example, KK Women's and Children's Hospital "has received two requests for the assistance of a doula, during delivery", according to Ms Paulin Koh, deputy director, nursing, at the hospital's delivery suite.

Ms Lim said: "In previous births, I had difficulty in getting what I wanted because I was in labour and (not in a fit state to) argue with doctors and nurses, and I wanted an advocate."

Ms Lim said her "advocate", the doula, Ms Phang, advised on matters such as when to lie down and when to walk around, and when to go to the hospital when labour had advanced. "When you're pushing the baby out, someone will, invariably, in all the births, say something like 'Shut up and push!' I will usually tell the nurse, 'you shut up'. Now I have Ginny helping me to glare at her," she quipped.

Having the kind of birth they want - which often excludes pain relief - is important for clients of doulas. "

Some doctors don't even allow birth plans. We often have people switching to us because they can't have a birth plan," said Ms Wolff, who, besides being a doula, is also a trained nurse and midwife.

For Ms Lim, as with many people who opt for doulas, having a natural, drug-free birth was crucial, especially after her unhappiness over her second son, Rupert, having to be delivered via an emergency Caesarean section six years ago.

"I felt that birthing, like eating or sleeping ... or having sex, should be something that your body is designed to do. I wanted to have a natural birth. I felt that this is the normal way to give birth," she said, in contrast to "interventionist" societal norms regarding childbirth.

In opting to give birth without drugs, Ms Lim is in a distinct minority. With regard to the women who give birth at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), for example, "over 90 per cent opt for pain relief", according to Dr Tan Lay Kok, senior consultant at SGH's department of obstetrics and gynaecology. The three forms of pain medication commonly used are epidurals, pethidine injections and Entonox gas.

"In Singapore, all births are pretty much looked at as requiring medical attention ... a medical event, not a normal physiological event," said Ms Bustamante, a doula herself, stating views similar to other doulas'. Citing the use of painkiller drugs as an example of a medicalised approach, she added: "Some doctors want to release the membranes, break the waters routinely, halfway through labour."

Asked separately by Weekend Today whether obstetricians in Singapore were generally too interventionist in childbirth, Dr Tan of SGH said: "Obstetricians have their patients' and their babies' best interests at heart. It is in this context that any intervention is discussed with the patient, taking into account both maternal and fetal considerations, and assessing the pros and cons of the intervention."

Dr Tan added: "Labour is usually managed actively in hospitals, and if the progress of labour is slow, the obstetrician may suggest breaking the waters to help augment the uterine contractions."

Ms Bustamante also said: "Many doctors require that women give birth on the bed on her back. This position is not conducive to an easy birth. It fights gravity and can cause perineum tearing."

She added that "using a birth stool, squatting, (being on) all fours, even standing are much better positions as this allows the pelvis to open an additional 30 per cent".

Asked separately about which birthing position is best, Professor Chong Yap Seng of National University Hospital (NUH), said that would depend on the individual; it would be "the position that you feel most able to push when you're in the second stage of labour".

"The training all over the world is like this: Most doctors are trained with an active management mindset. Some of the policies may seem a bit too cautious to laymen," he said, in reference to queries about medical intervention in childbirth.

However, as doctors are privy to "very bad outcomes" that may occur even with normal pregnancies, "we actually like to err on the side of caution", said Prof Chong, senior consultant at NUH's department of obstetrics and gynaecology.

Whichever birthing method women choose, there is perhaps one universal constant in all new births. In 30 years of nursing, "I've seen thousands of deliveries", said Ms Wolff, "newborn babies always look like their fathers." She reckons it's a way for fathers to bond with their new babies, even though their children's features will soon shift and change.

- TODAY/sc

I contacted Ms Ginny Phang to find out more about hypnobirthing and she was very prompt in answering my questions. I was thinking if I should go for a intensive course on hypnobirthing (given that I am into full term and I might go into delivery anytime soon) - even if I don't go for water birth, it would probably help in relieving some pain during delivery.

According to her, she has worked with Dr Paul Tseng and Dr Lai Fon-Min at Mount Alvernia on water birth.

I checked with my gynae and he was not into water birth as he believes the more "established, traditonal methods". Of course, he also shared the pros and cons of water birth with me but he mentioned that if I am really keen on water birth, he could refer me to doctors who are practicing it. 

In the end, I decided that I don't want to go through the stress of having to go for an intensive course and water birth. I was thinking if I had more time, I would probably have signed up. For now, feeling relaxed is my top agenda. Anyway, now I just gotta count on my breathing techniques I learnt during parentcraft lessons and hubby's support (to remind and reassure me!) during the delivery.

Weird Habit?

Does any mummy has the weird habit of smelling your bolster while sleeping?

I have actually stopped after I went to high school but I discover that the smell (er, not to sound too yucky but is your own unique smell la) seems to helps to soothe my nausea feeling in my 1st trimester and currently the Braxton Hicks contractions which I have been experiencing more lately. To put it simply, it's like your "smelly pillow" (臭臭)  one might have during the childhood days.

I hope I am not the only weird mummy. =}

Coconut Juice II

This is my 4th (and final) week of drinking young coconut juice.

Seems like hub has learnt how to chop the coconut:

1. Use a scissors to cut/scrape off the husk so as to expose it
2. Once you see an small opening (between the husk and the white flesh lining), use a knife to knock it and lift the husk up.
3. 5 mins -done !

If really all else fails, just get it off the drinks store at the food centre.

So now is like counting down to the D-elivery day. hmm.

Food Cravings List II

A follow up to my previous post :

1. Cha-Siew Ramen
2. Mee Siam
3. Mee Rebus
4. Ayam Penyet
5. Chicken mushroom pie/puff
6. Kuay Zup
7. Roast Pork rice
8. Subway sandwiches
9. Pear
10. Assorted cookies 

Weight and baby position as at 24 November 2011

I am 60.70 kg today !
Baby = 3.043 kg

Baby has grown about 300 g in a week !

Position: Head down but still facing upwards, then again today is more towards the side so hopefully she is on her way to face down ...

Nestle Baby Club

Nestle Baby Club

I happened to sign up with Nestle as a member of the baby club where they had a road show last weekend at City Square Mall. So today I received this Welcome message.

It is quite informative - I like The Baby Book and the Recipe book.

Gotta explore more !

Similac Package

I received Similac mummy's package today ! Super efficient, I must say.

The package includes:

• Similac Mum powder sachet (hopefully I don't react to the powder this time)
• A cute teddy bear T-shirt for baby (suppose to be socks but I think ran out of stocks)
• Abbott Discount Voucher $3 off (er... $3 off is better than S-26 with $2 off but I think this discount doesn't really make any difference ...)
• Abbott Nutrition pamphlets/ Information Leaflet (ok, quite informative, know the products better)
• Baby Guide Book (Physical milestones from birth- yrs, Weaning guide for baby's 1st yr, Managing common childhood problems, Stooling Patterns)
• Tips for Successful Breastfeeding (Nutrition for baby. Answering baby's call, Latching on, Getting to know your baby enough, Signs of Healthy Feedings, Myths about nutrition during breastfeeding.)

Gotta read more on the guide book and tips on breastfeeding !

Maternity Shoot

I managed to get in touch with DT via mummysg.com forum and we finally meet today at the studio for maternity photo shoots. Geez, it somehow reminds me of taking wedding photos.

I am glad he is quite jovial person, so you feel happy and comfy with him snapping. It helps that he is going to be a daddy soon, so he shares your joy.  Although I was quite tense in the beginning, thinking how to pose properly, I get more "warmed up" after some shots. Fortunately, hub managed to make me smile more naturally by giving me very "artistic" instructions.

The best part is that the maternity shoots are complimentary (ok, cheapo me again) as he is building his portfolio. Well, I have checked out some budding amateur photographers, and I think he should do fine.

Photos will be out in about 2 weeks time - I guess by that time, I should be in the delivery room, already resting at the hospital ward/home with my little babe or just on the verge of pushing?..haa.

Hopefully the pictures will turn out well so that I can (or dare to) post them online ...^__^

Occipito Posterior Position

Gynae said baby is in Occipito Posterior Position.

Urgh! Now that the baby's head is down, her head/face is facing upwards instead of downwards.

Gynae is quite humorous...he said baby is smart - wanna look upwards for nicer scenery rather than mummy's bottom. =|

Baby, could you do mummy a favour - please face downwards ?

Weight as at 19 Nov 2011

I am 60.20 kg today !
Baby = 2.7 kg
Growing steadily ;)

Waking Up at Night

Usually, the waking hours are in in the combination as follows - 2 or 3 times:

1. 2+am
2. 4-5+am

OR

1. 1+am
2. 3+am
3. 5+am

Either to pee or to eat some light stuff. I think since week 36+ onwards, I wake up just to pee or just drink water cos it so damn hot and I felt so dehydrated (even if I on the air-con cos the air is too dry!).


The irritating part is I can't sleep immediately after I wake up, especially when I wake up at 5+am. This timing is like "不三不四 " (chinese colloquial: neither here nor there) when I have to get up to work around 7:00 am. So you can imagine the number of times I overslept ! =\

Feeling Nervous

Just gotta know that some fellow mummies in mummysg.com has just given birth/ going to be induced soon ..... and I am getting nervous.

I think baby can feel that too cos she moves quite a bit and soon after I went to the toilet to poo. eeks ! (I always get that when I feel nervous, hopefully I don't do that in the delivery room.......)

Cordlife vs Stemcord (Cord Blood Banking) ? - II

Further analysis:

Main Differences	Cordlife	Stemcord
1. Accreditation	AABB (American Association of Blood Banks)	FACT-NetCord (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy and NetCord)
2. Storage no. of bags	Store in only 1 bag	Store in 2 bags (50%/50%)
3. Storage Location	Store in 1 location	Store bags in 2 different location respectively
4. Stem Cell processing techniques	Sepax Automated Stem Cell Processing System	Partially automated + manual process automated: extraction of red blood cells, white blood cells and plasma manual process: via hands in a Laminar Flow Cabinet in a sterile environment
5. Pricing*	Cordlife Pricelist 2011 has annual, 10yr, and 21 yr plan	Stemcord Pricelist 2011 has annual and 5 yr plan. extension is subjected to price changes, - in event of a price increase, it is capped at a max of 10% increase.

*Actually, after comparing the figures for a 10-year plan, there is not much differences unless there is a promotional rate during a seminar/roadshow. 

Note: Rates might differ in seminars of different period. (they might compensate you with vouchers, free gifts etc.

Questions you might ask yourself:

1. How many years are you signing up for and why?
2. Are you willing to take the risks of storing stem cells in 1 bag? then again, is there a guarantee that the doctor will only use 1 bag only and left  the other as a "spare"? (Note that once a bag is used, it cannot be "refrigerated" again.)
3. What are the chances of the security being compromised (ie is storing in 1 location acceptable for you)?
4. Are you comfortable with their processing techniques? Then again, what are the chances of the quality being compromised given the accreditation?

There are only 2 companies doing Cord Blood Banking so I must say, they each have their own strengths and weaknesses and it just depends on how you view/weigh them. Again, it is like an insurance.

Maternity Leave

I still have 5 days annual leave to clear and I think I will carry it forward to next year. Well, my initial plans is to be on leave from 21 November and onwards but let see how it goes. Maybe I will work until I really can't take it anymore? I can't imagine me staying at home resting and then thinking of labour....then again, sometimes I just feel so sian ..wanna just laze around and do nothing, blast music, read some books or thrashy magazines...hmm.

I hope I can clear the important outstanding things and attend whatever boring teleconferencing by this week, at least I can feel at ease.

Diapers

Just received a newsletter from GOO.N diapers.

GOO.N Swimpants Carton Deal & GOO.N Supreme Diapers/Pants Lucky Draw Week 3‏

So cute ya?
But I can't buy too many diapers now. So far I only bought 1 pack to try and also samples from Huggies and Drypers. Seems like MamyPoko only restrict samples given to Malaysians only. Have to call up and ask tomorrow...

Braxton Hicks Contractions - How does it feel like ?

hub kept asking me if I experience any Braxton Hicks Contraction lately, and then I realise that I actually don't really know how does it feel although I know it theoretically.

I started googling and I saw several descriptions contributed by mummies here.

Seems like I also had some BHC too cos I can relate to the following experiences - (actually quite similar to what I have described in this post especially the hard time breathing and that tummy feels hard!) :

My stomach feels hard as a rock when I get them. And I have a hard time breathing when I get it too. Mine last at least a minute and it's hard to move during it. They do make you feel like you got to pee, even if you don't have too. Hope this helps. posted 09/04/2007 by littlemegs22

first, your stomache will get really hard... sencond, your feel your stomache push out... third, after about 15-14 seconds-it slowly softens back... sometimes it puts a sharp pressure into your back... and in my case... Ive wet myself a few times... they mostly uncomfy unless your back is being pressed on... hope my exprience helps you.posted 09/03/2007 by therex4xu 

My tummy gets hard and there's a shooting pain from my upper belly down to my vagina posted 09/08/2007 by a BabyCenter Member 

Another way to describe it is that it feels like the baby is balling up and pushing out on your belly. For my first pregnancy, I assumed for weeks that my son was just balling up and I was just feeling him put pressure on my stomach for a minute. I found out at the very end of my pregnancy that these were Braxton Hicks! I am now on my second pregnancy at 28 weeks and just started feeling the Braxton Hicks again this past week. posted 10/01/2007 by Morgan_Hill_Mom 

I hope baby can stay in tummy till early Dec. -__-

my mini CD collection

Finally finish burning 168 songs in a CD to bring to the hospital. phew! These songs can last me about 10.8 hours. Hopefully that is sufficient to soothe my mixed emotions then. =|

Food Cravings List

My food cravings since pregnancy:

1. Char Kuay Teow
2. Hokkien Mee
3. minced meat noodle
4. minced meat 
5. Peanuts/Ground nuts
6. Popiah
7. Rojak
8. Yam cake
9. Carrot cake
10. Zhu Chang fen 
11. Zui Kway
12. Tau Suan
13. Mango/fruit cake
14. Swiss roll
15. Waffles (with chocolate or peanut fillings)
16. Soup (Melon, Lotus, practically any type of soup)
17. Coco Crunch 
18. Sugar Cane drink
19. Yammi Yogurt (Peach Flavour)
20. Orange juice

will update again if there is anymore....

Buffet Town

Venue: Buffet Town

Purpose: Celebrate my dad's birthday in advance (in case I deliver early...)

Experience: Very full, food not as fantastic as I thought. Rojak is nice but a bit cold. Love the waffle and cakes. Winter melon and veg soup is tasty. Soya bean drink is very fresh (but would be good if they have warm version too.) 

Additional remarks: Can't eat raw stuff - so Sashimi is out. Can't eat crab (old folks say better don't eat), ice-cream (too cold, so eat a super small spoonful). Can't stand prawn now so didn't eat.

Hope baby weight is still within 3kg. =|

Parenthood Fair 2011

Parenthood Fair 2011 @ Expo

Was at the Parenthood Fair@Expo and I bought the following:

• AVENT Steriliser Set - $135
• 2 nursing wear (suitable for office) -($25 each) $50
• Goo.N Diapers (New Born 58pcs; with 2 complimentary samples) - $14 (just get 1 pack to in case this brand is not suitable for baby. Actually wanted to get pampers but it is lined with aloe vera. Ironically, aloe vera is supposed to soothe the baby's skin so it should be better, but hub is afraid baby might react to aloe vera. urgh...whatever.) 

Pending:

• Cordlife - ??? (gotta do further analysis....gotta make a decision soon.) 
• Post-Natal Massage - ??? (in process of getting feedbacks, advice....)

Coconut juice

This is my 2nd week of drinking young coconut juice.

Why drink? - Some older folks claim that by drinking, the baby will come out in a very "clean" condition.

Read through forums and mothers have also justify the claim. My colleagues also recommended from experience.

When to start? - 1 month before the EDD.

How frequent? - Once a week until the EDD

Where to get? - Any major supermarkets- look out for "Young Coconut" tag/label or check hawker centre drinks stall 

How to chop? - With a big parang knife. else the husk is really beyond your strength unless you are some experienced butcher/coconut seller or really has big muscles for it =) 

My experience:

I just drink about 1/2 to 3/4 of the coconut juice cos I feel that my stomach gets a tad "chilly" (or "liang2" in mandarin) after I drink the juice and I have to eat some hot food to warm it up a little. a little kiasi ... :}

Final Verdict:

Have to wait till I give birth to see for myself if this is really true. But for now, just do it (with moderation though) since it is kind of like "proven".

Will update this after my delivery............

Kick, Kick, Kick !

Frequent wriggling routine:

• morning when I wake up or when I said "Good morning" /"早安"
• Around 6-7pm+ - Dinner time! - maybe telling mummy "Dinner time soon, I wanna eat !"
• Around 8-10pm+ - When watching TV or when playing music or surfing the net etc....

Frequent kicking routine: Mostly after 3pm and then on/off until 11+pm

Special style moves: 

• 3 continuous kicks (imagine Bruce Lee punching you 3 time continuously -with lesser force of course, or muay thai boxing - haha) ; sometimes it feels like a continuous knee-jerk reaction, like a trigger.... 
• "Swimming" - see post.
• "waving" - imagine National Day Parade/Kallang wave - from left to right, or sometimes right to left.
• "Swinging" - imagine your hand one up and the other down 
• 1 small light punch in the middle of the tummy
• Tickling sensation in the tummy - slightly below my belly button

So, sometimes, I just tap the same position where she did her action and she sometimes actually respond at the same spot too. hub also did the same thing and he was intrigued and amused by her reaction. But the irritating part is he always want to "play" with her by tapping on my tummy whenever I managed to soothe her before I sleep. GRRrrrr.

Dubious Post in forum: 3rd Trimester Pregnant Ladies Needed

In case you see posts similar to the following:

Post in forum: 3rd Trimester Pregnant Ladies Needed

Think twice.


After seeing her posts in :
a) http://www.mummysg.com/forums/f34/3rd-trimster-pregnant-ladies-needed-74364/   (for GAP outfits)
b) http://www.mummysg.com/forums/f34/third-trimester-ladies-required-72946/  (for M&S outfits)

I emailed my enquiry.

But a few dubious points :

1. Why they need to come to Singapore in just 1 day ? Isn't it a waste of money? With that kind of money, might as well engaged a professional and we are getting paid for it!

2. "Please see 8th Aug 2011 Singapore Straits Times article about us." I later managed to get hold of the hard copy, but found nothing on lamodels or anything mentioning on maternity shots.
She should at least clarify which page, but didn't - just ask for my details and photo.

3. No official procedures mentioned.

4. and then she posted in the forum, "thanks to all who attended on the 11th sept. hope you enjoyed and got the experience while being paid!" - but no one responded to her....sharing the experience etc.
(huh???)


Then after checking with fellow forumers- chocobaby and alisa- who also responded to her email, they had quite different responses but enough to generate suspicion. So we didn't carry on the correspondence and nothing happened in the end. (Update: chocobaby - was requested to send photo in bikini or lingerie ! ; alisa - was told there was an article in April, but when she asked the photographer to send a scanned copy of the article, some excuses was given - duh !)


Of course, the next best to clarify is to email GAP and M&S to check if they really engage/authorise such person, company to do photography. But for me, I think the above pts just puts me off. (pt 2 is obvious enough.- just cook up a date- far enough but still recent in hoping that people won't check?)

The following shows my correspondences with J. B., Just to share and warn all ladies:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi,
I refer to you post in mummysg.com - http://www.mummysg.com/forums/f34/3rd-trimster-pregnant-ladies-needed-74364/
I was just wondering you are located in California, so how are you going to take photos of ladies in Singapore ?

Thanks,
m.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello M

Yes i am based in California. We do the shoots in singapore at the esplanade. The team flies in for the shoots and we put up at Marina Mandarin Singapore.
The shoots are for 1 day only and we conclude everything on the day itself. Please see 8th Aug 2011 Singapore Straits Times article about us.
Visit our site www.lamodels.com
Regards,
Jessie Baylin

---------------------
Hello Jessie,
I tried checking "PRESS" on http://www.lamodelsblog.com for the scanned copy of the Straits Times article but couldn't find any.
Anyway, I don't have the hard copies of the archives.
What sort of details do you need ?
What criteria are you looking for the maternity shots ?
Will I be able to have a copy of the photo taken if i were to be selected for the shot ?

Thanks,
M.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello M
Yes you will surely get the shoots for yourself as well.
Name:
Age:
Nationality:
Occupation:
Height:
Weight:
Vital Statistics:
Stomach Circumference:
Your images of yourself.
Regards,
Jessie Baylin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hope the above helps.

If anyone who really went through the maternity shoots and would like to clarify and share, please feel free to do so. Thanks !

[Note: I have also posted the above in mummysg.com so as to warn those who come across the post.]

Sleeping Position

I have been sleeping in a lying-on-my-back-facing the ceiling position for the past few weeks as baby will just "swim" upwards and "piak" her thighs/legs onto my tummy if I were to turn at the left or right side for too long. Whenever this happens, I felt my chest gets tightened and I can't breathe easily. =(

So what I did was to lie on my back and then hush-hush her while stroking my tummy and then she will "swim" downwards. Then again, at certain days, I can lie on my left side without any problem. hmm.
Maybe she just feels better or have more space to wriggle when I lie on my back? urgh.

My Tollyjoy stuff

Guess what ?

My mum is so good at keeping old stuff that she still has my baby wear, tollyjoy dress, and powder puff which she dug out from the storeroom !!! She even has this manual breast pump that she used back then. Super old school design. (can donate to museum...)

The clothings are still in very good condition - just slight yellowish along the lining and some looks as good as new ! I can't imagine my little babe is wearing my own clothings. =}

Think I should take some of the pictures and post them soon. heh.

Weight as at 5 Nov 2011

I am 59.50 kg today !
Baby = 2.5 kg


Baby has grown about half a kg during the last 2 weeks !


So hopefully baby will weigh around 3 kg by the time she is ready to come out - just nice for natural delivery.


(See also: average fetal length & weight chart)

Breast Feeding thoughts

Actually this post is quite embarrassing...cos I think my cup sizes are bigger than B, but not yet C. (like "I am not a girl but not yet a woman??") 

I was comparing to my colleague who was preggy 2 years ago and hers was like WOW - (BIG C I think.) The problem is: do I have enough milk to breastfeed? : (

I read the breastfeeding booklet given out during parentcraft lessons and it states  "Demand = Supply" - you just need to let the baby latch on and the milk will flow. Urgh. Hopefully my milk flows out sufficiently for my baby.

Baby & Mummy Essentials & Hospital admission Checklist

Here is what I downloaded from mummysg :

Baby's Room
[ ] Baby's cot
[ ] Cot mattress x 1
[ ] Cot bedsheet Covers/ Bumpers x 1 set
[ ] Cot pillow / bolsters x 2 sets
[ ] Cot mattress Protector x 1
[ ] Cot bed lining x 1
[ ] Wind-up mobiles x 1
[ ] Baby's monitor x 1 set
[ ] Waterproof mat x 1
[ ] Blanket x 2
[ ] Chest of drawers x 1
[ ] Bean sprout pillows x 2
Baby's Clothes
[ ] Pacifiers
[ ] Mittens x 5
[ ] Socks/ Bootees x 5
[ ] Bibs x 5
[ ] Jump suits/ Rompers (short sleeve) x 5
[ ] Jump suits/ Rompers (long sleeve) x 5
[ ] Short sleeves / Long sleeves Tops x 5
[ ] Long pants x 5
[ ] Face towels x 10
[ ] Nappy/ Nappy liners
[ ] Bath towels (with hoods) x 2-4
[ ] Tummy covers
Hygiene/ Bath Items
[ ] Short stool x 1
[ ] Nail clipper/ scissors x 1
[ ] Bath sponge x 1
[ ] Baby shampoo x 1 bottle
[ ] Safety pins x 1 pack
[ ] Cotton balls x 1 pack
[ ] Baby Wipes x 2-3 packs
[ ] Bath tub x 1
[ ] Non slip mat x 1
[ ] Baby bath x 1 bottle
[ ] Baby oil x 1 bottle
[ ] Baby powder with puff x 1 tin
[ ] Baby lotion x 1
[ ] Diapers - Newborn Size/ S Size x 2
[ ] Sanitizer
[ ] Baby's Laundry Powder
Care for the Umbilical Cord Stump
[ ] Sterile swab applicators
[ ] Sterile cotton swabs
[ ] Sterile container for cord spirit x 1
[ ] Cord spirit x 1 bottle
Medical Items
[ ] Cream for nappy rash (Destin) x 1
[ ] Oil for wind x 1 bottle - Ru Yi Oil
[ ] Gripe water x 1 bottle
[ ] Thermometer x 1
For Feeding Baby
[ ] Steam sterilizer x 1 set
[ ] Warmer x 1
[ ] Milk bottles x 4 - 2 big + 2 small
[ ] Teats
[ ] Tongs x 1
[ ] Bottle/teat scrub brush x 1
[ ] Milk containers x 1 set
For Nursing
[ ] Breast pump x 1 set
[ ] BM Storage bottles
[ ] Storage bags x 1 box
[ ] Nursing bras x 2
[ ] Nursing Tops
[ ] Nursing/ breast pads x 1 box
[ ] Cream for sore nipples x 1 - Destin
Accessories (for later stage)
[ ] Play pen x 1
[ ] Walker x 1
[ ] Stairgates/ doorgates x 1
[ ] Rubber/ corner protectors
[ ] High chair x 1
[ ] Bouncer
[ ] Stroller x 1
[ ] Baby carrier x 1 - Ergo
[ ] Pram x 1
Mummy Care
[ ] Confinement Lady + Herbs
[ ] Jamu Massage
[ ] Bedroom slippers
For Jamu Massage
[ ] Mattress
[ ] 1 large towel
[ ] 2 small towel
Packing for Labour (Hospital)
For mum:
[ ] Slipper x 1 pair
[ ] Nightdress/ pajamas x 2
[ ] Face towel x 1
[ ] Nursing bra x 2
[ ] Breast pads x 4 pairs
[ ] Disposable maternity panties x 3-5
[ ] Sanitary pads x 1 pack
[ ] Cardigan/ Sweater x 1
[ ] Toiletries x 1 set
[ ] Socks x 1 pair
[ ] Ipad, mag, camera, HP charger, etc
[ ] Aloe Vera cream x 1 tube
[ ] Nipple cream x 1 tube - Destin
For baby:
[ ] Long sleeve tops + long pants x 1 set
[ ] Mittens + botties/ sock x 1 pair
[ ] Baby's Blanket x 1
[ ] Baby's knitted cap x 1

Additional: If u are delivering at TMC, u will be provided with a essential pack consisting of
- Baby vests
- Disposable diapers
- Toiletries
- Maternity bag
- Baby blanket
- A pair of mittens 

For Mount Alvernia, this is what I have been asked to bring (stated in the Parent Craft booklet):

Preparation for Admission

 FOR MOTHER

• Doctor's letter and blood results

• Husband and wife's identity cards/passports

• Marriage Certificate

• 4 nighties with front opening (or loose T-shirts)

• Breast pads

• Maternity bras (1-2 sizes larger than your normal size)

• Cotton panties

• 2 boxes of maternity pads (optional)

• A pair of slippers

• Toiletries

FOR BABY

• 2 pairs of mittens (optional)

• 2 pairs of booties (optional)

• 1 vest

• 1 baby blanket (to keep baby warm on discharge)

I have packed all (even if it states optional) - very kiasu. = }