Medela Freestyle Breast Pump vs Avent Single Electrical Breast Pump

Thanks to Stella who lend me her Medela Freestyle Pump, I managed to pump out milk within 15 mins from both of my breasts.

The accessories looked kindda intimidating at first:

Fortunately, the confinement lady is experienced enough (she said she has come across so many pumps that she is now quite used to handling them) to know how to assemble and then taught me how to use it, else I have to go through the instructions manual which is quite tiring for me at this stage.

My verdict for now:

Criteria	Medela Freestyle	Avent Single Pump
1. Pressure	Pressure (Vacuum increase) = L5 Breast Shield: medium - 24 mm* Feels not as strong but after 15 mins, my breasts (even my left side which always feels more engorged than the right as baby prefer the right) feels more soft and supple. Can't feel any block ducts around the breasts.	Pressure: Can't control - as per default stronger than Medela but still feel some block ducts around the breasts.
2. Motor Sound	soft drumming	loud rumbling
3. Features*	On/off (std by mode) button Vacuum increase Vacuum decrease Let-down button/timer reset button Memory button Timer display Stimulation phase indicator Expression phase indicator Memory "on" indicator  Battery status indicator AC power indicator	On/off button  handle for electronic memory on your pumping rhythm
4. Milk Yield	110 ml in 15 mins	120 ml in 15 mins (1 pump = approx 60 ml, assuming 2 pumps x2)
5. Ease of mobility*	didn't used straps - holding the bottles so doesn't really feel much mobility.	just single pump, the other hand is free.
6. Assemble Time	Slightly longer than Avent (but if used to it, should be quite fast)	more straightforward
7. Costs	More expensive SGD 530 (base on online purchase price)	SGD 179 - bought in Dec 2011 (after promotion, initially SGD 199 )

*Notes:
1. Pressure - breast shield - I would try large - 27 mm and see how's the result later.
3. Features - I prefer Avent's soft cushion funnel on the breasts but Medela funnel without the cushion is still acceptable. 
4. Milk Yield - for more accurate results, I would probably need to test on:

• on the same breast (at the moment I feel engorged), ie. Left breast using Medela and then the next pump period: Left breast using Avent and the same steps for Right breasts later. 

It seems that my areola still has some milk (after I "squeeze" gently) after 15 mins for Medela but for Avent my areola is slightly drier.

5. Ease of mobility - for both pumps I used the other hand to massage the sides while pumping; have to try with straps later to see how's the results. 

Smiley Baby

hey mum, I love to sleep on big bed. So nice and comfy.
So don't put me back in baby cot ok?

My birth story

18 May 2013, Saturday

1. 2:00 pm+: did exercises to try turn the baby naturally and speak to baby
2. 4:00 pm+: went to playground with hub and yx, having erratic contractions, sat on the bench while hub played with yx
3. 11:00 pm+: hungry, ate some porridge and on the way back to kitchen, I felt something watery down under and I realised I was bleeding. Mucous plug suspected to be out. 
4. 11:30 pm: went to sleep, whole night feeling slight cramps; did breathing exercises throughout the night

19 May 2013, Sunday

1. 2:00 pm: slight cramps, felt like pooing
2. 3:00 pm: hub went to playgroup with yx without me. 
3. 4:00 pm+ - 6:00 pm: felt like pooing again; pooed about 4-5 times in a day
4. 7:30 pm: Dinner - chicken rice
5. 8:20 pm: head to the hospital; mild contractions coming 8 mins apart
6. 9:00 pm: discussing with Dr Benjamin Tham, he was not too happy that I came in 1 day later after I had some bleeding but I told him that my contractions was not regular. Dr did a vaginal examination, I was told that:
• I had dilated 2.5 cm; could feel baby's toes near my cervix
• dangerous to try VBAC due to the transverse lie (see images below)
• Likelihood umbilical cord might be coming out first which is dangerous
• I shouldn't be too "foolhardy" (yes that's the word he used, but it's ok, I don't mind him being forthright) "to pursue a dream" that is beyond the circumstances. 
7. 9:30 pm:  decided to go for csect; Dr Lo Wai Kit, the anaesthetist suggested spinal block which is more straight forward than epidural
8. 9:45 pm: push to operating theatre
9. 10:05 pm: Spinal block given; shivering all over (side effects); could feel numbness slowly set in, surgery starts after confirmation from me that I couldn't feel any pain; used visualisation techniques to relax myself
10. 10:30 pm+: baby out; hub took pictures of me and baby 
11. 11:00 pm+: Surgery completed; wheeled to ward 

My baby was lying in this position (head on my left):

Taken from Google images search

but this would be a "better" transverse lie - less dangerous as the umbilical cord is not facing outwards but inwards:

Taken from Google images search

After surgery, Dr said that he had a hard time trying to get baby's head out first, thus I felt lots of tugging and pulling around my tummy. As expected, the umbilical cord was out and he has to shoved it in immediately. In the end, he tried getting baby's legs out and then quickly the head which explains baby was a little blue when he came out but regain colour gradually.

The next day, I asked Dr if ECV could have helped turned the transverse baby, and he replied "in retrospect, you have made a timely decision to go for csection. I wouldn't advise you otherwise given the circumstances. I can't forecast accurately but given the position and your dilation, it is fortunate that your waterbag did not break, else it could really have been a mad rush." 

After thoughts

I am really glad that both baby and myself are safe and healthy.

If only:

• I have done more exercises to try turn the baby naturally (but then again, I knew on Friday after seeing Dr Paul Tseng that the baby turn again from head down to transverse; and even if I have known earlier, it is also unknown that if the exercises would successfully turn the baby - but the thought of - at least "I did ALL I can" would reduce my guilt.)
• I see Dr Paul maybe 2 days earlier, actions would have been taken earlier - more exercises and make appointment with Dr FM Lai for 2nd opinion. (I am supposed to go see Dr Lai on Monday but just too bad....)
• I go for chiropractic therapy as advised by Eunice - another vbac mummy few months ago. (not 100% guaranteed but at least just try.)

Fortunately, I was mentally prepared for csect and also given the types of anaesthetic a thought so the experience was not as bad as before. Am I going for number 3? haha, it's almost definite that the answer is negative. I can't imagine having an unsuccessful vbac2. It's gonna be quite a toll on me I guess.

Well, if only, if only. Life's like that. There is nothing I can do now but just give my best to baby and my family. We love you yr. 

This is the way I slide ......

The following pix are taken on 18 May - the day before the "BIG DAY". I was having mild but erratic contractions and I just can't think of anything but to spend more time with my gal and to just concentrate on my breathing when the contractions come. 

My (unexpected) labour story will probably kick in later as I am just too exhausted now to type out anything decent and I don't wanna miss any detail. 

See how I slide ....

 

Whee ~ ~ ~here I come!!

I miss you my miss little sum seng. Be good at ah ma's place and mummy will play with you soon ok? Mummy & daddy still love you as much, we promise - even when we have your little bro.

Pig out @ Brauhaus Restaurant & Pub

Was too hungry to take any photo of the food ,
in the end, I snapped on the serviette.

Food was only so-so. Paulaner Bräuhaus at Millenia Walk taste so much better. I wonder if I would be critical when it comes to food after I give birth as it seems snakey junior has made me craved for good food - as in - really up to standards! I am not a foodie but it seems that my taste buds have changed. Damn, I guess I wouldn't even want to taste my own cooking if this high standards were to continue. =\

Confinement Lady II

I managed to confirm a confinement lady last year after I passed the 1st trimester. With the previous experience, I had a better idea of what to look out for. Fortunately, hub got a recommendation from a friend who had a very good experience with her confinement lady who took really good care of her twins (yes, twins!! I mean if she can handle twins, I don't see why can't she handle single baby) and also had good comments from her friends after she recommended the CL to them. It is also good to know that she has prior training with Mount Alvernia Hospital before freelancing on her own. So she understands the benefits of breastfeeding!

With that and 1 interview session, I confirmed her with $300 deposit.

I am quite pleased that she did a follow up call on 5 May to check on my delivery status and confirm my address to ensure that she got the details right. 

Hopefully everything goes well.

Coconut Juice 2013

So coconut drinking again. With some experience, it's not much a hassle except for coconut hunting. Don't know why it seems that coconut is pretty hard to find in supermarkets now as compared to 2011. And the price is scary too - almost double!

Anyhow, looking forward to my 3rd drink soon! Very refreshing ...slurp.

Waking up at night

For the past 2 weeks, I have been waking up at night almost every 1-2 hours due to:

1. yx being sticky to me - will come tapping at my bedside and signal me to sleep with her in her room (even though daddy is sleeping beside her in her room!! =\)
2. tight bladder with snakey junior pressing against it
3. flipping left, right, centre with my big tummy - none of the positions can last long even if a pillow tugged between my legs in a lateral position. 
4. hunger - nibble nibble nibble.

Hello to darker eye rings and zombie me in the morning.

Bear Bear Pillow

whee~~ I love my bear bear pillow

 

Look! I can balance it on my head!

 

heeee,,, daddy do you want to see my stunt again?

The pillow was actually a gift from a friend and it was supposed to prevent flat-head syndrome. We affectionately call it the "bear bear pillow" since it has a bear in the middle. yx used it since she was a baby but didn't really sleep on it but with it. It acts more like a comfort toy a.k.a. her 臭臭than anything else. I am amused by the fact that the pillow can actually keep her entertained throughout the 15 minutes bus journey without climbing up and down the seat. 

We had difficulty finding the exact replica (different colour though) of this pillow. Daddy went to all major stores such as kiddy palace, mothercare, babies"R"us, Robinsons, Takashimaya etc, shops in mature estates, but to no avail. One of the mummies recommended the Pooh bear in gmarket and I nearly bought it online until daddy chanced upon the following in John Little clearance sale at Jurong Point :

ok, so 1 for bunny yx and 1 for snakey junior.

Stretch Mark !!!

Urgh!!! Stretch mark around my belly button!

I don't know why stretch marks starts to develop around my belly button recently, not to mention my belly button looks damn ugly now that it turns brownish. I didn't have such crap when I had yx. How to wear bikini next time??!!! ={

LEAP Schoolhouse Curriculum Review - Spider Story again !

I am not at all impressed that the same story was repeated again although the follow up activities are different. Perhaps for 2 weeks but consecutively 3 weeks! Is it because they do not have enough students to make up a class and since there are only 2 regular students (yx and the other gal) while the others are just on a trial class so they thought it is ok to repeat the story again ?!

• 28 April - The Itsy Bitsy Spider - Story telling format: Singing (the Itsy Bitsy Spider song)

Activity:
Colour the spider webs using crayons

• 5 May -  The Eensy Weensy Spider -  Story telling format: Reading out loud to the song

Activity: 
Search for spiders on the worksheet and circle them using red paint.
Use paint to draw spider webs.

• 12 May - The Itsy Bitsy Spider - Story telling format: Singing (same as 28 April but discontinued halfway - maybe she found her 2 regular toddlers were restless?)

Activity: 
Abstract - dip marbles in black paint and then drop the marbles onto box filled with a piece of paper.
Move the box so that the marbles will roll around to create strands which look like a spider web.

I was actually looking forward to their advance enrichment classes when yx is 3 years old. It seems like I need to adjust my expectations of the school and see how things goes. The only consolation is that yx is quite interested in the abstract activity. Perhaps she already knew the song (I sang this to her since she was like 3 mths old?) and that she has done the colouring /painting in the previous weeks.

So what's for next week? Revert to reading out loud to the song and activity is er, maybe draw a spider using paint? hmm.

Climb, climb, climb !

I have a large watermelon! 我有一个大西瓜

I wanna carry the watermelon!

yx was so excited to see the watermelon at home (she usually sees it either in books or supermarket) that she attempted to carry it with all her strength. It weighs a whooping 6 kg and she was unfazed by the size. Thanks to daddy, yx had a chance to see how the watermelon is being cut and served on the plate although she knows the flesh is red and juicy. Of course, she got her share as soon as daddy sliced up the first layer. =}

Honey Sticks Beeswax Crayons Review

I recently bought the Honey Sticks Beeswax Crayons from playhao. Quite impressed with the prompt delivery service - delivered on labour day !

But I don't really like them other than they are made from 100% natural beewax and non-toxic pigments.

Colours Available:

• yellow
• light yellow
• blue
• red
• orange
• black
• purple
• brown
• mustard
• green 
• dark green 
• pink

Texture: I find the crayons too sticky but my gal doesn't show any dislike.

Colour range:  is ok except I find that light yellow is too light when coloured on the paper, probably a light blue might be better. Colour like mustard could also be replaced by grey or turquoise - as I am not sure if a toddler would get confuse with mustard the sauce with mustard the colour, then again, perhaps I think too much.

Packaging: would be good if there is fixed pocketed slot so that the child can slot in the crayons easily.

Not too fantastic but neither are they too bad. Well, as long as yx fiddles with them and not throw them aside, I don't think there is much to fuss about.

Little Miss Sum Seng

I can do inclined  pull-ups! heh heh !

I wonder why she likes doing this so much. I hated this when I was in school doing that stupid NAPFA test. Oh well...my little miss sum seng is one adventurous and sporty kid. lalalalala.......

Scientific method by babies ?

via asapSCIENCE 

*LOL* =}

Weight and baby position as at 6 May 2013

I am 65.5 kg today ! I have gained another 3 kg.
Prior to second pregnancy = 52 kg
Weight gained: 13.50 kg ={

Baby weighs approximately 3.30 kg !

Dr Paul shows us our baby's face and hub commented that he is a chubby baby. hmm.

Guess what?! Baby has turned his head down..but head not engaged yet. I was quite surprised when Dr Paul kindda knew it when he touched my tummy and then confirmed with a scan. Prior to that I was still asking him about ECV so now the 1st factor (1 position of the baby) is cleared.

2) Size/Weight of baby = est 3.30 kg (which is heavier than what i expected) Although I am happy that baby is growing well, I am worried about the size being too big to try for VBAC but Dr didn't mention that this is a cause of concern.

3) Width of Uterine Scar Tissue = scan today and it was found ok. The uterine walls must be at least 2 mm thick, and mine is 4.37 mm.

4) Position of Placenta = not low so ok.

When I asked him towards the end what he thinks of my case - if I am a good candidate for VBAC, he commented "Except for the previous csect, there is no other reason why you can't go for a natural this time". I am really glad so now what I really need is to stay positive and focus on my breathing.

Then again, he will be away for holiday from 18-24 May so baby please say hello to daddy and mummy when Dr is back...preferably on the EDD 28 May or few days after!

Hello miniature schnauzer !!!

yx's favourite dog

yx's face always light up with a smile whenever she sees a picture of the miniature schnauzer in books or images on TV. I reckon that's probably because it's the first dog she sees around our neighbourhood when she was a baby. Guess first impression counts. hmm.