Roller Coaster Week

It has been a roller coaster ride for me for the past week:

• yr's bottom is still red despite applying creams prescribed by the PD. He is using Neoderm and Desitin cream (the blue packaging, and then followed by the strongest - purple packaging but still remain reddish) My gal uses Drapolene cream and is completely fine with it. It was suggested by the cl that it's better to use the cloth diapers. Imagine we have to change his cloth diapers every time he peed and pooed. Of course now the cl changes but once she leaves, either I have to be the super woman or use disposable diapers and kept throwing them with every slight tinge of poo in it as yr's bottom is very sensitive. 
• yr's jaundice level has stabilised but is still around the mid range level. doc said is ok, just needs to go for another check next week. I am still feeling uncomfortable with this. 
• hub was down with Dengue and when he was on his way to recovery, he was hit by severe rashes (don't know what kind of rash- just big patches and super itchy and the cause). Went down to Mt Alvernia A&E in the middle of the night and was given a jab. Puke shortly after the jab. 
• got chided by hub even for the slightest thing and I can't speak to him unless really necessary. Guess both of us are just stressed.
• yr's appetite increases - gotta breast feed him longer and I just feel so worn out just by breast feeding him.
• feels yx is not too attached to me anymore after staying in my mil place since my delivery, kindda depressing but i know this is just a passing phase. She is ok with her little bro but still display some jealously when we fuss over him when he cries. 

Crazy. I need some "me" time. Perhaps I should consider bottle feed (with my breast milk) instead of latching on. 

..........................

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.

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??!!! ={

I wonder .....

....... if giving birth is like the feeling of going to poo poo, then why can't the process be quickened when you are nervous? cos when we are feeling nervous, we tend to have "butterfiles in the stomach" and the next thing you know is you get the feeling to go to the toilet. So why can't giving birth be the same - the more you feel nervous, the easier it is for the contraction to come naturally and easily and thus you "poop" faster instead of the opposite? I guess I am going on the slippery slope ......

Oranges vs Phlegm

I have been cutting down on eating oranges since my first trimester - from almost daily to once a week, biweekly and now once every 2 months. In the beginning, I thought I might have withdrawal symptoms but the feeling was not too bad and I took pear instead. However, I still have phlegm although it is now bearable. 

I don't have such problem of phlegm during my first pregnancy. Very strange huh? The old wives tales said that eating too much oranges will cause baby to have plenty of phlegm. Doesn't seem logical to me ... I am the one now having phlegm! Oh well, it doesn't hurt to believe but I will still eat moderately. =\

Hot weather

HOT HOT HOT! I have been sleeping with the air-con on for the whole night without having to cover blanket at 26 degrees. Before pregnancy, I have to cover myself and I don't perspire that easily. I guess with the recent weather, I have become an air-con addict.

As for yx, I just on the air-con to chill the room and after she has fallen asleep, I will off it and then turn on the fan. There goes the electricity bill from now on ....

Pregnancy Skin Care

With reference to this, I must say I am quite lucky cos I don't see any stretch marks except for those that were already pre-existing around my hips area. I only just started applying cream about 2 weeks ago (yes, been lazy, tired, lazy, tired ....) I hope I don't develop more stretch marks after giving birth to snakey junior.

Due to my sensitive nose now and to curb vomiting initially, I use the following for stretch marks:

1. Clarins Stretch Mark Control - I prefer this to Clarins Body Treatment Oil as its fragrance is quite mild and less greasy. 
2. The Body Shop's Cocoa Shea Butter - back thighs and buttocks as I can't really take its cocoa fragrance.
3. Elancyl Stretch Mark prevention - alternate with no.2 for the same reason.

As for the usual cleansing routine, I use the following:

1. Cetaphil - as face cleanser and body wash 
2. Dr. Woods, Shea Vision, Baby Mild Castile Soap, Unscented - as shampoo, though can be quite drying, so I use a little (but I have now try to alternate with Johnson's no tears). I couldn't find any unscented shampoo off the shelves, and I can't even use Johnson's no tears in the initial stage when I could as compared to my previous pregnancy. Although it was stated "unscented", there was a very mild scent. Fortunately, it was still bearable.

I only started putting on eye cream and face serum around the 4th month. Urgh....what to do? How I wish the come up with the real fragrance-free skin care for pregnant women. Clinique's fragrance-free is just the best bet as I can still smell my eye cream when I tried it during my 3rd month of pregnancy. Guess what? I can even smell a strong rice wine scent when I use SK-II facial treatment essence initially and I nearly puke! I doubt if anyone would have the same bad experiences as I did. 

Anyhow, I don't have time and energy for all the skin care routine, just taking care of the essentials for the time being. =\ I wonder how some mummies can still do full make up, with mascara, eye liner etc. Really salute them.... 

Reasons for Vomitting II

Other that this, I also experience these:

1. Anmum mama milk still taste the best. But must drink just 1/3 to 1/2 a cup at most.
2. Cheese is ok, just depends on the time of the day. Quite erratic.
3. Safi Orange Herbal toothpaste works for me now, but only can squeeze up to 1/3 of the toothbrush. (Thanks to my colleague for recommendation.)
4. Phlegm !! I don't know why every time after eating sure got lots of it, not to mention after eating fruits. I wonder is it because I don't drink much water nowadays, but I didn't drink that much either for number 1 too and I didn't have such effect!! I feel like having one container to spit out phlegm (at home is ok, can do it any time in toliet, but in office ???!!! feel like an old woman!!!) Then when I can't cough out the phlegm successfully, then....
5. Coughing out phlegm and burping at the same time.
6. Chilli. only green cut chilli without the seeds is acceptable.
7. Anything thing overly sweet.
8. Sitting down after a really full meal.

Eliminate Fear (of child birth)

I refuse to believe that I can't go through natural delivery without epidural (although there is nothing wrong with medical interventions but it's just me. I do not want any) given that my mum can do it (cos at that time, everything was simple- and that's the key - Simple - know nothing, bring in No fear. and just do it!), so can everyone else. I mean, ok, I am stubborn but I just know I gotta do it, else I would regret. Reading hannabi's and verieying's comments are comforting and inspirational to me. 

I have been reading the following books and I highly recommend HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method - if one doesn't have time or doesn't want to read too much, this one book is something you could count on. (Yes, it 's kindda "intensive" reading for me but I know I need to do it. I wish I could discover much earlier then again, but NOW than never.)

KEY POINTS:

Eliminate fear cos Fear > Tension > Pain (theory pioneered by Dr Grantly Dick-Read)- and the cycle goes on.

We have natural endorphins and they are 200 times (!) better than morphins as painkillers. 

"To those who say it is just not possible to birth naturally and without pain, I say, "But what if we're right? Wouldn't it be wonderful?" Lorne R.Campbell, M.D.

The power of mind: "The mind is capable of anything - because everything is in it. All the past, as well as all the future." - Joseph Conrad.

Conditioning of your body and mind = stress-free



Powerful Laws of the mind- The Laws of: --
1. Pyscho-physical : Mind > Body >Action (think:Pavolv's experiment with dogs)
2. Harmonious Attraction: Words > Feelings > Beliefs > Behaviour > Success/Failure
3. Repetition: Repeat positive thinking (see2)
4. Motivation: Focus ! (think: sportsmanship) Mind Focus on winning> No pain stimuli > No pain !

4 Techniques:

1. Breathing - 1. Sleep Breathing, 2. Slow Breathing 3. Birth Breathing
2. Relaxation - facial, body, "limp", Light Touch Massage
3. Visualisation - floating in the mist on the 7 colours of rainbow, visualise the lower circular muscles as soft, satin ribbons, flexible and totally non resistant to the draw of the upper muscles.
4. Deepening - Glove techniques, Depthometer, Time Distortion

Meditation:
1. Practice of Opening: to relax and open your body
2. Womb Breathing: energy breathing for childbirth
3. Giving and Receiving: brings healing to childbirth

......."Feel your womb and cervix holding your child. At the right time , your womb will start to felx and your cervix will begin to respond, slowly opening, progressively releasing new life. 
The baby's head will then move down through the birth canal. The pelvis will work with the womb, yielding to growth and change. 
These are the strongest muscles in your body, fully capable of birthing your baby. Relax any abdominal tension caused by anxiety. Practice relaxing the outer and inner muscles that cradle your child. Surrender into the full support of life. Trust your ability to change. Prepare to give birth to your child............"

True Stories:
1. Birthing naturally with a midwife
2. Birthing naturally with a physician
3. Birthing naturally with a doula
4. Birthing naturally unassisted
5. Birthing naturally the first time or the next time

For me, I jump into reading some stories in 2. and 5. just to give me some insight.

- Be calm and relaxed
- Do not rush immediately to hospital, check for signs.
- Birth plan (I think for me I told gynae I want natural but still "play by ear")
- Supportive husband
- Focus on your mind, instead of the pain
- Is birth like sex? (haha, it can be!)

For now, what I have to do is to believe and count on my inner strength to go through this journey smoothly.


Update - 9.15am: 
And hanaabi's comments on visualisation reassured me and of course, and as I was typing, I experienced another "show" and mucous plug (sticky red lump) is out. And this confirms that my belief in speaking to the baby and constant visualisation works in communicating with the baby. So labour is on the way-no induction *fingers-crossed*; I gotta monitor for more contractions before heading to the hospital. Yes, I will Jia You (加油) !!

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. =}

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 ! =\

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.

Major Event Log I

My pregnancy is coming to an end soon. Thus I thought of having a brief summary of major events/turning points:

1. March  (1st Trimester) - Holidaying in Korea; had very good appetite but I thought it was due to the cold weather. Was feeling extremely lethargic during my business trip in Shanghai but I thought it was due to continuous travelling KOR-SIN then SIN-SHA. 
2. April - Had a extreme stomach-ache (like menstrual cramp) while on night flight from SHA to SIN. Didn't sense anything amiss until end April. Went for a check-up with gynae and confirmed the good news. [ FAQ: "Where was baby conceived?" Seriously, I don't know, cos my menstrual period was quite irregular this year. Urgh. So, in the end, my answer to all is: "We made love everyday!" whatever. @_@ ] 
3. May - Down with sore throat and flu. Extremely tired. Think of nothing except the bed. Feeling nauseous everyday, unable to burp properly. Vomiting is a norm. Look like a zombie.
4. June (2nd Trimester) - Getting better, but still can't drink water. Have to depend on other types of liquid. Gotta feed on Hudson/hacks sweets almost everyday. Craving changes slightly.
5. July - Sick of Ribena and start drinking more of orange juice. Start eating some fish.
6. August - Start drinking water and fish taste normal now. 
7. September (3rd Trimester) - Change of gynae. Able to swallow pills without much hassle. Start attending parent-craft lessons and doing exercises such as pelvic stretch and breathing techniques (lazy but getting some momentum -__-). Can step into more crowded places without feeling nauseous. Start to develop more phlegm.
8. October - Appetite is better than before but still need smaller meals with frequent intervals. Baby's head is down. Getting myself prepared for child-birth -baby check-list, packing bag for hospital, room-cleaning. 
9. November - ???
10. December - ???

To be updated ... ...

Stretch Marks

I just bought Jorubi Aloe Vera Gel  from Unity pharmacy - hopefully it can soothe the itchiness around my belly button area, some parts of the tummy and my legs (there goes my blemish-free legs). I read that Aloe Vera Gel can also prevent stretch marks, lighten recent scars and relieve skin irritation so I just gotta give it a try.

I am not sure if it works but I know for sure it is definitely a good treatment for burns and bruises as I remembered that I used the aloe vera sap from the plant at my mum's mini garden to apply for my younger bro when he accidentally scald himself with an iron. His skin was swollen but after application, the bruise mark subsided and no scarring detected later.

Currently I am using the following for stretch marks:

1. Elancyl - Stretch Mark Prevention - buttocks and back thighs (cos I can't stand the smell - not that it is very smelly, just that the smell gets stronger when you apply the lotion generously - thanks to my sensitive nose during pregnancy - so the application is at the back of my body.)
2. Clarins - Stretch Mark Control - tummy and around breasts area
3. Clarins - Tonic Body Treatment Oil - tummy and front thighs
4. Johnson & Johnson baby Oil (non greasy) - all over body (just to moisturise)

Still, I can see very faint "white spots" - like stretch mark is emerging around my thigh area. Urgh - what I can seek comfort now is the word - faint - who knows it will become obvious later?

Perhaps I was not diligent enough as I started applying on alternate days after my first trimester for a few weeks before I apply it everyday. Even then, I didn't really "massage" with the lotion and oil cos I was just too tired. It was only in the middle of second trimester that I started to take it seriously.

Well, let's see what happens to my skin after the delivery. =\

Green Beans !

Lately, there are more pimples/rash-like dots popping around my neck and back (again!) and tummy (new!).

Instead of using tea tree oil ointment, I have been using green beans - going natural -although tea tree oil is safe to use during pregnancy. (Thanks to my colleague for sharing this):

1. Soak some green beans in a small bowl of water for 1 hour (half hour or even slightly longer).
2. You will see the colour of the water turn slightly yellowish.
3. You may wish to put it in the fridge to make it cooler. 
4. Dip cotton wool in the water and dab the cotton wool onto the affected areas. (something like a toner.)
5. Use it for at most 2 days (if place in fridge) 
6. Use new green beans and repeat the steps above if you need more days of application.

It works for me - at least the "dots" subsided, but it doesn't help in removing any scar, at most, it lessen the scarring effect. If you were to try it, let me know if it works for you.

Note: See previous post for other "antidotes"

Overcome Swelling feet

1. Brisk Walk or have a short walk after meals

2. a) Lay down on the bed.
    b) Raise your hands and legs
    c) Do a "twinkle twinkle little stars" (clasped hands and open) simultaneously with your feet pumping up and    down (10x per set, do as many sets as you deemed fit.)

The above works for me, especially for 2).
Anyone has different method?

Leg Cramp

Had a leg cramp while sleeping. :( Think this is the 5th or 6th time since pregnancy. But it lasted a short while..guess it is due to the cold weather as muscle contract more easily.

Solution (taught by physiotherapist):
Place a long towel at your bed side.
Create a loop and then place it at your feet and then pull it towards you to stretch it.
Alternatively can use your blanket.

As for myself....I just place my feet on a raised platform by resting it on a pillow and then stretch my leg on its own, and it usually work for me.

Anyone who has a different method ?

"V" time

[Read this and this to know what is "V" time.]

Dinner : Ban Leong Wah Hoe @ Casuarina Road
Date: Saturday, 1 October
Dinner time: 8:15 pm
End time: About 9:00 pm+
"V" time: About 9:45-10:00 pm
Venue: Home
Reason: Eat too much, too fast  + phlegm stuck in throat =(
(timing should not an issue since the last time I also had late dinner and nothing happen.)

my "Antidote"

I think I better note down all my major symptoms and antitdote before I forget.

Vomitted AGAIN !

I craved for kimchi ramen but seems like the spicy noodles doesn't go too well with baby. :(
So I ended up like a Merlion and daddy got me a fish burger from MOS Burger.
Can't wait for this ordeal to be over.....
-__-