Just 3 more sleeps!!!

Just 3 more sleeps and we'll meet baby!! Hopefully baby will come out on Friday and hopefully everything will be quick! SJ and I are so excited!! :))))) So are our family and friends. The most common question is these past few days were, 'Baby's here already?!' or something similar to that: 'Your wife or You deliver already?'

I think I felt contractions while watching tv after dinner tonight; my bump suddenly felt very hard and contracted for quite a long while and then the muscles released. Felt it twice within a short period. Told SJ that I could be having contractions and we started to time the 2nd one at 9.43pm. Waited for a long time for the next one and it didn't come. So, that was not a contraction; it was a Braxton Hicks. The moment I thought I had contractions; SJ said that he had to cut his nails because he is afraid that he will be too busy when baby arrives. I told him immediately that I need to update my blog more, complete some forms for work and do some yoga moves before baby can comes :S Well, that was a false alarm, so I have more time go update this blog and prepare more things.

I had the most productive day today in the past 1.5 weeks since last Monday, 9th July whenI officially took off from work. I have bought almost everything I need or want before baby comes today :))))) Started off today by driving to Midvalley to have a lunch with a client as she wants to increase her insurance coverage. We had a very good happy chat. Then, I walked a lot around the mall buying things. I was swiping my credit card almost every 15 minutes and I told SJ that I should redeem something for free from the mall for doing this. Was chatting with SJ and sending photos via whatsapps while shopping, so it's like he was also accompanying me virtually to shop. 

First stop, I went to Jusco and bought my pajamas that has buttons so it's easier when I want to breast feed baby. Bought 4 sets of these : 2 one-piece and 2 two-pieces pajamas in both red and blue colours. I was searching for them at Carrefour but couldn't find any. So glad to have found these at Jusco and most importantly, they are really affordable; one piece pajamas cost RM29 each and 2-pieces pajamas cost RM49 each. Now, I have the right equipped clothes to breast-feed baby full time during confinement.

A client of my mine heard that I wanted to to fully breast-feed my baby, so she suggested that I must get this nipple cream called Lansinoh from Mothercare. Walked to the information desk of Midvalley to enquire the location of Mothercare and found them on the first floor. Bought this next ;) It's only 10mg! Such a small amount.

Went to use my Rm20 birthday voucher from L'Occitane next. I have been using this scalp care conditioner since I've cut my hair really short when I found out I was pregnant. You can read more about my haircuts here. This conditioner has been really good because I used to have major dandruff problems. Had Rm20 discount on this, was quite happy ;) The promoter was trying to ask me to get more things; like getting more shampoo and conditioners which I rejected him by telling him that I won't be washing my hair so often soon because I would be in confinement. He wanted to ask me to get more cream or oil for stretched marks which I rejected him by saying that L'Occitane was not very effective. Very pleased with myself that I didn't get anything more because I could be easily influenced to buy more things; I was tempted to buy birthday and Christmas presents for family and friends.

Next, went to Crocs to get myself a new pair of slippers :)))) I bought a pair of slippers in the middle of this pregnancy and the sole is almost completely worn out due to my heavy weight. The colour of this slippers cheered me up and I wearing this to the hospital on Thursday! 

My confinement lady called me asking about my labour and she is glad that baby has not arrived yet as she wanted to attend her nephew's wedding on the 14th July. She jokingly said to tell baby to come after 15th so she can attend her beloved nephew's wedding. Well, her wish came true :P She told me to get a few Chinese herb items for my confinement which are 'So Hup' pills and 'Wu Kan' pills. I have no idea what are these and I was very skeptical because I was not sure if this would affect my breast feeding and most importantly, would these have an effect on baby since whatever I'm having would also go to baby through breast milk. I posted this question in 'The Breastfeeding Advocates Network' (TBAN) on Facebook; TBAN is a forum founded by Malaysians lactation experts and as the name suggests, it fully supports new mothers on breast feeding. I have been following this forum for months and it has helped me a lot in gaining confidence in breast feeding and I have learnt so much from this forum. It is so fantastic that I have been adding many new mothers into this group, not only new mothers; I added SJ and my mom too!

So, the first few replies on TBAN after I posted my question was it was alright to take these pills during confinement as So Hup pills are for expelling wind from the mother's body and Wu Kan pills are for removing blood clots in the womb. However, some replied much later that they would not advise taking any of these as it would probably affect breast feeding. I told my confinement lady that I want to fully breast feed my baby and would taking these affect the flow of my breast milk. She told me no because she had experienced with breast-feeding mothers. I thought I will just get some and if I don't feel comfortable about it, I won't take them at all. Was advised by a lactation expert in TBAN not to take any Chinese herbs on the very first week because it could cause jaundice in baby. I seriously have no idea what are these as these chinese traditional medicine are mostly in Chinese as I can't read Chinese. I thought it would be good to get them from reputable shops so I can be sure the ingredients are at an acceptable standard.

Went to Eu Yan Sang and asked about So Hup pills. This is the smaller packet and it's a supply for 3 days only, to take 2 sachets every day and I was advised by this shop's promoter to take it for 3 weeks to one whole month. The promoter was telling me that if I shower everyday, I should take 2 sachets but if I am about to shower less, then I can take less as it is believed that showering will bring in or trap 'wind' in the body. I only bought a box which cost RM45. The promoter was trying to introduce me the whole range of post-natal soups and herbs which I sort of zoned out when he was explaining because I have no idea what he was talking about. I felt I was entering a whole new strange world which I know so little about. They should give me an introduction leaflet instead about this whole post-natal herbs/foods.

Eu Yan Sang doesn't sell Wu Kan pills, so they directed me to another Chinese herbal shop called Yin Onn, which I also have no idea what/where was it. That guy who was serving me gave me the strangest look that I have never been to Yin Onn before because it's huge and probably been in Midvalley for many years. Went to Yin Onn and it's a Chinese shop that I have seen for years but never entered it before.

The person serving me immediately showed me a box of  So Hup pills but in a different brand, hence a different English spelling; Su He Wan and this is a box for 10 days supply costing Rm44. 

My confinement lady told me to get only 6 pills of Wu Kan pill which I've got that. This certainly look like Chinese medicine to me. It's RM5 for each pill. He advised that if I'm concerned about these herbs affecting my baby; I should take it 2 hours before I feed baby so these herbs would be fully digested and not enter to baby via breast milk.

The last thing that I've bought was 'Yu Yee' oil which is going to be used to rub baby's tummy and body to expel wind from his body (maybe before or after shower). I remember my mom used to apply this on our tummies when we had stomach ache when we were young. 

I will try to find out more about these Chinese herbs before I start taking them. My father-in law thinks that all these are completely fine and won't affect baby in any way because many Chinese have been taking these for decades. I guess he has his point and many Chinese beliefs have their benefits; it's just that there is not hard scientific proofs that these are effective. Many Chinese are just following based on information passed down from the previous generations. At the end of the day, it's my body and I'm going to be a mother; I'm in charge of another person's life until my baby turns 21, so I'm responsible of my own well being. I just going to do my very best based on the information that I've gathered. I'm so thankful that both my parents and parents-in-laws are easy-going and giving me the freedom to choose on what I want ;)

Just before I left, I went to Robinsons and bought another bottle of Clarins's Tonic Body Treatment Oil. Am still trying to get rid of my stretched marks and will not give up even after delivery! Went home feeling very happy and satisfied because I had such a productive day! Oh, I even filled my car tank full with fuel before I reach home :)))))

I'm 40 weeks & 4 days pregnant!

I'm 4 days overdue and there is still no signs of baby wanting to see this world yet! Dr. Choong's prediction is right! My mom was getting worried about baby being overdue that she called me twice today and advised me to speak with Dr. Choong tomorrow on our weekly visit on our next course of action. She thinks that we should pick a date to induce and we should pick an early date. We have picked a date! It's going to be 18th of July, this Wednesday, about 6 days from my estimated due date (EDD), 12th of July. 18 is a good number for Chinese (means 'sure rich' in chinese) and an ob-gyn specialist friend advised me not to wait more than 41 weeks because baby could be in distress after 41 weeks. I'm feeling a little worried and emotional in these two days, maybe we really should induce labour soon. I know that baby is all ready to come out and I somehow have a picture of baby with a round face, big eyes and a head full of hair in my mind. So happy that I'll be seeing Dr. Choong tomorrow afternoon so I can hear baby's heartbeat again! :)))

The Chong family had a bet on the dates on when baby will arrive. My sister, Jamie Yi Yi is the winner because she chose 15th and the nearest to the date is the winner. My dad, mom and SJ picked earlier dates. So many friends and relatives have been calling and messaging asking about baby's arrival. A client of mine, Fidael was so excited that he called me yesterday just to ask if baby has arrived and when I said not yet, he just said ok and ended the conversation. That was a rather funny phone call. I have been putting up photos and updates of myself in Facebook to let everyone know that I'm still hanging around and baby is not out yet.

I have been eating so much desserts for the past week! I'll definitely have a dessert with SJ almost every night after dinner, thinking that the dessert that we're having that night would be the last in case I go on labour the next day and I would be in confinement for one whole month. Have to go slow on the cold desserts and drinks because many people advised me that it could cause my baby easily to catch a flu and cold in the future. 

Let me update what I have been feeling and experiencing in these past few weeks: 

Getting out of the bed and turning on the bed for the past few weeks had been really painful and difficult :( The pain in my pelvic/pubic bone has been so bad that I don't think there is anything could be done to relief the pain. I told my yoga instructor for weeks about this pain, which eventually in week 39, she told me that there is probably nothing I can do about it; so, I'll just have to bear with it till delivery. I cannot sleep on my back anymore as baby is too huge and is pressing against my chest which would make breathing very difficult. I couldn't lie on one side for too long because my arm and hip that I lie on would ache terribly; I had to turn to my other side in the middle of the night and it has been such a huge chore every time I do that - I struggle so much, making so much, grunting away while holding my tummy to push it to the other sides that SJ would usually wake up too. When morning comes, I literally had to swing both my legs together out of the bed to be on the sitting position because if my legs were separated, my pelvic bone would ache a lot; almost felt that it is going to break apart. This pelvic pain is making me waddle when I walk and I had to arch my back to balance my huge belly; hence, walking really slowly and like a penguin.

Other than that, my fingers are so swollen with water retention that I could wear SJ's wedding ring! His ring used to be able to fit my thumb only but it can fit my ring finger now. I sure hope my fingers (and my feet!) will be able to get back to its old size so I can wear my wedding ring and my many favourite shoes! My Aunty couldn't get back to her old shoe size after she delivered her children more than 10 years ago. Her feet got permanently a size bigger. 

The swell on my fingers has also caused my fingers joints/knuckles to ache, especially in the mornings. The pain is worse on both hands' 3rd and 4th fingers. I would shove my hands to SJ every morning when I wake up and request that he give my fingers a massage. Same goes for my swollen feet too. SJ has been extremely sweet to fulfill my requests; giving me feet massage almost every night and fingers massage every morning :)))  

I can deal with swollen fingers and feet or the pelvic bone pain. I think the most depressing part about this whole pregnancy is the stretch marks!!! :(((( Stretch marks beginning to appear in week 36 and I was really sad about it. Since the beginning of this pregnancy, I have tried my best to make sure I apply oil and lotion everyday (morning and night) on my thighs, arms, bust areas and the whole tummy area with the hope that stretch marks would not appeare. There is a guide on where to apply oil in the L'occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil box which I follow closely. I even look and scrutinize my tummy area almost every night after shower for stretch marks; was quite pleased until week 36 when I saw nasty red lines on my buttocks (!!!), the lower part of my belly and both sides of my belly :(( It just caught me by surprise that stretch marks would appear on my buttocks!!?? That's the last place I actually thought it would appear, hence, didn't apply any oil in that area at all :S

Somehow, deep down I know that there is nothing I can do or prevent these stretch marks from happening because I was told that this is genetic, if your mom has it, you'll surely have it. So my mom has it, I would surely have it too plus my bump is really huge compared to many people. I noticed in these 2 weeks that stretch marks appeared around my belly button. My bump is really quite huge, measuring at 43 inches today. So many people been asking me whether am I carrying twins. SJ's theory was that I'll definitely have stretch marks because of these reasons: my bump is huge, baby is huge, I'm been so active walking and moving around which gravity plays a part in pulling and stretching my bump downwards which the skin will definitely stretched. The body needs a much longer time (more than 9 months) to accommodate and adapt such a huge change of the body. I was wondering those fat men with huge beer bellies on whether they have stretch marks or not; SJ doesn't think so because they had years to get to that huge belly, which their bodies can adapt to that changes slowly. 

 I quickly bought a bottle of Clarins Tonic Treatment in week 36, that is specially applied to treat stretch marks (heard many good reviews but was told that it was expensive) but I guess it's a little too late now because the stretch marks just increased (quite drastically) in these past few weeks. I am not even bothered to look at them in  the mirror anymore after shower. Was talking to a friend and she told me that she didn't have any stretch marks because she literally shower in these oil or cream. She used a huge amount Palmer's cocoa butter and Bio Oil until it drips :S Both her boys were also very small when they were born; they were less than 3 kg. My baby is definitely more than 3.5kg. So, her bumps were smaller than mine. If she wasn't as mobile as me, it should be surprising that she didn't have any stretched marks. 

I guess there are worse things that could happen in this pregnancy; like having varicose veins, lots of facial hair, terrible acne problem, darkened spots/patches on face or neck etc. I should be thankful that this pregnancy has been good so far because I didn't have any of those mentioned above :))) Well, I guess I can always do laser treatments if I 'really' want to get rid of the stretch marks in the future. I was complaining to SJ that it's not fair that my body has changed to much; stretch marks, putting on so much weight (I'm the heaviest now in both Yong and Chong's family) and so much cellulite on my thighs! Now I know the sacrifices that mothers have to go through to deliver a child. No wonder everyone told me that you'd appreciate your mother more after you become a mother. I totally agree with that statement. 

 SJ's colleague who has the same EDD as me, we are seeing the same Dr. Choong for our pregnancies, we even attended the same antenatal class with Jenlia; she delivered her baby girl on Saturday, 14th July and her baby is 3.85 kg. We didn't expect her baby to be that huge! My baby is definitely bigger than hers, so now we're expecting our baby boy to be about 4kg or more! :O I am ok that my baby is big, I don't really mind because many people been reassuring me that bigger baby is easy to care for. I'm ok as long baby is healthy ;) Am trying to set a very positive mindset for baby's arrival. I can't wait to meet baby! Now I can't wait to listen to baby's heartbeat tomorrow afternoon!

I'm 34 weeks pregnant today!

I'm officially 8th month pregnant today! Baby is arriving in about a month time!!!! The moment I received my weekly email update from babycentre.com.my about me in week 34 now, it was like an alarm went off in my head.. OMG! Baby is coming so soon & I'm not sure if I'm ready for baby's arrival! Instantly I messaged my friends & family to tell them that I'm 8th month pregnant now. My mom called me right away to tell me that 8th month is a very crucial month and I should really relax and stop working soon.

So glad that SJ and I have separated all our baby things according to baby's age in months and we have put them all in our storage boxes, ready to be sent to my parents' place as I'll be doing my confinement there. We just need to send the clothes, towels, toy etc for washing first before to my parents' place. After that, I will pack my hospital bag. A good friend of mine, Cin Neng been asking me about my hospital bag since 2nd trimester. Her biggest concern is the hospital bag but I'm having the more relax attitude towards this hospital bag. I shall get it packed when baby's clothes are all washed :P

Updates on my pregnancy and how I feel..
1. I think I had my very first experience of Braxton-Hicks contraction today! I didn't (and still don't now) really know what is Braxton Hicks until my yoga instructor asked us about this last week. I asked the yoga instructor what is braxton hicks and she described it as a mild contraction, cramp of the womb. It felt like a contraction but it sporadic, it comes and go randomly. It could due to dehydration. I think (am not sure) I experienced one today while driving. It was a sudden cramp in my womb with a slight ache and then it went away. Most probably because I didn't drink as much water today as I used to.

2. I am still drinking lots of water during the day, I can finish about 2 litres of water in the day and would start taking sips of water after dinner time to reduce water retention and the need to go to the wash room at night.

3. I am still very thankful that up to today, I don't wake up in the middle of the night to go to the washroom. I don't have interrupted sleep and have been getting restful sleep throughout this pregnancy :)) Hope this will go on for as long as possible in this pregnancy.

4. I could feel that my bump is getting really big. I could feel it resting or touching my thighs when I am sitting down :S Been measuring my belly's circumference on every Sunday, and last Sunday, 27th May, it was measured as 42 inches. It would stay in the same measurement for about 2 to 3 weeks and steadily grows bigger by half an inch each time. I would scrutinize my belly almost every night in front of the mirror looking for any stretch marks. I admit I am a vain person! :P So far, no sight of stretch marks yet. Finger crossed that it will never come but from my findings with other mothers, I don't think I can avoid them even though I put lots of lotion and oil every day. I guess I will have to accept that this is part (the stretch marks) as being a Mom.

5. I am starting having problems finding the good comfortable position to sleep as my belly is getting bigger. I definitely cannot lie on my back (this is my favourite sleeping position!) now when I sleep as I would feel very breathless with my belly is pushing against my lungs. I have been resting my head on two pillows since last week so I could breath easier, at the same time elevate my feet so I would not have swollen feet, which have caused extra stress on my back, hence, I have worse backaches now. When I lie on my sides, I would get numbness on the side that I lie on as I would sometimes stay on the same position for the whole night. I need about 5 to 6 pillows to sleep now: 1 or 2 for my head, 1 for my feet, 1 for my belly to rest on, 1 for between my legs and 1 for my back so if I were to roll on my back, this pillow would serve as a stopper so my back would not be totally flat and therefore, won't give me terrible back ache in the next morning. SJ been very nice; arranging the pillows for me every night which leaves him with very little space to sleep in the bed.

6. I am temporarily permanently walking like a penguin now, due to my huge belly. I think the only reason why pregnant women are waddling like a penguin/duck is to create a balance so we won't topple over. It is also so much harder to get up from the floor or chair and I am definitely walking way slower now.

7. I am feeling so much warmer nowadays too. This is also because the weather is really hot recently but I know I am feeling it more than others. The air-con in my bedroom is turn on with the lowest temperature and in 'powerful' mode almost every night for the past few weeks.

8. About a month ago, we went to get a 3D scan and the doctor told us that our baby is bigger than average. Hence, I do look bigger than average for someone at my stage. There is this funny lady, Shirley that works in my company, she thinks that I am so huge and she has been asking me to stop working and rest at home for the last 3 days, consecutively past 3 days every time she sees me! She is so afraid that I would pop anytime. haha! She has never met me until last Monday and she has been telling me the same thing everytime she saw me :S

9. I have been going for my weekly yoga classes since week 13 and these classes have been really helpful in relieving pains at my back and joints. Just counted that I have 7 classes more to go in my 12 classes pass. I must try to go for all before baby arrives.

10. I went for my very first pre-natal massage last Friday at Amvory Puchong, and another one tomorrow! Bought these massages at the Mommy-Baby Fair at Midvalley in May. I was really looking forward for these massages because the last time I had one was before I knew I was pregnant, which was last year! Been wanting to get a massage but been has adviced against it. The massage I had last Friday was good even though it was short, only an hour. Looking forward for my 2nd and last massage of this pregnancy tomorrow! I was told that I shouldn't have any massages from week 34 onwards :(( and was told that foot reflexology is a big NO NO :(( I thought it would be ok to get a foot reflexology in my final trimester but was told it's really dangerous as it would cause early labour.

11. Am feeling easily tired nowadays, mostly because it takes so much effort and energy to move because I am getting heavier. It's like I am carrying a ball that weighs a few kilogram the entire day for weeks/months. I have gained a total of 14 kilograms since my first visit to the doctor in November 2011. Am seeing the doctor tomorow and will know my new weight. I am hoping to gain another maximum of 2 kilograms before baby arrives. I read that I would be gaining about 250 grams every week in my 3rd trimester, so that's about 1 kilo per month and I have about 1 month plus to go.

12. Baby is moving practically all the time! This baby hopefully is a day baby because he moves more during the day, especially between 9 to 11am and move much lesser at night. He sleeps when Mommy sleeps :)

Things to look forward this coming week:
1. Going for my fortnightly antenatal visit tomorrow! So happy that I'm seeing doctor every two weeks now ;)
2. SJ and I are going for our Antenatal Class next Saturday, 9th June!

Overall, I'm doing good mentally, emotionally and physically :))) Trying to fit some time to swim in my schedule and trying to finish all my work before I officially takes off in the middle of June. I feel torn between the workholic me and the want-to-be-a-good-mother me. There are so much to do at work (I know work will never end!) which I love doing especially things in the office are getting better and gaining momentum but I know I have to slow down to enjoy my pregnancy and prepare for baby's arrival. I read it somewhere that, being a mother and watching kids grow up is really precious, and you have the entire life to work. Oh well, maybe I should follow that statement and enjoy every moment now ;)

Belly measurement - Oh my! :S

I haven't been doing much measurement of my belly or taking many photos since I've got pregnant. I used to love taking photos with my slimmer face/body and long hair.. just posted an old photo which was taken in April 2011 as my blogger's profile photo. My goal/resolution for 2012 is to get back to my pre-pregnancy clothes by December 2012!

Photo taken in April 2011

I think I'm definitely much bigger compared to many other expectant mothers. My Mom & Mom-in-law were so slim when they were pregnant that no one could see their bumps until they were in their 5th to 6th month! I have got so much bigger even before I reached week 13 :/ I couldn't fit into any of my pants or skirts by week 13. The only pre-pregnancy clothes I could still wear were my low-hip jeans, leggings and some dresses. It was pretty stressful standing in front of the wardrobe & staring at my clothes trying to figure out what I could fit in, almost on a daily basis. I want to be an awesome stylish looking mom-to-be but at the same time I don't want to buy too many maternity clothes because I know I would not be wearing them very much often. After the announcement of my pregnancy, I was really lucky that I inherited many maternity clothes from my aunty, architect and my friends/clients :)))))) It was as if the universe has answered my calling that I was stressed with nothing to wear.. I can throw a maternity wear exchange party now!

I would expect to 'inherit' some slim genes from Mom because I was told how big I get when I am pregnant or whether I would get any stretched marks depending on my 'genes'. I am trying to prevent the stretched marks from happening by putting a lot of oil on my tummy area like crazy; everyday, morning and night. I'm using Bio-Oil for night and L'Occitane Supple Skin Oil for day because it has a nice fragrance and less oily compared to Bio-Oil. I want to wear bikini with my baby in the pool!

I am concerned with my much bigger size. I am quite confident that I would be gaining quite a bit of weight compared to my previous Dr's visit when I get weighed on this Friday, 9th. I measured my belly (around the belly-button/navel point) for the first time last week, 27th Feb at week 20 and it was 37 inches!! Pre-pregnancy waist line was about 27 inches.. I gained 10 inches in 20 weeks, averagely 0.5 inches or 1.27cm in a week. Measured again yesterday, 4th March at week 21 and I was 38 inches!!! That's like a gain of 1 inch or 2.54 cm in just one week (2.7% growth)! If I continue to gain an average of 1 inch for my remaining weeks, that is another 19 weeks to week 40, I would be gaining an extra 19 inches, to a total of 57 inches!!!!!! OH MY!!! That is going to be a really SUPER HUGE BUMP!!

I have asked my yoga instructor, exchange notes with some mothers for their past experiences and even checked out the internet and all of them told me the same thing: not to worry and every pregnancy is different. My major concern if I get too big are gestational diabetes or other pregnancy complications and difficulties in delivery. It's not so much on the 'vain' factor. I am going to ask my doctor about my size this Friday and he probably says it's nothing to worry about. I usually have quite a long list of questions to ask him, which is quite funny. Dr. Choong has an amused look every time I takes out my phone from my handbag to look at my notes before I ask him questions. He usually ends his consultation by saying, 'do you have any questions?' and of course I would use that privilege! Dr. Choong has been very nice and patient. He would answers all my questions and sometimes he would take out articles/scientific journals to back up his explanations.

Well, I guess it's pointless worrying about something I can't control. I cannot control if my tummy gets too big or any other pregnancy matters; it's not in my hands. I guess I'll just do the very best I can in my circle of control.. that is to eat well, have less sugary food (I really miss my chocolate cakes & chocolates!), drink lots and lots of water during the day, exercise and most importantly THINK HAPPY thoughts every single day!