Third Trimester : Shopping Galore

26 Dec 2013 (Week 26)

I felt quite normal and healthy, in 3rd trimester. Drugs were still on. From time to time we did travel back to hometown but I still limit myself for not overdoing things. Hubby advised me to start talking to the baby, for she can hear and recognize voices. Hubby also asked me to recite/listen to Quran and read religious book.

As usual, we went for monthly checkup and eagerly wanted to see the baby’s face. But I noticed that the baby didn’t actively move. Perhaps, she knew that we were going to the hospital and she might have hospital-phobia like her dad. After performed Zohor at the hospital, we went up and met my gynea. The first thing that she tried to scan was the face, and guess what, the baby quickly rolled over and showed her back! We can only see the spine! I had to convince the baby and softly told her to show her face. She then started to roll over BUT she was cuddling tight her two knees with face facing down! See how smart she is? So the scan result turned out to be wasted yet funny. Just her arm! Fine, I take it!

Oh ya, at this point of time, Alhamdulillah, my blood pressure and urine test were normal. The only thing that amazed me was my body weight, where for the first time in my life I reached 60kg! Anyhow, my gynea told me that it was still a perfect weight for my pregnancy. Thank God! But she insisted me to go for physiotherapy session since I told her that I had a massive back pain. This was due to a hairline crack at my tailbone that I got back in 2006. So I went down to the Ground Floor and went into the Rehab Area. Wow…I was registering myself in a rehab guys! Hahaha! *Singing Amy Whinehouse song* 

8 Jan 2014 (Week 28)

Hubby fetched me from office and drove to the hospital. We went to the Rehab Area and waited for the physiotherapist to come. While waiting, I received a phone call from my big boss, asking about work-related matters. After I dropped the line, a nurse came to get my heart rate reading. She wondered and asked, “Hmm…this is not normal.” She showed to me the result where there was high spike in reading. I quickly laugh and said “Owh, I just had an argument with my big boss…that must be the culprit.”

Few minutes later, the physiotherapist came with another patient, and ushered me to the gym. She questioned about my heart rate and advised me to turn off my phone, for I need to be in stress-free mode during the class. Great idea! I quickly turned it off while we entered a medium-sized gym. Neng Shahidah Sabullah, a popular Malay physiotherapist in Prince Court Medical Center, guided me on how to strengthen the muscle in order to support the cracked tailbone. There were few types of antenatal exercise, for instances lying position, crawling position, sitting position, and standing position. Each of it needed to be repeated 3 to 5 times. Cycling and bouncing were also included. 

But the best part was when I was given a bed and pillow, told to lie down, imagined something happy and one calm place, while Neng switched off the light and played instrumental music. I chose to imagine my Japan trip but then I stopped coz Japan involved train ride and super exhausted walking distance. I switched to my Boracay trip…hmmm…swimming and island hopping…but then I remembered the sea-snake that almost killed me! Ahhh sudah! Ok, I might just think of something else…but I can’t! So I slept. Hahaha!

The 2 hours session that cost me RM180 then continued in one private room where hubby was taught on how to massage my body, as and when I did my antenatal exercise at home later. I was lying on a warm pad placed on the bed, while hubby started massaging my neck, shoulder, back, waist, butt, hip, and feet. I tell you, it was heaven on earth! But massaging a pregnant woman isn’t the same as massaging non-pregnant woman. It must be done gently and softly, as the baby would feel the tense. So please refer to your physiotherapist before you wish to do so ya.

Neng then suggested for hydro class but I preferred a labor preparation instead, since we needed it more as a first-time parents. Neng told us that she conducted two types of classes that are in group and personal. The charges were only a slight different so we decided to register for a private lesson for two on 13 Mac 2014 (I will be 37 weeks by that time), where this class includes labor room visit and demo.

We went back and applied the exercise and massage religiously…for one week. Hahaha! Then we stopped. Pfft! We rather enjoyed the shopping where we went to two mother and baby expos at PWTC and MVEC Mid Valley, as well as Ikea and other hyper supermarkets and baby outlets. By this period of time, we had guts to buy all her things and kept praying to Allah that everything will be fine. InsyaAllah. I would like to share what and where we bought all our baby items, based on our budget. Here you go:

Mother and Baby Expo : Diapers and cloth diapers, cloths, wash clothes, receiving blankets, pants and leggings, mittens and booties, shoes, socks, bips, changing mat, drying racks, food containers, milk bottles, nursing pads, milk storages, ice packs, cooler bag, baby wipes, cloth and bottle detergents, head to toe wash, soft toys, nursing pillow.

Ikea : Baby cot, soft toys, blankets, towels, bath tub, sleeping lights, light timers, laundry basket.

Olie Changkat Jering, Perak : Customed-made cot mattress with 2 pillows, 2 bolsters, and 2 neck pillows.

Giant, Jusco, Watson : Bottle brush, mittens and booties, bath chair, diapers, cloth dryers, disposable panties, maternity pads.

Fabulousmom : Mosquito net, breast pump, tuam, diapers. Visit their page for more details. (Images from Fabulousmom.)

Others : Were given by my close friend and I bought myself when I was still single.

 

24 Jan 2014 (Week 30)
Knowing that our baby was having some kind of "nosocomephobia" (fear of hospital) where she won't move, both of us didn't mention at all about going to the hospital that week. We didn't even uttered a word "hospital" loudly. Guess what? It worked! She was moving actively in the womb, right from my office to my gynea's room! I quickly positioned myself on the bed and Doctor Seri quickly took her scanner and voila, we got to see our little precious face! With her hand on her cheek lah! She even yawn few times and I almost cried seeing her doing the move. Praise to Allah s.w.t. 

Did you guys know why it was easy to snap her face this time? It was due to the baby position! My gynea told us a surprise where the baby was in breech position. She was actually "sitting up" on my cervix and the head was at my diaphragm "facing in front". Nice position to snap her face but not a labor-ready-position. No wonder I felt unease down there. Hmm. Anyhow, my gynea told me that I still got time and the baby should be upside down by 36weeks onwards. Yeah, you SHOULD baby girl! 

Oh ya, guess what was my weight at this particular week? 64kg! I gained 4kg in just 4 weeks! It must be the heavy dinner that I had every night. Doctor Seri explained on the good and bad side of weight increment. It was actually "ok" to gain up to 20kg from my normal weight but not in a rapid time. In total, I have gained 11kg by far, and I only have another 9kg max to go. So I decided to cut carb for dinner! Now, I SHOULD!

15 Feb 2014 (Week 33)

This was the first time I set my monthly visit on Saturday, since too many days were taken from our office hours. By this time, the monthly checkup changed from once a month to 3 weeks once. My bump got bigger and rigid each day. I hardly bended and walked or even sat properly. My tailbone still in pain and I barely sleep on my back. The precious little thing in my womb was actively kicking from inside, showing her skills from any spot she liked. Hubby and I sometimes were amazed with the scene as my tummy was swaying left and right.

That morning, I wore rosy color while hubby wore red. We drove to PCMC and arrived on time but we were told that my gynea just got back from the labor room. Thus, we had to wait a bit longer since earlier patients will go in first. The waiting time was quite acceptable and we got in an hour and a half later. I stood on the bathing scale and to my surprise, I only gained 200gram from my last visit! Woohoo! My gynea, who loves pink, praised my outlook of the day, as well as my incremental weight. But she advised me to eat for the sake of baby's growth. Ok, I confused! Hahaha! She then performed the routine scan and told us that the baby was no longer on breech position. Good! Means, she is now upside down. I hope that she’ll remain in this position till delivery time.

As usual, my lil precious STILL didn’t want to give her mugshot! She was actively moved, and once, we saw her foot right next to her face. How did she do that? Hahaha! My gynea managed to snap one picture of her, smiling. Her looks now more to hubby’s face, I must say. Doctor Seri advised me to think positive, not to stress myself, to avoid early delivery. She told me that 39weeks to 40weeks are the best delivery time. For my case, the baby cannot be neither undercooked nor overly cooked. And I need, still, continue to take my daily drugs.

And by this time, I was having swollen feet due to edema, caused by a buildup of fluid in the tissue. This is quite normal for pregnant lady and it will increase/decrease over short period of time. In my case, it will swell as and when I walk too much. Now, I am officially shoeless...

 

7 Mac 2014 (Week 36)
We were so excited to see the growth of our baby girl. Drugs were still on as it was already part of my daily routine that I can't never live without. We went to PCMC but we were stuck in a bad traffic. I quickly Whatsapp Fiza, Doctor Seri's nurse, to inform her about it and luckily, she told us that Doctor Seri just went out for emergency C-Sect. Fiuh! So we arrived the hospital and waited at the waiting room.

While waiting, as usual, I had to go through the blood pressure and weight checking, as well as urine test. My heart was pounding every  single time I went onto the scale. I gained 4kg in the last visit, so I was super eager to know how many I gained this time. Thank God it was only 2kg! Hahaha! In total, I gained 13.2kg, which was still under the radar. 

Doctor Seri came after an hour later and greeted us once we entered her room. She was questioning why both of us looked tanned, so I told her we went for Rugby watching at MCKK that weekend. She was surprised that I still can walk that far and enjoyed outdoor activity but she advised me not to go far starting 37weeks onwards. Aye Aye Doc! She then scanned and not to our surprise, the baby won't show her face. Her left hand was covering her face that I had to talk to her to move over. She did for a while and my gynea able to capture it! Good girl! And guess what? We saw her eyes blinked! My gynea told me that she already in breech position but yet to engage. Her butt is currently on my left, while her feet and hands were on the right. No wonder I can see a huge movement as she was stretching herself most of the time.

By this time, I already prepared myself to be labor-ready. Mom and baby's bags already in the car. I could feel the total excitement now!

21 Mac 2014 (Week 38)
Nothing much but the baby weighted 3kg with a slight dropped of growth. My gynea told me that the baby's head was still 2/5 passing through the cervix and the baby can be delivered anytime from now. But, if until 40 weeks the baby still in my womb, I will be induced on Friday, 4th April 2014. I was given a week of MC and being advised to walk as much as I can, squat, and eat what I want. Scan photo? Huh...no use lah...her head already down there and she was facing the back.

Other related posts :
First Trimester : Vomit Chronicle. Click HERE.
Second Trimester : Blood Anatomy. Click HERE.  
Third Trimester : Shopping Galore. Click HERE. 
Labor Preparation Class. Click HERE.  

Second Trimester : Blood Anatomy

23 Oct 2013 (Week 17)

4 months gone by and yes, I was still on drugs and I still didn’t feel safe at all. Fear, phobia and trauma, you name it, was still haunting and lingering on my mind. We both kept praying to the Almighty, for saving my baby this far. We went for monthly checkup and had usual scans (2D and 4D). By this time, the body formation was almost complete and looked like a baby with cute ears, palms, knees, and such. She was facing to the side. My gynea tried to get a better picture of her face but she kept on covering it with her two hands. I was warned by my gynea not to have any stress nor depression at work, for it was not good for the baby, moreover my health.

8 Nov 2013 (Week 19)

I noticed that I had difficulty in performing the “nature’s call”. Constipation is said to be the issue as many as half of pregnant woman. Digestion problem alert! As I didn’t consume as much water and fruits I should have, I didn’t know that I was one of the victims! I was in the office that day. I went to the toilet and prepared to do that “thang” but then I noticed fresh red blood was covering the WHOLE toilet bowl! I quickly stood up and closely examined whether there was any blood clog or fleshy tissue. My heart was beating super fast and I kept on wiping my vajayjay as well as anus, to find out where did the blood coming from!

I walked out from the toilet and called hubby. I forced him to take me to the Emergency for speedy checkup on what was happening. I wasn’t and wouldn’t accept any traumatic news. On the way, I wassap-ed my nurse on the situation. She told me as long as no pain, shouldn’t be a problem. But being me, I still need a solid confirmation that my baby STILL alive.

We reached the Emergency and went inside. The standby MO, who happened to be the same MO who attended my previous lost, Doctor Shaharudin, was on duty. The nurse then asked me to lie down while she checked the outgoing blood. She confirmed that if it was discharging from my vajayjay, it will never stop. Anyhow, there was no blood coming out.

Still, I requested to check for baby’s heartbeat, just to re-confirm. The MO told me that they had no scanning machine at Emergency. Anyhow, he managed to find one device that able to scan only the sound (not like monitor where we can see the picture). He tried to scan my tummy and let me listen to the sound. There was fast-beating sounds that sounded familiar and thank the Almighty Allah, the baby is still alive! And I satisfied.

20 Nov 2013 (Week 21)

Drugs were still on. I went for monthly checkup and I swear, at this point of time, I can’t wait to scan my little baby. My gynea told me that this period was the best time to do detailed scan, to ensure that the baby was in good condition, internally and externally. No scanned picture as everything was recorded in video format saved in CD. The detailed scan was performed by Doctor Tan Niap Hong, who specialized in this department. He was the one who attended my lost twins (read here) since he is the specialist in multiplex pregnancy.

Entering the “same” room with different purpose made me had a mix-feeling. I was lying down and the doctor started to play around with his super hi-end scanning machine with one hand holding the scanner and another hand maneuvering the joystick. Honestly, I didn’t understand every single explanation and image that he showed to us. But as long as he told us that everything was normal and ok, I prefer to stick that in my mind. The most awaited news then being told that our little precious will be a girl!

After completed a session with Doctor Tan, I went to my gynea’s room for detail explanation on what we had gone through during the detail scan. The routine scanning with my gynea had to be postponed since they didn’t want too much of scanning being done on the baby. I told her about the false bleeding story and she told me that not all doctor can do the sound scanning like what Doctor Shah did. She also told me to continue my supplement since I was doing very well with the help of these medications. 

Other related posts :
First Trimester : Vomit Chronicle. Click HERE.
Second Trimester : Blood Anatomy. Click HERE.  
Third Trimester : Shopping Galore. Click HERE. 
Labor Preparation Class. Click HERE.   

First Trimester : Vomit Chronicle

2 Aug 2013 (Week 5)

We, anyhow, went to the office like other days and I made a call to set an appointment with new gynea, Doctor Seri Suniza from Prince Court Medical Center (PCMC). But it was scheduled on 28 Aug 2013 which I had to wait for another 5 weeks.

I endured my days and weeks with major different experiences from my first pregnancy. I started to get nausea all day long and puked all my daily meals regardless in the toilet or by the road side. Milo was my new best friend where I had it every morning (before work) and evening (before sleep). I kept telling myself that I HAD to bear with the sickness, for it showed the “connection” and “update” that the baby is alive. By this time, I still on my current weight, not bloating like my first pregnancy.

Having massive trauma and still, traumatized with previous miscarriage, I didn’t get myself into possible foods and things that might be the so-called “reasons” to miscarry. Anyhow, I was sort of taking things slowly and less-seriously, not to over-think or over-do like before.

28 Aug 2013 (Week 9)

Alhamdulillah…it was the day I visited my gynea. None other than felt the excitement, moreover to see our little tiny baby, yet nervousness topped it all. My gynea started to ask routine questions and filled up the pink-checkup book. 

One question popped out from her mouth was “What happened to the last 6 years?” and I replied “Only God knows…”. She was quite surprised when we told her that we’ve waited for 6 years, got miscarried the twins, and now we were pregnant again 2 months later. But again, this is Allah’s plan for us. Who are we to question it, right? She then scanned my tummy and found that our little precious was doing well with normal heartbeat. By this time, it was known as embryo, looked more like a tadpole.

She also prescribed me four supplements; multivitamin (Similac Pramilet with 30 tablets per bottle), calcium (Caltrate 600 with 60 tablets per bottle), baby brain support (NeuroGainPB with 30 tablets per bottle), and last but not least, the most important support for hormone and womb (Duphaston with 20 tablets per film). Trust me, these drugs REALLY costly. Hence, I did a lot of price checking and the cheapest were as per below:

Duphaston (20 tablets) - Watson or any pharmacy, ranging from RM54.00 to RM68.00
NeuroGainPB (30 tablets) - Watson or any pharmacy, ranging from RM48.00 to RM51.00
Caltrate 600 (60 tablets) - Watson or any pharmacy, ranging from RM37.00 to RM40.00

Similac Pramilet (30 tablets) - Watson or any pharmacy, ranging from RM19.90 to RM21.00
**Note: To be taken one tablet each per day, except for Duphaston (max 4 tablets per day as and when needed ie: bleeding).

Anyhow, we opted to purchase all these drugs at my hometown, Taiping, for the price were wayyyyyyyyy cheaper compared to KL. But we had to spend hundreds of ringgit la coz we had to get more than 2 bottles each for stock.

25 Sept 2013 (Week 13)

At this point of time, I still on drugs, I still had my sickness and I still didn’t put on weight like last time. I didn’t limit my desire to eat. I just “bantai” whatever I want except for pineapple, coconut and sugarcane. Anyhow, I tried to limit my movement, for week 13 was the same week where I miscarried my twins before. I went for monthly checkup and as usual, my gynea scanned my womb. Found that little one was giving her back, so her spine was clearly seen in the monitor. By this time, it looked closer to a fetus, without details. But we can see her hand moving and waving non-stop. So cute!

Other related posts :
First Trimester : Vomit Chronicle. Click HERE.
Second Trimester : Blood Anatomy. Click HERE.  
Third Trimester : Shopping Galore. Click HERE. 
Labor Preparation Class. Click HERE.