Today, 31st March 2008 - I’m already admitted into the hospital.

Oh… I’m not blogging from the ward.

Actually, I’ve wrote this post earlier and edit the time stamp so that my writing is automatically posted today. Setting a post for future posting is just one of the little benefits of using Wordpress.

Back to the hospital story.

My doctor has already informed me that due to my case (of having Placenta Previa Major), I need to be admitted into the hospital right after my 34th week of pregnancy.

He did a bit of calculation and today is my 34th week. So, I was asked to check-into the “sterilized hotel room” (hospital ward) as soon as possible today.

You see, with Placenta Previa Major (the placenta @uri blocking the cervic), after 34th week is very-very critical time.

I could have a major bleeding or I could have a premature birth.

Major bleeding is absolutely dangerous for me because I have a low-level of red blood cells. And, premature birth could cause the placenta @uri to come out before the baby (causing the baby to be lacking of oxygen).

Both, could be fatal to the mother and the baby.

So, I’ve to be in the ward for monitoring. No more office works for me… yeay!

Hmm.. I wonder whether the hospital ward area has an internet cafe of some sort? He..he..he… it could be bored not to blog, right???

Anyway, will keep you update when I’m out of here!!

p/s I’m not sure when I will be discharged. My due-date is still one month away. It could be earlier, though. Pray for the safety of me and my baby, please?

I’ve have been shopping for my baby’s stuff since I was 3 months pregnant!

Yes, really.

Oh ok… some people do not encourage buying things too early for a baby in your tummy. They said, if something happen to your pregnancy (touch-wood)…. you’ll be double heart-broken to look at all the items meant for your baby.

Well, that’s what they think.

I believe buying baby’s things is part of a good planning for having a baby. Most baby products are not cheap. And, you’ll need a lot (and lots) of new things for your baby.

So, buying baby’s stuff little by little could help moderate your expenses over the few months of pregnancy until birth.

Except for some big and more costly items like baby cot, baby stroller and breast pump kit, I have prepared almost 90% of my baby’s essential items.

Let’s see what did I bought for my baby so far.

Item #1 

Cloth diapering items (flat nappy, prefolds, diaper covers, pocket diapers and diapers accessories). You see, I intend to 100% cloth diapering my lil’ baby.

No, I’m not talking about the traditional flat cotton cloth-diaper (lampin) that my mother used on me a very long time ago.

I’m talking about a modern cloth diapering! But, I’ll talk about this in details after my baby is born. There is so much to share.

Item #2

Baby’s clothing like sleep-suits, socks & mittens, binders, towels, blankets etc. Just a few pieces of newborn sizes and some 3-6 month sizes.

Item #3

Baby’s special pillow (made of breathable latex & specially moulded for baby’s delicate head) and pillow cases.

Item #4

Baby’s bedding set (matress, bolster etc)

Item #5

Breastfeeding (nursing) pillow (ahh.. this is for me!). The pillow will help me to breastfeed my baby more comfortably.

Item #6

Avent Newborn Starter Set consist of a few bottles for giving formula to baby.

Emm.. I think that’s it. Enough for me and hubby as new parents to welcome my lil’ baby into this world!

Birth what?

No, this is not a typo-error. I’m really talking about a birth ball.

You see, I got to know what is a birth ball during my HypnoBirthing classes with Wai Han, a certified HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator.

Well, a birth ball is actually just a normal gym ball. But since it is widely used in Europe and America during pregnancy and labor, it is called as birth ball.

Having a birth ball at home from early pregnancy really helps me a lot. I’m using the ball to replace the chair while watching television and reading books. And, it’s a great tool for doing light exercises too.

How I really love to sway back and forth on the birth ball… ha.. ha.. ha.

You see, it helps ease my butt and back pain too!

Here are some the uses during pregnancy.

1. In the last month of pregnancy pregnant women find it easier than a chair or couch to get up and down from.
2. It encourages pelvic mobility.
3. It allows the mother the freedom to rock her pelvis, change her position and shift her weight for comfort.
4. It encourages baby descent as the mother remains sitting in an upright posture taking advantage of gravity.
5. Sitting on the ball helps keep the baby well aligned in the pelvis.
6. The ball encourages pelvic relaxation by conforming to the mother’s body similar to a water mattress as it provides perineal support without undue pressure.
7. Sitting on the ball encourages rhythmic movement as the mother sways or rocks back and forth while sitting on the ball.
8. Ball use is also helpful for strengthening lower back for those with chronic back pain.

During labor, a birth ball allows the mother to have the freedom to shift her weight and support her pelvic region for greater comfort during labor.

It also facilitate fetal (baby) descent in cases where labor may not otherwise be progressing.

So, get one now!

Oh… you can get a birth ball at Tesco, Carrefour or Giant. The price is only around RM30 - RM50 each and comes with a small hand-held pump.

Eventhough we moved into our little cottage some 3 months back, the house is still in a (big) mess. Unopen boxes are piled in the study room.  Furnitures are temporarily put out of place. Some small stuffs are left scattering on the floor.

Some minor works are still in progress.

Interior wall painting, for instance, in handled by my dear hubby himself. So, he took his own sweet time to do it.

We bought Nippon Odorless paints for our interior, so there is no worry of this pregnant lady falling sick due to the strong smell of freshly painted wall.

p/s Mind all the mess, the out-of-place tv cabinet, glass display and my blue birth ball. Our interior designer @ my hubby is suffering from a back-ache after painting the living room Coral Red!

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Here are the updates of my pregnancy since week 17.

1) 13th December 2007

Appointment with Klinik Kesihatan @10 am. We reached the clinic too early at 8am and have to wait quite sometimes for our turn. The procedure at Klinik Kesihatan is somehow fixed.

First, take a queue ticket at the front counter and clip your Buku Merah with the small slip. Put in the box according to your appointment time (8am, 9am, 10am, 11am etc).

Then, the nurse will call and give back the Buku Merah. Go to the lab for urine test.

After the urine test, weigh yourself and then wait for your ticket number to be displayed on the screen.

Then see the nurse for interview/advises, fundal length measurement, breast check, baby’s heart beat check and blood test for hemoglobin.

After all these, only then you can see the doctor for ultrasound and final checkup.

NOTE:

My hemoglobin level still low at 8.5. The nurse gave me Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Calcium Lactate and most importantly, Ferromed - to increase my red blood. My placenta is still lying low (seems it is completely blocking the cervic). Baby is growing well and healthy!!

2) 18th December 2007

Appointment with Hospital Sungai Buloh @9 am. Another cycle of urine test and ultrasound. Doctor said to wait until 28th weeks to see whether the placenta has move up. If it is still low, I need to be prepared to have bed rest in hospital for the rest of my pregnancy!!

Huwaaaa! I don’t want!!!!!

3) Appointment with Klinik Kesihatan is now schedules once in two weeks. Better get the earliest appoinment at 8am LOL!

4) 28th December 2007

Appointment with Klinik Kesihatan @9 am. Urine test - normal. Blood test showed my hemoglobin dropped a bit from 8.5 to 8.4 despite taking the Ferromed pills that caused me constipation!!

I was quite depressed because I’ve been forcing myself to eat a lot of high-iron food and iron pills that irritate my stomach BUT no improvement at all in my hemoglobin level. What was wrong?

The nurses (yes, nurses not doctor) debated on what to do. Alas, they took my blood again for further blood test to find if there is any abnomalities with my blood. The blood sample is sent to Hospital Tunku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang. Result will be known during next visit.

Hmm.. I believe the Ferromed pills that I took were not absorbed by my body because I consumed it with Calcium Lactate which is a Calcium supplement. Calcium is known to hinder iron absorption!!!

Now, I take Ferromed on empty stomach with Vitamin C in the morning. And, Ferromed with Ribena juice (contains lots of vitamin C)and eat oranges with dinner at night. And, take Calcium Lactate with milk at 3pm every day. Seems that my strategy is working because my stool no longer turns black due to non-absorption of iron. And, I no longer constipate.

I also eat a lot of high-iron food such as red meat, green vegetables, dried fruits, crab soup and cockles.

Hopefully, my hemoglobin level will rise to 12 during the next visit to Klinik Kesihatan!!!!