Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Tub Flub

We saw Dr. Chong today. I was a little anxious & stressed about the visit today cos the water level was 6.7 low last week and he talked to me about sweeping my membranes last week which Wei & I politely declined.

"Sweep/Strip the membranes": the act of separating the amniotic sac from the cervix to bring the onset of prostaglandin, the hormone used to start labour.

The water level 5.6 was lower than last week and Dr. Chong spoke about the repercussions if we were to let things be.

Something about what he said stuck: having a natural birth is not the most important right now; rather, having a birth in as natural a way possible is the key. For me, if I am intending to do a water birth, delivering the baby with caesarean is on the opposite end of the continuum. I want to do the steps to avoid that end.




The sweep was mighty uncomfortable - apparently my cervix was still pretty high up and has not soften much (a downer for me). I grabbed Wei's hand for support. Geez, this is not even the start of labour.

The discomfort persisted after that for about 4 hours. The feeling was akin to raw skin rubbing against each other.

I am a little down at this point in time. You can't 'train' your body to go into labour. If it doesn't initiate on its own, if the cervix doesn't soften and efface, if you are not dialated....there's not a thing you can do about it.

I feel my water birthing plan slowly drifting away.

On the bright side, I could go into labour the next 48 hours.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Nesting

"If you have witnessed the birth of puppies or kittens, you've probably noticed how restless the labouring mother becomes just before delivery - frantically running back and forth, furiously shredding papers in the corner, and finally, when she feels all is in order, settling into the spot where she will give birth."
What To Expect When You're Expecting

After vegging on the sofa for 3 hours, I decided to get up and do some cleaning and cleared my wardrobe out.

I. Don't. Clean. At. All.

Well, not much anyway.

Well, I haven't taken out the toothbrush to clean the bathroom floors - is this my nesting instinct? Could this be my body telling me something that my mind haven't quite registered.

Spice, Sports, S*x

I've eaten spicy food for the past week....Thai, Indon, Mexican.....still no baby.

Then I climbed 8 storeys to my flat....all it did was to give my lungs some workout, my glutes a wee bit tighter and probably a little fiesty Bud.

"Having sex" keeps popping up as one of the natural ways of induction, so much so that a colleague said it really worked for her when I said my good-byes at the office.

Alrighty Bud, it's time your daddy finished the job that he started in the first place. Desperate time calls for desperate measures: mummy will waylay him and then pounce on him for some quick action. Just be ready for the ride.

:-/

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Such a Difference A Day Makes

I have just turned off the telly that has been on since 1000hr. It's been working hard for 5 full hours - in between my morning Weetabix, the calls from Wei, Sha'n, mom, the mail lady, my ham sandwich lunch....it's been working hard, which is more than I can say for this 74.4 kg heavily pregnant body.

Thank God for medical dramas, cute Residents, whiny Interns and the whole DVD boxset. It takes my mind off things and my eyes off the clock. Wei was not too sure if time was on my side but I think he heard the desperation in my voice. And I think I'm not doing too badly at the rate of finishing the whole season.

I'd much liked yesterday better where I had a plan, places to go, people to meet:

It started with meeting Sharon for b'fast. Little A started his first day at nursery. As much as I thought Sharon needed company, I needed to get out of the house so that Aunty could clean the house in peace. I woofed down a bowl of fishball noodle and a plate of black 'char kuey' and caught up with her.

Barely 2 hours later, I was eating again - with Sandra, my Doula. I had mixed berry fruit tart and latte. Sandra wanted us to have girly time together, a bonding session presumably before she saw the monstrous side of a labouring me in the delievry ward.

I walked a km to rent my DVD, did some grocery shopping & waited for Linda dropped by the house for tea.



Like I said, I'd much liked yesterday better. Lounging around is not quite for me.

Tomorrow will be different again. Roz in town for a catch-up, Doctor to see....I will be out of the house.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Bud's Wishlist

Bud's making a list and missing a couple of items for his arrival:

1. Onesies - Various sizes @ Threadless having their $10 offers (light colours preferred) :);
2. "JJ Cole" Mode Tote Bag - Available in Mothercare, price: $109


(Cocoa Tree, Blue Vine design preferred);


3. Cot sheets (fitted 60cm x 120cm);
4. Cot bumper & cot mobile;
5. 1 pair of scratch mits;
6. 4 pieces wrap-over vests with little strings;


Gift registries have also been set-up at:
a) Mummy Knows Best
b) Bumwear


Just Key in:
"Jacqueline Koh" (Name)
"20 March 2010"(Event date)

Getting Organised

 


Trust an experienced mother to come up with a list replete with items that I had totally missed: bath towels, powder, powder puff, change mats etc.etc.

The list is about complete, the bags are done...now we're doing the waiting game.
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Thursday, March 18, 2010

Quiet Not By Choice

I had a lunch date with a friend and asked Wei to come along as a buffer, in case the conversation got to no where and Wei could inject some life into it.

But he was quiet throughout lunch. I cast his several looks to signal, "Feel free to jump into the conversation anytime now" but Wei continued eating.

I know my lunch date was not Wei's fave person to hang out with but he's never kept this quiet before. Maybe he's got stuff on his mind, I thought.

I took the opportunity to ask him later.

"I couldn't hear," came the reply.

The guy was sitting on side of his bad ear.

I was overcome with extreme sadness.

But hey, even I had problems hearing the dude in the echo-y eatery with 2 good ears.

Break From Work for 16 Weeks

I can't believe that I am actually on official maternity leave now. Seems pretty surreal.

This vaguely reminds me of the time I took a break from the work force for 5-6 months....only difference is this is all me now and Bud....both of us just waiting for the other to be ready.

I had originally wanted to work till the very last minute and this was the same reply I gave to well-wishes. The reactions were mixed from incredulous belief and apprehension that there will be drama in the office to gentle encouragement to re-think my decision. I just wanted to save the leave for the time when Bud arrives for the extra opportunity to nurse and spend time with him - such a waste to spend it on waiting around prior to the event.



The seed of thought was planted by Wei last week on our way for my regular check-up: that I may not be getting much rest when Bud arrives so I should take time off now. Then Deb, the mid-wife, added that I don't want to go into labour tired with work on my mind.

Work was exactly bugging me then. Having realised that I'd gone through all the pre-natal classes was to have a great birth experience, the only way I could clear my mind and focus on the task at hand was to take the break from work.

Need to pack for my new home, tie up some loose ends for my overnighter, do some reading, chill......

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Wei's Diaper Cake

My husband has a strange affinity for stuff toys - actually the other man I know with this affinity is my brother-in-law.

I find it stange ços I don't play with stuff toys....but Wei usually uses it to make me laugh and I can't help but fall for it.

We were at Ikea this week and he purposely placed a monkey (I don't remember the animal actually) peeking out of the in-house shopper bag to catch my attention. Last night he held out a stuffed tiger, a gift for Bud, and did a peek-a-boo when I was in the bathroom.

This is the playful side of Wei that most people don't see...and as much as I roll my eyes sometimes, his antics keeps the relationship fresh.

I present to you Wei's version of a diaper cake:
 


"Diaper Cake": You Won't Want to Eat this Cake, But the Mother-to-Be Will Love It! -About.com
a creative centerpiece for a baby shower. This cake won't be served to the guests for dessert. But this cake will do double duty as a cute centerpiece and a very practical gift for the new baby. What new baby couldn't use a few extra diapers stacked up in the nursery?
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Sunday, March 7, 2010

Wagyu Looking At?

 


Thanks to Pa for getting us these wagyu patties from the meat wholesale market, we had a dinner of wagyu burger, portobello mushrooms, tomatoes on vine salad and fried egg.

It was really, really delish.

Now, if only the cook allowed me to take a picture of him in apron.
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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Mamarazzi: 37 weeks on and counting

Warning: Bump ahead. Go slow.






Body changes
Nails grow faster;
Heavier load on the cervix;
Leaky nipples;
At least 5 visits to the toilet at night;
Tossing in bed becomes cumbersome;
Swollen toes and fingers;
Waddle walk.
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