A Scare

After eating Chen Mei Er's herbs at 1 pm on Saturday, I had brown spotting around 3 pm. Hubby immediately asked me to rest on the bed (while he played games). I slept from 3 pm to almost 5 pm and went to mass together with my parents and Hubby. We also had dinner at Toa Payoh before heading back home.

On Sunday, Hubby and me went to grandma's place for lunch. Hubby also wanted to learn how to cook red wine chicken from grandma. He did all the learning and writing and observing, while I was lazing on the sofa in the living room. I was also chatting with Jieyi and her mom. After lunch, we went home to rest. (Seems like every weekend is rest rest and more rest). But I found that I have slight cramps while watching tv, so I lay on the bed to rest.

At 3 am this morning, I had lots of yellow discharge with a tinge of pink blood. I was so worried that I couldn't sleep all the way until my alarm rang and it was time for me to go to work.

In the morning, when I told Hubby about my condition, I was still calm and okay. But when I reached office and I told one colleague, she said 'Oh no, what are you doing in the office? You should see a gynae immediately.' And I got really worried.

I kept calling the clinic but there was no answer. When I finally dialed through, the nurse told me that the doctor is only available to see me at 11.15 am. I rushed down to the clinic and waited there. My mom called me while I was in the cab and I broke down even though I tried very very hard to control myself. She asked me not to cry and relax and I told her that I'm very scared.

The taxi driver drove even faster. I supposed he is quite shocked to see a passenger cry in his car. LOL. When I was 3 steps away from the clinic, Hubby called. He could still hear my trembling voice and he asked me to update him. He will take urgent leave to be with me if I need him.

So there I was, waiting for Doc Poon minute by minute. I touched my tummy and I asked baby to hang in there. Couldn't help but to drop a tear. The nurse thought that I had flu. She asked me twice if I am having flu (if so, I can't sit near the other mothers I guess).

I was the second patient to see Doc Poon. Thankfully after the scan, all is well with baby. I feel so happy looking at the monitor and knowing that baby is well and safe. Baby is active, moving around and even sucking thumb. I was laughing when I saw that. My baby is so adorable :)

All the worries vanished in a second and Doc continued to check me and my 'below' but I wasn't thinking about anything already. I was just happy.

Doc inserted a device at my below and he said that I seemed to have an infection. He also inserted a pill there and said that this will help me clear the 'bacteria'. (That's weird, because Hubby and I refrained from intercourse all these while).

Anyway, I didn't tell Doc about the Chen Mei Er's herbs either. He gave me some iron pills, some fish oil and a 4 days mc to rest at home. I was also told to eat my Duphaston. (Arghh, hate this pill coz it makes me queasy and want to vomit all day long).

Thank God all is well. I smsed my love ones and told them that baby and I are fine.

Here I am at my mom's place, resting and lazing around while mom is cutting the onions and preparing lunch and minus away the nagging. LOL. Very very rare that this happens - only when I am pregnant I guess. I shall enjoy this as long as it lasts. Heeeee!!~

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It's the 3rd day of my MC and I have been staying at home all these while. Yesterday I took a 4 hour nap in the afternoon and at night, I can still sleep a 7 hours straight without any dreams. Last night, I noticed the pink discharge again, together with some powdery stuff (must be the pill inserted down there). Then this morning, I saw a drop of red blood.

I didn't panic but went to google 'a drop of red blood week 12 pregnancy' and it seems like there are some people who bled red blood but their pregnancy is fine. I told myself to be calm and I told baby to be well. Let baby listen to some music and pat my tummy and asked baby to be guai guai. If I still see another red spot of blood, I will call the clinic later.

I didn't tell anyone about this, not Hubby, not my mom. Don't want them to be worried. I am more composed this time and I will pray for everything to be good. I picture myself having a successful delivery at the hospital. That's my greatest wish.

11th week

Baby is measuring 47 mm (4.7 cm) and healthy growth. We also managed to hear baby's heartbeat again last night. Sounds like horses galloping. We can now see baby's big head, body, tiny hands and feet and the flicking on the screen is the heartbeat. Baby is lying down in a very relaxed position. Haha.


Doc asked us to discuss whether we want to do the down syndrome test on our next visit.


Last night, Hubby and I had a big fight. It first started off with him not wanting to pay attention to the nurse's explanation during the payment (he was watching tv). Then it led on to him not understanding why I wanted to do the down syndrome test for assurance/peace of mind and to be mentally and emotionally prepared if the situation calls for it. He just shut me out by saying 'Have Faith'. That phrase and that tone and that look totally cut off all kinds of communication/sharing/discussion. Then in the car, it led to further arguments. The day didn't end well of course.

I woke up in the middle of the night after having some nightmares. And I have to explain to baby that I love him (it's a he for now, because twice in my dreams, he appeared to be a baby boy) and that I want to keep him with me safe and sound. I also asked God to give me the strength and wisdom to be a good mother.

I went to work exceptionally early to pray the rosary and to read up on the Novena prayer.

Later in the morning, Hubby sent me a message asking if I am safely at work. I replied him that I came early to pray. We said sorry and I emailed him what I truly feel about the down syndrome test. I hope that he understands my point of view. If he still insists that we shouldn't go for the test, then let's not have it.

All these unhappiness, hurts, anger and frustration between us is causing me and our baby so much negativity.

Sewing, Visitation, Milk Powder

I've signed up a sewing class at Little India last December and even paid in full ($330). I just smsed the teacher, Kala, that I wish to postpone my class to next year after my maternity leave and after CNY (around Feb 2012), explaining to her that due to old wives tales, my mom forbids me to do any cutting/sewing during pregnancy. She replied me 'ok, can postpone until next year'. I just hope she won't run away or close her business.

Actually I forgot all about the cutting. I cut away the price tag of my dresses on my matrimonial bed the other day. And my mom shouted 'Aiyoo! CANNOT!'. She was so scared that the baby will have a cleft lip. Hubby was also told not to cut anything on our bed as well.

This Saturday is a busy day. In the morning, I got to check out the English tuition center for Jieyi and check out the prices. Then followed by house warming at Elin's house. Then going to my sister-in-law's house to pass Ken's niece her birthday present. Then, we got to rush (can't stay for the birthday dinner) to Hougang to Auntie Maggie's house for dinner and gambling. This would mark the last day of gambling.

They say pregnant women are normally very Wang. But so far, I lost some and won some, after combining with Hubby, I think he won more than me.

I just received Dumex Mamil Mama free sachet last night.

 

And this morning, I brought to my workplace to drink. It's quite a big sachet that I have to use a bigger mug as I don't like the contents to be too thick. The taste is okay, in fact, quite pleasant. But the milk powder somehow doesn't dissolve well even though the water is hot. I asked Shufen and she said Dumex one actually is better than Similac's, and she mixed a little in cold water before stirring in hot water. I'm waiting for Abbot's and Annum's sample to reach me before I decide which one to buy.

My Ah Kim also adviced me to start taking Brands Essence of Chicken everyday as a supplement. She said she had this daily throughout her pregnancy and both her children grew up very well. She insisted that I take this daily, otherwise don't even bother taking it at all. That day, Hubby asked me if I wanted to start buying for consumption. It seems like our expenses will start to shoot up very soon (taking into consideration that we have not bought a single baby stuff at the moment).

Happy Lunar New Year 2011

I finally finished 149 episodes of the pink lipstick Korean drama. I have been crying a few times while watching the show. Hubby asked me not to watch anymore of such shows coz baby will be emotional and always crying later on.

I guess because of lack of sleep coz of watching korean drama and also late nights playing poker games, my sugar level was abnormally low. Last week during mass, I was so giddy that I had to sit down while the congregation was standing. I was frantically looking for a plastic bag in my bag and almost wanted to go to the toilet. Suddenly, I couldn't hear voices of people singing, at the same time, I felt weak and wanted to vomit (as if on the verge of fainting). Hubby asked me to sit down and rest. Indeed, I felt better after I sat down for 10 minutes. Immediately after mass, Hubby brought me to the hawker nearby for a meal. 

Lately, I haven't been drinking any soya bean milk and fresh milk at all. So far, all I have been wanting to drink is orange juice. The fruit stall at my house downstairs sells orange juice. It's $2 per cup but recently they ran out of orange because of CNY. (weird?)

This morning, I vomitted alot of water and some folic acid out while brushing my teeth. I am not sure if any of them is left inside my tummy since I vomitted all out. Going to ask Doctor next week what to do if I keep on vomitting in the morning. I vomitted until my tummy hurts and my throat is dry (almost painful). Absolutely hate the feeling.

I also felt some cramps lately and farted more. My tummy seemed to get smaller as compared to last week. Hubby says that it's because I expelled all the wind that's why tummy is smaller now. Hubby also noticed that my tummy is slightly hairier too. I read from forums that it's normal. I hope the hairiness goes away.

Poor Hubby. We have not been making love for quite sometime already. I simply don't have the mood for that and I worry that I will hurt the foetus. Let's wait 2 weeks later when I am offically over my first trimester and see how.

We have been going CNY visitation. Alot of relatives and my mom's friends know about my pregnancy already. Next year, baby will be about 6 months when we do our CNY 2012 visitation. Our baby will be able to collect ang pow next year :)

Vomitted and 8th week

Today is the first day I puked. The smell and taste of the toothpaste really irks me. While brushing my teeth, I vomited water and some cookie bits. Hubby was beside me and patting my back but I vomited more water out. Arghh totally hate this feeling. After puking, the nauseousness was still within me, I had to eat one sweet to feel better.

I can't eat anything during dinner. I can't even drink a sip of water. I felt so terrible and always on the verge of puking. Even had wanted to take mc the next day because I am very xinku, breathless and tired.

Hubby and me went Dr Poon's clinic for our scheduled checkup. This time, we can hear the baby's heartbeat. Hubby thought that it was the baby's farting. *rolls eyes*. It was really a fast heartbeat. Baby is now 1.6 cm and Doctor said it's a normal growth and all is well.

 the orange arrow is the head, the red arrow is the legs

Because of my loss of appetite, I lost 1 kg. Doctor gave me 'Maxalon' to eat 30 minutes before meal time so that the queazy/irky feeling goes away and I can eat better. It seems that although throughout the day I feel nauseous, it hit me real bad in the evenings and through the night.

We also told Doctor our concerns for the Japan trip in June. He said it is safe to travel anytime between mid March to mid June and he can write a letter if I need to show the airline. My EDD (as per the Doctor) is 7 Sept.

Doctor also asked me to remember during Lou Hei not to eat the raw fish. He reminded me twice. I can't eat anything raw or semi-raw. The next checkup will be on Valentines' Day evening.

Increased appetite

My appetite has changed recently. It seems that I get hungry easily and I can almost finish my entire meal. And in between meals, I take little bites (eg cereal, fruits, biscuits, yogurt or sweets). When it's near to lunchtime, many times, I already know what I want to eat. And after lunch, I find it such a joy to indulge in a cup of yogurt. I have been having yogurt for a week straight and I'm in love with it :)  I realised that it helps to curb the nauseousness very well.

Hubby said that's because all along I have been starving the baby and now baby is back to revenge. Haha. It's good that I can eat better now but I still have to eat slowly so that I can digest well. I always have remind myself not to rush while eating and that I have to eat slower than my normal speed.

Lately, we chose not to eat at home too often because my father-in-law / maid's cooking is too salty. Hubby has been quite nice. He orders more 清淡 dishes when eating out with me and will suit my appetite. At times, he comes home too late for dinner (8pm) and I couldn't eat much as my bedtime is 9.30 pm.

I've just done a "research" on some of the food to avoid during pregnancy.

• Avoid seafood high in mercury

    * Swordfish
    * Shark
    * King mackerel
    * Tilefish

• Avoid raw, undercooked or contaminated seafood

 (which includes medium-to-well-done beef steak and half-boiled egg)

• Avoid undercooked meat, poultry and eggs

• Avoid unpasteurized foods

• Avoid unwashed fruits and vegetables

• Avoid large quantities of liver

• Avoid excess caffeine

• Avoid herbal tea

• Avoid alcohol

7 weeks

I am currently in my 7th week. So far still only a handful of people know. I didn't tell more people. Only one of my colleagues knew and I had to tell her because I cannot carry heavy stuff.

Yesterday, I intended to stay over at my mom's place over the weekend because hubby is busy with work and he will be working 9 to 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Plus, my mom is in the mood for baking cakes, so I thought it'd be nice to help her out (help to sample too! hehe). But on Friday evening, I had two 50 cent coins worth of spotting again and I felt slight cramps. I decided that I better go home to rest.

As usual, I get more nauseous at nights esp during dinner time. I absolutely have no appetite. I also dun like the smell of rice, noodles, fish, meat, curry (be it others' eating or from food stalls). That's why even when my in-laws are eating tabao food, I siam into the bedroom. I only can stand smells from the bakery like bread, cakes, waffles, soups. WEIRD. Many times, I can only drink milo and eat a piece of biscuit for dinner. Its really sooooo difficult to eat a slice of fish or take one spoonful of rice. Then I will bathe and quickly lie down on the bed. Usually by 9 pm, I am ready to sleep. I am not sure why I have been sleeping so much these days. Hubby says that I'm hibernating.

Another week more before seeing Dr Poon. I think by then, we should be able to hear baby's heartbeat and know whether s/he is growing well and healthy. Lately, I have been listening to the womb songs that Hubby downloaded for me in my iphone and also some apps for pregnancy [week by week baby growth]. I look forward to the day that I can exercise (after my first trimester in March 2011). My bones are cracking and my body is getting lazy from the lack of exercise.

I also have been singing 'The Lord's Prayer' out loud. Hope that next time baby will be familiar with this song when we go to church.

Heightened sense of smell

I seemed to be able to smell like a dog :p

I'm able to detect odors especially. That's not a good sign because the slightest foul smell affects my mood and makes me want to scold the F word. I'm quite shocked because this is so not-me.

That day, my maid was warming up KFC crispy drumstick for Hubby who came back late from work. I stormed off from the kitchen and into the bedroom, refusing to come out anymore.

I also asked Hubby to put lots of aromatherapy in the in-laws room and all over the living room every other day.

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From my 5th week, I've also started to feel very nauseous throughout the day. My mouth feels watery as if I can vomit any time, but I never did. *touchwood* To be safe, I have carried a plastic bag in my bag wherever I go now. I also had to take one sweet while travelling to work to sooth the queasy feeling. The nauseous feeling came after the HCG injection. I am not sure whether it's the side effect of the jab.

Many times, I feel hungry but I don't have appetite. I also ate lesser than what I used to, very turned off by the smell of fried food or when I walked past a food court/hawker and they are frying something.

2nd visit to Doc Poon

Today, Hubby accompanied me to Blk 108 Hougang Ave 1. I asked the doctor some questions like whether I can resume exercising, whether the spotting is normal (until this stage) and whether I can have the injection to stablise the baby. He did gave me a HCG jab ($40).

He did a scan for me. Hubby discreetly took a photo of the scan on the screen. I'm now 5 weeks, 5 days pregnant. Can you see the little dark coloured rectangular sac there? Hehe.

Can see that Hubby is very happy. He has been so hyper outside the consultation room and he hugged me when we stepped out the clinic. Will be seeing Doc Poon 3 weeks from now.

My gynae, Dr Poon King Fu

This morning, I had an unusual larger amount of brown discharge. I was quite worried. There is supposedly our company's year end party at 10 am. I didn't attend. I rushed down to Mount Alvernia Medical Center straight. Before that, I told my boss about my situation. [I really hope he keeps it to himself because my condition is unstable at the moment].

Took a cab down from the office. $10. Went to #02-22 and saw Poon's Clinic for Women. The receptionist registered me and I waited for about 10 mins. I saw Dr Poon. He was indeed very gentle (as mentioned in the forums). He asked me about my family history etc and I told him that I took diane35, saw TCM etc. He was indeed very detailed.

The nurse assisted me to remove my pants and panties. And Doctor Poon proceeded to do a scan (on my tummy first). He said I don't have a full bladder and perhaps the sac is too small, it's very natural that we can't see anything yet. He asked me not to worry.

Then he asked for my permission whether he can do a vaginal scan for me. I am not sure whether it'd be a concern because I am having brown spotting under. He said no issues and he did it. Perhaps, he could see that I am shy, he was very gentle, slow and before he did anything, he explained to me what he was doing. I feel that he is patient and very professional. (unlike the previous TPY gynae that I did pap smear, who got impatient on me).

He said that I indeed have a fair bit of brown bleeding but again he assured me, as long as it's not red it's fine. And if I have really bad cramps, I have to call him immediately, and he will admit me to A&E. He said that he can see a little small sac but he isn't sure (again because I don't have a full bladder). And he continued to say that I have a good uterus and everything would be okay and ask me not to worry.

He said he will give me 'An Tai Yao' and a one week MC.

I didn't ask him any questions further. But he took the initiative to tell me what food to avoid, I should not carry heavy stuff and other than going to bathe and have my meals, I should stay in bed most of the time, as much as I can.

Before I left, the nurse asked me to do a urine test. I was told that my urine is normal. Paid $85 for the consultation, plus the scan it amounted to $150. I also paid $46 for the An Tai Yao. I have to see Dr Poon in his Hougang Ave 1 clinic next Wednesday, 5 Jan 2011.

As it was drizzling, I took a cab to my mom's place. $10. My mom was quite worried too. She called me (after I sms her) and she told me to go over for some macaroni soup. Dad and Mom have been extra nice to me this period of time.

And because I was very worried by Doctor Poon's comment ["can't see anything"], I tested the next day just to make sure. Thankfully it's still positive and this time a clearer positive too.