Searching for Utopia

— and actually only eight more days before we’ll have to schedule for a C-section

Low back pain is common complaint for pregnant women. I did online research and tried to dismiss the issue, since everyone says it’s normal, it’s bound to happen, yadda yadda yadda.

But there is actually a way or two to lessen the pain. First, mommies, is to get prenatal massage, that is if you don’t mind spending some bucks — because it doesn’t come cheap.

Second, is to sleep on an air mattress. I tried this since last month by accident. The aircon was faulty in our bed room, so we moved to a cooler room and just slept on our air bed queen.

Voila! The next morning I woke up with no back pain at all. I’m no expert, but I suspect this comes from the idea that pregnant women should sleep on their sides, if they experienced back pain. I definitely can’t do that, so I ignore such warnings. But air mattress is so soft that you can sleep on your back without having back pain.

There are things to consider though, before deciding to purchase your own mattress. Maybe it’s better if you read this guide first.

One thing I dreaded about buying maternity clothes in Singapore is the price. During sales you could find nice ones around $40-$50, but most of the time they cost more than that. You can even expect somewhere around $100 if you check local online stores.

No wonder, in some stores you can even rent them. I myself don’t trust such solution. Who knows who have worn them in the past?

So, the only solution is to find better bargain. And this site offers just that: Kiki’s Fashion. Here you can buy cute maternity clothes from as low as USD 9.99.

They’re located in the US, but even with the shipping, it’ll still be cheaper than buying from your local stores.

Currently they offer some promotional coupons. If you reside in the US they’re offering free shipping to your door for purchase above USD 75 (coupon code: freeship). And for all mommies, you’re entitled to 20% discount, which expires on October 22 (coupon code: BIGSAVINGS).

Here, check some of their collections. This shirt, particularly, is definitely something I could wear. What’s better, without any promotion, it’d cost you only USD 19.99 — instead of $100 per piece at your local store.

I’m ballooned to the max now with 54.6 kg. Wonder if I could ever get back to 38?

The baby’s HC is too big, the gynae said. It’s now as if it already hit week 39, while his body is rather small — around 2.3 kg. And he hasn’t turned. Oh well, at least he’s healthy. We’ll wait until the end of this month, and after that we’ll have to schedule for a C-section.

Before that, I’ll be doing my CTG on Friday, and have another series of blood test with my gastroenterologist on Tuesday.

Can’t wait for our baby’s grand arrival. Hopefully nothing will go wrong.

Excited, thrilled, worried — HUNGRY!!!!

Last Saturday the gynae confirmed that our baby’s still breech. For some time about getting an External Cephalic Version (ECV) to try to make him turn. A friend informed me about a gynae who would be able to do it. I had almost made up my mind, when I stumbled upon this article.

Many sources state that this ECV is relatively safe, but that doesn’t mean that there is no risk. Here are some of them:
- Premature labor
- Premature rupture of the membranes
- A small blood loss for either the baby or the mother
- Fetal distress leading to an emergency cesarean delivery
- The baby might turn back to the breech position after the external cephalic version is done

The average success rate is about 65%. Even if the procedure works at first, there’s still a chance that the baby will turn back around to the breech position. That may not sound so bad, but mommies should note that this procedure is very painful. The same friend who informed about the gynae said that her friend opted for C-section after trying this ECV, because she couldn’t stand the pain. Another one told me that she did it, and it left her with pain on her tummy for as long as one week, and even then it didn’t work.

Another thing we should consider, being in Singapore, is the cost. Surely we wouldn’t want anything bad to happen, but in the case of emergencu C-section, it would be a lot more expensive than the scheduled one. Here is an estimated bill size from general hospitals here. If you plan to give birth in a private hospital, expect higher price.

So, for now we’re just hoping for the best, and sticking to the good old ways: lots of squatting, floor mopping and crawling with my head lower than my thighs. There’s still time for our baby to turn — and hopefully he will, being a good boy that he is.

Nobody enjoys to be hospitalized, but sometimes we just can’t escape it. Such is the case with myself a few weeks ago. Fortunately all the staffs in the hospital were being helpful.

One thing which could be improved, though, is the hospital gown. They only provided pants for patients, and those were too difficult to be worn for patients with catheters like me.

So, next time I’m admitted into a hospital — which will be anytime within five weeks from now — I’ll be ready with my own versatile hospital gown.

Don’t you think they look great? They’re provided by a brand called “The Original Healing Threads”, and they’re available online here.

Besides looking good, those gowns also offer more benefits to patients: the front access panels make them comfortable for nursing mommies, the back opening will maintain modesty during breath sounds checks, and the interior pockets will hide your drainage bags. Remember, visitors don’t have to know what you’re dealing with, right?

All garments are said to be soft and comfortable, colorfast, wrinkle resistant, machine washable, and gentle to individuals experiencing sensitive skin.

While most online shops are only accepting orders from within USA, they will ship to your country via UPS International. Thus, all costs will be calculated based on UPS rates.

But the good news is that The Original Healing Threads will give you wholesale pricing if you purchase ten items or more. Prices are varied, depending on the items, but you won’t have to worry about the quality. The Original Healing Threads have made media appearances in magazines and TV programs, such as: Elle Magazine, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Boston Globe.

If you’re not satisfied with your gown, you can call their toll-free number, 1-877-647-3900 to report your problem. You will get refund, but you’d have to be responsible for return shipping the original purchase — that is, of course, in the case if you don’t wish to get a replacement.

Visit their site for more information.

Online shoppers, if you’re looking for free online promotion codes from merchants, 1-coupons.com is the right place. These coupons will help you to get better bargain. Some of them even offer up to 50% off of their products.

Depending on what you’re looking for, there are many shops which offer free coupons on this site. To get HomeDepot.com promotional codes, for example, you just have to follow the link, and you can save 50 per cent on an otherwise US$219 F4-0792 tray top bar. This offer is valid only for online purchase.

Of course, you’d need to ensure that those coupons are still valid, since they’re offered by the merchants, and not by 1-coupons.com.But considering the benefits, it’s definitely worth to try.

New mommies are perhaps among those who will benefit from online shopping, as window shopping can be pretty exhausting–having to carry our bulging tummies around. Thus you may want to try to purchase items for your little ones here. As for myself, I managed to spot a 50 per cent discount for this cute Eden’s Carry-All Tote. Not quite useful for the baby, I know, rather for me.

But fret not, there are items for your babies too. Here you can buy a Bugaboo Frog Stroller on buy 1 get 1 promotion.

If you’re currently looking to revamp the room for the baby, maybe you’d want to check this Graco Christon Dresser for only $99.98, and you’ll get free shipping too!

Or, you’re just looking for gift ideas for the loved ones? How about moses basket, or a changing tower? Whatever your choice is, be sure to find suitable coupons.

Today I’m in my 35th week of pregnancy. I’ve got an enormous bump already. The baby is 2.1 kg so far — normal weight, the gynae said. The only problem is that he’s still in breech position. Hopefully he’ll turn soon.

For Javanese mothers, Baby Slings are must have mothering essentials. They have been around for so long that even nowadays many mothers still prefer them to strollers.

And indeed, in many cases baby carrying not only benefits the baby, but also for the mommy and daddy.

I’ve experienced this with a friend of mine at a shopping mall. We had to wait for at least ten minutes in front of the elevator, before finally giving up — being in Singapore, there was never enough space inside for us two and the stroller. So we decided to take the escalator. And it was our luck that it happened to be stopped for maintenance. At 38 kg, it was quite a challenge for me to carry the 13 kg stroller down from level 4 to level 1. I just couldn’t imagine if I had to carry both the baby and the stroller alone.

Another thing, carrying your baby would give you better bonding with him. Just like when he was still in your womb, he could hear your heart beat, and moreover, it helps you to breastfeed in discreet. It won’t benefit the daddy, of course, unless he too breastfeeds, but it will help the child to become familiar with his movements.

For the baby, to be carried in sling is also more comfortable. He could communicate with you easily, because he is close to you physically. You’ll find out sooner when he’s hungry or needs a nappy change, just from his facial expresions. He wouldn’t need to cry first to attract your attention.

The only disadvantage of it is perhaps you should consider your own fitness. If you have any back problems, for example, then it might not be for you. But then again, carrying a 3 kg baby on an overhead bridge is still better than having to carry 13 kg stroller with the 3 kg baby in it.

Nowadays slings come in many styles, colors and types. They’re not just comfy, but they look good too! Visit this site to purchase yours.

There are just way too many things to be prepared before having a baby — not just materially, but emotionally too. At times they can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time.

I kinda think that we’re luckier now that the internet is just one click away. Whenever you have a question in mind, you could just google it. Of course, sometimes you end up feeling more confused after reading pages of complicated terms over and over again.

In times like these relatives and friends would be more useful. Just do some cross check for any doubts that you may have. Your mom may be experienced, but don’t forget that some things have changed since she gave birth to you.

Today my pregnancy is exactly 28 weeks. This is the right time to prepare for breastfeeding.

I’ve heard stories from my friends and relatives that breastfeeding is not easy. Not only it requires persistence and strength of mind, it can also be painful — or VERY painful.

This is why, I think, less than one per cent of Singapore mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies.

As for myself, unless I’m advised by the doctor not to nurse my baby, I’d certainly do it. Here I have compiled some useful info from Google:

1. According to WHO, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is the optimal way of feeding infants. That being said, don’t give any additional food or drink to your baby during that duration — not even water. It reduces mortality due to common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea or pneumonia, and helps for a quicker recovery during illness.
2. It also decreases future risk of obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, childhood leukemia and other forms of cancer.
3. Infants who are strictly breast fed are more resistant to tooth decay.
4. For the mommies, it reduces the risk of breast cancer and arthritis, and it can help losing weight.

In short, it’s good! What’s not so good is perhaps the pain. In fact, many first-time mommies experience it. Here are some tips for successful breastfeeding:

1. Preparing for breastfeeding before the baby arrives
2. Breastfeeding problems mothers have after the delivery of their baby
3. More breastfeeding tips

Basically though, I’m not attending any classes for this. There is already too much info online than I can handle anyway. But I guess I can only update you with my own experience after three months. So I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed until then.

Pregnancy is perhaps the most important phase of life. For a first time mother-to-be, however, it can also be most complex, especially when you’re living in a foreign country like we are now.

But don’t fret. Things will go well if you’re fully prepared. First of all, you’ll need help from an OB/GYN. Choosing the right one for you is very important, so don’t just go with any OB/GYN. Here are the things you would want to consider before seeing one:

1. Decide your budget
You can check the size of hospital bills you are willing to afford in this link from the Ministry of Health. Depending on the procedures and ward class, you will see different figures. Take your time to browse through them, and then make up your mind.

2. Do online researches, ask your friends, or visit a trustworthy GP for recommendations.
Some OB/GYNs only want their patients to deliver in specific hospitals, usually where they practice. Make sure the OB/GYN could deliver in the hospital you have chosen, and it should not be far from where you live.

I’d say it wouldn’t be wise for me to choose Mount Elizabeth, since I live in Pasir Ris. Perhaps I would just give birth on the way.

3. Avoid too busy clinics
In most cases, usually more patients also mean that the OB/GYN is better/ more likeable. But it might not be suitable for you, especially if it’s your first pregnancy. Busy OB/GYN will only spend 5-10 minutes for each patient to cut the line short.

First time mother-to-be are usually still confused about many things, so you’ll need the OB/GYN who can listen to your questions and needs. Say bye-bye to OB/GYNs who act rushed.

4. Check the environment, nurses.
Even when you find the OB/GYN is good, don’t forget that you’ll have to deal with the clinic’s environment for about nine months. At times you may find the nurses are hard to deal with, and at other times you simply can’t find any car park nearby.

5. Do some “trial” visits
Usually OB/GYN starts their package after your pregnancy is four months old. So if you begin to see them before that period, you should have a few visits before deciding whether you’re seeing the right one.