Arrival of our Princess!!! 30-April-2009

It's a big day for our little princess!
Weigh 2.884Kg
Length 46cm

Feast @ Final Countdown

Yeah, our little princess is 37-week today -- consider full term baby! I was having tummy ache since 4am -- gosh, thot our little darling wanna come out! The pain was irregular and finally subside at 7am -- phew, false alarm! TK went for his colon cleansing @ Paragon in the morning and we went for a celebration lunch at Ichiban Boshi @ Centrepoint -- YUMMY! Ok, now that I had my feasts, am ready for confinement :P

Baby Shopping
Bought a Kiddopotamus Snuzzler for baby car seat -- sweet pink :)

Dinner @ Feast, Jurong Point

I was craving for Korean Zha Jiang Mian and TK ordered this HUGE fishball noodle

Lunch @ Ichiban Boshi, Centrepoint

Mine was sakana set -- variety of fish in different sauce *slurp*

TK had the ishiyaki set -- looked at how happy he was, grilling the meat on hotstone :)

Waiting Game

Our little precious is 36 week on last Sat :) We attended a make-up class(2nd stage of labour) for our antenatal course which we missed due to 2nd false alarm and followed by the last class on Parent Craft n Baby Care. Yeah, we finally graduated from our antenatal course -- phew, lucky we didn't do a "live demo" at the class on 2nd stage labour :P Each passing day is a blessing as our little princess grows stronger and wait for her to be ready...

Gynae Visit
Visited gynae yesterday to review my condition. Oops, my blood pressure went up and had to retake a 2nd time before it was in the normal range. CTG showed that I had mild contractions. Gynae did VE (my cervix shrunk a bit to 2.5cm) and swap test(to check for fungal infection). Baby gained weight -- 2.7kg @ 36.5week but my weight went down by almost 1kg from last week (he said it is normal to loose weight at final stage). Hmm, baby is not ready to come out -- so he extended my hospitalization leave for 1 more week. Baby will be full term after 37 week -- let's see when she is ready to meet us :) Meanwhile, we will continue with the waiting game...

Couple Time
After gynae visit, sweet TK satisfied my craving for my favourite beef noodles -- drove all the way to Changi Village Food Centre. Phew, the stall was open and I had a yummy dinner :) Also tabao Bedok chwee kueh for supper *slurp* We went for a stroll at Changi Beach to digest the dinner before heading home. Really treasure such couple time before our little princess joins us :)

Getting "Operational" Ready
Finally, managed to clear all the baby stuff in the nursery room over the weekend - organised baby's wardrobe, bedding, toiletries etc. And everywhere we go, we'll have the hospital bag and cordlife kit in the car -- juz in case :)

Baby's clothes, nappies, toiletries, extra compartments for diapers

Baby's jackets, rompers, tops & bottoms

Baby's hats, hankies, booties/socks, mittens

Doraemon baby's pillow & bolster -- CUTE!

Baby's cot & beddings

Standby Mode

After 2 "full dress rehearsals", TK "the tyrant" made me promise not to move around much -- juz eat, sleep, internet, TV & listen to music. On our monthly special day (April 13), we ordered pizza delivery instead of dining out... Phew, our princess didn't decide to come out on that day :) Will she come out on May 13?

Bed Rest
Bed rest was indeed "difficult" for active me! I was so bored and really felt so cooped up at home :( My swollen feet became worse and swell like pig trotters after sitting or standing for a while! Had to lie on bed and elevate the feets above my heart's level to reduce the swelling! Sweet TK tried to help by giving me leg massage before I zzz at nite :)

Gynae Visit

We went to see gynae on Wednesday to review my condition. After routine blood pressure & urine test, I was strapped on CTG for 30mins to check for contraction and monitor bb's heartrate -- still have contractions (though I dun feel the pain) but further apart. Gynae was happy with my condition and baby's weight @ 2.6kg (35.5week) -- I would be off medication to stop contraction and let nature's takes its own course. Yeah, our little princess will decide when she is ready to see the world and no one will stop her now! My hospitalization leave is extended for another week -- will be on standby mode and hope will pop soon! My next gynae visit will be 1 week later. To celebrate, we went for dinner at Kah Soh @ SGH Medical Alumni Centre -- ordered the sliced fish bee hoon, crispy pork chop and sambal kangkang *slurp* Happy to finally able to dine out :)

Kah Soh's famous sliced fish bee hoon & sambal kangkong

Yummy crispy pork chop -- TK happily munching while I gave the guilty look of eating sinful fd

Roller Coaster

Our little princess is 35 week on Sat -- we spent it in KKH labour ward as I was admitted on Good Friday (again). I started to experience blood-stained discharge (commonly known as dislodge of mucus plug prior to delivery) on Thursday -- contacted my gynae and he said not a concern if it is not non-stop bleeding. However, there was more discharge on Friday and we decided to go KKH for a check. After 1 hour of observation on CTG and baby heartrate monitor, I was found to have regular contractions (though I dun feel the pain). The MO did a VE and guess what -- my cervix was 3cm dilated! He advised me to be admitted as I may deliver anytime.

This time, we were more prepared -- packed my hospital bag in advance. As ward 82 was full, we were lucky and given ward 72 -- kinda luxury version with nicer deco & furnishing. Nurses were nice and friendly -- came in and out to check my blood pressure, temperature, urine sample, baby heart rate etc. Each time they will remind me to call them if I am having contraction pain or waterbag burst. On-duty doc came to inform me that they would double the dosage to stop my contraction. So we spent the rest of the day in the labour ward -- waiting for further dilation or signs. TK was all ready to setup his "work station" -- there was free internet access via wireless@SG and I went online to "announce" that I am @ KKH waiting for labour. Received many well wishes from friends :) TK worked while I zz early.

Ward 72 - Cosy room with LCD TV & sofa bed for TK

Toilet & shower room -- with chair to sit in case I feel faint

My meals - dinner, breakfast & lunch (healthy & yummy)

The next morning, I was strapped on CTG and baby heartrate monitor -- my contractions is further apart and bb is doing well. The on-duty doc said they preferred to keep me in the hospital so that they can monitor my condition and take action immediately. We requested to see our gynae to clarify some issues. As my gynae was running clinic in the morning, we were sent down to TPS. We were dismayed that I had to wait in queue for 1hr+! I was feeling so tired and stressed that I burst into tears in the waiting room -- TK was shocked and tried to comfort me! Think our little princess got a shock from my sobbing, too... I felt better after the outburst...

When we finally met our gynae, he explained that they try to stop my contraction to delay the delivery of our baby so that all her organs are fully developed. He did ultrascan to check that baby is of good size (2.5kg @ 35week) and has sufficient amnotic fluid. He assured me that my baby will be fine and I can go home on bed rest. He will review my condition next Wednesday. He also shared that he had a patient who is 3cm dilated for 6 weeks before delivery. Meanwhile, I have to monitor my baby's movement at home and come to hospital if I feel less movement, contraction pain or waterbag burst.

We were so relieved to be discharged! The miscommunication between us and the on-duty doc caused tremendous stress n anxiety on us! We thought 3cm dilated means will eventually leads to delivery in the next 1-2 days but seemed contradicting when they double the dosage to stop contraction. We cannot possible stay in the hospital and wait indefinitely. Thankfully, our gynae understood our concerns -- we regained our confidence in him :)

Our friends were eagerly waiting for news from us -- had to inform them that it was a false alarm :) Gosh, 2nd full dress rehearsal in a week! Our little princess is sending us on roller coaster rides!

Full Dress Rehearsal

How it all started...

On Sunday late morning, I started having severe stomachache. The pain was at the lower abdomen and came on at close intervals. I felt poo coming and strained to push it out -- sweat buckets! TK was so worried that I stayed in the toilet for so long -- he was shocked that I was drained with perspiration and face contorted with pain! Gosh, we were thinking how I can go thru the REAL labour pain! After 1 hour of pushing, it became diahorrea and my stools became watery. Felt much better after the "full release"! However, I had to run to the toilets often thru out the day as there were some "residue" loose stools.

Juz before we went out for dinner with TK's friend, I suddenly noticed there were blood stain in my watery stools! Went ahead with dinner and upon returning home, I checked my stools again -- gosh, still have blood stain! Decided to call KKH TPS hotline and they advised me to go down to the Delivery Suite for observation. Gosh, that sent us in a panic mode -- my hospital bag is not packed yet! So we juz grabbed the cordblood collection kit and head off to KKH.

In Delivery Suite/Ward...

We arrived at KKH Delivery Suite at 9.30pm. I was strapped on to monitor our litle precious's heartbeat and contraction via CTG -- wow, first time I hear my bb's heartbeat and it sounds like horse racing :) After 45mins, I was feeling calm and dozing off when the nurse came in and told me that I was having regular contractions and need to admit immediately! *FAINT* I dun feel any contraction pain! But I recalled that I felt our little princess was in a very low position when we walked up from carpark. Oops, it is too early for our little princess to come out -- at 34-week, she is consider pre-term(some organs not fully develop yet) and will have to be put in ICU!

I was put on a wheelchair and whisked off to the Delivery Ward 29 -- changed into the white delivery gown and got on the bed. 2 docs(1 male n 1 female) came in to ask questions on my condition -- wat I ate, how many times din I passed blood-stained stools etc. The female doc then proceed to take a sample to do swap test, check for cervix dilation and anus for bloody stools. Gosh, very painful and uncomfortable when she dugged her fingers in!! Good news were my cervix is closed (means bb won't come out so fast) and there is no blood stain in my anus. The male doc then proceed to pop a needle for drip on my left hand -- ouch, so painful! Then they explained that they will give me medication to stop my contraction (1st 4 doses at 15min interval and then 6 hourly). I will be given 2 jabs on my thigh(12 hours apart) to help speed up development of my little precious' lung growth -- juz in case my contraction is unable to subside and I need to deliver the baby the next day. Medication for my diahorrea were given as well and I am put on drip to replenish the water lost.

Ouch, the painful needle on my left hand -- my fingers were swollen the next morning!

While I was strapped on CTG and bb's heartbeat monitor, TK went to do the paperwork for my admission. He was so frustrated with the staff at the counter who gave very confusing explanation on the choices of ward with many variables! Before this, we have decided to go for A1 premier package during my delivery. After some hassle, Tk signed up for A1 premier package and the estimated cost of 2-day stay will come up to $2380!! My gynae Dr. Loh asked the on-duty doc, Dr. Hendricks, to come and check on my condition.

It was a sleepless nite at the delivery ward -- nurses came in and out to give me medication, drip, check on my CTG etc. Sweet TK stayed with me and he had an uncomfortable sleep on the sofa chair provided. And we can heard screaming mummies who were delivering at nearby wards! First time I used the urine pan on bed -- so difficult to pass urine in a lying down position! After wat seemed like ages, thanks goodness my contractions subsided and they transferred me to the labour ward to get a better rest at 5.30am.

In Labour Ward...

Our ward 8217 is a single bed room and comes with a chair bed that can flatten to lie down position -- finally TK can get a good sleeping position :) I placed my order for my meals -- chinese selection looks yummy on the menu :) We managed to get 2 hours of nap before breakfast. We watched movies on HBO while waiting for further tests to be done.

My breakfast was bee tai mak with minced chicken n vege

while TK has Mac's Big Breakfast :)

I was given the 2nd jab on my thigh at 11am and strapped on CTG and bb's heartbeat monitor for 45 mins. Thinking that I could check out at 1pm after CTG showed that I dun have contractions, we were dismayed when the nurse informed us that we had more tests before doc can discharge me!

Strapped on CTG & bb's heartbeat monitor

After lunch, I was sent down for scan @ ADC at 2pm -- the sonographer took measurements on our baby's body parts and everything was OK. Then I was sent to another sonographer for scanning of my cervix. We were so frustrated with the long waiting that we abandoned the wheelchair and walked back to the ward at 3.45pm! Getting impatient with the slow procedure, TK informed the nurse that we wanna check out before 6pm. We were told that we had to wait for the scan report to be sent up from ADC and after Dr. Loh reviewed the results! Dr. Loh came up to see me while we were at ADC -- such bad co-ordination! Finally, at 4.30pm, the nurse came to inform me that Dr. Loh has approved to discharge me after reviewing the results. However, he is in the mist of operation and unable to come and see me. He had fixed an appointment next Wed(15 April) to see me.

My lunch was porridge with pork & lycee, green vege & lotus soup

Tea break is milo with corn muffin

While waiting for the pharmacist(medication) & nurse to remove the needle on my left hand, Dr. Loh came in to see me and reviewed my scan results. Good news that my placenta has moved up and baby is of good average weight. Though he mentioned that my cervix is a bit short, nothing to worry abt. I was given 1-week hospitalization leave for bed rest. The nurse came to remove the needle -- luckily it was not painful *phew* The pharmacist came and gave me instructions for medication -- I have to continue taking anti-contraction & antibioics pills and standby diahorrea pills.

Home Sweet Home!

Yeah, finally we could go home! We were discharged at 5.20pm and home sweet home at 6pm. Felt great to be home -- to our comfortable bed and we slept so well last nite! I called my mum to inform her of my "full dress rehearsal"(from delivery suite to labour ward) and preampt her that our little princess may be out by 36-week -- activate her to come over to do confinement for me! Now, we have to coax our little princess to come out after 36 weeks -- best to be 39-week on 13 May :)

Happy to be discharge finally! Take a pic in the labour ward gown.

Happy Week

Counting down to 6 more weeks, our little princess is 34-week on Sat :) We attended the antenatal class -- topic of the day was breastfeeding. We were given a life size baby to practise on the cradle & football hold. Haha, our little princess was jealous with mummy holding another baby and kick non-stop! On Sunday, we started 1st batch of washing baby stuff -- washed a basket full of cloth nappy :) Had a gathering with my friends at home -- KN & Jess brought along their 3-mth old son (cute boy with lotsa hair). Discussion topic was surrounding baby & parenthood -- our little princess was eager to participate with her kicks :)

Happy Birthday song
TK started driving me to/fro work starting from April. Our little precious will hear more of papa's voice as we chit-chat along the way. On Friday morning, we were tuning in to Class 95 FM (to keep check on traffic news) and The Flying Dutchmen started singing Happy Birthday song on air -- our little precious happily kicked in response! *Haha*, she thot it's papa singing her weekly bday song for her. We had to tell her that that's not papa and her bday song will be tomorrow :)

Weight Control
Oops, went out of control this week as greedy me over indulged :P Started to snack on high calories stuff like oreo cookies, choco milk etc. Better switch back to healthy snack like fruits :)
Total weight gain is 11kg.