Second Baby is ....

Wanted to update to all my friends on 22 April 2010, but most of the time(night) I had already no mood to post and no strength to sit in front the computer. It made me late 3weeks to post this.
----------------------------------------------------------
Thurs,22 April 2010

Today is the day that I’ve been waiting for. We’ll go to see our baby… We’re so excited as we would know the gender of the baby by 7pm. My pregnancy is 16weeks now.
It was a busy day again for me. Morning had a Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). At noon wanted to have lunch with my friend-Chiali, but last minute I need to cancel it because I had my dad’s order of business. I reached home with Fidel sleeping in a car. Fidel always fall asleep in the car after BSF-doing some activity from children programme (Quite time, pray, Bible storytelling, singing hymn, have some snacks and play), provided by BSF.

I had my lunch while he sleeps. Thank God that I could enjoy my lunch while I’m very very hungry without being “disturb”. After did some chores, he woke up and I fed him lunch.

Three O’clock, I took Fidel to Bukit Mertajam to do dad’s business, Joseph was with me as he took half day leave—come back from dentist, he was not feeling well too.

Well… Let me cut my long….story. We reached home at 5pm. Rest for a while, and fed Fidel dinner, while Joseph still lying sick on the bed. I think he is too sick. I managed to get Chiali to accompany me.

Tadaa…! We reach the clinic. While waiting for my turn, Chiali and I were guessing what is the gender of my baby. Boy or girl is OK for me. But if ask me to choose…. I would prefer girl. I thought I can take “a breath” in the future as people say girl is more quite, not so active like a boy. I could experience new “model” of God’s creation, dress her like a doll. 

“Liana!” the nurse called my name. Oh, oh! It’s my turn now.

After “bli bli bla bla” with the Dr. I lied on the bed and Dr was ready to do the scanning.

Oh…. I’m so happy to see you again, my baby, I spoke heart to heart to the baby as I saw him/her in the screen. I looked carefully and keep searching whether there is “a spout” coming out. Since Dr started does the scanning, telling me this is the spine, kidney, heart, brain, legs, hands, etc. until few minutes… the baby was not in a good position. He was stuck at one corner for so long. The position was very very bad. Finally, when Dr was about to “give up”, the baby finally could come out from the corner, as if he/she heard our conversation. While he/she stretch the body, Dr captured the photo. Before he captured the photo, he tried to search the gender and told me that he think it’s a male.

“Huh….??” My response was like asking the Dr to repeat again what he just said.
“I think is a son. 85% is a boy…” said the Dr.

O… ow… What immediately come to my mind was “How if the second one is active just like his brother? How to cope with them?”

However… male or female is OK for me. I just felt a bit “shocked” because few of my friends say, “It could be a girl” as they said that I look prettier since pregnant. Hahaha 

I went back home and told Joseph that it’s a boy. He said, “Good lah… so we have chance to have the third one.”
“What…?? How if the third one is boy again or TWIN BOYS??”

Anyhow… whatever the gender is…, “We welcome you, babe”. We believe God has His beautiful plan in each creation.

I Must Wean Him (Day 1)

Yesterday, 11 February 2010, Joseph accompanied me to a clinic, to see the obstetricians. I brought Fidel along too.

“Can you see the heart beat, Liana….”
“Yes…” I smiled when I saw the tiny creature keep blinking at the computer screen in front of me. As if it was trying to say that she is there.
“It’s still very young. It’s only 6weeks and 2days. Mmm… You are not so lucky, Liana…”
“??....”
“It’s not a twin…”

At the above are few of the conversation between the doctor and us.
Yes, you are right! I’m pregnant the second child.
Is it too soon? I guess everyone will say so. But we did plan for it. We want to give Fidel a companion without any big gaps. Fidel will be 25month-old when his coming sibling born.

Since I knew that I’m pregnant from the pregnancy test that I bought last week, I started to browse and search in the internet about “breastfeeding during pregnancy”. I found few articles and they say not necessarily have to wean the baby or toddler. So, I confidently continue breastfeed Fidel.

I asked Dr whether I can continue breastfeed Fidel as he doesn’t drink formula milk. Dr said better wean him slowly. The reason he asked me to stop is because breastfeeding can cause the contraction at the uterus. If it contracts, there is possibility I might lost the fetus.

“Ow Fidel… no more nen-nen(milk) for you” Joseph said to him

We decided to wean him immediately as we don’t want to take any risk. We know it looks impossible to wean him suddenly. So far, he doesn’t drink any formula milk (FM). I bought FM but he refuse to drink, so I just put 1small scoop in his cereal every morning.

After back home that afternoon, Fidel was sleepy. Usually I will just offer him breast milk, and he will just fall asleep after latch for 10-15minutes. Very sorry for Fidel, that afternoon I’ve decided not to give him anymore. He cried and cried. Stop for a while and continue crying again, stop and cry again till one hour. After an hour, he stopped crying and went off from his bed, took his toys and points his finger to the door. He wants to go out from the room “HUH?? Don’t you feel sleepy?” I was stunned, yet let him go out.

We went to Tesco that evening to buy FM for him. A sales promoter introduced me Enfagrow, instead of Enfapro – the one he refuse to drink. I bought Vanilla flavor. We just shopped for awhile and Fidel fall asleep in his stroller. He was already very very tired, after cried an hour in the afternoon, and didn’t take his nap.
We reached home and I put him in his bed, and he didn’t awake. Oh… Thank God that I don’t need to struggle with him.

Good night my Fidel… and good night to my little one too…

I Did a Caesarean Birth

Some of my friends do not know that I did a caesarean birth, and they surprised to know that I did a caesarean birth.

I did my morning walk for 3days before deliver, and on 19September I did extra walking in the evening while waiting for my mother in law brought us dinner. I felt tired and I went home for a rest. I noticed that the water broke. I called my husband and one of the sisters from our cell group to arrange the nearest friend to drive me to hospital.

I reached hospital at 8.00pm, and they pushed me to labor room and waiting for doctor came at 11pm. I was in a very painful of contraction for 3hours. Doctor checked and said that the cervix dilated only for 1cm and meanwhile the baby already passed motion inside. Doctor said cannot wait longer, need to do surgery immediately. He was afraid baby would swallow the excrement, which is very dangerous for the baby.

I always wish that I could have a normal birth. I am afraid of surgery, afraid of the epidural needle. But that time, because of too painful, I don’t care normal or c/s as long as I can exceed from the contraction pain.

The surgery started at 11.45pm (19September), and they took out the baby on 12.09am (20September). I was thinking how easy to deliver a baby by c/s, there were no painful. But after 2-3hours, the anesthetic gone and I started feel my tummy got wind, a little bit painful. Slowly I can feel more painful at my lower abdomen because of the surgery, and it become very painful, until I didn’t dare to move.

They let me stay on the bed for one day, but the next day I need to learn to walk. I did try get down from my bed (Joseph helped me), half way I couldn’t continue it, because it’s too painful, it’s very difficult to walk even one step. I think I walked slower than the snail. The pain last after 1week.

I have a plan to have 2-3 children, but after experience the pain of labor, I will think again and again.

Thank God that He gave me strength to bear all the pain I felt that day. Thanks to all brothers and sisters for your prayers. And thank my husband for his support, care and love that soothed me.

"Kick Mommy Please..."

I just came back from morning walk. Today round the back yard of the apartment for 15rounds in 35minutes. I did five rounds more than yesterday. It because of yesterday check up result was still the same. The cervix had not opened yet, no bleeding, no pain.

Doctor did an ultrasound again to see whether baby moves. But looked like our baby was very sleepy or lazy, he didn’t move a lot. Doctor asked me whether he moves actively, I said yes. And he pressed my tummy few times to disturb the baby, but he didn’t give a good response. Doctor asked me the same question again. The more he asked the more doubt I felt and I became not sure whether he moves actively. Sigh…

Doctor asked me to go back for check up again five days later (September 22, 2008) in condition the baby still moves actively, and we need to decide whether want to induce or do the operation. So every hour, every minute I control my baby movements.
He doesn’t move very very active like last time, but I will keep watching, if he starts to move very slowly for few hours, I will call the doctor or go straight to the hospital.

“Baby, baby…. Kick mommy please". So that I know that he's doing well.

Walk More = Baby Comes Out Easily?

Dear all… until now I still can sit in front my computer, online, checking my mail and blogging. My baby hasn’t come out yet. It’s already over two days from the due date, but still no sign of labor. This evening I need to go back to hospital again for check up, to see whether got any progression.

Many people asked me to walk more, so that the baby will come out easily. Yesterday I walked around my apartment back yard for 10rounds. And every time go out with my husband, he will ask me to walk from the level two car park to the apartment main gate. And the apartment’s guard over there keeps wondering why I need to walk to the gate only go into the car. Hahaha…

I hope my effort these few days will bring good news later.

Easing Third Trimester Discomforts

The tips below may help you ease some of the common discomforts during third trimester.

Reducing Heartburn
*Eat Small
*Eat slowly.
*Sleep with your upper body raised 15cm.
*Don't lie down until 2 hours after you eat.

Taking Care of Your Breasts
*Avoid using harsh soaps or alcohol, which can cause excessive dryness.
*Wear nursing bras to provide more support.

Treating Constipation
*Eat foods high in fiber.
*Drink plenty of water.
*Get regular exercise.

Getting a Good Night's Sleep
*Take a warm shower before bed.
*Sleep on a firm mattress.
*Lie on y our left side with one leg crossed over the other.

Easing Back Pain
*Practice good posture.
*Think before you lift. Lift with your legs and not your back.
*Pelvic tilt exercise.

Limiting Swollen Veins
*Get daily walk exercise.
*Wear support pantyhose or stockings.
*Avoid tight shoes and clothes.
*Eat plenty of fiber and drink enough fluids.
*Avoid sitting or standing for long periods.

Dealing with Frequent Urination
*When you urinate, lean forward so that bladder empties completely.
*Try to drink most of your fluids earlier in the day.

Do and Don't When Nurse the Baby

Here are few tips of nursing the baby for new or expectant parents.
I believe these are gonna be useful.

"We are waiting for you, babe"

Actually, today is my due date, but until now there is no sign of labor yet. No pain, no contraction, everything goes fine. Doctor asked me to go back to hospital for further check up next two days.

No idea why our baby still want to be inside the womb so long.

“Dear baby, do you feel very cozy inside there?” All family and friends keep asking whether he is born today. My husband and I also keep waiting him to come out.

“Faster come out dearest babe…, we are waiting for you”

Pack My Labor Bag

It’s about 1more week to go before deliver. I just finished pack my bag. I’m quite late to do the packing. Most expectant mothers pack their labor bag somewhere around 36weeks.

I packed two bags; one for me and the other small bag for the baby.

My Bag:
-Jacket/sweater
-Maternity clothes for going home
-Slippers, socks
-Nursing pads
-Nursing bras
-Underwear
-Towel
-Body soap, shampoo
-Brush/comb
-Makeup
-Napkin pads
-Toothbrush
-Cereal/Biscuit
-Hot water bottle
-Camera/video camera, charger
-Handphone, charger

Baby bag:
-Going home outfit
-Hat/cap
-Booties/socks
-Mitten
-Blanket

You can click here for more complete checklist.

Our Baby Is Full Term

If you are pregnant 37weeks, your baby is safe. He is full term now. This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away. Doctor checked that our baby weighs 2.8-2.9kgs. Good weights.

These few days, I face more and more difficult in sleeping, couldn’t find comfortable position. Last night I was thinking, after give birth I will lose my big tummy, at least I will sleep better. Yeah! But suddenly I remember that many mommies say that they need to feed the baby every 2-3hours whole day. Huh? How can I have a good sleep then…

Oh, maybe it is worse than sleep with a big tummy. So I better enjoy my sleeping time now.

Jasmine(27weeks) - Shirley - Me (37weeks)