Early Scans

I've found these earlier scans which were taken when baby was approx 6 weeks and 9 weeks old.

Appended is a rough gauge of what mum's could expect at the earlier stages. Least to say, the later the scan, the more could then be seen:

• At about five weeks, (three weeks after conception) it may be possible to see a small empty pregnancy sac.

• At six weeks a yolk sac can be seen, and sometimes - but not always - a heartbeat may be visible.

• By seven weeks the embryo will be about 1 cm long, and the heart rate will be about 150 beats per minute.

• At eight weeks the embryo will measure 16 mm, and you might be able to make out the head and body, and some movements.

• At nine weeks the head, body and limbs can be seen, and it's looking more like a baby. It's very nearly fully formed, and will then be known as a fetus

31 Weeks

It's been 31 weeks and very soon we'll be able to see the littleone in our arms! I've just attended my prenantal consultation yesterday and everything seems fine. BB is growing healthily and is now 1.8kg ( she was 1.2kg since my last visit 1 month ago). Am so glad that I've only put on 0.5kg! Total weight gain for me at this stage is approx 10kg. Not that bad huh. Hopefully the baby would not be too large to handle at point of delivery. Couldn't imagine how my mum went through labour at her last trimester and finally giving birth to 9 pounder babies - both me and my sis are humongous!

Attached is the ultrasound scan of the baby face she seems a little shy... covered her face with one of her hands but you could tell she is trying to peep with one eye ( see circled portion ). She is now in a vertex position. Hope she'll stay this way for a smooth delivery!

Confinement Taboos

Chinese, Malay and Indian communities all have their respective confinement practices. The common thread amongst the races is to help you and your body recover from the intensities of childbirth. It is believed that if confinement is not carried out in the proper way, the woman’s uterus will not be able to contract and this will result in "drooping womb" or uterine prolapse. And on following the taboos, "wind" will be prevented from entering the body, which is said to be the cause of joint problems in later years. Hence, the notoriously peculiar custom of not allowing the women to bathe or wash their hair. Appended are some of the Chinese taboos.

Chinese confinement restrictions include:

• Strictly no washing of hair for the entire confinement period. Some mothers get around this rule by using dry shampoo instead during this time
• Avoiding exposure to cold elements such as cold water.
• Low temperatures from an air-conditioner or fan must be avoided too ( my mum-in-law kinda hinted that I should close all doors and windows )
• Bathing only with specially prepared warm water that is infused with herbs.
• Cannot carry heavy objects (including the baby - sounds ridiculous to me), over-exert self or walk up and down the stairs.
• Cannot drink water for the first 20 days, only rice wine or special chinese herbal drinks.

I don't suppose I could survive a whole month not washing my hair. Will likely stick to this rule only for the first week using dry shampoo. As for usage of airconditioner/fan would be dependent on baby's tolerance for heat. Guess I could use her as an excuse for flouting rules then.

I am also thinking of hiring a traditional Malay masseurs (bidan) who will help massage the abdomen and bind the tummy with a long cloth (bengkung). The Malays believe the massage and binding, together with the hot stones help your uterus to shrink faster and expel 'wind' or any impurities from your womb. This would also help you regain your pre-pregnancy figure sooner and improve blood circulation. Those of my colleagues who have tried it seemed to work for majority of them so no harm testing this out.

Confinement Nanny- To hire or not to hire?

It's one of those things on a 'to consider list'... getting a live-in confinement nanny.

This issue has been bugging me for quite a while now. So what's the point of having another woman in the house when you already have your mother, mother in-law and a domestic helper? Why do I need a confinement nanny in the house, who has to join the sardines pack in an already tiny baby room with maid. Anyway living conditions aside, given that we already have a helper to help with the chores, it does seem extravagant to get another person to look after me during confinement esp when there is such a huge discrepancy in salary between the two. Current confinement nanny's market rate is approx $1600 - $2000 and they are expected to cover the following daily duties:-

• Prepare traditional Confinement cooking for the mother (Dads could likewise have a share if they are not bored of eating the same old dish/ soup for the next 28 days)
• Marketing (if required)
• Laundry for the mother & newborn
• Do basic housework such as moping the floor and cleaning up of kitchen
• Taking care, feeding and bathing your new-born
• Provide 24 hours General baby care to ensure complete rest for mummy
  

Doesn't look like a long list right? Seems rather managable particularly when we have the helper around. If I could delegate the cooking to mum-in-law, and bathing of the baby to my own mummy, then all else could be managed by both myself and the helper... this would be ideal!

However, I am worried if this might work as both mums have their routine activities what happens if they can't come as often as I wish they would. Could the helper manage chores and infant at the same time when she has no prior experience looking after newborn. There is also a part of me who doesn't want to follow the confinement customs on my hubby side fully ie no bathing for 21 days, got to stay in an enclosed room with little air circulation ie no aircon / fan / natural wind.... Think I might become claustrophobic after the 1month ! There are also other alternatives available ie part time confinement nannies who only visit you in the day ( which I think wont work ), confinement food catering services ( see link below) , confinement nurses to coach both you and your family members on how to look after a newborn etc. See what I mean? Netither do I want to impose the burden of looking after the baby on my mummy who has kindly agreed to stay over if need be. I know it's definitely not gonna be easy for her particularly in the night when baby cries. And my lack of experience is also not helping ... am in such a dilemma!

Hubby wants me to have a carefree postnantal experience so would be supportive either decision I make (easy said huh) . Guess I may still hire a confinement lady for my first born to save me from all the hassles and headaches.

According to various websites, the postnatal period can be stressful, particularly if you have had a caesarean section or an episiotomy, so mummies should concentrate on keeping ourselves happy and comfortable; like what my hubby mentioned the confinement nanny's happiness is, in such a case, secondary.If I really cannot get on with the confinement lady, and she is causing more stress than she is helping me, there is always an option of terminating her services. It's definitely helpful to have my 2 mums on standby.

For those who are interested in DIY, found this site on confinement food catering - not tried it myself, but looks like quite a spread. http://www.confinementfood.com/confinement-food-menu.html

First Baby Pics

Always wanted to post our BB pics on the blog .. wasnt able to find time to do so until now.. These are taken when we went for the detailed organ scans. BB is healthy and growing perfectly well. The gynae is still a little worried with my water retention and weight gained. Am watching my diet now.. trying not to crave on those delicious, sweet savoury snacks like muffins, cakes, nonya kuehs .. loved anything that's fragrant / strawberry flavoured. ..The taste kinda lingers ...

On my exercise regime, er hm which is zilch at this moment. Am such a procrastinator. Was just contemplating between sitting in front of my Pc and writing this blog versus doing those pelvic exercises.. guess which bought me over? I've read about how pelvic exercises could reduce the chances of posterior births ie some babies go down into the pelvis with the back of their heads towards their mothers' spines. This is called a posterior position and it can lead to several things happening: • your waters are more likely to break at the beginning of labour • you have a lot of backache during and in between contractions • labour is slower etc. Some bloggers recommend pelvic rock on all 4s from 35 weeks onwards to get the baby in position.

oh Well, cant imagine what life would be like when she finally arrives. =) many tells me we wont be able to find time as a couple until bb goes to school. I've just planned my maternity leave and updated the bosses . With the extension of maternity from 3 to 4 months, something which Chris is so envious of, I wonder what I'm gonna do in those weeks other than resting. But hey am not complaining =). For once I am starting to feel the benefits of being a citizen.

29 Weeks

It's been 29 weeks and I could now feel the foetal movements more intensely and apparent each day. We could see the tiny kicks and flips from my tummy as she does her usual gym regime between 7- 8 am, 11- 12 noon, 3- 4pm and 10- 11pm. Baby's most active after food and highly excitable as she starts to develop her hearing. We could tell that she is beginning to recognise and respond to loud noises. I could feel her moving and twirling as she dances to nursery rhymes which Chris sings every morning in the car.