Ultrasound @ 11 weeks

I wasn't feeling well, diarrhea yesterday, went to check out with Gynae Link @ Admiralty. I'm so glad I did. Dr Don Wong was really patient and answered all my questions with a lot of details and assurance. Thank you, Dr Wong!

And look, another US photo :P

This time, I'm really very excited. The fetus was moving!!! It stretched it's hands, turned its sideways towards & away from us, then kicked out both legs alternatingly, as if to show this worry-wart of a Mummy-to-be here, that it's fine & kicking!

I'm so happy! Thank you, little one :D

You can see the legs, a faint shadow of a palm on top of the middle of tummy. The head with eye sockets, jaws, nose outline!

N.B. I'm starting a pregnancy journal, more for noting all the long-winded questions and answers I have. Also to allay any fears in case I forget I've got it clarified with a doctor already.

Missed call from KK

I had a missed call during work hours.

KK called Lougong instead.

Lougong messaged, "Blood test indicated low blood count. Collect iron supplements from Clinic C4 this Thursday."

First thing that crossed my mind, maybe they thought all Thallasemia should take iron. Have to confirm that tomorrow by calling back.

I don't want to take iron tablets, I'm already constipated as it is. Iron causes constipation AND gastric :(

I so so so hope that we can clear it up and I don't have to take iron. I'm usually good enough to even donate blood!

Also, gotta check that blood sugar test results.

Hope it's good.

Second Ultrasound @ 10.3 Weeks

Today, we were upgraded, sort of, to Clinic C from Clinic D and was attended to by a Dr Tan Thiam Chye, whom we were informed, had his own private clinic.

I had mixed feelings after this visit.

I was due for a "dating/viability" ultrasound scan and waited 30 mins to see a Ms Aloka who seemed in a hurry.

This US (ultrasound) photo shows her measuring the CRL, crown to rump length.


This US photo shows her measuring my uterus both ways.


This one shows LSUT.


And this one, shows where the little one's heart is beating :) Ms Aloka says it's too early to tell head from tail, so, the arrow just points to a beating heart.


My urine tested +++ for glucose and the nurse who interpreted the strip exclaimed, "Wah, you diabetic ah!" On afterthought, that was quite insensitive. I defended, I had a glass of orange juice. Less than an hour ago @ 1430hrs. Had the urine test about 1530hrs.

Saw Dr Tan close to 1630hrs. Quick consultation, he also seemed in a hurry and perfunctory. Asked me if I had any nausea, vomitting, flu symptoms, and I had to pause to catch up with him, before answering "no". Then he just says, "good". And asked if I had been taking any folic acid and supplements, I answered "Yes, and Obimin", but I don't think he heard I only had 2 weeks' supply left because after that he'll see me in 4 weeks and no prescription.

Dr Tan did ask if we were interested to take some tests (US & blood) for Downs Syndrome, costs about $150 only, I looked @ Lougong and he piped, yes. So, after that we were sent for counselling and took up the 1st test package, a detailed US scan.

After that, I went for a blood test, which included a glycosylated blood test. I'm assuming that's for the average blood sugar for past 3 months, after the +++ glucose urine test. Hope that turns out ok.

So, there. Mixed feelings.

Thank goodness, no morning sickness so far :)

I'm so so SO thankful that I'm not feeling nauseated and throwing up.
Though I do feel a bit concerned from the lack of the these symptoms.
Even the doctor prescribed me with medication for nausea, though I didn't need it yet, so far.

And no moodiness/rage outbreaks. In fact, I feel quite contented to let things be, that all will be fine sooner or later :)

Come to think of it, I haven't many pregnancy symptoms to complain about, aside from...
lots of involuntary (ok, sometimes, I juz wanna let it out :P) loud obnoxious burps and belches,
falling asleep by nine plus @ night on sofa in front of TV,
constant yawning away during certain times of the day,
quicker more striking hunger pangs,
tender and sore breasts,
expanding waistline (ops, that's just me, not the little one, yet :P),
and occassional waking up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet...

I'm actually coping quite okay (except for the strong urges to tell Mummy Baba BB everytime I talk / chat with them) with my 1st trimester :)

Oh and I've got control of my lower belly muscles back! Previously it felt crammed all the time and gave me stitches when I try to twist and turn even the slightest bit. Now I can even gyrate my hips to Butterfly by Crazy Town :P

Lougong assured me every pregnancy is different. I believe him ;)

NATURE Blessing!

Thank you to the NATURE, my Dearest Loupo, my grandparents, my parents, my parents-in-law, my brothers and of coz ME, myself.

Thank you to the QI LIN, BUDDHAs, MOON, SUN, and again the NATURE.

Week-by-week Pregnancy Guides

http://www.pregnancyguideonline.com/index.html
This site addresses changes happening to Mum very briefly, suggests what Dads can do, and info on Baby development. Illustrations shows what is happening in Mum's body.

http://pregnancy.about.com/od/pregnancycalendar/p/week10.htm
This one is organized to what to expect for Mum, Dad and what is happening to Baby. It's got annotated ultrasound scan images for almost every week :)

http://www.baby2see.com
Lots of information on fetal development, 3D and 2D ultrasound scan images.

On co-sleeping with babies...

Safe Bed

• large enough to accommodate mum, dad and baby
• king size mattress placed on the floor away from wall would be ideal
• flat and firm mattress
  

Other Bedding Concerns

• use a fitted bed sheet
  
• avoid extra pillows, comforters or blankets
  
• no bedding items for new born (they should be dressed warmly)

Where Baby Sleeps

• baby should be put between mum and the edge of bed (if on floor), wall or guardrails
• if mum is a very sound sleeper, a crib next to the bed is a much better option.

No Smoking, Drinking and Drugs
Parents who are sick and on medication should also avoid co-sleeping (risk spreading the virus to baby; medicines consumed may put her into a deep slumber, making it difficult for her to wake up in the night if the baby cries.)

Size and Weight Issues
Bed sharing definitely becomes more dangerous for the baby if one or both of her parents are large and overweight. If the baby rolls towards mum or if mum’s weight leaves a big impression in the mattress when both are on the mattress, the chances of the baby being crushed and smothered are very high.

Sources:
http://infant-toddler-health.suite101.com/article.cfm/bed_sharing_safety_tips

Week 9: Pins & needles on breasts

It' quite painful. Got it couple of a times while getting up from napping on sofa since Sunday. Searched the web, says it's caused by breasts producing milk.

Finally, I can see the the large green veins are all over the breasts... :P Funny, I thought it actually looks like tattoo of vines... anyway, read in Week 10, this could happen ;)

Am reading "the complete illustrated pregnancy companion (week-by-week guide to everything you need to do for a healthy pregnancy) by Robin Elise Weiss". I keep referring back, to the earlier weeks as new signs appear. I should be keeping 'notes' so that I know what to expect when I return the book.

WELL DONE, LOUPO!

Yes! Finally!!! It's a Gift from the NATURE.
Keep it up!

After 1st Ultrasound Thoughts

Aiyah, forgot to get a copy of the ultrasound pic :P
And forgot to mention, expected due date (estimated again), 12 Nov 09!

Hee hee, it's not the pregnant brain, it's just me :P

Wow, this little one is hard to come by and I'm so grateful.

It's been up the Great Wall of China with me, minus 15 degrees Celcius @ ChengDe, and 3 days of severe diarrhea with me in it's early conception.

And I've carried both Cerys and Rhona @ the Port Dickson trip 16 Mar 09. Eh, I'm not complaining, but heard pregnant women aren't suppose to lift heavy stuff. Hee hee... don't dare to anymore ;)

Lougong says "This is one tough baby-to-be!"

It's really hard to keep it a secret from Mummy, Baba, BB, and Lougong's whole family too.

We made an agreement, in the 12th week, 3 May 09, we can announce it then. I can't wait!

That's what this blog is about. I want to share it with all our loved ones when I can and hope they don't feel left out :)

First Ultrasound @ 8 Weeks (estimate)

We made the appointment on Monday for today, after another positive home pregnancy test (remember, the twin pack) and Lougong is more convinced it's real now.


Dr Kelly Loi was going thru our files, saying about the the tubes and options, when hubby impatiently said, "But, we don't need to look at those any more. We've managed to conceive already."

I'm so happy, Lougong used to take a back seat, but now he's taken the initiative to speak up first!

Dr Loi looked up, and congratulated us. Asked us a few questions, last period 19 Jan 09, last tested, Sun i.e. 29 Mar 09. Then she said what we're both looking forward to. "Let's take a look on the ultrasound" :) Ah...

I was afraid it was the vaginal kind, or the drink till you're bloated kind, and it turns out this is the first time I needed neither. She just squeezed out the gel and placed the scanner on my lower tummy and there it was. A beating heart! And a little shadow of a baby with the feeding sack on top. I felt elated! I wanted to turn and touch the screen, but, you guessed it, the moment I moved, the ultrasound lost sight :P So excited. The doctor took 2 snap shots and estimated 8 weeks and "Very good! Well done!". Grins on me all the way back from hospital.