Hospital Bag (pack 2 weeks before EDD)

For Mummy:

• Pyjamas
• Undergarments
• Medicines which you are currently on e.g. for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes etc.
• Slippers
• Face and bath towels
• Toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, soap and shampoo
• Hair dryers are available upon request. If you are staying in Class A or B1 rooms, you will receive a toiletry bag. You can also buy this bag at our Retail Pharmacy on Level 1.

For the safety of all our patients, kindly avoid using electrical appliances that have not been provided by the hospital. These may cause a power failure, which in turn may interrupt a procedure or treatment in other parts of the hospital.

For Baby:

• 2 baby vests
• 2 pairs of baby mittens and booties
• 2 wrapping blankets for baby

You will most likely spend your first few hours after admission in the delivery suite. So try not to bring your bag with you, unless your spouse accompanies you. Your family can bring your bag to you when you are in the ward.

Note: EDD is Expected Delivery Date

References:

1. Maternity Services & Cost
2. Room A1 (single)
3. Room B1 (4-bedded)
4. Staying in KK

After note (added 10 months post natal):

The only stuff I used were...

• Camera,
• slippers (very important, must be easy to put on, coz it's such a pain to move),
• face towels (used hospital's bath towels),
• panties (though come to think of it, bring those old ones that you can throw away, or get disposables) and
• toiletries, for myself,
• one wrap top,
• disposable diapers (48 for 3 days, wipes, hospital 80 pcs was enough for the stay) and
• one receiving blanket for baby.

Asked my husband to bring (after admission/birth)...

• my long cotton scarf for use as wrap and blanket (light),
• one loose long pants, those gowns are really short, and examinations they lift up your gown,
• extra scrunchies, I flushed mine down the toilet accidentally and
• comb (wide tooth), forgot this one in the toiletries list,
• more biscuits and snacks, and
• drinks for those between meals hunger pangs.

Come to think of it, I should've  also...

• insisted that my baby be brought to me after the C-section to latch on, I had difficulty trying 1 day after that, thankfully, I'm still breastfeeding at 10 months, and intend to do so until she stops :)
• packed a bottle with straw / spill proof for drinking in bed, without getting up,
• packed one or two books, instead of my PSP Portable (don't need to worry bout losing it),
• packed more fruits (washed) and healthy snacks (dried fruits, muesli bar) and
• listened to my MP3 player more, need to tune out the other visitors.

Pregnancy Symptoms @ Week 23

I went to KK for my check-up appointment. This round, it was relatively fast :)

Doctor asked me if I had...
any concerns/complaints?
any leaking fluids/bleeding?
enough supplements?

And then proceeded to listen to the babies heartbeat using the Doppler machine.

My only concerns were:
1. Numbness in my hands and difficulty (sometimes painful) in bending fingers...
2. Floaters, like worms of silvery light snaking up on my peripheral vision whenever I just get up, sneeze or cough. I read an article in the papers just the day before that this can be dangerous and may indicate a tear in the retina.

Doctor assured me it's normal. Baby's probably pressing on certain nerves causing all these. I should only be concern if my water retention/numbness is accompanied by obvious red inflammation, or high blood pressure.

*phew*

It concurred with my previous consultation. I'm more at ease now.

Moving on with the remaining 4 months :D

Parenthood Law & Guide List

LAW

1. The mother of the baby holds the ultimate rights and final say to her baby's child care
   
2. Full breastfeeding on demand for at least 6 months (no other fluid intake) Ref: KK's "Breastfeed: Give your child a headstart"
   
3. No bottle feeding or pacifiers (avoid nipple confusion and difficulty in breasfeeding)
4. No hitting / shaking the baby no matter what!
5. No honey or non-mother's milk until after 12 months

GUIDE

1. Baby signing for communicating needs before baby can talk
2. May introduce mashed vegetables and meat with porridge from 7 month onwards (no salt or other additives until 12 months)
   
3. Full time on cloth diapers, unless long distance travelling
   
4. Start potty training when baby can sit upright on her own

That's all for now, till the next time is updated :)

Thoughts while expecting

I love children :)
Hmm, maybe not when they misbehave :P
I love children!

We've been waiting and planning for this baby for the longest time :)
After birth I'll take up to 18 months leave to nurse her till she's ready for childcare. Then I'll work part-time, probably half-days :) So that I can spend more time with her.

On Work
So far, my Bosses have no objections to my request and I can take up to 12 months of no-pay leave for childcare, in addition to whatever maternity leave and vacation leave I'm entitled to i.e. minimum 14+ months. I'm so glad. My colleagues have been really kind and supportive during my pregnancy so far. One even offers to buy snacks for me during tea time, almost daily.

Lougong has also agreed that if I am granted the leave, he will support me quite early on. Hope you still remember ;)

On Family Support
Lougong's Mummy's resigning from her waitressing work at the hotel restaurant to help us out after the birth of the Huas' first grandchild. I'm thankful that she's so readily taken up the challenge, sacrificing her social life in KL and coming to Singapore to help out.

From her last visit 2 weeks ago, I could tell, she wouldn't miss the job, but what she will miss most is the socializing on the job, her regular customers, her sisters-in-crime (no lah, just a bunch of really good buddies who's been thru a lot with her) and finally, though she did not say it that obviously, Papa, Ah B and Ah Da. Hee hee, as for Ah Lit, you're going to NUS, and hmm, maybe she'll ask you to come home for dinner during the weekends ;) So, do be prepared to keep your weekend meal times free hor.

Mummy and BB have both been really supportive, reassuring me that all I need is to ask, they'll go along with whatever plans I have. Baba's a little uncertain of how to small talk bout the baby till, maybe, when he can carry the little one in his arms :) They're all coming down after the birth of the baby.

I'd like to have all of you with me when the baby arrives, but my 2 guest rooms can only fit 2 couples +/- 1/2 children comfortably. Need to give accomodation and logistics a little bit more thought.