I can recommend a few of the ones I know (for those who don't want to research from scratch), if anyone's interested. I've been reading about different gynaes WAY before we started any sort of family planning, lol.

You can say... I like to think ahead (or just plain kiasu). Everyone has different preferences, so this is just a basic guideline based on the recommendations from people around me. I don't believe in a "best gynae" or a "best delivery hospital"... I believe most gynaes have at least decent stitching skills and most hospitals have the basics for a comfortable stay. Regardless of service, comfort, parking space, etc... see heng suay? 

Which Hotel? I mean, Hospital.

Wah piang! Staycation ah?! So chio! This is Gleneagles' Tanglin Suite btw. (Image Credit: SingaporeMotherhoodForum)

Firstly, identify the hospital you wanna pop in. The major hospitals in Singapore with obgyn services include:

• NUH
• SGH
• KKH
• Gleneagles Hospital
• Parkway East Hospital
• Mount Alvernia
• Mount Elizabeth
• Mount Elizabeth Novena (my current choice!)
• Raffles Hospital
• Thomson Medical Centre

I meant to blog more since last week, but 计划永远赶不上变化... My weekend was soooo busy, I could barely catch my breath! I hope to write a post at least once every two to three days, so that I don't procrastinate and forget all about blogging lol. After all, this is a really great outlet to document the bits and pieces of my everyday thoughts, and everyday life. :)

This will pretty much be a pregnancy update, I suppose?

Bits of Bleh

D has been getting heavier these couple of weeks, and I've been getting so breathless. I feel like a whale trying to walk down a pavement, and yes it sounds damn near impossible nowadays. Hei hei chuan pls. #truestory 

Sleeping habits are getting more erratic... I either concuss at 9pm+ or totally couldn't sleep at all until 2am+. And the PEE. Wtf it's like I have a neverending supply of pee even if I don't drink alot of water 2 hours before I sleep. =_= Where the heck did that come from?!

I was on MC yesterday due to really painful cramps, at the right lower side-ish of my belly. The husband was panicking but the nurse at gynae's office was like "Oh, how normal that is." Anyways I still went to the doc's to have a look at how D's doing. Baby's fine and all, and the pain has mostly subsided since then. It could be anything... round ligament pain, baby's position/activity, or just muscle strain because I'm off my equilibrium. It also COULD have been early contractions, and doc told me to be wary. He advised us how contractions will feel like, and my tummy would be hard as a rock (gynae slapped wall to make his point lol). 

Bits of Happiness

Has anyone ever told you that feeling the baby kick is such a joy? :) D's been doing the Kallang Wave inside me, and I was so taken that I can stone for an hour doing nothing but feeling the wobbles on my bump. It's so amazing! It's unconceivable how pregnancy is so underrated, lol. The husband's really obsessed with feeling kicks too... he'll do stuff like molest my tummy at random moments to feel D's Shadowless Kick. 

Suaku much? First-time parents is liddat one lah. :D

Also, D's now weighing about 920g at 26 weeks. That's a huge gain from his previous weight of 543g only two weeks ago! I was a little worried because he seemed lighter than average, so I started to eat without consequences. Chips, ice-cream, blah blah blah... Then I myself gained 2kg over 2 weeks too. Darn. At least D's weight is catching up! 

My next appointment will be in two weeks at Gleneagles, doing my glucose test. It's not a compulsory test and I don't have diabetic history in the family nor am I gaining too much weight (7kg as of now! Okay laaaaa), but... I'm overweight in the first place so I guess there's a higher risk there. D: 

On lagi more happy bits, I am currently working with a few brands to bring you (yes, YOU, my fwensss) product reviews and drool-worthy discounts! Really grateful for these opportunities given, so look forward to them, okay? COMING SOON. :D

If I'm ever going to have a second kid, I will probably dread the first trimester more than childbirth itself. Or even confinement. Not that I've experienced either yet, LOL. It felt like FOREVER, seriously! I'm lucky enough not to have morning sickness but I had giddy spells on and off... especially towards the evening. It's a pain in the butt because I still need to function normally like a human being, since I have to work and all.

This saved me.

This is an amazing product called "Sea Band", which I bought spontaneously from Guardian because someone from my Mummies Facebook Group shared about this. Apparently it does not work for everyone, but it's so cheap (like 14 bucks?) so why not. 

I only saw two colours available at Guardian - Black and Grey, and they have a pink one for kids. The quality's not fantastic since my Sea Band became "fluffy" after three weeks' worth of use. BUT WHO CARES! At least it worked for me. :D

In contrary to what I've learnt from the media, sour plums do not work for me. I'm not sure whether it works for others, but it doesn't seem like a common remedy among the people I know. I felt that inhaling sour smells works alot better, actually... I didn't use the Young Living brand of lemon essential oil (my mum bought it for me from an unknown seller LOL) but I felt alot better within a citrus-y environment. This is a really good brand though - I even thought of being a distributor myself but at least for now I have too many things on my plate. D:

If all else fails, you can see your resident friendly GP for morning sickness medication. Yes, you don't need a gynae to prescribe this. 

Water tasted really disgusting during my first trimester... It doesn't last that long for most people, but ACK it was like drinking water from the drain (not that I've ever tasted that before, but smells like it to me). I survived on Sprite. I do not recommend this because it is super unhealthy to drink Sprite like water, but it was sooooo good because it made me burp. Alot. 

During this point of pregnancy, your insides are shifting upwards so you will feel bloated. Imagine shifting your intestines into a sardine can. It's not the painful kind, but annoying yes. That probably what causes morning sickness for some people too, and acid reflux. And heartburns. 

Other than Sprite *cough*, you should also invest in a bottle of Gaviscon. Instant burp remedy! You can find this in most major pharmacies (I got mine at Watson's), and I also bought their travel pack which I keep in my bag whenever I want to feel like a toad out of home. I don't know why, but this is so potent. Definite burp marathon after 15 minutes, max.

Another problem you'll face is... constipation. Or WORSE... hemorrhoids when you... you know, force it. You'll be stuck in the toilet forever because "customs tio jam". 

Here are some remedies I compiled through trial and error.

Last of all, REST and REST. Just find a flat surface wherever and lie down. If you've always had an active lifestyle, you can stick to it (after you consult the doctor of course) but most of us prefer to lie on the sofa/bed like a limp fish at this point of time. 

First trimester is pretty risky, so don't feel paiseh to be kiasi! Call your doctor's office whenever you feel the slightest bit of discomfort and especially if you're spotting, even if it's ever so lightly. I had a spotting episode but it was super super light... and the gynae gave me 5 days of MC for bed rest. SHIOK. Make full use of whatever MCs you can geng during this period also, because REST is very, very important. 

Hope all these tips are helpful! :)

Okay, so you've just gotten your BIG FAT POSITIVE! *pops confetti* 

It seems that many first-time mamas will get pretty lost when this happens (like me lol) and so I'm inspired to write more about what to do next and what to expect. :)

Firstly, INFORM THE HUSBAND. Or your mother, if he's not available somehow. ._. It would seem totally surreal at this point of time, and you wouldn't quite believe it yet. I think I felt more bewildered than overjoyed... The heart will race like a bitch, and you're not sure whether to laugh or cry. 

How Far Along? 

This is probably the first thing you'll like to find out.

You can calculate your pregnancy due date here. Your x no. of weeks is based from the first day of your last period, not from the day of conception. I found out about 4 weeks after my last period, so I was about 5 to 6 weeks along. 

Am I Pregnant? Or am I Dreaming?

Your pregnancy test kit is usually of a much more advanced model than the ones they use at GP clinics, so... don't bother visiting your family doctor.

If you wanna feel more realism, buy the Clearblue digital test kit (don't buy this for initial testing... buy for "confirmation" as this is pretty expensive lol). It feels alot more real when you see the word "Pregnant".

I went to the gynae to confirm the pregnancy when I was almost 6 weeks along (I called them to fix an appointment immediately and they asked to see me a week later). If you haven't done a vaginal ultrasound before, it gets extremely uncomfortable and awkward at first - not painful though. 

At this point of time, all I saw was a floating black jellybean on the monitor. 

Some gynaes don't see you until you're 8 weeks along because some fetuses don't show up until later and it creates unnecessary panic. At this point, you'll be paranoid about every single thing because... you still don't feel pregnant yet. That... and hormones, lol.

Clear Your Doubts!

Before your first appointment, do prepare a list of questions to ask. Some questions that you can ask:

1) Do I have to abstain from any types of food? How about convenience food - instant noodles, microwaved food, etc.?

2) How much weight should I be gaining for the first trimester?

3) Do I have to see you for regular illnesses, or can I just visit a normal GP?

4) What situation should I consider an "emergency" before giving you a call?

5) Are there any medications I should avoid? How about topical medications?

6) Is it safe for me to fast (for Muslims) during pregnancy?

7) What kind of exercises are safe for pregnancy?

8) When can I start doing prenatal massage?

9) What are the tests that must be done during pregnancy? 

10) From when can I start taking the package at your clinic?

Gynae Packages

With respect to the last question, some clinics offer packages from your next appointment onwards, some offer packages from 16 weeks onwards (like mine) and some don't even have packages at all (on a la carte basis). Also, you can ask the clinic nurse about which hospitals they can deliver. Some gynaes are able to deliver at all private hospitals if you have other preferences.

Hospital Maternity Packages

Not sure on which hospital to pick? Their packages are readily available if you Google them, so I won't go too in-depth. However if your gynae is attached to a certain hospital (e.g. mine's at Gleneagles), the package rates will be slightly cheaper than advertised. I'm pretty certain I'm picking Mount Elizabeth Novena though... My gynae allows any hospital under the Parkway Group umbrella, it seems. :) 

Another thing is, the rates as advertised are excluding all the hidden costs. Your laughing gas costs extra, your maternity pads cost extra, feeding your baby formula will cost extra (I think), and your baby's nursery accommodation costs extra. 

I have not delivered yet, but according to experienced mums' advice, it's best to set aside at least $10,000 for the whole shebang. Not to mention that your bill will skyrocket some more if you need an emergency c-sect or if your child needs to be admitted for *TOUCH WOOD* jaundice. Jaundice is so common in SG, it's like the flu. -_- Or possibly more common than that.

Alot of information to digest? This is just the tip of the iceberg. :P Most importantly, eat well and rest well. The husband believes in the statement "a happy mummy means a happy baby" and I agree that being happy is always the best nutrient for your growing bub. :)

It's gonna be a busy weekend for me and alot of other people as my dearest Joey is having her wedding! Like why am I getting the jitters. D: This is gonna be a once-in-a-lifetime experience as I'm going to be a preggy bridesmaid lol. First time, last time. I'm so worried that I can't wake up on time due to my erratic sleeping habits lately and I think I'm really going to be of great inconvenience to the rest. D: I'm also worried about looking like a circus tent in a dress. And my black pigmented armpits. Le sigh.

Anyways.

We held our bridesmaids' meeting sometime end May.