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. 

You know you're an over-zealous mom-to-be/mom when you shop so much for your baby... you don't really buy anything else for yourself. D:

Bought some stuff off Amazon yesterday!

I've been eyeing this for a very, very long time... You could say it's love at first sight. Alot of playards I see locally are either too vibrant/chaotic to my liking or too plain. :( I love soft, neutral colours and this is the very thing I need.

Widely recommended by experienced mums.... This can't go wrong. With HFMD and other sicknesses being so common nowadays, I feel it's really quite important to have a thermometer that you can rely on for quality and accuracy. 

Other than Amazon, I've made some other great buys too. :D

Like the playard, I've been eyeing this stroller for the longest time as I simply love pastel/neutral colours. Found that this is on sale and my sister went all the way to get it for me! :D It's a gift from her. 

Unfortunately this can only be used for 6 months and above as this does not recline fully for a newborn, so I'll have to get a second one eventually.

Also bought breast pads and breast milk storage bags over at Qoo10. Not the cheapest deals but I don't really wanna trouble people to bring these all the way back from BKK for me.

Okay, I'm officially on the BLUE team and we pretty much decided on a name for the little bub. :) Let's call him D to make this slightly more mysterious, but our families and closer friends already know his full name by now. As for his Chinese name, we'll be deciding it after he's born as we decided to base the name on his 八字... Might as well too, because we don't have any ideas! Lol. Boy names are so hard! :P

We went for my detailed scan on 18 Jun at NUH. The waiting times were HORRIBLE. Both our hps had already ran out of batt and we had to stare at each other/the ceiling until my turn. What's the point of having an appointment time if you have to wait for an extra TWO HOURS?! Little D was not cooperative too, so we ended up having to walk around until he's shifted some... another ONE HOUR wait. I felt that the sonographer was a little rough? She was probing my tummy like it's supposed to be pizza dough. Feel pretty bruised afterwards. :( Anyway, quite glad that D's all healthy and growing well.

This was at 17 weeks. I look bigger than I'm supposed to be I think.