2 weeks Post Partum: Gynae checkup

Today marks 13 days post partum and my first gynae follow up.
Wound is healing well.
I weight 45.8kg as of today.

So thankful we have Dr Poon on this journey with us.
He has been nothing but wonderful, patient and professional (:

You see some spots and darkening of skin due to hormones during pregnancy and also from the usage of Bio oil.
My tummy is almost flattened from breastfeeding but not as toned as before.
I'm definitely not in a rush to get back in shape.

Baby's umbilical cord dropped off on Day 12.
Looking forward to giving her a good warm shower once its completely dried up.

I have requests to show whats in the Mount Alvernia Hospital goodie bag.
What came along with it was a special 55th anniversary Nestle pack too.
I don't have a clear photo but here are a few things they gave:

-changing mats
-nursing cover
-magazine
-vouchers
-Avent breast pads
-Komodo and JJB travel size shampoo etc
-the free bath tub as well (it cracked on the 2nd day after discharge as my mum went down to have it exchanged)

Thinking back, i really enjoyed my 3D2N stay at MAH.
Big and new room, a pity i didn't get to use the shower but my husband enjoyed his 1N stay too (:

Next post will share more on my breastfeeding journey and post natal depression.

Post Partum: The Labor & Delivery

As you all might have guessed, i popped last Saturday!
I'm juggling with baby and lack of rest so this entry will be a short and sweet one until i find the time to update.

If there're 2 things you need for post partum, its a nursing cover and a breast pump.
I'm using spectra S1 and currently producing 100ml of breastmilk, every 3 hourly.
Of course what i really need now is more milk for the LO and quality rest. Haha.

Timeline from labor to delivery:

3.43am leakage in the middle of the night during sleep.

6.00am waterbag burst.

7.25am admin Mount A.

8.08am doctor visited me to check dilation. He confirmed my water bag broke through ultrasound. Baby's head wasn't engaged at this point.

9.22am had hospital breakfast.

10.00am more gooey stuff coming out of my you-know-where. Doctor instructed nurse to start me on fleet enema.

10.30am 1cm dilated only.  So he started me on a drip Syntocinon to get contractions started. He said no need to insert pill for induction cause cervix is soft. I was having contractions as per CTG but i couldn't feel it. So this drip is suppose to give me the "oomph" and get things going.

12.32pm 2cm dilated, menses cramp feeling but it was manageable cause i had laughing gas.

2.50pm couldn't take the sudden pain and decided to get Pethidine injection at my buttock.

3.15pm 5cm dilated.

4.00pm started feeling the urge to push. But my pushes were not efficient, doctor asked if i wanted vacuum since i was getting tired. We opted for it.

4ishpm birth of my baby girl. All the discomfort in the world disappeared when i saw how beautifully made she was (:

Weight of baby was rather close to what my gynae told me on the last visit; 2.2kg.

In short, this is an assisted natural delivery with no epidural. Overall a quick and smooth labor.
Afterwhich Dr Poon sew me up and i played with my placenta to kill time (1 cough was all it took for Stage 3).
Very thankful for a good gynae throughout my 37 weeks of pregnancy.
PD Terence Tan was checking on baby and Marcus was taking photos for me.
Rested, got skin to skin and wheeled up to St Michael's Ward.

It was peak period, so we got the last single suite available.
It was the largest room!

First night, i sent my husband home to set up the cot.
Second (final night), he slept over with me.
Food was ok, nurses were nice but lactation consultation didn't benefit me at all.
I found it so hard to latch.
Service was quick, the moment i call for nurse, they appeared in my room.

We had as many as 18 visitors in the suite at one time.
Thats how roomy it was as compared to the other St Michael's ward rooms.
Baby blessing was done after we checked out of the hospital.

All the food i ate/ordered during my stay:

Day 3 morning (Monday) was a hectic one cause husband had to do a lot of admin stuff (run to pharmacy, get birth cert done at business office....)
So if you have a choice, avoid giving birth on Sat.
I had to wait till Monday (for office to open also) for lactation consultant to see me, and PD was with baby so i didn't get any hands-on lesson with her. Sucks.

So during the stay, baby suckles on my breasts but she is fed with 20-25ml of formula milk.

Transition from hospital to home was pretty alright.
Everyone is trying to adapt.
My dog went mad and jealous haha expected.
She sleeps well with the CocoonAbaby.

I'm still working on the latch.
Till then, i just have to keep pumping since i will be engorged.
On the 4th day, i decided to engage Alice for BF home visitation.
She helped us so much, truly God-sent!
"Money well spent" Marcus said.

Day 5 was polyclinic checkup.
Her jaundice level rose to 256 so we admitted her into KKH for photo.
She is back with us now after 24 hours.
Meanwhile, i pumped at home and bring to hospital for her.
KKH supplemented with formula too, which i am ok with.

She is back home today, she latches on (tricky for me and her but we are trying) and we cup-feed her if she is still hungry. This avoids nipple confusion.

My precious little one (:
Please feel free to add us on instagram @bunchoffluff and follow us on our new journey.

We are so blessed to have her, and she is blessed to have Marcus has her Daddy.
He has been incredibly calm, encouraging and supportive.
Thank God for answering all our prayers, to God be the glory!

Will update again after my checkup.
Cant wait to find out my weight hehe (Day 10 post partum weight update: 46kg).

Antenatal Lesson 6: baby care

We can finally have our Friday nights back.
I took the opportunity to submit my pre-admission form at the concierge as well.
Yesterday was the final lesson at Mount A.
Vegetarian beehoon was served during break.

We learnt how to change diaper/clothes, shower, clean, hold the baby, and simple massage techniques to ease a colicky baby. To learn the full techniques, you have to sign up for "real lessons" at the Parentcraft centre. They give one free session during your hospital stay but if you can't make it then you can always come back another day.

Just 5 weeks to go!

Alvernia Ladies Card & Antenatal Lesson 4: labor

Finally got round to collecting my Mount Alvernia Ladies Card.
Its free for SG50 parents so i kinda "missed" the deal and paid $64 for the membership.
For benefits and privileges, click here.
Valid for 2 years, I think its worth it.

The photo shows some freebies given when you sign up.
Bolsters have "I am an Alvernia baby" printed on it.
Too cute (:

33 weeks bump shot.

Buttercup hiccups an avg of 5 times a day.

Its normal for her to get "squirmish" in my belly when Sky barks or when there are commotion outside my bedroom.

We caught Ip Man 3 last night, and i was trying to cover my belly because she was "kufung-fighting" the entire show.

Same old refreshments for the past 3 lessons.
Getting sick of it.
Yesterday, the staff shared on what to expect during labour and what we should do/bring.
Of course we didn't get to go home without watching a graphic birth video haha
They make it look all too easy.
Push and baby slides out. Really?

It was delivery ward and room tour after that.
St Michael's Room 272 was available so we popped in for a quick visit.
Its small, white and new as compared to their other single suites.
I'd be lucky to get a room in the St Michael's ward.

Last 2 lessons and my trips to Mount A will be over till buttercup is ready to meet us (:

week 30

Last Friday's 3rd antenatal childbirth class at Mount A.
We learn various ways to cope with labor discomfort; breathing techniques and what to expect.
It was helpful!
Wing was attentive, esp when she noted i didn't want to sit on the mat during class, she pulled me/us a nice cushion chair to sit throughout.

Week 29 bump, i haven't felt or seen an growth spurt for some time.
Buttercup have been excessively active these weeks (:

Currently 47.8kg and she is approximately 1.1kg.
"There is no weight target to hit, just eat well", says the gynae.
Healthy babies come in many different weights and sizes.
Dr Poon mentioned her head is slightly small, which will make pushing easier.

We did a salt swab test today as well.
No glucose test for GD as they monitor it through our urine test during every checkup.
Feeling a lot of movement and "bubbles" down under, her frequent hiccups is feeling super low.
We have decided on single suite at Mount A for privacy and rest during the nights.

Today's breakdown:

Group B swab $40
iron pills $10.50
delivery deposit $300

You look so cute buttercup, Mummy and Daddy can't wait to see how/who you will look like!

Went to Toyogo warehouse factory outlet last weekend to get a temporary chest of (lousy plastic) 5 drawers to store all of buttercup's clothes, laundry, sheets, wipes, diapers and shower essentials.
Why did i say its lousy plastic? When i opened the packaging at home, i found cracks everywhere. Its too much of a hassle to bring it back to Kallang in our family car. So we are keeping it until we shift to our new 5 room flat next year. Lousy $65 spent, meh!

I'm guessing the frequent burping I'm experiencing and/or "nauseous" feeling is actually heartburn.
Can't eat much these days either, but always craving bread and potatoes of any sort.
No visible water retention or leg cramps these few weeks, thank God for His goodness.

Prayer list:

1. quick dilation of cervix, supernatural stretching of the birth canal so i can avoid episiotomy
2. quick and active labor
3. natural, drug-free if i can take contraction discomforts
4. no breech delivery and emergency c-sect
5. for my water bag to break on its own and buttercup not to be in any form of stress during the birthing process
6. name for buttercup
7. no birth complications, birth defects, allergies of any sort
8. good birth weight for buttercup and also that she can regulate her own temperature
9. no jaundice
10. good support from family for hospital-to-home transition
11. quick recovery, no postnatal blues and no excessive blood loss
12. pain free delivery (yes its possible to pray for a supernatural delivery experience! Read the book by Jackie Mize)

Our God is not the author of pain (:

Was gifted a Mothercare playmat (Butterfly fields) for tummy time.
I'm thinking of using it as a changing mat at home too.
The bunny is sooooo soft, maybe i can pluck it off and hang on the cot instead haha!
Thank you girlfriends, love it!!

Found time to get gelish done at The Nail Artistry (yes, it is pregnancy safe) and also meet the girlfriends over a meal at Relish.
Burger-craving satisfied for the week.

Taobao loots for buttercup arrived. Will share them next week once i got them sorted out.