Braxton Hicks

I've been getting Braxton Hicks pretty often nowadays. I guess it's normal when I am so close to my due date and my the baby is getting bigger in my tummy.

Always wondered how does a Braxton Hicks felt like because I can't tell the difference between that or the movement of the baby. Well, now I know. Basically, it's a mild contraction where your tummy tightens and then releases itself like a spasm. Imagine you clenching and opening your fists. Yeah, the movement is something like that. 

Is it painful? 

At this point I won't say that it is. Just that it can get uncomfortable - it's like you are having a cramp. For me, when Braxton Hicks happens, I would need to stop whatever that I am doing and hold onto my tummy to ease the " feeling of tightness". It comes and goes randomly and usually lasts for about a couple of seconds.

Well.. I guess the time is almost coming for me to see the baby bear huh? 

Love;

Mummy Geri

Week 39 : Still No Signs Yet

In case some of you who don't know, that is how Week 39 looks like. I assume that most mummies would have delivered by then and won't know how a bump at Week 39 looks like. 

During my recent checkup yesterday, the Dr was saying that although baby bear is already engaged, he still seems pretty "far up" - meaning he has not gone further down the cervix. In view of that, the Dr opines that my delivery may be exactly on the expected due date i.e. Nov 15 or later. 

Looks like our dear baby bear here is getting a tad to comfy inside mummy's tummy. 

I am still pestering talking to the boy everyday to come out and see us when the time is right so that mummy will not need to be induced. I hope he is listening inside there. :)

Dr Delilah assured me to not be so kan cheong and that I should enjoy my leave time off now. I should relax and do the things I love. Sleep as much as I can. Because when the baby comes along, I will be severely deprived of all those items. And having quiet time by myself or with the hubby would be a something of a luxury. 

So yup ... there are no signs or symptoms yet that points to delivery being anytime soon. I shall take Dr Delilah's advise and enjoy my time whilst I still can. :)

But one thing's for sure when the time comes, I will definitely miss the little one kicking inside my tummy. 

Waiting Anxiously;

Mummy Geri

Pregnancy Update : Week 38 (Anytime Now!!)

During my last check-up on the 31st Dec, Dr Delaila has uttered the magic words:

"Your baby is already engaged." 

And so my next question to her was :

"When can I go on leave?"

:D

And that explains why I am bumming around doing at home at this point in time. Free 1 week of leave~!! Honestly, I only wanted to go off next week but due to some idiotic people issues, I decided to take the rest that is needed as advised by Dr Delaila. 

According to the Dr, I will be early but only a couple of days - however she did caution that since the baby is already engaged, I better be prepared to welcome our bundle of joy anytime. She asked me to pack my bags and make sure it is with me at all times just in case. She also asked me to watch out for signs of labor and just get enough rest at home because I won't be getting any when baby bear comes along.

Do I feel any different, now that I am so close to the finish line? 

(1) Since the baby is engaged, whenever he moves it kinda "jabs" at my bladder and "down-there", so it can be uncomfortable.

(2) I do feel some mild contractions pretty often now. How can I tell? It is when my stomach suddenly tightens to almost like a spasm kinda feeling. And then the spasm is released. This is confirmed by Dr when I did my last ultrasound scan and she could feel my muscles tightening.

(3) Walking is now a chore because I feel the weight of the baby and it feels as though he is gonna "drop off" anytime.

(4) The baby's movement is quite prominent and can usually catch me offguard. 

(5) I get hungry very fast and very often. My portions has been increased as well. Take for instance yesterday's dinner, I had Maggie soup, char siew pau, and roti bakar. My appetite is insane! -.-"

(6) Backache is my constant companion now. And I do get heartburns occasionally.

(7) The toilet is my favourite place. Can't keep my bladder in for long now.

(8) Can still sleep well because I am used to sleeping on my side. 

(9) Can't bend down or is flexible anymore as the tummy gets in the way.

(10) I get very tired and worn out easily.

Other than the above, it is quite "business as usual" for me. No significant changes or symptoms yet. So, yes at this point in time it is a waiting game.

I keep going to the toilet to check if my waterbag has leak.

And I am waiting very anxiously. 

Love;

Mummy Geri

Pregnancy Update : Week 37 (I am full-term now!)

Note: Will upload my 37 weeks baby bump when I get back home later. 

Or in other words, my pregnancy has reached its F.U.L.L  T.E.R.M.

Which means like or not ready or not the baby bear will make an appearance very very soon (or loosely translated to : a.n.y.t.i.m.e.).

(Actually technically, at this point in time I am almost 38 weeks)

As of my last checkup with Dr Delaila two weeks back, the baby bear has not engaged yet although he is sitting at a pretty low position - which explains why I need to rush to the toilet almost every 30 minutes to pee due to the pressure. On second thought, I guess it could be because Mummy is short petite hence the torso area is short so the baby bear is too cramped up inside. Or maybe he has long limbs and tall like Daddy.

I shall go with the second reason. *denial*

I have been asking around (via FB) on whether if it is common for babies to make an appearance earlier than the expected due date (EDD). And yes, based on some experienced mummies, they do. Some say 2 weeks in advance and most of them 1 week in advance. Which means according to my EDD which is Nov 15, it could be either this week or the next.

0_o" 

No wonder people in the office and even my big boss keep on asking me on why am I still around and not going off on leave already. Yes, I am an employee contoh - hardworking like that. *ahem* I want that promotion next year~!!

Physically, I am still able albeit walking a little like a penguin now. Stamina has gone down by notches and I would need to catch my breath after a long short walk or even standing up for too long. I am still driving myself around. Can still concentrate on my work although I do doze off once a while. Am still attending meetings. Heck, I am even joining my team's karaoke session this Friday! 

Staying home alone for the next few days also is ok for me.

Yes, I am independent like that. :)

Well of course, my hospital bag is on-the-go with me all the time la.. just in case. 

All of the baby stuff and necessities have already been bought and set-up - except for a few bottles that I haven't got to washing yet. Oh.. and I need to prepare the bedding for the cot too. 

Honestly, I am quite surprised at myself at handling the impending child-birth pretty calmly. From young I always had a fear of this moment because I am terrified of hospitals and needles and everything that is related to it (I had an open eye surgery when I was a toddler - will further elaborate on another blog post). I guess it's the preparation of the antenatal class, talking to friends, and in general anticipating for the arrival of the baby bear outweighs the fear. Of course, knowing exactly how I want to manage the pain (i.e. epidural all the way) also helps a lot. 

I guess ultimately the trick is to take everything with a laugh and a smile. Stay positive, and I will be able to go through childbirth without any problems. Of course, trusting and focusing on God is also very crucial as well.

Actually, I am more concern about taking care of the baby, the late nights, the breastfeeding, whether if we will be good parents etc.

And we've finally came to an agreement on the baby's name - managed to convince bear to deviate away from his list of Man U player names *roll eyes*. Choosing a nice and not too common name with a good meaning is pretty tough. It is an important duty of the parents to not come up with a stupid funny name or risk your child being taunted and made fun of for the rest of his/her life. Ohh.. such burden! His Chinese name will be determined by my father-in-law - yes, I may be open-minded, but certain Chinese customary must be followed and this is one of it. 

So yeah ... we've about 16 days to go and Mummy can't wait to see you Baby I (oh.. that's a hint!). Am already constantly imagining on how you would look like already. Such exciting times ahead!!

Love;

Mummy Geri

Review : Antenatal Class with Jenlia

In my opinion,  antenatal class is extremely important especially for first time parents as we do not know what to expect. It is better to learn from the expert than go around listening to hear-says from other people because their "advises" could be wrong - although they meant well I am sure. 

Truthfully, we didn't do any research on which classes to attend. We selected Jenlia based on good recommendation from friends who had attended their class and naturally because their classes are conducted in SDMC where I am going to give birth at. 

Jenlia charges RM350 per couple and there are 4 classes which are conducted on Fridays (7:30pm) and Saturdays (2:30pm). Each session lasts about 3 hours. The educators are qualified midwives who had garnered their experience from UK. Both me and Bear had thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and we found them very useful. 

Here are my thoughts on the sessions: 

Session 1

Recognizing derivations from normal progression in pregnancy.

Preparation for parenthood.

Relaxation technique.

Antenatal exercise. 

--> This session was pretty easy-going and light. It is a very basic class on what to expect and what to look out for during your pregnancy and into the first few months with the arrival of the new baby. I have forgotten how to do the antenatal exercise actually. 

Session 2
Importance of early breastfeeding. 
Steps to successful breastfeeding.
Care of self post-csect.
Signs of labor.
Admission procedures.

--> I totally love this session especially on the topic of breastfeeding because I know it is not easy. It is good to be mentally prepared and learn the correct techniques to ensure that I won't give up too easily when the time comes to breastfeed. Also, knowing what are the signs of labor and admission procedures keeps us on our toes to look out for symptoms and not panic when the time comes when the baby bear arrives. 

 Session 3

Tour of labor suite.

Husband's role during labor and delivery.

Preparation for normal labor and delivery.

Normal labor and delivery process.

Pain management.

Breathing techniques.

--> Touring of the labor suite was very interesting. Looking at the suite, my fear of giving birth somewhat was lifted off a little because it looks pretty cozy. It doesn't feel cold and scary like in the operating theater. Secondly was on pain management. I have pretty made up my mind that epidural is the way to go the minute I can use it to completely take away the pain (yes, I am wussy like that). We were thought on how to handle labor and the actual birth, when to push, what to expect, and what is the role of the husband (not to stand there and look pretty ok). We were also shown a video of an actual child birth using epidural - and seriously, this session overall really calmed me down a lot. There is not so much fear of childbirth anymore. I also forgot the breathing techniques.. I hope my husband still remembers them. 

Session 4
Care and support for mothers during puerperium .
The newborn - what to expect in the first few months.
Meeting the needs of your newborn.

--> Informative on post-birth care for the mothers and basic 101 care for a newborn like bathing, swaddling, sleeping position etc.

The subject matter which are being thought are very basic and is only an overview, which is good enough as a headstart. Typically, you are encourage to join an antenatal class about 2 months before your due date. 

Love;

Mummy Geri

Pregnancy Update : Week 35 (We are Almost There!)

During my last check-up with Dr Delilah on 8 Oct, she mentioned that my baby bear is lying head down a bit low and she reckoned that I may have an early delivery. 

0_o" 

I think she saw my panicked face and quickly added that it will be at most 1 - 1 1/2 weeks earlier. Which means around the first week of November. Which means it would be about 3 weeks from now.

0_0"

And then she went on the schedule my next check-up earlier on the 19 Oct in the afternoon. She suspects that by then my baby would be engaged.

Source: Baby Center

-.-"

My Level of Readiness: 

Wahlau ... too much of information to absorb in that one night of checkup. My hospital bag also haven't packed yet. I've been procrastinating. Good thing is that my baby cot has been set-up and most of the clothing and bedding has been washed. Only thing left are the bottles, sterilizer,  breast pumps etc. And Bear would be travelling too sometime in October, I hope I don't go into labour when he's not around. :(

Need to schedule my wax appointment before delivery too!!

Pregnancy: 
Am beginning to miss my pregnancy severely. :( Aside from that, everything is going on track. Praise God for that. Just that sometimes I feel a bit of a backache and the muscle just beneath my breast feels sore from baby bear's constant moving and kicking.

In the next check-up, Dr Delilah will do a vagina swab test to see if I have Group B Strep (read more here) which is a type of bacteria that invades your vagina and may be infected  onto your baby upon delivery. If that happens, for the first 12 hours after birth, your baby will be closely monitored for fear of infection. This could lead to death of the baby.

So pray for me ya ... that my test will turn out negative. :)

Baby: 
The little bear has been having a field time kicking mummy pretty hard. I also understand - the space in my uterus is getting a little cramped up. Sometimes the movement is so vigorous, it almost felt like a spasm! Oh ya, from the scan Dr Delilah said that my baby bear has a nice sharp nose (just like mummy!) :)

Birth Plan:
Nothing too extreme or gung-ho. Dr Delilah has given me a letter meant for pre-admission procedures in SJMC.

I would like to have the following:
- Normal vaginal birth.
- Epidural to be given as soon as I can (usually dilated up to 2-3cm).
- If can, no episiotomy.
- If can, no vacuum or forceps.
- I would want my hubby to be there.
- I would want to bring my pillow busuk in also.
-Just be positive, with no expectations... and relax.

So yeap, ready or not .. the baby bear is gonna make an appearance soon :)

Love;
Mummy Geri

Review : Maternity Portrait with Keep Gallery Kids

I have been toying with the idea on whether if I should go for a proper maternity portrait  My concern is that it could be a waste of money. Secondly, the photos will inevitably end up collecting dust (just like my pre-wedding pictures). 

So based on the two reasons above, I was pretty set on not taking any maternity pictures. Until about a couple of weeks back when I saw two friends who did it, and they looked amazing with their baby bump! And my mum has been asking me to do it to celebrate my pregnancy.

And with that, I created an excuse decided to go for it! Capturing the moment when I am still young and my boobs is not sagging yet with no stretched marks - it was the perfect opportunity. How I managed to con Bear to do it is an entirely different story altogether. He ended up being a willing party anyway cos I paid for the package. :p   

So, as usual I turned to my trusted Google and started searching. Honestly, I didn't want to spend too much because really capturing my maternity portrait was purely just for the fun of it. So, if it was too expensive I was prepared to let go of the whole idea altogether.

FYI, photographers are charging on an average of RM500 - RM1,200 (including newborn portraiture) for maternity photography. Most are timed at 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours per session with a restriction of two change of clothes. 

I chanced upon Keep Gallery Kids (same people who runs Keep Gallery Wedding Studio in SS2) and they are running a promotion. Keep Gallery Kids is quite a newly set-up studio and they are based in 1U Old Wing (near Popular, opposite Honeypot). 

Their package comprises of :

- 20 poses edited and returned in softcopy.

- 1 big photo plus frame.

- Makeup and hairstyling for both mummy and daddy.

- 2 hours session.

- Allowed to change into any amount of clothes.

- They also provide clothes (but I didn't like them).
- Only studio sessions available.

All for the price of RM299/=

What a bargain!

FYI, they do have another awesome package which is priced at RM1,500 and you can go for as many sessions as you like for maternity, newborn, and family photography all the way until your child is 2 years old. All photos will be returned back to you.

No. I decided to not push my luck with Bear didn't take up the offer in case if you are wondering.

And here's my unbiased verdict on Keep Gallery Kids.

Pros: 
- Value-for-money.
- Very friendly and accommodating.
- Make-up is done very nicely.

Cons: 
Because the set-up is relatively new, the photographer was not very professional in the sense that she needed to refer to previous clients' poses for inspiration. Further, you would have to tell her exactly what concept that you have in mind.

Some of the un-edited pictures didn't turn out good - for e.g. Bear's face is blocked by the shadow of my face, my skin tone is blended with the background (I am very fair), the lighting is not done properly hence me looking very fair and ghostly pale.

................................................................................

Truth be told, honestly after seeing the un-edited pictures I was disappointed. And was silently consoling myself that I only had to fork out RM299 (if it was anything more I would have probably freaked out). I mean I kind of knew that the outcome would be somewhat like that judging from the photo session.

My second consolation is that picking out 20 photos was a breeze.

So anyway .... my saving grace was that the staff and the photographer was really polite, pleasant and accommodating. She edited some of the pictures on the spot and assured me that the final outcome after the touch-ups would turn out good. She even went to the extent of emailing me all the chosen pictures for my consent before finalizing them.

And surprise.. surprise! It did turn out good. In fact, it turned out damn good! The photos are so natural and classy - I loved it!

You be the judge! :)

My conclusion is, if you wanna do a maternity portrait just for the fun of it, then just go ahead with Keep Gallery Kids because they are relatively cheap. However, do lower down your expectations. Else, if you really want a "professional" one, then please find another one - Keep Gallery Kids is not for you.

Love;
Mummy Geri

My Pregnancy Journey So Far

So far it has been an eventful but enjoyable journey, and I would not trade it for anything in the world. If I were to go through pregnancy again, I would minus the vomiting and skin rashes. Ok ... maybe skip the first trimester. :p

From finding out that I was pregnant to the nausea and fainting spells in the first trimester, to my recent PUPPP outbreak (which has completely healed by the way ~ hallelujah~!), it has been exhilarating and surreal.

At more than 6 months

And now finally I am at the final leg of my pregnancy journey with just about 2 more months to go, assuming that I don't go into early labour that is. Time indeed flies. Of course I am excited with the anticipation of seeing my baby boy and entering into a new phase in life - parenthood. However, I do admit that there are certain things about pregnancy that I would definitely miss.

At 7 months plus

(1) Everyone shares my joy of pregnancy.

(2) Everyone is excited for me.

(3) Everyone is very kan cheong of me.

(4)  No one dare says I'm fat.

(5) I can eat whatever I fancy.

(6) Will definitely miss my baby bear kicking me. 

(7) Will miss my oh-so-comfy maternity clothes.

(8) Will miss rubbing my belly.

(9) Will miss eating birds' nest.

(10) Will miss being in the center of attention. 

And most of all .. I will miss the baby bear inside me. All cocooned up and protected. And that exclusive overflowing of love and bond that I have with him. It;s a special mummy-baby bond that no one else can replace. It's indescribable. 

Love;

Mummy Geri

To-Do List : 1-Month Before Expected Delivery Date

I was still going through my normal routine happily when bear went around telling (almost) everyone in sight that I am only 7 weeks to my delivery date.

And that freaked me out got me on my toes and then I realised that my nursery is not set up yet. My hospital bag check-list is not done yet. Some other essential stuff has not been bought yet.

0_o"

So I was Googling and was bombarding my friend on what to expect, what to bring along, and what to do upon admission to the hospital (coincidentally two of her kids were delivered in SJMC by Dr Delilah).

I know a lot of first-time mummies like me are clueless, so I shall take the liberty of listing down whatever useful information that I have with me on hand.

Hopefully, you first-timers out there will find it useful. :)

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag?

(i) Mummy:

- Pajamas (2-piece with button down shirt for easy nursing)*

- Disposable panties (provided for by SJMC)*

- Maternity pads (Madam by Pureen is recommended)*

- Nursing bra

- Nursing cover (easier to breastfeed with visitors around)

- Breast-pads

- Breastpump (just in case if baby can't latch properly)

- Clean towel

- Slippers / Socks

- Toiletries (toothbrush / toothpaste / comb etc)

- Home-going outfit

(ii) Baby:

- Milk bottle*

- Mamypoko infant (1 pack)*

- Baby blanket

- Mittens & Booties (2 pairs)

- Home-going outfit

(iii) Essential:

- Admission letter / letter of guarantee / documents etc

- Wallet

- Mobile charger

- Camera

- Infant car seat

- Food/Snacks (for energy when your labour is too long)

* All these items are provided for by SJMC, chargable of course. But I would prefer to bring my own.

What Must You Do 1-Month Before Expected Delivery Date?

- Ensure all your letters/documents are ready.

- Do up a birth plan (if you have one). 

- Pen down your requests (e.g. single room? etc).

- Select a pead that's attach to the hospital (it's a requirement).

- Bring your hospital bag on-the-go.

- Do a pre-admission with the hospital.

So yeah.. I guess those are the essential things to prepare before the big day.

Love;

Mummy Geri

It's Confirmed. I have PUPPP

PUPPP is the abbreviation for a skin condition called "Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy". Loosely translated to - rashes which spreads like wildfire to your entire body and will somehow merge together forming a large patch of angry raised red blob which makes your skin even itchier and there is nothing you can do about it. Unless if you induce labor. 

And no, I am not exaggerating.
And neither am I being a drama queen about it.

That's not Goggle image. That's my actual skin with PUPPP.  

For those who has been faithfully following my blog, you will know that ever since my Sydney trip, I had suddenly developed this mysterious itch and rash condition that wont seem to heal. So, to satisfy my curiosity (and worrying), I finally took half-day off today and went to see a skin specialist, Dr Koh in Damansara Uptown (he is highly recommended by the way), and one look at my condition he diagnosed that I have PUPPP. All in less than 10 minutes. :(

It all started from my abdomen area.

So what the hell is PUPPP? 

(I have on my own done a lot of research on this)  

- It affects 1 in every 150 pregnancies (guess I am the "lucky" one)
- Usually occurs in the last trimester.
- Usually develops in the first pregnancy.
- Prone to those who are carrying multiples.
- Poses no risk to the mummy and baby.
- 70% of women who has PUPPP give birth to boys.

What causes PUPPP?

The cause is really unknown but some theory suggest that the male fetal DNA acts as a skin irritant and invades the mother's skin during pregnancy, causing PUPPP (that explains why mummies who suffer from PUPPP generally carry baby boys). Well, Dr Koh explained that it could be a case whereby my body takes the baby as a "foreign object" (don't worry, mummy still love you baby bear) and hence, it is the body's adverse reaction towards the "object". 

T_T Need I say more?

What you should know about PUPPP?
- It will miraculously go away once you deliver your baby.
- There is nothing you can do about it until after delivery.
- There is no cure for PUPPP.
- There won't be scars (unless if you over-scratched).

- The rash will spread, but usually below your breast area up to your thighs. Basically area surrounding the baby. And thank God, it won't attack your face. 

What are the symptoms of PUPPP?
- Usually develops at your abdomen area then only starts spreading.
- Itches like mad.
- Can be "prickly" like heat rash.
- The rashes will "merge" and forms a large reddish patch.
- The area where the rash is present feels like sandpaper when you touch.

How PUPPP started to invade my life suddenly?

It all started from my abdomen area (which had since healed), which spread to my thighs area (healed as well), and then started spreading to my entire back - from my bra-line all the way to my buttocks. Now my groin already is infected with this stupid PUPPP as well. 

What can you do to relieve the itch?

In extreme cases, some mummies will induce labor. Or the doctor will prescribe oral steroids (which can be harmful to your baby, so it's best to consult your gynecologist).  

For me, what I do is: 

- Take anti-histamine (Piriton prescribed by Dr Delilah).

- Use Efficort (contains very mild  steroids prescribed by Dr Koh).

- Moisturize constantly using Bio-Oil and Pureen Stretch Mark cream. 

- Use Dettol Menthol powder as it gives a cooling effect.

- Bath in cold water as frequently as I can. 

- Use Aqua Dermis to bath (soap that is not "too hard" on the skin).

- Stay dry. 

- Try not to go to hot and humid places, it will aggravate the itch.   

Anti-histamin and Efficort cream

Bio-Oil and Pureen Stretch Mark Cream

Calamine lotion doesn't work for me. And I can't use Sebamed as well because it burns my skin. I have read online though that supplements such as Dandelion Roots and Flaxseed Oil seems to help with the itch and to control the rashes. I am tempted to try but I dare not simply because I am pregnant. 

Although I feel very sakit hati why I suddenly develop this stupid PUPPP, I still try to keep positive by reminding myself that :

- I am only 2 months away to delivery.

- It is only temporal. 

- Some mummies PUPPP is far worse than mine. 

- It doesn't attack my pretty face. 

- Still no stretch marks :)
- No scarring.

And most importantly, seeing that my baby boy is healthy and safe makes it all worth it. So yeah, am gonna stop here because the itch is getting into me again and I need to get to my precious powder asap !!

The things a mother would go through for her child .. it's amazing. 

Ah Boy, next time you better not be naughty, see what mummy have to go through for you? T_T

Suffering from Severe Itch :(
Mummy Geri

Pregnancy Woe! I've Been Attacked by Rashes

Remember my horrific skin problem ?? 

It's now back! With a vengeance. T_T

I've suddenly developed this ugly rash all over the sides of my body, all the way up to my bra-line,  all the way down to my waist and groin area. T_T

The itch needless to say is unbearable at times. T_T

It's like .. having measles alllllllll over again!! T_T

Rash at the sides

Got a bit worried and hurried to Dr Delaila and she said it is pregnancy related - the skin condition is called pregnancy dermatitis (or something along that line). And most likely I will get it in my subsequent pregnancies *in denial*. 

AND IT WILL ONLY GO OFF ONCE I DELIVER. T_T  T_T

Can't be helped. It's those pregnancy hormones again.

On a consolation, I have seen Google other skin conditions which are pregnancy related and they are far worst off than me. So in a way, I should be thankful (?!)

Anyway, right now all I can do is take anti-histamines and apply Eurax cream to stop the itch and hopefully prevent me from scratching (as per Dr Delaila's recommendation). I am praying hard that it will go away soon. :(

It's everywhere!!

Meanwhile, on my own I am still applying my Bio Oil and Pureen Stretch Mark cream dilligently because it does help get rid of the itchiness temporarily. Well, at least it will help with the moisturizing and hopefully prevent scarring. 

Powder and calamine lotion are my constant companion now.

p/s: doesn't help that our Malaysian weather is hot too. :( :( :(:(:(

p/p/s: will probably head to the dermatologist to seek for a second opinion this weekend. 

Why ME??!?!!

Emofied Mummy Geri

Pregnancy Update : Week 31 (2 more months to go!!)

My goodness .. just now when I was applying lotion to my tummy area, I took a glimpse of my tummy and I went ..

0_0"

Seriously?

I turned to my side profile and to my front profile and I went ...

0_o" again

My tummy has grown so much in a short span of 1 week, it is unbelievable!! When I was in Sydney last week, I don't remember it looking that huge. Neither do I remember looking huge when I went for my checkup on the 11th Sept with Dr Delaila.

For comparison sake, the picture below was taken when I was in Bondi Beach two weeks back.

-.-" Unbelievable.

Cannot be because of my binging session in Sydney right?

As of my last checkup, I went up another 3 kgs and the baby bear is 1.5kg. Dr Delaila mentioned that the estimated delivery weight of the baby would be 3.1kg which is normal weight. *phew* I don't want to be tearing everywhere. 

So far everything has been going on track (Thank you Jesus!) and here is a brief update on my pregnancy journey:

(1) Tummy has exploded went exceptionally huge week by week.

(2) Along with it, my hips and thighs has "widened" so much, I can barely fit into my maternity pants comfortably. Dress is the way to go now! 

(3) The "stretched area" i.e. tummy, hips, and buttocks is getting itchier. Understandable because of the rapid explosion expansion.

(4) With the additional weight of the baby bear, my back is starting to take a toll. I've been having constant backache especially the lower back area. Sleeping can be sometimes uncomfortable trying to find a good position to snooze it. 

(5) Doesn't help that I hunch a lot have a scoliosis problem. 

(6) Baby bear is having a field time kicking mummy especially in the night when he is suppose to be sleeping. I can even see him turning/moving around in my tummy sometimes - it's such an amazing experience! :)

So yup ... that should be all the updates. Until the next time.

Love;

Mummy Geri

Pregnancy Update : Week 28 - Officially Entered into the Third Trimester

Baby Bump @ 7 months

Can't believe it that I'm officially entering into my last trimester of the pregnancy. It didn't really occur to me because I am excited about my Sydney trip until my last checkup with Dr Delaila that she mentioned that from now onward, my checkup will be more frequent at every 2 weeks instead of monthly. 0_o

So far Thank God everything has been going in accordance to plan and there has been no major issues. My pregnancy journey has been an enjoyable one except for my first trimester, which in all honesty when I looked back was pretty mild compared to those stories which I have heard before. (I felt like doomsday [pardon my language] shit at that time ok and was questioning what have I gotten myself into). 

Here is a brief update so far:

Tummy:

I now have a nickname for it - it's called "The Expendables". Seriously, week after week my tummy has grown so much in size it's scary amazing! 

Weight:

Ballooned up by adding on an additional of 5kg - of which 1.44kg is the baby's weight. And mind you, I don't stuff my face with food ok. Dr Delilah said it's still within the normal range. :)

Belly-button:

Gotten deeper but not protruding out yet. 

Cravings/Appetite:

Definitely has increased but I still don't binge in-between food. And no, I don't usually give in to my cravings. Heh ~ super vain mum who wanna look hot still! 

Backache:

Am beginning to feel the pressure especially when I am sleeping or has been sitting down for too long. The pressure is mostly on my lower back. Thank God for pre-natal massages.

Stamina: 

Has reduced significantly. I am unable to walk or stand for long without ending up panting of feeling "fainty". Thank God most of my baby stuff has been purchased. Really tak larat wanna go jalan in the mall anymore. Wonder how am I gonna survive walking around in Sydney?

Fatigue:

I tend to get sleepy and tired more in the day time now. Not so good especially if you are a full-time working mum.

Stretch-Mark:

Non-existence so far. Hallelujah for good genes! :D

Leg Cramps: 

Non-existence so far. Probably is because my sleep position is correct i.e. at the side and not on my back. 

Breast:

Starting to leak (ok ... sorry too much of information) :p

Baby Boy:

Has been kicking Mummy non-stop at odd hours especially when I am trying to sleep. -.-" The movements are definitely more frequent and stronger now. 

Well, I guess that's all the update that I have for now.

Love;
Mummy Geri

Pre-Review : Affordable and Fashionable Maternity Wear @ Summer Glitz Fashion

I know I swore off maternity clothes due to their exhorbitant pricing. Todate, I have spent close to a total of RM1,500 from Mothercare for 2 working pants (almost couldn't fit anymore at the hips area), 3 working tops (of which 1 doesn't fit anymore), 3 casual tops, 1 dress, 3 maternity bras, and 1 pair of shoes (this one is impulse gatal buying, I admit).  And of course others as well from Jaya Jusco which of course doesn't fit me anymore. *sheesh*

Assuming if we average it out, the cost of one item is roughly about RM115! Yes, maternity wear in Malaysia is that expensive.

And with 3 more months or so to go, I thought that existingly whatever that I have would be sufficient to last. (I don't mind recycling my clothes week after week, I am kiamsap like that :p).

I thought wrong. -.-"

Because what I didn't expect is my belly growing so fast month by month week by week. It's crazy I tell you! I thought I was one of those lucky ones like Victoria Beckham who manage to stay hot throughout her pregnancy. 

Victoria Beckham looking like a hot mama.

I thought wrong for the second time. -.-"

Because the minute I passed my second trimester, my boobs went up by one cup size (yay?!), my ass hips and tighs had expanded (T_T), and my belly has been growing so fast! 

As much as I hate to spend the money admit it, I knew I had no choice but to get more maternity clothes *dammit!*  :(

Of course, thanks to my recent purchase of the Belly Belt Combo Kit, I need not buy more maternity bottoms. I just needed more tops, blouse, and dresses for work and casual wear.



Best purchase ever!



And so, I started Gooling for cheap maternity wear online and lo and behold stumbled upon Summer Glitz Fashion , which brings in rather trendy and most importantly affordable maternity, nursing, lady, babies, and kids apparels.

From Summer Glitz Fashion

What I love about the maternity clothes in Summer Glitz Fashion is that most of them are re-wearable even after you deliver. All you need to do is jazz it up with a piece of belt and you are good to go. This is important for me because I want to stretch the value of my money (knowing that pregnancy is only temporial).

From Summer Glitz Fashion

Another plus point for me is that they have a lot clothes with sweet and demure chiffon and lace materials which I absolutely adore. *heart*

From Summer Glitz Fashion

To be frank, I have yet to receive the goods (will update on the outcome later), but from the website, I am pretty convinced that the items will be of good quality and that I won't be dissppointed. *fingers crossed*

So yup, for those mummies out there, here is another alternative for you to stock-up on your wardrobe without breaking your budget.

And you look fashionable while at it too. :)

Love;

Mummy Geri

Exactly 100 Days to Go!

Wow! Time flies! *gulp*

Nothing Supports You Like a Pair of Good Bra

Don't worry .. this is not a kinky post.

Pregnant ladies would be able to identify with me that the most important and significant change to the body is not only the womb/tummy area but also the breasts as well. They are there to play an extremely important role, that is for lactation in preparation to produce breast milk for your little one.

However, getting there could be annoying - your breasts swells, gets bigger, is tender, and sometimes can be sore too. Your nipple could give you problems too. For me, the breast area is extremely important because I know that it could affect how well I breastfeed when the baby comes along.

So at 6 months plus, my boobs had suddenly ballooned up in size to the point that wearing my current bras are so uncomfortable and painful (imagine squeezing your boobs into bras which are one size smaller). Not only that, the fitting was horrible as it "spills" at the side. And the underwire support was getting very irritating as it tends to "cut" into the skin. 

At around this point, I prefer to go bra-less in the house sometimes in the office too. 

It came to a point that I couldn't take it anymore and Goggled on maternity bras. Apparently, pregnant mums are encouraged to wear maternity bras as the underwire of normal bras may caused blocked ducts in your breasts. Of course, maternity bras are way more comfortable as well.

So, off I went to Modern Mum to get myself those maternity bras. And when I tried it on.. I had an Oh. My. God moment. Seriously! How come I didn't discover them earlier??! SO COMFORTABLE! It has full coverage in the sense that it covers my entire breasts. The material is cotton and soft. There are no paddings. The underwire is SO SOFT! 

Wearing a maternity bra is like wearing a camisole! You don't feel it there at all! *teared* *hallelujah moment*

Promptly bought 3 pairs @ RM88 each. The maternity bras doubles up as nursing bras as well. So pregnant mummies out there, please do invest in a good maternity bra. It does makes a difference. 

p/s: FYI maternity bras are so fashionable now! I always had the impression that they look like granny bras but noooooo ... there are the lacey type, the seamless type etc just like those you would find in La Senza.

Love;

Mummy Geri

Review: No More Nipple Problem with Medela Purelan 100 Cream

Those who have been following my pregnancy journey would know that I have a persistent problem with my nipple *ahem* - it's dry, itchy, and is on the verge of cracking. Not a pretty sight. Very uncomfortable too.

I knew I had to tackle this issue earlier before I start to breastfeed because with cracked nipples, it would be extremely painful for the mum when the baby suckle and or course it could be unhygienic too. Further, I don't want to be caught in a situation whereby I have block ducts that will disrupt the flow of my breast milk. 

I have tried all cheaper ways like using powder to stop the itch and Vaseline to moisture the area, but to no avail. In fact to some extent, I think it aggravated more the condition. The powder makes it exceptionally dry which causes more itch. I think I am allergic to the Vaseline as well because the minute its applied, it itch like mad.

So with little options, I went to survey on what nipple cream that is suitable to be used and chanced upon Medela Purelan 100. It contains 100% pure lanolin (wool wax) without any artificial additives or preservatives. Which means it is perfectly safe for the baby when you need to breastfeed. Usually mums use this cream during breastfeeding to sooth the nipple.

Life Saver - Literally! 

Started using and the result is immediate! The cream is thick like honey and you don't have to apply a lot on the affected area. It locks the moisture in and the itch has miraculously gone upon application. 

Granted that the cream is not exactly cheap at RM44, but if there are those who has the same problem as me, I strongly recommend to buy the Medela Purelan 100 cream. 

Love;
Mrs Lee

Review : I'm In Love With My Belly Belt Combo Kit

Don't know why maternity clothing are so darn expensive in Malaysia. It is only for a temporal period i.e. 9 months and then it will be kept away in the wardrobe until the next baby comes along. A pair of maternity top would costs anywhere between RM80 - RM150. Pants and dresses would cost RM100 - RM200. So far I have bought a few maternity clothes mainly for work because I cannot be too casual at my workplace.

However, recently with my growing belly, my maternity pants is getting kind of tight around the hips and butt area (yes I have wide hips). Also I am running out of casual clothes for weekends/outings/travelling. In order to save some money, I have decided to invest in a good Belly Belt. I chose Belly Belt Combo Kit from Australia and is endorsed by the Australian Association of Midwives. 

Best invention ever!

The combo kit comes with 4 stretchy belly belts (2 buttons and 2 slides) and 3 full colored panels (black, white, and denim blue). This kit is awesome because when you belly is small, you can opt to use the shorter stretchy belly belt and progress on to the longer one when your belly gets bigger. 

The beauty of it is that you can use the color panels and tuck it into your pants/skirts to cover the stretchy gap. All you need to do is insert the stretchy belly belt into the color panels and you are good to go.

Using the Belly Combo Kit is very easy and convenient. All you need to do is take one end of the stretchy belly belt and attach it at the end of your pants/skirt. And as mentioned, if there is a gap (because you don't need to zip up your pants/skirt), you can use the color panels as stated above.

From the above, you can see that I can fit into my Uniqlo jeans although my belly is protruding out.  FYI, my jeans is perfect tight fit ok! Coupled it with a longer top, and voila ... perfect fit!

Looks like I don't have to splurge on more maternity clothes (yippee!) and I still look flattering. :) My only regret is that I should have invested in this earlier. The Belly Belt Combo Kit is retailing at RM79.90.

p/s: This Belly Belt Combo Kit is good to be used even after post-pregnancy when you are still trying to loose your baby flabs. Actually those who are on the heavy-side/fat also can use.

Love;
Mrs Lee