38 Weeks Pregnant

Well, here I am at 38 weeks, 1 day gestation and still heavily pregnant! 

The little pre labor incident from last week turned out to be just Braxton Hicks/false contractions after all (as much as they hurt), and over the last couple of days, I've not had any consistently strong contractions - only what feels like abdomen tightening and increasing back aches. Still anxiously awaiting the official signs of super strong, consistent and close contractions, the show and water bag break before the actual panic starts...

Anyhoo, since I'm still pregnant, this means that we can still continue with our weekly ultrasound appointment and we went this morning like always.

As of today, (Week 38 - Day 1), the little munchkin's fetal stats are:
- Heartbeat: 128bpm
- CRL: 34cm+ (with her head fully engaged, it's hard to get even an estimated measure)
- Head Circumference: 34.7cm
- Weight: 3.4kg

Although the placenta is covering most of her face, you can still see that she's just slept so peacefully...

No rush, no stress. Just enjoying the moments before she enters the world.
At this angle, her nose does look like daddy's more than mommy's. Daddy must be thrilled! :)

I have seriously been keeping to my Ob/Gyn's orders for plenty of bed rest the past week and remained as stationary and rested as I can. Maybe that's one of the reasons why the little one may also be taking her own sweet time. She's much more relaxed these days and enjoying it! :)

As much as the prediction from my Ob/Gyn that it can be anyday, anytime now that the little munchkin's head is strongly engaged, I asked to be discharged from hospital on our anniversary so that Kevin and I can enjoy my last moments of pre-parenthood and pregnancy in the comfort of our home. She allowed this of course, since we like 5 minutes away from the hospital and as long as I remain fully rested with minimal stress. 

Yay! This also gives me the opportunity to do some last minute preparations for baby and top-ups to my hospital bag, as well as some further reading on breastfeeding and childcare from home.

My 1st Pre Labor Pain & Contraction Experience

Two nights ago (Sunday - May 19, 2013) at around 9.30pm, I felt it - shooting pain and tightening sensation in my abdomen and some strain in my pelvis. I actually thought this was going to be it, the contraction that will lead me into my labor chapter.

I had felt something similar the day before that (though not as strong) when we were at the mall doing our last minute baby shopping. That pulling of a pain made me just have the sudden urge to press my hands against the wall and straighten my body and back until it went away. Of course my husband spotted this sudden movement from the other corner of the store and came rushing. But by the time he got to me, I will fine and didn't think much of it, until it happened last night just after dinner at my mom's.

To be safe, we rushed straight to the Emergency Room, to get me and the baby in me checked. As soon as I got in, they pushed me to the labor room and latched onto Continuous Cardiotocographic (CTG) machine to check the baby's heart rate and monitor fetal movement while the staff nurse contacted my Ob/Gyn.

I had just felt another contraction at this point while lying in one of the labor rooms strapped to the CTG machine,
hence the stunned look on my face.
My husband has impeccable timing when it comes to capturing the moment, don't you think?

My Ob/Gyn arrived within half an hour and, by that time, I was almost done with the CTG and during that time, I managed to also write a letter to my honeybun [it was just something I felt I needed to do at that moment in time]. 

All I could see were squiggly lines coming out from the CTG print machine that meant squat to me, but when my Ob/Gyn looked at them, she assured me that I was showing signs of pre labor contractions. Pre labor contractions? You mean, that was not it? It was just a prelude of what's to come? How much longer till the real pain kicks in? They were already painful enough... and as if that was not enough, I also had serious back pain and no control of my bladder and the discharge or the stinging sensation when I pass urine.

Apparently, this added information of other symptoms caused a little concern from my Ob/Gyn who immediately suggested I get "checked in" to the hospital so that I can be under observation and close monitoring, especially for more contraction signs. I guess she could also see that I was struggling to walk properly as well. I could not say no as she had that concerned look on her face and she knows best... and nothing is more important at the moment than the safety of the little munchkin inside of me, so if being hospitalized is something that is in our best interest, I will get hospitalized. Work and everything else can wait. I have my priorities at this point and nothing is more important that seeing this through.

So here I am... Lying in bed at the hospital for two days now (yes, still admitted and under observation) while being monitored every few hours. I have had a couple of tightening-like contractions (and they hurt!), but they are not at regular or close intervals. Most importantly, I am getting that long overdue rest that I kept putting off and so need. Not sure how much longer I will be staying at the hospital though or if the baby is planning to come out or make me wait a little longer...

I have to admit that since I've been hospitalized, and banned from working or stressful activities (by both my Ob/Gyn and my husband), I feel so much more relaxed and calm and the baby's kicks not so much that aggressive. She seems happier and relaxed somehow (I can tell from the ultrasound, especially the one from this morning)... she's back to becoming my smiley little munchkin! :) 

Okay, okay... My bad. Maybe I have stressed her too much in my efforts to not let my pregnancy affect my work since the pregnancy news came, but how much longer can I keep doing that right? I've already settled what needs to be done and delegate what needs to be looked into etc etc etc. It is time to let work take care of work as it's apparent that the work load will never end... Even as I clear what needs to be cleared, new projects keep popping up... that's the nature of the business.

In my condition at the moment, my priority is definitely my little queen - family first! After all, we are sooooo close to the finish line. It is not a difficult choice and anyone would clearly make the same one. And any boss would be able to understand that... the rest, I will leave it in God's hands...

A letter to my soon-to-be-born daughter

Hi my sweet little honeybun! I'm your mommy, and you are my precious little "charming" miracle. You have been brewing in my belly for the past 37 weeks and I'm so very blessed that I was chosen to be your mommy! 

You are still a little munchkin, even though you have blossomed so much in my belly over the last couple of months, and I can still feel you kicking every day. Some days you kick more than others; some days you punch and tap more. On days you go quiet (which is not so often) I do get a little worried that something's wrong and just hope that you are just sleeping soundly... which is usually the case.

Wanting to be a mother, your mother, has been on my mind for the past two years. You are my greatest dream realized and I still can't believe it'll become a reality very, very soon. 

I have to admit that I feel very anxious about the prospect of being a mother, and good mother, and having responsibility for another life. There are moments that I worry that I may fail you in some ways, but when I think back, I should not worry so much as I have a wonderful role model of a mother (your grandmother, my mother) who has taught me the meaning of unconditional love, even till today... and I promise to do the same for you.

You're not even born yet, but you have somehow made daddy's and my life so complete and wholesome, do you know that? You've filled us with so much joy, excitement and magical moments from inside the womb over the past 9 months. I'm sure you already know this by now, having been inside me and hearing all the buzz of everyone awaiting your arrival, you're so loved my darling (and you're not even out yet!).

From the moment I saw the two pink lines on the home pregnancy test (as faint as the 2nd line was that first time, it was definitely enough to make my heart skip a beat), I knew I loved you and will always love you more than life itself. I felt on top of the world! Finding out that you were growing inside of me, that was the BEST NEWS daddy and I received last year, and your timing is simply impeccable!

We can't wait to welcome you into the world very soon, my darling. You have an eager family all over the world awaiting your arrival too... and believe me, you will be treasured, celebrated, admired and loved dearly (just like mommy!). We will do anything and everything to protect you. We are already head over heels in love with you, sweet baby girl! :) After all, you are the first grandchild for both mommy and daddy's immediate family.

I know your EDD is June 7, 2013, but mommy would love it if you make it into the world on May 23, 2013 (which marks mommy and daddy's 4th wedding anniversary)... Ummm, that's only a couple of days away. Do you think you can make it then? It would make the date extra special for sure, but that's just mommy's secret wish...

We will let you decide which date your birth day will be and we will anxiously be here to welcome your arrival. In the meantime, we will wait patiently for you, and keep enjoying those precious moments and chats with you while you are still on the inside...

I hope and pray every single day that you are healthy and will not come into this world with any difficulties - after all, the world is already a hard enough place to live in these days. Even if you do, daddy and I promise we will step up and face the challenges for your sake, to give you the best life that you so deserve.

Come to us as you are, my sweetheart, and come to us when you are ready.

Thank you for the joy, blessings and love you have given both daddy and me while in the womb, our little queen! We are so in love with you and you have not even taken your first breath yet; and with every breath you take after that, I pray that you will always feel our love.

Just don't keep us waiting too long and please remember our deal? During labor, all mommy has to do is make that one big sneeze of a push and you will come crowning out... *winks*

I hope you're as ready to join our little family as we are for you precious darling! I can't wait to meet you and hold you in my arms. See you soon, sweetheart! :)

With all my love, now and forever,
Mommy  

37 Weeks Pregnant

Well, WE MADE IT! I never thought this day would come... 37 weeks - we're FULL TERM, baby!!!!!

 

If I were go to into labor anytime today, or even after today, my Ob/Gyn wouldn't try to stop it or anything... and I'll get to meet my little girl! :) Although I don't see that happening (at least not today itself although there has been alot of kicking and elbowing happening in there) cos she seems quite content in her temporary "hotel" inside my womb. I'll just continue to incubate the little munchkin a little longer, while she decides to remain in there, and fatten her up even more... I can totally handle a couple more weeks of pregnancy - if she really decides to make her debut at 40 weeks.

Kevin and I went for our usual weekly checkup and ultrasound this morning and we were the first today! Woohoo :)

My bump has definitely dropped now that the little munchkin's head is in 2/3 engaged mode. Yes, she's engaged and in "get set" mode now... but so far, no "go" signs yet even though she has discovered her "escape route". She is probably just taking time to do a proper analysis of the whole situation and her options before making any moves. Plus, she probably wants to just keep us all in suspense as to her arrival date and time. If she's anything like mommy and daddy, then when we least expect it, that's when she'll make her move... Cheeky girl! 

As of today, (Week 37 - Day 1), the little munchkin's fetal stats are:
- Heartbeat: 129bpm
- CRL: ~34cm
- Weight: 3.2kg

Hohoho... Looks like she's got mommy's "Shih" nose, doesn't she? Aaauuwww, sowie daddy! She may take on the Lee name, but she's definitely a Shih baby in every other way possible! :)

What's most important is that my bump measures right at 37 weeks, baby's head is already engaged and everything looks good so far, even though I have not dilated at all. 

I know it is out of my control and I leave it to Allah as He knows best when the little munchkin will and should come out. She too knows his plan and is abiding to it and keeping both mummy and daddy in suspense... Will it be today? tomorrow? the day after? in a week? in two weeks? on the actual EDD? Oh, the suspense!!!

So, all mommy and daddy have to do right now is to trust that it's all in His hands, stay calm, be prepared and await the labor signs of mucus plug, contractions, water breaking... the whole enchilada!!! It could be any day now...

I know she'll come when she's ready, but when exactly will that be honeybun? Give mommy some hints please... Pwetty please? *bats eyelashes while looking down at bulging belly*

36 Weeks Pregnant

We hit Day 1 of 36 weeks today!!! By the way, is the start of 36 weeks considered full term? 

Well, my pregnancy update email says that 37 weeks (the end of 36 weeks) is actually full term - so, I guess we'll be full term at the end of this week?... Yay! Which ever is fine with me as I don't think the little munchkin will be coming out this week anyways although I do feel like I'm carrying a watermelon in my belly now as she continues to grow :)

As of today (Week 36 - Day 1), the little munchkin's fetal stats are: 

- Heartbeat: 130bpm

- CRL: ~34cm

- Weight: ~3.0-3.2kg

She's so much bigger and her positioning today made it difficult to see her full face profile during the 4D ultrasound. We were only able to see her left eye as her left hand was blocking parts of her face. She's still cute regardless and when mommy called out her name, she reacted by trying to open her eyes. I'm a little concerned about the limited space she has at this point though as she's used to having space to roam about freely in there.

My Ob/Gyn also pressed down on my pelvis and alerted me that baby has dropped slightly. Although our little honeybun is remaining in head down position, it seems as though she is not settled in "engaged" mode yet... Slightly relieved to hear that as I don't mind being pregnant a little while longer :) 

Oh sure, my lower back hurts like hell most times these days (mostly night time) and fatigue has certainly kicked in during the day time... But I love every moment of it!

Moreover, I'm amazed at how I am able to still work through and endure my long work hours (late night and early morning conference calls) and stay on my feet at the office even at this stage of my pregnancy. The last couple of weeks, workload at the office has been crazy but it's amazing how my baby gives me the extra energy boost to keep at it while tiring me out at the same time. 

At some point, and real soon, I would have to come to terms with reality (and hopefully, when the time comes, my boss will understand it too) and will need to slow down and stop my work routine and concentrate fully on welcoming our baby safely into the world.  

Since the little one's not "engaged" yet, I'm only planning to start my maternity leave on June 3, the week that I'm due. Hopefully from now until then, I can pace myself and slow down when it comes to work as per my Ob/Gyn's advice, but how is that possible when there's just so much to do at work and so many new projects coming in??!!??

I still can't help but wonder if we'll end up with a May or June baby at this point... Secretly, I'm wishing for her to make it out in time for Kevin and my 4th Year Wedding Anniversary - our Akad Nikah / Solemnization of Marriage - on the May 23, 2013 (two weeks before her EDD - June 7, 2013).

But, I won't force it especially since she seems to be enjoying her stay in there and has not given any signs of coming out anytime in the next week or two. She can come out whenever she's ready... It's just that May 23 would make it a little extra special and memorable - don't you think? 

I guess we'll find out soon... :)

35 Weeks Pregnant

At exactly 35 weeks today, with just 5 more weeks to go, IT FINALLY HAPPENED!!!

I finally feel EXHAUSTED, HUGE and just TOO DAMN PREGNANT to do anything. 

It's also the first time I ever felt like I had to drag myself out of bed (belly and all) on a Saturday morning for our weekly date with our little munchkin at the hospital for the usual 4D ultrasound and checkup. Same goes for Kevin too! We both just felt so drained for some reason this morning, but we still made it to the hospital in the morning... which was of course super crowded!

As of today (Week 35 - Day 1), the little munchkin's fetal stats are: 

- Heartbeat: 140bpm 

- CRL: ~34cm

- Weight: ~2.7kg

She's gonna be like mommy and daddy - with thick hair :)

Looks like she's trying hard to open her eyes...

At the visit, I expressed my concern to my Ob/Gyn about having a big baby, especially since my little munchkin is growing much faster these days and I can feel the pull in my stomach weighing me down... and, not forgetting, the pressure/strain on my back! 

Nevertheless, my Ob/Gyn says it's nothing to worry about as baby is pretty average in size and flashed me her growth chart (and her stats are aligned with the standard growth scale). Phew!!! That is good to hear and see :) In fact, my Ob/Gyn estimates her weight to be about 3.5kg at 40 weeks.

Good news is that she remains in head-down position again today... Yippee!!! (She's been head-down since the past couple of weeks.) I guess she is currently in "Ready, Get Set" mode, but mommy keeps reminding her "No go, no go yet"... it's not time yet. At least let us hit 36 weeks before she starts prepping for the "Go". So far, she seems to be listening to mommy and has not stepped further into "engaged" mode yet... Good girl! :)

Hide & Seek / Peekaboo with Daddy ~ from inside the womb!

Playtime with daddy has been going on since the early weeks when we could first her light flutters and movement. Yet, we are still amazed as to how playful our little "cupcake" is as she expects plenty of attention from us just for her and her alone ~ from inside the womb!

She finds ways to connect with Kevin practically every night (cos that's the only time she hears his voice and knows they can have some quality time I guess - she plays and hears mommy all the time throughout the day) and adapts to circumstances to make their play time something that daddy would look forward to every night. 

And what does mommy do during this time - one might ask??? Nothing!!! Mommy has no role whatsoever during this father-daughter bonding, aside from lying still in bed while they do their daily thing.

During the first and second trimester, her play date with daddy is just heart-meltingly cute! She would lift her head up from inside my belly so as there is a big bulge on one side of my belly as soon as she hears daddy's voice in the room. If neither my husband or I notices this, she will shake mommy so that mommy alerts daddy that she's waiting to play "hide and seek". To which, Daddy will have to rub the bulge, as if to say "I found you" and as soon as he finds her, she disappears again (making mommy's belly symmetrical again), repositions herself and then re-submerges at another spot. To which daddy has to find and tap her again. This will go on until she, and only she, is tired and stops the game... Believe me, it sometimes lasts more than an hour!
  
Once third trimester kicked in, the dynamics of their nightly "hide and seek" game changed as she's much bigger now and is spread across my belly. Hence, she has limited space to move about freely (as she used to) to appear, disappear and reappear. Yet, she still manages to find a new mode to play "peekaboo" with daddy - yes, via mommy's belly button!!!

She somehow finds a way to push my belly button out to announce "It's play time with daddy" and expects daddy to caress and talk to her every night. She will bring it back down and allow daddy some time to anxiously await her move to push my belly button back up. It's not as dramatic as the "hide and seek" game, but it's still just as cute as mommy watches the two of them do their nightly father-daughter bonding.

 

She is after all, as my husband keeps reminding me, "daddy's little girl"!!!

34 Weeks Pregnant

We're back at the hospital again today, and this time, the little one brewing in my belly went with a full stomach. So, there was no "drama queen" attitude and she faced the camera during the 4D ultrasound.

Before we get to her fetal updates... Every few weeks once, we will meet this Arab couple (the wife is pregnant with their 4th; and they will bring along their three boys.) at the hospital. They go to the same Ob/Gyn as us, so we'll be waiting at the front of the clinic about the same time. 

This works well for our little fetus as she, as we believe it, somehow likes the youngest of the three boys (he's probably 3 years old and the "naughtiest" of the lot ~ yes, of course she would be attracted to "bad boys"). Anyways, like previous occasions, the youngest of the three boys will always come close and sit next to me, even though there are plenty of empty seats elsewhere, including next to my husband. But he always conveniently chooses the one that's next to me, unless that's not available, the it would be the seat directly opposite of me and mumble some "small talk" (to which my little one will kick and respond to - I know, I feel the kicks in response to his small talk). After that, he will just look at my belly, look at me and then smile the biggest, happiest smile. It's so heart-melting and he's so cute! This usually follows with a shy and manja kinda look, as if he is communication (or perhaps "courting") the little one in my belly. Oh, believe me, my hubby notices this too and sometimes gives the innocent little boy hard stares, but he ignores and continues to keep making eyes at me and my belly :) Way to go baby, already fishing from inside the womb and eying a "Persian prince"? :)

As of today (Week 34 - Day 1), the little munchkin's fetal stats are:
- Heartbeat: 129bpm

- CRL: ~32cm 

- Weight: ~2.4kg

 

 

Wakey wakey, sleepy head! Why do you like to keep falling asleep before your usual afternoon nap?

We want to see more action darlin'... The active action that we feel during the nights...

 

At this angle, daddy noticed her nose coming into shape like mommy's *hidung kembang*. Hahaha.

My Ob/Gyn also passed me my letter of admittance to the hospital for labor/delivery today to keep in the event baby decides to come before Week 40 (or as early as Week 36). Kinda early, but better to have the letter in my hand in advance. Another thing to add to my hospital bag... Oh, which reminds me I have to finish packing my hospital bag soon...

33 Weeks Pregnant

We had to be at the hospital early today as I was scheduled for a blood test (to check my glucose level) at the lab on the 3rd floor at 8.45am.

This also meant that I had to fast last night from 9.00pm onwards and no breakfast for the little munchkin this morning either. Believe me, she tapped mommy many, many times to ask for food, but all she got in return was belly rub and a pep talk from mommy and I can tell the little one was not happy...

The blood test was a three-phased test which took 3 hours in total. To checked the glucose level, they needed to check my urine and blood three times in total, every hour - and I can't eat anything until it was complete. Which only meant my baby will not be having any breakfast, and it will be lunch time by the time I could take in food.

After the 1st urine-blood test, I was given a glass of glucose to drink up in time for the next test.

Since we had an hour until my next test, we headed down to see my Ob/Gyn for our weekly follow-up and ultrasound.

As of today (Week 33 - Day 1), the little munchkin's fetal stats are:
- Heartbeat: 133bpm

- CRL: ~30cm 

- Weight: ~2.1kg

Spine check! All's good :)

 

Reminding us yet again that she's a girl!

She's already sprouting hair at the start of 33 weeks!

Sure enough, during the ultrasound, the little "diva" inside me made it clear to us that she was unhappy. She turned the other way just as we started the scan so to have her back at us throughout the ultrasound - as if to let us know she merajuk (malay for sulk). 

She refused to turn back even when mommy and daddy called out to her and tried to sweet talk her. She was not happy and she wasn't afraid to let us know. We can tell she was wide awake as she was moving about alot. But she never turned. Hence, we were not able to see her face today. My Ob/Gyn took this opportunity to check her spine and other organs and all seem intact. Syukur alhamdullilah!

We headed to the pharmacy to pick up my medication immediately after the ultrasound and went back to the 3rd floor to continue with the test.

For some reason, I could not really "pee in the cup" for the 2nd test, but whatever drops I could provide seems sufficient and enough. After the 2nd urine-blood test, I was told to drink water and I gulped down at least 3 cups full. For the 3rd test, we were back in business and the cup was filled! Being "poked" three times every hour was also no fun, but I got through it :) Let's hope the results are worth the wait... I should get the results by next week.

It was just past noon by the time we were done at the hospital. We immediately hunted for food for the little munchkin. After food, all's back to normal again! Drama! Drama! Drama! even from inside the womb :)

'em Pesky Piles

At this late in my pregnancy, just when everything seems to be going smooth sailing, I just had to experience sore piles.

Also called hemorrhoids, piles is an agonizing condition caused by irritation of veins from the rear end. They are awful! Hurts so much and now I'm wondering if the swelling will stay on and affect me over the next couple of weeks until I go into labor. I sure hope not!!!

I did my research on this and I should stock up on my fibre intake and consume lots of fruits/vegetables. That's basically all I had been doing the last couple of days...

At the same time, I also picked up a couple of tips from friends who have gone through this and they recommended a couple of tips to ease the discomfort:

1) Soak in warm water several times a day. This is absolutely soothing.
2) Dap don't wipe when cleaning that area.
3) Apply coconut cream to the infected area. Apparently this works wonders.

The worst for me was when I started bleeding! Yeah, that scared the crap out of me as I was not sure whether it was just because of the piles or what. At that point, I was concerned that the baby will be affectd so I went straight to my Ob/Gyn as I did not want to take any chances. The bleeding was because the piles burst.

In addition, she prescribed me medication to help my little "piles" situation. 5 continuous days on both internal and external applied medication, morning and night, I now feel as good as new!!! :)

32 Weeks Pregnant

Yeah, baby! We just hit our 8 month mark today!!! :) Can't believe her debut into the world is getting closer and closer... And I seriously think she's just as excited about it as we are... Just don't come out yet ok darling... It's not time yet. Enjoy mommy's belly-tel stay a little while longer before you check out.
 
Like every other Saturdays over the past half year plus, we made our way to Pantai Hospital for our ultrasound date with the little one again today...

 

Can you spot her here? Daddy says she looks like daddy; even the placenta looks like daddy.

Well, we'll find out soon enough in person, won't we?

As of today (Week 32 - Day 1), the little munchkin's fetal stats are: 
- Heartbeat: 150bpm 
- CRL: ~29cm
- Weight: ~2.0kg

Check out her teeny-weeny legs and toes!

 

Our little sleeping beauty! 

Not only has the little munchkin grown drastically over the past week... Mommy also put on the pounds by shooting up 1.5kg on the weighing scale in just one week. Oh no! What happened to our plan of sticking to 0.5kg weight gain for mommy every two weeks, honeybun?!? Mommy thought we had an agreement... Didn't we?  

I'm pretty sure the weight gain for both mommy and baby was the result of the extensive eating during my Marcom Asia team off-site meeting. Since I'm very close to my due date and am not able to travel, the team flew in to Penang from KL, Singapore and India for our 2013/2014 planning "pow-wow". That only meant one thing - food, food and more food at the hotel and in the evenings, in between work of course. After all, what else is there to do when you're in Penang - right?!?  

Oh well, you know what this means... coming week, baby and mommy need to go on a DIET!!!