mellomouse*

Pregnancy & Soya Beans.

mellomouse — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:10:36 +0000

A chilled glass of Soya Bean Milk is simply heavenly on a warm day, or whenever. Don’t you agree? That’s exactly what I’ve been having almost daily for the past 2 months. Whenever possible, we would buy a large bottle and that could last us for a day or 2.

This is not uncommon among us Asians to include soy into our daily staple. Often Expecting Mothers would go out of their way to consume more because we were told that soy will give our babies fair and beautiful complexion. I did it simply because I enjoy the drink

So you could imagine my shock when I found out last night that all this health talk is really just pure garbage. Soy is probably one of the most misconceived myth that it is some sort of miracle food that prevents and cures diseases. Soya Bean is not a Health Food!

My immediate reaction was: OMG, what have I done!?! And you would too after reading what I have excerpted below. Especially if you are expecting a baby boy!

BBC NEWS Reported in 2004

The humble soya bean may play a role in the problem of male infertility, a team of researchers in Belfast has found.

If boys eat a lot of soya when they are growing up, it can damage their reproductive capability. The key time for that is when a male foetus is developing and in the early toddler years and up to puberty.

Too much soya affects the development of the male’s reproductive tract. It increases the structural abnormalities like undescended testes and testicular cancer.

Continue Reading

The Truth About Soy
Another interesting Article

There’s still a half bottle of Soya Bean Milk in the fridge. After that is finished, I don’t think I’ll be drinking anymore until after LBJ is born or longer.

Even though I am making an informed choice now to not drink it, there are still a multitude of food products in the market that I would not be able to escape from, that are made from soy

2 weekends ago, we stocked up a carton of Soya Bean Milk to serve our guest during CNY. Will you drink it if/when you visit us after reading this post?

Pregnancy Updates 40: Cinderella No More.

mellomouse — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:53:55 +0000

These may not be Glass Slippers
But they could well be since I can’t fit them no more

The swelling almost always goes down a little during morning time. They are at worst in the evening due to the burden of carrying me — 16kg of excess baggage — the whole day long, and also because of water retention.

But since yesterday morning, the swelling didn’t go anywhere and now I do feel like walking on puffy buns. They hurt a little, and my toes can’t curled as they used too

Besides my feet, both of my hands are swelled up too. I know I’ve whined about this 2 weeks ago, but as they are getting worst, I am getting worried as well. Simply because a sudden increase of swelling is a sign of something very serious! *yikes*

As I am typing this, I’m downing gulps and gulps of water. Hopefully by keeping myself extra hydrated would help my body to retain less water so my hands and feet could look more human again *fingers crossed*

Hospital Bag, pt 2 – All Set!

mellomouse — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:32:10 +0000

For Mommy

During Labour
(√) Admission Letter for Delivery
(√) My Birth Plan
(√) Socks
(√) Lip Balm
(√) Shawl
(√) Disposable Undies
(√) Johnson’s Baby Oil Lite for back massage
__ Crackers & Juice
(√) Relaxation Materials: Birth Ball, Yoga Mat, Hot Water Bottle, Johnson’s Mother & Baby Book & my Comfort Pillow ♥

After Delivery
(√) Medela Harmony Breastpump
(√) My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow
(√) Nursing Bras: Sleeping & 2nd day Discharge
(√) Disposable Breast Pads
__ Lansinoh Nipple Cream
(√) Going Home Outfit: Nursing Top & Yoga Pants
__ Toiletries: Facial Wash & Towel, Comb, Toothbrush and Toothpaste

For Daddy

__ A change of Clothes
__ Camera, Extra Battery & Charger
(√) Phone Charger
__ Toothbrush
__ Laptop

For Little Benjac Junior

(√) Going Home Outfit: Newborn Short Sleeved Vest & Bodysuit
(√) Receiving Blanket
(√) Booties & Mittens
(√) Hat
(√) Hankies

The remaining few unchecked items will be dumped into the bag on the day itself. Hopefully I don’t forget anything. But even if I do, it’s just a few minutes drive away!

Nursery Painting Project, pt 2 – Hot Air Balloon.

mellomouse — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:44:49 +0000

Finally getting its debut!
The Canvas that was bought back in 2005

Scubby says: Daddy is up to something…
And I’m going to be part of it!

The Husband getting ready the paints
Dulux’s Chardonnay & Moroccan Mint Concoction

Day 1: Brush & Paint Warm Up
A smiley face hidden below

Scubby says: Daddy, I want you to paint me…
Wearing ONLY this, my white furry bundle

Day 2: The paint has finally dried
Background colour: Dulux Moroccan Mint

The Tan Family Fly-away!
♥ Daddy, Mommy, LBJ & Scubby ♥

The Artist begins his Masterpiece
With Dulux’s Chardonnay

Scubby says: I believe I can fly!
I am Scubby the Flying Warrior

Day 3 & 4: Final final touch-up
Can you spot the difference?

The results 4 days later
LBJ’s very 1st Painting by Daddy Benjac

Day 5: And up the wall it goes!
So what’s your verdict for Project No.2?

So which do you prefer?
Choo Choo Train vs Hot Air Balloon

Or simply both!

Anterior & Posterior Birth.

mellomouse — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:56:22 +0000

I’ve been very happy and relieved to know that LBJ has continued to stay head down since Week 27. But at this moment, he is still facing forward in the posterior position. I hope during delivery, LBJ would be a good boy and turn 180 degrees for his Mommy

Posterior Position

The baby goes down into the pelvis with the back of his head towards his mother’s spine.

The close proximity between the baby’s bony skull and your spine can be very uncomfortable. You will have a lot of backache during and in between contractions, and labour is slower.

He might need forceps or ventouse to help him out.

Anterior Position

This position is also known as the Optimal Fetal Positioning. The baby is head down, with the back of his head slightly towards the front of your tummy.

In this position, he fits snugly into the curve of your pelvis and it’s easy for him to move gently down during labour.

Labour is nearly always shorter and easier if the baby is anterior.

Find Out More

For LBJ to turn backwards, I’ll also have to do my part to help him get into position. That’s why by opting to give birth on all fours, I can help quicken the rotation from a posterior to an anterior. But of course, there are also alternative ways to get your baby into an optimal position.

During one of my antenatal appointments previously, I did ask Dr Tan about his opinion on this. He nonchalantly replied that it doesn’t really make a difference for him — why would I care if it does for him or not! *blek* — but it would be easier on me. That’s all I wanted to hear: Easier on Me!

Wouldn’t you do just about anything for an easier birth? Especially if you’re anti-Epidural like me

Pregnancy Updates 39: Fetal Hiccups.

mellomouse — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:12:46 +0000

It is such a shame that I did not record when I first felt LBJ hiccuped. I think it was as early as when I first felt him moved. The feeling is very different from his aerobatic stunts, and are consistently in rhythm.

Why do babies hiccups in the womb?

Only the more mature fetuses will hiccup, as hiccups rely on the development of the central nervous system.

It is believed that the fetus breathes in amniotic fluid or drinks it. When this happens and the amniotic fluid enters and exists the fetus lungs then the diaphragm contracts and hiccups results.

Continue Reading

During the earlier days, these hiccups felt like tiny flutters. If you put your palm over my belly, you can’t really feel it. But now as he is bigger, you can actually see a small heartbeat-like motion on my baby bump where LBJ could possibly be facing in utero ♥

LBJ hiccups rather frequently. I’d say around 4-5x in a day (Note to self: I really need to keep a record on this!) I was rather worried before and Dr Tan assured me that it is a good sign of maturity. Thank God!

Are fetal hiccups normal?

They are extremely normal and almost all moms will feel the babies hiccups at least once if not several times a day every day.

Hiccups are actually soothing to your baby, and help to relieve a variety of pressures on his growing lungs and organs.

Continue Reading

As cute as it may sound to others — the part about small heartbeat-like motion — it does feel rather uncomfortable each time LBJ hiccups. And they often last longer than a minute. I don’t know how to explain the feeling, but it is annoying *oops*

I’ve started calling LBJ my “Hiccup Hiccup Baby” every time he does that. Whenever I feel him hiccuping non stop, I would always try to imagine how he looks like. And all I can say is awww

Pregnancy Updates 38: Fat Mama!

mellomouse — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:06:22 +0000

Unfortunately, I suspect that’s exactly what you’ll be calling me because I will simply become one. Though I don’t mind being called Phat Mama, but reality is often bitterly cold *humph*

Since September last year (16 weeks into my pregnancy), my weight has been going up, up and up *blaming it on the milk!* @#$%& (-__-||)

At first I didn’t worry much because I lost a few in the early months. But now after looking at other expecting friends — why are they so tiny?!? — I am fearing! I am gaining way too much for my small frame and the weight has been taking a toll on my tiny swollen feet *sobs*

This is what I ought to be
I’ve now exceeded it by 2.5kg and I’m not even due yet!

Want to know what’s yours? Calculate it >here<

I’m looking at another few kilos of weight gain in the next few weeks. Once I hit full term this weekend, I might be sky rocketing at 1kg per week. So if I were to deliver on my EDD at 40 weeks, I’ll possibly gain another 4kg. Making that a whooping Two-Zero-Kilo-Grams! *faints*

Btw, 29.96lbs is equaled to 13.59kg. So that means I’ll exceed by 6kg! How am I going to loose 15kg? That’s if the Fetal weight is 5kg. Else I might be looking at more *numbed*

I promise that I’ve not been eating for Two, if that’s what you’re wondering

My Birth Plan, pt 2 – Approved!

mellomouse — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:51:34 +0000

2 February 2010

Attn To:
Labour Delivery Unit
Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre
Kuala Lumpur

Dear Midwives & Nurses

Below is my “ideal” birthing scenario, but I am aware that in the event of a life-threatening emergency, I will be relying on your professional judgment and skills to see us through.

#1 – Labour

Birth Companion
My husband

Pain Management/Pain Relief
Walking, Stretching Exercise, Breathing Techniques, Birthing Ball
Gas and Air only

Hydration/Food
Drinking fluids rather than having an IV
Light nibbling on biscuit or bread to prevent gastritis
Water or juice for hydration

Monitoring
Intermittent EFM if baby and I are doing well

#2 – Delivery

Delivery Position
Preferably on hands and knees
Otherwise remaining upright on the bed

Perineal Tear/Episiotomy
Allow natural tearing before episiotomy

Cutting the Umbilical Cord
My husband

Placenta Delivery
Syntometrine Injection

#3 – After Delivery

Hold baby and begin breastfeeding immediately
All newborn procedures done in my presence or in my husband’s presence
Vaccinations — BCG (on the arm) and Hepatitis B1

#4 – Infant Care

Breastfeeding only — no bottles or pacifiers

#5 – If C-section is needed

To breastfeed as soon as possible

Thank you

Sincerely,
Mellomouse

Approved by,
Dr Tan Lay Seng

Pregnancy Updates 37: Little Benjac is 2.4kg!

mellomouse — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:12:05 +0000

Just like our 1st antenatal check-up months ago, today we waited a good 2 hours for Dr Tan because he had 2 deliveries back to back earlier at noon. The poor man didn’t get to have his lunch — until it was 4pm — after he had cleared all his morning appointments. Then immediately he began the afternoon queue, with us being at number 6 that was supposed to be at 2.45pm.

Dr Tan’s usual greeting when we enter his room is always: “How’s everything?” But today it was a little different: “Why are you not delivering yet?” he greeted in a jester manner while looking at my records. Then added that LBJ “would” be greeting us on the 1st day of CNY aka Valentine’s Day. Remember this post? That’s less than 2 weeks from now! *sweats*

Not too big, Not too small & in a Good Position
♥ Here’s LBJ facing us in the ultrasound ♥

Once again, I wondered if I am readied. I am actually fearful today. Only last night I dreamed that my water broke and my knees went weak. My 2nd respond was asking for the date — if not mistaken, someone told me that it was February 27th. What happened after that, I cannot remember

Dr Tan has approved my Birth Plan! A copy has been submitted to the Labour Room, and one for me to bring along in my Hospital Bag just in case. I’ve checked with one of the midwives, and she said it is ok to bring along a laptop into the Delivery Suite. Insane as it may appears, I hope blogging would be a good distraction for the pain *denial?*

Starting from tomorrow, I shall begin the Fetal Movement Charting to keep track of LBJ’s wellbeing. Although I feel him moving a lot now — and hiccups immensely — I should not take it for granted. I need to keep a record of 10 movements any time between 12 hours and everything is fine. Even a 9 is not!

So Little Benjac, here’s your Golden Ticket to kick Mommy more ok

Keepsake Book: Cute Baby Boy.

mellomouse — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:58:50 +0000

Look what we got yesterday!
Even Scubby is quick to sniff out a gem

♥ Isn’t this the cutest book ever? ♥
Illustrations by Lori Siebert

A Treasure Box in the making!
I can’t wait for it to be filled up with priceless memories

There’s so much to write!
♥ But it’ll be all worth it 30 years from now ♥

The 1st Cute Baby Boy in the house
Scubby says: Where’s my Keepsake Book? *pouts*