Oscar

12 weeks 5 days
Feeling - relieved

No Oscar award but we went for our Oscar scan @ TMC yesterday. We were late, reaching there at about 0840 when our appointment is scheduled at 0830am.

Did a quick check on First Born Incentive e.g. subscription, benefits etc but decide to go ahead with our Oscar since we were late as it is. Hand the form to the Reception and was told to wait for name to be called. It was a short wait for registration and when payment was to be made, asked if we could finished the scan 1st before registering for FBI to be entitled 10% for Oscar. The nurse advise to register 1st and return for the scan later.

Went back down, check in more details...10% off Oscar...5% off Gynae charges....certain amount off hospital bills (depend on rooms choosen)....discount for Paediatrics...$450 off Cordlife etc. Sign up on the spot and daddy paid for the membership.

Return to level 4 for the payment which is for Oscar + Foetal Abnormalities test (20 weeks), after 10% discount from FBI..paid $378.45. Phewz! Took a cup of warm water for a fuller bladder and walked into the waiting area for the scan. Attended to by a lady Elizabeth after 5 mins and was brought into a crampy ultrasound room. The machine was much clearer and she showed us Baby's 2 little hands and 2 little feets. As seen by the position of the spine, Baby was not in the right position to gather all the necessary measurements. We noticed that Baby is always on the move and she remarked that we have a very active Baby. She tried to shake mummy's tummy with the probe to try and get Baby in position but in vain. Mummy was made to turn to the left and to the right but unsuccessful attempts. She suggested for us to take a walk, have breakfast which might help and further explained it's like a waiting game and the measurements take less than 5 mins. We can go for our blood test 1st, take a walk and return at about 0940am.

Took the form to the Lab counter and waited again. It was a much longer wait, say about 15mins before I went in alone for my blood to be drawn. Told her that she might have to attempt at my right arm since yest Dr Adrian drew from my left arm. It took her quite a while to locate a patent line and after inserting the syringe in, no blood flowed. She had to try several attempts of adjusting the syringe but still unsuccessful. It wasn't that scary as there was no pain and she is very nice to check if I felt pain too. She called out to her colleague with the syringe still in my vein and the 2nd lady tried a few adjustments again but still in vain. Just when she said we might have to poke you again, asked me to release my clenched fist and blood started flowing, phewz!

Mummy and daddy decide to grab a bite as well as to walk around hoping that Baby will cooperate and stay in the right position. Grabbed an apple turnover and took a few bites before handing to daddy and shared a cup of soya milk. Reached the diagnostic clinic near to 10am and was attended by the head of X ray dept. This room we went into was much bigger but machine looks older. She asked about age and menses cycle as well as current gestation age. As we are not shown the screen or not least I could not see the monitor but it appear quick that Baby stayed in position as she murmured "good, stay in this position" and she began clicking away. Mummy is a little kiasu asking if we could requested for a few printouts of today's scan as well as the gestation age and EDD of Baby. We were then shown the hand resting above the forehead just like what mummy like to do when sleeping. It was amazing as she shake the probe on mummy's tummy and on the screen Baby float & leap in the air. Shown the spine, face, nose, hands feets and heartbeat. Baby is now 12 weeks 4 days based on the CRL which should be 6.3cm and EDD is 26 Jan 09 which happen to be CNY Chu Yi. When asked about the risk of DS, based on age is 1:539 and with nuchal translucency, it went down to 1:2190 which indicates low risk. Although the results are not fantastic but at the very least it's low risk. We received 3 pics printed on a sheet of paper, one shows the whole Baby, one for the 2 hands and one for the bended feet.

Collected our bagful of free gifts for subscription of FBI. Daddy thought that both the sling bag and backpack looks ugly so mummy decide to choose the sling as it's much practical and appear more roomy. Daddy went to place the stuff in his car while mummy register for the hospital tour and was given another goodies bag. We were shown the new impressive & highly expensive suites including the labour suite with hydrotherapy.

FBI free gifts

what's in the bagful of gifts

TMC books worth $18 each + magazine

additional freebies

in the pack mainly brochures

hospital tour freebies - nothing interesting

in the evening, mummy wish to have a haircut thus we make our way to IMM. Bought 2 pcs of maternity wear on sales which will be ending soon. Damage >$30.

Hand & Feet

12w 2 days
Feeling ~ touched

mummy decide to give myself a break and relieve the agony of having to face a crazy woman at work after all the mental torture & stress thus reporting sick.

juzt came back from Dr Adrain's for Medical Leave and at the same time clarify about the prenatal test tomorrow. We decide to visit him at about 11am as by this time time the crowd would have been cleared. It was a pretty short wait say 5 mins before mummy's turn come.

told Dr Adrain that I am feeling rather giddy this few days which he dismissed as normal, what's new! Took mummy's blood pressure and all is fine. His advice would be to have more rest and drink some Ribena? As we are preparing for the scan, spoke about NT & Oscar test at the same time. However we stop short of the conversation as soon as the scanning starts and he called out to daddy. Baby appear to have grown quite a bit and beautiful heartbeat blinking away furiously. This trip enable us to see Baby's little hand and little much clearer than the last visit. The sight of Baby's hand and feet in the air nearly brought tears to mummy, sudden overwhelmed with emotion!

Dr Adrain is advising Oscar for better accuracy as in accordance to my age, Amino is not necessary. The preference for NT & Oscar depends on individual mummy as some wish to know the risk and possibility of DS for their next course of action while some stayed firm with the decision to have the baby regardless of the circumstances.

As sudden as it is, Dr Adrain said since you are here now, might as well draw blood for his blood test which consists of Hep B, HIV etc. He clarified that this blood test would be different from the one tomorrow as the blood test for tomorrow is mainly for DS risk assessment. He is a very cool doctor and in a flash without much discomfort a full syringe of blood is drawn.

The Oscar result would be out by next Mon and his nurse will call us to inform about the results. Since I have seen him today, the next visit will be 2 weeks later. Meanwhile to continue another 1 more week of hormone pills. He assure that all looks good and well at this moment. He address mummy' concern about the pain in the tailbone as normal due to the womb's expansion thus the pressure causing the pain. As the pregnancy progresses, the pressure & pain will be on the lower back.

Surprisingly, there are no charges for the blood test today as it is included in the package. Mummy and daddy observe the printout of the scan and was puzzled at the gestation age of Baby as well as the size. It have been 10 days since last visit yet the age indicates 11weeks 5 days? Baby's size is 5.10cm which appear to be a little small thus mummy is a little concerned if Baby is growing well. We shall take a look at the results for tomorrow which might have better resolution and hopefully higher accuracy as his machine is a tad old. Mummy and daddy were grumbling that he should upgrade his ultrasound machine, the patients won't mind paying a tad more.

Over lunch, mummy brought up the topic that it did not occur to us untill earlier, what if the result came back not so favorable, what's next? Daddy only shaked his head and mummy had to ask what is the supposed meaning of shaking head. We both agree that for the sake of the kid, it's better to give it up due to numerous reasons especially down the long winding road.

Nah, it's just thinking out loud because mummy is very sure and strongly believe that our sweetie Baby will be healthy and passed the test with flying colors. Baby, you will cooperate with us tomorrow morning by helping to be in a favorable position so that all the necessary test could be conducted without a hitch. Mummy and daddy have confidence in Baby!

Baby's head on the right...with little hand and feet in the air

Down

11weeks 5days
Feeling ~ depressed

mummy hasn't been feeling good due to problems faced at work and seriously considering whether to change job. Partially it's for the sake of Baby as I have been badly affected by work making me depressed which isn't very healthy for Baby.

Lots of thoughts ran through mummy's mind but mummy is very certain that I will be trying all my might to a decision on what's best for Baby which is the most important now. The rest of the factors are all secondary.

Cooking almost daily at home for healthy homecooked food though appetite have been fluctuating. One meal will be eating heartily while another meal will be eating like a mouse. MS has kind of reduced but still avoiding milk and the associated nauseousness. Poor daddy had been doing quite a fair bit of houseworks, oh so very nice of him. How very exciting, we are going for Oscar test on Friday morning and get to know more of Baby! I'm confident that Baby will be fine and passed Oscar with flying colors!

Elated

10weeks 6days
Feeling ~ over the moon

it's a blessing that Baby is very well behaved today thus making mummy's 1st day passed without a hitch!

Left for home slightly earlier to grab dinner before visiting Dr Adrain in the evening. Mummy had fried beehoon (again...again) and enjoyed it lots.

we were too kiasu to 'register' way before hand and it so happen that Dr Adrain is pretty early today thus missed my turn. Mummy can feel the thumping motion on tummy very fast and strongly thus remark to daddy wondering if it's my anxious heartbeat or Baby's excited heartbeat. Got a scolding from daddy for behaving so anxiously whenever we visit Dr adrain. Daddy went to 'inform' the nurses that we are back and shortly it was our turn.

Today's session is super duper quick and it's over in a blink. Again greeted by the infamous "How are you"...."anymore staining". Mummy replied and almost instantly he said "let's do a scan". As usual almost instantly after the probe landed on mummy's tummy, he shouted "Mr, would you like to see" then in a flash goes "here's the head, the body, the belly and the heartbeat", too fast for daddy to react properly. Before even mummy left the couch, he asked about our Oscar test.

Mummy did not even manage to settle her bum on the chair, he goes "okay, all looks fine, everything is alrite so no worries, we will see you in 2 weeks time" When mummy turn to leave, he goes again (another nearly established) infamous statement, "remember to rest well, have lots of rest, watch TV, no shopping" so I return my infamous "no energy for shopping" which left both of laughing.

Daddy settle the bill of $325 which consists of balance of package as well as 2 boxes of hormone pills. Fixed the appointment for next visit ~ 21 July 08. Mummy went off to pee for the urine test which is in the normal range.

reached home and peek at the ultrasound scan which didn't turn out very obvious, guess Dr Adrian shifted the probe before printing the scan. Our precious sweetie Baby measure 4.24cm and our EDD has been brought forward to 27 Jan 2009 (2nd day of CNY).

Unwell

10weeks 4 days
Feeling - queasy

recently mummy's body automatically send reminders for rest and more rest thus did not venture far for meals not to mention shopping...definitely the last thing on my mind for certain!

Sat - woke up rather late if you ignore the peeing sessions which is thankfully not too frequent. Daddy picked us up for lunch and we decide to try our luck at the wet market to grab some fresh poultry. Tough luck as they are close pretty early so you will be extremely lucky if the stall is still open at about 1pm. Had fried beehoon with chicken wing and luncheon meat, enjoyed the plain beehoon more than the dishes. As the rain which started quite sudden lighten, we proceed to the farm for some fresh greens. Loved the greens there which are really sweet, crisp and fresh. Back home again lie on the bed after changing.

Realised recently that when mummy gets the hunger pang, giddiness and naseousness also kick in. Had some snacks in between before showering and setting off to farmart for dinner and kopi with the guys. Crave for sting ray thus decide to go for it even though daddy has a nagging fear that Baby will reject fish. Waited for a very long time and the silly guy actually forgot about our order apparently of course without acknowledging. Our kailan turn real cold when we dig in with the sting ray. The sambal was delicious though a little oily, tad sweet, tad sour, enjoy it lots!

After coffee session, went back at about 12am+ yawning away all this while. Went to 7-11 to grab a loaf of bread as snack. Took a slice and went to bed at about 2am+

Sun - woke up late again and for the 2nd day in a row, did not manage to get any fresh chicken from the market. Had fried beehoon, yes again, guess Baby loves beehoon and accept it gladly. Off to NTUC for some eggs, cheese, pork and chicken. Queue is incredibly long. Throughout the whole morning after waking, felt queasy and aching body. Went home and lie on bed again still feeling in pretty bad shape with giddiness.

'Donate' and felt much better afterwhich, still in bed. Poor daddy had to do lots for us in recent times and mummy really felt sorry for him but yet can't help it. He had to help prepare the ingredients for dinner. Mummy teased daddy and said that he might be able to cook well when Baby is born after the training from me. Daddy frown at the mention of it. Our dinner had been reducing from the intial 3 dishes with a soup to 2 dishes with a soup and now 1 dish with a soup!

It's a blessing that dinner is eaten well and mummy felt much better. Wondering how mummy is going to cope with the 1st day at work tomorrow after one week's rest, guess all will be well. Oh yes, we will be visit Dr Adrain tomorrow and will get to see Baby again, so excited and can't wait to see how Baby has grown!

Constipation

10weeks 2 days
Feeling - calm

times flies, mummy have been on bed rest for 5 days and had to return to work after the weekend.

constipation had been a bother these days and quite unfortunately it's normal attributed by the surging hormones in the body. Even before preggy, mummy had always been a 'victim' of constipation thus logically speaking does not matter much to me. However mummy have been experiencing tummy aches and cramps for the whole week and it did not occur to mummy that it could be due to constipation.

Not untill after watching the drama series which the cast went on a gynae visit for tummy pain and gynae was saying that partially it's due to constipation and the intestines pressing on something thus the pain / ache come about. Most of the time even with pain, mummy can only pass out a lot of gas but no bowel movement. It doesn't help when mummy is trying to increase our intake of fluid (read plain water) again as mummy is feeling thirsty rather easily.

So the next to turn to will be fruits and apples appears to be the best option. However mummy is caught with a dilemma as after consuming apple say after dinner, the next day will leave me with 2-4 times of bowel movements. Should I deem it as healthy or unhealthy? Shall make a mental note to check with Dr Adrain on our next visit.

didn't have a good dinner as likely due to the warm weather and heat, just after preparing the ingredients for dinner, mummy start to feel giddy and nauseous. Snack on a cracker and took some sparkling ribena hoping to alleviate the nauseous but even after trying to 'donate' to the toilet bowl, all attempts in vain. In the end took very little of the spaghetti, feasting only on the ingredients. Post dinner, straight back to bed.

mummy was just telling daddy that it's a torture to be watching tv programs recently. mummy have turned to be super duper sensitive and emotional, every single details of the show send mummy in tears. Name it; delivery of baby, weddings, dark period faced by characters and the list goes on.

mummy has got problems sleeping at night as it seem tough to find a comfortable position that wouldn't stretch or strain the tummy. So it takes a few moments of tossing and turning before finally being able to turn in for the night.

Jiayou, Baobei!!!

Crossing

10weeks 1day
Feeling ~ paranoid

mummy have been crossing my fingers & toes for the past 2 days and will continue to do so untill we passed our 1st trimester mark. Mummy and Baby will persevere together!

yest early morning when mummy got up to pee, noted light pinkish discharge which got mummy hysterical. Can't return to sleep partially because of worried thus toss and turn for more than an hour, constantly praying and talking to Baby.

The rest of the day went on fine and certainly hoped that it would remain this way.

For the past few days, I'm almost like completely on bedrest and at the the same time too tired to be up and about as well. So might as well lie in bed and rest. Even daddy looked at mummy in dismay on how tired can mummy be. Poor daddy is so very sweet to be buying lunch for us everyday and running errands for mummy in the house e.g. fetching water, food, preparing simple dinner and snacks etc. Hang in there babe, mummy and Baby love you deep deep!

Only today after lunch mummy and daddy went to auntie's house for praying and blessing for Baby's health and well being. Mummy will have to avoid cooling stuff, change of bedsheets, moving stuff around the house and funerals.

mummy was telling daddy that it's such unusual and rare for mummy wanting to leave the shopping mall quickly for home....kekeke. Daddy is also commenting on the number of days mummy have been 'house bound'.

For sake of my precious Baby, mummy will be a good girl!

Rest

9 weeks 6 days
Feeling ~ still worried

the whole of yesterday appear to be fine with no more spotting after the jab in the morning. Woke up today to pee and went back to sleep, safe - no spotting too.

woke again at about 11.30am and went to wash up. Feeling a tad tummy cramp and sore, wondering if it's due to the position of sleep. After peeing, clean and saw another quite big patch of sticky brown spotting. Mummy immediately talked to Baby again and tell myself Baby will be fine, strong and healthy.

Daddy packed lunch back for us and told daddy about it so daddy said must tell Baby not to disturb mummy and make mummy worried. Mummy immediately went to take the hormone pills and lunch subsequently.

Everything was done in bed, eating, drinking, laptop-ing. Not wishing to lie on the bed as it's much more uncomfortable thus propping myself with pillows and bolster against my back and another bolster to prop up my feet.

Mummy could observe tummy thumping while half lying down.

Baby will be growing strong and healthy! Mummy and daddy have strong faith that we will countdown and complete the journey safely together to holding our precious Baby crying loudly in our arms in 30 weeks time!

Scare

30 June 2008 (Monday)

9weeks 5days
Feeling ~ scared & worried

weekend have been an emotion roller coaster for mummy. The only times we went out are solely for meals while the rest of the time are mainly spent lying on the bed to rest. On saturday, feel very uncomfortable and nauseous after the coffee session with Aunty Tracie and Uncle Eugene most probably due to the milk in the milo we had. Mummy have noticed only recently that milk seem to trigger the nauseousness.

Sunday we were home the whole day and mummy had to nap in the late noon for almost like 2 hrs before our dinner. Again most of the time are spent in bed and mummy got a real bad scare at about 10pm+ when mummy is preparing to take my bath. After peeing, mummy noticed brown spotting in substantial quantity!!! Mummy panicked and told daddy about it and decided to give a call to Dr Adrain despite the late hours. Dr Adrain advised to take 3 tabs of Duphaston immediately and continue to 2 tabs the next morning before seeing him. Mummy rushed to take the medication and was closed to tears and disoriented for a moment. Daddy talked to Baby to be a good Baby and not to scare mummy! Mummy constantly talked to Baby and pray that Baby will be fine.

Mummy didn't manage to sleep well throughout the night and woke up the next morning at about 8am and immediately went to take another 2 tabs of Duphaston, still spotting slightly. All this while mummy keep on praying for Baby's well being and let Baby know that mummy and daddy have strong faith in Baby that Baby will be fine and strong & healthy! Daddy is trying his best to distract mummy and steer mummy's worries and negative thoughts away.

The wait in Dr Adrain's clinic appears to be endless even though it's like 15mins or so. Again was greeted by Dr Adrain's infamous "How are you doing?". Told Dr Adrain that I was the one who called him yestersday night and he ordered a scan immediately again. Mummy was totally relieved when a few moments after the ultrasound probe landed on mummy's tummy and he started calling out for daddy. At this instance, mummy knows that Baby is fine. Dr Adrain showed both mummy and daddy Baby's head, body, little hand and little leg.

Daddy asked Dr Adrain about mmummy's seminar while Dr Adrain still advised to rest at home and issued mummy 5 days of medical leave. Mummy checked with him about the onset of spotting which he said is uncertain and not quite possible to identify the cause of it.Daddy asked about the injection and if it does help. Dr Adrain replied that sometimes it does help and mummy asked about the side effect which is none except for being painful thus advised mummy that it's entirely up to me. Dr Adrain asked if I took it previously which I didn't so mummy decide to go for it for a peace of mind. The jab was given on mummy's right thigh and it wasn't realli painful though mummy felt a little warming sensation after the prick. Dr Adrain did a great job by talking to mummy thus working as a form of distraction. Mummy asked about German Measles which he assured that most sporean girls would have taken the immunisation back then and it's very rare thus no major concern. In any case even thought not immunised, can't do much now so no worries about it.

Dr Adrain asked mummy to book for the test to be conducted and explained the various tests available namely NT, Oscar. Triple test is out as the accuracy is only 70%. NT comes with about 80% accuracy performed without the blood test while Oscar is about 90% accuracy with blood test. The price difference is rather drastic with NT at $98 and Oscar at $298. Mummy decide to go for Oscar and try to book on a sat even though he warned that it will be crowded on sat. We fixed it on 19 July 08 (sat) and his nurse will call and advised the confirmation of date. Before mummy leave his room, he added remember no shopping and mummy replied him no energy for shopping too which left him laughing.

As July is pretty packed for TMC, the only slot that is availale is 18 July 08 at 8.30am. As the nurse advised that it's not quite possible to do it at a later date thus leaving with no option but to accept it. The other FA test which is to be performed at 20 weeks can be fixed after the Oscar so the option for dates will be much flexible since it's going to be a good 8 weeks later. Was surprised that the jab cost about $40 which is very reasonable.

Baby had grown to be 3.09cm, can you see Baby's head, little hand and little leg.