Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Seven Things To Avoid During Pregnancy

Cigarette Smoke
Whether firsthand or secondhand smoke, pregnant women serve their babies well by keeping away from it. Countless medical studies have reported on the dangers of cigarette smoke. Risks include increased risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and stillbirth, and can also alter your baby's brain development (resulting in a lower IQ or mental retardation), and turn a potentially healthy baby into a low-birthweight baby or one who might succumb to SIDS.

Caffeine
Caffeine has been a controversial topic in pregnancy nutrition for more than a decade. A 1980 study by FDA found that caffeine, when fed to pregnant rats, caused birth defects and delayed skeletal development in their offspring. At that time, although the human implications were unknown, FDA advised pregnant women to eliminate caffeine from their diets.

Soft Cheese
Listeria monocytogenes (commonly known as Listeria) is a type of bacteria found in some types of cheese. Soft, white, Mexican-style (such as Queso Blanco and Queso Fresco) cheeses are those at greatest risk of being infected, although the FDA reports that past studies also have implicated feta, Brie, Camembert, and blue-veined cheeses such as Roquefort. They also state that no problems have been found with hard cheeses (cheddar, Swiss), processed slices, cottage cheese, or yogurt. During pregnancy, you and your baby are both vulnerable to infection, so avoid risk and skip the soft cheese.

Raw or undercooked meat
According to FDA Consumer, toxoplasmosis is acquired by eating raw or undercooked meat contaminated with the parasite (or by exposure to contaminated cat feces). Toxoplasmosis can also be transmitted to a fetus through the placenta, but the fetus is presumed to be at risk only if the mother has a primary, active infection during the pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis can also cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and pre-term birth.

Deli Meats and Under-cooked meats
Can anyone forget the massive luncheon meat recalls from early 1999? Be wary of items you might find behind a deli counter -- especially those which may have come into contact with infected cheeses. Also risky: undercooked poultry and hot dogs (and similar meats) that have not been thoroughly reheated. According to the FDA, pregnant women may contract flu-like symptoms of listeriosis; complications can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or septicemia or meningitis in the newborn. It takes from one to six weeks for a serious case of listeriosis to develop, although flu-like symptoms may occur 12 hours after eating contaminated food.

Alcohol
If you drink alcohol, it can hurt your baby's growth, and your baby may have physical and behavioral problems that can last for the rest of his or her life. Children born with the most serious problems caused by alcohol have fetal alcohol syndrome.

Medications/Drugs/Herbs
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, when a pregnant woman uses drugs, she and her unborn child face serious health problems. During pregnancy, the drugs used by the mother can enter the baby's bloodstream. The most serious effects on the baby can be HIV infection, AIDS, prematurity, low birth weight, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, small head size, stunted growth, poor motor skills, and behavior problems. Several herbs (just because
it's "natural" doesn't mean it's safe) and "everyday" medications are also of concern, and aspirin and other drugs containing salicylate are not recommended throughout pregnancy, especially during the last three months, except under the supervision of a qualified medical professional.

<> Phew! I'm safe!!

Essential Oils - safe or not safe?

SAFE THROUGHOUT PREGNANCY

Benzoin*
Bergamot (FCF)
Black Pepper*
Eucalyptus
Frankincense
Ginger*
Grapefruit+
Ho Wood
Mandarine+
Neroli
Palmarosa
Petitgrain
Sandalwood
Tea Tree*
Vetivert
Ylang Ylang*

OILS NOT TO BE USED AT ALL DURING PREGNANCY

Aniseed
Basil
Bay
Camphor (White)
Cinnamon
Citronella
Clove
Hyssop
Lemongrass
Nutmeg
Parsley
Sage
Tarragon
Thyme

MILD DIURETICS/EMMENAGOGUES, CAN BE USED SAFELY AFTER THE FIRST 4 - 5 MONTHS - UNLESS YOU ARE AN ‘AT RISK’ MOTHER

Camomile
Cypress
Geranium
Lavender
Lemon
Pine
Rose

NOT TO BE USED DURING THE FIRST 4 - 5 MONTHS. These are either strong diuretics, emmenagogues, or hormonal balancers...

Cajuput
Cedarwood
Clary Sage
Fennel
Marjoram
Melissa
Myrrh
Niaouli
Patchouli
Peppermint
Rosemary
Spearmint

For the past 2 days

For the past 2 days (2nd and 3rd day of CNY) mummy had this craving for sourish stuffs. Just yesterday she had to cook this little Tom Yum Soup to curb her craving.
Mummy has been having strange cravings too! She's been thinking of Miso soup and she's been eating alot of Japanese food since I've been conceived. ( I thought mummy had swear off Japanese food??)
She didn't have much appetite but is infact hungry. In the nights she's been making herself a cup of hot chocolate and had 2 wholemeal crackers.
Today mummy finally bought the Annum 1, she was choosing between Enfamama and that, and decided on Annum as she took that before.
But mummy is suffering too! She is afraid of Folic Acid and she has to take them daily, and makes matter worse she needs to pop the pills Dr Teoh gave her 3 times a day.
But mummy's wish is for me to quickly grow up and hopefully her hormones is able to support me throughout the whole pregnancy (otherwise she'll need injections throughout 9 months)

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Happy New Year!

We had a slow start today. Mummy was feeling very tired (infact she's been feeling so for the past 2 weeks, just that she thought she over-exerted herself working) and took a nap.
We left for maternal grandparents place at 1+pm. My che che was crying- and woke me up from my sleep. Mummy had some spicy & sourish fishmaw, which she kept eating and eating. Then I was not spared from her favourite shrimp small spring roll tidbits.
At 4pm we reached my maternal grandparents' place. Mummy didn't eat much because she was so tired. They left at 9+pm where mummy had her rest.

Last day of Rooster Year

Today's the eve of CNY. Yippee! My first CNY, only sad thing is I can't collect red packets. Sob...sob... I hope my che che will share her collections with me..

Mummy, daddy and che-che went to Punggol Plaza for lunch and proceeded to NTUC thereafter. Daddy was so sweet... Mummy was helping to carry the bags when daddy was paying money; when daddy saw and took the bags down and pass her a lighter bag. So sweet...... Later he also offered to carry my che che when che che insisted mummy to carry her.

Mummy got home and saw missed calls on her mobile. Checked her message and oh no - Dr Teoh called!! It's bad news. He told mummy that her hormone level is very low and that he will come over to our house and asked where we stay. Punggol sounds very ulu to him. After some discussion, he told mummy to go down to Mt Alvernia where he will try to get one room for mummy to take her injection. They left the house in 45 minutes after they have showered and changed. At Thomson area, Dr Teoh called and asked to go to Mount E instead. Dr Teoh really went beyond his call of duty.
They met and Dr Teoh explained to daddy that they saw me yesterday (was I smiling? Do I look handsome/pretty?) and injection is necessary today. Apart from the injection, mummy was given Dydrogesterone and Progynova to take 3 times a day until he sees her on Thursday - 2nd Feb.

DUPHASTON (Dydrogesterone)
Manufacturer:DUPHAR manufactures DUPHASTON (Dydrogesterone). Uses:The uses of DUPHASTON (Dydrogesterone) include:
Used for endogenous progesterone deficiency, unopposed estrogen replacement therapy, premenstrual syndrome, menstrual abnormalities, endometriosis, infertility, undesired spontaneous abortions

Progynova (Estradiol Valerate, Oestradiol Valerate)
Manufacturer:Schering-Plough manufactures Progynova (Estradiol Valerate, Oestradiol Valerate). Uses:The uses of Progynova (Estradiol Valerate, Oestradiol Valerate) include:
Used for "hormone replacement therapy" because it contains the principal oestrogen hormone that is lost during the "change of life".

We went to my paternal grandparents' home in Jurong for reunion dinner. Aunty Aveliane, Uncle Vincent, Cousins Eugin and Laurence were also there. I haven't introduced myself to them yet. It's okay, I will see them sometime this year.

Today's the last day of the Rooster year and tomorrow will be the Year of the Dog. I will a little puppy, mummy hopes I'm going to be a Libra puppy. Aunty Aveliane and my maternal grandmother are also born in the Year of the Dog. Woof! Woof!

5 weeks old

Conception : Mummy says I was conceived on 6th Jan 06
5 days and the cells are slowly dividing
3 weeks embryo
4 weeks old 5 weeks old
5 weeks old
The website will provide sufficient information about me at this time.

Excerpts:
At the end of the third week, the embryo is well fixed in the wall of the uterus. Your future baby is no longer a fertilised egg, it has become an embryo.

The brain and the backbone begin to form.

The external covering changes also and begins to start the process of creating the placenta and the amniotic cavity (which will surround the placenta).

The heart is still being formed, but it already beats!

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Let me introduce myself.....

How shall I begin. I can't describe how I look as I can't see. I have no idea whether I am going to be a boy or girl cause I can't see my little willy or vagina. Can I think at this time?
I have no name at this time. Mummy can only call me "baby baby", until they decide a name for me.
At this time I'm only settling well and implanting myself somewhere in mummy's womb. I'm only a little speck.

The News!

Today mummy found out and confirmed with Dr Teoh that I have been sleeping in her nice cosy womb for the past few weeks.

The story goes like this :-
It was by chance the night before my elder sister, Athena asked mummy " where's baby baby?.... Yes! where's baby baby? mei mei di di? " Mummy decided to do a home pregnancy test and true enough she saw double line, however one of the line was a little lighter so she didn't want to raise high hopes..just in case she gets disappointed.
This afternoon at 12.03pm she called Dr Teoh's clinic to make an appointment after the CNY but Aunty Pek Lin told mummy that they are not packed before 3.30pm so it'll be better if she can go down.
Within an hour mummy reached the clinic.
Aunty Wee Chee did the scan with Dr Teoh looking on. And the words came out from Aunty's mouth " Yep! Confirmed pregnant! I see the sac." She turned the screen for mummy to see which mummy can't make up anything - she only sees a blob.
Mummy was smiling and teared because she tried to have me without success for 5 months.

Nevertheless nothing comes easy in this pregnancy and it's going to remain in that way for the next 35weeks. Because Dr Teoh said that mummy has hormonal imbalance he needs to run a blood test every week. And if necessary she will need to take an injection. Perhaps he didn't explain well but luckily mummy had read from somewhere about implanting well in the womb so she asked if it's Progesterone to help the womb keep the baby. Dr Teoh said yes.
I think mummy's going to have a slightly difficult pregnancy this time round. She will have to be a "resident" in Mount E every week, she will also have to watch what she eats. (Oh no! I don't get to enjoy nice food!!) And I dunno what went through my gila mummy's mind when she asked Dr Teoh if she can exercise now. I feel like knocking some sense into her, what the heck was she thinking about?!?! I gave her a hard kick... can she feel it?

Aunty Pek Lin drew out blood from mummy and then she was given Multico and Folic Acid (Yucks!).

The first to know the news:-
My maternal grandmother was the first to know the news when mummy went over Tampines to wait for che-che to finish school. However they have decided to keep it under secrecy until the first trimester is over- some chinese believe.

The second to know the news:-
Mummy broke the news to daddy in the night while daddy was helping to fold the clothes. " I saw Dr Teoh today.... and I am 5 weeks pregnant." Daddy's eyes were bigger (as if his eyes were not big enough) and said "pregnant?" I think it came as a surprise to daddy coz' of mummy's condition.
Mummy had explained to daddy that every pregnant women have to be cautious during the first 3 months (mummy had a threatened miscarriage with my che-che to which she was given the order by Dr Teoh to have complete bed rest - cannot move for 3 days)and that she will not carry heavy things. If sometimes she thinks she cannot handle the weight of the laundry pole she will wait for daddy to help hang it up. Daddy just listened on.... And she will have to do a blood test and take injection to prevent any unplanned miscarriage.
My che-che is kept in the dark, I have no idea when they will break the news to her.

I am so happy today too coz' finally I'm recognised by my mummy and daddy- it's lonely in here.