Introducing Nigel Yeo!

How time flies! Nigel is 7 day old today! I wanted to update the blog earlier but the initial days are always this busy. Feeding, pumping, changing diapers, trying to get a wink etc etc. I'm still trying to figure out a workable routine as I'm definitely producing more breastmilk that Nigel can finish so I need to figure out how to feed him and pump most efficiently.

But before all that, these are Nigel's stats at birth:

• Date/Time: 05.09.08 1325
• Length/weight: 51cm. 3500gm
• Head circumference: 36cm

As to 'birth story' to share, I guess there isn't any since I went for c-section. I opt for epidural c-section again this time coz I want to be able to hear & see him immediately after birth. That's the closest I get to 'natural' birth I guess. During the op, I can feel the pain (quite painful infact). They up the dosage of the epidural so much so that even my chest area became numb and after the op, I have to work harder to breathe. I'm not breathless but definitely take more effort to take breathes.

Recovery wise I feel that this time round I'm doing slower than previous c-section. I guess not being as fit as before is the main culprit. I did try to walk more at the later stage of this pregnancy but the constant pain at the groin just prevents me from doing so. So I guess chicken & egg situation, the less I walk, the slower I recover now bah.

So far Nigel is doing great. He latches on quite quickly and suckles well. Altho he has the tendency to doze off while suckling (don't all babies) overall he is ok. Definitely more patient compared to Valerie's time. I guess a little more experience also helps. Back during Valerie's time, I guess the lack of experience is the main stumbling block to successful breastfeeding.

As to Valerie & Nigel, I think their 1st meeting went off fantastic. Valerie was very loving and sayang Nigel. The subsequent days went just as well and she has not shown any signs of jealousy. After I came home (Nigel was home 1 day after due to jaundice), she has been a darling. She even sang songs to Nigel (Rock-a-bye Baby & Twinkle Stars)! And when Nigel cries, she'll come by and ask him don't cry. She is such a sweet darling and DH & I are very happy to be blessed with a girl like her.

One thing that didn't change much is how HOT I am throughout the day! And the weather is definitely not helping! Sometimes I wonder why is it when I'm doing my confinement, the sun must shine like there is no tomorrow!!! ARGH!

Tomorrow shall be the day...

After all the anticipation, the stage is finally set. Dr Heng did the cervix check for me and said that I'm roughly 1.5cm-2cm dilated. Baby's head is quite low (she actually can feel) but his face still not facing inside. His hands are rested on the chin and I can definitely see that his nose is higher than Valerie's.

She asked me to wait for another week (she actually said 10 days overdue is fine) but I didn't really want to wait anymore. Many friends ask me to wait. "Just give him a couple more days" they all said. But progressively, I'm losing confidence. Yes, a baby WILL eventually be born naturally, it's a matter of time. But what are the chances of successful VBAC every passing day?

During today's scan, he is estimated to be 3.6kgs (+/- 10%). Even if he is smaller now, give him one more week, wouldn't he be around 3.6kgs by then? I know MANY people, smaller in frame has birth a 3.6kgs baby. But how long did they take? Was it their 1st child? 2nd child? Anyone VBAC? No one can give me such 'statistics'.

I only hope to have my child, safely placed on my arms, with minimum complications. I'm not an advocate that all birth MUST be natural watsoever. But having said that, I understand that natural birth has a faster recovery process. Why would I want to cut myself up for nothing right?

Maybe I'm not determined enough, lack of self confidence and too anxious. But watever it is, the decision has already been made. I've arranged for c-section tomorrow at 1pm. Although I'm sad, since I've already made this decision, I just have to see through it.

Still no sign @ 38wks 6days

It's 1 day shy of 39 weeks and guess what.. nothing is happening! Although engaged, his orientation is still towards my left rather than downwards towards the 'door'. Meaning, it wouldn't be happening soon I guess.

There has been loads of anticipation and anxious since I'm 37 weeks. Telling myself he is all ready to see the world. But I guess the word 'ready' is not for me to say. Every progressive day my joints ache more, the groin feels more pain (sometimes to the extend of experiencing sharp pain) but still no signs of labor.

Although I tell myself that there will always be a chance of me going through c-section again for various reasons, I'll be damn disappointed if eventually I have to go through one because there is just no signs of labor coming even when the due day approaches. Dr Heng has scheduled me to see her again next Thursday (1 day before EDD). She says by then if Nigel still not out, we'll talk about alternatives (ie induce or c-section).

I don't think I will want to induce as I always feel that the failure rate is high. Besides, if Nigel continues to grow inside, he'll prob hit 3.4kgs soon? If that's the case, wldn't it be more difficult to birth him naturally? In any case, I've decided, if he is late, I'll opt for c-section.

BTW, he is 3244gm today. All the beef, durian and ice cream works! But of course.. mom puts on weight too! hahahaha

Another week?

Just back from gynae appointment. No weight gain for both Nigel & myself. In fact, I 'shed' 0.4kgs from last week (total weight gain to-date stays at 10.4kgs). Nigel is still roughly 2.9kgs today. During the scan, Dr Heng said his head had went further in, signalling that he's getting ready to see the world soon. She reckon next week. *GOSH*

She checked the fluid & placenta and said both are looking good so far. I asked if she'll allow me to go overdue and she said yes as she doesn't want to induce me (due to my previous c-section). And since Nigel isn't too big, I can go for natural.

So I guess I can still celebrate my birthday this Saturday! Hopefully Valerie's cough would be better by then so we can enjoy free ice cream at Swenson's!

36 weeks + 6 days

Technically I'm into my full term! Nigel is estimated to be roughly 2.9kgs now and has engaged. That sort of explains why my groin area is experiencing more pain lately. But not sure why, I do not feel any 'lightening' nor less breathelessness as they said I would.

I've also done the ctg today as well as blood test. Again, my iron level dropped further so I have to take an iron injection. Nurses said I'm not a good patient as I didn't follow their instructions to take TWO iron pill tablets daily (I am taking one daily as compared to one every alternate day..).

The HVS test done 2 weeks ago came back with signs of fungus infection (Candidas Species) and thus Dr inserted medication for me. She was very nice and attempted in doing a 3D scan on my request but we didn't managed to get any good shot of his face coz he's constantly moving. Half way through the scan, he turned to face inside, so end of story!

HB & I were on leave today so we went PP to buy some stuff (my very auntie looking PJs to be worn in hospital, as well as more clothes for Nigel as ESH doesn't supply clothes for both mothers & babies). After that, we headed to town where I got my hair cut and at 330pm we went to watch "Love Guru". It's a funny show, what else do you expect from Mike Meyers right?

Is it a silly show? I would say so too! hahahaha

It's raining babies!

Gosh.. in a matter of days and it seemed like everyone is bombing! Let's congratulate them!

1) Stef + Damian welcomed their whooping 3.9kg boy, Jae Joseph (JJ) on 9th August (yay! National Day) @ 1647 hrs. Rest well Stef!

2) CT + HB also received their 2nd bundle of joy (Clive or Caleb? decided yet? :p ) on 9th August (yay! ANOTHER National Day baby!) at 2359 hrs!

3) Patrick + Shannon finally met their little girl Kayla today! HB rec'd an MMS from Patrick and gosh, this little girl is indeed pretty! Like her mommy! Congrats & rest well!

Not forgetting my friends/colleague who delivered in July! Congrats to Liuxiang+Telly as well as to Magdeline!

Guess what.. next would be ME!

Nigel @ 34 weeks & 6 days

He is 2,274 gms today! Not getting my admission letter as yet coz just did the HVS test today. Dr Heng says she needs the result of this culture test before she can prepare the admission letter.

Again I asked her about natural birth. She maintained that I can go for it as long as all the standard conditions are present, ie 1) labour kicks in naturally; 2) baby dun pass motion inside etc etc. So it seemed I'll be trying for natural this time!

It's really the final final stretch now. I reckon within 1 month? But yet I have 1001 things not done! Clothes not washed (MIL hasn't even sorted them yet I believe), cot not fixed back, mattress not sun, pillows not washed and/or sun. My hospital bag not packed! Nothing.. basically nothing much has been done.

I think I better start nagging them to do so soon.

Baby Nigel vs Baby Valerie

I couldn't sleep last night (NO! it's not because of my new handbag)... I think it could be due to the Teh Halia I drank at 7pm or the "Dang Gui drink". My stomach just felt bad and I couldn't sleep.

Since I couldn't sleep, I went to dig out Valerie's scan. Back when Valerie was roughly 31-32 weeks, she was already 2.2kgs! Now Nigel is only 1.7kgs! Gosh, they started off at quite similar footing but now Nigel is obviously lacking behind. I'm worried that my placenta aint't working as efficiently as I had hoped for.

I think from today onwards I have to eat more healthy food, hopefully Nigel can catch up from now on..

Visit to Dr Heng

How time flies.. today is the 33rd day from my previous visit :p Now BB weighs roughly 1735gm. I thought it sounded small but Dr Heng said baby should be roughly 3.3kgs at birth.

The urine test showed some protein so I have to stay back to do a more detailed urine test. But thankfully that detailed one turned out ok so nothing to worry about (for now). But my haemoglobin (blood) level went down further so it means I have to be more religious in eating my iron pills (increased to twice daily now!). I just hope I dun get constipated!

So far my weight gain is 8kgs so hopefully I can keep it within 12kgs per what Dr Heng asked me to 'try'. My new visit will be 3 weeks later, on 31/07.

Another 5-8 weeks more to go! Gosh..

Baby #2 @ 27 Weeks

How time flies.. now BB2 is 27weeks old and weighs slightly more than 1kg. Another 13 weeks.. to go. It's the final stretch now.. hopefully everything will be smooth.

Gained roughly 4kgs in 6 weeks.. gena 'complained' by Dr Heng. She tell me to try to keep weight gain to roughly 12kgs in total.. Gosh.. hopefully I can keep within the 'limits'! :p

Baby 2 - 3D Scan

The day after the detailed scan, Dr Heng was actually very kind to gave me a FOC 3D scan. This is how he looks like :)

Peek-a-boo

Saw Dr Heng today. She went through the report with me, explaining to me what the detailed scan has done and that baby is normal & healthy. She also commented that baby is 'fat' as his AC (adominal circum) is roughly the same size as his HC (head circum). Typically baby at this stage should have a bigger head she explained. But weight wise, she said it's ok at 383gm.

After that, she explained the blood test report to me. Other than my haemoglobin level is below the mark (which means I have to start taking iron supplements.. yucks!), everything is ok. The triple tests results are negative so baby is healthy.

Weight wise, I only gained 0.8kg from last week (4 weeks back), which I think is attributable to my flu. She offered to prescibe me with cough mixture but I declined since I still have.

I was lucky as there wasn't any patients waiting outside and Dr Heng agreed to do another scan for me. I was only thinking of the normal 2D scan, but to my surprise, she did an FOC 3D scan for me! This boy definitely have a sharper nose than Valerie. Dr Heng said he is a pretty boy.

But the scan also revealed another 'disturbing' thing, ie the cord was around his neck at that time. It wasn't there yesterday. Hopefully he'll move away from it as there is nothing we can do at this stage...

Detailed Scan

Finally! I've reached the half way mark. Today it's my detailed scan and I'm very excited. This experience was quite different from what was done at Dr Ho's clinic. This one seemed more 'detailed' :p

She scaned for many things, from face to lips to heart etc. And she confirmed that it's a boy and he weighs 383gms today. The head & adominal circumference and weight are all around his gestation period, which means he's growing at a steady pace.

I'm quite happy to know that as I had been down with flu for 2 weeks running and was afraid that he hasn't been able to grow well because of that.

She tried doing a 3D scan for me, but this little boy covered his face with his hands, thus I was unable to even have a glimpse of how he could look like. Another day I guess :)

Thumb sucker?

What do you think? Is he sucking his thumb? :p

2nd visit to gynae

After waiting anxiously for 2 weeks, it's finally time to visit the gynae. Was quite worried about how the fetus is growing coz my appetite is very bad. The MS is now in full swing and I could barely eat anything. I hasn't had rice for ages coz I just couldn't swallow it. Neither can I take porridge. So it's mostly soup and some dishes. Maybe times I feel so bad that I only drank soup.

When I weigh myself that day, I was shocked to see that I've dropped 1.5kgs from 2 weeks ago. Although my weight dropped initially when I had Valerie but I didn't drop this fast. If I did not remember wrongly I dropped 2 kgs in the 1st trimester. Now I dropped 1.5kgs in just 2 weeks!

In any case, this visit was fruitful as I can see the fetus & hear the heartbeat :-)

This is the scan for the day. BB #2 is 1.43cm now (almost 8 weeks) and my EDD is 5th Sept