My breastfeeding story…
When I discovered that I was pregnant, one of my first thoughts was that I was going to breastfeed my baby. It seemed like a natural thing to do and it did not sound all that hard. Through the pre-natal courses that I attended, I realized that maybe it is not as easy as I thought..and yes, as I have discovered over the past 9 months (and still counting), breastfeeding is not the easiest thing to do as a new mummy.
So the day we were looking forward to was finally here. . the day that we get to bring our baby home. We were going home as a family for the first time. The first day went well, baby slept most of the time and the first night was relatively easy except for the many feeds that she woke up for. Just when I was proudly sharing with my colleague that she is such an easy baby, her comment that babies change ALL the time came true. The remaining of the confinement was in one word, a CHALLENGE. It was everything and nothing like what we thought it would be.
12 Dec 2008
6am i woke up feeling panty is wet, went to toilet & check & smell. doesn't smell like urine, doesn't look like my yellowish pregnancy time urine too. shout for husband, he thot i urine so bo chap.
Breastfeeding
Before I get pregnant, already told my hubby I don’t want to breastfeed my child. Not that I don’t support breastfeeding, but because I do smoke and drinking and my health isn’t that great.
After I got pregnant, we attend class at the KKH, knowing the benefit of breastfeeding; I told hubby I will give a try.
EDD is 24th Sept08 , as the date getting close, me getting nervous, keep telling her, before coming out, must do something to inform me, also pls chose a date that daddy is at home with me. Decided to start my maternity leave on 15th sept, 1 of the reason is because my boss only mange to get a new staff to cover my duty on 4th of Sept. and other reason is I’m not going to utilizes my 4 months leaves at one go.
Delivery of my first child
My first delivery was very smooth. My son, Ashton was delivered less than 3 hours after we arrived in hospital. I credit this to pre-natal bonding. His expected due date is on the 23 Jan but when I went check-up on the 21 Jan, my doctor told me that there was no sign that he was going to pop any time. He then arranged for me to check into the hospital on 23 Jan to be induced. I heard some stories that inducing birth is a very painful process and I prayed that I would not have to go through it.
Six years ago, breastfeeding was a tough job for me as I have no help from anyone and milk supply was low. It was disheartening that I only managed to feed my daughter 30ml of breast milk a day for only the first month of her life. But now, with my boy who is 8 months now, he is happily drinking up bottles of breast milk with ample supply stored in the freezer for perhaps another baby.
We went for my routine check in the morning. Everything was fine with the baby and my gynae told me that he (baby) should be ready to come to this world in another week or two. Went back home, took a nap and was out for dinner around 7ish. On my way back, I felt as though my whole body was tearing apart, I could only managed a few steps and had to stop many times to catch my breath. Upon reaching home, I went to the bathroom and discovered some brownish/reddish discharge. Panicked, I called my elder sis who advised me to go to the hospital immediately. We took a cab to TMC and called my parents and in-law on our way there, smsed a close friend as well and she replied: “I’ll pray for you”, I didn’t know then that I would rely on lots of prayers for the next 3 weeks. Reached the hospital few minutes past midnight. The nurse checked and declared that I’m only 1cm dilated (gosh, how long is this going to take). I mentioned about the discharge but she doesn’t seem to be alarmed at all, I believe she’s more experienced than anyone else, so I wasn't very worried at all. I was strapped to a machine that measured my contractions and the baby’s heartbeat. Everything seemed normal to us, and I didn’t feel much discomfort. Hubby and I chatted and played some card games to pass time. It wasn’t until much later (around 2 hours) when another nurse came in and noticed the irregularity in my baby’s heartbeat. Without hesitation, they called my gynae and she arrived shortly, announced that they need to perform a full GA c-section! I was frantic and trembled uncontrollably, “What’s wrong with my baby, is he going to be alright?” While I was wheeled to the operating theatre, I was in tears and held on tightly to hubby’s hand, “I’m so scared..” “Don’t worry, I’ll be here waiting for you!” I still remember my gynae’s word while I was lying on the OT bed: “Don’t worry much, perhaps he’s just choosing the quick way out!” How I wished that was just the case…
My confinement was done by my mom in my own home -sweet home. I followed the traditional confinement practices of showering. I only wipe my body with towel for 1 week after delivery. After 7 days, I started to bathe with herbs infused in hot water. Surprising, I didn't feel as sticky as i thought as i switched on the air-condition for 24hours.. ;p
At 3+am, my tummy started to ache and i started going to and fro to the loo, thinking that i had a diarrhoea.. After a while, then i started to wonder whether this is what others have been saying "contractions" . Hmmmmm. The best part is my mom told me to bear with it as first delivery normally takes a long long time so i obediently stayed on my bed..Until 6+am, i told my mom i could no longer bear with the pain plus i had a "show" (spotting of bloods traces) too so i was immediately rushed to the hospital.. ;p
When Ashley arrived on the very first day, my dedicated midwife advised that I should start breastfeeding her immediately. I stared at my breast and wondered if they would really produce milk for my baby. With the help of the midwife, I managed to express some cleared liquid which I learnt was Colostrum [First flow of breast milk]. Though small in amount, this tiny flow of liquid was the most nutritious food a newborn would ever need.
Chickenpox during my Pregnancy
My name is See Kah Lin, I have a daughter Victoria & expecting my 2nd baby.
I would like to share my experiences of pregnancy and do hope it would encourage anyone who maybe going through the same season in life.
At the end of the sixth month of my pregnancy, I contracted chicken pox. My relatives and colleagues all had a 'jaws dropping' expression. Amazingly, throughout the illness, I felt no discomfort or extreme itch.
My gynaecologist Dr Gordon Tan Wee Teck is a Christian, prayed for us at his clinic. Those who visited us, including Pastor Susie Seow and our families, prayed that God would keep both baby and I safe and free from any complication. Still, we prepared our minds and hearts. My husband and I discovered through the Internet that there can be serious consequences to the baby when a woman has chickenpox during pregnancy. If infection occurs in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, there is a risk that the baby will be born with Congenital Varicella Syndrome, a group of serious birth defects.
If infection occurs around the time of delivery, the baby may be born with chickenpox infection. If this infection is treated, most babies have only a mild illness. Without treatment, some infants die.
It seemed that chicken pox hit me on the "least risky" time, but I knew only the Lord could fully protect my child. We claimed by faith the promises from Psalms 139:14 that a child is fearfully and wonderfully made; "…His (your) works are wonderful."
My Confinement Experience
I’m a Moon and I called my daughter Baby Moon. Her name is Jun Ling and now she is 3-year old. She is no longer a baby but a toddler. 
Breastfeeding Journey- Part 1
After being wheeled to the ward, reality starts to set in. The nurse came over and ask whether i want to breastfeed my baby. At that time, i was very nauseous and kept vomitting after delivery. It must be due to the large amount of entodox i inhale during labour. I just told the nurse, i will do it later. After many hours, i was still feeling very exhausted and unwell. The nurse came again and ask me to breastfeed. Being totally weak, the nurse suggested me to give a bottle instead and wait for me to regain some energy first. Afterall my sweet baby is already hungry and crying fiercely. As as "fresh" mum, i heeded for the nurse advice , thinking it make sense and i can start to breastfeed on the next feed. The nurse asked my hubby which milk formula do you want to give to your baby. My hubby and i was caught off guard, we didnt consider this factor because all i wanted was breastmilk for my baby. Panicky, my hubby just said feed her mamill gold dumex cos he recall seeing this advertisment on TV. ( i realise TV has great power to capturing viewers attention ). So ashley , my first born had her 1st bottle feed. After resting for a while, i got back some energy and start to got down of bed to move around. When the next feed is up, i told the nurse to bring my baby for breastfeeding. I held my baby for the 1st time, It was an usually feeling, couldnt believe this little life was brought into the world. Amazing, i thought to myself.
“So, do you prefer to have a son or daughter?” I cheekily asked my husband Phil after we have excitedly accepted the fact that we will be having a new member to our family. “Let God decide.” came his reply after a couple seconds of hesitation.
Birth Story 1
It begins in 2005.
My water bag burst around 5am . I was sleeping at that time and woke up thinking to myself did i wet the bed? In a daze, i checked my bed and found it wet. Quickly awaken my hubby who was still in dreamland. Then we quickly search for Dr Lim, my gynae at TMC emergency number. He returned the call shortly and advise me to come to the hospital after breakfast.
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