Antenatal Lesson 4: Practical Hands-on Baby Care

Sunday 12 April 2009:

Lesson 4
Practical Hands-on Baby Care	• Hands-on Child Care • General Care • Skin Care • Diaper Care • Bathing • Coping with a Fretting, Crying Baby • Coping with a Sleepy or Wakeful Baby • Coping with Colic • Instructional Video • Q & A

Finally we've reached the lesson whereby we can learn practical tips on taking care of the baby. Thou the books I've gotten from TMC already have all these, but nothing beats being OJT (On-Job-Training) right?

Every couple will have a baby doll for practice while Mrs Wong go through with us the correct procedures of cleaning the baby, bathing the baby, drying the baby, swaddling the baby. Both of us are very serious and carry the baby as if its a real baby. Instinctively I will carry the baby in a careful way, thou not very familiar with keep changing hands la. But the more I carry, I more I yearn to carry our own baby in my own hands.. The more I yearn the day when I can see my dearest baby in front of our eyes, being cuddled and loved by us... I am so happy to see that Dear is very careful in handling the baby, taking the initiative to stand up and see how Mrs Wong is doing if he can't see that well when sitting down. The fathers somehow get more practice than the mothers leh, wonder why? Is it because Mrs Wong wants the fathers to get more hands-on with taking care of the baby? I would say I am assured that my hubby will definitely be a hands-on and dedicated daddy..

The only problem I have is learning how to fold the cloth diapers and wrapping the baby's with a tight yet not suffocating diaper. But I never give up despite I am having problems getting it correct. I stayed back and learned from Mrs Wong personally till I get it right. Although we are going to use disposable diapers, but it never hurts to learn it well now.

We also got to learn how to massage the baby and I definitely looking forward to massaging our baby and making her comfortable...hee.. Cuz I myself love the pampering session of massaging

The day before, we went to IKEA to get a new sofa bed mattress to replace the current old one we have. So that me and the confinement lady will sleep on that sofa bed in the same room with the baby. We also went through the furniture items for the nursery room. All noted down liao, and will be going next round to complete the purchase as we were rushing for a movie on that night. So excited when I visualise how our baby's nursery room will look like... Can't wait for Dear to start working on it in June!

Come to think of it, I am going to be in my 3rd trimester next month, and very soon I will be counting down to our baby's birth in July... Time really flies isn't it? I can say, I really enjoy my 2nd trimester of the pregnancy and hope this will carry on to my 3rd trimester and even be so happy after giving birth.

Sentosa Outing on Good Friday 2009

Dear's colleagues organised an outdoor outing @ the Sentosa on the Good Friday holiday. The suggested activities are frisbee-ing, volleyballing & picnic-ing. Being pregnant, of cuz I can't do the first 2 activities, but I can definitely do picnic-ing! haha... Pigging in fact  It wasn't much of a picnic cuz we dun have a nice picnic mat. We just brought some foods, tibits & drinks on our own & make it a picnic (without the mat!)

Out J.Co donuts contribution to the picnic

Us on the way to Sentosa...

Just Us...

The Group Pics

The guys getting active & sweaty under the scorching sun (with the threatening of the dark gloomy clouds appearing...)

While tai-tai Mama Yam sat under this sheltered Cabana @ Cafe Del Mar.. hee...

Cafe Del Mar

I like the Cabana style, and even the beds under the umbrella, thou they are all quite dirty. Need to put a towel before lying down on them. Anyway, we are supposed to have minimum purchase of $200 if we use the cabana, but they are somehow flexible. In the end all of us only ordered a drink that costs around $5-$6.

After their sweltering games, the guys decided to cool down with drinks in the cabana and some card games.

Oh no.. It's pouring cats & dogs...

Everyone has to take shelter in a big porch, and the guys started psp-ing while I stare into blank space lor..

Teck San took a picture of Baby Yam while we waiting for the rain to stop...

Had a great holiday spent in Sentosa, cuz I can rest and relax by the beach with a book and drink in hand. Dear also had fun with the guys, complete with a good sweat! That's the kind of holiday I like and look forward to nowadays... Except the rain is quite dampening mood la.. The whole day outside is quite tiring for me too..

An Endearing Moment for Papa, Mama & Baby Yam

Yesterday night was an endearing moment for Papa, Mama & Baby Yam.

Baby Yam is now kicking/punching harder each day, and finally Papa Yam has felt her movements (vibrations on the tummy) for the first time!!!  When he first felt it, he looked at me intently and I nodded my head, signaling that "yes it is her." He was so thrilled and kept laughing and laughing cuz its so funny to be feeling it for the first time. I was also both happy and touched, that I kept laughing and tearing at the same time... He then managed to feel for the next few times. That was the endearing moment between the 3 of us.

I was more fortunate than Papa Yam. I actually witnessed my tummy moved up and down in a swift when she moves. Its so cute! I will even stare at my tummy for the next 5 minutes, hoping to catch that special move again... I tried to get Papa Yam to stare at my tummy, wishing that he will get to witness with me too, but Baby Yam has been cheeky, purposely not moving lor. That Papa Yam also impatient one. After few seconds, then he decided to stop staring liao.. Never mind la, Mama Yam shall embrace that special moment with her baby herself...

Baby's Movements in Pregnancy

Currently at 24 weeks of pregnancy...I am feeling more of the baby's movements every now and then. Chanced upon this article that can help me keep track of baby's movements as I progress to the next few stages.

When will I feel my baby's first movements?

Feeling those first, tiny sensations inside are a key landmark of your pregnancy. And when those movements become vigorous kicks, you know everything is going well.

If this is your first pregnancy, you may not even notice your baby moving around immediately because you won't be familiar with the sensation -- which many women describe as a gentle fluttering motion.

For a first pregnancy you will probably be aware of something at around 18 to 20 weeks. For subsequent pregnancies, when you know the tell-tale signs, first movements can usually be felt earlier, usually around 15 to 18 weeks or even as early as 12 weeks.

What is my Baby Doing in there?

After the initial vague stirrings, which some women describe as similar to the flapping of butterfly wings, your baby's movements become stronger and more regular. As your baby grows, these sensations change so that you start to feel thumping or kicking movements which become stronger as your pregnancy progresses.

Your baby won't be kicking and moving constantly because, like you, there will be times he just wants rest and sleep although not for more than about 40 minutes at a time. It might feel like longer because you won't feel every movement. The following is a guide as to what you might expect as your baby grows.

From 20 to 24 weeks

As the weeks go by, your baby's activity will gradually increase. From now onwards, over the next ten weeks, your baby will be having a very busy period, with lots of kicking and somersaults.

From 24 to 28 weeks

Your baby may start to get hiccups, which will explain the jerking movement that you might feel occasionally. The amniotic sac now contains up to 750ml (26floz) of fluid which allows your baby to move around freely. Although he has been able to hear for some time, you may notice him jump at sudden noises from around this period.

At 29 weeks

Your baby will begin to make smaller, more definite movements, as it becomes more cramped inside your uterus.

At 32 weeks

Your baby's movements will reach a peak of activity and from now on, you will notice an increase in the frequency and type of movements as your baby gets bigger and stronger.

From around 36 weeks

Your baby could take up his final, usually head-down, position, particularly if this is your first pregnancy, as the firm muscles of your uterus and abdomen will help to keep him in place. The main movements you are likely to feel now are jabs from his arms and legs, and possibly painful kicks to your ribs.

If this is not your first pregnancy, your abdominal muscles are likely to be weaker, so your baby might keep changing his position and could even do so right up to your due date.

From 36 to 40 weeks

Your baby will be getting larger and roll-over movements will become less frequent. If he was sucking his thumb and 'loses' it, you may feel quick, darting movements as your baby's head turns from side-to-side while he tries to find it again.

During the last two weeks of your pregnancy, the movements are likely to slow down and your baby's growth rate will decline slightly. This is all completely normal and nothing to worry about.

Movements and position in late pregnancy

In the last few weeks, your baby should be nestled in the cup of your pelvis, ready for the birth. (If he's not, we have more advice on how to get your baby into the optimum position for birth). Your baby's head can feel like a melon pressing down on your pelvic floor, making you sit down with care.

You may notice that as your baby's head drops lower into your pelvis there is a feeling of 'lightening', or less pressure, under your ribcage.

By this stage of your pregnancy, you may feel fewer big body movements, and, instead, you may notice an insistent kicking underneath your ribs on one side or the other, depending on how your baby is positioned. If your abdominal wall is thin you may even be able to hold your baby's foot.

There will be times when your baby is sleeping and other times when you'll notice lots of activity, which is often in the evenings or when you're lying in bed trying to get to sleep!

How many kicks should I feel each day?

While you are busy you will probably be less aware of the movements your baby is making. It's more likely you'll start to notice them when you sit down and relax.

Studies of fetal activity show that every baby has his or her own individual pattern of waking and sleeping inside the uterus -- there is no 'set' amount of kicks to expect -- but by late pregnancy you will probably have become tuned into your baby's pattern of movements.

I haven't felt my baby kick today, should I be worried?

If you are concentrating on something else, you may not have noticed your baby's movements. If you want some reassurance, here are some ways to encourage your baby to move:

• Lie down on your side (with support under your bump) and stay still
• Put your feet up and relax
• Play music to your stomach.

Not so long ago, women were advised to monitor their baby's movement with a fetal kick chart, where you kept a record of the times of the movements until you had noted ten kicks, hopefully by roughly the same time each day. But these charts are used less and less now as they were easy to forget about and the kick patterns didn't always match up, which caused unnecessary concern among women.

Experts advise for you to get used to your baby's pattern during waking hours and if you feel there is a change in that pattern, inform your obstetrician straight away. If you are concerned your doctor can check you out and reassure you. 

From: www.Babycentre.com

Antenatal Lesson 3: Labour

Saturday 4 April 09:

Lesson 3
Labour	• Antenatal Exercise • Physiological Approach to Breathing Relaxation • Learning to Cope in Labour • Mechanisms of Normal Childbirth • Husband’s Role • Hospital Tour • Instructional Video • Q & A

The first thing that welcomed us in today's lesson is a video on labour. Its the real thing!!!! There are the different types of labour being shown - natural birth with use of entonox, natural birth with epidural, induced birth with epidural, C-section, water birth.

The whole video is very 震撼人心... I can feel the pain that the women are going through, I can feel the relief and happiness when the baby is finally out and put in the mother's arms... I can't control my tears and it just keep flowing out. I know it sounds silly to be tearing in a class of more than 20 people!! Maybe I feel touched, shocked, fearful for the pain yet this is a very amazing and 伟大task for the mother. In comparison, hubby felt 恶心 and dun feel good watching it.. He's really quite terrified of the whole labour thingy and this really makes him all the more not to join me in the labour room. Of cuz I dun allow that! hee...

In comparison of the natural birth vs C-section, I think C-section is more painful & 恶心 when you can see your whole belly flipped up. And furthermore it's more satisfying to go thru the contractions and giving birth to the baby in the most natural way how God created for it to happen. Nobody teaches the baby how to be delivered out from the womb, yet miraculously, the baby just know what to do! Isn't that amazing? Isn't life amazing?

After watching the video, I am more bent-on giving birth naturally if circumstances allow. I just hope my mind can empower my body, and increase my pain threshold, and keep telling myself "I can do it"...

I am really grateful for hubby to accompany me throughout the lesson, especially he has difficulty sitting through the whole lesson on the floor, cross-legged, due to his previous injury. Also, he has been so tired-out at work and have been working till wee hours for the past few nights. Can see him yawning away when the lesson focuses on the mother...

Finally next lesson will be on how to take care of the baby...It's finally reaching to the stage where we need to learn badly, as a couple.

Baby's 3D/4D scan Poll

Should we go for the 3D/4D scan?

Estimated cost: $200+

When to take a 3D/4D scan: 28 - 32 weeks of pregnancy

Pros: To be able to see our baby's look for the 1st time!

Cons: The cost. The money can be used for something else

Yes, you should cuz its your 1st baby!

 

 1

No need la, save that money.. You can see the baby when she's born in few months' time.

 

 5

Duno. Up to both of you lor.

 

 1

Babymoon

After our conceptionmoon last year, we are going to have a Babymoon this time! This will be our last luxury vacation before bibs, feeding schedules and spills... haha..

As both time & finances are abit tight, our Babymoon is going to be within the little red dot, on an island - Yah, its the Sentosa lor. We have booked the Treasure Resort for the Labour Day weekend for our long weekend getaway, with the promotion shown in picture below. Quite a good rate we managed to get, thou at a cost cuz the resort is currently undergoing renovation with an extension of resort wing, so not sure if the noise during the day time will disturb us or not.


I am really lookin' forward to his Babymoon and have a real R&R trip. Most importantly I wan to buy a new set of bikini and parade my tummy while swimming! wahaha... Tis is the only time I am actually proud of my tummy cuz I used to hide my tummy. hee...