𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴! 𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿! 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝘇𝘇𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘆.𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Nur Sarah's (& daddy's too) Aqiqah

Disclaimer: This is our (Muslims) beliefs and please respect them even if you disagree with them.

Aqiqah in Islam is basically the act of sacrificing an animal on the occasion of a child's birth in a way of saying thanks or show gratitude to Allah for being blessed with a child. It is sunnah muakkadah which means strongly encouraged but no harm if it is not acted upon on.

As written by Aqiqah Singapore which also the company we liased aqiqah for Sarah & Jhon.

"There are many benefits in the performance of Aqiqah. One is the announcing the birth of the baby.  Being bestowed a child is a great blessing from the Creator. Another purpose is inviting family members, neighbors, and friends to celebrate the blessed occasion. The poor should be included in the celebration by offering them food and meat served on this occasion.

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, states:
"Among the benefits of `Aqeeqah are:
1. It is a sacrifice by means of which the child is brought close to Allah soon after he comes into this world.

2. It is a ransom for the newborn so that he or she can intercede for his parents.
3. It is a sacrifice by which the newborn is ransomed just as Allah ransomed Isma`eel with the ram.
 (Tuhfat al-Mawdood, p. 69).""

There are preferred sunnah dates to have the aqiqah which is either the 7th, 14th or 21st day after baby's birth but yet again, it's okay if it is done on a different day. Remember, Islam is never meant to be troublesome or complicated. The meat will be cut and/or cooked and distributed to the needy.

There are many ways people can do their aqiqah from having it done live in front of your eyes or have someone do it on your behalf, have goats/sheeps from Indonesia/Cambodia/Myanmar or Australia and whether to have an actual ceremony or not.

Nowadays, everything can be done online so majority of parents have the easiest way to book. There are a few companies that you can book online and I've chose Aqiqah Singapore. To ensure everything was done properly, they provide photos, videos and an e-certificate for authentication. Note that Australia does not allow photo and video taking and meat will be flown to Singapore to your doorstep or to the needy in Singapore.

Anyways, for girls, we are encouraged to sacrifice 1 goat/sheep and for boys, 2. If parents could not afford 2 for their son, 1 is enough and if they choose to sacrifice 1 more in the future, it is also allowed.

For reverts, it is not necessary to perform aqiqah but allowed if wanted to. That is why, I also booked aqiqah for Jhon together with his daughter. Aqiqah Singapore's response was very quick and I managed to confirm everything within 2 days.

I received the photos by Dropbox first but I only looked at the first and last few photos and quickly glanced the others because I don't have the heart to see gore photos of the goats/sheeps. In Islam, we can't pity their sacrifice for us and Allah. If we do, we are advised not to eat.

The feelings Jhon and I had were mixed.
Initially, it was admiration of the animals because they look so cute, sadness knowing that they were sacrificing their lives, happiness to see the children benefiting from the meat and lastly spiritual fulfillment knowing that we are doing this for the sake of Allah.


Jhon got to feed more orphans because he sacrificed 2 goats.


Weeks later, they uploaded e-certificate with attached photos. Jakun aku sekejap.
It's good that there are certificates now. Mak didn't remember if we had been aqiqah or not and just in case I forgot, nah, got proof. haha
 
 





  

How Much I Spent in KKH for Pre-Natal & Delivery

One of the things couples always have in mind when it comes to starting a new family (or adding a new one) is how much it will cost? It is Singapore after all and money is always the next thing to factor in to every life milestone; from owning a house, having a baby, going to school, etc.


Firstly, why did I choose Kadang Kerbau Hospital (KKH) and not other hospitals?

Well, generally because KKH is just a go-to hospital for deliveries and if there's any complications, KKH has always been the best hospital to be in. I am not young after all and I rather be safe than sorry. On top of that, I can get subsidies through government hospitals.

People said waiting time for private hospitals are faster compared to government hospitals but I think it's fine. My shortest consultation inclusive of waiting time, compulsory urine test is about 1 hour which is standard to me. The longest was when I had to take the gestational test which took us 3+hours because I had to give my blood every hour for 2 hours and that includes consultation and waiting time.

Subsidized Consultation Vs Private Consultation

Both has it's legit pros & cons so it really boils down to your priorities.
Subsidized consultations can cut down your bill by A LOT (you will see later below) but you will get random doctors to see you almost every single time.

I had my pre-natal consultations under subsidized. I didn't have any problems seeing different doctors every single time and plus, sometimes you get a fresh perspective. With that said, Alhamdulillah, my pregnancy was a smooth and low risk so it's not an issue to even have a student doctor.

As for private consultations, you have to pay full but you get doctor of your choice. You want the chill and funny one? The serious and experienced one? Seeing the same doctor also bring rapport and confidence in your pregnancy. For me, it's not a priority as long as the doctor knows what he/she is doing. With that said, if you have complications in your pregnancy, I strongly suggest get under private consultation.

P/S: After my private delivery, I was assigned to private check ups with my doctor who delivered my baby. No doubt, the athmosphere was 180 degrees different from the standard clinics. There were no plastic chairs that we've grown accustomed to but sofas all around. There're free flow of coffee & milo too to a point the auntie in me surfaced. Haha

My Pre-Natal Bill

Note that every pregnancy is different. Some ladies may need more appointments, medication, tests or scans while others lesser. I think mine is some where in the middle because I did had extra ultrasounds to check my breech baby.

Number of consultations: 12
Number of tests/ scan (not inc. urine tests): 2 (Blood tests for diseases & GTT test)
Number of ultrasounds (inc. NT Scan): 6
Number of medications: 3 (Folic Acid, Obimin & halfway, Sangobion)

I have a detailed consolidated list of my bills but let's make it easy okay?

Grand total of the above without any subsidies: S$2,441.64
Grand total after subsidies: S$1,122.99

Side note: I had a 100% subsidy on my anatomy scan for doing a survey and a visit to Labour & Delivery because I felt extreme dizziness when I was 5 months pregnant.

I had saved about 46% off my bill! Remember that the subsidized amount is derived by the government. I don't know how they count it but it's definitely depends on your income. I'm not working so perhaps I get 46% off the bill but as a reference, my working friend had about 40-45% off her bill which is still a good cut!

Subsidized Delivery Vs Private Delivery

Under subsidized delivery, again, you cannot choose your doctor but know that you will be in the hands of wonderful and experienced mid-wives and nurses. You can only stay in Wards C, B2 or B2+. You can save plenty of money here too as some couples said they don't even have to top-up much or none at all after their pre-admission deposit.

For private delivery, you can stay in Wards B1 or A1 with the doctor of your choice. Jhon and I wanted Ward A1 because you have the room & toilet all by ourselves which means ultimate privacy. Jhon also can sleep next to me in the sofa unlike the other wards. Yes, it would costs us more but after much deliberation and checking our finances, we are okay with it. It was the best decision we ever made because we were stressed from sleep deprivation. We definitely don't need strangers and other newborns fussing nearby.

We requested too late for a private doctor so we got any doctor in-charge on the day I was admitted who was Dr Alexandira See Tze Ann along with my subsidized doctor-in-charge, Dr Freda Khoo. Dr Alex was proffessional and kind so I knew I was in good hands.
Read my delivery story here.

In terms of price, there is no doubt how much of a difference it can be. I do not have the table for subsidized delivery but it can be as low as $2,000 (Ward C, for c-section before medisave) and for A1, up to $10,000 before medisave in total. You may check MOH's website for estimated costs from all hospitals in Singapore for natural and caesarean delivery.

As mentioned before, Jhon and I had done our pre-admission and had paid $3,990 for likely estimated hospital bill after medisave deduction of $4,400. In any event, if there are complications, additional days, extra consumables or medications were needed, it will be billed later after discharged.

We received the bill about 2 weeks after discharged.

Note that baby also has his/her own bill but can also be deducted by medisave.

For those who are financially worry warts like me, here's my total bill summary as of August 2017.

Mommy's Bill

A1 Ward - Caesarean - 4 Days stay
(I had an extra day because first day counted as operating day - Baby born on 1:48am)

Total Delivery Charges inc. 7% GST: $9,204.69
Total Antenal Claim (pre-delivery charges) : $1,122.99
Grand Total: $10,327.68

Medisave Claimable inc. $900 antenal: -$4,850.00
Adjustment (I don't know the reason of this random adjustment): -$1,122.99
Grand Total: -$5,972.99

Therefore our actual grand total payable amount:
$10,327.68 - $5,972.99 = $4,354.69

Since we had deposited during pre-admission of $4,000 when we received our final bill, we only had to pay $354.69.

Baby's Bill

A1 Ward - 3 Days stay

Grand Total Charges inc. 7% GST: $1,363.28

Medisave Claimable: -$1,346.16

Therefore our actual grand total payable amount:
$1,363.28- $1,346.16= $17.12

And that's how much we paid for our pre-natal & cesarean delivery at KKH.
Again, note that not all bills are the same so use this just as an estimate or gauge.

What's in My Hospital Bag?

Just in case you are new here, I am a Kandang Kerbau Hospital (KKH) Cesarean patient. The reason I want to state this because I do not know what other hospitals do and do not provide and I can only speak for my experience in KKH. On top of that, Jhon and I had chose to be in the A1 ward for comfort and privacy and not sure if there's a difference in what they provide compared to other wards.


The list is created before I was admitted and I will put a side note if it was actually necessary or not after my admission. Hospital stays can be 2 to 3 days depending if it's a vaginal delivery or C-section. I like to pack a little extra in terms of undergarments and/or clothes because I rather over pack with them than not. As for our bags, I just brought my usual old travel Addidas duffel bag and Jhon's backpack. I guess you may bring a mini luggage bag but I find it too much lah. Whatever floats your boat.

Important Documents (In our file)
Important Documents (In our file)
Remarks
❣ Marriage Certificate
❣ KKH Pink Appointment Booklet
❣ Pre-Natal Receipts (to claim Medisave)
If you are a KKH patient since first appointment, no need to bring as they have their own copies. Everything will auto claimed in your bill)
❣ My NIRC, Jhon's S-Pass & Passport
❣ Pre-Admission Documents
Only applicable to those who pre-register your admission (from >36 weeks pregnant)

For Baby
For Baby Remarks
❣ Going Home Outfit (with cap, mittens and booties) 2x
❣ Swaddle Cloth/ Receiving Blanket x2 You will get 1 in KKH's gift bag unless you want to use your own.
❣ Face Cloth x2 Only used 1 while cup feeding baby
❣ New Born Diapers KKH provides diapers & wet wipes. Feel free to bring home the remaining while checking out.
 
For Mommy
For Mommy Remarks
❣ Going Home Outfit (an easy slip on loose dress)
❣ Underwear 4x KKH provides disposable undies so I didn't even use mine. Feel free to bring home the remaining while checking out.
❣ Nursing Bra 2x Didn't wear any throughout my stay.
❣ Breast Pads for just in case   Didn't wear any throughout my stay; I had only colostrum.
❣ Socks 2x
(would've brought 1 pair but hear stories of lochia may drip to socks yikes!)
KKH provided compression socks AFTER my C-section surgery
❣ Nipple Cream Used once when nipples started to get sore.
❣ Maternity Pads KKH provides them and again, feel free to bring home the remaining while checking out.
❣ Jacket
❣ Basic Make-up
(BB Cream, concealer, compact powder, eyebrow pencil, blusher, face & lip moisturizer)
Honestly, didn't use it at all even for going home because after the sleepless nights and tiredness, I didn't give a damn. Haha
❣ Hair Accessories (Brush, Hair ties & Hair clips)

For Daddy

For Daddy Remark
❣ Shirts 4x
❣ Undergarments 4x
❣ Jacket
❣ Hair Wax and/or Cap
❣ Socks 4x

Others
Others Remarks
❣ Travel Sized Toiletries
(that we can share like body soap, toothbrush, shampoo, body lotion, etc)
❣ Towel 1x
(we can share)
Only Jhon showered and I used to dry my face after washing. I was in too much pain to get up to shower.
❣ Ointments/ Panadol for (Jhon's) body aches.
(Basically Rainbow massage oil & Yoko-yoko, lol)
❣ Snacks like oatmeal cookies or something and 3in1 coffee packets for Jhon.
❣ Foldable Bag (I don't know, maybe we will bring home extra stuff) Didn't need it because Mak helped bring home some of the excessive stuff whenever she comes visit.
❣ Travel Laundry Bags for dirty clothes

Tech Stuff

Tech Stuff Remarks
❣ Our own handphones & chargers
❣ FujiFilm Camera & charger


;pp 







   

Old Wives' Tales Gender Predictions

At the point of writing this, we have yet to know the gender of our little one. Although old wives' tales gender predictions are hardly even true, I think it's fun to take for personal entertainment purposes.

There way too many methods of gender predictions from Ramzi's Method (See where placenta's placement is for fetus), belly shape, cravings, mood swings and more.

I just decided to do handful at random just for fun and see how it goes.



According to the tests, I am probably going to get a girl.

And.... obviously this is posted after Little One is born, it is true!
Again, take these tests with a pinch of salt, okay? There are many mothers who have the polar opposites and still got a girl. This is just something fun to do while waiting for the official gender confirmation on your 20 weeks because we all know that we too excited to find out.




   

My Delivery Story of Nur Sarah

For those who has been following my pregnancy journey, you would know that Sarah was a breech baby and an elective cesarean date was booked on 25th August 2017 at 39weeks 2 days. I've also wrote how it still boils down to her if she wants to emerge earlier. So yes, I was mentally prepared for both scenarios but no, I wasn't when it all happened on 17th August 2017.

It's going to be a long post and not necessarily interesting but it's my experience nonetheless.
You've been warned.

At Home

It was just another ordinary day for me. Home alone, busied myself with crocheting, light housework, watch Youtube & online movies and thought what to cook for dinner. My braxton hicks had been coming in often but nothing severe so I think nothing of it. I also get bouts of cramps and feeling of wanting to poop; again, minor.

At about 3pm, I went to the toilet to pee and my pantiliner was stained with blood; like early signs of period. Note that I had never had my cervix check which does cause a little bleeding. I did whispered to myself "Oh shit" wondering if it means it was time. I remained cool telling myself it's just one of many signs of labour and it does not even mean imminent.

I WhatsApp messaged Jhon to report as I always do but told him to stay cool. I did the same with Mak but everyone was concerned. The bloody show happened 2 more times for every toilet break and Mak dropped everything and frantically told me to go to the hospital. The cool and calm me started to panic. I wasn't in pain or anything, it's just blood but Mak told me that's what's exactly happened to her when she gave birth to Kakak. Bloody show, no pain and soon enough, labour.

By then, Jhon just left work and took a cab home. Meanwhile, I informed my siblings and as luck has it, Abang had just finished work and offered to send us to KKH in his car. Abang was the second to arrive and had a quick dinner(maggie) while waiting for Jhon. I was starving and thought nothing and ate a cup of Nestle instant oats. I don't know why I was in such denial that I was in actual labour. haha When Jhon reached home, he packed his last minute essentials for the hospital bag; just in case and I made him ate something too.

In the Hospital - Observation Room

By 8+pm, we were at KKH labour and delivery. I explained what happened and we wanted to check if everything was okay. My baby was breeched afterall. Like what Mak said, better check before one leg is out of my vajayjay and another whole complication ensued.


They checked, got shocked when I told them I ate (supposed to fast 6 hours before c-section; like I said, didn't feel I was in early labour) and it turned out that I'm 2cm dilated with contractions 5 minutes apart. Yes, I terperanjat.

My gynae in-charge of my general subsidized appointments was Dr Freda Khoo and although I was okay with her, I did insist for a senior doctor in-charge of the night to operate me or at least in the operating theatre to supervise. I've mentioned this in my previous appointment that I was told I was too late in my pregnancy (appointments) to choose a doctor when I wanted to change to a private class delivery. So cue in Dr Alex See Tze Ann but she wasn't ready to see me as she was busy with other moms at that moment.

Anyways, due to my perangai-budak-gemuk wanting to eat something, they don't want to operate me as soon as possible. The anesthesiologist who visited said that they don't want to risk having food going into my lungs while being operated. Basically, it's a waiting game and up to the doctor if they wanted to wait 6 hours or morning after to operate me.

Side note: If I had not ate, Sarah could've been born on 17.8.17. Nice right the number? Lol but too bad, it was fated that her birthday is shared with my non-other SIL, Kak Yana who had actually planned a birthday/wedding anniversary party. Yes, I was invited too to the mini party and Sarah totally stole her limelight.

I had remained cool most of the time until I realized things were picking up, blood withdraws, forms signed, IV in and such. All I knew, I was being prepped up and almost immediately, I had the shakes. Mentally, I was okay but my body disagreed. I honestly couldn't control it and as soon as I was wheeled to the lobby of the operating theatre (at least that's what I think it was), I shook even more aggressively as I was surrounded 360degrees by nurses asking questions, prepping and holding me. Jhon was still there and I tried my best to smile at him. He kissed me as they pushed me into the operating theatre and I almost wanted to cry. I was scared, who was I going to fool?

In the Operating Theatre

I kept telling myself to muster my strength, recite all the doas and trust everyone on duty. Regardless, as I shuffled onto the OT bed, I still shook. The nurses assumed I was cold which I was partially so they offer me a heater which helped.

I was eventually told to sit up to get my spinal tap. I tried so hard not to shake for fear of the anesthesiologist injecting wrongly; I chanted to myself, "Must stay still". They took their time and having a nurse holding me with the heater helped me calm down further. Frankly speaking, the spinal felt like a normal injection; perhaps the massive adrenaline rush had helped too.

I laid back down and we waited for the numbness to overcome. They did some poking which I didn't feel at all and had no idea when the catheter went in. The anesthesiologist poked with an ice pack on the top of my adomen asking if I felt anything. I said yes and the team waited for the numbness to spread. She poked again and I said I didn't feel the cold but I felt that she touched me. She said it's impossible and after many attempts, they proceeded. Apparently, it's okay to feel pressure but not a feeling? I had no idea. I told them I'm not sure anymore; it's not numb like my legs where they can cut it off and I won't feel it. I didn't know what to think. I just took deep breaths trying to calm down.

Soon, they started the procedure. I didn't feel a single thing. I just stared at the operating lights. A nurse told me to close my eyes but I told her it wouldn't help me (shut 1 sensory and others heighten up). I could hear Dr Freda and Alex talking but it was not audible enough for me to comprehend and suddenly, I felt the outmost "pain" or "pressure" I ever felt on my upper abdomen. I knew what was happening, the doctors were pushing the top of my abdomen with full strength to push Sarah out as I've seen the videos but MAN! on top of my shakiness and weak attempt to keep calm, I legit had a full blown panic attack.

The pushes made me groaned and moaned. I suddenly had the urge to aggressively vomit from the pushing and probably from the side effects of the spinal. It was the most uncomfortable feeling I ever felt and I wanted it to end! I absolutely hated the feeling. I was asking out loud, "why is it like this? Why am I feeling it? Is it supposed to be like this?" Nobody answered but I can tell everyone was trying to quickly expedite their work and some nurses trying to comfort me.

For all I knew, I heard the nurses and doctors said "She's so big!" (her estimated weight was 2.7kg but came out 3.04kg). Several seconds after that, a baby's cry. I was so out of it that it didn't registered as MY baby. I was thinking it was some other baby's cry even though it does not make sense to have another baby in the same OT. I also heard the nurses said that Sarah was hungry which didn't made sense until they showed her to me with her tongue sticking in and out.


I had skin to skin and as soon as Sarah's lips touched my nipple, she went crazy sucking like there's no tomorrow. Unfortunately, we didn't get a long skin to skin because I was still shaking and experiencing my panic attack. They took her away which was fine because I seriously could not calm myself to bond. Thankfully it did not affect our bond at all. After a few minutes, I just slept which I figured from exhaustion.

OT - Observation Room

When the doctors had done stitching me up, I was wheeled to the observation room where a nurse monitored me. It turned out I was given a sedative because of my panic attack. Sighs. It was somewhat embarrassing but that's how it was.

Meanwhile, Jhon managed to see little Sarah for the first time at the waiting area. He was informed that both of us were well, that I had a panic attack and Sarah had her umbilical cord not once but twice around her neck! I know right?! Maybe that's why she was in breech all these while and I am forever thankful that I followed my gut to not have an ECV or have someone massage to rotate her. It would be disastrous!

Warded In

Eventually, Jhon and I met and we went to my private suite. To be honest, the moment after the operation, everything was a bit of a blur until we reached my room because by then, I was myself again and shared our experiences with each other. Nurses came in and out to get me settled in and we got to see Sarah again.



At that moment, we still can't believe we just had our baby. It's surreal, overwhelming, scary and amazing all at the same time. We are a legit family now and our life would be a rollercoaster as a little boss is in town.



My Overall Experience

Nobody told me about the extreme discomforting pressure during the surgery, even my sister. Everyone only shared pain after the surgery. I could say it was rather traumatizing for me mostly because I was mentally prepared for everything except for THAT. The doctors were wonderful and experienced while the nurses were nice and helpful. I could say, it was a whirl wind of an experience for me to keep and remember.


Nur Sarah Tolentino was born on 18th August 2017 at 1:48am weighing 3.046kg. Our lives are going to get pretty interesting.

Will blog about my recovery with Cesarean too so watch this space!