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

Hari Raya (Week 3)

You all know what I will always visit Fizah's house so we did on the 3rd week of Shawal. I'm not much of a Hari Raya visitor in the first place but I do make a little effort for my best buddy. It's hard for us to meet up and really chat up and with my baby coming soon, who knows how we can arrange a meet up.

This year, we didn't spend too much time at her house (I used to stay for hours until evening lol) because this preggo gets too tired easily even from sitting around and must be home early for ample rest. Plus, Fizah also had guests so a bit paiseh to hog and chat with her.



But check out little Matin who is growing so fast.



Dah macam abang-abang already.



They sent us downstairs and we saw a cat. Apparently he loves cats and he has this habit of mimicking people or animals (for this case). When the cat laid down, he also wanted to lay down! You couldn't see me in the background because I cropped it but I was doing the "EHHH!" face when I saw him trying to do that. lol







Anyways, that concludes my super simple Shawal. Next year, I will have a baby in my arms!
That will be an interesting experience! haha


   

Hari Raya 2017 (Week 2)

As usual, Mak stayed over for the weekend and basically, we only received 1 pair of guests, Kak Nana and husband for raya on Saturday and that was it. haha



The 'happening' day was on Sunday when we get to jalan raya to the usual suspects' houses. We didn't get to visit Pak Hitam's house this year because he went to Johor on the day we wanted to visit.

While waiting for Abg to pick us up, cue quick hari raya photoshoot! The photos turned out so great (IMO) that I decided not to do a maternity shoot since this is already perfect. Don't mind me as I bombard my photos here.





















Our first house was Uncle's house at Woodlands. They had security cameras everywhere ever since arwah Auntie Tipah left and it was funny because we were spied by my cousins who were not there. Abg Atan actually spoke through the camera and Cinda took screenshots of us while we were there. I find it hilarious!







Next house was Abg Awil's parent's house. We didn't really give a heads up but it's like automatic already because their house is at Woodlands too. After this house, kakak didn't follow us and I didn't get to take a group photo my family lah, even with the 4 kids. It was saddening actually. It's really hard for us to get together, you know?







Our 2nd last house was Kak Yana's mother's house and if I wasn't so full, I would have gobbled ridiculous amount of her Bee Hoon Goreng.





Technically, that was it. We didn't go to many houses this year. We did visit Abg's house afterwards but it was not really a raya visit, I think. lol Mak wanted to buy McD supper and we stayed for a while. I told her I don't want to stay long because I am too exhausted and pregnant tired is different from normal tired okay? Plus, it was a Sunday, people got to work!

Well, that didn't happened. We stayed quite late to a point I fell asleep and got sick the next day. haha But all is well.

   

3rd Trimester, 7th month (Hari Raya & Surprise!)

          1st Trimester, Month 0-1Month 2 (pt.1 & pt. 2)Month 3
          2nd Trimester, Month 4Month 5, Month 6

8 June 2017 – 4 July 2017 


Heartburn & Acid Reflux

I started to feel heartburn and acid reflux even when I ate something mildly spicy. Sometimes at night, drinking plain water gives me acid reflux. Thankfully, it's considered mild. The heartburns would be tolerable and lying more on my left instead of my right helps with the reflux.

Belly Discomfort

I am finding myself on all fours to relive my belly discomfort. The bloated feeling is real! I would mostly feel it if I ate too much so it's basically my fault lah. Stomach is getting squished so there's not much room for big meals. I am making sure I am having smaller but frequent meals to avoid it.





Growth Scan

On the 19th June, we got to see the Little One again! Little One has gotten bigger and can barely fit the screen. We got to see its developed fingers which were so cute! Doctor said Little One is 1.6kg at 29 weeks which is perfectly placed right in the middle of growth chart; not too big, not too small.

Yet again, baby is in breech. I know it's still early but having the doctor keep pointing it out does concerns me more than it should. I've read there are babies who only turn from breech from 37 weeks or even at the point of labour! There's nothing wrong with C-section but I just dislike the idea of needing to nurse a major wound on my belly! But a'las, if it's meant to be, I have to embrace it. So besides diving into what to expect in a vaginal labour, I also had educate myself about C-sections.

Breastfeeding Crash Course

Last month, we were asked if we wanted to attend a free breastfeeding talk on our next appointment day. Of course, I said yes. I think among all the other things, I've been concerned about breastfeeding and if my body allows it. I've been looking up info via the internet but information from a lactation consultant is always best.





The talk lasted about 30 minutes and it was straight to the point. We had a doll to 'play' with so we have an idea on how to hold the baby while breastfeeding. We also got some sample freebies such as a bottle to keep breast milk, baby shampoo & body wash, newborn diapers, pamphlets and such. We were free to ask any questions but for a FTM, it's hard to ask; at least for me, because I've yet to truly experience it. Either way, there are hotlines to call for any questions at any time I need so that's a good thing.

Feeling Awesome!

After a couple of weeks of heartburn, acid reflux and belly discomforts, I've started to feel great! I have energy (albeit I walk a little slower than usual). I know for most ladies, they have had long started with their breathlessness and exhaustion but the 7th month for me was good for me. Don't get me wrong, I still have my aching days where I take "MC" from helping my mom but when I felt good, it was almost a high.

Syihab would ALWAYS ask me when is Little One coming out every few days and when this picture was taken, the kids were being so affectionate for some apparent reason. lol





Even Nadya is in it too but she 'angin'. Sometimes wants to be clingy, sometimes don't like me. haha



Hari Raya Surprise for the Relatives

Hari Raya was towards the end of June and just in case any of you missed, I've not officially shared my pregnancy to my relatives. The intention was to just show up with a belly and let it tell all and Mak was more than okay with that. So as expected, everyone was surprised especially finding out that I've been 7 months pregnant and that I've been quiet. I just smiled and told them "Surprise!!" I also have cousin who is 1 month ahead who has been open about her pregnancy but we didn't get to meet though.

Not surprised that relatives compared my cousin's and my pregnancy especially that both of us have the same baby gender. But it's really unfair for her because physically, we totally look the opposite of each other besides the fact that every women have different pregnancy experiences.

Just in case some of you are wondering or thinking that my belly looks small. Well, it's because I am tall with a long torso which means baby had plenty of room to grow and move. On top of that, I don't get wide and big during my pregnancy.


   

Hari Raya 2017 (Week 1)

Selamat Hari Raya to all Muslim readers! 
We are at halfway mark to our month-long celebration, u'olls. lol

I swear I told myself that I would post on time but that obviously didn't happen. hehe Anyways, if you have been a long time reader, you should know that my hari raya has always been unconventional and I've come to terms to that.

Last year, we celebrated our first day of raya at Abg's house but this year, Kak Yana raised her white flag. lol This year, we celebrated at our place where Mak hanged out at our place for 3 days 2 nights. It's not an open house or anything but whoever wants to visit Mak (She's the eldest in the family), relatives can come over.

This year, we didn't have much kueh. In fact, only 4 types, Makmur, Bangkit, Suji and Florentines that Kakak made due the oven breaking down and we only get our hands on the last week of Ramadhan. As for Hari Raya dishes, I only requested Mak to cook Kuah Lodeh, Sambal Sotong and Serunding because those are the only dishes I look forward to.

On the first day of raya, Mak, Abg Jamil, Jhon and I just spent the time watching Hari Raya shows/movies while eating our Hari Raya meals. It was basically pretty slack and we even had naps in between.

We did our maaf-maafan in the afternoon and took some photos. Check out my at home jubah that actually belonged to Mak because I complained that all my at home pants/shorts are too tight for me. Yeah, I am at the point where I don't care what I wear anymore at home and dresses are ultimate heaven for me.







Abg and family only came over in the evening, makan-makan, story-mory, sorry-sorry and that was it. I was glad they didn't over-stayed because even though we didn't do much, the waiting game can be tiresome.





On the second day, our favorite family came by first to visit their favorite Mak Long and Pak Hitam and family came by next. It was actually the first time any of my relatives visited Abg Jamil's house and also the first time the house received so many guests. I am more than grateful that Jhon and Abg Jamil are so freaking helpful and hands-on in helping me to serve the guests.



This was also the day my relatives found out that I was 7 months pregnant. (I only blogged about my pregnancy and no one is truly aware of my active blog lol) After that, it was a wrap as other family members didn't come over anymore and that was our simple and chop-chop 1st week of raya.

   

2nd Trimester, 6th Month (Sick AGAIN)

          1st Trimester, Month 0-1Month 2 (pt.1 & pt. 2)Month 3
          2nd Trimester, Month 4, Month 5

10th May 2017 - 7th June 2017

Still Playing Hide and Seek

The plans is to have my relatives find out about my pregnancy on Hari Raya but there was a family tahlil (prayers) on the 14th May for my newborn niece, circumcision for twin nephews, for the late Auntie Tipah and prayers for the upcoming Ramadhan. Yeah, it's basically a 4-in-1 kind of thing. 2 weeks before that, I had a spring cleaning of my wardrobe so I was more than happy to find some old Malay outfits I can squeeze in. I am still at the stage of able to hide my belly if I wear loose outfits and a baju kurung was no exception even though I had already hit the 6 month mark. So.... no one knows yet! haha

But this is how it looks like a few days past 6 months with my maternity outfit.



Glucose Blood Test

May's appointment date falls on the 22nd. Initially, our appointment was at 9:30am with doctor's consultation at 10:30am. Weeks before the date, I received a letter and SMS regarding a change of appointment time to 11:30am. Blur me, thought it was changed from 9:30am to 11:30am but it was ONLY the doctor's consultation that changed.

So we came for my Gestational Diabetes Test (GDT) way too late and the nurses were not too happy about it. I reaped what I sowed so I wasn't upset or anything but it seems they were. They were the ones complaining that I would spend a long time at the clinic etc.

The only downside was that I will be fasting a few more hours longer than usual. The GDT was to check if I had diabetes due to pregnancy and I had to drink a bottle (300ml) of glucose. Apparently, previously, ladies were given a thick solution in a cup but I wasn't. I guess it a diluted version of it and it was easier to drink. It was basically like drinking an orange non-carbonated syrup drink. The nurse took my blood before drinking, after 1 hour of drinking and then 2 hours of drinking.

Because of the time mix up, we saw the doctor while waiting for the hours to pass. The doctor's consultation was very fast as usual. "Hi", "how are you, any pains?", "Any problems?" Baby's heartbeat check and dah. We continued to wait for the last hour of blood test.

The funny thing was by the time we got to payment, I had to take the last blood withdrawal. So basically, whether we had came late for the GDT or not. we would still leave the hospital at 2:30pm! Go figure!

3 days later, a nurse called saying that I had to collect medication/ supplements. I was like huh? What does this means? I failed the GDT? She said no and that I passed but my blood count was low. Wuutttt? I was told collect it anytime I wanted except on weekends.



To Fast or not to Fast?

I did asked the doctor if I could fast for Ramadhan but she encouraged me not to. At that time, she seemed unsure herself because one, she's Chinese and two, she is not a resident doctor. I was the one who had to explained to her that pregnant women could fast provided there are no complications and the doctor gave a green light.

To be honest, I was unhappy. I don't see why I can't fast if baby and I are healthy. Being stubborn, I actually mentally planned to at least fast half a day on the side. But as if God was trying to prove a point, as soon as was done with my GDT and left the hospital. I fell sick. I had high fever and cough. Which brings me to the next part...

Sick, Sick, SICK!

I felt sick after my GDT which I thought probably because I had to fast, was dehydrated and all those blood withdrawals would make me feel sickly. But even after drinking and eating, I felt sick and it got worse. That same afternoon, I had a fever. I visited the family clinic for medication. The fever lasted for 2 days but my cough was rather severe and persistent. I am talking about wearing pads because of the peeing, bad muscle aches, lack of sleep and vomiting.

At the one week mark, I thought I was feeling better but when I woke up at 4:30am, (I help prepare sahur for the men), I felt that room literally spun. I had dizzy spells before but it was definitely the worst I ever had. I didn't know if it was due to me being sick or being pregnant. I contemplated if I should deal with it, go to a family doctor or what.

Well, remember that I had to collect some iron supplements? Since I was sick, I still haven't collected them yet. I called KKH for advice, I asked if I should go to their 24hr clinic? (I was thinking I could collect meds at the same time). The nurse said yes. Jhon and I went to the 24hr clinic only to be directed to Labour & Delivery because I was at 26 weeks and they wanted to monitor the baby.

I felt something simple kinda blown out of proportion. I knew there was no major concern because I don't have belly aches, bleeding or anything but they wanted to check. I also felt like I may sound like the over paranoid first time mom. In my defense, I knew I was just being sick and I just wanted to go to a clinic?

ANYWAYS, baby is healthy, I got to hear the heartbeat for a good period of time. They checked my sugar level which was slightly low and blood pressure was okay. I was given more medication for my virus and was told to see an eye-nose-throat doctor.

I got the appointment for 2 days later which by then, my dizziness has subsided but still coughing like a maniac. Long story short, the doctor could not conclude my cause of dizziness because it could be from the virus or just from pregnancy. Again, I felt like I look like a paranoid FTM. I was given 1 more type of medicine which actually helped with the coughing. Still coughing 2 weeks later but at least not so severe.

Weight

The doctors never voice any concern about my weight gain or lack thereof so this is simply pointed out by me. Just a quick recap, my pre-pregnancy weight was about 62kg while standing at 1.66m which is at a pretty average BMI. I lost 2kg due to morning sickness and by the time that subsided, my weight started to gain. It took me 3 months to gain back the lost 2kg plus 2kg which takes me at 64kg. I know as a gauge, I have to gain an average of 10kg throughout the pregnancy.

And then, I got sick and as I always do when I get sick, I lost 2kg; just like that. Don't get me wrong, I do still eat but that's how my body is lah. So as I end my 6th month, I am currently at 62kg. Everyone said I probably lost my own weight, not baby weight because my belly is still big. This is also another reason I chose not to fast during Ramadhan because for sure I will lose more weight.





Wonderful Act of Kindness

Jhon and I went to Lucky Plaza to remit money as usual. The queue was long as usual so it was no big deal. Within just 1 minute of queuing, someone tapped me on the shoulder, I heard something in Tagalog and saw the man walking away. Turned out I had a green light to jump queue! Jhon and I were surprised because we didn't expect anything at all and was more than willing to queue but who can pass up that offer? Of course, we got plenty of sour stares but we just did our own thing. That was the fastest transaction we ever had. Again, thus far, I've been blessed because people always give way for me.

Except for the slow walking. Yes, the fast walker me has slowed down to the zombie like pace. Since I don't look pregnant from behind, people naturally get agitated with me.... until they passed me and saw my belly. haha

Taking it Easy

I've always aimed to have a fit or at least an active pregnancy. I don't want to be a lazy preggo. Don't get me wrong, I am not actively doing prenatal exercises but at least walks everyday. Well, as I am ending my 6th month, it has been tough and being mostly sick during that period is not helping at all. Everyone is telling me to take it easy and although most of the time, I do feel okay, I still get tired very quickly. This also is also prompting me to want to finish buying the baby necessities before it gets worse.