Please refer to www.rayrachel.multiply.com from now on for updates.. :)

-RacheL- blogged @ 4/24/2009 10:31:00 PM

Finally, went for 20th week scan today.
Being the 2nd in line, (i had the 9.55am appt slot) it was pretty fast.
We got to see Dr Koh by 10:30AM and could leave by 11am after payment.

It was nice to see Miss Rayanne again, but being a shy girl, she has decided to cross her legs AGAIN and refused to let her mummy & daddy see if she's confirmed a girl.
Hahahaha.. but Dr Koh says.. he'll still say its 90% girl...

So.. yeah.. dun care.. girl you shall be.. haahahaha... :)

there was a lot of shadow in the scan.. so it was pretty difficult to see anything much today.
I cant even understand the scan image! hehe.. :P

So we hung ard TPY and had lunch before proceeding to Mt A for the maternity tour.

We had went to TMC last week for the detailed scan and went for their maternity tour...
It wasnt anything impressive... so being itchy backside, we actually contemplated changing hospital for delivery. We had wanted Mt A all along, but upon reaching TMC, we actually wondered if it may be a better idea to go to tmc instead.. hahah..

But anyway... we had visited both hospitals... and they are pretty different...
At least the lady showing us ard made us felt that way...
TMC seemed to have focused more on the different rooms....
Whereas Mt A spent more time in the delivery ward.

Let's start with the Delivery Ward.

TMC - smaller room, seems more cramped..cosier arm chair for daddy to rest in, need to bring bb out of the delivery ward for measurements and weighing etc.

Mt A - much spacious room and the room is self-sufficient. Everything will be done inside the delivery ward the moment u reach. Once bb is out, bb will be measured and weighed before being placed into a warmer.. and the lady said that we'll be in the delivery ward for abt 1 hour plys after birth for both mummy & bb to stabilise their condition.

Mummy will then be shifted the the registered ward and bb will be sent to the nursery for observation..

Visitation Wards

Single Bedded - Mt A has a bigger room compared to TMC's single bedded (not including suites and deluxe rooms..)

2 & 4 Bedded - TMC has actually bigger rooms compared to Mt A, based on memory.
Mt A's 4 bedded is definitely not impressive and looks cramped in fact....
TMC has nicer 2 & 4 bedded ward....

Environment & Staff

Mt A has friendlier and nicer staff.. at least they smiled at us and talked to us, asked when is EDD etc.. I dont rem seeing any staff at TMC besides the lady who brought us ard....


So in conclusion, we do like Mt A better, but if i'm taking the 4 bedded, I'll be praying very hard to be upgraded to 2 bedded.. then I can have a nicer environment.... Please pray hard for me that all the 4 bedded will be taken up and i'll be offer a free upgrade..
(meaning i pay 4 bedded price and get to stay in a 2 bedded ward...)

Yes.. In Jesus Name, it'll happen!!! :)
Amen!!

-RacheL- blogged @ 4/22/2009 04:01:00 PM

1. High chair convertible to day bed...
HM jie said her colleague has one to give away...she already has one so no need it...
So i get to be the beneficiary of it! Yay!!!

2. Cousin Gwen just called and said she bought some dresses for Rayanne...
hehehe.. so sweet of her..she was shopping and cant resist the cute-ness of the dresses she saw..
And she bought a jeans too.. wah.. Rayanne is soo blessed..and yes she will be...

3. Neighbor downstairs have hand-me-down clothes for homewear..
Their bb is now 6 months.. so by the time i need it.. just nice they can pass everything to me without having to store it or re-wash it... BBbbuuutt.. i may just rewash everything first la... dunno they wash clean or not.. haahhahahaa.....

4. Ray's coll said he has a baby cot.
I hope that'll happen... then no need to buy... and still wondering where to place it....
my room is already cramped as it already is.... MMmmmm....

Finally, contemplating to hire a CL or to order catering for my confinement....
various prices... ranges from $1800-$2000...
Ex sia.. for 28 days of 24 hour care...
To cook for me and wash bb and my laundry....
Sweep and mop 2-3 times a week....
Marketing for food...
Night time care for bb.... (but prob dun need it..)

But.. we also no space for her to sleep..... unless she sleeps with bb and me on bed?
HB sleep on the floor?? so weird... anyway.....

See how......

-RacheL- blogged @ 4/17/2009 08:49:00 PM

Currently very interested in this....
Heard Kiddy Palace at Causeway Pt is having a sale selling at $199!!! :)
Original retail price is $259.... Mmmmmmm........

_______________________________________

A pre-loved Pigeon Silent Electric Breast Pump for sale.
Bought from Takashimaya last year and lightly used. Retail Price at $245.
Much quieter than other electric pumps, perfect for pumping at work. Operated by electricity or battery.

Features:
- Completely adjustable pumping with variable dials
- Superior silent motor for full privacy and maximum comfort
- Advanced sealing air cushion to provide steady suction
- Pigeon Peristaltic Nipple for natural feeding
- Unique non-flow back feature assures easy pumping and cleaning during and after pumping

Include:
- Box and instruction manual
- Motor unit
- AC adaptor
- Silicone tube
- Pump body
- Lid
- Inner cup with 1 spare
- Joint cup
- Advanced sealing air cushion
- Milk valve with 2 spares
- Wide neck bottle adaptor
- Nursing Bottle
- Stand/Funnel cover
- Peristaltic nipple with cover
- Cap with sealing disc

-RacheL- blogged @ 4/17/2009 11:50:00 AM

Hello, Rachel! Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. The hair on her scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, taking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you. >> Read more about this week Quick Clicks Cheeses to avoid during pregnancy When are cramps a sign of danger? Watch: An inside view of labor and birth Overheard "My husband loves my growing belly. Being open and honest about how we are feeling has brought us closer together, which has made me feel at ease." — Melissa

In 2006, Emily was the most common baby name for girls in United States for the 11th consecutive year. Jacob topped the list for boys for the eighth year in a row Sponsor Links: miPump, no-nonsense pumping Get tips and support from other moms on BabyCenter’s new Community Free 2-day shipping plus $10 off diapers Free stuff for you and your family

Abdominal pains, skin changes, and tingly hands Toning down skin splotchiness Sun exposure can intensify those unsettling pigment changes on your skin. To cope: • Use a broad-spectrum sunblock (a formula that protects against both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of 15 or higher, and reapply it often. • Limit the amount of time you spend in the sun, especially in the middle of the day (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.). • Wear a brimmed hat when you're out. • Use makeup to even out your skin tone. Stop by a makeup counter at a local department store for tips if you're not sure where to start. • Don't use skin-bleaching products — their safety during pregnancy is unknown. Instead, wait and see whether the pigmentation fades on its own after you give birth. Think you're big now? You'll start growing even more rapidly in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe. You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from increased estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin due to a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may also notice some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line." These darkened spots will most likely fade shortly after delivery Why are my hands tingling? You're probably suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. Pregnant women are more susceptible to this condition because they retain fluid. The extra fluid is swelling the tissues in your wrists and hands — and that can cause pinched nerves, says Margaret Pfeifer, an obstetrician with the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. The carpal tunnel is a relatively narrow bony canal formed by the wrist bones on three sides and a ligament that runs across the wrist on the other. When the tendons surrounding the nerve running through this inflexible space swell, the nerve gets pinched and the result is pain and numbness.

Nutrition Nibbles: 3 cravings a pregnant woman can love ADVERTISEMENT Here's why these three common food cravings aren't so bad — in moderation, of course: • Ice cream can pack on the calories and saturated fat but it's also a great source of calcium. One half cup of chocolate ice cream has 109 milligrams (mg) of calcium — that's 11 percent of the recommended daily amount. (Lower-calorie ice creams, bars, and frozen yogurts will lower the fat content but still fulfill your sweet craving!) • Hamburgers can be high in saturated fat but they're also a great source of iron. One large homemade burger contains about 5 mg of iron — that's 16 percent of the recommended daily amount during pregnancy. To keep your fat intake from going over the top, buy lean meat, and skip the mayonnaise and side of fries. • Pickles are loaded with sodium, but they also contain vitamin C, iron, magnesium, potassium, fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin K. One large dill pickle (3 to 4 inches long) has only 18 calories. (Note: Stay away from the pickle jar if you have chronic high blood pressure or if you're retaining a lot of water. Too much sodium can make your condition worse.)

-RacheL- blogged @ 4/16/2009 11:12:00 AM

Man... this post is one week overdue.... haaha....

Hello, Rachel! Head to rump, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, although he may hide them from you during an ultrasound. >> Read more about this week Quick Clicks Are you feeling the baby kick yet? When is it too late to travel by airplane? What's the safe way to wear a seat belt now? Overheard "I just found out that I'm having a girl — finally, after two miscarriages. I think I felt her move today. I had my ultrasound and everything was fine, at last!" — Nicky

At nearly 21 babies for every 1,000 people, Utah has the highest birth rate. Vermont has the lowest at just over ten births per 1,000 people. Sponsor Links: Free stuff for you and your family Get tips and support from other moms on BabyCenter’s new Community Free 2-day shipping plus $10 off diapers

Food cravings and getting a good night's sleep Getting a good night's sleep Sleep can become more and more elusive as pregnancy progresses and your uterus gets bigger. Try these tips to help you make it through the night: • Avoid sleeping flat on your back after mid-pregnancy. Sleep on your side with your knees bent and a pillow tucked between your legs. Some women prefer full body pillows that they can snuggle around. • Although the left side is best, it's fine to alternate between your left and right during the night to stay comfortable. (And don't worry if you happen to find yourself on your back when you wake up.) • Prop up your head and chest with extra pillows or even try sleeping semi-upright in a comfy recliner if heartburn and indigestion are keeping you awake. • Wear sleepwear that's loose around your abdomen and waist. • Avoid drinking fluids a few hours before bed to cut down on night-time bathroom trips. • Consider having a small snack before bed if hunger wakes you up in the middle of the night. Once nausea is a thing of the past, your appetite will increase and you may notice that you have fewer food aversions, making it easier to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. You may also have cravings for specific foods during pregnancy. What to do if you crave things that aren't exactly nutritious? Don't deny yourself the occasional treat, but try to eat fruit, vegetables, protein-rich foods, and other healthy foods first, before you reach for anything with empty calories. And try not to let yourself get voraciously hungry. Skipping meals is a bad idea under normal circumstances and is an even worse idea during pregnancy. Among other things, it can affect your blood sugar, lead to dizziness and irritability, and set the stage for binge eating when you finally do get the chance to have a meal. Your best bet is to shoot for three meals and two snacks a day. • Oranges ? Steak? Pizza? Pickles and ice cream? What kinds of foods do you crave most? You may have heard that you should avoid lying on your back during your last two trimesters. Here's why: When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can partially compress a major vein (called the inferior vena cava) that returns blood from the lower half of your body to your heart. Lying on your side (or even tilted just a bit to the side), particularly your left side, prevents this compression and improves your blood flow. Try placing a pillow behind you or under one hip for comfort. Why do I have such strange dreams? > Your hormone levels are all over the map and you're about to undergo one of the biggest life events imaginable — that's enough to give anyone the occasional nightmare. In fact, vivid, bizarre, or even terrifying dreams during pregnancy are probably the mind's natural way of dealing with the anxiety, excitement, and fear that accompany childbirth, says Raina Paris, author of The Mother to Be's Dream Book: Understanding the Dreams of Pregnancy.

-RacheL- blogged @ 4/15/2009 11:54:00 PM

Hello, Rachel! Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop. >> Read more about this week Quick Clicks > Can music make your baby smarter? Why an ultrasound may not reveal your baby's sex Watch: C-section birth Overheard "I get tired of everyone saying pregnant women are beautiful. I've never felt less attractive! I hear about women who love being pregnant, and I'm just puzzled by them." — Laura

The United States is the only industrialized nation that doesn't guarantee paid maternity leave. — The Project on Global Working Families Sponsor Links: Check out Graco's top-rated infant car seat Get tips and support from other moms on BabyCenter’s new Community Free 2-day shipping plus $10 off diapers Free stuff for you and your family

Feeling off balance, forgetfulness, and itchy skin Itchy skin Your breasts and belly may feel especially itchy now as your skin stretches. You can take the edge off by: • Showering or bathing in warm — not hot — water. (Some women swear by the skin-softening properties of a warm oatmeal bath — available in most drugstores.) • Using a mild, moisturizing soap. • Slathering on the moisturizer while your skin's still damp after a bath or shower. • Wearing loose cotton clothing. Starting to feel a bit off balance? As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, so you may begin to occasionally feel a little unsteady on your feet. Try to avoid situations with a high risk of falling. Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble; trauma to your abdomen could be dangerous for you and your baby. You'll also want to be sure to buckle up when you're in a car — keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly, drawn snugly across your hips, and also use the shoulder harness, which should fit snugly between your breasts. Why am I so forgetful? There's no conclusive explanation for why many pregnant women say that their short-term memory isn't up to par during pregnancy, but this feeling can be the result of lack of sleep. "Pregnant women need extra sleep, but it's hard to get," says Margaret Pfeifer, an obstetrician with the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. As your body changes and becomes more uncomfortable, it can disrupt your sleep patterns. Other factors that may contribute to this foggy feeling include hormones, stress, and a preoccupation with all things baby.

-RacheL- blogged @ 4/04/2009 02:55:00 PM