The Glucose Test

Hi Baby,

Well, at least you kept mommy company while waiting for the blood test. Very active you were in there, probably hungry huh. Mommy had to wake up early this morning, daddy was still in bed by the time mommy left the house. Traffic was good, and didn't have to wait long before mommy got called in. Was told to prepare the glucose solution first, mommy brought along a bottle of water, but some guy who was having the same test didn't and was sent off to get water. They took the first blood sample and then drink the solution. Then mommy had to wait for two hours in the waiting room before they call me back in for the next blood sample.

Fortunately mommy got sudoku with me, or else it'll be a long wait. At the same time was listening to people's conversation, they were a bunch of retired men and one of them was talking about how it's really dull now that he's retired, and another guy started talking about one should know what to do with one self and concentrate on the children now that one has the time, and he talked about his children, how they are now studying overseas, he said if one is able to take out a loan for a car, one is able to send their children abroad to further their study, it's a better investment, you cannot expect the government to send your children for you. I couldn't help but nod in agreement with that conversation. We'll talk more about this when you're older, it doesn't matter what you are into, as long as you work hard at it to get to where you want to go, and we'll help you get there...

Love,

Mom

Towards The End of The Second Trimester

Hi Baby,

It is now 24 weeks... tomorrow. The check up went well this morning, mommy only gained 1.8kg this past four weeks! Yay! While waiting I took a picture of the ultrasound screening, going to show that to Auntie Elaine so she could explain what's what written. Urine test was all normal, got given the usual folic acid and this time twice the amount of iron tablets because I told them I finished them too soon. The nurse who was attending was nice, she checked to see if there was swelling in the legs and said there was a slight swelling so am suppose to keep off my feet. She checked for your fetal heart rate and it took her a couple of tries and mommy could feel you were kicking the sensor a couple of times too. The doctor made an appointment for a blood glucose test tomorrow and mommy would have to fast for that, so tonight from 10pm onwards, nothing, not even water. Mommy gets thirsty really fast.

Nurse said to drink water often and at least three glasses of milk a day, that's practically one box a day. On the way home from the clinic I bought a couple of yogurt pots and milk, Auntie Elaine said I should be taking calcium suppliments too, must remember to get some.

Tonight daddy will be home late, he's trying to finish up as much work as possible before our trip next week.

Mommy's next appointment is on 2nd March to see the result of the glucose test.

You're very active in there, it's reassuring to feel all the movements you made, sometimes mommy is quite surprised to feel you move so late at night too, I sure hope your sleeping pattern won't be all screwy when you're out.

Oh, the clinic gave mommy a guide book, have yet to read it, skimmed through it, it gave all the useful information especially like what to bring to the hospital when it's time, never thought about bringing my identity card and the antenatal card, got to add that to the list. Mommy will start packing nearer to the 30th week, get everything ready. Your next ultrasound is on the 34th week, that's 10 more weeks to go.

People been asking mommy and daddy if we bought stuff for you yet, we haven't. Daddy says when the feeling strikes, and mommy not too keen with all the too cutesy stuff there are out there. So if we happen to like what we come across then we'll probably pick it up. So far, nada. But your playroom is ready!

Love,
Mom

Pink!

Hi Baby,

Mommy went off to see Auntie Elaine today, it had been a while since I saw her last. Auntie Betty was there too, they said that mommy's tummy isn't that big indicating according to Auntie Elaine, who is a midwife after all, that mommy's carrying you more towards the back, meaning mommy's pelvis is an anthropoid, one of the four pelvic shapes. So mommy went off to look up what that meant and got this:

An anthropoid pelvis is, like the gynecoid pelvis, basically oval at the inlet,
but the long axis is oriented vertically rather than side to side. Subpubic arch
may be slightly narrowed. This pelvis favors occiput posterior presentations.

From my understanding of the readings, it means that you like facing towards the front, which apparently is not a good thing when giving birth to you is happening and it is best that we're to try and turn you into the correct back facing front position before you get engaged into the pelvis. Apparently being on all fours and scrubbing floors works because gravity will swing you around your back resting on mommy's front. One of mommy's friend said to talk to you to turn around about the 7th and 8th month so you'll be in a more favorable position for a natural birth, and if you're still stubborn about it, daddy will have a very stern talk with you. You don't want to get daddy angry now.

Mommy had the usual vitamin C jab and she inspected mommy's tummy. Showed me the position of the fundus, much higher than I anticipated, and she pressed here and there said you were lying sideways at that time. Then she used the fetal heart rate monitor. Unlike last time where we had to hunt your heart beat down, it picked up instantly, loud, and you kicked the sonar picker a couple of times too, Auntie Elaine could feel it. The sonar was stationary in one spot and we could hear how you kept on moving around from the heart beat as it faded away and then come back. Auntie Elaine said that you have a high base line most likely indicating you're a girl.

Yesterday mommy didn't feel like going hashing and texted Auntie Wina, she asked which colour shirt I'd like that they were giving away that day and will save me one, pink or purple? I said pink. She texted back, 'pink?' I replied with, 'what's wrong with pink?' long pause later... 'IT'S A GIRL!!!' was the reply.

Oh, daddy redid his website... This weekend is your granparents lambak birthday celebration and Chinese new year too. Next week is check up at the antenatal clinic, I hope all is well and mommy's weight didn't go up so much even though you're packing on 6 ounces = 170 grams a week...

love,

Mom

PS: Mommy just got a call to come for breastfeeding workshop on the 13th March, cool. Mommy had learnt the fact that breastfeeding takes about 500 to 800 calories a day! Not gonna pass up that opportunity to feed you lots... of breast milk that is...