Pregnancy week 17 & Niko's Birthday

After seeing my baby length, I know that my baby is slightly longer than average. Because in the US website, baby on 17th week pregnancy has length about 10.5cm. Mine is 11.3cm

I had to work overtime recently, I feel very tired. I am on the same state as 7th-8th week pregnancy where I felt sleepy and fatigue all day.

What happen to the baby :

• Your baby is "getting fat"! Actually, although fat now begins to form underneath the skin to provide insulation, most fat is deposited only in the third trimester.

• Your baby learning to "breathe"! From regular movements of the chest, you can notice the "inhaling" and "exhaling" of amniotic fluid, which serve to train the lungs.

• Don't be surprised if you see your baby sucking on a thumb!


What happen to my body :

• Your baby is going through a rapid growth and so are you. You have probably gained between 5 to 10 pounds (around 2.5 to 4.5kg) at this point.

• Your uterus is now around 2 inches (around 5 cm) below your navel, and maternity clothes are probably a must by now.

• During your pregnancy, it is not uncommon for you to experience nasal congestion, nosebleeds, or an increase in vaginal discharge or sweating. The cause of these symptoms is normal and related to the increased blood volume.

Today 8th Oct is Niko's birthday. I ordered a cake from Coffee Bean (Millenia walk branch) yesterday. They need 3 working days to get my cake done. So I have to take their "cake of the month" which also cheese cake kind.

The "D" Day, Sunday 16th Feb 2014

I was sent to the KKH delivery suite by wheel chair. I then laid on the bed with Niko sat beside me in the sofa.

He went down stairs for the admission paper work. Then he came up with a stack of paper asking me to sign. He actually hid the estimation cost for hi-risk case which would cost us about 30k. At the admission I was asked to sign a statement that I came in without any living child. Then the subsequent form was too many pages and clauses to be read. So we just signed.

I cried because I was so worried that we would go home without the baby.

The nurse keep checking whether I experienced pain. I said no, but she said I actually had contraction. Then one of the female stand by doc checked my opening. She put her fingers in. It was super painful. She said only 1. :(

Then the plan was to delay the delivery to Sunday. Meanwhile they will inject me with steroid 2 times for the baby lungs to mature. The first injection was given on 8pm Saturday. The subsequent one will be on 8am the next day. I was given orange pills every 15 minutes to stop the contractions.

The steroid injection was super painful. It made my left leg like stone and numb. It then slowly disappear. The nurse said it was because steroid was oil based.

We kept waiting for the progress. From no contraction till I felt like menstrual cramp. But the cramp I was feeling on 11 and 12 midnight was ok and tolerable. Going to 1am onward, the pain was getting more intensive. I could not take it when it's getting stronger, I had cold sweat. I asked Niko to massage my back as told in the prenatal class, but he prefers to sleep. WTF!!! I pressed the button to call the nurse about the pain. The nurse only gave me etonox gas. The gas actually not so effective. I was still in pain. I told the nurse I wanted epidural and I didn't want them to be late in case I already in active labor. She said yes. The next check for my opening will be on 2am or 3am. Actually no body check my opening till I couldn't hold the pain anymore.

I once again called the nurse. She came but told me there was a more urgent thing next door as a lady was in labor. So I let her handled the neighbor first. After few minutes, I heard scream and not long baby crying sound subsequently heard. They all went in to my room.

The next shift doc in duty was another female doc. She checked my opening then she said 8. I was like... T.T WTF...are you telling me it's too late for epidural? super WTF!!!
I was damn angry as they never checked on me and now I have to bear the labor pain without any pain killer. I only depended on the stupid gas...They asked Niko to put the gas on my face forcefully because I kept rejecting the gas.

While waiting for the doctor to come, my baby was pushing to go out by itself. I never pushed. The female doc in duty said "don't push darling, you are bleeding." I answered her that I didn't push. I was flying because of the gas so that I couldn't control my action. She measured again the opening it was 8.5

The doctor came eventually...So they instructed Niko to take out the gas from my face and began to hold my hand to calm me down. They instructed me to hold my own tights and push. I pushed wrongly. So one of the nurse taught me how to push. She said like wanna go berak. I did 2 times I guess. First one was the head was out. They commented good...some more... While pushing I was enduring the pain and I closed my eyes. I felt some of my nerves in my head were burst. It was like fire works. Niko told me he saw the head was almost out. Then he looked at me to guide for pushing. Another second after I pushed the entire body was out and we heard baby crying. I felt very relieved as my vagina was not painful anymore.

The next part was they remove the placenta. It was not hurtful because of the size compare to baby size. The next painful part was the stitching part. I felt every stitch the doctor did because there's no pain killer.

This delivery didn't happen as I initially planned. However, I feel grateful I didn't take epidural as I scared it would have side effect on my spine.

They cleaned the baby and placed him to incubator box as he had breathing problem and brought him to the special care nursery. I told Niko to take picture of the baby in case he accidentally was swapped with other one. I requested the nurse also to see his face as I had not seen him since he was out from my womb.



After a while, I asked Niko again to see the baby in the nursery. He said the baby was out from the incubator and placed in the normal bassinet.


We posted the pictures in the facebook, then our friends and colleagues came on the same day. We were actually very tired as we had no sleep. But I felt happy and relieved that everything went smooth.



Roland came the first in the morning. After that I had my lunch and went down to the nursery by wheelchair. Lusi came after that and followed by Arnest, Jaya, Jessica & Mathani, Hendra, Listy, and Mika. Aries, Indri, and CJ came last after we took our pictures.



Adeline, Benny, and Evangeline came after that. Yulie and Christopher came at the evening time when I was low battery.

I tot I could sleep after they all went back...2am a nurse came in and brought baby in. She taught me to latch directly. Then 5am also I was disturbed. Literally I didn't sleep for 2 days in a row.

Btw, I enjoyed every meal they served. I think it was good.

Saturday, 15 Feb 2014

I am so happy today... Niko is here. Our plan for today is
- go market buy vege and meat for this evening gathering at Teo Leng's place
- go to prenatal class at AMK hub
- go to Teo Leng's place for gathering

We then went to Rivervale Plaza straight from airport to buy vege and meat. We had Mc D breakfast there.


We went to AMK hub to have lunch first at Ajisen Ramen. Surprisingly the Ajisen Ramen there was not to nice compare to other branches. I didn't have appetite that day and I was not in a good mood.


This session of prenatal class was quite useful. This was about how to bath the baby, swaddle baby, put diaper, and to burp baby. We did it with a doll. I choose baby boy doll. It got penis at the genital area. Niko was still playing with the doll, but I was not in the mood to joke. I didn't know why I was in the bad mood.

We went home and I had a nap. Niko cooked for his gathering. He cooked a chunk of pork bay leave and vinegar.

When I was sleeping I felt that something poped in my uterus followed by a kick from my baby. I quickly woke up and stand to check my underwear. When I opened, it was nothing. But then the water dripped on the flow through my thighs. The water was pink color. It was my water bag leaked.


Niko made one call to KKH hotline. The nurse said we need to go hospital directly to delivery suite. We then quickly packed our hospital bag. But in that kind of moment, he still insisted to go deliver the meat to Teo Leng's house. WTF!!! Luckily I didn't have contraction that moment.

We then reached hospital, they put me under hi-risk case. I worry that time I wouldn't go home with the baby.

My Valentine's Day 2014

I had a very memorable valentine's day this year. I actually planned to follow my colleagues to go eat outside but somehow I felt tired as my baby kicking and stretching in my womb. So then I decided not to go and just went home. I had western food alone in block 205 coffee shop. I ordered half spring chicken and ice lemon tea which I felt not bad. I just enjoyed my dinner slowly alone.



After dinner, somehow I didn't know why I researched on mucus plug while waiting for water heater. While I took bath, I saw something dropped on the floor. It was exactly like mucus plug. I quickly run outside without drying my body to get my phone and to take pic of that thing.



I sent that pic to my mother in law and sent it also to Niko as he almost boarded the plane coming back to Singapore from Beijing. I thought I still have 2 weeks. I actually would inform my team leader in monday that my mucus plug has gone.

Anyway I just slept because I wanted tomorrow to come faster. Morning on 6am I rushed to go airport to pick Niko up. I was so happy he came back.

Pregnancy Week 34

We went to KKH this morning for routine check up. The doctor said my baby is engaged already. His head is already at the bottom. His weight now is 2.9kg. He advised me not to eat to much. I didn't actually.



The usg photo is getting unclear what the picture is about.

After that, we went to MC.D to have light breakfast $2 pancake. 2 pieces for each to keep our stomach filled. Then continue our visit to admission center. We actually just at the right time as the officer said latest by next visit we must fill the form.

We choose ward A1, single occupancy while the charges for the room will be based on my status as permanent resident. The baby charges will follow father's status as resident. Actually, after comparing the price since we are taking ward A1, there's no difference between resident and permanent resident. The difference starts from ward B1.

While for baby, the charges for A1 is the same between resident and permanent resident (for nursery and other complication case). For B1 class, charges for nursery is the same as A1. Complication case will be different between resident and permanent resident.

In case I have the sign of labor, what I need to bring for admission is NIRC, appoinment booklet, NIRC of husband, and initial payment. I can immediately go to Delivery suite level 2, women's tower.

For my hospital bag, I need to bring pyjamas (I actually don't have), undergarments, slippers, bath towel, tootbrush, tootpaste, comb, soap, and shampoo. For baby we need to prepare 2 baby vests, 2 pair mittens and booties, 2 wrapping blankets.

Remembering the doctor said the head is engaged already, I recently have been feeling my pelvic muscles are stretch then the movement of my baby getting lesser. He tend to wiggle instead of kicking like months ago. The movement is getting more frequent even though it's not a obvious movement.

I only want to have smooth delivery on the day. I hope he is not suffering from jaundice also when he is out.

Pregnancy Week 33

I have been chasing Niko to take some photos before I give birth. I think it would be so nice remembering our first boy still inside my tummy.





We took the picture inside our bedroom with NEX-5R. The result was quite good in contrast black and white. I compare with the colored version, my tummy looks bigger in color photos.

Pregnancy Week 30

There's a night I couldn't sleep well. I woke up 2-3 times a night to pee. After pee, I couldn't continue sleeping as my baby keep kicking, moving, and having hick up.

I am getting weaker this week. Even standing for a while it makes me feel very very tired.

I even had black out during my groceries shopping at Giant tampines. Niko didn't realize how serious the situation was. I couldn't even stand strait on my own. My ears has buzzy sound. My eyes couldn't focus anymore. My back was all cold because I could literally feel the pores were all open. I tried to keep breathing to get oxygen supply to my brain. I suspected it was anemic and I didn't get enough oxygen to my brain. Till I didn't realize what happened. I leaned my body on the grocery trolley and the panadol display shelf near the cashier. I didn't even realize one or two pack of panadol were dropped.

After few minutes I recovered. Not fully recovered but at least I was able to stand on my feet on my own. So I waited him at the ground floor in front of guardian.

It was the 3rd time I had black out.

We went to the doctor on the next day. My glucose tolerant test was normal in result. It was a relieve. But the baby is a bit to big for his gestational age.

Thompson Prenatal Class - session 3 at AMK Hub

This time was just a recall session for the previous 2 sessions. As and additional a video on what kind of process we will go through during labor. The video was showing different kind of labor. Starting for natural birth, water birth, and c-section. I think the c-section is the scariest.

This session is more on the day it self. What kind of pain to expect and how to cope with the pain. Another thing was the fetal distress. Under certain circumstances, there's a chance that the baby is stress inside.

The class ended a bit late as it began also a bit late.

Thompson Prenatal Class - session 2 at AMK Hub

Second session, we were made to wait for her 30 minutes. She had public talk before the session. We all lined up in front of the door. I was very tired to stand for 20 over minutes.

This session was about pain relief during labour and how to ease the pain.

She taught us about breathing technique and how husband should give wife massage. The pain relief is just a knowledge to do your birth plan.

Session 2 was more useful that session 1 as the process of delivery was explain and what to do and what not to do.

But still...overall you can get the content on the internet. However sometimes this things are more easier to remember if it's taught in class.

Thompson Prenatal Class - session 1 at AMK Hub

We almost missed this batch as the organizer never replied our email. Eventually we were admitted 1 day before the class began. The class is taught by Mrs. Wong Boi Boi. A lot of forum has been recommending her as the best prenatal class.

First session was like super crowded. We were treated like primary kids also (from the way she delivered the messages).

First session is more on stretching, food, and confinement. The stretching part was not very useful for me as I have been joining yoga class. The way pregnant woman should stretch is the same. Then for the food, I didn't feel very useful also because I have read a lot of articles during my 1st trimester. Confinement part was like half useful and half is just common thing. I feel this class must be very useful for lazy to read mothers. Paying $360 to listen on basic things which I have known like half of it, it's not so worth the price.

Breast Pump

I wanted to buy Medela Swing breast pump after asking so many mummies. The price for Medela Swing is $299 (on sale already). We sourced from Amazon website it is US$150 but we need to buy plug converter and there's no warranty for US version. I am also not very sure on the voltage also.



This afternoon I went to Vivocity to see things. Even though I get easily tired but it has been so long since I really walk around shopping center. We then again went to Mothercare shop at Harbourfront. I saw Avent single breast pump promotion for $229. We actually get free gifts like the 10 cups of milk storage container and breast pad, nipple cream, pouch, 2 milk bottle (1 small and 1 medium), and a pair of nipple protector. It's really a good deal. So I bought it.

Pregnancy Week 27

I realized recently since week 26, my baby became more active. His kicks are more vigorous than few weeks back. My tummy sometimes has a bump in certain area because of his position. I recorded a video showing his movement inside my tummy.

Our last visit to the doctor, he said my baby is too big for his gestational age.


I need to cut down my sugar intake as I will have blood test on 6th Jan 2014.

I don't have back pain since I joined yoga and Niko massages me regulary. As I remember I had it on my 4th month as my tummy getting bigger. I feel yoga is very useful because they teach us how to do stretching. After yoga class I feel refresh and my spine and upper body are relax.

Another Dream Recently

I dream few weeks back about my baby. He was still born. He was so little and hard like plastic. I was so sad.

Then in my dream Niko took me to some clinic to take out my placenta and others left in my uterus.

It was totally a nightmare.

Pregnancy Week 25

I forgot to write on my 24th week.

I actually had a dream about the baby again for the 3rd time. My dream was so vivid one. I bathed him on our master bathroom with my Myanmarnese maid.

Last week and this week I have not been waking up in the middle of the night to go toilet. I don't know why but I only wake up on 6am or 7am. But after that I still sleep for a while only.

The tummy is getting bigger but somehow few times taking bus, people just pretend to have the rights more than me on the priority seats.

I realized I get irritated by people easily recently. I don't know why may be it's hormones.

Pregnancy Week 23

We went to KKH for my 3rd visit on my 23rd week. My baby is now 16.2cm from crown to rump. But I don't know why they still measure it from crown to rump not to toe. His weight is 721 grams while I gained 7kg. :(



After that, we went to see baby clothes and breast pump at mother care. Then heading to Tiong Bahru Hainanese Curry rice to make Niko happy. On the way there, we collected the mini refridge I bought from groupon. I also bought a giant custard apple at Tiong Bahru Market.



Dinner time we had Japanese BBQ at home with our brand new induction cooker we got 4 years ago from MAYBANK.

Pregnancy Week 22

I guess my appetite is still normal. It has not increased like what the article said. I have been eating 3 times a day. Normal breakfast, normal portion of lunch, and lesser portion of dinner as I feel tight tummy on the evening so I can not take so much food in.

I realized my hair doesn't drop so much. After more than a week without cleaning the floor, Niko still keep quite. Last time he had to vacuum every 2-3 days because I dropped so much hair.

As my tummy getting bigger and noticeable, I still didn't get seat in the MRT. There was one time I purposely stood in front of the priority seat occupied by 40+ year old auntie. She purposely pretend to sleep after putting lipstick. And she suddenly woke up at Serangoon station.

The linea nigra is getting more obvious. Another thing I don't like about this pregnancy pigmentation is I have developed dark spots around my neck and my armpits.

Since few weeks back, Sometimes I sleep alone as Niko sleep in the study room. I feel I can sleep better even though I need to wake up at least once to go toilet. I guess the space on the bed is needed for my left and right cushions.

I noted that my baby's kicking times are on 4-5pm and 3-4am in the morning when I am in bed. Sadly until now Niko has not felt the baby kicking.

Pregnancy Week 21

This week has nothing much happened.

It is just that I still can not get seat in MRT and bus.

We visited the hospital for detail scan on week 21. The Antenatal Diagnosis Clinic was very empty on Saturday. I think it's a good idea to go on weekend instead of weekdays even though they provide us with MC when we come on weekdays.

My baby is getting bigger and bigger. He is double the size since we visited the gynea last month. My tummy is also getting bigger.
The scan operator confirmed that the baby is a boy.





He looked ok overall. He had his arm near his head when we saw him. The operator had difficulty to scan his top head because of his position. So I needed to wait outside for an hour just because of 1 view that we couldn't get. I even walked and did stretching on the aisle to make sure he moved. He eventually moved to the opposite position.

Pregnancy Week 20

This week is easier to go through as I joined 3d max advance course for 2 days in Red Hill. Monday I had nothing to do because the sales was on leave. He supposed to brief me on a new project. He was only able to brief me Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday I was on training. Friday was the move in day to new studio. Pregnant lady got help easier.

The weekdays were easily gone like that. I am looking forward to go for my detail scan. I wanna see my baby.

Prenatal Yoga Class

I have decided to take my prenatal yoga class with Vandayoga. I tried one trial session for $35. It was a small class, consists of 4-5 mothers only. I think the price is reasonable enough compare to Trueyoga (membership based $1200/year) or the one in Hajilane ($600/8 sessions).

The trueyoga sales really irritated me. She kept calling me and asked me to go there and took the trial session while it doesn't have weekend class.

The Vandayoga so far is the most reasonable one. After joining the class, I feel my body is more flexible and more energize. It really helps me stretch my joins and relax my muscles.

Pregnancy Week 19

I remember on week 16th I was complaining on how small my tummy was compared to other people's photos on the internet. Now I feel I am short of breath because my tummy is getting bigger and it starts pressing my other organs. It is growing really fast since 2-3 weeks ago. on my 16th week, I still wore my normal skirt to work. Now I only can wear loose dress and the rubber skirt.

On week 16th and 17th I was so happy that my weight didn't increase so much. It was just around 2.5 kg. Now it's like I gained around 5 kg. In fact, my breakfast is the same thing, recently since the second trimester, I have not been eating a lot for breakfast compared to first trimester. In the first trimester, I needed to have breakfast because it helped a lot to reduce morning sickness.

My lunches have been always regular and same as before pregnancy. Evening time tea break also I have not been eating snacks compared to first trimester which I felt hungry always. I needed to bring extra bread for 4.30pm. So I don't know how I gained the extra 3kg in 2 weeks.

This week I feel fatigue as always, not energized. My back pain is getting stronger. My tummy skin is really tight. I experienced swollen feet because of too much walking. My nights starts getting hard as I have difficulty finding comfortable sleeping position. Poor Niko has to sleep on the study room floor. My sleep always gets interrupted because I need to go to toilet at least once.

I had not felt the movement of my baby clearly at the beginning of the week. At the end of the week, I felt it clearer. Sometimes it is like popcorn popping in your lower tummy. When I am walking normally the baby does not move.

Another thing we have been thinking this week is the name for the baby. Since it is a boy (90% chance based on the 16th week scanning) we only think about boy names.

Niko actually had chosen a name but his mother doesn't agree. He choose Philippo (I don't know how he intent to spell it but it is a Italian name). His mother has a point that he will be born in horse year while Philippo means horse lover. She thinks too much "horse" element. So I can not be more agreed with her point. Some more our friends' comments are Philippo sounds funny and out of the Asian region.

While Niko has no idea to choose other names. I remember I actually had chosen a name long long time ago (around 3 years ago) for our son. MARCO. It's inspired by MARtha & niKO with a little bit change on the letter K. How does it sound? MARCO GUNADI. For me it sounds pleasant to hear and doesn't sound funny also.

Second plan is we name him NIKO GUNADI Jr. There's another problem with this name, if we have more than 1 son. Then what name should we give for our 2nd one? He will feel hurt as he is not the junior of his father. But anyway, this is just a rubbish talk.