"Antenatal Class @ Demc"

Last Sunday, Mr Husband and I went to the Antenatal Class organized by DEMC. Each couple has to pay about Rm120. It started to serve breakfast at 8.30am and the talks start at 9am. The talk started with the “optimal nourishment during pregnancy” by the nutritionist. The talk was great I would say. Then, there was a talk regarding the labor. Can’t really remember what the title was. It was about the stages and also the term used in the labor. Then, there was a talk about the “epidural analgesia”. This is where the medical intervention comes during childbirth. There was also a brief talk about the baby as soon after the birth by the pediatrician. About those screening, jaundice and also injections that baby suppose to take after birth.  After a long morning of the serious talk, we finally get to tour the hospital: the labor room and also the ward. Later on, lunch was served. But, based on my observation, not all of the participant would be delivering there at DEMC. Maybe because there was lack of Antenatal Class, people choose to attend this class. 

The talk soon continued with “breastfeeding” by one of the panel. It was quit an interesting talk I would say. Then, the talk continue with confinement period and how to take care of your body by one of the spa owner that provide special services for lady that had just giving birth. She had been encouraging us to use the “tanamera” product as she herself find it useful. Should I give it a try? Finally, we come to the last section!! It was the fitness exercise for moms!! It was very informational, but at that time, we have to stand on our exercise mat so I don’t get the chance to jot down any points. But that section was good I would say. They teach us how to breathe properly according to the stages of labor, and few useful exercises.

This class was quit beneficial, but there were a few hiccups that I believe they can improve for a better service. This class caters not only for moms to be but there were also the dads!! So at least put a section were dad feel involve in the process. Maybe about the role of dad in the labor room etc. as we know, mom are the one that had been doing the extra reading, so when dad actually attend this kind of talks, try to get more involvement for the dads. Besides, some of the panel or speaker do talk quit fast and we did not get the time to jot down the important notes. Maybe the organizer can provide us with the handout. We pay quit a sum of money for this one day class, let me remind you!!

Besides then that, everything was great. As for me, it is better to get the chance to attend this class than not going at all.

mini monday~

I accompanied dear mommy to the market yesterday. Check out what did I bought!! It was a “nasi lemak”!! I didn’t realize how small it was until I hold it. The size is half of my palm. It cost me about Rm1. Will people only have 1 of this?! (Yes for me, but I doubt others will only buy 1 of it)

pre-confinement period!!

Confinement? What does that mean? Do you have any idea of what it is?! It is actually the act of restraining of a person's liberty by confining them. Normally, in the Malay community, after a mom give birth, she will have to go through a few of restriction in order to heal her body and suppose to make her feel stronger by resting a lot and eating good food. 

To my surprise, I was actually being put into some sort of confinement which is beyond the actual time. And to make it easy, I would named it as “pre-confinement period”. You see, Mr Husband who is also known as Mr-Worried-To-Much had ask me to quit my job and basically rest at home when I’m in my 7^th month of pregnancy. Ok I’m fine with that coz being a kindergarten teacher can be quit tiring especially when you have to repeat everything more then 3 times at least. Besides, there are a lot of physical movement involve too. By quitting my job, I had been planning to clean up the house thoroughly, washing the baby cloth etc. 

But when I’m reaching my 33 weeks of pregnancy, he had been thinking that it might be dangerous to leave me alone while he goes to work. So he decided to post me to my mom’s house which is nearer to the hospital in case anything happen. Now he feels satisfied as I am not staying alone and if there any emergency cases, my mom is there to look after me. Ok, I’m fine with that too as I can spend more time with dear mommy!! But I keep on begging him at least, give me another 2 3 weeks to finish up my cleaning etc. But as usual, he just ignored my plea. Ok fine!!

Now, when I’m at mom’s house, mommy decided that I have to eat healthy food which means healthy home cooking food. I had printed some of the confinement menu for her to cook later on. But she is determined to give it a try and the baby has to be healthy, therefore my menu had been on the black pepper, steam fish, vegetable soup etc. It’s kind of funny when I think about it. The menu supposes to start only after I give birth, but I have to get use to it from now on. But it is great, at least there is some one who is looking after me and make sure that I am eating the right food.

And my dad on the other hand, must be the most worried person compare to anyone else in the house. He had been telling me to rest at home every time when he sees me getting ready to go out. Like hello, I still have about a month before my due date and I was not expected to go out at all?! Yeah I know that he is worried about me but I guess I’m doing fine dad!! How am I going to ease up the laboring process if I just stay at home?! When he is not around, I and my mom had our list of places ready. It was so much fun to be out of the house. After all, I am supposed to stay at home during my confinement period later on right?!

You must be thinking that I’m bored to be just sitting at home doing nothing. But I’m occupied most of the time I guest. I have more time to blog, we had fun time cooking and baking together, I get to finish or khatam the Quran before I give birth, and the most important thing is that I have more free time to read!! (Which I love the most)

 

This is going to be the longest confinement period ever!!! Does anyone ever have the pre-confinement and confinement period attached together like this?! Fuhh..

my version of water retention~

Hi people!!

I was so happy that through out my pregnancy I did not encounter any water retention or also known as feet swollen. But now, as I’m approaching the end of my pregnancy, I could feel that my feet are not in the usual shape. Water retention or sometimes called edema, refers to an excessive build up of fluid in the circulatory system, body tissues, or cavities in the body.

Being me, who is basically worried about everything; had been doing my research on this, just to make sure that it is normal for pregnant lady to have it. From my reading, the causes of water retention are as below:

•     Summertime heat
•     Standing for long periods of time
•     "Long" days of activity
•     Diet low in potassium
•     High level of caffeine consumption
•     High level of sodium intake

I just can’t wait to show these feet to my doctor and hear what she has to say about it. From the article that I’m reading, it is also stated that “However, if you have sudden or severe swelling in your face, hands or feet, call your doctor or midwife. It could be a sign of pre-eclampsia, which can be a serious condition for you and your baby”. Now you can see that I’m worried with a reason. BTW I hope that I’m just a bit crazy to be thinking too much bout it. Here are some tips on how to avoid water retention during pregnancy:

•     Avoid standing for long periods
•     Minimize outdoor time when it is hot
•     Rest with your feet elevated
•     Wear comfortable shoes, avoiding high heels if possible
•     Wear supportive tights or stockings
•     Avoid clothes that are tight around your wrists or ankles
•     Rest or swim in a pool
•     Use cold compresses on swollen areas
•     Drink water, which helps flush the body and reduce water retention
•     Minimize sodium (salt) intake and avoid adding additional salt to meals

I hardly take a look at my own feet, but I also don't remember it being this big!!!

p/s: Have a great weekend people!! As for me, I'll have my curriculum class tomorrow which is to go for the monthly medical check up. (Its not a monthly thing anymore, should i say a weekly checkup)

my 2nd degree!!

Gud morning people!!

Yeah you read the title correctly. I’m currently continuing my study and are now pursuing my 2^nd degree in “being a mother”. It is a long distance mode of education. And I choose to do the self learning method. Besides that, I am also doing my own research with few text books. As for the assessment, I still can’t figure out how I would be assessed. There will be no test for sure but marks will be given during the practical training. (owh its not a training.. it’s the actual thing) Marks will be given in the actual situation I guess.  

This 1^st semester consist of 9 months. And the subjects that I will be taking for this semester include doing research on eating healthy food, exercise during pregnancy, weekly progress during pregnancy, reading to your baby, childbirth, water retention management, confinement period and menu during confinement, . Besides than doing research, there are a lot of curriculum subjects that I have to take too. Which mean, I have to get up and do it myself. I have to exercise, read to the baby, Quran reading, buying the baby’s stuff (I love this one!!!) and also monthly medical checkup. 

Currently, bookstore, library and laptop had been my best friend. There are so many researches had to be done and the semester is coming to the end without me realizing it.  

9 months for a semester seems to be quit a long period of time. I just can’t wait for this semester to be finished!! I wonder what subject I will take in my 2^nd semester. Or will it be the curriculum subject only?! Breastfeeding, baby bathing, baby feeding, read to the baby and what else?

 

My only wish is that I will graduate with good grades!!! Go go chaiyok!!