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!!

food intake during pregnancy~

Today I’m going to write about my food intake during pregnancy. This is based on my personal experience and through the little research that I had been doing. It might not be the best diet but this is what I’ve been doing and I would like to keep it here as for my reference in future. 

In the early month of my pregnancy, I don’t really watch out what I eat. i just eat like before I’m pregnant. (Because there were no bump yet, so I keep on forgetting that I’m pregnant) During breakfast, I would eat cereal, had bread later on. As for lunch, I’ll have rice with some meat and for dinner it will be some bread or eating outside. (If I’m to tired to cook.. with all of the hormones, I bet u would understand the feeling) Then when the constipation struck me, I really thought that I had to change my diet. Getting constipation during pregnancy is really not fun.

So, now, during breakfast, I would blend some carrot to make carrot juice. Sometimes I would be thinking to myself, from where did I get the courage to go and blend some vegetables/ fruits early in the morning.. Anyway, after that I would have some fruits to start of my day. Be it guava, kiwi, mango, banana, papaya etc I will try to variety it. Then, here comes the oatmeal or cereal or even bread with some egg. (Do I sound like a health freak?!) Poor Mr. Husband, he has no way to escape this regime.

As for lunch, I will eat some rice (very little) or pasta of even sandwiches with a big bowl of homemade salad. I do eat some fruits before lunch too. People usually ask me how I managed to be so slim during my pregnancy. I don’t have any secrets, besides, I do eat a lot. (I do eat junk too) Maybe this post can answer their inquiries.. Will they ever read it? But they don’t really know that I had gain nearly 15kg during my pregnancy. With the baby weight only 1.8kg, I wonder were all the fat goes on.

Then comes dinner, we hardly eat rice for dinner. Sometimes I would make sandwiches (again), sometimes we’ll have oatmeal, and we do go out most of the time too. (To fulfill all of this crazy woman’s craving over food!!) You see, I just love to watch the TV show that featuring all the eateries in the town. I would be ready with a pen and a notebook to jot down the eating places. Then, if there were any free time, off we went to these places. (But don’t worry, we hardly had any free time.. I don’t know why, but we seem to be so occupied nowadays..) I don’t think this is called craving but more to passion over food!! 

I love the coconut drinks too. During my last trimester, I had it like once a week. Luckily it’s quit easy to get this drink here. I really enjoy my coconut drink session. Owh besides that, I had been drinking the orange juice too. My doctor had been asking me to take my medication with the orange juice. So basically I will drink the juice daily. 

Besides that, I also eat prune as it would make you go to toilet easily. Drink a lot of water; this is the difficult part for me. Sometimes I would drink a lot and sometimes I would be just too lazy. As for milk intake, I do have Anmum before I go to bed. Sometime I would have Hi-Goat milk too. I’ll snack on fruits or crackers if I feel hungry. I have to start eating the raisin and dates too as these are also good food.

What a long entry I had? I better stop now as I still have to pack for my vacation which is tomorrow!! (Baby, please don’t pop out yet.. mommy need some breaks!!) Enjoy your weekend people!!

cousin's wedding~

We attended my cousin's wedding in Penang last week. This is the first cousin that got married in my mom's side. The event when on smoothly. Here are some pics that I manage to captured using my old camera. Pssst.. I guess this is the last traveling before my due date.. *sigh*

the hall..

 Girls on duty..

 the table setting + door gifts..

 the dais..

 pregnant lady are not given any job on that nite..

 the bride + bridegroom!! king and queen of the nite..

us the cousins!!

I only realize now that I did not take many pictures on that nite. It's ok, the next day, they have the different theme.. stay tune k people!!

Ernest Murals in George Town!!

Good morning dear readers!! How are you? How was your weekend? Did you have a great weekend?! I did have a great one! There was a wedding in Penang, so all of us travel there to attend the occasion. 

During the day, I get the chance to visit the famous Georgetown which is the capital of the state of Penang. Besides, On 7 July 2008, George Town was, together with Malacca, formally inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is officially recognized as having a unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia. Owh I just love this old historic town so much. But I did not get a chance to explore the whole town, maybe next time.

The highlight of my visit to Georgetown is to see the famous mural that had been published in the few local newspapers recently. I was so excited to see it myself. The mural or drawing is done by Ernest Zacharevic which is a young Lithuania-born artist. This comes in the form of beautifully executed wall paintings, or murals, at selected streets in the inner city. The project, known as Mirrors George Town, is part of George Town Festival 2012.

Below are some of the drawings that I manage to captured.

 the artist himself!!

 "little boy with pet"

 "boy on a bike"

 Mr Hubby trying to make a suitable pose with the drawing..

 "little children on a bike"

 Ehem2.. at my 32 weeks of pregnancy!! another 8 weeks to go!!

 "reaching up"

"this old man".. only manage to snap this pic from the car..

P/s: Tips of the day, if you really want to find out about these places, and snap a few photos, do come early as 8am. Otherwise, it will be too crowded with tourist. Besides that, there are also bicycle rental in the town. Maybe you can park your car at 1 spot and cycle to this few locations. The mural is scattered around the town but quit near to each other. It is quit easy to find them.