Counting Down - 4 more weeks to go!

Had my consultation with Dr Chew yesterday, where he did the Group Strep B test and discussed the birthplan with me. The Group Strep B test is intended to test if i've Strep B infection which is harmless to adults but can cause pneumonia, meningitis in newborns. I've been asking friends who have done the test before if it is something like a papsmear and they said almost similar. So, i was all psyched up for an uncomfortable papsmear-like test and worrying about the possible side-effects, but it turned out to be a gentle swap with a stick with a cottonbud head. Well, the whole experience turned out to be ok just a slight discomfort. [hmmm, shall not go into the details:)] Will know the outcome of the test at my next consultation next Wednesday:) Hope it is ok coz otherwise i think i will have to be put on antibiotics to clear the infection.

Dr Chew also discussed the birthplan with me. He said that we will aim for normal delivery and said that Bebe will be quite a big baby but my physique should be ok to handle a baby over 3 kgs. I also asked him about Chee Meng cutting the umbillical cord and he said that Chee Meng can do it if he wants to, but he has seen husbands who fainted in the delivery room. I told Chee Meng about it last night that he can actually cut the cord, and he was like 'don't want lah...'. So, we shall leave it as such coz i don't want him to pass out! Haha! Dr Chew also said that he will leave it to me if i want an epidural and shared that he had a patient who asked for an epidural when she was 7cm dilated, which is technically too late and won't do much to relieve the pain:)

Dr Chew also said that i should check myself into the hospital if (i) my waterbag breaks, (ii) have any form of bleeding or (iii) feel any pain at regular intervals. He also explained when he will need to do a c-section during labour, ie, if (i) there are signs of foetal distress, (ii) waterbag breaks, (iii) increase in blood pressure, or (iv) no progress in labour.

Dr Chew was also visibly pleased when i told him that i will put Bebe on total breastfeeding for at least 6 months. He taught me to start preparing my breasts for the moo-moo experience - to place cotton wools soaked in warm water over the nipples for 15 minutes before shower and then clean it with a mild cleanser after shower, followed by a gentle massage. He said that this should unclog the nipples and that i should not worry if i should experience leaks in colostrum while doing so. I also asked him that i was told we should not massage the breast too much/forcefully as it may trigger contractions. He just said that it would be good if we can trigger contractions so easily:) He's quite funny.

Well, it's just another 4 more weeks to go and i should say that i'm about 60% done in preparing the necessary stuff for Bebe. Much of the preparations should go to my mum, who has been washing little Bebe's clothings, socks, mittens and everything else. I took some pictures of Bebe's laundry the other day and they are so tiny and cute! Will attempt to post some of the pictures over the weekend. But, the greatest thing that's happening this weekend is that my mum will prepare her famous pig trotters & ginger in vinegar! According to her, the vinegared ginger will need to be be soaked/kept for a month so that it has the desired effect of expelling wind from the body! Yums - this is one dish that i'm looking forward to during confinement:)