A Sneak Peek of My Hospital Bags

Woke up at around 7.45am today to go through my hospital bag or rather bags before I admit myself into the hospital today.  Was pretty much unprepared during the first delivery and this time round, I wanted to be a bit more kiasu.  Guess it is better to be prepared with extra stuff than having to get my hubby to bring them over last minute.

It looks like I am going for a long holiday with the 3 bags of items...lolx.  I can only console myself this way, rather than thinking of being immobilized later on.  I hate that feeling of not being able to get off the bed with the nurses coming over to check my blood pressure every 2 hours.  Nah... not a holiday at all.

My gynae, Dr Lee also mentioned no food and drinks after 9am, so I had to wake up early to eat breakfast and drink more water in case I get thirsty later on.

Here is a list of stuff inside my bags.

Besides the usual stuff which I brought along the last time, like pyjamas, undergarments, toiletries, baby's clothes, doctor's letter, marriage certificate, etc, I have included things like ipad mini +charger to keep me entertained and connected to my work and emails even though I highly doubt I will be using it for the 1st day, Medela Breast Pump (thank god it is in a good working condition after 3 years), Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter, Nature's Way Fenugreek Seed Pills, Earth Mama Angel Baby Organic Milkmaid Tea, a teapot which I will ask the nurses to fill it up with milo as I have decided not to drink plain water during my confinement period and a cup for me to make my nursing tea.  I didn't prepare all these the last time and I highly regretted it.

A small bag containing baby stuff...  I bought a crochet hat for the baby and it has 2 rabbit ears.  Trying to dress the baby up... lolx.

My trusty medela swing breastpump...

Haven't tried this before yet, so not sure how it will taste like. 

This is good as it did help me increased my breastmilk but I didn't latch on much and gave up hafway.  This time round, I am determined to succeed and I bought 2 bottles of this. 

Oh... I have also bought 2 presents for Kaiser on behalf of the baby.  Gotten them from the Takshimaya fair not too long ago.  Will be giving it to Kaiser when he comes to visit me in the hospital.  I guessed it is ok to say some white lies once in a while...lolx.  Hopefully, Kaiser will like his new toys.

Gosh... gonna miss my Kaiser so much.

2 more hours before going to the hospital for admission.  I realised that I am not as nervous regarding the c-sec operation compared to worrying about the health of my baby.  I remembered I couldn't relax much after Dr Lee sew me up and the nurses pushed me back to my ward until Daddy came and told me that Kaiser is well and healthy.  Hoping everything is ok.

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Why C-Section This Time Round?

Getting jittery now thinking about tomorrow's C-section operation.  Decided to write my feelings down so that a few years later, when I read my post again, I can still remember why I decided to go for elective C-section this time round.  My first boy, Kaiser, was born via C-section as he was breeched.  Even at week 37, he remained in breeched position.  Went to a Master Jing, Fengshui master located in Geylang, to get a good date and time for the operation.  Was surprised that it was his disciple who attended to us.  Nonetheless, I didn't make any noise even though I thought since I am paying for the master's service, Master Jin should be the one talking to us instead.

Actually, my gynae, Dr Kenneth Edward Lee, mentioned that I can try for VBAC (Virginal Birth After C-section) but he said that I have to fulfill a few criteria.  Firstly, the baby must be in the correct position.  The aminotic fluid must be sufficient.  The baby's heartbeat must be strong and the baby can't be too big.  However, my pelvic is not tested during the first pregnancy and he is not sure if my cervix can dilate sufficiently enough(at least 10cm) for the baby to come out naturally.  So if I want to go for natural birth, I can still go ahead but if I go into contractions for too long and baby is in distress, I will have to go for emergency c-section.  Also, he said that he can't induce me as I may not dilate sufficiently and if I go into contractions for too long, my previous c-section wounds may split, leading to bleeding, which will be dangerous for myself and the baby.

The gungho me wanted to try for natural birth as my baby fulfills all the criteria for this method.  But Dr Lee said it would be better if I can decide on some dates for c-section and book the operation theatre and if the baby comes out natural, then all is well.  If I pass the due date, at least I still can go for elective c-section.  I was pretty reluctant to go for c-section but my hubby kept pestering me to go see a Fengshui master.  

Under the recommendation of my babe friend cum ex-colleague, Anthea, I managed to find Master Chen, located in Toa Payoh.  I was surprised that he didn't request for my hubby and my birthdate and time to come up with some suitable dates but he was able to explain his reasoning through reading my life and Kaiser's life through 紫薇斗术 and I am impressed by his almost 100% accuracy.  He asked me one question that won me completely.  The question was, "Do I require your parents' date of birth and time to read your life?"  That was when i realised parents' date of birth and time will not affect the baby life at all!  When he analysed Kaiser's life, I realised that the date and time which Master Jing gave was not the best.  It was just normal but that was not what I wanted.  

Since I have to go through the painful recovery after c-section, I would want the best for my Kaiser.  I purposely tested Master Chen and asked him if there was anything I can buy from him to improve Kaiser's life but he said, "Look at my place... there is nothing I can and want to sell you.  I am a fengshui master and my job is to read fengshui, not a businessman who wants to make more money from you."  Good... he passed my test.  After that, he said that it would be best for Kaiser to study or work overseas next time, if he wants to make it big.  After hearing this, I really feel like calling Master Jing and asked him why he gave such a date to me the last time, before i decide if I should kill him... lolx.

So even though I was so set on trying for natural delivery although I hear stories from friends telling me the pain, I have finally decided to go for elective c-section.  Yes, I told myself even if I have to suffer during the recovery period of at least 2 months, I don't mind so long as my baby has a good life in the future.  Some people may think it is ridiculous to believe in all the fengshui saying but I don't care as long as I think I have a chance to give my baby a better life.  That is something I feel I should do as his mother.  So even though I hate to go through the recovery period where I can't walk or sleep properly with the tight and hot binder to compress my c-section wound, I told myself, it will be just a few months... I have gone through it before and I can go through it again.

Dr Lee was puzzled as I was pretty adamant about going for natural delivery.  I didn't say much except that to say for fengshui reasons.  I am getting jittery about the operation, even though I had gone through it before as Dr Lee explained the risks involved with c-section.  It is considered a major operation compared to natural birth as he had to cut through 7 layers before he can reach my baby.  Then he has to sew the 7 layers back again.  I wonder how many scars I have inside my body after this 2nd birth...lolx.

So YES, finally we have decided on 16 Oct 2013, on a certain timing, after looking at the 4 dates which Master Chen gave me.  He said that if baby comes out on 16 or 17 Oct, baby will look more like me but if the baby comes out on 18 or 19 Oct, the baby will look more like my hubby instead.  We shall see how accurate that is...lolx.

One last picture of me before my baby bump is gone and it will be "Helloooo, baby!"

 Wish me good luck!

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2011 Cozycot Fashionable Lot 25!

Been a while since I last update my dusty blog because I was so busy working and looking after my darling baby boy, Kaiser who is turning 7 months in another 3 days time.


2 months ago, I received a call from Cozycot informing me that I will be given an award for being chosen as one of 2011 Cozycot Fashionable Lot 25!  Never consider myself as a very fashionable person in the first place so it came as a pleasant shock to me...hahaha!  Thanks, Cozycot peeps!  Really appreciate this gesture.  At the same time, I feel glad that my work as the Founder of Elaine Heng Image Consultancy is further recognised.  Also the award is very timely as I will be celebrating my birthday in Jul, hence this is one of my birthday gift!


Nonetheless, I look forward to the award ceremony and party held this coming Saturday, 16 July at Orchard Central.  In fact CozyCot is celebrating the CozyCot Holy Grail Beauty & Fashion Awards 2011 on 16 Jul as well as 17 Jul, so do drop by if you are available cos it is fun and exciting!

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Interview by Nu You Magazine Oct 2010

My journalist friend from Nu You magazine asked me if I am keen to be interviewed by her for her anti-aging article which will come out in Oct issue 2010.  I thought, "Why not?" since I'm getting old and I am the right person she approached...hahaha!  Arrived at SPH Building in Genting Lane to do my makeup and hair and photoshoot, before we proceeded to the SPH canteen for a drink and an interview.

okie...that big photo is not me...I'm the one in the small picture..hahaha!

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Interviewed by FM93.8Live DJ Pamela and Stanley

Been a long while since I update this blog cos I was up to my neck with lots of work.  Since now I'm taking a break from work in Dec, it's finally time to do some updates.  I was interviewed by FM93.8FM DJ Pamela and Stanley on 10 Aug 2010 with regards to Image Consultancy Services for Gentlemen.  Went over to the recording studio in Mediacorp at about 11am to meet up with the 2 DJs. 

Yes, 93.8 Live has its own signboard in Mediacorp radio building!

Got to take one pic with the signboard for remembrance sake.

Here we are in the recording room.  As the staff who was supposed to help record down the interview was on last min MC and the replacement staff was on his way to Mediacorp, Stanley suggested we do recording on his recorder, rather than waiting.  So here we were, doing recording with Pamela doing the introductions. 

The interview took on the mood of something light-hearted and casual.  We joked and laughed along the way.

Halfway through the interview.

The replacement staff arrived and we decided to redo the interview again but this time round, we recorded the session using the professional equipment that you see in the photos.

 ok...on air now!

 Listening to the recorded conversation.

Looking through the next set of questions for interview...

ok, interview was finally done and we took a photo using Stanley's camera.

A photo taken from my camera.  Stanley joked that he felt like a superstar, taking so many photos!

 

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Warning: Never Ever Buy HTC Handphones...

I am not using HTC handphone but Daddy is and when his hp broke down within 1 year of usage, he asked me to help to arrange for repairs with HTC service centre and this was what happened...

I am very extremely disappointed with the HTC Hotline and the free pickup and delivery service provided.

Firstly, calling the HTC hotline was a hassle and chore beacause the line is forever engaged and I could only get through after numerous tries.  Luckily, the house phone could be put on speaker mode, so I could still do my work while waiting for someone on the other end to pick up.  After getting through the line, the HTC customer care people didn't know how to speak proper English and I had to explain a few times before they could understand the problem. 

After the HTC phone was repaired which took about 5 working days(not counting the weekends), I received an sms from their courier side on 16 Sept 2010 asking me to pick up th phone from HTC counter at Vivocity on 17 Sept after 1 pm. I called the person in charge of courier up and checked with him nicely if he can deliver to me directly to my house on 17 Sept 2010.

Maybe he was upset about working today or something as his attitude was very nasty and asked me a few times if I was certain that I will be at home.  I already mentioned that, "Yes, today I will be around and he commented sarcastically, "Oh, It's raining so you don't want to work is it?" I work from home and when there is no training, I do the rest of my admin work from home but I think his comments are uncalled for.

After that, he said that it is raining very heavily so they can't do any delivery at all.  What an excuse! If everyone doesn't work when it is raining, I think S'pore economy will die sooner or later.  The reason why we require courier service is that it is much more convenient for customers.  If courier service doesn't want to work on raining days, then why do we need them for?!  After I told him that "Yes, I will be definitely at home.", he still insisted that they can't do any delivery.

When I asked how come the courier cannot do delivery, he gave another excuse and said, "Oh, cos we scared that we can't contact you when we deliver to your place and he started complained that he couldn't contact me yesterday." I had to do training yesterday afternoon and couldn't pick up my phone when I was working yet he used this as an excuse not to deliver. 

Only after some time, he agreed to deliver the repaired handphone to me on 17 Sept but he kept saying that they will deliver anytime from 2.30 to 6pm, which I understand cos I'm not asking them or demanding them to deliver to me at a specific time.

This very bad experience made me think twice about getting a HTC phone again next time.  If next time Daddy wants to get a HTC handphone, I'm gonna to kill him for sure...hahaha!
 
On a serious note, I hope HTC can work on the courier service side to ensure that customers are not subjected to any of such nonsense again.

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