We're no longer 3 but four !

Wow time flies when you have 2 kids! The last I wrote was before I gave birth. Well that explains my life for the past few months!

Dont ask me why I'm awake at 4am in the morning... heheh.. suddenly remembered I had a blog and miss blogging :)

Well being a mother to number 2 is somewhat different, chaotic sometimes, blissful at other times. It's back to sleepless nights, endless feeding and changing diaper sessions, learning to multi-task parenting 2 ->e.g. breastfeeding and chasing after a toddler who just peed in his pants and running all over the place with his wet pants!

Many things happened and changed the way I looked at things.
LABOUR
Back to when I gave birth to Trevor... -> I prayed and thank God that Trevor came naturally on Sunday 21st Dec 2009, 3.45KG, instead of being induced, overdue by 5days. My labour was shorter, but I felt it was more intensed. It started at 8am with some 'stomachache' and was admitted at 10am. 2pm baby was out! This time round I kinda know what to expect and could focus and did a better job at relaxing during the contractions. Probably explains the shorter labour. I didnt take the 'gas' as I didnt want the nausea feeling, so I was awake and conscious the whole time, therefore i could feel everything. Dont know whether good or not:) The last time I was 'high' on gas so didnt exactly remembered what when on. But I'm just happy the labour was over!

After Labour
BREASTFEEDING!
After breastfeeding Tristan for 26mths, I thought.. should be no problem with no.2. I'm a breastfeeding counsellor so should set a good example, total breast milk all the way! And so I thought...
Every baby is unique, so is every labour and every breastfeeding experience.
I didnt prepare any nursing cream as I thought nipple should be 'season' already but I was wrong. The first feed was good, Trevor latch on pretty well and sucks very strongly. But hhmmm.. he is a hourly feeder! I was super tired and nipple sore like crazy. I was paranoid and keep asking Chris to check on baby make sure he was not fed formula as it may compromise the success of breastfeeding. So I was bit stressed up and exhausted, couldn't rest properly. The next day the Pediatrician came in and was concerned that Trevor has not peed or poo since birth. I cant remember the exact words but he said something like this: it is great that I choose to breastfeed, but I need to exercise balance and put baby's health as priority. He said it in a very nice way that I didnt feel that I was reprimanded for insisting on Total breast milk. I thought about it, worried for baby + sore nipples + every hour feed + super exhausted... I decided to top up with formula. Fill with guilt, but I knew I had to make a decision there and then.
I continue to feed directly and top up with some formula after every feed for about 3 days until the milk came in. I was surprised that this time round I have engorgement and too much milk. (didnt know too much milk will be a problem too)
-> that's a whole new story and topic..
On the 4th day, I'm happy and lucky that I manage to switch back to total breast feeding without nipple confusion and other problems. And I'm still happily breastfeeding now. :)

Thinking about it now, I realized that there are ideals and sometimes we give ourselves a hard time for trying to match these ideals and forget about our priorities and what is more important. I learnt that in life we have to strike a balance in everything and my view of things changed. I admit I was paranoid and went the other way of 'blaming' formula companies and their unethical marketing for being the cause of many lives in 3rd world countries. I was angry with formula for a while. I'm not saying that I forgive their act, it's still unacceptable but I have come to terms with it. It has changed the way I counsel as a breastfeeding counselor. Every effort that a mother makes to breastfeed is great and should be praised and encouraged. No mother should be made to feel bad that when they have failed. I'm sure the decision made under different circumstances has been thought about and is not easy. However amount of breastmilk that a mother manage to give is good for the baby.

Of course I still stand by that knowledge gives strength and together with will power and perserverance, every mother can succeed in breastfeeding. My role is to encourage and provide information so that mothers can breastfeed successfully and breastfeed longer.

Here's part 1 of my life after Trevor's born... will write again on
1) Tristan's reaction to new baby brother
2) Tristan going to school
3) Tristan entering toddlerhood
4) Our first holiday to Port Dickson as a family of four
5) Changes in our family dynamics
6) Managing 2 + Business (MummyHugs) + Studies (Kindermusik)! (or so I try)
7) How's Trevor different from Tristan.
-> Trevor growing big and fast. He seems to do everything faster than Tristan :)

Stay tuned.

40 Weeks Pregnant!

Started another blog at http://mummyhugs-twiceblessed.blogspot.com/ for my second time round pregnancy experience, but never really got to writing much. Since got not time to develop that blog, I copied all the entries I wrote into this blog under pregnancy:).

I guess 2nd time is pretty different in a sense that you don't have so much time to 'dream' about what what your baby will look like or how will you bring up your baby, read pregnancy books, and live in a fantasy world of the perfect birth plan, perfect delivery, touching moments when you finally meet your baby. Nothing like that at all. Most of the time I just feel tired, and trying to run after my toddler. And also I kind of know what to expect and it's not all a pretty bed of roses :)

Still, I enjoyed my pregnancy. Very thankful that I didnt have much complications. I still love the tingling feeling of baby moving in my womb or the somersault or football that he play in there! Actually today is my due date! But no signs of labout yet. Excited yet pretty scared of the 'process'. I was dreading the labour and dont want to think too much about it. But on Sunday, we met the Gynae and she was pretty busy and sound 'worried' that baby may go overdue. That scared me a little. I guess now is no time to dread it, I'm praying that baby come soon. If not I'm booked for to be induced next week! And if induction doesnt work it'll be Cesarean! I really dont want to be induced for go through Cesarean. So fingers crossed, pray baby is out by this week healthy and strong. :)

Found some links on how to go into labour... not sure how much it is true though.
How To Go Into Labor?
http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-go-into-labor

How to go into labor?- Maternityacupressure
http://www.maternityacupressure.com/how-to-go-into-labor/index.html

I'm overdue: now what?
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/planningyourbabysbirth/overdue/

The Great Expectation

Ha.. tot I will be more diligent and update this second pregnancy blog of mine more often, oh well I guess things are a little different second time round.

'Tired' is the key word! Constantly! I really wonder how other mothers cope with a 3rd or 4th...etc. It's not so much the pregnancy that is tiring, but it's the 'being pregnant and still need to tend to a super active toddler' part that is the more energy consuming. And also wanting to spend more time with the first one before the second one arrives. So here I am at the 7th Month of my pregnancy and only 2 more months to go!

Time flies, really. Week after week... and I am so close to the end of my second pregnancy that I really don't know what to expect this time round. And frankly, I am no where near prepared. Mentally not prepared for the labour and tending to a newborn, the sleepless nights ahead...etc. And since me and my sister in law is giving birth on the same month, ( her fourth girl- I take my hats off her! she's my idol. ) we cant borrow her crib or clothes or all the baby stuff. Nothing is prepared physically yet. No baby bed, haven't taken out the limited newborn clothes I have bought previously, the broken breast pump that needs repair...etc...etc...
I cant even remember the signs to look out for when I am in labour and no time to really sit down and plan what else needs to be done. Oh no... time is running out!

The other thing that is worrying me is how Tristan will react when the new baby is here, and how I am going to cope with it? I am no where near reading the chapter on toddler rival from my "Baby makes four" book that I got months ago. The only preparation I did was getting my husband to take on more roles with Tristan like bathing and cleaning Tristan, making milk for him and more father and son alone time.
And part of me wish to spend more time with him, other part wants to earn some more income before no.2 arrives. Cos I dont think I'll or have the means to go back to work then.

So... here I am at the last 2 months of my pregnancy and I guess I wont be filling up this blog as much as I wish. Here's a summary of events that happened in the last few months.

25/06/08 Tristan weaned...
:(...:)- missed it, but happy to take a break before no.2 arrives.

5/07/08 Baby kicked last week

13/07/08 It's a boy
(Yes we are having another boy. No real expectation of girl/boy, just pray for a normal healthy child. But seeing other little baby girls make me think of trying for another one ... we'll see how I go with 2 first :)

Till the next time. :)

Visit My New Pregnancy Blog!

My New Pregnancy Blog: Twice Blessed.

http://mummyhugs-twiceblessed.blogspot.com/

Blocked ears and stuffy nose during pregnancy?

I had blocked nose and ears last week, I thought it was just normal flu. But today my ears are blocked again but no runny or blocked nose. Ah... so irritating, thought something wrong with me, I cant hear very well.

I just tried my luck to see if it has anything to do with being pregnant, well surprisingly, it does! Check this out...

"Because more blood is being pumped, the lining of the airways receives more blood and swells somewhat, narrowing the airways. As a result, the nose occasionally feels stuffy, and the eustachian tubes (which connect the middle ear and back of the nose) may become blocked. These effects can slightly change the tone and quality of the woman's voice."

Click here to read further

Blocked Ears and Nose during Pregnancy   http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec22/ch257/ch257d.html

Breastfeeding during pregnancy.

Wow... 2 blogs in a day?... hhmmm...cant sleep- nose is congested ... Decide to research on something which I wanted to do long ago.

Breastfeeding during Pregnancy.

I received a lot of concern from family and friends re: me breastfeeding during pregnancy. Most are worried for my depleting health, priority should go to the baby in my womb, and I should wean Tristan off.

Once again, lucky for me that I have my sister in law as a role model. She continued nursing her first one ( then about 1 and half years ) while pregnant, and continue breastfeeding both till about 3-4 years of age. So being pregnant does not seem to be a good reason to stop breastfeeding.

But I didn't have knowledge to back me up, so I got swayed away... reducing breastfeeding and actually thinking of weaning. Actually I don't mind the weaning part, it's just that I wish the decision to wean is between me and Tristan rather than doing it because of external pressure. I prefer to let him lead the weaning off breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is more than just a source of food and nutrition anymore, it's about the relationship and the bond between me and my son. I still want to continue to this relationship as long as we both want it.

Here are some interesting information that I found that really clear my doubts on whether it is safe to continue breastfeeding, whether is it ok, whether mother's or the health of the baby in the womb will be affected, and what nutrition should the nursing mother be aware of.

Kellymom: Nursing for two http://www.kellymom.com/nursingtwo/faq/index.html.

Nurtrition for Mom http://www.kellymom.com/nursingtwo/faq/04momnutrition.html

Feeling pregnant.

I finally feel that I am pregnant. Why?
Tired easily, cant exert myself too much without feeling some pressure on the abdomen. Wonder if this is partly psychological, because before I realize that I was pregnant, I was doing everything under the sun. Probably a lot of things that I shouldn't be doing like skipping meals and late nights editing website, stressing over work and stuff.

I was wondering why I am feeling so tired as compared to my previous pregnancy, where I was working full time, siting on a desk for 9 hours 5 days a week till I was 8 months pregnant, traveling via public transport through the Singapore-Malaysia Customs even walking across the 2KM Causeway when the traffic was bad. Now I cant even sit down in front of the computer for more than 2 hours, I get this uncomfortable pressure at the abdomen and I have to go lie down.

During the last visit to the Dr's last Friday, I asked if there was anything wrong and why I was feeling so tired easily. She said that I don't realize it but for the 1st pregnancy, all I have to do after work is go home and rest, sleep & watch Korean Series :) . But now, I have to take care of my little monster :) Which actually consumes more energy, instead of a 9 hours job it's now 24 hours 7 days a week. Luckily I still have a nanny to help me out. If not I will be flat out everyday.

Trying to do less and rest more, so here I am in a messy room full of laundry that is still not folded and kept away, table piled up with documents and papers, reminder letters for for Credit Card bills payments.....etc. ( Just the Annual Fee which I dont plan to pay... heheh)

Just returned from a 6 days trip to the Villages of Kuching, Sarawak.
( I still cant imagine I did all that while 2.5 months pregnant AND a super active 2 year old! Will load the pictures soon :)

We are pregnant !

Past 2 months have been so hectic that I forgot that I have missed my period. Got a pregnant test last week &...result is POSITIVE! It came as a surprise for both me and Chris. We are both happy coupled with excitement & fear. Reminded ourselves that we are going through everything all over again!

Being 2nd time pregnant, I'm actually more nervous then before. The first time round it was pretty blissful and smooth. And that was because.. "ignorance is bliss" now that I know what's going to happen, and what to expect... hhmmm.. I'm feeling a bit scared.

Excitement aside, I experienced some cramps and discomfort at the abdominal area and bleeding. Very worried, trying to rest as much as I can and pray the bleeding stops.

I searched online and read up on some information on Bleeding During Pregnancy.

From the American Pregnancy Association

Bleeding During Pregnancy

From MayoClinic.com

Bleeding during pregnancy: Why it happens, what to do

From BabyCenter.com

Vaginal spotting or bleeding during pregnancy

 

Pray that baby stay strong.