Of Virus, Scary Event, and "Kena Sound"

Bug-infested… then another “B” in picture

“It” all started with the little one getting infected from family members who caught the flu earlier.  

Picture credit: http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photos-virus-cartoon-angry-cute-funny-image2909418

Speaking of flu, I find the influenza vaccine pretty good in reducing the incidences of catching flu although it’s not perfect (no, it isn’t…).  This is based on personal experience of having gone for the vaccine for the past few years.

Another scare halfway through

Anyway, back to "it"...  Perhaps I exerted myself too much when I tried comforting but forcing a child who strongly resisted to treatment when unwell (Alvin is very strong-willed in certain aspects, and “no” always means “no” once he has made up his mind that way).  

Picture credit: http://www.clipartsfree.net/clipart/550-blood-drop-clipart.html

 

A child who was unwell isn’t the reason why I was suddenly forced onto a week-long medical leave, but perhaps I worked too hard at home until I forgot about the other child.  The sudden presence of “Miss B***d” warrants enough concern and fear, especially when one is already in the 2^nd trimester.  

The reason behind this occasion of PV bleeding isn’t clear.  Fetus appears to grow in line with gestational age.  Cervix is closed and its length looked normal.  There isn’t infection too.  But why?  

The Plan and my reaction

Instead of the initial plan of taking Duphaston until the 20^th week of pregnancy, Prof has decided that I should continue for a bit longer. And the most dreadful piece of news? KIV for bed rest from Weeks xx – xx later on.  Gulp!!!!!!!!!  

That’s as good as already on maternity leave even before maternity.  A mish-mash of things came into picture.  Will the pregnancy even last for so long?  With all the sacrifices made, what if premature delivery still occurs?  If it occurs, what if we run out of luck and no longer escape from the dangers of prematurity like previously?  Poor Alvin-vin (yeah, I call him that sometimes) because bed rest means cutting down a lot of time with him… as if what I’m currently doing is already considered a lot when it's not.

Digressing….

Congrats to them.  

A cousin (and cousin-sister-in-law) of my husband just welcomed their first bundle of joy about 2 weeks ago.   A  full-term healthy baby boy weighing 8 lbs (i.e. roughly 3.6 kg) born via C-section at Hospital Putrajaya.  

I did not get to visit the couple and their newborn baby of course.   Based on hearsay of my family members who visited, the newborn baby is currently on exclusive breastfeeding.   

But compare us not

Praises poured in with regard to the fact that the baby latches very well to his mom, and for being such an angel for sleeping soundly each time he’s done with feeding (as opposed to fussy Alvin).  

“Rice wine chicken” and lactation… ehm…

Unfortunately, I was pretty hurt when remarks were made about the baby’s mom lactating so abundantly thanks to the daily consumption of rice wine chicken (“黄酒鸡”), and words "that you should have done the same last time" were poured upon me.  

Picture credit: http://www.cooking-china.com/chinese-recipe/en/chicken/hakka-style_chicken_in_rice_wine.html

Whether a baby gets to exclusively breastfeed (i.e. without topping-up with any other milk) for a few days, a few weeks, a few months, or a few years, is not as straightforward as thought.  In fact, looking at a larger picture, one shouldn’t get too stressed if not having the opportunity to exclusively breastfeed for as long as wished, because things sometimes don't run according to plans.

There is no proof that wines are good or otherwise for post-natal mothers.  But no doubt it’s a Chinese tradition that’s been practiced for generations.  Logically, alcohol evaporates with heat... hence after the intensive simmering done to prepare rice wine chicken, the amount of alcohol left should be negligible.  However, I'm unable to confirm that as a fact.

At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice whether to consume rice wine chicken or other stuff like Benedict's DOM or Yomeishu.  It's a matter of whether you think it's good or otherwise.

Judge others not… but first judge ourselves

It’s “rezeki orang” that their baby sleeps soundly after every feeding.  Not fussy, quiet, easy to care for.  Although it would be "jauh panggang dari api" to compare their baby with Alvin, I nevertheless hope that the baby who in turn is my distant nephew, grows up healthily and remains a good boy that he is now.   

. 

Spotty, The Back Lane Cat.

Spotty is a stray cat (call him stray because he doesn't belong to any particular person), but receives proper shelter and ample food from kind Samaritans everyday.

During the night, he takes shelter in the workers' hostel of a supermarket, and enjoys hanging around the back lane during the morning. 

"Look, Alvin... the cat is sleeping"... was how our monologue went the other morning

I am seemingly more and more in love with this familiar figure because whenever I come across him, I'll be reminded of Alvin's size as a newborn in May 2012...  :)

A First Visit to UKMSC & 2nd Trimester

How time flies and thus the completion of first trimester…

As usual, one of the biggest dilemmas faced, should “we” make it into the delivery stage, is that where do I want to deliver - Government, private, or university hospital?  

     A.     Where to for antenatal checkup?

How or why did I land myself at UKM Specialist Centre this time?  I don't know why, it's just instinct that I feel this may be the right place.  

As my first trimester this time appeared more dreadful than during Alvin’s time (more incidents of spotting), I am deeply concerned if the outcome for this one is going to be scarier.  And thus desperation hit me hard although I am fully aware that doctors are humans just like the rest of us. 

Ultimately, certain things are beyond our control no matter how much precaution or treatment is taken and undergone.  Well, anything… as long as I try my level best.

B.      The Booking Appointment

In light of my poor obstetric history, and after going through the brief details of what I saw on the website of UKMSC, I thus decided to see Prof Dr Muhamad Abdul Jamil.  Prof Jamil specializes in Feto Maternal Medicine i.e. in high risk pregnancies.  

The tests conducted were typical of normal antenatal check-up, with urinanalysis, measurements of weight and BP, and ultrasound scans (including measurement of cervical length - the reason will be discussed shortly after this).

Prof Jamil asked very detailed questions of my obstetric and family medical histories.One of the matters I highlighted in this appointment is something which was unknown to me prior to Alvin coming along.  Let’s divulge:  

C.      Pelvic pressure at Week 25 last year

A few people around me who had experienced pregnancies and childbirths used to assure me that it’s normal to feel slightly heavier at the abdomen as your fetus gains weight.  But then, how heavy is “heavy”?  

1.       Sensation is subjective

As each person has different threshold as to what “heavy” means, this therefore did not occur to me as an issue during my first pregnancy…. especially when the heaviness wasn’t unbearable anyway.

2.       Maybe it was, but there’s no proof

Only after “nasi sudah menjadi bubur”, I realized that any heavy sensation at the lower abdomen possibly means shortening of the cervix.  But since I have no evidence that it was indeed the case as I was never officially diagnosed, I can’t tell for sure that it was the case.  

3.       The serious emphasis

By right, one should only feel “heavy” down there perhaps about a month prior to delivery and seriously not when one is just 25 weeks pregnant!  

So ladies….. if you are pregnant and ever experience feeling "heavy" at your lower abdomen, especially when you are still far from your due date, please highlight this as a concern to your doctor/nurse who attends to you, and please get them to have your cervix checked.

D.      Other Experiences at UKMSC so far

1.       There parking area for public at HUKM is quite huge, yet due to the high volume of people going there, finding a space to park is an uphill task unless it's past 2 pm.  For about 5 hours, the parking fee is RM2.50 (considered reasonable... for weekdays only.  Weekend parking fee differs.).

2.       UKMSC is located on the 7^th floor, within the HUKM building.

3.       It’s easy to book an appointment at UKMSC.  Just make a phone call to its general line, tell them which doctor would you like to see, and your name.  During registration, all that needs to be done is just to fill in a one-page form.  The staff did not ask for referral letter.

4.       The waiting time can be long.  For e.g., I was there before 2 pm but by the time I saw Prof Jamil, it’s already 5.15 pm. 

5.       The nurses and staff are polite and helpful. 

6.       The waiting time at the cashier’s counter was a bit long.  But it was not too bad as there were sufficient seats around.

7.       The treatment fee is not subsidized. 

8.       Due to the long waiting time for consultation, I would consider bringing more things along the next time, such as magazines (upon upgrading to smartphone, I’m still not into with gadgets on-the-go with at most just 10 minutes of mobile internet when outside, so the phone doesn’t really appeal to me in times of boredom).  And maybe a small cushion for a more comfortable nap at the sofa (to nap while sitting up and not lying down of course!), and most importantly, some convenient food such as bun or packed beverages.  

E.      Conclusion

I have yet to plan where to deliver Alvin’s sibling, should that stage comes along.  Maybe I’ll just go back to Hospital Ampang (I have recently obtained the buku merah), or to HUKM.  I’m not very particular about where to deliver as long as it can be done safely. 

In any event, I always tell myself that ultimately, it’s not up to me or anyone to determine where, when, or how will this sibling of Alvin come along.  And therefore, I try not to think too much.  

Anything is fine, as long as everything runs safely, and as long as I don’t experience another long NICU journey.  Well, as if something like this is within control when in fact it's not.