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.   

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