Baby Myths VS Logic

Through out my (almost) 9 months of pregnancy, I have heard all kind of myths and taboos associated with pregnancy. I am sure most of mom-to-be or anyone who had gone through pregnancy probably know what I'm talking about. The taboos and so-called jinx doesn't stop after pregnancy, I was bombarded with more and more illogical and almost fictional so-called facts after my labor.

Most popular taboos/myths during/after pregnancy:

1. Frequent massage (urut) during pregnancy to help the baby move downward sooner.
2. Do not leave the house in the evening or you would supposedly loose the baby (they say, an evil spirit will steal (kidnap?) the unborn baby.
3. Use 'air selusoh' to help you deliver the baby easier.
4. Use a talisman/amulet (tangkal) - To rid the evil spirit who can possess you and make you go crazy
5. Swaddle the baby or she'll walk like a duck (most annoying)
6. Don't let the baby look upward, it'll lead to epilepsy (sawan)
7. Mother's shouldn't leave the room for 40days.
8. Tie both toes using black fabric for.. (hmm.. I'm not sure about this one)
   

The list goes on and on...

1. Inappropriate massage may cause the baby's umbilical cord to move and choke the baby. Doing simple exercises/activities and walking around can help. The baby will move when she's ready.
2. Unborn baby mysteriously disappears. Has this ever happened recently? You seem to keep hearing people say, "Dulu-dulu" (Long time ago) where there were no ultrasounds. It could have been a molar pregnancy.
3. Air Selusoh - If you did use it, you probably ended up with easy or hard labor. Duh! Do you have any other possibilities? Labor and pregnancy are different for each women. If you use air selusoh, and end up with easy labor, they'll say "thanks to the air selusoh". If you end up with a hard and difficult labor, they'll say "you should've tried the other air selusoh or "yatahnah ko nda pakai selusoh". Guess what, I had a normal labor, and I didn't use air selusoh.
4. Talisman to rid evil spirit. Now, as a believer, we all know there are spirits everywhere, may it be day or night. Some female may suffer pregnancy induced hypertension during and even after pregnancy. Emotional changes are common to new mothers. And these can lead to stress and even depression. I, myself have went through these and I wasn't possessed!
5. Swaddling - I only swaddle my baby when she is going to sleep. You should stop swaddling your baby once she is about a month old because after that it can interfere with mobility and development.
6. Babies looking upward. Babies like bright lights and colors.They can't focus on an object so they tend to look at other object or light that attracts them. They may even be looking at their eyelashes!
7. Stay in my room for 40 days? Now this is probably the reason why women in the old days went crazy...
8. No comment...
   

Now you may choose to beleive what your mom tells you.. "Karangnya ketulahan... " You know what, just nod your head and say yes to everything she says :)

Wk 38 - A new member in the family

December 26. Hubby and I were doing shopping for the upcoming baby. I've been avoiding and missing prenatal appointments for the past couple of weeks. Shopping seem to take my mind off things.

By 6pm, while we were at my in laws, my back started to ache. I thought the whole day shopping and the weight of the baby in my belly were causing the ache. The ache came and go within few minutes apart. I tried lying down and resting in hopes that it would ease the ache.

We went to Fratini's later. I was having ice caffe latte with my favorite roast duck with orange glaze, with caesar salad plus extra smoke salmon. I enjoyed the meal despite the fact my back was starting to strain even more. I suddenly had trouble walking. Hubby was starting to worry and insisted we go to the hospital. But I convinced him I was just having a back ache.

Back at home, after having warm shower, I tried to sleep but couldn't. The ache was turning into a dull pain that shot from my pelvis to back. I was gripping my pillow and bed every time the pain shot through. The pain kept coming every 5 minutes giving me no chance of sleeping. At 3am, I told my hubby that we should probably go to the hospital first thing in the morning if the pain continues. I tried resting again, but no luck. By 4am, my hubby woke up to find me in cold sweats, with my hands gripping the pillow trying to calm the pain. Without any argument, we quickly decided to go the hospital.

When we reached the hospital by 4.30 am, I could barely walk. As told by the nurses before, I should go straight to the labor room if I feel any pain. So I did. I got into the admission room 1st where they did a check up while my hubby waited outside. Suddenly, then nurse told me, "6cm, you're ready, Change your clothes and give them to your husband".

December 27, 6am, after 2 hours of pain but a successful normal delivery, we finally meet our little sweetheart...

Sooner Than Later

Even though my due date is on Jan 4th, but I may have to deliver soon. Wow, things are really going to be different next year. My husband and I are going to become parents, and... I'm transferring work. It takes less than 5 minutes to get there from my home. I wonder what time will I leave home in the morning.. hehe. No more jams, no more traffics... I usually leave home by half past 6 or earlier, arrive at work 45 minutes or almost an hour later. Yes, that's how terrible the jam around here is.

God is on my side. A new surrounding will help me to improve myself. I need to make changes. With the baby coming soon, this transfer is the next best thing. May the year 2009 brings good luck and happiness to all of us.

P/S: If I'm not posting msgs next weeks or the next week to come, I'm most likely to be in the hospital, delivering my baby. Pray that everything will go well, for me and baby. Amin.

Sharing the last few weeks/days

I'm posting this in hopes that it will help me 2 go through my current feelings n situations. More than 8mths have passed by with excitement of welcoming a new member to the new family.As the day is finally approaching, my days r filled with sleepless nite n restless days of what d next fw days wil bring. Fear of labor is a constant thought that clings to me, haunting me since my body experiences and feeling changes for the upcoming duty. I can feel my body preparing for labor, causing discomfort n even pain here n there. Shifting positions when resting or sleeping is no longer a breeze, n my nites r imcomplete without d regular visits 2 d loo. I've started feeling d pressure since my baby moved downward a few days ago. Walking can be uncomfortable n i keep feeling as if d baby might fall netime soon. Stories of painful labor keeps replaying in my overcrowded mind. I'm not really sure if this the real reason of d fear I'm feeling, cos in d end i keep on asking myself if I'm ready 2bcom a paren... N then I start 2 imagin myself in d labor room. I kno its goin 2 come sooner than it shud b. Baby is eager to meet us...n yes I'm counting d moments 2 meet baby too. I hope evryting goes wel despite my fear n ol...

Week 36

Less than a mth 2 go n im scared 2 death. I was admitted a couple of nites ago n begged 2b released d nex dy.i cried n felf sick of myself 4 being so scared.my bp rised 2 150/110. Ive been given medicine since then 2 help lower my bp.i was given a home leave, a term i never knew existed.i was able 2 go home but had 2 check back in d next dy.but ges wat? I never did. The nurses called my hp, my hubby, even my hom. Im hating myself even mo,cos now i feel evry1 else is worrid accept 4 me.so finally,my hubby went 2 d hospital yday,explained my stuborness,n they gave me medicines 2 take 4 a week...hav i mentioned i hate myself?

Week 34

6 more weeks to go to my due date. Less than a week to go before school holiday. Hooray!!! I need a break. I've finished all my work, even papers which are not due til January. I don't want to have to come to work in December.

Sigh, but I do have a little cleaning up to do. Oh yes, the yearly ritual of packing everything in the classroom, moving things out and starting everything all over in another classroom. I envy the pra classes for not having to move every year. I have tons of paper to throw, hundreds of dollars spent teaching aids to sort through. I heard I'll be teaching Primary 2 next year. So much for looking ahead for a better year. There will be only two primary 2 class next year, 2A and 2B, due to shortage of classes. Hmmphh.. So, it's a guarantee 30+ pupils for me next year.

Week 32

Went to the clinic for a prenatal appointment today. Sigh, another high BP. I was referred to the RIPAS hospital and had to wait til 6 pm. I was sleepy, but not sleepy enough to sleep in one of the ward bed;) I have 2 another appointments in the next 2 weeks to come. Sigh, I am getting bored, I really want to see the baby.

Week 30 Ultrasound

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Had a 2D/3D/4D ultrasound few days ago. This is how our baby looks like. I don't think Baby Z liked being watched. Baby Z kicked alot through out the process. And.. it was hard not to notice, baby Z was trying to cover baby Z's face in the end.. Looking forward to see Baby Z...

30 Weeks

I'm in my week 30. Ten more weeks to go... I'm scared. I grew up believing giving birth is the most painful moment a woman has to endure. Yes, I'm looking forward to see my baby, but fear is growing in me each day. Having a creative imagination doesn't help either... I keep having all this wild imagination on what might happen on the day of labor. What if amidst the painful chaos of delivery, of the nurse suddenly says, "Boh..."Sigh... Did I mention I'm scared?

My friend Dee gave me a preparation list on what on to do and bring for THE DAY. I was expecting an sms, but she sent me a 3mbs worth of email, 4 pages of lists, complete with pictures. From what I can conclude, I'm only 30% prepared.