Little NJ II is coming!

I have initially wanted to name this post the "guilty post". Because I haven been diligently updating the development of little beanie. Yes! Charlotte is going to have a sister soon! From the last scan it show a girl unless this beanie has a birdie and is hiding it...hahahha

I din really name this beanie unlike I used to call Charlotte as little NJ during pregnancy stage. I think its different excitement and much more known anticipation with the second one. I decided to write this blog before my memories fail me. I shall name this beanie little NJ II.

Thinking back then when I decided to have a change of job, it was also partly for the sake of family planning. But after executing my plan (change of job), I did not actively pursued this goal... hahahhah.... I think big part of me is scared of going through the process....

But as we all know, human are forgetful animal... I have long forgotten the horrible morning sickness and the tortured of SLEEPLESS night....the STRESS of managing the maid.... etc... The thought of having a number 2 did not really seriously implant till late of 2013 after a annual visit to the gynea. During a normal checkup, the doctor suspected a cyst inside the ovary and I was advised to visit her again 3 months later to confirm. She mentioned that it was nothing to be alarmed of but if its really a cyst, it could affect our chance of pregnancy. Human are very weird, we often take things for granted till something happen. I did not really reject the idea of having a number 2 nor am I eagerly wanted number 2 till that very moment it really got me worried that we might not have the chance to have number 2. The doctor encouraged me to give number 2 some thought and she mentioned that if I do get pregnant before the next scan, we will leave the possible cyst as it is.

From the scan, it also shown an egg being released.... I did not gave much thought to that. When I was doing the check up, Nick was not around. He brought the very sticky Charlotte out elsewhere... dun know why she was so sticky during the gynea visit...maybe she hasn't been there before. After knowing the possibility of a cyst, I told Nick about it. He did not have much reaction to that... I think man has very little knowledge or zero knowledge about the impact.

I did some research online and the possible cure to the cyst would be taking contraceptive pill (apart from removing the cyst surgically). The cyst has another medical term known as endometriosis. It is common in woman of fertility age as we have menses build up every month. There are also cases where the cyst just erupt inside and get rid of itself during the menses time. But if it get really big in size, it would need to be removed.

After knowing the condition, I decided to leave it to fate if we would have a number 2. Of course secretly I was quite worried of the cyst....and I start to question if age is a matter... but it is also a wake up call.... I should just go with the flow and stop worrying too much about whether a not to have a number 2.

One month later, in mid October, my period was late.... not the first time though..... for the past few months it hasn't been quite on time... most probably due to the stress level at work... I was preparing and doing a mega event in Sept. So without prompting Nick, I grab a pack of super cheapo watson P test kit... He did gave a "hmmm" look but not quite surprise as we did get some false alarm a few months back. This time round, I bought a twin pack because I think its cheaper and might be a false alarm again.

I did the "test" and left the kit in the toilet while doing something else.... Previously when I did the test, I would anxiously wait for the result... but after some false alarm... I think I am able to manage the "test" better....hahahhah.....

After a while I took the kit to see and saw 2 lines! (cheapo watson brand is 2 lines instead of a plus sign).... Then I was wondering if its real.... ahhaha.... so I took the kit to show Nick... and his reaction is "really ar"..... not the kind of super big reaction.... Then I also coolly say.... maybe.....

Life goes on for the next 1 week.... I did not run the "test" again... neither did "big auntie" come and visit.... Then the 1st symptom kick in... I counted and it was week 5 plus only!!!!!! The morning sickness come and befriend me! I can't really remember what comes first... all I can say its a horrible horrible feeling.... I think all the "side effects" from MS came! I get the uneasiness feeling, pukey feeling, heartburn, sourish juice....

Week 6
By week 6, I was really physically and mentally drained... Nick went for his reservist and I managed to pull through the week having to deal with MS and also taking care of Charlotte.... I visited the GP a few times within the week ..... Took a lot of anti-vomiting medicine which did not work.... I cannot take those medicine that will caused giddiness.... It will make me hallucinate and sleepless. I was 2 days mc, 1 day leave and work 2 days schedule for about 2 weeks... Every day I would lie on the bed and feel horrible and terrible about it.... The GP is also quite worried about a lump on my neck and because of the preggy... he did not gave any medicine and suggested that I visited a specialist... so I went to the ENT at Raffles which is fully claimable....  the ENT check did not show anything... The doctor suggested to monitor... That was when I am around week 7 preggy....I was feeling dammm horrible with the MS and decided to see the gynea since I was in Raffles hospital... My regular gynea was not around... so I have to see her covering.... which I spent close to $200 on consultation and the anti-vomiting medicine which did not work on me.

I have earlier made appointment to see my regular gynea at week 10 which is a bit late but she has quite a packed schedule... However I did not wait till then to see her....by the time week 8, I was feeling damm horrible... I think horrible is an understatement.... I called up the clinic on a Monday morning and told the nurse how bad it was... I was also having a bit of spotting.... the nurse spoke to the gynea and they asked me to go down to the clinic. My gynea did a scan and it show a healthy jumping beanie (hear the heartbeat).... She prescribed some anti vomit medicine which is different from her covering... We went to the pharmacy to get.... It did not work too... it gave me hallucination as well....

I read my past blog entries about my pregnancy with Charlotte to gave me some comfort that the suffering is just normal. I also get comfort from reading other's mummies entry.... During this period, I really fall into quite a bad emotional swing...I can't stomach anything yet keep puking..... I would just feel so sorry for myself and start to cry.... often at times I would hug Charlotte and cry.... The girl would give me a pat or hand me her smelly pillow to offer comfort. She has not seen me tear before... so there was once, she asked a funny question... "How come adult will cry too!" *faint.... I also talk to my close friends and close colleagues who offer some comfort as well. I have a very nice colleague who offer to drive me to and fro work... Nick would drive the car to her place, she took over and send ourselves to work and back.

Week 10
Early week 10 is the most horrible.... I could feel that my body is super dehydrated.... On a Sunday, 1 Dec, Nick went for his Standard Chartered marathon. By noon time, I really feel like seeing a doctor, I read online about dehydration and the suggestion was to go to the 24 woman's clinic at KK since it was a Sunday. I waited till 3 plus for Nick to come back and we went to KK. Upon seeing the doctor and running some checks... she advised to put me on drip.... After 2 hours, 2 packs of drip... I am feeling better. She also recommend a anti vomiting medicine, ondansetron (Zofran), which is non-drowsy.... I ever saw this medicine in some online review.... And this medicine is really good.... I did not get any hallucination....

I visited my gynea later part of the week which is the previous appointment that I have made... She mentioned that I was smart enough to go to KK because its much cheaper ($200 plus)... I was suffering from constipation as well, so she gave me the medicine... and I would need to see her again in week 12 for Oscar scan as well...

Week 12
We did the Oscar scan and blood test in week 12. There is a high possibility that we are having a girl. I know Nick was hoping that it would be a boy.... But well... the gender is not controlled by me. By week 12, MS has not left me yet.... For this time round, I couldn't stomach the supplement... I just puke the calcium pill which is pink in colour... it will dye the beehoon I eat with pink too!..... I tried milk and cured state of milk came out from the puke.... The disabled toilet in office become my best friend... because its isolated so that people would not hear me puking.... The puking timing can be morning 1 time at home during brushing teeth where all the yellow greenish juice will come out.... then 2 times in office before lunch where the breakfast would come out.... 2 to 3 times after lunch till knock off time. Evening usually 1 time and I don't really eat any dinner.... For 12 weeks, I lost 6kg! my weight drop till 59kg..... I was 68kg before Sept... the stress from the event took away 3kg over 1 month.... The rest is contributed by the MS.

By week 12 only a few close colleagues knew about the presence of little NJ II, the rest has been asking what exactly went wrong with me... because they commented that I looked very weak and lost a lot of weight!... Some of the comments I got was, U really "xiong tio" by the event... hahhahah...

My blood test from week 12 also shown that I have low blood count... So the gynea gave me this iron syrup which I only took 1 dose... it taste metallic and within 1 hour, I puke out the stuff and it taste like puking blood! In order to replenish my blood.... I took beef and pork soup from ramen which seems ok for little NJ II's 口味..... My diet for the 1st trimester consists of mainly porridge.... TVB drama on ipad becomes my main source of distraction.

Week 16
By week 16, MS did not leave me entirely... it just come and go, come and go as and when it feels like it.... slowly I also realised what food can appeased little NJ II.... She hate rice.... love noodles, western food..... There was once I took the hokkien noodle... 1 hour later, the beehoon all came out.... the yellow noodle stay put... weird rite... I took "lao shu fen" which is made of rice flour also all came out.... as usual I hated garlic during this period. But orange seems fine.... So I have taking orange... I checked google some say it might caused jaundice.... Oh yes... I took tea black and now coffee black. I know its bad.... But I tried milo and ribena in early stage and it did not last long before little NJ II started hating it....and all will come out... Now I see milo I also scared!

Week 20
Finger crossing.... the MS eased off toward week 20. We did the detailed scan. The sonographer took a shot of the backside of NJ II and concluded that nothing protruding... Can tell that Nick has this "disappointed" look..... out of the scanning room I ask him, "u very disappointed ar?".... He replied, "No lar, Prince is always the youngest!".... I glared at him and say "I think u can dream long long".
We managed to use the complimentary gold class ticket that he has won in his company lucky draw after the scan.

From week 16 to week 20, my appetite has become better and I put on 3kg within 1 month. I think the supper and snacking also contribute quite a good amount of fats and weight. At week 25 (end march), my weight went up another 3 kg. So the 6kg lost within 3 months has been replenished within 2 months. At week 25, Little NJ II is estimated at 790gram. Doc Watt tried to scan her face but she was faced inside... We managed to get a very cute photo of NJ II showing a "good sign". Maybe she knows her sister is there to see her too! Its the first time Charlotte joined us for the scan as her school was off that day. After the scan, we went for movie, "Mr Peabody and Sherman". After the movie, Charlotte keep saying Sherman, Sherman.... I told her if its a didi, we will call him Sherman!

Week 28
At week 28, I would need to do the sugar test.... not sure if its sub conscious, I tend to eat less sugary stuff... worried about the sugar test as my mom got gestation diabetic when she was preggy with my bro ... hahahhaha....  I only put on a 2 plus kg to 67plus and NJ II is at 1.2kg. Doc commented that she is on a smaller side and encourage me to eat more... So for the next 3 weeks I often had supper and try to eat more sugary stuff.

Week 32
At week 32, I knew I would have put on quite some weight as I can feel myself getting heavier.... I put on about 3kg to 70+kg but NJ II only put on 400g+ at 1.6kg+.... omg, the weight gain has come to me instead! Doc commented that my tummy look small again and after the scan she says though its on the small side, the growth is within the range so I need not worry too much. Due to the "small" tummy, she scan the water level and placenta to ensure everything is ok.

Week 35
At week 35, I put on another 3kg.... the urine strip from previous result and this time round indicate some sugar level. Doc says its best to cut down my sugar intake but she did not say I need any futher test. She commented the tummy look small, the scan show that NJ II is 2.3kg! Woooooh!... 600gm gain over 3 weeks.... Doc say my tummy is a "studio apartment"...hahahha.... Doc tried to scan the face and she pressed quite hard at the side.... and she got a "grumpy" face.... I can also feel a bump on the right side of the rib cage, so I ask Doc if that is the bump... she scan and she commented it is the bump and she also took a measurement of the thigh which she commented is quite long.... After this scan, Doc says she felt more assured as previously she is concerned about the weight.... Now NJ II is on a much better track of weight gain. Doc commented the position is also good which we can aim for natural.

Week 37
At week 36+5 check up... I was secretly hoping that there would be sign of delivery...hahahhah.... I put on 800g over 2 weeks and 500g goes to NJ II which is a happy news for me! Hahaha... At least I din put on so much weight!. So now NJ II is 2.8kg which make him/her a bigger baby than Charlotte. Doc say week 37 will be considered full term, she says water level is good and we will just let baby choose when is the D date. Back home, we keep talking to NJ II to come out by this week...hahahha... because her tired mother really hope to go on leave soon. The pain at the rib cage is making me very restless.... I cant really sleep well at night.... some nights I have to resort to using cold press for my very sore rib cage.

Today is week 37.... still no sign..... but I do feel the tummy lowering already.... hopefully NJ II be good and come out real soon! Hahahha

Week 38
Was hoping I need not see Doc Watt on the week 37+5 appointment.... hahahha.. But no activation.... Within 1 week I put on 3kg!!!!... OMG..... I got a shocked at the weighing machine,... I said to the nurse, "Its a lot right" She said "You want to re-take again".. I said its ok... She said she saw 76.1kg but she only wrote 76kg... so discount already!... When Doc Watt did the scan.... baby only add 100g... so now NJ II is 2.9kg while the mummy already put on 16kg!..... *faint...hahhahahha
My tummy has "dropped" quite a bit.... Doc Watt did the V check and commented 2 cm dilated, but it could be due to previous childbirth.... WHAT?!? I did not know the childbirth will cause a "perm" opening...hahhahah.... Nonetheless, Doc Watt is not in a hurry :( .... she says lets see ok... But she did remind me that I should head to the hospital if prolonged contraction happens... She says not everyone will see the mucus plug and show....

Exactly on the morning of week 38, Monday. The mucus appeared.... Not a lot, just a tiny piece... no contraction... so I was thinking if I should go to work.... I goggled for information... some mummy got their labor within 2 hours after the plug came off, some waited 10 days... so I decided to proceed to work.