Dear Baby C,

Today we’re going to start the process of inducing you out. I’m really nervous because I’ve heard a number of horror stories about induced labor often leading to emergency C-section or just being plain painful. Some induced labor take as many as two to three days! I’d also much rather have had you choose when you want to come out like Baby N.

Please help me to be strong and to work hard with mommy to get you out safely ok? I’d like for you to come out tomorrow morning or early afternoon. It’s silly, I know. But I checked out the Chinese calendar and since you refuse to choose your own birthday (no contractions for mommy even in week 39!), I thought it would be nice if you could go along with my preferred date and time.

See you soon!

Mom

Google “birth plan” and you’ll find a whole slew of guides and sample birth plans. My gynae doesn’t really see the point of a birth plan but I think it’s a document that helps you to better understand the delivery process. Some people (like what I did initially), copy and paste the sample birth plans with only a few minor edits. Others (like what I did after learning more about each bullet point) make it a point to really understand and customize their birth plan.

On a higher level, it also helps the more anal first-time mommies feel like they are in control of this completely unknown trauma that will soon be inflicted on their bodies. Yes, I know to say that the birthing process is a huge trauma on the body seems to be a little dramatic given the beautiful bundle of joy you will get after the process. But the pain and suffering the mommy goes through should not be undermined. A friend mentioned how she was in induced labor for nearly three days and almost needed blood transfusion post-delivery. Even a short labor is at least 3-5 hours and something tells me I’m not one of these lucky mommies.

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I have paid the fifty percent deposit (SG$140) to Placenta Advantage. A very amazing friend, L, recommended them to me, among many things (confinement lady, massage lady, traditional Chinese medicine shop, etc). L is a very hands-on person in everything she does from work to family so I’d be a fool not to at least check out her recommendations.

Anyways, I called Pauline from PA and she recommended that I read this website for more information on consuming placenta. Since I’d already done most of my research online before contacting her, I was more interested in reading her service contract.

Before signing up with them, they recommend that you get a doctor’s opinion on your health. For example, if you have any blood disease or other health conditions that would make the placenta consumption ineffective. My gynae isn’t very pro-placenta consumption so I think she gave me a bewildered look when I asked her if my health conditions were suitable. I took her look as a positive sign since I hadn’t heard anything otherwise.

Pauline prefers to talk to the client personally instead of having me elaborate so if you are interested to find out more, email her at placenta.adv.sg at gmail.com or call her at 9362-8425. The service contract details the process and also tells you how to instruct the hospital staff should they be unfamiliar with the process. You should also have a small ice box ready for the placenta storage.

First rule to remember when buying diapers as a first-time parent is to not get too excited at baby fairs when the diapers are going at super-low deals. You see, babies grow really fast and each baby’s build is different. Diapers have a shelf live of maximum two years so if you buy too many, you probably want to sell it off somehow unless you plan to pop another one in a year or two.

Some guidelines when choosing diapers and planning how many to buy:

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About six weeks ago, I was eating seaweed like it was going extinct because of my hypo-thyroid condition. I was also told to have more protein in my diet to help reduce the swelling in my feet. Then in early May, I went for my follow-up visit and learned that I no longer had hypo-thyroid. Instead, I was now diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GD) and hemorrhoids. This meant an even stricter diet since my swollen feet were still persisting and I had to cut down on carbs to control the GD.

As if that wasn’t enough, over the last week or so, I have developed rashes all over my feet, calves, thighs and fingers. I’ve tried using sodium bicarbonate bath, slightly acidic water, fresh aloe vera, aloe vera gel, menthol rubs, anti-histamine pills and calamine lotion. But none have given me anything beyond a temporary relief. Apparently, it’s a chronic hives-like rash that strikes women during pregnancy, known as PUPPP. In severe cases, the doctor may have to induce labor. The silver lining in my case is that PUPPP struck only in my 32nd week and only on my limbs.

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