Pregnancy Guide #7 - Chinese Soup for Pregnancy

Update:

Yesterday, MIL cooked black beans soup. But this time round, she added some of the bigger types of red beans. Both are organic and the beans are boiled in a slow cooker. One good thing abt organic beans is that they turn soft quite fast and it’s really nice.. i know that some people dislike black beans cos of the texture of the soup. However, you can try to add red beans to it… HTH

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This section is not about Chinese Tonic Soup but rather types of Chinese soups which are good for pregnancy…

My MIL swears by Black beans soup… Ross’ legs are very strong and she attributed it to the loads of black bean soup that i drank when i was preggy… Well, according to her black beans soup is good for replishing of blood etc…

In fact, during confinement, she added black beans into my longan drink… even for babies, you can use the soup to cook porridge for the bb…

Pregnancy Guide #6 - Chinese Tonic Soup

My MIL swears by brewing Chinese Tonic Soup called ‘Ba Zhen’ which literally means Eight Treasures during my first 3 months of pregnancy with Ross. There are eight types of herbs and the chinese medical hall usual sells them in a packet. However, this time round as i was sick for most of my first trimester, yesterday’s brew was just the 2nd one that i had.

Ba Zhen is good for ladies with painful monthly menstrual cramps as well. With regards to pregnancy, it serves as a tonic for helping with the pregnancy. However, during first trimester, you will have to ask the medical hall uncle to lessen the dosage of 1 of the herbs inside the package. Tried to ask MIL what is that particular herb, she cant pronounced it in Chinese

Pregnancy Guide #5 - Books for Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Each time any of my friends tell me that they are pregnant, i will usually share with them or give them 2 books as gifts. 1 is a pregnancy book which i swear by and the other is a fantastic Breastfeeding Guide that i really like.

Pregnancy Book -

HypnoBirthing the Mongan Method : A Natural Approach to a Safe, Easier, More Comfortable Birthing

by Marie Morgan

This book is extremely good for those who are considering natural birth. I will write more about natural birth in another post. Ginny of Four Trimesters teaches antenatal Hypnobirthing classes.

Breastfeeding Book -

So That's What They're For! : The Definitive Breastfeeding Guide

by Janet Tamaro

This book is excellent for mummies considering to breastfeed. The author is very knowledgable and able to write a guide which is both humorous and informative. I re-read this book for my DS2 while nursing him.]

Both books can be bought at Kinokuniya.

Pregnancy Guide #4 - Tummy shows earlier during 2nd Pregnancy

First Written on 7 July 2008 on blessedmummy.wordpress.com

I was amazed at my friend's K tummy when she was 3 months preggie with her 2nd child... cos her tummy was quite big, as if she was 4 or 5 months pregnant....

Now that it's my turn, i was more amazed that my tummy started to show at 6 weeks! gosh, you can just see the tummy sticking out... and it scares the hell of me.... i didnt put on alot of weight at all... but the tummy is just getting bigger... :(

I asked around, my gynae to the salesgal at the maternity shop that i used to patronised when i was expecting Ross told me the same thing... cos after #1, your tummy is already stretched, thus future pregnancy, you will start to show earlier and this is normal and i should not panic...

BUT with the chinese belief that one should not tell others abt the pregnancy till after 1st trimester, this inconvenience is really affecting me, cos my normal working tops will have to be 'cold storaged' very very soon! only those that are stretchable can be worn... my bottoms cant be buttoned up unless i breathe in... :P

I have bought a couple of tops and 4 maternity pants... but will have to bring the pants for alteration... sighz... have gone thru the old maternity tops and bottoms... some were really worn out... some just dun like them anymore... ehhehe... but ok, wont be too many... with the GSS, makes sense to buy the pants...

To those 2nd time mummies, dun be shocked if your tummy starts showing soon after you discovered you are preggie! it's normal!

Pregnancy Guide #3 - Cramps during early pregnancy

Cramping just a few days after a positive result

As soon as a healthy egg has been fertilised, and makes its way down the Fallopian tube to the uterus, the blood supply to the uterus increases dramatically. Even at this early stage, it starts to increase in size, and this can cause cramps very similar to those you may get just before your period. Don't panic! Cramping and funny pains may be felt all the way through your pregnancy. This tends to be because the uterus doesn't just float there in your abdomen, it's held in place by connective tissue that all has to stretch to accommodate your expanding baby. Don't forget that your entire lower abdomen gets completely rearranged by all this - and who knows where the ovaries end up! Curling up with a hot water bottle can help.

Pregnancy Guide #2 - List of things to get for Newborn and First time Mummies

Latest Update on 2 July 2009
Note: if you have any questions etc, do not hestitate to email me at info@mummyknowsbestshop.com
I am more than willing to provide advise...

DISCLAIMER:
this list meant as an info... please do not follow it rigourously... i have found that lots of things that i bought initially are not needed and i ended up having to sell them away... those that i have strikeoff means that i have gotten them for #2...
Gotten this list from somewhere when i was preggy with Ross... will give some comments with it...

Checklist of Purchases

Baby’s Room
Baby Cot - I co-sleep with bb during early months cos it's easier to breast-feed, thus didnt get one till bb was older... With R2, MIL used it during the day. Cos our room is very hot in the noon and she dun like the helper to sit on our bed. At night, R2 slept with me on the bed and we are planning to put everyone in the same room...

Musical mobiles/ Merry-go-round - good to get one... get yr friends etc to get 1 for you... can make it yrself too...

Mattress (3" or 4")

Blanket - get a thin cotton one for singapore weather... otherwise, in aircon room, something like a grobag may be good! Grobag is too hot for singapore weather, that's what i heard from a salesgal... others of thinner material will be great!

Bumper - u need this when bb start to poke their heads thru the cot...

Pillow/bolster case - gotten the infant position bolster and pillow from Robinsons... Babysafe i think...

Bedsheets

Mattress protector

Changing table (optional) - didnt get this lah... any bed or flat surface will do...

Cupboard/Chest of Drawers - might get another one if Ross' one is still not emptied by Jan 09...

Clothes for baby
Mittens/Bootees - i have gotten mittens and bb socks instead...

Cloth Diapers (Traditional white ones, can also be use to wrap baby) - those white traditional ones, MIL reminded me that bb has to be wrapped during 1st month... thus, these diaper clothes are the best in our weather... You can also get a product called 'Swaddle Me' to swaddle the bb when you are going out. Not advisable to use this at home cos the cloth is quite thick.

Cloth Diapers (in replacement for disposable diapers) - Me gotten this when Ross was born... SAVE $, environmentally friendly... easy to use... visit www.mummyknowsbestshop.com for cloth diapers.... Ryan is using more of cloth diapers and i even use it at night...

Disposable Diapers (IF you are not keen on Cloth diapers) - Do not save on disposables when bb is young cos their skin is very sensitive. Use Pampers Newborn. I have yet to try Mamy Poko Newborn but that should be fine too. Nepia is also another good brand to use. For Nepia sizes smaller than M, please call them directly to order and send to home FOC for purchases of 4 packets.

Nappy liners - dun really need if using disposables...

Blouse/shirts - long and short sleeves - for newborns, best buy those with buttons in front or strings...

Suits - pants and long shirts

Rompers - good for going out... cos prevent wind from getting into their tummy... Ross' old ones... mothercare has the best rompers for newborns and bb... pricy but worth it... do not get all white cos if not u will be stressed with the food stains...

Handkerchiefs (get plenty of them)

Face towels - get good quality ones...

Baby bathing
Baby wipes - for going out... ONLY

Cotton wool - for cleanning of bum with water at home
Bath tub - highly recommend Munckin rubber ducky tub...

Anti-slip mat - dun need lah... unless yr hands cant handle the bb...

Bath towel - hmm, might get new ones cos ross will still be using his...

Bath sponge (optional, small cotton handkerchief would suffice)
Baby soap/bath lotion - Love aromababy... pricy but sighz... still think it's good...
Baby shampoo - Aromababy

Baby powder with puff - Aromababy

Laundry for Baby Clothes
Buckets with lids

Basket for baby laundry

Nappy/clothes detergent/softener - we like to use pigeon brand soap powder

Clothes hanger for drying mittens/booties/handkerchiefs

Feeding Baby
Milk bottles (big+small) + teats - for breastfeeding mummies, the small 4oz bottles will do... get glass ones if possible... but note that some of nutrients from breastmilk tends to stick to the glass surface... pros and cons... I honestly prefer BPA-free bottles... but cos of R2 problems with bottles, my advise is not to get too many first. just get at most 2 first and see how the bb responded to that brand before going out to buy more... for R1, i didnt even get any during his first month... this is to force me to breastfeed him! :P

Bottle scrub brush

Warmer cum carrier bag

Thermometer (to use when baby is unwell) - get the ear ones cos they are faster... but remember this type is not very accurate...

Large pan/pot (for sterilising)

Tongs (to handle hot bottles)
Electric Steam Steriliser (Pigeon/Avent) - Ross' old one is still going strong... otherwise, 1 bb gift to request from friends, colleagues is steam sterilier... esp good if you are steralising yr pumps...

Milk containers

Bags/milk bottles to store expressed breastmilk - I love Medela milk bags but they are more pricy... get from www.mummyknowsbestshop.com

Misc
Thermometer - Ear Themometer is very convenient... but apparantly not accurate...

Nail clippers - i gotten the pigeon scissors one for nails instead...

Anti-nappy rash cream (Drapolene) - Aromababy barrier balm is very good for bb with sensitive skin like Ross

Oil for wind (Ru Yi or ‘White Tree Oil’) - Godsend!

Ziplock bags for checkups and outings.

Woodward’s Gripe Water - concern regarding alcohol content... we give millenium from Excel instead...

Polythene bag for soiled diapers

Care of the Umbilical Cord Stump

Sterile swab applicators

Sterile cotton swabs - get from hospital pharmacy... before discharging...
Sterile container for cord spirit - think the hospital will provide a bottle...

Cord spirit

Accessories
Playpen - never had one... we gotten a playmat instead... from Small Small world

Stair/door gates (If you want to separate your baby & pets)

Rubber protectors for bedroom doors

Highchair - highly recommend Graco highchair, pricy but stable... ikea is cheap and good too, just that it's very light...

Stroller - different stage needs different stroller... newborns need those that can be flat.... but these are heavy... thus, then they are older, get maclaren ones, light and not ex...

Pram

Car seats - even if you do not have a car, this is good for bringing newborns around... those with a handle

SLING - very good for breastfeeding, cotton sateen ones from MIM, have a cotton sateen and silk one for dinners...

Toys & Playstuff
Rattle - useful... washing ross old ones...

Mirror

Baby gym - dun really need lah... if have, of course good

Mummy Care
Maternity Dress/top/bottom

Pyjamas with front opening for breast feeding - for hospital stay

Breast pump - good investment... for frequent use, medela pump in style or ameda lactina... those who need advises on breastpumps please email me for more details...

Anti Stretchmark creams - currently using palmer's organic cocoa...

Nursing bras
Maternity bras - Mummyknowsbest is stocking up on some great nursing and maternity bras... stay tune...

Nipple cream for crack nipples

Nursing pads

Disposible cotton panties - get cotton ones for confinement...

Cotton panties (larger size when reach later stage of pregnancy)

Sanitary pads - 1 pack of maternity one will do... the rest of the time, just use normal ones...

Panty liners

Bedroom slippers - good to have... otherwise, just use socks...

Other optional items
Plastic bowl/ container, 10-12 inch diameter for both baby and mother

Electrical HotFlask (autoboil), quick access to boiling water

Thermoflask without autoboil, for mum’s drinking water

Claypot or double boil claypot for mum’s confinement soup

Claypot or earthenware for cooking pig’s trotters in ginger and black vinegar

2 pails for mum’s bathing and face cleansing.

Pregnancy Guide #1 - What food to avoid during Pregnancy?

Extracted from http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleid=917

During pregnancy, it's important to eat a well-balanced and nutritious diet, in order to provide your baby with the nutrients it needs to grow. Your diet should also give you energy for the changes taking place in your body.

However, there are certain foods you shouldn't eat whilst pregnant to avoid exposing yourself to the risk of food poisoning, or because they can be potentially dangerous to your unborn baby.

Listeria
Listeriosis is a rare, flu-like illness, which can be contracted from food that contains listeria bacteria. Although rare in the UK, listeriosis can cause stillbirth, miscarriage, or severe illness in newborn babies.

You should avoid foods where high levels of listeria are occasionally found. These foods may include:
soft and blue-veined cheese, such as Camembert, Brie and Stilton. (There is no risk of listeria associated with hard cheese such as cheddar, cottage cheese or processed cheese),
pâté (any type, including vegetable), certain prepared salads such as potato salad and coleslaw, and ready-prepared meals or re-heated food, unless they are piping hot all the way through.

Salmonella
Salmonella is a bacteria that causes a type of food poisoning. Salmonella is found in unpasteurised milk, raw eggs and raw egg products, raw poultry and raw meat. Although salmonella food poisoning is unlikely to harm your baby, it is advisable to take precautions to avoid foods that may contain salmonella. The steps outlined below will reduce your risk of getting salmonella.

Avoid food containing raw or partially cooked eggs, such as homemade mayonnaise, and some mousses and sauces. You should only eat eggs if they are cooked until both the white and the yolk are solid.

Avoid unpasteurised dairy products.

Cook all meat and poultry thoroughly, and take particular care with products made from minced meat, such as sausages and burgers. Make sure these are cooked until they are piping hot all the way through and no pink meat is left.

Take particular care with meat at barbeques, parties and buffets. Bacteria breed quickly on food that is left uncovered in a warm environment.

Make sure that raw meat does not come into contact with other food (for example in the fridge), particularly food that is already cooked or that will be eaten raw.

Always wash your hands after handling raw meat.

Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite found in cat faeces. It can also be present in raw or undercooked meat, and in soil left on unwashed fruit and vegetables. Although rare, the infection can occasionally be passed to the unborn baby, which can cause serious problems.

To reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis, you should avoid the following foods:

• unwashed raw fruit and vegetables,
• raw or undercooked meat, and
• unpasteurised goats' milk or goats' cheese.

To avoid contact with soil or faeces that might contain the toxoplasmosis parasite, it's important to wear gloves if you are gardening or changing a cat litter tray. If possible, ask someone else to do it for you.

Vitamin A
If you're pregnant you should make sure you don't have too much vitamin A. Although you need some vitamin A in your diet, having too much could mean that levels build up in your body and harm your unborn baby.

Eating a normal, well-balanced diet should give you all the vitamin A your body needs. Avoid liver or liver products such as pâté, as liver contains high levels of vitamin A. You should also check with your doctor before taking any high-dose multivitamins or cod liver oil supplements, as these may also contain vitamin A.

Fish
Oily fish is good for your health, but you need to limit the amount that you eat because it contains pollutants, such as dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

If you're pregnant, you should eat no more than two portions of oily fish a week. Oily fish includes fresh tuna (not canned tuna, which doesn't count as oily fish), mackerel, sardines and trout.

There are a few types of fish that you should avoid eating while pregnant, and some others that you should limit the amount you eat.

Limit the amount of tuna you eat because it contains a high level of mercury which can have a damaging effect on your baby's developing nervous system. You shouldn't eat more than one tuna steak, or four medium-sized tins (about 140g per can) of tuna a week. This works out at about six rounds of tuna sandwiches or three tuna salads.

Avoid eating shark, swordfish and marlin as these fish also contain a high level of mercury. You should also avoid eating raw shellfish when you're pregnant. This will reduce your chances of getting food poisoning which can be particularly unpleasant when you're pregnant.

Alcohol
The Department of Health advises that pregnant women, and women who are trying to conceive, should avoid drinking alcohol and should not get drunk. Heavy drinking, during pregnancy, is associated with low birth weight, and other, more serious birth defects.

However, if you do decide to drink alcohol while you are pregnant, you should limit the amount that you drink. The Department of Health and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists advise that pregnant women should not drink more than 1-2 units of alcohol once or twice a week. Binge drinking (drinking several units of alcohol in one session) should be avoided.

Caffeine
You should limit the amount of caffeine you have each day. Caffeine affects the way your body absorbs iron, which is very important for your baby's development. High levels of caffeine can result in a baby having a low birth weight, or even miscarriage.
Caffeine occurs naturally in a range of foods, such as coffee, tea and chocolate, and it's also added to some soft drinks and 'energy' drinks. It's important not to have more than 300mg of caffeine a day. 300mg is roughly equivalent to either:

• three mugs of instant coffee,
• three cups of brewed coffee,
• six cups of tea,
• eight cans of regular cola