Dream of You..

The long -awaited post...

Our little sweetie, firstly, apologies for not being able to update your blog for quite some time.. Let me re-start the updating now, okay? =)

I shall start with the dream of you that I had yesterday and then after this post, I will move back to check on my last posting in your blog and then update from that date.

While changing out of my working clothes yesterday, I noticed that my tummy is significantly bigger recently and it seems to have hit the peak that I was when I was carrying your sister. This makes me wonder how much bigger can my tummy really stretch and grow. The thought of it is really scary, as imagine, yesterday was only 26 Feb 13, Tues and our edd is mid May 13, that is like another 11 weeks away. Even if we take the due as full term, i.e 37 weeks, there is still a good 8 weeks more to go. And, during this last trimester, babies tend to grow at a faster rate than before, so if we have so much time on our hands, then the growth rate may be exponential.

Maybe this is what some people term as 日有所思,夜有所梦. The reason why I have this feel is because I dreamt of you after this.

The Dream..

The date is 26 Mar 13, not sure why this date, but this is the date that I supposedly gave birth to you. naturally in the dream. If we were to go by that date, you will only be 32 weeks, which is considered as premature. But in the dream, you were born chubby and all, looking like a full term baby instead of a pre-term baby. We were at a loss over what to do over your early arrival and Mummy has yet to plan for the handing over of my work to my cover during my absence for maternity leave etc and am actually supposed to go to work the following day. What was amazing about the dream was that I gave birth to you at home and the good thing was that Everything was smooth sailing but the fantastic thing was that I actually felt very good and unlike the frail me that I experienced when I underwent the first delivery. But considering that the birth was delivered at home, we were unable to store your cordblood (as that would require the gyane's expertise in the extraction) and Mummy was quite sad that kit was so near (at home) and yet so far (lacking in the expertise to extract the cordblood).

You were a very happy baby in the dream and very easy to look after too. =) Such a blessing! There was also a funny incident whereby I had already took off your clothes, planning to bathe you only to realise that the bathtub is still in the storeroom and Mummy then hurriedly have Daddy take out the bathtub for you. =p

When I awoke this morning, the dream was still fresh in my mind and I told Daddy about it. Guess what was Daddy's response? He said that we should be packing the hospital bag already. Haha. Well, the hospital bag is basically any bag that we will need to pack to bring it along to the hospital and in it will be the necessity for the hospital stay, like the PJs, chicken essence (which my Boss said will sorta gives strength in the pushing) and any other stuffs needed.

Come to think of it, I have forgotten what is needed in the bag. But considering that Singapore is so small and that if there are other non -urgent stuffs that are missing, Daddy can actually bring it over the next morning etc.

Well, just in case, let me go online to search for the list of items needed in the hospital bag.

Here goes,

What should I pack in my hospital bag?

• Your birth plan and maternity notes.
• Dressing gown. This will be useful if you end up pacing hospital corridors in early labour and you'll need one on the maternity ward.
• Slippers
• Socks. Believe it or not, your feet can get cold during labour.
• An old nightdress or a T shirt to wear in labour. It will probably get a bit messy, so don't buy anything specially to wear in hospital.
• Massage oil or lotion if you would like to be massaged during your labour.
• Lip balm
• Snacks and drinks for you while you are in labour. Isotonic sports drinks are good or bring some glucose tablets to keep you going.
• Things to help you relax or pass the time, such as books, magazines, games and so on.
• A hairband. If you have long hair, you might want it tied up.
• Pillows. The hospital might not have enough to make you really comfortable.
• TENS pain relief machine, if you are planning to use one.
• Toiletries
• Music to listen to. Take a battery-operated machine, as most hospitals won't let you plug things in. Some hospitals provide their own CD players or radios - again, check first.

http://www.babycenter.com.sg/what-to-pack-in-your-hospital-bag#ixzz2M3vgX8ZT

For labor

• A picture ID (driver's license or other ID), your insurance card, and any hospital paperwork you need
• Your birth plan, if you have one
• Eyeglasses, if you wear them. Even if you usually wear contact lenses, you may not want to deal with them while you're in the hospital.
• Toiletries: Pack a few personal items, such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, lip balm, deodorant, a brush and comb, makeup, and a hair band or barrettes. Hospitals usually provide soap, shampoo, and lotion, but you might prefer your own.
• A bathrobe, a nightgown or two, slippers, and socks. Hospitals provide gowns and socks for you to use during labor and afterward, but some women prefer to wear their own. Choose a loose, comfortable gown that you don't mind getting dirty. It should be either sleeveless or have short, loose sleeves so your blood pressure can be checked easily. Slippers and a robe may come in handy if you want to walk the halls during labor.
• Whatever will help you relax. Here are some possibilities: your own pillow (use a patterned or colorful pillowcase so it doesn't get mixed up with the hospital's pillows), music and something to play it on, a picture of someone or something you love, anything you find reassuring. If you're going to be induced, think about bringing some reading material because it may be a while before labor is underway.

For your partner/labor coach

• A camera or video camera with batteries, charger, and memory card (or film or tape). Someone has to document the big event! (Note: Not all hospitals allow videotaping of the birth itself, but there's usually no rule against taping during labor or after the birth.)
• Toiletries
• Comfortable shoes and a few changes of comfortable clothes
• Snacks and something to read
• Money for parking and change for vending machines
• A bathing suit. If you want to take a bath or shower during labor, you may want your partner to get in with you to support you or rub your back.

• After you deliver

• A fresh nightgown, if you prefer to wear your own
• A list of people to call and their phone numbers, your cell phone and charger or, if you'll be using the hospital phone, a prepaid phone card. After your baby's born, you or your partner may want to call family and friends to let them know the good news. Bring a list of everyone you'll want to contact so you don't forget someone important when you're exhausted after delivery.
• Snacks! After many hours of labor, you're likely to be pretty hungry, and you may not want to rely solely on hospital food. So bring your own – crackers, fresh or dried fruit, nuts, granola bars, or whatever you think you'll enjoy. A bottle of nonalcoholic champagne might be fun for celebrating, too.
• Comfortable nursing bras or regular bras. Whether or not you choose to breastfeed, your breasts are likely to be tender and swollen when your milk comes in, which can happen anytime during the first several days after delivery. A good bra can provide some comfort, and breast pads can be added to help absorb leaks.
• Several pairs of maternity underpants. Some women love the mesh underwear usually provided by the hospital, but others don't. You can't go wrong with your own roomy cotton underpants. The hospital will provide sanitary pads because you'll bleed after delivery. Make sure you have a supply of heavy-duty pads waiting at home!
• A book on newborn care. The hospital will probably provide you with a book, but you may prefer your own. Of course, the postpartum nurses will be there to answer questions and show you how to change, hold, nurse, and bathe your newborn if you need guidance.
• Photos of your other children. When they come to visit, they'll see that you haven't forgotten them.
• Gifts for older siblings. Some parents bring gifts for the new baby to "give" to big brothers and sisters.
• A notepad or journal and pen or pencil. Track your baby's feeding sessions, write down questions you have for the nurse, note what the pediatrician tells you, jot down memories of your baby's first day, and so on. Some people bring a baby book so they can record the birth details right away.
• A going-home outfit. Bring something roomy and easy to get into (believe it or not, you'll probably still look 5 or 6 months pregnant) and a pair of flat, comfortable shoes.

For your baby

• An installed car seat. You can't drive your baby home without one! Have the seat properly installed ahead of time and know how to buckle your baby in correctly.
• A going-home outfit. Your baby will need an outfit to go home in, including socks or booties if the clothing doesn't have feet, and a soft cap if the air is likely to be cool. Make sure the legs on your baby's clothes are separate so the car seat strap can fit between them.
• A receiving blanket. The hospital will provide blankets for swaddling your baby while you're there, but you may want to bring your own to tuck around your baby in the car seat for the ride home. Make it a heavy one if the weather's cold.

Well, it is good to be prepared and guess I shall refer back to the list attached here and then try to pack the hospital bag by Mar 13. =)

See you, our happy, healthy and crying baby in May 13! =)