How I lost it all!

As per requested!

Many friends amazed how I did it in such a short timeframe. Well, actually 5 months to me is not short, Kelly Chan did it in just under 3 months! I would really love to know her secrets.

Anyway, since you asked, I thought I would share with you my journey and may be (just may be) this can help some of the ladies out there. Just be reminded that I am not an expert, what works for me may not work for others, so please be gentle ya.

Like many ladies out there, I had great fear of being pregnant and having kids, mainly because of the labour pain and becoming fat sagging mama (Ok la, that aside, I wasn’t a kid/baby lover). The last thing I want was to have extra bits and pieces hanging here and there and people asking me when I am due every time they see me. This kind of souvenir is unwelcome, no thank you very much!

My goal was not just to shed those kilos, but also to gain back my toned body, especially the stomach. Those flabby bits can be very depressing.

I want to stress that, the most easy and efficient way to slim down is to BREASTFEED. I breastfed since day 1 and still counting.....Mothers burn a lot of calories (how much I don't know la) while breastfeeding. It is true. Every time I breastfeed, I feel hot and thirsty. In addition to that, breastfeed is an excellent way to bond with your baby and most importantly it is good for your baby (you know, all the nutrition and antibodies that formula can't replaced). And, it is FREE! LOL

Of course, in my humble opinion, breastfeeding alone is not enough to strike the goal post, here are what I did.....

1. Pick a role model. This is very important to keep me motivated. It's like the old saying: "Your mind is the most powerful medicine"

2. 1st month – take it easy and strictly no exercise to allow your body to recover. Eat frequent but small meals rather than 3 big serving meals a day during the confinement period (note: healthy food only please!). I had 6 meals a day but in small/moderate portion. Breastfeeding was the only exercise I did. LOL

3. 2nd month - 30 mins slow walk once every two day. Good time to take your baby out for some fresh air too!

4. 3rd month - Yoga (I did pregnancy yoga coz’ it is gentle) everyday, then started gentle aerobics later in the month.

5. 4th and 5th month – aerobics and yoga everyday, alternately.

Oh, one more tips. To avoid the wobbly flabby tummy, tie your waist with those slimming waist belt thingy (not those vibrating one, just one piece cloth belt) after your delivery for at least 4 weeks.

I didn’t spend a penny at all, all I did was fish out those pregnancy yoga/aerobics DVDs I bought before I got pregnant and went all crazy! LOL

So there, doesn't seem that hard right? No, it is not hard but determination gets you there. I have now stopped all these intensive training and back to my pre-natal lifestyle but still breastfeeding.

Now,the biggest challenge of all is if I could maintain it for long.

Getting back

5 months of hard work finally paid off! *grin*

Pre-natal weight: 51 kg

Pregnancy weight: 66 kg

NOW: 51.5 kg

And I am so very pleased with myself. Although strictly speaking, am still 0.5 kg away from my pre-natal weight, I'm just not gonna bother much.

All in 3rd trimester

Outdated post

Honeymoon no more! Now the REAL pregnancy kicks in. The bump has grown so big that I can no longer see my feet standing. My mobility has greatly reduced/restricted. I would need twice the time to walk the same distance. I get tired quite easily too. My energy level can only last for half a day. I am slowing down...... The baby is kicking/moving harder now. Sometimes, I could feel like he is swimming/stretching inside, seems like he is having lots of fun in there. On contrary, not quite a pleasant feeling for me. Oh well!

Week 30: Routine check-up, all fine. Started practicing pregnancy yoga in the hope for easy delivery. We shall see. Also attended the first session of breastfeeding course.

Week 31: Attended the 2nd(last) session of the breastfeeding course. The course has gained me great amount of knowledge about the baby, the breasts and of course breastfeeding.

Week 33: Midwife visit. All ok! I have started feeling baby hiccups, multiple times a day. Kinda cute though. :)

Week 34: Started my first session of antenatal class and was overwhelmed by tonnes of information given! There are a total of 6 sessions, once a week. I doubt I could finish the whole course before the BB arrives. We'll see..... Also started having nosebleeds and block nose this week.

Week 35: Found myself hard to get a good night sleep nowadays. The tummy has got too big it is impossible to sleep in one position throughout the night, yet it is equally difficult to change position. Sigh! As a result of this, I am constantly tired. Can't wait to be on leave....2 more weeks to go! 2nd session of antenatal class, we talked about caesarean & other intervention, What to take to hospital & when to go and watching birth video (O_O)!! Sometimes, ignorance is a bliss!

Week 36: Midwife visit at the hospital this time, we did a delivery suite tour in addition to our normal routine check-up. There are 12 delivery suites. They are all fully ensuite, fitted with either a small pool or triangular shaped bath for labor management purposes, and a nice comfy chair for labor companion/husband. All suites are very well kept, clean and of course almost spanking new! From now, I will be having weekly midwife visit till THE day.

3rd session of antenatal class, mainly talked about labor management.

Week 37: 4th session of antenatal class. Topics include Hospital stay, Newborn Appearance, Postnatal care, The changing woman’s body, Support groups, Plunket speaker, Comforting a new baby & mum (emotions), Massage, Casesaean video.

The feeling of becoming a parent is more real now and the mix-feeling is equally stronger. You know, the excitement of the baby arrival and the thought of ending the couple hood lifestyle that I have always cherished. As we embark our journey to parenthood leaving behind what we have thoroughly enjoyed for the past 13 years of companionship, I must admit there is certainly a wee reluctance in me. After-all, it is a journey full of adventures that we are heading to, outside our comfort zone. I know it ain't easy and there will be countless bumpy rides along the way, but I trust we will be strong taking on any hurdle showered on us and enjoy the valuable experience. I believe this is what we call LIFE!

Week 38: The 5th session on antenatal class, on first aid specialists CPR and feeding baby. Athan arrived on 28 Nov!!!!!!

Last day of work

My last time of work today. It is a break that I have longed for. I guess it is time for me to slow down and save some energy for the upcoming big event. LOL Mum and dad arrived in the weekend, helping up around the house and doing cooking for us (^_^)

As I am heading towards the end of my pregnancy, I kind of having this mix feelings. There are some aspect of pregnancy I don’t enjoy and mainly revolve around physical side of things e.g. carrying the heavy bump 24/7, mobility constraint, not being able to squeeze into nice nice sexy clothes, food restriction etc. Sometimes I just can’t wait to deliver, get it over and done with, then I can move on with my life.

BUT

Having said that, there are some aspects that I thoroughly enjoy being pregnant – being pampered and looked after that is! And I don’t mean just coming from husband/family, but from strangers as well. Strangers walking pass on the street, strangers you happen to be in the same lift, the SAs in the retail stores etc. I don’t know about people in Malaysia and other countries, but being pregnant, I get like extra gentle treatment here. People would stare at my tummy and give me a nice “Awwww…..” kinda smile, some would ask me about the due date/gender of the baby, they hold the lift/door for me, the SAs would give me freebies etc. I tell you, it feels good, it feels really good. Hehehehe

Anyway, I will be off work for approx 6 months, not sure how I would cope with being a full-time mum and housewife during this period but I will get through. (^_^)

The bump and I at 35 weeks

All in 2nd trimester

This is what I called the honeymoon period. My morning sickness has gone. I started feeling great and energetic, even more than I have used to be. Also noticed the change of my scalp. I have oily scalp and need to wash hair almost everyday, but now I can wash it every alternative day, or even once in 3 days! This is a real positive change for me (^_^) and I do hope it stays that way even after the delivery!

My craving continues but has changed a bit. I no longer constantly crave for fruits/juices or anything in particular. My craving has become irregular. Today can be no craving, tomorrow may be something sour, then the next day something else. But, most of the times, I crave for bowl of hot noodle soup.

We have also started shopping for baby stuff as soon as the gender is revealed.

Week 12: Did my blood test and had the 1st ultrasonic scan. Results all good. It was really amazing seeing the baby for the 1st time!

Week 17: I started feeling the baby kicks/movements.

Week 19: 2nd ultrasonic scan - anomaly scan (should be the last scan if everything goes well) to check the baby development and also to find out the gender of the baby (if you choose to)! I had no inkling at all about the gender before this scan. I know some mothers do.

Week 22: Saw my midwife for the regular check-up. Everything including my scan results all normal except that the radiographer couldn't get the facial profile of the baby. The BB was being shy I guess. LOL So I was told to book in for another follow-up scan.

Week 23: Had an extra follow-up scan to get the facial profile. This time, I told BB to not be shy and show show face. Silly eh? Hahahahaha. We did successfully capture the profile. (^_^)

Week 24: Started feeling pelvic joints pain :( Luckily I could still walk normally.

Week 25: Another blood test to check my glucose level and whatnot.

Week 27: The pelvic joints pain has got better though not entirely off the equation. I found that the more I exercise/walk/move, the lesser the pain is.

Week 28: Had my routine check-up. The followed up anomaly scan and the blood test results are normal though I have a bit of iron deficiency shown in my blood. The midwife recommended taking iron supplement-Ferrograd C, 3 times a week. Another blood test may be required in due course. Will see her in two weeks time.

I've put on a total of 9 kg by the end of 2nd trimester.

All in 1st trimester

So how did I find out?

Well, just like any other ladies I guess. "It" was late, and normally I couldn't care less coz' my menstruation cycle has always been irregular anyway. There were times I missed it by 2 months! So this time, like any other times, I ignored. It was the sore breast that alarmed me. My breats normally become sore and tender a week before my period, but this time, they were sored for 3 weeks and yet still no sight of my 'auntie' coming. I also noticed the increase in size *grin*

So one very early Saturday morning, I fished out the spare pregnancy test kit that I bought very long time ago, read the instruction and off I went. 5 minutes.....the result was out....POSITIVE. I went back up to the room, told hubby, chit chat a little while, then we both went back to sleep. LOL.

Later, found out the test kit has long expired. Bummer! Went out to buy another one, ran the test......POSITIVE!

Booked myself in to see my GP on the following Monday. He told me I was 4 weeks preggie, gave a lecture of what to/not to eat/do. I was then given 3 options in choosing my antenatal care through out my pregnancy:

1. Engaged a doctor in the hospital, but then you may have someone else to deliver your baby if the doctor you engaged is not on shift when you're in labor. FREE
2. Midwife. Get yourself a midwife to provide antenatal care including delivery. You would be refer to a specialist (free of charge) should your pregnancy has complications. FREE
3. Specialist. The gynae look after you through out your pregnancy including baby delivery. Cost is ~$3K for the whole pregnancy term. (0_0)!!

We chose the Midwife option since it is free and my GP doesn't think I need to engage a specialist considering my age.

Since it was still early stage, we kept it all to ourselves until I was in my 8th week. Then I told my parents. I wanted to keep it from everyone apart from family at that stage, but my morning sickness was bloody obvious and really affecting my work so I had to tell my boss and a couple of colleagues whom I work closely with.

As for my morning sickness, well I had the full combo! Nausea, tireness, bloated stomach and vomitting(more like gagging as nothing comes out but gasses). My gagging is really bad, it could happen anytime on each and everyday. I don't feel like eating, but yet have to eat for the sake of alleviating my gags. It was also because of all these morning sickness (I think), I became very emotional, grumpy and impatience. I 'barked' at anyone who stepped on me. LOL

I craved for things that are juicy and sour like fruits/juices. Seafood or anything oily would make me sick. Wuecccck!

There are also many things I cannot eat, and as a Chinese living in this foreign country, there are even more thing I need to turn my head away from.

Based on our Chinese old wives tale and facts, I need to avoid all seafood (except fish),Banana, barley and anything that is considered 'cold' to the body.

Then, according to the 'ang moh'(i.e kiwis) medical advise provided here, there are even more things to avoid:

-Anything that is raw or not fully cooked except vege and fruits e.g. sashimi, raw/half boiled eggs (there gone my beloved Tiramisu!), meat etc
-Anything that is pre-prepared e.g. sandwich, salads etc-Processed food (God knows what is considered not processed nowadays!)
-Sushi unless freshly prepared and eat instantly
-Ham, salami, humus, pâté
-Soft cheese unless it is cooked pipping hot
-Buffet/Chinese smorgasbord/anything that's cooked and kept warm to serve

...and the whole list goes on......

Click to enlarge if you are interested

Basically, anything that is not freshly prepared and cooked pipping hot, I have to avoid. See, so many things cannot eat, I might as well go eat grass lah! What a real torture! (>_<)!

1st trimester was a tough period for me, and at times I felt like I had enough of all these nonsenses and regretting the decision of having baby. The whole pregnancy seemed like an evil act to me! (T___T)

IT'S A BOY! (^_^)

Am stocking all the blues

(though am tempted to get the pinks)

The radiographer better be right!

Boy or gal?

A common question that people ask when they see a pregnant lady friend.

People here (NZ) are more into keeping the gender as a surprise on the delivery day. They normally choose not to find out. Nothing superstitious, just the culture (as I was told). Some, the parents would just keep the gender to themselves only, and leaving it as a surprise to their family and friends.

I seriously can't wait that long for a surprise. We wanted to know sooner rather than later to aid our planning.

Some people have guessed that I am carrying a gal, and of course some guessed boy based on those old wives theories. From what I know.....

If you're carrying a gal
- you like sweet and sour stuff
- Your bump looks rounder and wider
- Your overall body is fuller and plump
- You look radiant and glowing
- You like dressing up and making yourself pretty pretty

If you're carrying a boy
- you like salty stuff
- Your bump looks more pointy at the centre
- Your overall body is slimmer
- Your nose widen
- You have pigmentation/brown spots on your skin (especially face and neck)

True or not, I don't know. But I really don't think they're all 100% accurate based on what I am carrying. Hehehehe.

My symptons:
- I like sweet and sour stuff
- I still like dressing up and making myself pretty
- I think my bump looks more pointy than round?
- Not sure if my nose has widen though (I don't think so)
- I don't have pigmentation spots but do get more pimples nowadays
- I don't think I look any radiant or am glowing, I still look the same.
- As for my body shape, well you can sort of tell from the photos I have posted previously?

So, what gender do you think I am carrying? (For those who know, shhhhhh~~~)

The bump and I

The change

THANK YOU ALL for your well wishes. Much appreciated! (^_^)

After the announcement of my pregnancy, a few friends of mine were either very surprised or shocked about the news. Some were even more excited than I am! Even Rick sometimes still can't believe I am carrying this bump! LOL I guess this is understandable. For those who know me well, I was always not a baby person. I hate kids! I would rather have a puppy than a baby.

My thinking was: baby is troublesome, noisy and annoying. On top of the ever bloodcurdling labour pain, they took away your freedom, flexibility, body, time and not to mentioned $$$$. Yet, you just can't guarantee they would grow up to be a filial son/daughter. It is a high risk investment for sure! What's the point?

However, after all the analysis, I still chose to have a child. Mainly because I am afraid I would regret in my later age, whereby it would be too late for me to conceive.

I am now 6 months pregnant, and the thought of having this life inside me has certainly changed my thinking. Amazing isn't it? Of course, I am not becoming a baby/kid lover like some, and am not contemplating of having many, but one thing for sure, I love this little life in me and am willing to face the forth coming challenges.

Please let this baby be strong and healthy.