Trendy and Fashionable Maternity Clothing

I remember looking sooo 'unfashionable' when I was pregnant with #1 with many solid color basic tops and pregnant black pants. I thought I tried better with #2 but my skin problem during #2 pregnancy was worse than #1, I had to cover my entire body. With #2, I wore many lose loose kimono dresses or just long dresses with cardigans.

With #3, I found Olian but it came late during my late trimester. I love the prints, the lightweight and quality jersey. I received compliments and I felt good :)

After giving birth to #3, Olian's sleepwear is my daily wear to rest during my confinement.

 Some good basics from Singapore - Mothers En Vogue and Maternalove. We need transitional clothes from maternity to nursing, that last more than 9months.

 Shopbop.com also have some nice maternity or long dresses that covers well and good quality. Love Shopbop free international shipping! When will baby stores offer the same too?
For Ella Moss, you may want to up a size to fit better. Rachel Pally is more forgiving with the size so me being sz4 pre-pregancy, can still fit sz S during pregnancy.

Asos.com have a big selection for maternity and they are much more available, although the quality isn't as good as I would like them to be. Buy the size during pre-pregnancy; I ordered a size up and they were too loose on me. It could also be that I didn't gain as much weight as my first 2 pregnancies...

Avent New Natural Neck Ring Fits Momo Glass Bottle

Momo Glass Bottle

 Yipee! I just received Momo Baby Glass bottles from local seller, BabyKiddie, and tried on Avent Natural Ring and it fits!
The 6oz Momo glass bottle is thinner and lighter than Avent glass bottles.

Momo has thermal sleeve which also fit into the Avent glass bottle. Its longer for the 4oz Avent glass bottlle but it fits snugly.

Love this Baby Jogger City Mini!

2010 #1 left #2 right

This picture was right the day I bought the stroller in 2010. #1 refuse to give up her stroller and #2 was becoming way too attached to be being carried all the time and he was getting heavy.

After researching for double strollers and talking to sales girls for their opinions, I finally bought this stroller from Motherworks Singapore (lovely and helpful salesgirl). #1 climbed on right away. #2, who always became fussy when we put him down on stroller, saw that his sister was next to him on the City Mini and adapted to the stroller immediately. Within 5 minutes on the City Mini, he slept. Mom was happy with 2 kids down on stroller and snapped picture to send to their dad on his business trip in Seoul.

2012, after using the stroller everywhere we goes, including many travels and theme parks, it is still in a very good condition, being sturdy and all. I grocery shopped and put the bags on the stroller with no signs of toppling. #1 is 17kg and #2 14kg and are still excited to hop on to their stroller positions. They sleep peacefully without getting matted hair due to open mesh seats for extra ventilation.

Goes up escalators well. People can be so rude and not let children enter the elevators first; they rushed heads in and sometimes its only 2 floors up. Going down the escalator with 2 toddlers is a huge challenge and require 2 handlers.

Travel with ease as it folds us easy, although getting it to the locked position is an extra maneuver.  The travel bag is a worthy investment so that you don't get the stroller dirty from the long plane rides. You do, however, have to remove the wheels first and sometimes the stroller bag gets into the baggage pick-up/claim.

2012- #2 on the right and his cousin on his right. Both sleeping and that's Little Giraffe's blankies on their lap

My 2012 challenge is to persuade #1 or #2 to be gallant and give up for #3 to sit in the stroller...

2012 New Baby Product Reviews For Baby #3 (Bottles)

Its been years since I last posted anything on this blog. Ever since I gave birth to #2, I went back to work and all in all, kids and work filled my time that I don't have time to blog anymore.

Since I just gave birth to #3 and doing my confinement period, I decided to share some tips and honest reviews to other moms-to-be. Amazon reviews have been super helpful.

Bottles
2008 child #1 went through many bottles that she had nipple confusion for a period. It was around '07 and '08 and BPA-free bottles were newly introduced into the mainstream market. Adiri was good but it was quite tricky to assemble them with leaking problems and #1 settled for Pigeon BPA-free bottles and the nipples worked well in between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.

2010 child #2 I have decided to use Avent BPA-free bottle, since #1 was still drinking from her bottle, I thought to use another brand so its easier to differentiate the bottles for the children. Plus, I wanted to use the Tempo liners for travel and we travel a lot during #2 first 6 months. During our Seoul trip, I came across Upis brand. The liner will protect the neck ring from milk, so less part to clean. It was feature a nipple container at the bottom, so we can easily switch to new nipple, if we don't have time to wash. However, to plastic liner is almost like clingwrap, and during travel, patience runs thin, you wouldn't want to spend time getting the liner to open and make milk.

2011 By 2009, most brands claimed to be BPA-free and it seems that even safe plastics such as PP are claimed to leach. So what is safe? They said pure, good grade stainless steel and glass bottles. I grew upset. #1 had been using her BPA-free Japanese Pigeon bottles for 3yrs, #2 used his Avent bottles for 1yr+ and what made me even more angry was my Avent sterilizer. It had this weird smell that I ignored and kept instructing my babysitter to use the cleaning powder. One day, I inspected the sterilizer and touched the interior, it had this whitish powder surrounding the plastic. I almost cried thinking how oblivious I can be and how I have poisoned my kids. The same night, I threw away all my children plastic bottles and the sterilizer.

After researching, Pura Kiki was my best choice, with no plastic neck rims and its versatility with Pigeon and Avent nipples. Glass Pigeon bottles was another great choice but its heavy and I worry the bottles hitting my children faces and #2 was going through bottle-throwing phase.

Next was the sterilizer, I remembered during my stay in Seoul was that most utensils were dried in UV sterilizers and through googling in English, came up with Upang.

2012 baby #3

I purchased Kleen Kanteen Baby series together same time as ordering Pura Kiki. I thought to have a different bottle again so its easier to differentiate bottles for the children. #1 still is attached to her pink Pura Kiki bottle for sleeping time before she brushed her teeth.
Although there are some articles saying stainless steel (SS) leech nickel, I choose to believe what Pura and KK's guarantee of good grade and zero migration of heavy metals. But on the hand, you can't freeze the SS bottles so hence, glass bottles.
In June, Avent launched its new Natural line on Amazon and I saw the glass bottles and quickly waitlisted for them. After using ComGateway service to have them sent, since the new Avent line is exclusive to US and UK market (maybe also in Europe?), I was excited to see the new bottles.

Review on Avent Natural Glass bottles- They are heavy, not so easy to screw the neck ring, but doesn't seem to be as fragile as other thinner glass bottles.
I  do like the nipple. I received the bottles late and #3 had been using regular neck Pigeon glass bottles and she had slight nipple confusion when I breastfed her. #3 drinks a lot, she is 1 week old and drinks 90cc. We have been using Avent glass bottles for 3 days now and she has no problem going back breast and bottle. The Natural nipples only fit the Avent Natural bottles. I tried to insert to other bottles but just doesn't fit.
The plastic ring is something I have to bear with but will change in every 3-6mths.

Its July! Happy Birthday Baby J!

Time sure flies. When I first started this blog, it was about my wedding, my sister's wedding, renovating, then about Baby J and now my little, cheeky baby is 1 year old!!!

My sister is Baby J's god-mother and when I showed her some pictures I found on flickr, she had the cakes made as Baby J's present! They were made by Hotel Mulia's chef and they are beautiful! Thank you dear!

My wishes for Baby J: Be happy, be healthy, be good and be wise.
More pics to come.

Baby on Air

More pics from my blackberry...
Baby J is relatively easy on air. Our trip to Seoul is longest air time for her so I planned for the night flight - the red eye flight. We even went to the airport few hours earlier so she could sleep on her stroller.
Maybe Baby J could feel our excitement taking her for a trip, she stayed clear-eyed throughout the 3 hour wait in airport. On the plane, it took her awhile to settle down, she joined in the chorus of the other babies' cries on the same row and I had to walk and rock her to sleep.
Both mommy and daddy were already so tired and it was until 2am when she finally slept on the flight bassinet. Before I could doze, there was turbulence and I had to take Baby J out from her bassinet. We finally had couple of hours to nap before we touch down Seoul (approx 6hrs flight Singapore-Seoul).

On our flight back to Singapore, we took the 7pm flight and upgraded our seats to business class, using up all the mileage we earned for 1yr! It was a new plane, with the full recline seats, I thought Julia would be able to sleep this time around. Nope. With the extra space, it became playground for her to climb over to daddy and rummage the inflight magazines.
After few hours, when she was so tired from being unable to sleep and crying, she threw up. The best thing I could do was to stay calm, smacked daddy's head to wake him up, wiped off puke from my face and neck, grabbed baby's spare pajamas, walked over to restroom to clean baby first then barked at daddy to get my spare clothes. Baby J was too tired to cry further and she finally succumbed to sleep.With the plane buzz and my husband's snore, I got some sleep with Baby J next to me on the seat.
All was well towards immigrations and baggage claim, it was inside the taxi when Baby J woke up and grinned at us. It was 1am.

Baby J Pose

Taking Baby J pictures are always easy. She smiles easily and does not react differently to camera.

Here's Baby J sitting to watch TV (mommy doesn't usually let her watch too long).

Baby J & Baby G's Man Yue C akes

I have been meaning to upload images but ever since my hard drive went slow on me, we uploaded all pictures into our portable hard disk.

Anyways, Man Yue (Full Month) is an exciting month, we sent out custom made cakes and red eggs to close friends, relatives and others who had sent baby gifts for the babies of course. More picture details in my other blog.

Snore Cop

I'm a light sleeper; I can easily wake up and sleep soundly again. Before Baby J squirm and cry in her sleep, I will jump out of the bed and scoop her up to comfort her.

My husband on the other hand, is the complete opposite. Its difficult for him to relax and takes him awhile to sleep soundly. Once he fall into slumber, not only he is deaf on ears when baby wails, he even snores. Guttural snoring. I had to light swat on him to stop him from snoring.

From poking to light swats to punching him in the arms and just last night I kicked him on his legs. I just fed baby her midnight milk and was trying to sleep; baby sleeping with us on the bed also made me more edgy of the snores. What I didn't know was that he woke up during my first kick and intentionally snored loudly into my face. My eyes flew open at I saw him making faces and before I give him the evil look, the funniest thing happened - Baby J's eyes flew open, she looked sideways at the culprit and gave Daddy the dirty look. And its funny because it is alike to the look Mommy always make at Daddy when Daddy misbehaves.

Baby J Loves Her LG Mat

(Baby J and her first cousins)

Baby J receive baby gym mats for her gifts but the ultimate mat is LG mat imported from Korea. It has this Nano Silver thing (most products in Korea has this Nano thing going on...) that is supposedly to non-toxic and has anti-virus & anti-mould function.

Baby J's cousins grew up with LG mat and I just love it that its hygienic and can wipe off any drool easily compared to those fabric mats.

The downside are just it being expensive and heavy to travel around with.

There is a retailer who sells the mat for Rp900,000, it's cheaper than the one I bought in Kasih Ibu ITC Manga Dua. I lost the brochure, will update soon again :)

Baby J's Input on BPA-free Bottles

I had run several post regarding BPA bottles and even sold 1 brand for my online store- Adiri.

Here's review from Baby J (mind-read by Mommy)

Adiri - It feels like Mommy boobs but yet close to the real thing! I don't want to be cheated!
Born Free - Yesh I used it when I was newborn but I grew out of it.
Green to Grow - This chokes me! I was newborn and the slow flow nipple choke me.
Pigeon glass bottle & rubber nipple - Of all the bottles I rejected, this rubber thing works ok.
Nuk nipple (paired with pigeon glass bottle) - I'm not going to be cheated again! Doesn't mean I use the pacifier means I gotta like this nipple!

Pigeon BPA-free - Finally Mommy! U got it alright! After those bottles you put me through and nipple confusion, yesh, I kinda like this one!

Pigeon BPA-free bottles are not sold mainstream in Jakarta yet. You can ask some of your lovely relatives to get it for you in most big baby stores in Singapore.

Strolling With Orbit & Peg Perego

We planned to only have 2 strollers - one for baby's comfort and another for traveling.

Comfort - we look for roomy interior and for newborn to lie flat.
Travel-friendly - has to be lightweight and easy to fold.

I researched on reviews and decided that I would like Baby J to cruise on Orbit. Then when J was delivered, we received a generous gift- Peg Perego Skate!
Since both these 2 strollers are bulky and not travel-friendly, I had to purchase another traveling stroller. At first, I thought of getting McLaren XLR stroller; it is one of the most popular strollers and I had thought its the roomiest, lightest and easiest.

After being the stroller dept for 2 hours to decide on a stroller while Baby J patiently waited for the mommy to decide, I finally bought Peg Perego Pliko. And I didnt regret.

Here's my opinions on 4 very popular strollers.

Orbit
Pros:

1. Good looking and cool dome shaped; lots of people are impressed.
   
2. Love the Paparazzi screen to shield Baby J from onlookers and light when she's sleeping.
   
3. Easy to load on and off stroller to place as car seat. Easy to rotate the seating position.
   
4. Great manuvearability!
5. Able to hang some of mommy's shopping
6. Folds well. Able to put pod down and fold the stroller quickly.
   

Cons:

1. Suede inner fabric does not vendilate! Baby J sweats while seating inside the pod.
   
2. Although designed to be safe as car seat, the pod is not the most comfortable. Baby seats uncomfortably and Baby J's cousin gets claustrophobic. She only used it until 5months and she struggled to get out.
3. Heavy and not travel friendly.
4. Have to purchase toddler series
   

Skate (Peg Perego)
Pros:

1. Bassinet is comfortable for baby to sleep from newborn onwards. Baby J sleeps soundly on it. Can walk for long while baby sleeps.
   
2. Folds ok.
3. Heavy enough to place shopping on bottom basket of stroller.

Cons:

1. Heavy and not travel friendly. Too bulky to put into the car. Restaurants and cafes aren't too welcoming for big strollers.
   
2. Difficulty in folding. Sometime it works well and sometimes doesnt
3. Ok on manuverability. Orbit win on this.
4. Expensive
   

Techno XLR McLaren
Pros:

1. Roomy and can lie flat for newborn.
2. Lightweight
   
3. Easy to fold and store
   
4. Easy to find accessories to add on.
5. Has padded shoulder straps.
   

Cons:

1. Made in China for those who really think this matters :)
   
2. Seen it around; doesn't stand out.
3. Not as lightweight as it is. Quite bulky to store in car.
4. Topple over when loaded with shopping.
   

Pliko Classico (Peg Perego)
Pros:

1. Made in Italy as assured by the salesgirl- does it matter? Hmmm...
2. Sturdy stroller and doesn't topple with many shopping bags!
3. Lie almost flat and has a roomy space for baby to sleep soundly.
4. Easy to fold. Compared to Skate, this is just great!
5. Better manuevearability compared to Skate.
6. Has a coffee cup holder
7. Has a bar to put those stroller toys, has 2 bottle holder.
8. Lighter than the XLR Techno, almost same price too!

Cons:

1. Still a little bulky to store in car.
2. Can't change seating position to face mommy.
3. Hope to have an extended shield.
   

Good and bad news: Theres a new Pliko series - PLIKO SWITCH COMPLETO that can change seating postion and able to put car seat. Sucky to know it now and good for those who read this review and decide that Pliko is the choice. They even have a rain shield included!
I would highly recommend this new Pliko! It seems to cover what I want- comfort and travel-friendly!

All images via web and use for reference only.

Organic Formula - Earth Best vs Babys Only vs Bellamys

Baby J is 6 months now, she's one cute bubbly baby who is always grinning. She loves to play and laugh with her cousins. She is the tiniest amongst them even though she is not the youngest.

Baby J was breastfed exclusively for about 5+months and it was a difficult transition to bottle feeding then formula. She much prefer the real thing; she prefers to be fed formula when she is asleep.

So here it comes when her mommy becomes paranoid about wanting to give her only the best and for this case formula. After researching for a good organic formula by reading customer reviews, we decided to buy Earth Best (EB) infant formula. They have EB food jars and other teething rusks but there aren't any EB formula in Singapore so we ordered in from Diapers.com in US. Yes! All the way from US! Talk about dedication and bourgeois!

It took some time to receive our EB so by the time I needed to supplement with formula, I bought a can of Bellamys from Singapore. My sister-in-law recommended Bellamys as it has a smooth texture and easy to digest. Baby J had no problem with Bellamys.

However, Baby J's tummy reacted badly with our newly arrived, expensive and imported EB. She had loose stools at first then diarrhea for days. Her first lab test didnt detect any bacteria or parasite then her second came out with amoeba bacteria. Meanwhile, she still does her usual activities - grinning, playful and alert, with no signs of sickness albeit making faces when she pooped.
When we flew to Singapore for check-up, our pediatrician highly doubted about the amoeba and we did another lab stool test. Meanwhile, doctor told us to feed Baby J with Soy formula or lactose-free formula. I actually thought that I should stop feeding Baby J breastmilk as it has lactose! I froze all expressed breastmilk and my supply lessened more.

We tried Isomil and Prosomil and Baby J hated the smell. She grimaced during her sleep when the bottle went near her. I web browse on my Blackberry for a non-smelly Soy formula and preferably organic. Then I remembered reading that Babys Only Dairy formula has a vanilla shake smell and taste so I was ecstastic when I saw Baby's Only is available in Singapore Vitakids in Paragon (through coincidence! They are not direct distributor for Babys Only) and ordered the organic Soy formula from another branch in Forum. Dedication for the best for my baby :) Baby J still continue to have her diarrhea even though she recovered slightly.

After the new year holidays, we return back to Jakarta and went to see Dr. X, an old and experienced doctor, since Baby J had not recover from her diarrhea for 20 days! Dr X recommended lactose-free formula and I was desperate for Baby J's health that I just bought whats available - Bebelac, a local manufactured brand. Baby J reacted well with Bebelac although I had my doubts, she accepted it and drank well and best, she recovered.

Within 1.5 month, Baby J had gone through Breastmilk, Bellamys, Earth Best, Isomil, Babys Only, and Bebelac.So here's my verdict.
1. Earth Best - US, Organic, high DHA and ARA, has Iron smell, does not mix well, has some weird alien small flecks (visible since its drak grey) caused my baby diarrhea. Baby J's cousins tried too, her cousin W, 7months old when he tried EB had shown mild allergies like skin rash on his face. Her other cousin G, 5months old when she tried was fine, she didn't enjoy her first taste but slowly accept EB and she is still taking it now.
2. Isomil and Prosomil - Soy formula, smells terrible, Baby J will only take it when she starved herself. Baby W takes Isomil fine, it is very sweet.
3. Babys Only- US, Organic, Soy formula smells slightly better. Dairy mix and smell okay. Grainy.
4. Bebelac - smells good, bubbly when mix, leaves stains if mouth not wiped properly, tongue has to be clean after 2 feedings minimum. Mild on tummy.
5. Bellamys - Australian, Organic, smells fine, mix best compared to other formula, smooth texture, easy to accept, has iron but no trace smell of iron compared to Earth Best. Baby J is still happy with her Bellamys formula.

Going BPA-free Via VIA Cups

So I've got the BPA-free bottles, I have got to figure out the pump to express milk. Medela should have been the perfect choice but I like Avent's massage rubber pad.

Good thing to know is that VIA cups are BPA-free and I love how I can store the milk right away and stack them up. Neat!

Baby Formula Awareness

EWG had a report on - Guide to Infant Formula. I thought that's it, I don't have to do more further internet search, but alas its about the can packaging material. Wasn't very helpful...but again, PBA is there, which leads to why is PBA lurking into the cans now? Its in the lining inside the cans. Read more here.


EWG report said that Nestle infant formula is a safe option (the can) but upon coming to read Boycott Nestle's post, maybe we can turn to other brands. Actually the site basically make mommy-to-be like me to be more paranoid than I am already; most commercial baby formula is not safe.


With all the benefits of breast-feeding, I would love to breastfeed my baby but I would have to consider formula when I couldn't breastfeed for physical to personal reasons.

Here's a list of what formulas most people I came across bought - Similac (Abbot Ross- US), Enfamil (Mead Johnson - uS) , S26 (Wyeth - HK).

I haven't really read all too much of it, but here's a brief list:

- mothers review Enfamil HK/Asia version is much sweeter

- Enfamil uses palm olein oil; "Similac no longer contains a form of fat used in some other formulas called palm olein, and studies by Ziegler et al. suggested that this change improved absorption of the fat and of minerals such as calcium which can be lost when fat is poorly absorbed" (quote from Merit Care)


Additives good for babies? Marketing Gimmick? Scientifically Proven?

DHA & ARA - read

Whey Protein - read


"Recalls were made for all the well known companies, Nestle (Carnation), Abbott, Mead Johnson, Wyeth, Nutricia and more. Products were recalled for such things as contamination by Salmonella, Klebsiella Pneumoniae and bits of glass" - read

Formula Recalls: (please click on brands to read article)

Similac for Premmies

Enfamil Gentlease Lipil

Nestle Nan 2 H.A. Gold



Soy Base Or Not? read


Good read of choosing and understanding more formula ingredients. Read when you have time

Where Do All That Diapers Go?

If G Diapers had done their research of quote, 'It takes up to 500 years for a disposable to biodegrade in a landfill. Just in time for your great, great, great, great, grandchild's birth. ', where are all those soiled diapers?

There are great many other woes of landfill wastage - plastic bags, bottles, construction materials left overs, and etc. I would try my best to lessen the problems although I contribute a menial 0.0000000000001 %?

Before I came across G Diaper, I didn't even know that disposable diapers are non-biodegradable. When I mentioned about organic cotton pants with disposable pads, I receive very honest comments. For example, will I inconvenient myself to add more steps of taking care of my baby?

G Diapers seem convenient enough with the steps and the idea of the pads to be biodegradable is pleasing. Although I must say that I'm not very sold into flushing it down. If tissue papers can clog the toilet, non-plastic pads will too, no?

I contacted G Diaper for Singapore retailer information, but apparently they don't sell anywhere outside US. Woes to the extra landfill...

Image source (all): G Diaper

Getting BPA free Baby Bottles Somewhere Nearby (part 2)

Another good news! A friend just told me today that she just found out local retailer, I Baby, carries Born Free! Will post more details on their range.

My sister-in-law's father bought for the Pigeon bottle from Takashimaya. I'm not too sure about it being PBA-free as the plastic is still clear and solid. Its too bad that the box was thrown away before given to her. I can't tell the difference from local Pigeons.

I thought I read somewhere that Aprica bottles are PBA-free but I guess not this particular one sold in Jakarta. Its still clear white but yet the bottle's plastic is not as hard compared to Avents.

This site says that Aprica BFree bottles should be honey-colored.

Getting BPA Free Baby Bottles Somewhere Nearby

"Bisphenol A current uses are numerous. It is a key monomer in production of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Otherwise it is used in the following polymer types: polyesters, polysulfones, and polyether ketones. " - quoted from Wikipedia read

Although I only sent the bisphenol-A (BPA) concern and risk in baby bottles to close mommy friends, word of mouth is spreading and more friends are asking me about it.

The next thing we talk about is where to get it. So again I try to search and ask the brands if they sell in Singapore (the closest vicinity for us to get it).

With some more research, there's some good news:
1. Pigeon and other range of Japanese brands bottles in Takashimaya are made of Polyethersulfone (PES) and PPSU, the other alternative of BPA. Taiwanese brand - Piyo-piyo is made of PES.
3. Medela
4. Nuby & Sassy sold in Taime, based in Singapore

There are some that can be found in Jakarta, but I haven't start calling stores yet...

Of course, all glass bottles are safe, so if you don't want to buy expensive bottles, get the glass ones.


image source: Kids Life House

Paranoid Mum In The Making

Few days ago, I've written an email to my closest gal pals whom are either expecting or have babies already. In the mail, I wrote the following:

Hey ladies, I know you mothers are always concerned what goes into baby's food. If I say Avent bottles are not safe, you girls would definitely protest that everyone uses it so why would there be any problems.

Apparently, there are many studies stating Avent and many other mainstream bottles in the market are not healthy as the plastic contain BPA, which may may leaked to the milk contents during heating and etc. To know more about BPA and Avent bottles, please take some time to read:

Environmental Working Group & Zrecs

Also, due to the conciousness of plastic, what others goes into their mouth other than food and bottle nippies? Teethers and pacifiers. I just would like to convey this message, its a matter of personal choice :) but I'm on the way to become a paranoid mother and just wants the best for my baby and future children.

I really hope we can get other alternatives locally too, I know its difficult when the products are not provided locally.

I was really happy that the email gets reaction from my friends (albeit one or two who disagreed). Currently, they don't sell any PBA-free baby bottles in Jakarta but I hope in months time, there will be. The closest to get it is from Singapore.

image source: the soft landing (they sell sampler kits!)

After A Long Break

5 Weeks Pregnant

It has been months since my last posting. I'm back in Jakarta hibernating and semi-working for my pregnancy.

We had been trying to get pregnant for a year and I'm thankful that we are now expecting! Still remember the days that I get extremely disappointed whenever I had my period, to a point that I had depression.

For the early weeks of pregnancy, we tried hard not to let our happy news leak out as we know the risks of losing the fetus as some of our friends did.

After passing 12 weeks, the supposed safe period to carry the baby, I bled, and both my husband and I tried hard not to show our frantic emotions. It was on Sunday, and none of my doctors (I'm seeing 5 doctors) were practicing other than 1 of them, whom we finally see him at 10pm and we admitted to another hospital closer to my parents home at midnight.

My sister's wedding was two days later, and I was told to be prepared not to attend. After 2 night stay in the hospital with complete bedrest, the doctor told me I'm fine to leave but had to bedrest.

15 Weeks Pregnant

I'm now in 15th week and it still amaze me to hear the baby's heartbeat whenever I visit the clinic for my check-up. I was visiting the doctor every week to check on my condition, which was retroplacental. The bleeding comes from the slight disjointment of the placenta, that could have been very risky if not known earlier.

Although being cooped at home was very boring, I always pray our baby stay safe.