Birth Story of Gabriella Ro and Surviving natural birth without epidural

On 27th December 2016 at about 4+am, my water bag broke in the middle of my sleep. It was a gush of clear fluid (watery and a little slimy) and I made a mess on my bed. I called out to my husband who was sleeping right next to me. Partially still in his dreams, my husband thought I was having my usual leg cramps and was asking me subconsciously which leg was having the cramp. When it dawned on him that my water bag broke, he rushed to the toilet to get a "cloth". In a state of a shock with little time for thought process, he brought a floor mat instead of a towel. :)

We made a phone call to the NUH Delivery Suite and the nurse asked if I felt any contractions. At that point, I didn't. So the nurse told me to head towards the hospital but no need to rush, preferably to arrive within 2 hours. So my husband and I took a bath, put the wet bed sheets in the washing machine for cleaning, waited for the laundry to be done to hang for drying, packed our bag, called for an Uber and headed down to NUH. The Uber driver was very kind and friendly. He told us his wife took 5 hours to deliver when the contractions were 10 mins apart. At that moment, my husband and I were thinking if we should go for breakfast first. But Coffee Bean, Mr Bean were closed and we decided to head up to the delivery suite first and check what is the status. At that time, it was 5+, close to 6am already. The nurse checked the cervix and it was about 4-5 cm wide. They told me estimated time of delivery was 12noon to 2pm. In my mind, I was thinking "Serious? I am going to keep feeling this contraction for another 6 hours?" About 20-30 minutes later, the nurse checked again. Then the cervix had widened to 8-9cm. The nurse started to panic and told me not to push till the doctor arrived. I wasn't really pushing. But I do feel this superb "da bian" feeling and probably my natural response was to push. Thank goodness the Dr Su arrived shortly after.

I made a total of 3 pushes when Dr Su arrived. During the 1st push, I wasn't really sure if I was pushing or pulling back. On one hand, I thought I was pushing but I was holding back as I was afraid that I was pushing poop instead of baby out. During the 2nd push, I pushed so hard that my right leg cramped and I screamed that my leg had a cramp and the nurse was massaging my leg for me, and I missed the cycle. During the last push, I recalled clearly that I breathed the laughing gas deeply and pushed, doing that about 3 times and then I had this great feeling of baby sliding out of me.

Dr Su proceeded to stitch the episiotomy. In my opinion that was more painful than birth as it was continuous for a few minutes, unlike contractions was on short regular times. At that time, I was probably also addicted to the laughing gas and demanded for it even though I was told that I don't need it any more.

2 Key Advises for those who want to take the challenge of not using epidural:

1) Right Pushing Technique:
Only push during the feeling of contraction. Each time you try to push, the hole gets bigger. The contraction period is a natural phenomenon to help you push out.

2) Right Breathing Technique:
Use the laughing gas only when needed. When contraction is coming, ask your husband to place the laughing gas mask to your nose and breathe really hard. Then remove the mask once the contraction is over.

Maybe because I did not use epidural, I recovered really fast and I was up and walking about the suite that evening. The most uncomfortable experience during the 1st 2 days post-delivery is episiotomy stitch and lochia. You just keep bleeding and you have to make sure you don't tear the stitch. I had some difficulty pooping too as my pelvic muscles were weak and I couldn't push hard, afraid that I tear the stitch.

At 38th Week (22-29 Dec)

 

This weekend is the Christmas weekend and it also happens to be my 38th week pregnancy. My hubby got me a pair of cute ice mint coloured Adidas Superstar shoes (S76154) which just arrived from the mail. I am super impressed with the speed of delivery from Korea to Singapore. The size fits me perfectly. (EU 38 = 23.5cm) :) In pastel suede with snakeskin embossing on the 3-Stripes, this is my first pair of superstar shoes. As the name suggests, the feminine and cuteness of the shoes make me feel like a superstar this weekend. :) 

Postpartum Preparation

My EDD is 4 Jan 2017 (End of 39th Week), which means from now till my EDD, I am just 3 weeks away and the countdown is definitely on. Sometimes, I wonder to myself if I am well-prepared enough. In terms of baby stuff, I believe we have bought most of the essentials. In terms of emotional preparation and postpartum to-dos, I don’t think we can ever be ready. I am often asked the question of whether I made enough plans for it. But I believe too much planning is not good either as I will be too fixated in the plan and if there is any unforeseen changes, I may end up even more stressed. However, I do believe some level of mental preparation is important so that irregardless what situation is met, at least I know what the options are.

1) Booking of Jamu Massage Service + Getting Anti-cellulite creams

Heavily encouraged by my sister, I decided to book for the Jamu service even though I was initially not intending to. (SAVE MONEY) I gave in because I think it is good to pamper myself for once since I decided to do without a confinement lady, which is even more costly. The Jamu service also includes breast massage to help ensure there is no breast engorgement which is the usual cause of postpartum depression. Breast engorgement is painful for the mother and the baby will not be able to receive a good flow of milk, leading to hunger. With lots of hunger cries, the mother will become stressed and resulted in less milk production. The vicious cycle continues. The same Jamu lady which my sis is using also recommended me to also use Clarins Body Shaping Cream and Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Cream in conjunction with the tummy massage to increase the efficacy of reducing stretchmarks and toning the tummy. 

In the meantime, I am using Elancyl Stretchmark Cream. I got it cheap at Watsons at 1 for 1. I have also tried Cocoa Butter Stretch Mark Oil which has a nice Rosehip Fragrance. However, I find the oil a little oily for my preference. I use of Elancyl Stretchmark Cream on both my tummy and thighs. Not only does it make my tummy feels tighter, it also reduces the appearance of cellulite on my thighs. It is not a miracle cream but a preventive measure. It works by nourishing cell metabolism and moisturizing the skin to keep it fairly elastic. Applying cream alone will not help, it is also important to consume lots of water along with a nutritious intake of vitamins (A, C and E), healthy protein, and zinc to increase skin's elasticity. Over-consumption of caffeine, on the other hand, reduces elasticity. I am quite particular about stretchmarks as they are really unsightly.


2) Clean out the freezer and fridge, to free up space for fresh food and milk bottles

I have partially cleared the fridge and kitchen cupboard, and found lots of expired sauces and tea bags. It feels great clearing up stuff. This what people describe a pregnant woman's urge to clean and organise as a sign of labour, commonly known as "Nesting". 

3) Maternity Pads & Disposable Panties

It didn't daunt on me that I will have heavy menses-like bleeding or discharge named lochia. My sis warned me that the flow will be so heavy that I would need a good maternity pad. Typical pads may be uncomfortable due to the stitches post-episiotomy. A comfy one will be that from Mothercare.

4) Meals

As my previous blog-post on Postpartum beliefs and practices has stated, I tend to believe in a well-balanced diet. As I am not going to have a confinement lady to help out, I may turn to healthy food subscriptions or delivery services to supply me with the meals. 

• Food Matters : Provides a huge variety of food (Asian, Fusion, Western, Vegetarian, Low Carb, Gluten-free). A monthly subscription ranging $40-$144/month, est $7.20-10/meal. No additional delivery fees an unfinished credits are rolled over to the following month. Only deliver for lunch time at the moment. They have an app for you to plan your meal in advance easily.
• Grain : Provides healthy range of western food (Variety is still limited but you are not "forced" into a monthly subscription as you can order when you need it.) Food ranging from $10-$16/meal. Delivery charges are additional and ranges depending on location (~$6.50) with a minimum order surcharge (if orders are under $25). 
• Kim's Kitchen : Confinement food packages at 28 Days (single at $779, dual at $1,558), 14 Days (single at $389.50, dual at $779; Prices before GST). 
• Natal Essentials : Confinement food packages at 28 Days (single at $818, dual at $1,558), 14 Days (single at $418, dual at $818; Prices before GST)

Postpartum Beliefs and Practices

Postpartum seems to be a period which many parents probably dread. The Chinese named this period the "Confinement Period", which also has a negative connotation. Mothers are confined to staying at home and rest for at least 1 month. Other restrictions also include not washing hair for the entire period, no air-conditioner and blowing fan, bathing with only warm water infused with herbs. The tradition is passed down with the belief that it will help reduce future health problems like rheumatism, arthritis, headaches and body pains. Being a scientific person myself, I tend to seek scientific or logic to any actions. I tend not to follow beliefs if I am not convinced. But before concluding whether or not to follow the beliefs, I first try to understand why the belief was passed down.

1) Not Bathing vs Hygiene

In olden days, there is lack of clean water and birth delivery was done in not the most hygienic environment. Bathing will introduce bacteria and the way olden days minimise infection is to keep dry. They were also able not to bathe for 30 days as the weather was cooling and not sweat. But in the context of Singapore and today's world, I think proper hygiene is important. A good balance will be to bathe in warm water. Whether to bathe in herbs or not is a personal preference.

2) "Warm" food vs a well-balanced diet

In olden days, warm food was believed to help the mother regain her qi "energy". Weather in those countries were cold and eating warm food helped the body recover and reduced chances of catching a cold. In the context of Singapore and today's world, a well-balanced diet may be more applicable. But I do believe some diet or nutrition will aid in stimulating hormones to constrict the uterus, boosting milk production, reducing constipation, building immunity, as well as hydrating the body. There may be also food that could cause bloating and colic in nursing baby.

Found a list of foods to Avoid:

1) May result in poor blood circulation and oedema in mummy and stomachache in nursing baby

    • Fruits like banana, grapefruit, watermelon, coconut

    • Vegetables like lettuce, bittergourd, cucumber, bean sprout

    • Gassy drinks, sugarcane, tofu

2) May result in excessive vaginal discharge which may 'clog' mummy's urinal system and cause diarrhoea in nursing baby

    • Acidic fruits like Pineapple, orange, lime, lemon

3) May cause bloated stomach and excessive passing of gas in mummy and colic in nursing baby

    • Onions, cooked vegetables which has been left standing for a while

4) Toxic substances in these foods are believed to slow down the healing process and cause eczema in nursing baby

    • Shelled seafood like prawns and crabs

Some Common Beliefs

Meats

Whitefish, especially thread fin - a good source of protein, which helps increase milk supply. 

Black Chicken – a very good tonic to re-build your health and energy.

Pig Stomach - helps to push out 'wind' from a new mum's stomach. 

Pig Kidney - helps to 'replenish' the kidneys, especially for mothers who suffer from pain in the lumbar region.

Pig Or Chicken Liver - has high iron content, helps to replenish blood, especially if mum is anaemic or feels weak after child birth.

Pig Trotters – provides collagen, especially good for strengthening limbs, joints and ligaments which have loosen during pregnancy.

Vegetables and Fruits

(Note: All vegetables should be cooked with sesame oil and ginger to ward off the 'cooling' properties; most fruits are forbidden during confinement as they tend to be 'cooling'.)

Kailan – rich in iron and is believed to strengthen joints and lymph, and is beneficial to veins and bones.

Lily Buds - helps to repel heat from body and soothes the liver.

Snow Pea - rich in protein and minerals.

Papaya - increases milk supply in nursing mothers.

Others

Old Ginger - helps repel 'wind'.

Rice Wine - invigorates energy and major organs in the body and dispels coldness. 

Sesame Seed / Oil - promotes blood circulation.

Wood Fungus - rich in iron, it helps stop bleeding, removes 'stale' blood and cleanses the arteries.

Eggs - nutritious food, a very good source of protein especially if you don't fancy eating meat.

Red Dates (Stoned) - replenishs blood.

Dried Longan Flesh - invigorates the body and is a good tonic for the brain. Good for mothers who feel weak and fatigue.

Black Vinegar - purifies the blood and cleanses the arteries.

Dang Gui (Chinese Angelicae) - this is dubbed the "female ginseng" – highly effective for a whole range of gynaecological complaints. A good tonic to be taken after childbirth. It's also believed to help regulate menses and relieve pain and has a tranquilising effect. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, helps to replenish and invigorate blood, and can be used for mothers who are anaemic or feel weak after delivery. It is also believed to 'moisturise' the intestines; effective in treating constipation due to dryness of the bowels.

Dan Sen (Codonopsis) - beneficial for mothers suffering from lethargy and related symptoms like fatigue and tired limbs. It acts as a powerful energy booster. In modern lab tests, it has been proven to increase red blood cell count and improve circulation.

Black Bean - need to pan-fry before using to get rid of the 'cold'; helps to replenish blood, good for mothers who have lost a lot of blood during delivery.

My sister just gave birth and her confinement lady gave her a really long list of herbs to get. We went to Eu Yan Sang, which we learn is not a good place to go as you pay a premium for the brand. All in all, I think my dad spent more than $300 on the herbs below. 

For the convenient mums, Eu Yan Sang also offer a 1 month postnatal care herb package at $268. That's how commercialized the whole confinement process has become. 

Last few weeks of pregnancy (37th week - 15 Dec)

The EDD is usually calculated based on 280 days = 40 weeks = 9 months 6 days. Statistically, the mean period to deliver is 280.6 days with a standard deviation 9.7 days. Assuming 270 days, Gabriella's date of arrival may possibly be 26 Dec.

Last few weeks... Just Waiting

1) Finding the right sleeping position is a challenge. It helps if you have a variety of pillows, both soft and hard. You will also feel warm all the time and tend to use the Fan or AC or even sleep on the floor.

2) Walking become a little more tiring and I tend to look like a penguin these days. Luckily, I do not have swollen feet (which is apparently quite common among many pregnant ladies.

3) I particularly enjoy the baby kicks. By now, your gynae would have told you to count the baby movements between 9am to 9pm. Each day, there should be at least 10. Gabriella makes really cute movements in the tummy. Sometimes it is like a wriggle, sometimes a series of hiccups, and often just plain boxing.

4) Bowel movement is not as smooth as I wish it will be. Though I am on the nipperstudy and my nutrition sample include probiotics, and I take homemade yoghurt, papaya and banana to assist in my bowels, the frequency of passing motion is at best once every 3 days. 

5) On the other hand, I experience frequent urination. My sleep is often disrupted by the urge to go toilet. And if I am out, I try not to hold my bladder so as to avoid uncontrollable leak when I sneeze.

6) Shopping and more Shopping. I have bought pretty much a long list of items, such as thermometer, swaddle, bib, co-sleeper, waterproof blanket, sebamed bath, wet wipes, bottle warmer, Coon diapers, nursing clothes, beansprout husk dream pillow, etc. 

7) We took a while to set up the baby bumper bed which we bought and carried over from Korea. Looks really cute in our room. We bought this bumper bed from a company called Geum B. It looks really sweet in our room. One common concern shared by my dad and friends is that "Isn't the bed too low? Will it be too strenuous to carry the baby in and out, up and down?" Maybe it will be, maybe it will not. I won't know till I tried it. But I do like the fact that this bumper bed will be the playpen and bed for Gabriella till she probably outgrow it. In fact, the bumper bed is so huge that my husband could snuggle inside. 

8) I have also prepared the hospital delivery bag. I was told that I just needed my identity card, hospital paperwork, a set of going home outfit for both mother and baby, toiletries (optional), marriage certificate (if you plan to register the baby's name at the hospital).

Black Friday Sale (Bought my stroller at best deal ever)

I have been waiting for a while for a good deal from department stores and nothing beats online deals. Qoo10 had a Black Friday Sale which gave $100 for minimum $600 purchase. The stroller Combi Mega Ride was selling at Baby Gallery on Qoo10 for $503 (below retail price of $559). On top of that, Baby Gallery was giving out $35 voucher for minimum $500 purchase from its shop). Together with the Black Friday cart voucher of $100, I got myself a new Stroller for only $368. That equates to a saving of $191 from retail price (34% off). I will prob not get such a deal anywhere else. Most places at most provide 20% discount. 

What's even more amazing is that I received a call from Baby Gallery almost immediately after I checked out my Qoo10 cart, to arrange for delivery. And I had it delivered free to my house the next day, which came in a huge box. The service standard is amazing. Of course, the stroller is beautifully new, untouched and clean without dust. I love the stroller a lot. I hope my baby girl Gabriella will like sitting on it. 

DIY Prenatal photoshoot

Sungsoo and I took some prenatal photos while I was still 31 weeks pregnant. We went to my sis's condo The Vision, next to West Coast Park. The photos turn out rather well. :)

You may have guessed what G stands for. G = Girl = Gabriella

In search of a stroller (Aprica, Capella, Combi)

Choosing a stroller seems harder than choosing a baby carrier. Maybe because the prices range widely. A reasonable stroller can range from $100 to more than a $1000. Designs and features range widely too across different brands and models, as they cater to a wide range of requirements.

Having researched a fair bit, I have narrowed my search to 3 main brands: Aprica, Combi and Capella, mainly because they have models that provide reasonable light-weight, reversibility, single hand folding, full canopy, full reclining seat, etc.

In terms of weight, I think my threshold is max 7.5kg. I find anything more than that heavy for me to carry. As we do not have a car and we are not planning to get one, I think it is important that the stroller is light and easy to fold and carried up the public transport (in particular buses). However, being light, it should not compromise on sturdiness. It should still feel safe and not flimsy and unstable. I was advised by my sister to have one with a reversible handle so that the baby could either face outwards or towards me.

I like Aprica Solaria and Optia for the design and lightweight but both are very expensive (>$850) and look small and narrow. Same for the cheaper version Aprica Karoon Plus High Seat and Luxuna Light. While they state that the strollers are for newborn to 15 kg (3 years old), I think it can only comfortably only fit up 2 years old baby. I roughly checked carousell and I noticed a few sellers of Aprica only used their Aprica strollers for <10 times and indicated that their kid prefered to be carried instead of be in the stroller. That made me wonder if babies find the strollers too small for them. Aprica can be found in Robinsons and Takashimaya.

Capella has 2 more recent models for 2016, namely Coni Mini S230L and Adonis Travel S705T, which both are selling below $400 (with discount). Coni Mini and Adonis Travel are wider than Aprica and are able suitable for newborn to 18kg (4 years old). I think both can comfortably fit a toddler up to 3 years old. Coni Mini seems narrower than Adonis Travel, and does not come with the perforated seat cushion which is essential for hot humid weather. Adonis Travel on the other hand is too heavy, which is 8.6kg, which exceeded my threshold. Capella can be found in Kiddy Palace and Isetan for those who live in the west.

Combi has a really light model Combi Mega Ride (6.8kg) which is sturdy and yet is suitable for 1st month up till 48 months. It is rather spacious and I have read other blogs whose toddler really likes sitting in it. The newer version of Mega Ride is Mega Ride Deluxe which is almost the same as the previous model but it comes with an additional handbrake. The weight is 7.6 kg which is still alright, but the price is $220 more expensive. Hence, I am still targeting to get Combi Mega Ride. But I noticed that Takashimaya is already not carrying this model. Robinsons doesn't carry Combi, but Isetan does.

I noticed that there is some price fixation across all retailers as I did my research with various department stores and online shops. Do not expect the prices to vary much. The best rates I have seen so far is during the 11.11 Online Sale from Lazada. You could also get it from Qoo10 which you can utilize the voucher which seller gives ($35 off for items more than $500). But I hope that Department stores will still offer some deals closer to Christmas, or online sale during Black Friday. My last bet is to visit the SuperMom Baby Fair which will be held on 17-19 Feb 2017 at MBS, a month after my baby's EDD.

Update of my purchase
In the end, I got myself a Combi Mega Ride during Black Friday Sale. I wrote a separate post for this. Click here.

Making own Matsoni yogurt and Kefir Cheese

After having tasted homemade yogurt at my mother-in-law's, I no longer find the off-the-shelf yogurts tasty. In fact, those pff-the-shelf yogurts are too sweet and not effective. I tried to bring home some from Korea but the yogurt culture died along the way. I wasn't able to make my own yogurt for a days and my craving grew. So, I went on carousell (https://carousell.com/sl_teo) and found this really nice lady that sells Milk Kefir grains, Matsoni Yogurt and others. Not only she provided me with the Matsoni Yogurt and Milk Kefir grains which I wanted, she also provided me with very detailed instructions and recipes. 

Matsoni Yogurt: 

• I placed 2 tablespoon of yogurt and added 500ml of full fat milk (here I used Marigold Fresh Milk Pasteurized) in a glass sealed container. (It is important not to use any metal spoon. Plastic and Wooden utensils are fine.)
• You could cover the container with a paper towel and secure with rubber band and leave on the table for 14-16 hours. But I used a air-tight glass container and it still worked well. In fact, I left my culture for only 9 hours overnight and it was done. What I got was a creamy smooth yogurt. 

Milk Kefir :

• I placed a few grains of kefir and added 250ml of full fat milk (here I used Marigold Fresh Milk Pasteurized) in a glass sealed container. 
• Similarly as above, I used an air-tight container and no metal utensils were used.
• For Milk Kefir, it takes much longer to set. One should see enough liquid pockets (whey). If there isn't enough, one should wait a few hours longer. It usually take a full day for my Kefir to completely separately. 
• After which, separate the Milk Kefir using a paper coffee filter by placing the mug in the fridge while it separates. The Milk Kefir will thicken to form Kefir cheese and you will also get the Whey.
• The whey could be used the next morning and mixed with juice and drank straight away, or blend it with berries to make smoothies. 
• The kefir cheese could be made into cheese balls and soaked into olive oil to be kept for a longer period, and can be used to make pasta salad.

What are the health benefits of homemade yogurt? Like most yogurt, it has abundance of good bacteria in this yogurt, such as lactobacillus and thermophilus, which makes it a rich probiotic source. Being mesophillic, it requires very minimal effort to prepare.

What are the health benefits of kefir? Compared to many other yogurt which usually has only 3-5 kinds of beneficial bacterial, Kefir has 36-40 healthy beneficial bacterial. Kefir is easier to digest, has anti-bacterial properties and helps vital organs. While most yogurt are thermophilic, Kefir is mesophillic. There are 2 types of Kefir - Milk Kefir and Water Kefir. Milk kefir has more nutrition, which comes naturally from the milk, while water kefir is less fattening. Milk kefir is also good for lactose intolerant because the bacteria processes the lactose, making it 99% lactose free. People who wants to lose weight will prefer Water Kefir, as it also has low glycemic index (GI), which means it releases glucose to the bloodstream at a relatively slower rate making one feel full for a longer time, and therefore not crave for food. 

Kefir separates into whey and curds. Whey contains many important minerals and source of amino acids, great source of electrolytes, regenerates intestinal flora, maintain proper pH in our gut, and acts as natural antiseptic. ^^

Baby Fair Expo (14-16 Oct)

I went to my first Baby Fair expo on 14 Oct, organized by Baby Market. Each baby fair I researched on always claimed that they are the “biggest”. The recent one I went to claimed to be the “No. 1 Biggest Baby Fair in South East Asia with the Best Offers voted by Mummies and carrying 1000+ Brands, 150,000+ Maternity & Baby Products; all products on offer. The fair was held in Expo Hall 5, over 14-16 Oct. What I liked about the website is that you get to add items to your “Starbuy Wishlist” and have day to day updates on deals, which can also be found on the downloadable e-Magazine.

As I stayed in Jurong and I don’t have a car, it took me a long time to reach there. (I think the organizers could consider holding some of such Fairs in the warehouses in Jurong Area to cater to the mummies living in the west.) There were many brands but the fair was not organized in terms of the type of products. For example, I was looking for Strollers but I needed to jump from booth to booth which were not next to each other.

In this Fair, my husband and I were very targeted, we were looking for a few items:

1) Baby Carrier: 

My husband did his research and he liked i-Angel Miracle. As we were going to Korea, we thought it will be cheaper in Korea since it is a Korean Brand. The fair offered it at S$225, on the other hand GMarket Korea was selling it at 190,000₩ (SGD currently has weak currency rate and hence it ends up $5 more expensive to buy in Korea - S$230). Being really targeted, we didn’t even explore other Baby Carriers such as ErgoBaby, Baby Bjorn, Tula, Babasling. We bought straight away at the first booth we went to that sold i-Angel.

There are some criteria which my husband based his choice on

• Suitability for Newborn
• Carrying positions – Feeding position, Face-to-face, Front-facing, All cover, Back carrying

• Weight-distribution with the waist belt and it being ergonomically comfortable for both the parents and the baby (as it prevents post-birth hip dysplasia)

“ The optimal position for babies, when being carried, is to have their thighs supported and their hips and knees bent (flexed). For healthy hips, the legs should be allowed to spread apart naturally and for freedom of movement to occur. Having seen the i-Angel baby carrier in use, I was impressed to see the baby well supported in a comfortable, seated position with appropriate support at the thighs in all possible positions of use. His position mimicked what we’d hope to see naturally with the hips spread and bent, knees bent and movement still able to occur. It is great to see a baby carrier allow for safe and comfortable carrying of the baby whilst maintaining a healthy position for the developing hips.” - Lucy Llewellyn-Stanton, Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist

• Adjustment

• Material – 100% Cotton, with a mesh material for baby to feel pleasant even in a humid and hot environment like Singapore
• Comes with a Hip Seat, Hip Seat Carrier, Sleeping Hood, Spit Cloth, Side Pouch
• Design & Colour – we chose “Powder Blue” as it looked nice regardless if Mom or Dad carries, and also neutral to the baby gender. Although I like the pastel pink too, I think my husband may end up carrying the baby more frequently than I do. ^^

2) Breast Pump :

My husband is really good at doing his online research. He liked Spectra S2 Pump most. Not because Spectra is also a Korean Brand, but because of the features. However, we did not buy it at the Baby Fair as we didn’t like the way the distributor marked up the price by bundling with a lot of random items that we didn’t need. While they claimed that those are “Free Gifts”, they have in fact factored in the prices. For example Spectra S2, during the fair they were selling at S$348, on the other hand GMarket Korea was selling it at 148,000₩ (S$179) with various optional add-ons which at most costs $200+. I approached the sales lady at the fair and she said they couldn’t de-bundle the “Free gifts”, which made me feel they were kind of scamming the buyers, by marking up and forcing people to “pay extra” for the so-called “Free gifts”, which included random stuff like VCool Bag, Adaptor, Nursing Bra, Breastpumping Talks, etc (which they claimed was worth $200).

I have read about how some mummies compared different breast pumps such as Avent, Medela, Pigeon, etc. My sister has tried both Avent and Medela, and she swore by Medela as Avent was not able to provide a good latch on.

Lists of Blogs that review on the various Pumps:

• Mummy’s Little Black Book: http://mlbb.com.sg/which-electric-pump-to-buy/
• The Pumping Mommy: http://thepumpingmommy.com/spectra-s1-vs-spectra-s2-what-is-the-difference
• Living with low milk supply: http://livingwithlowmilksupply.com/spectra-breast-pump-reviews

What makes Spectra Pump so amazingly good are the following features:

• Max Suction Limit of 300mmHg with 12 different suction levels and cycle speed: 

Many other pumps offer lower suction limit of 250mmHg and with limited choices in levels. A wider range and more choices means that mummies will be able to find the most suitable suction level for their own comfort and increasing/maintaining a high efficiency of milk supply.

• Unique suction : 

Suction is a science on its own. Sometimes you wonder why some mummies are able to produce lots of milk and some mummies’ breasts feel painful or discomfort after a short while of pumping. It is not just about the suction pressure but also how the suction was done. Just like how a baby does it, Spectra pumps don’t create suction, they actually suckle. There is a beginning phase of sucking which vibrates the nipple before a long and deep suction once the baby fully latches on. There is also a stimulating let-down reflex when the milk flow slows down before it picks up again. 

• Quiet pump (nearly silent) :  

I don’t know how you feel when you hear someone breast pumping. The sound it makes can be irritating for others or maybe even “stimulating”.  I wouldn’t want my family or colleagues to know that I am pumping during the middle of the night or when I am desk pumping. 

• Closed system : 

A few other pumps probably also provide this feature. Basically a closed system means it prevents back flow and hence milk will not contact with the pump motor and resulting the need to clean thoroughly after every pump and causing the pump to spoil more easily. 

• Optional Dual pumping : 

To save time, some mothers prefer the ability to pump both breasts at the same time. But most often, it affects the suction pressure when dual pumping is provided. 

• Night light : 

Useful when you are pumping at night and you do not want to turn on the lights to figure out the options.

Differences between S1, S2, M1, S9+ is the portability and features. S1 has both power adapter and built-in battery; S2 only provides power adapter but is about 110 grams lighter and cheaper. S9+ and M1 are the more portable ranges, weighing 300 grams and 500 grams respectively and uses portable rechargeable battery. As S9+ and M1 are meant for personal use and not hospital grade, the pump motors may be less durable. But in terms of suction levels and cycle speed, S9+ and M1 also provides a variety. 

More info about Spectra S2 pump can be found in this link :

http://ai.esmplus.com/cmshopping/english/01_breastpump/S2.jpg

I love the pinkish colour of S2. I am just so girly, isnt it?

3) Milk Bottle :
We were looking for a baby bottle which helps reduce colic. Colic is common among babies and it causes discomfort for babies resulting in endless crying. If babies cry at least 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, and tend to clench their fists or draw their knees up to their tummy, there is a chance that the baby has some digestive or feeding problem including swallowing air/trapped wind.

"How an internal vent works is that it allows the air to enter and directs it to the area above the liquid, keeping the air and the liquid separate. Because there is no vacuum to inhibit the flow of liquid, babies can feed at their own pace. Traditional and restrictively vented bottles tend to develop vacuums when babies feed from them because babies need to suck progressively harder to get any liquid from them. Babies seal their lips to the teat when they nurse, but as the vacuum increases they ingest air through a weakened teat seal. Air enters the bottle through the vent in the teat and aerates the formula; this air is ingested"

Although there are a few brands such as Tommy Tippee, Philips Avent, we ended up buying Dr Brown’s bottle. I understand that the differences aren’t much. It just boils down to what your baby likes. (Try-and-error approach)

4) Stroller : 

We visited a few booths that carried varies brands, such as Cosatto, Graco, Peg-Perego, Aprica, Maclaren, Maxi-Cosi, Capella, Quinny, Nuna, Inglesina. We spent a lot more time with brands that provide reversible and light weight strollers such as Aprica, Capella, Combi etc. However, we did not buy any as we needed more time to do our research. I will probably have a separate blog post on this.  

Heading back..., ending my Korea Trip (15-28 Oct 2016)

After spending 2 weeks in Korea, it was time to head back to Singapore. We had lots of luggage as we bought stuff like baby bumper bed from Geum Bi (http://dreamb.co.kr/). Baby bumper beds are common in korea and I first saw it when I watched Return of Superman. What I liked about such beds is that it has multiple usage and kids can use it all the way till they are even 4 years old. Our box was about 140cm long and it is within the 150cm limit of Singapore Airlines. We only had to bring it over to the odd-size luggage check in counter to drop the boxes.

Time for some photos while waiting for the Bus Limousine back to Incheon Airport.

At Incheon Airport (Arrival Hall), there is this porridge restaurant which I liked their beef porridge. It was a must have before I left Korea. Not sure when I will be back again. Maybe another 1 year?

Meeting with Taeho

We met up with Taeho who was Sungsoo's housemate when he stayed in Clementi Park condo at sunset way.  He is living in Busan and drove many hours all the way to Daejeon to meet Sungsoo. We were so touched and decided to feed him with some good food at Chungsamdae. To my surprise, he was already a father with an 18 month old boy. ^^

Late Night Movie Luck Key (럭키)

During this trip, my husband's friends have been meeting him really frequently. I suppose they really misses him. We went out together at 10pm to watch the latest movie Luck Key (럭키). I am so proud of myself to be able to understand the movie despite the movie is in Korean with no subtitles. Of course, I prepped myself well by first reading up about the movie so that I would not be completely lost in show. The usual tickets are about 12,000₩ but we watched it for free as we coincidentally met his old schoolmate who happened to be the ticketing manager there and gave us complimentary tickets. ^^ The other best thing about movies is the popcorns. The cinema here offers unique popcorn flavours such as garlic, cheese, caramel, etc. You could also request for half-half, which is 2 flavours in a the same bucket.