What is in a name?

How long does it take for you to name your children? Took us the whole pregnancy and a few more days after birth. Actually, maybe even before pregnancy. When we decided that we'll try for another baby, we started throwing out names once in awhile to seek each other's opinions.

We always come up with both boys' and girls' names. Just in case. It's fun to run through names and check out each other's responses. I think it's very stressful to be dealing with children and names at the same time.

For both our children we have names ready for the hospital. A few of them, in fact. I'm glad we both are parents who need to see their children first before naming them, because I am this kind of person. If my husband wasn't, I'd be living in frustration and doubt throughout the pregnancy wondering if the name fits my child.

There's been quite a lot of news about celebrity baby names and to be honest, I sympathise with the children. Why do celebrities' children have to have odd names?

Was it last year that a Chinese couple wanted to name their child @. Then another couple wanting to name their child Facebook?

It really took us a good 6 months to come up with a list of names and then narrowing it down to final three. For both girls. The first one was easy as we already had names in mind. The second one was trickier as our favourite girls' name was taken.

Some have asked why it took us so long to decide upon a name. I always respond with this : A name is for life. It has to be fitting, meaningful, and the child proud to be called by. They will be using their given name the rest of their lives. Why make it difficult for them?

We are all called by God to be His children. He knows us by our names, our characters, our thoughts and deeds. God has put in a lot of thought into the making of a baby that will one day grow into an adult. Then, shouldn't we, as stewards of God, should put in a bit more thought into our children's names?

A friend inboxed me recently asking how I gave my girls their Chinese names. One of the suggestions I gave to her is to pray about it. Not trying to boast of how holy I am, which I can tell you I am far from! But that if God had given us this kicking little life to be brought up, I'm sure He has in mind a name for him/her. For both my girls, God has placed circumstances in our way to guide us in naming our children. He cares for all our needs, every little thing. If God can give names to people in the Bible, He sure can do it today.

The next time you're pregnant and is stuck for names, pray. God will provide.
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Vaginal Birth After Caesarean

I'm now 29 weeks into my pregnancy and for a few months, I've been having this nagging thought and desire to have a vaginal birth. Did lots of reading on the internet and spoke to people who have gone through vaginal birth after caesarean, or VBAC in short.

The consensus is that, it's a much safer option than another round of caesarean and really, God did make us to give birth vaginally too. But I'm sure times have changed over the years, with diet, lifestyle and medical technology - more and more women are going through caesarean, rather than vaginal birth.

I wanted to make a last proposal to my OB/GYN for a VBAC and hear what my risks and chances are. He said that in most cases, it is possible to do a VBAC if the first caesarean was a distressed baby. i.e., if the child was breeched, or low placenta, or premmie. But, in my case, I had the full labour but bub was stuck and did not progress as my cervix did not widen, so a VBAC could result in the same situation and needing emergency caesarean. Hearing that, my heart sank somewhat.

I can give birth safely, but the chances of my baby born safely and smoothly would be a 50-50 chance. At this, I only had half my hopes left.

The clincher came when he said that I have a low placenta. Sigh. What hopes have I left? Caesarean it is then.

It was a rather painful decision to do a caesarean, even though I know that it is all for the good of the baby and myself. Definitely not looking forward to 6-weeks of painkillers and not able to drive on my own. But, thankful that God has given mankind the intelligence to advance medical technology to protect mothers and babies.

Commented to husband a couple of nights back that I will probably be one of those women who will die at childbirth if I was born in the olden days where birthing were done by midwives.

And now, on to the next step of pregnancy - packing the hospital bag and coming up with baby names.

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Pregnant and morning sickness

Haven't been posting since last August?, I think.. So much has happened over the last few months and am now keeping up with the blogging...

I am pregnant again, praise the Lord, and this time with only one. When I had the ultrasound, I asked specifically three times and made sure that they've checked me thorough that I only have one sac in there.

Due 25 May 2011, but my obstetrician is not in favour of me having a vaginal birth, so the operation it is again and we've decided on 19 May 2011, unless water breaks earlier.

This time round, morning sickness dragged on for a good 20 weeks. The first 3 months was more constant, all the time, then afterwards it was a few times a day, but mostly at night. Throwing up was an art, with me discarding only certain foods that I ate. Could have a bbq chicken with herbs stuffing along with rice and vegetables for dinner and all I threw up was the her stuffing. My obstetrician, husband and myself were amazed at how the body could separate foods that were taken in together.

Phoebe's a great comfort during these times of throwing up. She'd sit with me, put her arms around my shoulder and give me reassuring pats. What a grown up girl! She'd also bring me a stool to sit on while I throw up and pull the toilet paper for me to clean up too. For a nearly 3 year old (that was before December), I was and still am very proud of her.

We'd have a conversation everyday, with her asking if baby could come out and play today. Over the last few months, Phoebe has taken to having afternoon naps with me, for 2 reasons - One, I was not up to settling her in her own bed, and two, she wants to sleep with her baby sibling. We've found out that it was going to be another girl.

Poor husband had to deal with Phoebe after work as I'm mostly out of action by 7pm. Could hardly eat either and would just crash into bed. Thankfully, morning sickness went pretty much on the dot at 21 weeks.

We'll probably try for another child after a few more years... Sphere: Related Content

Accidental mother?

Can anyone be an accidental mother? This would be the 2nd time I've heard of something like that. The first one was from somewhere in the world where the doctors didn't know that the woman was pregnant and thought that she had a huge cyst in her womb. Read that some years back. Can't remember the country.

This is the 2nd time I've read something like that. This lady was rushed to the hospital due to severe period-like pains that didn't go away. You can read the article here.

After being pregnant twice, I thought any adult would've suspected something amiss after 2-3 months of missed cycle? I did. Mine is irregular enough to come once every 1-3 months. If I don't start bleeding at the 3rd month, something is wrong. How is it possible then, to not know that the body isn't 'well'?

I pray and hope that my children will protect themselves from pre-martial sex. Both males and females. It is a huge responsibility to undertake for those who are not ready. Sphere: Related Content

Follow-up checkup after curettage

Had my final follow-up after the curettage in March. Has it been 3 months already?! I hardly remembered it, though the few weeks after it was rather depressing.

My obstetrician said to go back for a checkup after the 2nd period because it took me a long time to clean everything out. So, off I went today, to have a chat with her.

My OB had sent the sacs for reports. Probably part of their routine. We were having fraternal twins. The female one was the first to go and the male one developed well, but didn't make it eventually.

So, from what my OB said, there's a chance of twin pregnancy in my future attempts. Natural birth is possible if they're both head down. But because of my first c-section, she would prefer another c-section if the next pregnancy is a set of twins. The record at Sunnybank Private Hospital was 7 c-sections on one woman. My doctor's record was 5 on a 28 y.o. lady.

I'm going to be praying real hard (not that I haven't been) to have a natural birth. Be it twins or just one. Especially if it's twins. It's bad enough having to cope with pain and sleeplessness with a c-section, I don't need a double dose of it.

At the last Brisbane MOPS training, one of the ladies from another group shared that she had twins and didn't step out of the house till 8 months later!

Babies are something to look forward to, and no matter what happens, we'll be trusting the Lord to bring us through.

So, in case you haven't figured it out, yes, we'll be trying for our next bundle of joy(s). =) Sphere: Related Content

Differences and similarities for pregnancy and births

I put in a comment in one of the momaroo blogs on what I'll do differently or stay the same with my second and subsequent children. Thought I'll do a blog post on it, since I was thinking of it myself a few weeks back. 

What I will do differently with my 2nd child : 

1. Doctors and Hospital - Talk to doctors and hospital that are more pro natural birth. I was induced with my first and had a c-section after 18hrs of labour. I am concerned that I'll be doing a c-section again with my 2nd one, so I wanted a doctor/hospital that has had experience with c-section and vagina birth from the same person. I went to a private hospital the first time and they have a higher c-section rate. Was thinking of going public. Cheaper and higher rate of natural birth.

I just miscarried a set of twins and I will find out from doctors what the success rate is like for natural birth if we were to have twins again.

2. Pain relief at birth - no more gas for me. Didn't work at all. Either no pain killers or go straight to epidural.

3. Exercise - More exercises in the last few weeks to help engage the baby. And hopefully a shorter labour eventually.

4. Breastfeeding vs bottle feeding - Doesn't matter. The most important thing is for the baby to be fed and I can have my sleep. I was into breastfeeding with my first and was so stressed that I would pump every 4 hourly. Next time round, I'll not get myself so stressed out and will give my body the rest it needs to produce milk. If milk doesn't come at every feed, then baby will have formula. No big deal.

5. Nappies - Will use more cloth nappies with my subsequent children. Those disposables cost a bomb!




Things that will remain the same :
1. Diet - I'm probably still not keen to experiment with my cravings, so will be sticking to safe foods. I seem to have cravings for sashimi for both previous pregnancies which aren't safe for the foetus. Will also be keeping clear of foods that will affect baby's sleep. I stayed away from beans, onions and broccoli after giving birth and during breastfeeding. I think I'll do the same with my subsequent children. Just in case the get the wind too.


2. Routine - It is so important to have a routine. It may be a very flexible one, but when it comes to food and sleep, routine plays a big part. I need my children to have a clear sense of meal times and bedtimes. So that I can rest too.


3. Sleeping separately - I'll still keep my baby in another room. Miss 2 slept in her own room right from the start. It's better for husband and myself. At least he doesn't hear much of the crying at night and can sleep better and work more efficiently. I'd rather have one cranky parent than two. One of us needs to be clear-headed. However, I did consider that if I were to have a c-section, I might co-sleep with my baby for the first month. Only for my mobility sake. Had much difficulties getting up and feeding my first child while coping with the pain.


4. Feeds - I will still use a combination of bottle feeding and breastfeeding. So that baby gets to be fed by dad too. Also so that I can have a break from feeding and burping bub. Bottle feeding can be expressed breastmilk or formula.


5. Sleeping bags - Doesn't matter what brand it is, I'll be using them for the winter months. Even if my baby's wrapped up. It keeps them warm and snug, and gives me a peace of mind. At least I know that baby will not be freezing.


Can't think of anything else..


So, from pregnancy till birth and even upbringing, what will you do differently or remain the same with your 2nd and subsequent children?

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