Week 32 Pregnancy: The Hardest Thing(s)

Hitting week 32, there are a few things which I find myself struggling with in my day to day life as a pregnant mom. 

I didn't really jot the list down for my first pregnancy but this time around, in my second pregnancy, I just HAVE to put it all in one list. 

Breathing
The struggle to just breathe or breathe properly after doing a task or at times, even when sitting down, I'd suddenly become breathless for NO REASON AT ALL!
I'd be gasping for air and tend to take deep breaths as and when. 
Even simple acts like showering my toddler would leave me breathless. 

Rolling Around in Bed
I try to sleep on my left side as much as possible. 
But of course, I tend to get aches if I sleep on one side too much. 
And since our toddler sleeps with us, I always find her hand or legs on my belly or face in the middle of the night or she tries to find her way from her bed into ours by climbing on my side of the bed. 
So when I try to lie on my right side, it feels like a huge task for me and I'd end up having difficulties sleeping back after. 

Source: http://www.sodahead.com/

Getting Out of Bed
Either just to wake up in the morning or having to visit the loo countless times throughout the night. 
Because of the frequency of having to wake up to go to the loo is too frequent, I'd sometimes decide against peeing and continue to sleep (I know, I know, not good!!! So don't follow my lead). 
Barely an hour later, I'd wake up again because my bladder is too full or the baby decides to help me along by pressing on my bladder! 

Shaving
Either the legs or the one down there. 
Can't really see the one down there without the help of a mirror. 
I'd find myself not being bothered for awhile coz it's just too difficult. 
As for the legs, propping it up on a stool while you're sitting actually helps.

Cutting Toe Nails
As the belly tends to get in the way and you have to position your feet in a certain way to successfully cut the nails, by the time I'm done I'd find myself panting for air! 
I also had to take breaks in between because I tend to squash my belly as I lean forward to cut the nails. 
Owh, time taken to cut the toe nails seem to be a bit longer than before I had a growing belly!

Putting On / Taking Off the Pants / Underwear
I find that it's a balancing act, really. 
At one point, while standing, I'd hold onto something sturdy like a wall and try to put just ONE leg into the hole, only to miss it a couple of times. 
If I were not to hold onto anything, I'd have to do a swift move without the risk of toppling over.
Sometimes, if I'm out of breath or barely have any energy left, I'd sit on my bed and wear them (but I find that when you stand it is actually much faster and less of a hassle). 
Well, that's just me.

Source: http://homeposh.com

Laundry
Squatting to load the washer as we've positioned our washer to be at the bottom and our dryer at the top. 
I'd sometimes get my 4yo tot to help or she'd willingly help me load the washer. 
By the time washing is done, another task is to bend and take out the laundry from the washer and throw it into the dryer. 
Once done, I'd be gasping for air!

Sitting Down
Can't cross legs anymore and I'd have to accommodate my tummy when I sit down so sitting with my legs apart just feels so comfortable. 

Finding My Way In The Kitchen
Luckily, my kitchen counter and stove is able to accommodate my growing belly, hence, cooking is not a problem. 
Unfortunately, when I'm done washing the dishes, my shirt would be drenched and this is specifically at the belly area.

Source: http://imgkid.com/

Dozing Off
It's a norm for me to doze off after completing my house chores. 
But most of the time, I'd even doze off even when I'm just sitting down on the couch and this is probably after 11am onwards. 





Activities with My Toddler
My interactions with her are more confined to our couch and I'd entertain her there. 
I can't afford to move much without feeling dead beat by the end of it. 
Thankfully, she's so understanding and keeps herself occupied with her toys. 
We'd do some reading together or just have conversations on what she's doing or what's on the telly. 

Peeing in a Cup (At the Doctor's Office)
Is it just me or it's difficult to pee in the cup?
I'd miss the first few times because either my belly is in the way or the cup is just too small. 

Week 32 Pregnancy

Wow!

Time just flies by.

I have 8 more weeks left before the due date and yes, I'm getting a bit anxious. 

All I could think about is the pain that I'd need to endure during baby delivery. 

I continue to read up on other baby delivery experiences and get tips from other moms just so that I'd feel less anxious. 

Can't help it. 

A couple of days ago, I suddenly had pain on my thighs. 

I had to see for myself and saw that both thighs were red. 

I guess I didn't realize that I've grown some fat there so each time I walked, it would rub against each other. 

I couldn't sleep because it was quite painful and itchy at the same time, felt like it was burning too! 

Didn't help that I also had to visit the loo every hour so washing after that was a huge torture! 

By the time it was 5am, I thought to myself, "This really can't go on! I have to do something!" 

I remembered my mom gave me a herbal ointment not long ago which had a cooling and healing effect. 

I applied it generously on both thighs and tried going to sleep. 

Alhamdulillah, the pain and itchiness subsided and I managed to (finally!) go to sleep not long after. 

The following day, I'd made sure that I would religiously apply the ointment each time I feel that the ointment had dried up or each time I had to visit the loo. 

Thankfully, by evening, the rawness had subsided and I was no longer wincing in pain each time I walked. 

That night, I managed to sleep soundly ... well, not so because I had my nightly loo visits as usual. 

I guess hubby was worried about my condition as I shared with him earlier what had happened. 

He woke me up and asked if I was ok and if I managed to sleep. 

I remember telling him, "Yes, I was asleep until you woke me up."

He said, "Oopss, sorry, forget about the question yeah."

And I couldn't remember what happened next or if I said anything back to him coz I had already fallen asleep. 

Week 31 Pregnancy: Bloated Tummy

Two days ago, I had a bout of bad bad bad bloated tummy.

It was extremely uncomfortable that I couldn't sleep at night and that I couldn't really do anything else. 

It didn't help that I'm now waking up nearly every one hour at night just to go to the bathroom and pee. 

It was tough to cook and I had to sit down so many times just to relieve the uncomfortable feeling. 

Even when I'm sitting down on the sofa, I have to shift positions a few times just to find the right spot which doesn't strain my tummy. 

So I resorted to applying loads of minyak cap kapak and it became my best friend. 

Not to mention, I was belching like crazy and had loads of flatulence.

My lil' one kept laughing when I just had to let it go ... you know? 

Either on the bed or sitting on the sofa or just standing around or even walking. 

If you have to let it go, you'll just have to let it go. 

I kept asking myself what had triggered this. 

I wasn't suffering from constipation as I was passing motion as normal. 

I just couldn't figure it out. 

So I was desperately looking for an answer online. 

I finally found my answer in one of the blogs.

It listed down the food that you consume which causes a bloated tummy when you're pregnant (for some people, even when they aren't pregnant).

The culprit for my situation was bihun! 

Yes, I whipped up bihun goreng two days ago and it finally dawned on me that after having bihun goreng, I started having a stomach discomfort at night. 

I didn't give it a second thought when I had that and thought it was just one of those things you had to suffer during pregnancy. 

*Sigh*

What made it odd was that during my first two trimesters, I had tons of helpings of bihun goreng but did not suffer from a bloated tummy. 

So it was just weird, in that sense. 

Another thing that hugely helped me get through the pain was using the electric pillow warmer.

It hugely helped me through my hip and back pain phase and now, I'd just press the pillow on my tummy to relieve the discomfort. 

I would apply it twice in a day.

Alhamdulillah, it only took me two days to have the discomfort go away. 

But the belching and flatulence?

Sorry, still there! 

"6 Habits of Highly Effective Parents"

I find this (Source: 6 Habits of Highly Effective Parents) beneficial especially on days when I ask myself "Am I doing this right for my child?"

Especially when other parents with kids of similar age to my child (4 years old) have started pondering (and fussing over) which play school to send their kids to. 

Some have even started going to school at the age of 3, their schedule starts as early as 8.30am until 12.30pm. 

On some days, they'll have replacement classes which ends until 3pm. 

And the parents are so proud of their kids if their kids can learn how to read / write / count. 

Whereas for me, I'm content just to see my lil' kid play and have fun and be happy and make friends and just be herself. 

No pressure as to if she can already write her ABCs or 123s or Alif Ba Ta as yet. 

If she wants to do something or is interested in something, hubby and I will point her in the direction of her interest. 

Each parent has their own parenting style and we totally respect that. :)

We're even impressed with kids who are just 3 years old and can already write their numbers or spell! 

Smart kids. :)

We strongly believe each kid develops on their own. 

No point in trying to impose certain things on a child if the child isn't ready yet as they might end up not liking it. 

When in doubt, I'd refer to the below, it helps as a guide to tell me that "Yup, you've got this! :)"

Source: 6 Habits of Highly Effective Parents

Recipe: Kek Gula Hangus / Kek Sarang Semut

Assalamualaikum! 

Kali ni nak share resipi kek gula hangus pulak. 

Mula-mula masa nampak kek ni, saya betul-betul ingatkan kek coklat. 

Tapi bila dah rasa, memang takdelah rasa coklat! 

Kek ni merupakan kegemaran hubby. 

Memandangkan saya tak pernah buat kek ni, saya pun carilah resipi di Internet dan cari jugak video di YouTube sebab tak pernah tau macam mana nak buat gula hangus tu. 

Bab-bab buat kek ni memang saya tak berapa arif. 

Lebih-lebih lagi kuih tradisional. 

Memandangkan hubby suka, saya pun gigih lah belajar buat kek ni. 

Masa buat kek ni pertama kali, terpaksa buang beberapa batch gula hangus sebab tak menjadi. :( 

Ya Allah, sedihnyalah saya masa tu. 

Rasa sayang pulak buang gula hangus tu. 

Memang dah nangis dah sambil-sambil membasuh periuk yang buat gula hangus. 

Tapi, Alhamdulillah, selepas 2-3 kali cuba juga buat gula hangus tanpa putus asa, maka terhasillah kek gula hangus yang hubby suka.

Itupun cubaan kali pertama dan Alhamdulillah hubby dok puji-puji. 

Kembang kuncup hidung ni haaaa :D

Hidung saya pulak memang dah kembang, bertambah-tambah lah kembang dan berbunga-bunga lah hati sebab hubby puji-puji. :D

Ok2, cukuplah saya dok membebel, biar saya tepek resepi di sini. 


Kek Gula Hangus / Kek Sarang Semut

Bahan-bahan:
Gula Halus 280g
Air panas 240ml
Mentega 125g
Telur 4 biji
Susu pekat manis 60ml (yang telah mencapai suhu bilik)
Tepung gandum 110g
Soda bikarbonat 2 sudu kecil / 15ml
Esen vanila 1 sudu kecil / 5ml


1. Cara-cara membuat gula hangus: 
- Ratakan gula dan biarkan gula mencair dengan api perlahan hingga ia menjadi seperti karamel. (Jangan sesekali guna sudu untuk kacau. Kalau nak juga, cuma gerakkan periuk sekali sekala untuk ratakan cecair). 

- Tuang air panas ke dalam periuk dengan perlahan-lahan.

- Sejukkan gula hangus sehingga mencapai suhu bilik. 

2. Cairkan mentega dan sejukkan sehingga mencapai suhu bilik. 

3. Bahan-bahan Cecair: 
- Pecahkan telur ke dalam bekas, kacau sehingga telur cair dan rata menggunakan senduk kayu. 

- Masukkan susu pekat, kacau dengan rata dan perlahan.

- Masukkan mentega yang telah dicairkan tadi berserta esen vanila, kacau dengan rata dan perlahan. 

4. Ayakkan tepung dan soda bikarbonat dalam bekas mengandungi bahan-bahan cecair di atas. 

5. Tuangkan gula hangus ke dalam bekas sama dan kacau rata. 

6. Perap selama 3-4 jam untuk dapatkan lubang-lubang yang cantik di kek (sarang semut yang cantik). 

7. Sebelum dimasukkan ke dalam loyang, bolehlah kacau lagi seketika atau guna mixer bagi memastikan adunan dikacau rata.

8. Masukkan ke dalam loyang 7x7 inci yang telah dioleskan mentega. 

9. Pre-heat oven selama 15 minit pada suhu 170C.

10. Masukkan loyang ke dalam oven dan bakar selama 45 minit. Insya Allah, kek akan masak dalam masa 45 minit. 

* Boleh test kek dah masak atau belum dan biarkan selama 5 minit lagi atau sehingga dah masak. 

Recipe: Daging Dendeng Berlada

Assalamualaikum! :)

Semenjak harga barang dah naik ni, saya banyak belajar memasak / bake online. 

YouTube lah peneman dan guru saya. :D

Masakan yang selalunya saya dan hubby cari di kedai, saya cuba masak di rumah aje. 

Boleh masak banyak2 dan makan berkali-kali.

Tak perlu nak kira berapa sudu lauk kena amik dan tengok harga bila sampai masa nak bayar. 

Daging dendeng berlada ni merupakan kegemaran hubby. :)

Saya tak pernah masak daging dendeng berlada ... langsung, seumur hidup.

Saya dapat tau pasal masakan daging dendeng berlada ni lepas dah kahwin dengan hubby. 

Memandangkan saya baru nak belajar masak daging dendeng berlada, saya tengok video di YouTube dan cari resipi online. 

Amik mana yang mudah nak buat tapi masih sedap, Insya Allah. 

Saya upload kat blog ni pun sebab nanti senang nak cari. :D

Resipi Daging Dendeng Berlada

Bahan-bahan: 

Daging 1kg

Bahan-bahan dikisar halus (untuk perap dengan daging) -

Halia 1 inci

Bawang putih 5 ulas

Kunyit hidup 4 inci atau kunyit serbuk 1.5 sudu besar

Bahan-bahan untuk lada (disikar kasar atau ditumbuk) -

Bawang besar 1 biji

Tomato 1 biji

Cili merah 7-10 biji

* Kentang goreng (optional)

Cara-cara memasak:

1. Rebus daging yang telah diperap dengan bahan-bahan kisar halus selama setengah jam. Tambahkan garam sedikit.

2. Angkat daging, hiris dan tumbuk. Panaskan minyak untuk menggoreng daging kemudian tepikan dahulu.

3. Hiriskan sedikit bawang dan goreng di dalam minyak tadi. Masukkan bahan-bahan untuk lada dan tunggu sehingga minyak naik. 

4. Masukkan garam dan gula serta tumiskan lagi sehingga masak. 

5. Tutup api. 

6. Masukkan daging yang telah digoreng tadi ke dalam periuk untuk digaulkan bersama lada. 

Ada satu lagi cara untuk masak daging dendeng berlada ni.

Langkah 1 - 2 seperti di atas.

3. Masukkan bawang besar + tomato + cili merah ke dalam minyak untuk digoreng seketika (jangan ditumbuk atau dikisar dahulu). 

4. Selepas seketika, keluarkan bahan-bahan dan masukkan di dalam blender (untuk dikisar kasar) atau lesung (untuk ditumbuk). 

5. Masukkan bahan-bahan ini ke dalam periuk semula untuk ditumis. Tambahkan garam dan gula. 

6. Tutup api. 

7. Masukkan daging untuk digaul bersama lada.

Alhamdulillah, hubby memang suka sangat daging dendeng berlada ni. 

Takyah pergi cari kat kedai. :D

Week 30 Pregnancy

Source: 5 Quotes That Keep Me Going Through Pregnancy and Motherhood

Another week to go before looking at my countdown turning from a double digit to a single digit! Eeeekkk!!!

It is true that you can't compare your current pregnancy to your previous pregnancy. 

They're just so different. 

Being Tired & Breathless

At the time of me typing this, I'm already feeling tired even though I haven't started on any house chores as yet, except for a quick clean in the kitchen and minor kitchen cabinet cleaning. 

That's it! 

I get easily breathless. 

Like at times, I'm fighting for air especially when I'm sitting down. 

I'd feel totally lazy and just want to sit and stare at nothing. 

Or I'd even think about how smooth baby delivery would be this time around to the point that I scare myself thinking about the things that could go wrong. :(

Oh dear, I shouldn't have done that, should I?

I continue to complete my chores one task at a time. 

For instance, if I were to sweep and mop the floor, that would be done in one day. 

Laundry is done on another day whereas cleaning the bathroom is for another specific day. 

There'd be times when I'd lump the chores together if the laundry had mysteriously piled itself or the bathroom needs thorough cleaning. 

At the end of a chore, I'd be too exhausted, sweating profusely and finishing off an entire bottle of iced water from the fridge!

I cook every single day until my mom told me that it would probably help if I cooked dishes which would last me for 2 days. 

All I needed to do the following day was either to reheat the dish or add another simple dish on the side.

I went like ... "Oh ya, should have done that!" (sigh, really, why didn't I think of that?)

Cooking is also another tiring task coz I tend to stand throughout the entire duration.

Whenever I would remember to sit down, I'll sit while the pot is simmering on the stove. 

Else, I'd probably just stand until I've finished cooking and wiping down the kitchen. 

Once I'm done with the cooking and cleaning, I'd plop myself on a chair, gulping down ice water, trying to catch my breath and 'enjoying' the sensation of sweat just trickling down all sides! 

I'd hit the showers thereafter. 

Ever since my pregnancy, I'd probably shower 3 times daily and wonder why the weather is too hot and humid this time around?

Sleep (or lack of it):

I sleep on my sides.

Sometimes it just gets too uncomfortable as I have to squeeze in trips to the bathroom, not mentioning waking up several times at night for no reason! 

At times you'll just feel that your legs are straining or you're experiencing a muscle pull, not pleasant. 

During the day, if I'm having back or hip pain, I'll just have to sit on the sofa and sometimes (well, maybe, most of the time) end up dozing off. 

I'll make sure that I don't do any house chores so that I don't tire myself out considering that I'm also looking after my toddler's needs.

There was one time when I just couldn't keep myself awake, I slept off for 2-3 hours. 

Luckily, my brother was home for a visit so he kept my lil' one entertained. 

I could hear them, with my eyes closed, running around the house or playing basketball or hopscotch or pretend play. 

At times my lil' one would be laughing so loudly or screaming at the top of her lungs and my brother would say "Shhh, not so loud, Ummi is sleeping." 

Then they'd resume playing. 

I guess I've gotten used to it so I managed to sleep through the chaos.

On the other hand, I'd like to think that I'm preparing myself for the chaos which my lil' one and her future sibling would create when the both of them are playing together. 

Needless to say, when I woke up, I dashed to the kitchen as I had not prepared anything for lunch! 

Talk about panic attack. 

Of course I didn't want anyone to faint on me whilst they're under my care, being pregnant or not. 

Emotions: 

It's been a roller-coaster ride. 

I'm not sure if it's because I'm also caring for my toddler but I'd cry if I feel tired or she acts up or just cry on my praying mat for no reason. 

As an example, if my lil' one watches TV, she likes to stand directly in front of the TV although I've told her COUNTLESS TIMES before, not to stand too close as she'll spoil her eyes. 

Guess what, barely a minute later, she somehow manages to stand in front of the TV again! 

Owh my goodness! 

When my friends suggest to meet up, I won't look forward to it simply because I'm not up for it. 

Like, really. 

Although before this I'd be thrilled to just meet up with my girls and catch up and indulge in food! 

Sometimes I'll feel like I'm a nobody, worthless and feel hopeless. 

I'd feel unattractive and dumb, no character, no identity. 

I'll just go through the motions on a daily basis and make sure lil' one is cleaned and fed, house is kept and hubby is happy and content. 

I'll think to myself, it's ok, this shall pass, let's just do this and get it done and over with.

Nope, you don't need to get help from other people, you'll just have to do it yourself. 

Don't bother other people as you're just going to trouble them. 

They have enough on their plates already and whatever it is that you're asking help for, it's so minuscule if you were to compare the things that other people have to handle and worry about. 

Oh dear. 

Am I the only one feeling this way at this point in my pregnancy? 

This feeling is extremely unpleasant. :(

Prince Court Medical Centre - Dr Paul Tay

Obgyn: Dr Paul Tay Yee Siang

Hospital: Prince Court Medical Centre

Appointment Date: 29 April 2015 (Wednesday)

Appointment Time: 11.30am

We are back with Dr Paul to deliver our second baby. 

Looking at the estimated due date which falls on a Public Holiday, where it is the Raya leave week, a lot of the Obgyns we enquired (from different hospitals) won't be around for an entire week or probably more.

Lillahi Ta'ala, we tried but we had no rizq this time around.

Furthermore, hubby was much more comfortable with Dr Paul and the both of us really really like him a lot! 

We set an appointment with Prince Court a month prior and the date was set. 

As our appointment was at 11.30am, we decided to reach there around 10.30am to go through the registration process. 

Once we were done with the registration at the lobby, we proceeded to the 6th floor.

I looked for Dr Paul's tray and was about to place my file in the tray when a lady at the counter stood up, smiled at me and took the file. 

I don't think she was a nurse as she was wearing casual attire, not the uniform. 

She handed me my ticket number and requested for me to wait. 

The waiting area outside the doctor's rooms were full so we proceeded to the waiting area inside. 

I waited for my name to be called where they'd take my vitals and I'd provide my urine sample. 

I waited some more. 

Alhamdulillah, by 11.30am on the dot, my name was called and we were ushered into Dr Paul's room. 

I immediately told him "Dr Paul! It is soooo good to see you!" 

He gave us his huge big smile and I quickly scanned the room to look for our photo which we gave him. 

I found it pinned on the wall and showed our daughter a picture of her being held by Dr Paul when she was just a month old. 

Our daughter got so excited to see a baby pic of her.

Dr Paul immediately told my hubby, "I remember you! You seem to have lost weight."

Hahahahaha of course, it was much to my hubby's delight as Dr Paul complimented him.

You should have seen my hubby's face light up! :p

He proceeded to assist us with our enquiries. 

I immediately asked Dr Paul if I was overweight and would he need to induce me 2 weeks or a week prior to my due date.

To my surprise, Dr Paul said that I wasn't overweight and there was no reason to induce me, in addition, he even said that I could gain an additional 5kg up to my delivery date. 

He advised me to control my carbo intake and watch my diet. 

When he saw that my delivery date was during Raya, he even told me that I could definitely indulge in my lemang and rendang before the delivery date but just to watch my diet. :) :) :)

Awesome doctor, I tell you! 

He added that he'll definitely wait for the baby. 

"If the baby wants to come out, we'll be ready, if the baby isn't ready to come out as yet, we'll just wait, there's no need for us to induce if it isn't necessary." 

Oh my God, you can't believe how RELIEVED I was to hear him say those words!

The last thing I wanted was to be induced. 

Even a few of my friends whom I shared my concerns with were totally against me being induced, considering that I had my first delivery purely SVD with no medical interference whatsoever! ie epidural

You should see the look on their faces when I told them that the previous Obgyn told me that I was overweight. 

My friends said "You? Overweight?"

They couldn't believe it and told me to get a second opinion. 

Trust me, after hubby and I consulted the previous Obgyn in addition to looking at the fees she charged (much to our horror!), hubby and I both decided we'd go back to Dr Paul. 

Peace of mind. 

Peace of MY mind, actually. 

For the entire month before seeing Dr Paul, I was extremely sad and worried. 

But after consulting him, Alhamdulillah, it made all the worries just go away! 

After fielding our questions, we scanned the baby and Alhamdulillah, everything was fine. 

It took us half an hour for the entire consultation considering that I don't have any problems, Alhamdulillah. 

It was so good to see him and both hubby and I are extremely happy! 

What made it better was the bill. 

It wasn't as exorbitant as the first bill!

We expected that from Dr Paul and we're happy. 

If you could see a copy of the receipt below, there is a breakdown for the charges. 

The receipt is actually a few pages lesser than the first visit. 

The one on top -Hospital Service Charges- is what the hospital charges its patients, I guess it is a standard charge across the board. 

The lower portion -Collection on Behalf of Doctors : Disbursement- is the doctor's charges.

All in all, we're extremely happy and we'll definitely stick with Dr Paul Tay. :)

Prince Court Medical Centre - Dr Tan Ay Eeng

We decided to go back to Prince Court as we were thinking of the convenience for my parents to visit me at the hospital, which was nearer to their home. 

Thinking about them having to travel from KL to Bangsar would be a hassle. 

In addition, we had our little toddler to take care of this time around so ushering her back and forth between the hospital and my parents' place was easier. 

We set an appointment in March 2015 with Dr Tan Ay Eeng. 

As the last visit we had with Prince Court was when our daughter went to see her Paed a couple of years ago, we didn't know that the registration process had changed. 

Registration

The registration counter is at the other end of the hospital (if you parked at the basement, took a lift up to the lobby and you can see Coffee Bean, just follow the stickers on the floor which will lead the way to the registration area).

http://www.princecourt.com/news-and-updates/malaysia-healthcare-travel-expo-the-worlds-best-hospital/

* The registration counters above. The picture is from a couple of years ago as the seating arrangement has changed. This is the only picture that I could find on the Internet to illustrate how the registration area looks like. 

A staff member will be standing at the ticket dispense machine. 

Let her know your purpose of your visit and she'll issue you a ticket. 

The waiting area at the lobby is huge and there are ample of seats. 

Once your number appears on the screen, proceed to the counter. 

If it is your first visit, they'll request for you to fill up some details on a form and sign. 

They'll basically fill up the rest of the fields for you. 

Since I had a record in PCMC from my first baby delivery, the registration didn't take long. 

They'll hand over a form along with a pink book and place these documents in a clear folder, along with your ticket number.

You'll then proceed to the 6th floor where the Women and Children Clinic is. 

Once you step out of the lift, turn right and the clinic's entrance is on your right. 

You'll see a counter with trays on it, marked with the respective doctor's name. 

Just drop your file into the tray and a nurse will attend to it. 

I could see that all the trays were empty but there were already patients waiting in the area, so don't worry, they'll definitely pick up your file. 

Waiting

I noticed that upon having this system in place, there were lesser people compared to when we first came a few years prior. 

Maybe because they only entertain patients who have set an appointment with the doctor so the crowd was manageable and the waiting time wasn't too long. 

One hour or so max. 

A nurse called my name to check my vitals and asked questions about my pregnancy considering that it was my first visit. 

I provided my urine sample too. 

I waited some more and we managed to sit down in front of the doctor's room. 

Not long after, my name was called and we stepped into Dr Tan's room. 

Consultation

Dr Tan was a friendly doctor but of course, no nonsense lady too. 

http://www.princecourt.com/doctors/doctor-list/dr-tan-ay-eeng/

She is super organized and I could see that she's the type who likes to keep things within a certain schedule and plan ahead. 

I guess it was good for some but maybe errr not me. 

Know why? 

Because when I asked her if she'll be around during the delivery date which probably falls on a Public Holiday, she checked my details, checked the calendar and said "I'll probably need to induce you a week or maybe 2 weeks prior to the due date."

This came as a shock to the both of us. 

I calmly asked "Why is that, doctor? Because I had SVD for my first baby delivery and didn't require me to be induced."

She replied "You're overweight right now so you'll need to be induced, just to reduce the risk."

Oh dear. 

Whatever she said next, I just couldn't process. 

I was already down in the dumps :( :( :(

She continued with "Have you done a detailed scan for the baby?"

I said "No."

And she said "Let me set an appointment with my colleague for him to conduct a detailed scan, it would be good to look at the baby's condition."

She suggested this after she'd done a scan just a couple of minutes prior.

In my head I was already thinking "I wonder how much it would cost?" 

I didn't proceed to ask considering that we didn't perform a detailed scan with our firstborn and she turned out fine, Alhamdulillah. 

Dr Tan even suggested that she'll need to conduct a blood test, just to make sure that everything was fine. 

"Ok" I said. 

Once it was all done, we left her room. 

Waiting - Blood Test

I waited for my name to be called by a nurse to perform the blood test. 

When I went into a room and the nurse drew my blood, I asked her about the results. 

She advised me that they'll call me by the next day or so if there are any problems. 

If there aren't, no calls would be made. 

Waiting - Paying the Bill

Remember the ticket number you received during your registration?

Hold onto it or at least remember the number. 

You'll need to proceed to the counter to pay your bill, it is a small room located near the entrance, opposite the counter where you dropped off your file. 

Once your bill is ready, your number will pop up on the screen. 

Just proceed into the room to pay your bill. 

For the life of me, I couldn't remember WHERE we kept the bill, I'm still trying to find it. 

I remember the total damage though ... approximately RM600. 

:(

This included prescription of Obimin Pluz, the blood test and some other charges which I can't remember. 

As soon as I can find a copy of the bill, I'll include it here, Insya Allah. 

Upon seeing the total cost of consulting with Dr Tan and her telling me that she'll induce me, hubby and I decided that we'll get a second opinion and we'll change our Obgyn. 

I know of some women who are comfortable with her, because they can plan their C-Sec dates, etc but I'm all for natural birth.

I honestly don't have the courage to be induced nor undergo emergency C-Sec if it doesn't work. 


UPDATE (20 May 2015):

As promised, here is a copy of the payment receipt which provides a detailed break down. 

Hope this helps!