Top 4 Tips Before Choosing Your Gynae

First of all, congratulation and I wish you all the best! Choosing the right gynae is important, during check up and also childbirth. It would be the best if you can have the same gynae for check up and childbirth. So, how do you know which is the best gynae?

1. Trust 

My point of view, is not about other people recommandation but choose the one you trust and comfortable with. My gynae was quite fierce and strict when it comes to my weight control but with his professional advise and how he deal with me, I trusted him. His way of communication might not be the best, in fact a lot of my friends asked me to change gynae but thank god I didn’t and I felt because of him, Baby E is safe and sound with me now.

2. Research 

You may do some research of the gynae of your choice with trustworthy google. If it is a recommendation from your friends and family ask them about it. You need to understand not everyone will have a smooth delivery, complication might pop up and it will not only risk your baby but also you. Look at where did the gynae graduated from if you like. No, I am joking but you need to know both your baby and your lives will be on his hand.

3. Go for a second opinion if needed 

If the first gynae of your choice made you feel uncomfortable, try on another one until you find one that you trust. I understand some people would prefer a female gynae, if that’s the case look for one. 

4. Price checking 

I believe this should be the first consideration but I am going to give you a frank advise that might make you immediately hates me. Please budget well before planning on having a baby. Childbirth and the expenses after having one is never cheap.

There are many options on this, going to a government hospital? Semi government or a fully private hospital? I guess this would be the key factor when it comes to pricing.

Good luck!

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Becoming a Mother: I almost killed my baby

I have shared my experience to many people and I would like to share this again because it is just an amazing journey!

When We Found Out

We never expect to have a baby this soon. It wasn't plan at all. I realised I was pregnant and we went to the gynaecologist on the next day. After consulting the gynaecologist, I am confirmed with 2 weeks pregnancy. It was a surprise and both my husband and I weren't ready at all yet we decided to keep the baby and we never regret it.

During Pregnancy

Everything seems normal during my checkup until on my 7th month. There was this one day I realised baby movement has slowed down. I rushed to the hospital and I was informed that the umbilical cord is around Baby E's neck. The doctor did asked if I would consider a C-section as it might be dangerous. At that moment I have decided to go for a C-section but if contraction comes earlier I would try on natural. It was a terrifying news, I started to monitor his movement everyday and getting really stressed up about it.

I rushed to the hospital a few times when I thought his movement slow down but it was all okay. Perhaps, I was too stressed up about it. I started my maternity leave slightly earlier because I can't take the stress at work while I need to work and also keep count on my baby's movement.

The Day!

Morning
The first day I started my maternity leave, I felt contraction in the morning. A very mild pain at my hips area and my husband sent me to the hospital. It was confirmed that it is a real contraction. I clearly remember it was 9.30am.

Afternoon
My gynaecologist broke my water when he saw me and told me it was opening at 3cm. The nurse advised me to take a shower and clean myself, so I did (Yes, I washed my hair). After that, I was asked if I would like to have any epidural injection and without hesitation I said yes because the contraction was getting more painful each time. The anaesthesiologist did the injection around 1.00pm and it of cause immediately numbed my legs and hips. After the injection, I was very relax because the pain went off almost immediately.

Evening
The gynaecologist came in to check again but it was still at 3cm. He was a little worried as baby heartbeat slowed down for a little while and it got back to normal. He told the nurse to monitor closely and I was being asked again would I like to consider a C-section. That moment both my husband and me decided not to and stick to natural.

Night
Baby heartbeat slowed down to a dangerous level and luckily I am all ready at the opening of 10cm for delivery. However, due to the heartbeat slowed down, I was asked to signed some document because it is a very dangerous situation. It was all planned to vacuum Baby E out. During the first pushed without even using the vacuum, I heard Baby E crying! But he went back in for some reason and I didn't know! I thought he was out. I was being asked to push again and the doctor vacuumed his head but failed! Baby E came out in a wrong position, he was facing up.

I was asked to have a last push otherwise very likely Baby E will die inside me. I pushed really hard and the doctor forcep Baby E out!

After delivery

He was purple, crazy purple and full of blood. I was very worried looking at him but I passed out. When I am awake after 2 hours or so, I shivered badly due to the side effect of the epidural. The doctor explained the situation to me and told me he did a Episiotomy before the last push and it might hurt bad after the epidural is over. Yes, it did hurt very badly on the second and third day! Crazily painful!

Did I missed something? Pain during delivery?

If you realised I didn't mention about pain during delivery. Due to the epidural, I don't feel any pain at all. Not even a little and I am not lying. You may find the article here on my thought of epidural, it is my honest opinion about it.

Regrets

I should have choose an emergency C-section when I was informed his heartbeat went down. If the last push didn't work, I will kill Baby E simply by making the wrong decision. The next time if something like this happened again, C-section without question.


I hope my experience sharing helps some soon to be mama to understand the process a little more. When I was pregnant, I was looking out for articles and stories like this to have a better understanding to avoid sudden panic during delivery.


To all soon to be mommies, good luck!

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5 Tips about Diapers: All About Diapers

This is the first post of New Mom 101 series because this tend to be one of the most asked question once the baby has arrived but defiantly not before. Something most new mom would left out and is okay, let's learn together!

1. How often should I change my baby's diapers
I would suggest on every feeding even it might not be full. This is for hygiene purposes, it will avoid nappy rashes on baby and baby will feel much more comfortable. I am going to give a brutal example to all mommies here, can you imagine you are sitting on a wet menstrual pad all day long? Well, there you go, change it on every feeding. Your sweetheart needs the freshness.

2. How to avoid waking baby during night changing
The super answer here is actually really simple 'MAKE IT FAST'. In fact, very fast. I would suggest to feed your baby a little first (if it is a routine change) and then quickly change it and feed the baby again. Baby usually fall asleep while feeding but please don't forget to burp your little one.

3. Why does my baby always wet himself/ herself?
Putting on diapers is an art. Seriously, it is an art. First make sure it is tight enough but not too tight to the extend it trace your baby's feet. Got it? Great!

Next, make sure both side of the tape are about the same length. Yes, it has to be balance! A quick check is, try to put 2 fingers into the diapers after you have put it on to check if it is too tight.

4. Nappy cream
Yes, you need it! I forgot to get one for Baby E as he is my first child. Actually I didn't even know there is such thing.

5. How to have the fastest diapers changing routine?
First get your things ready. To me is the 4 most important things, Dry Tissue, Wet Tissue/ Baby Wipes, Diapers (opened and ready), Nappy Cream.

Second quickly open up his diapers, wipe with baby wipes if there is no poo and apply nappy cream then wrap the baby up with diapers.

If there is poo? *Evil smile* you know it gonna take a long long time but getting the 4 important stuffs ready does helps a lot. Wipe and cover the poo with dry tissue and slowly wipe off all the poo with baby wipes. Then remove the dirty diapers and put a fresh diapers on. Apply nappy cream then tape the diapers on! All done! But yes, if it is at night, very likely your little one will be awake.


Good luck Mommies!

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Diapers Brand Comparison (Malaysia)

I totally understand the new mom feelings when it comes to diapers. The expensive ones will always be the better ones. Thus, Merries and Mamypoko are usually the to go brand for most of the parents that can afford. Today I am comparing a few brands that is commonly sold in Tesco and other major supermarkets in Malaysia. Hopefully my review helps.

** All reviews based on honest personal opinion. 

1. Huggies Ultra Tape

Softness: Good
Absorbent Level: Moderate
Cutting: Smaller than usual

I got this from Sunway Medical when I discharged and this was what my Baby E using. I find that the cutting is quite small compare to other brands yet I did finish the small pack of Huggies (tape) in about a week.

When Baby E hits week 8 I bought another pack of Huggies Ultra S size from Speedy99. Again, I felt the size was small and the absorbent level was okay, not fantastic thou. I used it for morning and I left it at my mother in law's house for her maid to use it while taking care of Baby E in the morning.

The design is thin thus I find that it is cooler and lighter, hopes it will be more comfortable for Baby E in the morning as my in law is a big against towards air-corn.

2. Mamypoko Air fit

Softness: Good
Absorbent Level: Moderate
Cutting: Comfortable

This was introduced to me by my sisters and they said is the one of the best along with the famous Merries. The cutting is comfortable and it is very soft. The absorbent level is better than Huggies or Drypers but the Extra Dry ones are defiantly have higher level of absorbent.

No complains on Mamypoko Air Fit, it is one of my favorite so far but it is quite pricey unless there are some online sales.

3. Mamypoko Extra-dry

Softness: Not Good
Absorbent Level: Good
Cutting: Moderate

I have to said Baby E and I hate this diapers design.  He is always so uncomfortable when I put this on him. The diapers are so dry and I felt like it makes him so uncomfortable. I only used it at night for the 3rd and 4th weeks because it does save me some nappy changing time, sometimes Baby E wet his clothes without knowing but due to the dryness of the nappy. I would say is a no no to me.

4. Goo.N Excellent Soft

Softness: Great
Absorbent Level: Good
Cutting: A little bigger than other brands

This was a gift from a friend and I have to say I love it. Goo.N is slightly cheaper than Mamypoko and the absorbent level is better as well. I use this at night and I try not to change it on every feeding but every 2 feeding instead. It didn't wet Baby E clothes. The only downside of Goo.N is the cutting. The cutting is quite big and the top part is a little hard which I felt it might be a little uncomfortable for Baby E.

5. Goo.N Excellent Dry

Softness: Moderate
Absorbent Level: Great
Cutting: A lot bigger than other brands

I bought a pack from Giant and hell the size is very big.  Baby E is a big sized baby and this diapers is big! However, there was a night when Baby E was so tired he slept all night thru that he skipped one feeding. I was amazed that he did not wet his clothes. But of course when I removed it, it was super heavy. So yes, I still insist on changing it on every feeding to make my baby feel comfortable.

6. Drypers Touch

Softness: Good
Absorbent Level: Good
Cutting: Good Fit

This is my latest discovery. I was looking for the famous brand Pampers but I can't find anywhere. I was telling a friend who works in an advertising agency and he told me it has been re-brand to Drypers. I am not sure if the remark above is correct but that's what I heard. By the way, I bought a pack of Drypers Premium as I saw a lot of good review about it.

It is Premium and it is cheaper than Mamypoko so I thought why not giving it a try. I have to say this is one of the best diapers I ever used. Everything was up to expectation. Nothing to shout of but the price and the quality do match and I have decided this will be my go to brand for now.



Good Luck Mommies!
Feel free to let me know which other brands is your favorite in the comment box below!

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Contact Me

Feel free to contact me for any feedback, product review or other matters that might need my attention on.

Kindly leave a comment below or email me (thecrankymomblog@gmail.com) and I shall get back to you the soonest. Please give me a good 48 hours to respond as I am a working mom with a infant. 

Thank you.