Feeding Preemie

4th Oct 2010 

Today is my pregnancy EDD, which means cubbies r officially 40 weeks.

Cubbies are born premature at 32 weeks. although they are not micro-preemie, they r still consider preemie with low birth weight of 1.8kg (Hung), 1.6kg (Syuen) and 1.1kg (Juin).
There are many new learning for parents of preemie. This time I'll share on Feeding!

Feeding a full-term baby is so much differ fr a preemie. I once took for granted (n i think most ppl hv this same thought too) that all babies r born wit d capabilities to eat/suck. 
What we found out during cubbies stay in NICU is tat we need to teach preemie to suckle!

1) TUBE FEEDING
During d 1st few days of stay in NICU, cubbies r fed using tube where d tube r inserted from his mouth into d stomach. D first sight of d tube make me tears as they r so tiny n yet needed to insert d tube. So, our first feeding lesson in NICU is to learn how to feed them using d tube.

2) SYRINGE FEEDING
We introduced syringe feeding to stimulate the baby's sucking action.  We had to control or fingers when pressing & releasing the breastmilk into bb's mouth while encouraging bb to lick & suckle. 

3) CUP FEEDING
When Hung is ready to learn sucking, he was first introduce sipping fr cup. Till now,i m still very raw to cup feeding,i'll end up pouring all out instead of feeding.

4) SUCKING
Hung did not know how to suckle fr breast. Hence, I was taught how to give him cheek massage, lips massage and tongue massage to stimulate his sucking movement. It seems that bb learns sucking movement in mummy's womb during week 33. But Hung was born at 32 weeks, hence there's a need to give him time to develop the ability to suck.

5) SWALLOW
Then we need to teach Hung how to swallow. Even during cup feeding, Hung will tends to keep all milk in his mouth without swallowing.

6) SUCK & SWALLOW & BREATHE
When Hung had mastered d sucking & swallowing skill, he needs to be stimulate to perform both d action n synchronize wit breathing. What a tough process for just a simple action of sucking milk.

I still remember there's once when i was BF Hung, suddenly his face turned blue. Since we're reminded on this, I quickly unlatch him fr d breast and gave him few slaps on his feet to wake him up. He was fine after that.

Preemie r known that they hv the tendency to forget breathing, regardless it's feeding, crying or even laughing. Even till now,we still need to b observant on d changes in bb face during feeding, to ensure bb remembers to breathe & swallow.

BreastFeeding the Cubbies

2nd Sept 2010

Many ppl had asked me this question during pregnancy 'will u b breastfeeding?? Won't u consider formula?? Not everyone has milk supply, esp for 3, u need to hv other option'

My answers to all those questions was always 'YES, breastfeeding for all 3, believe in supply n demand...believe tat since god has given me three cubbies, he must also give me the ability to feed 3'.

Breastfeeding indeed u need lots of support from family n friends, esp your closest hubby. Hubby once asked do we need to buy some formula just 'in case', my response was 'if we had d thoughts of in case, then definitely we won't b persistence in BF'. Hence, i rejected d idea of getting formula in advance. Thanks my dear for understanding & respect my opinion.

Still remember during d first few days after delivery, i kept pumping n pumping, but only a few pathetic drops of colostrum appear. By the time it is deliver to NICU, d colostrum had all dried up (looking just like birdnest).

However, thanks for encouragements fr hubby and advice fr my sis & dear friend feei chyi. They kept encouraged me to continue n answering to all my BF questions.

Only on day 4 afternoon, the first droplet of milk appear. We were so happy with our persistent.

Now, i'm capable of producing sufficient milk for 3 cubbies ^.^

1st night with 2 boys (triplet 1 & triplet 2)

29th Aug 2010

2nd cubby was moved in to recovery room together wit 1st cubby.

In d afternoon, hubby n i tried feeding both babies. I BF one,then pass to him for burping while i BF d other, then pass it over again.hahaha..it was fun!

Nite time (as hospital NICU rules, all daddies must leave the recovery room by 1030pm), cubby2 repeated d cries like cubby1. It should b due to d new environment. He cried from 12-4am. After that, cubby1 cried from 4-530am. *yawn* cubbyDaddy should be arriving at 930am

1st 24hrs being a fulltime mother of Triplets

26 Aug 2010

cubby 1 had moved in to recovery room wit me. Have to start changing nappy and feeding him all on my own. 
Feeding:
He is on full breastfeeding, which means save time on heating up milk or feeding him wit cup/syringe. However, he is a super sleeper, he does not wake easily thou been kacau for more than an hr. Heard many ppl says BF must feed every 2hrs, each time feed 20mins from each breast. However, my case is totally different. My bb only sucks 10-20mins n fr one breast. After that he refuse any top-ups n will fall asleep. Was quite worried initially cos afraid he did not eat enough, moreover,he can stays on for more than 4hrs without food. 
consult and get assurance fr doctors n nurses that he is getting enough. But they still advice, not to wait more than 4hrs cos it may affect his blood glucose level. Hence, everyday,nurses will punch his feet to get a drop of blood to test it out. margin count: 2.8, cubby's result 4.5 n above. So, now will only feeds him when he cries.

New environment:
Tis room is a new environment to him, new temperature. Once after giving him 10pm meal, he started crying non-stop. He is fed, nappy changed. Carry him in arms, he stop for a short while,once put him down,he starts the crying again. He cried & scream almost throughout the nite n the day after.

Hooray!

25 Aug 2010

Cubby 1: got promoted from 'intermediate room' to 'recovery room', meaning from today onwards, he will sleep by my bedside. And i'll have to fully 'jaga' him without much assistance fr d nurses...he'll be on breastfeeding on-demand program!!!

Cubby 2: in 'intermediate room', he still needs to learn how to suck. Soon he will b joining cubby1. He is on EBM (Expressed Breast Milk) program!

Cubby 3: strong tiny little fellow. Was slightly unwell yesterday, but with his determination & strong will, he is working hard to gain sufficient weight in order to leave d incubator. 300-400grams to go. He is on EBM (Expressed Breast Milk) program! EBM will help him to grow stronger

Great News!

23 Aug 2010

Cubbies r 13th days old today!

They r showing great improvements!

Cub 1: From yesterday's few mild sucking to today's vigorous sucking. He really surprised us with his great improvement. Doc allows to remove the O/G tube. Nurse says must ensure his blood glucose level maintain at least 3.0 to ensure he is feeding sufficiently. So far,he had fed twice with full BF. I'm sure he will show more improvement later.

Cub 2: Last nite was promoted from incubator to normal cot. Today he is move to Intermediate room, sleeping next to Cub1. They both look alike. Tested that they both don't cry at the same time. That's great!

Cub 3: Still in incubator, but he is growing well. Always actively dancing with arms & legs in the incubator.

NICU...my home for the time being

22 Aug 2010

Tis is my 4th day staying in NICU. Within this short stay, I'd already broke down in tears 4nites. It's not because of d babies, but it's d physical & mental exhaustion that causes the emotional breakdown.

Here, we do hv very busy schedule. Breastfeeding(BF) every 3hrs. Lets say BF@1130am, we need to b thr slightly early, latest 1115am, then get d baby wakeup & ready 4 feeding. Try/teach/BF baby for at least 20-30mins. Since baby still learning to suck, so we need to top up baby's feeding with tube. After feeding baby with tube, I'll usually stay for awhile to ensure baby is alright after the feeding. This whole process actually takes up an hour. By the time i leave d room, it's almost 1pm.

Get back to my bed, get ready d breastpump, need to express breastmilk for feeding. During of pumping takes 30-40mins. After that, clean up the utensils & sterilize it with hot water. Take the expressed breastmilk to keep in the fridge which is quite a distance away. by the time tis finishes, the time is 2pm.

Quickly get back to grab some food cos the next feeding starts at 230pm... N this goes on d whole day.

It's quite tiring especially for new mothers -- new as in the sense just gave birth. Cos physically we have yet to recover from d operation, now we need to do lots of standing & walking. My back & incision area actually aches every nite. And not forgetting my both wrist which had carpal tunnel syndrome due to pregnancy had not reduce. 
Other than that, for chinese, this is the crucial month to 调养身体。Food wise, not suitable for confinement. Even malay also does not take those food during their 'pantang' period. So, hubby had to send my meals which r cooked by mother in law in d morning.
Emotionally, when physically tired & can't enjoy every meal nicely will definately affect d emotion. At times, I feel like requesting to go home to rest. 

However.....

Although there r many unpleasant things, once I saw d improvement in each on d babies...all these pain will be forgotten.

Today is the '12day' for the babies!

Eldest son: improves in sucking, at least he is more initiative to opens up his mouth & able to suck for more times. He is also more awake, rolling his eyes left & right.

2nd son: weight increase, came out of incubator today! Bravo. Should b learning to BF soon.

3rd son: had increase from 1.1kg (birth weight) to 1.3kg. He is still in incubators, but soon when his weight is 1.6, then he should be out from incubator too.

So, when i think of all of their improvements & achiements... I'm happily continuing my stay here in the NICU.

Week 30 - Cubbies Movement

Week 30

Babies' movements getting more intensed!!!

These 2 weeks, babies movement is getting more and more frequent and intensed. Babies are constantly moving here and there, changing positions or may be playing with each other.

I could actually sit and observe their movements for hours.  Watching the round smooth tummy becoming bumpy here and there. Sometimes the tummy shape may even change from round to sharp triangular.  It is really amazing to see the rise and fall of the bumps. Occasionally the movement will be like jumping and bouncing - fast rhythmic movement.  Sometimes it is like waves moving from one end to the other. Luckily so far,there's no strong kicks or punches which brings pain.

I can get extremely excited and fascinated with the movements and start playing hide and seek with them. It is hard to believe that there're 3 living babies moving inside this 'small' tummy.

Week 29 - Doc Check Up

Went for Doctor Check up today...

Doctor was unavailable on Monday or Friday, so I had to see him on Wednesday instead.  Kenz was unable to come back on a wednesday, so sis and mom-in-law accompanied me for this week check up.

Everything is good, I'm healthy, Babies are healthy.  Guess that is the most important thing for now.

Thanks sis for being the photographer for today's doctor appointment!

Weighting Procedure - I'm 75kg!!!

My Gynae - Dr Roslan

together with nurse Isna

Ultrasound Scanning the Cubbies

They look GOOD!!!

Trying to see their gender... 3rd cubby is still hiding his identity :)

Stretch Marks

1st sign of Stretch Marks - Week 29

The 1st sign of stretch mark was visible on week 29. It was witness by dear hubby when he helped me to apply lotion on the tummy.  The stretch mark appeared at the lower abdomen where it is not possible for me to see it.  My vision can only reach mid of my belly button,anything below it, is not visible.  No wonder recently I kept feeling itchy at the lower abdomen.

CubbyDaddy with cubbies

Cubbydaddy always have new game with the little cubbies....

Sometimes cubbydaddy just listen quietly to little cubbies.... trying to figure out which cubbies is making the most sound

sometimes... cubbydaddy falls asleep while listening... he says "the feeling is so peaceful"

then cubbydaddy will make lots of kissing sound to excite the cubbies...

when all of them are excited, especially cubbydaddy... he will start to have some rough game....

some tiger roaring and biting game!

and lastly some cubbies kicking and cubbydaddy head knocking game

hehehe.... thanks dear for running to and fro to set up the camera self-timer to catch all these interesting pictures  

Sniff.. sniff

Sniff.. sniff...Nasal Congestion is really getting worst.  Nasal are congested all the time...

Nowadays, I dare not blow my nose or clear it too often because at times it will start bleeding.  The blood that comes out from the nose is actually quite little, and it stops almost immediately.

This bleeding is caused by the expansion of blood vessels increase the pressure of blood in the body.  When the pressure of blood in the blood vessels inside the nose rises beyond a certain limit, nose bleeds occur.

The scarier part is when the blood does not appear from the nose.  It mix together with the mucus and flow into the throat to appear like phlegm.  When the phlegm is spit out, a piece of blood clog comes out.  It frighthen me the 1st time....but eventually i got used to it, thou it still looks scary.

Lesson learnt: Do not blow the nose too hard!

Week 27 - 4th July 2010

27th Week

Went for check up on last Fri.. Everything went on very well. Blood pressure is alright, no sugar or protein found in urine.

As usual Dr Roslan and nurse did the scanning, hubby and mother inlaw looking at the monitor and trying to figure out which limbs belongs to which baby, and this time we have a special guest - Dr Erwin (pediatric) was there too.

Did ultrasound and dropper scan... glad babies are healthy.

Babies are growing very well.... they are reaching almost 1kg each.  Hope they will continue to grow bigger.

And surprisingly, all three of them are located on the right side of my belly... they only occupied half of the belly, wonder what's inside the other half???

Took 2 shots of steroid (Dexamethasone), one on Fri afternoon, another on Sat morning (12 hrs apart).

These shots are to boost the babies lungs development just in case they are born premature.

Got the 1st shot on my left butt, Ouch... it hurts....

2nd shot on my right butt... OUCH!!! it hurts and numbs the butt.. can't really walk for the next 5-10minits.

Next Check up - in two weeks time...

Reminder from Dr Erwin: bed rest... no shopping, no walking, no cooking, no washing.... 

Photo taken 4 July 2010

Week 27

Weight 73.5kg

Waist 46"

Week 26 !!! 2nd Trimester Pregnany Discomfort

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

25th Week!!!

Yes!!!! 

Week 25 ! (6th Month now...)

Waistline 45"

My belly is getting so huge... Most moms-to-be's bump are just starting to show, but mine looking like I'm going to deliver anytime now.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

I always thought this term only happen to those people who sits in front of computer all the time.  Didn't realise pregnancy will also have this problem.

It all started one month ago when I begin to feel numbness on my hands and fingers whenever I sleep.  At times I can feel very strong pulse jumping on the hand.  After consulting doctor, he says it is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  Due to water retention and extra blood supply in the body, the blood vessel became wider and hence pressing on the veins.

These few days the numbness had turn into pain at the wrist.  The wrist begin to feel discomfort and pain.  Not so flexible to twist and turn.

Had tried few tips found from website to relieve the pain:

• Position which can reduce the pain, is to sleep with the hand place above the head level.  This does help to reduce the pain.slightly, but after awhile the pain will come back.

• Applying ice packs on the wrist area - not much help for me...maybe I should try it more often

• Raising the hand high up above the head for few minits does help to reduce the pain slightly.  when the hand is raised up, the wrist could perform slightly more movement.

Week 21

WEEK 21

My belly is growing...
Sis kept asking how 'big' I look like ... At last manage to snap a picture of me at week 21
 

WAISTLINE: 41"

PHOTO TAKEN: MAY 23 2010

EDD: 4TH OCT 2010

Uploaded this picture as my profile pic on FB, and the comments just can't stop coming in.

Thanks all friends and relatives for the wishes.

A Night of Games....

Last nite, I had a great evening playing games with my dear..

Initially I was playing some kiddy games as usual on the pc.  Then he challenged me with a game called "Creepy Crawlers" found on http://fun.familyeducation.com/.  It was a single player game, but we got real excited watching each other's "maomao choong" got eaten up.  However, there's bug in this game, the game will end itself once it reached certain score. 非常扫兴!!!.

So, I'd decided to google for this game in the net... Unfortunately, we were unable to find the similar game.  But we found another fun kiddy game...which can be played by 2 player at the same time.  This game is call "Fire Boy & Water Girl"

              

Each of us is to control one of the character, by using the keyboard.  The aim of the game is just very simple, we need to collect the treasures and lead the character to the exit.  However, what we really enjoyed in this game is that it needs teamwork.  At most of the stages, both the characters need to work togehter in order to assist one another to complete the level.  Some of the stages really work out our brain to plan the correct strategy by using the available bricks/stones to overcome the obstacles.

The total number of levels & stages.. We manage to complete the map within a night..

What i wanted to share is not only on how fantastic the game, but mainly is how we enjoyed each others company.  This is just one of a very simple way where we can easily enhance our relationship.  It doesn't need any materialistic or expensive items to pleased each other.  We had good laugh at each other's mistakes while playing the game.  We discuss the strategy together, sometimes he is quicker in solving the puzzle, sometimes when he is stuck, I came out with a different solution, these help us to appreciate and acknowledge each other's strength.

Thanks my dear for taking time to play games and laugh with me... the 3 cubbies were also laughing and enjoying all our giggle and laughters because each time I laugh, my whole belly moves vigorously.  

Me & my 16 weeks Belly!!!

At last manage to snap a few photos of me with my big belly...

I think it is considered quite huge for 16 weeks ....
(wasitline 39")

My Blemish Free Face......

Hormonal Changes!!!!! AAaarrrggghhh.... There goes my blemish free face...

I used to have no worry on having pimples on my face...
but these 2 months, lots and lots of pimples growing on my forehead and nose area...big and smalls.....
my t-zone is getting oily, everyday i have to wash my face several times and dare not apply any moisurizer cos it will make the condition worst.

Actually the pimples not only grow on the face.. it spread all over my back and chest as well..

The only thing that i'm applying now... "cooling powder a.k.a 水粉" and also calamine.

Lucky thing, all of these will get away once the babies are born... So, i just have to bear with the current condition for another half year....

This is how my forehead looks like...

Shopping for a better Doctor & ...fees! (PART 2)

26 MARCH - NOON

UMSC

Since we have time in the afternoon, me & cubby-angel decide to give it a try on UMSC since we heard some good names from some forums & an old friend of my mom (a retired senior nurse in UMMC)

First thing is the car park is under refurbishment (with the sign board "to serve u better!"). we found that the building was kind of small & new, the environment look smore comfortable & established as a specialist center, with a cafe located at the ground floor, a lobby with few uncle & aunty lying on sofa reading newspaper...overall the environment looks quite peaceful & we're comfortable with it.

We made the appointment this morning & they mentioned the doctor we r booking got 52 patients today & the other got 4...what the hell makes this much difference? so we follow the crowd & book the 53rd place, but luckily, since today is working day, we're there much earlier & got the 3rd Q-no...haha...besides that, we observed that the nurse or the officers there is much warm & efficient that waht we got in UMMC this morning, especially those chairs...i like them so much, i lean on it & almost fall asleep cos it's so comfortable, then we was laughing at it & we guess this is in the bill later...

It's 4PM, i recognise the Prof. who appeared the same as what we saw in photo online. We wait for our turn...

OK, finally we get to meet the famous Prof, he sounds expert in this field no doubt. he starts to ask some questions & tell a bit of jokes, he is very caring & nice, asking us to be caution on certain thing. then he starts the ultrasound scanning, oh gosh...the equipment is so old!!! they should let it retire, the prof did it secretly without letting me to have a view on what he is doing...then he was shocked to discovered that cubby-angel is carrying 3cubbies...

what is even more surprising is...Prof suddenly changed his tone, he is telling us this is so risky...for him, i though a Doctor of professor as a medical practitioner should be putting concern on their patient first, then he continues that he is not the right person to visit, asking who intro us to visit him & other junks, then he intro us to see his colleague for such so called "risky" pregnancy case... me & cubby-angel both opens our eye big big, i totally lost confidence with him immediately...how could he lecture the students if he can be such a piece of certificates producing academician?

Even more fantastic is...what we predicted was right, the comfortable chair was in the bill, the so-called consultation fees was 100% more than SDMC...hear me rite, SDMC. the antique-ultrasound was 200% more expensive than SDMC, and that's all... Conclusion, we shall not step in here ever again for such professional professor O&G services...

to be continues...

Shopping for a better Doctor & ...fees! (PART 1)

Everyone need to shop, as a smart consumer for delivery of cubbies (babies)...we need to ask enough question to find out all the hidden costs & charges that is going to impose on some specialist services, especially on delivery of babies...for me & cubby-angel's case, we have greater concern on the doctor that is helping us to deliver the cubbies. Therefore, we planned for several visit to other hospital for this round of visit back home.

26 MARCH

First in the Friday morning, to avoid the jam in the noon during the prayer session & the long lunch break (3-hrs), me & Cubby-angel rushed to UH, the semi private hospital (UMMC) in the morning and the full private specialist center (UMSC) in the afternoon. below is the summary of our finding:

UMMC

the Car park was extremely lousy designed, you hit the columns, wall or even other cars if skills is not that good, and worse thing is you have to turn all the way till to roof top for a space, which is 6 storey above. Then you will find that there's no direct access into the hospital building, you need to get down all the way & cross a very congested & busy internal road, with lots of cars & taxi jamming the way and you reach the main lobby, which is hidden under the tunnel which was there since the time i was born here, mroe than 30 years ago. but before the tunnel, i'm very impress with the latest touch screen large screen panel displayed in order for us to find out where is the O&G Dept, rather to wait & ask the info counter, which is not available.

we follow the direction shown on the screen but it didn't lead us to the correct location, so we gotta start asking ppl, and we got the right direction for the O&G clinic, which makes us walk a very long corridor, i guess about 100m away. We're happy that finally found this ancient piece of treasure...haha..

We want to register right away , so i approach the counter, stood there for almost a minute, looking at those ppl working inside, trying to find out who is actually on duty, but nobody cares and so i asked one of the lady & she just ignore me, then the other ask me to press for the Q number which located further from the counter. then we start to wait for our number, there's nobody before us, and it took at least 15-20 mins to wait for our Q-no for the registration, a senior personnel is conducting it, we are not allow to choose doctor, even special case such as twins, triplets & so on. So i feel no point to continue but since we're, just make an appointment on early of MAY. Now back to the registration counter, they put up a sign there, PAY RM10 cash for the registration, then i get ready the money & we waited for another 15mins, it's done...but they didn't ask for any money, according to the lady, we can pay next time when we visit...this part is the best & i love their trust on us...but end up we didn't head back for the consultation due to the poor accesibility there and i worry much this is the speed when the deliver my cubbies... cubby-angel agreed with me & we get off to shop to share this experience with our parents...

to be continued...