13th months old (corrected age 11months old) Cubbies showing their care and love towards each other.
Showing posts with label Preemie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preemie. Show all posts
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Triple joy: Helena and Kenz’s amazing birth story.
Helena and Kenz’s first pregnancy joy tripled when they found out that they were going to have triplets. They share their amazing journey from pregnancy till the birth of their three boys Evanz, Enrique and Eytan Lee.
The best Chinese New Year gift
Helena:
It was around Chinese New Year (February 2011) and I was around 10 weeks pregnant when our excited doctor showed us three heartbeats on the computer during an ultrasound scan.
Our (or rather Kenz’s) initial reaction was one of disbelief. The triplets were conceived naturally and since there was no history of twins on both sides of our families, we were naturally surprised. We informed our families immediately - they shared our surprise, joy and excitement.
Finding the right hospital
Kenz:
Our first few antenatal checkups were at a private hospital in Selangor.
In the meantime, we were still looking at various options as to where Helena would deliver our babies. This was no ordinary pregnancy and we knew that apart from our need for quality medical care, we also had to take into account the cost factor as having triplets was going to be expensive. We not only had to account for the delivery cost but also for the neonatal care for prematurely-born babies, common in the cases of multiple births.
Government hospitals provide antenatal care and delivery services at minimal cost so we made trips to a few hospitals within Kuala Lumpur and Selangor such as the Universiti Malaya (UM) Hospital and their Specialist Centre (UMSC), the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKM) and Selayang Hospital.
Finally, we decided on Selayang Hospital. We felt that this was the most baby-friendly hospital (for us) and it had an impressive NICU unit.
Although Selayang Hospital is a government hospital, we chose to with a ‘full paying patient scheme’for the antenatal care. We paid more for the medical services and got to choose our medical specialist (for birth and antenatal care). We also had shorter waiting-time during our visits and got ultrasound scans every month.
These medical checkups including the scan, blood tests, medications and supplements cost us around RM60 per visit.
Three-in-one delivery
Kenz:
Carrying our triplets was hard on Helena even as early as second trimester. On doctor’s advice, we had to be extra careful and I helped to ensure Helena had a lot of bed rest with limited walking and no other strenuous activities including cooking or washing.
We were advised to prepare ourselves for an early c-section delivery. The initial estimate for delivery was at 34 weeks. However, Helena’s water bag broke at 32 weeks and she had to have an emergency caesarean.
Helena:
Our three little ‘cubbies’ (they were born in the year of the tiger) Evanz, Enrique and Eytan arrived on August 11, 2010. They were healthy with birth weights of 1.8kg, 1.6kg and 1.1kg.
It was overall a very positive birth experience as we were comfortable with the doctors and well cared for by the rest of the medical team.
Postnatal care
Kenz:
After her delivery, Helena stayed for about a week in a private room at Selayang Hospital. The whole cost for both the c-section delivery and for her week-long stay at the hospital cost us less than RM1,000.
We went back to Selayang Hospital for Helena’s postnatal check-ups twice. We also registered at a government Mother and Child Health Clinic near Petaling Jaya, Klinik Ibu Dan Anak Kampong Dato Harun, that provided free infant checkups and routine immunisations for our babies.
Helena:
I was well cared for at Selayang Hospital with plenty of encouragement and guidance on breastfeeding my triplets. Although the hospital serves vegetarian food (I am a vegetarian), I opted for home-cooked meals. All my confinement food was prepared by my mother-in-law.
My babies stayed for almost a month in the NICU unit at Selayang Hospital. It was a confined area, strictly parents only with 24-hour care. They were breastfed throughout.
Feeling blessed (three times over)
Helena:
We are indeed very tired but also very happy parents. We are also proud and see our boys as triple blessings from God.
Also, I am extremely grateful that we chose Selayang Hospital for their optimum medical care and for the fact that we didn’t have to mortgage our house to get it!
Kenz:
Selayang Hospital felt like a private hospital; everything was clean and new with plenty of warm and caring doctors and nurses.
At times, looking at my three identical boys, it almost feels surreal. I am indeed thankful that we were blessed with triplets and for Helena’s overall healthy and smooth delivery.
I do occasionally think about having twins next – girls this time!
Published in www.babycenter.com.my
The best Chinese New Year gift
Helena:
It was around Chinese New Year (February 2011) and I was around 10 weeks pregnant when our excited doctor showed us three heartbeats on the computer during an ultrasound scan.
Our (or rather Kenz’s) initial reaction was one of disbelief. The triplets were conceived naturally and since there was no history of twins on both sides of our families, we were naturally surprised. We informed our families immediately - they shared our surprise, joy and excitement.
Finding the right hospital
Kenz:
Our first few antenatal checkups were at a private hospital in Selangor.
In the meantime, we were still looking at various options as to where Helena would deliver our babies. This was no ordinary pregnancy and we knew that apart from our need for quality medical care, we also had to take into account the cost factor as having triplets was going to be expensive. We not only had to account for the delivery cost but also for the neonatal care for prematurely-born babies, common in the cases of multiple births.
Government hospitals provide antenatal care and delivery services at minimal cost so we made trips to a few hospitals within Kuala Lumpur and Selangor such as the Universiti Malaya (UM) Hospital and their Specialist Centre (UMSC), the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKM) and Selayang Hospital.
Finally, we decided on Selayang Hospital. We felt that this was the most baby-friendly hospital (for us) and it had an impressive NICU unit.
Although Selayang Hospital is a government hospital, we chose to with a ‘full paying patient scheme’for the antenatal care. We paid more for the medical services and got to choose our medical specialist (for birth and antenatal care). We also had shorter waiting-time during our visits and got ultrasound scans every month.
These medical checkups including the scan, blood tests, medications and supplements cost us around RM60 per visit.
Three-in-one delivery
Kenz:
Carrying our triplets was hard on Helena even as early as second trimester. On doctor’s advice, we had to be extra careful and I helped to ensure Helena had a lot of bed rest with limited walking and no other strenuous activities including cooking or washing.
We were advised to prepare ourselves for an early c-section delivery. The initial estimate for delivery was at 34 weeks. However, Helena’s water bag broke at 32 weeks and she had to have an emergency caesarean.
Helena:
Our three little ‘cubbies’ (they were born in the year of the tiger) Evanz, Enrique and Eytan arrived on August 11, 2010. They were healthy with birth weights of 1.8kg, 1.6kg and 1.1kg.
It was overall a very positive birth experience as we were comfortable with the doctors and well cared for by the rest of the medical team.
Postnatal care
Kenz:
After her delivery, Helena stayed for about a week in a private room at Selayang Hospital. The whole cost for both the c-section delivery and for her week-long stay at the hospital cost us less than RM1,000.
We went back to Selayang Hospital for Helena’s postnatal check-ups twice. We also registered at a government Mother and Child Health Clinic near Petaling Jaya, Klinik Ibu Dan Anak Kampong Dato Harun, that provided free infant checkups and routine immunisations for our babies.
Helena:
I was well cared for at Selayang Hospital with plenty of encouragement and guidance on breastfeeding my triplets. Although the hospital serves vegetarian food (I am a vegetarian), I opted for home-cooked meals. All my confinement food was prepared by my mother-in-law.
My babies stayed for almost a month in the NICU unit at Selayang Hospital. It was a confined area, strictly parents only with 24-hour care. They were breastfed throughout.
Feeling blessed (three times over)
Helena:
We are indeed very tired but also very happy parents. We are also proud and see our boys as triple blessings from God.
Also, I am extremely grateful that we chose Selayang Hospital for their optimum medical care and for the fact that we didn’t have to mortgage our house to get it!
Kenz:
Selayang Hospital felt like a private hospital; everything was clean and new with plenty of warm and caring doctors and nurses.
At times, looking at my three identical boys, it almost feels surreal. I am indeed thankful that we were blessed with triplets and for Helena’s overall healthy and smooth delivery.
I do occasionally think about having twins next – girls this time!
Published in www.babycenter.com.my
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The triplets were once so small & tiny...
Was looking thru my birth photos and it seems like this is the first time I actually look at every picture in detail.
Trying to identify the triplets cubbies but all babies do look alike. I could only judge it from the sequence of photos taken.
Saw one of the photo where baby cubby-Syuen was taken with me, he was so small and tiny. He's just like the size of my big head. And now, the 3 of them are growing up healthily. I'm so blessed!
Till now, I could still recall the moment I heard their first cry. I was so excited at that moment and glad they were safely delivered. They even had a mini orchestra to show their happiness in the arrival.
Thank you to all the O&G, Operation & Paediatric Team (which consisting almost 20 professional personnels) who did a great job!
Trying to identify the triplets cubbies but all babies do look alike. I could only judge it from the sequence of photos taken.
Saw one of the photo where baby cubby-Syuen was taken with me, he was so small and tiny. He's just like the size of my big head. And now, the 3 of them are growing up healthily. I'm so blessed!
Till now, I could still recall the moment I heard their first cry. I was so excited at that moment and glad they were safely delivered. They even had a mini orchestra to show their happiness in the arrival.
Thank you to all the O&G, Operation & Paediatric Team (which consisting almost 20 professional personnels) who did a great job!
 |
| Baby Cubby's first kiss |
 |
| Baby Cubby-Syuen (2nd Triplet) peeping at cubby angel or may be he is sensitive to camera |
Monday, October 4, 2010
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.
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.
Labels:
Baby Care,
Baby's Safety,
Breastfeeding,
Development Milestone,
Hospital,
NICU,
Parenting,
Preemie,
Tips/Idea
Monday, August 30, 2010
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.
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.
Labels:
Breastfeeding,
Confinement,
Hospital,
NICU,
Parenting,
Preemie
Thursday, August 26, 2010
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
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
Labels:
Breastfeeding,
Confinement,
Hospital,
NICU,
Preemie
Monday, August 23, 2010
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.
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.
Labels:
Breastfeeding,
Hospital,
NICU,
Preemie
Sunday, August 22, 2010
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.
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.
Labels:
Breastfeeding,
Confinement,
Hospital,
NICU,
Preemie
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