35th week of Pregnancy #2

25dec-31dec 2013

Wed
TK played the Glider and asked to stand on it instead. Ask to have a race with him on his Pooh car. TK napped at 2plus and woke up after 1h to watch the cartoon 'Ponyo'. TK loves it! TK helped to wipe floor area after Dardy and TK cleared all the toys and mat.

Thur
Woke up at 635a. TK wet bed. Grandma visited after dinner with raisin bread and TK played on his new Glider to convince her it's very simple.

Fri
TK woke up sleepy, and still abit cough and runny nose. Hubby fetched TK at 5p. Going to TCM at 7p before dinner.

Sat
TK wet bed at 535a, woke up at 8a, played a while before taking a cup of Milo and helped to wash sweet potatoes after returning from brunch and Hubby made lotus sweet potato soup with ginger for tea. Finally asleep 245p after story-telling and much struggling. Went to Lil' Grandaunt's place for gathering with pizza after dinner.

Sun
Went KMS for prayers & vegetarian 7-course lunch (final one this year and before EDD) with Grandmum. TK napped more than 2h, went to Aunt R's house for gathering. TK jogged hurriedly feeling excited after alighting bus holding Marmy's hand.

Mon
Peed TK at 345a, and again at 715a. TK already wet bed slightly. Had 2 slices of bread with vegetarian oat Ham.

Tue
Our anniversary. Sent TK to Childcare and have 2 options: A) stay at the nearby coffeeshop to read while waiting to fetch TK after lunch or B) go recee new places of makan nearby. TK grannies not coming over to see fireworks after dinner. Came and left home at 9plus instead, despite TK's persuasion.

25th week of Pregnancy #2

16oct-22oct

Wed
Feeling a little sleepy on the way to fetch TK.

Thur
Went to Grannies for dinner. Grandpa bought vegetarian fried rice and noodles.

Fri
Going for gynae check-up. Lil' foetus weigh 777g and Mum at 47kg. Fetched TK to Granddad's for dinner. Grandmum made vegetarian beancurd rolls, but the skin abit too tough for Grannies and were further steamed. Reached home around 1030p drizzling and TK was sleepy.

Sat
TK went for story-telling session at NLB at 11a, followed by lunch at nearby coffee shop at 1230p. Raining heavily then. DVDs borrowed from NLB due today.

Sun
TK attended Di Zi Gui lesson at KMSPKS, followed by lunch.

Mon
Hubby going TCM for follow-up. Motto for Life: Make Right Decision, Do Simple task Right and Fast. More can be accomplished. Right attitude with enthusiasm and Principles. TK again sent flying kisses and asked if Papa is happy via SMS. Grandma came after dinner with raisin bread and walnut small cake. Grateful.

Tue
Hubby wanted to send TK to Childcare. Fumigation carried out in the morning at our place to fight dengue. Hubby fetched TK from Childcare. TK had cake on the way and recited Di Zi Gui. Went to TCM as TK coughing with phlegm since last week around 13 Oct after taking cold cocktail. Had Chinese cold medicine when having runny nose.

19th week of Pregnancy #2

4sep-10sep

Wed
Was fined SGD12 (Initially Teacher said SGD15 but Marmy corrected saying the clock was 2 minutes faster) as there's heavy traffic. Marmy was a little hungry when the bus finally arrived opposite the Childcare at 735p. Hubby made dinner and went to meet us at TCM when Marmy sent SMS saying we walking (past) reached TCM.

Thur
Went KMSPKS for a Dharma Talk. Reached 7plus after fetching TK. Hubby bought dinner with some 10 people in the queue ahead and waited at the seating area near the lift lobby after taking his share. Traffic congestion and TK was very cooperative and well-behaved, and walked on his own. TK was able to sit through the entire talk till almost the end, with a teddy bear and colouring pens and paper. TK wanted to be carried and go home towards the end as TK was sleepy.

Fri
TK asked to hug and bid goodbye at Childcare in the morning. Challenged TK not to cry when leaving TK with Grandmum later in the evening and Marmy will show him the online video on the song 'Jumping on the Bed'. Hubby waited at gynae clinic after buying set lunch at Lingzhi Vegetarian Restaurant while Marmy made her way there after buying a packet of fried rice for lunch. Missed a bus when flagged for bus some distance from the front of bus-stop. Thought the bus was slowing down but it picked up speed instead, as the bus Captain drove past waving to say something (thought he meant no need to run so fast). Lil' foetus weigh 248g and Mum at 44.9kg. Fetched TK earlier at 4plus and passed TK to Grandmum at Raffles Place MRT. TK successfully peed into plastic bag before MRT started moving when it stopped at Bugis station. TK didn't cry and was awarded 3 imaginary stickers. Good job! Met Hubby and dined out. Hubby had slight headache and took painkillers before leaving home.

17th week of Pregnancy #2

21aug-27aug

Wed
Washed TK soiled clothings after buying lunch on the way back from Childcare. Hubby plan to record TK singing nursery rhymes and reciting Di Zi Gui. Hubby going to collect race pack at Expo on Friday. Had Po Chai Mee for dinner with Vegetarian Char Siew.

Thur
Went to buy SGD129.30 groceries and household products at Paya Lebar MRT before fetching TK. Reached home 7plus for dinner. Had thick noodles with Vegetarian Chicken Drumstick for dinner.

Fri
TK had 2 oz Attain with Florify and asked for more. Had TCM medicine and later bread on the way to Childcare. Hesistating to get a pregnancy test kit from the pharmacy or call for gynae appointment directly. Quite certain it's positive. Inhaled second hand cigarette smoke at coffee shop opposite. Checked out the prices of pregnancy test kit at NTUC Unity and found out that the cheapest is NTUC Fortel Ultra sensitive at SGD10.90, followed by Clearblue Compact at SGD13.15, Clearblue Accurate at SGD15++. Fetched TK earlier to Grannies for dinner. TK fell asleep at 630p on the bus. Hubby was already helping to sweep floor when we arrived around 715p. Grandpa helped to cook after shopping at the supermarket with Hubby. Hubby helped to wash vegetables, and cooked rice (thought there was leftover rice in the refrigerator and so there wasn't enough rice for Marmy who's usually the last to take her share). Hubby made a packet of instant Bee Hoon for Marmy. So sweet. Grandma cut TK's fringe and hair tail without prior permission again while Marmy was doing washing of own bowls and spoons. Outrage. TK and Marmy shared a small cup of fresh milk before leaving.

16th week of Pregnancy #2

14aug-20aug

Wed
TK very tired from Childcare, and was quiet on the bus home. Reached home before 7p.

Thur
TK woke up on his own in the morning but wanted Marmy to carry out of the bed /bedroom as usual. Hubby went for swim in the evening to prepare for the run in about 2 weeks.

Fri
Went to KMS for vegetarian lunch and bought 8 glutinous dumplings. Made macaroni and noodles with grapeseed oil, fermented soya for lunch. Fetched TK at 4plus5 and TK went to Granddad's for dinner. TK was okay with Grandmum and didn't wail when Marmy left MRT. Good job! Attending a 2-and-half-day workshop at 7p. Finally received a mail dated by Singpost on 6aug, but took more than 10 days to reach us. Unbelievable!

Sat
Fetched TK to Grandpa's for dinner. Grandma asked to buy for dinner. TK Grandmum helped to buy dinner and cooked white rice for 3 pax at SGD9. TK Grandma was silent when TK Marmy asked if the amount spent was okay. No one wanted to foot the bill. TK Marmy insisted Grandmum kept the SGD10 which was forked out of TK Marmy's pocket money. TK grannies insisted to buy TK (ended up TK parents topped up 10% when TK and parents ordered and made payment) a 1.5kg birthday fruit cake (nothing less) even though TK parents expressed that Ang Bao is preferred (from past experiences we know there'd be 25-30% leftover).

Sun
Went for Puja at SBF and TK went to Grandmum's in the afternoon. Marmy attended the last session of workshop. TK had pineapple rice for dinner there. Marmy made cheese egg to add to dinner.

11th week of Pregnancy #2

10jul-16jul

Wed
Today's TK's Big Uncle birthday. Sent TK to Childcare and left home at 920a. Hubby finished a big bun for breakfast, fixed dining table and swept floor in the morning.

Thur
Sent TK to Childcare and left home at 845a. TK almost finished all the cake at the bus-stop. TK told Teacher that's his medicine when Marmy took out his things from his bag. TK hugged a few times before entering the Childcare classroom with Teacher. Reached home from Childcare 745p and did TK laundry.

Fri
Sent TK to Childcare and left home at 845a. Hubby saw a few 'xiao xiao qiang' crocoaches late last night in the kitchen. Fetched TK and reached home around 725p.

Tue
TK shivering in cold after shower in the afternoon and whole body was cold. Took TK to TCM after dinner. TK insisted and cried to take bus 58 with Hubby to find Marmy for the first time after she left home. It should be bus 153 or 105. Sigh. Hubby took TK out to walk on the sand pit and took an evening Q number for TCM.

9th week of Pregnancy #2

26jun-2jul

Wed
TK had 1.25 piece of bread with honey for breakfast.

Thur
Hubby heard from the news that doctor warns that due to haze, children's eyes are sensitive and may itch. It is best not to rub with fingers.

Fri
Hubby bought bread, but forgot to buy cough syrup. TK cried in the morning when arrived at Childcare as usual. Going to the movie theatre next week to watch Despicable Me 2 with TK, Grandmum and friends as Hubby have to work. Rained in the evening. Took TK to TCM. TK was so tired and fell asleep on the way back at 9p. TK took milk and bread and said 'Goodnight' 'wan onn' to Papa. Hubby returned home later at around 11p.

Mon
TK was well-behaved and even praised himself this morning, woke up at 8a, and left home for Childcare at 840a, finally reached Childcare at 930a. Went to buy household products/groceries for SGD124.50 at Paya Lebar MRT before transferring bus 21 to fetch TK.

Tue
Prepared ingredients for dinner for Hubby to cook before fetching TK. TK going for dinner with Grannies to celebrate Grandma's birthday next week at Miaoyi Vegetarian Restaurant at Coronation Plaza. Grandma is going to bring own fruit cake there.

8th week of Pregnancy #2

19jun-25jun

Wed
Went to NLB before going to TCM. Was at TCM from 348p to 505p. Will fetch TK at 6p, Hubby had durian ice-cream for dessert and miso soup for lunch, Grandma went to fetch TK instead. PSI worsen to 161. Then jumped to 290 in seconds as Hubby watched on TV. Prepared supper for Hubby.

Thur
Hubby forgot to bring medicine to work. Had bread with honey for breakfast. PSI 299. Had tumeric thick noodles soup for lunch at noon. TK stayed home and watched soccer match instead of napping. Has TK become a TV addict? Grannies still go outdoors without face masks. Sigh. PSI shot to 371. Was wise not to send TK to Childcare as the haze is expected to worsen.

Fri
PSI 400. Hubby suggested with open invitation but Grannies may not like the idea to stay with us with air-conditioner since it's best that windows and doors are kept shut. Couldn't imagine what it'd be like to be PSI 600 since it's so bad at PSI 400. You still have to travel to work/school and the whole bus smelt of the burning smell throughout the journey. Brought bread on the way home from Childcare. Part-timers are hired to give out the free face masks to the needy at SGD7/hr. Took TK to TCM. TV8 programme 'Xiao Mao Bing, Da Wen Ti' 《小毛病 大问题》 at 8p topic is about Cancer. Is the ratio of being diagnosed with Cancer 1:2 now? If you're not a cancer patient, then probably I am. Oh no!

Tue
Grandma came after dinner at 845p. Granduncle bought some face masks for us. Was it 5 years ago in 2008 that it rained ice aka 'bing bang' 冰棒 in Singapore?

7th week of Pregnancy #2

12jun-18jun

Wed
Mozzie attacked again, for the 3rd time this week in 9 days since 2 and 8 days ago, this time 7 bites on the 6th floor of a HDB flat in Central of Singapore. Helpless. Slow traffic on PIE when fetching TK. Hubby fetched TK, missed a bus and reached home 6plus for dinner. Hubby was pleased as TK was very well-behaved on the way home. Grin. Steamed vegetarian Bak Chang for dinner. Cooked a little porridge for TK as glutinous is not easily digested and so won't be giving TK too much.

Thur
Cooked steamed egg for dinner to bring for dinner before movie 'Man of Steel'. Fetched TK at around 5p..reached the movie theatre around 645p. Hubby and TK Grandma went Toastbox for drink after dinner and buying our dinner.

Fri
Hubby went NLB before going home in the afternoon. Went for PPF at Lavendar MRT after fetching TK from Childcare at around 520p. Vegetarian stall at French Road (Lavendar MRT Exit B) coffee shop opened till 1p, so we ordered Luo Han Zi Char Hor Fun for dinner instead. TK was tired and started crying to be carried. Hubby pacified TK. Frown.

Sat
TK going Grandpa's to stay over after gathering at Grandaunt's place in the evening.

6th week of Pregnancy #2

5jun-11jun

Wed
Prepared the ingredients for dinner in the fridge. Hubby made dinner. Yesterday attacked by mozzie at bus-stop just seconds after reaching.

Thur
Failed to catch bus/MRT transfer to Kallang after walking 10min to wait for bus. Sudden downpour when reaching Childcare to fetch TK, so left the baby stroller there. Hubby on the way home to make dinner. Hubby gave new nickname: Efficient & Effective! TK feeling hungry and Teacher didn't give TK bread, so went to search for food, and ended up buying small packet of cut apple with skin from Rojak Aunt at SGD1.50 for the first time. Slight drizzle while on board bus home.

Fri
Hubby bought SGD8 dinner to Grandpa's place. Slow traffic, lasted 65 min and TK was feeling tired. Took bus transfer to fetch TK at 4plus at same bus-stop, so there's no need to walk from bus interchange. Forgot to bring umbrella as it started to drizzle. Luckily TK Marmy brought along a hat. Fruit Uncle at coffee shop below Childcare asked if we had umbrella, and lent us his for the first time. Plan to repay his kindness during Mid-Autumn Festival with a festive gratitude goodie bag. Drizzle stopped and came. Drizzle became heavy downpour just as we were leaving the Childcare. Reached home 6plus.

Sun
Hubby bought dinner and went to the Public Library at Bugis. Took TK to Grandaunt's place after dinner as there's a hand-me-down yellow umbrella for TK from his cousin T. TK bom-bom after afternoon snack. Bought raisin bread.

5th week of Pregnancy #2

29may-4jun

Thur
Went for a free SPA at City Hall after buying lunch, but ended up doing a foot massage since it's not the first visit. Unaware of the pregnancy at this time. Sneezed while waiting at the sofa seating. Body treatment uses machine, which may be a little discomfort.

Fri
Waited opposite Childcare at bus-stop, started to drizzle. Hubby cooked porridge for dinner.

Sun
Hubby wanted to buy TCM medicine for my cough with green phlegm instead as TCM was not open today. TK Grandmum called to remind Hubby to bring me to see doctor if still unwell. Similar symptoms as the 1st pregnancy 3 years ago.

Mon
Went to TCM at 4plus in the afternoon. Fetched TK early and reached home around 6p. Hubby returned home from the NLB after buying dinner.

Tue
Going to watch Superman movie next week. Can't wait.

4th week of Pregnancy #2

22may-28may

Wed
Did I have craving for the snacks? My menus didn't come. Fingers crossed. Lasted for a day. More like stain to me.
Hubby is going for a trial treatment worth SGD150 (30min) and fetching TK from Childcare. Successfully rejected the buying of package slashed down to SGD50 per session.
Went home to prepare Vegetarian Bak Kut Teh Pasta for dinner for my babies.
Dark clouds hovered in the sky at 6plus in the evening.

Thur
Fetched TK and waited for about 25 minutes for bus and reached home around 730p.

Sat
Brought TK to TCM. Went out after lunch.

Sun
Hubby going for business trip. Send off at airport and took TK to viewing gallery to look at aeroplanes landing/flying. Went to friend's place at Eunos who's 2nd daughter just turned 1 year old.

Mon
Today changed bedding, read papers, made porridge for dinner and fetched TK. Reached home around 7plus. TK very obedient tonight, urinated and said 'Goodnight' to Papa before going to bed at 10p even though Hubby wasn't home yet.

At this time, we weren't aware of the pregnancy yet. No morning sickness.

A New Start Day 11 & 12 (TK PAPA LAM)

1. In children, the three systems that are most commonly affected are digestion (spleen-stomach), lungs and the immune system.The digestive systems of infants are immature and delicate. They are easily injured by overeating or by food that is too cold or too rich (spicy, fatty or sugary). Cow's milk would be considered too rich and fatty, and often leads to food stagnation. Food retention caused by overfeeding is responsible for vomiting, colic, diarrhea, malnutrition and anorexia (poor appetite). In these cases, effective formulas include bao he wan. Occasionally, wind-cold can lead to food retention, and an effective formula is huo xiang zheng qi wan. In cases of constipation with fever in infants, saline enemas, purchased in drug stores, are quite effective.

2. Infants and toddlers are susceptible to exogenous pathogenic factors (wind, cold, dryness, heat, summer-heat and damp). Appropriate formulas for wind-cold and windheat can be used. The ones I use most frequently are xiao qing liong tang for wind-cold and yin qiao san for wind-heat.

3. If untreated or ignored, pathogenic factors will remain in the body. This can manifest in the lungs and sinus as phlegm, in which case formulas such as qing qi hua tan wan are effective. If the pathogens settle in the lymph or tonsils, one can combine xiao chai hu tang with pu ji xiao du yin. As far as boosting the immune system, I rely on either yu ping feng wan or astragalus vials (huang qi). This is especially effective during the pollen allergy season.

4. When to treat, when to refer: Treating children takes study, enthusiasm and some degree of confidence. Many parents are quick to jump to Western medicine, but the experienced practitioner knows when to treat and when to refer. Referring, in my opinion, means that the child requires hospitalization.

Conventional medicines for non-hospitalization illness in infants and children can be quite damaging. Many pediatricians rely on antibiotics and steroids for treating a majority of pediatric conditions, when herbal medicine or acupuncture offers effective and much safer alternatives. The TCM pediatrician should see themselves as an alternative to Western  pediatricians for the outpatient level of common problems. Hospitalization, when necessary, however, draws on the true power and knowledge of Western medicine in order to save life or limb.

* Above Extracted from Jake Paul Fratkin, OMD, L.Ac. Articles.

A New Start Day 10 (TK PAPA LAM)

Ok, here's the findings of TCM to help TK.

1. According to Jake Paul Fratkin,, Chinese herbal medicine is very effective for infants and small children, yet many acupuncture/TCM practitioners remain wary of treating children.

2. Children's qi and yang helps their recovery which helps in treating the root cause as contrast to western medicine.

3. "In the main, formulas used for children are the same as those used for adults. That is
to say, children do not require special formulas for common conditions. Determining the
correct syndrome differentiation is important. There are certain points one considers in
giving herbs to infants and toddlers. Avoid very strong herbs, such as herbs that are too
pungent, bitter, warming, cooling or moving. A gentler approach is usually successful.
Also, it is recommended that in acute conditions with infants and toddlers, one can
discontinue the treatment as soon as improvement is noticed. Momentum should take
the child to complete recovery," Jake Paul Fratkin

4. Dosing considerations: Dosing can be done by age. Whether giving powder, liquid or
pills, the Chinese texts make these recommendations:
Newborns: 1/6 adult dosage
Babies: 1/3 - 1/2 adult dosage
Young children (ages 2 to 5): 1/2 - 2/3 adult dosage
School children: same as adults

Take one-half to one teaspoon of powder.
Add a small amount of boiling water, enough to make a dark liquid that is not too
watery, thick or pasty. Filter through a metal mesh strainer. From this liquid, use a
pediatric syringe and give the following dose:
Infants: 1-2 ml/cc
1 to 2 years: 2-3 ml/cc
2 to 3 years: 3-4 ml/cc
3 to 5 years: 4-5 ml/cc
Over 5 years: 6 ml/cc or one tsp

5. Common clinical illnesses: For many practitioners, treatment of infants, toddlers and
children revolves around acute conditions. The most common conditions for infants are
colic, fever, cough and vomiting. As children get older, one treats common cold, fever,
cough, headache and stomach ache.

39th week Dearest Bb TK

31may - 6jun'11

267 days' old, you stay at Grandmum's place instead till you're better; you poo 4x;
268 days' old, you will attend your Lil' cou J's bithday bash this weekend if better; you poo 4x;
269 days' old, you din will go to the motherhood fair if better as Marmy has to go for work; you pooed at 130a and quietly lie there without 'calling' Marmy; Marmy fed you glucose drink before gg for work; you pooed on Granddad and soiled his pants;
270 days' old, you stay w Granddad and Grandmum while Dardy and Marmy attended Dharma meeting after work; you poo 2x; felt better on Day 17 of diarrhoea and finished 24.25oz of milk and 2oz glucose water in all;
271 days' old, you finished 31oz of milk in all; you poo 2x; Dardy brought you your fav Lion toys;
272 days' old, you finished 33.4oz of milk in all; you poo 3x; napped 2.5833h; Dardy came to visit and you started on TCM;
273 days' old, you finished 34oz of milk in all; you poo 1x; napped 2.917h; Grandmum made sweet potato soup and fed you the watery puree;

3rd week of motherhood

20sep-26sep

- had poh chai mee & fried egg w mushroom for breakfast
- 22nd time expressed 4.5oz of milk after breakfast
- napped after lunch but can't fall asleep, SMSed fren abt subscribing to phoenix IDD
- 23rd time expressed 4.6oz of milk after lunch
- dharma fren just out of cf and NB bb shower just over (2nd child boy born on 15 Aug, at wk 38)
- had dau ghee w veg meat & black bean soup for dinner
- updated expenses and blog
- 24th time expressed 4.6oz of milk before sleep

- 25th time expressed 3.7oz of milk at 6plus in the morning (having bad dreams these days and woke up after shouted loudly)
- had fried noodles & warm soy drink for breakfast (feet still swollen after delivery)
- sorted photos in the PC and sorted the receipts of expenses
- Nursing Home called to say they've sent Uncle to the hospital, doc called at 9.17am to say Uncle suffered from major stroke
- had warm soy drink for tea1
- had veg pig's stomach 'zhu du3' w xiao bai cai, mushroom, tofu for lunch
- napped and rested on bed & SMSed to Uncle's colleague friends to inform of hospitalisation
- 26th time expressed 4.3oz of milk
- had dow meow & soup for dinner
- darling went to buy fruits for offering (Mid-Autumn Festival tomorrow)
- had korean ginseng soup for supper
- 27th time expressed 5.2oz of milk

- recycling collection this morning (the worker had a cigarette in his mouth & carrying another bag from our Korean neighbour)
- 28th time expressed 4.25oz of milk at 4plus in the morning
- had warm soy drink and pancake w french beans for breakfast
- cf lady helped to change the bedsheets and pillow cases (changed last month before delivery)
- had potatoes w veg dau ghee & veg soup w sweet corn, pearl beans, veg dumplings, carrots for lunch

2nd week of motherhood

13sep-19sep

- had fried noodles w carrots and mushroom & hot soy drink for breakfast
- had xiao bai cai w carrots & herbal soup w veg mutton balls for lunch
- called to make gynae postnatal consultation and towel bathed
- 5th time expressed 4.33oz of milk after lunch
- had veg chicken w mushrooms & veg soup for dinner

- 6th time expressed 4oz of milk
- had poh chai mee w egg for breakfast
 - had cabbage w carrots, veg chicken & veg soup (carrots, quail eggs, potatoes, sweet corn w veg mutton balls) for lunch
- 7th time expressed 4.06oz of milk after lunch
- darling had applied BC for little TK (bb gg to see doc if unwell)

- napped after cleaned up & darling bought $10 'jing feng san3' nearby (pa called to say TCM near his hs sell at $16 maybe better quality)
- had oats bread w strawberry jam & breastmilk for tea
- had call from F**** to receive a free 900g tin of formula milk stage 1
- had veg chicken w black ear fungus w potatoes, tofu w mixed veg & veg soup for dinner
- darling went to buy groceries w pa (2% Elderly & BYOB discount & items on offer) & saved $3.20 (had an apple)
- 8th time expressed 3oz of milk

- 9th time expressed 3.72oz of milk
- had chee cheong fun & soy drink for breakfast
- warm in the morn w no wind
- darling went to buy plain flour as Aunt suspect bb may be feeling discomfort around the shoulder blades & whole body (to rub) for his frequent cries
- cleared bowels (later gg to gynae consultation w ma)
- dark clouds at 9am and heavy downpour (went to nap)
- 10th time expressed 2.23oz of milk

- had red leaf vegetables & fried egg w old ginger & black bean soup for lunch
- watched abit of TV and napped again after updating expenses and journal (had oats bread sandwich w fried egg & soy drink for tea)
- 2nd time wiped hair scalp with herbal bath solution (wet towel dry after lunch)
- took a cab to the gynae w ma ($5 fare) and darling came shortly before it's our turn (quite a crowd at the gynae)
- gynae said the wound is healing well
- little bb TK has some stuck to his back and shoulders after rubbing plain flour w water and abit on his chest (will be gone after a few days)

Raspberries and its benefits

- low in sugar, high in vitamin C, potassium, and flavonoids
- TCM regards it as a tonic for the kidneys and liver and are used to prevent anemia
 
- pregnant women carry their leaves to alleviate the discomforts of pregnancy and childbirth
- raspberry leaf tea is used as an infusion to support female reproductive systems

Soups for expectant women or mums recovering from caesarean sections

- soups are warm, nurturing and easy to absorb
- for expectant women in their 1st or last trimester, for mums recovering from caesarean sections with difficuties digesting or nursing mums of fussy babies
- alternatively, you may get your vitamins and minerals via raw vegetables

- TCM recommends warm foods because of their effect on the spleen which transforms food into energy
- if baby seems more uncomfortable and active at night, try taking fuller breakfast, lunch and snacks, and have a hearty soup for dinner
- you may want to buy a hand blender or an immersion blender which blends hot soups and sauces in the pot

- when baby comes to weaning, you may need it to prepare puree small batches of food
- these soups can be made in advance and refrigerated or frozen, and reheated to be used

TCM postpartum bath during confinement

*1. Blk 66 Lor 4 TPY next to mkt
- $3.50 each pkt (1 pkt per bath)
- boil a pkt per bath
- available at TCM Medical Halls

2. TPY Ctrl near the holy tree
- $3.50 each pkt
- boil a satchet per bath (keep the used satchet & add new satchet for next bath before throw)
- available at TCM Medical Halls

**3. Blk 70 behind the mkt (Blk 73 along main rd)
- $1.40 each pkt
- boil a pkt per bath in a pot (add hot water if insufficient for bath)
- available at TCM Medical Halls

*my choice