Land of Lemons

In my previous post, I have shared about what some advice that I have received in the past that have made me squirm with discomfort. In this post, I shall also share what were some of the heartwarming moments or things that had been said to me by friends that had touched me and made shit that has happened to me less smelly. 1. I am also on this infertile journey ...  This is the MOST comforting thing not because you are happy that others are suffering too because those who are not on this journey simply do not understand the disappointment and frustration of people who are infertile or having challenges in conceiving. So the moment you say you are also on the same boat, whatever you say sounds melodious. This is also one of the main reasons why I chose to blog and get to know new friends online. 2. I will cook a meal for you When I was having my bedrest and battling for my child's life, my friend knew that I yearn to eat healthy food so she decided to send a homecooked health...

I have all sort of advice thrown to me after my early miscarriages. I am blogging to share it so that if you also come across such advice, you will not feel as indignant as I have felt. For the advisers, it all depends what is your intention. If your intention is to simply state your opinion, then the mouth is yours and you can say all you want. If your intention is to say the truth that would hurt but you still want to say because you think she is your good friend, then by all means say the truth in your heart. If your intention is just to comfort that person and make her feel better during that precious moment, these are the 10 irritating comments that would not make her feel better. 1. The baby is the fruit of your natural intimacy... Therefore, just concentrate on your intimacy and the baby will come in due time. This is the latest irritating comment that I have heard but I needed to suppress my irritation and smiled at the person who had just commented with all sincerity. This ...

I took my favorite floral dress from the wardrobe and got ready for a wedding celebration at a cosy church downtown. I loved the dress because the cutting was great and gave an illusion that I was slim and shapely. The wedding venue was beautiful though a bit humid. Everyone was given a fan. Everything was going fine until I had to control myself from crying when I heard the marriage vows "in plenty and in want". I was so taken in by the two words "in want". In the past, I used to think this is talking about money. Today, I understood it a little deeper - we desperately wanted children. It encouraged me that marriage is a big risk. You have to stick with the person in want. The pastor was praying for the wedding couple and the congregation just said their amens when a toddler shouted out loud, "Amen!" , a delayed reaction and everyone burst out laughing. That was how a toddler could bring joy to people around him. When would my child arrive? I looked to ...

I first heard of NUH through my BFF. During her first pregnancy, she was six months pregnant and her gynae in Thomson Medical Centre discovered that her baby's head growth was abnormal and they could not detect the reason. Her gynae referred her to Prof Biswas and said that he was one of the best doctors to deal with complicated pregnancies and he was experienced with doing foetal blood sampling. Prof Biswas was the one who suspected that the baby could have Thalassemia. True enough, the baby had it and it was major type, meaning, it would be stillborn even if she had carried him to term. They had no choice but to remove her baby. She and her husband would always have one in four chance that the baby would be a stillbirth. Her second pregnancy also ended up having an abortion due to the same reason. She shouldered on and conceived a third time. By now, she was Prof Biswas's patient. During her 27 week, she had contractions and was warded. She was labeled as preterm danger. ...

Some entries ago, I have promised that I would post an entry on IVIG. For those sweeties out there who have been following my blog, you would have known that IVIG is the recommended procedure by my gynae when I am pregnant. I am supposed to get IVIG drip estimated four drips during my first trimester in order to sustain my pregnancy. But alas, in this year of break from work, I did not manage to get pregnant so I forgot about  my promise to you. Today, on a lazy Saturday, I remembered my promise. Why do I need to research on IVIG and do a post? Why can't I research on wikipedia the relationship between IVIG and pregnancy? Because such articles are usually biased towards a view. If I find out based on the questions in my head, I would have a clearer understanding. Have you ever had this experience that when you are desperately finding something, you just cannot find it no matter what you do or how much you try? The moment you stop looking for it, it will pop up one day and delight...

In my previous post, I have mentioned that I was in a dilemma whether I should return to work. Well, I have decided to return and have been working for one week. The warm smiles from colleagues warmed my heart. Prior to returning, I have taken a year's break because I lost my third pregnancy on a day that was physically tiring and mentally exhausting. The break was worth it. Prior to it, I dreaded work everyday. I hated going to work because of politics and I was facing mid thirties crisis of losing my direction in life. This week, I did not dread going to work. It was a good start. I feel healthier mentally. I hope this mentality would last. What is your take? Do you think that work would affect pregnancy? I also mentioned in the past that I developed asthma. After returning to work, my asthma is better (keeping my fingers crossed). To apply what I have written in my "Stress management" post, I formed a small clique of lunch time friends whereby we would prepare health...