Pregnancy Abroad.

Pregnancy abroad.

Many things has to be considered and decided on - to work or not work, to get help or not, to stay with husband or go to the comforts of home, family and mom. Husband and I decided to stick together and experience this life-changing event with each other.

As the months go by, mood changed, diet changed, and our love grew. I ate a lot, more and more - my husband would always remind me that it's my stomach I am filling. I crave for food and fruits at unholy hours and out of the blue. Husband would try to buy them after work and I would finish them as soon as I get my hands on the food of the day. Funny story was this one day where I went out for a walk to Solaris Mont Kiara because sometimes there are van fruit vendors at the street corner that sells fresh fruits produce of the month. I bought 1 kilo of purple mangosteen and ate nonstop until I realized that I have to keep some for husband and yes I made sure there was one piece waiting for him. 

My mood swings from light to boredom, sweet and cranky. I balance my day with activities at home (household chores), a little bit of reading, learning Bahasa Malaysia, and swimming exercise or walking to/in the mall.

I was counting the days to delivery date. I downloaded four applications to update me daily and weekly  on how the baby is developing and what should I prepare to do: Baby Center My Pregnancy, BabyBump Pregnancy, I'm Expecting, and What to Expect Pregnancy Tracker. The apps are entertaining and informative it did help me prepare emotionally and change some of my lifestyle accordingly.

My husband picked Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya that is 20-30+ minutes away from our house on an average drive day. The hospital is pretty decent and systematic, which made our visits pleasant and easy breezy. Our doctor was highly recommended by colleagues, meet Dr. Haris Hamzah. Doctor is very calm in our frequent check up and made sure my queries are answered.

I had to undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI scan at Pantai Hospital Bangsar during pregnancy because normal delivery wasn't looking feasible as recommended by my doctor and second opinion check up. The MRI experience was safe and something new. I thought I was claustrophobic but really what bothers me was the ascending and descending sounds and the feeling of being in a tunnel with no other space in sight. I made sure I was relaxed thinking of a beach and that there is an opening above my head and below my feet. The MRI showed that my pelvic size won't be able to deliver the head size of the baby - we can actually try to deliver normally but the chance of emergency cesarean section is there.

A few days later, my sister, hubby and I picked Nando's for a grand dinner. I even gave a joke and asked my sister to take a photo as it might be the last picture before delivery. When we arrived home, I started to have back pain and hubby would give me - back rub and oil massage. Husband slept well, but I can't sleep because of the growing intensity of my back pain. In the morning, as I visit the loo, I felt a gush of watery discharge and asked my hubby and sister to bring me to the nearest hospital. The doctor said I am already 3cm status and I can choose to check-in for delivery. I think my face turned blank. I delivered 4 days before the planned C-section at SDMC Subang Jaya. I never prayed so solemn and faithfully, silently and consistently. At 2:14pm January 14th 2013 I gave birth to Zara 3.8kg by emergency C-section.

After all the reading and advice to prepare us from the actual birth day, I was too amazed by the entire event that all I did was sleep, moan, and complain few days after my surgery. Baby Zara was such a cutie, even though she was too fragile for me, she somewhat managed to teach me how to breastfeed her. Husband learned - how to carry your baby from another person (nurse). We stayed in the hospital for five days to ensure my stability and make sure jaundice of baby Zara is monitored down.

Generally the experience was overwhelming. No matter how prepared you think you are, extra help and guidance will make it more comfortable during and right after pregnancy.

Thank you to all the Malaysia doctors and nurses, friends and colleagues who wished and visited us, to family far and close by, we truly appreciate you.

Pregnancy is a humbling experience and a miracle. Life became more meaningful and beautiful.