The Birth-Day Story of Adam Koay!

It has been more than a month since we brought Adam out to this world. It still feels surreal, but we are truly enjoying every moment we have with him now. 

The experience of carrying Adam was a lot more different and tougher than when I was carrying Alex and Sofia. If I can rank them from the easiest to the hardest, it would be Alex, Sofia and then Adam. I truly enjoyed being pregnant when it was Alex inside me, and with Sofia, I constantly struggled with acid reflux and horrible backache and with Adam, no need to say liau. The worse for sure - backache, rashes on the entire body (which did not actually go away even after he is out) and other usual pregnancy things. 

Third trimester was the beginning of everything tough carrying Adam inside. I was diagnosed with a more serious case of GDM and had to be on medications because even with diet control, my blood sugar would still spike up. I think even if I don't eat anything, the readings would also be higher than normal. 

So, my doctor recommended (or demanded really) to bring the baby out when he is at 38-weeks. I was given 2 steroid injections to strengthen Adam's lungs so he would be healthy and ready to meet with world at 38-weeks. I remembered feeling all sorts of different emotions because as much as I want him to come out earlier, I also wanted to be sure that he was healthy and strong enough. I would not be able to take it well if he has to be put on tubes and stuff. But the risk of keeping him inside me for more than 38-weeks were bigger and I am not a risk taker in this kind of things. 

On 9-December-2022, we checked into Island Hospital in the morning and did all the required things like taking a swab test (just for me). We requested for a single room so that Adrian could spend the nights with me, but they were fully booked. So we were given a double room. We then put in a special request (urgently) for a single room in case someone checks out that noon. 

Once we got to our room, the nurses did everything that needed to be done like shaving, taking blood pressure, give me some liquid up my bum-bum so I can empty them tanks and tracking Adam's heartbeat. I was super excited to get him out because I was still very much scratching everywhere, and it has been the toughest 38-weeks of being pregnant with him. 

While we were waiting for them to wheel me into the OT, we were still so focused in getting a single room. To the point Adrian kept walking out of the room to see if anyone would check out, and kept telling the nurses to keep up on top of the list. Hah. 

Someone at the end really did checked out, and they moved us to a single room. The downside was there is absolutely no view in our new room. After moving in, we requested (again) to change to another single room with view if someone checks out. Hah. We are thankful that the nurses didn't go crazy on us. They were very nice and accommodating heh. 

In the end, we didn't manage to get a new single room with view because no one checked out. Still thankful we got to stay in a single room la. 

When it was time for me to go in, we found out that the hospital's new policy now is that daddy is no longer allowed to go in during the C-Sec procedure. It was implemented after MCO. Adrian was pretty upset because we really thought he could be inside with me when they bring the baby out. 

We wanted it so badly, that he went to Dr. Eric's office to get clarifications. Hah. But Dr. Eric confirmed what the nurses had told us, so no choice la. He had to wait outside.

I was getting a lot more nervous the moment we separated at the front of the OT's sliding door. I remembered feeling super cold and while waiting for them to inject me with the epidural, I looked around and noticed that the OT's lobby was filled with so many patients. Memang good business this hospital. 

Once I got into the main OT, everything happened really fast. My blood pressure was dropping to a point I was feeling really nauseous, but the pressure picked up and I felt normal again. Dr Eric came in, and cut me open and Adam came out screaming heh. 

After cleaning him up for a little bit, the nurse brought him over to my face and I gave him a kiss. I stayed in the recovery room for a little bit before they wheeled me into my own room. Everything happened so fast! I remembered not feeling itchy anymore, and in the span of 3 days, some obvious scars disappeared too! 

But now that I am writing this, it is with so much sadness and frustration that new rashes appeared again, and I am back to seeing different skin specialist. It's really one tough battle, but I know we will get there one day - when no more rashes and no more scars be terrorising my body anymore. 

The most popular question now is how much did it cost to go for a Caesarean procedure at Island Hospital with a single room? The answer is FOURTEEN THOUSAND RINGGIT. 

Crazy right? 

Now, because GDM is considered as one of the complications that could occur in a pregnancy (as recognized by my work insurance policy), Allianz have confirmed that they would cover the cost of the procedure and stay, so yay! 

Anyways, thank you all again and again for always praying with and for us. We are beyond thankful for each one of you. 

We celebrated Adam's fullmoon by sending a box of yellow glutinous rice and chicken curry (the usual traditional style) from Li Er Cafe Penang. We love the bamboo box packaging as compared to the usual box kind. Of course they cost more but hey, packaging is everything. Heh. This time, we brought all three kids along while we go around Penang Island distributing them boxes. Thankful that my mother in law and sisters helped with some boxes. 

So yeah, everyone please meet our third born. 

Adam Koay Wey Jie

2.8kg

Hairy and loud

OCD-baby

Till next time, bye now. 

Adam's Birth Plan.

 More updates that no one is asking for. Heh. 

So, we are down to like the final few weeks (written this few weeks ago), and I was instructed to do the blood sugar test every end of the week (usually on Sunday) because I will need to go consult my GH's gynae on a Monday to continue monitoring my blood sugar level. 

I am thankful that my dad got that prick-own-blood-machine so I get to do it at home (or wherever I go). 

This is how it goes. 

Test the blood sugar level once before breakfast, then 2 hours after breakfast, 2 hours after lunch and 2 hours after dinner. Then, just record the readings in my pink book. 

For a consecutive of 2-weeks, my readings post-meal has been high. Higher than it should have been considering that I really controlled what I eat on the day I have to do these tests. So, ultimately my gynae consulted a specialist and they agreed to get me on Metformin (1 tablet, twice a day). 

I thought that was it. Just take more medications to control the blood sugar. But that was not it. Hah. 

"So with Metformin, kita kena ambil baby keluar latest by 38 weeks ya"

My face got curled up, and I was legit confused. She explained more and in GDM cases like this one, the doctor do not want to take any risks so the safest thing to do for baby and mom is to bring baby out by 38 weeks. 

Well, I was definitely not ready for that "statement". 

I was alone in the Klinik Kesihatan so I nodded and agreed, and left the place. I called Adrian immediately to tell him the news and hung up after that. 

Then I took a long deep breath and cried. 

I felt lost and helpless. 

But after those tears, I felt so much better. I took many deep breaths. Heh. 

It was a scary thing to hear especially when I didn't have Adrian with me. Such a baby I know. Hah. We talked more after that, and decided to go back to Dr Eric for second opinion (sort of). 

I was also alone during the initial time with Dr Eric because Adrian got caught in the traffic jam but he made it halfway through the consultation. 

Dr Eric agreed with my GH's gynae and proposed to bring the baby out at 38 weeks. He also prescribed 2 doses of steroid jabs to strengthen the baby's lungs. I took 1 on the day itself and boy, that jab was painful alright. My bum and right thigh was sore after that. Definitely not looking forward to the second jab next week. Hah. 

Many people asked us if we plan to deliver at GH or at Island Hospital, and to be honest with you, the original plan was to go to GH all the way. I was comfortable with delivering the baby at GH. 

But things changed la okay. Hah. My work insurance covers the entire cost of the delivery because it is categorised under 'Complications of Pregnancy', so we will definitely be checking into Island Hospital. 

So yeah. Delivery date has been scheduled to be on the 9 December because Adam will be chun-chun at 38-weeks. The Caesarean surgery will happen at 1PM. 

My Skin Specialist has reduced my Dhasalone's dosage, and I started noticing new rashes appearing on my arms - oh what a nightmare. But I keep telling myself to tahan for just few more days! 

As I am updating this again, it's two days left, and today is my last day of work so that's a huge relief. Stress has been somewhat contributing to my itch in the day, but at the same time, work is the one that takes my mind off it. So no win-win in this. 

I will have a one-day off tomorrow - just finalising all that's needs to be done before Adam comes. How crazy is it that we are going to be a family of five, real soon? 

MADNESS. 

But yeah, see you all when Adam joins the gang! :) 

Tough Third Trimester!

The month of November (for me) has been surprising - in a good and bad way I supposed. 

We got into the third trimester, and boy was it a tough entry. I was somewhat happy and glad because that means we are so much closer to holding our baby boy and no more to nausea things. 

But we were greeted with the diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and I had to go on diet control - which isn't all that bad. I was already used to replacing my white rice with quinoa rice and I usually already don't take sweet drinks, so I can forgo the sugar. 

Then, the dessert cravings happen, and all I want to put inside my mouth are cakes, donuts and brownies. All of which will kill me and the baby if I don't stay away. Haha. Drama kan? I am proud to say that I managed to resist the temptations for as long as I could - with occasional one bite here and there. 

I also started to like eating rolled oats with Bovril and deep fried ikan bilis, so that's really another win in my book. My dad introduced this diet wan. Hah. 

Then, there's some of those episodes where my back would hurt so much whenever I sit or stand, so the only thing I could do is to lie on my side for a while. Then, just repeat them many times. It was hard because I had to juggle doing that at work and it was just so distracting and troublesome. 

Thinking that I just have to pull through the last 3 months with just controlling my food intake and tolerating with backaches, I was thankful. I was like, "Oh I can do this". Because with Alex, I also had GDM and we pulled through alright. 

Wrong! 

One day I woke up with some new blisters on my legs. Both sides. I thought it was odd, but didn't seem to need to go see a doctor to get it checked. Then, the next day, more water filled blisters and rashes came out on my arms, then the back, then the hands and last place was my belly area. 

There were like those super uncontrollable itchy-blisters and rashes and I was going out of my mind - just trying to 'manage' the itch. I obviously could not manage the itch and was just out of it. I was easily triggered - by Adrian and the kids because I was struggling so badly. 

We went to 2 gynaes (1 from GH and 1 from a private hospital) but they didn't take a second look at my rashes and concluded that they are pregnancy-related-rashes and will go away when baby comes out. They gave me some medications to 'control' the growth and itch, but to be honest they were not very effective. 

I was still having so much issue with the itch and mentally, I was so out. I wanted to bring baby out like immediately okay! We are not even talking about being itchy on one place. We are talking about scratching the entire body. I was itchy on both my arms, my back, my belly and my legs! I was scratching so hard that I didn't even care when blood comes out of those blisters. I just wanted (and needed so badly) for the itch to go away. 

I rather feel the pain than the itch. It was insane. 

Adrian wanted to help so badly but there was nothing he could do, really. I could see him feeling defeated and helpless. I was also not able to help him not feel that because I was struggling myself. 

On top of that, the daily things I do with and for the kids were also affected. I could not cuddle with them, wear clothes for them, be physically close to them and worse part is I had to tell them that they cannot touch me, because a single soft touch would trigger the itch. I was heartbroken. 

And yes, there were many nights of tears and lots of praying. 

I am thankful that my kids were understanding. 

Alex came over to me one night while I was sitting by my bed (daydreaming) and said, "Mamy, everytime I hug you, your pain will go away okay? So, can I hug you?" 

How could I say no? 

I said yes, I agree with you. So he gave me an awkward hug - the kind where he try not to let his arms touch my skin so I won't be in pain. I held my tears back, but decided no matter what, I am going to hug my kids at least once a day - even if it has the risk of triggering the itch. 

And we did just that. 

Everytime after a hug, Alex would ask me if I am feeling better, and I would say yes. And he would go, "See mamy! I told you. Hugs will make things better wan!"

Things started getting better when a few of you suggested for me to go see a skin specialist, and I don't know why I never thought of it but we immediately did that weekend. We googled the nearest skin specialist that is still open and drove to the clinic at once. 

I was so relieved after seeing Dr Chong from the MD Dermatology Skin Specialist Clinic. At first he was shocked to see the rashes on my body and was a bit surprised that both my gynaes did not refer me to any skin specialist. 

His diagnosis is Pregnancy Eczema and yes, it will go away once baby comes out. He prescribed me with Dhasalone pills (yes they are steroids and yes it is safe to take in my third trimester of pregnancy) to stop the growing of the blisters and rashes, and then Fucicort cream (steroid cream). 

Oh, and someone suggested Suu Balm Rapid Itch Relief Moisturizer and we got that and have been glued to it ever since! 

With the medications and the Suu Balm Moisturizer, things started getting better. I was slowly becoming myself again. I was able to try enjoy carrying this baby again and on some nights, I got to hold Adrian's hand a while while we sleep. Yes, holding his hand gives me a certain kind of assurance that everything will be okay. It's weird and clingy but say what you want. Heh. 

I am now not scratching desperately anymore, and can somewhat control scratching lightly. 

Also thanks to social media and you guys, taking a cold shower apparently will help, and I have been taking many cold showers every few hours, or when I feel like the itchy-wave is about to come. I would stand under the cold water and let them run for a while on my body. It's life-changing. 

I am okay with cold showers now. Hah. It's really very refreshing and it lets me take deep breaths which I think helps me handle the whole situation better, mentally. 

As much as the physical side looks bad, I am aware that everyday is a battle in my mind. I had to remind myself constantly to remain thankful and remain knowing that God is watching over us and God is with me and I am safe, and he is safe. I still have bad days when I just want to give up (don't know give what up also) but just that feeling of feeling so defeated and just want it all to be over. 

But the good days are more now so it's okay. 

Thank you all for your encouraging and calming words, and for praying for me and baby. Please know that I truly appreciate all of them. I may not say it out or show it but I truly am. 

Till next update, bye now. 

6D5N to Kota Kinabalu & Kundasang, Sabah.

Few months overdue la this post heh. It is time to pen it all down here for future references. 

Our close friends were getting married in Kota Kinabalu, and we got invited to attend their wedding there - of course we said yes, and while it took us some time to decide whether to bring our kids, we at the end decided not to. 

We also treated this trip as part of the babymoon trip since it was Adrian's first time there, and my second time (although I didn't get to explore the city on my first trip). It was a great babymoon trip. Sabah, especially Kundasang has grown to be one of my favorite place to go. The weather is cool, and the view takes my breath away - every single time. 

We booked a direct flight from Penang to Kota Kinabalu with Firefly Airlines, and with meals on-board for both ways, it was RM412.31. We got the tickets in February and only finalized on our accommodation later on when it was much closer to the travel date. We got lazy heh. 

But when it was near to the travelling date, I remember feeling really excited to go on a holiday without having to pack for the kids, but I was also feeling extremely guilty for leaving them behind for so many days. So guilty that almost everyday I would remind both Alex and Sofia that we would be away from them for close to a week, and everytime Alex smiled back and said okay, it gave me temporary relief. But I kept needing to repeat doing that because I needed to know that they are okay with it. Hah. Can never run away from this parents-guilt thing wan. 

Anyways, here are details of our travel things and where we stayed and things that we do and stuff. Some may not have as much details as I would like to share because my brain's capacity is not at 100% - it will probably only be restored to 100% once Little Bean is out in December. Till then, I promise to provide as much information as I can heh. 

We flew on 5-Aug-2022 with Jack and Carmen on the same flight. We used to travel a lot with the both of them, so it was really nice to 're-live' olden days of travelling together. 

The first place we checked-in was Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort - because that was where the wedding was going to be at. We spend 2-nights here and we loved this resort so much that we didn't leave the place (except to eat) because we just really allow ourselves to enjoy its facilities and activities. I definitely enjoyed soaking in their pool in my hippo-kini. Hah. 

Our first dinner at KK was seafood - duh! We went to Sembulan Lobster Restaurant - as recommended by friends who has been staying there for years so we trust them. I cannot remember how much was the total bill anymore because it was way too long ago. Heh. 

And yes, the food was amazing! I remembered it being not too expensive - overall such a happy meal with friends from everywhere! 

Biggest congratulations again to the newlyweds, Clement and Yuh Ting! Your wedding is the most beautiful wedding we have ever attended - hands down! The location itself is jaw-dropping, and the weather were perfect. The food not the best, but you know what? Love was in the air and that's all that matters! We are so happy for you both and the journey onwards for sure is going to be so rewarding, though not gong to be easy but it is going to be worth it! 

Oh, we actually didn't spend like the whole time in the resort. We spent a few hours outside and visited the Monsopiad Heritage Village - entrance fee is RM20 per person (I think). If it's your first time to Sabah, then this would be highly recommended! 

Then, we spent a night in the city centre before spending two-nights in Kundasang - which actually at first we only booked a night but we decided to stay another night at Kundasang and enjoy the natural aircond there - and I said this way too many times - but I freaking love the Mount Kinabalu's view. It's really so majestic and full of all the wow factor. To conquer her one day, will definitely be a dream come true - okay boleh masuk bucketlist. Heh. 

The airbnb that we stayed at KK's city centre was pretty decent too! The place is spacious and clean and bright. The only thing about it that I didn't really like (but don't hate) is having to climb up the stairs to the top floor to access to the room. It is located in shoplots so make sense to climb stairs. It was just difficult for a pregnant person like me. 

But will I stay at the same place the next time I go Sabah with a group of people? Yes I would. We paid a total of RM329 per night for 9 adults. The airbnb is called Paradise Suite, Sky Residence, Asia City. Here's a quick video tour of the place. 

Okay so the rest of the photos are like of our trip to Kundasang and some of the pit stops that we made - that were also highly recommended by friends! 

The first airbnb we stayed at was called Nikgold Garden Resort Kundasang, Kinabalu National Park. I already posted a review on this place so go baca lah dulu ya. 

It was such a great and much-needed getaway without the kids - just with friends. We got to enjoy our meals while they were hot and we got to sleep in and have the bed to ourselves. We do miss the kids a lot throughout our six days there, but the trip also did some good in our marriage. 

It was really a refreshing trip for just the both of us. 

Till next travel, bye now.