Pregnancy: Ujian Air Gula

My second trip to the doctor's was to complete Modified Glucose Tolerance Test (MGTT), or Test Air Gula as it's more commonly known in Malaysia.

Generally, women with high risk (based on family's medical history, miscarriage, too much body weight increase in one month of pregnant) are required to take MGTT. I had put on 4 kgs after my first trimester as I was constantly hungry, and my BMI was relatively high, so I had to complete MGTT. In addition, I saw many women taking their MGTT, regardless of body size and height.

You have to fast from eating and drinking from 10 PM onwards the night before, with the exception of small sips of warm water until they take your blood test, which is roughly around 8.30 AM the following day at the clinic.

The nurse took my blood sample (to determine my resting glucose level) to determine my Fasting Sugar Blood (FSB) around 8.30 AM. Then she gave me a large cup of sugared water - I believe it had 80 grams of sugar, which the nurse commented was roughly the same amount of sugar you would find in a typical Malaysian breakfast, such as nasi lemak with teh tarik. I would recommend drinking it slowly, as you are drinking on an empty stomach, and if you vomit the contents, you will have to repeat the test again.

The nurse informed me that my number would be called again in two hours, and I had to stay at the clinic, as she mentioned that some patients might faint after taking the MGTT. So that was a lot of sitting, sighing, scrolling through phone, and reading the newspaper haha. 

At 10.30 AM, the nurse took my blood sample again.

The normal reading after 2 hours of drinking the glucose water was below 7.8 mmol. The nurse informed me that they would call me within a week after receiving my results, so she scheduled a date for my next appointment.

This was approximately during my 16th week of pregnancy.

Read more:
First trip to Klinik Kesihatan Kelana Jaya
We're pregnant!

Pregnancy: First Visit to Klinik Kesihatan Kelana Jaya

A little bit of blank since the last update, sorry! Here's my experience with pre-natal check ups at Klinik Kesihatan Kelana Jaya.

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Since we live in Kelana Jaya, we decided to continue our pre-natal check ups at Klinik Kesihatan Kelana Jaya, which is 5 minutes drive away from our place. The first time I went there, the nurse informed me that based on my address, I was supposed to go to Lembah Subang's KK instead. But we decided to focus on that later.

During my first time, I thought that I was supposed to take the numbers issued at the front of the door (they issue limited numbers daily) before I found out that it was meant for non-pregnant people haha. Oops. 

I arrived at 6.30 AM because I wanted to be the earliest lady there possible, and proceeded to sit at the blue chairs in front of the door. They officially open the door at 7.30 AM but by 7 AM people already started to form a queue in front of the door. Being Malaysian, I also followed suit.

As soon as the nurses opened the door at 7.30 AM, people rushed into the clinic - sick and elderly people to the right, and natal care to the left. 

As it was my first time registering, I had to wait quite a while for my number to be called. I was informed that you needed to bring a copy of your i/c, marriage certificate or card, and a recent utility bill issued to your current address (but we didn't really need to show it anyway). The nurse will issue two copies of a pink book; one for you to keep and bring home, another for the clinic's reference and record-keeping.

Step 1: Get weighed

The first step was getting weighed. I lost a bit of weight due to my severe morning sickness, and after that the nurse went through my details such as information, family history, and surgery (I previously went for a laparoscopy for ruptured ovarian cyst last year). She also asked me how did I confirm my pregnancy, did I take a pregnancy test, did I visit any private clinics prior to this visit etc. The nurse will ask you to take your pink book to the Pee Test Counter.

Step 2: Pee Test

The second step was peeing in a cup; I think that's standard to reconfirm your pregnancy? There's one toilet specifically to pee into the cup, and the line was quite long. The toilet was next to a window sill where you place your pee cup (when they issue the cup, they write a number on the cup). Afterwards, the nurse will call your number and inform you to take your pink book to the Blood Test Room.

Step 3: Blood Test

The third step was taking your blood which is a standard procedure. Nurse will call your number later and you will need to place your pink book at the main counter.

Step 4: Nurse Consultation

The nurse will do routine checks such as reading your blood pressure for the doctor's reference. I was lucky to have a very nice and gentle nurse called Adila. As my blood pressure reading was slightly high, the nurse took it several times until it was an "acceptable" level. She filled in some details in the pink book and asked me to wait for my doctor consultation. 

Step 5: Doctor Consultation

The doctor went through my pink book and asked me again about my family history, my current occupations, and how my surgery went. I also gave her my previous scans (two of them) from the visits to the private clinic, which she stapled into the pink book. Due to my surgical history, she issued me a letter where I can get a detailed scan free of charge at a nearby clinic.

She proceeded to scan the baby (and yes! husbands are allowed inside) and showed my baby's growth as well as the EDD. I heard the baby's heartbeat and felt a wave of emotions. Alhamdulillah, it was such a beautiful moment. Husband wasn't as emotional as I was, but he's kinda like that teehee. Doctor issued me Zincofer, a multi-vitamin that contained all sorts of goodness such as iron, folic acid, calcium etc.

We were officially in the clinic at 7.30 AM and left at 12.30 PM. The wait was to be expected as many people use the service, and since it was my first time, there was many processes I had to go through. They were very thorough, which made me feel very satisfied. My following appointment was set a month later (December), which included a Test Air Gula (Sugar Water Test).

Hope this helps any first-time mummies who might be looking for more info on the pre-natal care!

pregnancy at 10 weeks: just. let. me. stay. home.

I'm saving these articles first and publishing them for later until I enter my second trimester, just to chronicle my crazy pregnancy

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Salam little one, 

We arranged a doctor's appointment right after we came back as recommended by the doctor. Your father went to the toilet to "do a number" whilst I sat with the doctor, and she explained to me your size and expected due date ha ha. 

I teared up when I saw your size. You're 2.25 cm and already wreaking havoc on my hormones. 

She also mentioned that we should be deciding where we would like to do monthly check-ups; if we planned to give birth in government hospital, we needed to start a "buku merah" (red book) at any government clinics. 

Entering Week 10, I'm vomiting almost everything I eat; there's even some dark orange liquid that I purge when my stomach is empty (upon googling, I think it's stomach acid). It's very unpleasant, because after the tenth time you just feel like sleeping on the toilet bowl.

I can't stand smelling almost anything - even your father :( I used to love the smell of fresh laundry, but now it makes me barf, so I had to change the detergent and softener smell. I can't cook or even come into the kitchen, which makes me sad because I loved to cook.

I also vomit a lot if I'm in a car; whether I'm driving or not. You'll be proud that I've controlled my vomiting to red traffic lights if I'm driving!

Can't wait to meet you, insha Allah.

pregnancy at 9 weeks: travelling pregnant

I'm saving these articles first and publishing them for later until I enter my second trimester, just to chronicle my crazy pregnancy

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This week, we travelled to Palembang to visit my brother's in-laws. 

My nausea from Week 8 was safe, to say, quite bad, so I was determined not to let any nausea ruin my trip. The doctor described Veloxin tablets for me, but I prefer Metoclopramide Tablets because it's smaller in dosage and I can take up to three tablets a day. Whereas Veloxin tabs are only taken once, in the morning. 

My morning sickness pattern, is sick in the morning, and sick in the noon. So it's better to take pills with smaller doses.

For expectant mothers, you are recommended to have an official letter issued by your doctor certifying you're fit to travel, and to be issued when you check-in. They will require you to fill out an indemnity form.

I saw a pregnant lady being denied entry because she was 36 weeks pregnant; most airlines allow up to 35 weeks. Was quite pitiful to see :(

Asides from that, I also kept mints, some "asam" (preserved fruits), and paper bags to deal with any unpleasantries. I'm glad to reply that I didn't vomit on the plane! I just took my Metoclopramide pills along with my folic acid, like clockwork.

There was just one night where I vomited non-stop, but asides from that, all was good. 

Insha Allah, we will have a healthy baby.

we're pregnant!

Alhamdulillah.

On 11th October 2015, we found out we are pregnant!

Call it cliche or whatever, but we were surrounded by so many people who were also pregnant at that time.

I found out one of my friends was pregnant after a business meeting.

The following night, I was introduced to a woman who just married and was pregnant.

On my Facebook feed, people were announcing their pregnancy left, right and center.

Then I noticed, my period was slightly late. So I took a pregnancy test.

Okay, what does this mean? One strong line and one faint line? Not too sure.

Then, I took another one. The same result,

Slightly curious, we bought the cream-of-the-crop digital test kit, the gila mahal one that's like RM 30 for one, that even tells you the week. Since Scha Alyahya used this one as well (on her Instagram) to announce her pregnancy.

So, I peed on the stick, as you do. Then waited.. doo doot... And waited...

The ClearBlue pregnancy test kit confirmed we were 2 - 3 weeks pregnant! I screamed, crying tears of joy to my husband, as he looked slightly shellshocked, playing Dota hahaha.

Alhamdulillah, and let the baby journey begin.