We don’t think about it often, but it is in those moments when someone in your household sustains an injury or burns themselves that you wished you had some knowledge on first aid. Having a 2 year old and 2 months old at home means that I have to be constantly alert and ready to take on any minor accidents that happen at home. Because of this, I decided to meet with Dr Mohammed Ridzuan Abd Razak, Senior Resident Medical officer, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur to further understand what we need to do if burns or bleeding occur at home.
As careful as we may be, accidents do happen when we least expect it, so it is best that we equip ourselves with some first aid knowledge. For this issue, we’re focusing on burns and bleeding. So here are some important information as well as some steps and tips on how to handle burns and bleeding at home.
BURNS
How many types of burns are there and what are they?
Burns are generally divided into 3 types of burns as per below:
Touch is a very powerful element in human bonding. In fact, the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) suggests that parents introduce touch as soon as the baby is born. This can be done with skin-to-skin care or kangaroo care. While you’re holding your baby close, gradually start stroking their legs and back. Then move on to other areas such as the arms.
After the first few weeks of birth, you can begin massaging your baby. But there are a few dos and don’ts of baby massage that should be taken into consideration in order to provide the best experience for you and your baby.
Dos
Follow your baby’s mood
Your baby should be calm, alert, and content when you’re ready to give them a massage.
Have a cozy atmosphere
Massage your baby in a warm, quiet place. Place them on a towel on their back so they can maintain eye contact. This can be on their changing table or on your bed.
Gentle and soft strokes
Strokes should be as gentle and soft as if pressing your eyeball.
How often to perform baby massage?
It depends on you and your baby. Some parents give their baby massages daily, while other parents massage their little ones every other day. You can massage your baby during the morning to get the day going or at night before bedtime to help soothe your baby to sleep. Pay attention to your baby’s cues to help determine the best massage routine. – Elizabeth Richard, Certified Infant Massage Instructor, International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM)
To be honest, I did not hear about Korean brand Haenim till I was approach to do a review on the Haenim 7A Wireless Breast Pump. It’s been 3 months using the pump so far and I’ve not turned back.
First Impression
When I first googled and read about the Haenim 7A Breast Pump before receiving it, I was impressed by how sleek the design is, I loved the fact that it’s wireless charging and it even has an app that you can download and connect to to control the breast pump and even record important data so you can keep track of your expressed milk.
In The Box
In the box you’ll find everything you need to function and use the breast pump. Components include:
Pump body
Pump Body (CAP)
Bottle
Silicone valve
Shield cover
Bottle lid, silicone nipple and bottle disk
Air hose
Funnels (24mm, 28mm, 32mm)
Wireless charging Bluetooth pocket pump
Connector
USB charging wire
The Haenim 7A is a double breast pump so all parts are given to accommodate pumping both breast at the same time.
Design and features
I really like it’s sleek and modern design of the pump. It comes in two colours; black & white.
The size is compact and can easily fit into your pocket(in my case- handbag), which means that it’s quite light too!(only 215g)
Controls are designed as touch buttons, which can have pros and cons. I do find myself accidentally touching it which will result in a change of mode while using, but there are also times when you touch a button and it doesn’t react as well.
I like the fact that there is a connector that enables easy connection between the pump and the tubes.
The pump itself does not show a countdown or time, which I wish it did. Nonetheless, you can track your time via the app or just keep the pump on till it automatically switches off after 30 mins.
Function
It has 9 massage settings and 9 expression setting. I’ve only used till 7, and that’s when my breast are really full. Averagely I’m usually on mode 5 for 5 mins of massage then move on to mode 4 on the expression setting.
Battery Life is quite good. It lasts me the whole day with an average of 4 pumps at about 30 mins each.
Haenim 7A breast pump is also compatible with Freemie Cups which I use every workday while on the road.
Here’s a review on the Tanamera Postnatal set. The box comes with 10 products for all your pantang needs.
Giving birth is one of the toughest experience a mother would go through. It takes a huge toll on us not just physically but mentally as well. Because of this, it is so important rest our body and go through a confinement period to restore our health and adapt to our new baby.
While a lot of young couples these days would opt to stay at a confinement center for their first 30 days after birth, many of us can’t afford this luxury and would then decide to go through confinement ourselves in the comfort of our own home.
If you’re anything like me, you probably have no idea what and how to go about your confinement period- thinking about what is best, how to restore my sanity, to get back into shape, to take care of my well-being, – all while caring for a new human!
For me, the Tanamera postnatal set or set pantang was exactly what I needed to take care of myself during this time. Everything you need comes in one nicely packaged box that also comes with a handy-book that tell you what the products are, how to use them and when you should use them- which is absolutely great because like I said I had zero idea on how to go about a proper pantang.
There are about 10 products in the Tanamera postnatal set and cost about RM370- which to me is a small price to pay to pamper and heal yourself. Here’s what’s inside, so you can decide for yourself if it’s worth it for you:
Brown Formulation Body Soap
This is my ultimate favourite from the Tanamera postnatal set. It’s made from a combination of herbs like turmeric, wild ginger and cinnamon and grains that produce a grainy surface to remove dead skin. My skin always feel so smooth and soft after using it and is great for folds and dark areas of your skin like your inner thigh, armpit, elbows, neck and so on. It’s definitely something that I would continue using even after confinement.
Benefits:
Removes dead skin
Improves blood circulation and overall skin condition
effective in treating rashes & minor skin irritations
When to start using: Use postnatally from Day 1.
Herbal Bath
The Tanamera herbal bath is a combination of aromatic herbs that helps to refresh and re-energize your tired body while soothing tired muscles. This is important because you will be super tired first few weeks of baby’s arrival where sleep is going to be very limited. Benefits:
Refreshes and relaxes the body
soothes tired and aching muscles
deodorizes the body
contains anti-inflammatory properties.
When to start using: From day 1 for 14 days.
Feminine Herbal Wash
After giving birth, there will be lots of blood- Kind of like having your period. So it’s super important to keep your genital area clean. This feminine herbal wash is made from a mixture of aromatic herbs high in essential oils to revitalize and deodorize the genital areas.
Benefits:
For normal/ vaginal delivery:
Helps stitches heal faster
instant relief to vaginal discomfort cased by stitches
reduce swelling and accelerate healing
contracts genital tissues and deodorizes the genital area
promotes tightening of vaginal muscles
For Caesarean / c-sec delivery:
Anti-bacterial
Aids in cleansing genitals due to bleeding after child birth
This was my second time taking FPP (Full Paying Patient) service at Putrajaya Hospital. The first time i took this service was when i was pregnant with my firstborn- Eidrix, which was in 2016. We came about it when we were figuring out if we wanted to go private or just to a government hospital. This service kinda gave the benefits of both worlds.
SO WHAT IS FPP & ITS BENEFITS?
FPP basically enables you have some services and facilities like a private hospital but it is much much more affordable. You can also pick a specialist of your choice.
For me, Taking up FPP also guarantees that i’ll give birth in Putrajaya Hospital and not be sent away if the hospital is full.
You’ll be placed in a special ward where husbands are allowed to stay the night. Although they do have a strict policy on kids where children under 12 are not allowed to enter the wards.
As a Full Paying Patient, this means that every doctor visit or medication that is given will be charged. But the upside is that you’re paying at a much cheaper price compared to a private hospital.
You can check out Putrajaya hospital latest rates and charges for FPP patients here.
My Labour Experience
My experience as a FPP patient at Putrajaya Hospital starts at 7 months of pregnancy. I was going to Klinik Kesihatan prior in order to ensure that i have the ‘buku pink’. Compared to my first pregnancy, i was going to a private clinic up till 7 months and changed to Putrajaya Hospital. Not having the ‘buku pink’ doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be accepted, but the nurses did ask about it when i was there.
I went back to the same doctor i had before, which was Dr Azmi. If you’re interested to take on FPP, you’ll need to do it FAST as more and more people are starting to go there due to the benefits. You’ll just have to call the hospital at 03-83124200 and mention that you’d like to make an appointment as FPP patient for delivery in Putrajaya Hospital. The nurse will tell you which specialist are still available and you have the choice to choose one of them as your doctor.
I was seeing Dr Azmi every two weeks from 7 month onwards. Each appointment costs about RM130-160 for consultation and scan. I have a disc problem in my spine which led me to decide to have another c-sec, so we decided on a date, which made it more predictable for work, for my mum to fly down from Kuching and for myself mentally too.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BufBm-0DGLb/
2nd C-sec experience with Putrajaya Hospital as FPP Patient
We set the surgery to be on the 1st of March 2019. I would be 37 weeks+ on that date. I decided to take him out slightly earlier as my spine was really killing me by then.
We had to check in a day before, but we didn’t get a call from the nurse till the late evening, when a bed was finally available. Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming patients, i had to stay in a different ward because the FPP wards were super full.
Since we checked in at night, i had to go to the emergency counter where a deposit of RM3,000 was taken. Husband was not allowed to stay overnight in this ward, so had to spend the night alone- but it was alright. I made friends with the girl nextdoor who just gave birth to a baby boy. Nurses started prepping me for my surgery that night and asked me to start fasting at 9am the next day.
On surgery day, Dr Azmi came to check on me in the afternoon and mentioned that we’ll go into surgery in the evening. Last time i had my c-sec was at about 4 or 5pm, so i expected it to be around the same time, but boy was i wrong! It was a loooonnnngggggg day that day as we waited to be pulled into surgery.
At about 7ish, nurses finally called for me and wheeled me down to the operation theater. No family member were allowed in, so we said our ‘goodbyes’ before going in. You’ll then find yourself in a waiting room where the anaesthetist will explain the type of anaesthetics that’ll be given to you.
I had a horrible experience for my first c-sec where half my body was paralysed and was so groggy. So i was thinking of going under general anaesthesia (GA) this time- but the doctor who was really quite sarcastic warned me that i’ll have 17% higher chances of DYING and asked if i was willing to take the risk. Obviously, i was scared shitwitss and said no.. So epidural it was then!
After one hour in the waiting room and eavesdropping on the nurse who was trying to explain to a father that one of his twin has some problem during surgery, i was finally wheeled in to Operation theater 8.
They injected my back, my legs were straightened, my arms were wide open, they placed the curtain to shield the area of surgery and i was good to go. The theater was seriously freezing, and they had to place some sort of heater thingy on my chest to keep me a bit warm.
I was then greeted by a doctor who was NOT Dr Azmi. He explained that Dr Azmi had an emergency and that he was taking over the surgery- his name was Dr Hazim (which I later found out was the head of department). I didn’t have much of a choice, so just prayed for the best.
To my surprise, my c-sec this time was actually quite okay. The theater room was not dark and scary like the last time. I was even chatting with the anaesthetist and i think the surgery went quite fast. In 15 minutes and a few tugs baby was out and they were stitching me back up.
So I was recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GDM), which occurs in about 7% of pregnant women. It’s pretty common, but can be worrying too if not taken care off.
The reason for this entry is basically because I’m hopeless at going to my appointments, and as I’m writing this, I’m missing my 3pm appointment with a dietician in Putrajaya Hospital (don’t be like me guysss), so I decided to do my own research. I mean how hard is it to look up the proper diet for women with GDM right?
So here’s what I found.
It’s all about keeping your blood sugar level in the ‘normal’ range.
So far, it looks like my readings are mostly in the prediabetic stage (with minor diet control). I still had my Teh O Ice Limau, still had my rice, but I tried cutting down on my ice creams, cakes and chocolates.
As most of you know, I’ve been struggling with severe backpain that hurts all the way down to my left leg. This started even before I was pregnant and just got worst as I was getting heavier and heavier.
So a blogger friend of mine (Thank you Sebrina) recommended a pelvic support belt that might help to ease the pain and support my pregnancy. I’ve been using the belt on and off for a few weeks now and here’s what I think about it.
A little info about the belt that I got
Love Cradle Maternity Support Belt
Ergonomic design, suitable for pregnancy & postpartum wear
Prevents /Provide relief for the symptoms of Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) or Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)
Relieve lower back, joints, & muscular pains by supporting the extra weight
Encourages proper posture during & after pregnancy
Sewn-in steel boning on the back for sturdier support
My first impression
While I was at Bmama’s HQ, I tried on several belts that they have there and found that the Love Cradle Maternity Support Belt made a huge difference compared to the other belts, considering my situation.
No 1 is probably because of the steel boning at the back.
No2. I felt that it was easy to put on and take off, as well as adjust the size as my belly grows.
If you live in the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur, you’d understand how precious time with our loved ones can be. Minus the time you’re at work, the hours you’re stuck in the traffic jam, and then prepping for dinner; what are you left with? An hour of quality time with your babies before you say goodnight to them? Not a lot of time when we’re constantly working five days a week and sometimes even on the weekends.
Alila’s Sky Lobby
This is why I find going on a little getaway every once in a while such a necessity. It doesn’t necessarily need to be out of town, in fact you’ll find a number of places that are perfect for a staycation right here in the city. Staycations are a great way to take you out of your routine and give you quality bonding time with your little family(especially if you’re living with your in-laws or extended family).
My boys and I recently stayed at the newly opened Alila Bangsar. Located right in the heart of Bangsar, the hotel occupies the topmost floors of a mixed-used development known as The Establishment. We were greeted at the hotel’s sky-level lobby on the 41st floor and was instantly amazed by the beautiful view from its wide and fully glassed windows. Filled with natural light and fresh greenery, I could tell that the hotel was an environmentally conscious one- and I was right. Continue reading
