Preparing for No. 2
When I read about fellow Mums getting pregnant, going to deliver or having just delivered their second baby, I get all excited and anxious myself because we’re planning for another child too.
This time around, it’s more tricky because:
1. We are away from my family and my gynae
I had a complicated pregnancy with started with bleeding (a threatened miscarriage) plus that dreaded morning sickness all through the first trimester.
I had my Mum or sisters to run to when I was exhausted or panicky. Also, I could easily eat out if I was too tired to cook. With a fussy eater now, I really worry about dinner time!
Most importantly, my fabulous gynae was just a car’s ride away when anything alarming happened. The healthcare here isn’t that reliable, friendly or understandable (I’m thankful we have no need to see a doctor yet, touch wood).
2. Eating a healthy diet isn’t that easy
I cook everyday, which means we’re getting good food (I think). However, calcium and iron are incredibly important when you’re planning to conceive.
For Lucas, I was *fortunate* to be on a lot of overseas travel before becoming pregnant – I was drinking fresh milk (calcium) almost every day and whacking lots of lamb and beef (iron).
This, I strongly believe, gave us the surprise pregnancy because we’d only tried a few times from the word, “Go!” 
Now, I can’t even get a SAFE MILK supply (the melamine milk scandal)….
I’ve got my folic acid, calcium and iron supplements but jeez, how fun is it to pop pills when I’d rather drink a glass of milk everyday? Also, my only source of meat now is pork. I can’t very well eat eggs everyday!
Beef is available but I’m such a LOUSY cook, I have no idea how to cook it other than in spaghetti. I tried to use beef in place of pork for some recipes but they don’t turn out as nice…
(QUESTION: Am I just being difficult here? I think I’m starting to sound like a whiner…)
3. Preparing for labour
This has to be our most detailed and discussed-to-death plan because I will fly back to Malaysia to give birth.
Between juggling Lucas’ absence from preschool (and joining another one?), being away from his Papa and preparing our home for the baby’s arrival, I’m MOST CONCERNED about having Hubby with me when I deliver.
He knows I’m a real scaredy cat in the delivery room and promised that he’ll try to work things out in the office. I really hope he will because I sure as not going to deliver without him!
Wow…is it me or does this sound worse written down? And I’m not even pregnant yet! Would really love to hear the thoughts of more experienced Mums. Thanks!
Useful links from BabyCenter:
Age and fertility: Getting pregnant in your 30s
20 things to do before you get pregnant
On a lighter side, we’re hoping for a little girl and if anything is true in this article, I’ve got to buy a wooden spoon and a pink ribbon!
Oh, and Hubby has to start applying leave for regular “afternoon delights” hahahaha
- Related posts:
jia you!
Same sentiments here, especially when seeing mummies who had their 1st child later than I did already pregnant/delivered their second baby.
My advice? Get pregnant first then only start worrying!
hehehe.
Recipe for beef casserole in your mail!
Hi Kitty Cat, you are NOT over worried!!! I have been thinking the same thing as you, especially on the third point
Sorry for I have not come out with a solution yet, lots of consideration to take care, let’s see how it goes!
It IS overwhelming! Alone in a foreign country and a little boy to take care of. No easy access to almost everything you are used to. But you can do it !! Just let us know if you ever need anything in the course of your pregnancy. We’ll be here for you, only one e-mail away. Good luck and lets hope to hear some good news soon, yea?
Hope you’ll be able to manage everything well.
You eat lamb and beef during pregnancy? There’s a old saying that if you consume lots of beef, your baby will be quite hairy. But probably that’s not true cause my mom don’t take beef and I’m still the hairiest among all.
kampateh! Try some oat milk? from organic shop.
Hehehe I think you worried too much… just follow the flow and see how things ‘need to work out’, I believe in one step at the time.
Thank you for visiting my site…:)
I like Joyce’s (giddy tigress) advice..hahaha…Things will fall into places, my dear. You have very right to be worried but I’m sure it will be fine. As for beef, the trick is not to overcook it. Remember, a fresh out of the wok beef can still be cooking (internally) for the first 10 minutes.
Go with Joyce’s idea. She’s right!
hahaha this is possibly one of the funniest post I’ve read!! Yes dear, don’t worry too much. Mothers are made out of steel and everything else which is mean! We are tough cookies *wink*. Get pregnant first!!
Good luck….I also need to buy a wooden spoon.
I agree..dont worry…
relax and take it easy…
update us yar…
I completely agree with you when it comes to having a 2nd one. Loads to plan especially if you need and can’t find a suitable housekeeper/au pair/nanny. Plus, I also need to decide whether to continue working on a full time or flexi basis. SAHM is not an option for me.
good luck. And follow the flow. Everything will be ok. Don’t worry too much.
FYI, we still have not settled in HK and I am 4 months preggie.
ERr….have ur afternoon delights first…Enjoy them… such moments will be soon rare when No.2 is conceived.
Heh…
U can make beef n pork meatballs. See my recipe site…the easiest meatballs u’ll ever make. I guarantee you, your hubs will think it’s better than ikea’s one…heh!
All the best to you and don’t give yourself too much pressure… when it’s time it will come. BTW, I take meat, drink milk+milo and pop calcium and iron pill ever since I got pregnant. So, to me anything will be fine… Yup, am waiting for your good news too!
hope this pregnancy will be smooth for u! take care
Angeleyes –
A Mom’s Diary – You too? Gonna be fun if we all strike lottery at about the same time…
Giddy Tigress – I know that now, thanks so much!
Anonymouse – Got it
Haven’t tried it yet. No energy now 
HN – We’re all the in same boat at one point or another. Let’s see how it goes…
AllThingsPurple – You sweet, sweet lady. Your kind words are so encouraging. Makes quite comforted knowing that I’ve got SOS email on hand. Bless you, dear
Julie – Me too. I’ve heard of that old wives’ tale. Not truelah…I ENJOYED a lot of lamb and beef but Lucas is hairless and smooth skinned LOL it’s all genetic.
Allisia – How am I going to get it here? I can’t even read Chinese and I don’t really trust the stuff stamped “organic” here because the translations are not 100% accurate. Thanks, though, will KIV for Malaysia.
LW – You’re welcome
Thanks…I think too much, I know.
Vien – Ok, ok I hear all of you LOL Ahhh…that’s the trick eh? I think there’s where I went wrong with the bloody beef!
Sasha – I hear you all loud and clear!
Paik Ling – Funny article, wasn’t it? Got your wooden spoon already???