Food, food and more food...

Every nationality, race, religion, auntie, uncle has a list of "what to eat" and "what not to eat" during pregnancy...sigh...

To avoid...
- Coffee (by doctor)
- Alcohol (by doctor)
- Ginseng (by book)
- Dried Longan (by book)
- Raw food such as sashimi (by all...)
- Shark (due to mercury content)
- Stingray (by serene @ Oct2009)
- Mango (by serene @ Oct2009 supposed to thicken your blood and also increase blood pressure)

To reduce...
- Grapes (due to high sugar content, by book)


To consume...
- Lots of water
- Birdsnest @ 2nd trimester onwards
- Coconut water @ 3rd trimester. Green thailand coconuts

Infant Milk Powder Formula

There's so many types of infant milk powder (whether to supplement breast milk or to replace), so what types should we choose? Nevertheless, however much homework we did to try to select the "best" milk powder, it is still a matter of trial of error as the infant may react against it. Hence, it is advised to always buy a small tin to try it out first, before proceeding to bulk discounted buys..

They also can differ significantly in prices. There's a saying that the 1st child always drink the more expensive types, while 2nd/3rd/etc usually drive the less expensive ones. Due to budget lah...

* NAN HA
- recommended by pediatrician that it is closer to breast milk (babysparkz @ Oct2009)
- Nan HA (HypoAllergenic) better if infant is sensitive/ slightly lactose intolerant, vs Nan Pro (Probiotic)
- Nan HA taste a little bitter, compared to other formulas. Hence recommended to try this out first, as infants may not like the taste after consuming other formulas

* Enfalac
- Has "anti-reflux" milk if infant tends to vomit

* Karihome Goal milk
- Retail at S$23.75 for 400g. Bulk purchase available for 12 tin with 10% discount and 1 tin free i.e. S$20 each @ punggol plaza

* MAmil Gold

* Friso Gold
- recommended by (redjn @Oct2009)
- Friso Soy

* Similac
- Step 2 is heaty

* S26
- heaty

* Dumex

Postnatal Jamu Massage

For normal delivery, you can do the massage 2 - 3 days after you discharge from hospital. For csect, either 3 - 4 weeks after discharge from hospital OR when your wound has healed properly at least

Kalimah
- A shop @ Yishun, hence you can choose for home service or have your massage done at the shop itself

Ida
- Tel: 9424 9829
- Sister-in-law of Masita, Sister of Mariam, Cousins of Suria & Zaliah
- $50 per session + 1 time $20 for cloth for wrapping
- Complimented @Jul2009 by (1) Sharon (2) Shawna
- Complimented @Aug2009 by (3) DevLina (4) LisaTan (5) babywoofie
- Complimented @Sep2009 by (6) Dianajs
- Complimented @Nov2009 by (7) swanston (8) Lim (9) elise31
- Complimented @Dec2009 by (10) AngHuiLing (11) dreams (12) EvonChan

Mas/ Masita
- Tel: 9006 8026
- $490 for 10 days post natal massage package
- $50 per session 1.5 hours - full body massage, stomach wrapping and clear blocked milk ducts
- $40 for 1.5 hr pre-natal or normal massage
- Stay Chua Chu Kang
- Complimented @ Jul2009 by (1) babypureen (2) Siti bte yadi (3) Christinalee (4) Joy (5) Sharon
- Complimented @Dec2009 by (6) bb_jul (7) cynthiadora (8) vixen mum (9) annalisa
- -ve @Dec2009 by (-1) minghui801

Origins Jamu Massage
- 10 days * 75 mins for $678
- Complimented by SiohChong @May2009 (Therapist: Mdm Lathifa)
- Complimented by cyruskitty @Aug2009 (Therapist: Mdm Khalsom)
- Complimented by babymoon @Oct2009 (Therapish: Mdm Lathifa)

Zaria
- Tel: 9449 5857
- Complimented by Cheyenne @May2009
- Complimented by asiancow @Aug2008
- Complimented by deela07 @Sep2009

Rokiah
- Tel: 9271 6091 / rrwelnes@singnet.com.sg
- From traditional & Holistic postnatal centre
- Without package $50 per session, $18 for tummy wrap cummerbund
- $420 for 7 days massage + jamu + cummerbund + 5 days baby massage
- Complimented by adlinzul @Feb2009
- Complimented by Adeline @Jul2009
- Complimented @Sep2009 by (3) AnneTay (Therapist: Emmy)
- Complimented @Nov2009 by (4) Nina (Therapist: Rokiah herself @ $70 per hr)
- Complimented @Dec2009 by (5) GraceLoh

Baby Bellies
- 7 days for $385 + $70 transport = $455
- 10 days for $530 excluding up to $10 transport per trip = $630
- Complimented by mich_liu82 @ May2009 (Therapist: Juriah)
- Complimented by Chillaxville @ Jun2009

Maya Mummy Massage
- 10 days * 90 mins for $720

Malay Postnatal Retreat
- 10 days * 75 mins for S$685

Mdm Sheda
- Tel: 94361463
- 7 days for $450 for those who are staying in hougang and ponggol area
- Complimented by Mummy5 @May2009

Farah
- Tel: 94479565
- Complimented by Satellite @ May2009

Nur
- Tel: 8251 5154
- $45 for prenatal, $55 for post natal
- Work with Ida
- Complimented @Jul2009 by (1) Bettyseah
- Complimented @Aug2009 by (2) fionasim

Yati
- Tel: 8154 4153
- 7 sessions @ $550, 90 mins each
- Pre-natal/ Javanese Massage $60 per hr
- Complimented @Apr2009 by (1) Shanaz


Leha
- Tel: 9018 1705
- $45 per hr
- Complimented by tanlengleng @Aug2009

Hana Siti
- Tel: 9193 6126
- Pre-natal $50 for 90 mins
- Post-natal 10 days $450, 90 mins for mummy, 10 mins for baby. include binder, slimming & scrub for last 2 sessions
- From Lillium

Rose
- Tel: 9787 4710
- Pre-natal $60 for 60 mins
- From Lillium

Liz
- Tel: 9175 6227
- Complimented @Aug2009 by (1) vixenlady

Tanti
- $60 per post-natal session
- $50 for 1 hr pre-natal or normal massage
- good strength, complimented by angelia286 @Dec2009

Hamida
- Complimented by ZannChan @Sep2009

Olak
- Tel: 02 012 731 1270
- $50 for 1 hr
- Complimented by camomile @Oct2009

Zilah
- Tel: 9388 5280
- 10 days for $520
- Complimented by Ivy

Christina
- Tel: 9005 3518
- Complimented by Doreen

Sadiah
- Tel: 9772 4579
- $50 per 75 mins session
- Complimented by Leah Keh @Jul09

Romah
- Tel: 9031 7331

Maya
- Tel:9169 0543

Tutik
- Tel: 9697 1378
- $400 for 7 sessions

x Mdm Siti Suriah
- Tel: 8118 2160
- 1.5 hrs post-natal massage including tummy wrap and special fat burner slimming oil and baby massage for $50
- 1 hr pre-natal or normal massage $40 an hour
- no down payment or transport fees
- complimented by siow_lee_chin @ Dec2009
- -ve by indy_kaur @ Aug2009
- Complimented by siow_lee_chin @Dec2009

x Mas
- Tel: 9084 5556, stay in Woodlands 786E
- -ve @Aug2009 by BrendaHo

x Mdm Khatijah
- Tel: 9800 1394 (9875 8762 ?)
- 1 hour per session
- $500 for package of 7 times
- +ve by LoVes @Sep2009
- +ve by stonston @ Oct2007
- +ve sha_82 @ early2009
- negative by tika @Aug2009
- negative by daisy12moo @Oct2009
- negative by Stan @Oct2009

x Latifah
- Tel: 8220 2351
- Katijah's sis in law
- +ve by tordis @Aug2009
- -ve by sha_82 @Dec2009

Gynae

Hmm...My guess about one of the 1st things to do, would be to choose a Gynae. If you already have an existing gynae whom you visit, I would suggest to simply continue seeing him/her. For those of you who don't have a regular gynae whom you visit, hey, you should start! (if you are a female, of course..hee)

Some of us have preferences over whether gynae is male/female, which hospital to deliver in etc. I would suggest going to one who is convenient, imagine the transport time/fees simply by going to a far away and inconvenient gynae. Hospital wise, choose one that is convenient for your family, or one which you are familiar with.

There's a website which collects feedbacks about gynae:
http://sggynae.blogspot.com/

Due to popular demand..

Due to demand by this blog's subscriber, am being requested to use this platform to record down on findings of pregnancy/baby stuff. By the way, the word "subscriber" is truly intended to be singular..heehee.

While, first of all...I finally managed to buy a pregnancy guide book that's in Chinese. This not only make it easier to repeat to mother/mother in law etc who prefer Mand/Chinese than English (instead of having to translate!) but more importantly, it makes a much better case during debates. When arguing over why certain "grandmother procedures" need not be followed, it is no longer a case of "ang mo books of course write differently lah"...it is now "if the china book also say so, it must be valid"..heehee.

Quoting an article in the Chinese book, it does say that there shouldn't be any house renovation when pregnant - but it gives a reason, which is that the glue/paint fumes/smells during renovation is not good for mother-to-bes and children alike. It never mentioned about "if u hammer a nail, your baby will be borned with a scar of a nail" thou

So...ms dear subscriber, am keeping the book for you ok! heehee...more for ur mil loh...i think our mothers at times, even more angmo than us ourselves. My cupboard doesn't have that much spare storage spaces, so, quick quick, take the book before the pages turn yellow hor! (of course, i have the "normal" English ones too )

Gardens
Some places to consider - one @ Yishun and another @ Kranji

Charmy Charms
For a friend...no, she's not pregnant (at least not yet). More to symbolize a "next phrase" in life as she was leaving her previous job.
For a sweet lady in the office, who has been taking care and watering a orphan plant (left behind, by an ex-employee). The name "Flower gal" reminds me of a korean drama where this rich fierce (but pretty, cos it is korean drama leh..everyone is pretty!) lady lost her memory and was made to believe that she is the wife of a thrifty man. There is a character in the show whom is called "flower gal" - the ex-gf of the thrifty man, who always try to act gentle by holding some flowers :P Hmm...can't remember the drama's title..do you?

Aqueen Hotel Balestier
Looks good...however, the normal price stated in the website is SGD 200, and have no idea on how to reserve rooms using the promotion prices of SGD 78

Decal
New fad of mine...putting up decals , all over the place

Beware Of Pitfalls In Property Deals

Besides errant agents, there are other factors to be mindful of during bad times, say experts

A couple recently lost out on a property deal because their agent sold off the unit without their knowledge.

In another case, a couple paid cash for a deal that did not materialise.

In every property downturn, some agents will get 'creative', though a deal can fail for many other reasons, property agency bosses said.

Buyers should always take precautions and do their homework when presented with what seems like a really good deal, they said.

Case 1

A couple thought they had bought a unit at Yishun Emerald when they paid $5,000 cash for the option to purchase, as well as another $20,000 upfront to the seller, of which $8,000 went to the agent.

The seller let them move in early while they waited for the $550,000 sale to complete. They held their housewarming party and settled in.

But the deal fell through. The condo's management could not transfer the unit to them because of the seller's debt arrears.

The $12,000 upfront cash was for the seller to pay that debt. Not only did he not pay it, he also asked to borrow money from the couple on a few occasions, said the husband, MrJumari Osman, 34.

'We realised the seller was also defaulting on his housing loan and that his flat was later repossessed by the bank,' he said.

By then, the couple had forked out nearly $40,000, including legal fees and the bank mortgage penalty fee. The agent refused to return his commission to them and the seller said he was flat broke.

'It was a negative sale, so we knew the seller wasn't going to get anything out of it, and that he had a debt with the condo's management,' said Mr Jumari.

'But we were not told at all that the unit was in danger of being repossessed.'

The agent, Mr Jumari said, claimed that he did inform them of the problem. In any case, he was the one who instructed them to pay the $20,000 to speed up the sale, said Mr Jumari.

In this case, 'the buyer should have made the cheque out to the MCST (management corporation) instead of the seller, knowing that the seller has debts', said Mr Chris Koh, director of Dennis Wee Properties.

What the agent should have done was to get a lawyer to add a clause in the standard option to purchase document, saying the $12,000 is for the payment of the MCST debts, he said.

As an added precaution, the clause could have also said that the $12,000 was conditional to the sale, he said.

As a sign of goodwill, the agent should refund the commission, agency bosses said.

In general, buyers should avoid paying more than 1 per cent option money in a resale deal, said PropNex chief executive Mohamed Ismail.

This way, their exposure will be limited if the deal gets terminated for various reasons, such as the death of the seller or if the seller becomes bankrupt, experts said.

Case 2

Mr Kenneth Chia and his wife were so keen on a Spring Grove unit in Grange Road that they were prepared to offer a cheque on the spot.

They offered $990,000 - $10,000 more than the previous offer - and were willing to raise it if there was more competition.

The seller's agent told them not to bother with the cheque (the asking price was $1.08 million) and later sold the unit to another party for $1 million in a co-broke deal.

The couple's beef was that the agent did not inform them of another higher offer that came later.

When confronted, the seller's agent said she was not bound by duty to tell them about it, said Mr Chia, 32.

'We bought a much better unit for a bit more ($1.08 million). But if we had known about the $1 million offer, we could have bid at $1.05 million and the seller would have got $50,000 more.'

In hindsight, everyone may be willing to pay a bit more, experts said. 'What keen buyers should do is to make an immediate offer that is close to the seller's expectations,' said PropNex's Mr Ismail.

In this case, if the couple did not raise their offer on the spot, it meant their offer was only $990,000, said ERA associate director Eugene Lim.

'If another buyer later offers a cheque at a higher price that the seller agrees to, it will be a done deal. The agent is not obligated to inform the previous home-hunter of the higher offer,' he said.

The key is whether buyers are serious about their offers, experts said. 'When the buyer makes an offer to the seller through our agent, we do it officially through a document called the offer to purchase. It is never verbal,' said Mr Lim.

Case 3

There are sellers out there desperate for cash, and agents may thus structure an attractive deal for the buyer.

In these cases, the buyer may be tempted by the extra discount, which is all right as long as precautions are taken, said Mr Ismail.

Let's assume a seller is willing to sell his $1 million property for $950,000 on the condition that the buyer gives him 10 per cent of it in cash immediately.

Typically, the buyer pays 1 per cent, and a further 4 or 9 per cent within four weeks, to the seller's lawyer. The money will be transferred to the seller when the deal is completed three months later.

So if the buyer agrees to give him 10 per cent cash, it means that only 90 per cent, or $855,000 is going towards the property purchase.

Problems will arise if the seller's housing loan is more than that amount. 'If the seller cannot redeem the loan, the property will not be transferred to the buyer,' said Mr Ismail.

To avoid this problem, a buyer should get his lawyer to check on the seller's outstanding loan on the property, he said.

Another risk is that the seller becomes a bankrupt within the three months it takes to complete the deal, said Mr Ismail.

A buyer should therefore also check to see if there are any pending legal suits against the seller to ensure he won't be made a bankrupt before the deal is sealed, he said.