12th Appointment - 37 weeks

Date of appointment : 28 March 2006

Another routine check up. The due date is drawing nearer.

Douglas talked to us about the various options of pain relief during labour and breast feeding.

Basically, there are 3 options for pain relief. There's a gas, commonly called 'laughing gas' which is within reach by the bedside. It's good for little to moderate pain. Then, there is the injection, which is done on the thigh. It's more for moderate to serious pain. Drawback is, the pain relief effects wear off after 30 mins, AND, there must be an interval of 4 hours between each dosage. Not much use there, I believe. Last but not least, there's the epidural. It is highly recommended by many Gynaenocogists. Its pain relief effectiveness is proven to be remarkable with the patient feeling very little or no pain at all. Side effects include headache, backache and some numbness of the legs. Although the epidural is the ultimate defense against labour pains, there's still a number of mothere-to-be refusing to administer it.

Lina is one of them. Although she has a very low pain threshold, she made up her mind to go without epidural. Isn't she brave? I've decided to give her whatever support she needs. I'll stand by her, whatever decision she makes.

We asked Douglas about which bath lotion should we buy for little Ellie. He said the baby bath lotion and shampoo by Johnson & Johnson is perfect. Tried and tested, can't go wrong with it.

He prescribed a cocoa-butter based nipple cream for Lina, to prepare her physically for breast feeding.

Next appointment a week away.