Quite interesting? If you read my previous writing, I was once telling about prescriptions that the doctor gave to me during my pregnancy since I did not like milk at all. Well… except for yoghurt and yakult (it is a Japanese probiotic milk-like product made by fermenting a mixture of skimmed milk with a special strain of the bacteria Lactobacillus casei Shirota).
It happened last December when Maxwell still breastfed by me (he stopped breastfeeding at 13 months old and he stopped it by himself). I was traveling to another island for three days and during that time Maxwell was still 9 months old. I was so upset at the beginning for not being able to bring him along with me (Cane did not allow me). I missed him so much on the way and missed to cradle him in my arm, fortunately I was so busy with the work that it killed my yearning for several hours. When the evening started to crawl and I was left alone in my chamber… I could feel all the pain of being lonely as well as being full. I got a short headache and felt that my breasts were full and leaking at the same time. I need direct breastfeeding since I was not prepared for weaning yet.
When it was not possible for direct breastfeeding, I started to express (artificially remove and store) my milk in the bottle. A manual massage was applied at the beginning (for 1 minute) and then followed with a breast pump. Before expressing, I used warm towel to compress both breasts and this would stimulate both breasts to produce more milk, a warm shower would work as well. A 15 minutes express could produce 150 ml milk and I did one time at 18.00 and again at 24.00. After expressing the milk and put in the bottle, I realized that there was no fridge to freeze the milk and I could not bring the milk back to Jakarta within 3 days.
I stared at the milk and observed carefully that there were two different colors that showed in 2 different bottles. The first bottle which filled with the first express were almost white transparent which is called foremilk (the watery milk coming from a full breast). The second bottle, with later express showed thicker white color which is called hindmilk (the creamy milk coming from a nearly empty breast). My curiosity tickled me that night and I wondered why Maxwell loved this milk. Every evening he eagerly waited for my return and would cry out loud if I did not breastfeed him as soon as his eyes spotted me. I did not like milk but willingly to take a try for enhancing my experience.
I took a sip and I love it… it was so sweet and smell like my baby. I drank from both bottle and felt no different taste between one another only the hindmilk felt thicker. On the day two, I took different meals that used more ingredients in it. People said that the taste of the milk will be different from one meal to another, so I took a try to fulfill my eagerness. In the evening, I did the same thing again and I found out actually there was no different with milk taste no matter what kind of meals that the mother took during that day, but there was a different in the aroma produced that night, still I love the taste.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breastfeeding it is said that the research shows that between the ages of 12 and 24 months, 448 milliliters of human milk provide these percentages of the following minimum daily requirements: Energy 29%, Folate 76%, Protein 43%, Vitamin B12 94%, Calcium 36%, Vitamin C 60%, Vitamin A 75%. If human milk contains such benefit, why adult did not consume it as well instead of having cow’s milk?
11 June 2009
Breast Milk for Adult
02 June 2009
Cat's Medicine
Do you have a sick cat at home? I am not a cat lover (but my mother is) and sometimes I help my mom with caring her cats. My mom can teach her cat to sit on her lap and handle the milk bottle during nursing time. She can also teach her cat to massage her tight whenever she sits on the floor. She can teach lots of tricks to her cats that sometimes amaze our neighbors.
The worse part is when the cat got sick, she would be very sad (and upset) and would try every kind of medicine that she could have. She learned about medicine since she was young and she also learned about modern medicine from my brother (he is a medical doctor), until one day she found a small plant that gave a medical effect for the cats.
This plant has leaves look like spinach and wildly grow in the field. The cat usually eats the root of this plant and it will roll over for the sensation caused by the plant. Sometimes, just by smelling the root, cat can jump and start to roll its body on the leaves. I observe this behavior carefully and start to smell the plant, however I can not get the same sensation that cat has. No matter how sick the cat is, you can just give this plant to it and it will cure by itself.
There is a wounded cat in my neighborhood and he usually comes to my house for the cat’s nips. This time he was badly injured that he could only use three of his legs, he has no appetite for foods and stayed under the shaded tree all the time. My mom was visiting me when she saw the cat and she asked me to look for the plant (which I forgot before). I pulled several plants (we called it “root of the cat”) and gave to the cat. I kept doing it for two days and now he can move here and there and eat a lot.
Dr. Lie, once told me about this “root of cat” but he could not explain why this kind of plant can help to cure the sick cat. If you just happen to have a sick cat, try to find this wild plant near the gutter or field and let you cat have it…
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01 June 2009
Ice Theraphy
Articles from "The Second Edition of Introduction to Massage Therapy" (ISBN-13: 978-0-7817-7374-4)
Ice is useful because it has five important effects on the body:
First, ice reduces sensations, including pain sensations, by slowing the transmission of sensory messages from local nerve fibers to the brain. This numbing effect is used in medicine for everything from reducing discomfort right after injuries (such as bruises, burns, muscle strains, joint sprains, hematomas, and fractures), to reducing pain after orthopedic surgery, to numbing areas that are going to be injected with anaesthetic or stung by bees in beesting therapy. After an area is cooled, it may take a long time to return to normal temperature: in one study, the intramuscular temperature of the gastrocnemius muscle took 1.5 hours to return to normal following a 20 minutes of ice pack application, and 3 hours to return to normal following a 20-minute bath in 10 degree Celcius water.
Second, ice reduces inflammation by decreasing circulation: as blood vessels constrict, blood supply to the area decreases drastically. This anti-inflammantory effect is used in medicine for many conditions including the itching andoozing of mild poision ivy, swelling from certain cancer chemotherapeutic medications, and cancer itself, arresting herpes blisters when they first begin to erupt and reducing swelling after orthopedic surgery. As massage therapists, we can use ice to treat swelling from bruises, sprains, strains, and pulled muscles.
Third, ice can stop bleeding in a local area under the ice application. In an emergency situation such as an impact injury, shutting off the flow of blood into an area can be accomplished very quickly. In one study, an ice wrap applied to one knee was compared to a room temperature wrap applied to the opposite knee. Researchers found that the ice wrap caused a 38% decrease in arterial blood flow, a 26% decrease in soft tissue blood flow, and a 19% reduction in blood flow to the bone itself (1). As little as 5 minutes of icing a knee can decrease blood flow to soft tissue and bone in the knee (2). Ice applications generally should be limited to 15 to 30 minutes because the tissues under the ice may become so ishemic that they are damaged: frostbite and nerve palsy have resulted from longer applications.
Fourth, ice decreases muscle spasm. Drs. Janet Travell and David Simons, authors of Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, recommend ice stroking of muscles tension long enough for individual muscles to be gently but thoroughly stretched.
Fifth, ice slows the transmission of motor messages from the brain to local nerve fibers. Known as cryostretch, the use of ice massage before stretching can increase range of motion dramatically.
For further reading Ice Therapy see the link above...
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29 May 2009
The Miracle of Ice Cubes
I read in Chinese comics or watched in TV that ice cubes sometimes used for remedial process, especially for bruises. I never expect the fast healing process that it caused by ice cubes until I experienced this: I just moved to the new house which I bought for my family and I wanted to clean up the top window of the house by stepping on the roof. I did not step correctly and bang! I fell down from 4 meters height directly to the bedroom. I landed on the floor which the right leg landed on the bed. All I felt just a painful on my leg and backache until my brother came to see the situation (he is a medical doctor).
The next thing he asked me was to move my fingers which I could do and then he asked me to lie down.
He covered my right leg with lots of ice cubes that killed me with pain. I felt like hundreds of needles shot my leg, so painful but he did not listen to my protest. Being half consciousness, I did not know how long he covered my leg with ice but I could hear he changed the ice several time. That day, I just lied down and felt painful but later on I was sweating instead of feeling cold in the leg. The next day, I could stand up and the day after I could walk again.
I never think about the ice cube until yesterday when one of my friend who is a "shinshe" (Chinese traditional medical doctor) shared his knowledge about the miracle of ice cube. He proved that the ice cube can remedy many problems like cyst (just give ice compressed on the tummy), sore throat (ice compressed on the eye), exhausted (stepping on ice for 30 minutes) and many more. He suggested us to put our feet on ice whenever we sit down and working since it will make us fresh and energized. The first time of ice stepping will be painful but if we continually do it for several times we will get used to it and no pain at all.
He once experience a terrible accident with motorbike, he fell down from speedy motorbike that caused half of his face damaged and badly injured. He put ice cubes on his face for quite sometimes until the wound healed and a new skin started to cover his face again. Now he looks just like before.
He told me that this habit will also drive us away from sickness such as catching cold or digest problem. I guess it is no harm at all to follow his suggestion since no side effect reported yet from his patients so far. If we can have the cheap way for prevention, why not starting now...
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25 May 2009
Common Test During Pregnancy
This information is taken from “What to expect when you’re expecting” (ISBN 0-7611-2132-3)
Test and When Performed -> Procedure -> Reason
Blood type. First visit -> Examination of blood drawn from your arm -> To determine blood type, Rh type, and Kell factor.
Hematocrit or hemoglobin. First visit and again at 20 weeks -> Examination of blood drawn from your arm -> If test shows iron deficiency or anemia, iron supplement is necessary.
Rubella titer. First visit -> Examination of blood drawn from your arm -> To check for immunity to rubella (German measles).
Syphilis test (VDRL). First visit -> Examination of blood drawn from your arm -> If syphilis infection is present, prompt treatment will prevent harm to fetus.
HIV test. First visit -> Examination of blood drawn from your arm -> Diagnosis and treatment can help the mother and reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to the fetus.
Hepatitis B screen. First visit -> Examination of blood drawn from your arm -> If hepatitis B infection is present, the mother can be treated prenatally, and the infant can be treated immediately after birth.
Pap smear. First visit -> Cervical secretions are collected on a swab and examined under a microscope for abnormal cells -> To check for cervical cancer, or other cell abnormalities.
Gonorrhea culture and genital herpes. First visit -> Vaginal secretions are collected on a swab and cultured in the lab -> If infection is present, it can be treated.
Chlamydia test. First visit -> Area around cervix, urethra, or rectum is swabbed to check for possible infectious organisms -> If infection is present, it can be treated.
Bacteria in urine. First visit -> Urine specimen is examined -> Bacteria in urine can indicate an infection, which would then be treated.
Drug screen. First visit -> Urine specimen is examined -> Any abuse of illicit drugs during pregnancy is hazardous and should be treated promptly.
Blood pressure. Each visit -> Blood pressure is measured with cuff and stethoscope, or with electronic device -> To screen for pregnancy induced hypertension, or preeclampsia.
Sugar (glucose) in the urine. Each visit -> A specially treated “dip-stick” is dipped in a specimen of urine -> Persistent high levels of sugar in the urine could be an indication of gestational diabetes and require further testing.
Albumin (protein) in the urine. Each visit -> A specially treated “dip-stick” is dipped in a specimen urine -> High protein levels in urine could indicate a bladder infection or might be related to preeclampsia.
Triple screen (MSAFP). Between weeks 15 and 18 -> Examination of blood drawn from your arm -> Prenatal diagnosis screening test to check for the possibility of fetal defect and the need for more testing.
Glucose tolerance test. At 28 weeks (usually earlier and more often in diabetics) -> Examination of blood drawn from your arm after drinking a special glucose drink -> To test for gestational diabetes.
Group B step (GBS) test. Around 37 weeks -> A swab of the area around the vagina and rectum is examined. Urine is also examined -> To screen for GBS, which can be treated during labor to protect the newborn.
Actually I did not do all the test only blood type, hemoglobin, rubella titer, HIV test, hepatitis B screen, blood pressure, and sugar in the urine...
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The Third Trimester
I am very grateful that I did not severe from edema (swelling due to accumulation of fluids in the tissues) of the ankles and feet during my pregnancy. I know a friend who suffered from this edema that was once considered a potential danger sign in pregnancy. To ease it, she was suggested to avoid extended periods of standing and elevates her legs when she was sitting. I always elevate my legs whenever I sit down as a habit and fortunately this habit gives benefit during pregnancy period.
Nowadays many of my friends prefer bottle feeding than breastfeeding but since I was educated the importance of breastfeeding, I prefer it more than the other. Breast is the best since it tailored to the needs of human infants, the proportion of protein in mother’s milk is lower than in cow’s milk that making it more digestible. The milk itself served up directly from my breast isn’t improperly prepared, contaminated, or spoiled. I also read that breastfeeding is a brain booster and it keeps allergies on hold as well as an infection preventer. Many advantageous I learned and later on I felt the benefits as well.
I was well prepared for labor on my own but it was a week overdue (41st week). It was Monday at 02.30 when I got the Braxton Hicks contractions and we waited until 08.00 before we decided to go to the hospital. Actually I would have delivered at Siloam Kebon Jeruk but since due to the heavy traffic every Monday morning, we decided to go to Siloam Karawaci (just five minutes from home). The doctor showed that the aging placenta almost fail to supply adequate nutrition and oxygen so he suggested me to have cesarean section. Nevertheless, I would prefer induction of labor which started at 08.30. It was a long painful moment for me, I got dilation of cervix to 8 centimeters from 20.00 till 22.00 and no increment until then I gave up and asked for cesarean section. Maxwell was delivered at 22.45 in healthy condition. Being older than other babies, Maxwell had longer nails and opened-eyed and alert.
It was truly a great happiness for both of us to have Maxwell in our life…
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20 May 2009
The Second Trimester
I started feeling the movement of the baby inside and Cane was overwhelming when at the end of the second trimester, our doctor told us that we were expecting baby boy. A boy in Cane’s culture (Batak) and mine (Chinese) is the most important child for he will carry the surname of his father. He was so happy that he sang Batak’s song along the way home from the physician. Actually we did not really concern about the gender for we will love our child as it is, since a baby boy in the first pregnancy is quite rare in our family’s history so this news did double our happiness.
Another thing that I felt important to take into account which sometimes was forgotten was dental problems. As I read in the book that serious form of gum disease during pregnancy could increases the risk of having premature baby. The gums become swollen and inflamed, and tend to bleed easily because of pregnancy hormones. These hormones also make gums more susceptible to plaque and bacteria, which can develop into periodontitis. So I took vitamin C, juices and vegetables more than before. Careful brushing is advised as well or using dental flossing can prevent us from bleeding gum. Besides that, I started to have trouble with breathing and during the night sleep I felt uneasy. The best sleeping position that I found was on my left side with pillow placed in between two legs. I read that this position allowed maximum flow of blood and nutrients to the placenta as well as enhancing the kidney’s function.
Beware of mosquitoes, since along these month, mosquitoes tend to attack me more than Cane. When we watched TV together in the living room, I felt that mosquitoes were dancing near me more often and I was the only one who got lots of bites than he was. We took serious precautions for this problem by buying electric racket to catch and kill mosquitoes. This racket produces current if we push the button and this racket has three layers strings which trapped up the mosquitoes inside and gives the electric shocks to them. It is a safety tool to kill mosquitoes compared to any insect repellent.
I also started to take hospital tours and childbirth education class which gave me billions of benefits. They gave me valuable information from the very beginning until the child is born. The emergency number was given to us and we were welcomed to call them 24 hours for any information regarding our pregnancy. I took the class in Siloam Hospital at Karawaci – Tangerang. Cane joint the class with me to prepare himself as a good father, he even tried the simulation how to carry the new born in his hands. It was fun to know what we were expecting.
The seventh month was the celebration month according to Java tradition. During this month usually a traditional celebration is performed, the future father is asked to draw the baby's face in the coconuts, each for girl's face and boy's face. Later on, the future mother is wrapped in "sarong" and bathed with water filled with flower petals. In the water, some coins were put and spread in the air so that children can collect them afterward. Yellow rice with fried chicken and spices are served together with mixed fruits in peanut sauce. If the mixed fruits tasted delicious, it means that the future mother will deliver a baby girl otherwise a baby boy. I am no good in making traditional food, so the taste of mixed fruits really too spicy and terrible, however guests still enjoy the rest of the food...
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