My Pregnancy Supplements

Hi Everyone,

I am currently at the last leg of the race - currently 36 weeks along and during my last check-up, my little one is weighing 2.8kg and as for me, please don't ask how much weight I have put on throughout the pregnancy. It's kinda scary.

Throughout my pregnancy, I received a lot of do's and don'ts advises from people around me it is kind of difficult to keep track with every single one of them - some of them are contradicting as well like how one friend would say that watermelon is "cold" and "could potentially cause baby to have skin rashes" and another friend would say that taking watermelon daily can actually "give you a beautiful baby"

So to me, the easiest way out is always to try my best to eat healthy and frequently (hence the weight gain) as well as keeping in mind that "moderation is key". Throughout my pregnancy I reduced my fast food intake but I do not totally avoid McDonalds and my favourite Maggi Sup Tulang altogether. I have not been eating Sashimi not because they're raw but because I find raw fish disgusting ever since I got pregnant. Sashimi used to be one of my favourite food and I have them almost once a week before I got pregnant. Other than food intake, I also keep myself busy. I dragged myself to work everyday even on days when I feel like crap and immerse myself in work and keep myself and my mind busy through the day. It is my way of distracting myself from worrying and having negative thoughts. I also try to keep active, continue doing house chores though I keep the heavy lifting for the husband or for my weekly cleaners. Besides trying to eat healthy and keeping active,  I take supplements daily and include certain "habits" in my daily diet.

During my first trimester, my doctor prescribed me with Duphaston due to my previous chemical pregnancy history and after I hit my second trimester I was prescribed Obimin, Neurogain and Calcium Lactate tablets to eat once daily after meal. 

Once I began my third trimester, I started taking Virgin Coconut Oil in the form of capsules (because I can't stand the smell of liquid form VCO). From my online research, VCO is beneficial for both baby and mommy. It helps the body in preparation for birth and breastfeeding as well as provide vital nutrients and calories for the body. Lauric acid found in coconut oil and breast milk has been found to have antiviral, antibacterial and parasiticidal (kills parasites) properties that support proper immune function. This may help to protect your and your baby’s health in pregnancy. The benefits of lauric acid continues on during lactation, as those benefits are directly passed to your baby through your breast milk. Breast milk is comprised of about 20% lauric and capric acid, these help to protect your baby from illness.

One of the superfood that has been mentioned in the Al-Quran to be very beneficial for expecting mothers is dates. You can read all about the benefits of dates during pregnancy here. I normally eat 3 dates every morning together with a small box of Dutch Lady's milk to start the day. I also packed a box of dates in my hospital bag as they're really useful in giving the mother energy during labour.

I also try to drink Coconut Water every so often and I try to increase the frequency of taking Coconut Water as the pregnancy progresses. One of my friend advised to start drinking Coconut Water daily after 38 weeks. Coconut water has detoxifying benefits and it is believed that if you drink coconut water often towards the end of the pregnancy the baby will come out very clean without the gooey thick white liquid that usually covers the baby at birth. I am a Coconut Water lover so I definitely have no complaints about drinking loads of Coconut Water.

A colleague who is also pregnant recommended the Earth Mama Angel Baby Third Trimester Tea. I normally add some honey with my cup of tea and I have them every once in a while at the office. It is 100% organic and contains raspberry leaf which is believed to function as a uterine tonic and helps the body prepare for pregnancy. It is also 100% caffeine free so if you're a coffeeholic perhaps and you're in your third trimester, perhaps it's time to swap that cup of morning coffee with this delicious tea!

I will be going for my Maternity Leave in 2 weeks time, one week before my Estimated Due Date to just relax at home, catch up on some last minute reading and preparation for the baby as well as to pack for the temporary move to my mom's place during confinement. I may also have more time to blog but ultimately I have no control over when the baby is coming out, so please do keep me and my baby in your du'a.

Till Then, 

Liv

The Perfect Push Gift

Hi Everyone,

At this point, I am 35 weeks pregnant and whilst the first and second trimester of this pregnancy has been quite a breeze for me (Alhamdulillah!), third trimester has proven to be a little more challenging. No longer able to fit into most of the clothes in my wardrobe, I have now gained 15kgs and am now heavier than my husband! Of course the extra weight has caused major discomforts - backache, pains around the pelvic area, fatigue, difficulty breathing, needle pricking pain at the bottom of my feet, heatiness, the occasional braxton hicks..and the list goes on. I also find it difficult to sleep at night as there is just absolutely no comfortable sleeping position when you have a basketball sized tummy! Not to mention having to constantly wake up in the middle of the night to go to pee or you will feel like your bladder is going to explode. 

Having all of these discomforts, coupled with lack of sleep, and further fueled by the hormonal changes can sometimes make a pregnant lady a little bit more emotional than she usually is! Especially when you look at your husband and he is just living about his life normally during the day, no awkward protruding belly button situation and all, and sleeping so soundly at night. Sigh, men, they have it really easy! So, for all of the discomforts that us ladies have to go through throughout the 9 months of pregnancy and 44 days of confinement, we truly deserve the perfect push gift from our husbands!

What on earth is a Push Gift?  One may ask. Well, a Push Gift is a present a father gives to the mother for having to push a baby out of her vajayjay to mark the joyous occasion of her giving birth to their child. They are usually given before or after the birth, or even in the delivery room. It's basically a way of saying thank you for carrying the baby for 9 months, for constantly having to watch what she eats to ensure that the baby is well nourished, for having to go through numerous tests and check ups at the hospital, if i were to make a list of the things husbands should be thankful for to their expecting wives, this post would be a very very very long post, so let's just move on to the more interesting bit - Push Gift Ideas!

1. The C word

Husbands all around the world, get this, you can NEVER go wrong with Chanel! It is the ultimate perfect gift for any occasions. You can be extravagant and opt for the coveted handbags, or smaller items like a wallet, a pair of ballet flats (a mother NEEDS a comfy pair of flats) or jewelry like a pearl necklace or a brooch. Trust me, your wife will be smiling from ear to ear if she is presented with a Chanel box.

Flap Wallet in Quilted Lambskin, RM3,300 from Chanel.com

Patent Calfskin Ballerina, RM2,340 from Chanel.com


 Long Glass Pearl Necklace, RM3,920 from Chanel.com

 CC Brooch with Metal, Concrete and Diamante, RM1,870 from Chanel.com

2. Jewelry 

Jewelry is also ALWAYS a good idea. Gold, white gold, rose gold, diamond or platinum, really, just whatever suits your fancy. Or alternatively you can get her a Silver baby carriage charm from Pandora to commemorate the birth of your precious child!

Pandora Baby Carriage Charm

3. The Perfect Recliner for Nursing

This is definitely something that the both of you can enjoy. Posture is very important when a mother is nursing her baby and she also needs to be comfortable during nursing. The La-Z-Boy Power Recliner chair is perfect for nursing mothers and the rocking motion will also help to lull the baby to sleep. It is the perfect addition to your living room. Husbands can also enjoy watching football comfortably on this recliner chair. It's definitely a win-win purchase for both husband, wife... and the baby!

La-Z-Boy Power Recliner

4.  First Family Vacation

Well, this is something you are not able to do immediately, obviously the mother has to recover after the delivery and the whole family needs to adapt to the new addition. So give it some time before planning for the first family vacation together. I think when the baby is 6 months old is the perfect time for the whole family to bond over a vacation together. You know what they say, a family that travels together, stays together!

My personal pick for first family vacation destination? Definitely Bali! It is only a short flight from KL and you can definitely relax by the pool at the many beautiful resorts available in Bali. The idea is not to go somewhere very busy with lots of traveling but to just sit back, relax and enjoy each other's company. And I also choose Bali because I really wanna go back to the local Balinese photographer we hired for our honeymoon photo shoot. He takes really great photos and I would love to have him take pictures of us again, but now, as a family!

A photo from our Honeymoon photo shoot in Bali

5. The Ultimate Push Gift

Honestly, material things aside, to me, the ultimate Push Gift that any husbands could give is being there for the wife throughout the journey. Acknowledge that she is going through so much throughout the pregnancy- physically, emotionally and mentally. Perhaps it is nice if you could offer foot rubs occasionally without her having to ask for it, listen to her whine about her discomforts and give her reminder that Allah will reward in multi-fold for every aches and pains she is experiencing. Just sit through and listen to her constant worrying about the baby and give her reassurance that everything is going to be alright. Forgive her sins and always make du'a for her and the baby. Be there for her when she is in labour and do everything you can to help make it easy for her and give extra care and attention for her the first few weeks after delivery. And most importantly, when she has her hair in a high bun, with pilis on her forehead in her kain batik and loose worn out t-shirt smelling all like herbs and traditional ointments, tell her that she is still the most beautiful person and that you appreciate all that she has gone through and will always love her, constantly, everyday. I promise you, husbands to any expecting mothers, these are the things that are worth so much more than all the Chanel stores combined.

Till Then, Happy Gifting!

Liv

My First Leg Cramps

Hi Guys!

As I am writing this, I really should be at work but I am still in bed nursing my painful leg cramps! For the first time today I had to perform my Subuh prayer sitting on a chair. 

I have had a relatively easy pregnancy so far. I did not have morning sickness at all and other than the tiny episode of internal bleeding and my occasional backache, I've had it quite easy so far, Alhamdulillah. I always tell myself to count my blessings when I hear stories about placenta previa, pre-eclampsia, morning sickness so bad to a point of dehydration and many other "wonderful" stories from friends. But last night as I tried to turn around to change my sleep position my left leg started to cramp real badly and I started to scream perhaps too loud there's a chance that I might have woken up my neighbours at 3 am! I couldn't bring myself back to sleep since then. So today, not only that I am sleep deprived, I think I am gonna be walking funny for the rest of the day. 

Ahhh... The joys of pregnancy. But as long as my growing unborn baby is happy and healthy, I guess I welcome

all the future leg cramps and other third trimester discomforts coming my way.  Anything for you, my dear little one!

Till Then, Wish me Luck!
Liv

What You Need During the First and Second Trimester of Pregnancy - Part2

Hi Guys,

So this post is a continuation of my What You Need During the First and Second Trimester of Pregnancy - Part1 post. Basically in that post I have listed down main essential things you need during your first trimester, if you haven't checked that out, click on the link above. In this post, I'll focus on the Second Trimester of pregnancy.

Second Trimester of pregnancy is basically the time you will enjoy most. Your morning sickness will start to wear off, you will feel less lethargic all the time, and you will feel your baby kick for the first time in the second trimester. I felt my baby kick (actually, the first time wasn't a kick, it was more like a nudge) for the first time when I was around 18 weeks as I was laying in bed quietly before I go to bed that one night, and it felt AMAZING and the baby has been kicking joyfully ever since.

Since you're most energetic during the second trimester, it is the best time for you to do a lot of research on pregnancy, birthing, things to buy and parenting. Based on my personal experience, here are some of the things you may need during your second trimester:

• Body Pillow

Most expectant mothers begin to feel backache in their third trimester. Unfortunately for me, my lower back started aching when I was only around 15 weeks pregnant! My bump wasn't even showing yet but boy, my lower back hurt when I woke up every morning as if I was just hit by a lorry in my sleep. I remember waking up one morning feeling so sore and I thought to myself, "That's it. I need to sort this problem out, pronto!" So, that day I texted my boss asking for a half-day off - I went around Midvalley looking for a body pillow. I wanted one which will support the whole body including giving ample back support. Ideally, I wanted a U-shaped pillow for complete support coverage. The ones they have at the stores in Midvalley were either too small or too expensive (above RM350!) I didn't want to spend too much money on the pillow as I was actually kind of skeptical of its effectiveness. I resorted to search for the pillows online and found Geboo Pregnancy Pillow. They offer C-shaped body pillow with Grade A fiberfill for only RM240. Texted them, made payment online and called my husband to pick-up the pillow from the seller in Shah Alam, and from that point onwards, the pillow has been my sleeping companion ever since!

Picture from Geboo Pregnancy Pillow website

• Register for Birthing Class

I really am  a nerd an advocate that "Knowledge is Power" so I would highly recommend for first-time-moms to attend birthing class. There are many birthing classes available in the market these days, your hospital may also offer birthing class for free. The one that I was drawn the most to is AMANI Birthing Class. AMANI is short for Assisting Mothers for Active, Natural and Instinctive birth. For me, the major plus point of AMANI class is that it is an Islamic-based childbirth education. Their primary goal is to teach utmost trust in Allah throughout the process of childbirth. I registered for AMANI class with Nadine Ghows, you can check her website at http://www.mygentlebeginnings.com/. The AMANI class runs for 5 consecutive Saturdays from 2.30 p.m. - 5.30 p.m (please check with Nadine for exact schedules). She also holds other classes and doula services. So far, I have been to 3 out of 5 classes. InsyaAllah, I will write another blogpost to review the AMANI birthclass I attended after I give birth. If you have any questions or need any information prior to that, please feel free to drop a comment or contact me at the email address stated in the "About Me" section of this blog.

• Register for Pregnancy Yoga

Personally, I have not attended any yoga classes prior to my pregnancy but I am quite sure that Pregnancy yoga is not as "extreme" as the normal yoga. Pregnancy yoga is pretty much focused on simpler physical exercises or postures (asanas) to alleviate pains during pregnancy as well as to encourage better posture to ease labour, breathing and relaxation techniques. Pregnancy yoga promotes physical, mental and emotional wellbeing amongst expectant mothers. The best time to start pregnancy yoga is during your second trimester. I am lucky enough to know a friend who has a friend who is a prenatal yoga instructor, Deepa. Deepa comes to my house once a week for a one-hour private prenatal yoga session. During a prenatal yoga session, all you need is basically a yoga mat and comfortable workout clothes. I strongly recommend pregnancy yoga as I feel absolutely refreshed at the end of every one hour session. Fitfor2 at Bangsar Village II offers prenatal yoga classes or alternatively, just go on youtube - there are plenty of guided prenatal yoga videos available, for free!

• Read the Quran, Recite Prayers, Du'a and Zikir Frequently

If you are a Muslim, it is recommended to read the Quran, recite prayers and make du'a for yourself, your husband and your unborn baby. There are many Surahs in the Quran that are beneficial during pregnancy -Surah Maryam, Luqman, Yusuf, Yaseen, At-Taubah and Hujurat to name a few. Du'a and Zikir will help you ease the constant worry you have about your unborn baby. Listening to Quran recitals will also help the baby to get used to the Kalaam of Allah (words of Allah) and hopefully when the baby is born, he/she will be an obedient servant to Allah and uphold righteousness, insyaAllah.

• Belly Support

Belly Support is an amazing, multipurpose product. Not only it provides support to your growing belly, it also functions as "wardrobe extender" and helps avoid fashion faux pas moments. If you can still fit into your jeans but can't button 'em due to your growing tummy, the belly support will provide coverage to the crotch area. It is also very useful when your tops are a bit too short and you don't want to be exposing your tummy to the world. Expectant mothers around the world swore to its effectiveness in making them feel more comfortable, alleviate backaches and pains around the pelvic area.

• Make a Shopping Checklist and Start Crossing them Out

The most exciting part about being pregnant is shopping for your baby! Some mothers prefer to start shopping after the 7th month, however, it is good to be prepared. Make a checklist of the items you need for newborn and start doing your research. There are just too many products available in the market so you need to read reviews or go to the store to test them out in order to decide the products that satisfy your needs and requirements as well as your budget! And, speaking of budget it is also good to space-out your shopping through the months so that you don't feel like you have to spend a fortune at one go. Below is a checklist that I have developed based on my research and my own personal needs.

NEWBORN SHOPPING CHECKLIST

Clothing	Swaddle
	Receiving blanket
	Mittens and booties
	Hooded Towels
	Button-front clothes (rompers, pjs, short /long sleeves pants and short/ long sleeves shirts)
	Hats
	Baby tummy binders
	Baby soft shoes
Feeding	Nursing bras
	Breastfeeding pillow
	Breast pump
	Breast pads
	Nipple cream (lanolin-based is best)
	Loose shirts or button-downs for mum (easier for nursing)
	Feeding cloth / apron
	Feeding bottles
	Bottle / Food Warmer
	Steriliser
	Bottle brush
	Bottle Cleanser / Detergent
	Soothers / Pacifiers
	Breast milk storage (bottles / plastics)
	Bibs
	Handkerchiefs / Burping cloths
	Bottle drying rack
	Ice packs/ Hot packs
	Formula milk (for hospital, just in case)
	Water Flask / Hot water dispenser
Changing	Changing table / chest of drawers / organiser for diapers and toiletries
	Diaper / Baby Bag
	Diapers
	Baby lotion
	Baby wipes
	Nappy cream / Diaper rash ointments
	Ointment to keep umbiical cord clean
	Baby powder (Liquid form)
	Toys to distract baby
	Changing mat & travel changing mat
	Dirty-diaper bags (for travel)
	Diaper pail
Travel	Stroller & stroller toys
	Car Seat & car seat toys
	Handsfree baby carrier / sling
	Infant body support for stroller/car seat
Bedding	Cot (convertible bedside cot)
	Cot bumper
	Toys / Mobile for cot
	Mattress
	Fitted sheets
	Pillow & Bolster
	Blanket / Quilt
	Travel Cot / Playpen
	Secure Sleeper (by The First Years)
	Baby monitor
	Mosquito net (if you need)
	Baby Gym/Crib Mobile
	Rocking Chair / Bouncer
Bath / Grooming	Bath tub with body support
	Bath Toys like rubber duckie
	Bath sponge
	Baby shampoo
	Baby bath
	Vicks, minyak yuyi, minyak telon, baby oil / baby lotion
	Cotton buds
	Nail clippers
	Nose cleaner
	Thermometer
	Baby washcloths
	Detergent for Baby Clothes
For Mom	Maternity Pads
	Tanamera Confinement Set
	Thick Socks
	Bengkung
	Nonslip Sandals
	Kain batik
	Breastfeeding supplements

• Prepare a Hospital Bag Checklist

Though you won't be needing a hospital bag packed during the Second Trimester, it is always good to have a checklist to ensure that you won't miss anything out.


HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST

For Baby	Day clothes - Romper/Shorts and Button Top (3 days change/Different sizes)
	Pyjamas (3 days change/Different sizes)
	Mittens and Booties
	Baby Tummy Binders
	Swaddle Wraps
	Receiving Blankets
	Hat
	Baby going home clothes
	Diapers
	Baby Wipes
	Travel set toiletries (Shampoo, bath, oil, and ointments)
	Hooded Towel
For Dad	Camera and Chargers
	Handphone & Chargers
	One pair of change of clothes (Jeans and Tshirt)
	Some food - biscuits, dates, air zam zam
	Towel, comb, toiletries set, contact lense solution
	Make sure newborn car seat is installed
	Important docs/Pink Book
For Mom	Birth Plan/Notes/Prayers
	Travel toiletries set, comb, hair tie
	Towel
	Nursing Bras
	3 days change of clothes - Button front Tops for Nursing
	Socks and slip-on slippers
	Going home clothes (Think Kate Middleton!)
	Maternity Pads
	Maternity Underwears/Disposable Underwears
	Breast Cream
	Breast Pads
	Make up/Lip balm
	Maternity/Nursing Pillows
	Nipple Cream Charges and Handphone

 

I hope this post has provided expectant mothers useful insights into the wonderful Second Trimester of pregnancy. Fellow mothers, first-time-moms and moms-to-be out there are welcomed to share your thoughts and experience in the comment section.

Till Then, Keep Well.
Liv

What You Need During the First and Second Trimester of Pregnancy - Part1

Hi Guys!

So, I have just graduated from my second trimester and now I am in the awkwardly-protruding-belly-button trimester (read: third trimester). Since, I've been having this thing called "pregnancy brains" where I have trouble remembering things I thought I should pen down some of my thoughts and experience from my first and second trimester before I completely forget them.

This post is going to be all about first trimester and I will write a subsequent post to describe my second trimester experience.

I was super blessed and did not experience any morning sickness at all.  However, my blood pressure was pretty low during the first trimester, which is actually absolutely normal during early pregnancy hence I was pretty much exhausted and dizzy all the time. But other than that, Alhamdulillah,  my first trimester went on really smoothly.

What do you Need during the First Trimester of Pregnancy?

• Pregnancy Apps

As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I immediately downloaded Pregnancy Apps on both my phone and on my husband's phone. Pregnancy Apps like babycenter Pregnancy, What to Expect and BabyBump help track your pregnancy, provide you with a lot of information, tips and tricks and allow you to join community social groups so that you can connect with other expecting mothers all over the world. It is absolutely helpful especially for first-time moms.

• Set your first appointment with your preferred OB/GYN and get started on prenatal supplements

Getting a good doctor is very important during pregnancy. This is the person who will see you through your pregnancy, provide medical advice and most importantly will be the one responsible for the safe delivery of your precious baby (with Allah's will). Throughout your pregnancy, you will need to go through various examinations and tests as well as sharing intimate details about your body. So choose wisely. You need someone you're comfortable with instead of being intimidated by.In choosing a doctor, do also lookout for their historical delivery experience and it is important to choose a doctor who will support and honor your birth plans. Good doctors in Klang Valley are highly sought after. Some would actually take a few months before you get to secure your very first appointment. So as soon as you know youre pregnant start asking friends and family for references and recommendations as well as do your research online and once you have decided, call to make your first appointment. Meanwhile, get advice from your current doctor on prenatal supplements. Most doctor will recommend taking Duphaston and Acid Folic during the first trimester. You may also need a progesterone jab to strengthen your uterus if have mild bleeding during the first trimester.

• Stock-up on Pantyliners

Without being too TMI, basically the hormonal changes in your body will cause increase in discharge down there. It is very important to maintain cleanliness to avoid infections. Even more so for Muslims as we need to ensure that we are clean every time we pray, five times a day. Normally, you will need multiple pantyliner changes in one day. So always carry a few extras in your handbag!

• Stretch Mark Creams

I was told by many that stretch marks prevention must begin as early as the first trimester. So one of the first things that I bought during my first trimester was Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula for Stretch Marks. I diligently applied the butter on stretch marks prone areas (tummy and thighs) every night before I go to bed starting from 8 weeks.

However, after finishing the whole tub I decided to do more research on stretch marks and found out that cocoa butter has not been proven to reduce stretch marks! Disappointed by my new findings, I turned to my colleague who has been pregnant twice but is still slender and fabulous. She told me that Olive Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil worked wonders for her so that very same day I went to the nearest pharmacy and bought Palmer's Olive Butter Formula. They smell nice and are less stickier than the Cocoa Butter. The results? Ask me again after I give birth. 

• Pregnancy, Childcare and Parenting Books

As first-time moms, we are clueless about anything and everything. Knowledge is power, so don't be stingy in investing on good books to keep you informed on what is currently happening to your body and what to expect in the time to come. Many said that the "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book is the Holy Book when it comes to pregnancy but having personally own the book, I feel like most of the content and information in the book can be found online. Personally, I prefer books that are more graphic/pictorial. There are plenty of books in the market currently so choose one that you find interesting and will not make you doze off after reading the first few pages!

• Research & Book Confinement Lady Services

Most Confinement Lady services are pre-booked way in advanced especially if you're around Klang Valley area. So make sure, researching, considering and engaging with conversations with the service providers early. Some of them require 50% deposit to secure bookings.

Things to consider when searching for Confinement Lady:

• Budget
• Stay-in/Daily Visits
• Length of Stay/Duration of Visit
• Location and Transportation Costs
• What services do you need? Do you need food to be prepared, clothes to be washed, or extra care for your newborn baby? Do you need confinement care set to be provided?

Here are some Confinement Lady options around Klang Valley you can choose from:

• Kakak Adek Confinement Therapist.  Offers various confinement packages from 3 days - 14 days. Additional fees for baby care and transportation. Contact Eni at 0176759218
• Siti Aishah Confinement. Early reservation required with 50% deposit. Fees are on per-session basis. One downside is we can't choose our preferred Confinement Lady visitation hours, as it is based on availability of Confinement Lady.  Contact Puan Mira at 016-2278421
• Jemari Tradisional. Offers stay-in Confinement Lady services. Packages can be viewed at http://rawatanbersalin.blogspot.com/. Contact Puan Rozita at 012-2431966
• Shadira Post Malay Natal Treatment. Also offers stay-in Confinement Lady. All packages can be viewed at http://shadirabeauty.com/blog/category/services/ , however I must say that the packages are a bit pricey. Contact Shadira at 012-2141 780 
• Sri Wajah Ibu. Their packages include complete postnatal set and can viewed at https://www.facebook.com/RahsiaSriWajahIbu. Contact Farhana at 013-671 1961

During the first trimester, there are a lot of things happening and changing within our body, internally without us noticing. Physically/externally, the changes can be minimal or less visible. If you don't have your morning sickness chances are there are days when you don't feel pregnant at all. Be careful and do not over exert yourself. First trimester is when your pregnancy is the most delicate so always ensure that you have plenty of rest and take things slowly.

If you are currently in your first trimester and experiencing bad morning sickness, hang in there! Keep your spirits high and always remember no good deeds go unnoticed in the "eyes" of Allah. So think about the rewards that Allah is blessing you with in exchange of the discomforts you're currently having. InsyaAllah, better days will come soon!

Till then, Keep well

Liv

My Pregnant - Hammam Experience

Do you remember the days when our moms used to bathe us? Well, my mom would get to every nook and cranny of my body and I would leave the bathroom feeling really clean and fresh. It was kinda different if it was my dad who bathe me, though - all I can remember was some quick splash of water and fighting not to get shampoo into my eyes and 5 minutes later I was already dressed. Ahh.. the good memories of childhood!

Anyway, if you ever felt like reliving your childhood memory of being bathe by someone else you should definitely head to Hammam for a Hammam and Gommage session!

What is Hammam? You may ask. Well, Hammam is a traditional Moroccan version of a Turkish Bath. Hammam in Arabic means "spreader of warmth" and you can trace its roots from Ancient Greek Roman bathhouse culture.

Hammam has been my annual birthday ritual for the past couple of years except for 2014 because unfortunately my birthday fell on the "National Mourning Day" and I thought it didn't feel right to spend the day by indulging myself with a Spa Session.

I visited the Bangsar Village II outlet recently for a Hammam, Gommage and Moorish Body polish session - I thought it will be a nice way to start the new year as well as a good way to reward myself after spending a couple of weeks studying for my MBA exams!

 

The Bathing Area (Picture credit to thestar.com.my)

Why I love Hammam? Well, A Hammam and Gommage session isn't like any other of your typical body spa session where the therapist will slather scrub all over your body and then let you soak yourself in a bath tub filled with 7 different kinds of flowers.

During a Hammam and Gommage session, the therapist will literally bathe you like a kid. To give you a better idea, let me walk you through a typical Hammam and Gommage & Moorish Body Polish session.

Before you begin, you will be taken to the Locker area where you will given disposables to cover your vital parts, a bath robe and a pair of slippers to change into. If you're not comfortable wearing disposables, you can also bring your own pair of bikini. After that, you will be brought to the Moroccan style "bathing area" which is a warm tiled room with a water trough.

Hammam and Gommage

During a Hammam session, the therapist will pour warm water all over your body and then slather you with the "Beldi Black Soap". The Beldi Black Soap is made of olives and is meant to prepare your skin for vigourous exfoliation during the Gommage session.

During the Gommage session, the therapist will use a special glove and scrub all over your body. She will get to all the nooks and cranny of your body -including the back of your ears, the folds of your legs, your armpits, so technically, every single part of your body will be covered and  all the dead skin cells will be scrubbed away! At this point, you can see literally see rolls of dead skin cells laying around  all over and around your body. It is a bit gross but very invigorating at the same time! Your skin will feel much clearer and smoother after a gommage session.

Moorish Body Polish
After you're all cleaned up and all of your dead skin cells have been removed, the therapist will then slather volcanic clay all over your body. The volcanic clay is mined from the Atlas mountains and is used as a hair and body mask to thicken hair keratin, remineralises, detoxifies and soften skin. After about 20 minutes, the therapist will again pour warm water all over your body to rid of the body mask.

Once you're all done, the therapist will then again bathe you with soap and shampoo and get this, will also pat you dry and help you put your robe back on! Once you're done with the whole session, you will be taken to the lounge area and served a nice hot mint tea and Baklava dessert to wind down.

The Lounge Area (Picture credit to thestar.com.my)

 

Things to Consider

• The bathing area in Bangsar outlet can accomodate 2 person at a time, and having someone to bathe you means that you will need to expose parts of your body to the therapist and potentially another stranger in the room. But thankfully, most of the time I was there I got the room all to myself. But if you're uncomfortable exposing yourself to total strangers then Hammam is definitely not for you.
• The bathing area can be quite warm, so it is not recommended if you're in the first trimester of your pregnancy. Always check with your OBGYN and your Hammam therapist if you plan to indulge in a Hammam session during pregnancy.
• Having said that, the therapist will take extra pecautionary care when dealing with pregnant ladies. They will ensure that you are in a comfortable position, provide support when needed and most definitely, you will not be asked to lie flat on your tummy! I also felt like the Gommage scrub was also more gentle this time around.

If you're interested on booking an appointment, you are advised to contact either their Publika or Bangsar Village II outlet at least 3 days in advanced as they usually run full. For more info, checkout their official website.


Till Then, Happy Hammam-ing!

Liv