Stress is good?
I am glad I am having a smooth pregnancy so far and pray it will continue.
Hospital
Firstly, I booked myself into the Hospital C because it is really close to home. Exactly 2 trams stop away. When the doctor’s assistant booked the hospital for me, I was 5 weeks pregnant. After doing a maternity ward tour, I realised there was a waiting list and I was the 2nd on the list.
I’m 23weeks now and they haven’t called to tell me if I got a place. In February, I panic and called the hospital to see if I was still on the waiting list, the nurses there said that they were not offering places to those due in August yet, however, my chances look very good. Last month, I called again to check and they again said they were only doing those due in late July. This time, they said, my chances looked very slim.
Being pregnant at 20weeks then made me worry about not booking into any hospital or attending any pre-natal classes. I got really stress as I really didn’t want to give birth on the streets. Of course I was angry with the hospital. It doesn’t make any sense for me to go to another hospital when I can practically walk to Hospital C.
Stressed, I had to quickly booked myself into both Hospital W and Hospital J - both small private hospital. I know, its damn Kiasu but based on the circumstances, I realised angmo more Kiasu than me. After viewing both hospital, I still couldn’t make a decision because my first choice is still Hospital C, simply because it is nearer and it’s a Catholic hospital. I have no one to give me feedback on both. At the end, I chose Hospital J, simply because it is the private wing of a major hopsital. In case anything happens to me or the baby, I get immediate care instead of being ambulanced from the small private hospital. Guess what? Hospital C still haven’t call me back. *sigh…
Work
I’m constantly stressed at work. We have been short staffed since last year and I am doing 2 person’s work. My boss is great and understanding but his boss is a pig. I’ve been told that big boss is stressed coz there are “too many pregnant women” in the office. When we finally found someone for the position, I heard him hinting to my boss “are you sure you want to hire another child-bearing age girl? Can’t you find someone older or maybe a man?” OH MY GAWD! I really want to report him! At the end, the scrounge only allowed us to hire this person in June (new financial year) and only a one year contact. I wonder what is the point when I have to deal with the work till June and then there is little handover time when I go away on maternity leave in July. ARGH!
Maternity Leave
Should I take the whole year off? Initially planned to get back to work after the 4th month. We need the money and although I complain about work, I really enjoy what I am doing. Lately, I have been thinking, “Do I want to miss Baby’s developments?” But often ask myself if we can afford for me to be on leave for so long.
Childcare
If I do eventually go back to work, I worry about childcare. How safe is it? It is expensive. Guess what? After advise from the mothers in the office, I realised I might have problems getting my baby into creche because I didn’t put my name down the moment I know I am pregnant. This whole childcare/creche system scares me and to make it worse, there is a long waiting list. Since I worry about childcare and going back to work, it’s not easy. Not like we can leave the baby with the grandparents.
I read that stress is good for the baby. I only hope I am not overwhelming him with stress.