Double Happiness

Our prenatal classes started yesterday evening with Mdm Wong Boh Boi at Thomson Medical Centre. She is a hilarious woman, quite auntie-like though the medical jargon she throws into her speech is a good reminder of her medical training. Her favourite phrase “Am I quite clear?” still rings in my head. What really threw Tim off was the fact that she’s super longwinded – obviously one who loves her own voice. Plus she’s also quite free with her self praise. But all in all, I like her humour (quirky as it is, at least the session’s not boring) and I sense her sincerity. I’m not sure Tim has the patience as her style is very much a Singaporean naggy auntie style.

There were certainly more than the allowed 23 couples in the room – some had come of their own accord after missing other sessions. Since everyone was first-time parents, we were all decently cordial to one another. The only awkward moment was when one man marched through the crowd, all seated in various levels of comfort on the floor, and exclaimed aggressively, “My wife needs a chair!” It’s like, AHEM, in a room full of pregnant women, does it make any sense that your pregnant wife deserves a chair while other preggies are very happy to be on the ground? Really.

The overcrowded condition means most people were not able to see Mdm Wong’s demonstration and will just follow the people around them. As the theory of Broken Telephone goes, towards the back of the class I bet everyone is doing it wrongly. Fortunately Tim had been early and was able to book a strategic spot so we were somewhat in the centre of things. However as we were all sitting on the floor, Tim’s inflexible knees means he either sits awkwardly or stands throughout the almost 3 hour session (look, in a standing-and bending position, he can barely grab his knees!). Now, I think My Husband Needs a Chair.

The focus of yesterday’s training was exercise and posture – how to get up from lying down and from a squatting position, breathing exercise to help with labour (deep breathe followed by panting – a hilarious exercise), arm/leg massages to reduce water retention (aided by husband), back roll to strengthen back (otherwise known as Meow position), hip roll to strengthen hips (otherwise known as Doggy wag), stomach stretch to help digestion (aided by husband), chest thrust to tone up breasts,… can’t recall the rest.

On the use of public transport – I have been taking the bus to work everyday since Monday and it’s taking a toll on my sanity. Singaporeans seem to be generally kind enough to give me a seat or perhaps are just too embarrassed not to (I am guilty of glaring at them until they stand up, or pretending to look weak). The journey is usually fine but it’s the waiting time that can be killing because sometimes there’s no place to sit at the bus stop or while waiting for the taxi. Being a Bag Lady, my daily handbag carries the usual umbrella, water bottle, hospital notes, medical records, daily supplements, makeup kit and sweets. It becomes a tangible load when you’re already burdened with a growing belly. My back aches just from standing stationary for too long.

During the rainy days, it was tough not to feel sorry for myself when I’m carrying my umbrella in the torrential showers, flagging desperately for taxis that always seem to be On Call. It’s at moments like this that my confidence in being able to live without a car falters, washed down by the rain. I think, surely I can do better for myself, surely (to quote L’Oreal) “I’m worth it”?? I have always pride myself on my prudence in spending but as I age, the thought of having to scrimp and save for the rest of my life is starting to depress me. Sigh…