Days of being confined

To be confined is commonly defined as to be restricted in movement, to be kept within bounds or to be shut and kept in within a certain space. For example, a sick child has to be confined to his/her bed; or both Aung San Suu Kyi and Benazir Bhutto were confined to their house for political reasons. For many asian women, I believe the only time most of us will be voluntarily and willingly confined to the house is the during our post baby delivery confinement period. I recently had a c-section to deliver my second son on 18th September 2009. My son, RJ delcarmen Ng was born at 1149 hrs at Pantai Bangsar Hospital. Today, 22nd September 2009, as I am writing this blog entry, would be my second day of confinement.

The concept of post delivery confinement relates to very specific post-natal care for one month after childbirth. Predominantly a Chinese practice (but is now practiced by many asian ladies), this one month period known as the confinement period is believed to be a crucial time where the new mother’s strength and vitality must be properly replenished to prevent ailments like premature ageing or rheumatism from setting in. Apart from being a preventive measure against health problems, certain ingredients used in the special diet during the confinement period is also intended to help boost the body for breast milk production. This special diet is made up of confinement foods targeted towards specific functions like dispelling “wind” from the body, quelling “heatiness”, boosting blood circulation, revitalizing strength etc.

The mainstay of confinement food comprises common ingredients found in any regular Chinese diet such as ginger, sesame oil, black vinegar, Chinese rice wine, pepper, chicken, fish and pork. Other ingredients of confinement food include fairly general herbal provisions like Chinese wolfberry (Gou Qi Zi), angelica (Dang Gui), red dates, dried longans, black dates, black beans, black fungus and american ginseng; to not so commonly consumed items like Encommiae Bark (Du Zhong) and Polygonum (He Shou Wu). All the above mentioned confinement food ingredients have their specific health benefits to enhance the recovery and replenishment of the post natal lady.

(Information above used with permission from www.confinementfood.com. For more information please refer to http://www.confinementfood.com/confinement-food-benefits.html)

Whilst writing this blog entry, I had done plenty of research on the whole confinement thing. One particular website from Singapore caught my attention. The above mentioned website link offers an interesting service to all post natal ladies in Singapore. They offer confinement food catering for post natal ladies who need external help in preparing nutritious food to help them recuperate from their recent child birth. This service makes it very convenient for ladies who do not want to employ a confinement lady or whom do not have mothers or mothers in law to help with cooking.

Below are pictures of some of the herbs, ingredients, sundries and chinese medication needed for my smooth recovery during this one month confinement time.

Whilst uploading all the above pictures for this blog entry, it really made me think long and hard. It's no wonder and highly understandable why more and more married couples are putting off procreation. Adding up the financial cost of having a baby is enough to make a lot of people think twice before getting pregnant. Costs start during pregnancy continue through childbirth, go on through babyhood and definitely on through the child's life until he/she is financially independent of the parents. Having a baby is a long term commitment and like my mum always say to me that being a mother brings about a lifetime of worries. When you're pregnant, you may worry that the baby do not grow. After child birth, it will worry you if your baby is not feeding or eating well. During the child's growing years, you worry when they fall sick or when accidents/mishaps occur and the child hurt themselves. As a parent, you will never stop worrying and thinking for your child. Your child/children becomes your first priority and for some women, her kids may well be her only valuable assets.

I now have 2 lovely sons - Issac and RJ delcarmen Ng. Issac is a 4 years old boy who is very cheeky, active and witty. RJ is my new born, only 5 days old and so far he is a quiet and gentle baby. The mere thought of both of them brings about a natural smile on my face and a smile of pride and joy in my heart. Motherhood is a complete new experience, the journey will be tedious, ardous and sometimes painful but the happiness and sweetness derived along the way will help you overcome the sour, the bitter and the pain that comes with it. So to all the babes out there, do not shun away from procreation, do not be afraid of having a baby and being a mother. Embrace and embark on this new journey with open arms and a warm heart. Think about it seriously........till next time.............

The new age bank account

I recently attended the above 5th Parenthood expo 2009 held at MidValley Exhibition Centre from 21st to 23rd August. I read it in the newspapers that it is the city's premier event dedicated to pregnancy, birth, babies, toddlers and parents; showcasing many products and services for young growing families. The event spans over 2 large exhibition halls and the major exhibitors include slimming and beauty services, maternity & babies clothing, cord blood banks, nutrition for pregnant mothers, babies and children, toy retailers and financial/insurance instituitions.

The event attracted many pregnant ladies and young parents who were anticipating good bargains for goods and services. I am no different from the general public in terms of bargains hunting and seeking. Look at the photographs below to see what I bought for myself and my upcoming baby.

Look at photograph no 2, many of you babes out there may not know or recognise what the purpose/usage of the red box is for. It is a cord blood collection kit from the cord blood bank called StemLife Berhad. Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth and after the cord is cut. Cord blood is an abundant and valuable source of stem cells which are genetically unique to the baby and his/her family. Thousands of families nationwide and worldwide are now cryogenically banking their newborn's cord blood with private stem cell banks; these families will be able to benefit from the preservation of these precious little stem cells for future use in the fast developing applications of stem cell technology.

Okay, so what is the big deal about stem cells? Do you know what stem cells are? I am no expert on the topic but I did do my due diligence and responsibility as a mother of 1 child and soon to be mummy of 2 children to google and research more about stem cells, its applications, current and future technology. Very simply put, stem cells are the body's "master" or "mother" cells because they create all other tissues, organs and systems in your body. The stem cells found in the cord blood are like "building blocks" of our blood and immune system; these cells can readily reproduce into the 3 components of blood - red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. These stem cells are like little miracles because of its ability to differentiate or change into other types of cells in the body.

So, am I boring all of you with the above stem cell talk? Are you babes falling asleep yet? You all may be wondering why I am being so scientific and medical in this blog entry.....wait wait wait....please give me a chance to redeem myself before you babes get bored with these technical jargon. Like I mentioned above, I googled and researched on the topic of stem cells (also usually done at late night hours just like my internet shopping, hahaha) extensively. Frankly, I didn't understand or could not decipher most of the medical/technical information the internet offered on stem cells but late night readings sparked quite a few wild thoughts about these precious little stem cells. Here are some of my thoughts:

1) If stem cells have the ability to differentiate, can they differentiate specifically into collagen producing cells which means that cosmetic surgeons will then be able to use these collagen producing cells for plastic surgery? Anti aging measures with the aid of stem cells?

2) If stem cells are like "building blocks", can they help with "building" or growing new hair follicles which means that balding people may have a hope to revive their already sunset crowning glory?

3) If stem cells are like little miracles and can be used to regenerate ailing/failing blood and immune systems, is it possible to make stem cells derived drugs just like Cialis and Viagra to aid men with erectile dysfunction or impotency?

Without any doubt, maintaining our fountain of youth is a major area of interest for millions and millions of women and men too. Try googling stem cells for anti aging, stem cells for cosmetic procedures, stem cells cosmetic products, you will get many many interesting web pages. I devoured information and read voraciously on these topics on the internet for almost a week. I was so excited that I forgot to eat, sleep and bathe (ok, sorry abit exagerrating here but you babes get the idea right?). I am now so energised, inspired and pumped up that I must share all this information with you babes out there.

Did you know that there are already many stem cells facial/cosmetics products in the market? In an era where preventative and corrective anti-ageing routines are as much a part of the daily routine as tooth brushing, it is a competitive market in which to delve into, however, Christian Dior have done just that. Raising the stakes in the skin care market, Dior has launched its Capture R60/80 XP range, based on innovative and ground-breaking stem cell technology. I'm sure you must have seen Sharon Stone (actress from the famous movie "Basic Instinct") front the campaign for this Capture range. Besides Dior there is another product which uses stem cell technology for anti wrinkle and anti aging purposes called Amatokin. Restore the fountain of youth that is naturally in your own skin with Amatokin, the revolutionary anti-aging, anti-wrinkle skin therapy cream. Through cutting-edge stem cell technology, Amatokin gives your skin the incredible power to rejuvenate and restore its youthful look.

The Dior Capture range and Amatokin are both available for purchase in Malaysia. However, I found another stem cell product which is only available in the USA - StemCellin. StemCellin promises to delay deterioration of essential skin cells, activates our own skin stem cells and reverses chronological aging. It is a 100% plant based stem cell product. This product even gives a 60 day money back guarantee to customers who purchase the product and there is no visible positive effects on the skin after use.


Last but not least, just some information for all anti aging enthusiasts out there, LVMH - one of the world's most influential and important luxury goods power house is investing more than 29 million Euros to establish a new research centre in Orleans, France by 2010. Particularly, there will be a big research arm just to explore the vast possibilities and usage of stem cells technology for the science of the skin. This just simply spells good news for all of us who are afraid of becoming a shrivelled up prune.

I shared all the above information I had gathered from the internet with my hubby dearest. He looked at me endearingly and asked me a question which took me by surprise, "Does it mean that we may be able to use our baby's cord blood stem cells for our wrinkled face in the future?" Hmmmm.....very tough question for me to answer.....potentially life saving stem cells used for my vanity purposes? Would I, should I, could I........? What do you think? Till next time babes!