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Category: health/wellness


Nov
2023

Acceptance

categories: babble, health/wellness

It is almost 1 am, and here I am lying on my bed unable to fall asleep.

The left side of my face hurts. I think it could be trigeminal neuralgia, triggered by my (also painful) cold sore.

So much has happened over the past few years & months that I do not know where to start.

Maybe it is wise that I start by sharing that I am struggling with depression and anxiety.
And that I am having a challenging time just accepting that.

When my previous post was written, I was told by a friend of mine who is a clinical psychologist that what I have been experiencing was actually depression.

And that my anxiety (the reason why I went to see him), was secondary to that.

It made sense for a bit.

But then my super ego kind of brushed it away and kept telling me that it is not a definite diagnosis.

I can’t possibly be depressed.
You should not be depressed, Melissa.
I should be happy.
I must be grateful.
I should be….

Then, I was seeing another clinical psychologist fortnightly for psychotherapy who had suggested I meet with a psychiatrist. She implied that I might need medication to ‘quiet my brain’ (my phrase, not hers). ☚ī¸

With me currently working 6 days a week and then dedicating my only day off to my business, things were getting pretty rough.

I eventually decided to meet with a psychiatrist.

“You are unwell. You are depressed. And you have to accept it.”

I have to accept it.

Easier said (and typed) than done.

But it does make so much sense. Every single thing that I have been feeling, thinking and going through. All makes so much sense now!

Part of me trying to come to terms with everything is reading up about the symptoms & what I can do to help myself.

I plan to write another post on my personal symptoms – what it is actually like to be depressed. And how you can be around someone who is depressed and not even know…

Until then, I would appreciate your kind doa for me to get through this. And that I will actually have the strength to write another post soon.

I need to try to get some shut eye. Bye.

xoxo

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Sep
2015

MOGTT in Pregnancy

categories: health/wellness, MOGTT, Pregnancy

MOGTT stands for Modified Oral Glucose Tolerance Test and it’s basically a test to check on how our bodies regulate our glucose levels.
In pregnancy, it is used to diagnose gestational diabetes or diabetes in pregnancy.

Before I go on, allow me to share just a little bit on gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is caused by our pancreas failing to produce enough insulin. Insulin is the hormone which regulates the amount of sugar in our blood and enables our body to store sugar that isn’t immediately needed for energy. In pregnancy, our body has to produce extra insulin to meet our baby’s needs, especially from about five months, when he is growing rapidly. If our body isn’t able to keep up, we may develop gestational diabetes. (Source)

MOH has made MOGTT compulsory for pregnant women who:

  1. Are above 25 years
  2. Has a family history of diabetes
  3. Experience abnormal weight gain in pregnancy

However, I do know people who have not had to take the test. So I guess it depends on the clinic you go to for your check ups.

I, on the other hand, have had the ‘privilege’ of taking the test TWICE this pregnancy and once when I was carrying Khayla.

I first took the test when I was 13 weeks and the second test was scheduled last week when I was 28 weeks.
Alhamdulillah both results were normal.

mogtt
Results of the first test I took at 13/52.

mogtt
Results of the second test I took at 28/52.

But in the second test, my glucose levels were higher as compared to the first one, so I am a bit worried. Need to control my chocolate intake. Hee.

The basics are you need to fast from 10 p.m the night before and get your blood drawn out when you reach the clinic in the morning. This will show your fasting blood glucose levels (FBS).

Then, you will be required to drink a glass of glucose water which is 75 grams of glucose diluted in a glass of warm water.

Alhamdulillah, so far I have not had trouble drinking the whole glass and I did not feel like vomiting or whatever, probably because of my sweet tooth ! Haha.

But that’s not the end of the test !

After that you have to fast (again) and wait for another 2 hours and then get your blood drawn out again. This will show your 2 hours post prandial (2HPP) glucose levels.

Normal levels would be:
FBS: < 5.6 mmol/L
2HPP: < 7.8 mmol/L

Pregnant ladies, please do not be afraid of this infamous minum air gula test as it is for our own good. You would not want to have gestational diabetes without knowing, kan ?
Because, untreated or poorly controlled gestational diabetes can hurt you AND your baby. Nauzubillah !

Until my next post, take care people. 🙂

xoxo

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Aug
2015

Easy Exercises in Pregnancy

categories: Health Tips, health/wellness, Pregnancy

Hi. 🙂
Today I would like to share this video I came across which focuses on easy exercises in pregnancy. These are a few moves pregnant women can do to hopefully ease labour, InshaAllah.
Being pregnant does not mean that you should stay away from moving your body (well unless your healthcare provider advises you against it). And yes, please get advice from your doctor before doing any of these moves. 🙂

In a nutshell, these are the moves we can try to do at home:
1. Walk daily
2. Sitting – a great way to get pelvis forward is sitting on an exercise ball/gym ball/pregnancy ball/birthing ball, whatever you want to call it. Hehe.
3. Leaning – this movement uses the same forward momentum, we can lean on a ball, chair etc.
4. Pelvic rocks – get on all fours, arch back and come back to neutral position.
5. Butterflies – put soles together, rock knees and thighs up and down
6. Forward Leaning Inversion – using a bed or couch, keep knees on them, walk hands down, stay on elbow (like we’re planking), stick butt high up. We can do this once a day for not more than 30 seconds
7. Squatting

I have to be honest that I have only tried numbers 1, 2 & 7. Hehe. But I shall try the rest soon. Hee.

Happy moving everybody !

xoxo

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