Baby J Diary: OSCAR Scan & FBI Goodies Bag

went to Thomson Medical directly for the OSCAR Scan. first visit as a patient didn't realise they provide shuttle bus service from Novena MRT

Fetal Assessment Unit
Level 4 Thomson Medical Centre
339 Thomson Road
Singapore 307677
T +65 6354 4115
http://www.thomsonmedical.com/

Nearest MRT Novena Station Shuttle Bus Schedule @ Novena MRT

Bus Stop B1: 5, 21, 54, 56, 57, 131, 143, 162, 162M, 166, 167, 851, 980, NR1
Bus Stop B2: 5, 54, 56, 57, 143, 162, 162M, 166, 167, 851, 980, NR1
Bus Stop B3: 5, 21, 54, 56, 57, 131, 143, 162, 162M, 166, 167, 851, 980, NR1

Once alight from the shuttle bus proceed to the lift next to Taxi Stand and go directly to Level 4 - The Centre for Prenatal Diagnosis & Obstetric Ultrasound Press for queue no through the Self-Service terminal and wait for no to be called. The reception nurse will then collect payment and also booked the next appointment for Part 2 of OSCAR at Week 20 for Fetal Anomaly (FA) scan.

OSCAR Wk 13 & 20 Test is $486 before GST and FBI discount

After payment will need to proceed to the inner registration counter, where the nurse will take your height and weight while you wait for your number to be called for the scan.

* Note: Do not go to the toilet until your scan is done as advice by the nurse, partial full bladder will get better images during ultrasound We went on the appointment time so didn't wait long before we get to do our scan in the small dark room.

The sonographer is a young lady and was very nice and explain to us while doing the scan what she is scanning for. Basically they are looking out for the number of babies, baby’s heart beat (Fetal Heaft Rate), the length of baby from top to bottom (Crown-Rump-Length), baby’s head (BiParietal Diameter & Head Circumference) and nasal bone, baby’s basic structure such as the head, arms and legs and mummy's uterus and pelvis for fibroids or cysts. And with these measurements and blood test result, it provide an assessment of the risk factor calculated based against the mother’s age , gestational age of the baby.

After the scan we proceed to the laboratory area to do blood test. Then we are finally done for the session, whole procedure takes around 1.5 hours. And result will be sent to my Dr Phua directly.

You can read more of the procedure through Thomson OSCAR eBrochure

During the scan, Daddy saw a poky thingy between the legs and ask the sonographer but she say its too early to confirm at this stage. Poor daddy so sad as he is quite sure of what he saw haha but he always hope for a little girlfriend. Mummy is happy thou if its really a boy hehe oo well in the meantime we shall wait and see...

After OSCAR we went to Level 1 Information Counter to collect the FBI goodies bag. But opps forgotten to make appointment so got to wait for the counter lady to pack our stuff. Lucky she's nice enough to entertain us. So do remember to call the FBI/SBI Member Hotline at 6358 0055 / 6350 8876 one day in advance to make arrangement for collection so you need not have to wait there. Collection timing is Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm and Sat 8am – 2pm.

The goodies bag contain lots of brochures and magazines as well as those sign up promo with the milk powder companies. Most valuable is probably the series of 3 books: Guide to Childbirth, Guide to Breastfeeding and Guide to Childcare by Wong Boh Boi - Senior ParentCraft Educator worth $40.

Impending motherhood, childcare and breastfeeding concerns are always uppermost on the minds of mothers-to-be and new mothers everywhere. Despite age-old advice and methods from midwives and well-meaning relatives, many mothers-to-be and new mothers today see the need to educate themselves in these areas.

How your body copes and changes to accommodate a new life is illustrated and explained in the first book of this series, Guide to Childbirth. The book also illustrates the processes of labour, childbirth and delivery as well as provides a local context of ante and postnatal care for the new mother.

The second book, Guide to Breastfeeding, is for the new mother who wishes to breastfeed but is discouraged by the lack of support and information about it. The process of breast milk production, the dos and don’ts of breastfeeding, problems related to breastfeeding and their solutions are found in this book.

Guide to Childcare, the third book in the series, provides tips and advice in caring for the newborn infant. New mothers will also be able to troubleshoot signs of illnesses and even serious medical conditions, and to recognise when to consult a doctor or paediatrician for help. So while it is good to still have your own mothers and relatives give you their pearls of wisdom in pregnancy and beyond, mothers-to-be and new mothers will come away from these books better equipped and informed to deal with today’s motherhood.

We also got a set of FBI benefits and their partners including Fox Kids & Baby, GAP Baby & Kids, GNC, Sweetest Moments...