PRE-PREGNANCY HEALTH FORUM BY PARENTHOOD MEDIA AND PANTAI HOSPITAL KL

Fertility, hormonal health and pregnancy preparation issues were front and centre at the ‘What Women Want – Before We Bloom’ Forum recently.

Hosted jointly by Parenthood Media and Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur at MyToday, Atria Shopping Gallery, the informative session was insightful for couples trying to conceive; opening up conversations on reproductive health, common fertility concerns and the importance of seeking medical guidance early.

Dr Raymond Lim, Obstetrics & Gynaecology (pic above) and Dr Lim Sue Wen, Endocrinologist (pic below) from Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur shared their knowledge on fertility, hormonal health, age-related considerations, underlying medical conditions and different factors that can affect conception.

Early Start for Pregnancy Preparation

 
Both Dr Raymond Lim and Dr Lim Sue Wen urged couples to begin pre-pregnancy care early instead of waiting until their attempt at conceiving. They reasoned it's better to look into one's overall and reproductive health earlier as this could help identify potential concerns and better support pre-pregnancy preparation.

Among the issues highlighted by the specialists included the impact of age on fertility and certain health conditions that may pose challenges to conception such as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), endometriosis, thyroid disorders and diabetes. As such, seeking medical advice early can help to identify possible health warning signs and enable women to better understand their reproductive health and the appropriate steps to take.

 

Fertility: A Shared Journey

 
Difficulty in conceiving should not be viewed solely as a women’s issue. When conception is taking longer than expected, both partners may need to undergo evaluation as infertility may be due to male factors.

The forum also emphasized the role of hormonal health, body weight, nutrition, physical activity, stress and underlying medical conditions in reproductive health and pregnancy outcome. Such open discussions on these topics make trying to conceive conversations more informative, practical and less intimidating.
 

Seeking Help Doesn’t Automatically Mean IVF

 
Both panelist speakers opined that consulting a fertility specialist doesn’t automatically mean underdoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

A fertility consultation is to understand the possible cause of a fertility concern and to explore suitable options for the individual or couple. Depending on situation, recommendations may range from lifestyle adjustments and medication to managing underlying medical conditions or where appropriate, consider assisted reproductive treatments such as IVF.

Through the interactive What Women Want: Before We Bloom Forum, Parenthood Media and Pantai Hospital KL aimed to spur more open conversations on trying to conceive and pre-pregnancy health issues, helping women to better understand influencing factors on fertility and viable options available.

After the forum concluded, we went for a whirlwind tour of MyToday. The spacious family and child-friendly space integrates multiple areas designated for children's activities such as reading, cooking, painting, etc. 

Also included is a well-equipped playarea, a cafe and private function rooms catering to birthday parties, workshops and special events.

If you or someone you know is facing difficulties conceiving or is considering pre-pregnancy consultation, visit www.pantai.com.my/kuala-lumpur to learn more about its specialist services and to seek professional medical advice.

CNY GIFT BOXES WITH A HEART FROM SDB

The popular adage ‘Health is wealth’ becomes increasingly significant with the advent of each Chinese New Year (CNY). 

When I received the two CNY Gift Boxes from Selangor Dredging Berhad (SDB) to welcome the Year of the Tiger, I found the thoughtfully packed contents: packets of Chinese herbs and soup ingredients, and herbal tea bags for the improvement of general wellness, a welcome change from the usual stash of sweet confectionery and festive treats.

This unique CNY Gift Box is derived from SDB’s One-Two-Boost programme created back in 2020 – a collaboration between SDB and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physicians, to develop a variety of prescribed herbal drinks and soups for healthier lifestyles.

In sync with the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) mission in creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities, CSR participants who comprise young adults – are coached and supervised throughout the packing process of the SDB CNY gift boxes.

Hence when you buy or receive an SDB CNY gift box, every single gift box is a testament of the careful handling, packing skills and coordination put in by this group of special CSR participants. This notable CSR initiative revolves around offering support to those young adults with disabilities while creating opportunities for them to acquire skills, to lead an independent life.

 Each Chinese New Year Gift Box (RM98 per box) features:

·       1 packet Digestion Soup

·       7 Throat Soothing Tea Bags

·       2 packs Goji Berries

·       2 packs Longan

·       2 packs Red Dates

·       2 packs Chrysanthemum

·       6 pieces Tiger Ang Pow packets

Also available are Chinese New Year Herbal Gifts priced at RM30 each; consisting of ingredients to make Emperor Herbal Chicken and Taxillus Sweet Soup, together with Red Dates and Luo Han Guo. Each set includes 6 pieces of Tiger Ang Pow packets.

 Other series of herbal soups and tea bags include:

•       Immune Booster soup series and drink packs for boosting immune system by strengthening the digestion system
•        Nourishing ‘bazhen soup’ series to enhance immunity, increase metabolic rate and improve blood circulation.
•       The Green series with a range of fat loss tea, beauty tea bag, heat relief easy tea bag and heat relief family pack to maintain good liver functionality and detoxification purpose.
•       The Red series to maintain a healthy heart with a selection of calming soup and calming tea bags.
•       The Yellow series comprising ingredients for digestion soup, energy booster soup, and spleen purification soup, together with energy booster tea bags
•        The White series for healthier lung functions with a selection of ingredients for lung nourishing soup and throat soothing teabags.
•       The Black series comprising revitalizing tea bag and ingredients for Taxillus sweet soup, to strengthen the kidney and liver.

To buy the SDB Chinese New Year Gift Boxes, hand-made soap and anti-epidemic brick soaps, call hp: 018-2201865 or email:  csr@sdb.com.my or visit the One Two Boost Store:  https://12boost.com.my

 

'TIS THE SEASON TO BE CARING

Cancer is not a topic that one would like to dwell on during this merry festive period. But in support of AXA's Cancer Care campaign, how I can decline a simple request to blog about it? After all, cancer has touched my life on 3 separate occasions - leaving its indelible imprint on each case. Since my blogpost will spur AXA to support a cancer patient's treatment, it is the least I can do.

My first harrowing encounter with cancer was when one of my dearest friends, mentor and sister of sorts - Chen Hui Ching passed away when she was just 46; barely a year after she was diagnosed with cancer. Despite her pint-sized frame, Ching was a PR dynamo who taught me to stay true to my ideals. She was down-to-earth and didn't suffer fools gladly. It came as a shock to all of us when she was diagnosed with cancer as she was one of the most health-conscious people we knew. Unfortunately, the diagnosis came a tad late and it was with much sadness we bade farewell to her nine months after that.

Three years ago my Dad was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. I was with him when the endoscopy was conducted and I almost fainted when I saw the cancerous growths on the little screen in the examination room. The day after his cancer diagnosis, my Dad succumbed to a stroke. That was the most harrowing time for us but Dad proved to be feistier than we expected. At 73, he survived two major ops - to remove the cancerous parts of his colon and a subsequent one to reattach it back. I guess he was fortunate the cancer was confined to certain parts of his intestines as he didn't need chemotherapy post-op. But he never fully recovered from the stroke's aftermath - his physical and mental conditions have deteriorated since then. Although Dad can't move around on his own anymore, he remains hale and hearty at 76 today.

Earlier this year, my younger sister who's just one year younger than me had an ovarian torsion; a medical condition where a cancerous cyst caused one of her ovaries to be twisted. Following a hysterectomy, she subsequently recovered following a strict diet of meatless, organic food.

The lesson from all these experiences? Cancer doesn't discriminate; it can strike anytime, anyone. We can only be vigilant and strive to live moderately; in everything that we do or say or eat. Life's too short and precious so let's enjoy every moment of it with those that we love and matter most to us.

For more information about AXA's Cancer Care, visit  their 110 plan's website: https://www.110cancercare.com/