NT Scan – Nuchal Translucency Scan

Jan 29 2009 

We had our NT Scan @ Wockhardt, and video below is a very small part of the Scan. However we were told to switch off the recording after few minutes (that coz the Gender Identification is a crime in India). The Overall result of the scan was that all is well with the baby and there is nothing to worry about.

Some Gyan on NT Scan

Note: All information on this blog is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

The Following are various facts and figures compiled from the internet, the credit should go the Original Contributors.

What is this NT Scan?

A Nuchal Translucency Scan is a Sonographic prenatal screening scan (ultrasound) to help identify higher risks of Down syndrome in a fetus.

What does it Scan?

There is a collection of fluid under the skin at the back of a baby’s neck that can be measured using ultrasound. All babies have some fluid, but in many babies with Down’s syndrome , the nuchal translucency (NT) is increased. An NT scan measures the amount of this fluid to assess whether your baby is likely to have Down’s syndrome

When does this NT Scan Happen?

NT scans are usually performed from 11 to 13 weeks + 6 days of pregnancy.

Why during this period? why not before or after?

Before 11 weeks the scan is technically difficult because the baby is so tiny and, after 14 weeks, excess fluid may be absorbed by the baby’s developing lymphatic system.

How do they scan ?

To accurately date your pregnancy, the Sonographer will measure your baby from the top of its head to the bottom of the spine. She will then measure the width of the NT. The skin will appear as a white line, and the fluid under the skin will look black. Your baby fits nicely on the screen at this stage, and you will be able to see the head and spine, limbs, hands and feet. Some major abnormalities may be excluded at this scan

Any Risk to the Baby?

There is no risk to you or your baby

What are the Avg findings?

This is only an avg and the same varies from person to person, please consult your Doc for proper advice.

  • Low Risk : 1.3MM
  • Normal : 2.5 to 3.5 MM
  • High Risk : 3.6 & above

Some Links & Resources on NT Scan

Published in: on January 29, 2009 at 7:01 AM  Comments (1)  
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TLC Package – The Nest -Wockhardt

Jan 28 2009

To read about our experience in Wockhardt click here :- Wockhardt, The Nest TLC Experience

After months of planning and visiting the various Maternity Hospitals we finally took a decision to go with Wockhardt, the following points influenced our decision :-

  1. Its Nearest among all the Hospitals, since I travel often, Vanitha can even walk her way to the Hospital and during unforeseen circumstances the nearer the better.
  2. The cost of 67 K is for the best possible Birthing Suite available.
  3. It has dedicated section and floor for Maternity.
  4. The lamaze Classes – Ante-Natal Classes and other info are bundled in the same package- It’s a one stop solution for all your Pregnancy Gyan.
  5. I don’t have to remove cash or card every time for consultation or test ( reason this is important is coz sometimes I have cash in thousands and sometimes I’m absolutely broke, I don’t want a situation that tom there has to be a test done and I don’t have any cash at that time).

I Paid Rs. 10,000/- and registered for TLC Package, got the TLC Card, we also got registered with the Physiotherapy Department for Lamaze & Ante-Natal Classes. Vanitha had a surprise Welcome Kit from Wockhardt, the following are its contents:-

IMG00045 IMG00046

The Welcome Kit                  The Guide to Pregnancy

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The Baby Key Chain                    Stretch Nil Cream

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Gown for the Lady                   err, err a Fruit Basket :)

Initially surprised, the smile of getting something free,  and being treated like a special one slightly faded when she remembered the amount we paid, never the less, the Gift felt Good.

Aparna from Wockhardt sent me a mail the very next day

  • Classes : Antenatal Classes
  • Venue  : Auditorium
  • Date    : 2nd Feb
  • Time   : 11-12 PM
  • Topic  : Investigations done during Pregnancy
  • Speaker : Dr. Mangala Ramachandra
  • Classes      : Lamaze Classes
  • Date          : Feb 1
  • Saturday : 10 AM to 11 AM & 6PM to 7PM
  • Date         : Feb 2
  • Sunday   : 10 AM to 11 AM & 12 PM to 1PM

Yet to attend these, but I have already started liking my decision to go with Wockhardt, It makes you feel secure – Good Facilities & Docs, It makes you feel Great – TLC Package, For first timers like us it gives you all the Gyan you want on Pregnancy – Ante-natal Classes & Lamaze Classes. You mingle with many other would be mothers, a community is built.

Anyways these are only the expectations, let us is see how good are these experiences as we go ahead and will also update you on how useful were these classes.

The other day My dad just gave me a trivia, that my child would be the most expensive to be born (Pregnancy Cost) both on my Dad’s side and my Mom’s side !!! and that made him feel good too :P

To read about our experience in Wockhardt click here :- Wockhardt, The Nest TLC Experience

Published in: on January 28, 2009 at 5:18 AM  Comments (7)  
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Some Details on Down’s Syndrome

Jan 27 2009

We will be soon going for a NT Scan – This is done to detect the Down’s Syndrome and here is some info on Down Syndrome

Note: All information on this blog is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

The Following are various facts and figures compiled from the internet, the credit should go the Original Contributors.

What is this Down’s Syndrome & Who discovered this?

Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21 is a chromosomal disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British doctor who described the syndrome in 1866

Did not understand, can you explain in Layman’s terms?

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that causes delays in physical and intellectual development. It occurs in approximately one in every 800 live births. Individuals with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. It is the most frequently occurring chromosomal disorder.

Individuals with Down syndrome tend to have a lower than average cognitive ability, often ranging from mild to moderate developmental disabilities. A small number have severe to profound mental disability.

The incidence of Down syndrome is estimated at 1 per 800 to 1,000 births, although these statistics are heavily influenced by the age of the mother (1 in 1530 pregnancies at age 20, to 1 in 30 at age 44 )

Can you explain in One Sentence?

Down syndrome is a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, both mentally and physically.

Whom Does it Affect?

Down syndrome is not related to race, nationality, religion or socioeconomic status. The most important fact to know about individuals with Down syndrome is that they are more like others than they are different.

But,, How & Why Does this Happen?

If a pair of number 21 chromosomes fails to separate during the formation of an egg (or sperm), this is referred to as nondisjunction. When that egg unites with a normal sperm to form an embryo, that embryo ends up with three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the normal two. The extra chromosome is then copied in every cell of the baby’s body.

Interestingly, nondisjunction events seem to occur more frequently in older women. This may explain why the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome is greater among mothers age 35 and older.

Cure for Down Syndrome?

No cure exists for Down syndrome. But physical therapy and/or speech therapy can help people with the disorder develop more normally. Screening for common medical problems associated with the disorder, followed by corrective surgery, can often improve quality of life.

Although no one knows for sure why DS occurs and there’s no way to prevent the chromosomal error that causes it, scientists do know that women age 35 and older have a significantly higher risk of having a child with the condition.

What are the Chaarecteristics of Down Syndrome?

Many of the common physical features of Down syndrome also appear in people with a standard set of chromosomes. They may include

  1. Distinct Facial Features- like a Flat Face, a Small Broad Nose, Abnormally Shaped Ears
  2. A Single Transverse Palmar Crease (a single instead of a double crease across one or both palms, also called the Simian crease),
  3. An almond shape to the eyes caused by an epicanthic fold of the eyelid,
  4. Upslanting Palpebral Fissures (the separation between the upper and lower eyelids),
  5. Shorter Limbs,
  6. Poor Muscle Tone,
  7. A larger than normal space between the big and second toes, and protruding tongue.

Health concerns for individuals with Down syndrome include a higher risk for congenital heart defects, gastroesophageal reflux disease, recurrent ear infections, obstructive sleep apnea, and thyroid dysfunctions.

How do you detect Downs Syndrome? – Lengthy but Detailed Answer

Two types of prenatal tests are used to detect Down syndrome in a fetus: Screening Tests and Diagnostic Tests. Screening tests estimate the risk that a fetus has DS; diagnostic tests can tell whether the fetus actually has the condition.

Screening tests are cost-effective and easy to perform. But because they can’t give a definitive answer as to whether a baby has DS, these tests are used to help parents decide whether to have more diagnostic tests.

Diagnostic tests are about 99% accurate in detecting Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. However, because they’re performed inside the uterus, they are associated with a risk of miscarriage and other complications.

For this reason, invasive diagnostic testing previously was generally recommended only for women age 35 or older, those with a family history of genetic defects, or those who’ve had an abnormal result on a screening test.

Screening tests include:

  • Nuchal translucency testing. This test, performed between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy, uses ultrasound to measure the clear space in the folds of tissue behind a developing baby’s neck. (Babies with DS and other chromosomal abnormalities tend to accumulate fluid there, making the space appear larger.) This measurement, taken together with the mother’s age and the baby’s gestational age, can be used to calculate the odds that the baby has DS. Nuchal translucency testing is usually performed along with a maternal blood test.
  • The triple screen or quadruple screen (also called the multiple marker test). These tests measure the quantities of normal substances in the mother’s blood. As the names imply, triple screen tests for three markers and quadruple screen includes one additional marker and is more accurate. These tests are typically offered between 15 and 18 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Integrated screen. This uses results from first trimester screening tests (with or without nuchal translucency) and blood tests with second trimester quad screen to come up with the most accurate screening results.
  • A genetic ultrasound. A detailed ultrasound is often performed at 18 to 20 weeks in conjunction with the blood tests, and it checks the fetus for some of the physical traits abnormalities associated with Down syndrome.

Diagnostic tests include:

  • Chorionic villus sampling (CVS). CVS involves taking a tiny sample of the placenta, either through the cervix or through a needle inserted in the abdomen. The advantage of this test is that it can be performed during the first trimester, between 8 and 12 weeks. The disadvantage is that it carries a slightly greater risk of miscarriage as compared with amniocentesis and has other complications.
  • Amniocentesis. This test, performed between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, involves the removal of a small amount of amniotic fluid through a needle inserted in the abdomen. The cells can then be analyzed for the presence of chromosomal abnormalities. Amniocentesis carries a small risk of complications, such as preterm labor and miscarriage.
  • Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS). Usually performed after 20 weeks, this test uses a needle to retrieve a small sample of blood from the umbilical cord. It carries risks similar to those associated with amniocentesis.

After a baby is born, if the doctor suspects DS based on the infant’s physical characteristics, a karyotype — a blood or tissue sample stained to show chromosomes grouped by size, number, and shape — can be performed to verify the diagnosis.

How do you help such a child?

Individuals with Down syndrome benefit from loving homes, early intervention, inclusive education, appropriate medical care and positive public attitudes. Moreover, enriched environments significantly increase their capacity to learn and lead a meaningful life.

Down syndrome cannot be overcome, education and proper care will improve quality of life

Some Links & Resources on DS ?

Published in: on January 27, 2009 at 11:00 AM  Comments (2)  
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Vanitha – The Pregnant Lady is Back

 

Jan 26 Eve – Jan 27 Morn

What an Painful return, she had NT Scan scheduled on 28th (already delayed by a week) and hence had to come back with me on 27th ( 26 th was Grahan and she did want to take the risk). She vomited about 4 times on 26th Eve and about 5 times from morning starting from right before we left till we reached home.

The Distance from Chickmangalore to Bangalore is about 260 Km, I reached there on 25th in about 4 Hrs, ie after frequent stops to taste the Pani Poori & Tender Coconut at various towns. The Return Journey started about 5:30 AM (delayed by an hour as Vanitha was vomiting), in 3 Hrs we crossed 230km ie from MG Road, Chickmangalore to Nelmangala in Bangalore, and thanks to the Bangalore Traffic we took another 3 Hrs to cross the balance 30 Km (Nelmangala to our Home) and the later half of the journey was so dam tiring.

Since she was vomiting to badly, Vanitha’s mom decided to join us for couple of days, since the condition of the house was foreseen as not not aptly suited for a pregnant lady and she thought she could assist Vanitha to settle down to the new condition and arrange the kitchen to suit her.

The house was relatively clean and I have given her the cook and the maid details to her to do all the talking and negotiate with them. These woman, what pride they take when it comes to negotiating for petty amount, by reducing Rs. 5 from the vegetable vendor or Rs. 10 from the home appliances store gives them the same pride as saving some company millions of dollars in some deal. I’m of the opinion that if some amount which does not make sufficient saving for you and inturn makes up a huge amount for the seller, the same should not be negotiated, Let him take that lil bit extra.

However away from Pavan’s strange Views, (will put a separate page on this :) ) the good news is that Vanitha is back and we are excited about our visit to the the Doc tom :) but no more missing Gym, no more pizzas, no more coming home late :(   will post the details about the NT Scan & TLC package tom..

Published in: on January 27, 2009 at 9:43 AM  Leave a Comment  
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Grahan – Eclipse & Pregnancy

Jan 22

Surya Grahan is on Jan 26, from 10:26 hrs to 16:30 hrs (Indian Standard Time).

Chandra Grahan is on Feb 9th, from 18:08 hrs to 22:08 hrs (Indian Standard Time).

This is the basis of Grahan according to Mythology

When the gods and the demons churned the milky ocean in days of yore, nectar came out of it. Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini, a charming lady, deluded the demons and distributed the nectar only among the gods. But Rahu had disguised himself as a god. The sun and the moon pointed this out to Mohini who immediately slashed off the demon’s head. Since the nectar had by then already reached up to the neck, he did not die. Thus the head came to be known as Rahu and the body as Ketu. To avenge this betrayal, Rahu and Ketu periodically eclipse the sun and the moon. Being bodiless their mouths could retain neither the sun or the moon for long. But this disability did not deter them from trying to swallow these heavenly bodies and the fact that they are still at this game is evident from the Solar and Lunar eclipses that we witness periodically– Are you so dumb, U & I know why these eclipse happen, so anything based on above myth is according to me just  nonsense

Some of the Precautions you should take according to the Old Wives Tales ( I don’t know why am I even bothering to write all this ) :-

  1. Fasting during Grahan will reap benefits
  2. Do not eat anything that is cooked during Grahan
  3. Pregnant Woman should stay indoors during Grahan
  4. Pregnant Woman should not do any work during Grahan
  5. Pregnant Woman should not do sewing during Grahan
  6. Pregnant Woman should not sleep in a particular position ( I dunno which position ) during Grahan
  7. Pregnant Woman should not be in contact with needles & knives
  8. This is seriously demoralizing “Precautions to not twist or contort their limbs into unnatural postures during a Grahan to avoid such postures reappearing as a long lasting or permanent feature in their Unborns” Is this reason behind all the Grahan Funda?

Some Ray of Hope:-

Vidya 24 says “In Mexico, it was believed that exposing the pregnant lady to an eclipse caused cleft-lip. That myth has been scientifically disproved in Mexico. You can find those evidences over the net.”

Nidhi says “ If that was the reason, then we can find more deformities found in those whose mothers were ‘not exposed’ to Grahan”  he he  Does that mean the everyday Sun rays cause all this? are they more dangerous than Grahan??”

Lavanya point out “The magnetic and gravitational pull is more during eclipses but if they affected all pregnant women every time they occurred then we wouldn’t have this many happy moms around”

& Abhilash makes a reasonable point which is clearly understandable “Normally at the time of Surya Grahan, pregnant women are supposed to not come out of the house, with no sunlight entering either by doors or windows. This is to avoid harmful rays.”

Seriously does this Grahan only affect us – “desi women” why does it not affect to all those who are not even ware of such myth, or it is a classis case of “Placebo Effect” – whatever they say I still refuse to buy their arguments apart from what Abhlilash pointed out.

Here is a nice prediction for you “Many astrologers are of the opinion that the Suryagrahan will have a negative impact on the political setup in India and it might give rise to instability on the economic front. Nothing good is being predicted. All astrological predictions are talking about ill effects. The Surya Grahan will coincide with Mauni Amavasya (No moon day in Magh Month as per traditional calendar Hindu followed in North India)” – I think even Satyam was a victim of this? what do you think??wish the Astrologer had written about this last year instead of this week, we would have been prepared

But the Bottom Line is Everyone is of the opinion -Better  be Safe than Sorry and another day of Pregnant Women being chained & locked in Dungeon continues errr not exactly infact A day of total rest and relaxation for Pregnant Woman – Right time to get Pedicure and Manicure done :)

Wondering how many more eclipses in this year, check this out ( Thanks to http://www.timeanddate.com )

  • An annular solar eclipse on January 26.
  • A penumbral lunar eclipse on February 9.
  • A penumbral lunar eclipse on July 7.
  • A total solar eclipse on July 22.
  • A penumbral lunar eclipse on August 6.
  • A partial lunar eclipse on December 31

PS: Readers comments and opinions are invited!

Published in: on January 23, 2009 at 7:27 AM  Comments (13)  
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Pregnant Wife – Coming Back Soon

22 Jan

I know, you guys must be thinking the reason why I’m not writing anything in this blog for last few days now, arrey what shall I do!, without Vanitha there is nothing much to write – not that she is my inspiration for my creativity, but after all this blog is about the journey from pregnancy to birth and without Vanitha there is not much that I can pen down, and most of the days she has been sick, sick so frequently that it is the opposite now, she only calls me to tell that she is  feeling a lil comfortable today. Being comfortable has become a rarity with her. She has come to a conclusion that wouldbe Mothers who are relatively comfortable during her pregnancy have become Endangered Species, in fact Extinct – you can only find them in reserves or only in % of data sheets but don’t exist in reality.

She is expected back home on 27th after the “GRAHAN” an “Eclipse” I guess, suppose to be very bad for Pregnant Ladies and that they should not venture out, stay in dark, not to touch the knife, etc,, Common as if she will become processed with evil by that light, please when will we come out of all these beliefs, but then in the words of Vanitha “when it comes to pregnancy – why take a chance, let me just listen to the elders” -  “Will write a separate post on this GRAHAN stuff” – do watch out.

However Vanitha is back on 27th – phew some relief for this poor husband/father to be :) , wait did I say 27, that means I have to be there on 26, that means I have to leave Bangalore on 26 Morning?? OMG that means I have only 3 days to clean my house, wash the balconies, scrub the bathrooms, clear the dustbin, iron the dress, wash those that are piled up, clean the kitchen, the linen, the shoes, the empty pizza boxes, those chocolate wrappers, and also buy Milk, Fruits, Veg, etc, So Much To Do So Little Time.

At one end I play a role of a CEO in a Young Startup (or Young CEO in a Startup :) ) – then role of Project In charge for a Constructions Division building well over 70 Apartments, if any of those who know me in those role see this,  must be wondering – “Keeps pushing us for results and here he is washing cloths and brooming the house” ;p, what do I tell them? I know, I will let them know that your CEO is expert in Multitasking :)

Published in: on January 22, 2009 at 6:14 AM  Leave a Comment  
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Lonely at Home – My Lil Adventure @ Home

 

11 Dec

Hmm, Its been 2o days since she has left, this Sunday I decided to do some house hold works. I know for many of them this does not amuse, but since I don’t do this often ( in fact hardly done ) it was a diff experience.

I First got up at a lazy lazy 11:00, It was a Sunday, not going anywhere out, no office, no site, no calls, no appointments, not meeting any friends,  feeling blank. I was being a mere spectator for life where I had no role to play. infact I’ve become so lazy that I’m sleeping on couch ( Sofa cum bed ) from past few days. I found that location absolutely and ideally suited for me , had the TV and DVD two steps to my left, loo four steps to my right, Broad Band Connection in the living room, and the door right beside me. I Could do everything I wanted without much movement ( how lazy can I be ). Raised my head from my pillow just a lil just to get the glimpse of my house ( Living Room ) in my home, indeed it was a mess.

But I had to act, all my 9 pairs of socks were unwashed and in another 3 days I will run out of socks, my dresses were piled in the laundry bin and tracks and shorts also needed some facelift. But before that I need a shave, was looking like one Tihar jail criminal, I went to my OT and removed my instruments, Shaving Foam, After Shave Lotion & Gillette Mach 3 Turbo, I still cant come to the terms that I use such an expensive razor for my bits of beard. Infact it is an insult to the razor, so decided to go out and get the shave done in a saloon which is very close to my home ( actually i was even lazy to shave ). On my way back the security for a moment failed to recognize me, thanks to that sleeveless Old T-Shirt they could make out it’s me, by the way the  Sleeves were torn by Vanitha and bro, coz they hated that t-shirt and did want me to wear. he he they never succeeded in their mission.

Called Vanitha and took step by step instructions on how to use the Washing Machine, had a lil confusion but managed to communicate with that alien and got it to behave the way I wanted. Stuffed with all my force as many dresses I could but still had few leftovers, with some soap ( a lil extra that what Vanitha told ) closed it and left to work on the other stuffs. I have a very simple funda of cleaning the house, take a huge cover and stuff everything you want to throw and tie it and keep it outside the door. 50 % work done.

Now came the brooming of the home. I carefully first arranged all the furniture and kept all the bags, pillows, books, bottles, left over food on the dining table. Used the grouting of tiles as a grid and started from the beginning following the track of the tiles. I would push all the dust to the beginning Tile of that particular Row and would do that for all the rows, then start collecting the dust from the Colum which had the dust (accumulated from all the rows) and then I would draw an imaginary path towards the utility and start the process of finally getting the house cleared of all the dust accumulated. I felt like one policeman and pushing the kids towards the bathroom for a Sunday bath, the moment I move a lil further some of them would run to the side, and i again collect them and move forward. However the house got cleaned. I also folded all the blankets and pillows ( in living room) and arrange my bed ( sofa cum bed ) with couple of soft toys and felt proud coz that looked like one attractive bed and tempted i slept on that again.

Woke up and realized about the alien with whom I entrusted all my cloths, went to that and it was still grumbling, It was a front loading IFB given by the owner of the house, as I bent and looked at my cloths, it looked like that evil alien was chewing all my cloths. Some time later it finally stopped and started to remove the cloths relieved, that atleast one thing happened as planned, just them I remembered that few minutes back I was making fun of it as alien chewing my cloths, I must admit i felt a lil scared to put my hand inside the first time to remove the cloths, but as I knew ( cant be more dumb ) nothing would happen and it just a bunch of motors washing my cloths. Again while I was removing the damp cloths thought about it as removing from the mouth of the alien and the damp cloths from its saliva, yuck, just yuck, came back to senses and hell with my imaginations.

Again while drying those cloths had another calculation on how to divide the weight and dry in such a way that,  those not to be seen from by balcony is hidden, he he, well not get into details of that.

However I had my lil adventure at home :) Life is not boring after all. Felt good as the home was looking clean and tidy ( but for how long ?)

PS: Readers comments and opinions are invited!

Published in: on January 12, 2009 at 4:03 AM  Leave a Comment  
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Blood in Vomit – Possible Reaons

 

Since Vanitha had blood in vomit, I decided to find out more on this issue, here is some of my finding :)

I Did so some research and also enquired in various websites and found out that these things DO HAPPEN, I also thank all the contributors from Yahoo Answers, here are the possible reasons for blood in vomit :-

  1. The throat would become sore from all the previous vomiting and dry heaving so it may result in some blood in vomit-“Starsfan14”.
  2. Blood vessels in your throat were breaking which will – “KG”
  3. It is basically the lining of the Esophagus is Raw from Vomiting – “ Mrs. Jackson”

On the whole, small amount of blood = fine, but too much blood = run to the Doc

Ps : And the Birthday Gift did make her feel better :)

PS: Readers comments and opinions are invited!

Published in: on January 10, 2009 at 9:19 AM  Leave a Comment  
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Birthday Wishes

Jan 7

This is Vanitha’s Birthday and tried every possible effort to give her a gift that she could cherish for ever. It was already 5th Eve,  still wondering on what to gift her, something to make her happy, a surprise, just then I had my ‘Eureka’ moment. I decided to gift her a video wherein everyone who knows Vanitha would wish her, I would then compile these and give it to her.

I Wished I had thought about this couple of days earlier, would have had enough time to work on this project. Anyways I spoke to my Sis in Law and she agreed to help me on this, we had to hurry as we had only a day’s time left us.

I started sending sms to all of them on my mobile list, apart from Ramya ( Thanks Ramya, if you had not msg in affirmative , i would have cancelled this idea ) there was no response, it was not a very good sign. I made up my mind and left to meet One of Vanitha’s Closest friend, again her door was locked, things were looking bleak. As a Plan B - I also decided to make a Picture Presentation for her ( just i case I would not get any videos ), got down to work at around 11:30 Am with Windows Movie Maker, did not know how to use, but learnt it as i played with it. Had some issue with the Audio, but was sorted out the next day and sent the CD via courier. ( I did not find the pictures of the cruise in her wardrobe, I thought those were the best pics of ours  and I also did not know how to add subtitles for this,) This  presentation contains the pics from our various trips ( our Kodaikanal resort, our Bangalore Resort,  Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Chandanvadi, Srinagar, Jaipur, Jaiselmar, Jodhpur, Hyd Ramoji Film City – Mughal e azam suite, Chickmangalore,  Innovative Film City- Bangalore )

Video 1 Picture Slideshow

Coming back to Plan A – “The Birthday Gift” – Things were still not looking good, did not receive any videos from my friends and family, and I could only request and send reminders, cannot force them. On 6th Morning with a mission to get at least 5 min of video, I left home with a camera n started visiting friend’s places and shooting, by the end of the day I had gathered quite a few of them, I Did feel a lil disappointed as the videos i really wanted from people whom Vanitha adored so much was not there but appreciate the fact that others went out of the way to send me their videos. Meanwhile I also recd videos from my Sis in Law from her hometown.

Again started at 12 to work with these videos, had several problems, the formats did not match, the audio was not in sync, did not know how to add comments and subtitles, infact I had uploaded all files to youtube and then downloaded it as .flv and then converted it to .avi files and then used them in Windows Movie Maker… by the time I finished that small video it was almost 5:30 AM, wanted to send this Cd by the first bus in the morning but could not, I tried to have  a small 5 min nap but when I woke up that I realized I was sleeping for 4 hours, the CD reached her by 6 PM. I really wish couple of more days I would have done a much better job

I Would like to thank everyone who was part of this Video and a Special mention to my Sis in law, in spite of her work Commitments had taken time to record videos and send me in such a short notice, and arranged for the surprise.

Video 2 The Surprise Birthday Gift – “Birthday Wishes”

Part A

Part B 

PS: Readers comments and opinions are invited!

Published in: on January 8, 2009 at 12:08 AM  Comments (6)  
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Vomiting Blood

Jan 6 Midnight

I was working on a Birthday Gift for Vanitha, Tom is her Birthday and I plan to surprise her with an amazing gift. Around 11 PM I got a call from my Sister in Law, Vanitha was vomiting and there was also some blood in it. This is was so shocking, I did not know how to react, I know that blood in vomit is not good. She told she will call me back in wile. I called her after 15 minutes and spoke to Vanitha, she was crying in pain, she told that she vomited again and this time there was more blood. I just wanted to leave right away to Chickmangalore, my response system has never planned for something like this, I just had no idea what to do.

They called the Doc there and she told to get admitted in the Hospital and she would visit her tom, as she was not in town, However My Sis in Law assured me that couple of other ladies who were recently pregnant had similar experience and her aunt was there consoling Vanitha and trying to add humor to the entire situation ( I appreciate that, coz the most important thing was to make her calm ). She was having Milk and bread and staying calm for a while.

It was very difficult for her to speak, She wanted me to the be the first person to wish her Birthday which I did, actually I wished her I guess at three diff times, just to check if she was alright. She felt bad that she could not speak to me that well and by the way the milk and bread also came out :(

Hope that after looking at the Birthday Gift, she will feel much better, Now I’m gonna study more on this, why does such things happen??

PS: Readers comments and opinions are invited!

Published in: on January 6, 2009 at 1:44 AM  Comments (4)  
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