Having a toddler and pregnant with the second child does not stop Iman Abdul Rahim, a famous beauty-blogger and social media influencer to maintain her gracefulness, motherly love and affection during her exclusive interview with Motherhood.com.my.
Iman, or more well-known as Iman Abdul Rahim among her fans and followers, is an Engineering graduate from International Islamic University (IIUM) Malaysia, in the year 2016.
She got married to Ahmad Marwan in the year 2015, while she was still studying. Soon after she graduated, Iman started working while pregnant with her firstborn, Imaan Maysaa, before she decided to become a fulltime housewife, mother, and part-time content creator.
Here’s the scoop of our exclusive interview with Iman Abdul Rahim.
#1 What are the differences between this pregnancy and your 1st pregnancy?
When I was pregnant with my firstborn, Maysaa, I had terrible morning sickness. I felt nausea and vomited 4 to 5 times a day, everyday. Instead of a ‘morning sickness,’ it was like all-day sickness – in the morning, while I was working at the office, at home, at night, all the time! Not to mention, I felt extra tired during my first pregnancy.
As for this pregnancy, it was totally the opposite! I didn’t have such bad morning sickness, very rare, around 3 to 4 times throughout this pregnancy and I don’t feel really tired.
#2 Is there any weird cravings throughout this pregnancy?
I am not sure if this is weird, but during both pregnancies, I always wanted to drink the frizzy-cold Coca-Cola! Like most of the time! There are no weird cravings as far as I remember, but I just want to have a sip of the drink most of the time.
#3 Do you follow any specific diet for this pregnancy? Perhaps you want to share what type of pregnancy supplements you consume throughout this pregnancy?
I just ate as usual while making sure that the food contains the nutrient needed for pregnant mother. I followed the doctor’s advice, and consume the supplement as given or recommended by the doctor.
Currently, I am consuming Obimin Pluz, Iron tablet from Klinik Kesihatan, and calcium because I feel lazy (even just) to get a glass of milk. I feel you!
#4 How has Maysaa been acting throughout this pregnancy – knowing that she’s going to have a little sibling?
Up until this moment, Maysaa has been very sweet and happy with her little baby. Maybe because she is a big girl now so she understands better. She likes baby, so everyday she will come to my tummy and say “Nak tengok baby”.
Every night before we go to sleep she will help to lather on some lotion on my tummy, and everyday she will say “Good morning baby”, “Goodnight baby”.
Iman shared that her daughter even has a name for her little baby – Chachacha. Maysaa even proudly tells everyone about the name! Aww isn’t it cute?
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#5 Do you do detail scan for this pregnancy? Can you share with us your opinion and advice to other soon-to-be mothers about detail scan?
I didn’t have the awareness about the importance of detail scan during my first pregnancy – so I didn’t do any detailed scan when I was pregnant with Maysaa.
I only knew about it later, when Maysaa (still a fetus) had grown quite big at the time, while detail scan can only be done when the fetus is at between 18 to 28 weeks.
So for this pregnancy, I even set a reminder on the calendar that at 18th weeks, I should go for a detailed scan. Detail Scan is important because it allows us to see and check our fetus’ organs, brain, number of fingers, and many others.
#6 Since you are always travelling and on-the-go, can you share your travel tips with a toddler and being pregnant at the same time.
If we are going anywhere far, whether for travel or going back to my hometown for Raya, I will prepare an emergency kit for both the parents and also my daughter.
I will put all the important medicines such as Panadol, nasal spray, mosquito patch, and others. I will put all those things inside a plastic bag and make sure the emergency kit bag is somewhere within a hand’s reach.
#7 Is there any situation where Maysaa suddenly fell ill/fever while you are travelling? What would be/was your action during that incident?
That is simple. Before we go for a vacation, especially somewhere oversea, make sure we subscribed for a travel insurance plan. It is to ensure that we are protected with a travel insurance.
Since I am travelling with young children, I will make sure to check the nearest hospital or clinic to the hotel that we are staying.
For instance, recently we went to Japan for year-end holiday. So before we chose the hotel, we did some research about the nearest hospital/clinic; whether any of the staffs can speak in English or not and etc.
These are the things I always do before we head off for the vacation.
#8 Previously you’ve shared Maysaa’s weaning journey on your blog, perhaps you want to share about that as well with our readers?
Maysaa’s weaning process took quite some time. It only started when I was confirmed to be pregnant again – this pregnancy. I will talk to her that I am carrying her little sibling inside of me.
I will say something like “Baby sakit”, to make her understand better. After some times, she started to understand the situation and eventually stop asking for breastfeeding.
But it was quite challenging at first because she will cry at night as she used to breastfeed before she went to sleep. Actually, it was sad to see her crying and asking for breastfeeding. It was hard for me as well to see her in that state, but it is a process that every breastfeeding mother will go through.
#9 It is so cute and inspiring to see you share about #BukuMaysaa. At what age you introduced Maysaa with books? Are there any tips when choosing the books for your daughter?
I introduced books to Maysaa when she was around 5 to 6 months old. But during that time, there weren’t any special tips or guidance when I bought the books. I just chose any interesting, fun, colourful children book.
The first book that I bought was a book made from paper, which turned into pieces the moment she ‘reads’ it.
From there I learned that if you want to buy books for baby around 3 to 4 months, we should get books with high contrast colour, the image popping out, and real pictures instead of cartoon. For example, instead of a cartoon image of a cat, show and introduce them with the real image of a cat. So then your little one can learn better.
10# What made you decide to become a full-time housewife?
It started when I was working and pregnant to Maysaa. While working, I always surveyed for a nursery or for a nanny to take care of my baby around my work area. But most of the price is so expensive! Another thing, I want to breastfeed my baby exclusively.
Not to mention, I will only have limited time to spend with my little one during the weekdays, the cost of going back and forth to work and pick up my baby and many others.
I think it’s not worth it. So once I gave birth to her, I decided to resign and change my role to a full-time housewife.
[dropcap letter=”D”]espite all the loves and attention she and her family receive, Iman Abdul Rahim enjoys being a mother. She added,
I love kids! I love to see my own children growing up in front of my eyes all the time. I like bathing her, feeding, and play with her. That is my happiness – where I can take care of my own daughter and myself.
I won’t feel easy with the idea of someone else looking after my kids. I feel satisfied and happy because I can take care of my own children and be a full-time housewife.
For more real-mom shares and updates like Iman Abdul Rahim, stay tuned with us at Hello #NewMom series – where you can get more information on your growing baby from pregnancy until baby care.