Friday the 13th starts tomorrow!
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, November 12, 2015
与母砸钱买公寓 方伟杰为结婚铺路
与母砸钱买公寓
方伟杰为结婚铺路
09/11/2015by 蔡欣盈
方伟杰住在20多层楼高，最爱家里的阳台。（受访者）
游子方伟杰曾四处租房居无定所，母亲砸积蓄买下大巴窑公寓，助儿子将来结婚娶老婆！
方伟杰10多年前从上海来到新加坡求学，住过很多地方，从丹戎加东搬到维拉三美路、红山、旧合乐路和惹兰红山皆是跟别人租房子，直至两年前，才在大巴窑买下自己的安乐窝。当时，方伟杰已入行赚到钱，跟妈妈合资买房，不过，母亲出了大部分，砸下大笔积蓄，两母子才终于在本地有属于自己的家。
母为他结婚‘铺路’
25岁的他笑说：“我妈妈把这个房子买下来，是为了给我结婚用的！”他解释，身为一个男人，结婚的时候要有经济上的安全感。“不管是新加坡，还是中国上海，买屋子其实是非常重要的事情，这间屋子我跟我妈买下来之后，我觉得可以，省下我10年的时间去拼搏。新加坡的房子很贵，省了很多事情。”
他认为，如果没有这间房子当“经济基础”，日后房价再涨，到时就不知道自己有没有能力买房子。“已经有这个房子，以后可以花下一个10年去买第二个房子，然后把第一个租出去，不知道以后发生什么事情，可能以后没有赚到这么多钱，也至少，在新加坡有自己的房子。”
房东欠钱屋被封 累他麦当劳当‘家’
方伟杰在理工学院就读时，住在红山。当时，房东拖欠相关单位的钱，屋子被封，因为不想麻烦友人，最后流连全岛各地，把麦当劳快餐店当成“家”。
试过无家可归的他说：“我觉得，有钱有车没什么，更重要是有一个家，有一个避风港，这个是很重要的。”
他和母亲是新加坡永久居民，日后希望在本地长住。“我来新加坡10多年了，有一个家非常温馨，从小到大一直在外面租房子，搬来搬去，没有一个归属感，现在有了家有了归属感。”并多次强调：“有家才是最重要的。”
最爱家里的阳台
他喜欢住家附近的环境，交通方便，四通八达，也靠近电视台。
说到此处，他失笑说：“但，（电视台）马上要搬了！本来想说，公司那么靠近我们就买这个地方，买下来之后，却要搬了，哈哈。”
家里方面，因住在20多层楼高，他最爱的是家里的阳台，可以登高望远、有风景。至于自己的房间，他先用了“简陋”再用了“麻雀虽小五脏俱全”形容。他说：“我以前和妈妈在新加坡是睡上下铺的，我妈睡下面我睡上面，这次不一样，我们一人有一间房，很开心。”
不过，他的衣服、鞋子多，房间不够位放，已经“侵入”母亲的房间，常被母亲念“你的衣服已经多到堆成山了，可以不要这样吗，你不要穿的就拿出来就捐给人家”，并笑说，衣服和鞋子的数量比母亲多五倍。
方伟杰之所以会自创服饰品牌“First Attempt”，也跟这个大巴窑的家有关。
一年多前，他邀好兄弟到家里看红魔曼联的球赛，“我们一边看球赛，一边聊衣服，点子很多，然后品牌就出来了，第二天就落实了。”
家中最特别摆设 舅舅‘女娲补天’
说到家里最特别的摆设，他说是住在上海的舅舅送的《女娲补天》画。
“只用了钢笔画的，舅舅从小就很会画画，可是他不是画家，当了医生。妈妈很喜欢，在上海跟舅舅要回来的。”
除此之外，另一个重要的“摆设”就是“红星大奖”的“最佳新人”和“十大最受欢迎男艺人”奖座。
两个奖座目前放在进出家门都看得到的地方，如未来拿到更多的奖座，才会买一个玻璃柜把奖座放进去。
- wong chee tat :)
方伟杰为结婚铺路
09/11/2015by 蔡欣盈
方伟杰住在20多层楼高，最爱家里的阳台。（受访者）
游子方伟杰曾四处租房居无定所，母亲砸积蓄买下大巴窑公寓，助儿子将来结婚娶老婆！
方伟杰10多年前从上海来到新加坡求学，住过很多地方，从丹戎加东搬到维拉三美路、红山、旧合乐路和惹兰红山皆是跟别人租房子，直至两年前，才在大巴窑买下自己的安乐窝。当时，方伟杰已入行赚到钱，跟妈妈合资买房，不过，母亲出了大部分，砸下大笔积蓄，两母子才终于在本地有属于自己的家。
母为他结婚‘铺路’
25岁的他笑说：“我妈妈把这个房子买下来，是为了给我结婚用的！”他解释，身为一个男人，结婚的时候要有经济上的安全感。“不管是新加坡，还是中国上海，买屋子其实是非常重要的事情，这间屋子我跟我妈买下来之后，我觉得可以，省下我10年的时间去拼搏。新加坡的房子很贵，省了很多事情。”
他认为，如果没有这间房子当“经济基础”，日后房价再涨，到时就不知道自己有没有能力买房子。“已经有这个房子，以后可以花下一个10年去买第二个房子，然后把第一个租出去，不知道以后发生什么事情，可能以后没有赚到这么多钱，也至少，在新加坡有自己的房子。”
房东欠钱屋被封 累他麦当劳当‘家’
方伟杰在理工学院就读时，住在红山。当时，房东拖欠相关单位的钱，屋子被封，因为不想麻烦友人，最后流连全岛各地，把麦当劳快餐店当成“家”。
试过无家可归的他说：“我觉得，有钱有车没什么，更重要是有一个家，有一个避风港，这个是很重要的。”
他和母亲是新加坡永久居民，日后希望在本地长住。“我来新加坡10多年了，有一个家非常温馨，从小到大一直在外面租房子，搬来搬去，没有一个归属感，现在有了家有了归属感。”并多次强调：“有家才是最重要的。”
最爱家里的阳台
他喜欢住家附近的环境，交通方便，四通八达，也靠近电视台。
说到此处，他失笑说：“但，（电视台）马上要搬了！本来想说，公司那么靠近我们就买这个地方，买下来之后，却要搬了，哈哈。”
家里方面，因住在20多层楼高，他最爱的是家里的阳台，可以登高望远、有风景。至于自己的房间，他先用了“简陋”再用了“麻雀虽小五脏俱全”形容。他说：“我以前和妈妈在新加坡是睡上下铺的，我妈睡下面我睡上面，这次不一样，我们一人有一间房，很开心。”
不过，他的衣服、鞋子多，房间不够位放，已经“侵入”母亲的房间，常被母亲念“你的衣服已经多到堆成山了，可以不要这样吗，你不要穿的就拿出来就捐给人家”，并笑说，衣服和鞋子的数量比母亲多五倍。
方伟杰之所以会自创服饰品牌“First Attempt”，也跟这个大巴窑的家有关。
一年多前，他邀好兄弟到家里看红魔曼联的球赛，“我们一边看球赛，一边聊衣服，点子很多，然后品牌就出来了，第二天就落实了。”
家中最特别摆设 舅舅‘女娲补天’
说到家里最特别的摆设，他说是住在上海的舅舅送的《女娲补天》画。
“只用了钢笔画的，舅舅从小就很会画画，可是他不是画家，当了医生。妈妈很喜欢，在上海跟舅舅要回来的。”
除此之外，另一个重要的“摆设”就是“红星大奖”的“最佳新人”和“十大最受欢迎男艺人”奖座。
两个奖座目前放在进出家门都看得到的地方，如未来拿到更多的奖座，才会买一个玻璃柜把奖座放进去。
- wong chee tat :)
扮女人潜入女汤 游日中国男被捕
扮女人潜入女汤 游日中国男被捕
2015-11-10 19:52:40
日本近年成为中国旅客的旅游热点！中国一名男游客近日到日本和歌山县旅行时，竟扮成女人，潜入女宾专用的露天温泉浴场，其间因举止可疑被人识穿，最终遭警员当场擒获。他事后辩称，因听闻女浴场的风景很美，故冒险进入女浴场自拍。
案发和歌山县白滨町，被捕的36岁男子夏良（XiaLiang，译音）上周五（6日）抵达日本。日警方表示，夏男当地时间8日上午10时半男扮女装进入公共温泉「崎之汤」。
称女浴场风景美用自拍神器拍照
夏良身穿红色浴衣、头戴棕色长假发、涂口红和指甲油，假扮成女人潜入女浴场。他在浴室脱衣服后，用大毛巾包住身体，随后进入露天浴场，用自拍神器和智能手机拍照。两名女客人发觉他举止可疑，于是通知温泉职员。
警方随即到场，男子依入侵罪被捕。他被警方问话时辩称，因听闻女浴场外面的风景十分漂亮，为了拍照才铤而走险。警方调查男子手机，手机内没有找到拍到女客人浸温泉的照片。夏男还有一名女性友人一同旅游，案发时女友人在旅馆没有同行。
曾到访和歌山的港人Paul表示，去年6月与家人一同到当地旅游，当时在白滨停留多日，入住的酒店本身有温泉，而温泉分开男女汤，男女分别在不同的门口进入温泉。他表示，客人入场后，柜台职员会提供一条小毛巾，客人将脱下的衣物放入储物柜，只可使用所提供的小毛巾。他说，客人要在更衣区脱光冲身，之后才能浸温泉，而该名男子能避开职员及客人的视线，顺利走到浴场令人匪夷所思。
中国游客倍增质素差劣
近年由于日圆贬值加上日本开放旅游签证，触发中国客游日热潮。当地政府近日公布访日游客数据，2015年上半年访日游客比去年增加一倍，预计全年的客流或可达1,800万人，其中以中国游客量最大，9月为383万人，比去年同期多近一倍。日本经济学家大前研一认为，日本作为中国的近距国，比起欧美等国，有更大优势成为吸引中国回头客的地点。但中国旅客质素较差，形象大打折扣。
- wong chee tat :)
2015-11-10 19:52:40
日本近年成为中国旅客的旅游热点！中国一名男游客近日到日本和歌山县旅行时，竟扮成女人，潜入女宾专用的露天温泉浴场，其间因举止可疑被人识穿，最终遭警员当场擒获。他事后辩称，因听闻女浴场的风景很美，故冒险进入女浴场自拍。
案发和歌山县白滨町，被捕的36岁男子夏良（XiaLiang，译音）上周五（6日）抵达日本。日警方表示，夏男当地时间8日上午10时半男扮女装进入公共温泉「崎之汤」。
称女浴场风景美用自拍神器拍照
夏良身穿红色浴衣、头戴棕色长假发、涂口红和指甲油，假扮成女人潜入女浴场。他在浴室脱衣服后，用大毛巾包住身体，随后进入露天浴场，用自拍神器和智能手机拍照。两名女客人发觉他举止可疑，于是通知温泉职员。
警方随即到场，男子依入侵罪被捕。他被警方问话时辩称，因听闻女浴场外面的风景十分漂亮，为了拍照才铤而走险。警方调查男子手机，手机内没有找到拍到女客人浸温泉的照片。夏男还有一名女性友人一同旅游，案发时女友人在旅馆没有同行。
曾到访和歌山的港人Paul表示，去年6月与家人一同到当地旅游，当时在白滨停留多日，入住的酒店本身有温泉，而温泉分开男女汤，男女分别在不同的门口进入温泉。他表示，客人入场后，柜台职员会提供一条小毛巾，客人将脱下的衣物放入储物柜，只可使用所提供的小毛巾。他说，客人要在更衣区脱光冲身，之后才能浸温泉，而该名男子能避开职员及客人的视线，顺利走到浴场令人匪夷所思。
中国游客倍增质素差劣
近年由于日圆贬值加上日本开放旅游签证，触发中国客游日热潮。当地政府近日公布访日游客数据，2015年上半年访日游客比去年增加一倍，预计全年的客流或可达1,800万人，其中以中国游客量最大，9月为383万人，比去年同期多近一倍。日本经济学家大前研一认为，日本作为中国的近距国，比起欧美等国，有更大优势成为吸引中国回头客的地点。但中国旅客质素较差，形象大打折扣。
- wong chee tat :)
HDB Mega Sales Exercise set for 2nd half this month - application period extended to 10 days; public advised not to rush to HDB Hub
HDB Mega Sales Exercise set for 2nd half this month - application period extended to 10 days; public advised not to rush to HDB Hub
Published Date: 12 Nov 2015
The Ministry of National Development (MND) and the Housing & Development Board (HDB) announced earlier that HDB will combine the September and November 2015 sales launches into one mega launch. This is to allow more home buyers to benefit from the recent new policies, and to give flat buyers more options in terms of flat locations, flat-types and prices. The mega launch will be held in the second half of this month. It will be the largest sales exercise to-date, with a total of about 12,000 flats offered for sale, comprising 7,000 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats and 5,000 balance flats.
2 To allow prospective flat buyers more time to consider the wide range of flats offered and make an informed decision, we will extend the application period for the mega sales exercise from the typical 7 calendar days to 10 calendar days.
3 All the information on the BTO and SBF flats on offer will be made available on the HDB InfoWEB. We would like to advise prospective flat buyers to view the details of the flats on offer online via the HDB InfoWEB, at their leisure. They can get the flat details, as well as submit their applications online via the HDB InfoWEB. There is no need for them to make a trip down to HDB Hub.
4 Flat applications are not processed on a first-come-first-served basis. Flat applicants would have 10 days to consider and submit their applications. They need not rush to put in their applications.
- wong chee tat :)
Published Date: 12 Nov 2015
The Ministry of National Development (MND) and the Housing & Development Board (HDB) announced earlier that HDB will combine the September and November 2015 sales launches into one mega launch. This is to allow more home buyers to benefit from the recent new policies, and to give flat buyers more options in terms of flat locations, flat-types and prices. The mega launch will be held in the second half of this month. It will be the largest sales exercise to-date, with a total of about 12,000 flats offered for sale, comprising 7,000 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats and 5,000 balance flats.
2 To allow prospective flat buyers more time to consider the wide range of flats offered and make an informed decision, we will extend the application period for the mega sales exercise from the typical 7 calendar days to 10 calendar days.
3 All the information on the BTO and SBF flats on offer will be made available on the HDB InfoWEB. We would like to advise prospective flat buyers to view the details of the flats on offer online via the HDB InfoWEB, at their leisure. They can get the flat details, as well as submit their applications online via the HDB InfoWEB. There is no need for them to make a trip down to HDB Hub.
4 Flat applications are not processed on a first-come-first-served basis. Flat applicants would have 10 days to consider and submit their applications. They need not rush to put in their applications.
- wong chee tat :)
'Mega launch' of 12,000 HDB flats to take place in 2nd half of Nov
'Mega launch' of 12,000 HDB flats to take place in 2nd half of Nov
To allow prospective flat buyers more time to consider the "wide range" of flats offered, HDB will extend the application period for the sales exercise to 10 calendar days, up from the usual seven calendar days.
POSTED: 12 Nov 2015 11:08 UPDATED: 12 Nov 2015 20:08
SINGAPORE: The "mega launch" of 12,000 flats for the November Housing & Development Board (HDB) launch will take place in the second half of this month, it was announced on Thursday (Nov 12).
This will be the largest sales exercise to-date, with a total of about 12,000 flats offered for sale, comprising 7,000 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats and 5,000 balance flats. This is as the September launch of BTO flats was delayed to incorporate three new policies announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally in August.
The 7,000 BTO flats will be available in Bidadari, Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Hougang, Punggol Northshore and Sengkang.
To allow prospective flat buyers more time to consider the "wide range" of flats offered, HDB will extend the application period for the sales exercise to 10 calendar days, up from the usual seven calendar days.
HDB would like to remind flat buyers that they need not rush to put in their applications, as the applications are not processed on a first-come-first-served vasis.
All the information on the flats on offer will be made available on the HDB InfoWEB.
Said HDB: "We would like to advise prospective flat buyers to view the details of the flats on offer online via the HDB InfoWEB, at their leisure. They can get the flat details, as well as submit their applications online via the HDB InfoWEB. There is no need for them to make a trip down to HDB Hub."
- CNA/av
- wong chee tat :)
To allow prospective flat buyers more time to consider the "wide range" of flats offered, HDB will extend the application period for the sales exercise to 10 calendar days, up from the usual seven calendar days.
POSTED: 12 Nov 2015 11:08 UPDATED: 12 Nov 2015 20:08
SINGAPORE: The "mega launch" of 12,000 flats for the November Housing & Development Board (HDB) launch will take place in the second half of this month, it was announced on Thursday (Nov 12).
This will be the largest sales exercise to-date, with a total of about 12,000 flats offered for sale, comprising 7,000 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats and 5,000 balance flats. This is as the September launch of BTO flats was delayed to incorporate three new policies announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally in August.
The 7,000 BTO flats will be available in Bidadari, Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Hougang, Punggol Northshore and Sengkang.
To allow prospective flat buyers more time to consider the "wide range" of flats offered, HDB will extend the application period for the sales exercise to 10 calendar days, up from the usual seven calendar days.
HDB would like to remind flat buyers that they need not rush to put in their applications, as the applications are not processed on a first-come-first-served vasis.
All the information on the flats on offer will be made available on the HDB InfoWEB.
Said HDB: "We would like to advise prospective flat buyers to view the details of the flats on offer online via the HDB InfoWEB, at their leisure. They can get the flat details, as well as submit their applications online via the HDB InfoWEB. There is no need for them to make a trip down to HDB Hub."
- CNA/av
- wong chee tat :)
Premature births on the rise in Singapore
Premature births on the rise in Singapore
TODAY reports: The national rate of preterm births has gone up, from 7.2 per cent to 9.5 per cent, despite low birth rates in the past decade, said Professor Victor Samuel Rajadurai, head and senior consultant at KKH’s Department of Neonatology,
By Eveline Gan, TODAY
POSTED: 11 Nov 2015 07:11
SINGAPORE: When Mdm Audrey Lim first saw her twin babies after giving birth to them at just 25 weeks in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), she knew they would face an uphill task to stay alive in the following months. “They had so little flesh on them that they looked two-dimensional. There were also so many tubes and wires going through them. At that moment, I felt so much heartache and helplessness,” said the 38-year-old property agent.
At birth, twins Ethan and Emma Low each weighed just slightly more than 700g. Despite their severe prematurity, the twins survived.
PRETERM BIRTHS INCREASING
It is estimated that about one in 10 babies is born too early. As preterm birth rates rise worldwide, Mdm Lim’s experience is no longer a rare occurrence - even in developed nations with top-notch medical care. A preterm birth is defined as one that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
The phenomenon has become increasingly more common here, too, said local experts TODAY spoke to ahead of World Prematurity Day on Nov 17.
Premature babies make up about 13.5 per cent of the babies born at KKH. Professor Victor Samuel Rajadurai, head and senior consultant at KKH’s Department of Neonatology, noted an increase in the incidence of preterm births seen at KKH, from 11 per cent to 13.5 per cent in the past decade. The national rate of preterm births has also gone up, from 7.2 per cent to 9.5 per cent, despite low birth rates over the same period, said Prof Rajadurai.
No one knows for sure what triggers premature labour. However, several factors, including older maternal age due to delayed childbearing and the use of fertility treatments, have been known to increase the likelihood.
Assisted reproductive technology is now more commonly performed than before, and that increases a woman’s chance of multiple pregnancy, which is associated with a higher risk of preterm labour, said Associate Professor Su Lin Lin, senior consultant at National University Hospital (NUH) Women’s Centre. The number of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles done at NUH Women’s Centre has more than tripled in the past decade. About 700 IVF cycles were carried out at its centre last year.
Associate Professor Tan Thiam Chye, senior consultant and head of Inpatient Service at KKH’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, added that the risk of preterm delivery for twin pregnancies increases three to five times compared with a singleton pregnancy. In a triplet pregnancy, the risk increases to seven to nine times.
Assoc Prof Su said that advances in medicine have also made it possible for women with certain existing illnesses that affect fertility to conceive and go through a pregnancy. Some of these conditions, such as some kidney and autoimmune diseases, are linked to a higher risk of preterm labour.
Several studies have also linked preterm labour to high levels of chronic psychological and physical stress during pregnancy, but Assoc Prof Su said this area needs further research.
Current treatments to delay preterm labour include medication such as progesterone and tocolytic drugs to stop womb contractions, said Assoc Prof Tan. The mother is then given a steroid jab to hasten the baby’s lung development.
In instances of very early preterm labour (less than 24 weeks of pregnancy), the doctor may recommend a cervical cerclage. This is a procedure where stitches hold the cervix closed to prevent a premature birth.
In spite of the medications given to slow down contractions, Mdm Lim - whose twins were conceived naturally - was fully dilated within half a day and nothing could stop her babies from arriving four months early.
SURVIVING PREMATURITY
According to the World Health Organisation, preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn deaths and the second-leading cause of deaths in children under the age of five. However, modern neonatal intensive care has made it possible for even the tiniest of babies to survive their prematurity. About 90 per cent of premature babies treated at KKH’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) survive and the majority go on to live relatively normal lives, said Prof Rajadurai.
The two smallest survivors at KKH were born about 15 years ago, at 26 weeks, with a birth weight of 435g and 470g. At Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute, the lightest survivor was a 26-weeker who weighed 487g at birth in 2007. All three have gone on to lead normal lives.
However, Prof Rajadurai stressed that the above cases are exceptional as outcomes for premature babies born below 23 weeks’ gestation and/or birth weight of 500g are known to be “extremely poor”. Even with modern NICU care, the survival for premature babies born at 25 weeks is between 70 to 75 per cent, said Prof Rajadurai. About 30 per cent may have trouble with development.
After birth, Mdm Lim’s twins spent the first four months of their lives in the hospital battling a host of complications, including infections, liver and breathing problems. “The first year was the hardest because we had to constantly monitor their breathing at home, which could suddenly stop without warning. They were also hospitalised almost every other month due to low oxygen levels,” said Mdm Lim.
Today, the twins are growing well, apart from a few “manageable” health issues, said Mdm Lim. For instance, older twin Ethan has some vision-related problems and is having speech therapy as he stutters.
“Back then, my husband and I practically lived day by day not knowing what will happen to our babies. Now they look like any healthy kids who love to play and jump around. Looking back, we are really fortunate to have access to proper facilities and expertise to save our preemies,” she said.
Read the original TODAY report here.
-TODAY/av
- wong chee tat :)
TODAY reports: The national rate of preterm births has gone up, from 7.2 per cent to 9.5 per cent, despite low birth rates in the past decade, said Professor Victor Samuel Rajadurai, head and senior consultant at KKH’s Department of Neonatology,
By Eveline Gan, TODAY
POSTED: 11 Nov 2015 07:11
SINGAPORE: When Mdm Audrey Lim first saw her twin babies after giving birth to them at just 25 weeks in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), she knew they would face an uphill task to stay alive in the following months. “They had so little flesh on them that they looked two-dimensional. There were also so many tubes and wires going through them. At that moment, I felt so much heartache and helplessness,” said the 38-year-old property agent.
At birth, twins Ethan and Emma Low each weighed just slightly more than 700g. Despite their severe prematurity, the twins survived.
PRETERM BIRTHS INCREASING
It is estimated that about one in 10 babies is born too early. As preterm birth rates rise worldwide, Mdm Lim’s experience is no longer a rare occurrence - even in developed nations with top-notch medical care. A preterm birth is defined as one that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
The phenomenon has become increasingly more common here, too, said local experts TODAY spoke to ahead of World Prematurity Day on Nov 17.
Premature babies make up about 13.5 per cent of the babies born at KKH. Professor Victor Samuel Rajadurai, head and senior consultant at KKH’s Department of Neonatology, noted an increase in the incidence of preterm births seen at KKH, from 11 per cent to 13.5 per cent in the past decade. The national rate of preterm births has also gone up, from 7.2 per cent to 9.5 per cent, despite low birth rates over the same period, said Prof Rajadurai.
No one knows for sure what triggers premature labour. However, several factors, including older maternal age due to delayed childbearing and the use of fertility treatments, have been known to increase the likelihood.
Assisted reproductive technology is now more commonly performed than before, and that increases a woman’s chance of multiple pregnancy, which is associated with a higher risk of preterm labour, said Associate Professor Su Lin Lin, senior consultant at National University Hospital (NUH) Women’s Centre. The number of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles done at NUH Women’s Centre has more than tripled in the past decade. About 700 IVF cycles were carried out at its centre last year.
Associate Professor Tan Thiam Chye, senior consultant and head of Inpatient Service at KKH’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, added that the risk of preterm delivery for twin pregnancies increases three to five times compared with a singleton pregnancy. In a triplet pregnancy, the risk increases to seven to nine times.
Assoc Prof Su said that advances in medicine have also made it possible for women with certain existing illnesses that affect fertility to conceive and go through a pregnancy. Some of these conditions, such as some kidney and autoimmune diseases, are linked to a higher risk of preterm labour.
Several studies have also linked preterm labour to high levels of chronic psychological and physical stress during pregnancy, but Assoc Prof Su said this area needs further research.
Current treatments to delay preterm labour include medication such as progesterone and tocolytic drugs to stop womb contractions, said Assoc Prof Tan. The mother is then given a steroid jab to hasten the baby’s lung development.
In instances of very early preterm labour (less than 24 weeks of pregnancy), the doctor may recommend a cervical cerclage. This is a procedure where stitches hold the cervix closed to prevent a premature birth.
In spite of the medications given to slow down contractions, Mdm Lim - whose twins were conceived naturally - was fully dilated within half a day and nothing could stop her babies from arriving four months early.
SURVIVING PREMATURITY
According to the World Health Organisation, preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn deaths and the second-leading cause of deaths in children under the age of five. However, modern neonatal intensive care has made it possible for even the tiniest of babies to survive their prematurity. About 90 per cent of premature babies treated at KKH’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) survive and the majority go on to live relatively normal lives, said Prof Rajadurai.
The two smallest survivors at KKH were born about 15 years ago, at 26 weeks, with a birth weight of 435g and 470g. At Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute, the lightest survivor was a 26-weeker who weighed 487g at birth in 2007. All three have gone on to lead normal lives.
However, Prof Rajadurai stressed that the above cases are exceptional as outcomes for premature babies born below 23 weeks’ gestation and/or birth weight of 500g are known to be “extremely poor”. Even with modern NICU care, the survival for premature babies born at 25 weeks is between 70 to 75 per cent, said Prof Rajadurai. About 30 per cent may have trouble with development.
After birth, Mdm Lim’s twins spent the first four months of their lives in the hospital battling a host of complications, including infections, liver and breathing problems. “The first year was the hardest because we had to constantly monitor their breathing at home, which could suddenly stop without warning. They were also hospitalised almost every other month due to low oxygen levels,” said Mdm Lim.
Today, the twins are growing well, apart from a few “manageable” health issues, said Mdm Lim. For instance, older twin Ethan has some vision-related problems and is having speech therapy as he stutters.
“Back then, my husband and I practically lived day by day not knowing what will happen to our babies. Now they look like any healthy kids who love to play and jump around. Looking back, we are really fortunate to have access to proper facilities and expertise to save our preemies,” she said.
Read the original TODAY report here.
-TODAY/av
- wong chee tat :)
Non-landed private home resale prices dip 0.6% from September: SRX Property
Non-landed private home resale prices dip 0.6% from September: SRX Property
A total of 505 non-landed private homes were resold in October, up 9.8 per cent from September, according to latest data from SRX Property released on Wednesday (Nov 11).
POSTED: 11 Nov 2015 11:03 UPDATED: 11 Nov 2015 23:53
SINGAPORE: The resale prices of non-landed private residential units in October dipped 0.6 per cent from September this year, according to latest data from SRX Property released on Wednesday (Nov 11).
Units in the Core Central Region, Rest of Central Region and Outside of Central Region all posted a price drop of 1.1 per cent, 0.5 per cent and 0.4 per cent respectively. Overall resale prices also went down 2.6 per cent, when compared on a year-on-year basis.
Resale volume of non-landed private residential units in October increased 9.8 per cent from the previous month. SRX Property also said an estimated 505 units were resold in October.
However, compared to a year ago, resale volume was flat as a total of 504 units were resold in October 2014.
The median Transaction Over X-Value (TOX), which measures whether people are overpaying or underpaying SRX Property’s estimated market value, was -S$3,000.
For districts with more than 10 resale transactions, District 15 (Katong, Joo Chiat, Amber Road) posted the highest median TOX of S$20,000. The lowest median TOX was in District 14 (Geyang, Eunos) at -S$30,000.
- CNA/xk
- wong chee tat :)
A total of 505 non-landed private homes were resold in October, up 9.8 per cent from September, according to latest data from SRX Property released on Wednesday (Nov 11).
POSTED: 11 Nov 2015 11:03 UPDATED: 11 Nov 2015 23:53
SINGAPORE: The resale prices of non-landed private residential units in October dipped 0.6 per cent from September this year, according to latest data from SRX Property released on Wednesday (Nov 11).
Units in the Core Central Region, Rest of Central Region and Outside of Central Region all posted a price drop of 1.1 per cent, 0.5 per cent and 0.4 per cent respectively. Overall resale prices also went down 2.6 per cent, when compared on a year-on-year basis.
Resale volume of non-landed private residential units in October increased 9.8 per cent from the previous month. SRX Property also said an estimated 505 units were resold in October.
However, compared to a year ago, resale volume was flat as a total of 504 units were resold in October 2014.
The median Transaction Over X-Value (TOX), which measures whether people are overpaying or underpaying SRX Property’s estimated market value, was -S$3,000.
For districts with more than 10 resale transactions, District 15 (Katong, Joo Chiat, Amber Road) posted the highest median TOX of S$20,000. The lowest median TOX was in District 14 (Geyang, Eunos) at -S$30,000.
- CNA/xk
- wong chee tat :)
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