Charmaine has previously opened up about her egg-freezing journey, opting for the procedure after her 35th birthday last year due to her history of having dermoid cysts. Having researched on options in Malaysia, Thailand, and Australia, she was familiar with the process, but the journey was still an eye-opening one.

“Once my medical appeal was approved by KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), I was definitely nervous to start the process,” she recalls.

“The first few visits involved the Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) test to check my level of fertility, the prescription of necessary vitamins and supplements, blood tests, and the necessary vaccines to ensure my body was suitable before hormone medication was introduced.”

Then there was the four-stage egg-freezing process, from administering daily hormone injections to the final oocyte (an immature ovum, or egg cell) recovery and fertilisation stage. She recalls the anxiety she felt when her body initially didn’t react well to the injections but was relieved when the oocytes were found to be growing well.

“Eventually, we successfully retrieved 12 oocytes, which gave me peace of mind to know that I had “extra chances” in the bank. These oocytes are currently stored at KKH,” she lets on. “Cost-wise, with the government subsidies, I paid about slightly over $1,000 for the entire process.”

There are still things she wishes she’d known before diving in, including having to pass several blood tests and vaccines to ensure suitability for egg freezing. “Nutrition-wise, I wish I knew the importance of taking vitamins and protein to prepare my body to get optimum results,” she adds. “I would also like to have been more mentally prepared for the discomfort, and how the lack of exercise and movement would affect my mental health for the month the journey took, from preparation to recovery.”

Sans Faff knit dress, SocietyA. Cardigan, stylist’s own. Accessories, Charmaine’s own.

With her history of dermoid cysts, her fertility has always been a concern. Albeit nervous, she and Camilo decided to try for a baby with an open mind. When she got pregnant rather quickly, the couple was in disbelief but also pleasantly surprised.

“I remember buying almost every brand of pregnancy kit available and testing eight to 10 of them just to be sure,” she reveals. “In fact, we went to the gynecologist for a scan just to be 100 per cent positive! When we realised the blessing we had received, we were thrilled, cautiously optimistic but also overwhelmed with the responsibility and idea of becoming parents!”

Magali Pascal dress, SocietyA. Accessories, Charmaine’s own.

As with many mums, her pregnancy journey has been filled with new discoveries. “The biggest one is how resilient the body is. It’s fascinating to know that a little human being can grow and develop in your body.”

It has also strengthened her relationship with Camilo, and has made them think about a life that’s beyond theirs. She says, “It gives us a lot of motivation and purpose as we evolve from being a couple to being parents.”

Then there are the myths surrounding pregnancy that aren’t necessarily true. “From what to eat to how to exercise and what to avoid… I wish there was a guidebook that takes you through the stages of conception to postpartum!” she laments.

“We are so excited to welcome #babyparedes into the world. But we’re also nervous as parents learning how to care for an infant once we return from the hospital. We want to ensure we raise a healthy, happy, fulfilled tiny human.”

At the same time, she’s also concerned about the changes that her mind and body will go through postpartum. “I have read a lot about how a woman’s priorities might change with a baby and how one’s body might never be the same again,” she explains, having also read extensively about postpartum depression. “However, I am confident that I have a good support system including a personal trainer, a job that I can return to, and a village I can rely on to balance parenthood and a career.”

What’s toughest for Charmaine so far has been how work and her physical activity have been slowed down. For the self-professed energiser bunny and workaholic, this has required quite an adjustment. “So far, in the third trimester, I feel more bloated and my legs have started to swell a little, ” she lets on. “Sleeping has been more challenging too. All things considered, I am grateful to have had a really smooth pregnancy and easygoing baby, so let’s hope this baby is equally easy earthside!”

Dress and accessories, Charmaine’s own. T-shirt, Camilo’s own.

Physical movement has been beneficial to her mental health, with the soon-to-be mum taking long walks a few times a week, doing pregnancy stretches, and doing weekly strength training. “Nutrition-wise, I am not eating for two — I have regular, healthy meals and allow myself a few ‘cheat’ cravings when I need a sweet fix!”

She is also thankful for her circle of mama friends and fellow mothers in the industry who have reached out and have been really candid and supportive. “Their advice has opened my eyes to a whole new world.”

One piece of advice she’s received from former radio DJ and mother of two Jamie Yeo is to embrace how her body will change and know that it’s worth it. “She reminded me that there’ll be minimal sleep, plenty of crying and the postnatal journey may seem tough for a while but to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and things will get better. Babies will eventually sleep for longer and the long, sleepless nights will come to an end,” Charmaine says. “Oh, and to have a sense of humour about it!”

She also shares that they have been fortunate to have brands speak with them and clarify any doubts they have had. “Every bit of advice and learning has made this otherwise daunting new phase so much easier to navigate. This is also why I’ve started a What I wish I knew series on my Instagram page (@yeecharmaine).”

Of Camilo as a dad, she feels that he would be a hands-on, fun and caring father. In fact, he has already started singing Spanish songs and reading bedtime stories in both Spanish and English to their baby. “We read that it’s a great way to spend quality time together while promoting language and cognitive development. He has also been listening to parenting podcasts and sharing notes.”

As for herself, she hopes to be a loving and nurturing mum — one that strikes a fine balance between being a parent and being a friend. She explains, “My mum and I have a very strong relationship so I try to mirror what she did with me with my baby. She ensured that my brother and I grew up in a very encouraging environment. She emphasised on progress over perfection from a very young age and challenged a lot of social stereotypes, such as over-emphasis on academic excellence. My brother and I had a lot of playtime, free time to daydream, and were encouraged to be creative and to dare to be different.”

“We’ve talked about the kind of parents we wish to be and constantly communicate with each other. In my opinion, that makes for a good team and a good foundation for parenting.” In fact, she reveals that they’ve discussed their parenting philosophies since their early dating days.

She says, “We want to help them identify their natural abilities and inclinations early in their lives and do our best to support them, because we believe if they develop their natural selves well, it will ultimately bring them to achieving their purpose in life.”

Outfits and accessories, Charmaine and Camilo’s own.

The pair have started preparing the essentials for both mother and baby, and have partnered Mothercare for the likes of baby strollers, co-sleeping cots, breast pumps, and high chairs. They are also working with PEM Confinement Nanny Agency for a nanny for two months, so as to have someone experienced guide them in looking after their newborn while giving Charmaine time to rest, recover and ease into the journey of motherhood.

Even her postpartum meals have been sorted out. They have collaborated with Tian Wei Signatures and ReLacto for confinement food to help nourish her body for recuperating and breastfeeding.

Camilo has been every part the reassuring and supportive husband in this journey to parenthood, Charmaine tells us. After realising she was overwhelmed when newly pregnant, the pair had several chats about how they would navigate this new phase together. They have also discussed fitness, nutrition and finances, and baby prep as well as what he could do to support her. “Once we finalised a concrete plan, I felt assured and started to enjoy the pregnancy.”

“He has even drawn up short- and long-term housing and financial goals to ensure we have a structured plan to raise our child,” she reveals.

“He shares my excitement and accompanies me to every doctor’s visit. When our doctor told us the importance of protein during pregnancy, he made it his mission to ensure that I meet my daily protein intake by cooking lunches with lean meats and taking me out for steak on date nights. I often joke that he is the husband, chief financial officer, and chief protein officer.”

So have they divvied up parenting duties yet?

“To be honest, we haven’t worked out duties yet but will probably do so in the first two weeks after learning how to be parents ‘on the job’,” she shares. “We are both fortunate to have flexible working hours and plan to take turns doing night feeds and looking after our newborn.”

Birthing plans

The plan for Charmaine now is to have a natural birth with an epidural, and she is in partnership with CordLife for its cord blood banking service. “They harvest the umbilical cord of our baby at birth and keep it frozen for 21 years in the event that we may need it to potentially cure our baby from severe diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s, and others.”

They have also collaborated with Thomson Medical, and have secured a VIP suite to receive their friends and family post-delivery. “I believe the only thing missing is for us to prepare the hospital bag for when the big moment actually comes.”

Oh, and don’t forget to tell your insurance agent about your pregnancy, Charmaine advises.

“Several friends shared that insurance was key to ensuring I was protected for any emergencies during pregnancy and birth,” she elaborates, adding that they “looked at insurance plans to provide peace of mind and help cover costs in case any emergency arose.”

She says that speaking to her agent also helped educate them on coverage limitations, such as what would happen if she did not pass the gestational diabetes test. “Knowing this helped me frame my mind and ensured I looked after my physical health.”

“Happy to report that I passed the test despite the sweet cravings!”

On her Instagram page, Charmaine has been candid about how she kept her pregnancy under wraps due to her concerns about being rejected for jobs as an event host.

Thankfully, while she has heard stories of other mums losing hosting opportunities for various reasons, she shares that she has been fortunate enough not to have felt any discrimination. “I’ve also felt well enough to host events till I was almost six months pregnant.”

For mums-to-be with this worry, her advice is to have a chat with their employers and see where they stand with supporting mothers on this journey. Also be prepared to pivot, and make adjustments to work schedules and assignments to accommodate the pregnancy.

She says, “In my case, the daily radio show on Kiss92 is one where I don’t have to be standing for long periods of time. I have also pivoted to hosting regional virtual events, hosting for corporate podcasts, and voice-over work.”

As for her maternity leave, she’s planning to take two months off her radio duties and hosting, but plans to be back in August, or when she can. “I’ll listen to my body and see how I feel after giving birth.”

Any plans for a second child?

Maybe, but it’s still too early to tell. Charmaine says, “I grew up with one brother and Camilo comes from a family of three siblings so he feels having three kids is the best. Let’s see how we feel after this baby is born and maybe we’ll discuss the second after!”

Wardrobe: Charmaine Yee and Michelle Lee
Art Direction: Michelle Lee
Hair: Kenneth Ong
Makeup: Priscelia Wong

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