House clothes. That’s what everybody seems to be wearing these days as we make our homes the headquarters for a lot of areas in our life. We need clothes that meet comfort, style, and function that we can wear at home as we’re balancing from quaran-tone online workouts, company video calls, crazy kitchen creations, or even breastfeeding breaks. That’s why we teamed up with Solenn to create our ELIN.KATANA line—the answer to lazy chic.
As a new mom to daughter Thylane Katana, Solenn takes this chapter of motherhood on a hands-on level. Immersing herself in new challenges like breastfeeding, she also finds solutions to be able to tackle these with a level head and as comfortably as possible. She designed ELIN.KATANA with her daughter in mind. The collection uses bamboo cotton stretch fabrics that are cool and breezy with secret holes and adjustable waist bands—perfect for pregnant and nursing women. With a color palette of light grays, clean whites, fleshy pinks, and vibrant reds, these pieces can be worn for different occasions at home no matter what your shape is.
So here’s to staying home a little while longer. A bit of style can help keep our moods up, too.
Keep safe.
ELIN Team
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Here’s our version of a newborn essentials checklist:
Clothing
Nappy needs
Nursery needs
Bedding
Bath
Feeding*
*Please note - you will need the above items only if you plan on bottle feeding your baby.
Health and grooming
Other items
Need help finding these products? Or did we miss out on anything? Share them on the comments section below. We were all clueless first-time moms at one time, so why not help each other, right? Good luck and enjoy motherhood!
]]>1. Minimize stress and anxiety.
First-time moms, listen up! Two of the most troublesome culprits of sleeplessness are stress and anxiety. When it’s dark and quiet at night, your brain somehow finds the time and energy to come up with a number of reasons how your pregnancy or delivery will go wrong. Keep in mind that worrying so much will NOT help. What will help is talking about all your worries and getting them off your chest. Find a close mommy friend you can ask endless questions. You can also discuss your concerns with family members, like a sister or sister in law. If you still feel your anxiety is severe and you can't shake off your worries, consult your doctor and seek professional help.
2. Keep hydrated!
Drink lots of fluids during the day but make sure you cut down at night to lessen the nighttime trips to the toilet. A good habit is to reduce your water intake by 6pm.
3. It’s all about the position.
As soon as you hit 20 weeks, make sure you sleep on your left side. This is very important as sleeping on your left side will maximize the flow of blood and nutrients to your baby. For more comfort, bend your knees and put a pillow between your legs. Avoid lying flat on your back because this position could cut off the blood supply to you and your baby.
4. Keep heartburn at bay.
If it’s heartburn troubling you at night, it is best to stay upright for at least four hours after every meal. Sitting up will help the acids in your stomach stay where they’re supposed to be. The trick to this is eating a heavy breakfast, semi-heavy lunch, and light dinner. You should also make sure your head is elevated with pillows when sleeping. Heartburn-inducing foods to avoid are spicy, fried, and acidic stuff like tomatoes, citrus juices, and coffee.
5. Get moving.
Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you should be babied. Exercise not only keeps you healthy overall, it also improves blood circulation, reducing nighttime cramps. Just make sure you listen to your body when exercising. When you’re tired, stop. Pregnancy is not the time to push the limits. Avoid exercising at night, too, and do it in the day as exercise releases adrenaline, which can keep you awake for hours. Of course, make sure you get the all-clear from your doctor to exercise when you're pregnant.
6. Get into a sleep schedule.
As early as in the first or second trimester, you should stick to a sleep schedule. If you decide to sleep at 10pm or 11pm, make sure you do so every night. In the day, it is best (and sometimes inevitable
) to take a 30-minute nap in the afternoon, perhaps between 2pm to 3pm. Nap in your office clinic, car, or on your table or cubicle. Just make sure to inform your superior about this. Don’t worry, you won’t get into trouble as you have the best excuse: you’re pregnant!
7. Avoid carbonated drinks.
Did you know that bubbly drinks decrease the amount of calcium you’re able to metabolize? And since you have been sharing your calcium intake with your baby, you might be getting less of it. Lack of either calcium or potassium can cause leg cramps. The wise thing to do is to stay away from them and eat calcium- and potassium-rich food such as dairy products, green and leafy vegetables, canned sardines with bones, and bananas.
8. The solution to cramps.
You may do everything to avoid it but it can still happen. And when you do encounter a painful leg cramp in the middle of the night, flex your foot (your toes should be pointing to the ceiling or towards you). Straighten and try to relax your legs and do NOT point your toes.
9. Relax.
This is easier said than done, yes, but a calm mind will help you get better night’s sleep. Experts suggest prenatal yoga, meditation, or other relaxation techniques such as warm baths and avoiding stressful situations altogether. To dispel anxiety, why not enroll in a birthing parenting or childbirth class? You should feel better knowing you can care for your newborn properly.
10. Get help.
If your insomnia persists and you can't seem to get enough sleep that it disrupts with work or your whole day, it is best to see a doctor. Discuss this with your OB-Gyn, so you can get a recommendation. Now is the time, more than ever, to get the most sleep – and remember, you'll get even less sleep when you have your newborn! :)
Good luck and good night!
]]>Information and knowledge are power, and childbirth classes are still important and relevant to this day because going into something life-changing blindly can be a rude awakening. You can end up slighly traumatized or, worse, with postpartum depression. Being equipped with education may be the difference between life and death, too.
Here are reasons to take up childbirth classes, ideally on your 6th to 7th month of pregnancy
1. Preparation is key
While nobody can really be 100% prepared for childbirth, classes can be helpful not just for first-timers, but for experienced moms, too. It can provide you with solid footing to achieve your planned birth plan.
Childbirth classes can also be extra helpful if you’ve previously had a difficult labor and delivery. It can help you gain confidence and feel better prepared for childbirth this time around. It can also help you avoid shocks and surprises that may occur along the way – and believe us, anything can happen during childbirth.
2. Connect with other moms who are near your due date
Isn’t it comforting to know that you’ll know other moms that will go through the same thing at around the same time? Think of it as having a support group. Plus, a lot of moms make lifelong friends out of the parents they meet here. This also means your kids will be the same age and they can be lifelong friends, too. Instant play dates! It ‘s never too early to start.
Imagine having a shoulder to cry on or people to hold your hand during difficult zombie moments. You can discuss birth stories, exchange notes on how to handle difficult situations, sicknesses, and even how to discipline your kids. You can be comforted with the fact that you parents are along the same phases together, and you can check on your kids’ progress developmentally.
3. Dads can join
If you’re struggling with how to involve your husband more in your pregnancy, childbirth classes is one way to solve this. It can also be the outlet for enthusiastic dads to voice out their opinions on childbirth and parenting in general. Plus, your hubby can make lifelong friends, too!
Your husband may be too busy to read those fatherhood books you bought him but little do they know that they have so much to learn, and not even a book is enough to cover everything they need to brush up on. Attending a childbirth class with you can help prepare them to start getting in to parent mode.
The last thing you need is a helpless or frustrated dad who has no idea what to do in the middle of the night while your newborn is wailing. Including your partners in childbirth classes helps build confidence in the fathers (and your confidence in them, too). The classes can actually make childbirth and parenting fun for the fathers-to-be. Most of all, having him involved will bring you closer as a couple or co-parents, which is vital for your baby.
4. Inside information
What if you have trouble breastfeeding? Who do you call? Childbirth classes will give you resources you didn’t know you’d need. What if you experience postpartum depression, who do you call? Whatever questions you have about pregnancy, parenting and postpartum anything can be answered in childbirth classes. We’re pretty sure the childbirth experts can answer 99 percent of all your questions. Since classes are not conducted by doctors but by childbirth experts, a lot of whom are moms themselves, you can be assured that all the information you will gain will be practical and experience-based.
5. Get practical tips
Most first-time moms are afraid of labor. They’re afraid they won’t know what to do and they may not know if they are already in labor. You’ll learn in childbirth classes the many stages of labor you will go through. It’s only in the movies (or in very rare cases) that people need to be rushed to the hospital and give birth right when they get to the hospital. Just ask your mommy friends how long they were in labor. Chances are, none of them will answer that they gave birth immediately. The chances of spending many hours (or days) in labor is much higher than a too-fast labor and delivery. Knowing what to do when you encounter certain sensations like labor pains, always helps. It will also help avoid panic and paranoia, which are pretty common with first-time moms.
We hope we’ve helped you decide whether to take childbirth classes or not. If you have the time, money, and energy to spare to take the classes, go ahead. You won’t lose anything by attending them. On the other hand, if you decide not to, your baby will still come out, one way or another. J Have a safe and happy delivery! - Aimee Morales Chan
Don’t know where to sign up for childbirth classes? Try these:
- Rome Kanapi – 436-1757 or 0917-541-5114
- Conchita Ragrario – 721-8370 or 0920-913-8126
- Aurelin Fernando – 951-9661 or 0918-927-1729
]]>Here are our five favorite pregnancy apps:
1. What to Expect (FREE on Android on IOS)
From the bestselling book “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” comes the app version that can help you track your pregnancy by the day. With this app, you can monitor how big your baby is plus a countdown to your due date. One of its features that we love is the community groups for parents who are due in your baby’s birth month and who are experiencing the same things as you. It’s like being and speaking with moms-to-be who are both clueless and experienced. There are also videos explaining how little or big your baby already is, which organ/s will develop in the coming week, etc. The app also reminds you which tests and screenings you need at every trimester. Personally, this app was most intersting as it gives you a week by week blow of how big your baby is plus symptoms you might be feeling.
2. My Baby’s Beat ($1.99 on Android and $4.99 on iOS)
The first time you hear your baby’s heartbeat is a moment you will never forget. And you only get to hear it when you see your doctor. If your baby’s already kicking, you only feel them sporadically. If you can’t wait for your next doctor’s appointment and all you need is a quick “Hi!” from your little one, this app will help you feel secure. Instead of buying a fetal stethoscope, which is complicated to use, you can just use your smartphone to scan and the app to record the heartbeat.
Before downloading, please be informed that this is best used for pregnant moms at their 30th to 40th week. Though some moms-to-be pick up a heartbeat earlier, it’s best at the latter part of being preggo.
3. The Bump (FREE on Android and iOS)
From the people behind the website thebump.com, the app version is a treasure trove of articles on everything you can think of (and haven’t thought of) about pregnancy. Find the usual relevant articles by trimester then you can delve more into the more interesting ones. There are curious articles like creative ideas on how to announce your pregnancy to strange preggo dreams and other stuff you didn’t know a pregnant lady like you should know. Sure, you may download it because you’re pregnant, but this will also be useful until your little one’s toddler years. The downside of the app is the many cute baby stuff you cannot purchase locally because the retailers are from the USA such as Babies “R” Us, Amazon, and Target. On the other hand, you can make pabili or have them shipped via courier. Time to email your Tita coming home for the holidays! Hmmm, tempting, isn’t it?
4. Baby Names (FREE on Android and iOS)
As we’ve mentioned in our previous blog entry Top Baby Names, thinking of a name for your baby can be one of the most exciting things about being pregnant. The reason is because the possibilities are endless! And since your baby is still inside you, you can browse through a bunch of names through this app. One day you may love this certain name and you may hate it the next day (Don’t worry, Moms, this happens to all of us!). In this app, you can search upon thousands of names and they’re luckily arranged by initial, popularity, gender (even gender-neutral ones, too). You can also learn about what’s in a name, its origin, and proper pronunciations.
5. Full Term (FREE on Android and iOS)
Nearing your due date and anxious as hell? Then this app is just for you! With it, you can record the intensity and length of your contractions. This can be extra useful for first-time moms who are not sure when to call their doctors or run to the hospital. It also does the same for your baby kicks. There is also a feature in this app wherein you can list down what you need for your, Daddy’s and baby’s hospital bags.
You can choose to download one or all of the apps we just mentioned, or even none at all. At the end of the day, nothing can substitute consulting your doctor, mom, and mommy friends should you need sound advice.
For the moms-to-be who are always anxious, don’t worry, we women are stronger than we think. Just think, if every other woman on the street can give birth and care for their kids, you can, too! Good luck!
Got an app you absolutely swear by? Share them with us in the comments section below! - Aimee Morales Chan
]]>First things first: See your OB-Gyne
As soon as you see a positive or those two pink lines on your home pregnancy test (HPT), call your OB-Gyne for an appointment. Why? It is best to start taking your prenatal vitamins as soon as possible.
First pregnancy? All the more you have to see an OB-Gyne right away. If you do not have one yet, ask your mommy friends for a referral. Don't be shy to ask about the doctor's bedside manners and personality. Another major consideration is which hospital does he or she deliver in. Are you open to having your baby in this particular hospital or did you already have a specific hospital in mind? Location and clinic hours are also big factors in choosing one because you’ll visit your OB-Gyne at least once a month while you are pregnant. Choose one that you are comfortable with because you will bare your life (and body) to this person. Make sure you can ask him or her anything and everything under the sun. He or she should also be accessible through cellphone (via text and call) anytime of the day because you don’t know when you’ll need him or her.
What to expect: PAP smears, regular urine and blood samples, a few lab tests like the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and ultrasound screenings when needed.
Weight gain
Because there will be a little human being growing inside you, expect to gain weight. Consult with your doctor how much you are allowed to gain, so you can watch your weight early on in your pregnancy. In most cases, women are advised to gain between 20 to 30 pounds. If you are underweight, you may need to gain more. If you are overweight, you may need to gain less.
What should I eat?
It is very important to eat a balanced diet while you’re pregnant. You can eat almost anything (we’ll get to what you CANNOT eat later), and the key is moderation. You should also make sure the meat, eggs, and fish you eat are fully cooked to avoid putting you and your baby at risk for infections. We recommend loading up on vegetables as these go to your baby, too.
Which foods should I avoid?
Bad news, cheese lovers. You should steer clear from soft cheeses like brie, camembert, and soft blue cheeses like gorgonzola. Their moisture can be an ideal environment for harmful bacteria like listeria (listeriosis). Although being infected with it is rare, it is best to be sure because even the mildest form of this in a pregnant woman can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe illness in newborn babies. Stick to hard cheeses like cheddar and parmesan because these have less water and bacteria are less likely to grown in them
Avoid cured, raw or partially cooked eggs and meat. This means you should skip the raw egg in congee and La Paz batchoy. And it’s also a no-no for rare steaks, sushi, and anything that’s pink and has traces of blood. Why? Because you might contract toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a parasite found in raw, undercooked meat, unpasteurized goats’ milk, soil, cat feces, and untreated water. This has no obvious symptoms, so contact your OB-Gyne if you have just eaten something not thoroughly cooked.
Bad news for coffee addicts, too, as too much of it can cause miscarriage. But what is really harmful is caffeine, so you should avoid coffee, tea (including green tea), chocolate, soft drinks, and energy drinks. Better yet, check out the label or ask the waiter if there is caffeine in what you are about to eat or drink. The good news is you can still have a maximum of one can of soda or one mug of coffee a day, as long as you limit yourself to 200mg of caffeine. Ask your OB-Gyne how much you are allowed to take to be sure. The solution is to substitute with decaffeinated coffee or tea or opt for fresh fruit juices or water.
Consuming alcoholic drinks should also be stopped in the meantime. Though other cultures are more open to drinking while pregnant (for example, some pregnant Italian women continue having a glass of wine once in awhile), it's better to be safe than sorry. Drinking alcohol is the leading cause of preventable birth defects and developmental defects in the United States. The risk is too high so that cocktail or bottle of beer can definitely wait until after you give birth.
Should I take vitamins?
Let your OB-Gyne prescribe you the appropriate vitamins, but you should take at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day while you’re pregnant. Folic acid helps prevent problems with your baby’s brain and spinal cord, so it is a must! You may also be asked to take additional calcium or other supplements you may need, according to your urine and blood tests. Make sure to take only the vitamins and supplements your doctor recommends.
Here’s a tip: Pre-natal vitamins are easily available locally but are significantly cheaper abroad. If you have relatives from the U.S. coming over, now is the perfect time to ask them to bring home a bottle or two of viatmins for you. Of course, make sure you ask your OB-Gyne about the kind and brand of vitamins you are planning to buy to make sure it has his or her approval.
Is taking medicine fine?
Before taking any medicine, be it for a minor headache or allergy, make sure you consult with your OB-Gyne first. Some medications like ibuprofen may cause birth defects. To be on the safe side, ask your doctor first.
Is it safe to keep on working?
It depends on whether you have problems with your pregnancy, what kind of work you are in, and if you are exposed to anything that may harm you or your baby. For example, radiation, lead, and other heavy metals may cause problems to your baby. But if your work requires you to just be in front of a computer from 9 to 5 then you are safe to stay in work until your ninth month. If in doubt, make sure to bring up your work conditions with your doctor.
Can I exercise?
Again, it depends if you have problems with your pregnancy. If you’re fine, you should exercise regularly as it helps ease discomfort. It is also believed that exercising during pregnancy makes labor and delivery easier.
Pregnancy-safe workouts are walking and swimming. If you weren’t exercising before you were pregnant, we recommend starting slow. Do not overdo it. The key is to listen to your body. If you experience dizziness, blurred vision, or abdominal pains, call your OB-Gyne immediately. Always keep yourself hydrated. Avoid contact sports like soccer and basketball or anything that may cause you to fall like skiing, surfing, or rock climbing.
Other women who have been regularly exercising way before getting pregnant can usually continue well into the third trimester, if the pregnancy is going well and there are no complications. Again, listen to your body and make sure you clear it with your OB-Gyne if you plan on working out all throughout your pregnancy.
Can I have contact with my hubby?
If your pregnancy has no risks, as per your doctor, then of course! Do not be alarmed if you suddenly have more or less interest in sex as compared to when you weren’t pregnant yet. And as you grow bigger, you may need to try different positions to accommodate your growing belly.
Aside from all that we’ve mentioned above, may we remind you to stay away from smoke, smoking, alcohol, and drugs while you are pregnant as they put you at risk to many problems such as low birth weight, premature birth, miscarriage, and other birth disorders. And when in doubt, call or text your OB-Gyne. It’s better to be safe than sorry. You can also run to your mommy friends for support whenever you need it.
Here's an extra tip – it’s a good (and valid) excuse to be prioritized in government offices and banks. Most offices have priority lines for pregnant women. You may want to consider renewing your driver’s license or passport at this time to cut down on your waiting time. This will also help you appreciate your pregnancy even more.
Lastly, try to enjoy your pregnancy! Though there are times when you’ll experience difficulty sleeping, keeping food down, or moving around with an extra 20 or so pounds, it truly is a miracle to experience life growing inside you.
]]>Normal or caesarian delivery?
Before anything else, you must know that, sadly, here in the Philippines, mothers are only allowed 60 days maternity leave for those who give birth via normal delivery; and 78 days for those who deliver through caesarian section. Hopefully this year, the 100-day maternity leave passed by the Senate will be approved. Fingers crossed. But for now, we have to make do with the 60- and 78-day maternity leave.
How to plot day one of maternity leave
Before giving birth, do not forget to plan this with your employer and with your OB-Gyne. First, consult your HR officer. Ask him or her what your benefits are. According to the law, unfortunately, employers are not entitled to give their employees salary. This came to a shock to me personally, but what can we do? Going back, you are not entitled to a single centavo while you are on maternity leave. Employers classify maternity leave as a leave of absence, so expect to not be missed. But some multinational companies, on the other hand, offer about 50 to 60 percent salary, and more than 60 and 78 days maternity leave, according to the employers’ rules. But do not count on it. The mindset is you will not receive anything and will only be entitled to 60 or 78 days calendar days (“Calendar days” mean your maternity leave includes weekends and holidays – sad.) off.
Let's say your OB-Gyne says you will give birth through normal delivery, say, on January 10. So, if you plan to take your maternity leave on January 1, you are set to return on March 2, the 61st day. And if, for some reason you undergo an emergency CS, just inform your HR officer then add 18 more days to your maternity leave. That means you will go back to work on March 20, the 79th day. Some companies will allow you to use vacation leaves to extend your maternity leave. This might be something you also want to consider to be able to spend more time with your baby.
To decide on which exact day to go on your maternity leave, consult your OB-Gyne. Once you have decided on the date, ask your doctor to issue you a medical certificate, indicating the date of you will start your maternity leave. You then hand this to your HR officer, so your employer can get ready for your departure. Also, don’t forget to inform your immediate supervisor to make sure all your pending work will be turned over properly and to the appropriate colleague.
SSS maternity benefit
Some working mothers forget about their SSS and Philhealth benefits. Finally, you can enjoy the deductions of your salary. For your SSS maternity benefit, mothers set to delivery through normal delivery or those who suffer a miscarriage are entitled to P32,000; while those who will deliver via caesarian get P41,600. Your employer should be able to give the amount in cash or via your payroll account before you give birth. This is why it is important to inform your HR officer when you plan to go on maternity leave.
Philhealth benefit
For your Philhealth maternity benefit, it depends on your type of delivery and hospital or medical facitlity. Mothers who give birth in a lying-in/maternity clinic or small hospital can cover up to P8,000 off your final bill.
For normal deliveries done in hospitals ranked level 2 to 4, you can enjoy up to P11,400 of coverage. Caesarian deliveries can be covered for a fixed amount of P19,000.
Again, ask your HR officer for a piece of paper which includes your past Philhealth contributions. You will present this document to the cashier when you are about to be discharged. Take note that your OB-Gyne or midwife’s professional fee will not be covered by Philhealth.
For employed Philhealth members, the requirement is at least three months’ contribution within the six months before availment. For individually paying members, you are required a total of nine months of contributions within 12 months prior to availment.
Now you're ready!
Now that you have your SSS, Philhealth and medical certificate ready, you are ready to give birth to your little one! Before all the chaos and sleepless nights – congratulations and good luck!
Got something to add? Feel free to be heard on the comments sections below. - Aimee Morales Chan
]]>With most businesses marketing themselves online, reputable photographers do, too. Take some time to browse through their website, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. Photographers have their own unique styles and visions – see which one suits your taste. Choose a photographer whose photos you cannot forget or keep coming back to. This means their work has made a mark on you and has pulled your heartstrings. The photographer’s portfolio should draw emotions from you because a photo shoot featuring your bundle of joy is a very personal and emotional experience for you. Also, ask your photographer if props and styling are included in the shoot or if you have to arrange to bring your own.
2. EXPERIENCE AND SAFETYHow experienced is the photographer? Does he or she specialize in shooting newborns? The last thing you need is to worry about your precious little one’s safety. Keep in mind that newborn photography is absolutely different from other kinds of photography. It is not like dealing with a subject that can be reasoned with because we’re talking about a newborn baby – and we all know that baby is the boss! The photographer you should consider is one that has experience and training on how to handle a newborn safely and properly. It is a big plus if your photographer has children of his or her own. We’re talking about someone else, who’s not family or a friend, who will touch and handle your baby with their hands. That photographer should know how to handle a fragile baby and how to change poses properly.
3. LOCATION AND LENGTHWhere do you plan to shoot? Do you mind having the photographer over at your home or would you rather go to their studio? A session at your home means you will be comfortable because we all know a newborn can be unpredictable with the crying, feeding, settling, etc. If it will be at a studio, your photographer will have the control with the lighting, props, space, etc. Think about where you will be most comfortable since you are the client after all.
How long does a photo shoot take? The average newborn photography session lasts about 2-3 hours unlike the usual 1 hour for photo shoots involving adults. Can that long a session work for you and your baby?
4. COMFORT OF THE NEWBORNAre the babies on the photographer’s portfolio in comfortable positions? Do the poses look natural and not too “posed?” Does the baby look unnatural? You wouldn’t want your baby to be in uncomfortable or, worse, uncompromising positions. Your top priorities are your baby’s comfort and safety. No questions asked.
5. STYLEDo you have a theme in mind? Does it match with your photographer’s? If you have a mood board, pegs, motifs in mind, bring this up with the photographer. If you see similar styles on the portfolio with your vision then shortlist the photographer.
At the end of the day, you will know in your heart if you have found the right photographer for your newborn. You’ll just know. You will feel it. Never underestimate the power of a mother’s intuition. Choose a newborn photographer that checks all your boxes and one that’s passionate about newborns and photography and expect to have photos of your baby that you'll cherish and enjoy forever. - Aimee Morales Chan
One more tip: You may want to schedule your shoot even before your baby is born because the ideal time frame for a newborn shoot is birth until 12 days old.
Here are a few of our favorite Manila-based newborn photographers. These photographers have been professionally trained in newborn photography, have great track records, and of course, produce beautiful photos!
1. Jo Lim Photography
2. Stanley Ong
3. Luxe Photography
4. Cocoon Studio
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