19 Weeks Pregnant

It was Jack's best friends birthday on Tuesday... he rang me up yesterday to invite me out on Saturday, and said he'd made sure that the place we were going to had chairs so I, and another pregnant girl who'll be going, can sit down. I thought it was really sweet that he thought of us, and call me personally to invite me... maybe my hormones are making me soft but I thought it was really nice.

My ribs have been hurting again recently. I'm seeing the midwife next Thursday so I will definitely speak to her about that, as well as my bad skin, and the funny popped out thing next to my belly button.

Here are my 19 week bump pix:





















Here's what babycentre.com has to say about week 19:

This week, you officially begin your fifth month of pregnancy. Your baby may have reached 15 cm from crown to rump by now, and he can both feel and hear. Admittedly at the moment, all he can hear is your heartbeat and the flow of your digestive system but soon he'll be able to detect noise outside the womb and identify your voice.

Your baby is approximately 6 inches/ 15 centimetres long from crown to rump and she weighs about 8 ounces/ 225 grams. Her chest moves up and down to mimic breathing but she's not taking in air, only amniotic fluid.

A mid-pregnancy ultrasound scan is often done sometime in the second trimester (usually between 18 and 22 weeks) to assess fetal growth and development, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord and determine whether the gestational age is accurate. During this scan, you might see your baby kick, flex, reach, roll, or even suck her thumb. Bring your partner along, and whether or not he's able to accompany you, make sure you ask for printouts of the baby in various poses.

If you're having a girl, the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes are in place. If it's a boy, the genitals are distinct and recognisable.

Noooooooo!

I woke up this morning as usual, had a bit of a lay in because of the optitians, in a jolly mood, got washed and dressed and sat down to do my make up, and spotted it. A grey hair. I couldn't believe it! Just because I'm a mum it doesn't mean I have to have grey hair! Even my mum doesn't have grey hair yet! It was all curly and silvery and staring me straight in the face - so I got my tweezers and yanked it out. So long grey hair! Don't come back!

I then had my optitan appointment - I need new lenses, so I have a few days where I'm going to be glasses-less which is not fun when I can't see my computer properly! I've been advised to wear my glasses at home, watching the tele, driving too... and it set me back £99!

Work has been hectic, and my colleagues are annoying me - it's my job to make sure they meet their deadlines, but they seem too relaxed and not bothered and it's driving me up the wall!

18+1 Bump Pix

I got round to doing some bump pics on Friday night, here they are... me at 18 weeks and 1 day:























A friend of mine text me on Friday to say she had been thinking of me when all of a sudden she saw 3 magpies! (1 for sorrow, 2 for joy, 3 for a GIRL!)

We went out last night to a friend's leaving drinks before she's goes travelling for 3 months. I haven't seen her since becoming pregnant, she kept talking about the size of my boobs! She also said my face looked more mature and more 'Mummy' like! (I don't know whether that's a good or bad thing!!?)

Today we went to visit my Grandparents, who have very kindly given us some money to get some baby bits with.

18 Weeks Pregnant

18 weeks today - can't believe it (corr I sound like a stuck record!)

We got the results of the triple test today - I have a 1 in 8600 risk of having a baby with downs syndrome or spinda bifida, so that's good news, and nice to have peace of mind knowing we have a low risk.

I've been getting really sore ribs since yesterday, and have to make big breaths while stretching to kind of 'click' my ribs back in to place - it's horrible, I hate the feeling. I think it might have something to do with the amount of sneezing I seem to be doing - as soon as I get into work I am like a machine, which has only come about since being pregnant!

We've also noticed one side of my belly button might have started popping out; I have a small little lump on one side of my belly button which feels all soft, and the inside of my belly button has gone kind of flat and smooth - my belly button just used to be a line, it's very strange!

No bump pics today because I'm having my hair cut tonight and not going home, so I will take some tomorrow instead.

Here's what babycentre.com says about week 18... "Things are really moving now. This week, your baby's eyes look forward instead of to the sides, her ears are almost in their final place, and the rubbery cartilage that will become her skeleton is about to start hardening into bone.

Your baby is now nearly 5.5 inches/ 14 centimetres long from crown to rump and weighs approximately 7 ounces/ 200 grams. Her skeleton is mostly rubbery cartilage, which will harden later. A protective substance called myelin slowly begins to wrap around the spinal cord.

With the help of a special stethoscope, you can now hear your baby's heartbeat. There's almost nothing more comforting or exciting than hearing your baby's heartbeat galloping along. On days when you're worried about how your pregnancy is progressing, hearing the heartbeat lets you know that your baby's developing and growing. For times when boredom strikes and you feel as if you'll be pregnant forever, it can be a pleasant reminder of what will come at the end of 40 weeks of waiting.

Your growing uterus has shifted your centre of gravity and you've probably been feeling a bit off-kilter. Be careful and wear low-heeled shoes. Finding it hard to settle when you go to bed? Check our tips for sleep in the second trimester.

If you haven't had an amniocentesis yet and plan to, this week is a good time. One perk: You'll get a long look at your baby through the ultrasound scan used during this procedure."

Baby on Board

Well I am in a better mood today you will be pleased to hear!

I had an absolute nightmare of a day yesterday and I knew it was going to be one even before I'd got dressed, but I won't go into details as today is a new day!

I've booked my optitians appointment for next week, but have found out I can't use my maternity exemption certificate, only at the dentist & doctors, as the pregnancy hormone doesn't generally change your eyesight that much apparently. However, because I look at a VDU for over 4 hours a day, my employer has to pay for my eye test, so at least I get a bit of help there!

One of my colleages bought me in a 'Baby on Board' badge - I remember they did them last year on the Underground but haven't seen them for yonks. Anyway, she found some when she went to the gym so got one for me! It will be handy for in the mornings when I'm all wrapped up in my jacket so no one can see my bump!

One of the May Mummies on Handbag.com has had the same symptoms as me - bad skin, spotty chest & back, illuminous wee... and just came back from her 2nd scan, where she's been told she's having a GIRL! So now I'm not 100% that we will have a boy! Just have to wait and see!

More Headaches

We had a lovely weekend - Saturday I stayed in my pyjamas the WHOLE day long, how embarassing - but it was lovely! We didn't do much yesterday either so it was nice to catch up on some rest after the first week back at work.

I received the info pack from the NCT - it basically had loads of leaflets in there about all different things - hiring TENs machines, home births, midwives etc etc, and a letter saying what the antenatal classes cover and that we are on the waiting list. There was also a catalogue in there which was fun to look through.

I didn't feel baby move a lot yesterday, so I started freaking myself out, thinking something had happened, convinced my bump had shrunk etc etc, and when I got to work this morning and sat down, it was dancing around like it was in the middle of a rave, which was nice reassurance!

Maybe because of the worry, or just the excitement of it being Monday the following morning, I slept so badly last night - I feel as if I've had 10 minutes sleep in total so feel like crap today. On top of that I have a headache over my left eyebrow AGAIN and my eye is constantly twitching. I've decided to book an appointment for the optitians; I was due a check up about 6 months ago anyway, and now I can use my maternity exemption certificate! The only thing is, because my body has changed so much and will be, I don't know whether they will change my prescription or not. But then again, I can't go for the next 5 months with these headaches, it would make more sense to change my lenses now, and once baby is born if my body is changing that much.

Sorry my post today's not very upbeat but I just wanna go home and get in bed!

17 Weeks Pregnant

Wow, I'm 17 weeks pregnant today - can't believe it, time is absolutely flying by! I have to let work know in 7 weeks when I will want to be off on Maternity Leave. At the beginning "15 weeks before your due date" sounded like ages away!

I rang the local NCT lady today, because she said she would send me an info pack, which still hasn't arrived, and we definitely want to go, so thought I could book them then and there. She said I am on her list but she isn't booking the classes yet but will call me nearer the time. I was a bit confused because all the other June Mummies on Handbag have theirs booked up, but as long as I'm on her list and that means I will end up with a place then I'm happy!

I'm feeling ok - been getting lots of aches in the back and the top of my bump like stretching. And I've been absolutely ravenous, I am eating eating eating!

This is what babycentre.com says about the 17th week... "Your baby is now about the size of an avocado (about 5 inches / 12.7 centimetres long from crown to rump and weighing approximately 6 ounces / 170 grams). In the next three weeks he'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, doubling his weight and adding inches to his length.

In or out of the womb, babies are playful creatures. Yours may already have discovered his first toy — the umbilical cord — which he'll enjoy pulling and grabbing. Sometimes he may even clutch it so tight that less oxygen gets through, but don't worry — he doesn't hold onto it long enough to harm himself. The circulatory system and urinary tract are in full working order, and he's inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid through his lungs.

Sometimes, when you move suddenly, you may a feel a slight pain in your sides. Ligaments on each side of your uterus and pelvic walls are stretching as your baby grows. It's normal to feel some pain, but if it continues for a few days or escalates, talk to your midwife.

You've probably gained at least 2.2kg/5 lb by now, maybe as much as 4.5 kg/10 lb. Your uterus is growing and you might feel pangs caused by the ligaments stretching in your abdomen. These pains are usually temporary but your growing uterus will put extra strain on your back — follow our tips for protecting your back so that you avoid backache."

Here is my bump now, at 17 weeks:

Triple Test

This morning, I went to the hospital to have the triple test done. It's basically just a blood test, which tells you your risks of your baby being born with spina bifida or down syndrome. Both Jack and I are young and healthy, so not worried, but had it done for peace of mind really. The reason the midwife couldn't take the blood last week was because the test has to be done from 16-18 weeks, and I was only 15+5 when she saw me.

Nothing really exciting to tell about it - blood was taken into one vial, then I had to take it to the ante-natal unit so the courier can pick it up this afternoon to take it away to be tested. We will be contacted within the next few days if there are any problems, but if all is ok we will get a routine letter letting us know our odds.

I went via H&M in Marble Arch on my way into work, they have a big maternity section there but all the things I liked were only in L or XL so came away empty handed.

Nothing much else to report on. Oooh I've subscribed to Pregnancy & Birth magazine for 6 months - it's a great read!

Happy New Year!

Happy new year! We had a lovely time last night - just went to a friends' house party which was nice because I got a spot on the sofa! Jack managed to drink for the three of us, but all the girls were cooing over my bump and all the boys telling me to go away 'cos I was getting them all broody! Here is our first pic of the three of us - I'm getting very noticeable now!



My high heels didn't last as long as midnight - I changed into my slippers! We were home by 2am because I was so tired, and I think it was a wise move to stop Jack drinking before he got past the point of no return!

The loud music was making lots of bubbles in my tummy from the baby, it was great!

Movements

Yesterday, we went to Bluewater - it was ram-jam! Didn't really think it through properly, but then again EVERYWHERE is busy in the xmas holidays. We were going to go to the cinema but the queues were so long, we decided against that, then went into Santa Fe for some lunch. While we were choosing what we wanted, I felt something inside me, on the left hand side & below my belly button, like tiny little bubbles, very light - they kept coming for a few minutes on and off then went and came back again a bit later on in the meal. I have thought in the week that I have felt flutters but I didn't know if I was imagining them, but this was definitely real! Woohoo!

We had a look in a few shops, and popped into H&M, they had the maternity section in there, I found one at last! They had a few nice things and I got a nice warm brown cardie and a smart black top. The cardigan had one of its buttons coming off so they gave me £5 off, result!

For ages I have been fancying Krispy Kreme doughnuts so I bought a dozen, they are now all gone! I don't know how many I had but I reckon it was about 7 (shhh!)

We went to visit little baby Charlie again today, 3 weeks old today, he's such a sweetie. Our baby did some more bubbles too! I love it!

We had a look through the baby name book again for inspiration for a boys name, Jack's Mum came up with Dennis today. Yum!

Gotta go to get ready for NYE! Byeeeeeeeeeeeee x

16 Weeks Pregnant

Wowie, I really can't believe we've hit the 16 week mark. 4 months. It feels like yesterday I got the positive result!

Here are my bum pics for this morning - excuse the PJs!






















Babycentre.co.uk says this about week 16... "You may not know it when it happens, but your tiny tenant frequently gets the hiccups, which babies master before breathing. Babies don't make any sound because their trachea is filled with fluid rather than air.
Although you've probably gained between 5 and 10 pounds / 2.2 - 4.5 kilograms, the fetus weighs in at around only 5.5 ounces / 156 grams. It measures approximately a little more than 4.5 inches / 11 centimetres long, crown to rump. Legs are growing longer than the arms now, fingernails are fully formed and all the joints and limbs can move. You may be able to find out the sex of your baby by ultrasound now, since the external genitals may be developed enough that the ultrasound technician can tell you if you're going to have a boy or a girl.
If the idea of having a baby seems so remote, nothing makes it feel more real than feeling your baby move for the first time. Most mums-to-be discern movement (called quickening) between 16 and 20 weeks. If you've been pregnant before, you'll feel things earlier rather than later. What you may first think is a rumbling stomach may be your baby doing some back flips. Make note of when you first start feeling the baby and tell your midwife at your next visit. This middle stage of pregnancy is a good time to start exercising."

First Midwife Appointment

We've had a lovely Christmas, and had the excitement of the midwife's visit to keep us on our toes.

She came round this morning, through the snow, and stayed for about an hour. She was a very nice lady and everything went very well.

Firstly, we went through my maternity notes - talking about family history, if we smoked, did drugs etc etc - anything they may need to know which may affect the baby or the labour. She then spoke to us about antenatal classes and showed us what Barnet has to offer on the NHS. I asked her if the NCT ones were worth doing and she said they were good and they had smaller classes and can be more thorough. The leaflet she gave us said the NHS course lasts 3-4 weeks, but the NCT ones last 8-10 weeks so you must get told more information.

She then told us about the triple test which is the blood test you have which tests to see your risks of having a baby with downs syndrome or spinda bifida. This test has to be done at 16-18 weeks, and as I'm in the 15th week at the moment she has asked me to go to the hospital next week to have that done. She took 3 other vials of blood to test for Rubella, Hep B etc, and a urine sample to test for protien and sugars which were fine, she's going to send the sample away too to check for any infections.

Once she'd done all the horrid things she got me to lay down and she tried to listen for the baby's heartbeat. She felt my tummy first and found where the baby is, she said it's very big and grown a lot since my first scan. She then put the doppler on my tummy and within a few seconds she'd found the baby's heartbeat - it was very fast and loud - she said it was very good and powerful. She kept it there for about a minute which was lovely for us to hear.

She also took my blood pressure, and Jack asked to have his done too because he's never had it done before! We both have very good blood pressure according to her. She gave me all the information I need to contact her or any of the other 4 midwives on her team - I have their pager number and general number if I have any queries or emergencies. She's also going to book me in with the consultant for 20 weeks, and has asked me to make an appointment with the midwife at the surgery for in 4 weeks, which is also at 20 weeks. I also have my scan at 20 weeks, so a very busy week that week!

Finally!

Yesterday I went shopping and popped into Dorothy Perkins - they had a little maternity section there, and I bought some black combat trousers and a nice greyish V neck & back top with a bump panel. How exciting!

Just as I was about to get back to the car, the midwife called me on my mobile to say that there would be someone coming round on Tuesday... yes... THIS Tuesday! to give me my first midwife's appointment. I'm so pleased, plus it means that Jack will also be here and can join in with it too.

We've just finished wrappping the presents, and I'm listening to 'Hello Children Everywhere', a CD I bought in preparation for the baby - it's got all the tunes I remember from my childhood on it, it's great!

15 Weeks Pregnant

Today marks the big 1-5 weeks! I'm feeling pretty good - no more nausea, getting bursts of energy every once in a while, and I keep waking up just before my alarm goes off feeling very awake, so it's all good! Only thing I wish I could change is my spotty face, back and chest. I've bought a Lemslip Butter Bar from Lush because it's meant to be good, so I will have to let you know how I get on with that.

I've been wearing my new maternity bras, they are SO high up in the chest and under the armpits - they kind of limit what tops you can wear! I've had a look about on the net but few places seem to do a DD, and lot's of the bras in the 'maternity' ranges are actual nursing bras which I don't need quite yet!

I went out this morning and had a look in Topshop Maternity for anything I might be able to wear this xmas - nada. Then, walking past Jane Norman I saw a lovely aqua/teal jumper dress so I bought that which I can wear with jeans and some gold sandals and accessories. I can't believe xmas is only 3 days away, it doesn't feel xmassey yet! It's the last day of work now until 3rd January - bliss!

Other changes are the bump is a bump at all times now! Before, it used to get bigger at the end of the day - but now it's big all the time. Here are my 15 weeks pics (taken yesterday evening)
Babycentre has this to say about week 15... "Crown to rump, your baby is around 4 inches / 10 centimetres long and weighs one-and-three-quarter ounces / 49 grams. The body is now growing faster than the head. This week, its parchment-thin skin covers itself with lanugo (ultra-fine, downy hair that usually disappears before birth). Though eyebrows are beginning to grow and the hair on top of the head is sprouting, this hair may change in both texture and colour after birth. About now, the fetus can grasp, squint, frown, and grimace. It may even be able to suck its thumb. Researchers believe these and other movements probably correspond to the development of impulses in the brain."

Huge Boobies

I thought my breasts hadn't really grown since being pregnant, but knew that I needed to move to non-wired maternity support bras, so braved the nightmare that is Oxford Street, and went to Debenhams for a fitting. I couldn't believe it, I have gone from 34C - 36DD! I bought a white and a black bra, both exactly the same and both extremely unsexy!

The 4 Pregnancies of Xmas

On Friday night, we went out for one of Jacks friends birthdays. All the usual boys were there with their girlfriends, and everyone commented on the little bump and said I was showing! I lurve my bump! Another of the girls is one month further along than me so it was nice chatting to her to see how she was feeling and if she'd felt the baby yet (she had).

Then Saturday we went to visit tiny little baby Charlie - he is SOOOOOOOO sweet, so tiny and cute and he looks like both his parents so much! I had a little hold and he was just a little sweetheart and slept while he held onto one of my fingers. Then Jack had a little snuggle and loved it too, I'm so glad we're having one!

Saturday night I had my xmas meal with the girlies, and another of the girls is due 2 days before me - she rolled up to the resteraunt with a flat stomach! I couldn't believe it! I felt like such a fatty! But once we'd eaten it bulged out a bit, so it's all good! At least I can get a seat on the train ;) One of my other friends bought me a lovely jumper dress for xmas, which Im wearing as a jumper today, it has good coverage!

Im looking forward to this week very much! Only four days of work then off off off for xmas - it's gone so quickly I can't believe that this time next year we will have a little baby!

Waste of Time

Yesterday was a complete waste of time. I trundled off to the GPs, all excited about seeing a midwife and finding out more about the bubba, and ended up waiting 45 mins in the waiting room.

I then went through and met the midwife, she was lovely. Basically, when I rang up the doctors on Tuesday to ask when my appointment would be, they said "come in Thursday", when really the Thursday appointments are for ladies further along in their pregnancies, and are only 15 min slots. So I was told I would get a call in a few weeks to arrange my booking in appointment, which is the first appointment you have, and the midwife will come to my house to do that.

I got home and cried and cried! I'm very emotional at the moment anyway, and expecting something then getting nothing was very disappointing.

Roll on 3 weeks then!

14 Weeks Pregnant

Today, I am 14 weeks. Off to see the midwife at midday, which is lurverly having the morning at home!

Here are my bump pics

Getting bigger!

Babycentre for this week says... The fetus is now 3 to 4 inches / 7 to 10 centimetres long from crown to rump and weighs about an ounce / 28 grams — about half a banana. Its unique fingerprints are already in place. And when you poke your stomach gently and she feels it, your baby will start rooting — that is, act as if she's searching for a nipple.
If you're having a girl, she now has approximately 2 million eggs in her ovaries; she will have only a million by the time she's born. She'll have fewer eggs as she gets older, and by age 17, the number will have dropped to 200,000.

As for you, the fog may be lifting, so to speak. For many women, the side effects of early pregnancy — frequent urination, intense fatigue, nausea — diminish sometime in the second trimester. Your uterus, while large enough to announce to onlookers that you're indeed pregnant, isn't so huge that it gets in your way. Even though birth is months away, your breasts may already start making colostrum, the fluid that will feed your baby for the first few days before your milk comes in.

Midwife Appointment

I rang the doc's to chase up my Midwife Appointment, and I have one this Thursday! Woooohoooooooooooooooooooooooo

Hello Charlie!

I've just realised that I'm not posting here much, apart from the bump pics and babycentre stuff about what is happening that week - and that I really must stop!

I think its just because theres not much happening to tell about. I still haven't been contacted with a midwife appointment, which I'm starting to worry about, but not overly so. Some of the Handbag ladies will be having their 2nd midwife appointment at 16 weeks, and I'm almost 14 weeks and haven't even had one! I think it's silly giving you one so late - the beginning is when you need to know what you can and can't eat, the reassurance regarding the feelings etc.

Saturday night we were meant to be going out with our friends who have a baby due on xmas day (eek!). We got a call on Saturday morning to say that she'd had a show, so the baby could be arriving within the next week, so they were going to stay in instead. Sunday morning, I awoke with a text message from her saying that she'd had him at 11.30 that night! Welcome to the world Charlie! It's so exciting and I can't wait to see him! Jack and I went to Mothercare to look for a pressie for him but we weren't overly impressed. I spotted a little snuglo 'Action Man' knotted hat yesterday though, and I know Jack loves the snuglo stuff too, so whipped that up!