12 weeks 6 days

As I am an older mother to be, we decided to go private to have a Nuchal Translucency Scan with Nasal Bone Measurement and associated blood test. This tests for the probability of Downs, Edwards, Pataus and Turners Syndrome.

I was able to get the blood test done at my GP surgery on Wednesday - sending the package special delivery to Leeds straight after - and then had the scan yesterday. We arrived on time to find the lady who was before us walking around as the baby was not in position. She was having a 4D scan prior to birth. The Dr later told us that she already has 7 daughters and this one is also a girl! As well as that she has a sister who also has 7 daughters!! By the time she had finished I was bursting for the toilet and after a short while - as with my booking scan - the Dr asked if I would empty my bladder. After this the baby was still in the wrong position and so this time it was me having to walk around to see if 'he' would change position!! Finally got a reading and the results showed that I am 4x less likely to have a baby with one of the syndromes than an average woman of my age. Hopefully, when these results are combined with the blood test there will be a more accurate reading - and fingers crossed an even smaller chance!!

The power of FaceBook!!

Well, we came home from the hospital and I wrote on my Facebook Page Joanne is expecting. Within the day I think all of my 'friends' knew and most had left comments. As I felt absolutely knackered after the morning I made sure I sent text messages to all important people so that no one felt that they had been ignored. I bet there is someone I have forgotten....

It was amazing how many people had guessed or in fact actually knew - the power of the secret!! When we went to The Bulls nan on Sunday, not only did she already knew but so did his mother and his sister. As I later wrote in a text to the Bulls brother; 'The Bull told his dad and said not to tell anyone, so he told the Bulls sister, who told mother who told nanna and now all of Lincoln know.' He replied; 'We heard from auntie retards next door neighbour who heard it from her hairdresser.' This made me laugh, then cry as it was pre-scan!!

Scan at 11 weeks and 5 days

Well after a night of hardly any sleep we battled through the morning traffic to arrive just about on time. As usual there was no official place to park so we left it in a 'space' and hoped for the best. We didn't have to wait long for our scan but it was the same room as last time so I immediately felt apprehensive - not to mention sick from the full bladder. She did a quick scan and said she could hear a heart beat but could I let some of my bladder out as it was obstructing her view of the baby? This I did gladly!! As the scan shows there are 2 arms, 2 legs and a head - and a heartbeat. She gave me a new due date - 7th May 2009.

It was really weird looking at the screen and realising that that was going on inside of me. I don't think that had ever really occurred to me before....

Next was a urine sample and then we were taken to the Community Midwives. This set of offices looked like they were hidden in a cupboard and as it was early in the morning there was a lot of rushing around trying to organise visits and I think there was a bit of trouble as they were trying to locate someone...... Anyway, finally got seen and had my medical history and my blood pressure taken. The midwife was really nice and put me at ease and went through all that would happen in the next few months. Filled in my patient records - which I have to keep with me - and went through what I needed to do next i.e. prescription exemption form and book in my 16 weeks check with the midwife at my GP practice (who it appears is off sick!).

Next we were taken to another midwife and saw the consultant (or his registrar). Luckily it wasn't anyone we have met before in the world of the cyst, but saying that he spent 20minutes telling me things I already knew about the cyst. The one thing that was new was that if I had a cesarean they could take my cyst out at the same time!!! He then discussed the Downs Test but as I had already mentioned I was going to go private, it was agreed that this was the best option (especially at my age!). Then came the blood letting.....four vials of blood for various tests to make sure I am healthy - its a bit late if I'm not!! And then, over 2 hours later, I was allowed to go home with a pile of paper that a number of trees (if not forests) died producing.....so, if you will excuse me, I have some reading to do!!

Blog Baby 9

Karen and John proud parents of Sophie born at 7.11pm on the 21st October 2008. 7lb 8oz.
And we were only having luch with them at the weekend. A whole week early!!
Congratulations!!!

How do I feel?

Scared....Petrified.....Tired...Knackered....Anxious....The list is never ending. The scan is tomorrow and I am not even sure if I feel pregnant (other than the continual nausea, the constipation, the headaches, being fat, feeling emotional and not forgetting the tiredness). I have had trouble sleeping over the last few days. I keep waking up - partly because I need the loo but then also just to stare into space for a while and worry.... I can't remember many of my dreams but I do remember being chased by Daleks over the weekend and it was a scary dream - not at all funny!! I have no idea what that means....

At least we got out at the weekend and went to visit a few people. Finally went to see my brother and his wife in their new house (they have been there nearly 3 months), then we popped in on The Bulls Nan and his mum was also there and then finally we had dinner at our friends who are due in a week. Consequently, although we have really tried this time NOT to talk about it we seemed to spend all Sunday doing nothing but!! Anyway, wish me luck for the morning.....

Stop Thinking, Start Living

This week I have had the chance to read a couple of self help books. The first one being Stop Thinking and Start Living by Richard Carlson (Harper Collins 2003).

Some of the gems included: If something doesn't exist in your mind, it doesn't exist in your reality and you are not affected by it. The only way to bring that reality back to yourself is to think about it again.

You can learn a great deal from your past, but you need not suffer because of it.

You don't find the light by studying in the dark.

Pay more attention to living and less to how you are doing.

Enjoy life rather than think about it.

The other book was Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn (Piatkus 2008) which although did not contain the gems as listed above, it did give a few insights into 'living in the moment' i.e. knowing what you are doing as you are actually doing it. Both to be recommended.

Aches or Pains - When should we worry?

Its been a weird few days. The Bull keeps asking me how I feel and whatever I tell him seems to worry him. I fluctuate between feeling really well and then really sick / knackered. Of course we are both worried after last time but I am trying not to read too much into every niggle I feel. To be honest I think most of the uncomfortable-ness is actually wind. At least I will know what real pain feels like if anything goes wrong this time!! And I am comforted by the words of Dr Dale who described babies as 'Parasites' - according to Wikipedia; Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship between organisms of different species. The parasite benefits from a prolonged, close association with the host. A bit like Alien then....

I do seem to have been suffering from a lot of aches and pains this week but I think this is due to having 2 weeks off work and then returning to do 3 full days last week, then spending all weekend on the sofa before doing another 2 days. I think I need to do more exercise every day. I also need to cut down on the sugar intake - especially now the nausea has calmed down - I am getting too fat already. I went through my wardrobe today and could not believe how many things already don't fit. I don't intend to spend a lot on maternity clothes but it looks like I might have to start sooner rather than later....

One week to my scan. Mother asked if she could tell her bids this afternoon and was upset when I asked her to wait a week - can she not remember what happened last time? She has already told both her sisters (my aunties) and one rang last night to congratulate me. Again, I think its a bit too soon for them to be getting excited! The one who rang last night will be a granny in February and my cousin has already named their little girl. I told her I hoped there would be lots of Granny outings for both up and coming grand-children....

Family Affairs.....

Still struggling to keep upright most of the time. I seem to have got used to the nausea. Its the tiredness and the apathy that I am struggling with. Oh yes and my boobs feel like they are full of rocks now!!

This weekend I saw my mother for the first time in 6 weeks. I told my brother last Friday the news - chiefly because we went out with him and it came up in conversation. Anyway, I told him to tell mum, and so when she turned up I assumed she knew. But she didn't!!! She got all emotional and started to get carried away almost immediately, so I had to tell her to calm down. I did get her to take a basket of washing with her when she left though...

In the evening The Bulls dad came to watch the England game and while he was here, The Bulls brother rang and then his sister turned up as well. It was madness!! They were all mocking me because the wine was so nice and I could not have any - but as brother pointed out the baby will still have 'the genes'....... Later it got a bit heated as The Bull and his sister were discussing the parenting skills (or lack of) of their mother. Sister seemed to use this as an 'excuse' for not achieving as much as she should have but that's all it was - an excuse!!

One bonus this weekend is that Christmas seems to have been sorted already as we have been invited to my brothers for lunch. There will be 8 or 9 of us and there is talk of turkey and gammon!!

Back to Work.....

Went back to work yesterday, spurred on by the words of a friend who is due in a couple of weeks: Don’t really know if there is any advice I can give you.

I would say that keep in mind just because you miscarried last time does NOT mean it will happen again. As I am reaching the end of this journey (which people will probably take me as a bad person for saying I haven’t really enjoyed it!!) 9 months is a flippin long time!! Obviously it seems to have gone quickly looking back but with the toll it takes on your body, it’s a very long time.

You stumble from one symptom to another wondering if it’s normal. I’m sorry about you feeling sick – it is horrible (but normal remember!!). To be honest I have been sick all throughout and only last Friday, threw my guts up which isn’t easy to do with a big bump in the way. All you can do is try (I know it will be hard) to relax, take it easy when you need to and listen to your own body but don’t change your lifestyle completely, still be you.

Thanks - I think - but I did make it to work and do a full day and I survived - on a diet of ginger biscuits and juice!! Going back today and hopefully will make the full 3 days. Now they know I have decided to withdraw from my college course there is talk of me doing 5 days, but I have asked to remain on 3 days until my scan at least!!

Blog Baby 8

Emily Grace (Another Emily!) Born at 6.42pm on the 3rd October (10 days overdue). Weighing 6 pounds 15oz. Both doing very well. Well done Gill and Dave x x x