17 weeks

Turns out it wasn't a urine infection after all.... The pains are certainly not as sharp as before but whether or not they are the baby moving or my body expanding I really don't know! I occasionally get a sharp pain if I move - could this be a kick? People keep saying it will initially feel like butterflies or wind but I can't say I have felt this. I do seem to be suffering with indigestion a little bit more than usual - though this wasn't helped by a McDonald's at Midnight last night!!

I wouldn't say that this is all a worry but after last time I am still finding it difficult to embrace the feeling of being pregnant - its as if at any moment someone is going to take it away from me and say "Sorry, its all a mistake". I went out on Thursday night and saw some people I had not seen for a while and so everyone was commenting on my size. Even one of the delivery drivers at work commented on my size this week and I can't say I like it at all. Its like I am gaining weight but I have nothing to show for it - I know there is a bump there but I still can't quite believe that it contains a baby that I will actually give birth to in about 5 months!!

Consequently, I still feel unable to really talk about what is happening / going to happen to friends and family. To talk or not to talk about it? I want to be able to have a normal conversation again without someone referring to the bump!!

The bump itself seems to have taken on a life of its own - what with people talking to and touching it and it actually having its own sense of tiredness - like when you've been to the gym and your legs and arms ache. After work I often get this sense of tiredness around my bump. I have had my contract at work extended til the end of January but I worry how large I will be by then and will I still be able to complete 3 days a week??

16 weeks

Thursday night I had a BodyShop Party at my house and, although not everyone came who I invited, there were enough to make it a nice evening - any more and I may have been too stressed!! Although I did think there was a little too much baby talk going on...... I felt fine-ish during the evening but was aware of feeling uncomfortable when I sat down too long or at a funny angle, and then I woke Friday morning with the period-like pains I have had over the last few weeks again. As I was off work I thought it better that I go and see the Dr just to be sure but first I had a look on the Internet: If you experience unexpected abdominal and pelvic pain during pregnancy, it's easy to worry. But whilst some pain may need medical attention, sometimes instances of pain are relatively harmless.

During the third or fourth month of pregnancy, women frequently get a sharp stabbing pain in their groin or to one side. It may come on at sudden intervals, might be worse if you suddenly get up, stretch or move and it might disappear then reappear a few days later. It can be really worrying to suddenly get pains like this, but usually it's due to the ligaments or muscles around your uterus in your pelvis stretch and thicken as they support your growing baby. Constipation, bloating and wind can also cause aches, pains and abdominal discomfort. Constipation is often caused by the pressure of your growing bump on your rectum, as well as hormones which are said to slow down the movement of food through your digestive system. These factors are also involved in bloating and wind too, with your growing uterus pressing on your intestines and causing wind. http://www.babyandpregnancy.co.uk/AbdominalPelvicPainPregnancy.html

Then I convinced myself I had symphysis publis dysfunction as the symptoms include:

Pain in your pubic area and groin.
Pain in the inside of your thighs.
Lower back and hip pain.
Pain when you walk, move or go up stairs.
A clicking sound that you can hear.
A feeling that your bones are grinding together.
Difficulty and pain when you try and open your legs.

However, the Dr seems to think it is a urine infection. So she has put me on a 5 day course of anti-biotics (Amoxicillin). Then I panicked (again) as I read the paperwork that came with the tablets and it said; 'only recommended during pregnancy where the benefits of the drug outweigh the possible hazards to the unborn baby.' Further searching on the Internet calmed my fears though.

Oh yes, and I was able to hear baby's heart beat again yesterday so once more feel calmer...

Calm before the storm.....?

For the last couple of days I have felt nearly normal. OK, so I am still very tired after work but other than that (and being the size of a cow) there is not a lot else to point to being pregnant. The period like pains I had at the weekend seem to have gone and there is nothing to indicate anything has gone wrong. I had a look at a number of on-line forums and apparently its quite normal:

It sounds to me like you've just moved properly into the second trimester which includes having lots of energy. The 'flutters' you've been feeling may have actually been your digestion - which is very common. I don't know if this is your first, but even if it's your second, you shouldn't feel 'real' movement until 16+ weeks. Do you have a doppler or could you borrow one from someone?

I'm on the same boat. I will be 14 weeks tomorrow, and I'm a little worried because my ms is gone and I feel better. It's ironic that one could find such reassurance from feeling ill 24/7.

That's the thing with pregnancy, you just can't stop worrying. Some days i feel very pregnant and others i don't. Some days i feels baby move loads and others i don't. That's the thing, you can't control it, so you just have to go with it. If there was anything really wrong i think we would all know about it, there would be real systems not just feelings.
http://community.babycentre.co.uk/talk/a526845/15_weeks_and_dont_feel_pregnant_anymore


I also asked some friends who know about these things. Their replies were as follows:

After 12 weeks most people feel normal. Make the most of it, it doesn't last! (mother of two - 8 and 11 years)

That's a good thing! Just wait, in the next couple of weeks it will be wiggling! (mother of 2 girls - one my god-daughter)

Hurrah! This is the blooming bit. Enjoy the next few weeks before the heart burn kicks in! You should have loads of energy now. (Sophie's mum)

Not quite loads of energy yet. But certainly getting better. Thanks for all the help. Its time to wait and see....

It's Official - I am the size of a (small) cow!!

Today I weighed myself and I am now a Stone heavier than pre-pregnancy weight!! To make matters worse my black work trousers finally gave up today. I was not using the button, but every time I knelt down at work the zip came down.... And yesterday was the first time I felt like joining the girls at Aqua fit but I could not get my cosy past my boobs.....

Nothing for it but to spend some money. As I said I have been very lucky as Sophie's mum gave me a bag of maternity clothes, but I ordered myself a cosy, a pair of black trousers and a black bra. I was lucky as the last bra I bought was too large for me - not any more - I am now the size the Beautiful South used to sing about - and it looks like they are only getting bigger....Shame they still feel less than sexy!!

Information. We Want Information....

I cannot get over how many bits of paper I have been given in the last few months. Everyone I see seems to have something else to give. Its a bit annoying (and slightly worrying) that a lot of the stuff seems to be sponsored by one company or another. I am also amazed at the number of information giving websites (again, usually produced by a company wanting to sell me something).

Another source of information has been the books that have been lent to me. Let me just say if you have any inclination to buy Myleene Klass’ My Bump and Me book – don’t – unless you want to feel really depressed about the life of a C list celebrity going to her obviously private appointments. "You don’t get that on the NHS" you’ll be shouting..….and another thing you don’t get on the NHS are free maternity clothes from M&S. Blame the hormones if you like but reading the book made me seriously hate her!!

I suppose the best source of information must be friends and family who have been through pregnancy and child birth themselves. Although I have already found a lot of them to be contradictory - 'Your hair will fall out', 'Your hair will be glossy'. 'You'll get spots', 'You'll have a glowing complexion'. I have already heard both sides of the Cesarean argument - it seems those who suffered an emergency C.Section are against, whereas those who had an elected one are certainly for. And I can see where they are coming from.

Too much information was received at the weekend (though the donation of maternity clothes was very much appreciated) when I finally made it to see Sophie. I knew that her mum had been in hospital for a week after the birth and I know there was a blood transfusion (or two) but hearing the details made me slightly queasy. Apparently she suffered a rare complaint where the placenta attaches itself to the inside of the womb and then does not come away when it should!! Stories of emergency bells being pushed and haemoraging blood everywhere and the tea and toast (which you get after the birth) going cold!!

Visit to the Midwife at 15weeks

Disappeared in my lunch hour to the GP surgery and it seemed I was the only one there! My 'official' midwife I was told is off sick (poorly shoulder) but should be back in the new year. Her cover - Becky - was really nice though.

She asked me how I was feeling. Well, other than the extreme tiredness, the snotty nose (mingled with blood), the sore buttocks, my dodgy knee, my painful boobs, the waking in the night and the difficulty sleeping, and the increased need for the toilet I am fine. And all of this is perfectly normal, so no need to worry!!

I asked about the period like pains I have from time to time at the mo and she said that was probably my pelvis moving into place - although I can't find any further info on the Internet about what exactly is happening physically....

She took my blood pressure (fine) and went through my blood results from the hospital (all good). Then she checked on the baby's heartbeat - which we could hear loud and clear so that was very reassuring! She also said to ignore the old wives tales of a quicker beat meaning a girl and a slower beat meaning a boy as all heartbeats are quick at this stage...

I asked about a C.Section - as mentioned by the consultant - but she said this would not be decided until about week 36. I will see her again at 25 weeks, but first my 20 week scan.

And as I left she gave me another lot of information.....

Sent a text to some family and friends to tell them about the heartbeat. Hairdresser replied she had just been for her 12 week scan and all was well. So, there are only 3 weeks between us!

Families....

When I met my friend Liz for a hot chocolate and cookie last week I briefly saw my cousin (on my Dads side) as I ran to the car. So, I thought it best that I send her an email and explain......She replied with a lovely email and her mum - my auntie - then rang in the evening. Anyway, I had assumed that my mum had told them the news - after all she had made such a big deal about when she could start telling folk she was to be a grandma But it turned out my mum had even seen my auntie a few weeks ago and had still not told her. I know she has been telling people I don't even know at her walking and singles group - Why not Dads family? I truly don't know!!

Spoke to mum later in the day and she said Auntie had now rang her and so she was going to ring the other auntie (my Dads sister).... Suddenly she wants to get involved with my Dads family. Was she waiting for them to contact her? It certainly looks that way. She said she had assumed I had told them via FaceBook etc...... Weird I think.

Anyway, although we have not seen 'the other side' since my uncles (Dads brother) birthday party in February and before that at my brothers wedding in December I think we may get to see some of them at Christmas. Also, I did mention my postponed birthday celebrations and my other cousin had already mentioned it to a few of the family. Perhaps babies bring people / families together? After all, the child will be a blood relative of 'the other side'. Auntie and the cousin who I emailed, were certainly interested in scans, dates etc. We shall see....

More Pain!!

Well, after a morning of feeling sick and nervous and having to force feed myself a snickers bar because I felt so ill, I finally made it into the Dentists waiting room - and then I made for the door. It was only The Bull dragging me along the corridor as they shouted my name that got me in the seat!! However, he was very nice (the dentist) - especially after I explained I was 14 weeks pregnant and felt like I was going to vomit any moment - though my checkup didn't seem to last as long as usual.... Did I mention it was at the right time - 2.30 = Tooth Hurty!!! (Ha Ha)Anyway, he said I should watch out for bleeding gums and should actually brush my teeth harder than usual. He also recommended using mouth wash to help with the plaque.

I sent a text to my friend / hairdresser to tell her. She is only a few weeks behind me which we only recently found out. Anyway, she said she is still suffering terribly with the morning sickness and said she threw up on her mum's front garden the other day, as she could not get her key in the lock quick enough!! Apparently, her mum was sick all the way through her 3 pregnancies - Oh my god!! And she supposed to be doing my hair in a few weeks - could be messy!

Halloween Part Two: Blood Test Results

Finally got the results of my blood test. I had those scars for days. I looked like some kind of addict or as if a vampire had got me!! The nurse had had trouble getting blood out of one arm and so both ended up being 'sucked.' She was really nice though, as she told me about her brothers wife who was older than me and expecting her first baby as well.

Had been a bit worried as even though I had sent my blood ‘Special Delivery' via the Post Office ('How much is it worth?' 'It's Blood' I replied) when I went on their website to track the package it just said Your item with reference ZV68***GB is currently progressing through our network more than a week after it was supposed to have arrived!!

Anyway, my probability for Downs is now 1 in 800 and for Edwards Syndrome is 1 in 50,000
Not sure I feel better or worse….

Saturday nights....

.....alright for puking!! So, I just about recover from the headache, go and see some friends for a Chinese Friday night but Saturday I just feel tired and then Saturday night I am throwing up for England. Not sure what caused it, but something definitely irritated my stomach. Got really fed up Sunday as felt I had done bugger-all all weekend (again) and it was really getting me down. We had tickets to see the James Taylor Quartet Saturday night and the Bull found someone in the Coop to go with (it was someone we knew, and they knew other people who were going). I was glad the tickets weren't wasted but staying in alone and puking is not really an exciting night!! Then The Bull had band practice Sunday which meant more time alone so I was really emotional by the time he got back and could only be consoled with two McChicken sandwiches.

Beginning to realise I should be eating less take-aways and more fruit and veg!!

So Sorry Sophie...

Today I was supposed to visit Blog Baby 9 but I woke up with the headache I went to bed with (and I don't mean The Bull). I seem to have been plagued with them off and on for a good few weeks but today's was the worst. I asked Sophie's mum what she suggested eating and sleeping - two things I seem to do a lot of at the moment. Unfortunately, neither seemed to help. According to the Internet http://www.babycentre.co.uk/ its my hormones (tell me something I don't know!) but they should decrease after the first trimester. It says to look at my lifestyle and perhaps I have been doing too much lately. The weekend was certainly exhausting with The Bulls brother and his wife here all weekend, kicking off with the party on the Friday, clearing up and shopping Saturday and then visiting Nanna and their mother on the Sunday and then back to work Monday and Tuesday with little rest. And then yesterday - looking at my diet - I did have a lot of sugary foods. Perhaps they contributed as well. I have taken a few paracetamols but I don't want to overdo it and I have listened to my relaxation tape but it has only lessened the pain. What I probably need is an early night and peace and quiet.

Will I have to suffer throughout my entire pregnancy? Probably not. For most women, pregnancy headaches tend to diminish and even disappear by the second trimester. Experts believe this is when the flood of hormones stabilises, and the body grows accustomed to its altered chemistry. Here's hoping...

Who ate all the children?

Halloween! Don't you just love it? Well, every year I say we are going to have a party and so this year we got one organised!! We invited close friends and their children for 'Trick or Treat' at 6pm and then fireworks afterwards. 8 children in total!! I was beginning to think that the tiredness was easing off - Knackered? Me? My first attempt at a children's party and I have not even given birth yet!!

The Bull went to town and created a 'Haunted House' in the garage - unfortunately, it was a bit too scarey for some of the younger children - so he had to then 'un-haunt' it to show it was only pretend! I get the feeling it was done more for him than for the children but I suppose thats what its all about. He certainly seemed to enjoy his part in the evenings preceedings!

What was good was the fact that the other parents helped me out (when they weren't commenting on the size of my belly!) My god-daughters mum organised the witches parts game - passing around bowls of goo while telling a story about a witch!! The Bulls sister served up the hot dogs and later in the evening her partner entertained the remaining 4 children with a board game; after my body had given up and all I could do was watch in amazement!! I could have murdered a drink but eventually overdosed on Haribo's which we are still finding about the house 4 days later!! Same time next year? We shall see?