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?