Following on from my last blog (and boy, did I suffer for all that dancing!!) according to an article in The Times (October 11th 2008) a new study from psychologists at Brigham Young Uni. Utah, shows how strongly we are born wired for sound. Infants as young as 5 months know what sort of music they like and can distinguish it from duller stuff. Babies attention lasted about 4 seconds longer when Beethoven changed from happy to sad, or vice versa, reflecting heightened interest in the change of musical mood.
The study reinforces the idea that music lies at the centre of our mental foundations. Tests by Peter Hepper, a psychologist of Queens Uni. Belfast, have shown that musical memory begins in the womb. In 1989 he asked a group of women to watch Neighbours regularly during pregnancy but no other television soap. After birth the babies registered lower heart rates when the Neighbours theme was played, but themes from Coronation St and Eastenders had no effect.
Playing tunes to a baby bump also boosts mum’s morale, according to another new study reported in The Times. Taiwanese researchers who studied 236 expectant mothers found that playing them lullabies and birdsong for 30 minutes a day for a fortnight significantly reduced their levels of stress, anxiety and depression reports the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Sunday, 7 December 2008
Having a bump seriously impeeds your dancing!!!
18 weeks now and I have received my first Christmas card addressed to us and the bump. Last night was our annual scout Christmas dinner and it had been nearly 6weeks since I had seen some of the people there. Consequently, there was a lot of touching of the bump (not sure I like that) and comments on how large I am getting.But I had a good night. Unfortunately, I was unable to dance as much as I would have liked. Firstly, I seemed to get out of breath quite quickly and also the size of the bump weighed quite heavy - not good when bouncing around to The Fratellis!! Luckily I was able to participate in a fair bit of table dancing - sitting at the table and waving my arms around. Oh, and I have a new party trick. Due to the increased size of my boobs I can pour a small bottle of wine into a glass without using my hands!!
Back to the music.....Over the last few weeks the baby has been exposed to a few nights of loud music - what with Toyah in Vampires Rock 2 weeks ago, and the Kaleidoscope Project last week (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=398089359). I am sure the baby will have already decided what kind of music it likes and doesn't like. The Bull is already talking about teaching it piano and, as he is currently studying for his Grade 8, fingers crossed it should be born with some form of musical ability - even if only being able to dance like its mother!!!
This week I went to the Doctors (again) - and got to hear the baby again - as I was worried that the pains from the other week had now gone. I suppose it was just anxiety about not feeling the baby move as yet. But then, there was an afternoon when I went for a lie down and I did feel something - whether or not it was baby, wind or indigestion I cannot be certain!! The Doctor (different to the last one) said that my buttock pain is probably related to my back and to watch myself in those areas. Oh dear, I forgot her advice when it came to dancing the night away...
And thanks Lynne for a lovely Baby Records Book.
Saturday, 29 November 2008
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??
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??
Friday, 21 November 2008
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:
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...
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
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 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....
Monday, 17 November 2008
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!!
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!!
Saturday, 15 November 2008
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!!
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!!
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