Pregnancy - 32 week update

How far along?  32 weeks

How big is baby?  The size of a kale leaf (or a naked tailed armadillo)  - around 42.4 cm and 1.7 kg (3.7 lb)!

Total weight gain/loss?  63.1 kg today - so a relatively large increase.  However I did weight myself at a different time due to work and I've noticed that when I do this, I usually end up noticing I'm lighter the following week so I'm taking it with a pinch of salt.  

Waist?  33.5 inches, exactly the same.  This is odd as bump has definitely grown but I think it's because I'm measuring around my belly button and bump is lower down.

Stretchmarks?  No new ones, touch wood.  I'm expanding at quite a speed now so expecting some to pop up.

Maternity clothes?  I was really smug when I got my maternity skirt and decided that between that and floaty dresses I wouldn't need to buy any maternity trousers for work... I'm less smug at 6am every morning when I have to try and get tights on though.  I refuse to buy any more clothes for work though as, although it's 5 weeks until I finish, between holidays and working 4 day weeks I only have 16 working days left!

Sleep?  Sleep has been quite horrendous.  I've got a lot of pain in my ribs which means lying on my sides is uncomfortable so I keep finding myself wanting to lie on my back, which obviously I shouldn't be doing for prolonged periods.   I'm peeing pretty much every hour and, even with Gaviscon, sometimes heartburn is a problem.  A couple of nights I've also woken up drenched in sweat and had to change.  Then there's the restless legs.  None of the above is conducive to a good night's sleep... BUT I'm feeling okay and getting just about enough to function.

Best moment this week?  Getting the bookcase up in the nursery.  I love reading and I really want to encourage Pip too.  I've already dug out all my old Disney books and Roald Dahl books to start filling the shelves in the nursery and I'm reading Harry Potter to my bump (ALS isn't a fan so I decided to get a head start and hope Pip enjoys them)!

Movement?  Lots of big movements nowadays, sometimes they shake my whole body almost.  There's definitely something wedged under my ribs which, when I move, feels like it's trying to tear my lower ribs out of my chest... that's less fun.

Food cravings?  Sweet stuff... I'm trying not to give in to this one too much but it's so hard!

Food aversions?  Nothing.  

Gender?   Still no idea.

Labour signs?  Still nothing, touch wood.  My sister-in-law had her little boy on the day she turned 32 weeks so I'm getting a little nervous!  

Pregnancy symptoms?  We're going to go with a list format seeing as detailed everything would take forever: regular peeing, feeling like I can't empty my bladder, heartburn, restless legs, night sweats, rib pain, being constantly hungry, sore boobs, haemorrhoids - I know it sounds like I'm complaining but honestly I'm loving it, despite all the crappy feelings!

Belly button in or out?  In.  

What I miss?  Being able to reach to put my tights on without a struggle!

What I am looking forward to?  We're off to the in-laws tomorrow night for a Chinese for my mother-in-law's birthday.  It'll be lovely to see everyone AND it's been ages since I had a Chinese.

Upcoming appointments/scans?  I see the midwife again next week (13th Sept).  I have my next scan and Consultant appointment on 25th Sept.

 Weekly wisdom?  Enjoy being pregnant!  Yes, it's hard.  Yes, there are times you probably wish the baby would just get out already.  However, I love my bump.  I love feeling my baby moving around and I know for a fact that, although it will be lovely to be able to sit or lie comfortably and pain-free once baby is born, I will miss the special bond I have with my bump.

Milestones?  Making it past the point where my sister in law gave birth, hopefully I can relax a little more now!  32 weeks itself isn't a big milestone to most but it's been what I've looking forward to.

Bump picture: 

I'm so in love with my own figure right now!  My bump is finally joining at the top, there's just a tiny dip where it goes in just above my belly button, which will probably be gone by next week.  I feel like it's gotten a lot bigger this week.  

Happy Conception Day!

Exactly one year ago today our little Pip was conceived, along with 10 other little ones.

5 didn't survive to day 5, 2 carried the chromosome from ALS' mum and have been donated to scientific research, 1 was transferred and just didn't stick.

That brings us to today, where 1 of our miracle embryos is now wriggling around inside me and growing by the day.  We also have 1 little frostie left in storage, waiting to hopefully provide Pip with a sibling one day.

I do enjoy confusing people who don't know the whole story by telling them that my baby was conceived a year ago, watching them do them maths and proceed to ask me if I'm some sort of elephant and have been carrying Pip for 12 months already.

It's amazing to look back on how far we've come and to think that in just a couple of months we will have a real baby here to take care of.

Miracles do happen!

Pregnancy - 16 week update

How far along?  16 weeks

How big is baby?  The size of an avocado ato according to my apps this week, around 11.5 cm and 100 g.

Total weight gain/loss?  56kg so I am definitely starting to put a little bit on, which I'm happy about.

Waist?  29.5 inches!  That's 4.5 inches (almost 20%) on my waist - so all the people telling me there's "nothing there" are clearly underestimating how slim I was before!

Stretchmarks?  Only the ones that have been there for years.

Maternity clothes?  Nope.

Sleep?  I've had the odd bad night where I've struggled to sleep but mostly okay.

Best moment this week?  Hearing baby's heartbeat today with ALS at the midwife appointment - I got to hear it on Monday with the consultant but he missed it due to a parking disaster so I just felt guilty and upset that he wasn't there.

Movement?  Nothing yet - hopefully not too long until I start feeling it though.

Food cravings?  Nothing in particular this week.

Food aversions?  Nothing really.

Gender?   I really have no idea.

Labour signs?  Definitely not.

Pregnancy symptoms?  Nothing new this week, although I'm quite irritable.

Belly button in or out?  In.

What I miss?  I'm absolutely loving being pregnant but I miss not feeling like I owe everyone something.  I'd not outwardly told my work colleagues, aside from one friend, (and they have a limited view on Facebook because I don't like to mix my work and personal life) but I had my suspicions they may have seen bits and bobs that I'd not vetted on Facebook.  In the end I found out they knew and told them yesterday, except one woman who wasn't present.  Today she took my friend aside (the one I'd told a while ago) and said that she feels really awkward because I've not told her I'm pregnant but she knows because another colleague told her last month.  Firstly, I hadn't directly told that colleague so she's in no different a position to then.  Secondly, do I have to tell everyone individually or personally, can't I just wait til the figure it out?  Thirdly, she said she guessed months ago when I was eating ginger biscuits - because nobody who isn't pregnant can like ginger biscuits??  So tomorrow I have to go in and let her know in some way without directly telling her because then she'll know my friend told me.  It's so political.  What if I don't want to discuss it with everyone?  Work is the only place I've not been open about it because some of my colleagues are known for being overly judgmental and vocal with their opinions so I just keep myself to myself.  *sigh*

What I am looking forward to?  Starting to feel the baby move soon, hopefully!

Upcoming appointments/scans?  I have my 20 week scan on 19th June and see the midwife again on 19th July.

Weekly wisdom?  Try not to let little things stress you out - I've been really guilty of this in the last week.  Everyone has an opinion and wants to give you unsolicited advice, just smile and nod and try to tune it out without letting it get to you.  Just accept that it's your baby, your body and you generally know best.

Milestones?  Finally hearing a heartbeat!

Bump picture:

There's going to be no denying it's a baby bump soon! :D

Pregnancy - 13 week update

How far along?  13 weeks

How big is baby?  The size of a lemon or kiwi according to my phone apps - around 7.4 cm and 23 g.

Total weight gain/loss?  I'm now 55.7kg, another loss which is surprising seeing as my bump is definitely growing and my boobs are huge BUT it's only a tiny loss so I'm not concerned.

Waist?  I haven't measured it this week.

Stretchmarks?  Only the ones that have been there for years.

Maternity clothes?  Still not necessary - I'm quite fortunate that most of my work trousers were bought when I was a bit overweight and since I've got into shape they've been big around the waist, so now I'm slowly growing into them again.

Sleep?  Mostly pretty good this week - although I've been doing overtime so I missed my lie in this morning.

Best moment this week?  Being completely medication free - I've been on some kind of IVF drugs pretty much continuously since August so it's weird to not be taking anything other than my pregnancy vitamins!  Also I'm actually starting to look pregnant - I can't stop stroking my stomach :)

Movement?  Nothing yet - hopefully only a month or so until I start feeling it though.

Food cravings?  Cheesy nachos, which I made about an hour ago.  I ate way too many and now I feel sick, silly girl!

Food aversions?  Nothing in particular.

Gender?   I always pictured myself with a boy, but lately when I think about when the baby comes I'm seeing a girl... maybe a sign?

Labour signs?  Definitely not.

Pregnancy symptoms?  The "morning" sickness is starting to subside and although it can still be bad, it's not every day any more.  I've also had a little more energy and got back to some exercise this week.  My boobs have grown a lot in the last few weeks so I desperately need to go bra shopping!

Belly button in or out?  In.

What I miss?  Cuddles with our second cat.  He was always really snuggly but lately he's decided ALS is his favourite and I'm out.  However, our first cat (who never used to bother about cuddles) hasn't left my side for the last 4 or 5 weeks which is absolutely adorable.

What I am looking forward to?  Now I'm in my second trimester (how exciting) I'm looking forward to having that pregnancy glow and having my energy back... I'll wait and see if it ever happens!!

Upcoming appointments/scans?  I see the Consultant on 15th May, midwife on 17th May and have my next scan on 17th June.

Weekly wisdom?  Embrace the excitement!  When you tell family and friends, they'll most likely just want to go shopping with you, talk babies and show you cute things they've found.  Enjoy it, it's one of the few times in life everyone will want to help you out - they'll probably be less keen when there's nappies involved.  Also, bear in mind that not everyone is particularly interested in babies so don't chew their ear off about it if they just want to chat about normal stuff.

Milestones?  Hitting the second trimester and being medication free.

Bump picture:

It's starting to really turn into a little bump now, rather than just bloating/fat!

Also, here's a little picture from our scan last week, I meant to post it on my 12 week update but completely forgot.  Little Pip wasn't playing ball and was trying to hide behind the placenta so it's not the clearest picture but it was amazing to see him/her wriggling around:

Women are amazing!

I've always known that the miracle of life was exactly that, a miracle!  However, it really brings it home when you see your baby growing on scans:

This was 6w6d (measuring 6w1d) - you can see the yolk sac and the baby is right on the right hand side and just a little dot.

This was today at 8w8d (measuring 8w5d) and, as you can see, the yolk sac is at the top and there's a head, body and little stumpy limbs.

I was a little concerned that, as I've lost weight and been struggling to eat, the baby wouldn't be growing properly.  However, it is right on track and doing everything it should be doing.

In 2 weeks this baby has gone from approximately the size of a grain of rice to the size of a grape.  It's doubled its own body size over and over again.  THAT is a miracle.  It also explains why women feel so tired during the first trimester - the rate the baby is growing is phenomenal and it's using a lot of your energy to do that.

So if you're pregnant and you're feeling sick or tired, just remember that you're growing a tiny miracle and it's all worth it!  There is absolutely nothing I wouldn't go through to make sure that this little jellybean-looking creature gets everything it needs.

Pregnancy - 7 week update

How far along?  7 weeks

How big is baby?  The size of a blueberry... although I don't think it's there yet, maybe by the end of the week!

Total weight gain/loss?  I've put a bit of weight back on this week as I've been making more effort to have plenty of carbs to keep my energy up.  I'm 57.2kg at the moment which is still a 1.3kg loss on where I started.

Waist?  26.5 inches - I'm not sure how accurate these measurements are.  I'm going around my belly button so it should be relatively reliable but I'm also sure I've not gained 1.5 inches in the last few weeks.  My clothes feel exactly the same and if anything I look slimmer!

Stretchmarks?  Only the ones that have been there for years.

Maternity clothes?  Not for a while yet.

Sleep?  I had one really bad night but otherwise I've been sleeping like a baby - pardon the expression!  I had a lovely lie in yesterday which was nice seeing as my new job requires me to get up over an hour earlier than I'm used to.

Best moment this week?  Getting to see our little bubba on the scan!

Movement?  Nothing yet, way too early.

Food cravings?  Nothing - I still don't really have much appetite.  Tonight I feel properly hungry for the first time in ages, despite having just polished off a bowl of spaghetti bolognese.  I shall have some supper before bed!

Food aversions?  Nothing.

Gender?   No idea and I don't think we're going to find out... but that could change.

Labour signs?  Definitely not.

Pregnancy symptoms?  A few twinges on my right side still but mostly just feeling tired.

Belly button in or out?  In.

What I miss?  Caffeine!  These early starts are killer.

What I am looking forward to?  I'm meeting one of my friends from my old job for dinner tomorrow - can't wait.

Upcoming appointments/scans?  I have another scan on 28th March and bubba was measuring a bit small (they didn't tell me as much but the picture says 6w1d and I was 6w6d).  They just said they want to see me again.  Then I'm booked in with the midwife on 29th!

Weekly wisdom?  When you're tired and feel really low on energy, do a little exercise.  It really does help!  Even if it's just a 10 minute walk or a few lengths in the pool.  I was exhausted earlier after a 10 hour day at work but I dragged myself for a swim and I feel so much better for it. I actually even had the energy to cook dinner when I got home!  I know I said this a couple of weeks ago as my wisdom but it's something I've had to remind myself of this week!

Milestones?  Seeing that little flickering heartbeat.

Bump picture:

I didn't want to wake ALS this morning by turning all the lights on to take photos so I took this when I got to work - I actually look in surprisingly good shape - better than normal haha!

Pregnancy - 6 week update

How far along?  6 weeks

How big is baby?  I have a couple of apps on my phone - their suggestions vary including lentil, grain of rice, pomegranate seed and sweet pea.  I'm going with pomegranate seed seeing as I've been drinking pomegranate juice religiously for weeks.

Total weight gain/loss?  I was exactly 56.6kg again this morning so no change this week.  That puts me at a 1.9kg loss so far.


Waist?  I haven't measured it this week but my weight hasn't changed and my clothes feel the same so I'm guessing nothing.

Stretchmarks?  Not for a long time yet I hope!  Although I do have some on my hips from when puberty hit me.

Maternity clothes?  Not for a while yet.

Sleep?  I've slept a little better this week although we had a couple of late nights at the weekend and no substantial lie ins so I could really do with a bit of extra sleep!

Best moment this week?  Starting my new (old) job... although it's been a little awkward as more than one person has asked me if I'm thinking about having kids any time soon.  A few weeks ago that might have upset me a little, now I'm just sat excitedly thinking "If only you knew"!

Movement?  Nothing yet, way too early.

Food cravings?  Nothing - I still don't really have much appetite at all.

Food aversions?  Nothing.

Gender?   No idea and I don't think we're going to find out... but that could change.

Labour signs?  Definitely not.

Pregnancy symptoms?  I got SO excited at the weekend as I had sore boobs - my first proper pregnancy symptoms.  I text my pregnant sister-in-law and my best friend, they mostly just seemed confused that I was so excited about the discomfort haha!  I've had a lot of sharp pains on my right hand side combined with some diarrhoea.  Needless to say I panicked and jumped straight to ectopic pregnancy - more on that later.  I'm also having some shortness of breath when just walking around but that's most likely just the progesterone as I've had it for the last couple of weeks.

Belly button in or out?  In.

What I miss?  Not having to plan my daily schedule around pessaries and tablets - counting down to 12 weeks when I can stop them!

What I am looking forward to?  I have my early scan on Tuesday next week, only 5 more sleeps!!

Upcoming appointments/scans?  See above.

Weekly wisdom?  Always seek advice.  I rang 111 about my right sided pains and diarrhoea last night and the woman immediately asked me to get to the Urgent Care Centre.  The doctor there seemed less concerned - my temperature, pulse and urine were all fine.  He examined me and said that the pain was too far over to be pregnancy related and that it was probably just a tummy bug.  All day I'd thought it was trapped wind and this was probably right.  However, it gave me the peace of mind to get a good night's sleep and I was told repeatedly that I'd done the right thing and to see my GP today if there'd been no improvement - fortunately there has!

Milestones?  First proper pregnancy symptom - sore boobs!

Bump picture:

I don't think there's been any change - this is just a different angle (again).  It's really hard getting the same angle every week without taking a million pictures!  You can really see the lovely stretchmarks on my hips, hopefully pregnancy doesn't add any more.