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Pregnancy

The pregnancy blog is written by mothers-to-be about their experiences of being pregnant and how they deal with the health and emotional issues. To join the blog, email talk@nhschoices.nhs.uk
  • I'm now starting to notice that the few clothes I bought at the begining of this in a larger size are starting to hurt and stretch. I'm not even half way there and I feel like and look like a burst couch! I'm still finding I'm out of breath walking up and down stairs. So I'm taking it slow since I keep hearing about women suddenly finding themselves on the floor having fallen for no particular reason. Yep strange but true it's all linked to the blood pumping around the body so fast. I also am taking my time getting out of the bath. Since I have a fear of slipping and since I live on my own they would find me days or weeks later with just my cat for company and she's no lassie!  

    I'm still waiting to feel the "flutterings" I thought I felt something the other day but so much is going on in there it's so hard to tell. I bought a fetal doppler the other day (courtsey of my ex-mother-in-law) so now I can listen to Tubbs heart beat. You have to be careful since the first evening I spent 1/2 hour trying to find it and then the next 1/2hr smiling whilst listening to what then turned out to be my own! DOH. But now I realise mine is the slower heart beat. There has been mixed reviews of this gadget online. I got mine from amazon for £35 with the gel. I wouldn't rely on this totally that's what the hospital and the mid wives are for. But I just like it since it's a nice feeling to hear Tubbs heartbeat especially when I've got another 2 weeks to wait till my anomaly scan.

    Sometimes I geniuely forget that Tubbs is actually there and am going about my normal day to day stuff then suddenly I stop or I see alittle person and think wow I will have one of them next year. It's all rather amazing actually. Or I hear a baby crying and wonder how will I cope. But then I calm myself down by thinking April is so far away. Not ....I hear you all say.

    I haven't had any nose bleds yet or my gums bleeding. I have found my gums alittle tender than usual but what's not at the moment. My boobs have grown more not that I needed any more help in that department thank you. I'm now in pregnancy bra's morning noon and night not that they are very flattering. but who is going to see me in them at the moment so comfort is the word at the moment. I bought a belt expander so I am currently still able to fit into my jeans and favourite black trouser but I don't know for how long.

    I'm off to London this weekend to catch up with one of my mates and go and see dylan moran (black books, shaun of the dead). He is an irish comedian and very funny I'm just hoping I will hear all that he's got to say. I'm looking forward to getting away for the weekend since working all next weekend. I'm also looking forward to abit of shopping. Bloomin Marvelllous have a store in fulham so I'm gonna try and find it since I need to buy a swimming cozzie soon. I went swimming last night and noticed that again like everything else at the moment it's getting tight. But I don't look pregnant just fat. So when I got out of the pool I put my hands protectively on my belly as if to let people know this lady isn't fat she is just pregnant!  I might also treat myself to some nice for christmas whilst I'm there too. I am going to the works christmas do and can't really turn up in a moomoo (commonly known as a fat mans dress). I need to start thinking about christmas pressies for people too. I think I've warned enough people this isn't going to be a big christmas due to Tubbs impending arrival.

    I've also spent the week again still thinking about the swine flu jab. I wish in one sense someone would of said at the begining just have it. But now I'm concerned and don't want to have it since too many health officials have said they aren't having it since not enough tests have been done. My own dad has been offered it and isn't having it. I think if it was just me and after having been ill for 3 weeks in october (couldn't take the deductions of sick pay again, - nice surprise right before christmas) then I would have it. But it's not just me i have to think about anymore. So I think I will ask again when I go for my scan. I am trying to build up my immune system by drinking freshly squeezed orange juice and lots of fruit. Though I have had a tendancy to slip and have the odd bacon and egg buttie. and dark chocolate orange which is usually so hard to find. thanks morrisons.

     

     

  • Sophia is the one

    by Coco M on 17 November 2009

    Good evening people, hope you are all doing well, thought it was time for an update. I am currently 29 weeks and yes you guessed it I have plenty to moan about as usual.

    Last week we decided to have a 4D scan done at a private clinic, it was totally amazing the little one is the living image of her daddy. She was sleeping but managed to open one eye lazily then closed it again. I was in total awe of how beautiful she is. I had no picture at all in my head of what she would be like so it totally took me by surprise to see a little button nose, full cherub lips and what looks like a big set of peepers! She also looked very healthy and has a little meat on her cheeks it makes me so anxious to meet her now. Speaking of the little one we have finally, after muvh trouble and tantrums decided on a name. We have decided to go with Sophia Daniella, she feels so much like a little Sophia to me and its a good strong name that should carry her well even through adulthood and also those I care about also love the name so me and B are very happy with it. Pregnancy wise I am almost nearly immobil. My pelvis has gave up on me and my legs and feet are struggling, I now have what has been referred to as Kankles and my feet look like two swollen bloated booboos.

    I have mentioned before I am only 5ft so I am under strain and I hate to moan but even the most simple tasks that I get enjoyment from are hard for me to do, the days of shopping and going for walks are O.V.E.R. Well atleast untill Sophia is here. I am still working away and have been getting a lift too and from work, but even the walk from the car to my desk is painful.

    I know there is not too much longer to go but the strain is leaving me feeling drained and like I have been pregnant for all eternity! I am still trying to decide on my finish date and I am thinking it may have to be soon, but at the same time I will be demented and lonley in the house allday with nothing to do.

    Night time is not much better with sleep being a struggle as every position feels sore and it takes me atleast 5 minutes to turn from one side to another it's actually quite comical if you could see it. B thinks its a hilerious performance but still asks if I am ok all the same.

    My last midwife appointment went well everything is just fine and afterwards I received my swine flu jab. So a swollen arm was added to the list of swollen body parts for Coco. I am looking forward to some aspects of maternity leave before the baby comes hopefully I can get christmas orginised and spend some time with friends and also read some books and catch up on daytime telly. I say boredom will kick in after about two days.

    Anyways time to go to bed I think for my nightly routine of not sleeping.

    Coco and Sophia xxx

  • I'm 18wks Pregnant

    by rachelliverpool on 12 November 2009

    I'm now 18 weeks pregnant and now apparently I'm in the inbetween stage. Currently in my second trimester and waiting for that all important 20 week scan to let me know everything is ok.

    I'm 37years old and this is my first baby and it wasn't planned and I'm not with the father (long story for maybe later). So when i read other blogs I can identify with the common ground of being pregnant but when some one them start to talk about beloved boyfriends and husbands (no disrespect girls) but I'm afraid I'm left out in the cold hence I thought I would start my own.

    I patiently waited until I had passed the "safety period" of 3 months since there were a few hiccups to the say the least. I had days where i was bleeding which apparently after in internal turned out to be nothing to worry about. I ended up going twice to the womens hospital to be checked out since the midwife advised me any sign of blood to go. I kind of got the feeling from the midwife until your passed that magic 3 months it all doesn't really count or maybe I was just being a concerned potential mother. The nurses in the womens emergancy ward until the midwife have been taught the word compassion and understanding and i really couldn't fault them. Especially when I turned up 2 days later with the bleeding again. It was all due to the fact i have an extra lining which will cause some bleeding occasionally so now I am prepared. I got used to the morning sickness initially making sure I ate every few hours and had ginger biscuits at the ready day or night. I found bowls of rice krispies helped since I knew i would be getting some milk into my system also. I have found the morning sickness making a re-appearance but only about 8.30 in the morning just as I am half way to work.

    Maybe Tubbs (my name, anyone seen League of Gentleman!) is trying to tell me something, turn back dorothy. The constant twinges have stopped which were so wierd I felt like I had an alien growing in the initial 3 months to the point where my friend Sharon advised me to call my growing alien Ripley (never seen film so gave that one a miss). Oh and yes I have a tad more energy now. Not a burst like all the books say. I had a list of things to do around the house in preparation of this, however I'm nearly back to normal, though still in bed by 10.30. and If I am out I feel like cinderalla literally running off home but well before midnight.

    I have informed work who then just keep staring at my stomach and saying when are you going to get fat. Nice to see them concerned for my welfare. I've had my health and safety meeting and just really been advised to be mindful of a lot of stuff. Though fortunatley will have abit of slack provided (not literally, I wish) on trying to fit into our uniform. I have looked at a few places for maternity wear and am still looking there doesn't appear to be one main place where you buy everything, the main shops appear to provide 2 token racks for that department. I've yet to actively go out on a spending spree yet since I'm skint. So finger crossed I won't get too big before I get paid at the end of the month. I have handed in my maternity form and have informed HR that i will work until 2 weeks prior to the birth in April. This was met with a concerned look from the health and safety officer and laughter from the midwives. Apparnently by this point i will be so big it will be a struggle to be behind a steering wheel never mind drive an hour to work and also work from 9 till 7 at night. So I'm now going to revise that. Also after reading a womens blog who's waters broke whilst giving her leaving speech in work 3 weeks before her due date also got me thinking.

    So far for me I have felt many emotions. Shock at the intially blue lines (not the massive attack album) and then excitement at looking to the future and then swings to scared at the huge challenge ahead and then concern over the worrying about  every little pain that ripples through your womb thinking the worst. I do have to admit it has gone alot better since the 1st scan. I didn't really let myself think about the impending bundle of joy for those first months. Until the initial 1st proper scan where they actually confirm yep it's a baby. not an alien (sharon). and it's moving.Then you get the full rush of love for the thing that appears to be doing the irish jig in your womb and then you start to look to plan for a future for that child of yours.  Then after that I had the initial worry of the down's syndrome test. Both myself and the father (yes there are  interjections from him at points) agreed not to take these tests. Each to their own I just felt they were rather intrusive to the baby and I/we would deal with the result either way. I'm currently waiting for a letter regarding to the blood tests 1st and 2nd ones taken a few weeks ago. So fingercrossed. But I'm expecting it to come back a high risk since I'm an older mother and it is my first.

    I've signed up for my parent craft classes, and the breast feeding one daty class. yep you need to jump on those quick cos apparently they do get booked out. I'm looking to sign up for the yoga next year. The NCT classes will cost whereas the ones provided by the hospital are free. But I'm off to a NCT meeting on monday just to see what is the difference.

    I know this is long one, but I thought I best bring you all up to speed with my story so far.

     

  • 20 week scan

    by Sarah jb on 09 November 2009

    Hi there! Today was the day I'd been waiting for a month post surgery - our 20 week scan. I didn't realise quite how anxious I was feeling till we arrived at the hospital. I've been feeling generally ok but post the surgery and everything that happened you can't help but worry that something won't be right. What a relief then to see and hear that everything was fine and that all the measurements are normal. My hubby and I saw the baby really moving around and at one point put his/her hand to his mouth like it was going to suck it's thumb! We elected not to find out the sex so we asked not to be told but I think from the way the baby was moving around so much it would have been a struggle to tell! We don't mind what the sex is at all we just want it to be healthy. I'm recovering well post the operation but not back at work yet and I'm still pretty tried. I  have just got my follow up appointment with the consultant next week - I have so many questions about what the surgery means - will I still be able to have normal delivery, how frequently will I be monitored throughout the pregnancy, what kind of problems with the scar should I be looking out for - the list goes on! The pressure of the ultraound around the location of my scar was actually a lot more painful/sore than I'd anticipated it to be at this stage. I'm going to see the GP this week to get my sick note for work extended - I think the general rule of thumb is that I could go back (albeit taking it easy) but my work is pretty high stress at the moment and I'm concerned about jumping in before I'm ready and also catching the lurgies/cold's/swine flu that I've managed to avoid for so long!!! Has anyone been offered the swine flu vaccine yet? I'd be very interested to hear about it....

  • 27 + 2

    by Coco M on 05 November 2009

    Hi people,

    Been a long time, so thought it was time I updated you all on the goings on of Coco and PrincessMac. At the moment I am absent from work not feeling great atall. Last night I was seen by a doctor as I have had such symtoms as headache, sickness and no feeling in my left hand. After checking everthing over the only thing that showed up was a bladder infection, so I am resting today trying to nurse my continious sore head with paracetamol.

    Lots has happend since my last posting. I turned 24 and got totally spoiled and pampered for the day, my latest bloods came back showing I was anemic so a prescription of ferrous fumrate was advised, Princess Mac has been kicking her Mum with such force I am starting to think I should definitley call her million dollar baby, and we finally ordered the little ones pram which is a babystyle limited edition 3 n 1 which we love! can't wait till she is all snug and wrapped up in her comfortable pram:)

    I am starting to feel like time is flying by so quickly and its not long till she is here, it makes me very anxious as I know when she arrives everything changes. I am so excited to eventually meet the little one but at the same time scared of the pain that will come!

    Sorry my blog is not to exciting today, just feel so under the weather. When I am feeling better I will update you hopefully with a bit mor pzaze!

    Coco x

     

  • 7 weeks to go

    by Littlelouise on 03 November 2009

    Hi Guy’s,

     

    Sorry I haven’t blogged for awhile. I have been really busy and have had a cold so have spent a lot of time in bed (Bliss). Not a lot has happened regarding pregnancy beside the fact I have gotten bigger. When I walk I can feel all the pressure pushing down into my pelvis and it hurts! It can be quite uncomfortable to walk for long periods of time. I am still getting my crippling tummy pains, and Chris is still running round after me like I’m a china doll. I had a smear test at the hospital to try and determined why I keep bleeding, I have since had the results back and I have an infection which is causing the bleeding. There not going to give me medicine, because its not safe for the baby. But I’m assured its normal. Also I have had 3blood tests in the past 3 weeks, my hemoglobin levels are low so there keeping an eye on that.

     

    I have finally bought the pushchair – it’s the toys r us, I love my bear pushchair. I think it made by Graco, its got little bears hanging off the hood. My emotions are going all over the show. I cry at the littlest possible thing and I worry about the smallest detail. Like the nursery being decorated in I Love My bear, I’m obsessed with it. And I have been dust busting galore! Even the cats getting suspicious, of my overly tidy kitchen.

     

    Although it’s a happy and exciting time, I have times when I question if I have done the right thing? If I am ready for a baby to take over my whole entire life? And I feel bad for thinking these things, almost guilty. I catch myself thinking that because peanut is growing inside me, he can somehow hear all my thoughts. However I’m just being silly and getting cold feet.

     

    Till Next Time Folks,

     

    Amy + Peanut

     

    xxx

  • I promised to give details for my surgery to remove the very large ovarian cyst that was discovered at my 12 week scan. Apologies for my many spelling mistakes!

    I was admitted very early in the morning and met with my Consultant who gave me details of the operation which was mainly a bikini line incision and then removal of the cyst. She informed me of the risks, obviously until they got to the cyst they wouldn't know quite what they'd discover and I had to consent to them possibly removing my ovary and or tubes should they be damaged or have formed part of the cyst. The other risks of the operation were just the general you would get with any surgery - infection, damage to other organs but the risks of that happening were low. Obviously there was a risk to the baby but she assured me that was also low. She arranged for me to have another ultrasound prior to the op so they could confirm the position and size of the cyst, although they thought it was unlikely to have changed much since the last scan. I met with the Anaesthologist who explained about the general anaesethic and suggested I have an epidural prior to adminstering the anasethic because this was likely to help with pain relief post surgery since it would keep the area where the incision had been made nice and numb. After answering a lot of my questions I said I was prepared to give it a go. I was taken down for my scan and the Sonographer confirmed the cyst was still there and had potentially increased in size and that it was actually behind my uterus, I got the impression this wasn't be best place for it to be!

    I was taken down at 11am and met the 2 Anaesthologists who would be looking after me during the surgery and administering the epidural. They were both great, very good at reassuring me and keeping me informed about what they were about to do. My legs were shaking uncontrollably but I felt a lot calmer than I imagined I would be. They got me into a crouched position over the bed with my feet on a stool to do the epidural, they numbed with area with local and explained that I would feel pressure but it was up to me to let them know what I felt. The first attempt had me swearing like a trooper and apologising! They said not to worry that they heard far worse on the Labour Ward! I felt like I could feel the needle touching the bone - which it was, and it continued to be pretty hard to get it in. They explained that sometimes it can be tricky but it was obvious I was in some discomfort and I started to feel very faint. After about 8 failed attempts we mutually decided to give up. They told me it didn't necessarily mean that I wouldn't be able to have one during labour and conversations I've had with friends since makes me think there's a big difference having an epidural during labour and having one when you are stone cold sober! They assured me that it wouldn't make too much difference in terms of pain relief. I asked for my hand to be held before they gave me the General and I tried to imagine myself on a nice warm beach with the waves lapping when they told me they were going to do it! I was out like a light and quickly coming round in recovery 2 hours later - I felt ok and discovered I had oxygen through a tube in my nostrils, a cathater (I knew I was going to get one of those!), a morphine drip which I could control and a drip for fluids.

    I was taken back up to the ward and monitored very closely and I didn't feel too bad but I could tell that moving from side to side of up the bed was going to cause pain and be difficult. I'm usually sick after General and was really anxious about that happening because I knew it would hurt but I actually didn't feel too nauseous.  Overnight I had quite a lot pain and I was scared about using too much morphine because of the baby and just because it can make you feel a bit sick and weird. I had some chest pain and really chronic bad ache which was most likely caused by inflation of the stomach during the surgery. The nurses assured me that it was ok to use the morphine and it was better to keep on top of the pain, the more distress I was in the more likely the baby would be distressed and this is something the Pain Management Team reinforced in the morning. The following day I was running a temperature and feeling very dizzy and sick but I managed to drink a bit of water in the evening. I was also incredibly teary, a real mess but I think this is generally quite common after having a General. I was seen by the Doctor who had assisted my Consultant during the surgery he told me that everything had gone well but that the cyst had been really, really huge (and they were so shocked it hadn't caused me pain and bleeding) and it had actually been attached to the back of my womb and part of my bowel which meant it was tricky to remove. He said they had to drain some of it to get it out, unfortunately the cyst had totally engulfed my left ovary and my tube to that ovary was badly twisted so they had to remove it, they checked out my right ovary before doing so and said it looked fine. He  thought that the cyst was most likely benign because it was fluid filled but it would get sent off to the lab for anaylsis. Then we listened to the baby's heartbeat - still a strong 140 - the tears flowed, I've never felt so relieved in all my life!

    Day 3 post surgery and I was determined I was going to get up, have some food and get them to take out the cathater - I felt desparate to have a normal wee!!!! The nurses helped me move very slowly and it was very painful at first but every step got a little easier and I was eventually able to walk up to the dayroom and back without feeling too dizzy. Day 4 I was feeling much better and it was getting a little easier to get myself in and out of bed. The only painkillers I needed was paracetamol and I could take 2 every four hours if I wanted them (and I didn't always feel I needed them.) On Day 5 my Doctor said it was ok to for me to go home if I felt up to it and I did but before I went I had an ultrasound which revealed the little baby doing a major disco dance in my belly - it was a brilliant sight and such a good sign that he/she was so active and obviously adjusting to having more space to move! I was given a large dose of progestrone suppositories to take twice a day for 6 weeks at home and the main reason for this is that the hormone helps keeps the uterus relaxed and can stop early contractions. 

    My midwife visited me at home on Day 6 and was amazed at how well my scar was healing and she took my stitch out for me (not painful at all) and remarked on how like a caesarian scar it looked like - just a little longer. She tested my urine - all fine no blood, protein or sugars and took my blood pressure which was perfect. We listened to the baby's heartbeat again and as my hubby was at home he got to hear it too. I was told recovery would take at least a month and not to lift anything heavy. I'm into week 3 of recovery and am starting to get a bit frustrated at not quite being able to have a normal day yet but my scar is looking good and I think i might have felt a few baby movements. I have my 20 week scan in 2 weeks time and i cannot wait to know that the baby is doing ok....!

  • Hi there, this is my first post and I've never blogged before.  I'm Sarah and I'm 36 and expecting my first baby at the end of March. Was very shocked and excited to discover I was pregnant in July, I had convinced my hubby it would take at least a year for it to happen but everything happened very, very quickly (cue a lot of 'oh my God' from the hubby!) Initially I was knackered and had nausea on and off (but was never actually sick) but on the whole I felt ok, apart from catching every single cold/virus that seemed to be going around including a nasty bladder infection that I had to take antibotics for. I was really looking forward to my 12 week scan and seeing the baby  - finally, everything was going to start feeling real! I was really nervous but hubby and I saw the baby straight away and the sonographer pointed out the heartbeat - it was an amazing moment. As the sonographer began to measure the baby he told us that I was more likely 13 and bit weeks pregnant and then he spotted something else..... nestled next to the baby was a cyst of huge proportions 15cm long x 17 cm wide and about 8cm deep, it looked like a white mass up on the screen. We were reffered to the Sister on the unit straight away who booked us in to the see the Consultant early the following week, she asked if I had any pain or bleeding (which I hadn't) and explained it was not uncommon for ovarian cysts (which is what it most likely was) to be detected during pregnancy and that in the majority of cases the cysts are just monitored but in some cases they can cause pain due to rupturing or twisting, but she assured us not to worry.

    I did a little research at home on ovarian cysts and didn't find much (which is part of the reason for writing this blog so others in the same boat can find some info) but it became clear that the size might be a problem - it seems in this case - big is definitely not better! My hubby and I composed a list of questions to ask the Consultant. We went to the appointment and waited nervously I was them examined by a doctor who measured the height of the fundus which was pretty large for 13 weeks and he explained that may be down to the cyst pushing everything upwards, we listened to the baby's heartbeat (nice and strong at 140) and then we met the Consultant - she explained that my cyst was just too big to leave and that cysts of that size (unlike some of the smaller ones) are unlikely to go down and that with something of that size the risk of it twisting and/or rupturing causing pain (which would send you to A&E and could bring on miscarriage or early labour) was high. She explained that it would be much harder to deal with the cyst later on in pregnancy and that she would recommend surgery to remove it quickly. The surgery would be under general anasethic and there would be minimal risk to the baby.  She said she wanted to operate within the next 2 weeks!

    We left the hospital in a bit of a blur trying to process what we'd discovered. I was very upset at the prospect of facing an operation but it really didn't sound like I had much choice - the risks just seemed too high and if I opted not to have surgery it would be potentially like living with a ticking time bomb - always worrying and never knowing when or if it was going to go off. I got my surgery date for the following week and was admitted 16 weeks pregnant to have the operation.... surgery details to follow!!!!!!!!

  • I haven't blogged for a while - I could blame the fact that I've been busy or maybe it was the dog that ate my homework.  Unfortunately, the real reason is that I've been lacking inspiration as I feel like nothing has really been happening. Nothing. Nada. Zero. Zilch!  I'm now 18 weeks pregnant and I feel really, really good.  In fact, I feel so good that, at times, I've even begun to doubt the fact that I'm still pregnant!  I'd totally forgotten about this ‘in between' stage of pregnancy, where nothing really happens and you're basically desperate to move onto the next stage! 

    It's now six weeks since my scan and five weeks since my last appointment with the midwife. All my friends and family now know about the impending arrival and well, it just feels like we're playing the waiting game now.  

     

    Looking back to my last pregnancy, I remember this stage all too well. The initial excitement has settled, you're over the hideous symptoms of the first few months and all you feel is, well quite frankly, a little fat!! I've been finding myself desperate for someone to notice my bump and ask, "Ooh, are you pregnant?". I even find myself rubbing my little pot belly as some sort of outward sign to people that says, "I'm pregnant, not fat!". I have lost count of the number of times that I've asked my poor husband whether he can actually see my bump yet!! And, the obsessive comparing of bumps has already started - not only with other people's, but also with myself the first time around! This was the point at which, last time around, I decided that I really needed to wear maternity clothes - of course, I really didn't, but I was just so eager for the 'next milestone'. This time around however, I am delaying the wearing of maternity gear as long as possible!! 

     

    Over the last week, I've literally driven myself crazy with worry about whether I really am still pregnant or not! I ran through the reasons for and against and there are still definitely more reasons to believe that Pip is coming along nicely. The fact that my skin itches so much and I appear to have the teenage acne that I missed out on when I was 14 are definitely clear signs that I'm still pregnant, as are they 'out of control' hormones that make me cry in the middle of the supermarket for absolutely no reason whatsoever! I'm also convinced that I've started feeling Pip's underwater ballet practice, which is very reassuring! 

     

    So, it's back to the waiting game for me! At least I can look forward to an appointment with the midwife next week and the scan a couple of weeks after that. The crazy thing is that, as I remember all too well, in a couple of months I'll be looking back at this and just thinking how lucky I was to feel great, full of energy and not limited to maternity clothes that are the size of tents! I guess that's one of the things about being pregnant - you're always eager to move onto the next stage as you know it's going to be one step closer to meeting your little baby!

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  • When I was pregnant the first time, I read a fantastic book that talked about the funnier side of pregnancy (apparently there is one!!). One of the things that amused me, was the observation that all baby books, emails, websites etc always describe your growing baby in relation to a fruit or vegetable. I guess on some level it makes sense, but all it's doing right now is making me hungry!! So, my weekly pregnancy email arrives and this week, Pip is a turnip.....hmmmh. Then why, without wanting to sound too much like a certain character from Dirty Dancing, do I feel like I'm carrying a Water Melon?!

     

    Could it be something to do with the fact that I seem to have found my long lost appetite this week? I don't know where its been hiding, but it's back with avengeance - I officially have the hunger of the beast! The same email update goes on to say that Pip will go through a huge growth spurt over the next few weeks. I guess it's just my body's way of telling me that Pip needs lots of energy to grow (Baby LOVES chocolate ;o)!!). 

     

    In an effort to make sure that, unlike Pip, I don't double in size over the next few weeks, I'm hitting the gym three times a week. Well, when I say hitting, it's more of a tickle, but at least it's something! I'm actually writing this after a spin class. After being an exercise junkie my whole life, it's quite strange doing exercise classes when pregnant. I couldn't help but feel a little relieved as I was told to take it at my own pace. Whilst those around me turned bright red and sat in a pool of their own sweat, I was trundling along like I was taking a gentle ride in the park with a bunch of flowers in my front basket!

     

    Still, as I said, it's better than nothing and how am I rewarding myself? With a HUGE jacket potato and cheese, followed by something deliciously sweet, of course!!

     

     

  • Stress!

    by Littlelouise on 09 October 2009

    Is it Genetic! Why are men so thoughtless? Chris seems to have taken on the attitude “so what your now 29weeks pregnant, we can still move from a one bedroom flat to a 3 bedroom house, in a matter of days!” So whilst im sitting hear at work stressing out about the whole situation, Chris and friends are moving the contents of the flat. Not Happy! Hump!

     

    Other than that, things have been progressing at a normal rate, had my midwife appt yesterday. Found I have lost half a stone (so that gives me a excuse to eat more cheese burgers lol) I had two have my blood test taken as my midwife forgot to do it at my last appt. I have also been given dates for my antenatal classes. Which I am in two minds about attending, some people have said there brilliant, others have said it’s a complete waste of time. What do you think?

     

    I have actually got a push chair, and a car seat, the cosytoe, the rocker and the music machine thing for the side of the cot. Trust me all you first time mummys, you may be feeling completely not ready know, that includes mentally, but when you have all the stuff, the fear of whats to come starts to subside a little. 

     

    I have been getting an acid feeling at the back of my throat for the past week or so, mainly in the evenings although its bearable, it can get a little annoying.

     

    Not really alot else to report at the moment, feeling more human than I have done in the past 6 months. Which is brilliant!!!

     

    So bye for know.

     

    Amy and Peanut! xx

  • 23 weeks.

    by Coco M on 06 October 2009

    Hey everyone, I have not wrote in a few days as I think my muse has been missing. But here I am, going to update you on the last few days after my little break down on Friday night.

    Firstly my bump has grew with epic poportions, everyone else is still saying I am very neat but suddenly I feel very very pregnant, and to be honest its getting me down. I long for my pre impregnanted body back as I am starting to feel quite weighed down and uncomfortable, especially when the foot does not seem to be getting much better, making travelling to work a task within itself. The little one has took up a sport allready of kicking, punching and head butting me in the ribs and while it is not painful it sure takes the old breath away!

    The last few days have been pretty quiet with a visit to my Nana on Sunday being the highlight of the weekend. Then it was back to work on Monday which proved to be another sluggish day. Today perked up a good deal with my work taking us all out for a two hour lunch at The Ivory nothing can cheer a pregnant woman up like free food and a two hour lunch let me tell you.

    I have been thinking instead of taking my maternity leave at the end of December I am going to push it forward to the beginning as I know by that point the travelling will start to annoy me plus it gives me plenty of time to get things ready for "Million dollar baby". Also in Coco pregnancy land I think I may have found my first strech mark, which is located on my right boob there I thought I may escape the little blighters!

    So all in all I'm are plodding along (literally) trying to get on with things till I feel blooming again.

    Coco x

  • I've had a virus for over two weeks now: sore throat, cough, feeling tired, no energy and I'm so fed up with it. I went back to the doctor yesterday and he said that your immune system is lowered during pregnancy so it often takes longer for your body to fight these things off. There's nothing I can do that I'm not already doing and no drugs I can take. Just have to sit tight and be patient (not my strong point). So its more hot lemon and honey, echinacea and early nights for me then.

    Spent the entire night wriggling around trying to get comfortable, punctuated by nose blowing, getting up to pee and taking sips of water to easer the sore throat. I'm so tired. I suppose its all good preparation for the disturbed nights to come when Baby Taylor arrives.... but being so tired is making work a real effort.

    On the birth preparation front, I'm going to try and get hold of my medical notes from having my first baby, I was living abroad at the time and its going to be tricky seeing if I can get them. Apparently how dilated I got is of great significance in trying to predict how this next birth is likely to go. I can't remember, its all such a blur, but if I didn't get very dilated, then it might be better to go the elective ceasar route. So I'll see if I can contact the hospital this week.

     

     

  • So, here I am...15 weeks pregnant, very excited, FINALLY feeling human again and most of all wondering how I start this blog and capture everything that’s happened in the last four months since this adventure began.

    My first baby was two last week – not such a baby anymore!  G (my lovely hubby) and I spent the day at the Zoo with friends and family and, as you would expect, I spent quite a few quiet moments reminiscing about last time – the pregnancy, the birth and the fab times we’ve had over the last two years.  My first pregnancy was fantastic – I was in great health, I exercised throughout and felt generally great....that was until labour started!

    After such a great nine months, the labour and birth was quite a shock and most certainly didn’t go to plan.  Looking back, I was quite idealistic about pregnancy and wanted everything to be perfect – yoga, birthing balls, TENS machines, minimal pain relief, water birth, an angel baby – S had other ideas!  The reality couldn’t have been more different.  After a long labour that failed to progress, the little one became distressed and it all ended with an emergency C-section – thankfully all was OK though.  I think that the first time around taught me that, no matter how much I prepare, you really can’t control what will happen and you need to go with the flow and keep an open mind.  As long as everyone is well, then none of the other stuff really matters!

    With that in mind, we found out that we were expecting baby number two, Pip, in the middle of July.  After several months of trying (and probably about 100 pregnancy tests later!) this was just fantastic news.  Unlike the first time around, I have been plagued with sickness – pretty much from morning till night – and could barely eat for several weeks.  The nausea cleared, only to be replaced with total exhaustion!  I think I survived on a diet of brown rice, potatoes (any variety), milkshakes, skinny lattes and lunchtime naps (when S was sleeping) for the first three months!  Thankfully, all of that has now passed and I’m feeling really well.  The fact that my early pregnancy symptoms have been so different this time around means that everyone is predicting that Pip is a little boy.....we shall see!

    Despite the fact that we’ve been through this before, we were still filled with anxiety before the 12 week scan.  I’ll never forget the panic that rushes through your body as you’re waiting for the sonographer to find something in there......waiting....waiting.....waiting.....there is the little heartbeat .....and your baby!  Unlike S, who was doing constant somersaults at her 12 week scan (she’s still a show off to this day!), Pip was fast asleep and cosily curled up.  We had to try everything to wake him / her – walking, jumping, prodding and finally a glass of very cold water!  The cold water treatment did the trick and the sonographer was able to get the measurements she needed and delivered the good news that Pip was a healthy baby!  Off we trotted with our black and white pictures to share the good news!

    And that brings us to today – sitting here, writing this blog and wondering what lies ahead.  At the moment, I’m focusing on staying healthy - trying to exercise and eat well (and control the weight gain!).  I know that there are some big decisions ahead (c section or natural birth, whether to find out the sex, and very importantly, what type of buggy to go for ;o)!), but thankfully, we don’t have to think about that for a while yet!

  • Friday night

    by Coco M on 02 October 2009

    Why is it sometimes when you are pregnant you feel like you are the most alone person in the world? Thats how I feel tonight, don't really know what to say tonight my minds is a bit cloudy. Maybe its the hormones again as I have just spent the last few hours crying. First of all I cried when I could not open a tin off sphagetti hoops, then I continued to cry in the bath, then I cried because I felt like I missed my mum and I just felt like packing my things and going back to my mums where everything seemed alot less complicated. Then there are the feelings of feeling ugly and like the world is being pulled from under my feet. Now I have given myself a headache. Ahhh I could scream I don't know what the hell my problem is.

    There has been times in this pregnancy I have felt like I was loosing my mind or lost my mind one of the two, Its not all stroking bumps and glowing skin, sometimes I am so scared, scared of what I am loosing and scared of what the future holds and then feel guilty for doing so. Is this normal?

    I wish I could just turn the switch in my mind off, maybe I should go to bed and just give up.oh what a mess I am.

     

     

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