Monday, July 4, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Not great news
We went to see the obstetrician today for our 36wk checkup (I'm 36w4d) and he did his usual quick scan. But it wasn't great news. She was measuring about 4 weeks behind on his little machine. S0 we cut short the rest of the appointment and he rang and got us in for a scan at the womens ultrasound place straight away. He told us not to panic, but of course I started crying when he said I needed an ultrasound straight away. I was trying very hard not to! Anyway drove to the ultrasound place and they fitted us in after a couple of minutes wait. So tense.
The ultrasound lady was lovely. But the baby is definitely measuring behind. Her head and limbs are measuring at around 33 weeks (3 weeks behind) and her tummy at around 32 weeks (4 weeks behind). Her blood flow and heart were looking really good though. So a smaller tummy usually indicates that the placenta is not working properly and she is not getting enough nutrition. Sometime it apparently starts breaking down before it makes it to 40 weeks and this is what has probably happened. According to the ultrasound she is about 2.1kg or about 4lbs12oz. So little. The good news is that we got to (finally) confirm that she is a she (I've been worrying that she is going to turn out to be a he). Plus we got some good ultrasound photos at last...
So next step is to go into the hospital on Sunday to be hooked up and baby monitored for a little while. If I feel decreased movement over the weekend I am to go in to get checked. Then we have a follow-up appointment with the obstetrician on Monday arvo to discuss what the plan is. On the phone he said the most likely scenario is that I will be induced probably next week. Eeeeeeek! Don't feel mentally prepared for this at all, but at the same time I am very excited to have our baby out early.
Will keep you posted...
The ultrasound lady was lovely. But the baby is definitely measuring behind. Her head and limbs are measuring at around 33 weeks (3 weeks behind) and her tummy at around 32 weeks (4 weeks behind). Her blood flow and heart were looking really good though. So a smaller tummy usually indicates that the placenta is not working properly and she is not getting enough nutrition. Sometime it apparently starts breaking down before it makes it to 40 weeks and this is what has probably happened. According to the ultrasound she is about 2.1kg or about 4lbs12oz. So little. The good news is that we got to (finally) confirm that she is a she (I've been worrying that she is going to turn out to be a he). Plus we got some good ultrasound photos at last...
So next step is to go into the hospital on Sunday to be hooked up and baby monitored for a little while. If I feel decreased movement over the weekend I am to go in to get checked. Then we have a follow-up appointment with the obstetrician on Monday arvo to discuss what the plan is. On the phone he said the most likely scenario is that I will be induced probably next week. Eeeeeeek! Don't feel mentally prepared for this at all, but at the same time I am very excited to have our baby out early.
Will keep you posted...
Monday, June 27, 2011
1st day of maternity leave!
Well I never ever thought I would actually be able to say "I'm on maternity leave" but it has finally come around! I was so excited not to have to get up to go to work this morning. Mind you I woke at 6:30 so not an ideal sleep in for my first official day of mat leave (esp after I didn't actually get to sleep til after 3:00). But I can have a nanna nap if I choose to!
I'll be 36 weeks tomorrow, so she is due to arrive in around four weeks. I feel very blessed that I get paid maternity leave. I feel very happy right now.
I am finding it hard to do much relaxing though. I've made a list of things I want to get done before bubs arrives and I just want to get everything crossed off ASAP. Most are chores around the house, like cleaning the windows inside and out, making curtains for the nursery cleaning out cupboards and scrubbing floors that have been left too long between washes. Housework hasn't been my No 1 priority over the last 8 months and it shows! My gorgeous DH is pretty good, he'll run the vacuum around and cook meals, but he doesn't often think to clean the bathrooms or wipe out the fridge or dust, or those kind of things. So catch up time! I'm really looking forward to having a sparkling clean house in a few weeks time (gonna take it slow!). Apart from that, planning to catch up with friends for leisurely lunches, have my cut and foils, animals to the vets for their now overdue shots, a stroll or two along the beach and hopefully a bit of lazing around reading time. I could get used to this!
Next appointment is Friday with the obstetrician. Really looking forward to a quick scan to make sure she is still cooking nicely and growing well. Then I'm onto weekly visits, alternating with the midwives, so I'll get my scan fix every 2 weeks instead of monthly. Not that there will be many more I suppose since I'm due in a month. Still feeling pretty good, except sleeping has become a bit of a non-event some nights. My hips, partcularly my right one, have become quite achey and they are worst when I am lying down. I am also like a bit of a stranded whale in bed, it takes a lot of effort and some considerable pain to roll over. DH has a quiet giggle at my expense, but you have to keep your sense of humour about it! We've finished our antenatal classes now. I still have the breastfeeding class next week. We're also going to calmbirth classes this Sunday and next, both full days. I'm hoping they will really help ease my anxiety about the upcoming birth. DH is worried it's going to be too much "hippie shit" as he puts it. But I'll try anything that might help me manage the pain and stress thanks!
I'll be 36 weeks tomorrow, so she is due to arrive in around four weeks. I feel very blessed that I get paid maternity leave. I feel very happy right now.
I am finding it hard to do much relaxing though. I've made a list of things I want to get done before bubs arrives and I just want to get everything crossed off ASAP. Most are chores around the house, like cleaning the windows inside and out, making curtains for the nursery cleaning out cupboards and scrubbing floors that have been left too long between washes. Housework hasn't been my No 1 priority over the last 8 months and it shows! My gorgeous DH is pretty good, he'll run the vacuum around and cook meals, but he doesn't often think to clean the bathrooms or wipe out the fridge or dust, or those kind of things. So catch up time! I'm really looking forward to having a sparkling clean house in a few weeks time (gonna take it slow!). Apart from that, planning to catch up with friends for leisurely lunches, have my cut and foils, animals to the vets for their now overdue shots, a stroll or two along the beach and hopefully a bit of lazing around reading time. I could get used to this!
Next appointment is Friday with the obstetrician. Really looking forward to a quick scan to make sure she is still cooking nicely and growing well. Then I'm onto weekly visits, alternating with the midwives, so I'll get my scan fix every 2 weeks instead of monthly. Not that there will be many more I suppose since I'm due in a month. Still feeling pretty good, except sleeping has become a bit of a non-event some nights. My hips, partcularly my right one, have become quite achey and they are worst when I am lying down. I am also like a bit of a stranded whale in bed, it takes a lot of effort and some considerable pain to roll over. DH has a quiet giggle at my expense, but you have to keep your sense of humour about it! We've finished our antenatal classes now. I still have the breastfeeding class next week. We're also going to calmbirth classes this Sunday and next, both full days. I'm hoping they will really help ease my anxiety about the upcoming birth. DH is worried it's going to be too much "hippie shit" as he puts it. But I'll try anything that might help me manage the pain and stress thanks!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Cruisin' along
Well not a whole lot to tell you about, but I just wanted to say that I am feeling so happy about this pregnancy and life right now. Last night I woke up during the night and then suddenly realised "That's right, I'm pregnant!". It was the weirdest feeling and I was so so overjoyed to remember I am pregnant. I lay in bed grinning to myself in the dark.
I had an appointment with my obstetrician yesterday and everything is looking great. Little M has turned around and is now head down, so hoping she stays that way. She's still relatively high in my uterus, but that's ok. She was measuring spot on and was madly wiggling as he measured her. She has been moving a lot and I love feeling her move, although sometimes it makes me feel a little queasy when she rolls around. I am getting less kicks and more rolling, wiggling type feelings, so I guess space is a little tight in there. I've been getting mild indigestion at night, but have been usually sleeping really well. I am really appreciating that I can sleep, I know so many other women struggle with sleep through their pregnancies. My belly is starting to get a bit painful. It's usually fine at the start of the day, but by about lunchtime I feel like I've done a few too many sit-ups and by the end of the day it is really quite sore. But it's normally ok when I'm sitting or lying, just a bit uncomfortable to stand and walk around. Overall though, I think I'm faring pretty well and I really can't complain.
Tonight is our first antenatal class...I think I'm mostly looking forward to it?
I had an appointment with my obstetrician yesterday and everything is looking great. Little M has turned around and is now head down, so hoping she stays that way. She's still relatively high in my uterus, but that's ok. She was measuring spot on and was madly wiggling as he measured her. She has been moving a lot and I love feeling her move, although sometimes it makes me feel a little queasy when she rolls around. I am getting less kicks and more rolling, wiggling type feelings, so I guess space is a little tight in there. I've been getting mild indigestion at night, but have been usually sleeping really well. I am really appreciating that I can sleep, I know so many other women struggle with sleep through their pregnancies. My belly is starting to get a bit painful. It's usually fine at the start of the day, but by about lunchtime I feel like I've done a few too many sit-ups and by the end of the day it is really quite sore. But it's normally ok when I'm sitting or lying, just a bit uncomfortable to stand and walk around. Overall though, I think I'm faring pretty well and I really can't complain.
Tonight is our first antenatal class...I think I'm mostly looking forward to it?
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Getting closer
Well I've finally hit 30 weeks, actually now I'm, 30+5. I'm very almost into the single digit countdown. I seem to be cruising through, without any major dramas (touch wood). My belly is still not humongous, it's quite small really and I still have to tell some people that I'm pregnant as they haven't realised from just looking at me.
I've had two appointments since I last wrote, one with the obs and one with the midwife. My blood test results were all very good - no gestational diabetes and blood count was high (whatever that means). My obs did a quick scan and measured Little M's head to check how she was growing. She has fallen a little bit more behind, but he wasn't worried at all, so I'm not worrying either. She'd actually measuring 2 weeks behind if you go by my ivf dates, but only 1 week behind if you go by my 12wk and 20wk scan dates (which is The Due Date that is used). At my midwife appointment last week, my fundal height had increased since the last measurement, blood pressure was good and her heart was beating away nicely at 144bpm.
I also had to see the GP late last week because I have a lovely cold and need a medical certificate to have a sick day off work. Glad I went because it turns out I actually have an infected sinus on one side so am now on antibiotics. I also mentioned to him that my nephew has chicken pox and so then I had to have a blood test done to check I am immune. I am, so all good there.
My trip to Cairns went pretty well. I was dreading the flights up and back, but they weren't too bad. I normally get really bad Restless Legs Syndrome within 15 minutes of being on a plane, but weirdly I didn't get it at all for any of my flights this time. The meeting was as expected, I've come back with quite a few follow-ups to complete as usual. My friend came and picked me up on the Thursday arvo and then I spent three nights with her and her family up in the Tablelands. I can't say it was super-relaxing, as she has a 7yo, 5yo and 18mth old, all who were competing for my attention. We did get to do a bit of sight-seeing and it was lovely spending some time together. I missed my DH incredibly and spent the whole time wishing he was there with me. I hate being apart from him even for one day, pathetic I know. I'm even missing him right now, even though he is in the next room sleeping after night shift.
The big event of the past week was my Baby Shower. We decided to hold it before my mum (and dad) left for their 100 day trip to mainland Australia (they went two days ago). So we had it last Wednesday night. I've never even been to a baby shower, so I was a bit nervous. My sister organised it all, with a bit of help from my MIL. She was nervous too as she'd never been to one either and now she was organising one! I think we had about 20 people there, a big mix with a few people who didn't know many others. My dear friend tasivfer was very brave to come along, since she knew no one at all. I know it was probably very hard for her and I really appreciated having her there. I invited two friends whose husbands work with my husband. I didn't know until they turned up that they weren't talking to each other...hmmm, slightly uncomfortable (and childish?), but I didn't let it worry me.
So we played a few games (quickest/neatest cloth nappy on a teddy, longest list of baby-related words, collecting the most paperclips by claiming them off someone who said the word 'baby', recalling the most baby items on a tray) and ate and drank and of course opened the presents. To be honest, I was totally embarrassed by the number of presents I received. The table was groaning under the weight of baskets, bags and packages and it took me a fair time to unwrap them all. I had wanted to write "no presents" on the invite, but my sister and MIL wouldn't let me. I was given a great array of gifts, including teddy bears, dolls, books, puzzles, nappies, wipes, baby powder, baby lotions and potions, lamp, clothes, wraps, toys, coathangers, bath thermometer, bibs, blankets, sunscreens for the car, nail clippers, hairbrush and comb, booties, washers, beanies and socks. Totally spoilt.
Next exciting things on the horizon are starting our antenatal classes on 1 June. I'm actually looking forward to them. I have also booked in to do the Calmbirth course as well. This is because I am pretty nervous about the whole labour and birth thing and not sure how I'm going to cope. So me being me, I want to equip myself with as much info and tools as possible to use. The calmbirth classes use visualisation, relaxation and breathing techniques to help you cope with labour. Sounds a bit airy fairy, but I've had several mummies recommend it to me and I'm willing to try anything.
I've had two appointments since I last wrote, one with the obs and one with the midwife. My blood test results were all very good - no gestational diabetes and blood count was high (whatever that means). My obs did a quick scan and measured Little M's head to check how she was growing. She has fallen a little bit more behind, but he wasn't worried at all, so I'm not worrying either. She'd actually measuring 2 weeks behind if you go by my ivf dates, but only 1 week behind if you go by my 12wk and 20wk scan dates (which is The Due Date that is used). At my midwife appointment last week, my fundal height had increased since the last measurement, blood pressure was good and her heart was beating away nicely at 144bpm.
I also had to see the GP late last week because I have a lovely cold and need a medical certificate to have a sick day off work. Glad I went because it turns out I actually have an infected sinus on one side so am now on antibiotics. I also mentioned to him that my nephew has chicken pox and so then I had to have a blood test done to check I am immune. I am, so all good there.
My 3D scan was a bit disappointing after all the 
anticipation. Little M was facing my back, head up, kind of curled up in a ball. She had her hands and arms over her face for all of the scan except for about 4 seconds. The images were quite distorted, so we didn't get any good pics at all. I'm not sure if they were distorted because I'm overweight or for other reasons. Anyway, apart from getting crappy images, it was lovely to see her moving around, even though she just appeared as a blobby thing. This is the best picture we got and it was in the brief few seconds that she moved her arms away from her head.
anticipation. Little M was facing my back, head up, kind of curled up in a ball. She had her hands and arms over her face for all of the scan except for about 4 seconds. The images were quite distorted, so we didn't get any good pics at all. I'm not sure if they were distorted because I'm overweight or for other reasons. Anyway, apart from getting crappy images, it was lovely to see her moving around, even though she just appeared as a blobby thing. This is the best picture we got and it was in the brief few seconds that she moved her arms away from her head.My trip to Cairns went pretty well. I was dreading the flights up and back, but they weren't too bad. I normally get really bad Restless Legs Syndrome within 15 minutes of being on a plane, but weirdly I didn't get it at all for any of my flights this time. The meeting was as expected, I've come back with quite a few follow-ups to complete as usual. My friend came and picked me up on the Thursday arvo and then I spent three nights with her and her family up in the Tablelands. I can't say it was super-relaxing, as she has a 7yo, 5yo and 18mth old, all who were competing for my attention. We did get to do a bit of sight-seeing and it was lovely spending some time together. I missed my DH incredibly and spent the whole time wishing he was there with me. I hate being apart from him even for one day, pathetic I know. I'm even missing him right now, even though he is in the next room sleeping after night shift.
The big event of the past week was my Baby Shower. We decided to hold it before my mum (and dad) left for their 100 day trip to mainland Australia (they went two days ago). So we had it last Wednesday night. I've never even been to a baby shower, so I was a bit nervous. My sister organised it all, with a bit of help from my MIL. She was nervous too as she'd never been to one either and now she was organising one! I think we had about 20 people there, a big mix with a few people who didn't know many others. My dear friend tasivfer was very brave to come along, since she knew no one at all. I know it was probably very hard for her and I really appreciated having her there. I invited two friends whose husbands work with my husband. I didn't know until they turned up that they weren't talking to each other...hmmm, slightly uncomfortable (and childish?), but I didn't let it worry me.
So we played a few games (quickest/neatest cloth nappy on a teddy, longest list of baby-related words, collecting the most paperclips by claiming them off someone who said the word 'baby', recalling the most baby items on a tray) and ate and drank and of course opened the presents. To be honest, I was totally embarrassed by the number of presents I received. The table was groaning under the weight of baskets, bags and packages and it took me a fair time to unwrap them all. I had wanted to write "no presents" on the invite, but my sister and MIL wouldn't let me. I was given a great array of gifts, including teddy bears, dolls, books, puzzles, nappies, wipes, baby powder, baby lotions and potions, lamp, clothes, wraps, toys, coathangers, bath thermometer, bibs, blankets, sunscreens for the car, nail clippers, hairbrush and comb, booties, washers, beanies and socks. Totally spoilt.
Next exciting things on the horizon are starting our antenatal classes on 1 June. I'm actually looking forward to them. I have also booked in to do the Calmbirth course as well. This is because I am pretty nervous about the whole labour and birth thing and not sure how I'm going to cope. So me being me, I want to equip myself with as much info and tools as possible to use. The calmbirth classes use visualisation, relaxation and breathing techniques to help you cope with labour. Sounds a bit airy fairy, but I've had several mummies recommend it to me and I'm willing to try anything.
My other big milestone is finishing work. I have five weeks left and cannot wait to finish up. Lots to do in that five weeks though. Eeek, getting toward the exciting and nerve-wracking pointy end!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Third trimester!
Well I've finally made it to the third trimester, I'm 27 weeks today. Sorry to whinge, but time is going oh so slowly!! I friends online with a group of girls who are all due in July and most of them say how quickly their pregnancies are passing by. I just feel like I have been pregnant for a year already.
But everything is going well. I had a scheduled visit to the midwife three weeks ago, and she said everything was looking perfect. My next appointment is with my obs next week. I'm looking forward to a quick scan on his fuzzy machine as you miss out on that when you see the midwife. I had the glucose test for diabetes last week, so I'll get those results back too.
My belly finally popped out and now I look pregnant at last. I'm struggling to find comfortable maternity pant. My favourite item of clothing at the moment is my maternity trackpants, they are so comfortable. I get sad when they are in the wash and can't wear them when I get home! I have two pairs of maternity jeans that seem to fall down when I am standing up and walking around, bu they almost cut me in half when I sit down. My work trousers are a bit the same.
We're having a 3D scan just for fun in 11 days. I can't wait to see her again. But I'm really nervous to see that she is actually a girl. What if they got it wrong and it's a little boy?? We have so many pink clothes already!!!
Then in 13 days I'm off to Cairns for a week. I have a 3-day work meeting, which I'm not particularly looking forward to. It's not one that you can sit back and relax. I'm the Tassie rep and I need to be on my toes all the time as it's a very interactive meeting. But what I really am looking forward to is catching up with one of my dear friends and her family afterwards. They live about an hour from Cairns so they're going to come and pick me up after the meeting finishes and I'll spend 3 nights with them. I'm sure it will be full-on as she has three very lively girls all under 7, but it's going to be awesome. I miss her a lot.
Now I must get back to my assignment. This is last assignment I have to complete for my course and it is killing me! I set aside Easter to do it (it's already late and I have an extension) but I was hoping to have it done before then. But I've spent a large majority of Easter procrastinating over it and today is the last day of Easter and I still have 3000 words to write. I'm so annoyed with myself!
But everything is going well. I had a scheduled visit to the midwife three weeks ago, and she said everything was looking perfect. My next appointment is with my obs next week. I'm looking forward to a quick scan on his fuzzy machine as you miss out on that when you see the midwife. I had the glucose test for diabetes last week, so I'll get those results back too.
My belly finally popped out and now I look pregnant at last. I'm struggling to find comfortable maternity pant. My favourite item of clothing at the moment is my maternity trackpants, they are so comfortable. I get sad when they are in the wash and can't wear them when I get home! I have two pairs of maternity jeans that seem to fall down when I am standing up and walking around, bu they almost cut me in half when I sit down. My work trousers are a bit the same.
We're having a 3D scan just for fun in 11 days. I can't wait to see her again. But I'm really nervous to see that she is actually a girl. What if they got it wrong and it's a little boy?? We have so many pink clothes already!!!
Then in 13 days I'm off to Cairns for a week. I have a 3-day work meeting, which I'm not particularly looking forward to. It's not one that you can sit back and relax. I'm the Tassie rep and I need to be on my toes all the time as it's a very interactive meeting. But what I really am looking forward to is catching up with one of my dear friends and her family afterwards. They live about an hour from Cairns so they're going to come and pick me up after the meeting finishes and I'll spend 3 nights with them. I'm sure it will be full-on as she has three very lively girls all under 7, but it's going to be awesome. I miss her a lot.
Now I must get back to my assignment. This is last assignment I have to complete for my course and it is killing me! I set aside Easter to do it (it's already late and I have an extension) but I was hoping to have it done before then. But I've spent a large majority of Easter procrastinating over it and today is the last day of Easter and I still have 3000 words to write. I'm so annoyed with myself!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
well overdue catchup!
Yes, I've been totally slack in catching up.
All is well! I'm now 22w5d. My 20week scan was fantastic, although I did get put back 6 days as Little M was measuring a little small. But still looking absolutely fine. And we got to find out the sex, and its a GIRL! We're thrilled. The same day we had the scan we also had an appointment to book in at the hospital and have a tour. It was a bit scary, but great at the same time. So we're all booked in!
My last appointment with the obs was when I was 20w. Just the usual, nothing too exciting. Had a quick scan with the grainy scanner and all still looked good. That night I felt the first kick! It was an amazing feeling and still blows me away every time I feel her move. DH felt her move for the first time this week, he was stoked.
Stuff, we've been buying and being given lots of baby stuff. We have a pram, a bassinet, a baby bath, cot blankets and sheets, nappies, playmat and baby monitor. The MIL has bought us a cot and heaps of little pink clothes. Must admit that we've bought quite a few little pink clothes ourselves. My gorgeous sister is making a quilt that will hang on the wall and be used when she grows up a bit. Mum is knitting cute little cardigans and is going to buy us a change table. Feeling very spoilt!
My belly still hasn't grown all that much. I can still fit into my normal clothes although they are getting tight. I must take up the hems on my maternity work pants as my normal ones are now really uncomfortable. I'm hating work at the moment, just can't wait to be on maternity leave. Wish time would pass quicker!
All is well! I'm now 22w5d. My 20week scan was fantastic, although I did get put back 6 days as Little M was measuring a little small. But still looking absolutely fine. And we got to find out the sex, and its a GIRL! We're thrilled. The same day we had the scan we also had an appointment to book in at the hospital and have a tour. It was a bit scary, but great at the same time. So we're all booked in!
My last appointment with the obs was when I was 20w. Just the usual, nothing too exciting. Had a quick scan with the grainy scanner and all still looked good. That night I felt the first kick! It was an amazing feeling and still blows me away every time I feel her move. DH felt her move for the first time this week, he was stoked.
Stuff, we've been buying and being given lots of baby stuff. We have a pram, a bassinet, a baby bath, cot blankets and sheets, nappies, playmat and baby monitor. The MIL has bought us a cot and heaps of little pink clothes. Must admit that we've bought quite a few little pink clothes ourselves. My gorgeous sister is making a quilt that will hang on the wall and be used when she grows up a bit. Mum is knitting cute little cardigans and is going to buy us a change table. Feeling very spoilt!
My belly still hasn't grown all that much. I can still fit into my normal clothes although they are getting tight. I must take up the hems on my maternity work pants as my normal ones are now really uncomfortable. I'm hating work at the moment, just can't wait to be on maternity leave. Wish time would pass quicker!
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