More of the same this week. Aches, pains and tiredness. Darren has been sleeping in the spare room so both of us get the chance of a good night's sleep.
Saw the midwife on Wednesday, and all is good. Infact, she said my blood pressure was perfect and my urine sample was the clearest she'd ever seen. I might as well be as proud of that as anything else!
The baby's heartbeat was really clear and strong, and it was great to hear it.
Got my MatB1 form and have informed work I will be leaving on 5th May - a week before the section is planned on the 12th. I'm hoping a week will be enough to do last minute panicking and rushing about. Actually, I am really hoping to have a week off from everything and enjoy a couple of days peace while Stefan is in the nursery.
Stefan and I went swimming on Thursday in Westgates hydrotherapy pool. It was brilliant - like taking an extra big, extra warm bath! I was really surprised at how confident Stefan was in the water. He was even standing on the side and jumping in. I was very impressed for a 21 month old. I had to keep my wits about me though, as he was showing no fear, whether I was watching or not, he just threw himself in.
Even though I had a good report from the midwife, I've still had a couple of sleepless nights when I've been pacing the living room trying to feel the baby kick. It was very quiet for a couple of days, and things always seem magnified during the night. I have since felt movement, thankfully, as I'm not sure I could take anymore sleepless nights.
Baby must have needed the sleep. It's back on footballing form now.
Bump is looking rather impressive too.
Friday, 25 January 2008
Friday, 18 January 2008
Week 23
It's been a busy weekend. My parents were here on Sunday, and we met Darren's parents and Kerry and Steve at the Red Cow for a meal. I'd felt quiet and tired for most of the day, and it was an effort for me to be around so many people when I just felt like being quiet and resting. The pub was hot and busy and we had to wait a while for our food. By the end of the day there were a few tired tears as Stefan was especially lively in the bath and managed to create an indoor swimming pool. I just didn't have an extra energy to mop up the mess and I was soaked through.
I felt much the same during Monday. Stefan and I went to a toddler group in the morning, and I noticed Stefan wasn't his normal 'run around' self. He was subdued for most of the day, and had developed a cough and runny nose over night. We popped to see a friend in the afternoon and I nipped out to get cough medicine and calpol from the chemist as Stefan was really not himself at all. While Chris's two children were busy playing, he just wanted to sit on the settee with me and read a book.
By Monday night he'd taken a turn for the worst and was sick in bed - twice, and had a temperature. He was really unwell. We did get him back off to sleep after a couple of bed changes and a shower. By Tuesday morning, I was feeling worse. I was totally exhausted, had the worst headache and felt generally unwell. I ended up having two days off work.
I'm finding I'm struggling with my own ill health a lot through this pregnancy, and having Stefan to run around after isn't helping me get any better. I feel my immune system is struggling to fight off infection as I imagine everything I have got is going to the growing baby. Sore throat is still there as are headaches and a general feeling of being under the weather.
I've felt much stronger kicks from the baby this week and I can see my tummy moving about. I've also been getting really hungry and have been grazing throughout the day.
I felt much the same during Monday. Stefan and I went to a toddler group in the morning, and I noticed Stefan wasn't his normal 'run around' self. He was subdued for most of the day, and had developed a cough and runny nose over night. We popped to see a friend in the afternoon and I nipped out to get cough medicine and calpol from the chemist as Stefan was really not himself at all. While Chris's two children were busy playing, he just wanted to sit on the settee with me and read a book.
By Monday night he'd taken a turn for the worst and was sick in bed - twice, and had a temperature. He was really unwell. We did get him back off to sleep after a couple of bed changes and a shower. By Tuesday morning, I was feeling worse. I was totally exhausted, had the worst headache and felt generally unwell. I ended up having two days off work.
I'm finding I'm struggling with my own ill health a lot through this pregnancy, and having Stefan to run around after isn't helping me get any better. I feel my immune system is struggling to fight off infection as I imagine everything I have got is going to the growing baby. Sore throat is still there as are headaches and a general feeling of being under the weather.
I've felt much stronger kicks from the baby this week and I can see my tummy moving about. I've also been getting really hungry and have been grazing throughout the day.
Friday, 11 January 2008
Week 22
Had a very calm, happy week this week. No real aches or pains to speak of. Had a bit of itching on arms and tummy and have been waking with pins and needles in hands during the night. The sleep situation has improved a little, although I'm still not going through the night totally. Darren has spent a couple of nights in the spare room as his sleep has been disturbed, but it does mean if I can't sleep I can put the lamp on and read for a bit.
I had a consultation with a Doctor at the LRI about my delivery method. She went through all the options and the risks including:
- a natural birth after a caesarean - 60-70% chance of delivering naturally
- a natural birth after a very traumatic birth the first time round ending in an emergency section - 60-70% chance of not being induced or having emergency section
- a straight forward, elective caesarean
As I had such a horrific time delivering Stefan and not wanting to run the slightest chance of that happening again, I have been booked in for an elective C-section on 12th May (Stefan's due date funnily enough).
I can change my mind at any time, so if I do decide to give the natural birth a go, they have said they won't let me go as long in labour as I did with Stefan, knowing that I didn't dilate at all even after being induced and that Stefan was in trauma after 46 hours of trying to get himself out of there!
I have to consider all of the circumstances involved this time round, but I can't help feeling that it's a bit of a cop-out and that I'm somehow depriving the baby of a natural birth. Will no doubt mull this over for a few weeks anyway. It's not a decision I will make lightly.
So, if I have the section the baby will be here on 12th May 2008 – 2 weeks before Stefan’s second birthday. If I let things happen naturally, it might be a joint birthday celebration.
Am getting really scatty and absent minded. I found the juice in the cat food cupboard this morning and the cat biscuits in the fridge.Friday, 4 January 2008
Week 21
Had my second scan this week. It was amazing. I was so worried as I hadn't felt the baby moving or kicking very much, but everything is ok.
The sonographer was so lovely. She had lots of time for us and we felt it was no trouble for her to answer any of our questions. We had a very clear picture of the baby's profile - much clearer and more obvious than with Stefan. A different experience all round infact. Very positive, and we were made to feel welcome on all levels. Nothing
was too much trouble.
Baby's profile. A very clear image of the face and a little hand waving around. The spine can also been seen very clearly.
A close up of the baby's face. Amazing really.
Everything is as it should be with baby, including all it's measurements and bits and bobs. The placenta is at the front of my tummy and is acting as a cushion for the baby's kicks, which is preventing me from feeling the full force. We saw very clearly how frequently the baby was moving around. Mind you, the force from which she moved the scanner around on my tummy, I'm not surprised. The baby was probably moving as a reaction to it. She was a bit heavy handed at times, and didn't spare my slightly sensitive scar area from the last section.
We didn't ask about the sex - decided to leave it till the big day. I like the 'not knowing' feeling. Makes it a bit more exciting - if that's possible.
I'm still exhausted. I've started to just say, 'yes, I'm fine, thank you' when people ask me, otherwise I'm sure they'll get sick of me complaining about how tired I am, how my back aches, how I can't sleep for longer than a couple of hours throughout the night, how my pelvis aches at the end of the day, how my emotions are up, down, up down, up, down ALL THE TIME and how I'm feeling like an over-weight, unattractive, run down, spotty, black eyed, vague thing. I also feel guilty at times for feeling like this, as I do realise just how lucky I am to be carrying this baby, and how excited I am at becoming a Mummy again.
Stefan has been run down this week with a cough and cold, as have most people I know. Hopefully I have had my fair share of illnesses, and I will escape this one. He's been very tearful at times and in obvious discomfort. It's so difficult as he can't tell me how he feels and I so want to make it all better for him. With the combination of pregnancy and a tearful toddler, it's been a tough week. We have had a few giggles at Stefan as his speech is really progressing now and he'll have a go at copying what you say to him. It's so sweet. Is this when you realise you are starting to sound just like your own parents?!
The sonographer was so lovely. She had lots of time for us and we felt it was no trouble for her to answer any of our questions. We had a very clear picture of the baby's profile - much clearer and more obvious than with Stefan. A different experience all round infact. Very positive, and we were made to feel welcome on all levels. Nothing
was too much trouble.Baby's profile. A very clear image of the face and a little hand waving around. The spine can also been seen very clearly.
A close up of the baby's face. Amazing really.
Everything is as it should be with baby, including all it's measurements and bits and bobs. The placenta is at the front of my tummy and is acting as a cushion for the baby's kicks, which is preventing me from feeling the full force. We saw very clearly how frequently the baby was moving around. Mind you, the force from which she moved the scanner around on my tummy, I'm not surprised. The baby was probably moving as a reaction to it. She was a bit heavy handed at times, and didn't spare my slightly sensitive scar area from the last section.
We didn't ask about the sex - decided to leave it till the big day. I like the 'not knowing' feeling. Makes it a bit more exciting - if that's possible.
I'm still exhausted. I've started to just say, 'yes, I'm fine, thank you' when people ask me, otherwise I'm sure they'll get sick of me complaining about how tired I am, how my back aches, how I can't sleep for longer than a couple of hours throughout the night, how my pelvis aches at the end of the day, how my emotions are up, down, up down, up, down ALL THE TIME and how I'm feeling like an over-weight, unattractive, run down, spotty, black eyed, vague thing. I also feel guilty at times for feeling like this, as I do realise just how lucky I am to be carrying this baby, and how excited I am at becoming a Mummy again.
Stefan has been run down this week with a cough and cold, as have most people I know. Hopefully I have had my fair share of illnesses, and I will escape this one. He's been very tearful at times and in obvious discomfort. It's so difficult as he can't tell me how he feels and I so want to make it all better for him. With the combination of pregnancy and a tearful toddler, it's been a tough week. We have had a few giggles at Stefan as his speech is really progressing now and he'll have a go at copying what you say to him. It's so sweet. Is this when you realise you are starting to sound just like your own parents?!
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