Tomorrow marks 1 month until baby is due.
I confess to feeling a little anxious at this point as this is about the same time that my waters broke with Nicholas and I simply am not ready to repeat the experience. Although Nick has suffered no long term effects of his premature birth, it certainly took its toll in those early days on Si and I and I am really hoping that this little one doesn't intend following in his/her brothers footsteps.
Pelvis playing up worse than ever and I am hoping to see the doctor around mid week to see if there is any pain relief that I can use at this point as it is really starting to become debilitating. Si, Megs and Phill have all been absolutely AWESOME and have acted as both my hands and feet over the past weeks.....just hoping that seeing me like this doesn't put Megs of having children for life lol.
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
34 weeks and 1 day
Less than 6 weeks to go now until the arrival of our beautiful fourth child and I am a mixed bag of excitement and absolute abject terror. This birth sees the realisation of a dream, my family complete and the arrival of our final child.....BUT it also sees a 38 year old, not so fit mother of 3, having to deal with the constant and daily onslaught of housework and domestic responsibility whilst trying to juggle a new born and all the other "stuff" life continues to throw my way.
I have my moments of shear panic to be honest, but then I try to sit quietly for a moment and remember a story I read a little while ago about the "mayonnaise jar"....this new baby is a bright shiny golf ball and all the rest is just sand, so I breath, and I gather myself together and I go forward into another day, and before we know it we will again be the very very proud parent of a gorgeous little cherub :0)
Now if only I could settle on a name....my boy's name is DONE AND DUSTED and has been for months....I thought my girl's name was the same, but find myself vacillating again (sigh).
I have my moments of shear panic to be honest, but then I try to sit quietly for a moment and remember a story I read a little while ago about the "mayonnaise jar"....this new baby is a bright shiny golf ball and all the rest is just sand, so I breath, and I gather myself together and I go forward into another day, and before we know it we will again be the very very proud parent of a gorgeous little cherub :0)
Now if only I could settle on a name....my boy's name is DONE AND DUSTED and has been for months....I thought my girl's name was the same, but find myself vacillating again (sigh).
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
32 weeks 6 days
Been a while since my last post but that is probably because everything has been progressing normally and as well as can be expected for a 38 year old mommy on her 4th pregnancy ;0)
We had some lovely maternity photos taken last weekend and as soon as I have them I will post a couple here....have managed to really control my weight this time round and so am feeling quite good about myself - tummy is ENORMOUS but I guess that is also to be expected.
We had some lovely maternity photos taken last weekend and as soon as I have them I will post a couple here....have managed to really control my weight this time round and so am feeling quite good about myself - tummy is ENORMOUS but I guess that is also to be expected.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
24 weeks 6 days
Monthly midwife appointment today and all is progressing nicely, my 28 week blood tests are booked and if the heartburn / pelvis pain would just lessen I could settle down and enjoy the last 15 weeks.
As I was coming home today I passed this mom out walking with her severly disabled child and I have to be quite honest it totally freaked me out....found myself holding my tummy and hyperventilating at the thought that something could happen to our precious little bundle. Funny the things that destabalise you at this time.
As I was coming home today I passed this mom out walking with her severly disabled child and I have to be quite honest it totally freaked me out....found myself holding my tummy and hyperventilating at the thought that something could happen to our precious little bundle. Funny the things that destabalise you at this time.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
23 weeks 4 days
Am really starting to battle with pelvic pain....am assuming it is due to the fact that I am getting old (38 in a couple of weeks) and that this is my 4th pregnancy. Don't think all the bending and lifting in the move helped either but really hoping it settles down as I simply can't imagine the next 16.5 weeks being like this.
Friday, 11 February 2011
23 weeks 2 days
A lot has happened in the last two weeks, not only have we moved house but I have also had my appointment with the Birth Story Counseling clinic and Heather Brown, Head of Obstetrics at the Princess Royal Hospital.
The appointment with the BSC clinic was fantastic and I am really glad I went, we spent a hour and a half going through Nick's birth, all the decisions made by clinical staff were explained and some of the more traumatic moments put into perspective. I came away with a much better understanding of those hours and feel much happier and more secure for this next delivery. Jane Cleary (the midwife / councilor) supports my request for a c-section in the event of some kind of intervention becoming necessary which has also made me feel a lot better.
On 9th Feb I had my appointment to finalise our birth plan and again came away feeling happy and secure. Heather Brown is a South African Obstetrician and as such I was able to relate to her instantly and we had quite a giggle about the fact that I was a very unusual South African woman having had 3 v-back deliveries.
She has agreed in principal to my c-section and felt that I was being reasonable in agreeing to wait and see if I go into natural labour and if not she will sign off the c-section instead of any other form of intervention. I have an appointment to see her again on 8th June (day before baby is due) and if my cervix is still not starting to soften she will book the caesar. All in all I couldn't have hoped for a better outcome.
I decided to find out the sex of bean at our last scan and although I am having to keep it a secret as Si doesn't want to know, I am quite enjoying the novel experience of already thinking of baby by name instead of just it. I didn't know the sex of my last three and while I loved the surprise as well, it has been fun to do things a little differently this time round.
Psychologically I am feeling a little more in control and I think now that the move is over I will be able to get things together again. I think I have just been worn out by the stress and now that that is all over I am sure things will settle down a little bit.
The appointment with the BSC clinic was fantastic and I am really glad I went, we spent a hour and a half going through Nick's birth, all the decisions made by clinical staff were explained and some of the more traumatic moments put into perspective. I came away with a much better understanding of those hours and feel much happier and more secure for this next delivery. Jane Cleary (the midwife / councilor) supports my request for a c-section in the event of some kind of intervention becoming necessary which has also made me feel a lot better.
On 9th Feb I had my appointment to finalise our birth plan and again came away feeling happy and secure. Heather Brown is a South African Obstetrician and as such I was able to relate to her instantly and we had quite a giggle about the fact that I was a very unusual South African woman having had 3 v-back deliveries.
She has agreed in principal to my c-section and felt that I was being reasonable in agreeing to wait and see if I go into natural labour and if not she will sign off the c-section instead of any other form of intervention. I have an appointment to see her again on 8th June (day before baby is due) and if my cervix is still not starting to soften she will book the caesar. All in all I couldn't have hoped for a better outcome.
I decided to find out the sex of bean at our last scan and although I am having to keep it a secret as Si doesn't want to know, I am quite enjoying the novel experience of already thinking of baby by name instead of just it. I didn't know the sex of my last three and while I loved the surprise as well, it has been fun to do things a little differently this time round.
Psychologically I am feeling a little more in control and I think now that the move is over I will be able to get things together again. I think I have just been worn out by the stress and now that that is all over I am sure things will settle down a little bit.
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
21 weeks
Today was our second opportunity to see the bean and as it is also Si's birthday it was wonderful that he is on leave and able to come along. The scan is amazingly thorough and they literally start at baby's head and work their way down looking for any anomalies or abnormalities along the way.
Delighted to say that our little cherub is all well and developing nicely and that my amniotic fluid is within normal ranges and placenta is nicely placed for an easy delivery. Everything that is meant to be closed is and all the organs are functioning in a perfectly normal manner.
Delighted to say that our little cherub is all well and developing nicely and that my amniotic fluid is within normal ranges and placenta is nicely placed for an easy delivery. Everything that is meant to be closed is and all the organs are functioning in a perfectly normal manner.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
20 weeks 6 days
Monthly midwife check up this morning and all seems to be well....baby's heartbeat is nice and strong and I am not carrying too much fluid or putting on too much weight at this stage.
Did mention to her that I have been feeling a little emotional lately but she feels it is probably normal given the move. If it hasn't settled by our next meeting which is 22nd Feb she will refer me to someone for further assessment.
Tomorrow is the big scan and as luck would have it Si is on leave because it is his birthday....now to find out the sex or keep it a surprise....that is the decision.
Did mention to her that I have been feeling a little emotional lately but she feels it is probably normal given the move. If it hasn't settled by our next meeting which is 22nd Feb she will refer me to someone for further assessment.
Tomorrow is the big scan and as luck would have it Si is on leave because it is his birthday....now to find out the sex or keep it a surprise....that is the decision.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
20 weeks exactly
Today marks half way.
Nick and I are allowed to return to group activities as German Measles no longer presents a threat in the second half of pregnancy and I am looking forward to being able to take him back to some of the clubs he so so enjoys.
Am feeling really good about myself at this stage, not sure how much weight I have put on but today I was able to wear a pair of my regular jeans which I bought in SA when I returned in Nov 2009. The heart burn is now under control thanks to Gaviscon and I am feeling fit and healthy (if a little overwhelmed and tired at times due to the move).
According to "Baby Centre", Bean is fully developed at this point and measures about 16.5cms, I am feeling lots and lots of movement, particularly in the late evenings and think I am going to have a busy little bee on my hands in 4 months time.
Lots of baby stuff coming up over the next weeks with my monthly midwife appointment on 25th Jan, anomalies scan on 26th Jan, birth story debrief on 1st Feb and appointment with head of obstetrics at the PR on 9th Feb.
Nick and I are allowed to return to group activities as German Measles no longer presents a threat in the second half of pregnancy and I am looking forward to being able to take him back to some of the clubs he so so enjoys.
Am feeling really good about myself at this stage, not sure how much weight I have put on but today I was able to wear a pair of my regular jeans which I bought in SA when I returned in Nov 2009. The heart burn is now under control thanks to Gaviscon and I am feeling fit and healthy (if a little overwhelmed and tired at times due to the move).
According to "Baby Centre", Bean is fully developed at this point and measures about 16.5cms, I am feeling lots and lots of movement, particularly in the late evenings and think I am going to have a busy little bee on my hands in 4 months time.
Lots of baby stuff coming up over the next weeks with my monthly midwife appointment on 25th Jan, anomalies scan on 26th Jan, birth story debrief on 1st Feb and appointment with head of obstetrics at the PR on 9th Feb.
Monday, 10 January 2011
18 weeks 5 days
And the heartburn has begun....can see this is going to be a wicked one as it has set in a bit earlier than with the other three. Shew going to be using a LOT of Gaviscon over the next 21 weeks.
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
17 weeks 6 days
As the half way mark approaches I am feeling really good, I haven't put on huge amounts of weight and apart from needing a little more fabric around the tummy I am managing really well with my clothing.
Have only been though 1 bottle of Gaviscon to date but sadly the heartburn is becoming more frequent especially when I eat bread.....this is quite normal for me around the 5 month mark so looks like this pregnancy is going to go exactly the same was as the first three. No real serious cravings at this point although I am still enjoying my fruit and salami pizza.
Have been feeling a little lethargic so have started on pregnancy vitamins today just to give me a little boost.
Have only been though 1 bottle of Gaviscon to date but sadly the heartburn is becoming more frequent especially when I eat bread.....this is quite normal for me around the 5 month mark so looks like this pregnancy is going to go exactly the same was as the first three. No real serious cravings at this point although I am still enjoying my fruit and salami pizza.
Have been feeling a little lethargic so have started on pregnancy vitamins today just to give me a little boost.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
15 weeks 6 days
I met with my community midwife Yvette today and am feeling much better regarding the caesar.
Last night Si and I had a real soul searching conversation with regards to our feelings around the birth and at the end of the day it is not like I am desperate for major abdominal surgery, and the recovery times it involves, but rather that neither of us want to find ourselves in the emergency situation of last time.
It is with this in mind that I am going to meet with Dr Brown in February and hopefully my willingness to meet them half way will do the trick. I am prepared to wait for natural labour to set in, or for them to use pessaries only to induce the labour but if either further induction or intervention by forceps or venteus becomes necessary I want a c-section immediately with no further discussion.
Yvette feels that this is a reasonable request and sees no reason why it won't be agreed to so we shall wait and see.
Scan booked for 26th Jan 2011 and I am looking forward to seeing our little bundle again, the heartbeat today was nice and strong so I am sure we are having a very little healthy baby.
Last night Si and I had a real soul searching conversation with regards to our feelings around the birth and at the end of the day it is not like I am desperate for major abdominal surgery, and the recovery times it involves, but rather that neither of us want to find ourselves in the emergency situation of last time.
It is with this in mind that I am going to meet with Dr Brown in February and hopefully my willingness to meet them half way will do the trick. I am prepared to wait for natural labour to set in, or for them to use pessaries only to induce the labour but if either further induction or intervention by forceps or venteus becomes necessary I want a c-section immediately with no further discussion.
Yvette feels that this is a reasonable request and sees no reason why it won't be agreed to so we shall wait and see.
Scan booked for 26th Jan 2011 and I am looking forward to seeing our little bundle again, the heartbeat today was nice and strong so I am sure we are having a very little healthy baby.
Monday, 20 December 2010
15 weeks 5 days
I met with the consultant, or rather a registrar today regarding my caesar and sadly it would seem it is going to be harder than I anticipated to get it signed off. This young man has obviously been given a mandate by the NHS to reduce the number of unnecessary caesars and as I have had 3 normal deliveries before he was not prepared to sign me off.....unfortunately it all just got a little too much and I ended up in tears in his offices telling him that where I come from woman have a choice which is clearly not the case here.
Ended up in a meeting with him and a lovely midwife (clearly sent in to calm me down) and I now have an appointment on 9th February to plead my case to head of obstetrics. The midwife did assure me that at the end of the day it is my decision but we will have to see what happens at the next appointment. Fortunately Dr Brown is a lady doctor from South Africa so I am feeling a little more hopeful that she will be sympathetic to my cause.
Have an appointment with Yvette, my midwife, tomorrow so will see what she has to say then.
Ended up in a meeting with him and a lovely midwife (clearly sent in to calm me down) and I now have an appointment on 9th February to plead my case to head of obstetrics. The midwife did assure me that at the end of the day it is my decision but we will have to see what happens at the next appointment. Fortunately Dr Brown is a lady doctor from South Africa so I am feeling a little more hopeful that she will be sympathetic to my cause.
Have an appointment with Yvette, my midwife, tomorrow so will see what she has to say then.
Sunday, 12 December 2010
14 weeks 4 days
Officially in maternity wear now, must have something to do with this being my fourth pregnancy, stomach muscles just have no resistance left lol.
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
13 weeks, 6 days
I am absolutely convinced that I can feel baby moving....the "bubbly" feeling has been around for a day or two but this evening for the first time I am sure it is the baby. Very very early this time, but guess it must be because I know what I am waiting for.
Monday, 29 November 2010
12 weeks, 6 days
Received my blood test results today and I am once again in the very low risk category for Trisomy 21 which is exceptionally good news especially given my age. These test cannot, of course, rule out Down Syndrome completely but they do mean that it is very unlikely in my current pregnancy.
Am feeling much much better both psychologically and physically and my energy levels seem to be returning to normal, for the mornings at least. The craving for oranges persists, although not as extremely, and they are still my snack of choice.
Definitely happy to be into the second Trimester "honeymoon period"
Am feeling much much better both psychologically and physically and my energy levels seem to be returning to normal, for the mornings at least. The craving for oranges persists, although not as extremely, and they are still my snack of choice.
Definitely happy to be into the second Trimester "honeymoon period"
Thursday, 25 November 2010
12 weeks, 1 day
This morning is my 12 week "dating" scan and I have to admit to more than a little anxiety. It is funny, once this scan is done and I know there is a heartbeat, 2 arms, 2 legs, a head with two developing sides of the brain and a good little spine I will be so so much more relaxed.
As Si had used up all his leave on our trip to South Africa, Megs came with me today to hold my hand and watch Nick and she was such a little star - I really am so proud of my daughter and the young woman she is becoming and I think she was more than a little moved to be the first person in the family to see our precious little bundle.
As the pic above shows, there is heartbeat, 2 arms, 2 legs, a head with two developing sides of the brain and a good little spine so I am a very happy mommy this evening and suddenly everything feels so much more real. I could literally feel myself bonding with this precious little miracle as I saw him/her wiggling around on the screen for the first time and I just know that our life together is going to be one of wonder and joy.
The only "not so good" news to come out of the appointment is that I have apparently once again not got very much immunity to German Measles, despite having at least 2 booster shots after my previous pregnancies. The long and the short of it means I can't go into large gatherings of children for the next 8 weeks, but it really is a small sacrifice to make for the health of the little one.
Consultant appointment to discuss the caesar is now booked for 20th December.
As Si had used up all his leave on our trip to South Africa, Megs came with me today to hold my hand and watch Nick and she was such a little star - I really am so proud of my daughter and the young woman she is becoming and I think she was more than a little moved to be the first person in the family to see our precious little bundle.
As the pic above shows, there is heartbeat, 2 arms, 2 legs, a head with two developing sides of the brain and a good little spine so I am a very happy mommy this evening and suddenly everything feels so much more real. I could literally feel myself bonding with this precious little miracle as I saw him/her wiggling around on the screen for the first time and I just know that our life together is going to be one of wonder and joy.
The only "not so good" news to come out of the appointment is that I have apparently once again not got very much immunity to German Measles, despite having at least 2 booster shots after my previous pregnancies. The long and the short of it means I can't go into large gatherings of children for the next 8 weeks, but it really is a small sacrifice to make for the health of the little one.
Consultant appointment to discuss the caesar is now booked for 20th December.
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
11 weeks, 6 days
I haven't been in the best head space over the last couple of weeks....pregnancy hormones have really had me reeling and as I said to a friend the other day there have been moments when I have literally felt like I was losing my mind.
I am pleased to say that as my second trimester approaches I am starting to feel less tired and slightly more in control and I am starting to look forward to the next 6 months rather than just viewing the whole thing with abject terror.
This precious little bundle was a totally planned pregnancy and one that Si and I have discussed and agreed would complete our wonderful family and yet there have still been moments when I have sat completely overwhelmed and wondered how on earth I am going to survive....simply can't imagine how people cope when something like this happens to them totally out of the blue.
12 week scan and bloods on Thursday so we will hopefully have the first pictures of our little bean soon.
I am pleased to say that as my second trimester approaches I am starting to feel less tired and slightly more in control and I am starting to look forward to the next 6 months rather than just viewing the whole thing with abject terror.
This precious little bundle was a totally planned pregnancy and one that Si and I have discussed and agreed would complete our wonderful family and yet there have still been moments when I have sat completely overwhelmed and wondered how on earth I am going to survive....simply can't imagine how people cope when something like this happens to them totally out of the blue.
12 week scan and bloods on Thursday so we will hopefully have the first pictures of our little bean soon.
Monday, 15 November 2010
10 weeks, 5 days
I am craving oranges....seriously craving them, they need to be ice cold and sliced in wedges and I can eat 4 a day without a second thought - guess I am lucky it isn't chocolate, as apart from the bump haven't put on any significant weight at this point.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
9 weeks, 6 days
I had my first midwife or "booking in" appointment today which basically covered my care plan for the next 7 months and gave me the opportunity to ask any questions. As I had some spotting on Friday night it was reassuring to have someone to talk to and to hear that as long as nothing persists (which it hasn't) all should be well and there is absolutely nothing to worry about as it is apparently very common.
Discussed my history with Post Natal Depression in some depth and it would seem that they may begin my treatment before baby is even born this time as it has shown to be more successful than waiting until symptoms have set in...am up for this as have often joked in the past that I wish they could put up a drip with antidepressant meds at the same time they put in the epidural.
Would seem that because I am requesting a c-section for psychological rather that physiological reasons I am going to need to go to one session of "birth story" counselling where they will go through Nicholas's birth with me and explain things and try to put it into perspective so it all seems a little less traumatic, again am very much up for it as anything that will clear up those hours and give me a better insight is more than welcome. My midwife feels that even if the first consultant is not willing to consider a c-section there is apparently a South African OBGYN at the hospital who she will then request for me if need be as she is very pro giving the mom what she wants - def feeling more at ease in this area now.
Other than that, fortunately no real nausea and apart from a bad bout in SA the heartburn seems to have stayed at bay for the moment as well. Am totally, utterly and completely exhausted and sometimes don't know how I am going to make it through the day, but know that when we finally hold our new baby it will all be worthwhile.
Discussed my history with Post Natal Depression in some depth and it would seem that they may begin my treatment before baby is even born this time as it has shown to be more successful than waiting until symptoms have set in...am up for this as have often joked in the past that I wish they could put up a drip with antidepressant meds at the same time they put in the epidural.
Would seem that because I am requesting a c-section for psychological rather that physiological reasons I am going to need to go to one session of "birth story" counselling where they will go through Nicholas's birth with me and explain things and try to put it into perspective so it all seems a little less traumatic, again am very much up for it as anything that will clear up those hours and give me a better insight is more than welcome. My midwife feels that even if the first consultant is not willing to consider a c-section there is apparently a South African OBGYN at the hospital who she will then request for me if need be as she is very pro giving the mom what she wants - def feeling more at ease in this area now.
Other than that, fortunately no real nausea and apart from a bad bout in SA the heartburn seems to have stayed at bay for the moment as well. Am totally, utterly and completely exhausted and sometimes don't know how I am going to make it through the day, but know that when we finally hold our new baby it will all be worthwhile.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)