11w 5d

Well, it's been 2 weeks since my last entry! Week 10 was pretty much the same as the previous, only difference is the fact I bought my doppler! It arrived last Saturday, and of course I had a go at it at the first opportunity I had - nothing. Tried again on Monday - nothing. I was okay but not really, as deep down I was disappointed and worried bean may not be okay. So, I tried again Tuesday morning, after waking up feeling too well and panicking something was wrong, and there it was, 'gallop, gallop, gallop'; my baby was well! I shed tears of relief and happiness and promised myself not to use the doppler again soon.

On Thursday, at 11+2 we had our nuchal and dating scan. Dates were spot on (secretly wished I'd be bumped forward, but still happy), and BabyH is due 12th of October. Nuchal translucency measurement was great at 1.1mm (thank you God!), and I keep praying that the blood tests bring back results with low risk of genetic problems. Won't know this until after 16 weeks when more bloods are taken to complete the test. Baby was asleep at first, but seemed to wake up, wave and change positions. All else that could be seen was okay, but I keep praying all continues this way till the end.

So, one would think that after a great scan i'd leave the doppler alone, right? Well, could not resist having another go this morning. Went well, found BabyH's heart beat almost immediately but he/she then must have moved away as I called Al to come have a listen, and poor daddy's yet to hear the gallop of that precious little heart. Still, I'm sure there will be other opportunities, so no worries.

No more scans till end of May! Gosh, I'll need to start feeling movements soon, as that seems a lifetime away, but I'm sure it'll happen soon enough.... all I can say is thank God for the doppler!

ETA: Must also mention that I asked for a measurement of my cervical length, as I've been slightly worrying about cervical insufficiency/incompetence. Sonographer kindly obliged and cervix measured 4cms, which is apparently perfect, so I'm fairly happy at the moment. Not to say I won't worry about it in future; will try not to, but I'll have an eye out for it too. Pulling out all stops, I must meet this baby well and healthy no sooner that September!

Till next time.

Note to BabyH:
Baby, you're such a clever little being! I've loved seeing you regularly these past few weeks, and you've developed and grown amazingly in that time. Keep doing what you're doing, keep those organs developing perfectly, keep that little heart beating nice and strong, and hold tight - we've still got 28 weeks to go till we meet. These will be up sooner that it feels, I'm sure, as I've so much to prepare and sort out before you arrive! Lots of love, kisses and hugs little one. Mama x x x x x x x x x x x

9w 4d

Wow, what a week! I read at 8 weeks that the placenta takes over and starts regulating the pregnancy hormones and that they start stabilising so pregnant women start feeling more..... normal? Well, seems like I've got the opposite effect! This week, I've had the biggest variety of symptoms in their full, severe glory; heartburn, nausea, very nearly vomited a few times too, but didn't quite, as there was nothing to bring up. I also seem to have had the wires in my brain all crossed too, as I feel terrible, terrible hunger pains after eating, instead of feeling sated! Breasts are still reassuringly sore too, and must be a size bigger now which I just love and can deal with ;-). Plus (and this is the most exciting bit!), my uterus is gradually creeping up above my pelvic bone, so there's a teeny, tiny bump that only me and Al can see and feel - Yup,BabyH is growing!

I had another scan this week - my last one at UCH, and BabyH was absolutely perfect, with a strong, wonderful, amazing heartbeat and wiggles. Honestly, I see how Tom Cruise could have gotten so mad as to get an ultrasound machine when Katie was pregnant. I just bought the equivalent for me - a doppler, so we can hear BabyH's heartbeat when the scans start getting spread out after my dating scan on the 25th - the next one after this is a whole 4 weeks of waiting! I trust I won't get obsessive with it, but will use it for reassurance every week or fortnightly.

Note to BabyH:
Oooh, so proud of you baby!!! You're perfect in every way to me, and I already love you so very much! Keep growing sweetie, keep that little heart beating, please! You're presence makes me the happiest woman on earth now, so imagine how special this will all be in September/October when we get to meet you! Keep doing as you are, my prayer everyday is that God keep you safe and sound and growing and developing perfectly in there till you're well and ready to make an appearance, and I'm slowly beginning to believe it'll happen. Lots and lots of love from your mama. x x x x x x x x x x

8w 5d

It's been a busy week. My colleague at work left just over a week ago, and I'm covering her workload till my new colleague starts. The irony is that this past week has been the busiest since I started my new job too... Murphy's law, huh? This means I've not had as much luxury as usual dwelling on the pregnancy and BabyJac, but that's okay, as the week flew by and suddenly I'm nearly 9 weeks!

Pregnancy-wise, it's been fairly busy too. I saw my midwife on Tuesday, had an extensive booking in appointment and bloods (including toxoplasmosis), and got given my maternity notes and loads more, which made it all seem very real - I'm having a baby come September/October! I had the opportunity to ask my questions and got satisfactory answers too, which was reassuring. I can be allowed to labour if I really, really want to, but under very close supervision as I'm considered 'high risk', but must be prepared to have a C-Section at the drop of a hat too. I don't know how this works, but I'd like to labour freely without being strapped into bed with monitors all over me. I have 7 months to think this through - might just prepare for a C-section, make things straight forward, unless BabyJac decides to make a very quick appearance before medicine has a chance to interfere - that's my dream birth, readers, a quick labour followed by a very quick birth! We shall see!!!

Wednesday, I had another scan and a follow-up doctor's appointment. All went well, after a really bad dream which I'd rather forget and not relay here - just so glad and thankful that scan results were good and the complete opposite of the bad, bad dream! I measured 3 days over my dates but sticking to my dates just because these are apparently bound to change quite frequently. I saw a very lovely Clinical Nurse Specialist after my scan who was so reassuring and advised me to just take prenatals and not worry about extra folic acid as I'm have no indication for this (I asked for a prescription), and to just continue taking my aspirin as I have been, and that's what I came home and did. Extra folate for 4 weeks was okay but wasteful, I guess, so now I'm sticking to the regular recommended dose of 400mcg.

All else have been uneventful - symptoms still evident, for which I'm glad, as they really reassure me. Worst symptom I've had that I'd rather not is constipation, though I'm still managing daily, even twice daily bowel movements, unlike some unlucky ladies that are going for up to 8 days without a bowel movement (YIKES!!!). I just need to be prepared for a long loo visit and I'm okay. Been drinking fruit smoothies to help, and forcing myself to eat salads (which are tasteless and not much fun at the moment!). Can't wait to get to the second trimester, where apparently things get better and I'll feel fab....

Note to BabyJac:

Baby, I saw you again this week, you are growing at an amazing rate and for that I'm so proud of you! You gave a tiny wiggle whilst being scanned which I'm holding on to in my memory as it was so special to see! Your heart beat is so amazing to see, and I want you to keep that going and going. Keep doing as you are, and we'll be just fine. You are loved  so much and mama can't wait to see you again in 9 days time! Love, kisses and hugs aplenty! x x x x x