pregnancy
Preggiversary
It was a whole year ago that I found out I was pregnant.
We were on our way to a friend’s birthday drinks at the Southern Cross and Ms Constantine and I dropped by the New World Metro to get a pregnancy test. It was a few days after my period was due, and Ms Constantine couldn’t wait to find out if I was pregnant or not, so she convinced me to get a test as soon as possible after we finished work. The hubby and I had only decided to try for a baby a month earlier, so this was the first test.
Abby when she was an 8 week foetus and only 1.75 cm long!
So we got the test, and we were at a bar, and I had filled myself up with boring non-alcoholic beverages (boo!) and needed to go toilet, so there was nothing left to do but to take the test in the ladies’ loos. It wasn’t the best place, and the loos in the Southern Cross can be pretty dim which made peeing on a stick quite challenging… too much info?
I stayed in the cubicle waiting for the lines to show itself. I hate taking my time in a public loo. I always feel like I’m holding up the queue and annoying people. But I had to give the test a few minutes, five to be safe… I felt as if everyone was thinking I must be in there taking drugs or something because I wasn’t doing anything but waiting.
I had a feeling that it was going to be positive as I had felt all the symptoms of early pregnancy a few days prior. Surely enough, the control line showed up, then the second line started to colour and I had a lump in my throat. It didn’t feel real. Could I? Am I? Adrenaline rushed through me. Whoa – yes, I’m pregnant! What a very private moment in a very public place.
Abby asleep in the 12 week ultrasound scan
I felt a little weird with everyone around, but through happy teary eyes I managed to tell the hubby the news. He didn’t even know that I had gone to take the test in my absence, so was surprised muchly. Then I told Ms Constantine and there were more happy tears and hugs all round.
Too bad I couldn’t have any drinks to celebrate, but 20 March 2009 was a great night.
I did another test the next day, and then did another at the doctor’s the following week (because’s three’s a charm).
And that’s how I found out I was pregnant.
To be or not to be
OK, so I’ve been pregnant once and that doesn’t make me an expert, but here are some things (apart from the usual morning sickness, swelling, pain etc.) that I think anyone thinking of having a baby might want to know:
- You will be extremely tired. More tired than when you did an all-nighter out partying, or for us geeks when you stayed up studying for exams… You might be less tired in the second trimester but then you’ll get tired all over again towards the end. You’ll be even more tired when it’s time to have the baby so rest and eat when you can before going to the hospital!!
- You will miss eating, both in terms of types of food as well as the amount. Pregnant ladies love food but usually it’s less more often rather than lots at one sitting. Going out to dinner isn’t so fun when you can only have half your meal. And you can’t just buy sushi when you want it. Also giving up the drink is another downer (although I admit to taking a couple of ‘tasting sips’ on occasion).
- You will get bored. This happens once maternity leave wears out its novelty. When you’re really big and really tired there isn’t much you can do for entertainment except maybe watch TV. Even then the Food channel repeats become tiring, especially when you know you can’t be arsed trying any of the recipes.
- You will get big. Obvious yes, but worth mentioning because simple tasks can became quite difficult – like putting on shoes, shaving legs, moisturising, hanging out washing, even lying yourself down to sleep. Your belly also gets wet washing dishes and hot cooking dinner!
- You will ache in places you’ve never ached before. This is even before labour begins.
Having said all that, I’ll quote what my wise sister-in-law once said about pregnancy- “You hate it and love it at the same time.”
And look what cuteness comes out of your troubles!
Baby Update at 39 Weeks
I am now 39 weeks and 6 days – the due date is tomorrow!
Having said that, no new developments towards her arrival. I am just big, uncomfortable, aching, tired and swollen. My feet look like trotters. I need to put them up to help with the swelling, but also go for walks to help kick-start labour. Can’t win.
I discovered a stretch mark on my belly yesterday. I was hoping I’d get away scott free, but no. I guess I don’t have much to complain about as some women have lots. It’ll fade anyway I’ve been told.
Will have a cardiotocography (CTG) on Wednesday Friday if she hasn’t arrived by then. That’s to monitor the baby and see where things are up to and perhaps get a date for when I’ll be induced. Good news is that they won’t let me go over 10 days overdue, so I will definitely have this baby by next Friday (or on the way to having her).
I really hope they don’t leave it too late as I’m worried she may no longer fit through, if you know what I mean. That and I don’t want to miss the Green Day concert on December 18!
39 weeks 6 days pregnant, one day before due date
Baby Update at 37 Weeks
37 weeks 5 days pregnant
Oh little one
How you squirm
And kick mummy in the ribs
You’re better out
So I can dress you
In little cupcake bibs
So when are you
Going to come
We are all prepared
Your daddy is waiting
For the day
When he can resume drinking beer
There’s dinner on Tuesday
So how about Wednesday
Is that alright with you?
An easy labour
And quick birth
See what you can do
That’s all for now
My little Love
Mummy’s going to make a pie
We’ll see you soon
We can’t wait
K, thanks and bye!
A Week Wiser
What has befounded me this week?
- In the last A Week Wiser post, I was talking about the baby’s descent being measured in fifths. There seems to be worldwide confusion among pregnant ladies as to what number gets recorded, me included. I thought 2/5 meant the amount that can still be felt above the pelvis. Apparently the midwife at the last visit said they record the proportion of the baby’s head that’s descended below the pelvis, so she was only 2/5 descended rather than 3/5 at that time. There doesn’t seem to be any consistency with which number is recorded – could be either the proportion above the pelvis or the proportion below the pelvis. Best to confirm with the midwife so it makes sense. The baby is now closer to 3/5 descended, so this number should grow closer to 5/5 each time for me (or closer to 0/5 for others!). Can’t they make these things easier?
- Fez gets defensive and growls and barks at fireworks. I’m not that surprised, and can’t blame him. It was his first ever Guy Fawkes last night and the booms and bangs got him all edgy. Had to get him to nap while we watched a loud movie to make him forget it. I think we mother him a bit much… :)
- I keep failing at lemon curd pies. I’ve been wanting a more eggy set custard type of a pie/tart but keep ending up with a runny mess. Will try another recipe soon. Or I’ll give up and make a cheesecake instead…
- I have woken up with a sore tongue lately because I’ve found that I close my jaw on it when I sleep on my side. I usually sleep on my back and alternate between sides but since being pregnant I’ve trained myself to sleep only on my left and end up with a very sore left-side of my tongue.
- My spelling seems to be getting worse as I get older. I’ve had to google words lately that I should know how to spell!
The mummy blogging article
Update:
Thanks to Kate for letting me know, the article has just been put on the New Zealand Herald website. The Log On To Motherhood article online doesn’t have all the pictures so I’ve left the thumbnails on this page so you can see what the printed version was like.
Original post:
Ok, for those who could not get the Weekend Herald newspaper, here is the article that I mentioned in a previous post. Doesn’t look like it’s going to be on the New Zealand Herald website so this is the only way I can share it with you.
I’ve gone old school and taken photos of the pages, but until the hubby or someone else can scan it in for me, this is the best I can do (as we don’t have a scanner at home).
They managed to get my name wrong in the pull quote on page 4 – whoops. And another typo, if you want to visit Bridget’s blog it’s at widgetlucy.blogspot.com and not at blogpost.com!
Page one 3.6 MB JPG
Page two 3.5 MB JPG
Page three 2.8 MB JPG
Page four 2.7 MB JPG
Log On To Motherhood article now on the New Zealand Herald website
Baby Update at 36 Weeks
This 36th week has been horrendously uncomfortable.
During the day, baby sometimes stretches into certain areas that makes walking almost painful, and sitting down very uncomfortable. My pelvic joints really ache after sitting or lying down too.
In bed, I’ve had nights where baby will just not stop moving, and her legs keep stretching up and winding me. Getting up not only to pee but so I can breathe normally is becoming a regular thing, along with having a banana at about 3am to tie me over until breakfast.
I suspect that she is dropping, as I managed to have a good night’s sleep without being winded last night.
I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather, like I’m coming down with a cold. I hope it doesn’t develop into anything to worry about it. Being sick is the last thing I need in these last few weeks! I suffer enough from the occasional sneeze.
From tomorrow I’ll be in my 37th week, and considered full term! (Though it depends on who you ask as others say it’s 38 weeks, but I’ll take the less of the two.) From what I’ve read, a baby born at 37 weeks will have all she needs to survive without much, if any, help. I’ll give her another week and then I’ll start badgering her to come out already.
The hubby is on instruction to keep sober in case I go into labour. Too bad there’s the brew competition among his friends this weekend that he entered in to months ago.
It’s scary to think that I’m going to have to push out this bump shortly, but at the same time I’m so excited and can’t wait to meet her.
36 weeks and 6 days pregnant. Check out that bulging vein in my hand!
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