6 months / 24 weeks pregnancy update

So I know the diary posts are getting fewer and further between but in all honesty it's because there hasn't been a huge amount to update on!

Muffin is now about 30cms crown to heel which is really scary if you get a tape measure out because you just can't understand how they'd have any room. You also have days when you look really pregnant and days when you don't. I think this is completely dependent on how they're lying, if he's facing inwards then I look smaller but if he's facing outwards then I can look quite big and the kicks are a lot harder.

Talking of kicks these are definitely getting stronger and I'm starting to see patterns develop. Unfortunately for me though this is isn't looking to good as he's pretty sleepy during the day but then wakes up in the late evenings and through the night and apparently they tend to stick to similar timings when they come out. Yikes.

The next change I've noticed is in the amount of hair I now have! Not on my head but I'm growing it everywhere else. My tummy now has quite a thick but very fine layer of hair spread across it and I'm shaving twice as often. I'm just exceptionally grateful that I am very fair so it's not too noticeable to anyone other then myself and hubby. Although he keeps teasing me because he's noticed a new fine layer on my face and keeps referring to it as my new beard - yes I do feel like punching him sometimes ;-).

I'm also feeling a lot better in myself. Although there are still days when I'm exceptionally tired and need to take an afternoon power nap I do have more energy and generally feel happier. I attended my aunt's wedding last weekend and I honestly felt absolutely fantastic. I couldn't stop smiling and genuinely felt more attractive. I'm finally getting to see this 'good' side to pregnancy everyone keeps rabbiting on about I just wish it came in longer bursts.

However the most exciting news is that muffin is now considered viable! So if something happened and I went into labour now the doctor's would at least attempt to revive him. The chances of survival are still minimal but there is a chance which is such a relief. Every week now going forward is great for him in terms of putting on weight and allowing his brain and lungs to develop further.

The number of appointments I'm now going to have with my GP and midwife is going to start increasing so hopefully they'll be a lot more to update on.

Pregnancy sleeping secret! This Works...

As you know from earlier posts, sleeping is something I've been having issues with since the very beginning of my pregnancy and I know it's only going to get worse as I get bigger. So after moaning to a friend about my sleeping issues and in particular how hard I find to get off to dreamland in the first place she recommended I try the This Works sleep range and in particular these two products:

This Works, Deep Sleep Pillow Spray: £15 

Official product description:

MODERN: The miracle solution to a good nights sleep. With This Works signature relaxing fragrance, this pillow spray will become your must-have sleep solution.

NATURAL: Infused with essential oils of Lavender, Vetivert and Wild Camomile to soothe the body and mind.

BEAUTY: A fragrant pillow spray, the best beauty secret there is.

This Works, Deep Sleep Stress Less, £12

Official product description:

MODERN:  Deep sleep stress less is a soothing natural remedy to help you breathe more easily and calm your senses promoting a better nights sleep.

NATURAL: Refreshing Eucalyptus cleanses, invigorates and helps to counter physical and mental fatigue.  Frankincense essential oil acts as an antiseptic to help fight infections and to help you relax physically and mentally whilst rejuvenating the skin. Lavender Oil is the most effective oil in helping hypertension, nervous tension and insomnia.

BEAUTY: Deep sleep stress less is a multi-purpose aromatherapy blend that can be used anytime to de-stress or at night-time to help promote a restful sleep.

In all honesty I was slightly sceptical at first because I didn't really understand how a 'smell' would help me find a comfy position I could spend the night in but after 10 days of usage it's actually working!! It used to on average take me around 45 mins to finally doze off (and several tellings off for fidgeting from hubby) but it now only takes around 10 mins!

I think the way in which it specifically helps me is that it helps me to relax. I'm someone who doesn't get into bed and just switch off. I seem to get into bed and switch on, particularly the worry. I start planning what work I'm going to achieve the next day, worrying about what I didn't manage that day, how I'm going to earn enough to buy X for little muffin, etc, etc. However, I don't know how but since I've started using these two products the worrying is literally just drifting away and before I not it it's 3am and I'm getting up for my midnight wee...

The Top 10 Greatest Lies About Pregnancy

I stumbled across the below in a book I was reading this weekend, 'The best friends' guide to pregnancy by Vicki Lovine', and it really made me chuckle so I thought I'd share. BTW the book is also definitely worth a read, I've found it pretty helpful over the last couple of months...

1. Lamaze works

2. Morning sickness is gone by lunchtime

3. Maternity clothes are so much cuter now

4. You will have your pre-pregnancy figure back in three months. Especially if you breastfeed

5. Oil massages prevent stretch marks

6. Pregnant women have the most beautiful skin and hair

7. 'I swear, you face hasn't changed at all.'

8. Pregnancy brings a man and woman closer together (yeah, you and your doctor!)

9. 'You haven't put on weight anywhere but your tummy.'

10. Pregnancy only lasts nine months

However I didn't think this quite went far enough so I thought I'd a couple of my own...

11. You should stop needing to go to the loo in the middle of the night during the second trimester (I can count on one hand the number of uninterrupted night's of sleep)

12. You feel amazing during the second trimester (I'm still just tired as I was in the first)

13. You'll be wrapped up in cotton wool by your nearest and dearest (every time I even hint at a moan I see eyes roll and people say, 'ohhh you've got a long way to go yet and if you're struggling now...')

14. Everyone loves a pregnant woman (they do but not for the reasons you'd assume by this statement, they love a pregnant woman because it means they can suddenly share all their extreme horror stories)

15. You become instantly broody whenever you see other babies (I've become the complete opposite, I look at other babies now with horror and fear that a) that actually has to come out of me and b) what if mine is that ugly...)

20 weeks - the half way point!!

Wow! After what can only be described as what feels like a marathon we've reached the half way point! I can't actually believe we're finally here and we now know that we're having a boy!!!

The last week has actually felt like an emotional roller coaster waiting for the scan, I've never felt so excited at the prospect of seeing him again and then so worried that they'd find something wrong. It was also quite frustrating because all anyone around me could talk about is what the sex would be and I just felt like shouting, "Does it really matter?".

The 20 week scan

So this took place, luckily, very early on Monday morning. After a pretty restless night's sleep Mr W and I walked into the scanning room and waited to find out how he was doing. I knew there was nothing drastically wrong as he'd been kicking like a little monkey all weekend, I even felt a summersault at one point. However, when you read the NHS pamphlet we all get provided with which explains what they'll be testing for, you can't help feeling apprehensive.

We were really lucky though because we had a great sonographer who put us at rest straightaway but literally, just getting on with it. She went over each organ in turn, checking blood flow and taking measurements. I think the most fascinating with was the heart as you could see the blood rushing in and out of all the four chambers of the heart. You could also see him swallowing some of the amniotic fluid and his little tongue moving as he did so!


Unfortunately though he was in the middle of his nap time so the process ended up being a lot longer as they couldn't move him to see everything immediately. In fact I had to go for two walks and drink both hot and cold drinks to get him to move the tiniest fraction so they could check the spine and kidneys. Fortunately though everything looked normal and healthy, so no more scans for us. Unless we want to pay for one of course.

Finding out the sex

As you may know from previous posts and tweets I was initially quite worried about finding out the sex mainly because everyone had their hearts set on a girl and I knew it was boy. I can't say why I knew I just had a feeling.

However, when we saw for certain that he was a boy in the scan we really couldn't have been more thrilled and excited to shout it from the roof tops. Although I come from a family of three girls, the only baby I actually know is my nephew from Mr W's side so I feel a lot more confident having a boy. Plus I love the idea of going to watch rugby, football or whatever they're into every saturday. No matter how cold it is outside. I also growing up always wanted a big brother to look after me and stand up for me, so it was a really nice surprise.

Mr W felt him kick!

Then top it all off this week, yesterday Mr W actually felt him kicking in my tummy. We've been excitedly putting his hand on my tummy for weeks hoping he'd be able to feel him wriggling around but to no avail until yesterday. He seems to get really excited when music is playing or at night so we keep trying to play him things to get a reaction. Well at least I'm hoping he's kicking with excitement and not annoyance or my husband will be very disappointed ;-).

Getting fit again

The final change that I've made this week, is that I'm starting to get down the gym again. I was really nervous before and had really just been sticking to trying to do lots of walking but yesterday I finally took the plunge, quite literally in aqua zumba.

I was slightly nervous when I first turned up because I was the youngest person there by about 25 years but everyone was really friendly. I was also initially sceptical when we were just jogging around the pool for the warm up but as soon the weights came out it became a real challenge. My arms were absolutely exhausted by the end! I'd really recommend aqua classes to anyone who's thinking about them. They're just great because everything you do is low impact but you can really feel your muscles getting a good work out, especially your arms!

Then today I went back to studio zumba which was always one of my favourite workouts. It was slightly frustrating not being able to leap around as much as before but I really enjoyed just having a bit of a dance. It's nice to do something and just forget about everything and as I said muffin loves music so it's a win win situation.

Now roll on the rest of my pregnancy and let's pray that the next 20 weeks go a lot quicker then the first...

Find your perfect baby record book

I'm at the stage now where I just want to start documenting everything so I've been shopping around to find a record book I like. Here are some of my findings:

Baby Animals Pregnancy Planner

£9.50 Paperchase

If you’re a fan of the paperchase style and you’re on a limited budget then this maybe the perfect planner for you. I really loved their wedding planner folder’s when I was preparing my wedding and I have one of the recipe books filled to the brim at home. It’s really colourful inside, sex neutral and there’s lot’s of room to add notes but not quite as classy looking as some of the other’s I’ve listed below.

http://www.paperchase.co.uk/recipe-+amp-social-books/baby-animals-pregnancy-planner/invt/00490618/

Smythson Panama Baby Notes Book

I absolutely love this little book and I keep hinting at Mr W in the hope he might buy it for me as a present. It’s the perfect notebook to keep in your handbag for when you have those random thoughts, or a friend gives you a piece of advice you don’t want to forget. Also because of the quality it should last for years so you can keep coming back to your feelings and thoughts at this special time.

£45 Smythson

http://www.smythson.com/stationery/books/panama-baby-notes-2.html

Millie and Boris Record Book

I love this book because it’s got lot’s of little pockets and envelopes for you to put things in like a lock of their hair or their hospital bracelet. It’s also so designed in keeping with the Millie and Boris interiors range if that’s what you’ve already got planned for the nursery.

£18.00 Mamas and Papas

http://www.mamasandpapas.com/product-millie-boris-record-book/484245310/type-i/

Deva Baby Record Book

£25 John Lewis

When I popped into John Lewis earlier today I was actually surprised that this seemed to be the only record book on offer. Thankfully it’s really cute and the pages inside give you loads of room for personalizing it. The only part that’s frustrating is that the two options are pink and blue and if you don’t know the sex it’s quite difficult to choose.

http://www.johnlewis.com/231576680/Product.aspx

Week 15 - the revival begins

Wow considering how I felt just 10 days ago I can't begin to explain the difference to now. I feel like a whole new person. In fairness I don't feel as amazing as everyone keeps telling me I'm going to feel but I definitely feel alive and inspired to actually move my bum off the sofa. I can't tell you how happy that makes Mr W feel, not having a big lump for a wife. 

So here's a quick summary of how's it been for baby and I: 

The baby

At week 15 according to The Baby Centre little muffin is the size of an apple. I really couldn't tell you if that's a golden delicious or a pink lady but it's about 10cm of crown to rump. 

This week's key developments include being able to sense light even though their eyelids are fused shut. Taste buds are beginning to form so it won't be a long before I start getting reactions based on my rather varied eating habits. All the limbs are continuing to grow and his legs should be longer then his arms (otherwise he'll be walking around like a monkey when he pops out).

His or her little face has eyelashes and eyebrows. Its backbone is strong enough for its neck to straighten out and he's moving around more than ever particularly with little hiccups beginning to start. 

If I were to have an ultrasound now we might even be able to tell the sex but unfortunately with my care plan I'm going to have to wait until 20 weeks for that information. Also and most excitingly of all, from anytime going forward I might be able to feel little muffin kicking, Eek!!! 

Me

Well as I said I feel like a whole new person this week. The biggest change of all I think is the nesting instinct kicking in. I actually spent over four hours cleaning the other day which for me, even though I know it's disgraceful, is like an alien taking over my form. I've just suddenly found that I absolutely can not bear mess and dirt. I have to sort it out straight away or I won't be able to relax. 

The fact that I even want to get off the sofa is also a pretty big deal. There have been days in the last four months when I would literally be happy to just staying in bed or not moving off the sofa. As someone who is self employed I can't begin to explain what a challenge that has been. It's also definitely been felt on the old finances. 

I'm still being sick though unfortunately. I very rarely feel nauseous but occassionaly there is still a meal that doesn't want to stay down, which is frustrating as I only get about a 10 second warning. Luckily it hasn't happened when I've been out and about. Phew!! 

The bump is also really beginning to grow and all my clothes are getting tighter. I tried to put on a pair of maternity jeans the other day but they're still a little on the big side. I think this must be the most frustrating time because it is really difficult to wear anything that fits unless you invest in clothing that's one or two sizes bigger then your norm but that just seems like a waste to me as you'll only be in them for a month. 

I also attended my first antenatal class at the hospital where I'll be giving birth which was exciting. It was all about staying healthy in pregnancy and the habits you need to be learning now to stop yourself getting into difficulties later. For example, how to sleep with a pillow between your legs, how to get in and out of bed and all your tummy and pelvic floor muscles. I'll probably do a fuller post on this later on. The other thing I discovered is that you can get help through the NHS with physiotherapy if you do have an great discomfort. As I unfortunately have a curved spine I've already been in quite a lot of pain so I'm going to start with them in the next couple of weeks. Who knew there was positives to the NHS??

Anyway I have to say this is definitely been the best week so far and I'm really starting to feel excited about the coming months. Particuarly as we now have a real bump to comment on. 

Top sleeping tips during pregnancy

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve found that I’ve really been struggling to get to sleep, which I’m a little worried about considering this is supposed to be the time when it’s supposed to be easiest.

So, I’ve been doing some research and picking up tips to help which I thought I might share in case anyone else in having the same issues:

1. Try to cut down on your fluid intake in the evening so you don’t wake up with a full bladder
2. Apparently eggs, milk, tuna and turkey contain goodness that encourages the production of serotonin, that has a calming effect and aids sleep
3. Chamomile and lavender are known to help with sleep so why not try Mum & Me’s Sleep Mist. I found it in the baby section of Boots for £4.99 and it really helps
4. The breathing techniques they teach you in yoga are great for helping you relax
5. Try and sleep on your left hand side, as it’s best for baby. Lying on your back after 16 weeks should definitely be avoided as it could be restricting your blood flow
6. Pregnancy pillows or just an extra pillow that you can put between your legs can help relieve pressure on your hips later on in pregnancy when your bump is bigger
7. If you’re waking up hungry eat foods at meal times that contain slow releasing carbs (wholemeal bread and pasta) or that are high in protein (plain yoghurt with honey)
8. Try and get into a relaxing routine before bed that signals to your brain its bedtime. Have a relaxing bath, some hot milk and read a book. Definitely no TV – one of my terrible habits.
9. Finally, I personally find it really relaxing when Mr W strokes my head. It just helps me forget all my worries and regulate my breathing. 

Week 14 - Wohoo the start of the second trimester

So I’m sure I read somewhere that at this point I’m supposed to stop feeling sick, have tons of energy and that mystical glow everyone keeps going on about… Well in my case I’ve been sorely disappointed.

What’s happening with baby this week…

Well it turns out my little muffin is a lemon this week measuring at approx. 10.1cm (4in). Although it apparently starts getting harder to predict their exact size from this point onwards as all babies now start developing at different speeds but apparently I should think of it as a lemon.

Muffin’s ears are also now developed to start hearing and in particular mine and hubby’s voices, which is pretty cool. They also love being sung to but unfortunately for my little one I think I’ll save them from my voice unless they want their ears damaged before they’ve even begun.

Other cool facts include: they’re arms should have grown long enough to place his hands together in front of his face, the spinal cord is now fully formed and nerves are leaving between every vertebra, and she can even squint, frown, grimace, pee and possibly suck her thumb!!

What’s happening with me this week…

I wish I could tell you that I’m feeling amazing and all the tiredness and nausea had gone away but unfortunately not.  Although it has definitely begun to improve as the days have gone by.

I was lucky enough to start the week in Portugal as Mr W and I had managed to escape the horrific weather here for a week of sunshine and relaxation. Although I was still pretty exhausted in the afternoons and pretty much comatosed by 10pm a week of fresh fruit and fish was definitely paying dividends.

However we did return back to earth on Tuesday with a bit of a bump as my morning sickness returned with a vengeance following a delicious meal cooked by my mum. As a result I now seemed to have formed quite a significant food aversion to anything too vinegary e.g. salad dressing.

Since then I’m still struggling with nausea particularly if I’m a little hungry but on the positive side I’m really starting to get my energy back. I’m still exhausted early evening and around mid afternoon but I feel a lot better in the mornings. I’m finally getting an urge to actually do things other then hide on my sofa and I’m definitely nesting. I spent over four hours this morning cleaning our spare room something that is virtually on heard of for me!  

I think the most exciting part of this week has definitely been my growing bump – I finally have one! People actually have something to comment on and I don’t just look like I’ve eaten all the pies. I even tried on a pair of maternity jeans the other day but there still on the big side so I’m just living in tracksuit bottoms until they do fit but I’m sure it won’t be long.

Other then that everything else has been pretty much normal. My boobs are still pretty sore and sensitive and I’m a little gassy.

I’m also starting to get really excited now about the next stage as anytime from next week I could start to feel little muffins movements. I’m also only 4.5 weeks away from my next scan when I can find out the sex and finally we can start really planning! 

The first trimester

So I know this isn’t strictly a weekly diary but as I started this blog in my second trimester I thought it was worth giving a quick recap of how it went…

Breasts

These started off as being a little tender, no more so then at the beginning of your period, but then one morning during week 6 I woke up with them feeling like they'd been through ten rounds with Mike Tyson. Shortly afterwards they REALLY started to increase in size!! I know for most women this is one of the signs of pregnancy they really look forward to but for me it really wasn’t. Mainly because I have already been blessed with rather large ones so I actually started to grow out of all my clothes by week 8, not because of a bump but because I’d started looking like a porn star. L

They also feel really different now, before they were really soft but now they’ve really started to harden as the milk ducts form and my nipples and areola are quite a bit darker and larger. 

Going to the loo

I'm told one of the most common early signs is a need to urinate every five minutes and whilst it wasn’t quite that often I’m still in week 14 not managing to sleep through the night. Apparently this occurs to begin with because whilst the baby sits in your pelvis it’s literally on top of your bladder. All I know is my baby is now definitely further up and I still need to go to the loo at some point in the middle of the night.

My advice on this one is just to try and cut down your fluids as much as possible in the evening. This was a hard one for me as I just couldn’t get enough liquids in the first trimester. I literally couldn’t ever quench my thirst it was really bizarre. However I tried really hard to make sure I only sipped a glass of water at least an hour before bed. That seemed to cut the trips down to just one around 3.30am every morning.

Exhaustion

This has been the most prevalent symptom for me so far. It's strange though because I wake up really early every morning (around 6.30am) with loads of energy but by about 3pm I'm literally asleep wherever it is I might be. I need a good hours nap every afternoon so that I can last through the evening and I don't mean a doze I mean an actual full on hour's deep sleep. I've never experienced anything I like it and I'm finding it really strange. The other day I went to watch my husband in a go-kart race but missed the whole thing because I fell asleep in my car in the car park for about 90mins before he came and found me, much to everyone's amusement. So now I'm just learning a new routine, much like I will have to when the baby arrives I guess, where I get up and get all my work done in the mornings and early evenings but make sure I don't arrange to attend any meetings in the afternoons which so far I've found perfectly manageable.

Morning sickness

I think this is the one I’m still struggling with most. I was quite lucky in that it didn’t really hit until week 8 when I was on a girl’s holiday in Portugal but ever since then I’ve been sick quite regularly. I find it’s usually worse if I literally don’t eat as soon as I wake up or if I start the day on anything acidic e.g. an apple. The other thing I’d recommend if you’re also suffering are the sickness bands you can get from chemists for travel sickness. They didn’t make the symptoms completely disappear but they really took the edge off which made a huge difference when I needed to behave professionally in meetings.

Sense of smell

See when everyone talked about this one I assumed they meant that all smells around you are heightened but apparently not. I'm just finding that my nose seems to be particularly sensitive to certain smells, e.g. when my mother got in my car with a tray full of starbucks coffee the smell was really overwhelming. I wouldn't necessarily say that it made me feel sick it just made me want to get away from it. The other one I really struggled with was Red Bull; someone opened a can of it the other day about two metres away from me but I could smell it as though the can was right under my nose. Also, unsurprisingly cigarette smoke has been a real nightmare. As a (not proud) ex-smoker myself I still have a lot of friends who indulge in the habit and whilst they’re great at trying their best not to do it near me, I can smell it a mile off. In fact it was the smell that sparked my first vomiting experience.

Although on the positive side I have to say that this all beginning to dull down a bit in the second trimester which is a relief.

Fears

After the joyous news of my pregnancy started to settle the fears also began to appear. The main one being miscarriage which I know is completely down to nature but you can't help but worry none stop about it. I always felt that if I’d say something about how excited I was about the baby or how Xmas will be interesting, I’d have to qualify it with a statement along the lines of 'provided everything is ok and we get through the next couple of months' just so that I didn’t jinx it. After I told my parents we were expecting (we decided to tell our closest family before the 12 weeks because lets face it most women want their own mummy at a time like this) I was totally convinced I was going to lose it.

Then at 10 weeks we had a proper scare where after a trip to the loo I noticed some spotting and following a phone call to my GP we ended it up in our local A&E. Thankfully everything was absolutely fine and we managed to get an early scan out of the experience but I can’t tell you how terrifying it was. I was totally convinced I’d done something to harm it. Even now we’ve had the second 12 week scan I still worry from time to time that something will go wrong. On holiday last week I accidentally did a belly flop into the pool and I was so scared I’d harmed it. It took an urgent phone call to my mum to convince me everything was fine. Maybe when I can actually feel him or her moving around I’ll be able to relax a bit more…