birth

Ever wondered how other mums feel when they find out they’re expecting? What thoughts cross their minds, how they feel as their baby grows inside them and how they cope as this journey plays out?  We’ve decided to follow Carly, a first time mum, who’s here to tell us her inner most thoughts, feelings and completely crazy cravings, because every story is different, unpredictable, terrifying and wonderful!

8 weeks

The sickness and hunger have eased back but boy oh boy, the sore boobs have not. They don’t seem to have grown much but wow, are they tender! I still feel hungrier than normal but find I just can’t eat a normal sized dinner? I don’t really like snacking late at night but I don’t really have much choice at the moment.

We’re going out for a meal tonight to celebrate my dad’s birthday but rather annoyingly we’re going to an amazing Japanese place and, as I’m sure you know the joys of pregnancy have very strict food limitations.

I’ve also really noticed how much more tired I am at the moment too. I’ve been really good about limiting caffeine, but last night I gave in and had a small glass of coke – I just felt so drained and really needed the energy. Back on the decaf tea today though!

9 weeks

I ended up having chicken gyoza at the restaurant but all I could see was the beautiful sushi on everyone else’s plates – won’t be going there again anytime soon! No-one seemed to suspect anything when I ordered lime and sodas all night either, which was handy as it’s still too early to share the news. Can’t believe it’s so close to the first scan. It’s even closer to the first consultant obstetrician appointment, although I’ve been reading conflicting accounts online on what they’ll actually do in that appointment? I’m hopeful to be able to hear the heartbeat, but I know (from self-googling) that it’s not likely until at least 14 weeks.

I’ve been feeling less tired this week in the evenings, and able to stay awake past 9. I’m hoping this will last… My appetite has also started to shrink a bit – which I think is a good thing. I know I’m having a baby but the scales have really shot up!

10 weeks

Eugh, I caught the dreaded lurgy this week. It was awful. Of course I couldn’t take anything for it. I’m now feeling a bit better but still on the hot honey and lemon –  it’s the closest pregnancy friendly remedy I can find to Lemsip!

I’m looking forward to the obstetrician appointment on Monday, though I’ve started to get a little nervous. I want to speak to them about my racing heartbeat, as mine was nearly 120 bpm last night whilst resting. Is that normal? It seems to get really high out of the blue then go back to a more normal 80-90 after an hour or so. I suffer from a thyroid condition so I’m not sure if it’s related to that or the extra work my body is doing at the moment. I’m never quite sure at the moment what is baby-related and what’s not.

11 weeks

So I’ve just had my consultant obstetrician appointment (after a very long wait at the maternity unit, but we won’t go into that)! I spoke to her about my concerns with my heart rate and she said to monitor for the next 10 weeks and I’m still concerned, they’ll do further tests and to also mention it to my endocrinologist. Scary stuff.

My Obstetrician also said she will arrange for 2 extra growth scans of the baby between 24-36 weeks which will be good. She took my blood pressure and weight (no comment) and everything is fine, so it the first baby-scan is all set! Rather oddly though, I am now SUPER nervous because, up until then, nobody except me has confirmed I even have a foetus growing in there. My husband thinks I’m mad.  I’m also excited to see our little baby for the first time on the big screen, even if it does look like a little blob! J

12 weeks

I had my scan today and I’m pleased to say that everything is OK/ the baby was wriggling around like a tadpole. SUCH a relief to see that picture on the screen; they were running late and my bladder was so full, I thought I was going to burst when she did eventually press on it with the probe. I was so nervous this morning I was actually sick, (I’m putting that down to nerves rather than pregnancy). Anyway it was amazing seeing that little heartbeat and limbs twitching around! They’ve measured me at 2 days further along that I thought.

The one thing that was a bit frustrating is that baby was laying stubbornly face down so we couldn’t get great pictures and more importantly, the technician couldn’t get the nuchal measurement. Instead of the usual NT test, I now have to have the older style Quad test (after 15 weeks) that doesn’t factor in nuchal measurement.

I think I’m starting to show now, (although to anyone else I probably just look like I’m bloated) so that’s really exciting. Wonder how many strangers will start patting my tummy uninvited..! Not long now till we will know if it’s a boy or a girl! Anyway, fingers crossed all is well with my baby, speak soon. x