Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! Just a wee update this week.

We had a lovely holiday. Our families were all together in one country, in one room. Baby received gifts despite not being here yet. And best of all, I didn’t go into labour on Christmas day!

Friday I see the midwife and next week I have my scan with the maternal fetal medicine unit in the city. Baby boy will be here whenever it suits him I guess but I’m hopeful it’ll be spontaneous labour. If I don’t go into labour by the 10th of January then I’m scheduled for induction, which ideally I’d like to avoid. We shall see…

Sleep:  I’m still awake every hour because of my hips aching but I know the end is in sight…

Food cravings:  Back to my mid-pregnancy obsession with Fanta and anything vinegary – especially my husband’s potato salad.

Food aversions:  Nothing really, just needing smaller portions as he is taking up all the space as usual.

– – –

Symptoms I HAVE:
Hunger – Not much change. He hasn’t dropped yet so I don’t have more room yet.

– – –

Stretchmarks:  Tiger stripes everywhere. Itchy and sore in places, but not too bad. I’m pretty accepting of them for now.

Movement:  Still super wiggly but it’s obvious he has no room. He’s too tall to turn much so he just headbutts my cervix and kicks me in the ribs. I wonder how active he’ll be on the outside. Sports in my future regardless I think!

Best moment of the week:  Christmas with our families.

What I’m looking forward to:  Putting the cot and rocking chair together this weekend. And the shelves up. Baby boy being here!

What I miss:  Not being achey and slow and tired. But the end is in sight!

Here is an update from the last week!

The size/what features:  I’m now carrying a pineapple, bok choy, a ferret (yes, really, according to one app he is ferret-sized)… and he is getting so ready to be a wee human outside me. Terrifying yet so exciting.

Sleep:  Definitely still up and down though not as bad as it was. I also find if I wake up super early it’s really hard to go back to sleep. I guess I’m getting ready…

Food cravings:  Dairy lately, which is interesting – probably just needing a bit of extra calcium. Also with this weird weather lately I’ve been having more soup-based lunches, but I doubt that’s baby-related!

Also, weirdly (cause I was never much of a drinker), I’ve really wanted a cider or glass of wine lately.

Food aversions:  Textures like onion still gross me out a bit. 

– – –

Symptoms I HAVE:
Hunger – Definitely more interested in food!

Skin – Dry as always and my neck has got a lot of skin tags on it which, ugh. Apparently they mostly disappear after. No one tells you about that random stuff!

– – –

Stretchmarks:  Nothing new since last week, it’s amazing how they’ve just kinda appeared though!

Doctor’s Appointment:  I have another scan Thursday and am seeing the midwife Friday where I’ll get my next anti-D shot. Hopefully on the scan my fluid hasn’t increased too much – I definitely feel tight and like I’m larger every week. My weight hasn’t really increased though so I’m SO curious as to what will happen after birth. How can he be growing but I’m not? I guess we are balancing each other out as he steals all my dinners.

Movement:  Still super rolly and wiggly and you can see it now too. I also have been having more lightning pains which means I have to stop when I’m walking and take it slow whenever I’m heading anywhere. My bump feels heavy and I’m definitely getting really tired.

Best moment of the week:  Finishing up some of the shopping for him, feeling like it’s getting closer. I’m actually kinda terrified of birth (as many of us are!) but trying not to worry too much about it as whatever happens will happen. As long as he gets here safely I will cope with it.

I also find myself getting more emotional lately thinking about our baby being here. Our baby. I can’t believe I get to meet him in 6ish weeks. What will he be like? What will he look like? How big will he be? (I still think he’s going to be a long baby/tall boy!)

What I’m looking forward to:  I have two baby showers in my 34th week! A family one and a work one. And in under 3 weeks D’s mum and sister are in NZ and then will be with us for Christmas.

What I miss:  Just being mobile/feeling agile. But we’re so close to the finish line.

I have 3.5 weeks at work! Eeeek!

Time got away from me last week!

So here is a combined update for the last few weeks.

The size/what features:  Babe is now in the 62nd percentile. He is growing well and has been head-down since 28 weeks. I think he is long rather than large, but we shall see. I keep picturing him with long legs and feet (just going by some of the scans) and I think he hasn’t turned from being cephalic because he’s long and comfy. His feet are often pushing on my ribs.

Sleep:  Some good nights, some bad. Last night was particularly rough, with 2 toilet breaks and a lot of discomfort with reflux. I couldn’t get settled. It makes working tough but you just push through it.

Food cravings:  Nothing lately but I do find there’s not much room in there, yet I’m more hungry. Fun combination. If I eat a decent portion I often feel awful afterwards and if I eat only a small amount the reflux is eased but I’m starving again soon after, so it’s a fine balance.

Food aversions:  I’m not really averse to anything, but I’m very cautious!

– – –

Symptoms I HAVE:

Hunger – Has increased, but as above – it’s not that helpful.

Skin – Dry, a bit itchy. I kinda wish I could moisturise everything all at once without the effort. The sun being out is helpful – I’m hoping to get some good chill time in the garden on these long summer nights, and also will hopefully be swimming to take the weight off me.

– – –

Stretchmarks:  Definitely there now, mainly low and under the bump though, which I guess is the best place for them! Not that I’m likely to show off my stomach to many in future. I always thought in pregnancy I’d wear a bikini for the first time ever, but it’s hard finding them with supportive enough tops that are affordable, so I’ve ended up buying a large tankini with boy shorts (also helpful if you’re not super into maintaining your bikini line while pregnant!)

Doctor’s Appointment:  I’ve seen the midwife and been to the Dr for my Boostrix/TDap so baby is protected from whooping cough now.

Also, my last scan showed that I have borderline polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) so I’m being referred back to the hospital maternity unit just to be safe. Hopefully that happens soon. I’m not worrying too much about it – it does explain why my bump feels firmer than normal. I don’t have anywhere near the amount of extra fluid that leads to pre-term labour or anything, so it’s just a matter of being a bit larger and a bit firmer for now.

Movement:  All the time, he’s very rolly and wiggly and still loves my right side. I’ve also started getting lightning pains from his head on my cervix as I walk. Those are fun.

Best moment of the week:  My SIL found a baby item I’d been super keen on on an online specials site and split the cost with me. It’s a little pod baby can sleep in with a sun shade so we can take him to the beach or even just sit on the lawn or by the pool with him.

What I’m looking forward to:  Finishing work – I’ve got less than a month now!

What I miss:  Just sleeping well, that’s all. It’s also quite anxiety-inducing being pregnant and I know it’ll be a different kind of anxiety once he’s out in the world.

I can’t believe how fast this trimester is going. I feel like once work is done then he’ll be here so quick. We need to name him!

How did we get here?

Suddenly we’re in the “end zone”. I feel like I’ve had a bit of an explosion of growth lately and we’re all of a sudden getting really close to D day.

I look super pregnant.

I’ve packed a go bag for the baby and will be packing our bag this week I think – feels like I have loads of time to do this but I also know anything can happen.

A family friend and my boss are both throwing baby showers for me, which I’m really happy about but it also feels alien to be looking forward to a baby shower. I attended an afternoon tea for my sister-in-law in September and that was the first time I agreed to attend one and actually didn’t hate it. Infertility is hard to shake.

The size/what features:  Babe is the size of a zucchini, a large cabbage, a platypus (!), a winter squash. He is moving so much still and giving big kicks in all directions. He has been mostly head down for a few weeks but occasionally I think he is transverse as I get wiggles on both sides (but could be hands I guess!). D has had a lot more chances to feel him now, as he is so keen on kicking, especially on my right side where he likes to hang out most of the time.

Sleep:  Some terrible nights lately with hip pain, but then also some nights where I have no issue. It’s totally just down to growth spurts really I think. I get super tired but I also need to remind myself not to do too much.

Food cravings:  Dumplings today! Mmm.

Food aversions:  I haven’t had any lately.

– – –

Symptoms I HAVE:

Hunger – Trying to eat lots of small meals to manage the heartburn.

Skin – Dry and itchy still, lots of moisturising going on!

– – –

Stretchmarks:  A few have popped up under my belly now for sure.

Doctor’s Appointment:  Seeing the midwife tonight! And because it’s an evening appointment D will get to finally meet her, which is good.

Movement:  All the time, as above!

Best moment of the week:  We’ve been talking more to the baby which has been fun, and all the wiggles are great. I’m also close to having 6 weeks left at work which feels almost manageable!

What I’m looking forward to:  Taylor Swift this weekend! It’ll be interesting balancing my intense excitement and looking after myself/needing to lie down.

What I miss:  I genuinely think I may sleep better (in quality, not quantity) once baby arrives. It’s a bizarre thought, but the pain and difficulty finding comfort will mostly be resolved once I give birth hopefully, so it’ll be a matter of napping as much as I can and working around him, especially once I’m not working full time. I’ve been told this by a few people who had difficulty sleeping in their pregnancy (though they told me in hushed tones, fearing being shunned by other parents) so we’ll just play it by ear.

I’m so excited for him to be here that we will just roll with whatever comes.

It’s weird being this close to 30 weeks – being 3* weeks pregnant sounds so close to having an actual baby, people. It’s mind-blowing. I am suddenly in super nesting mode and desperate to have everything ready for the baby – feeling like we have no time at all and yet so much time.

I have 8 weeks left at work which feels interminable but at the same time, not enough.

The size/what features:  Baby is a cauliflower or an acorn squash or something. Anyway, he’s probably over 3lbs now and is a little unhappy with his cramped quarters I think – so many wiggles and foot jabs and rolls. It’s surreal and I think I will miss it when he is born. You kinda get used to being prodded from the inside even though it’s such a short time.

Sleep:  Well today I’m feeling pretty rubbish from waking every 90 minutes last night. I definitely need an early one. It’s hard knowing you’re being trained for baby yet also needing the sleep so badly before baby comes. I wish I could nap in the work day!

Food cravings:  Still carbs mainly but I also really wanted glazed donuts on Saturday so we definitely indulged there.

Food aversions:  I’ve been good with most things this week!

– – –

Symptoms I HAVE:

Hunger – Eating regularly in small quantities is helping to keep hunger at bay, though it’s weird – I go from “hmm I could eat” to “OMG FEED ME NOW” in about 5 minutes.

Skin – I’ve finally got the slight itchiness on my belly that I kept being warned about. Growing!

– – –

Stretchmarks:  No change this week.

Doctor’s Appointment:  Seeing the midwife on Friday (I now see her every 2 weeks) but no other appointments needed for a while.

Movement:  Almost all day.

Best moment of the week:  I bought a swimsuit (just a standard non-maternity one, in 2 sizes up) and felt very cute in it with my big bump. Looking forward to some swims – give me weightlessness please!

What I’m looking forward to:  Next week’s long weekend for a gig, tonight’s early bedtime…

What I miss:  Right now I kinda wish I could chug down a V (NZ energy drink). I mean, there’s coffee, but it’s not quite the same…

My wee offspring is obviously growing!

He is always wedged under my ribs and seems to have a lot less room to work with. At last week’s antenatal class there was a definite push and roll feeling which was quite amazing.

It has been a busy week and I’ve felt a bit overwhelmed. I ended up taking Friday as a sick day because I was so achey and tired from not sleeping well at all Thursday night. It was also a long weekend so I tried to rest as much as I could.

I’m definitely slower – if I try and walk at my normal brisk pace (side effect of a tall husband) I get achey and my ligaments hurt, so I’m working on just taking my time.

Here’s the prompts…

The size/what features:  Bubs was measuring a week ahead at our growth scan, with long feet and a big head. I’m so glad he’s growing well, as they are doing these extra scans to make sure he’s not behind, and also my weight gain is very slow but steady and I worry I’m not gaining enough for him – obviously I have been doing just fine. He was practicing his swallowing at the scan too. He’s about eggplant size according to the apps – at the scan they thought he was about 2lbs 15 (1.33kg).

Sleep:  Hit and miss still and only going to get worse I guess. I seem to have hit a good pillow balance, but still wake up every 90 minutes or so to shift around.

Food cravings:  Been very keen on carbs as usual, and also wedges with sour cream. Still into sweet fruit juices too.

Food aversions:  Tomato, weirdly?

– – –

Symptoms I HAVE:

Hunger – Not got a lot of room for food so I’m still eating small quantities.

Skin – My rings are finally uncomfortable and causing my usual summer eczema/rashes, so I’ll be putting them away for a while, I think. I feel sad not wearing them, but I don’t want to get to cutting-them-off territory.

– – –

Stretchmarks:  Nothing on the belly but a few under on each side – growing for sure!

Doctor’s Appointment:  On Thursday I did my glucose test (passed, phew!), had thyroid bloods, 28 week bloods, and had our growth scan! Phew.  My bloods were all great, including a TSH of 0.61 which is the lowest I’ve ever seen (T4 now 14), except for my iron which is low, so I’ve been put on 200mg daily. Funny how I started the pregnancy with too much iron and now have too little. It does explain how wiped out I’ve felt lately, though.

Scan was great, too. I took my mum along, who has never been to a scan! When she had her twins she was scanned but not allowed to see it/given any photos, and my dad wasn’t allowed to go. Insane. When she had me she said she had another scan but again didn’t see it. It made her happy and I let her keep the one photo they gave us. Babe has long feet and a big head and was doing all kinds of wiggles and it was great.

On Friday I also had my anti-D shot from the midwife. The joys of being rhesus negative (O- blood type). And his heart was beating strong and loud – my favourite part.

Movement:  Loads, but definitely feels like he has less room – it’s more rolling and pushing than kicks. Sometimes I get these amazing pushes against the side of my belly and I can see the wee pops from the outside. It’s remarkable.

Best moment of the week:  The scan and all of these movements. I also loved getting past 28 weeks – another great survival milestone. I’m getting more excited now.

What I’m looking forward to:  Going to Auckland in a few weeks for Taylor Swift! Next scan is 34 weeks. And finishing work – 8.5 weeks to go.

What I miss:  Sleeping comfortably and being able to get off the bed/couch without squirming around like a turtle. D thinks it’s hilarious.

Until next week…

What a week, pals. I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck the past 5 days – I wake up and really just struggle to get going. I’m so much slower, achier, and just, well, bigger.

I’ve had some round ligament pain issues this week, as well as pelvic ache. I’m getting a support belt shortly. I’ve also noticed that my hips/upper thighs have really suddenly expanded to the point where my underwear and trousers are tight or uncomfortable. Which is super weird, as I haven’t noticed any sudden added weight gain, still just slowly gaining.

Boys, eh. I remember a friend telling me she put on hip/thigh weight with her boy, and yup, there it is.

Here’s some other thoughts about this week…

The size/what features:  A cauliflower/large lettuce, or apparently a fennec fox! Apparently he is listening to us more, opening his eyes, getting thicker lashes and brows and hair, and practicing breathing in his amniotic fluid. He’s also still super active almost all day long.

Sleep:  I have to wake and move around every 2 hours, so I guess that’s preparing me in a way for that schedule (though thankfully I stay in bed right now).

Food cravings:  Nothing this week, I think those have settled a bit. I did really crave this one dish my mother used to make so I made that last night – it’s basically chicken in a creamy sauce over pasta. Mmmm.

Food aversions:  Nothing to report!

– – –

Symptoms I HAVE:

Hunger – Definitely snacking more, I’ve been bringing fruit to work and trying not to just eat sugar whenever I’m hungry!

Skin – I’ve got eczema under my rings again, which is mainly because I couldn’t take them off for about 10 days. I’m going to have to retire my engagement ring for a while, I think. It’s super small.

– – –

Stretchmarks:  No new ones!

Doctor’s Appointment:  Next appointments are next week when I hit 28 weeks – my regular bloods for thyroid, iron/CBC for 28 weeks, then the glucose tolerance test for GED.  I also have my next growth scan that day!

Next Friday I also get an anti-D shot, as I’m rhesus negative and we don’t know D’s blood type (and haven’t managed to test him). If he ends up being negative too then no harm done, really, I’m not bothered by shots.

Movement:  All the time. So reassuring yet kinda funny at the same time – he’s a busy boy!

Best moment of the week:  Catching up with friends at their home last weekend and being gifted/loaned an amazing amount of stuff! So kind. I also saw another old friend and her gorgeous baby girl.

What I’m looking forward to:  That next scan, I’m taking my mum along this time – she’s never been to one!

What I miss:  Not aching/feeling stiff all the time. I know more is to come, so regular swimming begins next week…

3rd trimester, friends. This is going so fast yet it still feels like such a long wait for the finish line. I’m really enjoying getting ready for this baby – nesting has definitely kicked in!

Here’s some thoughts about this week.

The size/what features:  He is probably between 1 and 1.5lbs now? (I don’t know kilos with babies. It just doesn’t compute, sorry!). He is in crazy active mode and is putting on lots of fat, apparently. My last fundal height was 1cm ahead.

Sleep:  Still hit and miss and bound to get worse soon.

Food cravings:  Still craving sugar but trying to cut back as I know that diabetes test is coming…

Food aversions:  They come and go – I often don’t know til I’m about to eat something that I don’t want it anymore, so that’s fun.

– – –

Symptoms I HAVE:

Hunger – I wake up hungry, I fall asleep hungry… it’s good! I’m glad to be able to eat more and need to stock up on more snacks.

Skin – Definitely itchier though I’ve noticed my face doesn’t seem as dry. As a side note, my eyes are super dry and I may start wearing my glasses more.

– – –

Stretchmarks:  No change. Someone told me this week that I’m “blooming!” which I’m taking as code for, “Geez, when did you get so large?”

Doctor’s Appointment:  Just saw midwife yesterday and all seems to be going well, as per. We’re onto fortnightly visits now which seems crazy to me!

Movement:  SO much! Loving it. Sometimes he’s lying transverse and kicks and headbutts me at the same time.

Best moment of the week:  We started antenatal classes. They seem like a good bunch. I feel like I know more than most due to my work in maternal morbidity, but we still learned a wee bit and it’s good for D to absorb what he can.

What I’m looking forward to:  In a few weeks we have a growth scan (common with IVF pregnancies) – feels like forever since we’ve seen him.

What I miss:  Not having heartburn, but it’s manageable and if that’s the worst part of pregnancy for me, I’ll take it.

I’m 6 months preg! Madness!

Here’s some thoughts about this week.

The size/what features:  He is the size of a cauliflower, and is apparently possibly opening his eyes. He’s fond of lying sideways across me lately, with kicks often being accompanied by headbutts so that I get a thump on both sides at once. It’s pretty neat.

Sleep:  We just took a quick trip up north to Lake Taupo and I got a lot of naps. It was great!

Maternity Clothes:  I busted out some maxi dresses the other day to put in the wash for those warm days that are hopefully coming!

Food cravings:  Nothing new, though my diabetes test is coming up so I think I should lay off the sugar.

Food aversions:  Nothing new!

– – –

Symptoms I HAVE:

Hunger – I wake up hungry! No nighttime munchies yet, however.

Heartburn – Endless GERD. I may remove this prompt because yes it may never change.

Skin – So moisturised.

Stretchmarks:  No change. Getting round.

Doctor’s Appointment:  Seeing midwife on Friday, then the next test is my gestational diabetes test, probably next week. Joy!

Movement:  SO much. Today he is moving almost constantly. Have a nap, kid.

Best moment of the week:  When we were up north, D finally got to feel him move. It was quite a triumphant celebration on his part and it was just so great for him to finally catch it. I know as Bubs gets bigger, he’ll get a lot more chances, but this was so great for him after such a long wait.

What I’m looking forward to:  Starting antenatal classes this week!

What I miss:  Feeling limber. Ha. The waddle has begun.

I’ll be 6 months preg on Friday!