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!

We reached V day! Such a milestone. Still quite surreal to look down and realise that yes, it’s me that’s pregnant. This is happening to my body and it is real and a baby is coming.

I didn’t want to do the normal weekly update this week because I just have so many thoughts about this date. I remember when we were starting our first round of IVF, I would plug the dates into my spreadsheet (everything in my life is planned on a spreadsheet) and calculate when 12 weeks would be, 20 weeks would be, 24 weeks would be… viability as a concept and a date just seemed very alien to me.

And now, well. It still feels a little alien to me. All I wanted was to carry this baby and it still often feels like a strange lie that I am the one getting to carry this miracle baby. So many stars had to align to get us here. So many doctors and drugs and wishes.

He is as big as a cantaloupe, and this past week has had the hiccups. He’s also getting really good at booting me in the ribs or the bladder.

He has fingers and toes and the beginning of fingernails, and hair and eyelashes. He has a fast, strong heartbeat and a sleeping pattern (obviously not my sleeping pattern, however) and is kept safe and fed and warm inside me.

I worried that pregnancy would be awful and in my stubbornness to “enjoy every moment”, I would just grin and bear it. But pregnancy has been wonderful. I have the most terrible GERD and dry skin and achey everything and I sleep terribly, but it has still been wonderful. I love my body for the first time that I can remember. I’m a bit ungainly and clumsy and it’s hard to sometimes get comfortable, but I don’t feel fat and gross when I look in the mirror and hate every bump and squishy bit I see.

I feel like this perfect mama growing this perfect babe and I’m just so grateful it’s sickening.

I’m still scared. I think I’ll always be scared. We may be past the point where babe can likely survive, but I still want to protect him and keep him inside as long as I can. There’s nothing to suggest he’ll come before he’s ready, but. In infertility, everything that could go wrong feels like it will.

That being said, I’ve had a textbook pregnancy so far. He is perfectly on size, my tests have all been great, and everything seems perfect.

I’m thankful for every step that got us here. Grow, baby, grow.

Another update!

The size/what features:  The midwife says this is a period of high growth, and the internet says this is the time that he has the most room to move around and oh boy is he showing it. So good to get reminders of him all the time, even when they’re a kick to the cervix. He’s the size of an ear of corn or a barbie doll. He can hear us talking to him, his nails are growing and he’s getting fat.

Sleep:  Still rubbish but we’re doing fine.

Maternity Clothes:  I’m thinking I’ll need another pair of maternity jeans soon – thrashing my one pair! Still loving dresses and leggings though, so easy for work. Definitely feel like I’m growing a lot lately.

Food cravings:  These have backed off a bit but I definitely know now what I feel like eating each meal which is nice.

Food aversions:  Main issue these days is getting halfway through a meal and quitting. There’s just not enough room in there now!

– – –

Symptoms I HAVE:
Hunger – Stepped up a bit!

Heartburn – Still every day though the drugs etc do help. I’m expecting a very hairy baby.

Skin – Still dry and I’m sprouting hairs everywhere but otherwise no issues just now.

– – –

Stretchmarks:  None yet but I think this baby is about to start making me rather large.

Doctor’s Appointment:  Nothing this week but I’m all booked in for our 28 week growth scan, and my GP has upped my thyroid meds as I’m borderline normal T4 (though my TSH has been great). I think it’s all the antacids…

Movement:  Loads. He is always letting me know he’s there, I love it.

Belly Button:  Hasn’t popped yet but is definitely getting shallow!

Best moment of the week:  Maisie has been very cuddly lately though I still think she has no clue. I am also looking super pregnant which has been helpful with getting seats on the train, though not always. Otherwise all good, just enjoying pregnancy!

What I’m looking forward to:  The next scan, finishing work (3 months and a bit left!) and we have a brief holiday coming up in a few weeks.

What I miss:  Not aching, I guess?

Here’s this week’s update!

The size/what features:  I don’t think I’ve ever seen/held a papaya, but hey, the baby is papaya-sized. He has his lanugo – a thin layer of baby fur! – and is working on his eyebrows and hair apparently. He is also more grabby now they say, possibly playing with his umbilical cord, and I tell ya, he is definitely more active.

Total weight gain/how much this week:  I keep bouncing back and forth around my pre-preg weight, but baby is on track so I’m not bothered. I don’t think I’ll track this from now on, to be honest!

Sleep:  Up and down. I have some good nights and then I have 2 or 3 really rubbish nights in a row which throws me off. My pregnancy pillow is excellent but I still get achey hips and lower back and moving around is definitely more difficult.

Maternity Clothes:  Might get myself some new jeans soon. Definitely leaning more towards comfort than style now.

Food cravings:  Nothing new!

Food aversions:  Garlic and parsley lately. Still off onion.

– – –

Symptoms I HAVE:

Hunger – Definitely ramped up which I’m grateful for. I wake up a bit hungry and I get hungry quick now.

Heartburn – GERD cough killing me softly with its song.

Skin – Not too bad.

– – –

Stretchmarks:  Nothing new.

Doctor’s Appointment:  Saw the midwife and wee boy is right on track in every way – perfectly on size. My BP is great, my fundal height is right on track, my thyroid levels are excellent and only being retested every 6 weeks now. Next appointment we’ll be close to my glucose test and we’ll have started antenatal classes! Next scan is 28 weeks.

Movement:  So much now and I love it.

Belly Button:  Still clinging on as an innie.

Best moment of the week:  Telling baby I loved him and being booted really hard in response. Seeing my midwife and feeling that all is going well and hearing that heartbeat again.

What I’m looking forward to:  V-day (viability), starting antenatal classes, getting the nursery together a bit more.

What I miss:  Getting off the couch without wiggling, sleeping right through the night.

Apparently babe weighs about 1lb! You’ve got a lot of growing to do, Bubs. My midwife said this is a period of rapid growth. Grow, baby, grow!

The size/what features:  Banana like as usual, a “large carrot”, pomegranate, a “least weasel”??

Total weight gain/how much this week:  400g! Whoop.

Sleep:  A bit better!

Maternity Clothes:  Rotating the same mat. wear but I did find a couple of other dresses from my standard wardrobe that work as well this week. I’m happy to have quite a selection to go by at the moment.

Food cravings:  I’m starting to definitely have clear ideas of what I want to eat each day which is a huge improvement, and I’m definitely hungrier!

Food aversions: Nothing major. Kinda gone off onion lately.

– – –

Symptoms I HAVE:

Hunger – Increasing!

Heartburn – Still terrible but my antacids are doing the trick most of the time.

Skin – No change, trying to moisturise!

– – –

Stretchmarks:  Still no change.

Doctor’s Appointment:  Seeing my midwife Friday – looking forward to seeing her, it’s been a while (she’s been on holiday).

Movement:  He wriggles so much during particular times that when he’s quiet for a bit I hope he’s just sleeping and end up poking around. He’s pretty active though and it’s a really nice reassurance.

Belly Button:  The same.

Baby’s sex?:  In case you missed last week, we’re having a boy.

Best moment of the week:  Probably just his movements being so obvious now!

What I’m looking forward to:  D getting to feel him, getting to the 24 week viability mark.

What I miss:  Being able to bend over or reach for something when on the couch. It’s much harder these days!