Appointment Update

My appointment today went well yesterday.

BP 130/78. ++ ketones in my urine again, probably due to not really eating much yesterday!

Baby is still head down but head not engaged, good position.

Doctor will take my blood at my next appointment and I've to work hard on getting the iron levels up. I can take one tablet a day and one of the iron supplement drink things per day ~ should be easier on my tummy!

The doctor measured baby again and the measurements are predicting that the baby currently weighs 5lb 4 oz at present putting her slightly under the 90th centile line. That is a gain of approx. 2lb in 2 weeks.

I've to go back in another 2 weeks and we'll check the growth again. At this appointment they may or may not give me a date for a section. I'm preparing myself for about week 37 !?!

Hormone Rage

Bit embarrassed about this!

Went shopping yesterday with Caitlin yesterday. Parked the car in the car park but when we came out some twat had parked their car sooooooooooooooooo close to the passenger side I could only open my door by a few inches.

With my bump, I couldn't get access. I couldn't get Caitlin into her carseat and had to get her to climb in the driver side and into her seat but couldn't reach across to secure her.

Then I had to reverse my car back a bit, get out, go round the passenger side and strap her in!

So, what did I do?
I wrote a note and left it on the windscreen of the offending car!

What did the note say?

"Nice Parking Wanker !!! Couldn't get the baby into the car seat, thanks for the consideration!!!"

Got a letter from the hospital yesterday advising that the results of my last bloods are in and my hemoglobin levels have dropped to 9.3 If I don't get my levels up they will not let me stay awake during the c-section. I will have to have a 'general' and that is my biggest fear.

I have an appointment on Thursday afternoon, looking forward to seeing my baby again. I wonder if she has grew much? Remember she was just over the 90th centile line a fortnight ago. I might be brave and ask to get weighed (if they forget to do it again!) I'm curious to see how much I've put on!

My Braxton Hicks are getting more painful. Before they were just uncomfortable but now they are sore. If I'm walking or driving and one hits, I am in agony!

I've been getting pressure low down too. Not all the time but just some times. I think the baby has dropped a little as my bump looks lower or there looks to be more space between my chest & the top of my bump. Some nights it looks like a little shelf, where I can rest my cup or remote control!

Let me think, what else?

The baby seems to be awake a lot and that means a lot of movement. My tummy is constantly moving and it is clear to see. Some of the girls in work are a bit spooked when they see it! I, on the other hand, love it. I love gently nudging the baby and feeling a reaction. It's hard to believe that the baby could be with us in less that 8 weeks!

I don't think I'm waddling yet. I am bending backwards a bit more than usual and in turn hurting my back but I've yet to waddle! I'm not swollen and the PDS only hurts at night when I'm in bed, otherwise it is manageable and certainly not like last time.

Slowly Does It

I went bargin shopping and got a few items for me & baby's stay in hospital ::

for me a new housecoat, a bargin at £5
for me new flip-flops, a bargin at £6 (or as Caitlin calls them flop-flops)
a baby blanket, a snip at £2
a little hat & scratch mittens set, a steal at £2

I then went, blew a small fortune and bought Ivan a playstation game and Caitlin a new outfit. Will I ever learn?

I plan to finish getting the rest of my stuff this week and pack the hospital bag this weekend. At least that will be one thing done and dusted!

I'm hoping to leave everything else until I stop work on 17 June. Then, with time on my hands and Caitlin swinging from my leg, I can get out the baby equipment and see where on earth I'm going to put it all.

I've just realised that I can't set up the Nursery, as this is Caitlin's bedroom. I can't set up my Changing Table like before, with all the baby bubble bath, creams, nappies stacked neatly underneath ~ else Caitlin's dolls will be the best dressed, cleaned & preened dolls in the street!

A bit of creative thinking is called for!

HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST:

FOR LABOUR:·
I don't think I need anything like last time cause I'm having an elective c-section. Must ask at my next appointment.

FOR ME:·
Nightshirts or jama’s
Slippers & Gown
Underwear (including Big Comfy Knickers)
Towel, Toiletries etc.
Sanitary Towels
Breast Pads
Make Up, Brush
Magazines or Book

FOR BABY:·
4 Sleepsuits
4 Vests
Shawl or Blanket
Scratch Mittens
Newborn Hat
Nappies. (1 packet should be plenty)
Cotton Wool

FOR DAD:·
Camera
Change for Phone (or mobile to use outside)

FOR CAITLIN:-
A present from her baby sister (new hard bodied baby doll)
A present from us (Big Sister T-shirt)


I'll get Ivan to bring in mine and baby's going home clothes, along with the car seat, in on our last day in hospital.

I think that is my final draft list, please feel free to add anything I might have forgotten!

I'm going to do a little shopping today, starting with a new grip bag to put all this stuff in!

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Craving Confession

Caitlin got a new chalk board at the weekend.

I'd been eyeing it up for the past few days and last night I couldn't hold myself back .....

I've started licking chalk!!!

I'm trying hard not to bite/chew the chalk or lick the blackboard to clean it.

What if Caitlin sees me? How do you explain that to a 2 year old, it's bad enough the looks she gives me when I'm munching ice cubes!

I also can't get enough of strong smells at the minute. Things like ~ white spirits, paint, Jeyes fluid, bleach and petrol! This can't be good.

Last Thursday's Appointment

My BP was 124/75 and urine was clear.

Got another scan and baby was looking good. The Consultant measured the head, which was normal size for dates but the body measurments were putting the EDD at 26 June. They are not changing the due date but will monitor the growth as planned. In short, another big baby is forecast.

Going by the measurments, she guessed the weight to currently be approx 3 lb 4 oz. The baby is currently on or just very slightly over the 90th centile line.

I had my blood glucose taken and I've to go back next Thursday to see how much the baby has grown. She said they would probably wait until 35 wks before giving me a date for a c-section, anything from 35 - 38 wks.

Did I Mention …

Leg Cramps ~ Each morning at the start of the week, when I was waking up and doing my “cat like” stretching, I could feel the beginnings of leg cramps in my calf muscle and had to cut the stretch short! Anyway the other day I forgot ~ stretched ~ and nearly leaped 10ft in the air. I had to squeal out and then bite down on my pillow! I couldn’t move ~ the pain in my left calf was unbearable. I have ended up with a slight limp! The joys of pregnancy.

Heart Burn ~ Again, we’re at the unbearable stage. I have Rennies stashed all over the house, in handbags, in drawers, in the car, in jacket pockets, in my desk at work … I must be within 2ft of indigestion relief at all times!

Ice Cubes ~ Yes, it’s started again! I started thinking about them on Friday and couldn’t wait to get home from work to munch on an ice cube. Over the weekend I’ve ate my way through 3 trays. Even Caitlin is starting to get worried about me! I’m planning on making ice in work too as I know I couldn’t last all day without.

Ante Natal ~ I have another appointment on Thursday. Should just be routine. I’ll have to mention that when I checked my urine during the other day I had +++ ketones & protein. I wasn’t sure what to do, at the last appointment they just give me the test sticks and that was it. I read the instructions and it doesn’t give you any guidance I.e. what is acceptable and what is a sign to ring your doctor / midwife! I’ve still been sick on and off this week, as recently as last night but I’ve just come to accept that. I’ve not had any more swelling episodes, so hopefully there is nothing to worry about.

Paranoia & Other Thoughts …

Waters Leaking ~ ok, silly notion but it’s what I was starting to believe at the start of the week! Going through packs of panty liners back this one up!

Swollen Ankle ~ note just one ankle, the left one! Warning sign or Worrying sign? I’ll have to keep an eye on this and mention it at my next appointment (due to pre-e last time). I don't believe I'm swollen else where. My fingers are fine and I was just thinking to myself this morning that I've lost weight in my face. Well, my chins aren't hanging as low as usual!

Braxton Hicks ~ so uncomfortable. Every night now I have regular tightening. My tummy goes hard and whilst not painful as such, I have to change positions in how I’m sitting and just let it happen. What makes it painful is if baby picks this moment to start moving too!

Tiredness & Toilets ~ I believe the two to be connect! Since I’ve started going to the toilet every hour during the night, I have become really tired during the day again. What really pisses me off (excuse the pun!) is that I wake up thinking if I don’t get to the toilet quick I’ll have an accident and then get to the toilet only to manage a trickle! I wonder what’s the biggest size in Pampers I can get???

Hair Growth ~ I have to admit that it’s hard keeping your Lady Garden tidy as your bump gets bigger. I have had to prune twice recently! My underarm hair grows in double quick time too and the hair on my bump will be needing a middle parting soon!