signed off (again)

I never wrote about it but my doctor signed me off work again. Nausea has taken over. I'm still actually being sick but it's not as bad as it was. The nausea is worse than being sick. When I can't be sick anymore it's just dry heaves which hurts my stomach and leads me to worry about the baby - even though I've been assured he is fine in there. 

I had another appointment with my doctor this morning - Dr D who is lovely. Do you know what really helps? She had it with her pregnancies so she understands. I've been given more stemetil (anti sickness tablets) but I've only to take them when I can't even keep water down. She did say I looked like I wasn't getting enough water - the skin around my mouth is really dry. I said that I had noticed that which is why I had come in to see her. I also mentioned that I'd been trying to drink as much water as I can manage - normally just sipping ice cold water and if that didn't work I was having crushed ice (woo for the ice maker on the fridge/freezer). She signed me off for two weeks. 

She did that I'm having a good time of it with the hyperemesis and the spd. She said that I'll be feeling fantastic when I have the baby and to keep looking forward. 

This afternoon I went into work to speak to my manager and our acting team manager. I had to give them my mat b1 form and the line from the doctor anyway so I asked to speak to them both while I was there. They agreed that I'm doing all that I can do and there isn't any point being at work if I'm going to spend most of my shift in the toilet! Since it's pregnancy related I'll still receive full pay. They also said that I've not to worry about being off work and to make sure I'm taking care of me and the baby. I still feel guilty about being off but I do feel better after going in and speaking to them. 

Physiotherapist

In my last entry I mentioned I had my 22 week appointment on Wednesday and was to be referred to a physiotherapist. Well I received a phone call from the hospital on Thursday afternoon and my appointment was this morning at 9am. 

That was quick! 

My appointment was with someone called Ada. She was really nice. At first she just went through where I was having pains. I said it was my lower back but coming around the front. It was hurting quite low down but was more noticeable when I had to bend down for anything and sometimes walking up/down stairs. Last night I kept waking up in agony and nothing seemed to help with it. 

Right away she said it was SPD. 

Ada went through exercises that I can do and she also gave me advice on how to sit, stand and things like getting in and out of bed. I did find it useful. When she was talking about sitting she said to sit on a pillow to make sure my knees are lower than my pelvis and things like using a rolled up towel to support my lower back. Even advice for when I have to bend down was putting one leg behind the other to keep balance. I've also not to walk too much and rest a lot. 

Aqua natal classes were suggested to me since it would be soothing and isn't too strenuous. I have a letter incase work give me a hard time just mentioning that the classes would be beneficial and I've been to physiotherapy department at the hospital. 

Since my job involves a lot of sitting she didn't want to give me a pelvic support because it would be too uncomfortable but if things get worse I've to go back and she'll give me a tubigrip support. 

She did say I've to go back as soon as it gets any worse rather than leave it to the point where I can't walk. She did mention that this is something that normally gets worse as the baby gets bigger but we'll just need to see how I get on.

22 weeks

I'm 22 weeks pregnant today ♥ 

I still have no idea where the time is going. I had my 22 week appointment today. It went well. I got to hear the heartbeat again and it was 145bpm ♥ My blood pressure is fine and I'm measuring right for 22 weeks. 

The midwife asked where I would like to have my baby. I said I really wanted to go to the midwife led unit  but I was worried about something happening and being 15 minutes away from the next hospital (the RAH). She assured me issues would appear early on and I would only be allowed to have my baby there if I was low risk. At the moment I am low risk assuming that my placenta moves up. She also said if the baby was on the big side I wouldn't be able to attempt the birth at the IRH. If the babys heart rate increased or decreased by a significant amount I would instantly be transferred. The only pain relief they can offer at the IRH is gas&air and pethadine. If I felt that wasn't enough and wanted an epidural I would also be transferred to the RAH. I did say I didn't like the thought of the epidural. The midwife said a lot of the time woman who have the epidural end up having an assisted delivery or a c-section. I'm terrified of forceps. I'm feeling much more confident about having my baby in the IRH after my chat this morning. 

I'm being referred to a physiotherapist. I'm having a lot of pain in my lower back and around my pelvis. It hurts when I'm having to bend down - for example to put my socks on and when I'm getting in and out the car I've noticed it hurts in the pelvis area as well as pains in the inside of my thighs. My midwife thinks these might be warning signs for SPD so I'm being referred to see if they can do anything. She thinks they'll probably give me a support to wear to take the pressure off my back. I'm not too sure when that will happen. 

My next midwife appointment is on the 2nd December and I'll be 28 weeks (scary stuff). This appointment is going to be up at the IRH so I'll get to have a tour of the labour suite. I'm looking forward to that. I can't remember if I've mentioned it previously but they have a big birthing pool up there aswell. It will be good to see it.

Anomaly scan take 2

I was back up at the hospital this morning for my follow up scan. I know I mentioned last week that my baby wasn't cooperating so the woman doing the scan couldn't get a proper look at his heart or the cord. 

I was feeling nervous this morning and more so when I was waiting in the waiting room. 

Everyone was absolutely fine and my little boy looks perfect. 

It was someone different doing this scan. Her name was Roisin. This was the same woman who done my very first scan at 5 weeks + 1 and also my follow up scan at 6 weeks + 2 when I got to see the heartbeat for the very first time. Roisin was happy with everything. She pointed out the four chambers of the heart. It was so amazing. She then pointed out the cord and showed me the blood flow. After she had checked what she was looking for she just took her time pointing out all his features. She was saying how full his lips are in there! He as really curled up again and apparently has lovely long legs. 

Towards the end she asked if I wanted to know the sex. I said last week I was told he was a little boy. Roisin said she thought the baby was looking girly so she called in someone else to try and get a better look. The cord was down between the legs. Eventually we got a really good shot and he is definitely a little boy!! 

I did say to her at the end I didn't care about the sex. I'm just so relieved that he is healthy and growing as he should be. She agreed and said that's the most important thing. 

It was amazing seeing him again. I won't see him again now until January when I have my follow up scan to check the position of the placenta. I did get another picture but he was moving so much today so it's a bit blurry. 

I'm just delighted that my little boy is healthy ♥

20 weeks

I'm 20 weeks pregnant today!!

I'm still beaming after yesterday. 

Seeing my little boy, my son, was amazing! 

I'm looking forward to seeing him again on Tuesday although if I wasn't nervous yesterday I'm slightly nervous again today. Even though she told me not to worry. 

To me 20 weeks is a big milestone. It's the half way mark on the assumption I don't go past my due date. I have a bit to focus on for the next few weeks. My scan again on Tuesday and then my 22 week appointment on the 21st October. At that appointment I imagine I'll get my mat b1 form which means I can get the work side sorted. 

I'm feeling the baby moving a lot more now. Still feels light most of the time but I do get the occasional kick that makes me jump! It will be exciting to see feel the kicks getting stronger over the next few weeks. 

I'm feeling really sick today. My left hip and down my leg is still sore so I think I'll be heading for a bath soon to see if it helps - I doubt it but will be good to relax anyway! My little boy is worth all the sickness and discomfort. 

I still can't get over being able to say that my little boy. Even though I knew he was a boy from the start it feels different in a way having it confirmed. 

Anomaly Scan [19+6]

My little boy looks amazing!

The woman doing the scan was lovely. She was talking me through everything. Everything looks completely healthy. What a relief! The baby wasn't cooperating when it came to getting proper measurements of his heart though so I've to go back on Tuesday for another scan. She said not to worry about it because he was just in an awkward position - he was head down facing towards my back. That was the only measurement she couldn't get. 

I mentioned at the start of the scan I would like to know the sex so if she gets a good view to point it out! When she was checking his bladder she said she thinks she can see boy bits but wasn't sure. After she measured one of his little feet and his leg she managed to get a good shot of between his legs. She said she can't say 100% but it was pretty obvious! I shouted out it's a boy before she said anything! 

I also have a low lying posterior placenta. I have to have this checked at 34 weeks so I have a scan for the middle of January. She also mentioned his head was blocking her view of some of the placenta towards the end. Since his head was low in my pelvis it must be quite low but I'll try and not think about it too much! 

It was an amazing experience seeing him today. There was a huge difference from when I last seen him at 12 weeks. I'm just so relieved he is healthy. 

My mum enjoyed the scan today. She said she was tearing up during it though. I'm glad I had her with me for it. 

After the scan we went out and I bought some baby clothes. Blue of course!