Weaned...

That is myself from my variety of herbs I was talking. Finally and fully weaned from the Burdock Root and the Agnus Castus (vitex). I did it slowly as I figured that was the best for my body so they both took a few weeks each (and I also did them seperately - weaning myself from the BR first and then the AC).
I will then be weaning myself onto red raspberry leaves (RRL) once I hit the 30 week mark in preparation for labour as RRL are known for toning the uterus. Will probably start off with a gentle tea and then just buy the capsules closer to the end.
Off one herb - onto another! hehe

This weeks photo - 24+1....well...

No photo this week (Christmas, being away, all of that - etc) - but I am now over 24 weeks pregnant!
You know what that means?...Viable! Apparently, if baby were born today, they would have a 30% chance of survival. At 24 weeks, they are offically considerd 'viable'. And even more amazingly - at 27 weeks, they have an 80% chance of survival! It really makes you appreciate how precious and amazing life really is doesn't it?!

What happened this week:

Baby is taking iron and calcium from you. Baby's rapid eye movements begin. 22 weeks' gestation 24 weeks from your LMP. Foetus length: 21cm crown to rump (29cm or 11¼ inches head to toe). Weight: 630g.

This weeks photo - 23+1!

So here it is - and you can see the upward shift. Well - at least I can! Not that attractive from the side - I do like the view from the front though because you can see how it is still very much an 'up front' kinda bump. My bump is looking a bit more up and down rather than sticky-out because of the upward shift...I think...

I wonder if my tummy button will pop out this time. With my pregnancy with DS, it just went very flat! hehe

What happened this week:

Fine downy hair called lanugo now covers baby's body; eyebrows are visible. Testes in boys begin to descend; ovaries in female babies are present against their posterior abdominal wall. 21 weeks' gestation 23 weeks from your LMP. Foetus length: 20cm crown to rump (28cm or 11 inches head to toe). Weight: about 500g.

Surprisingly yummy!

So I opted for the hemp protein powder as it seemed the more 'natural' choice and the much more well rounded choice in terms of nutrience. It was also the cheaper option too - which is always a plus!

It arrived yesterday. And I have to say, it didn't look too yummy - being a baby poo green in colour (as you can see pictured)...But it was very yummy actually - surprisingly so! I just mixed it into a glass of almond milk and drank. Would also be happy to add it to yoghurt, etc as well! It has a very subtle sweet flavour like an apple or banana or carrot does. Its hard to describe, but it certainly doesn't taste nasty!

Moving up!

For the past few days I have noticed a big shift in my bump. It has moved up. The first sign of this was my ability to breath...or lack of! Of course I can still breath but I have deffinately noticed a change in how I breath and the fact that I can no longer take deep breaths. Baby is deffinately squishing my lungs a bit now!...And then tonight I noticed about a three inch shift upwards on the kicks! Whilst the kicks used to be right on my tummy buttom, they are now near to three inches above it! I don't think baby has grow a huge amount neccessarily - just they have shifted up a bit. I base this on the fact of the upward evidence as well as the increased space between my bump and my legs! haha I knew I wasn't imagining that! Can't wait to see what tomorrows picture looks like!

Another boy dream!

So it must be a girl! I only ever had girl dreams with DS and he was ...well... a boy! hehe
Last night I had another boy dream. Surprisingly it wasn't about the pregnancy or birth or anything. He was already here and part of the family. I just remember carrying him around in my wrap and people asking about him and me saying I was a mother of boys! hehe

Herbs and stuff!

So I have been thinking about what herbs/tinctures/homeopathic remedies/etc that I will need in preparation for the birth and afterwards. Getting my list together. So far, it is not a big one. I am finished with my Burdock Root and nearly finished weaning myself off the Agnus Castus as well. So onto the next list! So far I have:

RRL - Red Raspberry Leaf tea and/or capsules. I can only drink so much tea during the day so the capsules might just be handier to have around. I will wait though until I am 30 weeks to start this. It is for toning the uterus (that big muscle that will help birth my baby! hehe). So also handy to continue taking after the baby is born (for getting it back down to size and for just keeping it in general good health!).

Nettle - Great for iron! (would buy this in tea form)

Dandelion root - Great if you have water retention. I had loads when I was pregnant with DS, but I also did gain a lot and he was a pretty big baby as well. So I will only buy this as needed. Not too hard to get. Good ol' H&B!

Arnica - 200c. This will be taken every few hours once in labour and after the baby is born. It can help with general aches and pains, bruising and afterpains. I currently have some of this on its own but am considering buying the labour/childbirth homeopathic kit that includes many other homeopathic remedies that are handy to have around. 'Considering' only because I have been offered this twice but have not recieved it as of yet, so may need to splash out and buy it if I still have no news come March at the lastest I feel.

Motherwort - I will buy this in tincture form. I have bought from G Baldwin & Co. before and am pleased with their products and service so will get all my tinctures from them again as well. Motherwort is good for after the baby is born. It can help with releasing the placenta and with afterpains as well.

and

Shepherds Purse - Also in tincture form. This is for after the placenta has been birthed as it can stop any unwanted bleeding (such as hemorrhaging). Might not need it, but worth having around (its not like it is terribly expensive or anything!)

and I think thats about it for now!

Quinoa!

Just about the most perfect snack for anyone - especially those pregnant I think (and vegetarians, and those trying or having to follow a diabetic diet). It is quick and easy to make and high in protein, and with its naturally balanced set of essential amino acids, it is not just high in protein but a complete protein source!

I made Quinoa Tabbouleh and am very pleased with it. It is super easy to do - and makes a lot so you can save it for days in the fridge and have it as the odd grazers snack (and because it is so easy and quick to do, you can also add other things into it that you may like such as pine nuts and olives!). Perfectly healthy! I am going to try the Quinoa Pilaf next!

Another great MW appointment!...

Had another MW appointment today - my third so far - and all is going well! It was another great MW appointment! She seems really pleased to see me and kept commenting on how well I looked and how I just come across as just really enjoying pregnancy! (I do I do! hehe) - I think she must have had a few appointments that were otherwise! hehe
Everything is fine - of course! Baby measuring fine as well! She forgot her pinard though and was actually rather disapointed about that because she thinks my bump would be perfect for her to listen easily...which will be great for her student as well as she has not had experience in the use of a pinard as most people want doppler use 'these days' (she says).
The biggest thing really is sorting out all this maternity pay. Mostly because I am both employed and self-employed. So that will just make it all a bit more complicatd. Oh well...
So all is well! - Will see her next in the new year!

This weeks photo - 22+1!

So here is this weeks photo! Think I grew and inch this week!
Nothing much else to report! hehe

What happened this week:

20 weeks' gestation 22 weeks from your LMP. Foetus length: about 19cm crown to rump (27cm or 10½ inches head to toe). Weight: about 400g or 14oz.

Gestational Diabetes Diet

I did not have GD when I was pregnant with my son (this was checked many times).
However - I did gain a fair amount of weight (6 stone exactly) - and my son was a pretty big baby (near 10 and a half pounds! lol).
So I have decided that the best thing to do, is to go for a diet plan that is suitable for those with GD - just to be on the safe side!

I am no pro at this at all - it is all new to me. But it looks like the basics are no sugar - non at all. I am using Xylitol as a sugar replacment that is natural (unlike sweeteners) yet suitable for diabetics. High protein (which I should be having anyhow as I am pregnant) - and small meals spaced out throughout the day to keep my metablolism working (preventing any insulin overloads) - even more improtant during pregnancy due to all the mad hormones rushing through my body - diabetic or not! This site is good for some basic info I have found - but its a lot to take in at once so will take awhile reading it over a variety of days for it all to sink and me to feel like I have found my feet with it all a bit more.

I have got the small meals throughout the day thing down as I am naturally a grazer. Big meals a few times a day are not my thing. They never really have been.

Breakfast is also sorted! I am having eggs with fresh fruit and veg and lots of nuts and some yoghurt - topped of course with my favourite veggie condiment of yeast flakes! So all high protein and the carbs are well balanced.

I will also treat myself to Boots range of diabetic goodies because there is no way I can go without something like chocolate or cake for the duration of this pregnancy! hehe

I am also lazy - I have to admit it. I am all about the quick fix! You will not find me in the kitchen whipping up meals all day long. This diet will be hard for me. I like cakes...I like my sugar and I like my ready to eat and go foods! But there are some things that can help me on the way - such as a 100% casein protein powder (or perhaps a more natural based protein powder such as hemp protein powder). I can add this to my almond milk alternernative - a nut milk! Another great way to get in some nut protein. I like nuts, but I don't like munching on them all that often if I am honest! I will also be making batches of easy to make things like bean salads that I can snack on throughout the day.

So...we shall see! Here is to small - or at least normal sized babies! hehe

He felt a kick!

Last Thursday my DH felt a kick!...It was one of many but at least he felt it! He wants to know if I will stop bugging him about it now! Cheeky git! lol

Early Visable Kicks!

Baby has been going wild all yesterday, and today (woke me up to a wonderful dance)! I got some pretty 'woah!' kicks all throughout the day yesterday...so whilst in the bath, I thought I would try and record what I could see as well...yes! - I could actually see the baby moving!

They are kinda hard to see though, so you need some patience and pay attention! hehe.... I swear they looked bigger with the naked eye that anything this camera caught but they are there...if you look closely! hehe

So here it is:

Bola Ball Necklace

My DH got me a bola ball necklace. It is something that I have been wanting for awhile for any potential 'bump' that I might have. I, of course, have a bump now - and because the package wasn't a quiet one, I got to open it early! hehe

The idea is, the soft chiming sound made by the bola ball (that is worn on a long necklace so that the bola ball hangs over the bump) can be heard by the growing baby inside the womb. The soothing sound then becomes familiar to them if you wear the bola ball necklace often (which I do!). This soothing sound caused by the bola ball will then also be a comforting and soothing connection for the baby once they are born as, like my very own voice, it is a familiar sound to them.

And I don't see why that shouldn't be true. The same is said for the mothers voice as baby can hear it from about halfway through pregnancy and onwards!

I, of course, often forget that I am wearing it and start to wonder where the chiming sound is coming from until I remember! hehe But I like it! :D

This weeks photo - 21+1!

So here it is! I am finally getting strangers asking me when I am due! hehe...It's nice! Though people have interesting views of either 'not long then!' or 'Oh so awhile to go then'....a bit of a contrast! Guess it depends on how you look at it! As I see it, once Christmas has come and gone - then spring isn't far around the corner!

And as always...

What happened this week:

Baby's skin is coated with a cheesy substance (vernix) which protects against chapping, abrasions and hardening. If baby is a girl, the uterus is formed and development of the vagina has begun. 19 weeks' gestation 21 weeks from your LMP. Foetus length: 17.5cm crown to rump. Weight: 390g or 14oz.

Our Christmas Ornament!

Well - every year we pick out one christmas ornament for our tree. It's a bit of a family tradition we have started and it started with our first christmas together as a married couple - which also was our sons first Christmas ever as well!

I found this online and have to say I am super pleased with it - espeically the service and how fast the shipping was considering it had to come overseas to get to me! (it took only a week to get here! - I am amazed! hehe - So I would highly recommend their site and be happy to use them again!) ...So here it is: I love that it represents us all! I found a few others that were either not Chrsitmasy at all - or did not include a 'Duncan' (so just the husband and wife). I love it! We are putting up our tree this weekend and I can not wait to add it to our collection! :D

This weeks photo - 20+1!

Halfway there and here is this weeks photo! Feeling such a close bond and connection with my ever growing baby and bump! :D

What happened this week:

Rate of growth is now slowing down a little. Your baby receives nutrients 1-2 hours after you eat. 18 weeks' gestation 20 weeks from your LMP Foetus length: 16cm crown to rump (25cm or 9¾ inches head to toe).

My first BOY dream - Ever!

Last night I had my first boy dream!!!...ever! I never even had a boy dream when I was pregnant with DS - Not even after I knew he was a boy! So thats a first for me!
In my dream, everything went as planned. I was just so happy to have birthed and finally to meet my baby that I totally forgot to check if we had a son or daughter! hehe ...It wasn't until after my placenta had been birthed and after I even remembered that I had made my own cord ties (and found them) - that I finally though 'Oh yeah...lets see if we have a son or daughter!'...and sure enough, we had a son! And the name we have picked out for our might-be-son fit perfectly well as well. I was officially outnumbered! hehe
Oh - and he was tiny! Under 7lbs! All the girl dreams I have had so far they have been between 7-8lbs so 'average' in size.
Wonder what it means! hehe
Still not getting any deffinate boy or girl feelings for this baby - though I find myself constantly refering to my bump as a 'she'. So wonder if that means anything either?...hmmmm....

20 WEEKS! - Halfway there!!!

I am 20 weeks today! Halfway to birthing day! Can-not-believe that I am already here!!! How time does fly!

From start of this pregnancy to now I have gained 19lbs so far. Not sure how I feel about that. Its not bad. Deffinately not as much as I gained in my first pregnancy with my son - so in that way it is good. Not sure if 19lbs is 'normal' though. I am also keeping measurments of my thighs and I can still get my wedding rings off - so it must just mostly be baby! hehe I am cutting out sugary carbs though and having a higher protein breakfast - so that should help with healthy weight gain! :)

I am also deffinately feeling hiccups now! hehe

My decision to go Unassisted - 'A paradigm shift'

The decision to go unassisted was deffinatley a gradual thing. There are many different reasons that people are doing UC and I am sure just as equally, many different ways that they reached that desire.

For me, to reach this decision invovled a lot of healing, soul searching and research (four years of it so far and I think it still a continued thing and will be for the rest of my life - though I imagine that part of the shift will have more to do with developing an open mind and understanding and accepting others for who they are and their choices...One day I am sure I will have my own daughter-in-law lmao).

I had the same 'shift' (as some have called it) in my parenting when my son was born. I grew up in many fosters homes - many abusive in more than one way...and I sometimes wonder if I would be the parent I am today without that. Its kind of the same to where I am today in regards to my body, my baby, birthing - and just being a woman and mother in general. My son was born via C-section and I often wonder if I would be where I am today without that. I am one of those people that do not have 'regrets' because I can see where my past has brought me on my path today.

For us - UC just feels right. If there is one thing I have learned as a mother, it is how to listen and trust my instincts. This is just a gradul and learned thing as well. I get this feeling and then I know its right. That was the only thing 'sudden' about our decision to UBAC - that feeling of 'right'.

Becoming a mother changes everything, as well all know. It changes our view of the world in a major way. Suddenly we are responsible for a life that we love more than even our own life. I had also been doing the 'reclaiming my body and the rest of myself from mainstream thinking and living' as someone I know on the Freebirth forums has called it. This too also started with my son and me becoming a mother. I felt I was also helping him to reclaim his body and the rest of himself from mainstream thinking and living as well after his traumatic and jerky entry into the world. Whilst I have read many birthing stories and know that in many ways I was lucky as our birth was not as traumatic as some very close friends that I have - I can only imgaine what it must have been like for my sons soul and placement onto this earth. With him, we stepped away from modern medicine and entered a world of alternative therapies. With this knowledge, we were also able to concieve the child I carry today when 'modern medicine' could not help us (in either way that I needed - physically, emotionally and spiritually). Trusting my body, being comfortable with it and the woman that I am came through this. Alternative therapies are a different emotional world as well. They are a whole healing rather than just a surface scratching. This was part of the healing that I needed in my body and my heart. All of this of course has deffinately been contained by my own research and practice and experiences through life and motherhood - something that has taken time during my own healing over the birth I had. This has also, for me, invovled a bit of spiritual healing and growth as well. I feel whole once again. Without this feeling of wholeness, I am not sure I could be where I am today - with the decision to UBAC. Though research has deffinately helped - sifting through the fact from fiction and empowering myself to take control of my body, that was only a very small part of the decision to UBAC. Though its reassuring to know that I will not rip apart and die by having a birth at home after a C-Section or that a breech baby can be born perfectly normally and healthily and thats it perfectly fine for the placenta to take three hours or more to birth and all the signs to watch out for if anything is not going 'smoothly' and the probability of anything going 'wrong' ...etc...all of this gathered pregnancy and birthing knowledge/information probably helped me heal more from my sons birth that it did in helping me decide to UBAC this time around. This of course was much needed either way.

I am not sure there was any 'one' shift. I guess the shift is a gradual thing but I do feel there was a 'shift' of some kind. I think for me this happened more recently (hence my recent decision to announce our current plans to UBAC! :D). At the begining of this prengancy I knew I would be having a home birth. The thought of going unassisted has been there since we started to TTC (especially ever since I saw the Freebirth documentary that aired here first in the UK) though. But at that point in my life, it felt more like a 'nice' thing to do if I 'could' rather than something I felt I had to do. I didn't want to go into something because of an 'ideal' - if I was going to UBAC, it had to be the right decsion for me - for us. And up to the point where I am today, it was just a nice 'ideal'. For me, the final decision to go unassisted was through that feeeling of 'right' that I got - that was it, it just clicked. I think this feeling of right was helped through the connection of a close friend and support groups such as forums like Joyous Birthing and BornFree! (and through the gradual connection that I have with this little baby growing inside of me). I am not one to comform for the feeling of fitting in and I no longer feel it is just a nice 'ideal' - but it certainly feels nice to be understood and supported and talked to like a human - an individual spirit that is right and desrving.
This is no longert my 'birth plan' - it is what will happen.

Pregnancy differences

It's fun to sit here and think about the differences between this pregnancy and the pregnancy with my son. I don't think one or the other suggests either sex though. I simply think they are difference because well...they are different!

The first noticable difference is my cravings. When I was pregnant with my DS, my cravings were longer lasting. Almost by trimester. For the first trimester I craved a lot of fresh fruit and eggs! It was mostly just fresh fruit in the second trimester - I was eating a punnet of strawberries a day or more! And then for the third trimester it was salty and sour so popcorn and lemons were on my cravings list!

This baby is certainly more picky! Whilst I am having deffinate cravings, they come and go - sometimes by meal but mostly by week. I have gone from craving burritos to salad to watermelon to pork chops...

Which reminds me - as a vegetarian, I do not eat meat. Even when I am craving it. This baby craves pork chops whilst Duncan craved salmon! hehe

The second most noticable difference is the way they move. My son was a kicker. He was never very active but he kicked. This one is more of a roller. They don't do much kicking but they certainly like to roll which is such an odd feeling!!! Especially when they completely roll around in a 360 degree way. It's like having a giant bubble of gas within me - that isn't gas at all!

I will also add that I think the third most noticable (or not so noticable to anyone but me hehe) is my bump shape. With my son I was certainly all over the place but this bump seems to be neat and right out in front.

Will be interesting to see how this pregnancy progresses! I can't wait to meet my baby! hehe

This weeks photo - 19+1!

Here is this weeks photo! Measured this morning and I am an inch bigger around than last week and I can tell by the photo alone that my bump has shifted up more! Cool!

So here it is!

What happened this week:

Growth of baby's body is now catching up with its head. Baby's lower limbs lengthening and bones are becoming ossified. By this stage, amazingly, early ovaries, follicles and eggs are now beginning to grow in the female foetus. Your baby's ears are close to their proper position at the side of the head, though they stick out at the moment.17 weeks' gestation 19 weeks from your LMP. Foetus length: 15cm crown to rump (20cm or 8 inches head to toe). Weight: about 240g or 8oz.

Woohoo - A lot this week!!! Still so amazed!

NO! - To late scan...

I have another MW appointment at 22 weeks (so in just a few weeks), so will she how she takes its but I have decided against her desire for a late scan in this pregnancy.
Why you ask?.... Well there are a few reasons. First I will explain why she (the MW) wanted a late scan...and this is because she wanted it to confirm baby position and placental position. Now this is why I will not be having a late scan.

First I have not had any scans at all for this pregnancy. This is mostly because the scans that they offer (one at 12 weeks for dating and one at 20 weeks for I don't really know but most people like to find out the sex during this time) would not tell me anything I or anyone else needs to know. Add that to the fact that I do not feel they are safe. So those two scans were easily passed up/declined.

So...onto the 'late scan' (which at the time I felt would be most appropriate - for the reasons desired for the scan - at a later time in pregnancy such as 35 weeks +) and why I feel confident in also declining the MW's desire for this...

The first is that a scan only tells you what is happening in the present. Baby may or may not be breech at this time but it is well known that babies can and do often change position once in actual labour. So whilst a scan can tell you one thing, it can only tell you what is happening then and the outcome can be very different in labour and delivery. A good MW can tell the position of a baby simply by feel. You can also 'map' out your uterus by the baby's movments to help determine/confirm baby position.

At the end of the day - breech birth is just a variation of normal (and if done correctly, is just as safe!)

So what about the placenta? Well it does move around quite a bit during pregnancy but usually towards the end of it, it is set where it will stay until birthing day. So whilst a 'late' scan can indeed confirm where the placenta is position, this is not too terribly important to know. Of course, placenta previa is a serious thing but there are usually many other signs that the placenta is in such an undesirable position - as well as being able to hear it with a pinard or feel its position. So I feel comfortable in declining a scan for this as well as the placentas position can be confirmed with other non invasive/medical techniques to rule out something like complete placenta previa.

I still do not feel scans are safe or desired. I remember having a late scan at 30 weeks when I was pregnant with my son and he sure did not like it as well. He was indeed breech during that scan and would often turn away and cover his face when the scan came near to his face. If this baby is indeed also breech, that could put a breech baby in an undesirable position due to the fact that they are trying to hide from such a breech (ha! - no pun intended!) in privacy. This is such an intimate thing and something I am not comfortable with being exploited for unnessary reasons.

Then theres the 'Eeyore' complex as well. That is - negativity. My MW wants the scan - I do not. Whilst a scan would not change my feelings or decisions on the matter, it might change her feelings and her comfort level which adds up to the support - or lack of support - I may recieve...all due to the outcome of a scan (that once again only tells you what is happening at the present). This is something I am not willing to risk. I need to stay in tune with my body and my insistincs and trust them to be able to birth naturally and peacefully - the way God and nature intended. 'Ignorance is bliss' in this situation. I would rather my MW stayed positive and prepared rather than negative and worried and whatever else she may be feeling due to unpredictable and unreliable results of something medical and not intended or desired for my body or this baby (ie - the 'late scan'). Because at the end of the day, it is my body and my baby - so any scan results would be down to what I would do with the information and not my MW. So = No scan!

To sum it up - there is nothing a scan, even 'late', could tell me that would change my desired decision - and thats a natural vaginal home birth. I feel confident in this decision and my ability to have a natural vaginal home birth (breech or otherwise - however this baby is meant to enter the world!) and am looking forward to the rest of my pregnancy and meeting my baby for the first time on their Birthday! :D

Thee Amazing Body - Nipples

Yes - nipples! Apparently they get bigger and darker in pregnancy. They certainly did with my first pregnancy and whilst they are no longer that dark, they never did get smaller! hehe
I keep waiting for them to get darker but I think they didn't until the third trimester with my first pregnancy. So far, I seem to just have a dark ring around my nipples - which looks terribly attractive...not! Though it is kinda funny!
Whats that all about then? Well apparently is had to do with hormone changes in pregnancy - thats just what they do! Makes it easier for baby to find source of food as well when baby is born due to their poor eyesight.

Heartburn

Not much. I didn't have any with my first pregnancy so this is a bit new for me. So far, the trick is small meals. Especially before bed.

UBAC

Perhaps...maybe...Honestly, its one of those things I plan to be prepared for and wait until the moment to decide as I don't feel this is something I can deffinately say yes to at the moment. It is something that even pre-conception I have been considering though.
In case you are wondering - thats 'Unassisted Childbirth After C-Section'.
Why unassisted childbirth you ask? Well - you can get many answers (and information) here.

Kick sounds...(so far)

Here are some flutter type kicks...



And here are some proper big kicks! hehe



Today at 18W4D. (gotta be a bit patient with these - they arn't too fantastic but they are something! hehe)

We have a heartbeat!

We have a (non-doppler) heartbeat!!!

Don't quite know how to figure out the 'rate' of it - but I do know it was rather fast. About 160+. That was about the same as my sons as well. 18W4D today so thats not bad going...though perhaps the baby was just in the perfect position for me to hear. I think they are floating up high in my uterus (sideways with feet dangling down) at the moment based on where I feel movments.

Have been recording all sorts of sounds with my 'electronic pinard' (lol) - But have yet to figure out how to 'share' it with the world yet! Think I need to try another program in recording it. Hope to get them up soon though - so far I have some good 'kicking' ones where baby is doing a little dance...not to record this heartbeat! :D

Baby can hear!

I mean...I know I have read that babies in utero can hear at this stage in gestation but to feel it is another thing! Everytime today that a loud noise was made, my baby made a very quick big kind of movement - like they were startled or something. At first I was not too sure but I seem to be getting more clumsy! hehe It's amazing though! My baby can hear me! hehe

It has to be a girl...

Because despite the fact we 'had' a name for a girl picked out for the last 5+ years.....It isn't sticking and none of the ones I think I like are. So for the moment, I am stuck on girls names ideas.
I never thought that would happen. We had a girls name!!! lol

This weeks photo - 18+1!

So here is this weeks photo... (ugh - not the best picture of me!...honestly, I am not as tired as I look! hehe)

And whilst we are at it - a few other photos as well! hehe

What happened this week:

16 weeks' gestation 18 weeks from your LMP. Foetus length: 14cm crown to rump (18cm or 7 inches head to toe). Weight: about 200g.

Huh...well thats all it says for this week! hehe

Deffinate movement!!!

This baby is awake today! I have felt many kicks today that are deffinately baby! Perhaps it was due to my 'accident' this morning. I feel down the stairs! I know that sounds rather serious but it was only about five steps and I fell on my bottom and back creating a bit of a carpet burn on my elbow. Both my back and elbow are suffering because of it but baby is just fine. Think its first 'roller coaster' ride woke the baby up! hehe
It is such a lovely feeling and I know for sure it is baby in there. Hello baby :D

Heart Monitors

Because I do not feel they are 100% safe (and studies have shown them not to be - but I realise this is a very touchy subject for a lot of people and sometimes the benefits can outweight the risk and of course there will always be some medically necessary situation...) I have decided to opt out of doppler use and ultrasound technology for this very precious pregnancy and baby.
However - that does not mean I miss out at all on the precious sounds within me!
When I was pregnant with my DS I had this device and I am happy to use it again! (it is also much cheaper than any doppler you can get! It only requires a bit of patience! hehe)...
It is the 'Summers Infant Prenatal Heart Monitor' - that is basically a microphone (unlike doppler and ultrasound, it emits no energy into me or my baby). I like to call it my 'pinnard with microphone'. But unlike a pinnard I can hook it up to the computer and record the precious sounds!!! Of course, like a pinnard, you can't hear much until about halfway through the pregnancy (despite I have been having a listen in since about 10 weeks! hehe). I did not hear my sons heartbeat until I was 20 weeks pregnant with him but it was very strong then and deffinate!

So you will be lucky to hear these precious shared moments throughout this blog from this point onwards. I am hoping to record kicks, hiccups as well as the precious heart beat!

First sling

This baby is very blessed and already very spoilt - hehe.
Yesterday I recieved my Comfy Joey (hybrid shoulder ring sling) in 'buttercup'. Not the most expensive or fancy sling in the world, but I love it! It will be the perfect first sling for this baby (followed shortly by one of my wraps). I am not a RS fan but they have their uses and are pretty nice for newborns.
As you might have guessed - I have a lot of slings. A bit of a 'stash' that isn't quite complete as I have a few more on the way. I am dying to take a photo of my 'stash' and can not wait to share it! - Something I am really proud of! hehe
There are many benefits to 'babywearing' other than just the obvious practical reasons. All of baby's and mothers needs can be met with a simple piece of fabric. It is something I am very glad to have discovered and I feel I have such lucky children because of it! :D

For some reason I feel...

This baby is a boy.
I know at the begining I was feeling 'girl' vibes. I think this was from how different a start this pregnancy had (which could simply just be down to the fact thats its a different prgnancy - and most likely is really). But now I am feeling 'boy' vibes.

I have to be honest - whilst I just pray for a healthy baby, I would slightly prefer a girl. Only because this will be our last and it would be nice to have the variety in mother-child relationships. So having another boy makes me feel a teeny-tiny bit sad. Though I think having another boy would be best for my DS in the long run. He says he wants a sister hehe.

This weeks photo - 17+1!

Another week gone by!...We are well into November now. Hard to believe how fast this is going!

So here is this weeks photo! I don't think you can tell much from this photo and last weeks but I know my diameter is an inch bigger than last weeks as I am keeping measurement for fun! hehe I have gained a total of 10 inches around my waist since becoming pregnant!

What happened this week:

Eyes are slowling migrating from the sides to the front of the head. Slow eyeball movements begin. Baby continues to grow rapidly; add blinking to its list of reflexes (sucking, swallowing are others). 15 weeks' gestation 17 weeks from your LMP. Foetus length: 13cm crown to rump (16cm or 6¼ inches head to toe). Weight: about 155g or 5 oz.

So a bit more this week! :D

This weeks photo - 16+1!

So here we are at 16+1. I also swear I felt a little kick Saturday night as I lay on the sofa eating Halloween sweeties and watching Enchanted!!!

What happened this week:

The uterus is approx. halfway from your pubic bone to your umbilicus (tummy button). 14 weeks' gestation 16 weeks from your LMP Foetus length: 12cm crown to rump (14cm or 5½ inches head to toes). Weight: 80-90g (about 3 oz).

So again - not much but growth.

Teeccino! - Coffee Alternative

I got my Teeccino order in yesterday and could not wait to try it! It is a herbal 'coffee'. It is naturally caffeine free and not coffee at all - instead made up of a variety of fruits and herbs. And yes - it does actually taste like coffee! The first few sips don't, you can taste the fruity-ness in it all ...but the avertaste is very much coffee taste so after the first few sips, you could not tell the difference with the rest!

I got 'Original' flavour, but now that I know I like it I will venture out and get their variety of other flavours!

Deffinately would recommend it - especially during pregnancy! (and for some reason, thats the only time I crave coffee - it is not something I normally drink at all! hehe)

Another great MW appointment! :D

Had my second MW appointment this morning. It went well! She did joke my 'birth plan' was a bit of a novel but was impressed by how organised it was (no - seriously hehe). She also seemed to think nothing of the fact that I planned to eat my placenta and told me about this course they did on 'Lotus Birth'. Lotus birth is in my birth plan, but only in emergency situations. She did wonder if I planned to do both but I don't think its a good idea to consume a piece of meat thats been sitting out for a week or more. I feel consuming the placenta will be most benefitial if all things go peacfully to plan but that a LB will be best for my baby if any emergencies arise.
She had a feel of my uterus as well and all is measuring just fine! She also showed me how to feel for it too. :)
My next appointment is scheduled a few weeks into December.
I am looking forward to that!

Weaning...

From my 'pills' that is. Burdock root will be the first to go then I will gentle wean myself from the Agnus Castus (Vitex). Its a five week course for both. I feel gentle weaning is the probably the best way to go about it. I no longer need either.

This weeks photo - 15+1!

Getting right in there and I think I might be slightly bigger this month.

Still not sure if I can feel baby move yet but sometimes I think I can - it feels more like 'rolling' than kicks though, if that is baby I am feeling. It is nothing deffinate yet though - so will just have to wait and see. My next MW appointment is this Wed - looking forward to that :D

Here is this weeks photo!

What happened this week:

13 weeks' gestation 15 weeks from your LMP. Foetus length: 10cm crown to rump (12.5cm head to toe); weight: 80g (1½ ounces).

Well that doesn't say much does it! Looks like nothing too exciting next week either. I guess baby is mostly just doing growing now as everything is in in place! Grow baby grow! :D

Kidney Yang deficiency

I saw my accupuncturist for the end of my first trimester last Friday. I will not be seeing her again until I am halfway through this pregnancy at the begining of December! There is no special reason for this. I would see her more if I could afford it (or wanted to afford it really) but I also want to see her throughout this whole pregnancy so I have picked out a few key point dates such as the 20 week mark and end of trimester. At my last appointment we discussed my 'kidney yang' deficiency. She said that there were foods that could help balance me out between accupuncture appointments. A small list of foods can be found here - though I am sure I could google more as my accupuncturist had a huge list. Unfortunatly, a large part of that list is meat and I am a vegetarian! I have however noticed that jasmine tea is on that list so will be getting some this weekend as that sounds really nice and drinking hot drinks this time of year helps to keep me warm (as these things do hehe!)
In short, I have learned that accupuncture is part of a bigger whole. A way of life. The theory is, if your body is in balance, then everything can work as it should and as efficiently as it should - and if it is not, then it will not. Accupuncture can help balance your body, as what you eat and how you live can as well. - Makes sense to me! :)

This weeks photo - 14+1!

Into the second trimester at 14+1 this week - and here is this weeks photo!

What happened this week:

Vocal chords develop. 12 weeks' gestation 14 weeks from your LMP. Foetus length: 8.7cm crown to rump (11cm or 4½ inches head to toe). Weight: 45g.

Well - not much! Perhaps thats why I was less tired this week.... But that baby is bigger than I thought it was! Amazing!

Out of the first ....into the second!

So I am now 14 weeks pregnant and entering my second trimester! Yay!!!

I have also only gained 7lbs! Thats good going I think.

So happy to be here!...Just can not wait for this pregnancy to become more real for me! I really can not wait until I can fill this little bean of mine moving about! I certainly look pregnant but it still feels all a bit surreal to me!

Coffee Alternatives

In pregnancy, it seems then and only then do I crave coffee and tea (though mostly coffee). I have no idea why this is as these are not drinks that I drink any other time in my life (or really have any desire to)! But as tea and coffee generally are caffinated, they are not something I wish to consume during pregnancy (or really any other time in my life either). I also do not fancy the 'decaffinated' stuff and would prefer to go for a natural alternative instead.



So I discovered 'Dandelion Coffee'. It arrived the other day and I have to say...it tastes nothing like coffee! So in that respect I am a bit disapointed. However, it does taste like tea! And as a drink in general - it tastes great! Plus, it is 100% dandelion and 100% natural, so as a drink itself for the properties of dandelions - it is also great! Dandelions are great for digestion and, later in pregnancy, great for helping with water retention. If this pregnancy resembles anything that it did when I was pregnant with my son, then anything to help with water retention will be greatly appreciated! hehe

Next - I shall try Teeccino. Which apparently does taste like coffee! (I hope so!)

Books for Children - Cont.

The last book I got my son (and his second favourite book of all) is called 'Hello Baby' by Jenni Overend and Julie Vivas.

This book is absolutly lovely. In fact, I have a hard time not tearing up whilst reading it to him! hehe It is another home birth book about a little boy (one of already three other children) who gets another baby brother.

The pictures are beautiful and done in a very soft way and there are some photos that portray birthing in a more realistic light without being offensive or 'scary' at all about the process. I think it is good that they include them though, so that the child knows that this is what happens when a baby is born - where the baby comes out and how, etc. It also talks about preparing for the baby, how mummy is having pains in her tummy which means the baby is ready to be born and how 'mum' goes for a walk to help the baby come along and people that might arrive at the house to help bring the baby into the world (such as the midwife) when mum goes into labour. It also talks about how 'mummy' leans on dad every now and then and how sometimes she yells and screams to help the baby come along and for her to feel better during that process - how these things are normal and nothing to worry about. They are expressed in a funny light as well - the boy telling the story thinks the whole world will know he is getting a baby brother or sister that night because of how loud his mummy is yelling! hehe The whole book just puts the whole 'birthing' process in a peacful and 'normal part of life' kind of light with a family who is obviously very close and all members very much loved. The last page shows the whole family sleeping together by the fire.

Books for Children - Cont.

The second book I got my son (and actually his least favourite) is 'Our Water Baby' by Amy Maclean and Jan Nesbitt.

This is probably his least favourite because of the pictures. I am not too fussed about the pictures either to be honest.
However, it is, so far, the only home 'water birth' book I have found and it does cover a few things I might not have thought of that a child might worry about if you are planning a water birth. Such as how the baby will not have to 'swim' in the water and that the baby 'holds its breath' until it is lifted up out of the water. My son loves going to the pool, but he certainly does not 'swim' yet and hates having water on his face - so he might be worried about the baby being born in the water. This books covers home water births wonderfully I think. But the pictures are a bit messy in a childish way (so not sure how much a child would take in ...'yes mum I see the lady in the pool with the baby but look at all these fun colourful drawings of puppies and frogs around the page!' - despite they do cover the normal noises mummy might make and how she will feel better making them and feel even more better when the baby is born, especially in the soothing birthing pool).

The pictures are also not very graphic (some people might like this?). Which I actually think is not always the best of things. But I guess a child might not see much if you are in the water anyhow. However, I think because your child might see something, it is good for them to see such pictures so they are reassured that it is completely normal and what its supposed to look like (which is why I like the next book I am about to post about!)! hehe

Books for Children - about pregnancy and birth!

I got myself three books about pregnancy and child birth (specifically homebirth). I think I might have to post about these books individually. I will start with my sons favourite of the lot which is just about pregnancy and the growing baby!

The book is called 'Whats Inside Your Tummy, Mummy?' - by Abby Cocovini.

It is a pretty large book but it has to be...

The book has nine pages (it goes over every month of growth and devlopment!). On the left side is about the growth of the baby. This includes fun facts, such as how big the baby currently is (like as big as an orange, melon, pineapple, etc - which can make it fun to go out and buy so your child can get a feel for how big the baby inside your tummy - though they do go over that the baby is inside the 'womb' - actually is!) and things like how many times the baby pees and when it can blink, etc...

Followed by the right side of the page which is a picture of a tummy with the growing baby, how it looks and its actual size at that stage in pregnancy. You can hold it up to your own growing tummy as you read the page aplicable.

The last page - at 9 months gestation- is fold out.

My son loves this book because it is so involving and because of all the fun facts. He likes me to read it to him again and again because he finds these things so interesting. It is his favourite book of the three. The other two are really lovely and nice and cover some important things about the birth (which I feel is important as he is going to be in the house at the time) - but they are not as fun and invovling - they are just nice stories. I still recommend them of course!

Still looking good! :D

When I went for my MW appointment a few weeks ago, they were short on booking forms. The MW had to write everything down into a little notebook and informed me that she would be able to get a booking form in by the next week at the earliest and would leave it for me at the reception desk of our medical centre. So today my DS and I walked down to see if it was there and if it was, to pick it up. ...and it was! So I now have my 'Maternity Servies, Pregnancy and Birth Notes' booking form. I have had time to sit down and go through it and I am very happy about what I see! All the 'homebirth' boxes are ticked. So its clear I am having one. (having - not 'planning' ...lets be positive ladies!) And under the 'Antenatal Summary - Comments and investigations' it says: Booked at Surgery. Bloods and screening discussed, declined ALL bloods and scans. Also declined consulation referral for prev LSCS, consent obtained for Risk Assesment with Supervisor at Stroud Maternity. Signed and Dated.
So - at least I get to escape the scare of death and hospital antics around the natural process of pregnancy and labour and giving birth! Despite pessimism in some people I know - looks like 'they' are still on 'my side'.

Weekly photo - 13+1!

One week to go and then I will be moving onto the second trimester! Woohoo!...

Here is my weekly photo (can't tell much difference, if any at all, from this week and last though tbh...):

What happened this week:

Coils of baby's intestine are visible. Foetus is swallowing and absorbing fluids. Early fingernails are developing. You may be able to feel your uterus just at or above the pubic bone.

11 weeks' gestation 13 weeks from your LMP. Foetus Length: 7cm crown to rump (9cm from head to toe). Weight: about 30g or 1oz. Intestines are now contained within the abdomen.

Dreams

Last night I had my first baby dream! It might have been triggered by a close friend of mine giving birth to her baby girl this Thursday. But up until now I have not had a single baby dream! ...and strangely enough, DH has already had two dreams about this baby!
As soon as I knew I was pregnant with DS, I was having dreams about him. Well, it wasn't him - but I was having baby dreams. In my dream with him, it was always a little girl with long straight black hair, blue eyes, and freckles in a blue dress. Besides the blue eyes, that is not even a possible child for us! hehe
Last night I also dreamt I had a little girl. My dream took place in a maternity unit (and not at home). I got to pick my room. I was in mild labour when I arrived but shortly after my waters broke naturally, the baby came down quick and was out pretty quick too. I got to see her crowing and picked her up when the rest of her came out straight to my chest. She was so dark blue at first but soon pinked up. I had no idea it was a girl at this point. The MW cut the cord right away (which is something I would also not be happy with IRL), but when she did that I had a look and it was a girl! Her face looked just like my DS's when he was born as well - spitting image though her head was more elongated rather than round! I felt all fumbly trying to feed her as well. But I was happy.
And that was my first dream about this baby! Which probably means it will be a boy! hehe

Spatone

My new 100% natural iron supplement of choice. It is cheaper than Floradix - and personally, I enjoy drinking it much more. I also do not have to worry about keep it in the fridge and/or it going 'off'.

Feeling flutters...

Or just gas? hehe
My rule of thumb seems to be that if it is indeed gas, it will usually make an exit shortly after I have felt it. And if not...then possible early baby movements?!
No way to know for sure, but there have been a handful of times so far in the past few weeks it could have been baby I was feeling!
I can not wait until its a deffinate thing. What a wonderful feeling to feel!

Carrying 'high' or 'low'...

Apparently I am carrying 'low'. Looking back at pregnancy photos when I was pregnant with my DS, I was carrying low as well.
The wives tale is - Carrying low= boy / Carry high = girl.
Of course this isn't always true. I think how one 'carries' is more down to the womans body than anything else!
And it doesn't make much a difference either way...that is to the health of the mother and/or baby. It's just one of those things fun to think about! hehe

First Outfit

I am far too organised. First, my element is wood, second I am a Virgo and also...I suffer from a bit of O.C.D (though honestly, its only my DH who suffers from this...He can not stand my constant cleaning and organising!).

Well...Argos are having a weekend sale. They often have sales, but what they have on sale is so random. The planned wardrobe that we were going to buy for my DH and this baby to share (as we are limited to space) is one of those things currently on sale! So we bought it! Which also meant I was able to put the babies first lot of clothes in its drawers! I also have the first outfit picked out too! It is nothing fancy and very plain but I can already feel a little bundle of warmth in these clothes (big on ebay, so I tend to get a lot of stuff for bargains hehe). I can not wait to snuggle my baby in them!

This weeks photo - 12+1!

My weekly photo as always. Deff starting to expand here! hehe

And a clothed one as well for comparison. For some reason I look like I have more of a 'bump' with clothes on. I guess thats because clothes put my body and figure into perspective? Eh - its all lovely though! hehe

What happened this week:
If it's a girl, the clitoris and labia majora have now formed. 10 weeks' gestation 12 weeks from your LMP. Length of foetus: 6.1cm (almost 2½ inches). Weight: about 14g. If your baby is a boy, his penis and scrotum have formed.

Wonder if I have a little boy or girl in there!

12 WEEKS!!!

OMG - I am 12 WEEKS pregnant already!!! So so happy to still be here!!!

I am feeling great as well. I now have a noticable bump. Apparently people have been talking about me...they are all very suspicious! hehe I guess I can start randomly spreading the news around the world. Most all my close friends and family know, but not anyone else yet. I will also need to let my employers know, but that will not be an issue. The church (where I clean) already knows and my weekend job knows we were going to try for a baby (and I have permission to take baby to work with me when I return - it is a domestic care job for the elderly so stuff I do at home anyhow) and my other job is a nanny, one more child will not make a difference! hehe

I am also bumping into things now! My tummy has deffinately expanded past my 'normal' point! I also got my first tummy rub from a close friend yesterday. I do not mind at all. I find it such a wonderful and intimate thing to share and it was just lovely. I felt so loved and I felt that this little baby inside of me is well loved already too!

And its October! - It is really already Autumn. This is my favourite time of year. I just love everything about it. I love wrapping up that much warmer, but not uncomfortably 'frumpy' just yet. I love the smell of autumn, the feel of the sun in the sky, the breeze, the trees, (and Halloween of course!)...everything!!!

Another few weeks and I will be out of my first trimester! :D

200 Days to go!

I am 11 weeks and 3 days today - Only 200 days to go! hehe

No more M/S! (at least for now)

I suddenly realised that I am no longer feeling queazy during the day! I am also not as picky with my food, but do have cravings that I just have to go with.
My boobs on the other hand are still tender. I was going to post about this a few days ago. They are not as tender as they were the first 9 weeks. But then suddenly the past few days they became even more tender, and itchy! They are not itchy today but still pretty tender. They tend to be even more tender in the evening and through the night which makes sleeping a bit uncomfortable.
And speaking of sleeping - bliss! Now that I have a pillow between my legs that is! I thought of doing this last night and I was able to go the whole night without sore hips! My left hip has been bothering me in the night. I think I must have slept on it wrong and have just not been able to shake it. But the pillow seems to be helping a lot!

This weeks photo - 11+1!

Not long now until I am out of my first trimester (and I believe this to be more accurately 14 weeks rather than the typical thought 12 weeks LMP). Here is this weeks photo. And I didn't think you would be able to tell any difference, but I think I can see a small one!!! My little spud has changed shape on my ticker too. And I don't know why, but thats its new nickname - 'spud'. I also seem to be craving fresh things (like fresh fruit and veg) and sour things (like lemon sorbet) this week! Who knows what that means.

What happened this week:

Tiny phallus forms which could be penis or clitoris; perineum has formed. Baby is no longer an embryo; the foetal period begins. Genitalia show male characteristics now if it's a boy. The foetus is about 5cm (almost 2 inches) long and weighs about 8g. Your baby's iris is forming: his/her eyelids will temporarily fuse shut.

Saw the MW today - Best appointment EVER! :D

I met my MW for the first time today (and her student!) - Both of them were really lovely! I can only remember the MW's name - Sally (but maybe thats because I knew it before hand! hehe...I am so rubbish at remembering names!).
It was what they call the 'booking appointmet' which means they just cover all the basics (and they include some things I have refused, such as blood tests - though they would be happy if I had my iron checked very near to my due date and I am happy to provide this as well - and scheduling any scans). It happens to be the longest appointment I will get though because of this. They cover medical history, all of that kind of stuff. They also talk about any previous children, their pregnancies and births and wishes for this pregnancy and birth. They were very supportive of my wishes for this pregnancy and birth.... In fact, so much so I am still in shock about it!!!
First, they did not bat an eyelid at anything I 'refused' that is usually standard procedure. The MW, Sally, did encourage her student to become comfortable in questioning me with 'why' though. I was only too happy to provide my answers which suited them and they also both fully agreed with!
One of the main things I have declined was to see a consultant. Most people are told they have to see a consultant if they want a HB or what is considered a 'high risk' pregnancy (such as mine - due to the fact that DS was born via C-section)...I am not sure why else, but basically a consultant 'consults' the 'patient' and 'informs' them of the risks invovled due to their particular case (such as for me = uterine rupture).
I explained I did not want to see a consultant because I have heard a lot of negative things about consultants (woman being made to cry, told they were stupid, putting themselves in needless danger, etc - Lies, all lies and totally unsupportive and far from informative!). It would only stress me and I would become very defensive - both things I did not desire during pregnancy. My MW agreed with me on this! (shock!!!) She said that the consultant would only try and convince me to go into hospital and that having any other type of birth (such as HB) would be dangerous, whilst she believed that (due to familiar environment, being able to be more mobile and in control and comfortable) that I would have a higher success rate at a vaginal birth if I were to birth at home. She says she fully supports my choice for a home birth! (shock shock shock!!!). I guess I expected her to be a bit more 'mainstream' but I have been told that the MWs in this area are much more 'alternative' in their whole approach.
She said because I do not want to see a consultant I will not be under consultant care but rather under the midwifery care (as all the MW's in the area are part of the midwifery unit in Stroud). I am very pleased and so happy (ly unexpected) to hear this!
Oh - we also covered some other stuff that many mothers might not be thinking about right now (especially first time mothers) - and if that is the case, I think the idea is to get them thinking about it sometime soon before its too late! hehe... One of these things was my breastfeeding issues with DS and his tongue tie. She has informed that there is a MW in their unit trained in this and that they can have her come out, hopefully, the day my baby (if not, the next) is born to sort it out (snip snip snip) so that it does not cause any breastfeeding problems for us! This is such fab news!
This whole appointment has just made my whole day...no...whole year! They congratulated me on my pregnancy, were very happy to meet me and we are all looking forward to meeting up again when I am 16 weeks pregnant (so late October).

It went very well indeed I should say!!!

Exercise!

*Gasp* - yikes!...Thats right!!!
I seem to have a little bit more energy all of a sudden so have decided to get out my pregnancy exercise videos! Nothing fancy, I got them from the chairty shop ages ago and they are probably from the 70's, but they do the job. They are great in that they divide them up by 'toning' and 'aerobics' and then by which 'trimester' you are. So very well organised! I now have a new morning routine - and I actually feel better for it!

This weeks photo - 10+1!

Double digits now!!! I can not believe I am already 10 weeks pregnant! I am looking much more 'pregnant' too...I don't think I will be able to keep it a 'secret' for much longer (though from whom, I don't know as I think I have pretty much told everyone! hehe) - So here is this weeks photo!

And here I am looking much more pregnant now! - And such a proud little boy I have! It was his fourth birthday yesterday! - Happy birthday my little man!

What happened this week:

Length of the embryo is now 22-25mm. Groove for the urethra formed; anus formed. External genitalia are still not clearly defined. Baby's intestines have formed outside because they can’t fit inside. Eight weeks’ gestation 10 weeks from your LMP - Embryo measures 30mm (1¼ inches).

Smelly Spelly Bath!

For my birthday, my wondeful friend Yvi got me a lovely 'Brighter Blessings' herbal bath and spell gift set. The set came with a box of herbs, some incense, bath potion/soak in a bag (made suitable for early pregnancy), a crystal (moonstone I think) and a beautiful beeswax candle (all sparkly and purple and pinks!) - with a universal spell of course! It was a lovely 'smelly spelly' bath! I got to relax in beautiful scent and make a 'wish'. Just what I need right now on this new course in my life!

Well that was fast!

Just got off the phone with the MW! I have my first appointment next Wed at noon! She sounds really nice - looking forward to meeting Sally!
(there seem to be a lot of Sally's in my life! hehe)

Two Months today - and the 'MW'...

I am two months pregnant today! (9+5)
So I thought I would call and make an appointment with the midwife (MW)... And what a circus that was!
First I call our local medical centre and speak to a woman at the reception. She says I need to see the doctor first and as we are out all day today she suggested I call back tomorrow to schedule that. So I think 'okay' and hang up. But wait a mintue... That wasn't sitting right with me. Why do I need to see the 'doctor' - this has nothing to do with them. So I call back and its a different lady on the phone and I tell her I just called and what I was told and asked her why I have to see the doctor. She said it was to confirm the pregnancy. Ah...as I thought. I explained to her that we have been trying for a very long time and I am already nearly 10 weeks pregnant and that I thought it was a bit silly and a bit of a waste of time and NHS money just to have me pee in a cup to confirm this pregnancy. She told me that she could have the on-call doctor call me to explain the procedure. I said that was okay, and as she said it wouldn't take long to do (that is, come down and pee in a cup to 'confirm' things), I could just come down and pee in a cup to make them happy if thats what she wanted. She insisted that I speak to the on-call doctor though and ended saying that he might be able to sort it out over the phone (well lady, if you want confirmation, they can't do that over the phone! lol). He called shortly after. At least he laughed when I told him I felt it was a bit silly and a bit of a waste of time to have me come down there just to pee in a cup! Perhaps he agreed. We sorted it all out on the phone in a matter of mintues (he simply asked me when the first day of my last period was, I also explained to him about how I was using Fertility Friend and based on cycle length and day of ovulation am choosing to go by the EDD that FF has given me - which is the 17th of April! :D - and he asked if I had any other children and how the pregnancy/birth went - and that was that!) and the MW will sort it all out from here on out.
I wonder when my first appointment will be! I know she is only in one day a week and I think that is a Thursday in our area. We shall see!
I know I was not planning on bothering seeing her until after my first trimester as I did not see much point (being as I plan on having no scans, doppler, or any blood tests) but I have decided to see her early because I think it will be good for our relationship - these things take time to build. As I am planning on an HBAC, I feel this is important. It will also mean, that if I don't think we are connecting well (and this should be evident within the first few apponitments), that I will then have time to hire myself a doula. So I am looking forward to meeting the MW in our area! I am told she is pretty alternative, so here is hoping for a fabulous relationship!
I already have butterflies in my tummy! - I do not do well with confrontation and can come across very tactless and rude through such a process. I am just no good at fighting with words! I hope I do not have to fight to have the birth I want, need and that this baby and I deserve! Breath....

Getting artsy...

Heres my bump today - had a play with it of course (no one wants to see my nipples :p) - 9+4!

Don't ask! lol

Odd skin changes....

Well, I no longer feel bloated (despite still being reather gassy...its just a fact, I was gassy all pregnancy with DS as well hehe) and deffinatly feel more of a 'bump' going on down there... So last night I went to have a nice relaxing bath (with a bowl of ice cream of course! hehe) and noticed that my tummy button has gotten darker!!! Now, I know, due to hormones and increase in melanin, that skin changes - especially certain bits of your skin getting darker such as your nipples (mine have not gotten darker yet) - can happen during pregnancy... But my tummy button? What an odd thing!!!

Weekly Photo - 9+1...

...nearly double digits now! hehe
Yesterday (the 13th) was my birthday! I am now 25 years of age...Last year I had a miscarriage on my birthday. This year, my birthday was much much better.... :D


Here is the weekly photo (though I am starting to feel that these look a bit silly...I don't think you can tell much change yet! hehe)...





And this one for show (you can deff see a bump with clothes)!




What happened this week (and my little nectarine ticker has changed shape again! hehe):

Eyelids are beginning to form. The tip of baby's nose is now distinct.
Genital buds start developing. Baby's trunk is elongating and straightening. Seven weeks’ gestation - Nine weeks from your Last Menstrual Period (LMP). The embryo is 18-20mm (¾ inch) long. Upper limbs are longer and bent at the elbows; fingers are distinct. Baby's testes or ovaries are distinguishable.

Basically, it all sounds like its looking a lot more human now!

Baby Record Book

I saw a 'Baby's First Year' record book in a chairty shop today - obviously unused. But it was prefect and only £1.50 so I bought it!!! What makes it so perfect you ask? Well, it is obviously an 'old' version one - and thats why. Meaning, there is not spot for 'hospital bracelet' and no spot for 'baby's first scan picture' - etc. There is however, a spot for 'inoculations' - but it is lumped together with a bunch of other stuff, so whilst they will stay blank - it won't be such a huge empty area in the book. Because if I bought any other baby record book, a lot of it would include such things and therefore, a lot of it would remain rather empty! The photo sections of the books are also nice full pages. With my sons record book (we got him a lovely Peter Rabbit one), the photo sections of the book were all odd shapes and sizes, which meant we had to print out a lot of the photos to fit specifically. This book will be much easier to throw together, and with a lot of stuff of no use to use already left out, will also be nice and full at the end of their first year!

9 Weeks today!!! Yay! :D

This weeks photo - 8+1!

So here is this weeks photo! - I am finally past the 8 week mark! Miscarriage rates have now dropped to 5%. This one is a keeper - grow little nectarine grow!

What happened this week:

From head to rump, the embryo is now 9mm long. Baby's upper lip is formed. Baby's upper limbs bend at their new elbows. The external ear is beginning to form. Digital rays (early fingers) are developing. The embryo is now 13-16mm (½ inch).

So not much, but I have been very tired this week, so it certainly has taken a lot out of me to develop this little nectarine of mine! hehe I also think that the 'sizes' they give (of how big ones embryo is) is an 'average' and not always accurate. There is a woman in the same DDC as me that has a scan at 6 weeks and her baby was already 9mm by then!