02/01

ere I am on Boxing Day at the six months pregnant mark.

Now that I have a proper bump, the realisation that I will have a baby by April has hit home. Right now it's kicking like a mule but mostly at night just as I've managed to get myself comfortable - which ain't easy these days. Not only do I have my pregnancy pillow, but I've also taken to shoving a cushion under my lower spine so that I sleep on my back sometimes.

I had what will probably the most relaxing Christmas I'm ever going to have. My sister spent a couple of days with us. Sadly I cannot claim to have knitted her fantastic top - she bought it in a vintage store in Amsterdam.

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No-one woke up before 10.30am. Rob cooked us a wonderful breakfast of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon.

Then we got hooked by Gone with the Wind on television. What a fantastic epic. It moves at such a fast pace that we could not drag ourselves away from the TV for fear of missing a crucial part of the plot.

We managed to eat our Christmas lunch at about 7pm, followed by another TV marathon.

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9/12

December 09, 2007
Under the weather

I haven't been a well bunny at all this weekend, thanks to a stomach bug that struck in the early hours of Friday. It's taken until today for me to feel better.

My digestive system kept going into painful spasms and I had the trots too. The pain was so bad that Rob had to drive me to the doctors surgery as soon as it opened. He gave me some pills to stop the spasm with strict instructions to go to casualty if I developed a temperature or started throwing up. Thankfully that didn't happen, although I spent Friday writhing around in pain on the sofa.

Then, to cap it all I had another spectacular nosebleed and a bout of cystitis on Friday night.

I'm drinking water and cranberry juice today like it's going out of fashion.

28/11

Pumpkin
Alive and kicking in PurlyQueen's womb

« October 2007 | Main | December 2007 »
November 2007
November 28, 2007
22-week update

My bump seems to have popped out even more over the last week. It still takes me by surprise when I see the bump.

S/he is moving around much more. There only used to be movement during the evenings but now I'm getting used to being woken up with a nudge (or seven).

After coming down with a cold that wouldn't go away I finally felt well enough to go back to pregnancy yoga. It's so lovely to be in a class with ladies who are at different stages of pregnancy and to be able to chat about how things are going and which hospitals we are using. Some women have huge bumps. One woman doesn't look pregnant at all even though she is a couple of months ahead of me.

All the 'naughty' snacks got thrown away last week after I stepped on the scales and got an almighty shock. The combination of no exercise and a vastly increased appetite has taken my weight to unheard-of numbers - and I don't like it at all.

I soon regretted this rash decision yesterday evening when I was ravenous at about 7pm and could not be bothered to make it to the corner shop. In the end I sated my hunger with a couple of slices of buttery toast.

No major food cravings so far. I have lost my taste for sour snacks such as salt & vinegar crisps and cherry cola bottles, which sustained me through the first trimester when I felt nauseous and had to deal with excess saliva swishing around my mouth. The only thing I can think of is my prediliction for toasted spinach, feta and onion feta sandwiches from Telegraph canteen. I have one whenever I am at work - I must be the only person in the office who eats them.

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November 22, 2007
My little wriggler

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22 weeks old on Saturday.

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November 18, 2007
Hair

Yet another newly-discovered side effect of pregnancy.

Your hair will grow like a Virginia creeper. And not just what's on your head.

I used to get my legs waxed every few months. Now I have never seen so much hair on my legs. I shan't mention other areas, save to say that my waxer will be rather busy over the next few months!

However, my nails have never looked so long and strong. I have to file them back every week.

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November 09, 2007
My 20-week scan

I still have a due date of 29th March, according to the scan this morning. This makes me 19 weeks and 6 days (and counting!).

The sex of the baby is ....

still going to be a surprise!

I didn't ask the sex of my baby at the scan, and the sonographer kept mum.

I decided that I still don't want know. My reaction would have been just the same had they told me it was a boy or a girl. However, I saw no sign of a winkie, so it could be a little lady in there...

The baby is lying in a rather strange position: sideways and face down. This made it hard for the sonographer to see the heart. Lying on my side didn't make the baby move, so I ended up having to go for a walk again. I also tried to force down a bar of chocolate, in the hope that the sugar rush would make the baby change positions, but it was too chilled out to move.

The sonographer managed in the end to see the heart. All the organs and body parts are there. I'll post a picture of the scan as soon as I can.

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November 05, 2007
An ordinary pillow just won't do

One of the hardest things for me right now is getting a proper night's sleep. I only get up once or perhaps twice during the night to go to the loo - I used to manage five during the earlier months.
But turning over is proving to be a real challenge. I look back on the pre-pregnancy days when I could turn over mid-dream with nostalgia.

Now I have to wake up and physically turn both myself and my bump over. Rob's sleep quality is suffering, too thanks to the endless tossing and turning.

Sleeping on my front is definitely out now. The recommended position is to sleep on one's left-hand side. This ensures maximum blood flow to the baby and my legs, which should (please, God) minimise the chances of ending up with varicose veins. If I sleep on my back the baby presses on my back.

Dreamgenii So I have decided to buy a pregnancy pillow. I have splashed out on the DreamGenii, which comes highly recommended from users on mumsnet.com. Not only is there a pillow for my head, but my bump will have somewhere to rest. The bottom end is tucked between my legs to keep me sleeping on my side. I can't wait for it to be delivered.

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Archives

30/10

Pumpkin
Alive and kicking in PurlyQueen's womb

« September 2007 | Main | November 2007 »
October 2007
October 30, 2007
Ommmm.....

The best thing about exercise classes for pregnant ladies is that there's little chance of doing yourself any damage.
You know the moves will be tailored for people with loose joints, no sense of balance, oh, and huge bellies. The instructor knows your repertoire of moves is limited, so no-one is expecting you to do 60 sit-ups or star jumps.
Last week I had a bad experience at my local gym. The normal Total Body Conditioning instructor was away, so a cover teacher took her place. I told her that I was pregnant and she said the class would be fine.
Wrong.
Thankfully I'm quite body aware, so I knew that there was no way I was going to do stomach exercises or hard-core lunges. I just concentrated on safer exercises and ignored most of her classes.
It was a real disappointment because Angie, the usual instructor, always amends certain moves. Quite a few of her regulars did classes right up to the eight month of pregnancy.

I attended my first antenatal yoga class this lunchtime. It was so wonderful to be in a group of pregnant ladies - with all our associated aches and pains - and to be taught techniques that would aid us in the months to come and during labour.

Pic1small The class was at the Special Yoga Centre in Kensal Rise, NW10 and it's a real haven. I'm looking forward to trying out the Breathing Techniques for Labour ... well, every little helps!

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October 29, 2007
Back from the USA

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Here I am at 16 weeks with my in-laws on holiday in New York. I didn't think I looked particularly pregnant, but my first reaction on seeing this photo was to wail that I looked like a hippo! My bust seems to have developed a life of its own. I hope it doesn't get too much bigger before the baby is born.

There are more pictures of my holiday at my knitting blog

The baby started moving on holiday - must have been the change of scenery. The movements were so sporadic that I thought it was wind at first. She* likes to have a wriggle at about 9pm. Sometimes it feels like a flutter, and other times more like a tickle.

I suddenly started feeling less tired and more energetic at around 13 weeks, so the movements are reassuring.

* I have NO IDEA what the sex is, but referring to the baby as 'it' doesn't feet right!

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October 01, 2007
I'm feeling fine

Passed the 14 week mark on Saturday and for the first time (well, since I found out I was pregnant) I feel like myself again.

Apparently this is due to the placenta taking over the job of feeding the baby rather directly from my bloodstream and is entirely normal.

So no nausea, tiredness, really sore boobs for once.

Cravings still there. My current fave is a jacket potato, salted butter and cottage cheese. I had one for breakfast this morning.

23/9

Pumpkin
Alive and kicking in PurlyQueen's womb

« August 2007 | Main | October 2007 »
September 2007
September 23, 2007
Risotto update

The cauliflower risotto was heavenly!

I just wish I had taken a picture. When I make it again I promise to take photos.

All the ingredients were organic. Apart from the taste I don't want my precious one eating any antibiotics, pesticides etc.

I fried two sliced leeks and four chopped cloves or garlic until soft. I added a glassful of arborio rice to the pot, added a couple of generous glasses of white wine, 1/2 pint of Marigold vegetable bouillion, salt and pepper, and one chopped, steamed cauliflower to the pot. The whole thing was put in the oven (170 degrees) for about an hour, stirring occasionally and adding more water if it needed it. Once cooked, add a handful of grated Parmesan and a dribble of white truffle oil. Serve with a roasted guinea fowl.

God, it was delicious!

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My tastebuds have flipped

180pxcitrus_grandis__honey_white I am craving sour foods - and the more bitter the better.

Not content with salt and vinegar crisps or sour cherry cola bottle sweets, I have graduated on to the pomelo. I discovered this fruit at my local Waitrose supermarket. It tastes like a mild grapefruit. But I'm not content with the fruit - I like licking the rind - which is as bitter as you can imagine.

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September 20, 2007
It's official - I'm pregnant

I passed the 12-week mark on Saturday when the risk of miscarriage drops dramatically.

The news from my nuchal fold scan looked good. Women over 35 in my area are offered them (along with a blood test) to detect the odds of having a baby with Down's syndrome. Once you get the results of both, you can decide to have an amniocentesis if you want a definitive answer.

The sonographer takes measurements of fluid in the baby's neck. He said everything looked fine - which is good enough for me. In the old pre-scan days you wouldn't have found out anything until the baby was born.

Told my colleagues the news when I got to work that afternoon. Its a relief that the secret is out, although some people has twigged. The fact that I used to spend so much time in the toilet or nodding off; and declining visits to the pub gave the game away.

MIL is dying to tell the rest of the family, so Rob will tell her this weekend.

I definitely have a tummy bulge. I've only put on 1kg in three months, so it can't be just from eating for two! Ordinary trousers feel rather tight. I found a pair of black maternity trousers from Dorothy Perkins. Although they are still a little loose I can't tell you how comfortable they feel! I'll buy more maternity gear in New York.

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Cravings of the week

Califlower - I'm going to create a recipe for baked califlowe and chicken risotto with truffle oil at the weekend. I'll let you know how it goes...

Salt and vinegar flavoured snacks - especially Hula Hoops.

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September 06, 2007
It's not cool to drool

4 september

the excess saliva has returned - I guess this means that it's all good in there. I still get jittery about the scan on Friday and I have to avert my eyes whenever the sonographer starts to move her ultrasound sensor.

My mum had this problem during her pregnancies. She had to spit into a jug that she carried in her car.

Fortunately I haven't been sick yet. but I think i'll put some empty carrier bags in my car just in case.

On my way home from work last night it got so bad that I had to keep spitting out of my car window. A cabbie watched me in disgust. I know it looked vile, but it was either that or swallow it and vomit all the way through Knightsbridge.

Stopped off at Sainsbury's to get some cash and pick up some cat food. By the time I had made it halfway around the shop I had a mouthful of spit. Yuk.

I have found a temporary cure. Sour sweets such as cherry cola bottles from the pick and mix at Sainsbury's. Doesn't stop the drooling but it makes the saliva easier to swallow.

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knackered

i am so tired right now. I'm at work and I'm missing my afternoon nap.

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27/8

August 27, 2007
Going back in time

I started making brief notes in the early days of the pregnancy, so here they are...

10 august

well, there's definitely a baby in there!

I had a six-week scan (even though I'm seven weeks) this morning. I prayed last night and this morning that everthing would be OK. But it was a scary time in the scanning room. First the scanner said nothing, which terrified me. I has everything crossed. Then she turned round the monitor and said: 'There's your baby'.

It looks like a bean! But it's there and it's heart is beating away.

Went to my first Total Body Conditioning class as a pregnant woman. I felt like a fraud doing the special exercises. Basically I have to drink lots and lots of water and steer clear of exercises like the plank and sideways plank.

but I felt much better for completing the class.

Symptoms come and go. Today it's sore boobs - I can't sleep on my front, tiredness - slept on the Jubilee line to work; and constant peeing.

Apparently not everyone gets morning sickness, so that's something I guess.

ok so now my breasts are throbbing again

13 august
knackered all weekend , slept for 12 hours on Friday, Sat and Sun, with naps during the day.
Today I felt OK (and paranoid) until lunchtime. Now I am drooling and it's not very nice at all!
First ante-natal appointment tomorrow

20 August
what a difference a week makes
symptoms subsided a lot which made me ultra paranoid and tearful. I have now done three more PG tests.

Peed three times last night - a new record

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I must not go to M&S food hall on my own

Tea tonight: oven baked mushroom risotto with lamb chops (home made).

Snack: Belgian chocolate coated popcorn and Brazil nuts.

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August 24, 2007
Things no one tells you in pregnancy: part one

How tired you will feel. Right now I would give anything to crawl into a toilet cubicle at work for 40 winks.

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pumpkin's progress

pregnancy

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2/8/2007 - the day my life changed forever
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This is the day when I found out that I was pregnant. Hubby and I had been trying for four long years. I have PCOS, so first I had to lost a ton of weight so that I could ovulate regularly, then I had to undergo lots of embarrassing tests to find out why I couldn't get pregnant.

The worst was the post-coital test, where you have to have sex at some ungodly hour of the morning whether you want to or not, wait for a few hours and then present yourself at the fertility clinic so they can see whether the sperm are in a 'hostile environment'. The upshot was that we were recommended to go for IVF.

Perversely, making that decision was like a huge weight being lifted from my shoulders. There was absolutely nothing I could do about my fertility now except look after myself and subject my body to science.

We were due to have the first appointment on August 17th. I was due to start my period around the 23rd July, but nothing came except what felt like a massive dose of PMT that went on, and on and on. Sore boobs, cramps, extreme tiredness, bloating - the lot. But I didn't dare to think that the impossible had happened. When you're told that you need fertility treatment you can't believe that you can get pregnant on your own. So you blame your symptoms on stress, a virus - anything except the obvious.

By Aug 2nd I could put off taking a test no longer. I was so tired the night before that I collapsed on my bed rather than take a jazz dance class at Pineapple, which is my favourite exercise.

I did the test at about 7.30 the next morning - and it turned positive immediately. On the advice of hubby I bought a second test as soon as the chemist opened at 9am. Same result - two pink lines! Turned out that I was six weeks pregnant.

Then my elation turned to panic when I remembered all the food and drink sins I had consumed during my birthday a few weeks before - red wine, champagne, soft unpasteurised cheese, rare meat and pate! But so far, Pumpkin (aka my unborn child) has turned out to be a tough little tyke. Let's hope it stays that way.