Update on my change in diet

I have been very badly neglecting this blog. I have been so tired and felt like I've had next to no energy. I am slowly getting better though.

I've had to dramatically adjust my diet to keep my blood sugars low. I ended up with lots of ketones in my water which according to my diabetic midwife was from my body going into starvation mode so I have to eat a little more whilst still keeping my blood sugars within my limits. Its hard and I have had the odd spike in them once or twice every couple of days but this is the best diet I have ever been on as I can't cheat as I know it is not just me who will be affected by the results of my overeating.

I spent the first week getting really stressed out when I got a high blood sugar reading but am starting to relax a bit now as the stress is no good for baby either. I am keeping a food diary which is helping as then if I get a high I can look at what I've eaten and try and figure out where I went wrong. Normally means I had too many carbs. I don't even pretend to understand all of it though so have stopped stressing as I'm eating a million times more healthily than I was and am doing the best I can for myself and our baby girl.

I have been spending lots of time this week worrying about labour. I had 2 really good labours with my other 2 and they were big babies too (10lb 7 and 9lb 7) but I just don't know what's going to happen this time round. I am almost certain I will be induced at 38 weeks (7.5 weeks to go!!) but am worried I will end up with a caesarean if she's bigger than Josh was. I am petrified of the thought of one but on the other hand I will do whatever is necessary to make sure our baby is ok so if that means a caesarean then so be it.

I have another appointment with the obstetric consultant tomorrow and am also seeing my diabetic midwife and diabetic nurse. I have loads of appointments lined up for every week between now and having the baby which is reassuring that I'm being monitored so closely. I have my next scan in 2 weeks which will be interesting to see how she's grown.

Also, can't remember if I've mentioned it before but we have finally come up with baby's name - Gabrielle Victoria K____(our surname)

An update from my appointments today

I had my growth scan this morning and Gabrielle is already one large baby weighing 3lb 12oz at 28+4. (I thought they were wrong at the 4d scan when they said she'd be around 8lb at birth lol!!) Thankfully everything is ok with her and the fluid around her is normal (apparantly you can sometimes end up with excess fluid around her because of gestational diabetes)

We had a busy appointment afterwards and I am being looked after by a diabetic midwife, diabetic nurse, diabetic consultant, obstetric consultant and a dietician so was at the hospital over 3 hours getting sorted out.

I feel better about it all now. I have to try and keep my blood sugars between 4 and 6 when fasting and less than 7.8 2 hours after eating. I have to test 4 times a day with a little pen thing that pricks my finger then I squeeze some blood out onto the end of a tab connected to the meter. After lunch my sugars were 7.2 and after tea they were 5.9!! I am so pleased that my blood sugars were both under the limit, especially the one after my tea which was lovely and consisted of half plate of salad, small jacket potato spread with bertolli spread, small portion of chicken breast) so I can have that again another day.

I am not allowed to snack between meals which I know is my biggest weakness and I will find that hardest. I can have a yogurt or fruit straight after a meal as a desert but not as a snack midway through the afternoon/evening which I find very strange. I surprised myself though by feeling very satisfied after my tea and still am so have skipped the yogurt.

I have to test my sugars 4 times a day sometimes before eating and other times 2 hours after eating and they have to stay within set limits so hopefully I can control it through diet alone.

I will be induced no later than 38 weeks due to Gabrielle's size and at the moment there is no reason why I have to have a caesarean which was really worrying me but if they try to induce me and it doesn't work or she gets distressed then I would end up with one. Hopefully it will work being induced first time as it did with dd and I will be doing all the old wives tales to try and get her out without being induced if possible.

I have another scan in 4 weeks and then will have fortnightly scans to keep an eye on her. I also have to go in for her heartbeat monitoring regularly from 34 weeks and they will check my kidney function then too.

I feel happy now that I know we will be monitored closely and I have appointments practically every week to keep an eye on things.

Hopefully everything will be ok and the gestational diabetes should disappear as soon as I give birth and Gabrielle will have her blood sugars tested within 3-4 hours after being born to make sure her sugars aren't too low. It means I'm now more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future but this has given me a kick up the bum to take care of my diet and lose the weight and get myself in better shape.

Gestational Diabetes

28+4

I've had a phone call yesterday afternoon from the Diabetic Midwife. I had my Glucose Tolerance Test yesterday morning and it turns out my results are raised. I have to go this morning to the diabetic clinic at the hospital to see diabetic midwife, dietician and my consultant. They have also arranged a growth scan for this morning too.

I am completely in shock about it. I had no inkling that it would come back positive as I've had no glucose in my urine or anything. I have had 2 previous large babies but after having the gtt test with Ellie and that being negative I assumed I just naturally had larger babies. My bmi is high but I am just completely shocked by it.

The diabetic midwife sounds lovely though and everything will be explained to me today and I will have to do fingerprick test to test my blood sugars I presume everyday or even a few times a day, not sure yet.

I will be induced at 38 weeks and baby will have to have her blood sugars monitored. I am worried that she'll have to go to special care and I won't be able to be with her. Not sure if this will be the case or not.

I've been looking in the cupboard at what we have in. I have no idea what sort of things I can eat. I suppose that will all get sorted today and we'll have to go to Asda on the way back from the hospital.

I'll try and update again when I get back later and try and take it all in.

Back from my scan!!

I went for my scan this morning and baby decided that it was the perfect time to curl into a ball and play hide and seek!!

I had to go for a walk to encourage baby to move (definitely not easy with a bursting full bladder!) and wriggled my bump about a bit.

Went back in and baby had moved slightly but was still playing games so I had to turn onto 1 side then the other and the sonographer eventually got all the measurements and everything looks ok.

She *thinks* we are having a baby girl. She said she wouldn't put money on it but dh and I think we saw the hamburger. I will keep hold of the boy's clothes I've bought just in case though lol!!

We have a 4d scan at the beginning of November so hopefully that will confirm it if our little cheeky minx plays ball!!

So glad that everything was ok though. I think this baby has a cheeky character already lol!!

Dh felt baby kick!!

This morning at 2.30am Vic felt baby kick for the first time and they did quite a few nice big kicks.

I'd been getting a bit worried about not feeling many kicks and not feeling them everyday but I was reassured by the nice kicks I got in the early hours.

I have another scan at 11.20am this morning and am feeling much better about it that everything will be ok with himher. Hopefully they will be in a good position and we will find out if we have a him or a her lol!!

Right had better go and start drinking my water and will update again later this afternoon after my scan.

23 Weeks Pregnant!!

You are now 23 weeks pregnant (or in your 24th week if that's how you prefer to count it).

Your baby now weighs a little more than 500g and measures about 28.9cm from crown to heel. His hearing is well established and he can make out a distorted version of your voice, the beating of your heart and your stomach rumblings. Loud noises your baby has often heard in the uterus (womb), such as the barking of a dog or the roar of a vacuum cleaner, probably won't bother him when he is born.

Some studies seem to indicate that unborn babies prefer classical music, so put on a CD of relaxing music by Bach or Mozart for his enjoyment – and yours!

In addition to advances in your baby's hearing, his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. He's swallowing but he normally won't pass his first stool (called meconium) until after birth.

If your baby were to be born now, he would have a small chance of survival (about 16 per cent) with the right care. Every day in the uterus makes a difference at this stage. If he was born at 24 weeks his chance of survival would rise to 44 per cent.

As for you, you may feel clumsy now that your centre of gravity has shifted. Your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth and your belly button, once an "innie", may now stick out. Don't worry. It'll revert to its pre-baby state soon after you give birth.

You may notice some bleeding when you brush your teeth - a common pregnancy complaint (along with nosebleeds). Pregnancy hormones can make your gums swell and become inflamed, which leads to frequent bleeding, especially when you clean your teeth. What to do? Brush and floss regularly but gently and follow our other self help suggestions. Although you may want to avoid disturbing your gums, it's crucial to practise good dental hygiene during pregnancy to avoid gum disease.

Most women don't have many antenatal appointments, so see if your partner can spare the time to come along when one is scheduled. Not only will he be able to hear first-hand how things are going, he can get his own questions answered too.

Feeling more movement

22+1

I'm feeling much less tired now than my last entry and also more positive about everything as I've suddenly started feeling more movement and bigger kicks.

Ellie felt himher kick for the first time last night and the look on her face was a picture, one of shock followed by excitement. We were upstairs in our bed so ran downstairs to dh and of course baby stopped right away lol.

Hopefully dh and Josh will feel himher this week too. I'm getting some nice kicks now as I type but I can guarantee that by the time I got upstairs and back into bed with dh they would have stopped lol.

I'm off to the Next 2 day sale to have a look once I've took dh to work. I was really hoping that I would know what we were having by now so I could buy something for himher but we don't. I am about 80% certain now that we're having a boy and will be quite shocked I think if at the scan it turns out we are having a girl. I'll still be over the moon though as I don't mind what we have I would just quite like to find out so I can call himher by their proper name which at the moment stand at Poppy or Toby. I really like Suzy for a girl too but no one else does and I know I would hate it if people shortened it to Sue (no offence to any Sue's).

Had a bit of a nightmare day yesterday. Josh has had a cough and a cold for the last few days and it went to his chest setting his asthma off so I took him off to the Walk In Centre hoping to avoid the need to go to hospital. They gave him a nebulizer which helped a little but his Oxygen Sats were still very low so we ended up being sent off to hospital in an ambulance. We had to wait ages to see a doctor who eventually just prescribed him some steroids and told me to give him 10 puffs of his puffer.

He was still quite wheezy when we came home but seemed a bit better when he sat still. Had better go and wake him soon to give him his steroid drink before I drop him off with my dad whilst I take dh to work and me, my mum and Ellie go to Next.

I really hope this baby doesn't have asthma as I hate watching Josh struggling for breath. I think I will make an appointment to have his inhalers reviewed as once he gets a bad do his inhalers are useless and it ends up with him on a nebulizer.

Right better go and see how he is and wake the others up.

22 Weeks Pregnant

You are now 22 weeks pregnant (or in your 23rd week if that's how you prefer to count it).

The baby now weighs almost 430g, measures about 27.8cm long from crown to heel, and is proportioned like a newborn, albeit a thinner version since her baby fat hasn't yet developed.

Although she's getting heavier every day, her skin still appears wrinkled and translucent because she needs to gain more weight. Her lips are distinct and her eyes are formed, though the the coloured part (the iris) still lacks pigment. The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily.

Even this early, the first signs of teeth appear in the form of tooth buds beneath her gum line. Before you know it, your baby will be born, and soon after, her first teeth will come through.

At this point, you'll probably notice a steady gain in weight - about 225g/half a pound each week. You may also notice that your appetite's increasing. It's okay to give in to an occasional yearning for ice cream, but try to find a healthy substitute if you constantly long for junk food.

Sometimes it's difficult to look much beyond the birth but it's worth finding out about babies before you hold your own. For example, you may be surprised at what a newborn looks like or you may need a crash course in changing nappies.

You may have noticed some changes down below. It's common in pregnancy to have an increased vaginal discharge as the result of increased blood flow in that part of the body. Needing to go to the loo a lot is another side-effect of pregnancy but don't forget that you are also more susceptible to urinary tract infections too - see your GP or midwife if you suspect a bout of cystitis. You may also experience bleeding from the back passage, particularly if you have developed haemorrhoids.

Where has my energy gone?

21+4

I am so tired at the moment. For about the last week I feel as though my energy has completely deserted me.

I am getting increasingly worried about our next scan on Friday 2nd October. Hopefully the baby will have moved into a better position so they can get the measurements and checks done that they need. Dh is worried and that is making me even more worried as he normally doesn't let anything bother him.

What's worrying me the most is I haven't felt any big movements at all with this baby and I was feeling lots of movements when I was this stage with dd. I am feeling a couple of small kicks a day over the last few days but yesterday I didn't feel anything.

I hope they move today and I feel something. I will be doing my best to relax this afternoon and have a lie down as that's usually when I feel them but last night I got nothing.

I worry what will happen if we go for the scan and baby is in the same position. At the moment I think it is. What will happen then. Will they just keep sending me for scans til they get what they want. I need the reassurance too that everything is ok. Even if there is a problem I would rather know so we can prepare ourselves to deal with it.

Himher (our nickname for the baby) I really hope you are ok in there. Mummy and daddy love you so much already and want you to grow big and strong. Mummy would love it if you could give some bigger kicks from time to time. Love you xxxx

21 Weeks Today

21 weeks today!!

I have been so tired since having our scan I really feel as if all my energy has drained away.

I am also having moments of illogical thoughts where I start worrying that there maybe something wrong with bubba. We love himher so much already and I really hope everything is ok at my next scan in 2 weeks time.

My logical side tells me it was just because baby was in a bad position and that if they suspected a problem we would be going back for another scan sooner.

I haven't been sleeping great since. I think if I felt bigger movements or had seen baby move more on the scan I would feel happier.

I did feel 2 nice kicks last night in the area where bubba was for the scan and they were the biggest I had felt so far. Then bubs went quiet again. I really hope they start moving lots soon and doing somersaults as it will reassure me a lot that everything is ok.

I need to think positively I think as its doing me no good at all thinking about possible problems. I just want to know that everything is ok though.

I took a bump picture yesterday so here it is:

Me at 20+6

21 Weeks

You are now 21 weeks pregnant (or in your 22nd week if that's how you prefer to count it).

Your baby now weighs about 360g. Up until now he has been measured from crown to rump but from this point on the measurement will be from crown to heel – and this week he is about 26.7cm long. Your baby’s eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed, and he can now blink. If you’re having a boy, testes will descend from the pelvis into the scrotum in the coming weeks.

Your baby can now hear your conversations. If you talk, read, or sing to your baby, expect him to hear you. Some studies have found that newborns will suck more vigorously when read to from a book they heard frequently in the uterus (womb). If you want to try, pick a book now and read it out loud. Make sure you won't mind reading it over and over once your baby is here. It may be your baby's favourite bedtime story for a long time after birth.

You're probably feeling quite comfortable these days. This, in fact, may be the most enjoyable time in your pregnancy. You're not too big yet, and the usual aches and pains associated with pregnancy like nausea, frequent urination, and fatigue are for the most part gone. Relax and enjoy it while you can. The third trimester is just around the corner and with it comes mild discomfort from carrying a baby that is nearly full-term.

It's hard to be graceful when you're pregnant so don't be surprised if you find yourself getting more clumsy these days. You're carrying more weight, your centre of gravity has changed with your growing uterus, and your fingers, toes, and other joints are all loosening, thanks to the effect of pregnancy hormones. Try to watch where you're going, and if you haven't already done so, say goodbye to high heels. They make keeping your balance more difficult, and can cause backaches.

Just how much weight you will gain by the end of pregnancy may be preying on your mind. Doctors are much more relaxed about weight gain in pregnancy now. Take the same approach and give yourself a break. It's also best not to worry immediately about losing weight after you've had your baby as your body can take anything from a few months to a year to recover nutrients used up during pregnancy.

Had my scan

I went for my scan and was so glad it was at 9am as I was really nervous but straight away we saw the baby and heartbeat which helped put me at ease.

Baby was rather curled up so I ended up being tilted with my head downwards and feet up as the sonographer tried to coax baby into moving. Apparantly it has lots of space to play in but it seems to like this little pocket it was in and wasn't going to budge. Baby did move their arms and legs a little whilst I was having the scan but no big movements.

They couldn't get all the measurements and checks they wanted done as baby was in an awkward position so I have to go back for another scan 2 weeks on Friday when I'll be 23 weeks. They need to check the Spine, Renal and Arms. I'm not worried too much about it as she said from what she could see everything looks fine but they need to check these things and baby wasn't co-operating so I have to go back which is fine by me as I get a chance to see bubba again.

There was no chance of being able to tell what sex the baby was because of the position it was in but as long as they are healthy that is the most important thing.

Hopefully baby will be in a better position at the next scan so they can get all the measurements.

They have a big tummy though as on the stomach chart in my notes she's put a cross above the highest line on my chart for my gestation. I think its a centile chart and if so baby is above the highest centile so looks like this one's going to be a big baby too.

I got 3 scan pictures anyway which I shall add now.

Half Way There!!

I have my 20 week scan on Wednesday and am really looking forward to it. I really hope everything is ok with the baby. I have been feeling what I think are proper kicks this week as opposed to rolls but they are still not as strong as I remember they were already when I was pregnant with Ellie.

I am trying not to let it worry me but it is a little and I will be very relieved to have my scan on Wednesday and know that our baby is ok. I also hope to find out if we have blue or pink bundle but more importantly I want to make sure our baby is ok. Only 4 more sleeps to go!!

I finally got the results of my triple test back and my downs result was 1 in 52,000 so that's excellant (I think at my age the risk is 1 in 800) and I'm also classed as low risk for Spina Bifida too. The result though had it been high would have made no difference to this pregnancy as this baby is so loved and wanted already but at least we could prepare ourselves if that was the case.

20 Weeks Pregnant

You are now 20 weeks pregnant (or in your 21st week if that's how you prefer to count it).

Your baby measures about 16.5cm from crown to rump and is steadily gaining weight. A whitish coat of a slick, fatty substance called vernix caseosa begins to cover your baby, protecting her skin during its long immersion in amniotic fluid. It also eases delivery. Your baby's swallowing more this week, good practice for the digestive system. After your baby takes in amniotic fluid, her body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel.

You may want to look into an antenatal class if you haven't done so already. Whether you are a first-time mum or want a refresher course, you will benefit from a structured class. No matter what the philosophy behind it, an antenatal class can help prepare you for the rigours of labour and birth. You should plan to have completed the classes by 37 weeks, when you'll be considered full-term and labour could start at any time.

Be extra vigilant about getting enough iron. Your baby needs it to make red blood cells, among other things. In fact, it's almost impossible for you to get too much from food alone without overeating. Iron-rich foods include lean red meat, poultry, fish, lentils, spinach, and iron-fortified cereals. See our eating well guide to round up everything you need to know.

Out of breath? Most women start to feel a bit like Thomas the Tank Engine, huffing and puffing up a short flight of stairs. Some breathlessness is normal and may get a little worse as your expanding uterus pushes up against your lungs, but tell your midwife if it gets out of hand. Also, make sure you're getting enough iron. Your baby needs it to make red blood cells, among other things. It's almost impossible to get too much from food alone, as long as you're not overeating. Iron-rich foods include lean red meat, poultry, fish, lentils, spinach, and iron-fortified cereals. Don't take supplements though, unless they're prescribed by your doctor.

Although pregnancy might sometimes feel like a one-woman show, it doesn't have to be that way. If your partner is going to be your labour partner, he'll want to know how he can help and how he can communicate your wishes to the professionals.

19 Weeks Pregnant

You are now 19 weeks pregnant (or in your 20th week if that's how you prefer to count it).

Congratulations - You're halfway there! The top of your uterus (womb) now reaches your belly button and will grow about a centimetre a week. Your baby measures about 14.2cm long from crown to rump and weighs about 240g.

She is swallowing amniotic fluid, and her kidneys continue to make urine. Hair on her scalp is sprouting too.

Sensory development reaches its peak this week. The nerve cells serving each of the senses – taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch – are developing in their specialised areas of the brain.

Nerve cell production slows down as existing nerve cells grow larger and make more complex connections. If you're carrying a baby girl, she already has roughly six million eggs in her ovaries. By the time she's born, she'll have about a million.

You may have felt the kicking and somersaulting of your growing baby. At times, you might find that she is so mobile that you can't sleep. The next 10 weeks or so will be your baby's busiest and most active time, until the uterus gets too crowded.

Your uterus has grown well into your abdomen - the top of it probably reaches your belly button. From now on it will grow at about a centimetre per week. You may also notice some aching in your lower abdomen. It's nothing to be alarmed about - it's just the stretching of your muscles and ligaments supporting your bump.

Many pregnant women worry that they won't be able to cope with the pain of labour and childbirth. Some women consider an elective caesarean to avoid the problem completely, but this isn't necessarily a good idea as the risks with a caesarean delivery are much higher than with a normal delivery and there will still be pain involved, albeit after the birth. There are many effective forms of pain relief available in maternity units. You could try some natural methods of pain relief first, including labouring in a birthing pool, which can help women cope with the pain of labour without any drugs at all. The more you find out about what is available or what you can try, the more in control you will feel and the less worried you will be.

Getting a good night's sleep when you're pregnant can be difficult, particularly if you have heartburn or indigestion. If that's the case then food will be the last thing on your mind, but some pregnant women wake up in the night with hunger pangs and have to have a midnight feast before they can get back to sleep. Another cause of disrupted nights may be your partner's elbow in your side because pregnancy can cause nasal congestion resulting in - yes, you guessed it - snoring.

Shy Baby

18 +2

I'm so disappointed baby was in a bad position but the scan place were brill and didn't charge me for the scan and have offered me a 4D scan for £35 when I'm 26 weeks!! Hopefully we can find out what we are having at our hospital scan 2 wks on Wednesday!!

Hoping for a scan today!!

18 +2

Today we are off to Fleetwood to the Bump and Baby exhibition. There is a company there offering scans for £35. You can't prebook you have to turn up and register and they will give you a time to go back. I'm so excited and really hope we can find out what colour bump we have!! Hopefully bubba will have their legs well and truely open!!

I am so nervous too and just want to make sure everything is ok with our baby. I could hardly sleep last night for thinking about it all. Dh is working unfortunately so am taking my mum and the kids with me.

We have kindof decided on names, Poppy for a girl and Toby for a boy. They are the only names we all agree on. As the kids are 10 and 7 we are giving them a say too in the name which does complicate things trying to please everyone but we want them to feel involved in the pregnancy.

Right best go get ready and will update again later after the scan.

18 Weeks

You are now 18 weeks pregnant (or in your 19th week if that's how you prefer to count it).

This week, you officially begin your fifth month of pregnancy. Your baby may have reached 15 cm from crown to rump by now, and he can both feel and hear. Admittedly at the moment, all he can hear is your heartbeat and the flow of your digestive system but soon he'll be able to detect noise outside the womb and identify your voice.

You're just a week away from the half-way mark. Pregnancy care is much more relaxed than it used to be, so you're unlikely to see your midwife or doctor often unless you need extra attention. But don't chew over things alone if you're feeling anxious.

However, in the next few weeks you'll probably have an anomaly scan, to check your baby's organs. Seeing your baby curled up inside you - or kicking or rolling - is immensely moving so take your partner with you if you can. If your pregnancy is problem-free, this may be your last opportunity to buy a scan photo for your baby's album. In a very small percentage of cases though, the scan shows up problems. If this happens to you and you want to talk about whether to continue with your pregnancy, you can contact Antenatal Results and Choices in the Organisations A-Z.

Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now. Treat yourself to a new pair of shoes also in a bigger size, your feet will swell along with your body, and pick a low heel for extra stability as your bump grows.

A long catch up!!

17 +2

I have been utterly rubbish at updating so far. I have been so tired and lacking in energy this last few weeks. I've also been getting rubbish nights sleep through going to the loo 4 times a night and taking 30 mins to an hour to drop off again each time.

It makes me really hormonal and teary some days but I am just so thankful to actually be pregnant that even when it seems everything is getting thrown at me I am still so excited about this baby.

I'm trying to rest a bit more and finding that I can't shop like I used to as my pelvis and back really start to ache after about 15 mins of standing up and walking round. This is probably a godsend for dh as I can't spend as much money lol!! Oh well there's always online shopping lol!!

I've already decided that it will be too much for me to traipse round the shops for xmas pressies and hope to get most of the stuff online and had better start it in the next couple of weeks.

When I was 15 weeks I felt the baby move for the first time. I still don't feel them every day but if I sit quietly and really relax then I can feel a couple of movements maybe every other day.

On Monday I started with a large cyst/boil just under my left breast at the top of my abdominal wall (ha what abdominal wall!! Mine's just a layer of fat lol!!) and it became very painful and I ended up seeing the doctor on Wednesday morning being sent up to the hospital. I was so anxious as a General Anaesthetic was mentioned and I really didn't want one as I was worried it would affect the baby.

Thankfully once I got there and the surgeon had a look he decided to give it a go doing a laceration and drainage under Local Anaesthetic but warned me if it didn't work then I would have to have a general.

Luckily they managed to numb it ok and get all the horrible gunk out. I've been having to go and have it dressed every day since and the dressings hurt more than the actual procedure itself. It's still an open wound and apparently it will close up itself eventually but for now it means going daily to see the practice nurse and to the Walk in Centre at weekends. Hopefully it will heal quickly and not get infected.

On Thursday I had my 16 week midwife appointment. I had the blood test for down syndrome and spina bifida. We decided that we would rather know if our baby had any of these conditions so we could prepare ourselves and our children but we would carry on with the pregnancy as this baby is so wanted and longed for already. If there is anything shown on the blood test then we should know within 7-10 days so hear's to hoping we don't hear anything.

I got my other blood results back and my iron levels are good now at 11.5 so pleased about that. I am NOT Rubella Immune. I never am despite having the injections when I was supposed to at school and after having both the kids and it just doesn't seem to work on me. The midwife said I can have another jab after this little one is born but I am thinking of telling them what is the point as it obviously doesn't work on me!!

I was also weighed and was very surprised to find that I had lost 0.5kg according to their scales. I know it could just be their scales but for now I'm sticking with it lol!!

I took the kids to the midwife with me and we heard baby's heartbeat for the first time which they thought was fantastic and they loved it. It was really reassuring for me too after going through the procedure to remove the cyst on Wednesday. I am far more nervous this time round of things going wrong so was so pleased to hear our baby's heartbeat pumping away.

I really want to book a private scan for this week to see our baby but I think dh will need a bit of persuading. I will wait for him to have a really good day at work and ask him then so he will be more likely to say yes. We have our hospital scan on 16th September but I really want a scan now. I'm also itching to find out whether we are having a boy or a girl and check everything is ok.

With my other 2 I was fairly certain by 12 weeks what I thought we were having and I was right. This time I really am not sure whether this is a boy or a girl. I have moments of leaning towards it being one or the other but deep down I'm not sure. I really don't mind what we have though as I just feel so blessed to be having another baby after starting to doubt it would ever happen to us.

I will do an updated bump photo later this week as I have a huge bump already and its quite a high bump too.

I did a prediction from Madame Zaritska just for fun.

http://pregnancyandbaby.sheknows.com/pregnancy/baby/Madame-Zaritska-predicts-your-birth-experience-5.php

The day you deliver, outside will be rainy. Your baby will arrive in the early morning. After a labor lasting approximately 12 hours, your child, a girl, will be born. Your baby will weigh about 5 pounds, 1 ounces, and will be 17-1/2 inches long. This child will have dark amber eyes and fluffy red hair.

Can't see that being true in a million years as I have big babies and fast labours. Also my other 2 were born with dark brown hair. There is noone in the family even distantly with red hair!! So am taking this with a rather large pinch of salt lol!!

17 Weeks

You are now 17 weeks pregnant (or in your 18th week if that's how you prefer to count it).

Your baby is now nearly 11.1cm long from crown to rump and weighs about 140g. His skeleton is mostly rubbery cartilage, which will harden later. A protective substance called myelin slowly begins to wrap around the spinal cord (Visembryo 2006).

With the help of a special stethoscope, you can now hear your baby's heartbeat. There's almost nothing more comforting or exciting than hearing your baby's heartbeat galloping along. For times when boredom strikes and you feel as if you'll be pregnant forever, it can be a pleasant reminder of what will come at the end of 40 weeks of waiting.

Your expanding uterus (womb) where your baby is developing has shifted your centre of gravity and you've probably been feeling a bit off-kilter. Be careful and wear low-heeled shoes. Finding it hard to settle when you go to bed?

If you haven't had an amniocentesis yet and plan to, this week is a good time. One perk: you'll get a long look at your baby through the ultrasound scan used during this procedure.

First-time mums often start to feel their baby's movements around now. Many women report that the first sensations are fluttery or like butterflies in the stomach. Unfortunately, your partner won't be able to share in your excitement just yet - real kicking doesn't usually start for a month or so.

As your body gently expands, you may feel less than glamorous. Take some time to feel good about your changing body in the coming weeks. Even if you don't feel attractive, your partner probably still finds you a turn-on - some men find the roundness that pregnancy gives to women's figures very appealing. It's quite safe to have sex right up until your waters break, provided there is no medical reason not to, such as bleeding. Some women find that their libido increases during pregnancy while others go right off making love - it's quite normal either way.

You may also notice that the areola, the darkish area around your nipples, is getting larger as your breasts expand. It's a harmless side effect of pregnancy but it may last as long as 12 months after the birth. You may have noticed other skin changes such as the linea nigra and the mask of pregnancy; both of which will also fade after the baby is born.

16 Weeks

You are now 16 weeks pregnant (or in your 17th week if that's how you prefer to count it).

Your baby is now about the size of an avocado, is about 10.1cm long from crown to rump, and weighs approximately 100g. In the next three weeks she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length.

In or out of the uterus (womb), babies are playful creatures. Yours may already have discovered her first toy – the umbilical cord – which she'll enjoy pulling and grabbing. Sometimes she may even clutch it so tight that less oxygen gets through, but don't worry – she doesn't hold onto it long enough to harm himself.

The circulatory system and urinary tract are in full working order, and she's inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid through her lungs (Visembryo 2006). Your baby is immersed in amniotic fluid, which is protecting her as she grows in the amniotic sac.

Sometimes, when you move suddenly, you may a feel a slight pain in your sides. Ligaments on each side of your uterus and pelvic walls are stretching as your baby grows. It's normal to feel some pain, but if it continues for a few days or gets worse, talk to your midwife.

You've probably gained at least 2.2kg/5lb by now, maybe as much as 4.5 kg/10 lb. Your uterus is growing and you might feel pangs caused by the ligaments stretching in your abdomen. These pains are usually temporary but your growing uterus will put extra strain on your back - follow our tips for protecting your back so that you avoid backache.

Many couples worry about what labour will be like and how they'll cope as new parents - it's all perfectly normal. Try chatting to couples with children about how they felt at this stage and read up on what happens in labour. It may help to read some birth stories so you know what to expect too.

It's a good time to arrange a last minute holiday if you can spare the time and money. Travelling in the middle trimester is often recommended because you are usually over the early pregnancy feelings of nausea and fatigue and still not too far advanced for size or premature labour to be a problem. If you are booking now for a flight later in pregnancy make sure your airline will allow you to fly at that stage.

15 Weeks

You are now 15 weeks pregnant (or in your 16th week if that's how you prefer to count it).

Your baby is still small enough to fit into the palm of your hand. New this week - light sensitivity and a bad case of the hiccups, a precursor to breathing. You can't hear them because her system is filled with fluid rather than air but don't be surprised if you feel them later on.

Although you've probably gained between 2.2kg and 4.5kg, your baby weighs in at only about 70g. He measures nearly 9.1cm long, crown to rump. Legs are growing longer than arms now and all his joints and limbs can move. You may be able to find out the sex of your baby by ultrasound now, since the external genitals may be developed enough that the ultrasound technician can tell you if you're going to have a boy or a girl.

One of the most exciting moments of pregnancy is feeling the baby move. Most women notice "quickening", as it's called, between 16 and 20 weeks. You may feel these first wiggles as a flutter low down in your tummy. Once you realise it's actually the baby turning somersaults, make a note to tell your midwife at your next visit. Some women feel the baby move later or less often than others so there's no need to worry if you haven't noticed your baby moving yet.

Around now you'll be offered an antenatal test to screen for birth defects. The multiple marker screening test, which measures levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) among other things, is usually performed between 15 and 20 weeks. Ask your midwife which marker test you will be offered as some are more limited than others. Amniocentesis isn't routine, but it's often recommended for women over 35 and those with a history of birth defects. It's usually carried out at around 15 to 20 weeks. Genetic counsellors, on hand when you have the procedure, can explain the full implications of these tests for chromosomal abnormalities.

Your immune system is slightly impaired when you’re pregnant so you may have noticed that you’ve had more coughs and colds than you normally would. Although, they are annoying and tiring, these sniffles won’t harm your baby. Other infections that you may come across while you are pregnant such as slapped cheek disease, chicken pox or rubella can cause problems for your unborn baby depending on the stage of pregnancy when you catch it – but chances are you’ve already had these infections in your own childhood or, in the case of German measles, been inoculated against it, so you will be immune anyway. Shingles won't harm your baby but you should avoid other pregnant women.

We have a crib!!

14+6 weeks

Well, it seems like we won't be needing to buy much for this baby at all as my mum and auntie are going mad already buying stuff. My auntie is terrible and is buying stuff almost every day. I think the baby might have about 6 snowsuits now in 0-3 months lol!!

We went to a babyshop on Tuesday and there was a beautiful crib in there and I was trying to decide whether to buy it now or not. Anyway next thing I know my auntie had bought it for us. It is being delivered either tomorrow or Saturday. I can't wait!!

I didn't really want to have anything in the house just yet but my mum has so much stuff at hers that there really is no more room there lol!! I need to sort out our built-in wardrobe/cupboard so that it can go in there out of the way for now. I have to buy a crib set for it and I have fallen in love with the Babies R Us I Love My Bear crib set. It's beautiful so I'm looking forward to getting that.



It seems like every time I go to my parents there is more baby stuff waiting for us lol!! I will have to work out what I do need to buy but am waiting til my 20 week scan before I start doing lots of shopping.

14 weeks!!

You are now 14 weeks pregnant (or in your 15th week if that's how you prefer to count it).

Crown to rump, your baby is around 3 and a half inches / 9 centimetres long and weighs one and a half ounces / 43 grams. The body is now growing faster than the head. This week, its parchment-thin skin covers itself with lanugo (ultra-fine, downy hair that usually disappears before birth). Though eyebrows are beginning to grow and the hair on top of the head is sprouting, this hair may change in both texture and colour after birth.

About now, the fetus can grasp, squint, frown, and grimace. It may even be able to suck its thumb. Researchers believe these and other movements probably correspond to the development of impulses in the brain.

If you haven't yet made an appointment for maternal serum screening (also known as the triple test), you may want to do so now. The test provides more information about your baby, and screens for Down's syndrome and other birth defects. Also, your obstetrician may recommend an amniocentesis between 15 and 18 weeks for women over 35 and those with a history of birth defects. If you are over 35, have a look at our article on how age affects pregnancy.

You're probably feeling brighter and livelier than in the first three months and have put the early symptoms of pregnancy firmly behind you. Some unlucky women do find that the nausea drags on so if you are still being very sick, contact your GP or midwife for advice. Most women find the second three months the easiest stage of pregnancy when sleep is sounder and your bump isn't too big to impede your movements. Make the most of these energetic middle months to enjoy activities such as swimming, walking and low-impact aerobics.

It's also a good time to sort out practicalities with your partner, discussing your maternity leave and thinking about childcare, if you intend to return to work after your baby is born.

Saw my consultant yesterday!!

I had my consultant appointment yesterday. It was very strange. Obviously didn't see actual consultant but one of his registrars. She said that I would have to see the Anaesthetist. Apparantly as my BMI is high I am an anasethetic risk. I never had any need for an anaesthetist with my other 2 pregnancies. Both were normal deliveries with just gas and air and as they were both fast deliveries am expecting this one to just shoot out lol!! I could understand towards the end if baby was breach or I needed a planned c-section but otherwise can't see the point. I never had to with my other 2!!

Also have been told that for the first 6 weeks after the baby is born I have to have injections to thin the blood. I never had to do this after my other 2 were born!!

And I have to continue taking Folic Acid 5mg and Vitamin D 10mcg daily for the rest of the pregnancy. I never did this with my other 2 either.

Apparantly it is all new 'protocol' but to me it just seems like such a huge waste of NHS resources.

I know I am overweight but I was when I had dd too and never had to do any of that. Is anyone else being told they have to do all this?

On the plus side I will get a growth scan at 38 weeks to try and estimate baby's weight but I had this with dd and they said she'd be around 8lb 7 and she was 9lb 7 so they aren't exactly accurate at that stage.

I am down as being consultant led with shared care from midwife. In my previous pregnancies I was midwife led with both of them. I am going to discuss all this with the midwife as I would love a homebirth (dh not keen though) or failing that a waterbirth in the hospital but am worried being consultant led means I won't get the birth I want.

I took my antenatal notes to the doctor's yesterday afternoon and had to wait ages for them to sort out a prescription for the Vitamin D as they said they had never heard anyone being prescribed it before during pregnancy. The receptionist ended up having to phone my consultant's secretary to check it was right as she was so surprised.

So will have to do some research into it all and see what's what.

Not feeling great today. Either I have sickness bug or morning sickness has decided to strike with avengence at nearly 14 weeks. I am sooo tired too and think a nap is in order now. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow. It's strange as I was only thinking yesterday about how much better I've felt with this pregnancy then I did when I was pregnant with Josh and Ellie. Must have tempted fate!!

Bump pics

13 +2 weeks

I seem to have a huge bump already and am much bigger than I was with Josh and Ellie. I am heavier than I was at this stage in my pregnancies with them too but my stomach although rather like a jelly belly toward the bottom the top half has really come out whilst that was always much flatter.

Here's a couple of bump pics taken today at 13 +2.





I am certain too that I have been able to feel a foot or another part of the baby this last week too. I can't feel the baby kicking yet but I can feel a little tiny lump which when I go to put Ellie's hand on my tummy has disappeared and we find it somewhere else. Ellie especially loves it and is always kissing my tummy. She's so sweet and is going to be a great big sister and Josh will be a great big brother to the new baby too.

Names wise the only names we all agree on at the moment are Toby for a boy and Poppy for a girl. I also like:

Noah, Sebastian, Samuel, Zak, Max, Romeo, Todd, Reuben, Ronan, Oscar, Nathan, Kiefer, Leo, Jasper, Caspar.

Ruby, Maisie, Freya, Daisy, Seraphina, Scarlett, Matilda, Tilly, Gabriella, Athena, Annabelle, Amelia, Keziah (my nan's name).

We will wait and see anyway til after my 20 week scan on 16th September when we hope to find out what we are having then. Can't wait!! I have a consultant appointment on Tuesday morning so will find out hopefully if I had a post-partum haemorrage after Josh was born as I ended up needing a blood transfusion and also after Ellie was born I was severely anaemic so want to try and make sure this time round I can do my best to avoid becoming anaemic. Also I may get extra scans due to Josh and Ellie being big babies. I had late scans with Ellie and they said she'd be 8lb 7 - 9lbs maximum and she was 9lb 7oz.

Right had better go and tidy up so will finish with a picture of the hat and mittens set for a baby girl 0-3 months that I couldn't resist buying in the Next Sale.

Getting my energy back now!!

Sorry I have been so utterly crap at updating this diary. I am determined to try to add at least 3 entries a week from now on. I have been so tired I have been in bed by 9pm most nights.

The last few nights I have managed to stay awake til 10.30pm which feels like quite an acheivement for me. I am not as tired during the day either which is great as it means my house is finally tired again. I have been far too tired earlier on with this pregnancy to do much round the house. Just the basics done to keep things ticking over but I have blitzed the house this week and its looking much better.

I am so happy to finally be in my second trimester and feel I can relax a bit more. I have been much more nervous this time round as I haven't been anything like as sick as I was with my other two which on the one hand I am glad about but on the other hand would have made for a more reassuring first trimester.

I seem to have quite a bump already. Alright I was very overweight to begin with but my jelly belly has gone quite hard and is definitely more bump-like as opposed to just flab lol!!

I am hoping dh remembers to bring the camera home from work tonight so that I can take a bump pic and also take a pic of a gorgeous hat and mittens I bought from Next in the sale for a bargain price of £3 in 0-3 months for a baby girl. We obviously don't know what we are having yet but it was so cute I couldn't resist. I really don't mind whether the baby is a boy or a girl as long as they are healthy. We are so lucky to already have a beautiful son and daughter and are so looking forward to meeting our new baby too.

If he remembers the camera then I will add the pics tomorrow.

13 weeks pregnant

You are now 13 weeks pregnant (or in your 14th week if that's how you prefer to count it).

The fetus is now nearly 3 inches / 7 to 8 centimetres long from crown to rump and weighs nearly an ounce / 23 grams -- about half a banana. Its unique fingerprints are already in place. And when you poke your stomach gently and she feels it, your baby will start rooting -- that is, act as if she's searching for a nipple.

If you're having a girl, she now has approximately 2 million eggs in her ovaries; she will have only a million by the time she's born. She'll have fewer eggs as she gets older, and by age 17, the number will have dropped to 200,000.

As for you, the fog may be lifting, so to speak. For many women, the side effects of early pregnancy -- frequent urination, intense fatigue, nausea -- diminish sometime in the second trimester. Your uterus, while large enough to announce to onlookers that you're indeed pregnant, isn't so huge that it gets in your way. Even though birth is months away, your breasts may already start making colostrum, the fluid that will feed your baby for the first few days before your milk comes in.

You're officially in your second trimester, the fourth to sixth months of pregnancy. That's great news for two reasons. One, your risk of miscarriage has dropped dramatically, and two, many women see early pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness, subside - you may notice a distinct improvement in your libido as the nausea recedes and your energy levels rise.

12 weeks pregnant

You are now 12 weeks pregnant (or in your 13th week if that's how you prefer to count it).

Your baby's face is changing. The eyes, which started out on the sides of his head, have moved closer together and his ears are almost in their normal position. This is when the tissues and organs that have already formed in his body rapidly grow and mature. Your baby's intestines, which start out as a large swelling in the umbilical cord, will begin moving into the abdominal cavity about now.

With luck your nausea will be on the wane and you'll soon be feeling more energetic. You're probably also feeling relieved because your risk of miscarriage has now dropped dramatically. It might seem hard to believe if you're still in the throes of morning sickness, but you'll soon regain your appetite. Just make sure any meat that you eat is thoroughly cooked to reduce any chance of toxoplasmosis - no rare steaks for you and take care at barbecues.

You're entitled to free dental care and free prescriptions until your baby is a year old. Your teeth and gums can be more prone to disease during pregnancy so plan a free dental check-up while you are pregnant; but make sure your dentist knows not to give you an x-ray. You may notice that your gums bleed more now so floss as well as brush. If you are worried or unsure about using over-the-counter remedies talk to your GP, ask your local pharmacist, or call the NHS Direct 24-hour helpline for immediate advice.

You're probably wearing loose clothing, though it's because of your emerging bulge more than any real weight you've gained. You may feel that you need a new style to suit your new figure or a new skin or make-up routine - take a peek at our beauty tips from Bobby Brown. It's a good time to rethink your look. There are plenty of maternity wear ranges to choose from either on the high street or through mail order. One or two good quality basics should see you through most of your pregnancy. For special occasions you can choose from some of the smarter and more sophisticated lines which are thankfully now available.

Back from my scan :)

11 +5 (spot on at scan)

I had my scan this afternoon and after feeling so nervous and worried earlier everything went well.

We have one happy active baby in there measuring spot on for my dates. The Sonographer put Crown to Rump length as 49mm. Placenta is Right Lateral from what it says on my notes. Everything looks fine and I will have my 20 week scan in 9 weeks.

Am so relieved everything was ok. She found the baby really quick and you could see it moving straight away.

Joshua and Ellie came in too and they were like wow!!!! Josh said afterwards he was trying not to cry as he was so happy. Dh gave me a huge kiss and hug once we got outside and we haven't stopped smiling since we got back.

I think it has made it feel much more real now that we are actually going to have a baby!! WooHoo!!!

Will add my two pics.

It's my Dating Scan This Afternoon

11 +5

I have my dating scan this afternoon and it feels like torture waiting til 4pm for it.

I feel sicker than ever this morning which I suppose is down to nerves. I am really excited about seeing our baby on the scan but am also really worried in case anything's wrong.

The kids are coming too but will leave them in the waiting room until we see the heartbeat.

I just want to get there and know everything is ok now!!

I am 98% certain that everything is ok as I still feel really tired and my boobs ache when I take my bra off and I am still getting nauseous til I eat but there is just a little niggle of what if its not and how would I explain that to the kids. I think as I was so sick with my other two and in and out of hospital on a drip with them and haven't really been properly sick at all this pregnancy I am worrying much more.

I need to get my positive head back on I suppose and start thinking positive.

Will update this evening after the scan with a piccie if everything is ok.

11 Weeks

You are now eleven weeks pregnant (or in your twelfth week if that's how you prefer to count it).

Your baby is now fully formed, from toothbuds to toenails and measures about the length of your thumb. Her fingers and toes have separated and some of her bones are beginning to harden. Over the next six months your baby's main task will be to grow larger and stronger, fit for survival outside the womb.

You might want to consider a home birth. If your GP is unwilling to attend a home birth, you can arrange midwife care through the supervisor of midwives at your local hospital. Another alternative, which some women see as a halfway house between home and hospital, is to give birth at a birth centre.

One of the most exciting parts of antenatal visits is hearing your baby's rapid heartbeat magnified by the Sonicaid stethoscope many midwives use. The moment can be very dramatic and moving as the room fills with a sound like a galloping horse. Don't be alarmed if your midwife cannot find a heartbeat at this stage (some midwives won't even try to find it this early as they don't want to cause you unnecessary worry) - it should be easier to find at your next appointment. When your midwife does find the heartbeat she will write in your notes FHH which stands for Fetal Heart Heard - use our guide to understanding your maternity notes to help you decipher other abbreviations.

Got my scan date!!

I have just received an appointment for my dating scan. Wednesday 15th July at 4pm. I am so excited!! Vic will be able to come and we are debating whether to take the kids or not. I know that they would love it but will have to find out if its ok for them to come along. Also its a little worry incase there is anything wrong but I am sure everything will be ok.

I know it is really early but I am almost certain I have been feeling tiny movements for the last two days. I am only aware of them when I am lying down but they feel like very tiny kicks.

Lots of ladies on my antenatal club online have felt them too this early on. I always though it was impossible to feel them so early but I suppose as its my third I know what they feel like and you feel them earlier with each pregnancy. Plus my stomach muscles will already be shot to pieces anyway!!

10 Weeks Pregnant

You are now ten weeks pregnant (or in your eleventh week if that's how you prefer to count it).

The fetus is only about 1.2 inches / 3 centimetres long from crown to rump and weighs less than a sixth of an ounce / 4 grams. Even so, it's busily swallowing and kicking. Each day more minute details start to appear, such as fingernails and peach-fuzzy hair.

The vital organs -- the liver, kidneys, intestines, brain, and lungs -- are fully formed and functional, while the head is almost half the length of the entire body. The forehead temporarily bulges and sits high on the head, but later will change into a more human-like feature.

If you could take a look at your baby this week, you'd be able to see the clear outline of his spine. Spinal nerves stretch out from the spinal cord.

Your uterus is now the size of a grapefruit. With the help of a Doppler, a hand-held soundwave stethoscope, you can hear the fetus's rapid heartbeat -- one expectant mother likened it to the sound of tiny horses galloping.

You will soon have your booking-in appointment where your blood will be taken for routine tests.

If you want to cut down on caffeine, you could swap to herbal teas. Make sure that the herbal teas you choose are safe to drink in pregnancy. You may find lemon and honey steeped in hot water appealing as an alternative. Try to drink eight glasses of liquid every day (tea, coffee and cola don’t count) but limit your fluid intake before bedtime so you won't have to get up to go to the loo in the night.

If your sleep is disturbed for other reasons then you may be tempted to take a remedy but medication shouldn't be your first course of action during pregnancy. Try our self-help suggestions for insomnia first, and avoid exercising just before you go to bed. Strange dreams are common during pregnancy and could also contribute to disrupted nights.

Had my Midwife Appointment today!!

9 +5

Well I had my first midwife appointment this morning. BP was 100/65 which is low for me as am normally 120/80 but I suppose its probably to do with the heat. It was so hot in her room too!! Urine normal.

The midwife seemed nice enough and we chatted whilst she took my medical history. She gave me a bounty pack too so will nip over to Asda later this week to pick it up and see what goodies are in it.

She asked where I would like to have the baby and I said I was considering a homebirth but my husband is not at all keen on the idea. She suggested I have baby in hospital due to me having big babies and I sort of agreed but if later scans show this baby is not any bigger than Josh and everything goes ok with the pregnancy then I think I will fight for my homebirth as long as I didn't go to far overdue as obviously that gives the baby time to put on more weight. I do have quite straight forward labours and fast too - Josh's was 6 hours start to finish including 2 hours of pushing and I was induced with Ellie which was 4 hours including about 30 seconds of pushing as she literally shot out - well she was a full 1 lb lighter than Josh lol!!

She took my bloods and is sending of a form for me to have a dating scan between 11 and 14 weeks so should be in the next 1-4 weeks. She has also referred me to see the consultant after I've had my scan and has put a ?pph (post partum haemorrage) after I had Josh as I ended up having 2 units of blood after collapsing 4 hours after he was born!!

I have to have a Glucose Tolerance Test at 28 weeks too due to me having big babies. I had this with Ellie and it was ok.

I am seeing the midwife again at 16 weeks and will the blood tests for down syndrome and spina bifida. If it came back high risk we would still carry on with the pregnancy as this baby is already so wanted but we would be able to prepare ourselves to deal with any problems they may have at least.

I have just been reading my antenatal notes and I never realised whilst I was with the midwife but there are quite a few errors in them.

The Midwife asked me my height and weight so told her and she has me down as 124cm height and 266kg weight so I am a dwarf the size of a bus according to that lol!! I am actually 168cm and I am not disclosing my weight but it is obviously absolutely no way in a million years anywhere near that figure lol!!

Also she has put that Josh weighed 7.45 kg when he was born!! I know he was big 10lb 7 (4.75kg) but I don't think even I could manage a baby that big lol!!

It's no wonder she ticked consultant led on my notes!! Will be getting that changed asap!! I was midwife led with Ellie with referals to the consultant for growth scans towards the end but that was all.

One thing that has annoyed me is she ticked the box which asks if this baby was conceived with a new partner and she ticked yes but it isn't. Josh & Ellie are both dh's as is the baby. I am a bit upset about that and will be making sure that's changed!!

I don't know if what she has written on my notes are the same as what she has on her notes as she was rushing to write everything down so it was hard to keep track what she was writing.

Oh well. She seemed very nice and approachable so am sure she will be ok about changing them. I think she must be even dippier than me lol!!

Feeling better!!

9 +3

I am feeling so much better today thankfully. I have suffered badly with morning sickness the last few days whilst I was unable to eat so I couldn't stop the nausea and ended up being sick quite a bit. Thankfully managed to drink lots of water so should be ok.

I have my first midwife appointment on Wednesday afternoon so am really looking forward to that. Hope to get a date for my dating scan then too!! I can't wait to see our baby again. I hope they are ok in there!!

Haven't done hardly any housework the last few days as I have felt so lousy. Have managed to change the sheets and stick a load of washing on but am still feeling a bit weak from not eating much so am taking it easy today and will build myself up more as the week goes on!!

Toothache!! Ouch!!

9 +2

The last 3 days I have felt terrible. I had toothache start overnight on Thursday and combined with being sick and feeling so lethargic and not being able to get a good nights sleep I feel like poo!!

I ended up at the emergency dentist yesterday and ended up having a tooth out near the back and I am still in agony with it now as my gum is sooo sore. I have been taking tons of paracetamol which is not touching the sides and I just don't know what to do anymore.

I have been a completely rubbish mum the last few days and let Ellie have Friday off school as I felt too ill to take her. The kids have been great at looking after me though and I don't know what I'd do without them.

Today they have gone to my parents for the day so I can try and get some rest.

I normally find that eating helps stop me feeling sick but I have hardly eaten anything since Thursday night and I think that could be why I have now started being sick. I am trying to drink plenty of water so I don't get too dehydrated. I am trying to decide whether to phone emergency dentist again and go and see if they can do anything about the pain as I really can't cope with it much longer. It's been 24 hours since I had it out and surely I shouldn't still be in as much pain as I am now.

Will update again when I am feeling a bit better.

9 Weeks

You are now nine weeks pregnant (or in your tenth week if that's how you prefer to count it).

You may find yourself riding pregnancy's emotional roller coaster, feeling moody one day and joyful the next. Disturbing as this is to some women who pride themselves on being in control, what you're going through is normal and will probably continue throughout your pregnancy. Up-and-down emotions are partly caused by raging hormones.

Physically you're unlikely to look pregnant unless this pregnancy isn't your first, but you may feel very tired and sick - not necessarily in the mornings - so cosset yourself. Pregnancy hormones can also play havoc in other ways. Many women suffer from painful headaches and back problems such as sciatica and, unfortunately, these hormones also help make the perfect environment for vaginal thrush.

At week's end, your fetus measures approximately 0.9 inches / 2.3 centimetres long. In both shape and size, it resembles a peapod and weighs less than a tenth of an ounce / 2 grams. The eyelids are fused and won't open until week 27. The wrists are more developed, ankles have formed, and the fingers and toes are clearly visible. Arms are growing longer and bend at the elbows. By week's end, the inner workings of the ears are complete. Though you can't yet identify the sex of the fetus by ultrasound, its genitals have begun to form. By now the placenta has developed enough to support most of the critical job of producing hormones.

You will soon need to make decisions about antenatal screening, and we have a complete guide to antenatal tests. If you're over 35 or have a family history of genetic illness, you may want to consider a chorionic villus sampling (CVS), an antenatal test usually carried out between ten and 12 weeks that screens for birth defects and abnormalities.

Still no sickness!!

8 +1

I have been feeling sick but haven't actually been sick yet which I am quite pleased about. I find that I feel much better once I have had something to eat!!

I am still feeling absolutely exhausted though and have taken to having 2 hours naps almost every day this last week. I didn't have a nap yesterday but was absolutely shattered from going out to town in the morning. I find if I do stuff during the day it just wears me out even more.

Today is dh's birthday and I am just spending the day at home with Ellie doing nothing. It's bliss. Me and Ellie are having a girlie day in. We are going to watch some dvd's this afternoon. Josh went away last night for cub camp and they were sleeping in tents. Unfortunately it absolutely bucketed it down not long after they left so they would have been putting tents up in the rain. Hope he's got on ok. He'll be back at teatime. Then the kids are staying at my parents tonight so me and dh can go out for dinner tonight. Have no idea what I will wear though as all that really fits at the mo is joggers. Will have to try my trousers on later and see how they are. Looking forward to it as its been ages since we went out just the two of us (well technically there is 3 of us lol!!)

8 Weeks

You are now eight weeks pregnant (or in your ninth week if that's how you prefer to count it).

Congratulations - your embryo is now called a fetus, which means "offspring". Your uterus expands to accommodate its new resident, which now measures approximately 0.6 inch / 1.6 centimetres. Many changes take place this week - the embryonic tail is gone, and all organs, muscles, and nerves are beginning to function. The hands now bend at the wrist, and the feet begin to lose their webbed appearance. Eyelids are beginning to cover the eyes.

The baby is now constantly moving and shifting, though you won't be able to feel anything for several weeks. The arms have grown and the hands are now flexed at the wrists and meet over the heart. The legs are lengthening and the feet may be long enough to meet in front of the body. It's still almost impossible to tell whether you're going to have a boy or a girl - although reading old wives' tales for predicting gender can be fun.

Your pregnancy is changing your figure as well. Your breasts may have grown large enough that you'll need bigger bras with better support than your old ones. You may notice your waistline expanding as well, forcing you to pack away your favourite jeans until next year. If you drink plenty of fluoridated water - eight glasses or more a day - you should be getting enough fluoride so calcium and phosphorus will bond well in your baby's developing teeth and bones.

7 Weeks

You are now seven weeks pregnant (or in your eighth week if that's how you prefer to count it).

In theory your baby is still an embryo because it has the remains of a small tail, which will disappear in the next few weeks. But that's the only thing that's getting smaller. The heart and brain are becoming more complicated, the eyelid folds are forming, the tip of the nose is present, and the arms now bend at the elbows and curve slightly over the heart.

You may not look or even feel pregnant, but your uterus is expanding to accommodate your growing baby. Before pregnancy it was the size of a clenched fist; now it's as big as a grapefruit. As it grows you may feel some abdominal cramping and mild twinges.

Now about half an inch / 1.25 centimetres long, the size of a grape, the embryo has distinct, slightly webbed fingers and toes. It's a jumping bean, moving in fits and starts. The liver is churning out large amounts of red blood cells until the bone marrow forms and takes over this role.

The eighth week marks the beginning of a very busy developmental stage. Between now and 20 weeks, your baby will be growing rapidly, and body parts that formed in the first few weeks of life (such as the heart and brain) will become more specialised and complicated. Right now, the teeth and palate are forming, while the ears continue to develop. The fetus' skin is paper thin, and veins are clearly visible.

You're in the throes of the first trimester, when many women complain of common pregnancy aches and pains. Keeping food down may be next to impossible, thanks to morning sickness, caused in part by the pregnancy hormones in your body. You may also need to urinate a lot more often than usual -- your growing uterus is pressing on your bladder, and hormones are affecting the balance of fluid in your body. All will diminish as your pregnancy continues.

Had my scan!!

6 +6

Went for my scan this morning and everything is fine with himher (baby's nickname as we don't know yet whether it is a him or a her lol!!)

We saw the heartbeat but it was hard to see a lot else. We were only in there a few minutes but am pleased everything is ok.

The yolk sac was measuring 6-7 weeks and I've been told I'll get a dating scan around 12 weeks.

I was really hoping for a photo but the lady said the baby was too small at the moment but I would be able to get one at my next scan.

I feel so relieved that everything was ok in there thankfully. Just wish time would go a bit quicker and we can get to January ok.

Fell this Morning so Scan tomorrow!!

6 +5

I fell this morning as I was getting on the bus to go shopping and landed right on my front. I scraped all below my knee on my right leg and will have lots of bruises there tomorrow. I was so upset I cried in front of everyone.

I was worried about the baby as I had landed so heavily on my front. I ended up at A&E this afternoon as I just could not relax and was anxiously going to the toilet every half hour to check for bleeding. Thankfully there was none but I decided to go up to A&E anyway in the hope I could get an early scan as I had worked myself up into a bit of a state.

I had to wait 2 and a half hours to be seen but the doctor I saw was lovely and told me to try not to worry about it too much as the baby is only small and well protected in my stomach. He said if I did go on to lose the baby then it would not be because of the fall.

I had a blood test done to check my HCG levels (still waiting for the results), Obs and give a urine sample. My sample came back with White Blood Cells in. The doctor said it could indicate an infection and has given me some antibiotics for it.

I have a scan booked for tomorrow at 11.10am. I am hoping for some reassurance that everything is ok with our bubba and then I will feel a lot better.

Fingers crossed everythings ok.

6 Weeks!!

The outside world won't see any sign of the dramatic developments taking place inside you but tiredness and nausea can make you feel low, especially as you may not have told anyone at work that you're pregnant yet. To compensate, offload as much as you can at home and involve your partner in your pregnancy at the same time. Try to prioritise rest and see your GP if sickness is making your life miserable or if you really can't keep anything down. Distraction can help - have a think about the sort of antenatal care and birth you'd like, you do have some choice in the matter - find out more.

You may have thought that disturbed nights start when the baby has arrived, but many women find their sleep is disrupted right from the start of pregnancy. Sometimes the cause is physical - your growing uterus puts pressure on your bladder necessitating trips to the loo throughout the night. Or perhaps sore boobs mean that you can't get comfortable or you wake up in need of a midnight feast.

The embryo is the size of a lentil this week. If you could see inside yourself, you'd find the fetus has an oversized head in proportion to its body. The embryo's facial features are forming with dark spots where the eyes are, openings where the nostrils will be, and pits to mark the ears.

Protruding buds that will become the arms and legs are even more noticeable now. The embryo's hands and feet look like paddles. Other developments include the growth of the pituitary gland and muscle fibres. You can't hear it yet, but the heart (which has divided into the right and left chambers) is beating at about 150 beats a minute -- twice the rate of yours.

Halfway through this week, the embryo makes its first movements. Unfortunately, you'll have to wait until sometime in the second trimester before you get to enjoy feeling your baby's exercise

Huge boobs!!!

Everything seems to be going well so far pregnancy wise!! I feel sick in the mornings but feel better once I have had something to eat. I am weeing for England at the moment too. Come 4pm I am ready for a nap and sometimes give in and snooze on the sofa othertimes I fight through it and end up in bed at 9pm lol!!

I decided to give in yesterday and go and get measured for a new bra as my boobs were so sore and my other bras were underwired and killing me. I was surprised to discover I have gone from a B/C cup to a DD!!! I could give Pamela Anderson a run for her money now lol!! No wonder they have felt so heavy and sore!!

They are much more comfortable now in the new bras. I think I need to look for one though that is comfy enough to sleep in as that is when they are at their worst!!

I am just so happy to be pregnant!! We have nicknamed the baby 'Himher' lol as obviously it is far too early to say if it is a boy or a girl. I love when dh comes in from work and asks how I am and how's Himher!! Ellie gives me a kiss each morning when she gets up and even kisses my tummy. She is so cute!!

Right had better get on and do some housework. Going to rope the kids in to help me do everyone's bedrooms. They look like a bomb has exploded and need to sort all their clothes out.

Been to doctors this morning.

I finally managed to get in to see my own doctor this morning. He is lovely and was really pleased for us as he knows how long we have been trying. He has said he will arrange an early scan for around 8 - 10 weeks to check everything is ok and is referring me on to the midwifery team.

He told dh to look after me and make sure I get lots of rest and to pamper me lol!! When he put me on clomid in December he told dh to 'make love not babies and the babies will come!!' Lol!!! He is really funny. I just hope everything goes ok now. I was feeling more sick this morning but feel better again now I have eaten. I have been worried by not feeling as sick yet but I could regret saying that again in a week or two if it kicks in like it did for my other 2.

I am having a relaxing day at home today as I feel like I haven't really stopped since getting my bfp. I am waiting for our BT vision box to arrive and hope its easy to set up. Then I can relax in the garden with a cold drink and a good book!! Bliss!!

I am still feeling incredibly tired and my (.Y.) are soooo sore lol!! I think they've grown too so will go to town at the weekend and see if I can get some new bras.

5 Weeks

You may not look pregnant at this point but your embryo's heart, no bigger than a poppyseed, has already begun to beat and pump blood. The heart is dividing into chambers and will find a more regular rhythm soon. The embryo itself is about a quarter of an inch/ half a centimetre long and looks more like a tadpole than a human. It undergoes a growth spurt this week.

Major organs, including the kidneys and liver, begin to grow. The neural tube, which connects the brain and spinal cord, will close this week. The embryo's upper and lower limb buds begin to sprout -- these will form your baby's arms and legs. The intestines are developing and the appendix is in place.

Below the opening that will later form your baby's mouth, small folds exist where the neck and the lower jaw eventually develop. As early as this week, facial features are already forming. Nostrils are becoming distinct and the earliest version of the eyes' retinas are forming.