Updates

So today I am 14 weeks 2 days and I think maybe just maybe I am at my 'glowing stage' I have had 3 comments over the last 2 days that I am looking well, happy and relaxed. And you know what? I think I am! This is the best time of pregnancy for me, before the intense monitoring and stress starts at about 24 weeks begins.

I made a big decision this week though, may not seem like it to you all but to me is was big. For my past pregnancies I have always gone through the public system, I guess I fugure I am going to end up at the nearest major hospital for delivery anyhow with a preterm bub that I might as well have my care there.. But this week at my 14 week appointment all the past issues I delt with in Laci's pregnancy came floooding back. The long waits in the crowded waiting rooms, the 5th different registrar since my first visit. Me having to tell my story over and over again every appointment (getting me upset every time) then having to answer the same blooming questions (some of them just showing pure lack of knowledge on their behalf) so that by the end of appointment I feel like nothing has been achieved except re-hashing my history. So this week I lost it! I have had enough! I asked what was involved in going private and it was surprisingly easy!

So today I had my first appointment with my new wonderful ob. She was so compassionate and thorough and we made a solid plan! I feel so good about this decision. I will still deliver via caesarean at the public hospital but she will be the one doing it. Oh its going to be so nice having the same OB through this journey.

She has lovely rooms with two very nice midwives, I just feel so calm when I walk in there whch is completely different when I go to the hospital walking past the Neonatal intensive care every time and not knowing which dr I am going to get this time..

She also is highly skilled in scans and will be doing all her scans in her rooms! Oh bliss! Considering how many scans I will have this is awesome! They even have CTG monitoring there.

So basically at the moment, it is just the planning, my next appointment is not until 18 weeks, then at 19 weeks will be the morphology scan. Then see what happens. I will however be definately be at the obs weekly from 26 weeks with steriods from 27 weeks and then we will take it from there.

I feel really happy that things will be easier for me this time, anything to reduce a little stress hey?

Okay I'm game!

After taking lots and lots of photos during my pregnancy with Laci, I guess I should continue on in the tradition. Having a few body image issues this time round though after losing all the weight few years back and then regaining quite a bit with all the fertility treatments..

Anyhow, time to embrace this body, its doing an important job!

So yes belly is looking a little weird at the moment.. But here is the first belly shot, taken at 13 weeks, there will be no bare belly shots I tell ya!

FAv song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHTsc9PU2A&feature=related

Anyone have any idea how to share a you tube video?

This is my absolute favourite song at the moment

The bulge

Yes now I can say that I just look 'fat' is a little hard to get my head around aftr losing so much weight in 2006. I had already re gained about 15 kilos with all the fertility stuff and emotionally eating and now I have this big belly. And I don't think I look at all pregnant yet, just rolly! I am in maternity clothes, mostly because they are comfy and my old clothes don't fit and also the little hope that I wil look pregnant soon!

I also wanted to mention that we are not telling family the sex of this bub. My family don't know about this blog, so shouldn't be too hard :) But please no comments on facebook! We have told them with the last two pregnancies and we want this one, our last to be different and for them to have a surprise at the birth.

We are also not telling Laci becuase she would tell the world! lol. However she has decided herself anyhow that he is a boy, so maybe she has some special intuitive powers? :)

I am super tired today, I think I got myslef worked up far more than I thought with the whole CVS experience and now that it is over and settling down, exhaustion has hit..

I never really get that 'second trimester' glow but I am hoping I may just get a little this timew. I am only needing to take one of my tablets most days now for the nausea/vomiting which is a huge improvement on the 2 a day since I think week 8. Hopefully won't be long and the nausea will leave me.

Results are in!

And they are all clear! Yippee we are so relieved. Final results will be through in about 10 days but we are not expecting any change.

The biggest surprise is that after 2 girls we are having a boy! Its still sinking in but we are estactic!

All done. Now the wait

Super long day yesterday but the CVS is all done now. I expect the results early next week. Will ring on Monday to find out when as I didn't get to speak to the genetic counsellor.

The CVS was done this time through my cervix instead of abdominally like last time. Was less painful thank goodness. It had to be done that way as I have a fibroid in the way now it seems.

Just taking it easy over the weekend now. A few twinges, but mainly just exhausted.

Bub was so cute, I even saw them sucking its thumb and a little foot with little toes, ooh so gorgeous! Shannon and I are thinking its another girl, but Shannon is hoping boy. But obviously as long as everything is okay we will be estactic!

Here is pic from yesterday :)

Further testing

After much discussion and sleepless night, we have decided to do further testing on Sparkle. We will have the CVS like we did for Laci. It wasn't an easy decision I tell ya! This will test for trisomy's, but its mainly the downs syndrome we are concerned about. It will also tell us the sex.

So, it is this Friday, so only 2 more sleeps till it is done. I am hoping will get the results next Monday, but will update over the weekend.

I have to fly to Brisbane and back for it by myself, but I do have a friend collecting me after the procedure which is good. Last time was very painful but I am alot calmer this time, so fingers crossed it all goes super smooth.

Results from scan, updated.

We are very happy with the result we got from todays scan. The nuchal fold was only 1.3mm and bub looked great..

However, the same as last time, our risk ratio has come back not so good. This is due to my blood results. Also we have the risk of me having a low grade mosaic downs syndrome myself. Only found out from blood tests..No genetic counsellor can tell us exactly what increased risk that puts us at, only that it is increased!

We are awaiting decision for further tests after speak to specialist on monday

And a couple of pics for those who know what they are looking at :)

Waiting..

So I had the scan this morning now just waiting for the report that will show our combined risk once they factor in the bloods.

The scan looked good though I think (will know when read report), Sparkle was measuring right on dates and nuchal fold was 'normal' and we saw nasal bone, both arms and legs, bladder and stomach. Heart rate was 161. Sparkle was sleeping for the first part then woke up and was wiggling and jiggling everywhere. Was so cool!

Still a bit nervous though until we get the report this arvo, it will be then time to decide as to whether we do the cvs again..

Nervous

Nervous.. it is my NT scan tomorrow. Some of you may remember I ended up having a CVS after the NT scan with Laci. We are making our decision for this pg after the results tomorrow.. Nervous as we have increased risk due to my stupid low grade mosaic trisomy 21 (2 our of every 50 blood cells of mine show the chromosome for downs syndrome)..

The drs wanted me to have the CVS straight up, but we decided to see the results then decide as the CVS was super scary and unpleasant and have to fly to Brisbane.

Bring on tomorrow so we know what we are dealing with.

Oh and appointments went fine yesterday, BP okay now that have reduced dose and got to hear sparkles heart beating away on the doppler. Getting stronger movements now too! Too cool :)

Dizzy

Oh oh I'm so dizzy, it is difficult to function at times, I really don't like the feeling of the ground moving under me!

BP has dropped now, so as per drs instructions am halving my usual BP meds dose until it starts to rise again around 18-19 weeks I guess. Hoping this will help and I will back on solid ground asap.

Have high risk appointment tomorrow at hospital, not expecting anything exciting. NT scan is on Friday, a little nervous..

Our first weekend

So its our first weekend at our new place in Cairns. Still have some unpacking to do but getting there. I start my new job on Monday and Shannon flies out to Weipa for 2 nights on Monday morning. He will have to go back once a fortnight.

Today we did some groceries and this included going to the big fruit and veg market. We are still amazed at not only the great quality of foods but the prices. Everything just seems so so cheap to us after years in remoteness. Tonight we are having $3.95 pizza, what!? Seems crazy, though I am sure won't take long to adjust to :)

I forgot to mention that I decided to rent a doppler to hear sparkles heartbeat. With Laci's pregnancy I got it at almost 12 weeks and heard it straight away. I got it earlier this time but knew I may not hear it ye. I have been trying daily since about 9 week in the hope and last night at 10 weeks 4 days there is was thumping away :) I can't believe how much movement I am feeling now already, its no longer just bubbles but rolling flip flop feeling. I am in love!

Scan done

All good :) Was only a quick scan to check bub was okay, but what a great feeling! Bub was rolling and kicking. Measuring in at 11weeks 1 day, which is 4 days ahead and heartbeat was 164. I'm in love!

Only a week till the NT Scan.

Yay I'm home!

And our computer is set up! Am exhausted today from all the unpacking, my back is killing me so this is super quick so I can go to bed.

I forgot to mention that the drs at emergency wanted me to have a scan to check on things after the weird blood in pee thing. So am having it tomorrow. I hate the night before scans, am worrying.. Please let it be okay..

Will report back tomorrow arvo.