Dr Appointment 11 June - Birth-day Decided

I was a bit worried on Friday because for a long time I coudn't feel the baby move around - I phoned the Dr and he said if nothing happens within an hour I should get to the labour ward.  I ate a nice big chocolate and drank some orange juice and a while later I felt him moving around again, but not as strong as before.   I had also booked to see the Dr this afternoon, just to be safe.


Today's appointment didn't go as well as I had hoped.  I'm 31 weeks 4 days along.  Baby is stressed, there is almost no fluid left (5,5cm with the amniotic fluid index), but he has gained 303g - he weighs 1,919kg now.  I'm sure it's all partly because of all the Milo I've been drinking.  He hasn't turned, and doesn't have enough fluid to try, feet are at his face so he's still breech.  He also said that babies that have been stressed normally do very well. The umbilical chord is near his neck, doesn't look like it's around, but hanging just behind. I'm wasn't so comfortable hearing that though. 

Dr doesn't want to take any chances and will deliver him by CS on 28 June if nothing happens sooner, but basically my bags have to be packed and ready.  My next appointment is on 26 June, and then we will run through everything with the Dr, what will happen, who's who and hopefully also get to meet the Paed.  Dr told us that he always trusts a mother's instinct and that we should rather err on the side of caution and go to the labour ward immediately if I am worried or if I feel that anything could be wrong.

Dr said he hopes our baby will be around 2,4kg by then, and I'll be 34 weeks on the dot.  He thinks there is a good chance that baby will not have to be kept in NICU and that we will be able to take him home when it's home time.  His little lungs should be good to go, given the steroid injections I had the other day.

This is all happening so fast, I can't really think straight.  I can't remember what we did with today's scan either, I think maybe we left it there at the doctor's rooms.  Can't really blame us, can you?

When he told us we both kind of just sat there, not really knowing what to say.  I knew there was a possibility of the baby still arriving early, but nothing can prepare you for hearing those words.  We drove home, got inside and sat down, mostly in silence.  I think hubby's head was racing just as much as mine was.  We phoned our families to give them the news and watched some TV together.  Later we started chatting a little, and I asked him if he is ready to be a dad and he said he's been ready all along.  He also said he can't wait to have Ashton here with us, and then asked me how I feel.  I don't know.  We also laughed.  

I feel scared, nervous, overwhelmed, worried, excited, and so many other feelings all at once.  Almost as if I'm in disbelief.  This all feels so unreal.  I know we are in good hands, just that there is so much to try and sort in the next 2 weeks, and then there is the work situation.  I already emailed the directors to give them the news and tell them I need my retrenchment and maternity package sorted out.  I'm stressing about having to leave without having this resolved.

But - one thing I can say, is that I've never felt all the feelings I'm feeling now, all at once.  I can't explain, it's so soon, but we've waited for so long for this little miracle so I am beyond happy that we will get to bring him home in the next few weeks (days!).  God has this.  We've been in His hands all along.  I think 'life' could be about to begin.  

Scan, 27 Weeks 5 Days

Back to the doc for our check up this morning... for some reason traffic has been really bad the last few visits.  Anyway we made it there in time.

We had to go in the back door because the Dr took his Receptionist's keys the night before and he hadn't come in yet.  She let us in, and as we sat down (after her locking up behind us), it was time to go to the loo.  Such an inopportune time.  I collected my sample cup (routine by now), she let me out the back door, made my way to the bathroom and went to do my thing.

After getting back I had been sitting for about 5 mins when the Dr arrived and we went straight through.  He asked the usual questions... and then we got down to business.

Dr asked if I had experienced any swelling and I said I hadn't really noticed anything.  When I took my shoes off he looked down and with a worried face asked if I'm sure because my feet look a bit swollen. I said no, they look totally normal to me - my feet are just fat.  He said my belly has grown nicely, and I said it has, people have been commenting - and he said other people are always good crits, you can usually judge things by their comments.  He then felt my belly and said it has grown quite a bit since we last saw him, which is really good.

The scans never cease to amaze me.  Our first glimpse showed the baby's head near my left ribs, with both feet in front of his face.   Dr said he was in a breech position.  What a strange sight - seeing this little face, and then two feet just in front of it.  He then took a few measurements, and looked at a few things, showed us where the umbilical chord was (I had really been worrying about this), and there was nothing to worry about.  We also got to see baby's tummy, bladder, head, feet, chord (love those precious little feet - can't wait to kiss them), and a slight view of his face (as good as the monitor can show I imagine).

He checked the amniotic fluid.  Still low but slightly better - he said the baby has some fluid so he should be able to turn.  He needs to start turning from now onwards.  He also said some people don't feel anything when the baby turns, and others do.  

A little while later baby seemed to change positions - because when we looked again there were two feet on one side and his head on the other side.  Chord safely between the feet.  

My little string bean weighs 1,227 kgs today, at 27 weeks 5 days.

My weight is ok, I have lost 200 grams since the last appointment - which I can't understand, I've been eating a lot more and drinking plenty of fluids.

All in all the Dr was happy.  We see him again in 2 weeks' time.

Here's a pic of the scan - we only managed to get foot pictures today, aren't they precious?

April Scan! 25 Week Dr Appointment

We went for our monthly appointment on Thursday 26th April.  25 Weeks!  This baby is going to come early.    


Baby boy has been so busy, I feel him move around and kick so often during the day.  On Monday night I felt him above my belly button for the first time.  I pushed there with my finger and felt something hard so poked once or twice... and he actually pushed back twice.  Quite strong too.


Anyway, back to our appointment.  I still have low fluid, and my boy is really big.  The placenta is healthy though, but what he thinks happened I can't really explain properly.  From what I could make out, something about what the placenta does in stage two regarding getting the food to the baby.  I was too busy panicking.  


Dr said we will start steroids next week, on Thursday 3rd May.  I need to have two injections, 12 hours a part.  He first asked if Hubby could inject me, and must have seen my big eyes and said, alternately we can come to the hospital - we'll do that.  I'm also booked off on bed rest for the week.  Dr says we will monitor the baby's weight as well as he is concerned that he will start losing weight at some stage, and if he does he will need to take him out.  


For now we are going to try to get to 32 weeks.  That's in 7 weeks time, on 14 June!  Oh.  My.  I want to keep him in here as long as possible.  I'm supposed to have an exam on 23 June, but I'm sure they'll understand and let me reschedule if anything happens.  June is way early.  I pray that my baby stays put for a while longer. 


I'll see the doc again on 15th May, which is just over two weeks away from our last appointment. 

Everything else with baby boy seems to be ok.  His weight was 886 grams...  the average for 25 weeks is around 660 grams if I remember correctly. 

My poor doc must think I'm a big baby, cause I had a good cry too.  He kept telling me not to stress too much, we will take it step week at a time.  From now on I will need to see him every 2 weeks, unless sooner visits are needed. 

Have to get the baby's room ready in a hurry. 

On the plus side, I could be a mommy sooner than planned.  And more appointments mean I'll get to see him more often.

I went in to work to give in my doctor's note, and finish up on a few things, and when the girls asked me how it went and what was wrong, I had another cry.  I think it's all a bit too much to process, feeling a bit overwhelmed, and worried about my baby.  At the end of the day,  do know that this Dr saved my life, so I trust him with my baby's life.  The girls did manage to get me to have a good laugh, especially when they said the up side is that I'll have less stretch marks!  

Here's a pic of the scan (not very good though), and also the growth chart. 

Easter & 4D Scan - Incredible!

I can't believe Easter has already come and gone.  April has always been my favourite month with all the holidays, and it's our wedding anniversary in a few days...  

We went for our 4D scan this past Saturday, all I can say is wow.  We took hubby's mom with us, she was so excited, almost more excited than I was.  So special to have had her with us to share this experience.  I had a little easter egg that morning, to get some sugar in and also to celebrate!

BabyG had his face in my placenta, so we struggled for a while before we could see his face.  And what a sight for sore eyes, I think I fell in love with him there and then, if I hadn't already.

The doctor was a bit worried about my amniotic fluid levels, it was low at 7cm when apparently it should be 12 cm.  I phoned my doctor about this and he said not to worry too much, just rest a bit more and drink a bit more, and we'll monitor it again at our next visit on 26th April.  

I'm sad I never got to see our angel baby, or know if it was a little boy or girl, but in the same breath I'm so incredibly happy right now.  I don't think I've ever really been 'happy' if I compare life as it has been, to what I'm feeling now.   

Here are some of the snapshots from Saturday, I'm so amazed, every time I look at them.

Here is my baby boy's leg, fully grown, the length of the entire body plus half the head.

This one shows the nasal bone, upper and lower jaw - no cleft palate.  Can you see the little nostrils?

Holding on to the umbilical chord, not much else to hold on to in there

And finally, we got to see this... I think probably the most beautiful face I've ever seen.  

This one shows the umbilical artery, red = from me to baby, blue = from baby to me, it's high normal, but still normal.

March Scan! 21 Weeks & A Bit!

We went for our doctor's appointment this morning... everything is good and our baby boy is growing well.  I've picked up a bit of weight, so the doctor is happier.

Our baby boy weighs 463 grams now, and his thigh bone is 4,8 cm long.  We think he's going to have long arms and legs.  Eep.

I took my camera with this morning because sometimes just when you get to see something the baby moves, and the print outs end up being quite blurry.  

I can't believe the change and growth since our last scan.  

The doctor tried to get a view of his face, but the way he was lying was nearly impossible!  He is lying with his head at my bladder, facing my back!  We eventually got to see a slight view of his profile, and little nose.  I think he has his daddy's nose, but I could be wrong.

Our 4D scan is booked for next Saturday.  Can't wait.  I really hope we get to see his face nicely, so excited and been wondering who this little guy looks like!

Where is the time going?  We're past half way... I am loving this experience, and as much as I want to see this little guy in person, at the same time I want to keep him all to myself for as long as possible.  

You'll see below - we got a really nice picture of his arm and hand.  Pretty cool huh?

It's a .......

BOY.  We're so, so happy!

We went for our monthly checkup yesterday.  I'm 17 weeks along!  Everything with baby is just perfect, I'm so in love with this little thing. The doctor is happy with all his measurements, I think besides the scan where we got to hear the heart beat for the first time, this has been the most awesome one to date. We got to see the little fingers and toes, stomach, umbilical chord, head, thigh bones, spine, and long legs and arms!  It looks like he takes after his daddy!  Our baby weighs 200 grams now and everything is on track.  

Just as the doctor started with the scan I shouted out "It's a boy, I knew it, it's a boy!" and he smiled and said yes.  To be honest, my eyes teared up.  I still can't believe this dream has finally come true for us.  We are so blessed.  At the previous appointment he asked if I had a feeling about what the baby is and I said yes, I think it's a boy but let's see.  Then he started the scan and said "your son...." and "oh sorry, I'm just saying that because you said it" and we all laughed.  

The only real worry the doc has at the moment is my weight loss - he's not happy about this.  I've lost about 4kgs, so he's instructed us to get me some supplements.  I need to try to pick up, if not maintain my current weigh by the time we get to our next appointment.  

Apart from the work stress, I have been eating, but healthy food.  My appetite isn't huge, but I make a point of snacking and eating regularly, so let's see what happens.

I also had to pee in a jar and had some blood drawn to do a few tests, so the doc will call in a few days with the results for downs, hiv and other (can't remember what they are).  The pee test was all fine, no funnies there. 

Our next 2 appointments are on 30th March and 26th April.  

Then there's the 4D scan booked for 7th April!

The scan pics didn't come out too clearly, I had a chocolate after breakfast so baby was moving around like crazy.  Quite freaky to see - twice the doc asked if I could feel it, and I said nope.  I think I felt something once or twice before, but for now I'm not sure - something else to look forward to!

12 Weeks - We Made It

I'm so happy to say we've made it to 12 weeks!


We were only supposed to go to our next appointment next week but the doc's rooms called yesterday and canceled, wanting to move to 2 weeks from there.... I asked really nicely to be put put on a cancellation list for today.  She phoned me this morning to say we could come in at 2pm.


We arrived and sat waiting for over an hour, can you believe it?  I was bursting to go to the loo by then.


Finally our turn came and we started with the consult.  The doc asked what I think are the regular things, food, my state of mind and wellbeing, etcetera.  We told him about the night I sent hubby to the shops for tuna, and he told us about the time his wife was pregnant with his second daughter and she craved mopani worms!  The poor man tried every market here in Jhb but they were out of season, resulting in a road trip to Botswana.  He returned with a 20 kg bag just for her!  We all had a good giggle at this, seems my hubby has it easy (for now).


Okay, here's what happened during the actual scan...


First things I looked for were arms and legs, but I was amazed at the difference when thinking back to our last scan.  BabyG was sleeping, and seemed to be sucking it's thumb.  The doctor said "oh the baby is sleeping, so no show for us today".  I wasn't too sure I understood what he meant at the time, although I suppose I also didn't really know to expect a 'moving' baby??  Who knew?  We listened to the heartbeat and again it was 154 bpm.  We did some more chatting.  Doc asked if I had any idea what we are having, so I told him what I think but also that I actually have absolutely no idea.  He laughed and said thankfully it can only be one of 2, and not a whole list!  Good grief.  My nerves would be shot. 


The doc tried again, and then I saw the movement.  Little arms and legs fluttering around.  I just sat there dumfounded, with a big fat smile on my face.  Hubby was worried about tears again, but this time there were none.  I think this has got to go down in my book as possibly the most amazing experience of my life yet.  It fluttered around a bit more and went back to snooze mode.

Our little thing is 5.90 cm long.  Blood pressure I think was normal, I always forget to write that down.  Weight didn't seem to be a problem, but I've lost 1,2 kgs since our last visit.

Overall the Doc is happy with everything.  He told me to eat something sweet next time, and maybe the baby will play around a lot more.  Only problem is I'm not really enjoying really sweet things at the moment.  The grapes I had earlier obviously didn't do the trick.  

I'm over the moon.  Just happy.  I think this is what happiness is.  Minus the weird dreams.

12 Weeks

I'm going to be a mommy, for reals!

And do you have any idea how good it feels to say that?


Our doctor's office phoned, they had a cancelation so we could come in a day earlier, on Thursday 29 December at 09h30.  I didn't sleep a wink the night before.  No matter how many times I turned over, and closed my eyes, sleep wouldn't come.  So many thoughts going through my head, my heart bursting to know everything is okay.  For the last few weeks I've tried to keep my excitement at bay just in case something goes wrong again.  Kevin wanted to leave later and I insisted we leave earlier, as the doc's offices had moved to a new spot.  Plus we got lost.  We made it in time with 2 minutes to spare.


When I stepped in to reception I had the strangest feeling come over me, almost a combination of panic, worry, excitement and 'this is it'.  We sat down, and Kevin took a pregnancy journal from the desk and gave it to me.  For a split second I thought, if I take this now and something is wrong I will have to give it back... and then I thought nope, this has to be real and stuffed it into my handbag.


We waited for about 10 minutes to see the doctor, my heart racing when walked through the door and picked up my file.  He looked at us and smiled, and invited us to go through.  We took seats behind his big wooden desk and broke into chit chat (is this really the time to discuss Christmas, how I've been doing, what's happening in the new year, food I'm on and off, any morning sickness etc), nevertheless I asked about his move and congratulated him on his stunning new offices - he moved over on Christmas day, with new furniture and brand new equipment).  I had written down a list of questions (yes, another list) and he smiled when he saw them and said I can go through them if I like, to which I answered that my first question is the most important - is my baby in the right place, and is there a heartbeat - after which if the answer is yes we can work through my other questions.  Kevin had secretly been stressing out... his main concern was how many babies there are - turns out my blood tests had freaked him out a bit.  Since my progesterone levels were really high he had been worried that there were 2 or 3 babies.  Lol.  We made a joke about having a few in one shot, so all the work is done!  Shame and here I thought we were both worrying about the same thing - is it viable and in the right place!  The doc asked if my bladder was full and I said well, I went before we left home and it feels like I need to go again, so I'm sure it is.


So he said let's have a look.  He excused himself to quickly tidy up the room, and Kevin sat down on the big fat couch - I was standing nervously and for the first time couldn't stop smiling.  Today we would find out if what we are hoping for will be true.  He called us through and I undid my belt - he started fiddling with his machine and I was a bit unsure of what to do, just before I stripped down I asked if I should get into the gown and he said no, we will do an external scan.


I got on the bed and made myself comfy, looked down at him putting the jelly on my belly (lol, jelly belly!)  - he then took the magig and started with the scan.  I looked at the screen which was turned slightly away... then he turned it so that it was facing us.  And then I saw it!  A little moon shape with a teeny tiny thing in there.  Be still my heart.  At that very moment I thought my heart was going to burst.  I smiled.  He then showed us the little flicker saying that is the heartbeat, and turned on the sound and we couldn't hear anything except what seemed like white noise.  He changed a setting and did it again, and there for the very first time ever we heard the most beautiful sound in the whole world - the little heartbeat.  Nothing can explain the feeling.  At that moment I burst into tears, my belly was shaking and the monitor was jumping.  Kevin was staring at the screen when the doctor said there are some tears rolling now and then he looked at me and held my hand.  Seeing that screen for the first time felt like a bit of a revelation, so unreal yet so real.  The doc said the position is good, right at the top of the womb (so yes to nookie lol) - seems our little thing managed to JUST get in there :).


Our little thing (have got to think of a better word to use here) is only 1.06cm long, and has a strong heartbeat of 154 beats per minute.  Kevin was amazed that something so small could have such a strong little heartbeat.  So small but make no mistake, it is definitely there.  I had to giggle, he first thought the big black part (known as my bladder) was what we are looking for. 


He then took my weight, seems I haven't picked up much yet.  I weigh 75,1 kg.  I think I was 74 kg pre pregnancy.


After the scan we went back to his desk, I put one shoe on and then the doc insisted I run through my questions.  So with one shoe on and one bare foot I went through them all.  Right, down to business.


There isn't a lot I'm not supposed to eat - just sushi, mostly any raw meats, and unpasteurized cheese. For now I need to continue with folic acid only, and begin with other vitamins from 3 months and I should definitely take Omega.  Oh and eat healthy foods.  He doesn't recommend visiting the dentist for any drilling or extractions, due to the extra blood in my body - they might not be able to stop the bleeding - freak!  I asked about what testing needs to happen and he said he will only do tests in the second trimester, as there is a lot of uncertainty now in the first and any findings will need to be reconfirmed later again.  I'm okay with that.  I asked who I could contact if I had any questions, and he said I can phone or sms him at any time - that's really great.  I must phone him immediately if I have any bleeding and pain.  


Our baby's estimated due date is 10 August 2012.  Our next appointment should be end January, I still have to call and schedule it.


Kevin's next 'things to worry about' are if there are ten fingers and toes, and if it's a boy or girl.  Mine?  Just to have a healthy and happy next few months!


What I can't quite understand yet is how I can love this little thing so much already when at this stage I can't feel it, only in my head is it 'there'.  This is it, this is what we've been waiting for, for so long.