The ‘Berry’ Pregnancy Diaries – week 39

Wednesday 19th February – 39w
One week until D-Day… And I’ve been asked today if I’ve had the baby yet! The answer is… I’ve also been told I look like I’m ready to explode! Yeah, I feel it too! 


Thursday 20th February – 39w 1d 
I’ve been getting AF type cramps on & off now since the weekend, but they never seem to be coming to anything. As far as I can remember, I had the same for the last couple of weeks before little man arrived. I’m hoping it doesn’t mean this baby is going to arrive over a week late like he did! Nevertheless, I’m at that really fed up stage now. 


Friday 21st February – 39w 2d
I’ve felt funny today like something is going to happen soon… Highly unlikely though! But for the purposes of nesting and (mainly) eviction, I scrubbed the floors down on my hands & knees this evening whilst little man & Daddy were out. Then when I was getting ready for bed I had some major tightening and pressure in my groin which has got me hoping it had got things started! 


Saturday 22nd February – 39w 3d
Getting things started? No such luck. The pain went when I laid down, nothing happened overnight and baby is still in there… But I am absolutely shattered today and have been trying not to nod off whilst little man has been running around like his usual hyper self! I’ve been for a walk and done some nesting, come on baby! 


Sunday 23rd February – 39w 4d
I’m getting really frustrated and fed up with this cramping now as it’s been pretty much constant since Friday night’s pain episode, but it’s leading to nowhere. Grr. I’ve been trying to keep busy today to take my mind off it but it tires me out even more.


I finally booked a maternity shoot for tomorrow, talk about cutting it fine! I had one with little man though so really wanted one this time but thought I’d left it too late. 


Monday 24th February – 39w 5d
Hubby was off work today so I got a lovely lie in which was much needed, thank you! On my first toilet trip of the day though when I stood up from the loo, I had immense pressure and I thought I was going to fall to my knees! Hopefully that was baby fully engaging… (Or the start of things – haha, yeah right!).


Unfortunately we didn’t have the maternity shoot in the end as the photographer’s little boy woke up with what was confirmed as chicken pox and she didn’t want to risk passing it onto me as she’s not immune. I obviously didn’t want to take the risk either so while it’s a bit disappointing for both of us, it’s for the best. Bless her though, she said she’d throw in a freebie when we have a newborn/family shoot. 


Tuesday 25th February – 39w 6d
Well the pressure from yesterday didn’t turn into anything, again. Grr. Though the cramps have gotten a little stronger again, especially after going for a walk. They actually made me stop in my tracks a couple of times too. But still fed up. That is all.


After a discussion on Twitter about home births with Fi from Childcare is fun, I’ve been baking brownies this evening ready for the midwives. I thought it was a lovely gesture, and they might be extra nice to me…


At 39 weeks, berry is the size of a mini watermelon.
Most of the vernix and lanugo has disappeared.
Berry will swallow the lanugo where it will be stored in its bowels, and be part of its first bowel movement. 
They have a steady supply of antibodies from the placenta that will help it fight off infections for the first few months after birth.
Weight gain will continue although at a slower pace.
Movements will begin to slow slightly as they don’t have much room left to move around.

The ‘Berry’ Pregnancy Diaries – week 37

Wednesday 5th February – 37w
I am term! Eviction proceedings will commence shortly. And I’m just the usual tired & achy. 


Hiccup placements last night were feeling like baby was going to burst out there & then though. 


I also weighed myself today – I haven’t done very often this pregnancy as I am making better choices than last time, but I still like to know how I am going every so often. I’ve gained 19 lbs so far, which is 10 lbs less than the total I gained with little man, so I’m pleased.


Thursday 6th February – 37w 1d
The midwife rang this morning to sort out about bringing my gas & air for my home birth. It was supposed to be coming tomorrow. When I was shopping this evening I had another call saying that the gas & air would be delayed as they would like me to see the consultant first to see if it was okay, because of my BMI & the fact I was on fluoxetine at the beginning of my pregnancy. She left this as a voicemail as I missed the call so I got myself in a right state thinking that I wouldn’t be able to have one now. I rang her back to get more information and she said that they as a team don’t see any problems with a home birth for me but they would like me to see the consultant anyway. BUT that even if he said no, they would still let me have one but they would need to come out first to form sort of plan. That made me feel a bit better. So I have an appointment with the consultant next Tuesday. 


Friday 7th February – 37w 2d
I’ve really been craving chocolate lately. Baby must need it. 

Sunday 9th February – 37w 4d
Today I’ve had mega backache and also period type cramps like the day before I went into labour with little man. Hoping it’s just a false alarm as I really want to wait now until I’ve seen the consultant! 


Monday 10th February – 37w 5d
I’ve had those cramps again today…


Tuesday 11th February – 37w 6d
So we saw the consultant today – well, his registrar actually. This was combined with a check up – baby is fine, still 1/5 engaged, good heart rate and I’m measuring 37 weeks. My BP was fine but there was traces in my sample again, though my last one came back fine. The registrar just asked a few questions – she didn’t even ask about my BMI so that obviously wasn’t a concern to them, it was mainly the fluoxetine. She went and had a chat with the consultant and he said it was all OK and I was signed off, yay! The midwife rang me this afternoon to find out what he said, and arranged to bring my gases which were brought promptly this evening! They are currently hiding away in the cupboard… But baby, you can come out whenever you like now! 

At 37 weeks, berry is the size of a leek.
They are now considered full term!
Fat continues to be added at a rate of half an ounce a day.
The head is cradled in the uterus by the pelvic cavity surrounded and protected by the pelvic bones.
Most of the lanugo & vernix has disappeared. Baby will swallow these along with other secretions and they will become the first poo – the meconium!

The ‘Berry’ Pregnancy Diaries – week 18

Wednesday 25th September – 18w
Had such a rubbish emotional day today, being in tears on & off for most of it. I will explain more in my holiday diary but I’m so tired now and just can’t wait to go home tomorrow. I often think people should just remember not to mess with an emotional pregnant lady zilla! 


Thursday 26th September – 18w 1d
I’ve been in another one of ‘those’ moods today and really felt like letting off some steam, wish I had a punch bag! (Refer to pregzilla sentence above).

Saturday 28th September – 18w 3d
Feeling quite tired today as little man has been up numerous times the last couple of nights being sick, so he’s then been in our bed making me uncomfortable meaning I don’t sleep well. I love co-sleeping but zzzzzzzz! 


Sunday 29th September – 18w 4d
I have achy feet tonight as I’ve been on them most of the afternoon baking a cake for hubby’s birthday tomorrow! (Which didn’t turn out very well by the way). If I ache this much now, goodness knows what I’ll be like in another few weeks/months! I’ve also had cramps and bad tummy ache all day, and some of yesterday. I’ve been worrying but I think it’s probably just growing pains as berry is moving quite a bit. 


Monday 30th September – 18w 5d
I’ve had really awful back ache and kept seizing up today whenever I bend over/move suddenly etc. I had this with little man but not until much later, probably the 3rd trimester, and it was bad enough then let alone with an active toddler to look after. I’ll get through it though! Although I have felt like calling in sick, but to whom?!


Tuesday 1st October – 18w 6d
Today has been a day where I’m so glad I’m pregnant (well, obviously I’m glad every day, but you know what I mean…) as I took little man to baby clinic to get weighed and it was packed full of teeny newborn babies. My broody alarm was SO loud…

At 18 weeks berry is the size of a bell pepper.
Their ears are approaching their final position and and the eyes are beginning to face forward.
Meconium starts to collect in berry’s intestines.
The heart is starting to build up muscle and pumping 25-30 quarts of blood a day.
The blood vessels are still visible through the skin.
If berry is a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place, and will have eggs in her ovaries.
If berry is a boy, his genitals are now noticeable but may be hiding on an ultrasound scan!

Diary of a (short) 2nd pregnancy – weeks 4 to 10

I started writing this when I got my BFP, with the intent to publish it after 12 weeks when we had had our scan. Obviously we didn’t get that far, but I would like to publish it anyway. *Contains very sensitive content, and TMI at points so only read on if you wish. 


Thursday October 18 (5w 2d 3w 6d) 

Since we had J my cycles have gone pretty ‘normal’ and I started ovulating, so I kind of know where I’m at. By today though my AF was a couple of days late, going by average cycle lengths since J. We had got a bit carried away in the bedroom a couple of weeks before, it was the first time I was comfortable enough to manage to fully DTD since J, so yeah… Although by this time it had passed when I usually had EWCM and didn’t think there would be any more now (which there wasn’t), so didn’t think anything of it at the time, just that I had maybe somehow skipped OV this month. But of course, there was also a slight chance that I could be pregnant… So I decided to test. I think I was more nervous this time than with little man as I knew there was a chance, whereas with J I didn’t think there was. So there was me, sat in the toilet waiting for the control line to come up. A couple of minutes passed and no other line, but as you know it is recommended to wait 3 minutes. Slowly, the test line started appearing. My heart skipped a beat and I started shaking. Shock. Fear. Worry. Happy. So many mixed emotions. I shouted hubby and showed him. Then had to send a photo to my friend to confirm again! Yep, pregnant. I worked out my due date going by my LMP, to be around 18th June 2013. I’m going to be a Mummy of 2 under 18 months. Yikes. 

Thursday October 25 (6w 2d 4w 6d) 
I went to the doctors to get the ball rolling. I purposely made an appointment with the same GP who got my referral to the fertility clinic as I knew she would be over the moon, and I wanted to show J off and say thank you! She smiled as soon as I walked in the door, and said congratulations (x2!) and that J was gorgeous. I already knew that though of course! Then she took my details – date of last period etc., and worked out my due date to be the day before I did. But we will see when we get our scan! She took my BP, and J decided he was going to pull the velcro on the band on my arm, little monkey! She also gave my a flu jab whilst I was there as I would have to have one anyway, and J also decided to try and help with that, eek! He didn’t get near the needle though, thank goodness! I picked up the midwives phone number from reception to make an appointment for booking in, so I’ve rang and left my details and should think an appointment will be with me in the post soon. 

Friday October 26 (6w 3d 5w) 
I’ve come down with an awful sore throat, cold & cough, whether that has anything to do with my flu jab, I don’t know. But I can barely take anything, can I?! Hope it disappears soon as I have a little monkey to look after as well as contend with early pregnancy and this! But I’m super mummy (sometimes), I’m sure I’ll cope! 

Tuesday October 30 (7w 5w 4d) 

Finally after ringing and ringing and leaving a message, them ringing me but I was busy so they left a message, and me ringing and ringing back, I got hold of someone to make my booking appointment! It’s for 2 weeks today when I should be 9 weeks. Finally, something to count down to! 

Friday November 2 (7w 3d 6w) 
Had my first odd pregnancy dream today, which I’ll be filling you in on all of them again! In our bedroom we have a cabinet diagonally opposite our bed – well I dreamed that J was on our bed, had climbed down from the bed and was trying to climb up the cabinet. He got nearly to the top but fell backwards, but he managed to land on the bed! And then he climbed down from the bed, and crawled from the foot of the bed around the side, and climbed up on to the bed to see his Mummy, aww! He was his current age in the dream (7.5 months) and he’s not crawling yet, though I was expecting to wake up and for him to be doing it!  

Sunday November 11 (8w 5d 7w 2d)

Was the first worried moment of this pregnancy yesterday, I went to the loo and when I wiped there was pink tinged blood on the tissue. Cue panic and thoughts of the worst happening. After this I’m sure I felt cramps but they weren’t strong so I must have just imagined it. I’ve had nothing since so hopefully all is OK and it was just a bit of old blood. I had bleeding in my last pregnancy so will mention this to the midwife on Tuesday at my booking appointment. These babies like to test us before they even arrive, don’t they?! 

Tuesday November 13 (9w 7w 4d) 

So I had my booking appointment today. Went through the usual stuff – medical history, bloods, wee sample etc. Told them about my PND and anxiety which they wrote down in there. I had my height & weight done which worked my BMI out at 34, which is 4 more than when I went for booking in with J! Oh dear. Ashamed of myself. It also means I have to have another GTT (I hated the last one), but it’s all for the safety of me & baby so I obviously can’t complain. Got my lovely new green folder! And another Bounty pack. My next (15 week) appointment with the midwives is a few days after Christmas. I will be 15 weeks, 6 weeks today, but guess what – that’s Christmas Day, so they said “No, can’t do it that day”, which made me giggle! Now we’ve just got to wait for a scan date, and then we can tell everyone and you can finally all read this!

Friday November 16 (8w)

So after the weekend spotting, I have been bleeding on & off since Wednesday night. I rang the GP yesterday morning and he told me to go to A&E for a possible examination and a scan. It wasn’t very busy when we arrived (only one other person there) but we ended up waiting 2.5 hours to be seen. Not good with a grumpy tired baby! Anyway, the doctor said as I had only been spotting really and had no pain or clots, then he would get me booked in at the EPU for an early scan. So I went for that this afternoon. I was so nervous in case there was no heartbeat. I’d drank my 2 pints of water an hour before and I was absolutely desperate for the loo, I never remember it being that bad before! I felt like my bladder was going to explode! I had to go and let some out and as I did I heard my name being called, and thought oops! Anyway, I was seen by someone who took my history, what had been happening etc., and then I had to wait for my scan, by which time I was again bursting for the loo. Finally got called for the scan, it was a trainee who carried it out but there was someone else in attendance. As soon as I laid down on the bed I felt like I was going to wee myself any minute, so was dreading her using the doppler! So she started, she found magic little bean practically straight away, I was looking for a heartbeat. It was there! Such relief. Then she measured bean, I’m actually measuring at 8 weeks rather than the 9w 3d we thought originally. I had guessed I might be a week or so behind though as I was thinking about my dates the other day and I know exactly when we conceived and it didn’t work out right, as I OV late in my cycle as I don’t have a ‘normal’ 28 day cycle. Anyway, all was OK and it has been classed as another ‘threatened miscarriage’ like it was with J. Our 12 week scan is 4 weeks today when we get to see our little magic bean again. 

Sunday November 25 (9w 2d)

I meant to write last week as I had another couple of pregnancy dreams, but I just kept forgetting and now I can’t remember what the first one was. The second one I remember vaguely though, as I dreamed we had another boy! 

Sunday December 2 (10w 2d)

We had another A&E visit last night. I started bleeding bright red on Friday night, along with clots this time too. It started off just when I wiped, and then it started being on a pad too. The clots to start with were the size of a pen nib and then some got bigger, probably 1/2 cm long. I thought it may die off like before but they continued yesterday too, so thought we would go up there. We were waiting an hour and a bit before we saw the nurse, and she said she would try and get me in with the GP rather than the A&E side as it would be quicker. So we waited another half an hour or so and then we saw him. Basically told him what had been going on and the spotting since last time, and he booked me in at the EPU again tomorrow at 1.15 pm for a scan. So we will see what happens then. I still haven’t had any pain really, just a bit of what feels like ‘hunger’ belly ache which makes sense as I don’t really feel like eating at the minute. I’m still dreading it though in case of the worst, I’m not even going to look at the screen until they tell me whether there’s a heartbeat or not… If everything is OK then I’m guessing it’s cervical erosion and I’m going to ask about a cervical stitch, as surely I shouldn’t be getting clots if I’m not miscarrying?…

Monday December 3 (10w 3d)

I woke up at 2 am with a huge gush of blood so I immediately jumped out and rushed to the loo. Luckily I had a pad on what with bleeding over the weekend. The pad had pretty much soaked through, and then when I had been to the loo I saw a bigger clot in there. I was really panicking by now as I just knew what was probably happening. I tried to stay calm though and I went back to bed as I had to get hubby up for work at 4 am, but I didn’t really need my alarm as I woke up with another gush of blood. This time when I went to the loo I felt a huge clot and the tears really started as I knew for sure this time. I must have have been sat on the loo for the next two hours just sobbing my heart out, losing blood and clots. Around 6 am it had calmed down a bit and I went to lie down in bed but had to keep going backwards & forwards to the loo for the next half an hour or so. Eventually I managed to drop off in bed until J woke up about 8 am. MiL was coming anyway to look after him while we went to the hospital (hubby was able to leave work early). As soon as she arrived I just burst into tears and she gave me a huge hug. Skip to the hospital and the usual of a full bladder, seeing the nurse first (there was a student nurse in there too who took all my details), and then we were called for the scan. Only this time I knew it was going to show nothing so I did as I said and didn’t look at the screen, and just held hubby’s hand SO tightly. The sonographer said “Sorry, I’m not seeing anything”, to which I replied “I knew you were going to say that”, and then burst into tears. She showed us to the quiet room and I just sat there sobbing, and my poor hubby, he just held me and cried too. There it is, confirmation this pregnancy is over. Heartbroken. 


R.I.P. our special little angel bean xx


*(Weeks along edited after early scan)

Pregnancy blues

All the way through my pregnancy, there’s only been one period, around 14 weeks pregnant, where I’ve had the fed up feeling. It really frustrated me at the time, because I knew how lucky I was, and I didn’t want it to happen again. Well it seems it has. Sigh.


Over the last week, all I’ve done is cry every single day, usually at stupid, random things. Today I can’t stop crying. The main reason though – and I feel awful and incredibly frustrated at myself for even feeling like I do, for the reasons that I do, as it took us so long to get here and we fought so hard, but I’m going to be honest – is that I’m just fed up now, and just want him here. Not necessarily fed up of being pregnant, as I love it, I love feeling and watching him squirm about, just more fed up of waiting for him to arrive. Though, the aches and pains don’t help, but that’s just preparing for labour. I also started getting period type cramps last Saturday, and I know this can be a sign of early labour, which is also part of the feeling fed up, as I know it could be soon but nothing is happening, and it’s the waiting game. The backache has been pretty much constant since then too, though today it has gotten worse. 


Add to the above being full of cold, sneezy, having a headache all day because of it, and achy eyes – though someone said some women experience cold/flu type symptoms before going into labour, so hope that is the case here too!