First Scan

We had our first scan on Wednesday. I must say I wasn't wholey impressed by the experience. It felt like a deli counter... take a number and wait to move into another queue. You are able to go private here at an additional cost, but everyone that I know has gone with shared care- midwife lead, with your scans and any other major exams with a consultant at the hospital. They put us in the wrong queue and we were seen by the doctor who normally sees later pregnancies. She was very quick and a bit impersonal. The scan she gave us was very unclear and she spent no time showing us the different parts of the baby or really giving us a chance to enjoy the experience. Finally the nurse in attendance said 'I think you may have been placed in the wrong queue, we don't normally see patients this early on in their pregnancy'. We were then taken to another room and the doctor was much better. He did a great scan, pointing out the foot and arm, showing different angles. My placenta looks lovely... but of course! The measurements put the baby at 6 days older, but no change to my due date. The printer wasn't working so I had to use my lovely new mobile to take a picture.

Not a bad picture, huh? S/he was moving around quite a bit... almost raving inside my belly. Gorgeous little thing, huh??? I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't get a proper picture, but at least the baby is okay. And I am feeling more optimistic about my future experiences at the hospital. I'm considering a 3D scan at 352 Medical Consulting. It's a bit expensive, but seems like an awesome experience. We'll get dvds and loads of pictures... as long as I can get an appointment.

Okay, well I will need to get a move on it. We have tons of packing to get started on. Will post more pictures soon.

"Past the vulnerable stage..."

Well I'm 12 1/2 weeks and officially 'past the vulnerable stage'. I took the opportunity to spill the beans to everyone at work. I had actually told a good few people over the past few weeks, but told my boss and my other colleagues on Friday. Everyone is so excited for me. Ollie and I are super excited too!!

I just can't wait to get my scan... next Wednesday. I know it will make the whole pregnancy so much more real (especially since I really don't feel pregnant). And it will make it more real for Ollie.

I've booked Ann's spa break... I can't get any of the massages because I'm pregnant and they don't have a prenatal message therapist... so it's going to have to be a facial and a manicure for me... I suppose it could be worse.

Okay, well I'll have more to report after the scan next week... SO EXCITED!!!

First Midwife Appointment

Well I had my first midwife appointment on Monday. It was mostly just answering questions about medical history. They also took my blood for a bunch of different tests. I usually have a nightmare giving blood, but the midwife got it on the first try... always a good sign.

My first scan is set for the 30th of May. I couldn't make the first appointment on the 16th because I'm in London, so I'll be 14 weeks. I'm not going to opt for the 3D scan until my 22 weeks scan. Because it's national healthcare here, 3D scans are considered a bit of a luxury and come with a fee. While not too expensive, the midwife suggested waiting until there's a bit more to actually see. I actually had to reschedule the appointment a couple of times. Susan (Ollie's sister), myself and Ollie's mum's best friend Eileen are taking her to Donegal for a luxury spa break for her 60th birthday and we're supposed to leave that day. It's a bit awkward- the 'shared care option'. You see the midwives in the doctor's office for most of your appointments, go to the hospital and meet with your ob/gyn consultant for scans and any other invasive tests, and then meet with the midwives at the hospital for the remainder of your consultations. So anyway, I am assigned to 1 consultant and she's does the scans every other Wednesday afternoon- so unflexible, right? Anyway, so I was originally scheduled for 3:30pm and that was a bit too late, so I asked the receptionist if there were any earlier appointments and she said 'you're in luck, the 2 o'clock had a miscarriage'. Can you believe that? How horrible is that? I did take the earlier appointment, but didn't feel it was luck that let me get it.

I hope my next interaction with the reception isn't as insensitive.

Still no sickness, no nothing really. I can't wait to get this scan- I'll finally feel like I'm actually pregnant.

7 week itch

Keeping this quiet has become quite a challenge! I figured, why not start a blog and you'll be able to share your feelings without telling anyone. Good idea, right? Not so when you use the internet. I didn't realise this blog would be listed under my profile, so God knows how many people know. Well, what's done is done and I enjoy having an outlet. I really can't wait for these next few weeks to be up and then I can tell everyone!!

So, 7 weeks. I should be feeling sick, but I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. I was on the phone with my Grandmother over the weekend and she told me that she never felt any sickness when she was pregnant with my mom and Aunt. Then my mom mentioned that she never felt any sickness with me or my brother. Happy days! I'm not really feeling much of anything... except constipation. Glad I shared that one, knew you were wondering. I've been increasing my water intake, but to no avail. Still have this metalic taste in my mouth, but no other symptoms. I guess I shouldn't be complaining- who wants to be sick, right?

Just waiting for our first midwife appointment so I can find out more about what the months ahead hold for me. I'm sure it's going to be super fun! Woo-hoo a little person is growing inside of me. I'm also letting myself believe that labour is going to be a synch. This little baby is just going to slide on out! Let me live in own little world, I'm happy there.

Congratulations, you're pregnant

I visited the nurse at my doctor's office today. I needed to confirm 100% that I was pregnant. I had no problem giving a sample seeing as I'm using the bathroom three times as much as I usually do. She did a test then and there and also sent a sample off. I was so excited when she said 'congratulations, you're pregnant,' I really had to stop myself from doing a little dance around the treatment room. She has initially estimated my delivery date as the 28th of November. I've made my first appointment to see the midwife for the 23rd of April. I'm so excited!

I told Ollie's mom today and she cried with joy. She then had to tell Ollie's sister, Susan, who was over the moon as well. Ollie's still in a bit of shock, but really excited to be a dad.

I hope that the next few weeks go smoothly. I am going back to the gym and getting a medium to low impact exercise regime designed for me. I'm letting myself enjoy the next couple of days, but the hard work begins on Monday. I want to be fit, fit, fit when I have this baby!

Well, that's all for now...

It's positive

I had gotten my hopes up again when I was 4 days late this month. After 2 unsuccessful months, I didn't want to be disappointed. I had Ollie pick up a pregnancy test from Boots and when I returned from my conference in Dublin I took the test. I was anxious and nervous and praying for a blue plus sign to appear. It was a bit faint at first and my hopes were crushed, but then Ollie read the instructions more closely and it said it didn't matter if it was faint. As the next few minutes passed by, the lines got darker and darker. I was so excited that I started jumping up and down in the bathroom. It looks as though my prayers to St Gerard have worked!

Ollie was worried about me getting my hopes up. We've known a few people that have had miscarriages lately and didn't want to face that upset. He wants to keep the pregnancy hush hush until we're around 3 months along. I completely understand and agree, but I am horrible at keeping secrets like this!

I'm off to the doctor's tomorrow to get a proper test and discuss next steps. I don't fully understand the pre natal care system here. My experience has always been- you go to your OB/GYN and that's who you will deal with for the duration of your pregnancy. Although there is that option available here, it seems to be for special cases on the NHS or you have to pay extra and go private. The normal course of action is midwife lead care. I'm a little unsure of how everything will work, but I hope the next few weeks all will become clear.

So, how am I feeling? Well, my breasts are incredibly sore and I feel really tired. I don't have any morning sickness, but I've heard that it may not start for another few weeks. I really hope I don't have any sickness. I'm super excited and finding it really hard to hide the smile on my face. I'll try my best to keep it under my hat, but think that will be easier said than done.

I'm continuing my prayers to St Gerard to make sure the pregnancy goes well. My aim is to update this log every couple of weeks. I'll soon add pictures once I begin to show. I'm so excited to be a mom!!!