I'm pregnant!

After my miscarriage in November of 2011 I was desperate to be pregnant again. This desire consumed me but the thought of being pregnant scared me as well. I found out I was pregnant on the 20th of March, 2012. The tests these days leave no doubt:

Seeing the word pregnant filled my heart with so much joy. I was pregnant again! Instantly I was filled with fear that this pregnancy would end in a miscarriage. I didn't know if my body was able to carry a pregnancy to term.

7 Weeks: Everything had been travelling along well. I wasn't as sick this time as I was with my first pregnancy. I did not vomit, I just felt sick all of the time and went off a lot of food. I couldn't eat lamb throughout my entire pregnancy!! My husband, Jay was also suffering from morning sickness... apparently. He would complain of the sick feeling a lot too. I didn't give him much sympathy!!! My sickness was real, his was in his head.

At 7 weeks and 5 days I had a bleed, instantly I thought I was miscarrying again. Jay and I went into the hospital, it was late in the night and there was not much they could do for us except measure the pregnancy hormone (HCG) in my blood. The results came back at an acceptable level which gave us some hope. The hospital booked me in for a scan the next day, that is the only way to know for sure if the pregnancy was viable. I think I had the worst sleep ever that night, even though I was at peace I was still worried, my last pregnancy ended at 7 weeks. When we woke up Jay rolled over, looked at me and said "the baby is ok", I looked at him with a confused look and asked him how he knew this, he replied with a twinkle in his eye "I still have my morning sickness". Made me smile!!

Thankfully my scan was booked in for the morning, I didn't have to wait all day. As soon as I saw the baby I knew everything was ok, he was the perfect size and I could see his heart beat. Tears of relief fell down my cheeks. Here he is:

My brother gave him the nick name of "turtle" because of this picture!

11 weeks: At this stage in pregnancy most women go for their "NT" scan. This is the scan that tests to see if your baby has indicators of Down Syndrome. Jay and I discussed this and we both decided to not get the tests or scan. However at 11 weeks I began to worry about the pregnancy. My last pregnancy ended in a missed miscarriage. The baby's heart stopped beating at 7 weeks however I did not start bleeding till 9 weeks. I was worried that this would happen again so I went to my doctor and said I needed a scan to check everything was ok!! We just went for the scan but didn't do the rest of the testing. Here he is at just over 11 weeks:

Everything was perfect, there was no reason for me to worry.

20 Weeks: My pregnancy was turning out to be a dream pregnancy. I was healthy and so was the baby. We went into the 20 week scan full of excitement! Here he is at 20 weeks:

He was perfect, every part of him was perfect. Seeing him move around in there filled my heart with such joy. He was stubborn though, he would not comply with getting a picture of his face profile (the one above), it took two people and around 10 minutes to get this one shot!! It was at this stage we had an idea we were having a boy. We did not want to know the sex, however, during this scan they checked the baby had all the right "bits".The sonographer did not tell us what she saw however she wrote "XY", meaning boy. I thought I saw boy bits as well!! It was also at this point that we were told we were having a big baby, he was measuring two weeks ahead. This was the week that I started feeling him kick me, which was an amazing feeling! There was really a baby in there!!

35 Weeks: The pregnancy went so fast. I was still busy with work and study so time just flew. We had another scan at 35 weeks to see how the baby was growing. The scan was very clinical, just measuring so there was no photo! All was well, he was using his lungs, stomach and kidneys. He was still big, they estimated he was around 3kgs (7pound) already, I had another 5 weeks to go!! He was still measuring two weeks ahead.

37 Weeks: I finished work this week. It was a sad day, it was so weird to think I wouldn't be going back to work for months. I really hoped I would have the baby not long after leaving work. Shame the baby didn't get that memo...

40 Weeks: I was still pregnant. I had to go into the hospital for an appointment at the post dates clinic. They scanned me again to make sure everything was ok with the baby and checked me over. We were both perfect so there was no hurry to induce me! It was at this appointment that they gave away the sex of the baby, again!! As she was scanning me the midwife said "well it is still a boy", I informed her that I didn't know that which made for quick subject change!! It was a boy, I was having a son. I was then booked into be induced. I really hoped I would go into labour naturally, I tried everything!! At 41 weeks and 5 days I went into hospital to be induced.  

I am incredibly thankful that I had a great pregnancy, my health was great (I didn't even get any swelling!!) and the baby thrived. I do not take this for granted, I am so blessed.

Now, time to get him out!!!