Antenatal check-up

I saw the midwife yesterday for an antenatal check up. It still feels a bit strange checking in at reception, saying I'm  there to see the midwife! 

She had the blood test results which had all come back clear, negative or low risk. My blood pressure was checked and is good, as is my urine. She then examined me and said my uterus has risen up to just under my belly button, so it's no surprise I have a bump now! She then listened to Edge with a doppler and said the heartbeat was strong and at a good rate. She now doesn't want to see me until July!

So I asked, how do I know everything is ok until then? I was told it just is...to get on with life, to relax and enjoy being pregnant! 

Baby Stuff In The Shopping

The little bits have started filtering into the shopping. Still a bit early I know but hey, come on, why not?!

Happy Days. 

BTW - they are posh nappies from Waitrose!!!!! - that won't last!

We can hear Edge

We have been in Brittany for a week which means we are a week further in to the pregnancy. We are now heading in to Week 15. It has been a week of relaxing and exercising and eating plenty of French frites and baguettes.

When we got home last night the first thing I wanted to do was listen to Edge. We had bought a Angel Sounds Doppler in week 11 but had heard nothing in 11 & 12 and then we were away in 13.

It took only 30 odd seconds and there was the sound of Jo's placenta followed by the faint sounds of Edge's heartbeat. Amazing - you even hear me exclaim when I hear Edge for the first time. After 2 minutes I found Edge's heartbeat again and it was much clearer and stronger. I then handed the headphones over to Jo who listened and you can then hear her laughing and crying.

This picture is of Jo listening to Edge for the first time. I think that had a pink elephant flown across the room in front of her and she wouldn't have noticed!

Amazing

Eating out with a bump

We used to choose what we fancied. We would skip meals and eat at odd times. Now there is a schedule and a purpose. If Jo gets hungry (and it comes on pretty quickly) she runs out of energy. Edge is certainly pulling resources. 

We have to check when eating out as to what is in the food. You are what you eat is never more so poignant when a completely dependant little soul is relying on you I make the right decisions. 

At the moment as we are on holiday in France and I speak French I have to shoulder the responsibility of asking and understanding the ingredients to a great level than my normal 'I'm sure it will be fine!'

Fortuatously frites are ok!

Fidget or sloth...part deux

Last night I was woken up by a fast popping feeling in my tummy, right below my tummy button which is just where Edge should be about now. 

Was it Edge or was it wind?!!! Who knows, but better to record it for posterity!

Introducing Fred

Josh brought over Fred this evening. Fred used to keep Josh company when he was very little. Fred will be keeping watch with Eamon over the cot until one day in the future.

All good in the womb

So the scan was fine. Edge is now 6.2cm. Heart was beating well. Back of the neck measurement is 1.2m (well under the 3.3m threshold.)
The due date has moved up 2 places to 16th November. 2 days less to prepare!
And finally we broadcast the news on Facebook so it's out.
I still can't quite believe it is happening.
We also picked up the cot from Summer Letchford in Dover today. It's set up in the bedroom already. Jo thinks it should come down. I'm not sure about that.
Frizzle & Biscuit have gone over to Harrietsham on holiday and to have their bits chopped to make them less smelly. They don't know that yet though.
One more day of work and then holiday to Brittany.
It's been a busy day and another good day.

Dating Scan

No not some test for finding a partner but today at 12:30 we have the official dating scan. It will confirm or change the due date which currently stands at 18th November.

We also have other tests to see that all is good. If there are questions, I may have to give blood! Hopefully not. I'm not great with needles.

It's another wait. In fact that seems to sum up pregnancy quite well. It's a wait. A lesson in patience.

Hoping and praying that all is well later today.......

Successful shopping!

Bra shopping went well! I'm not sure who might be reading this, but the purpose of it is for us to keep a record. So, sorry if this is too much information...pre pregnancy I was 32C/D. At week 12, I have already gone up to 34C. Eeek...surely the growth will slow down?

Other than bras I am now the proud owner of some skinny jeans, pj bottoms and 3 new tops, all with room for Edge to grow.

We also had a spot of lunch in M&S cafe, which made us feel a bit old :-S

Shopping for bras and big pants!

So today is the day that maternity clothes shopping starts. The fact is that less and less of the existing wardrobe is fitting! Well that's Jo's excuse anyway!

First off, bras! As Jo is taken off to be measured, I am left to wander around the bras! Always an interesting exercise!

I think we are off to big pants after bras. What more could you ask for to do on your bank holiday!

Monday Quote

My wife whom I adore seems to have a severe case of fuzzy head or pregnancy brain. In other words it has gone to mush.

This morning, on discussing breast feeding and talking about my chest Jo made the following observation:

It's a good thing women's chests aren't as hairy as men's otherwise when breast feeding the hair would get stuck in the baby's teeth.

Apparently our baby will be born with a full set of gnashers!

The worrying thing is Jo is doing a masters degree!

Predictions

Although we have no scientific basis for this we are creating a list for polling whether Edge will be a boy or girl.

Josh - 3rd May - Boy
Jo - 3rd May - Boy
Richard - 3rd May - Girl
Grandma Coombes - 5th May - Girl
Grandpa Coombes - 5th May - Girl
Grandma Heywood - 7th May - Boy
Paula - 7th May - Girl
Dave - 7th May - Girl

Gary - 23rd May - Girl

Emma - 23rd May - Girl

Fidget or sloth?

I felt a funny thing yesterday at bed time. It felt like tiny fizzy bubbles, just for a moment, then again a few minutes later.

It didn't feel like normal tummy gurglings, it was a much more delicate feeling. Was it our baby or was it wind?! Apparently you can sometimes feel movements this early on. The worrying thing is that it is allegedly a sign of things to come...a lively one both in pregnancy and after. It is amazing to think that our little one already knows if they are going to be a fidget like their Dad or a sloth like their Mum!!

Gift from Steve & Diane

We told Diane our news on Wednesday 1st May in the afternoon. We had come back from me having had a fruitless work day in Croydon. Jo had accompanied me for the day. Diane was cutting the grass. We interrupted her and told her. She was thrilled and gave Jo advice about drinking Raspberry Leaf Tea after on in pregnancy but not at the moment.

The following morning there was a card and gift outside our door.

Thank you Steve & Diane

Gift from Mrs Edwards

I visited Mrs Edwards on Thursday 2nd May on a Thermal Seal survey. I received a text from Jo while with Mrs Edwards to say that the first midwife appointment (the booking in appointment) had gone well and there was much to talk about. I told Mrs Edwards about our surprise and she was thrilled. Mrs Edwards had lost her husband in February and they had never been able to have children but she knitted for babies.

Just before I left the appointment she gave me two knitted jackets for Edge. One yellow, and one white as per the attached photos.

Thank you Mrs Edwards.

Life Changing

In the last few days I have had the privilege and joy for seeing my best friend find out she is a mother. I have seen her parents find out their daughter is having a baby. I am now just 24 hours away from us being able to tell Josh he is a brother.

Simple words - mother, grandparents, brother but completely and utterly life changing.

Time passes

The scan was fine. Everything was as it should be. Edge has grown to about 5cm now.

Now we just carry on preparing ourselves mentally. It's a waiting game now. I am sure in the next 200 odd days there will be many when not a great deal happens, we'll at least for me that is! I am sure some would say you should enjoy them because then you will wonder what a day with nothin happening felt like!

In the words of Tom Hanks in The Terminal - 'I wait.'