28 weeks

28 weeks & third trimester!!! Here I am this morning...

To celebrate hitting third trimester, I thought it would be nice to add a pic from the beginning of my pregnancy journey - just a slight difference to my figure!!

I put the 26 week one in there as well to see how much I have changed - definately a lot fuller in the belly now!

Today is also the day of my glucose challenge test. I have just come back from Part 1 - drinking a super sweet glucose drink. I was really worried about what the drink would taste like so much that I have been dreading this test. I was imagining a sickly, syrupy type drink that would make me want to throw up from the taste. But I'm happy to report that it was no where near as bad as what I thought it would be. It was basically like sweet lemonade. The lady at pathology was saying that some people actually like the drink. I definately wouldn't go that far, but it was bearable. Very cold and fizzy though which did make it hard to get down. Part 2 is the blood test that I have to be back within the hour for. Then I should get the results at my next OB appointment on Monday afternoon.

Antenatal Class - Week Two

We had our second antenatal class last night - this one was about coping mechanisms for labour both natural and medical, as well as unexpected outcomes and caesarian births. I enjoyed this class a bit more than the one from last week, possibly because it was a little less basic theory and a bit more interactive. This was the last class on labour and birth, next we move on to parenting for the final two weeks.

The main thing that I have gotten out of the labour classes so far has really surprised me. I expected to come out of these classes with a sense of reality about the fact that I will soon have to go through the labour process, and quite fearful of how I would be able to cope. But in fact at this stage, the classes have actually helped me to feel more empowered towards the labour process. I came into them thinking that I would need to use whatever drugs that could be given to me to help cope with labour, and I have come out with the frame of mind that I would like to try to labour naturally for as long as possible, and use only the gas for assistance in the later stages. Obviously I am still keeping a very open mind as I have never experienced labour before and therefore have no idea how I will cope. I am definately not closed off to the idea of even an epidural if it turns out that is what I need. But I am happy to say that I now feel a lot more confident about my ability to get through the labour process with as little medical intervention as possible.

Remnants of IVF

I've been struggling a little lately with a few things that I have put down to remnants of our IVF journey. Through the depression that I experienced during our IVF journey, I always believed that falling pregnant would fix everything and none of it would matter anymore. While I feel so incredibly grateful and blessed to be carrying this baby and it has made everything a million percent better, I am just starting to realise that it doesn't take away from what we went through with IVF and I may still have a few things to work through. On that note, I bought a book that I am reading, hoping that it will help:

It goes beyond the actual IVF treatment cycles into the ongoing effects throughout pregnancy and after birth. So far it has been a really good read and it seems to have a lot of my feelings spot on so I'm feeling very positive about it being able to help me get over this little hurdle.

Bub is really quite active these days. While I am getting used to the movements happening, I still love feeling them. Sometimes the baby moves around so much I can see movements all over my belly. It is such a strange and wonderful feeling, I could sit and watch it for hours.

Antenatal Class - Week One

Our first antenatal class went well last night, it was bascially explaining the stages of labour and the basic procedures for a stock standard natural birth, including the dreaded birthing video. I coped quite well with watching the video, I think that a positive to me still being a little way away from my due date is that I was able to watch still with some denial that I will be one of those women. But it was very interesting to see others reactions to the video, lots of cringing and fear going on in that room! I think hubby has more respect for the whole childbirth process now and what I need to go through to get this baby out. Looking forward to next week's class when we are discussing drugs for pain relief!

26 weeks

Here is my latest belly pic at 26 weeks...

and the comparison with the 24 week shot...

I get quite shocked some fortnights when I see the comparison, it's amazing how quickly the body can adapt and change to the growing baby inside. My weight gain has been more steady in recent weeks, I've now put on around 6.5kg so far which I'm pretty happy with.

We have our first antenatal class in a few days time, I can't wait! The idea of having to accept the fact that I have to go through the whole labour process makes me quite nervous though. Until now, I haven't really thought that much about it and am still in a bit of denial that I actually have to go through it. But I'm assuming that the classes at the hospital will help make it that much more real for me. I'm still deciding if I will close my eyes for the birth video!

First nappy purchase

Hubby had the honour of purchasing the first lot of nappies for bub this morning. There is a fantastic sale on them in Wollies stores this week so we thought we would take the opportunity to grab the newborn nappies that we will need for baby and save some money. But could I find them anywhere yesterday?? Seems the sale was too well advertised! But while working this morning, hubby ended up coming across a Woolies that had some in stock and grabbed a couple of boxes. Strange to think that something that will become so mundane is so exciting for us now.

On another note, I have developed a rash-like skin irritation on my belly that is itching like crazy. I spoke to the midwife about it this morning and apparently it is just another one of the joys of pregnancy. I tried a cold teatowel on my belly last night but bub was not happy, kept kicking me until I took it off! So I'm off to the chemist later to get some calamine lotion for the itching, but other than that will just be hoping that it is short lived.

Woken up

Well the baby managed to wake me up for the first time last night. Around 4:30 this morning actually. I must have rolled over onto my left side when I was woken up by strong kicking and wriggling from bub. I waited for a bit, thinking that maybe bub was just trying to get comfortable. But after a minute or two I ended up giving in and rolling over onto my other side. No more movements from bub after that so I guess it managed to get comfortable. Quite funny I thought that a baby can manage to wake you up even from inside the womb!