Baby Caterpillar - 31 Weeks.

I'm so so over this pregnancy. I'm going to be so honest, I feel like I'm stuck in such a bad place. Gestational Diabetes has just topped it all off. I cannot wait for this all to be over and will be begging the doctor for an earliest cesarean as possible. I didn't think it would be this hard, with this many issues! I pictured an easy pregnancy and then following my VBAC plan, but due to so many issues I've decided that I need to plan something. Have a set date, know that I won't end up with an emergency cesarean and going through a cesarean before, I know what's going to happen.

I'll get onto writing my Cesarean Section Birth Plan soon.

I'm having a terrible sickness day today, so I'm feeling more down. I haven't stopped throwing up since 5.30 this morning! My teeth are so over this sickness and my throat is on fire! I've also been prescribed another medication for reflux cause my throat just burns all the time.

Also my pelvis! Oh my goodness, my pelvis! Baby is engaged and I'm pretty sure I could sneeze her out. Last night Jydan had a meltdown and I ended up on the floor for ages consulting him and literally got stuck. I'm glad Tim was home because I could not move my pelvis to get myself to stand up. I was in tears!

Oh! And to top of my week, I'll be starting insulin for my gestational diabetes on Thursday because I can't keep my numbers down. I'm trying to do more exercises to help. This stupidly included trying to do some laps at the pool. I ended up having an asthma attack.

I should really be on a sex ed commercial. Pregnancy is hard!!

Symptoms this week:

Hyperemeis.

Vomiting.

Reflux.

Feeling Faint.

Protein.

Swelling/Fluid.

Pelvic Pain.

Exhaustion.

Gestational Diabetes.

Colostrum.
Baby's Engaged.

Weight gain: 7 kilo. .. I haven't gained any weight for a while now.

Doctors/Midwives Appointment:

I saw a midwife, a dietitian, and an physio specialists for the diabetes this week and will see the doctor and midwife on Thursday where I will start my insulin injections.

Scan:
Next scan in two weeks, but I need to book it!

Size of baby: 

Baby is now around 1.5 kilo and 41 cms long.
About half the weight she will be born at!
About the size of a bunch of leeks.

Baby's doing this week:

Organs are maturing and baby is practicing passing urine.

Time left:

9 weeks!!

Next Milestone:

33 weeks, after the next scan.

Baby's Gender:

GIRL!

Nickname for baby:

Caterpillar - because of the hungry caterpillar themed nursery.

Cravings:

No cravings this week, but I would loove some icecream!!

Names:

We've decided to incorporate my Opa's name into the baby's name as he's battling cancer. His name is Adriaan, and the baby will be Arabelle Adrianne.

Baby Caterpillar - 29 Weeks.

We announced the gender!! Check out the post here to see!

It was hubby's clever idea to perk me up a little bit seen as I've had an awful hyperemesis week. How cute is he?

So yes, I've had an awful sick week, where I got so dehydrated I fainted in the supermarket (and seriously, the staff walked straight past!!) and needed three bags of IV fluids at the hospital. I also lost some fluid, which I originally thought was my waters, but thankfully not (nor was it wee!), and pulled a ligament around my uterus and bruised my back from the fall. Reminder, don't get that dehydrated! I even vomited up a cube of ice that day. Was awful! So I got a lovely night at the hospital and got to see my little one twice this week ;)

My scan went well, the cyst was undetected! YEY! Phew, thank goodness, but the little one was measuring about 3 weeks behind :(.. So little! We are having another scan in about 4 weeks to check up on the measurements again and the placenta (I don't really understand the issue with the placenta) & I have a lot of fluid!

Here's our little one now!

And to finish the week off I've had TWO doctors appointments. I've finally got the protein in my urine I was waiting for to confirm pre-eclampsia is on it's way. Which now means I'm deemed 'high risk' and can no longer see my GP for shared care. Also because I'm so sick and the baby is so small. 

So it's been a huge hectic pregnancy week this week, wow! But another week down. And here's my 29 week photo!

Symptoms this week:

Hyperemeis.

Dehydration.

Fainting.

Protein.

Bilirubin.
Ketones.

Leg Cramps.

Pelvic Pain.

Trouble Staying Asleep.

Colostrum.

Weight gain: 7.5 kilo. 

Doctors/Midwives Appointment:

My GP I saw on the 5th gave me the quick pregnancy look over, prescribed more meds, listened to baby and sent me on my way.

The hospital doctor I saw on the 8th spoke more in depth about my scan, pre eclampsia, sent off some tests, gave me more meds, refered me for another scan, spoke to me about my birthing options, felt and listened to baby. We spoke more about if I was to have a repeat a cesarean or try a VBAC. I would like to try for a VBAC.

Scan:
Went well as I said above, no cyst found, but baby is measuring a little small.
Next scan in around four week.

Size of baby: 

Baby is now around 1.1 kilo and 38 cms long.
About the size of a butternut squash!

Baby's doing this week:

Brain growth is very rapid and head is growing!

Time left:

11 weeks!!

Next Milestone:

30 weeks, in 1 weeks!

Baby's Gender:

Did you see our gender reveal? ;)

Nickname for baby:

Caterpillar - because of the hungry caterpillar themed nursery.

Cravings:

No cravings this week!

Names:

Still stuck on a middle name :/

Baby Caterpillar - 28 Weeks

I can't believe I only have 12 weeks to go, wow! Is it just me, or has that flown?!

My little bump is getting HUGE now!! POP POP.

This week my major thing has been the extreme pelvic pain which is enough to put me in tears at night! Ugh! I now wonder why we bought a split level house.

I can't wait until my doctor is back from holidays so I can get some help and hopefully be refered to the hospital physio.

My blood pressure hasn't been too bad this week. I'm sure it's because Christmas is over ;).

Symptoms this week:

Some vomiting, not too bad.

Leg Cramps.

Pelvic Pain.

Trouble walking.

'The waddle'.

Braxton Hicks.

Trouble Staying Asleep.

Colostrum.

Feeling faint.

Weight gain: 7.5 kilo. 

Doctors/Midwives Appointment:

On the 5th, just a few days away.

Scan:

Tomorrow!!!

Size of baby: 
About a kilo, and 38cms head to toe!

Huge growth spurt this week!

About the size of a squash!

Baby's doing this week:

Finger nails are starting to form!

Time left:

12 weeks!! 

Next Milestone:

30 weeks, in 2 weeks!

Baby's Gender:

Will reveal next week!

Nickname for baby:

Caterpillar - because of the hungry caterpillar themed nursery.

Cravings:

No cravings this week!

Names:

Still stuck on a middle name :/

Baby Caterpillar - 27 Weeks.

It's Christmas!! Merry Christmas everyone!!
I spent it vomiting :( .. Hyperemesis picked an awful day to come and I woke Jydan up being sick, threw up breakfast, lunch AND spent the afternoon in my mum's bed! Damn it! Jydan had a great day though and that's all that counts.

Some good news though, is I've really popped out this week, AND I've hit the third trimester!! (I know some people go by 28 weeks, but it makes more sense to me to go by 27)

My christmas pregnant pics!

I've had a lot of braxton's this week, at one point they were three minutes a part for hours! Was a bit worrying!! Also, pelvic pain has come and made itself known this week :/

Symptoms this week:

Hyperemisis.

Leg Cramps.

Pelvic Pain.

Braxton Hicks.
Swelling & Fluid.

Trouble Staying Asleep.

Feeling Hot.

Colostrum.

High BP.

Feeling faint (and actually fainting)

Weight gain: 7 kilo -Still at 7.  

Doctors/Midwives Appointment:

I accidently missed mine on the 19th... ooopps!! My next one is on the 5th of Jan.

Scan:

 In just over a week.

Size of baby: 
About 870gms, and 36.6 cms head to toe!

About the size of a cauliflower!

Baby's doing this week:

Baby begins to dream this week!

Time left:

13 weeks!! Three months!!

Next Milestone:

30 weeks, in 3 weeks!

Baby's Gender:

Will reveal after our 28 week scan.

Nickname for baby:

Caterpillar - because of the hungry caterpillar themed nursery.

Cravings:

No cravings this week!

Names:

Still stuck on a middle name :/

Baby Tiley - 38 Weeks

Baby Tiley This Week:
I think every site I look up to find Baby Tiley's around about weight and height tells me different measurements. The majority of websites say around 7 pounds and alot of them state that boys will tend to weigh more then girls! My own guess, if his born this week, he will be around 7.5 pounds. I think he will be about 8.3 pounds by the time 40 weeks come around.
They are also saying that he would be anywhere between 19-21 inches now (48-53 centimeters)... yep, the websites seem to have no idea now, it's all at a guess! My guess is he will be around 50 centimeters when his born.
Tiley would have lost most, if not all, of the vernix and is now starting to shed the lanugo, the fine hair that's been covering his skin.

Tiley's Movements:
I've been nick naming Tiley 'flop' this week because he has been flopping to the one side. If I'm laying down I have to sometimes move him to the middle so I can get up, which absolutely kills my pelvis. It's quite hilarious though looking at my bump all to one side.
Tiley's been getting into my ribs SO much. He really likes to kick his leg through them and often when I'm laying down I can see his foot protruding out!

Being 38 Weeks:
Well, It's NOVEMBER!! Due month has arrived and I'm still pregnant! I actually can't believe I'm still here! I start drafting these posts a few days before I publish them so I was a bit reluctant to start this one, just in case I would be waisting my time.. apparently not!
I know every pregnant person wishes they would go early, but with all the contractions and going into early labour two weeks ago now, AND being told that it will be a few days to a week, almost two weeks ago, I was dead-set baby would be out by now. Every Saturday that passes (If you remember our 'Saturday theory', if not, take a peak at Week 23) I'm on high alert... 'ohhh was that a contraction'.. 'what was that?'................... Hopefully this Saturday ;).
All in all, this week has been fairly good actually, besides being slower, fatter and dopier (lots of baby brain moments!!) I'm not in as much pain as I have been, or I've learnt to handle the pain better, either way, I've enjoyed being pregnant most of the time this week.

Weight Gain:
Do I go there? Ekk, okay. I've avoided writing about my weight gain since I was probably three/four months pregnant because I put way too much on. I have put more on then I hoped, I think I hoped for about 10 kilo's and I've put on 14-15 kilo's depending on the day. I'm pretty happy with that though. So I'm actually at the same weight I was at 32 weeks, so no weight gain for the last 6 weeks but I figure I put so much on mid pregnancy to make up for it ;).

Reminiscing:
As my pregnancy ALMOST (hopefully!!) at an end I've been dying to mimic one of my friend's blog posts. Check it out here Young Mum's Guide To Survival - The A-Z of my first pregnancy.

Here's my A-Z of my first pregnancy:

A is for Achne! Oh lord, mid pregnancy I seemed to get alot on my back!
B is for Bones! My bones have been SOO achy at the end of this pregnancy.
C is for Cervix! My cervix has bled alot during this pregnancy.
D is for 'Do's & Dont's'! Everyone tells you what you can and can't do!
E is for Eat! I had terrible morning sickness at the start so I would eat alot.
F is for Friday's! Working while pregnant, I could not wait for Fridays!
G is for Ginormous! Enough said. I am huge!
H is for Husband! I don't think I've ever been so in love with him!
I is for Indigestion! I have had terrible indigestion at the end.
J is for Jydan! The name we have picked for our son!
K is for Kick! My favourite moments are seeing the kicks on the scans.
L is for Life! Can you believe I'm actually making a life?? Seriously?!
M is for Marks! I have got so many stretch marks!
N is for Nesting! I never realised how disgustingly dirty my house is!
O is for Obstetrician! I've seen one for about 10 minutes this whole time!
P is for Pressure! My blood pressure has been a concerning this pregnancy.
Q is for Quickening! The first movements felt, I was around 13 weeks!
R is for Relaxin! The terrible hormone causing my pelvic pain.
S is for Sleep! I cannot sleep at all!
T is for Trimester! Passing the first trimester was amazing!
U is for Ultrasound! At 6, 10, 11, 20, 21, 29 & 36 weeks!
V is for Vulnerable! Be careful, hormonal woman on the loose!
W is for Waddle! I've only just started to waddle in the last few weeks.
X is for Xander! Xander is the name Tim wanted to call our little boy.
Y is for Yawn! I am ALWAYS yawning (I even yawned writing this!!)
Z is for Zoo! I've loved preparing our zoo (safari) themed nursery!

Symptoms This Week:
-Fatigue
-Breast Pain
-Insomnia
-Heart Burn
-Swelling
-Headaches
-Baby Brain
-Lower Back Pain

Labour Signs:
-1.5 Centimeters dilated (1/2 a centimeter this week!).
-Contractions.
-Lower Back Pain.

Contractions:
Thursday night/Friday morning I experienced another 'false labour'. These contractions lasted from about 8:00pm the Thursday night till 3:00am the Friday morning.
At the start they started of mild, just like a stitch. I didn't time them because they weren't really painful yet. By 11:00pm they had got worse so I thought that I should try and sleep them off before they get too bad. But then came my first painful, painful contraction. So I went to bed, but definitely couldn't sleep.
The contractions were about four-five minutes apart at this stage. Even in my false labours my contractions come quite frequent so I wasn't fussed with them being so close together. At about 12:00am I yelled out to Tim, who was still awake in the lounge, to come rub my back and hold me. He held and rubbed me and was so patient with me for another hour (see, i'm just training him for the real labour ;) ). These contractions between this time were the most painful one's I have felt yet. Tim then put the hospital bags in the car and waited for me to give him the 'okay' to call the hospital. I timed my contractions and they were now lasting about a minute and about two minutes between. To everyone else, contractions this close would be a big warning sign, but my false contractions come hard and fast. I was though, beginning to not cope with the pain. I said that we will go to the hospital in about an hour, that was around 1:30am... but, by the time 2:00am hit, they started dying down, becoming less painful and spreading out. I think my last one was near 3:00am and that was it. So here I am again, still pregnant and no baby. Everything had stopped AGAIN! :(.
I still get 3-4 a day, mostly in a row 10 or so minutes apart and then they stop. I'm beginning to think I'll never know what true labour is because of my contractions!

Midwives Appointment:
Tim was able to attend this appointment again, which was good :).
The midwife we got was the one that dealt with my contractions at the hospital last week so it was good that she knew what was going on with my early labour. Even though I find her rude.
Bubby was measuring a week and half ahead, which is still in the normal range but because last appointment he was measuring a week behind, it means that there was a 6 & half week size difference in just 4 weeks. They discussed about sending me for a scan because of the huge difference but they chose not to in the end.
The midwife also said that she thought she could feel more of his spine too, so his trying to turn out of the posterior position, hopefully!
His heart beat was between 130-150bpm (the average fetal bpm around this gestation is 120-160bpm)  so perfect, he gets complimented on how great his heartbeat is and how happy and healthy he is all the time, I love it! It makes me so proud.
My blood pressure was okayish, at 132/84, it seems to be climbing up again.. ho hum... so we will just see! But it is 'fine' for now.

Progressive Shoot:

We did another progress picture on the weekend, my last of these photos during the pregnancy, we have one more to go in 6 weeks time with baby! Check out the different seasons during my pregnancy too, it's been such lovely weather lately making some gorgeous sunny photos!

Baby Tiley - 37 Weeks

Baby Tiley This Week:
Well I am officially 'full term', and have 22 days to go. I've made it! I can't believe it that I've made it through this week and my dear little boy will be at least born safely and at full term!
We had ANOTHER scan of baby Tiley and his decided that he would be in the posterior position, so his back is on my back. I didn't think much of it until I researched it... and holy moley I hope he turns. Apparently it can make labor alot worse, alot of back contractions, longer labor, stop and start labor (which I'm experiencing), water breaking early... so lets hope he does flip! His been moving so much lately so I think his trying!
Baby would be around 6 and half pounds according to the average fetal size, which is about 3 kilos (so we have a couple of 00000 outfits just incase he comes this week). His a bit over 19 inches now too, about 50 centimeters. Wowee.. his soo big now! His head diameter is about 9 centimeters too.
His shredding his waxy substance now, the vernix, although there will be some traces at birth most will disappear.

Tiley's Movements:

Wow, last night little Mr was right into my ribs, he would kick a foot right out into them and leave his foot in them for a while until he decided he had enough of hurting his mummy. We were laying in bed so I told Tim to feel his little foot, hopefully giving him an idea of what I complain about all too often. He was amazed. Tiley's foot was pushing his hand out through my ribs, he was giving my ribs a good whack.
When bub has the hiccups now they are big hiccups, before it was that I could just feel them in the inside of my belly, now my whole stomach jumps! It's amusing to look at ;).
Okay, so his movements are really starting to hurt now... but I can guarantee I will miss it!
Like I said above, Tiley has been moving so much lately. He is going absalutely crazy!

My Bump This Week:
I decided (don't know why??) to share a 'bare bump' photo this week, after all, this is all part of my journey... I didn't think I would rip so much, and I don't know how much my stomach can take! Here's my very ripped bare baby bump.

Yes, they can be as painful as they look. When they come I can feel a sting and my skin rip. It's a real unusual feeling, and I definitely don't like it. I guess I will keep you updated with the fading process after baby is born.

Symptoms This Week:
-Pelvic Pain
-Fatigue
-Sore Muscles
-Nesting.
-More Frequent Urination.
-Painful Legs.
-Nausea

Labour Signs:
-Contractions
-Cramps.
-'False' Labour.
-One centimeter dilated.
-Lost the 'plug'. (I think??)

Contractions:
I am still getting at least 3-4 contractions a day. After Friday/Saturday I had quite a few more contractions on Sunday night/Monday morning for about 6 hours at about 10 minutes apart. I've experienced some today at 20 minutes apart, and still, I'm not in labor. Waiting, waiting, waiting. I am only impatient now because on Friday the doctor said that it might take a few days or a week. So now I'm waiting for my time.

Finalising The Hospital Bag:
The hospital bag is completely finalised and finished now, I am ready!!

The Hospital Tour:
Well, I didn't end up going to the hospital tour because I had my own little tour throughout the week (if you missed it, read HERE)

The Final Birth Plan:
After our taste of labor my birth plan has changed/gone!! There's somethings that I still want to keep, but everything else I will just 'go with the flow' and see what happens.

Support People:
My husband, Tim, and my mother, Kelly, will be my support people during all stages of labour. Other support people will be visiting during the first and second stages of labour.

 Communication:
I would like to be told what is happening, how far I am dilating, if the baby is crowning, if there is any complications and anything else at all times.

Delivery:
Tim would like to watch the baby being delivered, from the crowing to the full delivery of the baby. Kelly will be by my side during delivery.
Tim will be cutting the baby’s umbilical cord.

Contact:
I would like to hold the baby as soon as possible after delivery.
Tim would like to hold the baby after the baby is cleaned.
I would like skin-to-skin contact and to attempt feeding after the baby is cleaned.

 Visitors:
Our family members will be allowed back after the baby and I are cleaned, and the baby is fed. This could possibly be a couple hours after birth.
A photographer, Tanya, will be arriving to take photo’s of the baby as soon after the birth and depending on her availability. We will let staff members know.
All other visitors will not be welcome to at least 24 hours after the birth.
 If I change my mind regarding visitors I hope that it could be respected.

Dummy:
I do not want a dummy offered to the baby.

Injections:
I would like the baby to have the vitamin K and Hepatitis B injections

C-Section:

 Although I prefer a natural labour I would like the decision for a c-section made as soon as it’s needed. Please do not wait for improvements in the baby or my labour to determine an emergency c-sections but rather take immediate action.

 I would like my husband, Timothy with myself in the theatre room.
I would like an epidural.

Three Weeks 'Till Baby Is Due.

Baby Tiley - Pre-Term Labor.

An extra post this week, but wanted to share with all of my lovely readers (just incase I don't make it to my next post either ;) )

Pre-Term Labor:
Well... Friday afternoon about 2:00pm I found a few blood spots. I decided to take a nap and see if anything else came of it. At about 5:30pm I found more blood so called the hospital who said to come in to get checked out. After I got off the phone, about 10 minutes later, I started getting some cramps so I called my mum to take me to the hospital incase Tim was late home from work.
Tim ended up coming home about 30mins later so I got my mum to meet us at the hospital.
When I arrived at the hospital, it turned out my 'cramps' were actually early contractions and coming about every 15 minutes, they found that the bleeding was from my cervix thinning, which is fine, but there was quite a bit of blood. I was also one centimeter dilated. I was in very early labor.
Because I was only 36 weeks, they wanted me to stay (where they would normally send someone in so early labor back home). I was moved into a maternity room to watch my contraction progress.
My husband and mum stayed for awhile but weren't aloud to stay the night.
At about 12am, now Saturday early morning, the contractions went to about every 5 minutes and was starting to get fairly painful and consistent. I had two panadol's. They were still consistent at 1:30am, so I was moved to a delivery room on the labor ward. I texted my mum for her to come back, and she arrived about 2:30am.
We turned off the lights and tried to rest with my contractions still consistently 4-5 minutes apart. I couldn't sleep at all, and the midwife continued to offer me sleeping tablets (triazepam). At 6am I finally said yes to the sleeping tablets to try and get some rest, but that was unfortunately terrible timing because just after I had the sleeping tablets, by about 10 minutes, my contractions got bad.. very quickly. They became every 2 minutes apart and VERY painful.
We were convinced that it was time to call everyone that it was a go-ahead now. I got a catheter put in my hand ready for some anti-biotics because labor was well and truely established. I told my husband to come back in, by sending him one word text messages.. I was in so much pain, that's all I had the energy to do. I told him to call the family members too. He arrived about 7.15am.
After about two hours of these contractions I had two panadeine forte. I had actually asked for more panadol and the doctor insisted I take panadeine forte instead, because he believed the contractions were about to get much worse.
I had another physical check at around 8.30am.... and was still only one centimeter dilated. I was not dilating.
My dad had now arrived, because my husband had called him earlier. Now, apart from my contractions, I was just not progressing, so they were going to send me back to my original maternity room.
After the midwife returned I asked her if I could just finish up at home. If I was still only one centimeter it's going to take a LONG time and I could get some sleep at home. The doctors didn't want me to go, but the midwife asked for me and they decided to let me go home.
At home they were still painful but started dulling down about 12:00pm, so I went to sleep. When I woke at about 1:00pm I had about 6 or 7 continues sharp contractions and that was it, so I went back to sleep about 2:00pm. I woke again at 4:30pm feeling incredibly sick... realising I hadn't eating ALL day. Contractions had become very mild too... almost at no pain but my stomach was still tightening. Some leaving a sting. After eating (and deciding it was time to finalise my hospital bag) my contractions had finally completely stopped at around 8pm. So that was it... everything had finished... I am still pregnant, baby is still happy inside my belly but we are almost certain he will come before his due! A doctor even said it could take a few days or a week.

If you don't see any regular post's for a while, here's why!

Dad's Thoughts

From Daddy

Well we are getting quite close now to meeting our little fellow. I'm so excited and can't wait to meet him. I think we have everything organised for him. As you would see from earlier posts by my wonderful wife. He has some of the cutest little outfits, one of the coolest nurseries I've ever seen, some pretty cool toys, an awesome pram and car seat that work together and lots of modern cloth nappies, there is so much stuff that we have gotten for him either ourselves or from family and friends that has helped us out, we are so thankful for all the gifts we have received from family and friends.

I'm pretty sure that I'm ready to be a dad. Not that there is a test to take that tells you whether or not you should be a parent. Although I did come across this today and had a chuckle about it: Think You Are Ready To Have Children?  as much as a lot of this may be true the sheer joy and unconditional love a child gives their parents will outweigh any of the negative aspects of being a parent. Spending time together and watching our child grow is going to be some of the best moments in our life and I can't wait.