MY PREGNANCY TIMELINE

FIRST TRIMESTER

1 - 4 WEEKS - 1 MONTH - COMPLETED

5 - 8 WEEKS - 2 MONTHS - COMPLETED

9 - 13 WEEKS - 3 MONTHS - COMPLETED

SECOND TRIMESTER

14 - 17 WEEKS - 4 MONTHS - COMPLETED

18 - 21 WEEKS - 5 MONTHS - COMPLETED

22 - 26 WEEKS - 6 MONTHS - COMPLETED

THIRD TRIMESTER

27 - 30 WEEKS - 7 MONTHS - COMPLETED

31 - 35 WEEKS - 8 MONTHS - IN PROGRESS

36 - 40 WEEKS - 9 MONTHS

27wks - OMG - this is my last trimester! I am loving feeling our daughter kick and squirm inside of me, but I am still in denial that she actually has to come out. It scares me senseless! Why is it that people only want to tell you horror stories about labour? I only want nice stories from now on - I don't care if they are lying - I am scared!!! In all seriousness, things are going great. Had another OB appointment last week and she is growing very nicely. For the first time EVER, my tummy is sticking out past my boobs! We have started getting her room ready - just waiting for the cot to arrive and then the decorating begins. This is such a beautiful time in our lives - feels like we have been waiting forever to experience this and now that it is finally here - we want to savour every single moment of it.

29wks - Well - I had a little scare last week that has put things into perspective and made me slow down. I have been told by my OB that there is a 6 times greater chance of the placenta breaking down preterm with IVF pregnancies compared to natural conception. We have a detailed scan at 32 weeks to check blood flow to the placenta and if it is restricted at all - complete bed rest until delivery. What ever it takes to make sure our little Princess is safe and sound. I also spoke to our IVF doc in Brisbane, and he said that traditionally, IVF babies arrive earlier, smaller and by caesar - just let her be OK!

32wks - We had the scan to check for blood flow reduction, and all came back fine. Such a relief! Our little girl is progressing right on schedule and we couldn't be happier. Went to our follow up OB appointment and my BP is up to 140/98 so I had to go and have some bloods taken and will find out the results today. All positive thoughts though - no pre-eclampsia for me thank you! Anyway, I have posted a pic from our scan on Monday - she always has her hands up at her face and she has these chubby little cheeks that you just want to squeeze! I will let you know what the results of the blood test are later on.

32.5 wks - OK - the blood tests came back normal, but my BP was still high and now my OB has put me on blood pressure tablets twice a day to bring it under control. He said that while it is high, my princess isn't getting all of the oxygen and nutrients that she needs. Anything for my little girl! Also had my baby shower on the weekend - my SIL is the most marvellous person that you will ever come across - one in a million! It was an amazing day - very surreal but perfect at the same time. Will post photos once I have things setup.

33 wks - Had another OB appointment today and my BP was 140/85 - he wants me to keep taking the tablets until after delivery. He is also sending me for a growth scan @35 weeks as bub's measuring 1 - 1.5 weeks ahead of schedule - consistently! Our little girl is still in the head down position ready for action and loves to play the bongo drums on my bladder. She isn't engaged as yet, but we don't think it will be long until she is. This is my last week full-time at work, then I am doing 2 weeks part time (3 days per week). I have no idea how I thought that I would be able to work right up until the end - the fatigue is mind blowing! I emailed off a 3D pic of bub to my Nan (80+ and has just got her first computer and email address). She is very excited and is coming up to Cairns from Melbourne at Christmas. I am so proud of her - most people are too scared to try new things - change is very frightening and daunting, but not for my Nan - way to go! My sister is coming up when I am 39 weeks - I wish she was coming earlier! I miss just spending time together - nothing much to say, just knowing that she is there and knows what I am thinking and feeling. It is a closeness that you can never take for granted - OK have to stop now. I am at work and am getting too emotional. Will check back in later.

34 wks - Well - since my blood pressure was running a bit high, the midwives had me visiting the hospital every second day for a quick trace scan and blood pressure check - all was going fine until last Wednesday. I was feeling nice and relaxed and went in for my check-up and my BP was 190/114. Instant admission. Within 20 mins I was in a room, had a heaps of bloods drawn, a cannula inserted, was hooked up to all sorts of monitors and was fasting for an impending C-section that night. Not nice at all! After a while, my BP came down enough for them to postpone the C-section. It has now been 5 days and after too many tests to count and a massive change in my BP meds, I have finally been released! My BP has come down to a much more acceptable level and apart from daily visits to the hospital for tracing and BP checks, I am a free woman - on strict bed rest, but free to be at home! Very scary times!

35 wks - Things are all systems go in the Howarth incubator! Went in for my growth scan on Monday and in the last 3 weeks, our princess has only grown one week's worth (due to my lovely blood pressure!). Went in for my BP check and trace this morning and BP is up slightly and my uterus is "irritable" with the Braxton Hicks contractions becoming much more regular and intense. My doc was there and gave me a steroid shot in the butt and I have to go back tomorrow morning for another. I then have to go back in for another BP check and trace on Friday and if things are still the same - let the games begin. He said at this stage of the game, the steroids take 48 hours to work so he is hoping that I don't go into labour before then, but it is looking like I will be a Mum before the weekend is out. Will keep you all posted. Ang xoxo