More....

Hi all, my name is Joanne and my bub is due on November 13. This is my first pregnancy and we are really excited and to be honest still coming to terms with the fact that there really is a baby in there!!! We had quite a scare a couple of weeks ago when I had stabbing pains in my lower abdomen which was followed by some light bleeding which had me rushing to the emergency room where they had me for hours only to send me to another hospital for more tests! Eventually after an internal ultrasound I was told everything looked good and baby was fine but I have been resting a lot since then. The first hospital told us we had miscarried so it was'nt until the next morning we learnt everything was still alive and well so we are so grateful to be given a second chance with this one. I won't get my hopes up but so far so good! I've had just about every pregnancy symptom, ache and pain in the book except for morning sickness, so I realise I'm very lucky in that respect. I havent had any food adversions but I cannot tolerate the smell of perfumes and am shocked to discover that my beloved chardonnay now smells of pure alcohol! Eww! haha I have enjoyed immensely reading all of your comments and stories and may I just say very best wishes to you all with your pregnancies, birth and a blissful life with your new bundle of joy!!

03/05/07: Well today I had my 12 week first trimester scan and it went well!! The baby was waving its arms around and moving from time to time and it has a fat tummy!!!!! The Dr said it has perfect development for a 12 week old and also it was a relief getting the results of my blood test and nuchal fold back as being 'as close to perfect as one can get' and a score which could'nt be any lower... so we are so very happy and relieved to get this far. It is also the day that we tell everyone which is also a relief.. after all, I'm at the stage where if it was'nt pregnancy, our friends would be starting to say "Whoa Joanne is sure getting a pot belly! she must love her beer!" heh heh ~:^)

20/6/07: Yesterday we had the 19 week scan and found out we're having a BOY!!! All went well and we are sooo happy. He would'nt uncross his legs for ages and nothing would work so she got me to empty my bladder and there it was in plain view! My hubby goes "omg.. it has a huge willy!" and at that time I was still trying to make it out! He looked so much more baby-like compared to our last 12 week scan and he looks cute and very active!!!! He has been kicking heaps the last couple of days and the kicks are now sometimes visible through my skin when I'm lying on my back! Abe felt him kick for the first time the night before the scan which was a strong kick which really brought a smile to his face :) I'm so glad we found out the gender because somehow I feel closer to him now and it just seems so much more real! It will help a lot in doing up the nursery too.Development of our little Toby is great so the OB did'nt have much to discuss with me but the only problem I've had is that they found the ALT levels in my liver was 73 when it's supposed to be >40 but after doing research I am convinced it is the pregnancy elevating these enzymes. I don't have any of the known causes for this elevation and I believe it's something that probably happens to quite a few pregnant women. It's just that most women don't get their livers tested to know this in the first place! I told my GP and my OB this and they 100% agreed with me so now I'm not worried. It's common sense that when pregnant, your body focuses so much on the baby that our own bodies can become compromised in certain ways, everybody being different. Enough of the boring stuff... I'm so happy! and we're having a boy! Yay! Better make the most of the next 4.5 months, because my life is going to change in a big way! EEEEEEK! ;)

3/9/07 I'm 30 weeks tomorrow and I feel huge! My ankles and hands are sooo swollen and everything is now a major effort! I'm sleeping sitting up in bed and I think if I took a trip to the beach, everyone would scramble to throw me back into the water! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Right. I've had my whinge. lol. 10 weeks until Toby will decide he wants out of me and that's gonna come around mighty quick so I'd better make the most of my freedom! I freaked out on the weekend cause I looked in the mirror and within one day I had lost my belly button! I feel as though someone has taken a bike pump and pumped my belly up to bursting point.. and it's so hard it feels as though it would pop if I poked it with a pin! Ah the joys of pregnancy. Grandparents are going into overdrive with bringing over little baby things whenever they see us... my dad bought a newborn outfit in army colours! My 2 cats are fascinated by the nursery and keep going in there smelling everything... I wonder if they have any kind of inkling? Probably not. Lol Well? roll on 10 weeks cause I'm getting very uncomfortable and am looking forward to the days when my husband won't have to offer me his hand every time I need to get up off the couch. It's just not sexy. haha :)

17/10/07... 36 weeks now... Oh my God. Where did the time go???? Toby has now turned upside down ready for birth! I have also reached the point where I'd really like him to come now just to relieve the discomfort... I'm suffering bad circulation which is making me breathless and weak when standing still because the blood is having trouble getting back up to my heart and I'm having to wear pressure stockings on my legs. Everything is a hassle now and I can't wait for him to come out! I'm excited, nervous and scared and wondering if he'll be coming in a week or in a few weeks! Have moments of insecurities and moments of confidence. This might well be the last time that I write in here...... but most of all, I have to say, I can't wait to meet him and see this little person I have created with the man I love so much. It really is a magical thing to behold! Wish me luck....... !!!!!!!!!