Well; I thought I would let people know my life story in a nutshell, to give a bit of background info...
I am a registered nurse who graduated in Nottingham, England, 7 years ago. After one year of nursing in the UK I decided to travel to Australia. I backpacked for one year; I went all over Australia in this time. I loved it so much, I decided to stay. I managed to get sponsored and worked in hospitals in Sydney for 3 years on different sponsorships; when I got bored of one area, I moved to another. In 2006, I was missing home and family (in the UK), and decided to go back to the UK indefinately in May. However, before then I met a lovely aussie man (Jason, my current bf) We met in a pub in Randwick, Sydney, through a mutual friend - we got on brilliantly, and had some amazing times together in Sydney. Neither of us were working at the time (I was waiting to go back to the UK, Jason was between jobs) - so we spent all our spare time together doing touristy things in Sydney; harbour cruises, meals out, visits to the casino etc!. We both knew I was going back to the UK so no romance happened.
When I went back to the UK, I loved it for the first couple of weeks, but then missed Sydney, Australia and Jason (in no particular order). I resigned from my job in the UK and came back to Australia. Me and Jason got together as a couple the moment I got back. I got sponsored again, for a nurse agency - until I received my Permanent Residency in Feb 2007.
I am now working in a medical centre in Sydney. Jason and I are currently living in the North Shore part of Sydney and are expecting our first child together (yay!!). We plan on getting married in the future but feel no rush; as my family won't be able to come to Australia for awhile. And that's a very condensed version of my story up to now!

PREGNANCY QUESTIONNAIREAbout Me

Name: Kerrie Anne
Age: 29
Height: 5ft 5'
Pre-pregnancy weight: 60 kg

About The Father

Name: Jason
Age: 26
Height: 5ft 10 '
Are you still together?: Yes, we love each other dearly

About Your Pregnancy

Is this your first pregnancy?: No - I had a miscarriage in Jan 07, at 12 weeks (though the baby was dated as 5 weeks). It was a 'missed' miscarriage so I had to have a D and C.
When did you find out you were pregnant?: 14th September 2007
Was it planned?: Kind of - we weren't avidly trying but weren't taking precautions either - we both knew we wanted a family together. : )
What was your first reaction?: I felt dizzy and couldn't believe my eyes! - I had to do about 3 tests to reassure myself! I was so happy, I rang my bf straight away.
Who was with you when you found out?: A GP at my work! (I'm a practice nurse)
Who was the first person you told?: My bf
How did your parents react?: They were very happy for us.
How far along are you?: 20 weeks (as at 5th Jan 2008)
What was your first symptom?: no period, nausea, tiredness
What is your due date?: 24th May 2008
Do you know the sex of the baby?: Yes!! - found out 3rd Jan '08
If so, what is it?: It's a boy!
Have you picked out names?: A couple
If so, what are they?: It's a secret!
How much weight have you gained?: 12kgs at 20 weeks
Do you have stretch marks?: No and hopefully never; I use cocoa butter every day
Have you felt the baby move?: Yes - at 18 weeks
Have you heard the heartbeat?: Yes! we have a home hire doppler - normally around 160bpmAbout the birth

Will you keep the baby?: Yes, without a doubt
Home or hospital birth?: Definately hospital; to be around all facilities if anything, God forbid! goes wrong.
Natural or medicated birth?: As natural as possible, though I probably will need pain relief as I don't tolerate pain well!
Who will be in the delivery room with you?: Jason, and the midwife and doctor..
Will you breastfeed?: Yes - good for bonding, though I have been told it can be hard, so i'll see how I go.
Do you think you'll need a c-section?: Possibly - if advised, I will.
Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time?: More than likely!
What's the first thing you might say to him/her?: Hello beautiful!
Would you let someone videotape the birth?: No way! - I think it should be treasured with memories only.

WEEK 8

Thursday, 18 Oct

I feel so nauseous today! at least i can eat still though - but its mainly the smell of things that i cant stand!

WEEK 9

Monday, 22 Oct

Hey - 9 weeks! can't wait for the end of the First Trim - such a worrying time! - especiallly for those of us who have had miscarriages in this time previously.
I can't wait for my next scan - in 2 weeks, to make sure everything is normal. I will really start to feel pregnant then.
Also cant wait to find out the sex - my bf really wants a girl but I don't mind. : )

Tuesday, 23 Oct

Felt a bit nauseous this morning, and tired - didn't want to go to work! - but have to - to save money for the baby!
Can't wait for my next scan on the 13th November - have to have a blood test first, on the 6th.. : )

Thursday, 25 Oct

Hey, feel good today - not too nauseous. Going to check out the maternity ward at the hospital I might be going tonight, which i'm looking forward to!
Belly seems a bit bigger today : )

Friday, 26 Oct

Yay! we've finally decided on a hospital!! It's really nice, not private but looks it! all private rooms with ensuite. The staff seemed lovely too. I have my first antenatal clinic appointment on the 30th Nov - i'll be 14 weeks then. : )

WEEK 10

Wednesday, 31 Oct

My tooth abscess has almost gone thank goodness! - my dr told me to keep taking the antibiotics though as it would be worse if it came back i had to have dental surgery whilst pregnant.
My cold has almost gone too - i just have a few sniffles.. so again, nothing to worry about.
I'm feeling fit and healthy otherwise - not too much nausea, and my tiredness is improving.
Have my 12 week scan on 13th November - can't wait! xx

WEEK 11

Tuesday, 6 Nov

I feel fantastic! 11w 2d, only 5 days to the 12th week, and beginning of the 2nd trim.. i still feel nauseous at the smell of certain things, but nothing worse than that. My appetite is pretty big!
Strangers are starting to guess i'm pregnant; at my work (in the medical centre), i've had a few patient's asking me when i'm due! erm. not for another 6 and a half months! lol..

WEEK 12

Monday, 12 Nov

I have my nuchal translucency scan tomorrow - I am so so nervous!! - I am praying every night that everything will be ok with the little one inside me..

Tuesday, 13 Nov

Hello everyone! i'm so so happy! just returned from my 12 week scan (+ screening for chromosomal abnormalities) - my baby is perfect! We have a 1 in 14,000 chance of having a baby with an abnormality (1 in 300 is considered good). We saw the baby jumping around, sucking his/her thumb and waving his/her arms around! Heartbeat 170 bpm. We got given a couple of photo's, which are so cute. it is too early to tell the sex.
My dates were also spot on; 12 weeks and 1-4 days. yay!

WEEK 13

Friday, 16 Nov

Our new doppler arrives today! - can't wait to use it - though we've been told it will sound very faint at 12 weeks - 14 weeks onwards is the best time, but we'll give it a try anyway. : )

Thursday, 22 Nov

I used our hire doppler for the first time today - and yay! straight away we found a heartbeat - it was quite faint (as we had been warned at 12 weeks), but going strong! and fast at 170bpm. The baby kept moving though so it was hard to keep tabs on our little runner! : )

WEEK 14

Monday, 26 Nov

Yippee!!! 14 weeks today! i'm so happy to have made it this far. I feel really well; no m/s, no headaches. Just a huge appetite! Just about everybody at my work knows now. My weight gain around my belly is pretty obviously pregnant (not fat!) now as I have not gained weight anywhere else (apart from my bbs!).
I am trying to eat really healthily, but do cave in to ice cream every now and then! We have our first antenatal clinic appointment this friday (the 30th Nov), which we're looking forward to. I'm definately feeling much more excited now and looking forward to buying baby things in the new year.. : )

Friday, 30 Nov

Well, we had our first antenatal clinic appointment this morning. It went really well (apart from the fact I wasn't feeling well; headache, lethargy, and nausea!).
The midwives were all very pleasant. We got asked about a million questions - they were very thorough! But it is nice and reassuring to now be officially checked in to a hospital. It's a lovely hospital too.. We also got given a baby bounty bag! - with heaps of freebies, and a free pregnancy book.
We now have to see their doctor in two weeks for a check up, so its all good : )

WEEK 15

Monday, 3 Dec

Yay! Week 15...
I have had some stretching pains and shooting pains in my uteral area that spreads to pains 'down below'. My bbs are also constantly aching and have gone up another cup size just in the last couple of weeks!
We see the hospital Doctor next week wednesday for a check-up.
I have been using our home doppler every couple of days, and the heartbeat is very easy to find now, and around 150 bpm; it sounds so beautiful and I feel really close to my baby when I hear it.
Just 4 weeks til the 19 week scan and finding out the sex, can't wait!

WEEK 16

Monday 10th December

Hey! Week 16; the weeks are really going fast now. It's not so good that I am ill again - I have another cold. I took the day off work to deal with it as I have headaches, blocked sinuses and a cough. The heartbeat sounds great - its normally around 150bpm and I always find it straight away. I love hearing it. Just 3 more weeks until we find out the sex! I have no more nausea. I'm eating well, and I drink plenty of milk and water during the day.

WEEK 17

Saturday 15th December

My dates have been moved up a couple of days going by the midwife and doctor at the hospital. This is better as it is more to my LMP date (which was EDC 22nd May). I am feeling pretty good; my cold has gone just about. I still have headaches but not as often. I still feel tired, but I am hoping that will go soon! Lots of xmas parties and gatherings coming up; i'm looking forward to them, though for once, I am not the party-animal, I am not drinking!! It feels really good.. I haven't felt the baby move properly yet, just occasional 'flipping over' feelings. I'm looking forward to the next few weeks when proper moves and kicks are supposed to happen. : )

WEEK 19

Saturday, 29 Dec

Well, week 19! - i `ve been on holiday so missed week 18!! - still on holiday in fact. Having a great time up on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Took the doppler with us so have listened to the h/b every couple of days - always around 150-160bpm.. I have also felt the baby move intermittently.. only 6 days til our next scan and finding out the sex - yippee!It is now obvious I am pregnant and i have strangers commenting every now and then. Now, I am just waiting for my belly-button to `pop ` and become an `outie `!! : )

WEEK 20

Saturday, 5 Jan

Yay to halfway there!! Had the big scan 2 days ago. Everything went well, our baby is perfect. I found out though that I have a low-lying placenta - not a praevia but a bit low and anterior. My dr told me not to worry and that it should correct itself. I have another scan at 30 weeks to check..Other great news is that we are having a BOY!! - the sonographer was pretty certain but said mistakes can be made. I am pretty sure I saw his winkle (so did my b/f) so we are going with boy!I `m getting bigger, and with that, more tired! I have to rest my legs and feet all the time..

WEEK 21

Sunday, 13 Jan

Well, now `s a downward slope to the birth I guess! I feel the baby move but not on a regular basis - my sensations are a bit restricted cos my placenta is at the front which `buffers ` the baby `s movements.I still listen to his h/b every 2 days - sounds like a horse galloping as is usually around 145 bpm.We are looking for a house at the moment, so haven `t bought any `big ` baby things yet - though we have been given a cot by an uncle. We plan on going shopping next w/e for smaller things; baby clothes, bottles, mobiles etc.. hopefully still in the sales! My energy levels are pretty low thanks to the hot hot hot ozzie summer! as long as there is a seat nearby, i can go most places!

WEEK 22

Sunday, 20 Jan

I can't believe how fast these weeks are going by now! My partner and I are looking at plans to get married before bubs is born - nothing big and fancy. Just an intimate affair to make our love official. We have started looking at baby things to buy, and have a few catalogues - until we have a house though (we are thoroughly searching right now) we won't buy anything big.. I am feeling bubs move frequently - can't wait for Jason to feel him too! xx we love you baby xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

WEEK 23

Saturday 26th Jan

What a busy week! We have finally found a house, and we move in next w/e (2nd Feb), so we can finally start buying properly for the baby - and I can start the nursery! I have only 5 weeks left of work, yippee! Baby has been very active this week - moving and nudging me constantly, and even gets the hiccups! - which I can feel when resting my hand on my belly. I `ve also been getting mild `Braxton Hixs ` contractions when my uterus goes all hard for a few moments. Its painless and a very strange feeling!

WEEK 24

Monday, 4 Feb

My belly is now huge! I can't really bend over anymore, and it gets in the way of things I used to be able to do but can't anymore! I feel the baby kicking me lots during the day and night. I also have my final GP appointment this week, then I go onto hospital appointments only.. And I am so happy that we are finally in a house so I can start the nursery, though I cannot decide on a theme.. will be looking at some brochures on the weekend and deciding..

WEEK 25

Monday 11 Feb

I have been very busy with work lately - i'm preparing to hand over to another nurse as I go on maternity leave in just 3 weeks. It is just too difficult for me to get to work now since we moved house. I have to get 3 trains!! I feel the bubs move more often when in a loud environment; like the train station - he goes nuts in there at all the announcements!! We have bought a few more things, so we're slowly ticking off the list of things we need to buy.. I also have my baby shower on the 15th March, which I am looking forward to!