18th may 2014.... She is here at last (born 13th may)

Well nothing went to plan with the birth of Maisie Grace Kirby!

To be honest it has been an awfully upsetting and stressful experience...

12th may -

Started with contractions in the night, by 4.30am strong enough to keep me awake. Me and Danny got up and dressed, contractions were about every 6 mins, rang labour ward at 6am, told to ring back at 7am and let them know if things had progressed... They did to every 4 and a half mins and they were getting longer and stronger.. Rang back at 7am told no beds, they would ring me back if a bed came available if I felt I could carry on at home so I did at that point and said ok.

By about 11am things were getting worse and I started to get really panicky, rang labour ward and they said I would have to ring maple ward, got really upset because I was in labour and they wouldn't do anything just because it was busy, rang maple ward and ended up crying to them and they said to come in coz they were expecting me and had a bed for me anyway... So off we went, the car journey was awful with the contractions coming thick and fast! 

Got to maple ward and put in a bed, the woman from the day before was there again! 

Was monitored for about an hour, took them about 2 hours after me getting there for this to happen... Contractions were 2 in 10 mins and were quite strong. 

Was then just left most of the day me and Danny just sat about with me struggle through contractions every 3 mins for hours and hours, at about 6pm I told them the contractions were getting worse (had to tell them about 3 times) they decided to do another monitoring for half an hour, but when someone came to check me she said that everytime I was having a contraction the baby's heart rate was dropping and usually this meant that the head was being squeeZed (so ie out was trying to push out) she went to get another midwife, who then went and got the doctor, throughout all this everytime I had a contraction I felt like I needed a wee so really wanted off the machine but just had to stay on it, doctor had a look and said he wanted me to stay on monitor for another half an hour and that he was happy that I wAs progressing in labour, he didn't really say much and I didn't really understand what was happening no one explained and I ended up being on the moinitor for 2 hours! They had originally suggest I go home and they would just call me when a bed became available on labour ward for me to have my wAters broken (which as part of the induction was meant to have been done within 24hrs of the ballon). I kept trying to find out what was happening and no one would tell us.. In the end they finally said the doctor wAs not happy for me to go home but there was still no bed on labour ward and I was on a waiting list, 3rd on the list, so I just had to have co-coda mol for the pain of the contractions which were getting mega painful!

 The whole time I was there no one examined me to see how far dilated I was getting. 

Then the woman across said her waters had gone & got sent up to labour ward and she had been behind me on the list so I got pushed back another slot! 

13th may-

Just tried to get some sleep nothing else we could do, at 5am I told Danny he could just go home and come back tomorrow but then just as he was leaving they told me I was next on the list and Danny should stay so he came back. 

At 6am I finally got my call to labour ward so up we went, got sat down, got the monitors put on to check everything was ok, all the usual checks temp & blood.... 

Results not good, my temp too high, baby's heart rate too high and movement too low... 

Put on a fluid drip, 3 bags of fluid, to try & bring down my temp... Worked a bit but baby still not looking quite right, lots of doctors and midwifes in and out.

First midwife tried to break my waters but was struggling, got doctor to try, both thought my waters maybe already gone so got head midwife in to check, she also thought they had gone....

When did they go they asked? How do I know! I didn't think they had gone... Will have to treat me as though waters were meconium stained... Baby moinitor still not looking good, going to have to send me for emergency c-section, do I understand why, yes, anthetist comes to chat, then loads of people in the room, get wheeled down to theatre, epidural in the spine, and before I know it I am laid on the bed with a screen in front, felt like pins and needles very strange feeling! Then not long after they started baby was here waaa waaa, Danny crying, Danny goes to look at her, I'm being sewn up, keep asking is it a girl, finally told a girl, Danny brings her across but I can't really see her from being laying down :( takes about 30 mins to sew me up, quite a bit of blood loss 500ml. 

Wheeled to recovery ward, given lots of drugs, hardly remember being in there! According to my notes I gave first feed in there but I don't remember it! 

Couldn't feel legs for ages, after 4 hours once I could feel legs given a wash down and wheeled down to maple ward, mum came to visit I was very dosed up on drugs don't really remember much of it, then later had In laws visit. Then left on my own, maisie wanted feeding many times in night 1/2 am hour sleep, Danny came next day, then night again maisie up all night! Thurs allowed to go home took till 4pm till they let me go! 

Home with baby at last woo hoo and here she is.... 

Still in a lot of pain, big scar, can't lay down well and stuff but yep that's my story! Can't believe it's all over and I have my beautiful daughter here!! It's surreal! 

Thanks for reading my pregnancy blog 😃 

11th may 2014 - 41 weeks and 5 days

Induction day - 

What to say! On Wednesday I had my first stretch and sweep, not a pleasant experience really - wasn't even 1cm dilated just 1 finger tip, was also told I have a titled cervix, which makes it more difficult to get to & so more painful.

Today was induction at the hospital day & it was totally not what we expected at all, was told to arrive at 10am with my bags and to expect to be staying in. Here's how the day has panned out so far...

7am -

Alarm went off, got up had shower & breakfast etc.

9.40am- 

Arrived at hospital ward, got put in a room with 4 other ladies on a bed. 

10am-

Blood pressure taken

11am- 

Midwife came to monitor me but I needed a wee, went for a wee, came back she had gone! 

11.30am-

Got moinitored for half an hour for baby heartbeat and contractions

12noon-

Lunch came round, had some toast

1.30pm-

Young midwife came and weighed me, I went for a wee, when I came back another midwife was there said she had come to put me 'the ballon' in, earlier I had been told I would have a choice between the ballon and the pessary, so I was a bit shocked and said I haven't even been examined yet, she said it's ok I will examine you whilst we are in there so I said ok, she did a very painful stretch and sweep and said I was softening well and now about 1.5cm dilated, and that she was gonna put the ballon in then I could go home, she explained it all and so I had it done. It was quite painful to be put in and it leaves you with tubes hanging out of your lady bits, which felt very weird! So off we went home! Other half was happy as he got to watch football final, I went for a nap.

4.15pm-

Woke up from my nap, had a wee and the ballon thing fell out, so rang labour ward, told us to go back in for them to examine me & break my waters.

5.30pm-

Arrived back at the hospital, was put back in the ward again with one other lady this time same room.

6pm-

Midwife came to examine me, gave me another rather painful stretch and sweep, with the other lady listening not very nice experience to be honest! Said was progressing but no room on labour ward so sentence back home and if my waters break got to ring up, if not then they will ring me tomorrow when they have a free bed & they will break my waters....

So now it's just a waiting game! Hopefully tomorrow there will finally be a baby, will update in due course 

 

1st may 2014 - 40 weeks & 2 days

Well she is still hanging in there, no measurements and stuff this week, can't be bothered! 

I am really fed up and emotional with her being late, it feels like she will never come! 

Being overdue is crap, every day people ringing and messaging and face booking asking is she here yet? Any signs? Don't you think I would tell you if there was?!

Then there's all the helpful advice to get her out, have a curry, pineapple, go for a long walk, have sex, jump up and down.... People that don't even have children are giving advice! Like I don't know all this already!!

Then there is the worry of something going wrong because she is late... More chance of still birth etc

And the exciting prospect of a stretch and sweep, or even worse being induced! 

I am hardly sleeping because I have really bad pain in my thighs/hips so that  really helps! 

On the plus side we have been getting lots done round the house and shopping and stuff & The other half is off for a few days as it's his birthday today & bank holiday on Monday! 

23rd April 2014 - 39 weeks & 1 day

Wow so, there's me thinking she would come early I should be so lucky! She's still hanging on in there. Can't believe I've not even really had braxton hicks or anything I've had like one 'false alarm' but not to the point of going to hospital or anything.

My sciatica seems to have come back which is a nightmare as I need to try and keep as active as possible really!

Other than that, it is just getting really boring now waiting for her to come...

Right, measurements for this week:

Bust- xx"
Waist- xx"
Hips- xx"

Middle of bump- xx"
Weight Gain- +2st 

Symptoms this week:

-tiredness

-painful hips during night & in a morning

-breathlessness
 
Pictures of my bump this week:

14th April 2014 - 37 weeks & 6 days

Wow I can't believe it is nearly time for her grand entrance! It is so surreal sat here in the garden with rolo, strange to think that this time in a few weeks there will hopefully be little baby k with us in her pram too!! 

I have been totally useless as time has gone on, at keeping this blog, the reason is that I have been trying to keep as busy as I possibly can. I'm hoping all this keeping busy will help me have an easier labor and also it has helped take my mind off the long wait and the boredom of a long maternity leave. 

I have spent a lot of time cleaning, gardening & getting the house in order. I have also been trying to make sure I do one if three things everyday, yoga, swimming or at least an hour of walking. 

I am really lucky because the weather has been lovely. 

I don't really have much to say about the pregnancy, everything has gone pretty well so far, I don't think I have even had any braxton hicks, and no false alarms really as of yet. 

I reckon she is going to be late as she seems pretty comfy at the moment, although I have acid most days, generally I am feeling quite good in myself :) 

Right, measurements for this week:

Bust- 47.5"
Waist- 40.5"
Hips- 54.5"

Middle of bump- 50"
Weight Gain- +2st 3lb

Symptoms this week:

-tiredness

-painful hips during night & in a morning

-breathlessness

-acid reflux
Pictures of my bump this week:

25th March 2014 - 35 weeks

Well I am starting to get used to being a lady of leisure, the problem with it is though is that I feel like I am getting really lazy, I am just so tired all the time.

I have tons of lists of things I want to get done before my arrival and time is slowly ticking by & not a lot of it is getting done eek.

This week we had a bit of a scare, as for a night and a day there wasn't as much movement from baby as normal, so we had a trip to the hospital to be monitored, luckily everything was fine though. 

I have finished reading a book on hypno-birthing and I am not 100% taken with it although a lot of it I had already been doing or thinking about doing anyway. 

I'm also still swimming once a week which we really enjoy and I am doing yoga most days if not a swimming day, I really love doing it helps me feel calm and strong & I have redound my love of yoga so will definitely be trying to carry on with it after the birth.

We are training our dog rolo too, we have paid a trainer to help us, however I'm not sure if he is making progress or not to be honest. 

I am feeling mega nervous about the birth now & whether I will be a good mum or not :s a lot of anxieties at the moment, kind of be glad when the whole birth part is over now!

Right, measurements for this week:

Bust- 47.5"
Waist- 40.5"
Hips- 55"

Middle of bump- 47"
Weight Gain- +2st 

Symptoms this week:

-tiredness

-painful hips during night & in a morning

-breathlessness

-acid reflux
 
Pictures of my bump this week:

Fashion Update

So this blog was originally meant to mainly be about plus size fashion during pregnancy, so I want to talk about how I have been getting on clothes wise. 

It definitely hasn't been as I thought it would be, I had visions of being a super stylish pregnant, but to be honest it hasn't really been the case. It has definitely now come down more to comfort. 

I also thought I would buy quite a lot of clothes throughout pregnancy, as I am a bit of a shopaholic, but to be honest it's at the point now where it feels pointless to spend lots of money on clothes to wear for just a couple of months.

Saying that, I have just bought a couple of new items from a new found maternity clothing (and some gorgeous children's stuff) website http://www.vertbaudet.co.uk 

I have gotten some yoga pants, which have been an absolute godsend, they are size 18/20 and a good fit and I would say I am a big 20 at the moment. They are lovely and stretchy and comfy with a nice over the bump panel, the only problem is they were very long, but I am short, I had to turn them up by 3" but I am 5"3:

I have also invested in a top which is suitable for breast feeding ready for after the birth, I had looked at some tops and not really liked the style of them with drop down straps and things which I found quote ugly, but all the tops at vertbaudet are gorgeous (I ordered 3) this is the one of the 3 I choose, purely sent the others back as I couldn't afford all 3 at the moment:

This is me wearing them:

Not the best picture but you get the drift!

I have also invested in a couple of nursing bras from M&S, which have a great range of bras which come in large back & cup sizes. 

The other thing I have ended up doing this week is borrowing the other half's clothes haha:

Another of my best buys was definitely my swimming costume as we are swimming at least once a week now so that was well worth while. 

15th March 2014 - 33 weeks & 5 days

Can't believe it is nearly 34 weeks now of being pregnant & only 6 more to go (if she comes on the EDD).

I have become really useless at doing this  blog, which is silly really as I have a lot of spare time on my hands now that I had to start maternity leave early.

 I have been off work for what seems like forever, and to be honest it is starting to get boring now! Although I'm glad I'm not at work because I am feeling really tired, I think if I had still been at work I would of had to be more energetic. If I had the choice I wouldn't of started my maternity leave early and if I have another baby & the choice to make again I will work until as late on as possible or at least 37 weeks.

Don't get me wrong, it's great chilling out at home getting all my cleaning and tidying done, doing my yoga, going swimming & generally getting ready for the birth. But it can be pretty lonely too when the other half is at work full time. 

We went to the seaside yesterday as the weather is crazily nice for March & we took rolo, it was a lovely day out, but the car journey (1 & a half hours) was pretty tough as my belly felt all scrunched up & I kept needing a wee lol.

We have pretty much finished the nursery now:

We also bought her 'coming home outfit':

Everything is pretty much all ready for action now all we need is her to make her grand entrance! 

Finally got my hospital bags packed, hopefully I am prepared with them, though probably not!

We have a name although I am not going to publish that anywhere until she's here!

I have gone from feeling frightened about the birth in the last few weeks to starting to look forward to her being here now, especially as her kicks are really starting to hurt & I am getting fed up of being pregnant now. 

It's mad but my sciatica/back pain a couple of weeks ago just seems to have pretty much gone, it comes & goes but nothing like it was. 

I had a midwife appointment a few weeks ago and everything was looking good from blood tests, even my iron levels were good which is surprising to me considering I'm a fussy vegetarian! 

The only concern I have at the moment is about the fact that when the time comes because we won't know the midwives they may not take any interest in what I want for the birth... I have been reading into hypno-birthing and a lot is US based & talks about choosing the right care giver, well we don't get that choice here. 

It's so weird watching her move around in my belly, I kind of like it but I kind of don't it's really freaky! 

Right, measurements for this week:

Bust- 48"
Waist- 39"
Hips- 54"
Weight Gain- +1st 12lbs 

Symptoms this week:

-tiredness

-painful hips during night & in a morning

-painful kicks in the ribs

-breathlessness
 
Pictures of my bump this week:

4th March 2014 - 32 weeks

It is getting close to the end now & I am getting very nervous!

Right, measurements for this week:

Bust- 48"
Waist- 40"
Hips- 52"
Weight Gain-

Symptoms this week:

-

-
 
Pictures of my bump this week:

21st February 2014 - 30 weeks & 3 days

Right, measurements for this week:

Bust- 49"

Waist- 41"
Hips- 53"
Weight Gain- +1st 7lb (stayed the same) 

Symptoms this week:

-hip pain in bed/in a morning

Pictures of my bump this week: 

13th Febuary 2014 - 29 weeks & 2 days

Wow sorry it has been a while since I last updated, it has been a traumatic couple of weeks mainly due to my back problems which I think I mentioned in my last post.

So what has been happening -
saw the doctor who said she thought it was sciatica and referred me to the physio at goole hospital.
the physio said that it was SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction) and the help they gave me was 2 work sheets, one with exercises and one explaining the illness.
as the week after physio went on, things got worse until 2 nights ago when I went to casualty as I could not move I was in so much pain that any movement, walking, sitting, standing, laying in bed, sitting on a chair was causing me very severe paint to the point of crying & screaming. I first rang the 111 service I found this to be very unhelpful to be honest, they even suggested my closest hospital was hull even though it was goole. At the hospital it was again suggested that my problem was sciatica, and again the service I received was shocking. 

The problem with the fact that some diagnosis I have been given suggest SPD & others suggest sciatica, is that the route of care for each is the complete opposite, which was driving me crazy as I could not plod on with either route & was feeling confused what to do for the best. 
For SPD suggestions are to move as little as possible & that doing certain movements could make the problem worse, whereas the suggestions for sciatica are to stay as active as possible & try stretches to stretch the pain out so to speak.

The first thing I have ended up doing is starting my maternity leave 4 weeks early, which was a hard decision as it meant losing out on a full months wage, but I had to do what was best for me & baby, and considering I am still not in a fit state, I think this was the right decision to make. 
I have also sold my car, as it failed its MOT, I was told it was best not to drive & my clutch leg was too painful to drive, also it made sense money wise to sell my car, although my other half struggles to let go & we are now sharing a car, I am unsure whether this was the right choice or not but only time will tell I suppose.

The second thing I have decided to do, with the money from my car, was to see a chiropractor, something which here in the UK has mixed opinions - especially when pregnant, as it involves massage and manipulation the body. I had my first session today & it was not cheap at £62 but considering the fact that now 7 hours later I am at least 50% more able to walk about than I was I feel is worth the money.
The chiropractor agrees that what I am suffering with is sciatica so I can now go full steam ahead in trying to tackle this. I am seeing him again on Monday & in the meantime he has given me lots of advice. Now I definitely don't think that this method would be for everyone, especially plus sized ladies like myself,as the first thing he mentioned was about my weight & was very forthcoming about the fact that I need to lose weigh, so I think you need to be quite thick skinned, but unusual for me I didn't take it to heart, as since being pregnant I do feel that is has become important to me to want to lose weight for my child & for any future pregnancies as the extra weigh really does come with a lot of added health risks as I have found out the hard way!

What else has been happening.... well we went to the first antenatal class, which was on breast feeding. The class had 40 people in, which was way too many for something like that, the information we received was ok but it wasn't at all how we expected with no chance to interact with other people attending the class, we have decided not to attend the other 3 classes.

Also had midwife appointment last week, everything was looking fine & dandy, also I passed the glucose test!

Sorry I think that's it for the last 2 weeks, it has been a very gruelling and painful time & I just hope that things improve so I can enjoy the last weeks of my pregnancy before my beautiful girl is here.

Right, measurements for this week:

Bust- 47"
Waist- 40"
Hips- 51.5"
Weight Gain- +1st 7lb

Symptoms this week:

-backache
- hip pain
- sleeplessness
- indigestion
- painful kicks
- stomach ache
- breathlessness
- depression/crying

Pictures of my bump this week: 

31st January 2014 - 27 weeks & 3 days

I am getting worse at keeping up to date on this blog, but hey at least I have made it before the next one is due this time, opps!

This week has been one of the worst pain-wise, my back and hips are now causing me a lot of trouble & it means I am hardly getting any sleep. I had to take a few days off work this week as it is so bad and is aggravated by sitting at a desk 8 hours a day. I had a call from the hospital though and I am seeing the physio next Friday, so fingers crossed they will be able to give me some solutions to help me, I am doing a shorter shift at work today of 6 hours, I have been here 4 and a half hours and I am already in agony with my back.

Got a really busy week next week, despite being on holiday from work! Monday we have our first antenatal class eek, Tuesday I am having my hair cut, Thursday is my birthday so we are going to my mums for a little tea party, then Friday I have my physio appointment & we are going for a private scan (taking my mum & stepdad) and then going for a birthday meal afterwards.

Getting any sleep seems to be getting harder & harder. The hubbies snoring is a major pain now because every time I drift off & then have to get up for a wee, switch sides because of my hip pain, I then also have his snoring to contend with. I feel broken like an 80 year old woman, never expected it to e this hard, but I guess all pregnancies are different & I am just one of the unlucky ones.... although I do think my being overweight is a factor.

anyway less of the moaning, time for some more positive news.... we finally bought our travel system! We decided to go with the mamas & papas sola, which was our original choice before the mothercare sales man ambushed us & we are really happy as we got a great bargain on an ex display one which had hardly been used & came with the pram, carry cot, car seat, raincover & changing bag all for £350 (RRP.  pram £329, carry cot £139, car seat £135, changing bag £39 TOTAL: £642, so we saved £292).

we also bought our matress from mothercare and saved another £20 on that, cost us £79.99. We now have most of the main stuff we need, well for the nursery at least, we got some really cute wall stickers off amazon for £2.99 worth £24.99 as well, we are such bargain hunters ha.

Getting really nervous about the birth now, and despite having a lot ready starting to worry about the things that we don't have ready, like the hospital bag for example, think this needs to be my latest mission. Also not heard back about my glucose test results yet.

Right, measurements for this week:

Bust- 48"
Waist- 40.5"
Hips- 50"
Weight Gain- +1st 6lb (not changed)

Symptoms this week:

-backache
- hip pain
- sleeplessness

Pictures of my bump this week:

22nd January 2014 - 26 weeks & 1 day

Oops forgot to update my blog last week, to be fair there wasn't too much to report, the bedroom furniture finally came on friday & my hubby & stepdad put it up, looks lovely I am very happy with it.

My dog rolo has become really, really clingy in the last few weeks,  I have never known anything like it bless him he sits with me all the time now and he's calmed down absolutely loads, I really hope him & baby will be able to live in harmony.

I found a website which tells you what your min/max weight target should be per week depending on your starting weight and I am 6lb over the maximum for 26 weeks opps.

Saw the cosatto giggle travel system in real life and it wasn't as nice as it looked online, so spent hours last weekend with the hubby looking at lots of different ones and we have finally decided on this, the babystyle oyster:

Yesterday I had my glucose tolerance test, compulsory now in the UK if you have a high BMI (although you have the right to opt out of it) I decided to go ahead as I want the best for my baby and if I do have gestational diabetes I want to know. The test was pretty nasty.

It involved fasting from 10pm the previous night, then at 9.30am I had some bloods taken, and then was made to drink 2 cups of 'glucose solution' which i was told by the nurse tasted like flat lemonade, at first I didn't think it was too bad but it was pretty hard to drink 2 cups of it tasted like pure sugar syrup not the best thing for an empty stomach, especially as I already had bad morning sickness due to no breakfast (found that if I don't eat as soon as I wake up I am guaranteed to be sick or at least dry heave at the moment). 

Then I had to sit in the ugly waiting room for 2 hours, during this time if you were sick the test was void and you had to go back again, so although I felt really sick I had to just tough it out, there was about 5 of us doing the test and one girl was sick so she had to go home and come back another day, I felt sorry for her because she had nearly finished! at 11.36am the nurse called me and I had my second lot of bloods taken and then I was free to go home, should get the results next week. I thought that would be the end, but the truth is it made me feel poorly for the rest of the day, it gave me a bad stomach I  was feeling sick & had diarrhoea until the following day, I also had to have a nap in the afternoon and felt really drained and grotty all day.

Can't believe I am now into double figures only 97 days to go, hubby is getting so excited just keeps looking at my belly and the nursery and saying "she will soon be here" bless him he is so excited, don't get me wrong I am excited too but I'm also starting to get pretty nervous about the birth now.... eeek!

I am on holiday from work this week which is lucky as I had to take a couple of days off sick last week as sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day with this backache was just unbearable, I am at the doctors on Friday to see if there is anything that can be done to help. Also sleeping at the minute is so hard because of the pain in my hips/top of my thighs.

Right, measurements for this week:

Bust- 47.5"
Waist- 39"
Hips- 50"
Weight Gain- +1st 6lb

Symptoms this week:

-backache
- hip pain
- shortness of breath

Pictures of my bump this week:

Fashion Update


As you can see from my last post, I am doing a lot of improvising with things in a size bigger that offer plenty of room - for example my coat is made of a stretchy fleece material so hopefully it should stretch over my bump for a while yet & when it no longer does I can just wear the coat open as it is lovely and warm & comfy.

Bottoms
I am wearing my over the bump leggings a lot of the time as again these are so comfy on my bump.
The other option I am liking bottoms wise is black over the bump trousers that my cousin donated me - the only problem with these is they are a tad long and so it makes finding shoes to wear with them a bit limited as I have to wear them with a pair of wedge shoes I have, but they are not suitable for bad weather or days when I am too tired to walk round in heels all day.
On a weekend I also like to wear my women with control trousers which I have mentioned before, in particular a pair with what they call a 'hollywood waist band'.
The other option I have found I have been wearing a lot is a black jersey maxi skirt, I had never considered wearing a maxi skirt in winter before but with flat boots it actually works quite well & it is the most comfortable item I have at the moment.

Tops
In terms of tops I have found it quite a struggle to find something flattering So I have been tending to steer towards dresses particularly for work in particular, but the tops I have found myself wearing the most is just the cheap basic vest tops, as I am getting very hot at the moment and so don't want anything to heavy.
In fact since I've been pregnant I don't think I have worn anything other than vest tops & cardigans haha maybe I need to work on that!
Oh I do have one maternity top which I got from next a grey 'slub top' which luckily works well with most outfits so that is my other staple in the top department.

Dresses
I have a range of dresses in my wardrobe now but the one thing that they all have in common is that I tend to pick styles that are tighter at the top with plenty of room at the bottom, but definitely some kind of definition at the waist so you can see my bump rather than it just looking like I am wearing a sack.
I have a couple of dresses in Jersey material & the others are cotton, wearing dressings and leggings is my favourite as it is just so comfortable.

Nightwear
This is another thing which I am struggling with at the moment, although I got a great pair of my bump PJ's from mothercare which are great but have shrunk a little as I am always putting them in the dryer oops!
I think the best thing would be loose fitting nightshirts but with it being winter I haven't seen too many of these around, hopefully now people are realising the spring/summer collections I will find a few of these.
Most of my old PJ bottoms are still ok to wear under the bump, but my tops are now too short so I have been wearing my older vest tops with these for bed.

Underwear
Luckily for me my chest doesn't seem to have grown that much although I know for a lot of people it does- at the moment I have one maternity bra, without underwires (I have always worn underwired bras) and I find it to be quite comfortable.
And for knickers I am not having any problems with my usual pre-pregnancy knickers at the moment.

Extras
I am wearing a lot of long floaty cardigans, I have also already mentioned my coat & I am wearing a lot of scarves & jewellery to accessories my simple basic outfits.
I also seem to be constantly wearing the same one pair of flat ankle boots, am thinking of investing in them in another colour too hmmmm……

9th January 2014 - 24 weeks & 2 days

So I have passed what people call 'v-day' aka viability day, it is now at the point where if I was to have the baby they would try and save her, which is reassuring even though obviously I hope she will stay in and grown big, strong & healthy.

This week I have felt a lot more kicking, and not just low down any more but it is starting to be all over my tummy, although I have not seen any movement on the outside yet, kind of glad as I find it quite creepy.

On Monday night I had a bit of a frightening night as I had pains in my stomach & some tightening sensations, I was up at 2am worrying and crying not sure what to do, I think it could have been my first taste of braxton hicks.

Yesterday was my 24 week midwife appointment. In my area there are 3 midwives that we see, two of them are nice enough but the other one is very judgemental and miserable, well guess which midwife I got to see yesterday... yep the miserable one, as soon as I saw her my heart sunk, as I know from a past visit that she thinks that my care should be consultant rather than midwife led because of my size. She measured my bump & I was measuring a bit ahead at 26 weeks, which is good because at least my little one is growing well in there :) although the midwife did say "have you put a lot of weight on", oh well who cares what she thinks, just hoping I don't get her next time. She also listened to the heartbeat, it slowed a little for a second or so which was a bit frightening but she said it was normal & nothing to worry about the heart rate was 150bpm which is nice and healthy, she also took my blood pressure which was fine too 100/65, oh and she tested my urine which was also fine, I'm really hoping that the good signs mean I will pass my glucose test as I don't think I could cope if I had to limit my already limited diet!

I am still suffering with the backache & acid reflux, I think its just going to be this way till the end so I  am just going to accept it, only another 16 weeks to go now, so scary but exciting! I did try the love heart sweets & refreshers & they do seem to help because of the bicarbonate in them, also milkshake is good for a quick fix but it also causes my throat to feel a bit sticky and makes it kind of hard to swallow so not really a good one for bedtime.

I have been getting really stressed out about the nursery this week, as we are getting messed around by mothercare over our furniture & I am starting to wonder if it will ever arrive, I hope it hurries up now because I just want to get started on getting everything ready.We have painted but until the furniture comes there is not much else we can do at the moment.

I am also having a wobble over the travel system we choose, I kind of choose it with a boy in mind as I originally thought that I was going to be told I was having a boy but now I know its a girl I really want a cuter travel system & I think we went for the one we did because the man in the shop drove a hard bargain and it was a lot cheaper than the other one we wanted. I don't think we can afford the one I really want but its this is it the Cosatto go lightly, its just so uber cute!!!:



  So onto measurements for this week:

Bust- 47"
Waist- 40"
Hips- 48"
Weight Gain- stayed at +1st 3lb

Symptoms this week:

-backache
-acid reflux
-constant weeing

Pictures of my bump this week:

3rd January 2014 - 23 weeks & 3 days

Well it is 2014! and I am over half way there now eeek can't believe how quick it is going, didn't do a blog last week as it was really busy with Christmas and new year so didn't get the chance.

Everything seems to be going ok with the pregnancy so far, have been feeling lots of movement now, all very low in my tummy. Got my next midwife appointment next week so we will see what she has to say about things, I also have my glucose test coming up soon, have to have one of these because of my BMI.

My symptoms are getting quite bad, but they are bearable, my back is a real problem now during the night, I am constantly waking up and having to switch sides, also heartburn/acid reflux has been really bad over the last few days, I guess that could be contributed to by the fact I ate quite a lot over Christmas or it maybe just because all of a sudden my bump has gotten a lot bigger and there isn't as much room for all my organs any more. Also my morning sickness seems to be making a reappearance which I am gutted about as I thought I was past that but every morning without fail this week I have been baulking and heaving, not actually been sick though yet touch wood. Last thing is the weeing, I am constantly in and out of the toilet, so what they say about it easing in the second trimester is a lie.

I am going to be trying some different 'cures' for heartburn this week so I will review how I got on with them next week - Gaviscon, tums, drinking milk/milkshake, eating yoghurts, eating love heart sweets, mints, zantac, rennies, chewing gum for extra saliva, chewits, ice cream, ice cold water, not eating big meals, raised pillow at night, warm milky drink at night, ice lollies or drinks, dy toast, ginger biscuits.... so just a few things to try haha, today I am on love hearts and milkshake.

I am enjoying my pregnant body, for once I don't have to hide my curves, although I do have my moments where I wonder if people are judging me for my size especially as the weight keeps piling on.

We have been doing lots of shopping in the sales this week and have finally bought our nursery furniture, we decided to go with the padstow collection from mothercare it ended up costing us £504.05 for the cotbed, changing unit & wardrobe (RRP. £799 a saving of £294.95)

We have come up with an idea of what we want our nursery to look like & we are going for something a bit like this:



We also got tons of bedding and clothes, and we have booked a private scan for the 7th of Feb the day after my birthday to see our little one again.

So onto measurements for this week:

Bust- 47"
Waist- 41"
Hips- 50"
Weight Gain- +1st 3lb

Symptoms this week:

-backache
-return of morning sickness
-acid reflux
-constant weeing

Pictures of my bump this week: