Jen's Pregnancy Diary » Pregnancy, Childbirth And Motherhood.

Our first OB appointment went much better than expected. I was a little nervous, I am not sure why. I think it’s such an important visit to a doctor and I was worried I wouldn’t like her.

We sat in the waiting room for 1 hour and 15 minutes as she was running late after an emergency delivery. I was watching her walking in and out collecting patients and she looked very cold and harsh. It didn’t do anything to settle my nerves, but I waited and hoped that my initial impression was wrong. The receptionist on the other hand was so friendly and kept everyone amused with her stories!

She called us into her office and the moment she started to talk I felt at ease. She was kind, patient and genuinely caring. Being the first appointment there was not much to do. She gave me a referral for the 12 week Nucal Translucency Scan and the 12 week blood screen. The doctor took my blood pressure which was a little high at 140/70 but she wasn’t concerned. Although she did advise that if it is high now it will be higher at the end and unlikely I will go full term.

I had a blood test the previous day for routine checks and also to check my blood group. The doctor told me I was O negative which means that I am Rhesus Negative and if Marc is a positive blood group then I will need anti-D injections. This is so my body does not build up antibodies to positive blood which could reject future pregnancies. Marc wasn’t sure on his blood group so she also gave him a request form for a blood test.

Marc also thought it would be fun to ask her to take his blood pressure! Very embarrassing, but she was really nice about it and even laughed!

We both walked away from the appointment feeling great about our choice in OB. She is really lovely and I feel so comfortable with her.

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At 7 weeks (according to my last period) we went for a dating scan. It was all really exciting, I knew all we would see was a blob but it was still a special moment.

Our appointment was at 8:30am and I had to drink 1.5 litres of water in 1 hour, finishing half an hour before. Before we even left I was busting to go to the toilet. When we got there I couldn’t hold it any longer and the staff let me go to the toilet and let a little out. I had to count to 5 and stop. I have a really week bladder and I find it very hard to stop midstream. But I struggled and did it.

As usual they were running late but managed to get me in and have someone else start as I just could not hold it anymore. But the scan was not what we expected. There was a sac and a yolk but at this stage no baby they could see and they dated me at 5 weeks and told me to come back in 2 weeks.

Walking away I was so disappointed, I kept worrying that the baby would never form and in 2 weeks time I would be told the pregnancy was not viable.

I am a big “Google doctor” person. I will Google everything! So I came home and started Googling away. I read forums, asked questions and did a lot of research and actually discovered it was normal for a 5 week pregnancy. But I still couldn’t work out how it could be 5 weeks when I should have been 7 weeks.

So I tried to relax and wait the 2 weeks which actually when pretty quickly.

The next scan was again at 8:30am and I drank my water as I should have and before we left I let a little out to make myself more comfortable. But it didn’t work, I ended up letting it all out.

I was so upset and worried they wouldn’t do the scan, so I grabbed a bottle of water and just started drinking and drinking. I drank about a litre in 1 minute. I stopped and within second I started throwing up the water, it was like a fountain of water in the middle of our dinning room.  It is funny to look back on, but at the time I was really upset and stressed. I composed myself and got in the car and sipped some apple juice on the way.

When we got there they were late AGAIN!! Lucky my bladder was empty!

We got in and I didn’t tell them my bladder was empty I just let them try and sort of played dumb. The girl started and she could hardly see anything, she said she couldn’t find a heartbeat and my heart sank. She then asked if I had drank all my water and I told her I had vomited before we came so she took me to the next room for an internal ultrasound.

The lady who did the internal was so lovely! She made the whole experience so much more comfortable. She took some measurements and found the heartbeat. Seeing the little flicker on the screen was amazing!! Even though it was only a little blob on the screen, it felt like my little baby. It was a lovely experience. She dated the baby at 5 weeks and 5 days which makes me due on 21st December 2008.

The only down side to the scan was they didn’t have Polaroid set up so we could not take home a picture. That was a little disappointing, but not much we could do about it.

I made an appointment with an Obstetrician called Dr Penelope Isherwood. I did some research online and her name is mentioned in a lot of forums as being a good OB. So we see her at 8 weeks.

Jen xx

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While trying to conceive I found everywhere listed typical pregnancy symptoms. So I thought I would list some real life symptoms I experienced.

Apart from the obvious of a missed period these where my symptoms.

* Period-like cramping - From 7 days past ovulation until 2 week past my period due date

* Sore breasts - Mainly after wearing a bra, my breasts felt heavy and sore to touch

These were the only 2 symptoms I experienced which can easily be mistaken for your period.

I had a positive test from 14 days past ovulation with a faint line. It did not get as dark as the control line until 1 week after my period was due.

Jen xx

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I must admit I feel really lucky. In January we started our first cycle and in March we fell pregnant.

Although I must admit I do credit this wonderful little thing I purchased - The OV Watch. Basically the watch predicts your most fertile days detected through an ion in your sweat. I bought the watch in February after our 2nd unsuccessful cycle, the watch uses disposable sensors that are only suitable for one cycle. So to save some money on shipping I ordered 3 of them. Using the watch was really easy, I wore it for a minimum of 6 hours a day while I slept and before I knew it the watch had switched over to tell me I was fertile. I wasn’t holding out much hope honestly, even though we had only been trying for 2 cycles previously it was still a little bit hard to deal with.

Once my fertile days were over I packed the watch away and began the two week wait until I could test. At 7 days past ovulation I had very sore breasts and period-like cramping. Part of me thought it was my period, but I had heard from other women that cramping was a normal pregnancy symptom. So I kept up hope! I tested again at 10 days past ovulation and the test had a faint line, however it appeared after the time indicated on the box so I was convinced it was a negative.

At 14 days past ovulation I woke up in the morning and had no tests so I pee’d in a little cup and stored it until Marc woke up. Once he was up he ran to the chemist and bought me 2 different brands of tests. I did the first one and went to lay on the bed with Marc while we waited the test time, I was so impatient I got up 1 minute later to find 2 lines on the test, very faint but it was a 2nd line!! So I grabbed another test (different brand) and dipped it in the urine sample. Again within a minute the 2nd line had appeared and it was much darker and clearer! I started jumping for joy and showed Marc.

I am not sure if he was in shock but he told me not to get my hopes up yet as it was still early. But I knew in my heart I was pregnant. The days went by and I tested everyday - yes I know I am a little obsessive but I just loved seeing those 2 lines appear!

About 2 days before my period was due we went to the doctor. I was a little worried because my period was not late yet and wondered if he would send me away. But he didn’t. He was not the nicest guy in the world but I got a referral for a dating ultrasound and blood test. So I figured that was all I needed until I found an obstetrician.

I am really thankful my trying to conceive journey was so short. I have seen so many people struggle and I guess it was always a concern for me.

Jen xx

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Well I have been eating healthy and exercising and last week I saw my doctor. She said she had never seen anyone take pre-conception care so seriously! But she said it is fantastic and if more people did it, then it would help reduce preventable complications with the mother or the child.

I have been going to the gym and I am determined to shed this weight! I want to be fit and healthy. I have cut down on processed foods and I am concentrating on eating fresh fruit and vegetables. I feel so fantastic! I feel healthier and I have lost almost 10kg.

Even though a baby is a little while away I feel so much better knowing I am starting the pre-conception care earlier rather then too late.

I am also going to start a new section for kid’s recipes. I have found so many and I know they will help mother out there to give their children a healthy start in life.

Jen xx

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Hi everyone! Just an update on how I am going with the pregnancy help book I recommended a while back.

Well it is FANTASTIC!!! It really is!!! I have been doing the exercises and following their pre-pregnancy tips and eating requirements and I feel so much healthier and stronger! I can only imagine how I will feel when I need it the most, during pregnancy and labour! It is truely amazing.

I have passed this pregnancy book onto a friend of mine who is trying to concieve her first baby at the moment and she can’t beleive how much informtion is in it.

The best part for me is everything is so easy and you don’t need a lot of time to follow their steps. Some exercises I even do at work at my desk or on my lunch break.

I have also been on the pregnancy forums which they offer with the book and have had so much great pregnancy advice from other mothers and mothers to be. It’s amazing how much support is there.

I will keep you updated on how I go.

Here is the link again to the pregnancy book if you’re interested.

Pregnancy Help Book Here!

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I am going to try and post some details on what I have learned about essential fatty acids during pregnancy. I am quiet amazed how much of a role certain fats, vitamins and minerals play in keeping us healthy and increasing the intellegence of our unborn children. It has made me realise that setting out a solid pre-pregnancy plan is essential to give my children the best start possible!

I hope to get thie out today so you guys can be just as amazed as I was!

Jen xx

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Just wanting to write a quick updated on my new baby cousin Nikita! She is growing so fast and has put on weight. She is breastfeeding so well and is only waking up twice during the night for a feed once at just past midnight and again at 4am. Helen is happy with this as she gets long sleep periods between feeds and has a genrally normal nights sleep.

I have been talking to Helen about her pre-pregnancy lifestyle and she said she think it played a huge role in her pregnancy and the temperament of her baby. Nikita is a very quiet baby, doesn’t cry much at all and is very alert for a newborn. Helen stuck to a healthy eating diet while pregnant and maintained her fitness with swimming and light exercise. She had a long labour (24.5 hours) however coped really well and she doesn’t think she could have done that unless she stayed fit and healthy.

Can’t wait to see little Nikita again soon. not long now until her christening!!! Can’t wait.

Jen xxx

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After a lot of reading, researching and talking with my doctor. I have discovered how important it is to have a healthy balanced diet during pre-pregnancy. Having a diet high in fibre, low in fat, salt and sugars is an important part of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy and more intellegent baby.

During pre-pregnancy (pre-conception) you need to cut down on foods with little or no nutritional value example: chocolate, cakes and biscuits. It is also important to decrease your intake of :

* Salt - ensure you are having less then 6 grams per day. Beware of canned food and biscuits.
* Sugars - No sugar is best however fruit is still fine as it is a natural sugar.
* Fats most importantly saturated fats. Do not eat more than 30 percent of your daily allowed calories as fat.
* Processed foods with additives
* Remove skin and fat from meat and chicken
* Eat red meat three times per week maximum - lean white meat is better!
* Avoid fried or oil based foods eg. Fries
* Avoid cakes, biscuits and chips
* Avoid Confectionary
* Avoid sugary sweet fizzy drinks

Eat pleanty of:

* Lean white meat
* Oily fish
* Wholemeal or Wholegrain breads, pasta and brown rice
* Fresh fruit and vegetables
* Nuts and seeds - eat atleast 30 grams per day when limiting red meat
* Use grilling or steaming methods to cook your food

Eating healthy during pre-pregnancy and pre-conception will ensure you have a healthy and safe pregnancy. it will also help your body during labor and making it capable of sustaining long hours in labour and the demands of having a new child.

Jen xxx

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Pregnancy is a time when the body requires more nutrients and is also the time when most changes happen in the body. Implementing a healthy diet during the pre-pregnancy stage allows your body to get used to using the added nutrients and vitamins in the best ares possible. This ensures when you do fall pregnant the body knows how to convert all the nutrients and vitamins and to get maximum value from these. The less you change during pregancy the easier your body will cope.

Eating correctly and entering a pre-pregnancy regime will also make sure when you do fall pregnant your baby will get full advantage of your healthy eating and added vitamins during the most important development stage of life. It is said that an unborn child will do most of it’s important development during the first 4 weeks of pregnancy. This is quiet often before the mother even knows you’re pregnant.

Babies who were under-nourished during the first 4 weeks of pregancy have been linked to high blood pressure, blood clotting disorders, abnormal insulin levels and high cholesterol in later life.

What you eat during pregnancy and pre-pregnancy will also deterime your childs intellegence and future health.

In my next posts I will talk more about what I have learned in regards to diet during preganancy and correct vitamin intake.

Jen xx

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