12 weeks 2 days

Cloth vs Disposable

For me this is an easy choice cloth is definitely the way to go, these days modern cloth nappies are very easy to use and are better than disposables in a lot of ways, a lot of people are put off by cloth believing that it's time consuming and takes a lot of water thus questioning the environmental aspects (excuses). But this is simply untrue if cloth nappies are used correctly. They are a lot cheaper than disposable, very low impact on the environment (disposables use a huge amount of water to be manufactured) and healthier for bub (I believe) no synthetics against babies sensitive skin and if used correctly just as convenient. I found this site all about nappies which has a lot of good information on cloth nappies so I know what's best to buy to start out with and how to use them correctly. Although they are much cheaper in the long run, initially good quality cloth can be a little expensive so I am going to build up my supplies over the next 6 mths. I am a big believer in the benefits of cloth and most importantly know that I'm doing my bit Not to contribute to landfill, which is where all disposables ultimately end up as they take a lifetime to break down if not much longer - not on my conscious thank you

Tierdness

I feel tired today, I'm so glad it's Saturday and I have still two full days left of my day's off just to chill. I think it's the lack of a good nights sleep and stress of the nuchal results catching up on me. As our house is on the market today was also the first Saturday of inspections, we have nominated 1hr between 11am-12pm for the real estate to show people through so it's not a major disruption of our lives but it is still stressful as I really like my privacy and having strangers through your house just erks me.
I have been reading as much as I can on nuchal results through pregnancy sites that have forums and real people share there experiences & unbiased information and from what I've been reading it's not uncommon to have false positive results - really good measurements of bub (all within normal) and wacky blood work results and the outcomes seem to generally be very good with a good majority of women giving birth to healthy babies. If I had my time again I don't think I would opt for the test as it seems to be just a cause of unnecessary stress. I'm thinking I will go back in for another scan with Dr Kasby when I'm closer to 13wks and the bub is a bit bigger which is the next best option for more peace of mind and it poses no harm to the baby.

Pregnancy Brain

Yep It's happening, hormonal and forgetful. I have to double check things as I'm sure to leave the heater or iron on if I don't. Find myself making silly little mistakes at work like subtotaling before I'm finished the sale or saying the wrong total, or today went to the newsagent to buy a magazine and for the life of me couldn't find my eftpos card at the counter (embarrassing) walked out and found it so I went back and then after work got a cab home and went to get in the back rather than the front as I thought there was a passenger in the front seat (it was dark mind you) got to laugh tho..
I was feeling kind of teary today when I got the pic text msg from Jo that she had had bubba and all was well, Tate born 12.35pm. 7p 12o. Can't wait to meet him, really made my day. So happy for them both

Waiting for the OB to call

This waiting thing is agonising, yesterday got a message that the obstetrician who performed my ultrasound wanted me to call him? he left a number for the practice he was working at today, I called at 9am and again at 11am but he is flat out and I was told by the receptionist he would prob call me around 1 (lunch time). I'm sure everything is OK and it's prob a minor detail but I can't help feeling stressed, that not knowing "what is it" is so hard. I have to leave for work very soon but I need to know before I go, I can't work with the wondering if there is a prob on my mind.


Update....

I finally got in contact with Dr Kasby at 2.45pm, It seems my blood results have put me at a 'higher risk' 1:220 or 0.4% chance of having a baby with an abnormality - based on my age a low risk would be 1:800 or 0.2%. I was offered a few options for further testing to think about over the weekend. I feel concerned and feel confused as to why my results have come back like this as all my other blood tests indicated I'm really healthy. In my initial ultrasound Dr Kasby took measurements and the results were quite good all within normal range. I have done some further reading on the test tonight and feel more positive about my chances of having a healthy baby as 5% of people get a 'higher risk' result and a good percentage of those people end up having a healthy baby, same as for low risk people still can end up having a baby with an abnormality. One of my options for further testing is to go back for another ultrasound when the baby is a bit bigger and Dr Kasby can look for certain things that may further indicate an abnormality, I feel that this is my next best option for the moment as amniocentesis is more invasive (a needle into the uterus to collect amniotic fluid to test cells) so I don't want to go there just yet as I need to do all I can to protect my unborn child which may be perfectly healthy. Dr Kasby is a qualified and experienced Obstetrician so I feel confident in his care.

Family Announcements

Paul picked me up from work at 4 and after a quick change of clothes at home, we headed off for dinner at Riverstone with the intention to break the good news. Paul had rang earlier and said he was coming over to look at the flooring (he is installing on thurs) so they had no idea we had any news. We were hoping to be able to tell them not long after we got there but paul's dad left for a meeting so we waited until he got back & over dessert. I think they took the news well and lots of congratulations. It will take them a while to absorb the fact that they are going to be Grandparent's! & his sisters Aunties. Today we will get in contact with Chris & let him know he is going to be an Uncle and Punch and Paul's Grandma as well as Karol and his family. The more people we tell the more real it all seems, slowly sinking in I'm going to be a Mum!

Ultrasound / Nuchal Translucency

Sunday night I found it hard to sleep with the anticipation of the first ultrasound, was still awake and reading a book in bed when Paul got home from work a little after 1am, then it was my bladder making me get up several times during the night. I had to drink two full glasses of water between 9.30 and 11.30am (my appointment time), but after drinking one glass I was already busting. Just before we left to head to Blacktown I started again and drank one full glass but the need to pee was so unbearable, I had to get Paul to stop at macca's on the way (by that stage I was quite cranky). So after that I purchased a bottle of spring water and started again. Got to the Obstetricians office a bit before 11.30 and in to see him at 11.45 (No way I would have been able to hold out that long) Dr Kasby got me to hop up on the bed, wiggle my jeans down a bit and he applied that sticky gel stuff to my tummy and started the ultrasound, which was quite uncomfortable - pressing down on a very full bladder. But bearable because we could see our bub up on the screen, it's heart beating clearly and constant. I felt both excited and relief at the same time, looks like everything is normal and being able to make the connection between being pregnant and the physical reality of what is happening inside me was quite overwhelming. I feel I can let myself relax and just enjoy it now, I'm allowed to feel excited as we are pretty much over the initial period of uncertainty as I'm 11wks & 2 days. As part of the Nuchal Trans test (Downs) I also had to have a blood test and the OB take measurements of the bub which is generally done between 11.5 - 13wks so I just squeezed in and he was able to take the measurements, which he said were pretty normal so I'm not going to worry and results will be with my GP by my appointment next Monday.
I told my parents over the phone tonight (as they are in Newcastle), mum & dad were very excited and happy about the news. A lot to absorb for us both....We are going to open the good bottle of Shiraz tonight to celebrate this small milestone ( just a very wee one for me)

First Purchase

The Baby rock Comfy Carry was born when Vanessa Johnson integrated her knowledge as a Midwife and mother to design the perfect baby sling. Enabling baby to be close to mum and comforted but also allowing you to be hands free. It is also an Australian made and designed product! that I recently saw in action and the baby in the sling just looked so relaxed and comfortable. I was so impressed I had to get one for myself, It also looked really comfortable and practical to wear and I liked the buckle clip design that makes the sling so secure (no slipping).

What's in a Name

I purchased this baby name book today, there were so many to choose from. I didn't feel we needed a 75,000 baby name book to help us pick a name 7000 is just fine. We have made the decision not to discuss our name choices with others and rather make an announcement after the baby arrives. Everyone is different and has there own opinion's and associations with certain names. So rather than risk creating a negative association on a name we really like - best to keep it to ourselves, as picking a name is a very personal choice. I will probably create a list of top favourites as my pregnancy progresses and make the final choice after the baby is born. We already have a pretty good idea of what we like and what we don't like so the task of compiling a top 5 list shouldn't be too difficult.

First GP's appointment

I had my first general checkup with a local GP today; Dr Rachel was really good and I feel a lot more informed about my options and what the necessary appointments are and when I need to have them. I have a preference to go to Blacktown for the Birth as although it is further in distance than Nepean hospital - they have a Birth Centre (more home comforts in the birthing room, not clinical). Nepean has one but they are understaffed so it is not actually operational - go figure?, but if I had any problems during the pregnancy I would go to Nepean anyway. I also organised a referral today for my first ultrasound and NTS test (Down's test) which will give me a better indicator of my actual due date, at the moment it is December 8th and I am 10wks & 2 day's pregnant based on the first day of my last period. Initially I had the pregnancy confirmed by a blood test at a medical centre in Penrith but they were absolutely hopeless - I didn't even receive a basic blood pressure check in the consult, it was like yep your pregnant, your tests are fine - Have a Nice Day!
So Monday next week is my scheduled ultrasound and hopefully all will be well.

8 weeks

At this stage we haven't told our family & friends yet, as it is still very early day's but as soon as we are confident everything is Ok we will break the news. I've been trying to figure out the best way to do it as I want it to be special. I have a doctors appointment on Monday for a general check up and to get a referral for the first ultrasound.