26w2d: All is still good

We had our first check-up at our new hospital today. It was a bit daunting moving from our IVF hospital to the one closer to home, but after today I feel a lot more confident. There didn't seem to be many differences between the two places, and I feel a lot better knowing that we are now so close to our chosen labour and delivery ward.

My fundal measurement is 27 cm, right on track. She did a quick ultra-sound - the little guy is head down, but the placenta is still a little low. If it stays low, then they will do a cesarean, but won't make that decision for another 10 weeks.

My feet are enormous, but I my urine and blood pressure are normal, so my fears of pre-eclampsia were unfounded at this stage.

Next week: glucose test and the start of the third trimester.

So thankful that everything looks good so far.

24w1d: Viability

So we have reached viability, with a theoretical 50% survival rate if the fetus was born today. Happily, he doesn't look like he's going anywhere anytime soon. I'm still feeling pretty good. I have a lot of heartburn, and I can't really bend over any more, but I am still able to sleep reasonably well.

We've even started doing some shopping. There was a special at the supermarket last week, so I bit the bullet and even bought some diapers. We have started talking about names, and looking at cribs. With every day that passes, I am feeling less terrified of disaster, and more excited about the future.

22w0d: Overwhelmed but happy

So, I think that I may finally be accepting the fact that I am pregnant. This is helped by everyone around me pointing out that fact. The guy that served my lunch on Friday said "Had a great weekend. Both of you". Neighbours are stopping me to wish me congratulations. Honestly, I'm amazed at how brave people are to comment on my bump this early on. But it is nice to know that all those extra kilos have been collecting at the right places.

The fluttering has turned into kicking, and it is so reassuring. As I have an anterior placenta, the doppler is quite difficult to use, but with all those kicks throughout the day, I usually feel pretty certain that everything is okay.

I am trying to read some baby books, but will often feel overwhelmed with how much there is to learn, and how much we have to do before the end of July. I am excited too, though. Every day I am reminded how lucky we are to be in this situation, and how if everything continues to go well, what an extraordinary summer we will have.

Scan and bump photos here.

20w0d: Anomaly scan

This morning we had our 20 week ultrasound. Before the scan, my husband was talking to me, saying that today is the day that we find out whether we're having a son or a daughter. I told him that I didn't want to think about it and made him talk about other things. However, they called us up right on time, and soon got down to business. Everything looked great, and the sonographer couldn't find a single thing for me to worry about. They counted the fingers and the toes, looked at all the internal organs, checked the placement of the placenta and the fluid, and took a bunch of measurements. The baby weighs 377 grams, and we found out today that I am carrying a boy. It is strangely wonderful to be able to say "he" rather than "it". My husband has told me that I now have to start facing up to the fact that we are most probably going to have a son in less than 5 months.

18w6d: Babymoon

We are having a wonderful time on our babymoon. It is so luxurious to get away from the daily stresses of life, and just kick back and relax. I am loving our two weeks by the sea, soaking in the sunshine and spending long hours with my husband. I now feel the little one wiggling away every day, which is so reassuring and delightful. We are both feeling very hopeful for the future, and I love the way that my husband rubs my belly when we sit side-by-side.

Now only over a week until our 20 week scan. If we can, I would like to find out the sex, but most of all I am hoping for a perfect bill of health for this little one.

17w6d: Quickening

On 10:30am on Valentines Day, I was sitting in front of my computer focusing on a Word document, when I felt a tiny little *something* in my lower belly. At first I didn't pay it much attention, and then, when I realised what it could be, the rest of the world suddenly disappeared.

All I could focus on was these soft little flutters above my pubic bone. Flutters the like of which I had never felt before. This was the day I first felt our little one move inside me. Now, about twice a day, after I have been sitting quietly for an hour or so, I feel these little wiggles and tickles and pokes that are delightful and charming.

Each day, it is starting to feel more real.

Now, we are off for a two-week babymoon to pass the time until our 20 week scan. Fourteen quiet days near the sea (and a world class hospital) to celebrate what will hopefully be our last vacation as a family of two.

16w1d: Up to speed

I had a great check-up yesterday. The doctor kindly explained that they couldn't do a routine 16 week ultrasound for everyone, but she would do a uterus palpatation, fundal height measurement, and a doppler check. If any of those looked off, then she would send me for a scan.

She said that she could feel my uterus sitting just underneath my belly button, and showed me how to feel it myself. My fundal height was 14 cm (at 16 weeks it should be 16cm +/- 2cm). She had a great deal of difficulty finding the heartbeat, which made me feel better about having trouble with my home doppler. She found the soft wooshing of the ubilical cord pulse quite easily, and some sporadic sloshes of the fetus moving, and finally about 20 seconds of the loud galloping fetal heartbeat at 160 bpm, before the fetus swam away again.

I know that we didn't get an ultrasound, but all in all I felt very reassured. The doctor seemed so calm and confident that I felt like any other pregnant woman in for a routine check-up.

And now only four weeks to go until we reach the half-way point and our big 20 week morphology scan.

15w6d: Check-up tomorrow

Since the 12 week scan, my emotions have varied from relief to happiness to fear to worry. Relief that nothing bad was detected, happy that I graduated from the first trimester, fear that bad things will happen, and worry that the heartbeat was in the bottom 1% for gestational age.

I now have a noticeable bump (latest photo here), and my pregnancy was publicly announced during the last departmental meeting. Most of our friends in this city have not experienced fertility or loss, however they seem understanding of my "let's wait and see" attitude. A few of them have said to me "can I be excited for you, on your behalf?", which is sweet.

While I have heartburn, round ligament pain, a runny nose, frequent urination, headaches, and breathlessness, there is nothing unbearable. I am surprised every time I see myself in the mirror.

I individually emailed the people in my IVF support group to tell them my news, starting with "I know that it can be difficult to hear this...". Some of them have replied with congratulations, others have remained silent, which I understand perfectly.

My next check-up is tomorrow. They told me that they will do a Doppler heartbeat check, but no ultrasound. I would really love a reassuring glimpse to know that the fetus is measuring properly. Does anyone know of any secret phrases that will convince them to do an ultrasound, without having to lie about my symptoms?

14w3d: Out

My belly and the word are both out. I have told my close friends, family, and my boss. I have booked childcare. Random colleagues are coming up to me to wish me congratulations. Presents are starting to appear in the mail.

Apart from the few moments of terror and fear, I am mostly starting to feel a little bit excited. Cautiously optimistic, sometimes. I am now officially in my second trimester.

Frustratingly, I am still having trouble finding a consistent heartbeat with my cheap eBay doppler. I am trying not to worry too much, as even the tech couldn't get a good abdominal scan at my last ultrasound with her fancy-pants machine. I have my next check-up in 11 days.

Finally, I will not be able to make it to my next IVF support group dinner. I have not yet told any of the ladies my news, as I do not see any of them outside these events. Should I send an email? Should it be individual or reply-all? What should it say?