Sunday 23 February 2014

16 & 17 Week Pregnancy Update

So...I have been a really rubbish blogger these last 2 weeks. Last week my mood was kind of all over the place and I felt like hiding from the world. So this is more like a 16 and 17 week update I suppose. I'd also like to do some more posts on other things but I have been struggling to find the time as I am always so exhausted when I get home from work. Must try harder! Anyway, for those who have been reading so far...a big thank you! x


17 week bump selfie

How far along?
17 weeks today.

Total weight gain?
I don't know, and I sort of don't want to. It's been putting me in a bit of a panic sometimes which I feel dreadfully guilty about because I know I'm supposed to put on weight but it feels like it's all going on my bum which is big enough as it is. If I didn't know better I'd swear the baby was growing in there and not in my belly.

Maternity clothes?
I've ordered a black maternity vest from Topshop...very exciting I know! It hasn't arrived yet though so don't know if it will be any good. I must admit I hate getting dressed at the moment as I find it so frustrating that none of my normal clothes fit like they used to and just look terrible now. I'm just getting bored of wearing the same old things day after day now especially when you want to dress up for a night out. Boo!

Stretch marks?
Non yet.

Sleep?
Sleep is fine at the moment. I actually managed to sleep all the way through the other night without getting up to pee! Haven't had any weird dreams yet but they are starting to get a little more vivid.

Best moment this week?
I've had a couple of evenings out with my husband and friends this week which has been really nice as previously I had no energy to do this so it's nice to start feeling like my normal self again. I even allowed myself to have a glass of red wine which I loved because it just made me feel a bit more socially part of the group if that makes sense? One glass was plenty :)

Worst moment this week?
Realising that dressing up for a night out is no fun when none of your clothes fit you properly anymore. It's sad to say but it actually made me feel like crying. Pathetic I know...but it's not like I have the money to go out and buy myself a whole new wardrobe either. I'm quite jealous of those people who manage to go through most of their pregnancy wearing their normal clothes. Sadly this is not working for me.

Miss anything?
Again...my clothes. Sorry this is making me sound so shallow!!! Argh!!! It really is a small price to pay for the amazing life we are bringing into the world and I do feel greatly blessed in reality.

Movement?
I keep feeling slight flutters, particularly in the evening.

Food cravings?
I'm craving poached eggs but I can't have them!!! Torture!!

Anything making you feel sick or queezy?
Not so much at the moment.

Gender?
Find out in 3 weeks time! Cannot wait!

Symptoms?
Still with the runny nose. I did buy some salt water spay which does actually help though, surprisingly.

Belly button in or out?
Inny

Happy or moody?
Happier lately, although I was in a mega strange mood the week before. I think the realisation of how our lives are going to change actually began to hit home and I started to panic a bit about how our relationship is going to change. My hubby took me out for a lovely meal though and we talked things through and I felt much better after that.

Looking forward to?
Our scan in 3 weeks time. I absolutely cannot wait to find out the gender and to know that everything is going ok in there. I also can't wait to feel my first proper kicks. So excited!

Sunday 9 February 2014

15 Week Pregnancy Update

Not sure how much is baby and how much is the roast chicken dinner i just ate.

How far along?
Exactly 15 weeks today. I think I got a little confused when I went for my first scan and they changed my due date by 5 days. Last weeks update should have been 14 not 13. Duh...

Total weight gain?
Not sure, really trying to be healthy most of the time but I think my body just wants to put on weight. Ideally I only want to put on 1 1/2 stone but I reckon it will be more like 2. Hopefully no more!

Maternity clothes?
Nothing new. Still looking for the perfect black long vest. Any ideas?

Stretch marks?
Not yet. I switched from the Bio Oil to Mama Mio Tummy rub oil and Boob Tube which I love. They are doing a deal at Harrods where you get the oil free when you buy the boob cream which worked out at £29 for both. Seemed like a good deal to me!

Sleep?
Sleep has been fine really although at the beginning of the night I always need to get up to pee about 3 times before I properly drop off. Annoying as I have to go all the way downstairs to use the bathroom. Not looking forward to that when I get bigger!

Best moment this week?
Had a lovely day with my mum looking at baby stuff in Harrods department. I saw so many lovely things but trying to hold off till we at least know the sex. My favourites were Petit Bateau and The Little White Company. We did have a look at the "designer gear" which although is quite cute I would frankly find it rather ridiculous as they would grow out of it so quickly.

Worst moment this week?
I also had this week off from work and although I have been resting I have still found myself getting ridiculously exhausted at times. It's actually starting to get annoying now.

Miss anything?
Having energy to go out in the evenings. Would like to go out more and see my friends but always so tired.

Movement?
Nothing this week :(

Food cravings?
Not really. I have been waking up in the middle of the night starving but have not given in yet to going down to the kitchen to stuff my face. Watch this space!

Anything making you feel sick or queezy?
No. Although I find I can smell people's bad breath really strongly at times. I find it particularly sickening when I'm on the tube sitting next to them and I can smell their icky breath. Really gets up my nose and makes me feel ill.

Gender?
Don't know. 5 weeks time!! eeeeeee!!!!

Symptoms?
Still really tired. I do have the whole itchy runny nose thing going on which is a bit annoying. It's ok though...apparently it will go away once the baby is born. YAY!

Belly button in or out?
Still in. Took my belly ring out though - first time in 18 years.

Happy or moody?
Happy, not crying what so ever this week :)

Looking forward to?
Gender gender gender!!! and buying cute baby stuff! I have started to clear a space in our room so I have somewhere to store it all when we start buying.

Tuesday 4 February 2014

My 1st Trimester Tips

As a first time mum to be I found the 1st trimester pretty difficult. As well as getting used to the fact that you are going to be a parent, your body is going through a mountain of changes. For me the main ones were feeling exhausted, emotional, nauseous, and I found that my body was changing rapidly. My breasts grew immediately and felt so painful and my stomach felt so bloated which is something I'm not normally used to. These changes are hard because although you are so excited about becoming a mum you just do not feel like yourself. Plus the added pressure of not being able to tell anyone why you are feeling so out of sorts (I found this particularly hard at the work place).

So I thought I would do a little list of things that I did to help myself feel better and hopefully they will help anyone else going through the same situation who reads this.

Invest in some new bras - like I mentioned before my boobs grew fast and were super painful. They hurt so much they actually prevented me from having a good nights sleep! (not great when you are already exhausted). The moment I felt relief and felt better about myself was when I went to get a better fitting bra, one that supported me better and that I wasn't spilling out of. As someone who has never worn a bra at night time, I found that wearing a soft non wired one to bed really helped with my sleep and stopped them swinging around too much  when I'd be tossing and turning at night.

Treat yourself to some new makeup - this has also really helped to make me feel better. Quite early on I haven't felt great about my changing body, which I mainly put down to the lack of control I have over it now. Working in fashion and feeling like non of my clothes look good on me anymore has given my confidence a bit of a hit. Paying a bit more attention to my makeup routine has given me that extra boost and allowed me to fake that pregnancy glow even though I haven't got to that stage yet. Below are some of the products I have been using.

Posie Tint - Benefit
Perfection Lumiere - Chanel
Copacabana Illuminator - Nars
Skinny Felt tip Liquid Eyeliner - Eyeko
Mineralise Concealer - Mac
They're Real Mascara - Benefit

Take time out for yourself - if you are feeling exhausted then probably like me, you find that those pesky hormones effect you most of all when you're tired. Que emotional breakdown in front of work colleagues nightmare! Don't feel guilty about spending your day off in bed or cancelling that meeting with friends for drinks (it's not quite the same without the alcohol). Have a warm bath, put on some fresh pjs and curl up on the sofa with a blanket and movie. Pamper yourself and get your nails did and a foot massage. It's hard work creating another life even at these early stages.

Tell someone you trust about your pregnancy - I am lucky enough to have an amazing Mum who I of course told immediately, and she has been super supportive. I give a her a ring whenever I need someone to talk to and she always calms me down and makes me feel better. I also found it really important to have someone to talk to at work as this was what I found most difficult feeling tired and emotional all the time and trying to supervise my team. Everyone was wondering what was wrong with me and it was nice to have a work colleague I trusted to get things off my chest. I also felt a weight was lifted off my shoulders the day I told my Manager, it actually solved a lot of my problems and I started to enjoy my pregnancy more even though it was still a secret.

Download some pregnancy apps - this was one of the first things I did when I found out I was pregnant. I pretty much just picked the first ones I found but they worked for me. Download some different ones to see which you prefer. I use...

Pregnancy by Health & Parenting - tells you how far along you are and gives you tips every day. It shows you how your baby is growing each week and the changes you will notice in your body. It also has a section on foods you can and cannot eat and allows you to track your weight. I loved making lists with the baby names they have.

Pregnancy by Babycentre - Similar idea, however they have links back to their website for info and videos of how your baby is growing. It also has a chat room for you to connect with other mums.

Carry some healthy snacks with you - depending on whether you are suffering from extreme morning sickness or not, you will know what makes you want to heave and what you can stomach. I have been fairly lucky and only suffered mild nausea now and again. I have really been craving fruit so found it useful and easy to carry some around with me for when I'm at work or just out and about. Once you discover what little healthy snacks you like make sure you carry some with you.

Anyway, these are just some of the things that have helped to get me through. I'm still waiting to get my energy back though!

If you have any tips for dealing with pregnancy at any stage please let me know - I would love to hear them!

Sunday 2 February 2014

Week 13 Pregnancy Update

Little bump! (can't wait for it to grow)

How far along?
Exactly 14 weeks today.

Total weight gain?
Last time I was weighed was about 1.5 weeks ago, that was 3.5kg gain so far, 1/2 a stone! oops... most of the weight seems to have gone on my hips and butt so far, and boobs!

Maternity clothes?
I have been wearing black maternity Topshop jeans non stop because they are so comfy and the only thing that fits me properly at the moment. I went and bought another blue pair today just to change things up a bit, exciting exciting! and a black top that I can wear at work. I have to say I'm having real trouble finding anything that's particularly flattering top wise. All the tops I tried on in Topshop today looked like tents and made me look as big as a house.

Stretch marks?
Non yet, I've started to use Bio Oil but may switch to Elemis when this runs out. I'll try out a few and see which one I like best.

Sleep?
I have been off from work this week so have actually been sleeping pretty well as I'm feeling a lot less stressed. The one bad night I had was mainly because I got a little over excited about something...see next question...

Best moment this week?
Going out for dinner with friends and feeling the baby kick for the first time. I know people say that with your first you wont feel anything until about 18 weeks, but I'm sure it was the baby. Right above my pubic bone in my lower abdomen I felt a strong tapping sensation. It was quite random, some fast and then slow and went on for about 30 seconds. It certainly wasn't gas, trust me I've had enough of that in my life time to know what that feels like.

Worst moment this week?
I have been quite teary and sensitive and can basically start crying at the smallest thing if it upsets me. It's really hard to control and I think it stresses and worries my husband a bit as he doesn't like to see me that way and isn't used to it.

Miss anything?
Missing my poached eggs and was longingly eyeing up my sisters bloody mary at the pub today at lunch. Also miss my wardrobe and feeling good in my clothes.

Movement?
As mentioned above. I also felt a lot of prodding sensations around my belly button all evening that night but I'm not so sure about those. Haven't felt anything else since.

Food cravings?
No specific cravings really, but when I decide I'm in the mood for something I have to have it! Just been slightly more picky with my food in general.

Anything making you feel sick or queezy?
Strangely I've been finding chocolate, biscuits or anything overly sweet a bit sickly and off putting. Other than that nothing really.

Gender?
No idea yet, a whole 7weeks till our 20 week scan.

Symptoms?
Not really, mainly the hormones making me teary and my boobs started to get sore again yesterday. Also can still get quite exhausted if I try to do too much. My body finds it hard to get over a gym session at the moment. I went twice this week and both times the following day I felt absolutely drained.

Belly button in or out?
In

Happy or moody?
Generally happy, but a little bit sad and teary at times.

Looking forward to?
Finding out the gender, still seems like ages away. And getting some of my energy back now that I've hit the 2nd trimester.