This week I had my first consultant appointment at the hospital, last pregnancy I was midwife led so I was intrigued to find out what consultant led care would be like. I felt quite underwhelmed actually, my consultant was a man of few words whom seemed to generally cut you off mid sentence. I can only hope that he has read my notes because I had no chance to ask or even lead him into various areas. My confidence in people is not that great if I’m honest, I much prefer to highlight certain areas to check that they know what they are doing – last pregnancy it all went a bit, rubbish towards the end. Things were certainly missed and perhaps I was naive to just believe that someone had things in hand, not something I’m keen to repeat.
It wasn’t as relaxing this time around, if you can call a trip to the hospital antenatal department relaxing at any point in life. But with my first-born in hand alongside me, it was very hard to concentrate on anything else. They are quite extended sessions too, I arrived at the reception desk and handed my maternity notes over. They ended up in a little box alongside others before me, first was to see the midwife whom took my blood pressure and the usual checks, then another wait for the consultant after which I could wait for my blood to be taken. Next time I have a scan as well, hopefully not more blood tests! That does seem to be one benefit, more scans and the hope that someone is keeping an eye on the overall picture. Fingers crossed!
Top moment the week? – Knowing I am almost half way there now, feeling better, being able to start planning for January a lot more? I’m not sure I have one specific moment but it feels a lot easier these days (before you get heavy and round, then putting on socks is quite a feat).
Stretch marks – No changes still, in fact I guess because it’s not the first time my skin has stretched I haven’t noticed as much tightness as last time.
Sleep – The body pillow has been taken out of storage this week, I was finding waking that my hips were sore. The body pillow has immediately sorted this, it received pressure and I really recommend getting one if you are expecting. I invested in a reasonable one last pregnancy so it hadn’t gone flat which is good.
Maternity Clothes – Yes, very much round now. I still fit some of my other clothes, but jeans are maternity ones and I can’t wait for Winter jumpers!
Food Cravings – Salty food is top of my favourite at the moment, I try not to eat too many snacks but find myself hungry between meals. I adore the sea salt and balsamic Kettle chips, left to it a whole pack will disappear before my eyes.
What do you miss – Champagne, why break a habit of a life time? I miss celebrating great days where something lovely happens by opening a bottle, popping it into a buffed ice bucket and the tender stem that only a Champagne glass can provide. For me it’s really not all about the alcohol, but I love beautiful things and so many beautiful glasses are made for alcoholic beverages. How many times have you ever sat with friends, drinking wine? Twiddling the wine glass stem in your hand, or swirling the liquid around without thought? With the days getting darker I will miss my mulled wine too!
Movement – All the time, proper kicks and lots of them. I think I am starting to get a bit of a pattern to them already too. He is still quiet for long periods but my placenta is actually posterior this time so I can really feel every movement and much earlier than before.
Symptoms – Hungry, back aches, round ligament pain, feeling very bloated after meals, occasionally feeling like I might be sick? Not sure why that’s returned.
What are you looking forward to – Reaching the twenty week mark, half way – then having our next scan! I’d like to know for sure everything has developed okay and I believe if they can they are going to try to check the corpus callosum too for this one.
These posts are retrospective, if you’d like to check out other weeks please click below
