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Weekly Update: 27 Weeks Pregnant

Posted on by Claire

Another rare photo of me on the blog, here I am at 27 weeks pregnant!

Baby size at 27 weeks: 37cm long.

Baby weight at 27 weeks: 900g+

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Let me start off by saying that the number 27 is my favourite number. Today is the 27th April and I am 27 weeks pregnant with our baby boy who is due on 27th July 🙂

Ta-da!

I’ve had quite a bad week this week, I have to say. I’ve suffered really really badly with heartburn. Which to most people will probably sound trivial. But the ache and pain spread right around my body and settled inbetween my shoulder blades. I had a hot water bottle with me at work all week. To which I received the sodding Spanish inquisition for from my colleagues (people are so damn nosey).

Towards the end of this week I’ve also been struggling with Round Ligament Pain. It absolutely kills hurts to walk. So this weekend I will be laying in bed, being waited on by OH 🙂
Baby  Boy wise, he’s still as active as ever. Really noticing a pattern to his activities throughout the day. I noticed that he enjoys chocolate – so he must take after  his father in that department! I also had a episode during the week when he was kicking me loads at work and the entire department ended up crowding around my desk watching my tummy move – some in amazement, most in shock and horror. Phahahaha. I love it.

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/27weeks/

His eyes open and close, he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals and he may suck a finger or thumb.

Sweet dreams, little baby! Some experts believe that babies begin to dream by week 27. What do they dream about? No one knows for sure but your baby’s brain is certainly active now. The characteristic grooves on his brain’s surface is starting to appear and more brain tissue is developing.

You may be detecting rhythmic movements, which is simply your baby having an attack of the hiccups. They are common this week and throughout your pregnancy. A spell of hiccups usually passes in moments. The sensation for you may be strange, but rather comforting.

 

MM.

Weekly Update: 26 Weeks Pregnant

Posted on by Claire 

 Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/26weeks/

Baby size at 26 weeks: 36cm long.

Baby weight at 26 weeks: 760g+

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Feel like I’ve had a good week – all things considered! I started the week at the dentist on Monday, getting fillings and a gum guard for nighttime wear. I was very brave 🙂

Wednesday we were back at the Fetal Medicine Unit in UCLH for the re-scan of baby boy bump’s feet. We found that he does have Bilateral Talipes, but it’s extremely mild right now. So we were chuffed with that. Read what happened during the hospital appointment, here.

This week I’ve found that I’m getting really bad back ache. I can’t stand or walk for long before I need a sit down. So strange for me! I’ve also noticed that I’m going to the loo a lot more often and have had a few bouts of heartburn. But aside from that, I’m feeling pretty good!

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

His response to sound grows more consistent towards the end of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to her ears is complete. He may be able to hear you and your partner chatting. Your baby also continues to take small breaths, getting plenty of practice for when he’s born. It’s all preparation for when he takes that first gulp of air. Since your baby is now growing so fast, and brain development is so intense at this stage, your nutrition is very important.

This week baby boy’s eyes open for the first time and blinking starts. Until now they have been fused shut to protect the developing eyes. Depending on your baby’s ethnicity, their eye colour may be anything from blue to almost black. Baby boy can’t see much as it’s pretty dark inside your womb, although light will penetrate if it’s very bright.

Your baby’s hands are strong and mobile, and a lot of waking time is spent exploring with them.

Your baby can push quite strongly against the wall of your womb now and this may be uncomfortable at times. When your baby stretches, you may even be able to distinguish different body parts through your bump – a little foot or a hard, round head. In a couple of weeks other people will be able to see your bump moving too.

MM.

Hospital Update: Baby Boy bump has (mild) Bilateral Talipes.

Posted on by Claire

Wednesday 18th April: Re-scan at UCLH, Fetal Medicine Unit.

This morning we visited the Fetal Medicine Unity in UCLH (University College London Hospital) for the re-scan of baby boy bump’s feet – to confirm or exclude Talipes (Club Foot). Since my worrying Midwife appointment the other week, I’ve thought about nothing other than the results we might find at the scan today. Not about his feet though, I was thinking about everything else that it could be linked to. Yesterday the panic set in again and I started googling all sorts, which we all know, is probably the worst thing you can do – ever! Based on the, err, google search findings, I’d really worried myself about how his spine might be developing, as Talipes can be the result of other genetic disorders. This all combined with the Midwife appointment made me really really quite anxious in that waiting from this morning.

Appointment was for 9am, we arrived early, as always, at 8:30am. We went into see the FMU and Speciality Doctor who has performed our most recent scans at UCLH, at about 9:15am. Our Speciality Doctor is beyond thorough, so started off with checking the progress of the brain and heart. Then he went on to check other internal organs for size and function, making the necessary measurements and notes as he went along. (See below for measurements from this scan!) He muttered that “everything is developing beautifully”. Then he turned to the back, looking at the spine and ribcage. He pondered over the spine and I clenched onto OH’s hand. The Doctor didn’t say anything so I asked “Is his spine ok?”. He smiled and said “Of course, he’s beautifully in proportion and developing as he should be. It’s a good thing!”. PHEW. I was happy at that point 🙂

As baby boy bump has proven at every single scan, he’s a wriggler. He moves non-stop. Which is amazing! But not great when the Doctor is trying to desperately get a good view of his feet! It was at this point that he got the 4D scanning images up again – which is just incredible. It’s so amazing to see your baby’s face like that – unbelievable to be honest! But he was really wanting to get a good view of his feet… so it was a quick look at his cute-as-a-button face and then back to business.

The Doctor scanned his feet for about 15 minutes using both the 4D and 2D imaging. He then turned to us and said that he was “convinced there is a degree of Bilateral Talipes. But is extremely mild”. He then went on to discuss corrective methods and said he’d like the Consultant to take a look. The Consultant arrived and said that the Talipes was so mild that “I probably would have missed it to be honest!”.

So with all this in mind, we’re over the moon. Couldn’t be happier. We always knew this baby boy of ours would be a character, and he’s certainly that!

We”ve now been discharged from UCLH and referred back to the care of Broomfield. We will have another scan (YES!) at 32 weeks to see the progression of the Talipes. This will be our 8th scan, although these scans have not been under happy circumstances (mostly), we’re extremely grateful that we’ve been lucky enough to see our baby boy growing at every single stage. As long as the Talipes has progressed as it should (or hopefully, not at all) then we’ll remain within the care of Broomfield. We will not be treated any differently for the birth, so there is no reason for me not to have the Water Birth I’m planning! Once baba is born, we’ll obviously review the extent of the Talipes and take it from there.

Measurements at 25 weeks and 5 days.

Biparietal Diameter (BPD): 67.9 mm

Head Circumference (HC): 243.9 mm

Abdominal Circumference (AC): 213.3 mm

Nuchal Fold Thickness (NT): 5.6 mm

Nasal Bone: 7.4 mm

Femur Length: 45.5 mm

Estimated Fetal Weight (BPD, HC, AC, FL) :842 g / 1 lb 14oz

4D scan of baby boy’s face. He has my nose and chin and OH’s eyes. He’s playing hide and seek here though unfortunately! 

MM.

Weekly Update: 25 Weeks Pregnant

Posted on by Claire 

 Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/25weeks/

Baby size at 25 weeks: 35cm long.

Baby weight at 25 weeks: 660g+

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Had another tiring week – it’s felt like I’ve been at work FOREVER. Certainly didn’t feel like we’d only been in for 4 days because of the Bank Holiday on Monday… SHATTERED.

I’ve also been feeling a lot heavier this week. My back and pelvis have been aching and it’s become gradually worse throughout the week. I’m sat writing this with a hot water bottle on my back – something I haven’t needed since my periods stopped! So it feels very strange… to the point where I’m feeling a little bit melancholy tonight 🙁

But on a brighter note, baby boy has been excellent this week. Kicking a tremendous amount again. Albeit, he did keep me awake all night on Monday – so I’ve not been able to catch up with my sleep really. I also woke up a few times throughout the week with numb hands – a sure sign that nerves around my spine are trapped and it’s causing me to have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. A good few shakes and it turns into pins and needles… then disappears. We’ll have a sleep in tomorrow and be right as rain, I’m sure 🙂

I’m at the dentist on Monday 16th for my filling and gum guard – should be interesting! Then we’re back to UCLH for a re-scan of baby boy’s feet to confirm or exclude the Talipes. I’ll update as soon as I can with the results. He’ll be smashing, whatever the outcome 🙂

 

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

He’s beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he’ll start to look more like a newborn. His senses are becoming more sophisticated, too. At 26 weeks, fetal brain scans show response to touch. If you shine a light on your belly, your baby will turn his head, which means his optic nerve is working.

Your baby’s brain is in overdrive these days, as he’s having to control a huge number of activities and processes going on throughout his body.

Although your baby is starting to fill the space in your womb they are still incredibly active and you may find the non-stop somersaulting quite tiring. Your baby’s also very responsive to all kinds of stimulus, reacting with sudden movements, changes in heart rate and in how often they suck.

Your baby is now starting to get familiar with certain sounds, including yours and your partner’s voice. They’ll find these sounds comforting both now and after they’re born.

MM.

Weekly Update: 24 Weeks Pregnant

Posted on by Claire 

Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/24weeks/

Baby size at 24 weeks: 30cm long.

Baby weight at 24 weeks: 600g+

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Had a tiring week this week. I’ve tried eating lots of fruit to up my sugar levels, but ended up with really bad heartburn! The woes of pregnancy eh?

I also had my first actual midwife appointment with my local midwife at Brentwood Community Hospital. I left feeling quite worried however. I’m ok now… but I clearly had a lot of explaining to do with regards to our journey from Week 1 – week 24 so far. So much has happened. We’ve had a complicated pregnancy… But the midwife just looked really concerned with everything I was telling her. Bringing the journey right up to date, I explained that we had another scan at UCLH on 18th to confirm or exclude Baby Boy’s suspected Talipes of his left foot. She looked really concerned and said “Why? Why are they doing another scan? That *never* happens?”. To which I was alarmed and explained that it’s probably because UCLH is a Research Hospital and they’re being thorough. But it did make me think, what if there was something else that was suspected during the last scan, but not explained to us? Are they not telling me something I should know?

After to speaking to many on Twitter, we’ve concluded she’s probably just a midwife that hasn’t come across notes like mine in her (short, so far) career…

HMMMM.

Baby boy has been especially active in the past few days. His favourite song this week is “Something” by The Beatles. His version of ‘classic’ 😉 He gets extremely bouncing when I join in singing, which is amazing. I love it so much!

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

The spine is becoming strong now and supports the rest of the body as it grows. Thanks to this growth spurt he is starting to fill your uterus and can’t stretch out to their full length any more.

His nostrils, which have been closed till now, open and his sense of taste is becoming more sensitive. Baby boy may even pull an expression of disgust if something you eat gives the amniotic fluid an unpleasant taste.

Your baby is now said to be “viable”, which means if they were born this week they would have roughly a 40% chance of survival.

Though your baby still has little body fat and his skin is thin and fragile, he’s well-proportioned. His brain is growing rapidly, tastebuds have fully developed, and his footprints and fingerprints are continuing to form. Inside his body, his lungs are developing branches of the respiratory tree as well as cells that produce surfactant. This substance will help him air sacs inflate once he reaches the outside world.

MM.

Weekly Update: 23 Weeks Pregnant

Posted on by Claire

Baby size at 23 weeks: 29cm long.

Baby weight at 23 weeks: 500g+

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So here is the first *actual* picture of me on my blog. It’s always just been ambiguous bump pictures! I’m still feeling really good. I went to the dentist yesterday and as suspected, I need to have a filling… but I was also fitted for a night gum guard. Has anyone else had this during pregnancy? I think I grind my teeth in my sleep anyway, but with everything else thats going on, my teeth are super sensitive.

Baby boy is kicking an incredible amount – getting much stronger too. To the point where it shocks me sometimes! I absolutely love it. I can’t get enough of him to be honest! OH and I get into bed on a night and lay for 10 minutes or so, with OH resting his ear on my tummy. He can now fully feel our baby kicking – AND hear when he does too! Which is amazing. I’m so so pleased he can finally feel him and share the experience. It’s just wonderful!

On an additional note, we played Enya’s “Orinoco Flow” to my tummy last night and baby boy had a really good kick. We’re convinced he’s definitely an Enya fan 😀

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/23weeks/

His hearing is established and around now he may be able to make out a distorted version of your voice, the beating of your heart and your stomach rumblings.

When your baby is born, loud noises he has often heard in the uterus (womb), such as the barking of a dog or the roar of a vacuum cleaner, probably won’t bother him.

Some people swear by the theory that unborn babies prefer classical music. So in the coming months you could put on relaxing Bach or Mozart for his enjoyment – and yours!

MM.

Re-Scan: Echocardiogram and Anomaly Scan at 21+4 Weeks.

Posted on by Claire

Tuesday 20th March: 4D scan! Fetal Heart Echo (Echocardiogram) and 20 Week Anomaly Scan at UCLH.

This Tuesday we went back to the Fetal Medicine Unit for a repeat Echocardiogram, doubled up with our 20 week Anomaly Scan. We are absolutely chuffed to say that every appears normal and all of baby boys organs are working correctly. So we will have no further review organ-wise, which is great news! The specialist was also (more than!) kind enough to surprise us with a few sneaky peaks at a 4D scan of our baby boy! It was absolutely incredible.

The extensive scan did however highlight that in some views there was a suspicion of Talipes (club foot). But in other views both feet appeared normal. The specialist also noted that the range of movements in all joints is normal. So this basically means that we have to go back to the FMU in about 4 weeks time to have a repeat scan to confirm or exclude the suspicion.

If it is found that one of his feet are a little on the wonky side, there are tons of things that can be done – without the need of surgery. So we’re happy.

Just also curious to find out if you had a baby with a suspected club foot and your experiences? What happened after the birth?

Here are some measurements and findings from the Anomaly scan that you might find useful. We were told these measurements were pretty much spot on for gestation, 21+4 weeks.

Biparietal Diameter (BPD): 52.4 mm

Head Circumference (HC): 189.1 mm

Abdominal Circumference (AC): 168.0 mm

Nuchal Fold Thickness (NT): 5.3 mm

Nasal Bone: 7.3 mm

Femur Length: 34.1 mm

Estimated Fetal Weight (BPD, HC, AC, FL): 416g / 15oz

MM.

 

Weekly Update: 22 Weeks Pregnant

Posted on by Claire

Baby size at 22 weeks: 28cm long.

Baby weight at 22 weeks: 430g.

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I’m feeling great – still! Definitely feel like I’m getting enough sleep, so have more energy. My bump is pretty massive – although the baby boy inside is in proportion! So that’s good.

Baby Boy is still moving about lots and lots. He’s certainly enjoying himself.

We were at both UCLH and Broomfield this week. Will be writing up the results of both visits shortly.

 

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/22weeks/

 

Your baby’s legs aren’t curled up so tightly to his tummy now. This means he can be measured from the top of her head to his heels, instead of his bottom. He is proportioned like a newborn, albeit a thinner version since his baby fat hasn’t yet developed.

Although he’s getting heavier every day, his skin still appears wrinkled and translucent because he needs to gain more weight. His lips are distinct and his eyes are formed, though the coloured part (the iris) still lacks pigment. The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily.

He can now hear when you talk – try singing or reading to them and see if you get any kicks in response.

MM.

Weekly Update: 21 Weeks Pregnant

Posted on by Claire 

Fig 1: www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/21weeks/

 

Baby size at 21 weeks: 27cm long.

Baby weight at 21 weeks: 360g.

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I’m feeling great so far this week (today I’m 21+2 weeks today). My skin has all of a sudden cleared up and my hair is really shiny. I’m still having massive issues with my Sciatic nerve however and feeling breathless really quickly when walking up the street.

Baby boy however is having a whale of a time in my tummy! He’s moving around loads, I can feel him doing somersaults and kicking and punching! I’m only sad that DP can’t feel it yet.

This week we’re at the hospital twice. On Tuesday we have an appointment at the Fetal Medicine Unit at UCLH for another Echocardiogram. Then at Broomfield on Wednesday for an appointment with the Midwife and Consultant. Will post an update soon after each appointment.

 

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

The umbilical cord is growing thicker and longer in order to provide your baby with more nutrients and oxygen. Although most of the nutrition your baby needs is delivered via the umbilical cord, the developing digestive system allows small amounts of sugars to be absorbed from the amniotic fluid your baby swallows.

Until now your baby’s liver and spleen have been producing red blood cells. Around now your baby’s bone marrow starts to make them too. By the time they’re born, your baby will be producing all the red blood cells they need.

In baby girls, the uterus is fully developed now and baby boy’s testes are starting to descend. This usually takes two or three days. Occasionally this fails to happen, and some baby boys will need a minor operation after birth to bring the testes down.

MM.

Lifehouse Country Spa Resort – long weekend away…

Posted on by Claire

 

So, Lifehouse Spa!

We had booked this little break away after having all the scans and tests a few weeks ago. We’d decided that we would need a relax after such a rollercoaster couple of weeks…

Being 19 weeks pregnant, we jut wanted to go somewhere where we could relax and chill out for a few days. Get away from it all. A spa was perfect. I literally spent 3 days alternating between the swimming pool and jacuzzi (Hydrotherapy Pool). Unfortunately, all of the treatments were too expensive for our budget… in fact, they were just overpriced in general.

I’m well aware that this review is just going to sound like a right moan! It was our first trip to a Spa though, so we would have expected a bit more in some areas. Albeit, we had a wonderful time and would return tomorrow! But with hindsight of course ;o

Pro’s

– Drinks were relatively cheap.

– Comfortable bed.

– Contemporary room with lovely bathroom and great views of the gardens. Usual coffee and tea making facilities.

– Lovely staff – all very polite and always had a smile.

– Easy place to relax.

– Food was great, restaurant quality.

– Great swimming pool and hydrotherapy pool. Can’t review the Steam, Sauna or Salt Inhalations rooms as I can’t use them being pregnant… but DP absolutely loved all three. So they kept him quiet! 😀

– Loved the Orchids Bar area too… must recommend the bread and olives. Best olives I’ve ever eaten! Amazing! Just £2.00 too!

– Very very nice gardens… it was absolutely blowing a gale outside and raining but this did not deter us! We borrowed some Hunter wellies from reception and had a great walk right around the gardens.

 

Con’s

– We weren’t given a ‘welcome’ note or shown around the complex. So didn’t know what facilities we could and couldn’t use.

– Because of the above, we didn’t know we had a safe in the room, until we were messing on with a rather ambiguous looking drawer underneath the TV!

– Again, because we weren’t given a ‘welcome’ note, we didn’t know that you could order Room Service.

– Couldn’t lock the door to the room.

– No bath in the room – albeit, the shower was incredible. I still could have done with a soak before bed!

– Treatments are expensive and need to be booked well in advance. Many people were left disappointment upon arrival when all appointments were booked up.

– Pregnant ladies cannot use Sauna, Steam room or Salt Inhalation rooms as they raise the body temperature too much.

– Packages that exclude food are very expensive. A lunchtime meal (main and starter) will be around £45 for a couple with one wine and one soft drink. An evening meal is per the set menu, £35 for 3 courses or £28.50 for 2 courses.

– Menu’s left a lot to be desired for someone who is both pregnant and doesn’t eat fish or mushrooms! I ended up having the same evening meal on both nights of our stay because the menu didn’t change… and the Duck dish was the only one that didn’t contain fish or mushrooms! There was also a £3 additional supplement on this.

– There were no decaff teabags! I also wasn’t given an alternative… would have definitely thought there would be decaffeinated everything with it being a health spa!

– No soft drinks menu! Just Wine and Cocktail lists… which isn’t great when you can’t drink! Imagine if you’re an alcoholic visiting for a detox!

– Restaurant was basic-looking; for such an ambitious menu, it was a shame that the restaurant was more like a canteen in a Sainsbury’s with cheap chairs and tables. The chairs of which offered zero support for a pregnant lady.

– There were no bottles of water for free, or even for sale! So it was a case of having to get up every 5 minutes to go to the water fountain in the corner of the ‘Wet Area’. Which is quite annoying when you’re pregnant and just want to lay down, but of course, you need to keep hydrated.

– Although this spa is relatively new, (about a year old), we did notice lots of signs of wear and tear. I actually stood on a piece of broken glass in the Hydrotherapy Pool! Turns out, upon further inspection, lots of the mosaic tiles were cracked and broken, but glued back together. Again, when looking up from the jacuzzi, the ceiling paint was peeling…

It was such a shame there were these little niggles – we really did enjoy ourselves though! Honestly! And we would go back… just hopefully when they have a different menu! 🙂

 

MM.