27 week pregnancy update.

This weeks update won't be very long. I've struggled to find the time to even write a small update, so I am currently typing away whilst stuffing my face with Strawberries before fasting for a day of blood tests.

Symptoms have been crazy this week- braxton hicks, acid reflux, sore breasts, headaches, low energy- you name it, I had it.
I think they've been more obvious because we've had a stressful week.

On Wednesday I went to a physio appointment for my Carpal Tunnel.. and came away with some crazy unexpected news.

I've always had troubles with my legs which we were told was loose ligaments, I had physio/crutches/leg brace etc and it just got dismissed and that was that.  As time has gone on I've had problems with my jaw, wrists and hips/stomach.

Without going into too much detail (because I'm still trying to get my head around it) .. The ligaments in my body are too lose, they aren't supporting the muscles, which aren't supporting my joints. They're easily dislocating/coming out of place and causing a lot of pain and discomfort. My physio has told me that it is advisable not to fall pregnant again- my body won't be able to handle it. The muscles in my legs and back, pelvis etc are weakening and need strengthening with physio/aqua aerobics, pilates etc to get them to hold out as much as they can.

They also want me to arrange through the surestart carers scheme, a home-helper for when Triston is at work. They really weren't positive and said it's going to get worse. I have wrist splints and will be fitted with a pelvic support at my next appointment- where hopefully I'll have a proper name for all of this and some more information on it. They have said once baby is born, surgery can be used to take the pain away but not to help.

At 18 it was a lot to take in, the future doesn't look great physically for me.. but I have a lot of support!!

Triston has been a star, about the not being able to carry pregnancy again and the prospect of me getting progressively worse.
There are a lot of worrying things that go alongside what they think I have, especially during pregnancy.. so I'm being prepared for early labour and am trying to rest as much as I can.

So thats just a short update for you. Emotionally I'm feeling strong, ready for anything life throws at me and I'm also enjoying time with Alyssa a lot more. I'm trying not to take the little things for granted.. because after this baby that could be it. Everything she does had made me glow with pride..

I hope I haven't bored you all with this update but I needed to post it as I have been getting lots of questions. It's early days yet (which have been painful already!!) So I will update more when I know!

Thanks for the continued support! :-)

Our Easter Sunday!

Easter isn't a 'huge' celebration in our household. The religious aspect isn't celebrated, as we do not follow a religion.. and Chocolate is a big treat, because Alyssa is still only young! This year we thought it would be important to empathise 'new life' and 'new beginnings'.

Triston was at work from 6-2 so we spentthe day at my mums house.

The day started by Alyssa opening her Easter basket [Blog on what is in her Easter basket is on the page]. We ate Hot cross buns and fruit for breakfast, then got dressed and set off down the road to my Mum's house.

My younger brother joined us for the walk, as he was at the park nearby (we live 2 seconds down the road from each other!) Alyssa loves her Uncle and held his hand all the way! 

At my mum's Alyssa received more goodies, and we held an indoor egg hunt because as usual the Great British weather let us down!

She actually understood how to look this year- which made it more exciting! She found 17 tiny eggs, and a giant Kinder Egg.. her beautiful face lit up knowing they were all for her- with the exception of mummy and daddy ;)

The afternoon was spent relaxing with family. When Daddy got home we snuggled under the blankets and watched Hop (Alyssa's 'bestest programme'- as she would put it).

And of course, what mummy can't resist a big bar of Chocolate once their child/ren are in bed? It was Easter afterall....

Easter baskets| Toddler edition.

The shops are filled with chocolate eggs, bunnies, chicks and even carrot shaped chocolates!

Easter is fast approaching and last year we made the decision to put together a basket of goodies each year for Alyssa, until she is old enough to 'grow out of it'. We don't like Alyssa having too much Chocolate/Sweets- for obvious reasons- she is only 2.. so we looked for things that were 'Eastery' but not coated in sugar. Of course we did add a little Chocolate for her too.

The first thing we picked up was a cute touchy feely book, called 'Are you my mummy'. It's a cute little story about a duckling looking for its Mother. This was actually purchased from the poundshop!

Next Alyssa picked out some cute bunny ear hairclips, again found in the poundshop- a nice little extra! ;)

The poundshop also had a lot of craft kits for Easter, we already purchased foam animals, bonnets and egg decorating kits which went down well, so decided to buy the Mask making kit too!

The last thing in her basket is a Milkybar egg, and a little matching bunny. These were purchased from Tesco, the egg was £1 (taken out of the box) and the bunnies on 2 for £1.. although we have only put one in.

The basket was also purchased from the poundshop and is stuffed with leftover Hamster bedding we had lying around!

We don't go overboard with Easter, we aren't religious so have no reason to celebrate it, but it's always nice to be able to buy Alyssa a treat for the holidays. 

I hope this gave you some ideas, and I hope you all have a wonderful Easter!! :-)

26 week pregnancy update!!

This week we have reached the 26th week of our pregnancy! Time seems to be speeding by!
As you can see by the photo above, baby girl has shot out and had a growth spurt. She should be weighing around 2lbs this week, although I am measuring two weeks ahead so who knows?!
Symptoms this week have been awful if I'm honest. I'm past that 'blooming' stage.. so past it. I'm now in the 'I'm a fat whale get thus baby out of me' stage.. and it sure is uncomfy!!

I've had aches in places I never knew existed. Pressure pain, nerve pain.. and hip pain! The only relief I get is when I'm on all fours rocking- so it's definitely time to purchase a biiiig ball!! 

Heartburn has been a pain, as it always has been with my silly body- but even more so with this pregnancy! I haven't really been feeling tired, thankfully! 

My Carpal tunnel is still playing up, but I have physio next week so fingers crossed it helps! 

Emotionally I'm feeling fine. It's been a week since I had my medication lowered, and apart from a blip at the start of the week when everything seemed to go wrong for us, I've been 'okay'. Stressed but 'okay'.

Movements are getting to the uncomfortable stage.. kicks in my ribs, a head pushing down and pokes in my sides.. and she doesn't seem to have a routine.. its all day everyday!!

We've changed her name.. again!! And are still unsure even now :( Name choosing is so difficult! I think we're going to compile a list and see shat she looks like when she arrives!

That's all for this week! :-)

Mental health during pregnancy.

As you're all aware, I suffer from mental health problems. Depression, anxiety and OCD.
Falling pregnant was a shock, as emotionally I didn't feel ready, but every baby is a blessing and we knew we were sent the baby for a reason. The first trimester was not a good time. Amongst problems with the pregnancy, my depression spiraled out of control. I didn't want the baby, I didn't want my existant child, I didn't even want to be here. I hated myself, and everything around me. My friends and family were concerned and got me the help I needed just in time. From then on things have been getting easier, from 20 weeks I have started bonding with our unborn girly, and feel I love her now as much ad any mum loves their baby. It's not nice admitting I had those feelings, but that's depression for yiu- it changes the entire person you are. 
I've been on anti depressents for two yesrs now, gradually highering my dose until I fell pregnant, where I was dropped.. As of 28 weeks, the tablets I am on can have a negative effect on baby, cauding withdrawal and possible heart defects. This isn't for all cases, but a lot. 

My mental health doctor has taken my dose even lower, and as of 28 weeks I am no longer allowed to take my medication.

It's a big thing coming away from the one thing you rely on to be 'okay' ..and I am anxious about what could happen, but I know it's for the best for our baby.

We've set up early warning signs, so we can detect a breakdown before it happens, so I can be given councilling/monitoring to help me until our big arrival.

A lot of people tell me 'you'll be okay' etc, but really they don't know.. and nor do I. Depression and anxiety is unpredictable. One minute you can be fine, the next crumbling at the walls.

I have a good support system from my friends/family/midwife and mental health doctors.. so I know that I will be supported if anything goes wrong.

I'll be updating again in a few weeks, once I'm off the medication.. but please remember, Mental health is an illness, it can happen to anyone- even those who are supposed to be going through the most exciting time of their life!

25 week pregnancy update.

This week I turnt 25 weeks pregnant!

I've had a busy week, with appointment after appointment and I'm ready to just relax now!

The main symptom this week is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, I was diagnosed on Monday after weeks of pain.

Carpal Tunnel is a syndrome, where a nerve in your wrist is compressed. It causes pain, numbness, parathesia and discomfort in your wrist/hand/fingers. It is often caused by an accident, however 50% of pregnant women also get it! 

There isn't much that can be done, and often sufferers complain of the pain throughout their lives. I've been referred to physio, and have been given splints to wear to ease the pain. I will also be given steroid injections into my wrist. If none of these work, I will be sent for surgery on my wrist.

The pain is horrible and my wrist has turnt to jelly, I cannot grip/grab etc and it gives way often.

Other symptoms are the usual, heartburn, restlessness, swollen feet and general aches and pains. Braxton hicks are back, but luckily I've stopped losing my plug for now!

I had a check up with my midwife and baby is growing above average, but not enough to be concerned, her heartbeat was strong and steady and my BP/urine etc all came back perfect.

I've also been told that if things stay as they are, I will be allowed a home birth!!

Emotionally I'm feeling fab and have started weaning off of my medication (new post will be added).

We have decided to change baby's name to one on our list, but won't be announcing because no doubt it will change again!! 

The girls room is almost finished, with only a few more bits to buy for the big arrival!

We're almost into the final trimester (2.5 weeks away) and I am ready for the home stretch!

Come back next week for my 26 week update! :-)

24 week pregnancy update & NAME REVEAL.

This week we've hit 24 weeks- still a while to go, but it means we have reached 'viability'. Before 24 weeks gestation, if a baby was born and needed help, doctors would not work on the baby. Very few babies survive if born before 24 weeks (although I have heard of 2, 23 weekers!!) Once a mother reaches 24 weeks, if she was to give birth to an alive baby- doctors would do what they could to keep baby alive and well.

Symptoms this week are really starting to give me that 'are we nearly there yet' feeling. Tiredness, muscle pulls, ribs sore and under attack 24/7, sore breasts, swollen feet, more loss of mucus plug, hair loss, hormonal outbursts, constant tiredness and difficulty walking far due to baby's position. Who said pregnancy was glamourous?!

We also decided on revealing baby girls name this week.

Autumn-Raine Elsa Sedgwick!

We got a mixed reaction, but that's to be expected. We understand not every name suits certain people, but we didn't name her to please other people.. 
Choosing a name was difficult.. When we fell pregnant Autumn-Raine was our first choice but wondered how people would react, our 2nd choice was Emilie-Rose but with much thought, we decided that it was again quite a common name. It seems most girls names that are hyphenated have -Rose, -Mae, -Grace, -Rae or -Louise at the end of it, so we wanted to use something completely different. 

Alyssa is getting more and more excited about the arrival of her baby sister. Talking about all the items we've accumulated for her, stroking and cuddling my bump, and telling us she loves her. I never thought she would understand but she's showing all the signs!

We've also decided on our birth choice- and will be asking for a vaginal delivery, at home. 

Next week we have my mental health check up, where I will be weaned off of my medication, and my midwife appt so there will be lots to share. I'm feeling slightly anxious about it, but know I have the support I need in place to get by.

That's it for this week! :-)