15 weeks. I know the finish line is still a long way off, but it’s creeping closer each week and I really think it will be here in no time. I had my second midwife appointment this week. Midwife appointments are few and far between in second pregnancies, but I’m ok with that. The less I have to carry a pot of wee around with me, the better as far as I’m concerned.
It was half-term so I took Ebony with me. I was really glad she could come, I think getting her involved with the pregnancy might help to prepare her for life as a big sister. She was really fascinated with the idea of a wee sample, and I had to negotiate quite firmly to convince her that she was not the right person to decant the wee into the little cylindrical pot.
Ebony sat on my knee for most of the appointment and looked on in wonder as they checked my blood pressure. She also seemed pretty relieved to hear that I didn’t have syphilis. It took them a while to find the baby’s heartbeat, apparently the baby is pretty low for 15 weeks. This was news to me because I already look about six months pregnant - if that’s not baby, then what it is? It’s biscuit spread. Mystery solved.
When we left the room, Ebony told me that she was pretty disappointed that neither of us had been offered a sticker. She thought it was quite unfair and that having injections was better than seeing a midwife because then, at least, you get a sticker.
Me: I’ll be having an injection at my next midwife appointment.
Ebony: Oooh, then will I get a sticker?
Me: ...No.
Ebony: Why not?
Me: Because you won’t have had an injection.
Ebony: Well can I have your sticker?
Me: Grownups don’t get stickers.
Ebony: What!?
We’ve spent quite a bit of time since playing midwives, but better midwives who give out lots of stickers (read my post about this here). After the appointment, we caught the train into Manchester for the day. We had tickets to see We’re going on a bear hunt live at the Lowry. There was a lot of walking to do and by the end of the day, I felt pretty awful. I think it’s safe to say my PGP is back, and that is really crap.
Laurie bought me a maternity support belt from Mothercare (this one) to see if it might help. It was only £12 so seemed like a worthy investment. It has definitely helped a little bit, but I just have to be really careful how I move and how much I do during the day. I can’t carry Ebony or chase her down the road at the moment, but I don’t feel too bad just yet. It was a bit depressing for a few days because I was worried this was the beginning of the end, but it’s improved slightly since then so I think maybe it’s just a case of being mindful of what I do.
Missed week 14? Catch up here.