Peanut inside

Luca Michael Guerrera

2009-11-29T19:33:00.000-08:00

Luca Michael Guerrera

Born: Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Time: 4.04pm

At: Mater Hospital, North Sydney

Weight: 2.660kg

Labour: 7am-4.04pm

Posterior Facing - delivered with Forceps

Epidural (thank goodness)

emotional rollercoaster

2009-11-09T07:13:00.000-08:00

Friday we headed to the Chatswood Ultrasound Clinic for our 34 week scan. This scan was to check the general wellbeing of the baby, the approximate size and to determine if I would have a csection due the location of my low lying placenta.

To determine the distance of the placenta to the cervix I had to have an internal ultrasound...which is kinda like a dildo think with an ultrasound device at one end. It was extremely uncomfortable..but managable.

Anyhow, after the ultrasound...I was fine...no complaints...just anticipation of a baby that was in the 50% weight percentile for gestational age...so things were good and the baby was in position for a natural birth without the need for intervention due to the location of the placenta.

We had a nice Friday night, not doing much but just hanging out at home and watching War of the Worlds on TV and falling asleep at a reasonable hour.

The next morning I woke up to go to the toilet and noticed the brown discharge that was familiar to the begining of my pregnancy...which indicated back then that the placenta had been slightly irritated and caused a small bleed. The fact that it was brown meant it was old blood...nothing too serious. But I decided to call the hospital to just let them know that this had happened. As I predicted, they said its quite common for a brown bleed this late in pregnancy as the vagina is ultra sensitive with lots of active blood cells. So knowing that, I went on with my business...and even had a few friends over (Annette and Roy) for some yummy Thai food next door and then followed by a few rounds of DJ Hero - the new game we picked up that day while walking around Chatswood Westfield...Can I just say that at this point, walking around for long periods of time was really taking its toll...I was super duper out of breath and thought something was up with this...as usually I have a lot of energy. Roy and Annette left at about 11.30pm....I was exhausted and went to bed...not even worried about the smaller and thinner amount of brown discharge that looked like it was disappearing quite quickly during the day.

The next morning I woke up, went to the toilet and didn't really pay too much attension to the fact that brown discharge had gotten a bit darker. I went upstairs and can you believe this, was making my baby shower favour bags for the picnic Dave and I had arranged for the following Sunday...Dave decided to head to Coles to pick up some groceries and I stayed back to finish the darn favours. About an hour later, Dave called and asked me to pick him up from Coles car park as it was raining...so i went downstairs to the bathroom...went to do a number 1 and noticed when I wiped a very dark brown glob of mucas..that looked like a blue bottle...but dark (very dark) brown...it was thick and globby and one end and thin and long at the other...I knew straight away that this wasn't good...it as the mucas plug..which generally means that labour is on the way.

Without panicing, I got in the car to pick up dave from the carpark. He was waiting near the lift in the disabled carpark area. I pulled in, got out and as I openned the rear door, I looked at him...and said.."something is up, the muscas plug has dislodged and its dark brown...i need to call the hospital when I get home". Quicker than lightening Dave was putting the grocery bags away faster than you could say..mad man.

He was starting to stress out...and I was telling him not to panic as these things have a tendandcy to take a long time to get the ball rolling.

Dave had to get so many groceries (due to baby shower and christmas sale) that he had to multiple back and forths from the car to the lift and lift to the front door and then front door upstairs. As soon as I walked inside, I called the hospital and told them the events of the last couple of days. The midwife at Mater said that she would call Dr Batey's replacement, Dr David Smith to see what he thinks and if I needed to come in.

They called 10 minutes later and told me to come in for a nonstress test and to possibly get a steriod injection to mature the babies lungs. I could be in there 1-2 days depending on how much blood i was loosing and if my waters had broken. Holy crap...don't stress i kept telling myself.

I told dave the news and then said to him that I needed to have a shower and get ready incase I wasn't coming back. I had my shower and washed my hair...rubbed my belly telling our little one that no matter what happens in the next 24 hours...that all it needed to do was be strong and healthy...I looked at my belly..and a wave of sadness swept over me. I didnt know if this was serious or not..I hadnt read much about premmies, thinking it would never happen to me...i was relatively healthy despite the low placenta...and kept thinking about that ultrasound and if I had any grounds to complain to them about what was starting to happen now.

I took my time getting ready...and I kept hearing Dave slam things upstairs, and running up and down the stairwell...obviously Dave was on a new level of hyper..i grabbed him..gave him a hug and said..."everythinn will be alright...Im 34 weeks and 3 days...worse case scenerio babies born this old..usually have a great chance of survival...we'll just wait and see what they have to say"

While i was finalising my labour bag...I heard Dave on the phone to my parents and his parents letting them know what was going on...everyone was stressed out...no need to be...things will be fine...I'm definitely going to the right place.

We found a carspace out the front of Mater and walked up holding hands...I felt awkward...my mind a million miles away...trying to hold back the fact that I was freaking out and be the pillar of strength of my family and my husband. We headed up to maternity delivery suite...where we were told to head into one of the suites and get hooked up to the nonstress test monitor to see what was going on.

The parents arrived and everyone roomed in the suite...Was very awkward about this...incase they saw my tattoo and of course, if they had to do an internal. I had a shot of steriods in my butt cheek which stung even more than a tetnis shot i have to say.

Anyway, the test was fine..baby was fine and I was having minor braxton hicks - nothing to worry about...everyone sighed a relief...and they put me in one of the rooms on the ward for observation overnight. The midwife asked me to show her my sanitary pad every time I wanted to change it. Brown discharge was still quite dark...and then at 10pm more of the mucas plug dislodged. They kept that one...to show the other night midwifes...incase anything 'new' would happen.

Dave went home at 10.30pm and we had a great banter on msn webchat on each others computer..that went till about 12.30pm.

I tried to get to sleep and at 3.00am I woke up feeling a buzz of adrinelin. I couldnt get back to sleep...at about 4am i noticed that the pad was getting heavier...and wetter...and the wetness when I touched it was super watery and didnt have any cloudiness...not like the other discharge throughout pregnancy...I knew what it was straight away....it was the amniotic fluid draining...but it hadn't gushed..it was just trickling..like when you were a pad when you've got your period...you know its coming out...but its not like its that bad.

I called the midwife in and showed her...she looked at the pad and then looked at me and said it could just be persperation.....sweat?? I remember looking at her in a puzzled way and thinking...i dont think so. but went with the flow (bad choice of word). I didnt replace the pad...and thought maybe it would get worse..so I left it on until the morning midwife changed over.

At 6.40am Dr David Smith came to my room to meet me. He seemed ok..and I was reasonably happy about having him..an older guy..i quizzed him about the low lying placenta and if he thought that the ultrasound is what triggered this whole thing...he believed it was most probably the reason. He also was under the impression that the fluid that was now leaking was probably just a discharge that the vagina wall discreets when its trying to repair the placenta. hmm...possibly...
my gut feeling was that i wasnt convinced this was the reason either.

The morning midwifes came in and introduced themselves after that...they took all the usual tests - blood pressure, babies heart beat, temperature..and then the student midwife asked if there was anything else that was concerning me...and I told her straight out about the other midwifes suggestion that this discharge was sweat...she said did she test the ph level?...nope.

She took the pad...which was reasonably dry by then and took it to be tested...it came back negative..but wanted to check all my pads to see how it was going. The general consensus including the drs was that if the discharge changed colour from brown to the normal whitish colour that I could go home after 3pm. I was happy about that..and once Dave arrived at 9.30ish...we started to order all the food for the baby shower on the weekend.

At about 12pm, I was watching type away on the computer next to me...lying sideways when i got some pretty full on pressure...followed by a big gush of fluid...

"Ok Dave, this is not right..Im calling the midwife"

One of the other midwifes from the Delivery suite had taken over briefly from the ward midwifes and I had to tell her the story about the blooming questionable discharge...she looked at it..and smiled at me...she said it definitely looks like it could be amnoitic fluid and she went off to test it.

She got back..and looked at me with a big smile on her face "its positive..your waters have broken..by the looks of things, your baby is acting like a bath plug to the rupture...so thats why its not gushing out"..."oh and by the way...your not going home now"

She left the room and i bawled my eyes out...the reality of it all just started to sink in...omg...preemie...omg...34 almost 35 weeks....omg...no Michelle Batey. FARK

They spoke to Dr David Smith and he agreed that I should stay, have another steriod injection and to be tested for Strep B.

Firstly, it came back positive for Step B...so a very uncomfortable catheter in right hand...and then antibotics to prevent the baby from getting it...Steriod injection in my thigh...ouch...felt the fluid go down my leg...numb leg!!

Dr David Smith came back at 3pm and confirmed that it was ok to proceed with vaginal delivery as placenta was a fair way away from cervix. He wasnt concerned with the 34 week baby...he said it would all be fine. The baby would just have to be in the Special care until it was term..so about 2 weeks depending on how it comes out.

MUm and Dad and Mum G came to visit me...and so did Ryissa...it was nice to see them...Dave and I then called everyone to cancel the babyshower..and then we had a few calls come in..so we had to explain what was happening...bugger bugger...why me.

Had a few quite strong contractions throughout the day but nothing regular...

I was exhausted already and each of the big contractions was very hard to get through without the energy..i asked for some sleeping pills and some panadine..managed to get about 3 hours sleep again...woke up with an excruciating contaction that lasted what seemed like 5 minutes at 11.44pm and then they have been coming back with varying pain every 20-28 minutes. The pain of the first one jolted me out of bed with a BANG. I had to walk around my room for a good 5 minutes.

Right now the crazy irish midwife Jacinta is back...she wanted to know when they confirmed the rupture of my membranes...I told her 4am..during her shift..but she said..i really dont think so..in a supposedly 'nice way'..."i think it was more like the 12pm time" - dont have energy to argue..whatever. She just monitored baby and blood pressure...was meant to give me antibiotics and completely forgot...walked out the door telling me I should be trying to get some sleep and would come back with heat packs...lady...obviously the night shift doesnt agree with you.

Then and Now...animated

2009-11-05T15:24:00.001-08:00

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Then and Now..

2009-11-05T15:00:00.000-08:00

34 weeks...rings don't fit... waddling like a duck...but excited.

2009-11-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

Can't believe there is only 6 weeks to go - possibly 5 if I have to have a c-section. Time is flying.

The aches and pains from pregnancy have officially started...big time...have been getting really bad abdominal pains when I walk around.... I probably look like a duck - have the same shape as one :-) and my wedding rings no longer fit...My feet, hands, fingers and ankles blow up if I sit down for too long or walk around too much. I've resorted to wearing a massive fake wedding band and engagement ring - because I don't want to look like a harlot at the ultrasound clinic...I'm married..I'm allowed to have sex. ;-)

But I'm in good spirits...and I'm really looking forward to meeting the little one that has been kicking and poking me. So is Dave..

We watched Dunston's Baby Language last night...pretty funny seeing all these screaming babies...and trying to decipher what they need.

I'm so nervous about becoming a mum...I'm not sure if I will be a good one...I'll probably want to play too much, hold them too much, make them spoilt and crazy in shopping centres...but at least I have a lot of love to give. My very first blood line...that's all mine...and without any mystery....a new start in my heritage. It might not mean a lot to most, but being adopted and not knowing all the biological details of the family tree has caused a bit of a cloud over my life...stuff that is common knowledge to most...will always be a mystery to me. So I'm very thankful, that my kids will know the most important stuff.

The only things I wish for, is that the baby is healthy, has all fingers and toes, eyesight, hearing and that it grows up knowing what an incredible family it has as a support network. It might not be a normal family (with 3 grandma's, 3 grandpa's and half aunties and uncles)...but it's our family...and this is how we roll.

Bringing a baby into this world is the biggest thing that is going to happen to me...and I'm going to try and do the very best I can at being a great mum and wife.

I love my husband with all my heart - the bond we share is so incredible that each day I feel like it gets stronger. We are each others best friend, lover and confidante. We are never bored in each others company....and when I look at Dave I'm constantly drawn in...we make each other laugh...and we are each others' support. To me the biggest gift I could give to Dave, to show him how much I love him..is this baby...and I secretly hope that the baby has all its' fathers qualities...because my cheeky, sometimes untidy, always needy characteristics are definitely annoying. :-)

31 weeks....

2009-10-18T05:06:00.000-07:00

Well..it's getting closer and closer to the big date...and I'm experiencing some severe lower abdominal pains...which I've been told are braxton hicks contractions....if they are...they're extremely painful...and not a good indication of what the 'true' labour is going to be like....scary!!

Today we headed down to Curl Curl beach for sound waves....which is a fete run by the local surf lifesaving club...it was great fun...we had coffee with mum and dad up at their apartment first before walking down to look at the stalls....then Roy and Annette joined us for lunch.

They decided that they wanted to get our Baby Shower present directly afterwards, so we headed to Babies Galore at Warringah Mall where they decided to purchase for us a baby bouncer, a bouncing sheep you string up to the ceiling and a foot and wrist rattle...so generous...what wonderful friends we have.

We headed back to ours to watch Angels and Demons, have a Chinese dinner and catch up on things we've been up to for the last couple of months.

A great day.

First Anniversary & Babymoon

2009-10-07T05:30:00.001-07:00

It's come around so quickly - I can't believe that this time last year I was on the honeymoon somewhere in Turkey enjoying the European sun. The wedding day was the best day of my life...and a year later, I'm 29 weeks pregnant and anticipating the biggest day of my life in only 10 weeks time...CRAZY!!

We had our parents over for dinner on the Saturday night - ate the top of the wedding cake and lit the ceremonial candle. It meant a lot to me to be sharing the night with our parents.

Dave had made the day very special by getting a dozen roses delivered in the morning....a lovely card with kind words....and then in the evening he presented me with my ultimate gift....the Oroton Baby Bag.

I simply can't believe he forked out that much money for it...but I'm not complaining - it's gorgeous and I'll use it forever.

Dave and I decided to incorporate our First Wedding Anniversary with a babymoon to Noosa - so on the Monday we flew up to spend a week lazing by the pool.

It was great to get away - and just have a relaxing time. No stress about being here or there...and not forcing ourselves to do anything but hang by the hotel pool. We even managed to have afternoon naps every day and came back so refreshed.

I admit, it's getting harder to manoeuvre my belly around now...so I don't think I could've left the holiday any longer than 7 months pregnant.

Hiccups...

2009-09-16T02:56:00.000-07:00

The baby had another first today - hiccups!

The weirdest feeling in my belly - a constant bump that went on for what seemed like ages.... so nice to have the baby so active now.

The Big Kick...26 weeks

2009-09-15T05:05:00.001-07:00

The last couple of weeks have been fun. The baby is starting to kick harder and more regularly - and I'm enjoying every moment of it.

Last night, Dave and I were in bed watching TV - and Dave put his hand on a hard patch of my stomach and pushed it gently (we think it was it's bum)...and the bub gave an almighty kick....for me it felt electric and Dave was shocked at how hard and strong it was. haha...we laughed about it for ages.

Every night now, I sit in bed watching my tummy wiggle and move up and down with every baby movement. I'm actually enjoying this part of the pregnancy very much...I feel like I'm bonding with him/her already.

The Nursery....

2009-09-15T04:59:00.000-07:00

Half way there...and getting excited...

2009-08-30T22:58:00.000-07:00

We've started buying things for the nursery - and I've even started making some decorative items.

I bought the fabric from Ikea - and then bought some cheap canvases...covered the canvases with the fabric.

I also made the owl pillow using different pieces of fabric - then with webbing on the back - ironed them down and sewed little button eyes on them.

21 weeks...feeling huge....already...

2009-08-05T22:53:00.000-07:00

Generally speaking, I'm feeling a lot better about the whole pregnancy caper. My morning sickness has gone and I'm able to eat foods that I was repulsed by a few months ago. It's true what they say about the second trimester being the "walk-in-the-park" but there are still a few things I'm struggling to get used to. Sleeping on my side is one...I now sleep with a pillow wedged between me and the bed so that I don't roll over fully, extremely uncomfortable because of the fact, I've been sleeping a certain way for 29 years.

The other thing is, feeling heavy or stretched. It's the weirdest thing but sometimes I actually feel uncomfortable with the weight that I've gained...not for looks etc...but for feeling heavy...and I've still got 3.5 months to go.

19 weeks...POPPED!

2009-07-24T06:37:00.000-07:00

It's out there....there's no denying it....I don't even think the strategically placed scarf is hiding it much these days but because it's 'popped' I'm more proud of it (if that makes sense).

Less looking like I've eaten too many Tim Tams and more looking like I'm baking a baby.

The Scan yesterday was wonderful - they did a full check and everything is fine. The placenta however, is low which just means I'll have to go back for another detailed scan at 30 weeks or something. No big deal...supposedly the placenta can move up in the Uterus when the baby gets bigger...and if worse comes to worse, I'll just have to have a cesarean.

I'm quite relaxed about the different options for childbirth...

as long as my baby is healthy, I really don't mind which way it goes.

Oh...and we found out what Peanut is....but that's hush hush.

Items I'm getting for the bubba

2009-07-22T06:48:00.001-07:00

The Safe n' Sound Meridian Car Seat

From newborns to 19 kilograms.

Saves forking out money for a baby capsule as well.

Bugaboo Cameleon in Denim

my "I can't wait" item

TasmanEco - Tuscany cot

Quality timber and design, robust, safe, converts to

junior bed or little sofa and more importantly...affordable.

18 weeks...

2009-07-22T06:43:00.001-07:00

I've had some bleeding again over the last few days so had to go in to see the OB-GYN to make sure everything was ok. It looks like i might have a low lying placenta - which is really no big deal but just needs to be monitored.

The 18-20 week scan that was scheduled for next week has been pushed forward to tomorrow at 2pm - I'm really excited about it. Everytime I get the opportunity to see what it's up to I get lit up. We're also finding out what sex the baby is tomorrow. Then I can really start the 'nesting'...finish off the nursery and start making some clothes for bubba.

17 weeks

2009-07-22T06:41:00.001-07:00

16 weeks...

2009-07-06T04:04:00.000-07:00

15 weeks...

2009-06-25T05:28:00.001-07:00

Noticed a HUGE change in how big I'm getting in the last day or so.....check it out....mamma mia!!

14 weeks...

2009-06-25T05:26:00.001-07:00

Nothing much to report on over the last week or so....just getting bigger and my appetite is starting to increase a little. Getting the occasional dry 'heave' from time to time....really random and annoying + scary.

13 weeks...

2009-06-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

We had our first 'Early Pregnancy Class' at the mater the other night - it was great to see other couples who are going through the same experiences as us and are about the same way along.

It confirmed our choice in selecting Mater - they put on some great sandwiches :-) LOL

Week 11...bit of a scare..

2009-06-04T20:19:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday I had some light bleeding which completely freaked me out. I was working from home and called Dave at work wondering what to do.

I called Dr Batey's office and told them the story - the receptionist decided to fit me inbetween two appointments.

Dave urgently picked me up and took me straight there...we waited a little while for the other appointments to finish before being ushered into the office.

Dr Batey performed an Ultrasound which showed that the baby was completely fine and indicated that spotting is quite common in pregnancy. She said it's always better to make your Dr aware of it and to check it out - because you just never know what's happening until they have a look.

This week has also been the start of a hard bump - i'm definitely showing...hard to imagine at only 3 months but its true...I think I'm going to be enormous.

Morning sickness is slowly easing...but still get the occassional feeling and gagging.

Can't wait to be feeling fine again completely...

Week 10... All Booked in for Mater Hospital :-)

2009-06-04T20:13:00.000-07:00

On the 28th May - Dave and I ventured into Crows Nest / Wollstonecraft to officially book my room at the Mater Hospital.

It was a great experience to go in and have a look around. Even got to speak to some new parents who were wheeling their little babies down the hallway outside the Admissions Office.

I think I've made the right decision - it's a lovely vibe hospital with great facilities.

Click here for a virtual tour of the Delivery Suite

Click here for a virtual tour of the Post Natal Room

Week 9....First OB-GYN appointment with Dr Michele Batey

2009-05-24T16:15:00.000-07:00

Still feeling like death..but I think it's getting better....just looking forward to that 12 week mark when things start to get really easy.

So far this pregnancy has been very difficult for me. Definitely no walk in the park. I feel bad for David cos he feels helpless...he doesn't know what makes me feel better....mostly cos I don't know myself...he just sees me throwing up in the bathroom and the rest of the time I'm looking like I'm about to.

I had my first appointment with the OB this week and she was excellent. She answered all my questions thoroughly and I left feeling like a weight had been lifted. We saw peanut again on the scan and it had definitely grown....finally getting arms and legs and actually moving around when pushed with the ultrasound device.

The Dr even commented that we 'must have woken it up' as it jumped and squirmed out of the way.

An exciting week...just want this nausea to stop...come on peanut - lay off your mother will ya?!

More evidence on why you should use organic products when pregnant...especially when you think your having a boy

2009-05-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

Studies have shown that everyday chemicals found in shampoo, makeup and cosmetics, paints etc have been linked to reproductive organ defects in baby boys.

Its scary to think that simply washing your hair everyday can be linked to this.. but it just goes to show how sensitive your baby is to external toxins.

Its definitely more fuel to make sure you read the labels of all your products and use organic when you can.

Read the following article to find out more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-404522/Babies-womb-exposed-gender-bending-chemicals.html
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7440-genderbending-chemicals-found-to-feminise-boys.html

Week 8...starting to feel somewhat better?

2009-05-14T15:43:00.001-07:00

Is it wrong that I'm starting to show enough to be noticed now? Haven't put on much weight at all (max about 1kg) but have a round tummy that's sticking out and it's low.. Had mothers day at Dave's grandparents place....was standing sideways to my mum -inlaw and she started to scream in a high pitch voice from across the room saying she can see my belly! haha..that can't be right..surely??

Queasiness is only after meals now...not bad...can handle that as long as it's not all day and night like previously. Can't believe that this time next year I'll have a 6 month old. crazy....

Other than that - nothing much to report on this week.....really looking forward to seeing the OB-GYM...I've got so many questions to ask her.

7 Weeks....first scan

2009-05-11T00:03:00.000-07:00

Still suffering from very bad nausea - can't shake it and it's really frustrating.

At least when you're sick - you can take something and know you will be better in a few days time. Morning sickness however....just drags on with no light in sight. The one thing that keeps me going is knowing that the baby is doing well...and what really irritates Dave is that when I wake up and have no nausea I start freaking out - thinking I've had a miscarriage.

So really, my world has been tipped upside down already..but I wouldn't have it any other way.....

I had my first scan on 5th May at Sydney Women's Ultrasound in Chatswood. Dave took off work a little early and came along with me. Waiting in the reception we watched as a traffic jam of pregnant women came and went getting their scans and moving their gigantic bellies around the place almost bumping into each other. It could have been a Sumo convention...and there was Dave and I...scared out of our minds...hoping that the pregnancy test wasn't a fraud....and it's not just gas...but that I'm actually growing a peanut inside.

We got called into the ultrasound room and a kind lady told me to undress...she put the cold jelly onto my stomach (making me jump as high as the ceiling) and started to press in my lower abdomen....muttering she said could see that there was definitely 'something in there' but had to do a transvaginal scan to get a clearer picture....I think Dave felt a little awkward at this stage...as the nurse pulled out the device which looked liked a giant dildo with a rubber condom on it..."Don't worry I put lots of gel on it" said the nurse. ...Bloody hope so. I grabbed the sheets and she started to have a look around. ..and then we saw it....our little smudge...which as you can see from the photo's below...is more like a relative of Jabba the Hun...or perhaps a boogie on the screen that an actual baby.

The nurse zoomed in a little more and could see the heartbeat...Dave and I looked at each other and smiled..omg..."It's ALIVE"...*frankenstein movie*.

So exciting....here are the pics.

Week 6...don't even talk to me..

2009-05-03T22:59:00.000-07:00

Can't function, can't get out of the house, can't eat, can't drink...without thinking or feeling like I'm going to spew.

Some days are better than others...but genuinely feeling like a car crash.

Dave spoke to both sets of parents about my 'condition'...both saying 'oh good'..rather than commiserating with me. I suppose being 'sick' is better than not feeling anything and wondering if anything was wrong. Quite clearly there isn't.

Week 5....Symptoms easing but new ones appearing?

2009-04-20T13:34:00.000-07:00

Bugger...felt queasy all day yesterday. I needed the car - so ventured to Dell with Dave but almost got him to pull over so I could yack but wound down the window for fresh air...seemed to help...but got home and was so tired...fell asleep on the lounge. Dizenya will have to wait...

My symptoms are subsiding today. A bit concerned - don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. My breasts only hurt when I press on them...not like earlier when they ached all the time. Didn't pee as many times as I did the day before... I have to stop reading all the negative stuff and be positive.

Starting to get very visible stretch marks on my hips....bugger...war wounds...

Week 4.... Am I? Really?

2009-04-20T13:07:00.001-07:00

My period isn't due until next week but I've got the sorest breasts and I'm particularly rude to Dave. I don't usually feel like this before my period....something is definitely up. Poor Dave, if looks could kill - I don't like his chances.

Decided to go to the chemist and get a pregnancy test x 2.

Very very faint 2 lines....what? no! gotta be a mistake. I do the other one...same deal only a little lighter. Hmmm....

Go and get another set of pregnancy tests and wait until Dave gets home to see what he thinks. We're meant to be going away this weekend (Easter) with friends....how am I going to pass off being 'normal' when I'm thinking of what's going on inside me.
Crazy.

Dave gets home and I show him the tests. He doesn't believe it....he thinks we should go to the Dr's and confirm it with a blood test.

That night we told Dave and my parents about what had happened with the test.....very excited but told them not to hold their hopes until it was confirmed by the Dr.

So we head to the 24 hour medical clinic in Chatswood and get ushered in by this very rude Indian Dr..who doesn't think the pregnancy could be detected this early...I wanted to say well if the home pregnancy tests have been successful...i'm pretty sure something is going to come up ...big fat jerk....

So I have a blood test and because we're going away tomorrow - I won't be able to get the results until we get back 2 days later... Talk about hell!!

The weekend away was great. I tried to be inconspicuous with not drinking but it was pretty darn hard. Water please....maybe a softdrink....

We got back and had our family Easter dinner...and then headed afterwards to the Clinic - the blood test came back with a HCG level of 60. Very low. So he ordered me to get another one taken on Tuesday (a day later) to make sure it's progressing nicely.

So I rock into the clinic early the next day and get another blood test which would be available in the evening. The day was a bit nerve racking...I've got all the symptoms...sore breasts, swollen bloated stomach, tired....have to wait and see.

I pick Dave up from work and we head straight into Chatswood. We get called in by an Asian lady Dr...who reads the results....HCG level..756. A confirmed pregnancy. Dave looked at me, gave me a hug and smiled. A very happy Dr congratulated us and gave us a referral to the OBS we chose - Dr Michele Batey who delivers at the Mater Hospital.

The very next day I call the Dr's rooms to make an appointment - they don't tend to see you until the 9-10 week. So I'm booked to see her (depending if she gets called off to make a delivery) on the 20th May 2009 at 1.00pm. The receptionist tells me that I have to call the Mater asap to book my room.....asap? you've got to be kidding..it's 8 months away.....supposedly the Mater is a very small maternity unit and you need to book as soon as you find out your pregnant.

I was also shocked to hear how much it costs to deliver a baby...$6600 for just the consultantions for 8 months with Dr Batey which doesn't include the delivery. I think only 60% is actually reimbursed back.