Untitled Document

Body watch:
Click on the link below each body watch, to follow what is going on week by week.
Week 1
Week 2

6 January 2006
Today I got my first positive pregnancy test. I posted the first test to my husband, which will arrive tomorrow. I had a slight period bleed and a faded pregnancy test in the afternoon. So, after taking another test later today and seeing a positive test, I couldn't keep it in and asked my husband jokingly, how badly he wanted to be a daddy. So far he knows, mum, sister, brother and best friend know. I have to try really hard to keep this wonderful news a secret for 3 months, until I know things will be okay.

Symptoms:
None

Body watch:
Week 3

8 January 2006
Yesterday I went to get my hair done at my usual hair dressers. I was adamant with myself that I would not tell them. However, after two hours of running to the loo, asking for water and feeling like I was sitting on the surface of the sun about to pass out, I thought I would mention it. In true girlie fashion, they squealed with excitement and open the front door to let in some air. I'm still in the ‘anything can happen' stages of pregnancy, but hey it made me (and baby) more comfortable.

On leaving the hair dressers, I had a wave of paranoia that I was not actually pregnant and would look like I was making this up. So, off to boots to get lunch, orange juice, water and pregnancy test. Then down to McDonalds to pee on a stick. Of course the test was positive and with a distinctive feeling of de ja vous, I felt stupid. I opened the cubical to be greeted by a long line of women, which suggested, that I spent longer than the required time in the loo.

I later went to my friends and greeted her at the door with my pee stick and a cheesy grin. I had a lovely meal and lots of fun, but by 5.00pm I could barely stay awake and had to take my leave. My friend had given me a book called ‘A best friends guide to pregnancy', which was so sweet and I have already started reading!

Today I am feeding a big chicken craving and my husband is my chicken pimp.

Symptoms:
Frequent peeing
Constantly thirsty
Some wind (sorry)
Obvious craving for chicken!

Body watch:
Week 3

9 January 2006
Today I had a half day at work. Instead of spending it relaxing, I spend it filling forms, cuing at the bank and registering with my local doctor. I had my first hormonal moment (in public). I walked out of the bank, sat down on an outdoor bench and broke down in tears. I'm not unhappy at all, but just could not help myself and phoned my mum for ‘I'm not crazy' support. Later in the day, I fall asleep exhausted and apparently curl up around my husbands waist whilst he was sitting on the bed. Here is the weird conversation I have with him whilst I was fast asleep:

Me: “Who are you?”
Husband: Says his name.
Me: “Who?”
Husband: “Your husband”
Me: “Oh”
Me: “Pink Sherbet”
Husband: “Pink sherbet?”
Me: “Pink sherbet in my belly”

So, either I'm going to have a girl (sugar and spice and all things sweet) or a sweet shop.

Symptoms:
Frequent peeing
Constantly thirsty
Crying in public

Body watch:
Week 3

11 January 2006
Not much to say about today, other than I feel exhausted. There were some arguments at work yesterday and its left me physically and emotionally drained. It was one of those horrible ones where everyone gangs up on you and they want everything their way! No exceptions. I'm trying to shake it off, so I don't get stress, as this would not be good for baby. Luckily, I am meeting my sister on Friday to watch Memoirs of a Geisha and then dinner. I think I'll have to top that off with some Saturday shopping. Oh oh!! I was also sent a chain letter by email from an old friend. So I sent it back to her, said I was pregnant and the last thing I needed was to be wished 7 years bad luck. I don't beleive in it, but it's still not nice. She's pretty understanding and I did ask her how she was getting on.

Symptoms:
Frequent peeing
Constantly thirsty
Tired
Hungry during the day

Body watch:
Week 4

13 January 2006
I had a scary moment yesterday. At about lunch time I had a dull pulsing discomfort on one side, under my stomach. There was no bleeding, so I wasn't too panicked. So I phoned the Tommy's Midwife Helpline and she was great. I described everything to her and she said it can be difficult to tell exactly what it is, because I'm not in person. However, she suspected that it was most likely to be my ligaments and muscles stretching. Because pregnant women's tend to be more relaxed internally, everything has to start working harder. Finally she said that the other thing it could be is the start of a urine infection, as pregnant women are more prone to this. She said, if the discomfort doesn't go away within the hour or gets worse, to book an emergency appointment with my GP.

By late afternoon it hadn't gone, so I phoned my GP to see if I should go down. He gave me advise and told me to wait until morning and if it was still there or got worse, then to see him. He said if I had light spotting, it could wait until morning anything heavy, then go to A & E.

Thankful to say, after a good night's rest, it's gone. My work colleague gave me good advice. That throughout pregnancy you will get twinges and unusual things happening, as my body is going through a whole new experience. The best thing is to relax and go with the flow.

Just want to say thank you to the Midwife, GP and work colleague. Your all one in a million.

Symptoms:
Frequent peeing
Constantly thirsty
Tired
Hungry during the day
Growing twinges

Body watch:
Week 4

17 January 2006
I finally bit the bullet and told my boss I was pregnant. It was very scarry, but glad it is done. I also talked to him about last Tuesday's office spat. I needed to get it off my mind, so I could stop feeling stressed. I recently had a craving for broccoli, but now I've gone off of it, I have a fridge full of the stuff! I am having lots of fun with my sister, talking baby talk and this weekend, we're going to do some shopping. Blooming Marvellous have a warehouse sale on in February, but I will go to their next one because I will not be past my safe three months yet.

I am really looking forward to getting a bump and the dark line below my belly button. I read that it never goes away, so I looked at my mum's tummy and sure enough there was the dark line!!

The only thing I am worried about at the moment is sleeping on my back. I know it sounds so trivial, but it's because of something I read. I feel I'm being stupid and will call the Midwife Helpline to clear things up, so I can get a good nights sleep. I have plenty of time for sleepless nights.

Symptoms:
Frequent peeing
Constantly thirsty
Tired
Hungry during the day
Sore and heavy boobs

Body watch:
Week 4

23 January 2006
I have had a great weekend. Saturday morning I had one of those vivid dreams that pregnant women are supposed to get and boy was it good. I woke up having an orgasm. Sorry to be so honest, but because my sex drive is so low at the moment, I felt like I had made up for lost time.

Saturday I spent the day shopping with my sister and my little niece. We bought my first maternity bra and some bits for my baby. We also looked at my dream pram called Loola. I had such fun with my little niece, running after her. I also attempted taking her buggy up and down escalators, let's just say I need practice!!

Symptoms:
Frequent peeing
Constantly thirsty
Tired
Hungry during the early morning and day
Sore and heavy boobs
Sexy dreams
Feeling queasy

Body watch:
Week 5

26 January 2006
Today I get to see my doctor for the first time!! I'm so excited, because it means I can have the pregnancy confirmed and get a certificate. I might scan, laminate and frame it, I'm that excited. It's probably the dullest piece of paper, which will get slightly torn and crumpled when handed to me.

More exciting stuff. My mum and sister noticed my line appearing. I don't know the official name, but it's the line that goes from your Southern region to your belly button (and sometimes higher). I've been checking it everyday with a small mirror and it's getting slowly more noticeable.

I'm still getting queasy. At the moment, olive oil sets me off and cigarette smoke. I've been drinking ginger bear to help, but may move on to biscuits.

Symptoms:
Frequent peeing
Constantly thirsty
Tired
Hungry during the early morning and day
Sore and heavy boobs
Feeling queasy

Body watch:
Week 6

31 January 2006
I feel as sick as a dog. Now cigarette smoke, olive oil, McDonalds ice cream and a mysterious smell from the kitchen, make me want to gag! Apart from that I feel sick in the morning and evening. I took the day off of work, because I felt so sick and tired (literally). It was a mistake, because I have to hold my breath when I go in the kitchen and there was barley any food in the house. So on the whole I felt worse. Also, I read that it is not good for a pregnant woman to lie in bed all day, because our blood is slightly thicker.

I spent some time on the computer looking up birthing centres. I found a great website called Dr Fosters, which lists everything you need to know. I was disappointed at my choices, I thought there would be plenty for my to choose from and there is only three or four.

I go through different emotions at the moment. Right now, I want to just want to sit back and enjoy the pregnancy ride. But then there are the preparations, the magazines, TV, other pregnant people. I just want to forget it all, walk around for 8 months, sneeze in the woods and there is baby.

Symptoms:
Frequent peeing
Constantly thirsty
Tired
Hungry during the early morning and day
Sore and heavy boobs
Feeling queasy
Feeling sorry for myself :'-(

Body watch:
Week 6

3 February 2006
Wednesday was the worst day. I was at a morning meeting and they had provided juice, water, tea and coffee. I got some water in one cup and had mixed some cranberry and orange juice in another. Halfway into the meeting I start to feel shaky, my tummy and legs feel wobbly, and I swallow repeatedly. I then have to get up and head for the toilet quickly and calmly. I reach the toilet and have to make a quick choice, the sink or the toilet. At the risk of someone else coming in, the toilet was my choice and my home for about 10 minutes. Sherbet (baby's nickname) doesn't like cranberry juice.

I've decided to stick to what I know is safe to eat and drink. Drinks I can have are water, orange juice, milk and ginger beer.

I have not had another incident, but felt I needed to arm myself, just in case. I went to buy a sea band yesterday, which is for sea sickness, but supposed to help with morning sickness. I talked to a pharmacist about it and he said they don't work. He said I can buy it if I want, but he bought one for his pregnant daughter and she is still sick!

The next thing I did was to buy some ginger. Someone recommended chewing on a little bit when I feel queasy. I read upon this and apparently it's the zinc in ginger that helps with the sickness.

Symptoms:
Frequent peeing
Constantly thirsty
Tired
Hungry during the early morning and day
Sore and heavy boobs
Feeling queasy and some vomiting

Body watch:
Week 7

14 February 2006
This week has been pretty much the same. Yesterday I ate a lovely breakfast of toast and had a banana, only to loose it all in the bathroom sink. Apart from that, I just mainly feel queasy in the morning.

I feel like I should force feed myself some oily fish. I feel bad that my baby's brain may be developing and I haven't touched a single piece of fish. So today I'm going to have smoke salmon and Philadelphia sandwiches. I think I'm only supposed to have one piece of oily fish a week. Although I am taking my vitamins, so it's not too bad.

So its Valentines Day today and I've never felt so unromantic. I feel fat and heavy (change that to I am). I can't stand cooking smells, so a restaurant is a big no no. I'm way too tired for and am completely off bedroom action!!

I am looking forward to my midwife and scan appointments in March. I am also looking forward to week 12. Not just because I get to spill the beans, but my uterus is meant to pop out of my pelvis! Sounds painful, but it basically means I get a real belly and not period type bloat.

Symptoms:
Frequent peeing
Constantly thirsty
Tired
Hungry during the early morning and day
Sore and heavy boobs
Feeling queasy and some vomiting

Body watch:
Week 8

21 February 2006
In case you were wondering, like my best friend, smoked salmon and other smoked fish is okay to eat. Just not shell fish, I checked with the Midwife Helpline. I don't think raw fish or sushi is okay, so you pregnant ladies should check.

I'm starting to enjoy pregnancy now. My morning sickness is slowly ebbing away and I've got lots of new changes to my body to look forward to.

I was worried because I was starting to get vivid, horrible, nightmares and was wondering what it meant. Then I deleted all the nightmare encouraging programmes I was watching, like CSI and Supernatural. So it is comedies and romance for me. It has worked, because last night, I dreamed of exotic holidays, cute guys and chocolate desserts.

Symptoms:
Frequent peeing
Constantly thirsty
Tired
Hungry during the early morning and day
Sore and heavy boobs
Sometimes queasy
Occassional lower back pain

Body watch:
Week 9

27 February 2006
I've had to make my first choices between parenting and parting. I was invited to a friend's house warming, which I would love to go. However, as I will be 11 weeks, I do not feel it is a great Idea. I won't want to dance, which will make me a party pooper. I don't want to risk being around cigarette smoke. Or the risk of someone drunk, bumping into me and knocking me over.

The other event, I suggested that we have a small get together for a pregnant lady leaving work. The problem is, she suggested a pub for quick drinks. I don't mind, but I'm not risking being around cigarette smoke. So once again I'll have to cancel.

The good thing is, there is a get together this Friday. It's in a restaurant, so there is no risk of smoke or someone knocking me over. So I can go to the ball!

Bring on 12 weeks!

Symptoms:
Frequent peeing
Tired
Hungry during the early morning and day
Heavy boobs and sore nipples
Occassional lower back pain

Body watch:
Week 10

12 March 2006
I had my midwife appointment this week. I'm not sure how exactly I feel about the appointment, but it was mostly good. The midwife asked me questions about mine and my medical history. She took my blood and I had to practically force her to take the urine sample the receptionist asked for.

Halfway through the taking down of details, I asked when I should discuss about transferring hospitals. She told me I should have done this at the start and we could have avoided all the paper work! So now I have to wait until the next appointment, which will be with the doctor, to be able to transfer. The midwife could not understand why I preferred a birthing centre over a hospital. I'm not looking to be doped up to the eyeballs on pain killers. I want an active birth. Also, I don't want to be competing for peace and quiet, with 10 other mothers, babies and their relatives!

I'm annoyed that every professional I have seen assumes I want to give birth at the nearest hospital. Any way, the appointment was okay and I can't wait to get the ball rolling and transfer to the midwife led unit. By the way, I'm not against people who do wish to use hospitals and they can be very caring places, it's just not for me, accept in emergencies (the health of my baby is at the top of my list).

I've got my scan appointment on Tuesday and I am quite anxious about it. I'm excited that I'm going to see my baby, but I'm worried that there won't be a baby there. That it's all in my head or something. I've told my nearest and dearest, so if something is up I'll have support.

This will be my chance to see my baby and then announce it to the whole world. It's like holding your breath at the cliff-hanger. I'm hoping they can tell me the sex of the baby. I know it's less likely at an earlier scan, unless it's obviously a boy. What if I'm having twins!!!

Work is harder. I get lower back pain, so sometimes I waddle, because it feels nicer. I've started cutting back on how much outreach I do in a day, because I get tired and fidget. Also, if I don't get water for a few hours, I get the world's worst headache, so it's important I keep hydrated. Last week I had two half day meetings, they had tea, coffee, but no water!! I couldn't say, I'm pregnant, get me some water, because I can't tell external people until April, because of funding we're waiting for. (We may loose it if they know I'm pregnant before April).

Great news is my morning sickness is completely gone. Also, I'm craving red meat (especially beef) and salad!

Symptoms:
Frequent peeing
Tired
Hungry during the early morning and evening
Heavy boobs
Occassional lower back pain
Craving beef and salad

Body watch:
Week 12

17 March 2006
I had my first scan on Tuesday. It was amazing. I am not going to tell you exactly what it was like, because it is different for everyone and I do not want to spoil anyone's experience. However, here is a picture of my baby for you to see. My next scan is in May at 22 weeks, so there will be more detail. It's not recommended, but I made sure my bladder was full to get clearer pictures, which worked really well for me.

Symptoms:
Tired
Headach if I don't drink enough water
Hungry during the early morning and evening
Heavy boobs
Occassional lower back pain

Body watch:
Week 13

22 March 2006
My husband and me went on a course on Sunday called ‘As 2 Become 3'. It's a one-day course for first time parents to be. They talk about all sorts or issues before and after baby arrives. This included money matters, sex, relationship, support network, pushy relatives and much more. The course is based in Hammersmith near the station and is run by a midwife and her husband, who are both really qualified and have been running the charity based course for years.

So, what did I get out of the course?

Firstly, I had the smallest bump and so felt a bit out of place at first, as the other ladies were in their last trimester. However, everyone talked to me and I was surprised at how friendly and open they all were and this put me at ease.

I learned that I think a baby is a lot more expensive than it actually is. We did an exercise, which involved guessing the prices of baby products and I way over estimated. It was really funny.

Amongst other things, I learned that I had not considered my husbands role in the whole bringing up baby saga. I had seen baby and me as the main course and my husband as side salad (sorry, I'm hungry). The group and I came up with great ideas, like dad takes baby swimming for bonding, which also gives mum a break.

I highly recommend the course. It's great to do something together about baby. It's only one day and you will love it. I might add that you don't have to be married (not everyone was), neither do you have to be a heterosexual couple (although, on the day we all were).

Finally about the occasional back pain. I read that as your belly grows, your spine slowly compensate for the changes in wait, which could cause back pain. Also that one of the best was to combat it is to practice good posture. In my case this works most of the time. So I try to walk by standing upright and tucking in my bum etc. I am still yet to talk to my GP/ Midwife, but will. I advice that if you have back pain, that you do discuss it with a professional before taking any preventative methods.

Symptoms:
Tired
Headach if I don't drink enough water
Hungry during the early morning and evening
Heavy boobs
Occassional lower back pain

Body watch:
Week 14

27 March 2006
Finally, everyone at work now knows I am pregnant and I feel so liberated. I can now properly enjoy my pregnancy, not that I wasn't before. But I just don't know yet if I look fat or pregnant and so, tried to hide my growing belly (very hard).

However, with telling people now comes the scare stories. Skip this paragraph if you are pregnant or scare easerly. So far I've had one story about Spinebifida, because that person didn't take folic acid (which I am). Then because I'm going to be pregnant during summer, another lady volunteered that she would have died if she was pregnant during summer, because everything swells up. Finally, my friend pointed out in a joking way, that childbirth will hurt and I know she didn't mean anything by it and I didn't take it to heart, but it hurt. I know pregnancy is not all happy happy, joy joy, but I've heard so many negatives. Only one person I have talked to has said how much they enjoyed being pregnant.

Okay, hopefully pregnant ladies you skipped the last paragraph and are now reading this one. Any horror stories people wish to share, are just going over my head. Do your shopping list in your head. Don't let it get to you. There are lots of positives about pregnancy:
• I am carrying the most important thing on the Earth, life.
• I get treated a little special. (Hopefully that includes getting seats on public transport and people carrying your stuff).
• I get to watch my family grow.
• Summer, I can relax in the outdoors whilst on maternity leave, whilst everyone else is stuck in the office.
• Summer sales, cheap baby gear!
• You're allowed to be peed off, it's the hormones.
• You can eat almost what you want without people mentioning loosing weight and diets (if they do, scream at them, it's the hormones).
• After giving birth, there's no pain and you have a beautiful baby to hold.

I could go on, but I'm sure you get the gist of it. So whether you're pregnant or trying, keep your chin up!

Symptoms:
Tired
Hungry during the early morning and evening
Heavy boobs
Occassional lower back pain

Body watch:
Week 14

3 April 2006
I finally went proper maternity shopping. My sister and me went to Marble Arch, which I have now learned is the baby capital of the West End . As we only had an hour by the time we got there, it was like some TV game show, dashing for items.

I've put on so much weight that it's getting harder to find things that fit! Not only that, but the fatter you are the more expensive things get. Thankfully, I still fit in H&M's maternity wear and their prices are great.

I was almost in tears at one point, because my sister looked great in everything she tried on. She kept saying to me, try this, try that and I was say, its okay, tears building up in my eyes. Then I snapped saying, ‘It's no use, I'm fat'!!

So, finally I managed to find an armful of tops, but I still have no trousers and I'm getting desperate. My mum keeps telling me to go to Evans (ill fitting clothes shop for larger ladies). However, I need clothes to accommodate my new shape. So I am going to hit the internet.

Off the shopping subject. I have my worries kicking in now. I have not felt baby move yet, although I've read that happens at 16 weeks onwards. My major symptoms have disappeared too. So I feel like I'm in limbo, just waiting for something to happen next. I have my midwife appointment this Wednesday and will ask to hear the baby's heartbeat to pout my mind at rest. If they can't do it, I'll buy one of those early heartbeat Doppler's that I have seen on the internet. They cost £60 to £80 and upwards and can be used from 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

I'm hoping that this is normal maternal paranoia and not the start of a mental breakdown (that was a joke).

Symptoms:
Tired
Hungry during the early morning and evening
Sore nipples
Occassional lower back pain

Body watch:
Week 15

6 April 2006
Yesterday I had my second antenatal appointment, this time it was with the doctor. I am finding them increasingly frustrating.

I asked the doctor if she could refer me to a midwife led unit, which is outside my borough. She told me I would have to get the midwife to refer me. At this point I felt annoyed, because the midwife had told me the doctor has to do it. So I was very persistent and the doctor finally agreed to do the referral.

The doctor asked why I wanted to go to that particular unit. I told her it's because I want a water birth and they have all the recruitments that I am looking for. Then she said, if I transfer, I won't get antenatal care from the midwives in my borough. I remained silent, because at this point I felt like telling her to take a long walk off of a short pier!

I asked the doctor if I could listen to the heartbeat. She could not find it, which does not mean there was not one. It was a lot of prodding and I remember from the scan that my baby would only tolerate that for so long before swimming off and hiding. I've decided not to stress and enjoy this part of the pregnancy, as any negativity could be passed on to my baby (I believe). If I'm patient and keep in tune with my body, I will feel the first real movement eventually.

She mumbled to herself that my blood and urine were okay. So I made her repeat it louder and to me.

I am just so glad that I'm not naïve or an emotional wreck; otherwise I'll never get what I want.

When you go for your antenatal appointments, please know exactly what you want and be persistent about it. Hopefully you'll have midwives and doctors who will do everything to help. Mine seem very reluctant to let me go outside the borough, almost like they are taking it personally.

Symptoms:
Not as tired
Hungry during the early morning and evening
Sore nipples
Occassional lower back pain
Frequently weeing

Body watch:
Week 16

10 April 2006
Friday I was having a moan to my husband about my nightmare, overcrowded journey. He had heard from someone about the London Underground Baby On Board badges. So I called London Underground's travel number, they then put me through to customer services and they have put a badge in the post for me. I'll let you know if it works, but at least I won't have to ask for a seat!

Symptoms:
Not as tired
Hungry during the early morning and evening
Sore nipples
Occassional lower back pain
Frequently weeing

Body watch:
Week 16

18 April 2006
Symptoms:
Not as tired
Hungry during the early morning and evening
Sore nipples
Frequently weeing
Craving McDonalds

Body watch:
Week 17

20 April 2006
When I went to my appointment yesterday, I explained my concerns to the doctor. I finally got to hear my baby's heartbeat. It was light, loud and fast. The doctor put the Doppler on my stomach at first and we didn't hear anything. Then he put it lower down near my pelvic bone and then it was. The baby then moved quickly to the other side and we found it again.

I have to say, that I had been feeling pretty anti-medical staff. However, the male doctors at my practice, the midwives I've talked to on the phone have all been great throughout my pregnancy so far. I just think it's the female staff at my GP practice that have sucked on way too many lemons! I have also learned that if I don't ask, I don't always get, so now I tell people what I want.

Hearing the baby's heartbeat has really put my mind at rest and now I can sit back and enjoy my pregnancy.

I am also getting over the whole, I look fat issue. I'm pregnant and I've created something amazing, my body needs to adjust. If I feel paranoid that someone feels I look fat, I can simply say I'm pregnant. So in complete surrender, I've been looking for plus sized maternity wear. I am a size 20 trousers, the best suggestion I've had so far is Ebay. I'm so silly; I should have gone shopping there first and would have saved £100 or so.

I have been posting to people on my chat forum about water births, to see what others think about it and have had great responses.

Symptoms:
Not as tired
Hungry during the early morning and evening
Sore nipples
Frequently weeing

Body watch:
Week 18

25 April 2006
I haven't felt movement yet, but as I am overweight and this is my first pregnancy, that's to be expected. When it does happen, it will be so exciting. So I am really looking forward to it.

Also, my scan date is looming and I can't wait to find out if I am having a little boy or girl. Down the female line in my family, we tend to have girls first, so I think I'm having a girl. I may break tradition and end up with a sweet little boy. Who knows.

A new thing that has happened to me. My hands feel tight and I constantly get pins and needles in my hands, especially the right. After talking to other pregnant ladies, I have discovered that it could be Tunnel Carpel Syndrome, caused by fluid build up pressing on the nerves in my wrist. I haven't had it diagnosed yet, as it's not painful, just wired. Apparently one in three pregnant women get it and it goes after birth.

If you are getting pins and needles, I suggest you do go talk to a medical professional about it, as I am not medically qualified.

My new craving is avocados (especially on toast)!

Symptoms:
Not as tired
Hungry during the early morning and evening
Sore nipples
Frequently weeing
Craving avocados
Pins and needles

Body watch:
Week 18

28 April 2006
In my imagination, I thought that once I became pregnant, I would enter into a magical world where everyone treated me a little bit special. The only people who have treated me special so far, is my immediate family.

When I go out and about for work, I sometimes have to carry a case. Only one person offered to carry it for me, because they saw my badge and she had recently come off of maternity leave. No one offers me a seat on the train or bus. People push me out the way when they are in a hurry. Cigarettes are sparked up next to me. Even worse, when waiting for my train home, people will sit and smoke on the only bench available, so I can't sit down!

Yesterday, after spending two hours of the afternoon standing up, I got on a crowded bus. I was dying for a seat (and the loo), but thought I would wait until someone got up. A couple of stops and a seat became available and a lady was heading for it at the same time. I asked if she minded if I had the seat and she just looked at me and sat down. I then said that I am pregnant, do you mind if I have the seat. The horrible woman looked at my stomach and then pretended she did not understand what I meant. I repeated myself once more and she ignored me. I gave up, because I was close to tears. Then the man next to me offered me his seat, whilst the old people on the bus discussed how rude the woman was and how obvious it is that I am pregnant.

At work I am about the tenth person to get pregnant in the last couple of years, so the novelty has worn of. Work colleagues just ask when I am due and whether I want a boy or a girl.

I hope that any pregnant ladies reading this are being doted on and treated with respect.

Symptoms:
Not as tired
Hungry during the early morning and evening
Sore nipples
Frequently weeing
Craving avocados
Pins and needles

Body watch:
Week 19

3 May 2006
After days of moping, I finally felt movement that I can definitely say was baby. Since Thursday (27 April) on and off, I have been feeling things. As it was so infrequent and could be easily mistaken for other movements (like gas), it was hard to tell. However last night, I got two little movements on the left and then one on the right. Both felt the same and as others had described, like a bubble popping inside. I'm very happy and hope they become more frequent.

The weather is getting warmer now, which is great. However, I now have swollen feet. For this, I purposely bought bigger sized comfortable shoes and I keep a fan under my desk.

Here is a picture of what hopefully looks like a bump and not like fat. I'm half way through my pregnancy!!

Symptoms:
Not as tired
Hungry during the early morning and evening
Sore nipples (if touched)
Frequently weeing
Pins and needles

Body watch:
Week 20

3 May 2006
I had my first hormonal rage outbreak this week. For my outreach work, I carry a suitcase with my materials in. Although a pain to carry up and down stairs, the wheels save me getting back ache. I went to a station where I know the down escalator does not move, but forgot and I was running late, so I could not change my route. I asked the ticket guy if there was a member of staff who could help me down with my suit case. He made some calls, but there was no one to help. I made my way slowly half way down the escalator, when two Underground staff passed me going up in the opposite direction. I was so angry, I threw my case down the remaining steps and it bounced loudly to the bottom! (Don't worry; no one was in front of me). I felt so stupid afterwards!

Baby's movements are getting slightly stronger and frequent. Yesterday evening, I was lying on my back putting my feet up (as they were very swollen) and baby gave me big kicks. I called over to my husband to see if he could feel it and he did, although it was not as strong on the outside of my belly.

Symptoms:
Not as tired
Hungry during the early morning and evening
Sore nipples (if touched)
Frequently weeing
Pins and needles

Body watch:
Week 21