Sunday, May 31, 2015

Baby Shower? Nope..

So here's the thing.

I'm all about having a celebration for a baby. But I also am not living in the 1800's & sort of got over the whole ''women only getting together and having baby shower'' thing.

Although it's a cute idea, and I'm sure some women LOVE having a girly day with their nearest and dearest celebrating the soon-to-be motherhood side of things - I also think, I am not the only person who is about to have a baby & become a parent. My husband is too! Why should he miss out?
And more, why should the entire male side of the families & friends miss out?

Our plan is to go from playing ''what's inside the diaper'' to ''cheers - eat a whole heap of food, drink some alchohol & celebrate our tiny miracle with us''. I'm quite excited to celebrate on a Sunday with all of our family and all of our friends, have a nice relaxing afternoon and just spend some time together.

On the other hand, if you are really excited to have a baby shower or are the special friends organising one, here's my tips on the perfect shower!

When should I hold a baby shower?
Any time you want! You can even hold one after your baby arrives (keep in mind, you might be VERY tired). Get a feel for everyone's schedules first, the last thing you'd want is for the most important people (like mums, grandma's and besties) to miss out.

High Tea:
If you're feeling like a day out with the girls - my choice would be a lovely High Tea at one of our fabulous hotels in Melbourne. It's a nice, easy way to celebrate and not worry yourself too much over the planning of a full blown baby shower.
https://www.hotellindrum.com.au/promotions-deals/dining-offers-2/baby-shower-high-tea/
http://www.madamebrussels.com/
http://www.ariabar.com.au/
If you are having it at home and you don't have the energy to be cooking & cleaning for too many people - hire a caterer & put on finger food and drinks. There are plenty of companies who cater to baby showers, and this makes it really easy for decorating too!

Invitations:
We are living in an era where everything is via email & SMS. Invitations are really easy to create online and send out with the click of a button.
My favourite sites to try out:
http://myinvites.com.au/site/default.aspx
http://www.smilebox.com/invitations.html
http://www.zazzle.com.au/digital+invitations
https://www.etsy.com/market/digital_invitations
Remember to be as detailed as possible. If you are having a registry, provide the shop name and the registry number.
If you are doing your invites online, you will find that you will be provided with a PDF/Jpeg of your invite. Print a few off for the oldies who may not use email or SMS.

Decorating:
Decide on a theme that you like, whether it be classic, modern, black and white or fluro green! These are by far my favourites:

Classic White Baby Shower




The Vintage Baby Shower




The Yellow Baby Shower 



Baby Boy Shower



Baby Girl Shower


Games:
Games are a great ice breaker if people are meeting for the first time. Gets a few laughs in, and gets people to mingle. My suggestion would be easy & less complicated games that everyone can enjoy!
I found this website has some great suggestions for baby shower games:
http://www.beau-coup.com/baby_shower_games.htm

Party Favours:
A perfect little gift for your attendees to take home & enjoy. It's a nice way to say thank you & show your appreciation (especially if you have been ''showered'' with gifts).



Put your feet up, relax & enjoy the time with family and friends before your bundle of joy comes along!

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Nursing Pillow

I did a lot of research on a great nursing/feeding pillow, read a LOT of reviews and the one I've decided to purchase is the Shuga Bebe Couture Nursing Pillow.



The reasons I chose this pillow are quite simple.
I have a bad back/left shoulder (and have had since I was about 15). The Shuga Bebe pillow provides arm and elbow support to help with posture and alleviating strain so you aren't slouching your body when trying to feed.
It looks a lot easier to use than other nursing pillows I have seen - no wrap around, not HUGE in size, has a slight decline where the baby lies for a better latch & less reflux, great height & support without you having to support newborn as much, removable zip cover which makes for easy washing - and comes in some really cute colours and patterns!

See video below;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Hf6fsHojoA

At the moment, the only place I could find that delivers to Australia is Nordstrom.
See link below;
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/shuga-bebe-couture-nursing-pillow/3976809?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=Chi+Chi+Crimson&resultback=0

Mine arrived in the mail last week and I am so excited to use it, in the mean time it makes for a great reading pillow!

Pre-baby Shop Check List



So the other day I sat on the floor of my not so set up nursery and had the most overwhelming feeling of ''um.. what exactly do I need to prepare for when the baby comes home?''.

Being the organised control freak that I am, I started to panic (of course) and urgently started writing things down.
So many things, so little time! Not to mention, I have no idea what I should be buying, I've never had a baby before!

So, I have put together a list of my ''must-haves''. It seems the list grows a little more each time I have a moment to myself, or I go into a store and think ''yes, I may need one of those!''.

I have no doubt that I may have left things off (things that I'm not aware I need yet!) - but hopefully this points you in the right direction if you're having trouble with this too! I also downloaded a great pregnancy app which had it's own shopping list - so a lot of the things listed comes from someone who actually has experience in this field.

Keep in mind, if you're having a baby shower - don't go all out in the stores until after your shower. You may find some items will get ticked off your list for you!

CLOTHING ITEMS:
Onesies
Pyjamas
Beanies
Mittens
Socks
Leggings
Tops
Jumpers/Cardigans 

SLEEPING:
Swaddling blankets
Sleeping bags (if you plan on using them)
Baby monitor
Waterproof mattress liner
Fitted sheets 
Cotton blankets
Nightlight
Pillow (for when baby is old enough)

CHANGING:
Nappies
Baby wipes
Cream/lotion
Sealable bin
Disposable bin bags
Cotton buds/balls
Wash cloth
Small container for water/rinsing

BREAST/BOTTLE FEEDING:
Nursing bras
Nursing wear (loose clothing, shawl)
Nipple cream
Nursing pillow
Breast pads
Breast pump
Breast milk storage for freezing
6-8 bottles
6-8 bottle teats
Sterilizer
Bottle brush
Baby milk powder
Bottle warmer

FURNITURE:
Cot/Crib
Cot/Crib mattress
Bassinet
Mattress sheets
Blackout curtains
Changing table
Dresser
Bouncer 
High chair
Infant Swing

SAFETY/BABY CARE:
Smoke alarm check
Thermometer
First aid kit
Medicine spoon
Tweezers
Nail clippers
Nasal aspirator
Dummy
Baby bath
Bath thermometer
Comb/soft brush
Soft sponge/wash cloths
Body wash
Bath oil
Shampoo
Hooded towels
Bathing toys

TRAVEL:
Infant car seat
Stroller with bassinet or recline
Front carrier or sling
Travel cot/crib
Travel/nappy bag

TOYS:
Cuddly toys
Comforters
Rattle
Teething ring
Stroller toys

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Epidural or Natural?



So apparently this is a very popular question - and one that I have thought very long and hard about. As mums-to-be, we have to make this decision, and of course - it's a very, very personal choice.

I am constantly asked whether I am going to give birth naturally with no pain relief, or if I'm going to have an epidural or gas. -cue every single birth story on the planet ..''In our day, we had no pain relief! We gave birth naturally and felt EVERYTHING''.. ''Women these days have it so easy..", "I never complained when I was pregnant", um.....

I believe women are very strong. We are capable of many, many things, and growing a baby & giving birth is one of the biggest tests of strength we will probably ever encounter in our lives.

What frustrates me is when people judge women for their choice. If you decide to have an epidural, or a natural birth, or an elective caesarian (not for medical reasons - just because you want to) and say they are ''taking the easy way out''.. what a load of poo! Why do we constantly put pressure on each other about these things?

For me - It's pretty simple, if I can avoid feeling the pain of pushing a watermelon out of my body - I'm going to do it.

GIVE ME ALL THE DRUGS!

I applaud the women who are able to give birth without any sort of help, but I also think for me, there's no way my body will be able to handle it. Nor do I want to handle it?

From what I've read, the pain doesn't end when you give birth. From tearing, to stitches, to not being able to bend down, drive, exercise... be able to go to the toilet for days... why would I want to make it worse for myself?

I do understand there are ways to help with a drug-free birth (eg. hypnobirth), but even still.. I've given my obstetrician plenty of notice (and by that I mean within the first appointment of meeting her) that I do not wish to feel any sort of pain what-so-ever. I am just not interested.

At the end of the day, no one really knows how their labour will end up - I just hope women support each others decisions without being judgemental. We are all in the same boat, but we are not all the same!


Sunday, May 24, 2015

Bump Sizes - The Truth

Okay ladies. Let's get one thing straight. The size of your bump does not mean a thing!
You are beautiful, you are growing a human life and you are probably glowing more than you realise.


On the weekend I was doing my grocery shopping, and once I arrived at the check out, the lady behind the counter was very excited to talk about my bump. She said, ''You must be about two months now!".. to which I laughed and replied, "No.. I'm almost six!".
She was also pregnant - 13 weeks and almost double the size of me. I couldn't help but feel a little judged when she gave me the ''you lucky bitch'' eyes. I almost felt like I needed to explain myself, that I've struggled my entire life with my weight and it's not my fault that my belly is so little, and that the baby is the size he should be - like I had to reassure her that I wasn't some crazy person dieting & depriving my baby to stop myself from getting fat during pregnancy.

Maybe it was the hormones, but it really ticked me off.

I weighed in at 47kgs when I fell pregnant. I am 5''7 and considered underweight.
There was a time where I thought this may effect my chances of falling pregnant, this can be the same for women who are overweight too, and can be pretty stressful when you really want to be a Mother and are born with a particular body shape.

I have never had any fat on my stomach and have always worried what pregnancy will do to my body and how it will handle it.
Surprise - women have been doing it a VERY long time, the body figures it out! We are not meant to be the same size!
So far I've been able to feel the skin on my stomach literally stretching, I am now almost 25 weeks, and look like I have eaten a large big mac meal.
There were a few weeks there where I continued to google "Why aren't I showing'' or "how big should my bump be at xxweeks" or "how much weight should I have gained at this stage"... I have no idea why we put so much stress on ourselves!

It hasn't been the most comfortable feeling, I constantly have terrible cramping and stretching.. and the little one has been kicking me right in the pains since I was 17 weeks.. Saying that, there are other women also at 24/25 weeks who actually look pregnant, feel very comfortable with their bodies & are handling it like champions.

Pleaseeee let me stress that it actually doesn't matter what size you are.

What matters is;
  • You are eating healthy & doing what your doctor/obstetrician advises
  • The baby is healthy and getting all the nutrients and intake he/she needs
  • You feel great about yourself - just like you should
Some women carry more at the back than the front. Some women show earlier if it's their second child. Some women (who make it to the news) get to 8 months and don't even realise they are about to have a baby (seriously?).

You shouldn't care how big or small you are unless it's a health risk advised by your doctor - as long as you are eating healthy, the baby is healthy, and you are doing the right things - don't compare yourself with other women, it will only make you feel worse. Oh, and try not to watch the Victorias Secret Fashion Show..

There will always be ups and downs, and personally it's not exactly been the most comfortable experience so far.. but you are also growing a human life inside you there... so expect it.

If anyone wants to give you their judgey eyes, ignore them. I sure as hell do!


Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Prams! Prams! Prams!

There are so many factors to consider when you are buying a pram.  

My first suggestion would be to either have a browse online, or go to a store which you know stocks a lot of different styles of prams. 
Once again, www.babytrain.com.au was so great for this, as they have such a wide variety and I found instead of trying to sell me the most expensive pram on the market, the ladies actually helped me with what suited my life style & budget.

Have a look around & feel for the type of pram you like & what your style is.

I found these were my most commonly asked questions when I was looking.
  1. How much does it weigh?
    This is really important, especially if you have a caesarian and have restricted movement. The last thing you want to be doing is putting baby in the car, bending down and struggling to pick up the pram.
  2. Is it easy to fold down and pick up?
    Same points as above.
  3. How big is the storage underneath?
    I found myself staring at all these prams thinking - but where does my handbag go? Where do the nappies go? Where do Mums manage to put everything?!? Does the nappy bag hang over the handles? What if the pram falls over? Big storage underneath was a massive MUST HAVE for me.
  4. How easy is it to manoeuvre?
    I feel like this is really important, especially if you are a social butterfly like myself and know you will be taking your little one everywhere. How will I walk down the aisles in my favourite stores with a huge, chunky pram?
  5. Is there room to have a second bassinet/seat put on later down the track if there's baby no. 2?
    I know I wanted to make sure I could fit a toddler seat and a second bassinet into the pram if I needed to - you just never know what the future holds!
  6. Can I adjust the handle height?
    Pretty simple - tall husband - small wife.
  7. Are the wheels compatible with any type of terrain?
    Important for Mums who enjoy walking, running and exercise. Don't want to pop a tyre!
  8. Will it fit easily in my car?
    If you drive a hatch ...my suggestion would not be the biggest, baddest pram you find.
  9. Where's the price tag?
    Figure out your budget, although a pram is really something I believe is worth spending the extra pennies on.
I'd narrow it down to 2 or 3 prams, and then jump online and have a look at the reviews.

These are my favourites in the $1,000 or less price range:

Mountain Buggy Cosmopolitan
Pro & Con - Tyres are puncture proof . Small & not very secure storage underneath.



Jane Epic Stroller
Pro & Con - Stylish looking pram. Teeny tiny storage underneath & needs bassinet added or cannot be used with newborn.



Baby Jogger City Elite
Pro & Con - Three wheels and great tyres for all types of terrain. Cannot have second seat added in future.



These are my favourites in the $1,000 plus price range:

Bugaboo Buffalo:
Pro & Con - Great storage underneath with string draw for security, also sits higher as a pram, so no need to bend down too far. Can't fit a second seat.



Joolz Geo Mono
Pro & Con - Amazing XL storage underneath, and a really great looking pram. Can't fit two seats, leather on underside of handles rubs against skin and is pretty irritating. Really bulky & heavy pram. 



iCandy Peach 3
Love this pram, had every feature I needed and I ended up buying it! 


I chose the iCandy Peach 3 in Jet Black (of course - it will need to match my very black wardrobe!) 
I just found it to be the one that fits me. 
It's compact & super stylish, and can fit a second seat when necessary. It can be folded down with one hand and is super light, it includes a rain cover, adjustable leg rest & handles, and it has a tonne of room underneath. 
All up the cost of the pram was around $1,500 - this included the pram & the bassinet (as an extra).
I'm very, very happy with my purchase! 
Good luck ladies and I hope this helps! 



Pelvic Pain



Who ever said pregnancy is a fun time was obviously crazy! There are so many changes happening mentally & physically, it's not surprising most of us become very overwhelmed with the whole process. It still surprises me daily of what the human body is capable of!

Lately, I have been having a really hard time with pelvic pain and it seems to be only getting worse and worse as my pregnancy goes on. At first it felt like a pinching and pulling in my hips and joints, to a dull constant ache that would wake me up during the night, and now I can't even walk to my car from the front door without needing to sit down (cue tears!).

So why is this happening? 

Pelvic pain occurs from the loosening & softening of ligaments around your joints. This is great preparation for when the baby comes.. but not so great for the 40 weeks prior when you feel like you're waddling around like a penguin and constantly in pain.
Basically, your pelvis normally supports itself, and the stronger your core, the stronger the pelvis.
Now, the ligaments are loose and much weaker - so every time you flip over in bed, sit in a position for too long, lay flat on your back - the vicious cycle of irritating your pelvis more & more begins.

Awesome (not) So.. How can I help the pain?

Unfortunately, pelvic pain will not go away until after you give birth, and in some cases, it hangs around even after that too. The only thing you can do is try to manage the pain as best as you can.
Contact your obstetrician and get a referral for a good physiotherapist. They can manipulate the joints and muscles to relieve some of the pain.
Some people also like to try things like acupuncture, swimming and pilates.
I've also found where I place my pillows when I sleep really helps with the pain.
At the moment I sleep on my side with a wedge tucked under my belly. I then put a thicker pillow between my knees & I either lean my back against my husband or put a pillow against my back to stop me from rolling backwards.
I think one of the most important things to do is to remember to do your pelvic floor exercises. If you're unsure how this actually works, see chart below;


If you work in an office like I do, get up - walk around - stretch. Try not to stay seated in the one position for long periods of time. Make sure you don't slouch in your chair & that you try and sit straight with your core strong.

I just went and purchased a pregnancy wedge cushion, tried it out for the first time yesterday and it seemed to help! You can grab one for $25 from Target. I'll be using it in the office and driving in the car, I've been told that my knees should be lower than my hips at all times, as this helps relieve the pain.
Try to avoid any heavy lifting (yes that includes putting your nursery together!), and if you drop something on the ground - bend down with one leg in front as if you were going to do a lunge. Remember to keep your core strong!
Don't try and be tough and ignore the pain - I found this can make things a lot worse and can make the pain hang around for longer.

One thing I've found that frustrates me the most is getting dressed and putting shoes on/ taking them off. It's incredibly hard bending. If you are struggling with this - I found sitting down really helped. I also found asking my husband to take off my shoes helps too (bless him!)

Remember - it's common to feel like this, but don't let it go untreated.. It's pretty incredible what our bodies are able to handle, but there's no point being in pain if you don't need to be!

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Nappy Chat - Disposable VS Cloth


Doesn't it feel like there is an endless list of decisions you need to make as a Mumma-to-be? It almost seems every time my husband and I make a decision about something, another question pops up.

On the weekend, we made a quick trip into our favourite baby store www.babytrain.com.au.
The ladies that work at Baby Train have been so helpful with every single thing, and have really taken the time to help us make some important decisions when it comes to what suits our lifestyle best.

We initially went in to pay off some of our layby on the nursery furniture (I promise, more on that to come!), but ended up talking about nappies, and how often we will be cleaning poo and wee.

I didn't realise how often baby will need a nappy change. From memory, it was around 10 or more times a day? No you don't need glasses - I'll give you a minute.
10 or more times a day.
Your baby is literally a pooing machine.

On average, a baby needs 6,500 nappy changes from birth until toilet training. If you google the cost of nappies, (not including creams, wipes etc) we are heading beyond the $4,000 mark.

Four things immediately popped into my head.
1. That seems like a lot of money. 
2. But also sounds very convenient. 
3. Surely that has a huge impact on the environment?
4. Seriously though, is that a lot of money? 
5. My husband has sensitive skin, will the baby react to disposable nappies the same way he did as a baby? (probably yes)

Our friendly adviser continued to swear by cloth nappies. She mentioned all of her children and her grandchildren were toilet trained just after 1 year thanks to the cloth.

We then were taken to the Cushie Tushies aisle - www.cushietushies.com.au - and were told with 28 of these, it's all we will need until our little one is toilet trained.

Then the other questions came..
1. Will I be spending the same amount of money on washing/drying/electricity as I would if I just went with disposables? 
2. SAVINGS! Almost $3000 cheaper, but needs to be paid up front - rather than slowly over time.
3. How often will I need to wash? (At least every second day - seems like a lot, but can be soaked/short wash & modern material is quick drying...) 
4. Because of the press studs, you can use the nappies from birth to toddler without having to buy new ones. 
5. We will still need disposable nappies for weekends/baby sitters.
6. They sure come in some really cute colours & patterns!

There's a part of me that thinks - why not both? I'm sure it's going to be very time consuming washing all those nappies. This is my first baby so I'm probably going to be a very tired, grumpy Mumma.. and I also have no idea how much time I will have, and to be adding even MORE into my laundry basket? Should I?

I suppose the decision really comes down to the individual and what works for them. Financially, cloth diapers are winning by a mile.. My husband is happy to go with cloth, though he won't be the one doing the washing..

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Employment, Leave & Budgeting


Did anyone else have a terrible dreaded feeling every time you thought about telling your work you were going to have a baby? I know I did! I was freaking out!
When I think back, I actually have no idea why I was so worried about it.. I guess I felt like I was  putting my employer out by them having to find someone to cover me for the next 12 months (or however long you decide to take leave for).

Saying that, once it was all out in the open - everyone was very happy for me! And I had no idea why I was so nervous about it. A baby is a wonderful thing.. and if anyone has a bad reaction, that's their problem! I mean, really? Come on. It's a baby!

The first thing you should be doing is checking your employment contract to see what you are entitled to. Best to do this before you speak to your employer to prepare yourself.
Some employers continue to pay your wage for a certain amount of time, and some don't. Have a thorough read through your contract, or have a chat to your HR department about it if you're unsure.

The next step is to check what you are entitled to from the government (although, this is subject to change with the budget). You may be eligible for more than 1 payment.

Here are some useful links from Human Services that will help guide you;
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/parental-leave-pay
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/subjects/having-a-baby

After you have done this, you should be able to get a realistic budget together. Figure out what your current expenses are, what your partners are and how much you pay for the non-negotiable things every month. Then plan out what you are buying that you can cut down on. Remember, babies cost a lot of money (like seriously.. A LOT - I had no idea??).
Do some research & get your budget together. This will help you decide how long you will be able to afford to take off.

There are extra things you will need to consider like;

  • Medical Expenses (out of pocket)
  • Nursery Items (cot, bedding, car seats, prams etc..)
  • Baby Items (clothing, nappies etc..)
  • Maternity Clothes
  • The list goes on and on and on!
It sounds really daunting, but it planning the future is fun! If you can get yourself organised, there will be no need to stress when the baby comes, and you can put all your energy and concentration into your little bundle of joy!


The ''Safe Zone"



Ahhh - I am happily waving goodbye to the first trimester and giving it a semi awkward hug as we definitely were not friends the whole time.

Hello second trimester!

I can finally sleep a little better at night knowing the risk of miscarriage is significantly less. It was like I woke up that morning and felt instantly lighter and much less fragile. All symptoms have pretty much disappeared (apart from the odd body aches and lower back pain/pelvic pain getting worse) - the human body just continues to amaze me.

I've gone in for my 3 month scan & have been told everything looks great. *relief*
We also got our results for the sex - and didn't really mind as we would have been over the moon either way. (at least now the styling of the nursery can begin.....more on that later)
Everything is looking & feeling good.. and now the fun part!

So excited to be able to share our news - how to tell our family first, and then our friends?
Etsy have some really cute & creative ways of telling people by giving them something small.
A few of my personal favourites:

Booties In A Box

Grandma/Grandpa Mugs

Expecting Jigsaw

Custom Wine Tag

Ticket Invitation

Chalkboard Photo



We were anti-announcing on social media. I mean, people will find out eventually, and to us it was more important that our family and friends were told face to face. This is really a personal choice though, especially if you have a lot of friends and family you want to tell at one time, or if you live interstate or overseas - it can make things a lot easier.

Now that you are at ease, in the second trimester & have told everyone - it's really time you start enjoying yourself a little, don't you think? Is it too soon to start shopping?

Ovarian Cysts




So when I had my first ultrasound done, I was also made aware a had a 7cm cyst on my right ovary.
Cue instant panic mode & a gazillion questions.

- What the hell is that?
- Is the baby okay?

- How did I get it?
- Will it hurt the baby?
- Does it effect the baby at all?
- What can I do to make it go away?
- Why is it happening?
- Get rid of it!!!!!

I was wondering why I was having sharp pains on the right hand side of my abdomen, but assumed it was normal and baby related.
After being told to just TAKE A SECOND - the good news came.

OVARIAN CYSTS ARE COMMON!

Yes, they really are.
The more I talked about them, the more women told me they had them too. And apparently, most of them time you don't even realise they are there.

My obstetrician mentioned mine was probably caused during ovulation, and that it would disperse over time. Unfortunately it kept growing and growing. It got to around 11cm. Eventually we would have to consider possibly having it burst (not recommended in the first trimester) or surgically removed. These are two things I really wanted to avoid.
Luckily, over time, it painfully became less and less.

At my 20 week scan, it measured at 3cm, and pain had almost completely gone!

So ladies, please don't freak if this happens to you. It's perfectly normal, and if I (a semi-freak out queen) can handle it, you can too! x

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Managing Symptoms

Here are my personal tips for managing the first three months. They also continue to help me now as I approach the 23 week mark. Keep in mind, they might not work for everyone - but they certainly worked for me, and always check with your doctor!

Nausea:
Eat little, often. Big meals only made me feel worse. And very bloated. I was eating 6 small meals a day.. mostly chicken, rice, plain crackers & toast. 
I tried to avoid fatty foods - but did have the odd day when I desperately needed a super huge large serving of chips & gravy.
Saxbys Ginger Beer/Ale - slowly sip. This was definitely my biggest life saver. (thanks husband)
Crystalised Ginger - a little bit disgusting, but really does the job! 
I always make sure I drink plenty of water & stay hydrated (up to 3ltrs a day) - add a slice of lemon, this can also ease the nausea a little.
Peppermint Tea or Ginger Tea.
If you're finding that you are vomiting constantly and haven't been able to keep anything down for a few days, make an appointment to see your doctor. They can prescribe you some medication to help.
Gastrolite.
Remember, it should hopefully settle after the first trimester!

Pelvic/Back/Hip Pain:
Stretch! I jumped on Youtube for pregnancy stretches to do at home or sign up for prenatal pilates classes.
I seem to have pretty bad pain at night that wakes me up, I usually lay on my back, raise my feet and place a heat pack where the pain is.
Indulge and go to Endota Spa for a Pregnancy Massage! (around $110)
SRC shorts are also really working for me, both prenatal and postnatal shorts are something I will be investing in. www.srchealth.com
Try swimming to ease some pain.
Pelvic floor exercises (3 TIMES A DAY!)

Headaches/Tiredness:
Highly recommened; Pyjamas, bed & sleep! Just sleep as much as you need to, when you need to.
Herron/Panadol. Check the back of the packet to make sure it's safe for pregnancy.
Make an appointment with your doctor and have your iron levels checked. I take Floradix daily to help with energy levels and iron.

Heartburn:
Zantac, Zantac, Zantac!!!!!

Yes it's normal to pee A LOT. Your temperature may also be a little higher, I am running very hot at the moment! Bloating is common and totally annoying. Yes your boobs are going to feel like concrete slabs attached to your chest. Yes it's possible to feel nausea at every second of every day. 

Your body is growing a little person, life certainly won't be going on as it normally does. Remember to always check with your doctor if you ever feel like something is not right. You can never ask too many questions - I know I do, and I also don't care how annoying it is for them!

Meeting Our Obstetrician

Once we had our pregnancy confirmed with our GP, we were referred to an Obstetrician.

I honestly had no idea what I was doing, so when I was given options of who I could choose to see.. I just went with whoever my doctor suggested. What would I know? This is the first time I've done this!

I rang her office, and made my first appointment for the 8 week mark.
The lead-up to the first appointment was certainly a nerve-racking one! I just wanted to know the little life growing in my belly was doing okay. It's like the days could not go fast enough. I'm sure my husband thought the same.. I was definitely driving him a little crazy by this point.

I do believe depending on whether you have private health care or not makes a huge difference.
I knew the year before I got married that I needed to change the cover of my private health care to cover for pregnancy so we wouldn't be out of pocket. Yes I may have gotten a little ahead of myself, but gosh am I glad I did! Private health care gives you options, lots of them. And lots of comfort too.

Upon meeting our obstetrician for the first time, I had my notepad of ten million questions, but as soon as she started talking, an instant calmness come over me. She's by far the most chilled out lady I have ever met, and definitely someone who could calm my crazy when giving birth. I was instantly comfortable, and very glad my clueless decision had brought me here.



Next thing I knew - I was propped up on a table for an ultrasound, instantly regretting the tight pants I had chosen to wear that day. I was holding my breath, I thought if I breathed out I might disturb whatever we were about to see... "Well, it's definitely not twins" (husband proceeds to wipe sweat off forehead) "and there's a healthy little body in there, here's your heartbeat!".
The moment I heard that little heart beating so hard and so fast, my entire world instantly shifted. Okay. Yes, I knew I was pregnant. But now it's real, like really real. I am growing a tiny baby with a tiny heart..  and then came the tears.
I am very aware of hormones making women overly emotional. But this was on the verge of uncontrollable sobbing.

Then came the bombardment of questions and information.
Which hospital would you like to give birth in? You will need to think about what kind of birth you want to have or if you are having a birth plan at all. Would you like the Hamony Test done? We can do this at 10 weeks and also find out the sex of the baby at the same time. You also have the option of doing the Counsyl test - it tests you for over 100 diseases and if any come up positive, your husband can also be tested to see if he is a carrier of the same disease, it takes roughly two weeks to get the results. These are the vitamins you should be taking. Continue to exercise, but nothing too strenuous. Rest. Cramping is totally normal unless there is bleeding. Rest. Here's a giant folder of information to read in your spare time. Oh, and here's your first ultrasound photo!

Who knew?

Thank goodness my husband was there, I think my brain was about to implode. I guess pregnancy isn't as easy as just... conceiving and popping a baby out?

The Realisation!


I love hearing about the point a woman realised she was pregnant.
Sometimes it's just knowing we missed our period and having that ''no...could I be?'' moment. Sometimes it's being put off our favourite food, or vomiting, or that unexplainable feeling of needing 16 hours of sleep a day and still being dead on your feet - sometimes we don't know at all, not until a doctor asks you.. ''Are you aware you are pregnant?''....

For me, it was noticing my nails had grown at a ridiculous rate. And when I say ridiculous, I truly mean it. I had fake nails from the age of 16 until I was 25, and all of a sudden, 27 with beautiful long, strong nails? I don't think so. I knew within 3 weeks of being pregnant that something had changed. I just knew it.

My husband and I got married in November 2014 and were lucky enough to conceive almost instantly. I couldn't believe in just over a month of being married, and not consciously trying (but not not trying either) - we had created a little life.

And then the FUN started! (insert sarcasm here)

All of a sudden I wanted to sleep. ALL. THE. TIME.
I found myself napping in my car every chance I got, falling asleep as soon as I got home from work, struggling to wake up in the mornings. I couldn't eat anything without feeling like I might literally die. The Elevit vitamins I had begun taking made me feel like I had been hungover my entire life. **Ginger beer did the trick to help ease the pain!

At this point, I realised I had been ignoring my friends and family, as we discussed we wouldn't tell anyone until we were at least 3 months along. I had such a hard time with this, I really needed my Mum (fitting!). She's the first person I call (apart from husband) every time I have exciting news, or when I'm feeling down, or just need a general chat and it was extremely hard keeping it from her. I felt like I lived in a bubble with my husband for 3 months, like I was this fragile piece of glass that could break at any moment.
I was careful with every move I made, every thing I ate, every little feeling I had. I even found myself doing crazy things like checking for blood every time I went to the bathroom (I know I am definitely not the only culprit of doing this!). All of a sudden Google became my best friend I kept thinking and googling crazy things like why am I cramping so much? Is this normal? I need to call the doctor. Should I be feeling this? Why is my stomach so flat? Is it weird to have migraines every day? Am I getting enough iron? Am I allowed to lay on my back? Is a heatpack going to burn the baby? (Yes, seriously.) Google said this! Google said that! I was losing my mind!

Miscarriage is so common, and can happen at any time. That scared the poo out of me. 
I think the anxiety I caused myself was probably the worst thing I could have done.. but let's be honest, I couldn't help it! I had downloaded the Babycentre My Pregnancy App - it connects you with Mums-to-be who are also due at the same time as you. I swear, every time I checked, someone else was saying goodbye as another miscarriage had happened. It was terribly sad. Before too long - I had to stop checking the app and just keep as positive as possible. 

Why is it that this joyous occasion, one of the biggest miracles known to us, the one thing that can fill you with so much happiness and love - can also cause you to live in terrible anxiety and fear?

Pregnancy was sure starting off different to what I had imagined!