The last 24 hours before our first scan (at 7 weeks) were the hardest. I barely slept all night, even though I was tired. I’ve realised that my emotions definitely affect my ability to sleep, and when I’m anxious (as I was before egg collection), I’m almost unable to sleep through the night. I must have got up and gone to the bathroom at least five times. Dog was fidgety too and got up during the night, and proceeded to snore, so it was a very restless night!
Today was my penultimate day at work and I’d promised all the people who couldn’t be there on my last day that I would provide baked goods on both days. Why I make these promises I don’t know. I think it’s because I feel a need to overcompensate for the fact that I’m not having leaving drinks. (Honestly I’m quite relieved by this – I’m too old for that kind of popularity contest. Although judging by people who asked, maybe I’d have done quite well.) At any rate, I couldn’t drink so had to do something else, and I’m sort of known for my baking so it seemed a good way to kill two birds with one stone.
So yesterday I made 24 brownies, 18 cupcakes, 2 vanilla sponge cakes and a chocolate truffle cake. Umm, perhaps I went a bit overboard. I had all these ideas to snazz it up but when it came down to it, the Thursday cakes weren’t the official ones and I couldn’t be bothered so I just did some quick stuff, with swirls and not too much decoration.
Also yesterday I went and collected my jeans from M&S. Now I have a confession: I split my last pair of jeans! I know! I’m definitely getting fat so no amount of “You’re not fat” is going to help. They were some cheap boyfriend jeans I got after the miscarriage last year when I was feeling fat and have somehow become my go to lounging jeans. Anyway, I decided to order two pairs to test, as I live quite close to M&S and they do decent (not too high quality but not Primark throwaway stuff) clothes that don’t cost the earth.
I ordered two pairs to try: a “my fat size” pair of boyfriend jeans and a pair of maternity jeans OMG. I figured I’ll take back one of the pairs once I know what we’re doing.
T was nice over the past few days and kept trying to tell me not to worry, but I was so worried. I have felt so on edge and I have this nervous habit of grinding my teeth (even when I’m awake, just jaw clenching) and it gives me a pain in my temples. I’ve had this pretty much the entire past two weeks.
I tried not to think about things. To distract myself. It’s hard though. It was pretty much all I thought about. Always there in the background. I kept wondering if things were symptoms or psychological. I’ve definitely had moments of nausea and weird tastes and smells and food cravings / fads / aversions but every time I get them, I think it’s just wishful thinking or something.
T kept thinking positive and he speaks to the baby and about the baby using the nickname we have. So to him it’s real and just needed confirming. To me it’s more like an ever present monologue of fear, of not wanting to have another miscarriage, of being told something is wrong.
I stupidly decided to do a HPT yesterday, you know, because it was lying around and why not confirm I’m still pregnant. BAD IDEA. I didn’t do FMU (when it’s most concentrated) and I’m going to the bathroom at least once an hour nowadays (more than usual – I drink a lot of water normally and haven’t stopped) so that didn’t really help. Anyway the line was just pregnant, two lines, about the same clarity so then I was feeling bad. Even though I read online that HCG isn’t reliable at this point and anyway if I was going to have a miscarriage it wouldn’t show up on a test right now… Well really it didn’t help alleviate my fears. Shouldn’t have done that. I guess it’s still such a novelty to see a positive pregnancy test!
So today I schlepped into work early with a shedload of cakes (day 1 of my leaving cakes) and then headed for the clinic after. T turned up shortly after I did and we waited… and waited… and waited. Wowsers, it’s like a special kind of torture.
Eventually about a half hour after our appointment was due, we were called in for the ultrasound. It was with a doctor who was quite businesslike (she said “I’m not going to say anything for the first part and then I’ll turn the screen around so you can see it”) plus the sonographer who’s actually very nice but who had the unfortunate association with being the one who delivered me the bad news last time.
I went behind the curtain and T had to sit outside. Derobed. I always feel a bit vulnerable unclothed below the waist, lying on a bed with my legs spread! The doc started the ultrasound. OMG it was awful… When she said she wasn’t going to say anything, she really meant it. Digging around for what felt like an eternity. Then kept trying to find my ovaries (????) and then after some horrendous amount of time with me staring at the ceiling and thinking the worst (and T said the same, sitting outside the curtain), she asked if the sonographer could have a look.
The sonographer eventually found my ovaries. Had to press down each time. I was wondering if it was ectopic or something.
And then she said to T, do you want to come in? And he came in.
And then… She turned the screen round.
So now the news you’ve all been waiting for: I guess I’m taking back the boyfriend jeans!
Our baby was there. Heart beating. 8.6mm, measuring 6 weeks 6 days. Alive! They said that s/he had a strong heartbeat! There was a picture but it’s not very clear and it was more visible on screen.
I burst into tears. All the pent up emotion and fear came out. T kept kissing me and telling me he knew it would be fine! The sonographer was really nice as she remembered last time and she kept telling me it was different this time.
I’m currently 7 weeks 1 day and the nurse said afterwards not to worry because at those measurements (tiny) they grow at different rates. As a comparison – last time when I had my first scan it was more like 6 weeks and I got called back the following week at 7 weeks and the baby was only 5mm both times.
They discharged us to the GP! It’s unbelievable. Like a normal pregnancy! Though it’s anything but normal.
I am still scared although I’m slightly reassured (which T is glad about!). I know there is still a risk of miscarriage before 12 weeks and a reduced one after that. But I keep telling myself it’s one more hurdle we have jumped. Also I have my 8 week follow up with Dr S next week so at least that’s an extra appointment I’ll have, which will hopefully show some development (and his scanners are better than the NHS ones).
So… What does this mean?
No leaving drinks! I still need to stick to the acting like I’m pregnant (I’m pregnant!) but not telling anyone thing.
Apart from, I’m going to have to tell my girlfriends tomorrow. Because of the school reunion thing I referenced in my previous post, and the fact that I’m not drinking. And anyway it will be nice to be able to tell someone.
In a quirk of fate, my sister had her follow up with Dr S today. I told her and she was so happy for me. We had a nice text conversation about it. I even said that I knew it might be hard for her but she said she was happy for me and also it’s sort of encouraging as she’s seeing Dr S too. She got her results and they were different to mine – she actually isn’t borderline like I am, which is sort of reassuring in a way as at least it means everyone gets treated differently! They had a recommendation and are off on holiday so considering it, but they’re likely going to go ahead with a private cycle and Dr S immune protocol. If it works for them, and we both make it to term, it would be the best sisterly bonding experience ever!
Next hurdle: 12 week scan with the NHS. I just need to try and get to there. I have my additional Dr S 8 week scan next week too, and intralipids and I keep on with the meds until 12 weeks too (please please make it that far!).
My last day at work tomorrow. I have two cakes to ice tonight. And girls weekend this weekend.
I’m pregnant.
Whoop whoop 🎉
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Yay!!! Congratulations love!
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Woo hoo!!!! I am so happy to hear this as I’ve been anxiously awaiting your post! Congrats to you and T.
I hope your last day at work goes well.
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BAAAAH! So excited! (You totally had me on pins and needles there.)
I will admit that I could never really shake that “ever present monologue of fear.” There are a ton of reasons for that, which I will not bore you with because the comments section of your blog is not actually about me.
Do your very best to enjoy where you are right now- very much with child!
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Yay!!!!so happy for y’all!
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Yaaayyy!!!! I was waiting for an update and I’m so glad it’s good news! I remember going through very similar emotions with our 7 week ultrasound this time around. You’re pregnant!!!!!!!!!!
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Wooooooop! I just knew it was going to be a great result. Congrats hon. I am soooooo happy for you xxx
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What fantastic news! It brought a big smile to my face 😉 if you fancy doing the harmony test (it gives your risk of downs etc and is more reliable than the 12 week nuchal scan), I can really recommend the fetal medical centre on Harley street. You get a scan at 10 weeks and 12 weeks as part of it and if you want they can tell you the sex of the baby as they can tell it from your blood. I know lots of ladies who also went to the FMC and we all found it a great place. If you ever want a private scan for reassurance you can have one there too. I hope the worry starts to ease a little.. But I know it never completely goes away, just gets less and less with time.
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Thanks for the rec. I will see how the 8 week scan goes next week and might consider it if we get that far!
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Yay I am so happy for you! What fabulous news 🙂
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I am soooooooooo happy for you!!! Such an important pregnancy milestone and hopefully you will have more of these to come!! Congratulations!!!!
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Woo hoo!! Great news!!! XXX
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Congratulations!!! I was go scared before my 12 week scan (I didn’t have dating scans at all) but I could see the screen (my clinic has them up on the wall so you can see laying down) and I immediately saw the baby and the tech immediately pointed out the heartbeat.
Wishing you a completely smooth first trimester and looking forward to your 12 week scan update ❤
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Hooray! Congratulations and think happy thoughts – you’re finishing work AND you’re pregnant!
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Yay!!!! So happy for you!!! I cried at my 6 week appt too…not at first, but the US tech asked if we wanted to see the heartbeat again and I broke down on the second round. She quietly left the room and since has seen me in the hall, all fat and pregnant, and was so happy for us. I can’t wait for you to get to that point! So, so happy to hear the good news! Your whole life is changing!!! We talked about it: a new house, a new career, a new baby…and it’s all happening!!!!
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Aaaaaaaaaaaaargh!!!!!
That is all. Xxxxx
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I skipped it all to the scan. I’ll read the rest later! But for now, congrats! yay, yay yay!!!!
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Ahhh…Congratulations!!!! I am so incredibly happy for you!
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Yaaassssssssssssss! I hope you continue to have good news.
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Fantastic news!!! So excited for you!! I hope you have a good last day tomorrow, and a wonderful weekend with your friends. I also hope the next weeks go by quickly and smoothly for you, and you’re able to let go of a little of your stress and enjoy the time. Congrats!!
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Yay yay yay yay !!!!! Congratulations! 🎆🎆🎆🎆🎉🎉🎉🎊🎊🎊🎊
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Love love love this!!!! How nerve wracking those first few moments must have been when they don’t talk and you can’t see the screen-Aghhh! Torture!!!! Not long til your next scan! Whoop whoop!!! 😊
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Thanks Dani. I was so scared. I’m still scared… But it’s not quite as bad as before last week’s scan. I suppose maybe it decreases a tiny bit each time we get to a milestone. Next scan on Wednesday! Hope all is well with you. X
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That’s just wonderful!! Congrats!
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Been looking out for this post! Amazing news – congrats!! Take each day at a time 🙂 your little one is growing bigger and stronger each day. Lots of love x x
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Amazing News!!!! So happy for you. I can’t imagine how mized up your feelings must be but you definitely need to keep in mind that it’s different this time. Definitely eat lots of cake on your last day at work, you have a pair of pregnancy jeans you need to fill!!!xxx
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Awesome! I have been thinking about you and hoping for good news. So happy for you xx
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Aw I’m really happy for you. So glad your scan went well. That must have been so scary when the doctor wasn’t saying anything for those few minutes and you were thinking the worst!
You probably saw that it didn’t work out for me this round. I’m doing ok at the moment though. Distracting myself. I’ve been wondering whether I might get extra tests done now like the immune testing in case that’s the issue. Interesting that your sister might be doing an immune protocol.
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I’m so sorry it didn’t work out for you. It’s really difficult as I do read your blog but for some reason can’t comment. I’m thinking of you and sending you hugs. If you do the tests or have any questions then feel free to message me. Xx
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That’s fantastic news!! I’m sure you’re friends will be really excited for you and I hope you get a little celebration! 😀
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Wonderful news!!!
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I am so pleased for you. You’ve done so well and it’s great news about the scan – everything is going as it should and I’m sure that it will continue to. Congratulations.
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Loved reading this! Huge congratulations to you xx
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Great news! So happy for you 🙂
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Very happy for you, Nara!!! Congratulations!! xxx
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This. Is. AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So happy for you!!! How awesome was it to know the heart was beating and everything is progressing as normal!!! You. Are. PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!
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So so so happy for you! This is really good news, especially with the baby being significantly bigger than last time. I really hope you can relax for a little while. It probably doesn’t feel real after all this time. Seriously though, this is such amazing news 🙂
I hope you had a good time with your friends and I hope your last day went well. Onwards and upwards. I’m not sure if you’re starting the new job on Monday or taking a little time off, but good luck with that as well! So many good things at once 🙂 Now just to sort out the house…!x x x
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So happy to read this update Nara. Sending love to you and T and little baby N+T 🙂 x x x x x
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This is so amazing, I could cry!! I can’t wait to watch this little one grow and I am already putting a few things aside to send him/her. ☺️ Congratulations mommy & daddy!
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…And big fur brother too! Can’t leave him out! 😉🐶
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Amazing! I’m so happy to read this! Congrats on another hurdle. Xo.
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Delightful to re-read this one – happy tears! x
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