The last blog I wrote was at 17 weeks- over 6 weeks ago now- that’s gone so quickly considering we’ve been in lockdown all this time. We're actually living with friends because our house is in the process of being renovated- and off to my parents to live in June because my friend is going back to work- bad timing. Ive been on an emotional rollercoaster in the past few weeks but thankfully ended up in a great place…
Everything was seemingly perfect up to our 20 week scan, I was feeling good and still exercising most days. The day of the scan happened to fall on Matts birthday and we were so so excited to have an update on the baby. I couldn’t wait to see baby again and also find out the gender. I had to go to the scan on my own because of the recent changes to rules with COVID-19 but we had both got our heads round this, agreed it was for the best and hoped the sonographer would write down the gender for us so we could find out the news together. To be honest I was more excited about checking the baby was all ok and to find out the gender was an added bonus.
All was going smoothly- lots of positive comments as we went through the scan. The baby was moving a lot so I was told to go for a walk in order for them to complete the scan. ’Only a couple of checks left- won’t take long’ is what I was told. I ended up getting my blood pressure and urine sample checked whilst waiting for baby to move into a better position which again came back totally normal. I went back into the scan and that’s when things took a wobble. I was told that they couldn’t be sure but they thought that the baby might have a small VSD (hole in the heart membranes). I felt sick from that moment. I love this baby so much already and it really hit home how much I cared for this unborn baby. The other checks were all normal and the staff then told me I would need to be referred to a cardiac specialist to double check. The last thing the sonographer did was gave me an envelope with the gender written on for me.
I sorted the referral, walked out to the car where Matt was waiting and just burst out crying. You never think anything will be potentially wrong. I tried to focus on the positives which were that most VSD’s close in pregnancy and that this shouldn’t be a big issue, however until I had the cardiac scan I couldn’t relax.
We decided to go for a walk and when feeling better opened the envelope and find out if we were having a girl or boy. ‘CONGRATULATIONS- YOU ARE HAVING A BABY BOY’. We both burst out crying and it was just such a special moment that we’ll never forget.
I had an appointment for the following week and to be honest it was the worst week of my life. I woke up feeling sick with worry and went to sleep feeling the same. I was so nervous going in but it could not have turned out better. Basically what the sonographer thought could have been a hole wasn’t and everything looked perfectly normal. I cried with relief and have never felt happier coming out to tell Matt he didn’t need to come back in for a consultation and that everything looked great!
Since then I’ve felt like a different person, I’m loving pregnancy again. My bump is now what I would call a ‘proper’ bump and I’m now obsessed with my new pregnancy pillow. Its from BB Hug me which was created by chiroprators to give the best support when sleeping and also in the day to stay super comfortable. Ive also been suffering with pelvic pain and there maternity support belt has also really helped. Im still exercising most days but really listening to my body and not feeling bad if I have a day where I just don’t feel I want to.
I was also kindly sent some maternity and active wear from JOJO Mamma Bebe which is super comfortable and I’ve found myself wearing it when exercising or not because I like it so much!!
Im 23 weeks today and so grateful to be healthy, that my baby is healthy and things seem to be going in the right direction regarding COVID-19.
Im starting to think about buying the essentials for baby and would be really grateful to any comments you can give below as to what your ‘MUST BUYS’ would be. Stay safe and thank you for following x
Thank you very much :)
Dani this has just made me burst into tears. I am so pleased for you though that everything is fine and you are having a healthy baby boy. I love to cycle also and love time trialing. I had my first baby at the end of April (also a boy) and he was just under 3 weeks early. I tried to cycle around 100 miles a week from 20 weeks onwards at a very steady pace (obviously no were near your level). I found this helped me cope with the actual birth and the recovery afterwards. My top tip of what to buy is a tommee tippee bottle maker, it's a life safer for those night feeds. Good luck wi…