The bears' adventures down under: Farrell New Arrival

As many of you may now be aware, Mark and I are expecting our first child in January 2014. I am now 4 months and 3week along my pregnancy. It has been a roller-coaster of a ride to date. Firstly it took us some time to get our heads around the idea and fact, then suffering with morning sickness all day every day for 16 weeks and extreme tiredness. Now I think we are both very excited about the fact and are enjoying getting ready for the new arrival.

Getting our heads around the fact

It all started on the 12^th May (which happens to been Australian Mother’s Day this year). I took the test and woke Mark with the words ‘I will be celebrating this day next year’. Mark’s reaction was a picture, shock and pleasure all in one. The test I used identified that I was very early on into the pregnancy so we had to wait 3 weeks before they could see the baby on the ultrasound and provide us with a date. I don’t think either of us really believed I was pregnant until we saw the baby on the screen. Once again Mark’s face was a picture. He looked like he was sitting in the best Biology class he had ever had, eyes glued to the screen and mouth wide open. He couldn’t take his eyes off the beating heart.

So the date I hear you all say. Well they have said it is due on 25^th January 2014. Bets are now open for when our new arrival will actually arrive.

There is one thing that Mark and I have already agreed on and that is that we will not be finding out the sex. We would like the surprise and those of you that knows me well, will know that I don’t deal with pain very well, so my thoughts are that this will keep me motivated when it gets really hard.

Dating Scan – 8 weeks

The pregnancy process begins.

After the dating scan my doctor refers me to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Adelaide for my first anti natal appointment. Their health system is very similar to that of the NHS, but maybe a few years behind the times when it comes to case note, confidentiality and security of the case notes (this my OT head talking now), though their patient care is fantastic.

My care will be provided by the hospital throughout the pregnancy, as I was not offered a place on the Midwifery group practice. This practice would ensure that the same midwife would be with me throughout my pregnancy. I am not worried that I have not been offered this as one of our friends introduced us to the Midwife Student program. This program means that I am allocated a midwife student that will attend anti natal appointments with us, be present during the birth and visit us for 6 weeks after the birth. We have been very fortunate with this program, as we have allocated a lovely student. Her name is Maria, she has only recently come to Australia herself, and she has had two children of her own. I have to say that she has been a great support to Mark and me.

During our first anti natal appointment we had another scan.

During the dating scan they found something that they wanted to keep an eye on. I am glad to say it is nothing to worry about and today we were told that everything is looking normal and good. For this reason for keeping an eye on things we have had three scans since the ten week scan.

Twelve week scan

Seventeen week scan

During my first anti natal appointment I was asked to participate in a research project. As I live with a research scientist I thought it would be hypocritical of me to say no. This study is investigating whether Metformin combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle is effective in limiting weight gain in pregnancy and reducing some of the complications that may occur for women with a high BMI. So for me that means’ that I have to take a tablet twice a day (I don’t know if this tablet is a placebo or Metformin. Now Metformin is the tablet given to patients with type two diabetes and insulin resistance in polyeystic ovarian syndrome. This study is looking at whether this drug could be used as a preventative for gestational diabetes.

As part of this study I have to have regular blood tests, skin fold measurements and ultra sounds. Once the baby is born they will also take a sample of saliva from the baby at different stages in his or her development.

For those of you that now be worrying, don’t worry no harm will come to me or the baby during this study. Mark and I have ensured that we did our research on this before we signed up to participate.

Morning sickness and tiredness

My experience of morning sickness has showed me that it can be difficult at times to cover up the fact that you are pregnant. On a number of occasions I have had to ask to be excused from home visits and taken an early exit off the bus. Mark has found it strange how I have gone off tea, coffee, ice cream and chocolate as 3 out of the 4 were my favourite foods and drinks.

I have to say that it has been the tiredness that I have experienced that has been the hardest thing to deal with. It has resulted in me struggling to complete my daily commute by bike to work and Mark lost track on how many times he came home to find me asleep. I am glad to say that my energy levels have now returned, though I have opted not to get back on the bike until after the birth. So I have taken to walking to work instead.

The excitement begins

Now that Mark and I have come to terms with our new arrival, we have begun the process of collecting items for the baby. I have become great friends with Gum Tree. This is a website that sales second hand items. To date I have found a range of maternity tops, a rocking chair, a baby carrier and a bouncy chair. This has also resulted in a free child’s play mat, all this for less than $200.

Look at the items we have purchased to date. Inculding a baby bath. We now I think just need a pushchair, cot, car seat, coats, nappies etc.