Hook On Effect [It's real!]

Explanation:
At the start of pregnancy our test lines are faint. Much fainter than the control line. As the pregnancy progresses, as does the strength of the test lines. At some point (Around 7-8 weeks) the test lines over power the control lines and become stronger in colour than the test lines.
However after this point the HCG levels are then TOO STRONG for the HCG tests. Weird right?

Here's the progression where the test lines over power the control lines:


IF you are as insane as me and worried about miscarriage OR you just can't believe you are pregnant and continue to test around or past the 8 weeks mark, please do not panic if your test line is faint, or has vanished completely!

Resolution:
IF you have a faint + or indeed a - and you are definitely pregnant, the trick is to DILUTE your pee. Your HCG levels are so high and in concentrated pee the tests just can't process that level of hormones.

I played with this theory last night.
Notice my concentrated pee sample was a faint line?
I then diluted it 50/50 and again, the control line still over powered the test line.
With 75% water and only 25% pee I finally got lines as dark as each other!



I hope this helps others who, like me continue to test for what ever reasons.

Early Scan

On the morning of the scan I was a complete mess. So tired from lack of sleep and so sick. I was sat on the toilet and had one second notice I was going to be sick. Thankfully the sink is right next to the toilet so I literally just turned my head and out it came. Disgusting!

Dave came to the scan with me.
He held my hand and supported me. We saw our little Jelly Bean and the baby looked very healthy. We saw the yolk sac and the heart beat. We even heard a trace of the heart beat.
Very excited and I have 3 photos of the baby.

Unfortunately my scanner / copier / printer decided to pass away peacefully so I now have a new printer / scanner / copier. I've already scanned in the photos and I will share one.
I have blurred out some personal sensitive information.
Mainly, the gestation because no one will be finding out the due date & my surname.

I am happy that there is only one Jelly Bean, please don't get me wrong - twins are a blessing, but with chronic illness and 5 children already I'm not sure I could manage another set of twins.


I am still yet to tell my parents (as is Dave to tell his parents) about the soon to be, new arrival.

I will now try to add some polls in the column ---> as to whether you think I am having a boy, or a girl, May even enter a poll as to birth weight guesses and when the baby will come EarthSide.

Booked in with the Midwife

Well I called in with the midwife yesterday, booked in.. Sure enough she has referred me to a consultant, diagnosis unit AND anesthesiologist.
Because sadly the twins resulted in a second caesarean the consultant will be pressuring me into a repeat caesarean.
He / she can pressure me all she / he wants. The Midwife can refer me all she wants too, I won't be going. I've been in that situation many a times before, bullied and pressured into doing what THEY want me to do. What's easiest for them etc.

I won't be going to the appointments (bar Midwife & scans)
I believe in my body, it's a shame they don't.

Because of my raised BMI the Midwife also wants me to have a GTT (glucose tolerance test) at 28 weeks. Since I refused yesterdays booking bloods she asked if I would let them do the GTT. I said, if there is glucose in my sample and any indications of GD (gestational diabetes) of course.

I am an educated woman who knows her rights and her own body. I don't agree to an unnecessary tests. Unfortunately for my midwife I know what's right and what's wrong. I can't and won't be pressured into anything.

Daddy will have to be tested to make 100% sure he does not have the same blood disorder trait as myself. 99% we should be okay because my blood disorder is RARE but it needs ruling out.

I won't lie, I am still in shock I have a baby inside me waiting to be born next year. I wasn't expecting it, heck - nor was my other half but I guess these things can be most beautiful when they are a lovely surprise. (D, if you're reading this, I'm still finding out the gender lol)

I have an ''Early Scan'' tomorrow in Swindon. I am a little over 8 ish weeks.
I have spent weeks really excited about the appointment, but unfortunately and this is new to me the Midwife documented all my miscarriages and made me go through it all again; regardless these things are on my medical records - for goodness sake.
It was incredibly hard and when she asked why I ''needed'' a caesarean for D (DS#1) I broke down in tears for a few minutes. I explained to the full of extent what I had been through but I also explained that his ''birth'' made me the woman I am today. It made me a strong woman, who believes in her body, knows her birthing rights, knows what's right and what's wrong.

Anyway, long story short - I am currently petrified of the early scan tomorrow. Bringing up all the miscarriages I suddenly remembered the purpose of this scan. I'd been focusing way too much on the 'Woo hoo we're going to see our baby' side of this scan. I'm now focusing on the real reason for the scan; to check the pregnancies viability.

I am hoping that since all my miscarriages have been very early on that I am now safe but you can't rule anything out.
I'm still a bit excited I can't deny it but I am more worried and scared of what we will see tomorrow.

As much as I love my twinnies, Please please please - let there be ONLY ONE in there. LOL!