12 Week Scan

Well, where to start!
First of all the trip into Oxford was uneventful so that's always a good thing...
Got into the hospital car park, waited at the gate for a space to become available. A car then came out and we were allowed a ticket and went in. We went through the car park, found a space in the end - but my goodness, it was horrendous!

My appointment was for 11:30am.
We got there at 11:15am.
Worked our way around the hospital (a close friend came with me as the babies Father was unable to do so).

I bought a ultrasound ticket from the machine (£10) and took a seat. We were waiting well over an hour before I was finally called in..
A few details taken.
I led on the bed awaiting...

As soon as the probe went onto my belly we saw a white mass.
For a moment I did think 'where is the baby?'
She then found the baby. She advised me I have a fibroid. It is a fibroid tumour.


She measured the mass and it is 3cm and at the moment benign.
There is a 1 in 1,000 chance of it becoming malignant (cancerous).

Fibroids cause all sorts of problems (and certain explain my long standing issues):

- Reoccurring miscarriage
- Torrential bleeding whilst on my period
- Unexplained cycle pain

As many of you will know NHS Gloucestershire did an ultrasound in 2011 and then an operation to check for fibroids and found nothing, no PCOS or endometriosis - nothing.

My symptoms are long-standing so I find it incredibly hard to believe this (or they) have developed since the operation.

Anyway, I will take each day as it comes.
Chances are the fibroid will grow with the pregnancy (it thrives on estrogen, pregnancy hormones).
It may become so big it causes the baby problems (let's hope not).


Anyway, baby is still so small (the baby is as long as my little finger) and although Baby bond agreed with my ''due'' date, the NHS have persisted with their ''due'' date - there is only one day difference anyway, so I am not sweating it.


Anyway, baby was led on his/her back. Then decided to become a real poser and faced us. (Me and my friend believed the baby had turned its back to us!) Anyway, a bit of probing later and jumping on my bottom later - and the baby is back for a sideways shot again.
Measured, photographed and sent on my way.

 

And on other news, my ''Mother'' has blocked me on Facebook. 

Doesn't bother me much at all - she couldn't even be bothered with Duncan's birthday.
I think things happen for a reason and the pregnancy (though unexpected and a complete surprise) has happened to make us aware of the fibroid now I am fortunate to live in a better area with a hopefully better NHS. 

 

Jelly Beans Heart beat!

I won't lie, I've been part of a ''Due in'' group since I was 4 weeks pregnant.
I saw a lot of posts of people finding their babies heart beats at 8 weeks - 10 weeks.
I have since left this said group, it became apparent my vast knowledge about pregnancy and birth was not appreciated by all. Especially those who were ill advising and scare-mongering others.

Anyway, I proceeded to set up my own Due in 2014 group and Jelly Bean has it's own group for only my closest network of friends.

With 3 only okay-ish dopplers I decided to treat myself to a new one (with a more sensitive probe, only slightly) and I have been checking weekly from about 8 weeks for the heart beat, especially since the ultrasound picked it up lol.

Anyway, yesterday - 1st December morning, I found it!
I found it for only 5 seconds before the obviously awake and very active bean inside me shot off.
I listened in last night to see if I could send the Daddy an audio clip, bean was so active I was being kicked left, right and center!

Obviously, I am still way too early on to feel any movement but you physically hear it via the doppler, amazing!

Anyway, Monday morning, a school morning - no time for this!
However, this evening the boys have finally gone down to sleep.

I listened in, and within 5 minutes I found the bean!
Bean must be asleep because I was able to listen for about 5 minutes in total, he he.

Although I have posh dopplers with the BPM readout, the heart beat is still very weak to be picked up to trigger this reading, however - it did flash up this evening.

Based on the old wives tale (which was correct for both my twins), and the gender prediction I have already done, I am 99.9% sure I know the gender now.

Will find out after Christmas of course. Daddy doesn't want to know so it'll have to be a hush hush secret, which is no biggy because I am not telling the majority of you anyway, pahaha!

For those in the Jelly Beans group on FB, the video of the heartbeat is already up. Enjoy!

Dating Scan, Do I or Don't I?

Do I or Don't I go to the dating scan, decisions decisions...

FOR: Check baby is ok (Been under a lot of stress recently) and I know though I have passed the threshold I usually Miscarry, there is still that risk!

AGAINST: The NHS can use my ''due date'' against me lol. I may be noticed by the Obstetrician too (of whom I have been referred to but I shall not be seeing).

They can call me ''High Risk'' all they like, problem is - Since 2005 I took it upon myself to educate myself. It's a shame for my health care ''professionals'' that I know way too much about pregnancy and birth now to know what is genuinely necessary and what's not only a waste of my time and fuel - but unnecessary. My whole birthing page highlights what is not necessary and how much obstetricians interferer with the natural process of giving birth.

I am proud to sit here and say I have not had an interfered birth since 2004.
Never again do I let them pull my strings.
See how I feel nearer the time as to whether I go for the scan I reckon.