I can still remember how I felt quite clearly when I got that positive test. I was over-run with emotion…excited, nervous, happy, tearful and somehow overwhelmed with disbelief. Over the course of the next 3 days I got through 5 pregnancy tests and then decided to ask the doctor to confirm it (insane or what?). For many women, this is one of the most emotional times of their lives. The path to motherhood.

The symptoms I had we’re a bit strange really. It was just like the week before your period, just without the period bit. Fatigue, achy breasts, bit of a sore tummy, but then after about 6 weeks in it changed to the most hideous morning (morning, I should say all bloomin’ day!) sickness and the ever urging need to wee. A very sensitive subject, but one that I didn’t want to just brush past is bleeding. It is quite common but none-the-less I imagine very scary. Even though it could be nothing, I advise that an appointment be made with the hospital for a scan. My heart goes out to all those that do suffer a miscarriage, and I’d just like to remind all those that are effected that mums-room offers fantastic support and not to give up hope.

Birth can be a big issue right from the start of pregnancy and what saved my mind from going up the wall was simply forgetting about it until the last month, then mass panicking (hah!!).

Scans are normally issued when you are around about 12 weeks in and then again at around 20 weeks. At the latter you can usually be told what the baby’s sex is (if you like). The feeling of seeing your baby on those scans is amazing…I could have stayed there forever watching if they would have let me.

Ahh, now we come to the old-wives tales and faux pas: -
Foods to avoid during pregnancy.
• Tuna (or at least, cut it down to approx ½ a can per week.)
• Soft cheese (brie) and the veined cheese’s (stilton)
• Pate
• Unpasturised dairy products
• Anything with raw or partially cooked eggs in it
• Raw or undercooked meats
• No more than 300mg of caffeine a day
Old-wives Tales
• Ring on a piece of string gender prediction
• Suffering with heartburn means that your baby has a lot of hair
• Cats will sleep on your baby’s face (so don’t fret about getting rid of the kitties)
• The baby can tell if you and your other half are having hanky panky (rubbish!! It’s good for you).

When I got to about 5 months I got past the really annoying stage of just looking like I’d cleared out the fridge and my bump started looking pregnant. I remember that feeling the baby kick and move was brilliant and I really miss that now. As for stretch marks, don’t let yourself worry about them. I fondly refer to mine as me baby cave paintings (he he). I see them as a memory of what I went through to get the most precious thing in my life, my daughter. Once your bump gets past a certain size, you realise how much you miss being able to do the normal things in life, i.e., putting socks and pants on and having a fumble without feeling like a complete weebl.

When I got closer to my labour date, I got pretty desperate and started trying all the tips for starting labour, such as hot curries, hanky panky, pineapple juice (I drank 2 litres of the stuff the night before I had to go into hospital!) and a bumpy drive in the car. I swear by the cervical sweep I had the day before. Just to clarify for all of you who may be a bit wary of a sweep…it really doesn’t hurt, it just feels uncomfortable and it’s only for about 15 seconds. After the sweep and the copious amounts of pineapple juice, 36 hours later I was holding my baby girl.

Pregnancy is a wonderful time for most, a difficult time for some and generally an emotional time for all. Between the morning sickness and the weeing, try to enjoy it, I know I did! And remember this, the pregnant form is beautiful and mums-room is open all hours for support, a natter and a good laugh. My very best wishes to all mummy’s to be.