Update on Mini Mint ...

We had our Joint Medical Team appointment yesterday, to monitor my Gestational Diabetes, and the nurse and obstetrician are a little bit worried as my sugars are starting to go up a little bit. They did expect this to happen though, and have said that I must monitor them every day now, instead of every other day - and that I must see them every week, not every other week (bear in mind I've only 4 weeks left!)

They also mentioned insulin. If my results are still elevated next week, they will consider administering insulin shots. I will technically be full term by then at 37 weeks, but we all want the baby to stay in as long as possible - even though they've said that because of his size, there is a possibility of his shoulders getting stuck (!!) They've confirmed that either way, they won't let me go over 40 weeks, which means Mini Mint will be with us within 4 weeks.

All in all it was a pretty scary appointment, with the diabetes/insulin question, the chance of Mini Mint getting stuck, and the potential of me being surrounded by 'dozens of emergency staff'. The consultant also voiced some queries about my blood pressure (despite the fact that it has normalised while I've been pregnant). He also thinks that there is a possibility that I might develop a blood clot after the baby is born, and they may have to give me an injection of Warfarin to thin my blood, this because my BMI is elevated (i.e. I'm overweight).

Personally, I think he's got to the section in his text book which tells him all the horror stories, and he's just telling me the worst case scenario.

Finally - he's made an appointment for me to see the anaesthetist, and discuss my options, as I have declared that I do not want any Pethidine or Diamorphine throughout the birth, partly because ANY pain killer type meds make me violently ill, and partly because the above two are renowned for crossing to the baby.

Ouchies ...

... given that we have one of the smallest kitchens in christendom, I am in the process of emptying cupboards and ditching scarily out of date produce, in order to empty one cupboard completely so that we can make room for a washing machine.


(reminder of how tiny our kitchen is)

We only have 5 floor cupboards, and no wall cupboards. And I'm going to lose one of those. But, as I've said before our weekly Launderette run can't continue once Mini Mint arrives. We drop the laundry off in the morning, and pick it up all washed, dried and folded in the afternoon - it costs us about 10 GBP a week, but we've been more than happy with that. Up until now.

There are a number of reasons for this:-

1. I don't want to include Mini Mint's clothes in one giant wash, with our stuff (including 'im indoors stinky work clothes and mountain biking kit). Mini Mint's stuff will need to be washed with non-bio stuff anyway.

2. We are only going to have one income - and spending 40 GBP plus a month on washing is not an option.

3. Quite often, I've had clothes returned that I've had to throw straight back into the wash basket, as they are covered in soap marks - from where the clothes haven't rinsed properly (probably due to overloading the machine).

The only place that the mythical new washing machine can go - is in a 500mm wide space at the top of the kitchen. Most washing machine's are 600mm wide. With some online help I have managed to find a 500mm one - but it ain't cheap. S'ok though, we've got some money put aside from when I sold my car, so we're covered.

The only tough part now is coping with a 35 week bump, as I have to clamber up and down from the floor - and reach into the dark depths of the cupboard. The dogs are starting to get scared by all my grumping and groaning, and have barely moved out of their bed this morning.

Good grief, how exciting is my life, right now?

We have our 8th scan today...

... this will be the 34 week growth scan, to determine if Mini Mint is likely to be in any stress if we get further along. I'm pretty certain things are going to go well, despite measuring 4 weeks bigger than expected at the 30 week scan.

I've had two appointments with the diabetic consultant and obstetrician, and they have both been really happy with my progress, and the fact that I have been managing the Gestational Diabetes with diet alone. I've only had a couple of 'spikes' in the four weeks that I've been monitoring, and I know why they happened.

Apparently, Dave is right. Pot Noodles ARE evil.

I can't wait to see the little fella today. We had a kind of 'surprise' scan at the last obstetrician appointment. There was a student in the room with us, and Dr. Sadique asked him to do a scan to find the baby's heartbeat. It took him ages, but while he was looking we got a REALLY good look at Mini Mint's face - I nearly cried.

But, as I've already said this week - I'm a hormonal old tart.

Something to laugh at...

... on a Monday morning.

Tilly and Mini Mint at 33 weeks

Yay!...

Dave and I went to Rusholme last night, to meet up with our friend, Tony. We used to have regular curry dates, about once a month or so but, due to Tony having a recent heart problem, and due to me being pregnant (did I tell y'all about that?) we've only met up once this year and needed to redress the situation.

We never do anything too raucous, just meet in a pub, then go have a curry and a chat, before going our seperate ways - but it's 'nice'.

Tony brought his friends Jo and Sohaila last night, we haven't seen either of them for AGES, so it turned into a full 'reunion' do.

As we were going home, Sohaila reminded me that this would probably be my last night out in an 'adult only' group for a loooooooooooooooooong time.

She's probably right. It's a daunting thought.

We haven't really had any nights out since October. I'm asthmatic, and get colds REALLY easily so, given that I can't really take any 'cold remedies' at the moment, and that pubs are nasty, evil smokey places, I've kept away from them all together - apart from hospital days, when we usually go for a pub lunch in Warrington. And it's worked. I haven't had ANY colds at all this year - not even over Xmas, when I usually have to take to my bed. It's a small price to pay - but I think I'll have to keep up the good work, and not go to any pubs in the evening.

Unfortunately, we haven't been to any gigs either - not since the Starsailor bash in October. That's a bit more difficult to give up. But, I guess once I'm a parent my musical horizon will quickly degenerate into what ever chart totty Mini Mint is listening to. Though I have to admit, I'm trying to educate him already - I've made a mix disc up, with all my favourite stuff on, and play it whenever I'm reading or cleaning, in an attempt to indoctrinate the little fella.

Me so sad ...

I sold my car last week. She wasn't much, just a little Ford Fiesta, but she was my freedom. The world was my oyster provided I had little Sally sitting on the drive.

Given that Dave only works 3 - 4 days a week, we decided that it didn't make sense to have two cars, that I could scoot off and do whatever I want on the 2 - 3 days that he (and his car) are at Casa Hands.

Unfortunately, we sold it to a young lad who lives at the top of our road - and I have to see her every day when I'm out and about. I can't believe how upset I am about it.

Sally was my first ever car. Up until we bought her, I'd always had to share a car with Dave. And they were mostly big, estate-type cars, that I really didn't feel comfortable driving. Sally was 'just right' in a Goldilocks kind of way.

/sigh.

I'm such a hormonal old tart.

Flipping 'eck...

Someone on one of the baby boards just posted a message asking if her 'cats going mad, running round in circles, and trying to climb on the furniture is a sign that my labour is about to start'?

Erm - no. It's a sign that your cat needs to get out of the house, away from the crazy lady.