12 week scan, first maternity dress and telling friends we’re having a baby…what a week. I got thoroughly soaked in the London rain on High Street Kensington must; buy new waterproof coat for when I’m pounding the streets with a pram and not very deft at holding an umbrella at the same time. Please send me recommendations for a raincoat that keeps you dry and doesn’t make you sweat.
My Pregnancy Vlog
My To Do List
- Tell family and close friends we’re pregnant (Takie phones, I text. I’m find this a bit embarrassing for some reason. Anyone else?)
- Get bloods done at 12 week scan
- List baby clothes already have and handed down by friends
- Make list of baby clothes we don’t have for new baby (mainly knit wear, as Ava was a summer baby)
Pregnancy Problems
- Nausea and morning sickness
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Extremely sore arm after blood tests
- Extreme need to wee waiting for scan
Pregnancy Recommendations
The dress I’m wearing in this week’s video is from Isabella Oliver and is my first pregnancy related clothing purchase, because I still have things in my wardrobe from when I had Ava eight years ago that I’ve worn this whole time because as frocks go they’re are rather comfy and forgiving. My mum bought this red dress for me so I’d have something smart but comfortable to wear for the coming autumn and I think it’ll definitely come in during the festive season. It ties three different ways and is a nursing dress for easy access breastfeeding as well as a maternity dress that grows with your bump. I bought a couple of breastfeeding wrap around long cardigans from them when I was nursing Ava which I’ve long since sent to the charity shop so I’ll been perusing their online shop over the next year I’m sure.
Exercise
- Walking
- Yoga breathing and meditation
- Swimming with Ava (so more standing than actual swimming)
Diet
Stews and pies which I could eat last week now make me sick. Chilled watermelon is lovely. Spent a lot of time sitting on park benches watching Ava making new friends each day in playground making me redundant, which is wonderful and a little heartbreaking all at the same time. Found having a packet of Belvita biscuits in my handbag when nausea and now slight dizziness strikes stops me puking in the kids sandpit of Brook Green. Also enjoying very small bowl of Special K as snack, baked potatoes, cheese and cold classes of milk. Maybe these don’t give me acid reflux?
How I’m feeling
I got a last tiny amount of spotting and had a text from the midwife who’d been on holiday saying not to worry about darker/old bloods passing it’s left over from implantation. If it became fresh again it would need checking…please don’t ever do that to me again.
We walked with Ava for our 12 week scan at Chelsea & Westminster and I drank huge amounts of water along the way. They were running about 40 minutes behind so when we went through I was fit to burst, the sonographer let me go for a wee during the scan because my bladder was too full and told me I could empty half of it. Ava enjoyed the scan so much, the baby waved at her. She’s so thrilled she can tell all her friends about it when she goes back to school. We then waited to get bloods done and it was five to five, and knowing we missed the chance last time because they close at five, Takie, hero that is he went to find the Phlebotomist. It’s really hard getting blood from me and it took her three goes and she eventually managed to get some from my upper arm leaving me feeling rather sore. I did my yoga breathing throughout and looked the other way.
We left with our scan pictures and got in touch with close friends and family to let them know we were expecting. So many people were so pleased for us it was really rather lovely, even amongst the odd question, ‘Was that a surprise?’ When I told my BF Mark, he said, ‘You a surprise, don’t they know you at all.’ How well he knows me. We ended the week by going to BF’s baby girl’s christening which was rather lovely and I left with two huge bags of baby clothes some of which I don’t think have been worn. How lucky I am to have such dear friends. Felt very loved this week, especially after the scare of spotting in week 10 and no-one knowing we were pregnant.
Pregnancy Questions
This week my question for my mum (Sarah Beeson) was…
Q: I want to start doing some prep for this baby. Where is a good place to start?
A: Firstly looking after your needs and do what makes you feel good because the world feels so much better when you rest and sleep. Doing gentle exercise maybe pregnancy yoga or swimming can boost your mood and help you prepare for birth. Eating as well as you can and listening to your body. This isn’t about creating a punishing regime but better self care putting YOU at the top your To Do List as much as possible.
Now the practical prep. Think over the logistics for creating space for a crib or cot. Look at your options for a pram and baby car seat. Ask friends what they like, as you’ve found out Amy, social media is a great tool for picking up recommendations and feedback on products. Maybe think about setting up a gift list, useful if you’re having a baby shower or just a prompt to remind you what you need to get.
You could start putting your baby’s layette together that includes clothing and bedding. They grow out of newborn baby clothes so quickly so have enough to get through the first months and you can always roll up the sleeves on 0-3 months clothing.
You might need equipment like a steriliser if you’re thinking about expressing breastmilk or bottle feeding. Some products are very expensive so it’s good to take your time and look around and see where you can pick up a bargain and set yourself a budget of what you can afford so you don’t break the bank on items you don’t need. Many parents focus on getting the essentials and buy extra things as and when they need them. Do whatever causes you the least stress whether you’re a prepper or more a go with the flow type. Being a happy parent is about being yourself after all.
Pregnancy Tip
Set up a free online gift list for what you need for your new baby. You can edit it as you go along. Useful for a baby shower or a reminder of you what you need to get. #12weekspregnant #secondtrimester #newmum #newmom #babylist
About Amy
Amy Beeson runs Wordsby Communications and has a successful writing partnership with her mum Sarah Beeson MBE. Their latest memoir Our Country Nurse is set in a country village in 1975 and is bursting with stories of mums journeys during pregnancy and motherhood. They’ve also written nursing memoir The New Arrival and first year parenting guide Happy Baby, Happy Family. Amy is currently writing her first solo novel set in Wartime Staffordshire while Sarah pens advice for new parents on baby sleep, weaning and building a strong emotional attachment.