Anatomy scan

Today I'm 19 weeks and 2 days pregnant.

We went back to Insight Radiology to have our 20-week scan, which is where the sonographer checks that Tadpole has got 4 limbs and 20 digits. At this stage, the baby has got paper-thin skin.

Our sonographer was Dr Jenny Mitchell - she was friendly and clearly explained what she was doing.

The foetus' weight was good - and also not too big, which means I have chances of avoiding a tear, episiotomy (it's a cut to ease out the exit route) or caesarian.

Bits we saw:

• A tadpole


• Two kidneys


• One spine which looked a bit curved, but I guess it hasn't got a lot of room to stretch out.


• One head


• One brain. She measured it. The skull has got some empty space which I guess (and hope) that the brain will fill as it grows.


• One heart. We also heard it, and it was beating strongly. We also saw the blood flow as she turned on colours - blue and red. We also saw my own blood flow into the placenta.


• Two arms


• At least 5 digits on each hand. It's not uncommon to have an extra finger, which can be just chopped off


• Two legs


• Two unclubbed feet


• At least 5 unwebbed toes on each foot


• And a penis

Yes - it's a boy. Time to put aside any bright pink clothing that might confuse anyone thinking that pink is only ever worn by females. And time to check out boy names.

The mouse cursor on the screen capture below indicates the plumbing.

We also spent about 15 minutes for further blood tests and questionnaires for the Scope survey, this time with Bas' involvement. Although traditionally survey participants don't learn anything new, we did find out a thing or two:

• Guys always know more accurately than girls how much sex the couple has during an average week


• I should keep Bas on because he makes me hot chocolates with Cointreau

We met up with Jeff & Ave on the way out. Their bump was sucking its thumb already.

18-week check-up

I am 18 weeks and 5 days pregnant today and badly need to shop for new trousers.

We had another appointment with Auckland Obstetrics, and it was again with Dr Lynda Batchelor.

Pretty non-eventful, she asked if we had any questions, and we had two - but because they are of personal nature I'm not going to publish them.

Again I had my DIY urine test - traces of protein, glucose level is normal.
Weight: 50kg, 1kg up from last time we came.
Blood pressure: "Wonnderful"

She put the microphone to my belly (a fetal doppler I think it's called) and we heard the heartbeat, apparently nice & strong. I was pretty relieving as I'd been feeling various cramps and pulls and other unpleasant sensations. No kicking though, that I could tell anyway.

She also took my measurements - just under 18cm, and apparently it grows by 1cm per week. So I'll be a whole 40cm by the time Tadpole's ready to come out! Bas said I shouldn't take a measuring tape to figure out how big this is. Can't think why...

She also checked my breasts for any lumps. No unexpected lump, just the two usual ones. The doctor mentioned that my nipples were excellent for breastfeeding, which for some reason brings major pride to Daddy-To-Be. And if he thinks he's getting any of Tadpole's milk, he's wrong. She asked if any liquid had leaked out, which apparently is quite normal.

So to sum it up, by the time I'm done with pregnancy, I might go through one or more of the following:

• Morning sickness
• Vaginal bleeding
• Urinary frequency
• Nipple leaking
• Incontinence
• Vaginal secretion
• Breastfeeding

Charming. I have the feeling I've become this container filled with various liquids that's randomly leaking over the course of 9 months.

Nothing else happened, really... The whole thing lasted 15mins, and next week Monday is the anatomical scan. We'll probably find out Tadpole's sex on the day.

By the way, the answer to the doctor's question is no. I'm not leaking and my shirts are perfectly.

What's it like being pregnant?

I get asked this question so often, and I can never come up with short and sweet answers.



So let's look at the Johnson & Johnson pregnancy diary's list of pregnancy "Common discomforts" (I couldn't find a list of "Common comforts") and see which apply to me at 16 weeks.

• Morning sickness (starting at week 5): Nausea started quite early on and is still going on today. Fortunately, it's only been bad enough for me to ask Bas to stop the car 2 or 3 times. Unfortunately, it's not just morning. I'm getting it about every 2 days. I'd whinge about Trudy and Anna never getting it, but then again Ave and Shona had it quite bad. Throwing up must have been a total of 5 times so I guess I'm on the luckyish side.
  Cause: occurs because increased hormone activity slows down digestive system, aparently, to enhance the absorption of nutrients for Tadpole.
  Remedies: eat a few dry crackers before getting up in the morning and have small, low-fat meals during the day.
  


• Fatigue (starting at week 6): feeling tired in the morning, not wanting to wake up (more than usual), finding beds and couches highly appealing and falling asleep during the day. I'm getting this every day, and several times a day. I don't think I've ever slept this much.
  Cause: thought to be caused by a change in the ovarian hormones.
  Remedies: exercise regularly (I guess I can forget about that) and get plenty of sleep with frequent naps during the day (yes I have been eyeing Chris' couch whenever I speak to him over the partition). Massage is another way to relax and become comfortable with the changes happening. Rest.
  


• Urinary frequency (starting at week 8): especially since I've starting to drink more often, I've started noticing the supply of toilet paper going down fairly quick. Normally not too annoying unless you go driving / flying/ camping.
  Cause: may be increased as the bladder is compressed against the pelvic bones by the uterus, reducing its capacity.
  Remedies: decrease pressure on the bladder at night by sleeping on the side.
  


• Breast heaviness (starting at week 9): why go get a boob job when you can get pregnant? One lasts for a few years and guarantees that you won't drown when at sea, and the other lasts till you're sick of breasfeeding and guarantees that your partner will try and steal the baby's milk at some point or another. Heaviness isn't much of a problem (well not for me anyway), it's the tenderness that's the painful bit.
  Feeling flushed: nope. Nothing.
  Cause: due to an increase in blood supply. Wish I could donate blood now that I'm over 50kg and have more blood.
  Remedies: rest.
  


• Constipation (starting at week 10): nothing here. Phew.
  Cause: result of the increase of progesterone in the system. This hormone softens muscles in the womb and intestine to accommodate the embryo becoming a foetus.
  Remedies: increase the amount of fibre in diet.
  


• Sleeplessness (starting at week 12): I think that's started a bit earlier for me. Though I'm blaming this on Bas and Naliah.
  Cause: may result from the discomfort or anxieties of pregnancy.
  Remedies: a glass of warm milk before bed.
  


• Gum problems (starting at week 13): nothing either.
  Cause: may result from an increase in blood flow.
  Remedies: visit the dentist now

Other stuff I've experienced?

• Not being able to fit in my jeans for the first time this week. I have some items of clothing that last me for more than 10 years and I've never had this problem before. This just brought me that little bit closer to the reality.
  


• Weight gain. I normally average 47kg, and today I'm at 50kg (this is before dinner). Better not tell Rebecca that a pregnant me is still lighter than a non-pregnant her.
  


• Excitement. Not really. I guess some. I'm too scared to be excited, and this is probably due to the fact that we weren't quite thinking it would take a month, we were thinking about a year of having sex every two days till I get late.
  
• Food restrictions. I'm hating this. More than the morning sickness, the fatigue, the sleeplessness. Right now I just want a massive plate of sashimi, tataki, carpaccio, salmon sushi and cold meat antipasto. With a bottle of Berry V though a flute of Lanson Black Label champagne will do.
  
• Memory loss. Didn't think it would affect me much since I already have a sieve in lieu of a brain, but after forgetting to place my own food order at Hell Pizza, I realised that it's now more like Homer Simpson's.
  
• Frailty. No impact sports, no lifting heavy stuff, no straining myself, watch chemicals or potentially sick animals, etc... Most of the time it's nice to be pampered, and some other times I'd really like to take up capoeira, help Bas carry heavy stuff, try some cardio-intensive gym classes, take whatever drugs (and by that I mean medecines) I want to, or pet any cat I wish. Hard call.
  
• Information overload. Researching and making decisions about pregnancy, birth, raising kids, our work hours, financial planning (or lack thereof). It's a lot of information to digest in such a short time, but some of it is really interesting. Some of it is also gross.
  
• Sorting out my diet & fitness. OK, that's a bit of a stretch. I subscribed to the YMCA 30-day challenge (starting on Tuesday) and I'm drinking more water and forcing myself to eat fruits & vegies and drink milk. Having consciences named Bas and Parents helps.
  
• Attention & advice from other parents. Takes a bit to get used to, especially the belly-staring bit, but it's kind of cute - but the advice is really invaluable to me, especially considering I've never had siblings.
  
• Cravings. I always crave food. The sight of an ad (I'm a sucker for that), the (even imagined) smell of a meal and you can bet that this is what I'll eat within the next 24 hours. Guess I'm not having any more cravings than usual. And right now I'm thinking of a creamy Roquefort on a fresh slice of baguette.

So understandably my answer to the question will be neither short nor sweet (more like long-winded and bitter), but I have to agree with people... Was just an experience to see that tadpole on the screen and hear its heartbeat. And getting pampered by Bas as if we had just started dating.