Baby 13′s Pregnancy Diary: Week 13

This week’s update should be somewhat shorter than last weeks was, you’ll probably be relieved to hear.  Not because there isn’t very much to report – well actually, no there isn’t – but because as today has worn on I have felt myself feeling increasingly worse for wear.  I think an early night may be in order.

Pregnancy-wise, I am pleased to report no further bleeding or worries which have concerned us.  We went along for the nuchal scan on Saturday and all is well.  Baby is looking far more like a baby now, measuring a mighty 63.8mm from the tip of its head to the rump of its bottom and with a heartbeat of 154bpm.

You would think that with the number of scans we have had, that it might have lost some of its excitement along the way.  I still find myself in awe whenever I look at this new little stranger forming in its secret world.  It still amazes me every single time how something so tiny can be so perfect in every way; from its lilliputian fingers and teeny toes to its bitsy bladder and minute heart, beating so strongly and rhythmically, staunchly defying its puny size.

Amazing.

The midwife was due to visit today for my booking in appointment.  Unfortunately her car had broken down on the way, and so we have had to reschedule the appointment for next week.  I am pleased to say that I finally got around to registering the pregnancy with the ante-natal clinic too.  No doubt there were sighs all round, and possibly a winner of the sweepstake that the staff at the hospital were bound to have passed around months ago.  I wonder who the winner was?

The nausea is subsiding well although I do still get the odd bout of stomach-turning if I catch a whiff of cat food or an exceptionally toxic nappy.  Unfortunately not feeding the cats is not an option, as is not changing nappied bottoms.  My breath-holding skills are, however, becoming quite exceptional, which I suppose would be very valuable if I were ever stuck on a submarine with rapidly decreasing oxygen supplies.  See, a silver lining can always be found if you look hard enough.

It feels a little surreal to think that Ben, my biggest baby, will be turning 21 when this baby is born.  It is strange to be preparing for the new one’s arrival whilst simultaneously preparing myself for my oldest to leave for university, and being able to look back on more than 20 years of motherhood, pregnancy and birth.  Back then, when I was cursing the worst morning sickness I could ever have imagined, I certainly didn’t imagine that I would still be pregnant 20 years on!

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