Fiona McPhillips is a freelance journalist and academic researcher. Having given birth to her son in 2003, she then faced three rounds of Clomid, three IUIs, two IVFs and suffered six miscarriages before giving birth to her daughter last year. She is currently expecting
another baby.
The final countdown
I had been planning on writing a post about how I only have a few weeks of pregnancy left in my entire life and how this makes me sad as I love being pregnant and would have given anything for another couple of chances. But that would have been self-indulgent and blinkered to how wonderful my life is now and my unpregnant self would definitely have unsubscribed at that point.
Yesterday Baby A wasn’t moving as much as usual. They say to count ten movements every two hours. I can usually count ten a minute. If she doesn’t move, I just give her a poke and she kicks back. This has provided endless reassurance but I knew that if it slowed down or stopped, I would be straight back in that place. And yesterday, there I was. Baby was moving but in infrequent slow ripples rather than constant vigorous kicks and punches. I lasted until 4pm and called obs. Obs was unavailable but midwife did a trace on baby’s heartbeat and all was well. By the time I got home, baby was making me squirm uncomfortably again. I have been told that I am probably overdoing it and to take it easy from now on. I admitted to the midwife that I had been working hard recently but didn’t confess the immense stress, strain and excitement that I probably put baby through on Tues night during Man Utd’s Champion’s League semi-final victory over Barcelona. The final is one week before my due date…..
So, baby is well, book has been launched and Man Utd are on their way to another historic double. This may well be my last few weeks of pregnancy ever but I have a lot to be thankful for.
May 1st, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Phew! Glad to hear that the Little Un is back to her active self. And the book totally passes the wall test!
May 1st, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Put those feet up!! and enjoy the rest of the pregnancy! I had something similar when I was pregnant with DD at 35 weeks. She was a real mover especially when I was in the shower. One morning after a really uncomfortable night she didn’t move from my shower time to almost lunchtime (when I was halfway to Holles St!). But then she started up again but all the movement felt different the little brat had turned breech during the night and worn herself out.
PS I love the book!! Sorry I didn’t make the launch.
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:33 am
Your description took me back to my pregnancy with DS. I became so paranoid towards the end, lack of movement takes you over the edge. But it is normal, as they are running out of room in there. These are the weeks she is plumping up. But you did the right thing by calling the midwife, I would have done the same. Take Care of yourself.
May 4th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Great to hear baby is doing well, I don’t think the worry will ever ease for around 18 years more or so ;0)
Regarding the ’sadness’ about it being the last few weeks of pregnancy ever, I (with zero foundation or reason) suspect that this would be the same had you 10 children. The feeling must be beyond special, and and human nature being what it is…
As for the book, I now realise we needed TWO copies as I can’t pry it out of the wife’s fingers, something I never thought would happen.
…and come on United…!
May 4th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I am so glad baby is well. She is probably just running out of room!
May 6th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Hng in there, not long to go, and whatever mix of emotions you are feeling right now they are all perfectly normal and all allowed.
It is the only time a woman can be 100% justified in being unreasonable. Moaning that you have been pregnant forever while simultaneously wanting the pregnancy to last a little longer just so you can keep baby snug and safe inside. All very normal.
May 7th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Feebee, how are you doing? ye haven’t posted in a while, keep thinking you may have popped already.
May 7th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Phew!
Rest up! Feebee and enjoy your last few weeks.
All fingers and toes crossed for you.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:03 am
No, still here! Nothing stirring so will probably be here for a while yet.
Deno – how are you? Have you been back to doc yet?
May 8th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Xbox and Roisin – very glad you liked the book.
May 8th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I have not done a thing, I decided to give myself a well deserved break. I know time is of essence, but I have been
so drained for so long. Too many losses can do that to you.
I actually feel really good for the first time in years….and I am starting to like how it feels.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Hope you have your feet up and lots of magazines read missus
. See you next week perhaps?
x
May 9th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
[...] The Final Countdown (Blog) [...]
May 12th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Deno – glad to hear you are enjoying the break. I took an enforced break last summer (but only when my hair started to fall out really badly) and did start to feel a bit better about myself.
E – I am officially on maternity leave from Fri so whenever suits you.
May 12th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
And look what happened when ye took the break! maybe there is hope for Moi.
May 13th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Ahh – I didn’t want to point that out! I put it down to Clomid, a good egg, luck and a roomful of support meds. But it was nice to relax too, regardless of whether or not it helped.