So… we went to the midwife!

So it all gets a little more real from here! Today was midwife appointment #1, the first in what looks to be a pretty exhaustive list of appointments in the next 7 (and a bit) months. As it’s only my second day at work, it was a bit of a lunchtime rush to get there on time. Craig picked me up outside work and we rushed through unusually busy traffic to Western Elms Surgery.

Western Elms Surgery, Reading

Amazingly my blood pressure was spot on for once! Considering the last few appointments have given erratic results (one week very low, the next very high), it was good to see the pregnancy hasn’t had any adverse effect. She passed no comment on my weight either so I guess she has no major concerns about this. The rest of the appointment was the general do’s and don’ts that we were already familiar with due to our own research.

Next on the list are blood tests on Friday afternoon, then a call to the hospital to book in my 11-13 week scan! REALLY looking forward to this as we’ll actually get to see our little one for the first time. People have told me it becomes far more real after this and I can’t wait. Unfortunately I also have to change doctor’s surgery as Craig and I have moved out of the catchment area for Western Elms. I was really disappointed about this as I’ve been really pleased with them. Appointments are quick and easy, someone always answers the phone, and I really liked Kirstie. I want to do this as soon as possible as it’ll be far easier to get to Tilehurst and register me, than struggle with a pram on the bus in 9 months and try to register me and baby. I also want to meet midwife #2 early so I can get to know her before the appointments come in thick and fast.

I guess the funniest thing to come out of this session was the urine test. Because I forgot to bring a sample to the appointment, I had to provide one before I left. As I’m pregnant, it’s not hard to pee on cue so I thought this would be a breeze. I was handed a little pot and a syringe and off I went. I didn’t give too much thought to the syringe bit until I read the instructions. The idea was to pee in the pot, then suck into the syringe tube for transporting to the hospital. Simple? Oh no. I literally couldn’t work it out. I had to leave my pee in the cubicle and get Craig to help. So Craig entered the toilet (luckily pee was still in situ) and joined the party. As I didn’t want to be interrupted transferring said wee from one pot to another, I locked the door and we tried to follow the Ikea style instructions. I’m sure anyone passing that toilet must have heard us giggling, especially when we squirted it everywhere trying to snap off the plunger bit.

Saved from William Mills

In other news… the new job is going great. I’m really enjoying it and love the people I work with. I don’t seem to be suffering from any nerves there which is lovely – and owed perhaps in part to the fact I’m carrying baby; it’s something I have to be good at for his or her sake.

The new house is also going great. Billy is settling in well and caught us 2 mice yesterday as a moving in present; one sadly died, the other made it out alive thanks to Craig’s shoe. We have sat him down now and asked him nicely to bring us gifts in the early evening, and not 4am as it literally woke us both up this morning!

Right – I’m off to get in an early night as, between the pregnancy and the new job, I’m dead on my feet. Seeing Paul tomorrow to bribe him into doing a quick post at the end of the week to keep everyone updated.

Gems xxxxxxxxxxxx