Pregnancy Part 3

  My bump. Ignore the slippeers behind me, haha.

My first scan was on the 6th of November 2010. Shaun and I went along to our appointment at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital and I felt nervous as I sat waiting. Not only would I finally see what, if anything, was in my tummy, but they were also going to test for Downs Syndrome. I felt like everything was okay but by this point I’d read up quite a bit on pregnancy and there are so many warnings about the things that can go wrong. Some friends, like 'me’ Julie' told me not to read anything but I guess my journalistic background which was born out of my natural sense of curiosity, got the better of me. Some books however were so steeped in negativity that I got annoyed with them and refused to read on. Others were preachy, some seemed biast towards home births and one even had pictures of happy looking babies when they showed home deliveries and crying babies in hospitals. But some books were friendly and just right. There are so many out there, I’m sure every mum – and dad-to-be can find one that suits them.

I’d read you need to drink loads of water before your scan but there was no mention of it in my letter from the hospital telling me when the appointment was and my midwife hadn’t said anything either. I drink a fair bit (of water!) anyway so I thought I’d be okay but while I was sat in the waiting room I started worrying especially as there was a water machine there so Shaun started filling cups for me and I downed a fair few. We were waiting for some time and Shaun and I started trying to suss out which appointment the other women were on. There was one really young girl who could still get in her skinny jeans on. I couldn’t believe she could be as far gone as me as by now I had a bit of a belly. I wondered if maybe she was having to have an early scan. It was nice to see her partner being loving towards her. Another rather large lady dressed in tracksuit bottoms had her partner and two boys with her. I was convinced this must be her second scan but then she mentioned something about it being the first time they’d see the baby. I couldn’t imagine how huge she was going to get! There was also a very well dressed, beautifully made up Indian lady who was by herself. She had a nice sized bump and I thought she must be having her second scan. I thought to myself that I wanted to look that well presented when I was that far gone. The rest of the room was made up of obese and dare I say chavy women. Sorry if that seems harsh but it was what I thought and Shaun also commented.

We were called into the scan room by a lady who wasn’t very friendly. She wasn’t mean, just rather clinical. I got up on the bed and my tummy was covered in that freezing cold, clear, jelly like stuff…somewhat like lubricant. The scan lady started moving a black boxy thing around on my tummy and I looked at Shaun who was looking away. I hadn’t even noticed the image of the baby on the screen until I followed Shaun’s eye line. And there it was as clear as day. Not like the old scan pictures that you couldn’t really work out. It was a perfect black and white moving image of a baby. I could even see its heart beating. Yep there really was a baby in my belly. I welled up but don’t like showing my emotions in public so kept the tears in. Shaun looked stunned and amazed. The same as how I felt, with a little relief, happiness and bewilderment thrown in for good measure.

I was told everything looked fine. Next up was a blood test for Downs Syndrome. I absolutely hate blood tests. I’m convinced it’s because when I was born, I was so little and had such bad jaundice, I had to have a full blood transfusion. That’s my excuse anyway! I looked away as the blood was taken, Shaun watched but I told him not to as it made it feel more like it was happening! And that was that. We were told we’d get the results in a week or so but within five (I think) if there was a problem. I did worry a bit over the coming days and it was constantly at the back of my brain and was relieved when a week had gone and I hadn’t heard anything.

It was lovely to be able to show my friends and family the scan picture, which you pay the John Radcliffe Hospital £5 for. It was so clear and I felt proud, lucky and relieved that I had a healthy baby on the way.

Now it was really real, Shaun and I got down to the business of discussing names. We instantly knew what we’d like for a girl. I had a name that I’d liked for years. I don’t want to reveal it just yet but the clue is, it’s a type of flower. Shaun also liked the name and had one he really liked too. I wasn’t convinced but thought it worked nicely with the first name and seeing as I’d selected the first, I agreed that his choice would be the baby’s middle name – if it was a girl. Again, I’m keeping it secret for now J

It wasn’t quite so simple when it came to a boys name. In fact it was impossible. We didn’t have a preferred choice in our heads so went through entire baby books, occasionally saying, ‘um what about xxx?” and the other shaking their head or the suggester shortly saying, “no, actually that’s just not right.” One of Shaun’s suggestions was Castielle. I mean really??!! This was down to it being the name of a character he likes in the TV series Supernatural. But can you really imagine shouting from the door, “time to come in now Castielle.” No. Not going to happen. I quite liked initial names like JC or AJ but a friend told me that’s, “sooooooooooo 80’s.” We were stuck – and still are.

In my next blog, I'll tell you what is was like the first time we heard the baby's heartbeat...and the scan that revealed the baby's sex!