Week 21
24 June 2008 - 1:38 p.m.

I was tempted to title this "19 weeks" as I am now in counting down mode. Not that I am incredibly excited and can't wait to have another baby in arms or anything. Nothing of the sort. Still I thought it would confuse people (including myself) If I started going backwards again. Haha.

So now into week 21 and over halfway there. There's only another 5-7 weeks until I am in my 3rd trimester and then the countdown really begins.

Only another 6 days until our new scan and I am so excited about that too. I would be lying if I said I am not going to have a good look to try and see the sex of this baby. I will see if I can see but I still will keep it quiet until after the birth. Baby's big brother Matthew and bf both want a surprise and I don't want them to read something they shouldn't.

I'm just in a really happy little mood today.

I had been having quite alot of discomfort still at the base of my bump where I think the ligaments and muscles are stretching but I have worked out a solution. I think the problem was that I was not getting enough support for my bump. Maternity wear is still too loose on my bump and many normal clothes won't do up. I have been wearing an old pair of "fat jeans" for the last week or so. A pair of jeans I had been wearing when I was 3 sizes bigger. They look crap and I can go to the bathroom and can easily pull them up and down over my bump without undoing them. They look really loose on my legs too and they are still sloppy around my mid area even with the bump. So to combat this, I have started wearing a swimming costume beneath my normal clothes. This holds me in a little and being made of lycra means that it is stretchy enough to grow with me and still offer support where I need it.

I am also up another bra size. 38F now. Bloody hell. When will this growth stop???? I'm sure most of the little weight I have put on has gone directly to my bust!!!

Latest little read up on baby says:

This week your baby is just over 27 centimeters long and he weighs 13 ½ ounces (380 grams). He is not really huge yet but he is gaining a few more ounces every week.

Your baby moves an average of 200 times per day. In two months that will be up to 500 times per day.

You now may notice a regular, rhythmic, rapid thumping in your belly - your baby is hiccupping!

This baby does seem to have hiccups quite alot and it's always very low down when it does. It's like a little rythmic pounding low down generally after I eat. It's quite funny.

Mum to be:

You may notice that you are experiencing a tightening sensation in your abdomen. The tightness may last for up to 30 seconds and cover just one part of your belly. This is referred to as a "Braxton Hicks contraction." Usually Braxton Hicks contractions are painless, in fact, you may not even notice them, but they are totally normal. If you are particularly hungry or thirsty, just finished exercising or had a very busy day, or just had the bliss of a great orgasm, you may have an extra intense Braxton Hicks contraction - totally normal.

If you are having your second or higher order baby, you will likely feel these contractions much earlier in your pregnancy, they are likely to be more intense and possibly even painful, and much longer in duration. Your uterus knows what to do, it is more relaxed than with the first birth, and more powerful Braxton Hicks contractions can be the result.

I am having loads of these at the moment. Especially when I've walked for a bit. They are rather strong too and maybe this is part of the discomfort I blame on the lack of support but the tightness with the swimming costume does help alot. I can't remember having many when I was pregnant with Matthew definitely not this strong anyway. I have been getting a little breathless too every now and then but overall I think I am in fairly good condition for this stage.

Ah well, that's it for today.

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