Fairy Girl

How often does one here that no two pregnancies are the same.

I’m on pregnancy number three and it is so true, they are all different yet all very special.

My first pregnancy was absolutely amazing. I had the odd mood swings in the first trimester followed with a little fatigue. I had no cravings and I only gained 12 kg and I looked fabulous. I loved my belly and I paraded around in my bikini until the very end. I had that “glow” that everyone speaks about. I carried very well. I only experienced a wee bit of heartburn during my last trimester. I delivered a healthy little boy, Joshua, naturally and he weighed a whopping 3.55 kg.

After Joshua’s birth I was admitted to hospital for septicemia, yip my episiotomy went septic. I was very fortunate to have my mother help me and take care of my new born while I was in hospital.

My second pregnancy was a little different to my first. I suffered with fatigue from the start but hey I coped. I gained 13 kg but did not have the confidence to parade around in my bikini. I also loved my belly but dressed a little more “conservative”. I think I had that “glow” but it only sneaked in every now and again. My hubby thought I looked lovely.

I had the weirdest cravings throughout my pregnancy, “beer” and “sweets”. Now I am not a beer drinker and only eat sweets occasionally. This little one was definitely going to take after her daddy.

During my third trimester I had severe heartburn and constipation (quite normal during pregnancy). At 30 weeks I had a haemorrhoidectomy. So many people said it was going to be a painful op but believe me it was far worse having them. Besides, they dose you with pethadene the most amazing drug.

Towards the end of the pregnancy I carried a lot of water (oedema), probably because it was during our hottest months (December / January). My shoes went up two sizes, not a very attractive sight because the shoes fitted quite nicely over the bridge of the foot but there was always a lot of space at the back/heel. I mean your feet swell they certainly don’t grow. I developed stretch marks which I never had with my first pregnancy, but I’m okay with them – they are a sign that I am a child bearing mommy. I could no longer wear my wedding ring and that saddened my heart.

Abigail made her entrance on her due date. I delivered a 3.35 kg little girl naturally. The birth was fairly quick, 2 hours and 15 minutes and she was out. Two hours shorter than Joshua’s birth.

Abigail was approximately 8 weeks old when my hubby and I found out that we were pregnant again. I honestly did not believe that I was pregnant but the blood results proved differently. My first and second trimesters were wonderful. I had so much energy and hardly ever felt the need to have an afternoon nap. I had that glow and I looked “swell”.

So far I have gained around 11 kg and I still have 9 weeks to go. (Keep in mind that I did not lose all of the weight I had gained from my previous pregnancy).

I have had no cravings during this pregnancy. Little Logan is extremely active, quite a lot like Joshua. She also loves the water and my tummy often looks like a Mexican wave. Abigail however was a quiet baby in the womb.

At the moment I do not feel very attractive, my hands are swollen and my toes look like sausages. That glow has suddenly disappeared. Rennies and Gaviscon have become my new best friends, I can’t live a day without them. I am suffering with gestation hypertension and monitored weekly. I have been in and out of hospital and all I can think of is my little one has to stay in the womb for at least another 7 weeks.

My life has come to a bit of a halt for now. I can no longer take on new clients at the salon and my new business venture will only start at a later stage. BUT this is all okay with me because my health and my baby are my first priority.

I am hoping to have natural birth again but if a c-section is the only option for me and my baby then I’m okay with that. (I must admit I would not have said that 2 months ago).

Although all three of my pregnancies were very different I have really enjoyed them. I love feeling the foetal movement. I love that glow we get and I love the preggy belly. I am also happy to say that I can now differentiate a hiccup from a kick, only discovered this recently.

To me pregnancy is a wonderful journey and I wish all women could have similar journeys. I say this in all honesty, but I must admit I cannot wait to shed the extra kilo’s I have gained. I am so looking forward to the day I can actually wear my wedding ring again. I am very excited about my wardrobe, yes it is the same old clothing I wore before my pregnancies but let’s face it, I’ve been in maternity clothing for approximately 15 months so my old wardrobe is definitely going to feel brand new to me. Then of course I would love to have a good bottle of Meerlust Rubikon (red wine).

Here are a few photo’s of my pregnant belly when I was expecting Abigail.

My beautil husband and son, loving their little daughter / sister.

A belly made with love.

My little ones home for 9 months

A fathers love.