Photograph of Tonya at 18 weeks pregnant.

I must confess that seeing myself like this is kind of weird & its maybe not the most flattering photograph of myself that I own but.... I adore my bump so hey why not show it off eh. I popped down the the supermarket to get some more indigestion relief (yes I am still plagued by it) and milk in my garden lounging top & butterfly sarong. Lots of people smiled at me so I couldn't have looked that bad & hey I have a killer cleavage he he. You can see the ever expanding bump & I guess its now pretty obvious that I haven't just gained weight ! I feel fabulous and must confess am loving being pregnant. From a woman who hasn't ever been that into the idea of being pregnant that is something of a revelation believe me but yes I love it, feel great & very very happy!

My Dream and Naming Babies

Last night I had a dream. I have been thinking about Names. Dad has nicknamed the bump 'Genghis'. He says that Genghis is a lovely strong name and just right for a baby bump. Invasion is not a bad analogy for being pregnant. It is a lot like your body being taken over by someone else. Anyway Genghis is great but not something I really want baby to live with forever. Wendy bought me a baby book of Names to look at. It was a lovely thought and of course a name is very important and actually picking a great name is not as easy as you think. The current trend for weird and wonderful like 'Apple and Preston' is not really me although I do like unusual names. I have always loved my name partly because it is unusual. I liked being the only Tonya in school. I have always liked people commenting on how unusual and interesting my name is. I have also always liked explaining the story behind why I was named Tonya and where it comes from. Hence my baby's name is so important. A name needs to be something that if it is long you like the shortened version of because of course it will get shortened like it or not. So there I was thinking about all sorts of names and in the end I asked the baby what it's name was? I was sat in the bath and thought ok I will ask. Of course I didn't get much of a reply but then I did have this dream.

I dreamt of a little boy. Blonde hair and blue eyes. He was around 6 and at school. I had been called into school because he had been fighting. Actually he had thumped another boy because the other boy said he had a weird name. His name was ........ (I can't say because if I did it wouldn't be a surprise. Its my little secret!) Anyway there I was sitting with the head teacher explaining that while I did not agree with bullying I had taught my son to stand up for himself and not be afraid of other bullies. So that was it. Genghis was letting me know what his name is. Oh and baby is definitely a boy! I just know!

Week 18 Pregnancy official stuff

The midwife told me a few weeks ago that all the things I eat the baby tastes. Strange really but apparently my diet while pregnant can affect the things the baby will or will not like to eat. My baby will evidently love fruit, dairy things, curry, garlic and salami ! he he. Read some great info in my 'What to expect' book about foetal development and learning all this is so fascinating. I guess its nice to learn all these things while they happen inside my body.

This week the baby's vocal chords are formed. I am sure baby genghis will be a chatterbox like his mum! It can go through the motions of crying but without air it doesn't make a sound. Features of the baby's heart, including ventricles and chambers, should be visible during an ultrasound. Baby measures about 5.59 inches (14.2cm) this week and weighs about 6.7 ounces (190gm) .

The bones of the inner ear and the nerve endings from the brain have developed enough so that the baby will hear sounds like my heartbeat, umbilical fluid and blood moving through the umbilical cord. Baby can pull complex facial expressions such as yawn and pull faces and can even frown. One of most interesting facts was that my heart is working 40 to 50 per cent harder than normal - explains why have had to slow down my swimming. He/she moves most of the time now and gives lots of punches and kicks with the hands and feet - especially when am swimming or trying to sleep! 

Wednesday 7th September - Pregnant at 19 Weeks

I have had a lovely week. I had a giggle in the supermarket when a lady was advising me to take gripe water for my indigestion. She told me about how she once came home to find her baby rolling & bouncing around its cot in a very hyperactive manner. Her dad who was babysitting said that they were low on milk so he had decided instead of giving the child hot milk at bedtime to give it coffee instead. He he he. Granddad's are great aren't they.

I have also managed to arrange for the builders to come in and start the work on the bathroom and hall in my house. After a bad water leak I am having a new bathroom put in and all the water damage fixed which means a newly decorated hall too. The house will look wonderful when its all done.

I have been swimming every day but have started to find that bump is making my normal swim routine much harder. I get out of breath easier and can't tumble turn very well. I have instead adapted to a sort of upside down frog swimming style which means less awkward stretches and more air available !! Relaxing into simply enjoying the water and taking my time.

Week 19 Pregnancy official stuff

Permanent teeth buds are forming behind the already formed milk teeth buds. Baby is now covered with a waxy substance called vernix caseosa, which helps prevent delicate skin from becoming chapped or scratched. Premature babies may be covered in this cheesy coating at delivery. In the brain, baby is developing millions of motor neurons, which are nerves that connect the muscles to the brain. As a result, baby is now able to make conscious muscle movements such as sucking his thumb in addition to involuntary movements. You may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen (perhaps extending to your groin) or even a quick, sharp, stabbing pain on one or both sides, especially when you change position or at the end of an active day. This is round ligament pain , and it's caused by the stretching of the muscles and ligaments that support your growing uterus. Yup noticed those !!! Baby measures about 6.46 inches (16.4cm) and
10.58 ounces (300gm)

Birthing classes and Birth Plan?

This is the week that all the books start telling you to look out for birthing classes and at least read the birth section in the book. I have a birth plan sorted out already ! Here it is.... I am going to the hospital !

That was easy wasn't it ! Well I have decided that there will be a very good chance that the staff at the hospital have delivered a baby before. With that in mind I am confident they know what to do & how to guide me through the process. I will leave myself in their capable hands. Besides my sister in law tells me that no amount of screaming 'I want more drugs' will work. They will do what they feel best at the time. Great - that's that sorted !

Stretch marks.

This is when stretch marks start to develop, about 90% of women get them. Apparently the best thing to do is keep weight gain steady with exercise and a healthy diet. There is not much you can do to avoid them if you are prone to them and apparently its mostly a genetic inherited trait. So I checked with mum & she doesn't really have any - another thing to love my mother for. With luck and cocoa butter I will escape too much damage. Stretch marks do fade to silvery lines in the months after birth.