baby heatbeats

Entering the third trimester meant brought a new experience in the pregnancy.  Listening to the whoop whoops of the baby heart beat.  I find it very therapeutic and relaxing, Clare is constantly looking at the numbers and worrying (well, most of the time)

It all started in January 2016.  Clare was getting used to the daily movements and jiggles that her little resident liked to do.  We both enjoyed watching her belly move and jiggle at random intervals and there is nothing a satisfying yet strangely unnerving at feeling the baby move from.  At first the experience was a little too much for me to take in, but as the movements progress it is a daily routine

On the 11th January 2016, we had not seen these movement and jiggles for a good 24-48 hours so concerns started to kick in.  With what we have been through in the last 3 years, we knew the hospital would not mind just doing a little check for us, so with Chewie's bags packed we dropped him off with my Auntie for babysitting and off we went to Maternity Triage

As soon as we were on the monitor we relaxed.  Baby was wriggling and jiggling away without a care in the world and the heart beat was pulsing perfectly.  With my Ma n Pa in Australia and Clare's folks on tenterhooks, we updated them and told them not to panic, all is fine.  There were 3 other ladies in the triage room, all hooked up the their own monitors, each producing the rhythmic whooping.  It feels like you are swimming, head submerged and just listening to the world go by.  As I said, immensely soothing...for me.

We collected little Chewie and returned home feeling much more confident and secure.

3 days later, I was in meetings in my new role at Bunzl.  Knowing that Clare's dad was spending the afternoon with her, I was happy to put my phone on silent so I could focus on the new role.  After a monstrous 3 hour meeting, I checked my mobile, 2 missed calls and a message saying "Call me". My heart stopped.  I rang Clare's mobile, twice, no answer.  I rang home, no answer, I rang Clare's Dad, "Everything is fine, Clare has not felt the baby move and was worrying so I took her to triage". 

Breathe!

The phone is not going on silent anymore

Thankfully, again, everything was fine although baby may have turned from the breach position to a more enganged "launch" position.  The pains Clare is feeling could also be contractions.  The hospital decided that this is something they cannot ignore and arranged for Clare to come back on Monday's and Thursday's until the stitch is removed on 2nd Feb 

On the 18th Clare was informed that the contractions were either genuine (as they were still happening) or they could be Braxton Hicks.  She was told to go home and relax and return in a couple of days....relax?

Sunday 31st January.

Clare had not been feeling great all morning, even turning down our traditional Sunday full English for fear of being sick, and will no feeling of baby movements we decided to give maternity a quick call.

We were on M2 minutes later hooked up to the monitoring system yet again. With potential contractions and baby's heart beat doing fine we were advised to wait for a doctors opinion before calling it a day.  The life saving stitch was due to come out in two days, but if the contractions and pains continued it may need to be removed a little earlier.

The registrar arrived and looked at the monitor readings.  Her decision was to removed the stitch and keep Clare in over night with the idea of a scan in the morning to determine the baby position and then go from there.  Phone calls to the family began, explaining what was about to happen.  The realisation that things are happening actually hit home, I was excited, elated but also petrified! I know Clare was feeling the same.

10 minutes later the registrar returned...there is no room at the inn and the kings are not enroute.  The stitch will be staying in place and the plan of removal on Tuesday remains.  Back on the phone to family, breathe again, relax!

Since this date, we have had 4 new monitor sessions, baby is still in the correct position, however the contractions have now stopped.  Baby is content, baby is staying put for now....