Week 17/18 - fried chicken!

I am currently half way through week 18 and have decided to put week 17 and 18 in one post as not much has developed over these two weeks.

Overview

So week 17 started off with me continuing to be sick from the last whack of sickness, which I talked about in week 16. Then I started to feel better, then worse again, then ta-da! I felt good again. Thursday was the most exciting day that week as I went to see my lovely midwife. Although not much happened in the appointment, she took my blood pressure and felt my tummy, I did get to have a good listen to the baby.

She warned me that I might not hear anything right away, but boom! the second she put the dongle on my tummy the noise was loud and fast, a very happy baby in there! 

Week 18 has been a normal week, sleeping has been a problem, but feeling well and eating quite a lot! Just feeling stress from moving house, we should be moving in less than two weeks but there's still so many things going on with solicitors, when will this end?!

How big is the baby?

At week 18 Noodle is the size of a sweet potato - that seems quite big! 5.6inches, so he/she has grown an inch! Feeling a few butterflies, but still no kicks. I have never wanted to be kicked more in my life!

I went shopping with my mother and here is a picture of me about to unsuccessfully try on long shirts in bigger sizes. When I looked in that full size mirror I was like woah big belly!

Symptoms

Hunger! My pre-pregnancy appetite is back. I can eat pretty much anything (still not mince and I don't like pizza anymore) and I can eat a fair bit. I am not sleeping well, I wake up during night after more crazy vivid dreams - we're talking Stu hiding a monkey in the attic and stealing two Porsche cars. Then I can't get back to sleep. Is this my body preparing my for motherhood?!

Cravings

Fried chicken. Spicy chicken wings more precisely from a certain chain restaurant. It was 10 years together last Friday (with Stu not the Colonel!), he didn't get back till 7pm and I was having one of those days where I just couldn't find an ounce of energy, so we decide on a bucket of chicken, yes so romantic I know! From then on I just want to eat spicy chicken wings! and Maoms sweets. But I am resisting to eat a healthier diet for the little one.

What are your craziest cravings? Let me know!

Things they don't tell you - first trimister

Morning sickness. The first thing that pops into everyone's head when you say you're pregnant. Yes it's bad, yes it sucks, but with it comes so much more. (Sorry!)

Morning/noon/night sickness
Since it is the most popular symptom let's get it out the way. Lets say what we are all thinking - WHY DO  THEY CALL IN MORNING SICKNESS?! It can erupt any time of day, sometimes all day. And how bad is it? Well imagine one of those 12 hour bugs lingering for a good few weeks. Imagine not even being able to say the word beef without wanting to barf? Imagine living off Ritz crackers just so you can throw something up later should you need too? When you feel less sick seriously take those multivitamins, get them in you! It does ease, it does get better. That's your silver lining right there!

Itchy skin
Legs, arms, boobs, back. Wherever there's skin, there's an itch to scratch, expect my belly actually.

Bleeding gums
Pink minty spit when brushing your teeth, it is a common symptom, but make the most of those free dental check ups.

Nose bleeds
Yes more blood.

Mucus
Even the word strikes fear. I hate the damn word, although I've said it so many time it is now part of my daily vocabulary.
It has haunted me for weeks and weeks and I would put it up there with the worst. Everyday it feels like something is wedged in my throat, I cannot bring it up, it won't go down, it won't budge. It makes me gag, it is just horrific. The doctor has given me nasal spray, which has eased it slightly.

Aches
Headaches and backaches. Wasn't expecting much back ache till I had more to show for my pregnancy, but this could just be due to being on my feet all day at work? Whatever the reason, my back aches.

Tiredness
Not your usual tiredness where you can shrug if off, maybe have a nap and feel great, or just a cuppa will do. Pregnancy tiredness is basically - tired no matter what! I say enjoy the excuse to lie in bed longer. Your energy burst will come eventually. I'm still waiting for mine!