I suck, and other news

I seriously suck at keeping this blog updated *Blush*
So, as a catchup, we have now sneakily passed my birthday and I'm now 20, I've made it to 31 weeks with barely a hiccup, I'm getting married in 3 weeks time and I'm currently living on painkillers.

To elaborate a little:

It was my birthday about 2 weeks ago now and I wasn't expecting anything fancy, hell I wasn't even expecting a cake. I was surprised by a LOVELY cake from a couple of friends of ours. My Nana also gave me a set of kitchen scales so now I don't have to borrow hers.

Yep, I'm 31 weeks today and so very very happy that I have made it this far.
I had an appointment with my Obstetrician this morning and a scan to check up on my cervix and the good news is that since I'm now 31 weeks there is a very VERY good survival rate and a VERY good survival rate with no long term effects of prematurity! Oh and even better news is that over the last 2 weeks my cervix hasn't shortened any further!!  I'm deliriously happy right now!

The Man Thing and I decided at the end of last year that we are finally going to tie the knot. We've only been engaged for something like almost 2 years now lol. So we set a date which also happens to be the same date that we got engaged (Feb 13th) and that is now 3 weeks away.
My Aunty is helping me with my dress and the cake, our friend is (hopefully!!) going to be our celebrant and the rest of it is going to be as simple as it can get. We've planned for a picnic in the park where everyone brings a plate, then a small get together afterwards for drinks and talkies.
I'm going to be one day off 34 weeks. I must be mad lol.

Ah yes, the painkillers.
Well on Friday I woke up and before I managed to get out of bed my back started aching. 13 hours later, still in pain but by now it's even WORSE, I go to the hospital. Diagnosed with a possible kidney infection even though the dipstick came back clean. I was sent home with antibiotics and pain relief.
Roll around Monday, I've been taking my painkillers and antibiotics religiously. Painkillers (paracetamol and codeine) are barely helping and I live with a hot water bottle almost strapped to my back. Obstetrician looks at all the results from the tests they did. No kidney infection, nothing wrong with my bloods.
Seems it could be musculo-skeletal in nature, something along the lines of arthritic type pain, and now I've been referred to Physiotherapy to get a belt thing which is supposed to help. Well I freaking hope it does because I don't like being in pain like this, especially when there's no reward like a squishy pink baby at the end of it!!

I've also been told about a couple of baby clothes sales in the direction of 50% and 60% off. I'm drooling at the thought!!! Now if I can only beg and bribe The Man Thing into not only letting me spend money but also being my taxi, then I might do a little bit of shopping for winter clothes for my little Mr Squigglebum.

Oh and the little Mr is now most definately head down. WOOT!!!

Hip hip, hooray

I've made another one of my goals. Technically.
I'm now 26 weeks by the clock lol. 43 minutes into 26 weeks.
I'm very happy with this. Every extra week is another week towards term and the best chances for my little sproglet.

Now, if only I could figure out how to reduce nipple leakage down to acceptable levels lol. Dribbling every few hours is NOT nice.

Counting Down

I now have 3 days until my baby is considered viable. A mere 3 days. The thought actually frightens me somewhat. I'm not entirely sure why, this baby is most certainly wanted, but still I'm nervous. Possibly the whole fear of the unknown thing.

Counting down the days and making small goals are a couple of the ways that I've been finding helpful while I try to cope with such a stressful time. Not overtly stressful, but the worry is still there, niggling in the back of my mind. I feel paranoid about every little niggle, ache, twitch and twinge. I worry if baby hasn't moved much in a day, or if I have a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions. I'm a compulsive knicker-checker. I cant help it, every time I go to the loo I check.
I worry about how the movements feel, especially if they're low movements. I could swear that I've felt this little ninja attack my cervix a few times. Rather disconcerting when I'm super paranoid about any feelings/pain/discomfort in that area, a sudden fist to the cervix can make me jump lol.

Once I make it to 24 weeks (3 more days, only 3) then my next short term goal is going to be 26 weeks. Long term goal is going to be 32 weeks so I can deliver at my local hospital (a hop skip and a jump down the road) rather than needing to be airlifted to the national childrens hospital 2 hours away (by car)
9 weeks to that goal.
I'm pretty sure I can make it but I have to be realistic with my expectations. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst and all that jazz.