Nine Months

I discovered she was pregnant on 1 March 2007. It was an unexpected but pleasant surprise. For almost 2 months I did not feeling very well and grumpy, I thought I had IBS (indigestion and constipation) and went to see the doctor. However before going to the doctors, I took a pregnancy test and it was positive!! I then felt a lot better and happier even though it will be challenging being on my own. I was looking forward to being a mummy.

Because I am diabetic, I was referred immediately to Kingston Hospital for care. Things happened very quickly and within a week, I was on insulin injections and had the 11 week scan!! The scan showed that the expected due date is on 27 September 2007.

I had to go to the diaban (diabetic antenatal) clinic every other Tuesday. Everyday I had to test my blood sugar and inject insulin before meals and bedtime. At the clinic they monitored my results and adjusted the amount of insulin required. They also did the normal antenatal checks such as blood pressure, urine and measuring my tummy.

My aunt accompanied me to the 20-week scan and we found out that it was a boy. Normally expectant mothers get one (20 week) or two (11 and 20 week) scans during their pregnancy but because of the diabetes the risks are increased so I had many more scans - a special one to check baby's heart in St. Georges Hospital and then in weeks 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36, there were growth scans to check how he was growing and that he was not getting abnormally big!

At the end of August, for a couple of days baby was a bit quiet which worried me so the medical team put her on the CTG to monitor his heartbeat and movements. This was done for about 30 minutes every other day.

The antenatal team at Kingston hospital - Miss Wilcock and Miss Wilson (the consultants in charge), the diabetic nurses, midwives and gynaecologists were brilliant in their care.

The pregnancy went well. I didn't get sick or craved any particular food. Baby was quite quiet and didn't kick too much or too hard. Although Baby was long, he grew in a very compact way so I didn't look too big and could still wear some of my non-maternity clothes. Only thing I suffered from was pain in my lower back and buttocks and carpal tunnel syndrome in my left hand.

I ate much more healthily and as a result lost some fat and was fitter! I still managed to do lots - Keane's concert, road trip by car to Cornwall, Edinburgh by plane, Paris by Eurostar, the theatre and various restaurant including Benihana and Dans Le Noir. What fun!!

I was working most of the time while I was pregnant. I was based at a client's in central London until mid June which meant that I had to commute by train and tube. When the project ended I worked in Maidenhead and travelled there by car, which was more comfortable. I was also allowed to work from home especially when I had to go to the hospital for appointments. I stopped work at the end of August, thinking I will have 1 month before baby was due, but didn't have much of a break really!

I also attended antenatal classes so that they know what to expect during labour and how to look after baby. My aunt came with me to those... she needed refreshing as it has been almost 30 years since she looked after a baby, and very useful too as she is expecting a grandson herself.

Slowly, and towards the last couple of months, I bought stuff to prepare for Baby's arrival. My friends also threw a baby shower on 18 August and bought lots of baby stuff. It really helped me that my friends contributed this way... thanks! I'm very lucky.