One might think that a second pregnancy is far less exciting than the first one (especially when they are that close). That you already know what to expect. That you somehow pay less attention to it. Well, yes and no. Maybe you do feel a little bit more relaxed about the whole situation because this feeling of not knowing what is coming next has disappeared – but then again, my second pregnancy has been completely different from my first one so far… And yes, maybe you do pay a bit less attention to it – simply because, as a mum, you don’t have time anymore to think that much about your unborn child when your toddler is constantly asking for you. But after all, expecting a baby is quite an unique and emotional experience – and, I think, it doesn’t matter if it is your first, second or seventh child.

This time, I want to share my experience with you. And while the experience of being pregnant might not be new for me, being pregnant in Dubai, with a toddler in tow, will be a totally new experience!

At the end of each week, I will give you a brief update, writing about

• the symptoms I am supposed to have – and how I am really feeling
• my baby
• diverse topics linked to my pregnancy and just anything useful I have come across during the week
• cool baby items I want to keep in mind for baby N° 2

Well, this week, it will be a quite long post because I will write about the last two weeks (just because I don’t want to skip week 12, which was a quite important week for us).

Symptoms

• Belly starts to show: Hmm, well, let’s say, most definitely, yes! I feel that my belly is already much bigger than it had been at that stage during my first pregnancy. I can still fit in my usual trousers but it becomes more and more difficult.
• Morning sickness weakens: Yes, thankfully! I don’t think I could have continued like that for one or several more weeks…
• You feel more serene: Yes, I would say so – at least since the ultrasound scan I had at the end of week 12. Also because the risk of miscarriage is decreasing at the end of the 13th week.
• You feel more thirsty: Yes and no. During the day, I constantly forget to drink. But during the night, I wake up several time, searching for the water bottle next to the bed… I’ll need to find a way to drink more during the day! Any suggestions welcome!
• Increased sweating: Not for now – and I hope this won’t come at all!!

The little bean inside my belly

Apparently, you are now the size of a lime or a small lemon (although, you already feel much bigger!). Last week, both of us had a little photo shoot done and I have to say, you looked pretty awesome on the pics ;-) You were already moving so much – playing with the umbilical cord, waving your little hand to say hello. Apparently, you were nearly 6cm long that day (Dr A tried the best she could to measure you from head to rump, but she needed some patience) – and I am sure you have even grown since that. But you will need to grow even more to be able to kick back when your older brother is kicking mummy in her belly. But let me tell you that he really doesn’t do it on purpose – it’s just that he doesn’t like it when mummy changes his diapers. Well, you’ll see, diaper changes are not the most pleasant thing to do. But you don’t need to worry about that for now ;-)

These weeks’ topics

Weeks
First of all, I should maybe explain what I mean when I write about weeks 12 and 13. Simply because for me, personally, the counting still doesn’t make much sense. And it confuses me all the time. Even though it is my second pregnancy. A pregnancy is measured from the first day of a woman’s last period rather than from the day she actually conceived. So, week 12, for example, means 10 weeks since the conception + 2. The reason why most doctors usually tell you that you’ve been pregnant for about two weeks longer than you actually have been is that it is much more difficult to know the exact conception date than the first day of your last period. Well, it is in most of the cases.

3-months ultrasound scan & Panorama test
At the end of last week (week 12), I went to see my doctor for the ultrasound dating scan. We were super excited to get a glimpse of baby N° 2 – although it was not the first time we would see the little bean inside my belly (in Dubai, scans are very common, maybe a little bit too common by the way). There were two good reasons for us to be excited:

First of all, this 3-months scan would tell us if everything was ok with the baby. It would also help establish a more accurate due date. Of course, the date you get at that point might not be 100% accurate. The baby will not necessarily come on the exact date that has been established just because it is supposed to come. Nevertheless, it gives an idea and helps you plan a bit. Especially when you live abroad – with a toddler in tow, a husband that travels frequently and no family around… Let’s say, you better plan ahead!

Second, we would finally get the results of the Panorama test that had been made about three weeks ago. The Panorama test is a simple blood test, without any risk for the baby, that screens genetic abnormalities (such as  Down’s syndrome). It also can, if you want to, determine your baby’s gender. We had already chosen to do this test when I was pregnant with little L and, despite the fact that there was no real concern, we wanted to do it for baby N° 2 as well. The decision weather or not to do such a genetic test is a very personal choice (but you should know that the test is not necessarily reimbursed by your insurance). I, personally, am a facts and figures person. I would always do this kind of tests as long as they don’t harm the baby. Nevertheless, I would recommend to anyone who considers doing the Panorama test to answer this question before taking a final decision: What would you do if you found out in week N° 12 that your baby had Down’s syndrome or any other genetic abnormality? And trust me, it’s a tough one to answer. But think of the implications of such a test first.

So, back to last week’s scan. First of all, Dr. A measured the baby’s length from head to rump (or bottom) to estimate the date of delivery. And well, glad we did that cause the date that was defined last Saturday is nearly a week earlier than the due date that had initially been calculated! Then, she measured the depth of fluid at the back of the baby’s neck to assess the risk of Down’s syndrome. I remember from my last pregnancy that the smaller the depth of fluid, the better it is. Thankfully, everything seemed to be ok :-) At the end of the appointment we needed to wait a long time before the results of the Panorama test could be given to us. It was quite hard to sit still and wait. Finally, we were told that there was a low risk of genetic abnormalities. Uff…. And we were told as well that it was a – Oh, yes, I didn’t tell you. We absolutely wanted to know the gender of the baby. I totally respect couples that don’t want to know it at all but I am way too curious for that. I would always want to know ;-) I also don’t see the point in keeping the gender secret until the day the baby is born. Not because I want to paint the future baby’s room in pink or blue. Just because I want to bond with the little person that is living in my belly. I like to this person by his or her name. But then again, this is a very personal choice. So, what was I saying? Yes, Dr. A asked us if we wanted a girl or a boy. Honestly, we didn’t have any preference. In my husband’s family, there are only boys, so, I had already prepared myself for another boy. And if I thought about it, two boys would be great. They were that close and could play together and become best friends (ok, that’s the wishful thinking of a mum). But then, Dr. A told us that it was a little girl! Well, the test does obviously have a margin of error. But for now and until the scans prove the contrary, I can say: we are having a little girl!!!! So, please meet Miss M:

Must haves for Miss M

I have always used music to calm little L down when he was crying or couldn’t sleep. Even today, I would sing a song if he is grumpy or crying for no (obvious) reason. It does not always work – but most of the time it does. So, one of the first things that will be added to Miss M’s room is a musical doll. But I was looking for something else than the usual “twinkle twinkle little star” song. What if I told you that there is a Russian doll in beautiful Liberty fabric that does actually let you choose between retro tunes of the Beatles, Serge Gainsbourg and Edith Piaf? I’ve seen this beauty from Barnabé aime le café at the newly opened Caramel & Sun concept store in Marcato Mall. I can’t wait to put Miss M asleep to the unique melodies of Gainsbourg.