Parvo Virus B19 - Week 25

So, it's my final week of trimester 2 - things are starting to get a whole lot more uncomfortable for me now. Whether it's the middle of the night trips to the loo, the soccer game that my unborn son insists on playing in my belly when my posture squeezes leaves something to be desired or just trying to get from A to B....

I got an email this week from Master 2's daycare centre to say that they have had a case of Parvo virus B19 (slapped cheek) in the centre and that they have to notify pregnant women who should consult their doctor.

Having not ever heard of "slapped cheek" before I head for the trusted google search to see what I can find out. I find a fact sheet from NSW Health (http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/infectious/parvovirus.html) amongst the range of information available which tells me that usually there's no problem, but for it may lead to miscarriage for women in the first half of pregnancy.

I call the doctor, who says that it's not an emergency, but that he'd like to see me anyway, so I've got an appointment for later in the week.

But it gets me thinking - the email from the childcare centre was sent to me because they know I'm pregnant. If the risk is highest for the first half of pregnancy (the first 12-13 weeks of which most people don't tell anyone they're pregnant) - surely the centre has a responsibility to inform all parents, not just those who are obviously pregnant... food for thought?

So, I'm having less trouble getting a seat on public transport, thanks to the ever more protruding belly. But I had an interesting experience at Central Station recently.

On a slight tangent, has anyone else noticed how annoying it is that the bench seats at central station on the platforms are now divided into 3 with armrests? I think that they thought it might stop the homeless having somewhere to sleep, but what it has meant in reality is that a seat that can comfortably accommodate 4 people (or 5 smaller people) now has a max of 3 - you do the maths....

Anyway, back to my story....
I was waiting for a train and a seat became available on the platform which I began walking towards (is it still called walking when there's an ever so slight side to side tilt?). Another woman in her fifties perhaps walked in front of me clasping her handbag and sat down. To say I was astonished was an understatement - she did a good job of ignoring everyone around her as she dug through her handbag for something (a grenade perhaps?). Next to her was a woman with a small baby attached to her front in a baby Bjorn who promptly stood up for me. I told her not to worry that her baby was surely heavier than mine (as I know from experience), but she was insistent as she said "I remember what it was like". Bah. Why is it that it is usually only women of childbearing age who even pretend to notice pregnant women on public transport (or is this just a large city (Sydney) phenomenon?

Moving around is becoming more challenging for me. Early mornings are the worst, my blood pressure is low and I can't even manage the steps up from the platform at the station (thank goodness for lifts). Usually I walk from Wynyard Station to Town Hall Station in Sydney one day a week when I've left Master 2 with grandparents and that's where the end of the bus ride is, but lately I've arrived at work after walking and felt ready enough to go straight back to sleep (not to mention that the 10 min walk now takes closer to 20 min). I try and walk anyway, because I know it's good for me but it's becoming a struggle.

Most pregnant women suffer similar discomfort during their pregnancy and having trouble sleeping is just one of them. I find myself in the unusual position of waking up each morning and finding myself asleep on my (ever growing) belly. Sort of, well as much as you can when you're pregnant, but I think it takes the weight off my spine and must be comfortable. Usually my unborn son is kicking me as well almost as if he's saying "GET OFF ME, MUM!".

The other discomforts that I'm getting are some reflux (that a small glass of milk before bed seems to help with, even if it ensure I'm up to empty my bladder during the night), and some sciatica in my left side. Oh yeah and some unusual swelling in unusual places (but I think that fits into the category of TMI!).

Other than that, the last month has been almost pleasant. Spring is definitely here, the garden is blooming and smelling divine. I've had only 1 hot day of travel on an unconditioned train and let me tell you, I'm NOT looking forward to the heat of summer arriving.

Work is going well, I'm really enjoying it at the moment. The work is good, my team are a joy to work with and it's almost a shame that I have just over 10 weeks left before my baby is due. I can only hope that it stays as enjoyable on my return!