The Expectant Blogger
Week 18: 'Where's my bump?'

Our blooming blogger talks us through the weekly ups and downs of a first-time pregnancy.

Stuffy nose, headaches blah, blah, blah.

This week I have been getting a really stuffy nose. At first I thought it was a cold coming on, but it turns out it's (you’ve guessed it) part of the process. Apparently it's because of all the extra blood around the body. I swear no-one told me that! I have also been getting some headaches although again this is due to the hormones. I'm not really a sufferer of headaches so I do find this mildly irritating but hey, it's what I signed up for, I guess.

Bump envy
I had been feeling quite envious of my work colleague and her bump, but only because I wanted one so people can actually see I am pregnant. I've been telling people I'm pregnant and once they've congratulated me they immediately start looking for a bump. It gets a little embarrassing when you have to say 'Nothing's there yet except last night’s dinner!'

Something changed this week. A few days before I am about to hit the beach of course, my tummy has really started to become round and stick out. And although Rich said he had really noticed it, it's not a solid bump, so I think it just looks as though I've eaten a lot. I'm wondering what its going to be like when I get back from holiday. Will my work colleagues and friends notice then? Am I an attention seeker or what – NO I just want to look pregnant rather than overweight!

Shop 'til you drop
This week has been manic. I'm only days away from leaving Blighty for a couple of weeks. I bought some oversized clothes a few weeks ago and thought it would be good to try them on again to make sure I wanted to take them with me on holiday. Thank goodness I came up with that genius idea, as half of them did not fit me anymore. My top half has just grown massively. Just how much bigger is it going to get?

Starting to panic now, I headed into town for a pregnancy holiday shop. Irritatingly, a lot of the big stores like M & S and Next say they have a maternity section but it turns out they don't stock it in all stores – which is a pain when you're on a tight schedule. I managed to get a few bits in H & M, some shorts in Mama & Papas (now that was a real mission!). For going out in the evening, I ended up ordering off Bloomingmarvellous.com as friends had suggested.

I wasn't particularly keen on ordering online without trying them on first, but I have to say I did well. I got some lovely tops, and swimwear. So now I'm packed. Next up was reading advice on increasing my sun protection factor (we pregnant women have more chance of burning in the sun now, and the mask of pregnancy can appear with tanning). Apparently it's also a good idea to wear a hat abroad, so we don't overheat.

Spreading the news
We went to Rich's auntie's 80th birthday this week and thought we'd tell her the happy news at some point in the celebrations. We didn't want to steal her thunder, so we wrote the fact that we were expecting down in her card. The time came for presents and cards, but she didn't read the card properly the first time. So, slightly embarassed, I had to say: 'Auntie Jean – read your card again!' She looked a bit puzzled, read it again and that's when she noticed my bump. It took a moment but the next thing she was ecstatic. It was really funny and nice to see.

Reality bites
This is the first week I've actually felt pregnant. I really feel like something is going on down there. Maybe it's because I'm aware of little movements. It's so exciting, I am just counting down the days to my next scan.

This week whilst sitting on the tube, I had a daunting thought. What am I going to do when Bean arrives? I haven't a clue how I'm going to manage. It scared me for a little bit, but if I'm honest, I am wondering what its going to be like. I know it's going to be truly amazing but stepping into the unknown is quite frightening.

I mentioned it to Rich, and reminded him of how I get really into things (like golf for instance or photography) and then I can switch off and be into something else. What will happen if I am like that with our Bean? His response ‘Don’t be silly. You're not giving birth to a golf club or a camera are you? It’s a little person – you're going to experience something wonderful.’ It made me feel a bit better especially the part about not giving birth to a golf club!

Sun, sea and sand
In a days time I am heading off and my next blog is coming straight from the Caribbean! Taking off, landing, and hitting the beach - you'll hear every detail of being pregnant on holiday. I know I'm going on and on about it but I have been looking forward to this so much, I am just ecstatic. It is weird as I am going on holiday with a little one inside me – technically it's Beans first holiday and our last big one before we meet.

• Read more from our Expectant Blogger here
  
• Weeks 17-20 - your baby's development
  
  
• Travelling while pregnant