Ok, Just got back from work - dinner is in the oven, the lemon tart is cooked, so I have time for a quick update before I have to do the ironing.. all the while hoping the phone does not ring, and I don't have to run to the hospital again...

All work and not much play makes me very boring girls!!!

Thanks to all those who have worried about me!! You are all so sweet, but I have been having a few dramas with work (see later), so it has been a bit stressful, plus we have started to tear our house apart, so no internet for a while!!

Well, baby first! It has finally started to kick last week!! My hubby and I both felt him together for the first time late one night last week when we were on our way to Brisbane for an interview I had to attend. It is the oddest but wonderful sensation, and it was really special that we both felt it at the same time! Since then, I get to feel him a few times a day, and most of the time it is great except when he seems to grab/kick/whatever my cervix... boy that sends a jolt through me.. very odd feeling!! Next obstetrician appt is this coming Friday 5/8, and I guess there must be some tests for diabetes etc coming up?? I have also finally popped, and proud to say that I definitely am showing now, even though a few people said to me that they weren't sure whether to ask... so that must mean I am still in the fat stage!! But without clothes (a scary sight!!) it is definitely a baby belly. I have put on 5kg so far - seems a lot, but I am not able to exercise at the moment. My hips/sacrum seem to have a mind of their own, guessing that I have quite a bit relaxin on board. Oh well, guess it will be good for the birth thing!!

Ok, work - where do I start??

As you know, I am training to be a surgeon. The kind of workloads we do are quite extensive, usually around 70-100 hrs per week. Last 14 days, I worked 165 hours. Normally, whilst incredibly tiring and not much good for your social life, I can cope. It is a life and a career that I haave chosen and love, and I know when I get to finish and be a specialist (a few years away yet, but more on that later), I will be able to control and direct my hours a lot more than I can now, so I reassure myself and keep going in the knowledge that these hours too will pass.

Anyway, the rostering people at my hospital (specifically the HR officer who btw is facing the prospect of IVF) and the surgical rostering doc were both privy to my IVF dramas etc., the incredible BFP, the pregnancy etc. They knew from week 5 I was pg, and from week 12 (the NT scan) that it was progressing as well as could be hoped. At that time, we jointly decided that I would continue to work a normal roster until such time I felt too tired etc, and needed to amend my hours - here we are talking about reducing my hours to 40-50 per week, ie a full time job.

Two weeks ago, I was rostered to do relief for a term, this means whoever of the surgical trainees needs a holiday, has one and I go and work their job for them. So, I was told I had to go to another hospital for 3 weeks and work 12hrs/dly plus every fourth night was a straight 36 hr on site shift, during which you are allowed to sleep IF you can. I spoke to one of the reg's there and he told me if you sleep 2 hrs in that 36 hr period you are doing well! So, I called our admin and said at 5.5 month pg this is not possible for me to do. Only to be told that I was a reliever, and as such I had to go and do whatever the job was and to sort it out with the other hospital. Well, I called them, and they said, they understood etc., but since they were NOT informed that I was pg, they let other docs go on hols so they were 2 down already, and they were not able to take me off the overime, SO, short story - if I went across to them, I would have to do the shifts as rostered. So, an argument ensued... my hubby got very upset, hospital thought I was unreasonable in my request for a 40-50 hr week only, you can imagine!! Eventually, they came up with alternative to work night shifts, but my obs was not happy with that and neither was hubby so that was no go either....

We tried the safe working hours thing, the pregnancy policies, obly to be told that they do NOT have to make special provisions for me, because I do not work around x-rays which apparently is the only exception!! Says me who was 'accidently' x-rayed whilst operating during my 13th week of pg.

Oh well, eventually we sorted it but I am still working about 70-80 hrs weekly, but at least no really stupid shifts....

Will finish work in 10 weeks though!

As for career - well, I passed my exams, got invited for an interview with the College of Vascular SUrgery last week (hence a quick trip to Brissy), and amazingly was offered a specialist training place within 3 days!! Amazing!! What this now means, is that I have a future in surgery and there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel!!

Now I just have to tell the college of surgeons that I am pregnant. I did not volunteer it at the interview, and well, if they did not notice..... It will be highly likely that they will make me defer for a year, but at least that will give me quality time with my baby!!

Whoa.... sorry about the ginormous post - blimey and I did not even ask how you all are!!

I really hope everyone is well and enjoying their pregnancies, especially all those carrying twins!! I will try and post again soon and catch up on some personals, but have to run again now!!

Take care girls, and thanks for reading my love story!!

Oh, and I also have to say that I have the most wonderful hubby!! He is treating me like a queen, especially since my belly popped. Makes me all emotional. (Sorry had to sing his praises!!)