Paul and I decided when Katie was about two that we definately wanted more children, Paul wanted two children whereas I would have liked three. We wanted to wait before having another one after Katie was born, we wanted to enjoy time with Katie, and being able to devote time to her especially as we both work, Paul working full time and myself 4 days a week (30 hours). We also wanted to wait till Katie was out of nappies day and night.

We went on holiday last year and we decided that we would start trying at the end of August last year. I was pretty confident that I would catch really quickly, especially with catching with Katie whilst I was still on the pill. I really wanted to start at the beginning of last year, but I was worried about flying whilst being pregnant so it seemed ages to wait as our holiday wasn't until August.

Paul and I had talked about it and how another baby would impact on our lifes and on Katie's, Paul wanted me to pack in work so that I could be at home with our children, me on the other hand was a little aprehensive about that, its a big thing to pack in work and rely on someone else, and what about my independence - all that would be gone. I wasn't struck on the idea, although staying at home with our children sounded great, I didn't agree to it, but said we would talk about it nearer the time.

Some of our friends were trying to conceive too, so it was good I could talk to others. We talked about having another baby with Katie too, we didn't want her to feel excluded after all this would affect her too. Katie was really excited when we told her mummy and daddy wanted to have another baby, Katie loved other babies and was really good with our friends little ones.

September arrived and I was soooo excited, this was the month, I would easily catch, no problems I thought, except we didn't. I was so gutted when I had my period, Paul on the other hand didn't seem concerned, he just said it will happen and to stop thinking about it. Each morning Katie would say "mummy have you got a baby in your tummy", "no not yet" I would say each morning. I wanted to see her face if I said yes. The first month of trying was awful, I pinned my hopes on it and I didn't know why I couldn't catch - it had been so easy with Katie - we weren't even trying. As October arrived, I thought I couldn't behave like that, after all it was only 4 weeks and being so paranoid wouldn't help. So I relaxed about the whole thing and just waited. I'd read in mags and websites that it could take up to 6 months before you could catch after coming off the pill. Thats it I thought, I will give myself a good 6 months and just enjoy trying.

Christmas came and went and I thought right this is it, this is the year. Friends of ours had been charting and I didn't want to go down that road, I thought it would take the fun out of the sex and I was convinced that by June I would be pregnant. I started to talk about it more with Paul, I think he was fed up with me saying "I wonder if it will be this month", I was worried that he would think I was using him for a baby making machine - he was still relaxed about the whole thing and told me to stop worrying. Three of our friends had conceived, "hello what about me". Towards the end of January, I started to think about whether Id left it too long, I'd hit 35 and started to think my fertility had halved, had that halved my chances. Friends had suggested charting and ovulation kits - I was adament I wasn't going down that road and Paul agreed. Six months Paul said - thats what we said, it was only four months.

At the end of Feb one our friends who had been TTC and charting decided to go and see a reflexologist who specialised in people TTC. She had been on three occasions and after about 3 weeks, text me to say she had some news - she was pregnant!! OMG I couldn't believe it another one, I was so excited for her and she suggested I tried the reflexologist - ok what have I got to lose. So I asked Paul what he thought as he would have to come with me, although somewhat sceptical he was up for it. I rang the reflexologist and arranged to go and see him on 16th March.

I decided on the Tuesday night that I would do a pregnancy test just to make sure. I didn't tell Paul I was doing a test. I decided to give Katie a bath and whilst waiting for the bath to fill, I did my test - as I thought just the one line. Oh well my six months wasn't up, never mind we'll have more fun trying I thought as I put the test on top of the cistern. I gave Katie a bath and about an hour later, we came downstairs. I picked up the test from the cistern to throw it in the bin, I still didn't look at it. As I went to throw it in the bin, I noticed the two lines, I had to double take and there it was I was pregnant. I walked into the lounge with a big smile on face and handed the test to Paul He also did a double take, "is it positive", yeah I think so I said. We started to laugh, "shall we tell Katie" Paul said. I nodded. We told Katie and she had a big smile on her face "does that mean you have a baby in your tummy", yes we replied "yippee" she said.

We couldn't stop talking about it all night, I was worried that the test was wrong and I had no more tests, I would have to wait till the morning. I think I talked Paul to sleep that night, he was excited but he's a lot more relaxed about these things. Paul was talking money, I was talking babies. "Thats it then he said, no more work for you then. We'll see I said, I still didn't want to talk about that subject.

The next morning I went to Asda and bought two more tests, I did another when I got into work, it showed positive but was really feint, I was worried Id got it wrong, so I wanted to do another test that night. Paul sent me a text later in the day saying "how are you pregnant lady" ahhh bless him. I did another test that night and it was still pretty feint but it still showed positive. Thats it I done three tests - they all couldn't be wrong. Paul wanted to wait till after 12 weeks to tell everyone, I wanted to tell the world - this was too much of a secret to keep. So Paul said I could tell a few so I text some people and rang some too. I rang the reflexologist to let him know I wouldn't be going to the appointment and he sent me his best wishes.

On the Friday I went to the doctors and he worked out that I was approximately 5 weeks pregnant (first day of last period 15 Feb) and due date was 22 Nov 06. I couldn't see my midwife till I was around 9 weeks.

Love Anita x

In the Womb - view at 8 weeks

If you are keen to follow your babies growth buy the dvd In The Womb which gives you fantastic imagery of how your baby looks at stages throughout your pregnancy.

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