Well, I have been to the doctor's this afternoon and I have a throat infection and now I'm back on antibiotics which is likely to antagonise the thrush situation so I have a ton of thrush medication as well!!
Last night was awful, I had such a red raw throat, I kept coughing and waking myself up every ten minutes so I'm tired and grumpy today. I actually got up at about 1am for three and half hours to eat chocolate ice-cream to try and soothe the throat and watched CSI for a couple of hours before going back to bed before waking up again at about 8am. After Steve got up I went back to bed and caught a few more zeds.
On a brighter note Steve took me to Pizza Hut for lunch which was nice. We had some tasty pizza and salad which cheered me up.
This afternoon has been very relaxing too!! I popped into town after the doctors and got some baskets to put the baby vests into and sort in the wardrobe. I shall go up shortly and have another play! Then bed early I think with the hope that I get some decent rest this evening!
Thursday 31 March 2011
Wednesday 30 March 2011
My Dad's 'Do'
As mentioned, it was my Dad's retirement party on Wednesday.
I got up at 3.00pm in the afternoon after having wrestled with a temperature all day. I showered, put on a little black dress and piled on the make-up and managed to not look like a sick zombie for the evening! It was good to get back into bed later on though!!
Here's some pics:
Apart from my legs looking chubbier than normal, I don't look too bad for a 38+3 pregnant lady!! If a side view had been taken then I'd have looked like a ship, but front, I'm quite pleased!!
I got up at 3.00pm in the afternoon after having wrestled with a temperature all day. I showered, put on a little black dress and piled on the make-up and managed to not look like a sick zombie for the evening! It was good to get back into bed later on though!!
Here's some pics:
Poorly :(
Well, I don't think it's fair whatsoever, but I'm totally ill at 38 weeks pregnant. Sucky. I've had a raging temperature all night, had about two hours of sleep, got a dry tickly cough, sweats, phlegm, sore throat, and I feel rotten.
I'm now terrified that I could go into labour whilst feeling chronic which wouldn't even give me a starting chance to feel as though I would have any energy!! And possibly no voice to yell at Steve with!!
I've been in bed all day trying to catch up on sleep apart from nipping out at 8.45 and seeing my midwife for my 38 week appointment. That went fine, baby is all growing, was moving and kicking and is 2/5 engaged if that means anything to anyone. Not likely to pop out just yet though!
I felt a bit better after sleeping lots on my return home but couldn't shake off the temperature despite taking as much paracetamol as allowed.
Around 2.00pm I got up to shower as it was Dad's retirement party in the afternoon and there was no way I could miss that at all illness or no illness.
At least I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon all booked so I can get my throat checked out. Grrr.
I'm now terrified that I could go into labour whilst feeling chronic which wouldn't even give me a starting chance to feel as though I would have any energy!! And possibly no voice to yell at Steve with!!
I've been in bed all day trying to catch up on sleep apart from nipping out at 8.45 and seeing my midwife for my 38 week appointment. That went fine, baby is all growing, was moving and kicking and is 2/5 engaged if that means anything to anyone. Not likely to pop out just yet though!
I felt a bit better after sleeping lots on my return home but couldn't shake off the temperature despite taking as much paracetamol as allowed.
Around 2.00pm I got up to shower as it was Dad's retirement party in the afternoon and there was no way I could miss that at all illness or no illness.
At least I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon all booked so I can get my throat checked out. Grrr.
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Expecting Ante-Natal 5
This was our final class and it was life after baby! The part that you don't often think too much about during pregnancy - at least I've not thought enough about it!!
We were asked to discuss chores and who'd take responsibility for them. I was quite surprised that Steve had me down for most of it! Including cooking whereas I'd put him down to at least take on SOME responsibility thinking that he must appreciate I won't be able to cook every day. We're going to buy some ready pastas in and sauces that he can concoct easily but he really doesn't care for cooking at all :( If he's in charge I guess it'll be takeaways every night which isn't good.
We also got to play with bathing dolls, putting nappies on dolls and practising breast feeding positions again which I just find too funny!
We then watched a DVD about the importance of communication with babies and face to face time, reading and playing. It helped us think about what it would be like to actually be holding our babies in our arms!!
All in all, it's been a very productive course and I'm glad we did it. I do recommend that others do it and even Steve seemed to gain lots from it, even if it is some terminology that makes him shudder like 'merconium' and other such words!!
We were asked to discuss chores and who'd take responsibility for them. I was quite surprised that Steve had me down for most of it! Including cooking whereas I'd put him down to at least take on SOME responsibility thinking that he must appreciate I won't be able to cook every day. We're going to buy some ready pastas in and sauces that he can concoct easily but he really doesn't care for cooking at all :( If he's in charge I guess it'll be takeaways every night which isn't good.
We also got to play with bathing dolls, putting nappies on dolls and practising breast feeding positions again which I just find too funny!
We then watched a DVD about the importance of communication with babies and face to face time, reading and playing. It helped us think about what it would be like to actually be holding our babies in our arms!!
All in all, it's been a very productive course and I'm glad we did it. I do recommend that others do it and even Steve seemed to gain lots from it, even if it is some terminology that makes him shudder like 'merconium' and other such words!!
Moby Wrap
So this will be on it's way to me today. It might be a random purchase, but it it doesn't work out for us, there's enough demand on Ebay to sell it on, and it could be a great purchase. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with it! It'll take a while possibly to work out the different positions I'm sure, and this will be more for me as Steve has a Baby Bjorn holder for when he wants to walk out with Baby.
A Lurgy? Now? Seriously???
I woke up for my 2.00am toilet visit - (like clockwork they are!!) and felt a bit funny in my throat. A bit sore and phlegmy (apologies for grossness here) so drank some orange juice to cool it down a bit and went back to bed.
At my 5.30am toilet visit it was still bothering me, I had to cough and clear my throat and it felt sore and I didn't like it. I got back into bed after taking a couple of paracetamols, and Steve was getting up at that time for his breakfast meeting, and he said I'd not been snoring, I'd been quite quiet all night so that's not the reason.
Surely I can't catch a bug this late on in pregnancy? I've been back to bed again and woken up feeling refreshed from sleep at 9.00am which is nice, but my glands now feel a bit swollen, and I'm husky!! Imagine going into labour with no voice. That would be awful.
I've got my last ante-natal class tonight and there's no way I'm missing it but at least can ask Freya about it (as a mid-wife) and I've got my 38 week midwife appointment at the Dr's tomorrow, and I've also got another Dr's appointment on Thursday afternoon as I had a letter through asking me to go in after a letter they had from the hospital.
This letter did say it wasn't urgent and not to stress and I'm presuming that it's due to the thrush they detected (again) when I had the internal done when we went to hospital that time but I have to see a doctor about it. And guess who wants to see me. Dr Logan. Seriously, that man isn't going to ever recognise my face as much as my down below parts and when he comes to preach at church I get so embarrassed!!
Oh well, my only plans today are to go to Tesco's and do a shop and try and clean the carpet up a bit in the nursery (I can't work my vacuum so Mum is coming round this afternoon!!) and then head to the ante-natal class so lots of time to rest up.
I shall take more paracetamol after 10.00am though to try and soothe this throat, I'm wondering whether I could have picked something up from the swimming pool yesterday? I don't know. My hands feel a bit sore again today, not puffy like Sunday, more like the carpal tunnel syndrome stiff and my fingers are taking a while to work and type. I shall go and get dressed as that always makes me feel a bit better, getting up and at em, plus I need to sort my hair out! I had a bath last night and it was damp when I went to sleep and I have peaks and horns this morning to straighten!! :)
At my 5.30am toilet visit it was still bothering me, I had to cough and clear my throat and it felt sore and I didn't like it. I got back into bed after taking a couple of paracetamols, and Steve was getting up at that time for his breakfast meeting, and he said I'd not been snoring, I'd been quite quiet all night so that's not the reason.
Surely I can't catch a bug this late on in pregnancy? I've been back to bed again and woken up feeling refreshed from sleep at 9.00am which is nice, but my glands now feel a bit swollen, and I'm husky!! Imagine going into labour with no voice. That would be awful.
I've got my last ante-natal class tonight and there's no way I'm missing it but at least can ask Freya about it (as a mid-wife) and I've got my 38 week midwife appointment at the Dr's tomorrow, and I've also got another Dr's appointment on Thursday afternoon as I had a letter through asking me to go in after a letter they had from the hospital.
This letter did say it wasn't urgent and not to stress and I'm presuming that it's due to the thrush they detected (again) when I had the internal done when we went to hospital that time but I have to see a doctor about it. And guess who wants to see me. Dr Logan. Seriously, that man isn't going to ever recognise my face as much as my down below parts and when he comes to preach at church I get so embarrassed!!
Oh well, my only plans today are to go to Tesco's and do a shop and try and clean the carpet up a bit in the nursery (I can't work my vacuum so Mum is coming round this afternoon!!) and then head to the ante-natal class so lots of time to rest up.
I shall take more paracetamol after 10.00am though to try and soothe this throat, I'm wondering whether I could have picked something up from the swimming pool yesterday? I don't know. My hands feel a bit sore again today, not puffy like Sunday, more like the carpal tunnel syndrome stiff and my fingers are taking a while to work and type. I shall go and get dressed as that always makes me feel a bit better, getting up and at em, plus I need to sort my hair out! I had a bath last night and it was damp when I went to sleep and I have peaks and horns this morning to straighten!! :)
Monday 28 March 2011
Swelling Up
Yesterday I felt very bloated and swollen indeed, to the point where my hands actually hurt! I was at Mum and Dad's for lunch after church, and their door handles are rather stiff and I struggled to open them! My fingers were puffy and in general, I just 'hurt' all over!
This was too much for me, and when I had an ounce of sympathy from Mum, I burst into tears crying that I hurt and my hands were puffy and I couldn't bear it.
I'd not slept well, and when I feel sorry for myself I do tend to turn into a bit of a weeper. I can laugh at myself for it though. I'm not a continual blubber or moaner.
Anyhow, Mum suggested checking it with a midwife, (swollen hands can mean the dreaded pre-eclampsia after all) but after lunch they'd gone down a bit, and looking on t'internet I think it's because I'd had too much salt on Saturday.
I'd munched a big bag of Kettle chips (salted) and when out for dinner at the lovely Mediterranean restaurant appropriately called 'The Olives' I'd eaten a lot of olives (had to, no one else liked them and it would have been a shame to waste them). The article specifically advised against olives :( as they're very salty too!
So I put the swelling down to these factors, and the fact I'd not drunk enough water that day, and indeed, all yesterday I was downing glasses of water and today, they're not puffy at all. They still ache of a morning, and i get pins and needles in my right hand after sleeping, but it's common to get a bit of carpel tunnel syndrome apparently in ones hands near the end of pregnancy.
And I keep reassuring myself that it could be worse, and the end is now in sight.
This was too much for me, and when I had an ounce of sympathy from Mum, I burst into tears crying that I hurt and my hands were puffy and I couldn't bear it.
I'd not slept well, and when I feel sorry for myself I do tend to turn into a bit of a weeper. I can laugh at myself for it though. I'm not a continual blubber or moaner.
Anyhow, Mum suggested checking it with a midwife, (swollen hands can mean the dreaded pre-eclampsia after all) but after lunch they'd gone down a bit, and looking on t'internet I think it's because I'd had too much salt on Saturday.
I'd munched a big bag of Kettle chips (salted) and when out for dinner at the lovely Mediterranean restaurant appropriately called 'The Olives' I'd eaten a lot of olives (had to, no one else liked them and it would have been a shame to waste them). The article specifically advised against olives :( as they're very salty too!
So I put the swelling down to these factors, and the fact I'd not drunk enough water that day, and indeed, all yesterday I was downing glasses of water and today, they're not puffy at all. They still ache of a morning, and i get pins and needles in my right hand after sleeping, but it's common to get a bit of carpel tunnel syndrome apparently in ones hands near the end of pregnancy.
And I keep reassuring myself that it could be worse, and the end is now in sight.
Sunday 27 March 2011
38 Weeks
How far along: 38 Weeks - oy vay! Very much feeling it now!!
Total Weight Gained: Unknown!!
Maternity Clothes: Most days. I did wear a large top last night to go out for dinner in that wasn't maternity though!!
Stretch Marks: Still haven't moved higher than last week which is good. Seem to be calmer this past week which I'm putting down to looser clothing and therefore not so irritated.
Sleep: Um, honestly, sleep isn't great at the moment. I'm very very achey all over, pelvis, hips, and now my hands and fingers and elbows are really bothering me. My right arm is getting very pins and needley during the night so I'm resting but not necessarily sleeping, but still, it's not the end of the world as I can nap in the day.
Best Moment of the Week: This past week has been lovely. We've had beautiful sunshine and I've really felt organised and sorted. I enjoyed my visit to Wales and sorting through baby clothes and I feel as though the nursery is all done now as well! I'm often found sitting in my glider chair next to the empty cot, just rocking and waiting!!
Movement: I feel him squirming about lots so that's reassuring. I'm hoping he stays in a good position to come out. I'm trying not to recline too much on the sofa and lean forward but the birthing ball hasn't really come into it's own as yet!!
Gender: He's a baby BOY!!!
Belly Button: It's been flat for most of this week but the other day he was kicking out just behind it so it poked out for a couple of hours before going back again!
Milestones: Two weeks until the due date. My actual maternity leave commences tomorrow as opposed to annual leave from work (although it's been lovely to have three extra fully paid weeks off doing nothing!). He'll most definitely be here within four weeks. Hopefully sooner rather than later, I am looking rather puffy now, especially my hands :( and I don't recognise my feet anymore.
Total Weight Gained: Unknown!!
Maternity Clothes: Most days. I did wear a large top last night to go out for dinner in that wasn't maternity though!!
Stretch Marks: Still haven't moved higher than last week which is good. Seem to be calmer this past week which I'm putting down to looser clothing and therefore not so irritated.
Sleep: Um, honestly, sleep isn't great at the moment. I'm very very achey all over, pelvis, hips, and now my hands and fingers and elbows are really bothering me. My right arm is getting very pins and needley during the night so I'm resting but not necessarily sleeping, but still, it's not the end of the world as I can nap in the day.
Best Moment of the Week: This past week has been lovely. We've had beautiful sunshine and I've really felt organised and sorted. I enjoyed my visit to Wales and sorting through baby clothes and I feel as though the nursery is all done now as well! I'm often found sitting in my glider chair next to the empty cot, just rocking and waiting!!
Movement: I feel him squirming about lots so that's reassuring. I'm hoping he stays in a good position to come out. I'm trying not to recline too much on the sofa and lean forward but the birthing ball hasn't really come into it's own as yet!!
Gender: He's a baby BOY!!!
Belly Button: It's been flat for most of this week but the other day he was kicking out just behind it so it poked out for a couple of hours before going back again!
Milestones: Two weeks until the due date. My actual maternity leave commences tomorrow as opposed to annual leave from work (although it's been lovely to have three extra fully paid weeks off doing nothing!). He'll most definitely be here within four weeks. Hopefully sooner rather than later, I am looking rather puffy now, especially my hands :( and I don't recognise my feet anymore.
Saturday 26 March 2011
Day of Rest
I've had such a quiet day today. It's ironic that Sundays tend to be the more busy day of the weekend with Church and various duties I undertake there so it's been nice to keep my feet up today.
This morning I popped to Hobbycraft to get a piece of card (ok, for a Church thing) as I'd been asked to make a collage of our weekend away last year to encourage folk to sign up for this year. In the week I'd printed out photographs and captions, but wanted to stick them all together so backed each picture onto turquoise pearlescent paper and then arranged them all onto some Kingfisher Blue card. It all looks rather fab I think! And it didn't take too long at all.
I'd gone out at 9.00am to avoid the Saturday town traffic, so got home by 10.00ish and then watched some TV, then had a snooze, and this afternoon have got showered and dolled up for a meal out with girls from work as my boss is getting married in two weeks so we're having a bit of a hen night. In all honesty, it's taking a lot of effort to motivate myself into going out. I'm tired, despite napping, my body is aching, despite resting all day and I very much doubt I'll be the life and soul of any party. I'll be the quiet one in the corner sipping a lime soda!! But I want to make the effort to go and support her, and I'm sure once I'm out of this lethargic dullness, I'll feel more up to it.
Tomorrow it's two weeks exactly until my due date. It's starting to hit home I think that we'll have a baby soon. Sleeping next to an empty moses basket last night was good I think! It's helping me come to terms with it all! =D
This morning I popped to Hobbycraft to get a piece of card (ok, for a Church thing) as I'd been asked to make a collage of our weekend away last year to encourage folk to sign up for this year. In the week I'd printed out photographs and captions, but wanted to stick them all together so backed each picture onto turquoise pearlescent paper and then arranged them all onto some Kingfisher Blue card. It all looks rather fab I think! And it didn't take too long at all.
I'd gone out at 9.00am to avoid the Saturday town traffic, so got home by 10.00ish and then watched some TV, then had a snooze, and this afternoon have got showered and dolled up for a meal out with girls from work as my boss is getting married in two weeks so we're having a bit of a hen night. In all honesty, it's taking a lot of effort to motivate myself into going out. I'm tired, despite napping, my body is aching, despite resting all day and I very much doubt I'll be the life and soul of any party. I'll be the quiet one in the corner sipping a lime soda!! But I want to make the effort to go and support her, and I'm sure once I'm out of this lethargic dullness, I'll feel more up to it.
Tomorrow it's two weeks exactly until my due date. It's starting to hit home I think that we'll have a baby soon. Sleeping next to an empty moses basket last night was good I think! It's helping me come to terms with it all! =D
Friday 25 March 2011
Cankles and Snoring
After a night being horizontal my ankles used to sort of go back down after a day sitting in an office chair. I now seem to be at the point of no return where I truly don't recognise my feet at present :( They are puffy looking and go straight down from my calves to my feet without the going in part (of which I used to be proud - that'll teach me).
In fact my calves look a bit puffy as well.
It does seem all a bit much after you consider the sleepless nights, the aches and pains and the extra weight which is the medicine ball of a bump, the puffy ankles are the cherry on the icing on cake! Nature sure ensured that women bore the brunt of it all. I cannot imagine a man enduring this as well as women do. At all!!
Also, this morning I woke up with a sore throat and a suspicion that I'd snored last night! I'd had some weird dreams where I was sat around a table with folks from church and struggled to talk as when I tried to engage in conversation, all I could do was to grunt like a pig which made it difficult to be understood!! I've asked Steve and he said yes, I was snoring away last night. How awful. I've always been quite a quiet sleeper (or so I've been told) but the fact I was having bizarre dreams and all, I guess I have to accept it.
I know it's another weird pregnancy thing, something to do with your nasal passages getting more congested (why or how I have no idea, another random issue) but I think I'm hindering poor Steve's sleep more often than not now. Maybe I should tell him to sleep in the spare bed if he wants to. I like having him around but I guess that's selfish of me really and it would only be for a couple of weeks. We'll see. If it's going to be snoring city, and flailing around trying to turn over, and getting up a couple of times a night, I wouldn't like it the other way around.
In fact my calves look a bit puffy as well.
It does seem all a bit much after you consider the sleepless nights, the aches and pains and the extra weight which is the medicine ball of a bump, the puffy ankles are the cherry on the icing on cake! Nature sure ensured that women bore the brunt of it all. I cannot imagine a man enduring this as well as women do. At all!!
Also, this morning I woke up with a sore throat and a suspicion that I'd snored last night! I'd had some weird dreams where I was sat around a table with folks from church and struggled to talk as when I tried to engage in conversation, all I could do was to grunt like a pig which made it difficult to be understood!! I've asked Steve and he said yes, I was snoring away last night. How awful. I've always been quite a quiet sleeper (or so I've been told) but the fact I was having bizarre dreams and all, I guess I have to accept it.
I know it's another weird pregnancy thing, something to do with your nasal passages getting more congested (why or how I have no idea, another random issue) but I think I'm hindering poor Steve's sleep more often than not now. Maybe I should tell him to sleep in the spare bed if he wants to. I like having him around but I guess that's selfish of me really and it would only be for a couple of weeks. We'll see. If it's going to be snoring city, and flailing around trying to turn over, and getting up a couple of times a night, I wouldn't like it the other way around.
Thursday 24 March 2011
Fun In The Sun
Today has been yet another beautiful day! I feel so fortunate to be able to sit out in my garden, knowing I'm being paid annual leave for a third week to just relax and do nothing!
This morning I was up early, due to aches in my hips and pelvis and I find moving about helps, so I dozed on the sofa for a couple more hours. Not that Steve missed me, he just got up at 9.30 and assumed I'd been pottering around for a while! Izzy appreciated my company though and curled up in the crook of my knees which was cosy.
I sorted through the clothes given by Sarah yesterday and put them into piles of sizes. The 3-6 months are now stowed in my 3-6 month box, and the 6-9 and 9-12 months are also stowed. The 12+ will be going back to Mum's in the meantime as I just don't have enough room for everything!! I then sorted some more loads of washing out and got it dry in the sunshine, and Steve and I sat in the garden to eat lunch together which was a nice change! Izzy is thriving on having us both at home, especially in the garden. She is so much calmer and lay basking on the lawn whilst the piggies munched the grass in their run.
After lunch I met up with my friend Carly and her baby boy Reuben and we went to the Town Park and ate ice creams, chatted and then fed the ducks. Pretty soon it was 4.00pm and I was a little weary so we headed home where I sat and folded vest after vest after babygro and made the wardrobe a little tidier. I think I need a few baskets so I can separate vests (no legs) from babygros (legs) and can trust that Steve will be able to find things if needed - (he's one of the 'it's not waving at me so it's not there' sort of guys). I also need some hangers to put outfits together and hang up. I just went through and tidied the newborn stuff, and have the 0-3 shelf to tidy tomorrow. I never thought I'd find folding such a cute exercise!!
Then, this evening, Steve surprised me by asking if he could take me out for dinner! So we went to try a Harvester restaurant which was full and we'd have had to wait ages for, (don't tell a very pregnant woman she has to wait nearly an hour, just for a table when she's hungry) so off to Frankie and Bennies we went, where I scoffed bread and olives before tackling a whole rack of ribs. I should have won a prize for that I think. Also, I think I grossed the waiter out (he assumed the ribs were for Steve!) and he brought a wodge of napkins over for me as I guess I was making a mess?! Hmm.
Anyway, another rather lovely and fabulous day! Tomorrow is all free, and other than folding 0-3 month clothes I'm considering a swim depending on my weary levels (else I'll not have been this week at all) and online window shopping. My new wish list for after payday next Wednesday!!
This morning I was up early, due to aches in my hips and pelvis and I find moving about helps, so I dozed on the sofa for a couple more hours. Not that Steve missed me, he just got up at 9.30 and assumed I'd been pottering around for a while! Izzy appreciated my company though and curled up in the crook of my knees which was cosy.
I sorted through the clothes given by Sarah yesterday and put them into piles of sizes. The 3-6 months are now stowed in my 3-6 month box, and the 6-9 and 9-12 months are also stowed. The 12+ will be going back to Mum's in the meantime as I just don't have enough room for everything!! I then sorted some more loads of washing out and got it dry in the sunshine, and Steve and I sat in the garden to eat lunch together which was a nice change! Izzy is thriving on having us both at home, especially in the garden. She is so much calmer and lay basking on the lawn whilst the piggies munched the grass in their run.
After lunch I met up with my friend Carly and her baby boy Reuben and we went to the Town Park and ate ice creams, chatted and then fed the ducks. Pretty soon it was 4.00pm and I was a little weary so we headed home where I sat and folded vest after vest after babygro and made the wardrobe a little tidier. I think I need a few baskets so I can separate vests (no legs) from babygros (legs) and can trust that Steve will be able to find things if needed - (he's one of the 'it's not waving at me so it's not there' sort of guys). I also need some hangers to put outfits together and hang up. I just went through and tidied the newborn stuff, and have the 0-3 shelf to tidy tomorrow. I never thought I'd find folding such a cute exercise!!
Then, this evening, Steve surprised me by asking if he could take me out for dinner! So we went to try a Harvester restaurant which was full and we'd have had to wait ages for, (don't tell a very pregnant woman she has to wait nearly an hour, just for a table when she's hungry) so off to Frankie and Bennies we went, where I scoffed bread and olives before tackling a whole rack of ribs. I should have won a prize for that I think. Also, I think I grossed the waiter out (he assumed the ribs were for Steve!) and he brought a wodge of napkins over for me as I guess I was making a mess?! Hmm.
Anyway, another rather lovely and fabulous day! Tomorrow is all free, and other than folding 0-3 month clothes I'm considering a swim depending on my weary levels (else I'll not have been this week at all) and online window shopping. My new wish list for after payday next Wednesday!!
Wednesday 23 March 2011
Day Trippers
Mum and I decided to invite ourselves over to visit my sister in Wales for a day. She doesn't work Wednesdays and I'm in need of diversions and we don't really need an excuse to visit the nephews/grandsons so off we trundled at 9am.
The sun was shining and it was a lovely day and Mum took all these random lanes with lots of hills and bends to get there. I am starting to struggle rather on car journeys, I keep getting nauseous and having little burps so as Mum hurtled around these country lanes I was holding onto my breakfast (triple weetabix) but was able to keep it down!! Car seats seem to tilt upwards towards ones knees which I find uncomfortable so I was propped about with cushions and trying to keep a good posture to help my ankles and bump be ok but seriously, my ankles are puffy as at the moment.
We got to Sarah's for about 11 and then she produced four huge bags full of boys clothes which we sifted through (I say we, she was on the floor and Mum was sifting and I was overwhelmed at the quantity of stuff and directing what to take and leave from the sofa!)
After a pasta and salad lunch we just sat outside. All afternoon! It was blissful. It was actually hot, we couldn't believe it was March, it felt more like late May and the boys played and we sat. It was most relaxing.
And at 4pm we headed home again. The country lanes route - 'hic' It wasn't too bad. I was more uncomfortable though and glad to get through my front door!
Tomorrow, I shall have a go at sorting these clothes out into sizes and get them into the right boxes. I'm keeping newborn and 0-3 in the wardrobe and others are sorted into storage under the bed. I may need new boxes though. Heck, I may need a chest of drawers afterall!! I think we could fit it in. Once my bedroom is rearranged to fit the Moses basket in that will open up a whole wall in the nursery and I know less is more, but I have so much baby stuff that needs a home!!
The sun was shining and it was a lovely day and Mum took all these random lanes with lots of hills and bends to get there. I am starting to struggle rather on car journeys, I keep getting nauseous and having little burps so as Mum hurtled around these country lanes I was holding onto my breakfast (triple weetabix) but was able to keep it down!! Car seats seem to tilt upwards towards ones knees which I find uncomfortable so I was propped about with cushions and trying to keep a good posture to help my ankles and bump be ok but seriously, my ankles are puffy as at the moment.
We got to Sarah's for about 11 and then she produced four huge bags full of boys clothes which we sifted through (I say we, she was on the floor and Mum was sifting and I was overwhelmed at the quantity of stuff and directing what to take and leave from the sofa!)
After a pasta and salad lunch we just sat outside. All afternoon! It was blissful. It was actually hot, we couldn't believe it was March, it felt more like late May and the boys played and we sat. It was most relaxing.
And at 4pm we headed home again. The country lanes route - 'hic' It wasn't too bad. I was more uncomfortable though and glad to get through my front door!
Tomorrow, I shall have a go at sorting these clothes out into sizes and get them into the right boxes. I'm keeping newborn and 0-3 in the wardrobe and others are sorted into storage under the bed. I may need new boxes though. Heck, I may need a chest of drawers afterall!! I think we could fit it in. Once my bedroom is rearranged to fit the Moses basket in that will open up a whole wall in the nursery and I know less is more, but I have so much baby stuff that needs a home!!
Tuesday 22 March 2011
Expecting Ante-Natal 4
This was a session on breast feeding, and unlike the NHS one, husbands and partners were invited!! To be fair to him, Steve was well behaved and the only time he got fits of giggles was when I too found myself a little overwhelmed at the activity or presentation and too, giggled away like an immature school girl.
Pretty much all of us in the group said we were going to give breast feeding a go. I think we'd be silly not to. Perfectly heated food for baby, free on tap?! It can save about £1000 if you don't use formula. And no matter what you're told, there's nothing as good for baby as breast milk in powdered milk. That's not to say of course babies brought up on formula can't be healthy, of course they can, I have two very robust nephews running around who were bottle fed but there's no denying breast milk is designed for babies by nature.
We were told about the colostrum which comes first (the watery substance) that is like 'gold dust' apparently. This stuff is chock full of nutrients that nothing else can substitute and we're encouraged to at least try breast feeding for the first 3 days to ensure baby receives this fluid to boost their immunity.
On day three, that is typically when the milk comes in and we have 'Jordan' boobs (cue Steve's first inane giggle at the thought). This is a day when everything can seem bad. Boobs will hurt, be engorged and huge, hormones may crash and there may be weeping. Lovely.
On attempting to continue with breastfeeding with proper milk it's important to change sides and not to favour one boob over the other. To get a proper feed, baby needs the fore milk (like normal milky substance) and then the hind milk (like a McDonalds milkshake!)
The guys in the group were all passed a 'frubes' tube yoghurt to demonstrate the importance of positioning to ensure baby has the most comfortable feed which will help with latching on and getting to the point of the hind milk, and to see all these men trying to suck yoghurt was the point of giggles for me. I'm sure Steve will never be able to look at a Frube yoghurt in the same way again.
Then us girls were passed dolls to try different positions as well which was funny too. As was the animation as to how it technically works which I do have to say freaks me out a little. I know it's natural and I'm determined to give it a good go, but the fact your body takes over and starts producing milk I find a little freaky. I think it's another 'out of my control' thing and I find that bizarre. I shall do my best to go with it though and put the 'cow' thoughts out of my head!!
Other pro's to breast feeding were of course the weight loss element and helping the uterus to contract back down to size, and apparently it helps against some cancers and I'm sure there was more but I can't remember now.
Cons were the risk of mastitis, sleepless nights, baby depending solely on you and that sort of thing.
Still, I guess we'll see where we end up with it. It should certainly be interesting. I just can't picture how it will all be working out in my head yet! Me sitting with a baby to my breast. Hmm!!
Pretty much all of us in the group said we were going to give breast feeding a go. I think we'd be silly not to. Perfectly heated food for baby, free on tap?! It can save about £1000 if you don't use formula. And no matter what you're told, there's nothing as good for baby as breast milk in powdered milk. That's not to say of course babies brought up on formula can't be healthy, of course they can, I have two very robust nephews running around who were bottle fed but there's no denying breast milk is designed for babies by nature.
We were told about the colostrum which comes first (the watery substance) that is like 'gold dust' apparently. This stuff is chock full of nutrients that nothing else can substitute and we're encouraged to at least try breast feeding for the first 3 days to ensure baby receives this fluid to boost their immunity.
On day three, that is typically when the milk comes in and we have 'Jordan' boobs (cue Steve's first inane giggle at the thought). This is a day when everything can seem bad. Boobs will hurt, be engorged and huge, hormones may crash and there may be weeping. Lovely.
On attempting to continue with breastfeeding with proper milk it's important to change sides and not to favour one boob over the other. To get a proper feed, baby needs the fore milk (like normal milky substance) and then the hind milk (like a McDonalds milkshake!)
The guys in the group were all passed a 'frubes' tube yoghurt to demonstrate the importance of positioning to ensure baby has the most comfortable feed which will help with latching on and getting to the point of the hind milk, and to see all these men trying to suck yoghurt was the point of giggles for me. I'm sure Steve will never be able to look at a Frube yoghurt in the same way again.
Then us girls were passed dolls to try different positions as well which was funny too. As was the animation as to how it technically works which I do have to say freaks me out a little. I know it's natural and I'm determined to give it a good go, but the fact your body takes over and starts producing milk I find a little freaky. I think it's another 'out of my control' thing and I find that bizarre. I shall do my best to go with it though and put the 'cow' thoughts out of my head!!
Other pro's to breast feeding were of course the weight loss element and helping the uterus to contract back down to size, and apparently it helps against some cancers and I'm sure there was more but I can't remember now.
Cons were the risk of mastitis, sleepless nights, baby depending solely on you and that sort of thing.
Still, I guess we'll see where we end up with it. It should certainly be interesting. I just can't picture how it will all be working out in my head yet! Me sitting with a baby to my breast. Hmm!!
Monday 21 March 2011
10 Things Husbands Shouldn't Say
1 - Whoa! The bed really sinks when you get in it now!
2 - You don't look fat. It's only because you're pregnant.
3 - Dave is a valid name choice.
4 - Can you make me a drink?
5 - I've done the washing up for you.
6 - You're so much better at mornings than me, so maybe you should deal with after 6am baby cries.
7 - Why does the baby need new furniture?
8 - Your stretch marks look red today.
9 - So, will your body go back to normal afterwards soon or does it take a while?
10 - I've found this pregnancy so difficult, coping with your hormones.
And all uttered at some stage by my dear husband!!
2 - You don't look fat. It's only because you're pregnant.
3 - Dave is a valid name choice.
4 - Can you make me a drink?
5 - I've done the washing up for you.
6 - You're so much better at mornings than me, so maybe you should deal with after 6am baby cries.
7 - Why does the baby need new furniture?
8 - Your stretch marks look red today.
9 - So, will your body go back to normal afterwards soon or does it take a while?
10 - I've found this pregnancy so difficult, coping with your hormones.
And all uttered at some stage by my dear husband!!
Sunday 20 March 2011
37 Weeks
What's the phrase? Stick a fork in me, I'm done!! Or should I say - baby's all done! Full term today!
How far along: 37 Weeks
Total Weight Gained: Unknown!!
Maternity Clothes: Indeed. I'm now in the market for nursing bras as well now.
Stretch Marks: I kind of think my stomach would be a good advert for the British Gas living flame fire as it sort of looks like flames when itchy but they seem to have calmed down quite a bit this week and aren't so irritating.
Sleep: Some nights are better than others. I'm just glad I have nothing else to do other than nap and catch up after the bad nights.
Best Moment of the Week: This question gets difficult as it's been rather samey all week. I've enjoyed the sunshine. I've enjoyed fiddling around in the nursery.
Movement: Lots of general squirming that makes me wonder how he looks in there! It felt like he was being an upside down chicken the other day with shoulders in my pelvis and legs kicking both of my sides!!
Gender: He's a baby BOY!!!
Belly Button: It's been flat this week.
Milestones: Three weeks to go till 10th April, and now full term. So it's just a case of waiting for some signs of things to happen. He'll definately be here in the next five weeks. Tick tock.
Here's three pictures of my bump gradually spreading across my legs!
How far along: 37 Weeks
Total Weight Gained: Unknown!!
Maternity Clothes: Indeed. I'm now in the market for nursing bras as well now.
Stretch Marks: I kind of think my stomach would be a good advert for the British Gas living flame fire as it sort of looks like flames when itchy but they seem to have calmed down quite a bit this week and aren't so irritating.
Sleep: Some nights are better than others. I'm just glad I have nothing else to do other than nap and catch up after the bad nights.
Best Moment of the Week: This question gets difficult as it's been rather samey all week. I've enjoyed the sunshine. I've enjoyed fiddling around in the nursery.
Movement: Lots of general squirming that makes me wonder how he looks in there! It felt like he was being an upside down chicken the other day with shoulders in my pelvis and legs kicking both of my sides!!
Gender: He's a baby BOY!!!
Belly Button: It's been flat this week.
Milestones: Three weeks to go till 10th April, and now full term. So it's just a case of waiting for some signs of things to happen. He'll definately be here in the next five weeks. Tick tock.
Here's three pictures of my bump gradually spreading across my legs!
Saturday 19 March 2011
Two Weeks Down!!
I have one more week of holiday left before maternity leave kicks in now. Two down, three to go till the due date!
This week has not been quite as fast as the previous one, and dare I say it, an element of boredom was felt midway, but I'm still enjoying the resting opportunity!! Especially with the lovely weather picking up. Sitting in the garden in the sunshine makes everything feel better!
I'm surprisingly unimpatient for the arrival as yet, I just want to have this bit of time to myself I guess. Plans for next week include a visit to Wales - sicky nausea to be expected due to car journey I expect, changing our bedroom round, and a trip to a garden centre for some flowers to plant.
Anyway, this weekend things have been very nice indeed.
Yesterday I was very lazy for the morning and watched a few episodes of Gossip Girl, and then popped into work to say hello to my work folks! In the afternoon Steve and I drove up to Stoke to the UPS depo to collect his new camera which he had shipped over from France and they'd mucked delivery up so he wasn't willing for it to be delivered after the weekend.
I have to say, driving for 40 minutes there was horribly uncomfortable. I kept getting very nauseous, burpy and unsettled feelings in my stomach. The drive back was worse!
Once back in Stafford Steve and I then went to Nishads for dinner. It's still his favourite restaurant, despite being shut temporarily due to health and safety concerns!!
Today we sat in the garden for a bit with the pigs out and Izzy enjoying the sunshine, then we went for a mooch into town. Steve treated me to some new Clinique products which meant I got the bonus time gift box as well! :) After a sit down and refreshment in Starbucks we headed to TK Max to look for clothes for Steve but he didn't find anything, so homeward bound we were.
I've had very sore hips and joints from the walking but it should all be helping baby down into my pelvis. Doesn't help my bladder any though! And as I've not napped today, I'm pretty shattered now. Just watching a CSI epidsode on Living before bed. Yawn. :) Night Night!
This week has not been quite as fast as the previous one, and dare I say it, an element of boredom was felt midway, but I'm still enjoying the resting opportunity!! Especially with the lovely weather picking up. Sitting in the garden in the sunshine makes everything feel better!
I'm surprisingly unimpatient for the arrival as yet, I just want to have this bit of time to myself I guess. Plans for next week include a visit to Wales - sicky nausea to be expected due to car journey I expect, changing our bedroom round, and a trip to a garden centre for some flowers to plant.
Anyway, this weekend things have been very nice indeed.
Yesterday I was very lazy for the morning and watched a few episodes of Gossip Girl, and then popped into work to say hello to my work folks! In the afternoon Steve and I drove up to Stoke to the UPS depo to collect his new camera which he had shipped over from France and they'd mucked delivery up so he wasn't willing for it to be delivered after the weekend.
I have to say, driving for 40 minutes there was horribly uncomfortable. I kept getting very nauseous, burpy and unsettled feelings in my stomach. The drive back was worse!
Once back in Stafford Steve and I then went to Nishads for dinner. It's still his favourite restaurant, despite being shut temporarily due to health and safety concerns!!
Today we sat in the garden for a bit with the pigs out and Izzy enjoying the sunshine, then we went for a mooch into town. Steve treated me to some new Clinique products which meant I got the bonus time gift box as well! :) After a sit down and refreshment in Starbucks we headed to TK Max to look for clothes for Steve but he didn't find anything, so homeward bound we were.
I've had very sore hips and joints from the walking but it should all be helping baby down into my pelvis. Doesn't help my bladder any though! And as I've not napped today, I'm pretty shattered now. Just watching a CSI epidsode on Living before bed. Yawn. :) Night Night!
Thursday 17 March 2011
Busy Day
I had quite a busy day today and managed to go without a nap (at least until I got home at 5pm that is!!).
I had to take Izzy on a short walk as I suspected Steve had not done her justice this morning, he opted to stay in bed an extra hour rather than get up and do what he needed to do before going out but I thought it would be a good occasion to try out her halti collar and she was brilliant! She didn't try as much to scratch it off and didn't pull and stayed by my side until I could let her run free which was great.
At 10.00am my Mum collected me and off we went to the Mama and Papa shop to get the parts to fix the car seat to the pram that Mum had ordered ages ago and forgotten about!
Then by 11.00am we were at a garden centre meeting Celia, Frank and Mary and we had scones and tea before heading over to their cousin's husbands funeral.
I know it's weird me tagging along since I didn't know him, but it's so I could tie in a visit to Great Aunty Joan after the funeral and I'm good at funerals as these days, hardly anyone knows the hymns sung, so Mum and I sang loudly from the back to help out and it was a nice service. Afterwards we were all invited back to the funeral parlour for sandwiches and tea which was nice and I chatted to Mum's cousins and remembered them visiting my Grandmas numerous times when she was alive (their aunty I guess!)
Then it was over the Aunty Joan's for another cup of tea (my caffeine intake has not been great today) and she was very pleased to see me and the bump and we were home for 5.00pm.
I rested for a wee while, and then Steve headed off to his Salvation Army youth group and I'm in bed for an early night, still shattered from my busy day. I can feel that being on my feet so much as probably not helped my hips and joints and will likely suffer a little tomorrow. And as for the tea drinking all day, man, I'm comfy until I have to move and suddenly, my bladder feels like it might pop as the weight of baby comes down on it so I stagger to the bathroom for not a lot to happen. Oh well, I think I'm going to have another restless night! That'll teach me!
I had to take Izzy on a short walk as I suspected Steve had not done her justice this morning, he opted to stay in bed an extra hour rather than get up and do what he needed to do before going out but I thought it would be a good occasion to try out her halti collar and she was brilliant! She didn't try as much to scratch it off and didn't pull and stayed by my side until I could let her run free which was great.
At 10.00am my Mum collected me and off we went to the Mama and Papa shop to get the parts to fix the car seat to the pram that Mum had ordered ages ago and forgotten about!
Then by 11.00am we were at a garden centre meeting Celia, Frank and Mary and we had scones and tea before heading over to their cousin's husbands funeral.
I know it's weird me tagging along since I didn't know him, but it's so I could tie in a visit to Great Aunty Joan after the funeral and I'm good at funerals as these days, hardly anyone knows the hymns sung, so Mum and I sang loudly from the back to help out and it was a nice service. Afterwards we were all invited back to the funeral parlour for sandwiches and tea which was nice and I chatted to Mum's cousins and remembered them visiting my Grandmas numerous times when she was alive (their aunty I guess!)
Then it was over the Aunty Joan's for another cup of tea (my caffeine intake has not been great today) and she was very pleased to see me and the bump and we were home for 5.00pm.
I rested for a wee while, and then Steve headed off to his Salvation Army youth group and I'm in bed for an early night, still shattered from my busy day. I can feel that being on my feet so much as probably not helped my hips and joints and will likely suffer a little tomorrow. And as for the tea drinking all day, man, I'm comfy until I have to move and suddenly, my bladder feels like it might pop as the weight of baby comes down on it so I stagger to the bathroom for not a lot to happen. Oh well, I think I'm going to have another restless night! That'll teach me!
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Lists Upon Lists Upon Lists
I do love a good list. I think they're very good for clearing the head, checking things, making sure of things.
Here's my current lists:
Check List on Heading to Hospital for Labour - to be stuck onto the front door!!
Maternity Notes
Kate's Bag
Baby's Bag
Snacks Bag
Pillows
Birthing Ball
Steve's Camera Bag (incl a few bits for him eg t-shirt, deodorant etc..)
Check List for Packing - Kate's Bag
Slippers
Dressing Gown - very light one
PJ's
Nightie
Comfy change of clothes to go home in - joggy bottoms and t-shirt
Huge t-shirt to labour in
Wash Bag - shampoo, body wash, moisturizer, etc... lots of mini products!
Lip Balm
Make-up bag - just a few items!!
Big pants for afterwards
Maternity Pads
Breast Pads
Hair Brush and bobbles
Fan
Earplugs/Sleep mask
Check List for Packing - Baby's Bag
Nappies
Nappy bags
Muslins
Cotton Wool
Vest/babygro/hat/scratch mitts x 2 newborn size
Vest/babygro/hat/scratch mitts x 1 0-3 size
Little Toy
Blanket
Snacks Bag
Fruity 5 Alive cartons
Frozen Ribena bottles
Fruit jelly sweets
Chocolate
Cheese and crackers
Dairylea and Ritz crackers
Here's my current lists:
Check List on Heading to Hospital for Labour - to be stuck onto the front door!!
Maternity Notes
Kate's Bag
Baby's Bag
Snacks Bag
Pillows
Birthing Ball
Steve's Camera Bag (incl a few bits for him eg t-shirt, deodorant etc..)
Check List for Packing - Kate's Bag
Slippers
Dressing Gown - very light one
PJ's
Nightie
Comfy change of clothes to go home in - joggy bottoms and t-shirt
Huge t-shirt to labour in
Wash Bag - shampoo, body wash, moisturizer, etc... lots of mini products!
Lip Balm
Make-up bag - just a few items!!
Big pants for afterwards
Maternity Pads
Breast Pads
Hair Brush and bobbles
Fan
Earplugs/Sleep mask
Check List for Packing - Baby's Bag
Nappies
Nappy bags
Muslins
Cotton Wool
Vest/babygro/hat/scratch mitts x 2 newborn size
Vest/babygro/hat/scratch mitts x 1 0-3 size
Little Toy
Blanket
Snacks Bag
Fruity 5 Alive cartons
Frozen Ribena bottles
Fruit jelly sweets
Chocolate
Cheese and crackers
Dairylea and Ritz crackers
Expecting Ante-Natal Class 3
I've really been enjoying these classes. I've found them really informative and reassuring really, but last night's was on coping methods with birth and focused quite a lot on the birth partner. I was glad about this as Steve can be rather fatuous about the whole thing, and we got split into boy and girl groups to discuss what they should and shouldn't do. So now Steve knows it all, at least in theory so it'll be interesting to see whether he puts it into practise or not!
Us girls all agreed we didn't want the guys playing games on their phones, watching tv shows or doing anything on their phones unless we'd specifically said 'text so and so' and it was nice to feel it wasn't just me being resentful of the i-phone.
I'd misplaced my phone before going out and although I'd looked around the house I began to worry that it'd been left in the car, or fallen out in the street. Steve and I did a thorough search, even driving back to Stafford Castle where I'd walked Izzy earlier in the day to see whether it was around the car park there, but it wasn't. He said that because it rang when called, it hadn't likely been found as someone intending to keep it would probably have taken the sim out.
Anyway, we went to bed and I couldn't sleep at all. My bump kept tightening, not in a painful way, but enough to make me uncomfortable - were these the infamous Braxton Hicks? I'm not sure as they didn't feel like period pains, but I tried to practise breathing anyway just in case. I got up at two and had another potter around to sort my joints out and have another rekke round the house for my phone when I suddenly thought about the load of cardboard recycling that Steve had taken out to the bins before dinner.
I'd assembled the nursery chair and the box it came in was huge and Steve had put it in the lounge and piled other boxes for sorting on top of it. It was entirely feasible that I had left my phone on this large box, it had been covered by smaller boxes and Steve had dropped the whole lot off in the bins.
So at 5.45am when Steve got up for his breakfast meeting, I mentioned this thought to him and he said he'd take a look before driving up to the Beacon. Then the house phone rang and it was Steve to say he was at the Beacon, he'd been in the bin down the alley, and he'd found my phone! I was right!! It had been in the bin all night :) and at 7.15am the bin men came along so it was a good job he'd taken the time to find it first thing else it'd be gone and crushed by now!!
I stayed in bed this morning till about 11.00am as I was so tired and my body feels very weary and achey today. I had a quick bath which helped and then we had to meet the woman who's drafted our wills to sign them. Yep, we now have wills which means we're all grown up. I don't know, it's Steve's thing as he's self employed and baby is on the way it seemed a sensible thing to do I guess.
And now I'm home and may finish reading my book, I have a couple to get through, 'Breaking Dawn' from the Twilight series although I've now recalled how angsty they all are but I've nearly got through it, and one about a Duchess which I just picked up whilst in Tesco for something to do!
Off to a funeral tomorrow for my mum's cousin's husband, and to see Great Aunty Joan and next week we're venturing all the way to Wales! Fun stuff! It's nice having just one thing a day to do!!
Us girls all agreed we didn't want the guys playing games on their phones, watching tv shows or doing anything on their phones unless we'd specifically said 'text so and so' and it was nice to feel it wasn't just me being resentful of the i-phone.
I'd misplaced my phone before going out and although I'd looked around the house I began to worry that it'd been left in the car, or fallen out in the street. Steve and I did a thorough search, even driving back to Stafford Castle where I'd walked Izzy earlier in the day to see whether it was around the car park there, but it wasn't. He said that because it rang when called, it hadn't likely been found as someone intending to keep it would probably have taken the sim out.
Anyway, we went to bed and I couldn't sleep at all. My bump kept tightening, not in a painful way, but enough to make me uncomfortable - were these the infamous Braxton Hicks? I'm not sure as they didn't feel like period pains, but I tried to practise breathing anyway just in case. I got up at two and had another potter around to sort my joints out and have another rekke round the house for my phone when I suddenly thought about the load of cardboard recycling that Steve had taken out to the bins before dinner.
I'd assembled the nursery chair and the box it came in was huge and Steve had put it in the lounge and piled other boxes for sorting on top of it. It was entirely feasible that I had left my phone on this large box, it had been covered by smaller boxes and Steve had dropped the whole lot off in the bins.
So at 5.45am when Steve got up for his breakfast meeting, I mentioned this thought to him and he said he'd take a look before driving up to the Beacon. Then the house phone rang and it was Steve to say he was at the Beacon, he'd been in the bin down the alley, and he'd found my phone! I was right!! It had been in the bin all night :) and at 7.15am the bin men came along so it was a good job he'd taken the time to find it first thing else it'd be gone and crushed by now!!
I stayed in bed this morning till about 11.00am as I was so tired and my body feels very weary and achey today. I had a quick bath which helped and then we had to meet the woman who's drafted our wills to sign them. Yep, we now have wills which means we're all grown up. I don't know, it's Steve's thing as he's self employed and baby is on the way it seemed a sensible thing to do I guess.
And now I'm home and may finish reading my book, I have a couple to get through, 'Breaking Dawn' from the Twilight series although I've now recalled how angsty they all are but I've nearly got through it, and one about a Duchess which I just picked up whilst in Tesco for something to do!
Off to a funeral tomorrow for my mum's cousin's husband, and to see Great Aunty Joan and next week we're venturing all the way to Wales! Fun stuff! It's nice having just one thing a day to do!!
Tuesday 15 March 2011
36 Week Midwife Appointment
Today Tracy the midwife was calling round to my house to have the 36 week appointment where we sit and discuss the birthplan. Steve happened to be out walking Izzy which was ok as he wasn't really required for it!
Steve and I had discussed what we think already, so we've opted for the midwife led birth and will put ourselves down for a pool birth if it's available. If the pool is busy, there's also a hydrobath thing apparently, and if both are taken, it's just a calmer environment!
I'm hoping to be as mobile as possible, start off as naturally as possible with gas and air and then just see where we go from there. Having no idea really as to my pain threshold I'm open to pethidine if necessary, but if we're in the pool the water will hopefully help. The only thing I'm resistant to initially is an epidural. I don't want an iv in my hand, I don't want an increased risk of an assisted delivery and therefore an episiotomy. It's all a lot to take in really.
I've also said that I'd like to deliver the placenta naturally as this can mean although you bleed more directly after the birth, it's only liquids that need to come out, and you won't bleed for as long as if you had the injection (more like 2-3 weeks rather than 5-6 weeks).
I have said ok to the vitamin K injection for baby once arrived as well.
Oh, and I've also said 'yes please' to a student midwife! I do believe in helping student nurses with their training if possible, and I've also been told how helpful they are as they can stay with you to assist with things more than a midwife who may have more than a couple of labouring women to see to!
So all in all, things are well with baby. All set with the head down (which I can kind of tell from the pressure on my nether regions!!) and the bum has swung round to my right side now with legs tickling my ribs on my left side.
I tried taking Izzy out this afternoon as I was feeling a bit bored and wanted some fresh air, so I put her in the car and went to the castle thinking it would be quiet. How wrong was I. There were more dogs there than I've ever seen before, and she was so naughty running off to say hello to them all. I know she's friendly and just wants to say hello and play, but you never know about other dogs or their owners, or if they have little children she could knock them over and I couldn't waddle after her fast enough so I decided to bring her home again. She really needs some harsh training to get her sorted and a bit more obedient. She does seem to have regressed a little recently, maybe she's in her teenage rebellious years.
This afternoon I cooked a beef strogonoff for dinner. Steve sat with it on his lap saying how much he appreciated me cooking for him. I could see though he wasn't actually eating it at all. Honestly, if it's not junk food he's not interested. He then said he wasn't hungry and put it in the kitchen and came back out having stuffed a doughnut in his mouth whole. Humpf. I liked it, and thought it was tasty. He's so hard to please with normal food. Offer him a big mac and he'd be happy.
Steve and I had discussed what we think already, so we've opted for the midwife led birth and will put ourselves down for a pool birth if it's available. If the pool is busy, there's also a hydrobath thing apparently, and if both are taken, it's just a calmer environment!
I'm hoping to be as mobile as possible, start off as naturally as possible with gas and air and then just see where we go from there. Having no idea really as to my pain threshold I'm open to pethidine if necessary, but if we're in the pool the water will hopefully help. The only thing I'm resistant to initially is an epidural. I don't want an iv in my hand, I don't want an increased risk of an assisted delivery and therefore an episiotomy. It's all a lot to take in really.
I've also said that I'd like to deliver the placenta naturally as this can mean although you bleed more directly after the birth, it's only liquids that need to come out, and you won't bleed for as long as if you had the injection (more like 2-3 weeks rather than 5-6 weeks).
I have said ok to the vitamin K injection for baby once arrived as well.
Oh, and I've also said 'yes please' to a student midwife! I do believe in helping student nurses with their training if possible, and I've also been told how helpful they are as they can stay with you to assist with things more than a midwife who may have more than a couple of labouring women to see to!
So all in all, things are well with baby. All set with the head down (which I can kind of tell from the pressure on my nether regions!!) and the bum has swung round to my right side now with legs tickling my ribs on my left side.
I tried taking Izzy out this afternoon as I was feeling a bit bored and wanted some fresh air, so I put her in the car and went to the castle thinking it would be quiet. How wrong was I. There were more dogs there than I've ever seen before, and she was so naughty running off to say hello to them all. I know she's friendly and just wants to say hello and play, but you never know about other dogs or their owners, or if they have little children she could knock them over and I couldn't waddle after her fast enough so I decided to bring her home again. She really needs some harsh training to get her sorted and a bit more obedient. She does seem to have regressed a little recently, maybe she's in her teenage rebellious years.
This afternoon I cooked a beef strogonoff for dinner. Steve sat with it on his lap saying how much he appreciated me cooking for him. I could see though he wasn't actually eating it at all. Honestly, if it's not junk food he's not interested. He then said he wasn't hungry and put it in the kitchen and came back out having stuffed a doughnut in his mouth whole. Humpf. I liked it, and thought it was tasty. He's so hard to please with normal food. Offer him a big mac and he'd be happy.
Monday 14 March 2011
Maternity Leave - Week Two
Well, here I am awake at 8.30am and resting on the sofa with a cup of tea pondering the week ahead. Last week it has to be said, went by so very fast I felt as though I was missing out by sleeping and not truly appreciating the time I've had to myself!
This week I reckon will feel slower as I've adjusted somewhat to a more relaxed pace of life and I may start to feel bored. We will have to see what comes!
It's a lovely sunny day today with blue skies, and if it's warm enough this afternoon I will sit out with the guinea-pigs on the lawn, which is how I spent yesterday afternoon and it was lovely!! I read the Jool's Olivers 'Nine minus One' book which was a lovely account of her trying to conceive, pregnancies and coping with babies whilst Izzy trotted around the garden enjoying the sunshine and the guinea-pigs began their annual trim of the lawn and did a very good job on it too!!
I need to sort out the nursery chair and get that put together, which was a present from Steve's parents for our nursery. It's been in it's box since last Monday and Steve has not really had time to look at it for me, so maybe I'll see how many parts it's in and see what I can do about it. My Mum will be popping round this afternoon with another of my friend Claire's bags of boys clothes she's passed onto me. The 3-6 bag was brilliant, and I now have an under bed storage box full of little trousers, shorts, t-shirts and a very cute England football shirt and mini shoes! (The 0-3 bag was sorted out and is residing in the wardrobe ready for use with 100's of vests!)
I will probably run a bath this morning at some point, and tidy the kitchen, because although it's been Steve's turn again, he's not done it, and I can't be bothered to nag him about it and would prefer it just is done and tidy again. He will have to take the rubbish out and do a poo sweep of the garden though for me.
Tomorrow the midwife will be visiting, and that's about all my plans thus far. I may have another go at swimming either Tuesday or Thursday, and I guess I could start to think about cooking some chilli/bolognaise/shepherds pies to freeze for once baby is here, although whether I'll want to eat that sort of thing will remain to be seen.
Right, the dog is whining to go out or have breakfast or something but as she has food in her bowl and has been out recently I'm not sure which or why it is!! Let's see to her for a bit now!!
This week I reckon will feel slower as I've adjusted somewhat to a more relaxed pace of life and I may start to feel bored. We will have to see what comes!
It's a lovely sunny day today with blue skies, and if it's warm enough this afternoon I will sit out with the guinea-pigs on the lawn, which is how I spent yesterday afternoon and it was lovely!! I read the Jool's Olivers 'Nine minus One' book which was a lovely account of her trying to conceive, pregnancies and coping with babies whilst Izzy trotted around the garden enjoying the sunshine and the guinea-pigs began their annual trim of the lawn and did a very good job on it too!!
I need to sort out the nursery chair and get that put together, which was a present from Steve's parents for our nursery. It's been in it's box since last Monday and Steve has not really had time to look at it for me, so maybe I'll see how many parts it's in and see what I can do about it. My Mum will be popping round this afternoon with another of my friend Claire's bags of boys clothes she's passed onto me. The 3-6 bag was brilliant, and I now have an under bed storage box full of little trousers, shorts, t-shirts and a very cute England football shirt and mini shoes! (The 0-3 bag was sorted out and is residing in the wardrobe ready for use with 100's of vests!)
I will probably run a bath this morning at some point, and tidy the kitchen, because although it's been Steve's turn again, he's not done it, and I can't be bothered to nag him about it and would prefer it just is done and tidy again. He will have to take the rubbish out and do a poo sweep of the garden though for me.
Tomorrow the midwife will be visiting, and that's about all my plans thus far. I may have another go at swimming either Tuesday or Thursday, and I guess I could start to think about cooking some chilli/bolognaise/shepherds pies to freeze for once baby is here, although whether I'll want to eat that sort of thing will remain to be seen.
Right, the dog is whining to go out or have breakfast or something but as she has food in her bowl and has been out recently I'm not sure which or why it is!! Let's see to her for a bit now!!
Sunday 13 March 2011
36 Weeks
How far along: 36 Weeks
Total Weight Gained: I've not weighed myself again since last week but I reckon it'll be about 3 stones overall so am not going to linger on it!! As long as I can fit in size 12 (albeit maternity) jeans I don't mind so much. What I do mind more is my face has rounded out a lot these past couple of weeks :( so I feel that makes me look chubby.
Maternity Clothes: Yes, maternity clothes are all that fit now. Except for pants, they're still my normal ones (under bump!) I couldn't face the maternity knickers that look like sails for boats!!
Stretch Marks: Still the under bump ones, but I'm guessing that baby is having a last minute growth spurt as they're sort of reaching over and around the tummy button now and so very itchy it's driving me crazy. I'm having to apply lotions and potions numerous times a day and I've even got a bottle of aloe gel in the fridge for when things get too much. That's not fabulous though as it's a bit sticky but it's soothing.
Sleep: Last night was the worst night for ages. I couldn't get to sleep for ages, and then I was up FOUR times! That seems very excessive. But it doesn't really matter as I can nap in the day when I like now!! It's just getting up and resetting all my joints is a bit painful but I'm ok once up.
Best Moment of the Week: Erm, well, it's been a very quiet week. I have enjoyed napping every afternoon, and properly relaxing!!
Movement: Some days he's jumping around in there like crazy and there's hands and feet poking out in all directions but other days he can be a bit restful and I know babies sleep in there too, but it's stressful trying to remember the last time you felt him move and if it's been a while! Most of the time he's sort of pushing about, probably just trying to make some room and make my stretch marks worse!!
Gender: He's a baby BOY!!!
Belly Button: It's been flat this week.
Milestones: Four weeks to go till 10th April, and I have my 36 week midwife appointment on Tuesday where we have to go through my birth plan! Fun stuff!!
Total Weight Gained: I've not weighed myself again since last week but I reckon it'll be about 3 stones overall so am not going to linger on it!! As long as I can fit in size 12 (albeit maternity) jeans I don't mind so much. What I do mind more is my face has rounded out a lot these past couple of weeks :( so I feel that makes me look chubby.
Maternity Clothes: Yes, maternity clothes are all that fit now. Except for pants, they're still my normal ones (under bump!) I couldn't face the maternity knickers that look like sails for boats!!
Stretch Marks: Still the under bump ones, but I'm guessing that baby is having a last minute growth spurt as they're sort of reaching over and around the tummy button now and so very itchy it's driving me crazy. I'm having to apply lotions and potions numerous times a day and I've even got a bottle of aloe gel in the fridge for when things get too much. That's not fabulous though as it's a bit sticky but it's soothing.
Sleep: Last night was the worst night for ages. I couldn't get to sleep for ages, and then I was up FOUR times! That seems very excessive. But it doesn't really matter as I can nap in the day when I like now!! It's just getting up and resetting all my joints is a bit painful but I'm ok once up.
Best Moment of the Week: Erm, well, it's been a very quiet week. I have enjoyed napping every afternoon, and properly relaxing!!
Movement: Some days he's jumping around in there like crazy and there's hands and feet poking out in all directions but other days he can be a bit restful and I know babies sleep in there too, but it's stressful trying to remember the last time you felt him move and if it's been a while! Most of the time he's sort of pushing about, probably just trying to make some room and make my stretch marks worse!!
Gender: He's a baby BOY!!!
Belly Button: It's been flat this week.
Milestones: Four weeks to go till 10th April, and I have my 36 week midwife appointment on Tuesday where we have to go through my birth plan! Fun stuff!!
Saturday 12 March 2011
Jigsaw Pieces
Oooch.
I find that sleeping isn't too bad at the moment but it's the moments of wakefullness and aches and pains that are very annoying.
I've always had rather clicky joints, elbows and knees mainly so when at 2.00am I wake up with an aching side from lying on it, I turn over and rearrange my pillows to try and be comfortable and stretch a little as everything within me feels very bunched up, and I get some very loud and satisfying elbow and knee clicks, but what's worried me now is a great big lower spine or pelvis click!!! How has that come apart?! Can baby get his fingers trapped in it?!! It's either clicking back when I stretch out long, and I try to avoid that as it makes my bump feel a bit weird, or when I sit up and hang my feet out of bed. Then I pad down to the bathroom and by the time I'm back in bed I feel almost back to normal and we start from the beginning again!
It's like I'm a jigsaw that comes apart every night and I have to put the pieces back together every morning. It's certainly more noticeable since I finished work. I don't know whether it's psychological as my body knows I've finished work so it's not so important that I sleep well as I have time (and lots of inclination) to nap in the day, or if it's a past 35 weeks thing. I certainly would be stressing about work and coping if I were having nights like these and having to get up and go to work.
I know about the hormones that are produced to make your joints soften and get ready to pass a baby through your pelvis but does it have to take such a long time? And how long after the birth until this stops happening?! I'd like my joints to just stop being so malleable please.
Yawn.
I find that sleeping isn't too bad at the moment but it's the moments of wakefullness and aches and pains that are very annoying.
I've always had rather clicky joints, elbows and knees mainly so when at 2.00am I wake up with an aching side from lying on it, I turn over and rearrange my pillows to try and be comfortable and stretch a little as everything within me feels very bunched up, and I get some very loud and satisfying elbow and knee clicks, but what's worried me now is a great big lower spine or pelvis click!!! How has that come apart?! Can baby get his fingers trapped in it?!! It's either clicking back when I stretch out long, and I try to avoid that as it makes my bump feel a bit weird, or when I sit up and hang my feet out of bed. Then I pad down to the bathroom and by the time I'm back in bed I feel almost back to normal and we start from the beginning again!
It's like I'm a jigsaw that comes apart every night and I have to put the pieces back together every morning. It's certainly more noticeable since I finished work. I don't know whether it's psychological as my body knows I've finished work so it's not so important that I sleep well as I have time (and lots of inclination) to nap in the day, or if it's a past 35 weeks thing. I certainly would be stressing about work and coping if I were having nights like these and having to get up and go to work.
I know about the hormones that are produced to make your joints soften and get ready to pass a baby through your pelvis but does it have to take such a long time? And how long after the birth until this stops happening?! I'd like my joints to just stop being so malleable please.
Yawn.
Friday 11 March 2011
Baking Baking
Oh dear. The time off has meant I've been a good housewife this week. The house has stayed tidy, and I've been baking, just because I fancied something in particular!! Steve even brought me flowers!! I mean, that's a good thing, it's just the baking as it means I'm eating more!
This evening, Steve had been out all day in meetings at Salford and Wigan so I made his favourite Chicken Boursin for dinner with roast potatoes and a Treacle Tart for pudding, but as he was late in and peckish, I ate a (small) jar of olives and made some little cheese crisp biscuits that were so moreish I ate most of them but did save him a few. They were so quick and easy too. It's great having a store cupboard that has everything in you need to make something!
Other than that, it's been another quiet day with a quick jaunt out avec ma mere, and a nap in the afternoon avec le pooch! And that's one week done!
This evening, Steve had been out all day in meetings at Salford and Wigan so I made his favourite Chicken Boursin for dinner with roast potatoes and a Treacle Tart for pudding, but as he was late in and peckish, I ate a (small) jar of olives and made some little cheese crisp biscuits that were so moreish I ate most of them but did save him a few. They were so quick and easy too. It's great having a store cupboard that has everything in you need to make something!
Other than that, it's been another quiet day with a quick jaunt out avec ma mere, and a nap in the afternoon avec le pooch! And that's one week done!
Thursday 10 March 2011
Need More Plans
Ok, so when people asked what I'd be doing with my time on maternity leave, I pretty much said 'napping' and 'putting my feet up' but in my head I thought I'd sit and watch 'The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy - Directors Cut' as I bought the box set years ago and have never made it past 'The Two Towers'. I also thought about getting a months swimming pass and going to the pool 3 or 4 times a week.
Well, as it's Thursday of my first week off, I can say that Monday I watched 'The Fellowship of the Ring' and slept. Tuesday I watched "The Two Towers' and slept. Wednesday I slept, then Mum came round to help sort baby clothes, so today I watched 'Return of the King' but rather than sleeping I decided to do something about the aspiration to swim.
So I got my maternity cozzie out of the drawer (I know, I was so definatly going to swim I bought a special swimsuit!) and laughed at myself looking like a crazy dumpling on stick legs, and went along.
£4 it cost. Now, that seems rather pricey to me for the 45 minutes I spent bobbing up and down the pool but it wasn't even that warm so I felt chilled after that time and decided to get out. And not too soon either as suddenly at 4pm it was children's swimming lessons. The only bonus was I'd thought to myself that 10 lengths would be a good number to start with, and I did 14 in the end. And I hadn't realised how much the water takes your weight until you get out of the pool and suddenly I felt as heavy as a hippopotamus again!!
And then I got home and fell asleep on the sofa so I guess there was a little nap in there as well!
I may run another bath this evening and just loll around in it. It's better nearer 9.00pm though as that's when Steve comes in from his youth club as I'm cautious of getting stuck in the bath so prefer him to be in the house - just in case you know?!
So I now need other plans to entertain myself. I may go swimming again next week, I certainly won't be going enough to merit a months pass though. A visit to my Great Aunty Joan's is on the cards but she's a bit under the weather this week. A day to Wales to see my sister and her boys would be good, as would a visit to Nottingham to see my other sister, and the sooner probably the better - just in case again!!
Knitting is a possibility but when you have a Mum and other family members who can actually make things rather than me just dropping stitches and making a mess of the wool I don't see the point. I do have a cross stitch sampler I could work on, but it's just getting started with it. I'm going to Hobbycraft tomorrow so may have a look for a small and easy project to get me in a crafty frame of mind. Scrapbooking appeals but I'm not sure I get the whole idea behind it, or what themes I'd go for, or whether one book is for one theme, or you just have different pages. I'd like to do something with the scan pictures for posterity.
Anyway, can't believe tomorrow is Friday already and that's my first week done! It's amazing how fast time goes when you don't do much!!
Well, as it's Thursday of my first week off, I can say that Monday I watched 'The Fellowship of the Ring' and slept. Tuesday I watched "The Two Towers' and slept. Wednesday I slept, then Mum came round to help sort baby clothes, so today I watched 'Return of the King' but rather than sleeping I decided to do something about the aspiration to swim.
So I got my maternity cozzie out of the drawer (I know, I was so definatly going to swim I bought a special swimsuit!) and laughed at myself looking like a crazy dumpling on stick legs, and went along.
£4 it cost. Now, that seems rather pricey to me for the 45 minutes I spent bobbing up and down the pool but it wasn't even that warm so I felt chilled after that time and decided to get out. And not too soon either as suddenly at 4pm it was children's swimming lessons. The only bonus was I'd thought to myself that 10 lengths would be a good number to start with, and I did 14 in the end. And I hadn't realised how much the water takes your weight until you get out of the pool and suddenly I felt as heavy as a hippopotamus again!!
And then I got home and fell asleep on the sofa so I guess there was a little nap in there as well!
I may run another bath this evening and just loll around in it. It's better nearer 9.00pm though as that's when Steve comes in from his youth club as I'm cautious of getting stuck in the bath so prefer him to be in the house - just in case you know?!
So I now need other plans to entertain myself. I may go swimming again next week, I certainly won't be going enough to merit a months pass though. A visit to my Great Aunty Joan's is on the cards but she's a bit under the weather this week. A day to Wales to see my sister and her boys would be good, as would a visit to Nottingham to see my other sister, and the sooner probably the better - just in case again!!
Knitting is a possibility but when you have a Mum and other family members who can actually make things rather than me just dropping stitches and making a mess of the wool I don't see the point. I do have a cross stitch sampler I could work on, but it's just getting started with it. I'm going to Hobbycraft tomorrow so may have a look for a small and easy project to get me in a crafty frame of mind. Scrapbooking appeals but I'm not sure I get the whole idea behind it, or what themes I'd go for, or whether one book is for one theme, or you just have different pages. I'd like to do something with the scan pictures for posterity.
Anyway, can't believe tomorrow is Friday already and that's my first week done! It's amazing how fast time goes when you don't do much!!
Wednesday 9 March 2011
Stress Head
Ok, so after falling down the stairs everything seemed ok. Baby was moving around more in there if anything and that was quite comforting, it meant I didn't feel so terrible for my accident.
But, yesterday things seemed to slow down a bit. I still felt movements but they were a bit slower, not so strong. I know at 35 weeks you start to feel less, but I can't get out of my head, what if I did something that has affected the baby longer term?
Last night I was worried, drinking cold water by the pint and not getting much response. I rang the delivery suite at 2.00am (I know, I am the neurotic crazy lady) and they said to see what happened in the night and get some sleep.
Trouble is, I was sleepy and therefore slept and think I had good movements, but am not sure now whether I was dreaming or not.
So I'm up and running a bath which usually helps just to see what happens and if nothing, then I'm going to the labour ward at 9.00 just for my own peace of mind.
It doesn't help that the day after I feel more bruised and sore than I did on Monday morning.
Seriously, this baby carrying thing is the most stressful thing ever :( I just wish I hadn't fallen, I'd not be so worried about everything if that were the case.
EDIT: well, a bath seemed to help lots. My stomach began lurching about and baby began a little jig in there. My aches feel better from the warm water and I'm not so sore today. I've felt him move every hour so far so am much more happy with things and he's hiccupping away at present. I guess yesterday was a busy day with going out and about and maybe I just missed the signs that all was actually well.
So time to relax and not stress and get on with maternity leave today.
But, yesterday things seemed to slow down a bit. I still felt movements but they were a bit slower, not so strong. I know at 35 weeks you start to feel less, but I can't get out of my head, what if I did something that has affected the baby longer term?
Last night I was worried, drinking cold water by the pint and not getting much response. I rang the delivery suite at 2.00am (I know, I am the neurotic crazy lady) and they said to see what happened in the night and get some sleep.
Trouble is, I was sleepy and therefore slept and think I had good movements, but am not sure now whether I was dreaming or not.
So I'm up and running a bath which usually helps just to see what happens and if nothing, then I'm going to the labour ward at 9.00 just for my own peace of mind.
It doesn't help that the day after I feel more bruised and sore than I did on Monday morning.
Seriously, this baby carrying thing is the most stressful thing ever :( I just wish I hadn't fallen, I'd not be so worried about everything if that were the case.
EDIT: well, a bath seemed to help lots. My stomach began lurching about and baby began a little jig in there. My aches feel better from the warm water and I'm not so sore today. I've felt him move every hour so far so am much more happy with things and he's hiccupping away at present. I guess yesterday was a busy day with going out and about and maybe I just missed the signs that all was actually well.
So time to relax and not stress and get on with maternity leave today.
Tuesday 8 March 2011
Maternity Day Two
I slept a lot today. I was weary this morning, and went back to bed at 9am and suddenly, it was 11.30! Sleeping a lot feels a bit as though I'm not appreciating the time off, but I guess that's what it's for really.
I then decided to head out to a retail park and get the new moses basket mattress from Mothercare as I've read you shouldn't use second hand ones for risk of microbes or something in them.
Anyhow, I had a bit of a shopping urge and got a pair of cheap jogging bottoms from Primark and a couple of baggyish tops to wear once baby is born to hide a saggy tummy!! It's not as though I can try them on now, but hopefully they'll be ok. It was nice to think about wearing normal clothes again to be honest! There's so many lovely things in the shops and it's not worth buying maternity now with only 5 weeks to go.
I also got a large supply of Izzy food and some lunch for Steve and I. And some under bed storage boxes as Mum and I began sorting through the boys clothes that my friend Claire had passed over to me. 6 bin bags full of boys clothes!! Mum had gone through to find newborn and 0-3 size and I now have a huge pile of vests and some cute little outfits ready hanging up and we'll be tackling the 6-9 and 9-12 later this week to store in the tubs as it won't all fit in the little wardrobe.
And later this evening, we've got our second private ante-natal class. This one is covering what happens from 10cm dilated to a new baby being out!! Fun stuff.
I then decided to head out to a retail park and get the new moses basket mattress from Mothercare as I've read you shouldn't use second hand ones for risk of microbes or something in them.
Anyhow, I had a bit of a shopping urge and got a pair of cheap jogging bottoms from Primark and a couple of baggyish tops to wear once baby is born to hide a saggy tummy!! It's not as though I can try them on now, but hopefully they'll be ok. It was nice to think about wearing normal clothes again to be honest! There's so many lovely things in the shops and it's not worth buying maternity now with only 5 weeks to go.
I also got a large supply of Izzy food and some lunch for Steve and I. And some under bed storage boxes as Mum and I began sorting through the boys clothes that my friend Claire had passed over to me. 6 bin bags full of boys clothes!! Mum had gone through to find newborn and 0-3 size and I now have a huge pile of vests and some cute little outfits ready hanging up and we'll be tackling the 6-9 and 9-12 later this week to store in the tubs as it won't all fit in the little wardrobe.
And later this evening, we've got our second private ante-natal class. This one is covering what happens from 10cm dilated to a new baby being out!! Fun stuff.
Monday 7 March 2011
So...... first day of maternity leave and what do I do?
I fall down the stairs.
Seriously.
8 months of not falling and this morning, whoosh, I just lost my footing on the top step and next thing I knew I was on my back and at the bottom. At least it was my back and not my front. My buttocks are pretty well padded so I was more shocked than anything else.
I sat down on the sofa trying not to cry and rang my Mum who said to rest and see how I felt shortly. I had a drink of cold water and baby was moving away in there, but I just feel achy all over, probably due to the tension in my muscles.
I did ring the midwives for advice, feeling utterly stupid, especially after going to delivery on Friday night, (they're going to think I'm a crazy attention seeking hypochondriac) but I said baby was moving and I didn't feel any pain and there was no bleeding.
They just said to rest up and monitor myself for the day so sofa it is. I mean, that was my original plan anyway. I've had a nap and just had lunch. All seems ok, but I'm cross with myself for not being more careful.
Lets see what the afternoon brings.....
EDIT:.... this afternoon has been. Baby's movements have been normal, he's been jiggling around, and I'm not too sore or anything from the tumble so will just keep being wary on it all. It's been a nice relaxing day actually, with lying on the sofa, watching 'The Lord of The Rings FOTR' and a tasty steak pie for dinner.
Seriously.
8 months of not falling and this morning, whoosh, I just lost my footing on the top step and next thing I knew I was on my back and at the bottom. At least it was my back and not my front. My buttocks are pretty well padded so I was more shocked than anything else.
I sat down on the sofa trying not to cry and rang my Mum who said to rest and see how I felt shortly. I had a drink of cold water and baby was moving away in there, but I just feel achy all over, probably due to the tension in my muscles.
I did ring the midwives for advice, feeling utterly stupid, especially after going to delivery on Friday night, (they're going to think I'm a crazy attention seeking hypochondriac) but I said baby was moving and I didn't feel any pain and there was no bleeding.
They just said to rest up and monitor myself for the day so sofa it is. I mean, that was my original plan anyway. I've had a nap and just had lunch. All seems ok, but I'm cross with myself for not being more careful.
Lets see what the afternoon brings.....
EDIT:.... this afternoon has been. Baby's movements have been normal, he's been jiggling around, and I'm not too sore or anything from the tumble so will just keep being wary on it all. It's been a nice relaxing day actually, with lying on the sofa, watching 'The Lord of The Rings FOTR' and a tasty steak pie for dinner.
Sunday 6 March 2011
35 Weeks
How far along: 35 Weeks
Total Weight Gained: I actually weighed myself this week :) And it wasn't as horrendous as I'd anticipated, I've put on 2 1/2 stones so as long as I'm careful for the rest of my five weeks, I'm hoping not to go above 3 stones in total. Baby weight is apparently about 2 stones so just an extra 1/2 stone is manageable to me.
Maternity Clothes: Indeed. Although if I do attempt to wear something non-maternity I look so ridiculous and stretched it's very funny!!
Stretch Marks: Just the under the bump ones. Still rubbing in lotions and potions twice daily though! They're terrible itchy now, driving me crazy so rubbing in lotion all the time and using a cold flannel to calm them down at night. They've certainly stretched from my original pic of when I discovered them though :(
Sleep: I've been getting up a couple of times a night, not so much to use the loo but more potter around and stretch and ease my achey hips.
Best Moment of the Week: Finishing work for months! I'm now officially on maternity leave.
Movement: Lots and lots.
Gender: He's a baby BOY!!!
Belly Button: Still in and out as baby feels he wants it at the moment! Flat today though.
Milestones: Five weeks to go until the due date, so baby will definitely be here by Easter. And now it's a waiting game!
Total Weight Gained: I actually weighed myself this week :) And it wasn't as horrendous as I'd anticipated, I've put on 2 1/2 stones so as long as I'm careful for the rest of my five weeks, I'm hoping not to go above 3 stones in total. Baby weight is apparently about 2 stones so just an extra 1/2 stone is manageable to me.
Maternity Clothes: Indeed. Although if I do attempt to wear something non-maternity I look so ridiculous and stretched it's very funny!!
Stretch Marks: Just the under the bump ones. Still rubbing in lotions and potions twice daily though! They're terrible itchy now, driving me crazy so rubbing in lotion all the time and using a cold flannel to calm them down at night. They've certainly stretched from my original pic of when I discovered them though :(
Sleep: I've been getting up a couple of times a night, not so much to use the loo but more potter around and stretch and ease my achey hips.
Best Moment of the Week: Finishing work for months! I'm now officially on maternity leave.
Movement: Lots and lots.
Gender: He's a baby BOY!!!
Belly Button: Still in and out as baby feels he wants it at the moment! Flat today though.
Milestones: Five weeks to go until the due date, so baby will definitely be here by Easter. And now it's a waiting game!
Saturday 5 March 2011
Drama of Pavlovian Proportions (a little TMI)
I think Pavlovian means predictable in this sense. I hope so else this post title isn't as witty as I'd have liked it to be. And it's going to be a long one. It involves my last day of work, and a jaunt to the hospital (that's the dramatic element) but it all ends well. Dependent of course on your definition of the term 'well'.
Ok, so it's my final Friday. I spend the previous Thursday evening baking fairy cakes and a big pavlova as that is one of my favourite desserts and I decided I'd have something there I liked. I made it a peach melba style with peach slices and raspberries and it came out rather larger than I'd anticipated but looked splendid!
On getting to work I felt a bit daunted and sat in the car just letting time go by but headed in for 9.00am feeling a bit more relaxed. Everyone in the office was impressed with the cakes (vanilla with Cadbury mini eggs as decoration, and chocolate orange with chocolate orange slices as decoration) and there were suitable ooh's and aah's over the pavlova too!
Albeit my last day, there were many loose ends to tie up so I wasn't bored by any means and when we had our 10.20am tea break (yes, we are that routinal!) I had my first taste of my pavlova and it was yummy. The raspberries were quite sharp but with the meringue that was fluffy and marshmallowy it worked like a charm. I didn't eat very well yesterday to be honest, I kept nibbling at this pavlova instead which probably wasn't sensible but it was my last day and at 4.30 we all headed over to a local gastro-pub for after work drinks and a meal for those who wanted to eat which was nice. There were 14 of us in total.
Steve joined us for his dinner as he happened to be in the vicinity and some folks headed off directly but us admin girls stayed out till 7.30pm!! It was nice, just chatting and giggling. Steve came to get me and we had just settled into our evening of relaxing, watching some tv and chatting (the first evening in what felt like ages just the two of us) when I got some tummy cramps (and here comes the TMI part so look away those with a delicate constitution) I headed to the loo thinking nothing of it and went as relatively normal *blush* and then noticed the toilet seemed to be filled with blood. Lots and lots of bright red blood. Also a clot. I panicked. I called Steve and he looked too and said 'this is the sort of thing to check with the midwife' so we rang them and they asked us to come in. I wasn't sure where the blood had come from, just that there was a lot, and I wasn't bleeding or gushing my waters or anything like that but we drove round to the hosptial and off we went. They had a bed for me waiting and a midwife called Tracy began some tests, with a urine sample first, then they strapped the ECG to me to monitor the baby.
I was feeling a bit silly by this point, sure that it wasn't vaginal bleeding, but still not sure where or how the blood had come from when Tracy came back to say I had protein in my urine, low blood pressure and the baby's heart beat was a bit slow. So now I started to worry a bit. I had to lie on the bed and just relax whilst they continued to monitor the baby and after a glass of cold water, that seemed to wake him up enough to satisfy the midwife that all was well there. They then got a Dr in to do an internal as being 35 it has to be a Dr rather than a midwife.
The experience has helped me to decide that I would prefer a midwife led birth over a Dr one, as the Dr was very rushed, whereas the midwives seemed more friendly and this Dr lady came in to check me up there. They positioned a light which made Steve smirk so I glared at him until he looked suitably uncomfortable. He then genuinly looked terrified as they came at me with a speculum covered in jelly and man it hurt. They told me to relax and push down there, but I really couldn't. I tried but I froze so it was a painful examination.
My cervix was closed and there was no chance of the blood having come from there. Then Steve asked whether pavlova could cause bleeding to which I squeezed his fingers as we'd realised that was probably the reason for the protein in the urine, all the egg whites that go into pavlova and I'd not held back with the snacking of it.
The Dr did ask whether I'd eaten beetroot which could cause colouration and then that made me think of all the raspberries I'd eaten on the pavlova as that could have dyed things a bit more red than normal.
So all in all, after these numerous check-ups (which did help me feel very reassured about the standard of care at the maternity ward) we were allowed home about 11.30pm upon which I fell into bed, exhausted and slept right through till this morning!
So I don't think I could look another pavlova in the face for a very long time.
Ok, so it's my final Friday. I spend the previous Thursday evening baking fairy cakes and a big pavlova as that is one of my favourite desserts and I decided I'd have something there I liked. I made it a peach melba style with peach slices and raspberries and it came out rather larger than I'd anticipated but looked splendid!
On getting to work I felt a bit daunted and sat in the car just letting time go by but headed in for 9.00am feeling a bit more relaxed. Everyone in the office was impressed with the cakes (vanilla with Cadbury mini eggs as decoration, and chocolate orange with chocolate orange slices as decoration) and there were suitable ooh's and aah's over the pavlova too!
Albeit my last day, there were many loose ends to tie up so I wasn't bored by any means and when we had our 10.20am tea break (yes, we are that routinal!) I had my first taste of my pavlova and it was yummy. The raspberries were quite sharp but with the meringue that was fluffy and marshmallowy it worked like a charm. I didn't eat very well yesterday to be honest, I kept nibbling at this pavlova instead which probably wasn't sensible but it was my last day and at 4.30 we all headed over to a local gastro-pub for after work drinks and a meal for those who wanted to eat which was nice. There were 14 of us in total.
Steve joined us for his dinner as he happened to be in the vicinity and some folks headed off directly but us admin girls stayed out till 7.30pm!! It was nice, just chatting and giggling. Steve came to get me and we had just settled into our evening of relaxing, watching some tv and chatting (the first evening in what felt like ages just the two of us) when I got some tummy cramps (and here comes the TMI part so look away those with a delicate constitution) I headed to the loo thinking nothing of it and went as relatively normal *blush* and then noticed the toilet seemed to be filled with blood. Lots and lots of bright red blood. Also a clot. I panicked. I called Steve and he looked too and said 'this is the sort of thing to check with the midwife' so we rang them and they asked us to come in. I wasn't sure where the blood had come from, just that there was a lot, and I wasn't bleeding or gushing my waters or anything like that but we drove round to the hosptial and off we went. They had a bed for me waiting and a midwife called Tracy began some tests, with a urine sample first, then they strapped the ECG to me to monitor the baby.
I was feeling a bit silly by this point, sure that it wasn't vaginal bleeding, but still not sure where or how the blood had come from when Tracy came back to say I had protein in my urine, low blood pressure and the baby's heart beat was a bit slow. So now I started to worry a bit. I had to lie on the bed and just relax whilst they continued to monitor the baby and after a glass of cold water, that seemed to wake him up enough to satisfy the midwife that all was well there. They then got a Dr in to do an internal as being 35 it has to be a Dr rather than a midwife.
The experience has helped me to decide that I would prefer a midwife led birth over a Dr one, as the Dr was very rushed, whereas the midwives seemed more friendly and this Dr lady came in to check me up there. They positioned a light which made Steve smirk so I glared at him until he looked suitably uncomfortable. He then genuinly looked terrified as they came at me with a speculum covered in jelly and man it hurt. They told me to relax and push down there, but I really couldn't. I tried but I froze so it was a painful examination.
My cervix was closed and there was no chance of the blood having come from there. Then Steve asked whether pavlova could cause bleeding to which I squeezed his fingers as we'd realised that was probably the reason for the protein in the urine, all the egg whites that go into pavlova and I'd not held back with the snacking of it.
The Dr did ask whether I'd eaten beetroot which could cause colouration and then that made me think of all the raspberries I'd eaten on the pavlova as that could have dyed things a bit more red than normal.
So all in all, after these numerous check-ups (which did help me feel very reassured about the standard of care at the maternity ward) we were allowed home about 11.30pm upon which I fell into bed, exhausted and slept right through till this morning!
So I don't think I could look another pavlova in the face for a very long time.
Thursday 3 March 2011
Penultimate Day
Tomorrow is officially my last day of work before maternity leave.
That means once I walk out of the doors at 4.30 I have no work and am just waiting for baby to arrive.
I'll have five weeks until my due date which means he could be here any time really, but after 37 weeks and definitely be here within seven weeks in case things run over!
I'm not sure words can express how I'm feeling at the moment, anxious, in anticipation, daunted, excited. All in all it equals butterflies. Giant ones fluttering around causing slight nausea. I think I shall distract myself by baking cakes to take in for the office.
That means once I walk out of the doors at 4.30 I have no work and am just waiting for baby to arrive.
I'll have five weeks until my due date which means he could be here any time really, but after 37 weeks and definitely be here within seven weeks in case things run over!
I'm not sure words can express how I'm feeling at the moment, anxious, in anticipation, daunted, excited. All in all it equals butterflies. Giant ones fluttering around causing slight nausea. I think I shall distract myself by baking cakes to take in for the office.
Wednesday 2 March 2011
Midwife at 34 Weeks
I had my 34 week appointment today. It was the first one of the day so there was no waiting for me this time!
I mentioned my episodes of breathlessness and pounding heart which she said could be signs of a slight iron deficinancy so I've been prescribed iron tablets which I'm worried will have the common side effect and affect me in other ways so I'm eating fruit and drinking water like mad!! I'm still on bran cereals as well as a precautionary measure (sorry to be graphic!) but the thought of what could happen is a bit nasty and I'd like to avoid that as best I can!
We then listened to the heart beat, going strong and well, and she felt the baby to say he was head down and had a very firm bottom!! Apparently some babies have squishy bottoms but mine has a firm bottom which could be mistaken for a head!! He was moving around nicely for her as well, so no issues there at all!
It was a nice quick appointment and from this point they go to every two weeks. The 36 one will be at home in a fortnight, and back to the Doctor's for the 38 week appointment (provided baby hasn't made an early appearence of course!!)
Then as Steve had the car at a meeting (I'd walked to the Dr's from home first thing) I thought I'd try and catch the bus to work as there was one that went directly to the Uni. So off I trotted and missed it by one minute! There was one at 9.00am and the next one wasn't until 9.40am so I wasn't prepared to sit and wait for 40 minutes so caught the next one which went as far as the hospital, and then was a bit silly and walked the rest of the way. And I suffered with back pain for the rest of the morning :( Standing up from my chair caused some very painful twinges so I was glad to finish at lunchtime for another ante-natal class.
I mentioned my episodes of breathlessness and pounding heart which she said could be signs of a slight iron deficinancy so I've been prescribed iron tablets which I'm worried will have the common side effect and affect me in other ways so I'm eating fruit and drinking water like mad!! I'm still on bran cereals as well as a precautionary measure (sorry to be graphic!) but the thought of what could happen is a bit nasty and I'd like to avoid that as best I can!
We then listened to the heart beat, going strong and well, and she felt the baby to say he was head down and had a very firm bottom!! Apparently some babies have squishy bottoms but mine has a firm bottom which could be mistaken for a head!! He was moving around nicely for her as well, so no issues there at all!
It was a nice quick appointment and from this point they go to every two weeks. The 36 one will be at home in a fortnight, and back to the Doctor's for the 38 week appointment (provided baby hasn't made an early appearence of course!!)
Then as Steve had the car at a meeting (I'd walked to the Dr's from home first thing) I thought I'd try and catch the bus to work as there was one that went directly to the Uni. So off I trotted and missed it by one minute! There was one at 9.00am and the next one wasn't until 9.40am so I wasn't prepared to sit and wait for 40 minutes so caught the next one which went as far as the hospital, and then was a bit silly and walked the rest of the way. And I suffered with back pain for the rest of the morning :( Standing up from my chair caused some very painful twinges so I was glad to finish at lunchtime for another ante-natal class.
Tuesday 1 March 2011
Expecting Ante-Natal - 1
Every Tuesday evening throughout March Steve and I are booked onto some private ante-natal classes. We had been recommended these by friends from Church and have to say, the first one was really good and informative.
It's limited to six couples so its the same faces every week, and we knew one other couple from Chucrh when we got there which was nice.
We covered a lot of material in the two hour session, but it was useful with practical tips so here's the points that stuck with me:
Latent Phase of Labour:
This can last hours, days or even weeks.
We can help our labour along by moving our pelvis - we were shown exercises like going up stairs sideways or walking on foot on a kerb and one foot in the street!! Just to get the pelvis wobbling.
Baths will help will pain relief.
When you're told to take a couple of paracetamol and to rest, it's not always solely for pain relief, it's to help keep your temperature down which can be raised during labour!
A bagel was used as a visual aid as to the cervix!! The inside hole being approximatley the 3cm dilation and the diameter edge being 10cm and the cervix sort of bunches up to squish into a bit of a bagel shape so it's not only dilation to worry about, the bunching up has to happen too.
Every contraction helps and goes towards contracting the uterus so even if it feels like nothing is happening, it's all working to the end.
We're looking forward to next weeks session :)
It's limited to six couples so its the same faces every week, and we knew one other couple from Chucrh when we got there which was nice.
We covered a lot of material in the two hour session, but it was useful with practical tips so here's the points that stuck with me:
Latent Phase of Labour:
This can last hours, days or even weeks.
We can help our labour along by moving our pelvis - we were shown exercises like going up stairs sideways or walking on foot on a kerb and one foot in the street!! Just to get the pelvis wobbling.
Baths will help will pain relief.
When you're told to take a couple of paracetamol and to rest, it's not always solely for pain relief, it's to help keep your temperature down which can be raised during labour!
A bagel was used as a visual aid as to the cervix!! The inside hole being approximatley the 3cm dilation and the diameter edge being 10cm and the cervix sort of bunches up to squish into a bit of a bagel shape so it's not only dilation to worry about, the bunching up has to happen too.
Every contraction helps and goes towards contracting the uterus so even if it feels like nothing is happening, it's all working to the end.
We're looking forward to next weeks session :)
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