Today at 2pm we headed off for our next ante-natal class which was being held in the clinic in town. We found our way there and recognised a few of the other couples who'd been at the labour class and hospital tour.
The first hour was with a women's health representative who promptly informed us that 48% of women who've had a baby will, at some point in the next 18 months have an episode of incontinence. Nice. She urged us to do our pelvic floor excercises. I only remember when I hear the words pelvic floor so did a few sets there and then. I'm doing a few now too actually!
Then we were split into groups and asked to discuss if we were 3cm dilated, where we'd be, what we'd be doing and something else I've forgotten. We decided that we'd be at home, not being far enough along yet to be admitted, possibly having a hot bath and trying to relax or sleep or eat and getting bags in the car to take in, and.... oh yes, pain relief, that was the bath and paracetamol!! I just don't see how paracetmol will cut it to be honest but this woman reckoned her friend had a natural birth with only two paracetamol the whole labour so it can be done. Hmm. One Born Every Minute does not agree!
Steve just started chatting to other couples whilst I was trying to stick to the topic at hand. He does seem to try to be antagonistic at times and say silly things. I'm worried that we'll get to the actual labour and he'll just be fatuous throughout it rather than be supportive having listened to plans and what I've said might happen as a result of these classes!
Anyway, this first hour was sort of like what we'd done last week, although a bit of relaxation was thrown in for good measure too which was ok. It's hard to relax when everyone bar Steve is joining in and he's picking at his finger nails.
The second hour was a different midwifey person who talked about bathing baby and changing nappies and such. She asked for a volunteer so up got Steve and she asked him to wrap the baby in a towel. He sort of draped it so it fell off. She then asked him to pick the baby up and he held it like a bunch of flowers and didn't support the head! It was rather funny to watch to be honest. He seems to think he knows it all, but really didn't in this case.
Mind you, had I gone up, I'd have been a bit lost too. I'm dreading bathing the baby! You can't wash the eyes with water, and you have to keep things separate, use water and cotton wool for the first 6 weeks and no product at all. She then said if baby has sticky eyes you can wash them with breast milk. I had to ask her to repeat that as I could see the other women were all imagining squirting their babies in the face with milk direct from their boobies and this midwife woman thought we were all crazy for not understanding what she was saying! Breast milk on the eyes indeed!!
She then talked about meconium and poop and cleaning a baby which was interesting but I've forgotten most of it already! My memory is really bad at the moment. She commented on your waters being green having had the meconium released inside and when she told the men that it meant baby had pooped inside you, Steve quite audibly went 'gah' and grimaced. I've told him that could happen, I know I have. He doesn't listen.
She said babies sleep on their backs now, she doesn't recommend gro-bags, light blankets and feet to the foot of the cot is fine although she did say moses baskets would be better to start with. Maybe I ought to get one. Everyone seems to think that it's better to have baby in with you to start with and I do have my John Lewis vouchers which would cover one. Ho hum.
Anyway, that was our third class. I think we're quite lucky to have this many classes as some regions seem to be very disorganised. I'm still looking forward more to the private ones though in the hope I can make some friends. I can be a bit shy to start with though so we'll see. I hope they like me!!!
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Monday, 14 February 2011
3 / 8
Three weeks to go!!! Till I finish work!
Three stressful weeks but at least the time ought to fly by.
I'm tired again today, sleep was disrupted last night due to aches and pains in the hips and ribs again, and not to mention the fact Steve gave Izzy a whole chicken breast (which I thought would be a bit rich as I'd roasted it with onions, garlic and rose wine) and then left half a salmon and cream cheese sandwich within her reach so she ate that too.
I think she had a painful tummy as she was crying about 4am to be let out and Steve and I both got up to see to her which resulted in her sleeping on the foot of our bed (maybe that was her plan all along?!) Anyway, it's meant that I'm a bit sleepy again today.
Oh, and happy Valentine's day one and all? Did you all get a card? I didn't yet!! Steve mumbled something about going to town this afternoon. So unromantic. I hope the card shop girls glare at him on my behalf. I gave him his card, with a Thornton's chocolate lollipop and a new speaker pillow as Izzy chewed the wires off his old one and he was sad about it.
Three stressful weeks but at least the time ought to fly by.
I'm tired again today, sleep was disrupted last night due to aches and pains in the hips and ribs again, and not to mention the fact Steve gave Izzy a whole chicken breast (which I thought would be a bit rich as I'd roasted it with onions, garlic and rose wine) and then left half a salmon and cream cheese sandwich within her reach so she ate that too.
I think she had a painful tummy as she was crying about 4am to be let out and Steve and I both got up to see to her which resulted in her sleeping on the foot of our bed (maybe that was her plan all along?!) Anyway, it's meant that I'm a bit sleepy again today.
Oh, and happy Valentine's day one and all? Did you all get a card? I didn't yet!! Steve mumbled something about going to town this afternoon. So unromantic. I hope the card shop girls glare at him on my behalf. I gave him his card, with a Thornton's chocolate lollipop and a new speaker pillow as Izzy chewed the wires off his old one and he was sad about it.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
32 Weeks
How far along: 32 Weeks
Total Weight Gained: *tumbleweed*
Maternity Clothes: Yep. Every day. I feel that they're boring now as I'm wearing the same things every day.
Stretch Marks: Still the ones under the bump although my old ones seem brighter! (the puberty hip ones seem to be back although not red like the tummy ones).
Sleep: I think I had an off chance good week last week! This week has been harder. I'm now getting up twice for the loo in the night and my hips and sides are aching more. I wonder if it's because I'm going to bed earlier for the lack of sleep which is meaning I need the loo a second time. I'm just going with what I feel I need at the moment though as and when. And to elaborate, I'm typing this on the laptop in bed having woken up from an afternoon nap!!
Best Moment of the Week: I enjoyed the second ante-natal class. That was interesting and it was fun to people watch the others attending as well to try and guess how far along they were. The classes don't really seem set up for chatting though so I'm glad we've booked our private ones as well so we can meet other folk.
Movement: I keep on feeling surprised at how this baby surprises me! I know that's an odd thing to say and I don't by any means think I've seen it all yet but I had a bath on Friday and a large pointy part came out of my tummy!! And it lurched around my tummy button. I'm aware of him at least every hour so I guess he's a good mover. I hope he has my sense of rhythm though as his Dad doesn't have much and can't dance!!
Gender: He's a baby BOY!!!
Belly Button: I think it may be flat now. It's certainly not got further to go. Whether anything comes out or not I don't know. It's funny you can see this ring around it which used to be the inside of my tummy button. And touching it, although weird, is strangely flat.
Milestones: There are many forthcoming milestones at present. Three weeks of work left. Eight weeks until my due date. Ten weeks until baby is certainly and definitely here. And I'm now officially in my eighth month of pregnancy. Milestone heaven.
Total Weight Gained: *tumbleweed*
Maternity Clothes: Yep. Every day. I feel that they're boring now as I'm wearing the same things every day.
Stretch Marks: Still the ones under the bump although my old ones seem brighter! (the puberty hip ones seem to be back although not red like the tummy ones).
Sleep: I think I had an off chance good week last week! This week has been harder. I'm now getting up twice for the loo in the night and my hips and sides are aching more. I wonder if it's because I'm going to bed earlier for the lack of sleep which is meaning I need the loo a second time. I'm just going with what I feel I need at the moment though as and when. And to elaborate, I'm typing this on the laptop in bed having woken up from an afternoon nap!!
Best Moment of the Week: I enjoyed the second ante-natal class. That was interesting and it was fun to people watch the others attending as well to try and guess how far along they were. The classes don't really seem set up for chatting though so I'm glad we've booked our private ones as well so we can meet other folk.
Movement: I keep on feeling surprised at how this baby surprises me! I know that's an odd thing to say and I don't by any means think I've seen it all yet but I had a bath on Friday and a large pointy part came out of my tummy!! And it lurched around my tummy button. I'm aware of him at least every hour so I guess he's a good mover. I hope he has my sense of rhythm though as his Dad doesn't have much and can't dance!!
Gender: He's a baby BOY!!!
Belly Button: I think it may be flat now. It's certainly not got further to go. Whether anything comes out or not I don't know. It's funny you can see this ring around it which used to be the inside of my tummy button. And touching it, although weird, is strangely flat.
Milestones: There are many forthcoming milestones at present. Three weeks of work left. Eight weeks until my due date. Ten weeks until baby is certainly and definitely here. And I'm now officially in my eighth month of pregnancy. Milestone heaven.
Saturday, 12 February 2011
Rib Tickling
A new thing that's happened with Baby's growth and surprised me today was a bit of rib tickling!!
I guess things really are starting to get tight in there for baby, and as I was lying on my side I could feel what I presume to be a head on my left side above my pelvis and pushing out as with what I presume to be his feet, they were playing the xylophone on my ribs!! It was a most peculiar sensation and a little uncomfortable. I had to shift about and rub my ribs to encourage him to move position.
I then had a bath on Friday night, lit candles, used Soap and Glory bubbles, twas relaxing, until I got the theme tune to Jaws in my head. Watching my tummy wriggle and move about was quite nice, then something large and pointy like a shark fin protruded out and sailed around my tummy button!! If ever there was a moment you wished you'd been filming something, that was it. I was so taken aback at seeing my body move of it's own accord like that. It's like nothing else!
This afternoon I had another go at finishing my hospital bags. I bought a couple of nighties to pack, a t-shirt to wear home (ok, it's a cheesy one from a sale that says baby love on it!) I think I'll get a pair of joggers for comfort sake too rather than jeans, and I found a giant cheap t-shirt to give birth in that I won't mind being incinerated afterwards. Oh, and giant pants too. I've read I can expect a bump of approximately 5 months size so I figure size 16 pants ought to do it.
So all I need now are trousers, flip flops, a nursing bra and some snacks and juice cartons. All pretty much sorted at week 32, not too bad going! I was showing Steve how I've packed the baby bag with labelled outfits inside as we've said he should dress the baby.
I do feel rather on tenterhooks thinking about it all. I've planned as much as I can, and waiting on mother nature will make me anxious! I guess with a cesarean you get given a date and can work to that. Well, I'll just try to relax and not worry and just be glad when it happens, I'll be ready for it.
I guess things really are starting to get tight in there for baby, and as I was lying on my side I could feel what I presume to be a head on my left side above my pelvis and pushing out as with what I presume to be his feet, they were playing the xylophone on my ribs!! It was a most peculiar sensation and a little uncomfortable. I had to shift about and rub my ribs to encourage him to move position.
I then had a bath on Friday night, lit candles, used Soap and Glory bubbles, twas relaxing, until I got the theme tune to Jaws in my head. Watching my tummy wriggle and move about was quite nice, then something large and pointy like a shark fin protruded out and sailed around my tummy button!! If ever there was a moment you wished you'd been filming something, that was it. I was so taken aback at seeing my body move of it's own accord like that. It's like nothing else!
This afternoon I had another go at finishing my hospital bags. I bought a couple of nighties to pack, a t-shirt to wear home (ok, it's a cheesy one from a sale that says baby love on it!) I think I'll get a pair of joggers for comfort sake too rather than jeans, and I found a giant cheap t-shirt to give birth in that I won't mind being incinerated afterwards. Oh, and giant pants too. I've read I can expect a bump of approximately 5 months size so I figure size 16 pants ought to do it.
So all I need now are trousers, flip flops, a nursing bra and some snacks and juice cartons. All pretty much sorted at week 32, not too bad going! I was showing Steve how I've packed the baby bag with labelled outfits inside as we've said he should dress the baby.
I do feel rather on tenterhooks thinking about it all. I've planned as much as I can, and waiting on mother nature will make me anxious! I guess with a cesarean you get given a date and can work to that. Well, I'll just try to relax and not worry and just be glad when it happens, I'll be ready for it.
Friday, 11 February 2011
Cramping
On Tuesday night I was woken up about 4am with what I can only describe as a 'blobby' pain in my right calf. It was very intense and I cried out but only managed to get sympathy from the dog as husband slept through it, and it eased off and I was able to go back to sleep. I presumed that it was a bit of cramp and thought nothing more of it.
Last night however, my word. I was woken at the same time with intense pain in both legs that wouldn't go away. Again I awoke with crying, my pillow had mascara on it!! I managed to wake Steve up for about 3 seconds and he was no help at all and I didn't know what to do to make it go away!
Is that my pain threshold crossed? Is that my limit?! Never really having had cramp before I'm a bit of a novice, but have read that bananas can help and massage and it's due to the extra blood racing round my veins.
The joy and fun of pregnancy never ends does it?! A girl at work had the same thing and said she used the pain to practice her breathing technique to bear it!! I never even thought of putting my nighttime leg cramps to good use, whether I'd think of that in the midst of it I may found out tonight!!
So after a brief toilet visit and climb of the stairs I was able to go back to sleep but all day my legs have felt swollen and throbbing, sort of how they've been feeling at the end of day at work, but to set off to work with them like that has been a pain (literally! boom boom!)
I do feel I'm developing a waddle now because of it. Not limping persay, but just staggering round a bit more than I did three days ago.
But it's Friday so on a positive note I have just the three more weeks of work. Three more long, arduous, stressful weeks of work. At least it'll help the time go quickly.
Last night however, my word. I was woken at the same time with intense pain in both legs that wouldn't go away. Again I awoke with crying, my pillow had mascara on it!! I managed to wake Steve up for about 3 seconds and he was no help at all and I didn't know what to do to make it go away!
Is that my pain threshold crossed? Is that my limit?! Never really having had cramp before I'm a bit of a novice, but have read that bananas can help and massage and it's due to the extra blood racing round my veins.
The joy and fun of pregnancy never ends does it?! A girl at work had the same thing and said she used the pain to practice her breathing technique to bear it!! I never even thought of putting my nighttime leg cramps to good use, whether I'd think of that in the midst of it I may found out tonight!!
So after a brief toilet visit and climb of the stairs I was able to go back to sleep but all day my legs have felt swollen and throbbing, sort of how they've been feeling at the end of day at work, but to set off to work with them like that has been a pain (literally! boom boom!)
I do feel I'm developing a waddle now because of it. Not limping persay, but just staggering round a bit more than I did three days ago.
But it's Friday so on a positive note I have just the three more weeks of work. Three more long, arduous, stressful weeks of work. At least it'll help the time go quickly.
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Ante-Natal 2 - Labour and Delivery Class
It was with a little trepidation that we found ourselves at the location of the afternoon's class. There were about 12 couples there, a few women on their own and Steve and I found ourselves on the last two chairs together on the front row. I recognised one girl from the hospital tour but that was it.
We started with a talk from a midwife on how you give birth, with a handy pelvis and a newborn sized doll (the ugliest thing ever) complete with fabric umbilical cord and beanbag placenta. The doll was then thrust through the pelvis and had it's head turned to the right position with a creak that made the room giggle and groan and we were demonstrated the breech position, back to back position and the nice and helpful right way round position.
Then we were asked to show hands for those watching 'One Born Every Minute' and pretty much all the women there sheepishly raised their hands! And a talk began on the forceps from last weeks episode and the pulling and the yanking. The midwives had said they couldn't believe that the forceps were shown on TV as they did look scary. Major scary.
Then we were told we were having a quiz?! Hmm. I had to type up the questions and our answers as Steve's amused me (and he thought he knew everything already!)
Labour and Delivery Quiz
Q1 – How do you know when labour has started
Kate – when pains commence
Steve – when contractions begin
Q2 – What is a show?
Kate – the release of the mucus plug
Steve – Didn’t know, gave a grimace at the answer.
Q3 – Why is a warm bath recommended?
Kate – Eases pain naturally and relaxes muscles
Steve – Relaxes
Q4 – What should you do when you go into labour
Kate – Ring the delivery suite
Steve – Didn’t know
Q5 – When do you go to hospital
Kate – On your waters breaking or when pain gets too much
Steve – When in full labour at about 5cm dilated!!!
Q6 – What is a TENS machine
Kate – Pain relief using electric waves
Steve – A Tennis machine? You play tennis?
Q7 – How does entenox work?
Kate – Inhaled at the start of a contraction for pain relief
Steve – It gets you high
Q8 – What is pethidine
Kate – A strong sedative
Steve – Didn’t know
Q9 – What is an epidural
Kate – A spinal block to numb from the waist down
Steve – A spine injection to disable the body
Neither of us were correct here!!
Q10 – What is a CTG
Kate - Wasn't sure
Steve – Wasn’t sure
Q11 – What is induction
Kate – a kick start to commence labour
Steve – when baby was told to come out
Q12 – What is an episiotomy?
Kate – A vaginal cut
Steve – Didn’t know - gave a grimace at the answer.
Q13 – What is an assisted delivery?
Kate – where forceps or venteuse are required.
Steve – Where someone helps deliver the baby
Q14 – How do you know when to push?
Kate – You’ll have urges and need to follow midwife’s instructions
Steve – When you’re told to.
Then we had to go round the room and each take it in turn to answer a question! Steve got question 4 which he had no answer to (and it was quite an important one too!!) so I was nice to him and let him look at my answers so he didn't look too silly in front of the other Dad's to be!! Each question was then discussed and we could ask more questions which was nice.
The epsiotomy led to lots of questions from Mums and Dads and we were all comparing the information to 'One Born Every Minute'. It seems I'm not the only one finding it compulsive viewing!!!
Then a discussion on water birth arose and when the midwife commented that the parents will scoop the baby out of the water rather than the midwife, the fellow sat behind us just exclaimed loudly 'What?!' and announced his partner wouldn't be having a birth pool if that was the case!! I must admit it did surprise me too. What if the baby is really slippery and got dropped back in the water?!
And an epidural!! Eww! I thought it was an injection in your back. Apparently not. It's a fine tube inserted in your spine (and it was passed around to view and I felt a bit queasy thinking about it) and you have to have an IV in your hand (gag) and can't be as mobile. It can also lead to forceps thus an episiotomy as well. I think that would have to be a last resort for me. I couldn't bear to have a tube in my spine or hand, it'd make me feel very queasy.
After the questions had all been dealt with, we settled back to watch a very old 1980's birthing film with lots of big perms and bad make-up!! We saw (up close and personal) two births and the whole thing. It was gruesome. Part of me would rather not see to be honest, but oh well.
Next class is next Wednesday. Same time, different place and I think it's about Parenthood! Exciting.
We started with a talk from a midwife on how you give birth, with a handy pelvis and a newborn sized doll (the ugliest thing ever) complete with fabric umbilical cord and beanbag placenta. The doll was then thrust through the pelvis and had it's head turned to the right position with a creak that made the room giggle and groan and we were demonstrated the breech position, back to back position and the nice and helpful right way round position.
Then we were asked to show hands for those watching 'One Born Every Minute' and pretty much all the women there sheepishly raised their hands! And a talk began on the forceps from last weeks episode and the pulling and the yanking. The midwives had said they couldn't believe that the forceps were shown on TV as they did look scary. Major scary.
Then we were told we were having a quiz?! Hmm. I had to type up the questions and our answers as Steve's amused me (and he thought he knew everything already!)
Labour and Delivery Quiz
Q1 – How do you know when labour has started
Kate – when pains commence
Steve – when contractions begin
Q2 – What is a show?
Kate – the release of the mucus plug
Steve – Didn’t know, gave a grimace at the answer.
Q3 – Why is a warm bath recommended?
Kate – Eases pain naturally and relaxes muscles
Steve – Relaxes
Q4 – What should you do when you go into labour
Kate – Ring the delivery suite
Steve – Didn’t know
Q5 – When do you go to hospital
Kate – On your waters breaking or when pain gets too much
Steve – When in full labour at about 5cm dilated!!!
Q6 – What is a TENS machine
Kate – Pain relief using electric waves
Steve – A Tennis machine? You play tennis?
Q7 – How does entenox work?
Kate – Inhaled at the start of a contraction for pain relief
Steve – It gets you high
Q8 – What is pethidine
Kate – A strong sedative
Steve – Didn’t know
Q9 – What is an epidural
Kate – A spinal block to numb from the waist down
Steve – A spine injection to disable the body
Neither of us were correct here!!
Q10 – What is a CTG
Kate - Wasn't sure
Steve – Wasn’t sure
Q11 – What is induction
Kate – a kick start to commence labour
Steve – when baby was told to come out
Q12 – What is an episiotomy?
Kate – A vaginal cut
Steve – Didn’t know - gave a grimace at the answer.
Q13 – What is an assisted delivery?
Kate – where forceps or venteuse are required.
Steve – Where someone helps deliver the baby
Q14 – How do you know when to push?
Kate – You’ll have urges and need to follow midwife’s instructions
Steve – When you’re told to.
Then we had to go round the room and each take it in turn to answer a question! Steve got question 4 which he had no answer to (and it was quite an important one too!!) so I was nice to him and let him look at my answers so he didn't look too silly in front of the other Dad's to be!! Each question was then discussed and we could ask more questions which was nice.
The epsiotomy led to lots of questions from Mums and Dads and we were all comparing the information to 'One Born Every Minute'. It seems I'm not the only one finding it compulsive viewing!!!
Then a discussion on water birth arose and when the midwife commented that the parents will scoop the baby out of the water rather than the midwife, the fellow sat behind us just exclaimed loudly 'What?!' and announced his partner wouldn't be having a birth pool if that was the case!! I must admit it did surprise me too. What if the baby is really slippery and got dropped back in the water?!
And an epidural!! Eww! I thought it was an injection in your back. Apparently not. It's a fine tube inserted in your spine (and it was passed around to view and I felt a bit queasy thinking about it) and you have to have an IV in your hand (gag) and can't be as mobile. It can also lead to forceps thus an episiotomy as well. I think that would have to be a last resort for me. I couldn't bear to have a tube in my spine or hand, it'd make me feel very queasy.
After the questions had all been dealt with, we settled back to watch a very old 1980's birthing film with lots of big perms and bad make-up!! We saw (up close and personal) two births and the whole thing. It was gruesome. Part of me would rather not see to be honest, but oh well.
Next class is next Wednesday. Same time, different place and I think it's about Parenthood! Exciting.
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
31 Weeks Midwife Appointment
I can't believe it's 31 weeks already. And I'm back at the doctors. As it's our first baby we have a check-up about every 2-3 weeks now so my next one is the beginning of March for 34 weeks. They're coming around very quickly.
Tracy tested my blood pressure and said that my bloods had come back fine (except the missing ones I guess!).
Then I lay on the bed and she felt my tummy, said there was a foot in my ribs on my right side (yep, knew it!!) and baby was probably lying head down. Not engaged as such yet but in the right sort of position so that's good. She measured him and said everything was bang on and we heard his heart beat going nice and strongly. Then he started wriggling about which made her laugh! He was trying to dodge the sonar.
I then asked about my rib pain and other little questions and that was it. Check up done and all well and good. Next one is the 2nd March. And I'll only have the two days left of work then! Eek!
Tracy tested my blood pressure and said that my bloods had come back fine (except the missing ones I guess!).
Then I lay on the bed and she felt my tummy, said there was a foot in my ribs on my right side (yep, knew it!!) and baby was probably lying head down. Not engaged as such yet but in the right sort of position so that's good. She measured him and said everything was bang on and we heard his heart beat going nice and strongly. Then he started wriggling about which made her laugh! He was trying to dodge the sonar.
I then asked about my rib pain and other little questions and that was it. Check up done and all well and good. Next one is the 2nd March. And I'll only have the two days left of work then! Eek!
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