Pregnancy Diary: Week 36

27/10/13

36 Weeks Pregnant.

Week 36 was one eventful week. It stared off with a midwife appointment on the Monday and everything was fine. It was another in and out appointment. Blood pressure good and babies heartbeat great. I was even measuring a little better too, no longer was measuring big but more his ideal. He was also 2/5 engaged! I felt amazing and the midwife even commented on well I looked. I left the appointment feeling fantastic and really happy at how things were progressing.

A few days later I became a little worried as the baby hadn't been moving as much as usual. I had felt him move but his routine and movements had totally changed. I decided to give the midwife unit a ring. They told me to come in to make sure everything was ok. I went in and first thing the midwife did was have a feel at the baby. She told me he was now fully engaged and that he had gone back to back. When she told me that everything clicked into place, that was why his movements are different because he has switched positions. I was glad there was a reason for the change and that it wasn't all in my head. She hooked me up on the monitor for half an hour just to be certain and true to form he started kicking away. Everything was fine and a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.

As the week continued and the baby engaged further I became really sore. My whole lower back, thighs and down below were painful and stiff and I could barely walk. I think it was mainly due to him changing to back to back which is why it was so painful. I felt like this for a few days but thankfully it did subside.

My symptoms are still the same as the previous few weeks and I do feel a lot more tender how he is engaged. I'm feeling a lot of changes and pains where I hadn't before. I keep reminding myself that these pains are good, it means he is getting ready. 

My bump growth is less noticeable as the weeks go by but I do feel small for 36 weeks. Since he went back to back my lower bump has sort of deflated somewhat, kind of like a popped balloon! It is also insanely itchy! I have a feeling I may have a growth spurt in the next few weeks.

Now there are only a few more weeks to go I think we both may explode with excitement! I don't think it has totally sunk in yet. We finally decided on a middle name for him this week too which will be Nicholas after his Daddy! Noah Nicholas.

It's been a week of lots of ups and downs but it means we are getting to that final hurdle and our boy is within our grasp. We love him so much. 

One Month To Go

It's the final count down, there is now less than one month to go until my due date! I am on the home stretch and my baby is within my reach! I hope he doesn't keep us waiting too long but it is totally up to him when he decides to make an appearance. I keep thinking about the first time I set eyes on him and my very first cuddle. I am beyond excited!

Pregnancy Diary: Week 34

14/10/13

34 Weeks Pregnant.

A lot has changed this week. I am still getting awful heartburn but it seems to of developed into acid reflux and I now cough up acid which isn't very pleasant. I am still struggling to sleep but it has gotten worse. It's not that I am uncomfortable in bed, it's just that I am unable to drift off. Most days I will see the sun setting and hear the birds singing before I have even had a wink of sleep. Back pain has jumped on the band wagon this week too and if I am on my feet for long periods of time it becomes very sore and stiff which makes it difficult to walk. Thankfully I haven't had to deal with that throughout the entire pregnancy which I know some women do. The final symptom to emerge this week is what people refer to as "Lightening Crotch." My pelvis area feels extremely heavy, almost feels bruised and I get the occasional shooting pain every now and again. I have heard that this is totally normal as it is just the baby getting himself prepared and into the correct position. These changes are welcomed because no matter how uncomfortable they are they are just my body's way of getting ready for labour. 

It's harder to tell how much the bump has grown this week. I know it has gotten bigger though because a T'shirt that just about fit me last week is now too short on my stomach. I have measured big at every midwife appointment but to me I don't feel huge. In early pregnancy when I would think about how big I would be at 34 weeks I expected to be a lot bigger. I know there could potentially be another 6 weeks left to become humongous though so I'm enjoying not being massive just yet although I do struggle to get up off the sofa now and bending down is near enough impossible. 

The baby feels even stronger this week and his movements make my belly protrude at funny angles. I have been enjoying these new feelings thoroughly. When you touch the bump he will respond with a little kick, it's lovely. Also when I listen to my favourite band he will wriggle around like crazy like he is dancing. He either has great music taste like his Mummy or is telling me to turn it off, haha. I know I say this all the time but I am going to miss him being in my belly. 

I'm getting used to being at home on maternity leave. Like I had planned I have been keeping busy cleaning, cooking and sorting but I also have been enjoying plenty of naps and have been indulging in trashy American TV. I love it and I am making the most of the free time while I still can. I also like to spend countless hours just imagining our baby. It almost feels like a dream that he will be here soon! 

I Love Pregnancy

I thought I would write a post all about everything I've loved during my pregnancy. Becoming pregnant has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. Nurturing this life inside me has been a life changing experience and one I have enjoyed thoroughly. It's almost sad that it will shortly be coming to the end but I will then have my baby then, at long last. 

Firstly of course I love my boy. I love the thought of him being in my belly, the thought that I am never alone. He is always with me wherever I go and his big kicks are a reminder that he's strong and well. Words can't express how much love I feel for him already and I can't even comprehend how I will feel when I lay eyes on him for the first time. It brings tears to my eyes imagining it and I get goosebumps. I already have this super protective maternal instinct over him and I can't wait for it to develop and grow.

My bump, I have been bump obsessed. Watching my bump get bigger and bigger week by week has been incredible. The stretch marks as unsightly as they look are and will always be a constant reminder of carrying him and I am already proud of them. I know for a fact that once he is here I will miss my bump so much. I find so much comfort from giving it a rub and totally used to it being there now. I will miss his little wriggles. When I first wake up in the morning and he is nice and still if I begin to talk he will move around in response. When you feel your baby move inside you it's a magical indescribable feeling. 

I love how pregnancy has brought Nick and I even closer. The countless hours we've spent talking about the life we've created and about our future as a family. About our hopes and dreams for our son and what values we want him to have. It is the biggest, most exciting period of our lives and we can't wait to be a family. 

The crazy dreams. I have given up watching films as I may as well sleep as my dreams are so much more entertaining. From playing domino's in the big brother house, to giving birth to kittens there is never a dull moment in my mind at bed time.

The excuse to eat whatever I fancy. Waking up at 2am and eating cake then thinking well I am eating for two! I will really miss using that excuse. I don't think my scales will miss it though as I must of put on at least two stone during the pregnancy.

I probably could go for another hour but I will end it here. As you can see I have enjoyed every second of my pregnancy and really looking forward to the next chapter!  

Time Is Flying By

Where has the time gone? It doesn't feel like two minutes ago since we found out I was pregnant. The pregnancy and this year as a whole has flown past in the blink of an eye, it's frightening! Time just seems to go by faster and faster as you get older. 

There's just 16 days left until I start my Maternity Leave, just 29 days until my baby shower and finally just 64 days until my due date! 

I wonder if he will arrive close to his due date? Will he will be early or late? Will I need to be induced or will I go into labour naturally? Will I be able to have the natural water birth? Will I be able to handle the pain? Will I be able to breastfeed? Will I be a good Mum? There are a thousand questions I keep asking myself and only time will tell. 

I am so excited about what is just around the corner for us. Our lives will never be the same again and I am so ready for this! I can't wait to meet our boy!  

Pregnancy Diary: Week 26 & 27

19/08/13

26 & 27 Weeks Pregnant.

I am writing this as I am coming towards the end of my 27th week. I'm still feeling fabulous! My feet are still swelling but after borrowing a foot spa I have had a lot of relief. My heartburn hasn't been as bad the past week either. I've sort of gotten used to it and have found that having regular glasses of milk and eating a bit more dairy has helped tenfold. I tend to try and ease it naturally before hitting the bottle! Gaviscon bottle that is! 

I feel like my bump has gotten bigger and has filled out a lot in these past two weeks. Although a lot of people comment that my bump is small which I'm unsure about. I feel big. I have begun getting stretch marks really low down on the bump. I have to say I have been a little lazy applying the stretch marks lotions and potions. I have plenty to use but know that genetics play the biggest role when it comes to them. Here are some pictures I have taken in the past two weeks.

Mummy and Daddy.

Egg on legs.

       Me being totally serious! 

This afternoon I had another midwife appointment. I love going to the appointments to check on our boy, it's always so exciting. I had the lovely midwife that I had at my booking in appointment and it was lovely to see her again. We had a quick catch up and then got started. They begin measuring your bump at 24 weeks to try to plot your babies growth and estimate the birth weight as your pregnancy progresses. So today my bump was measured for the second time and again I was measuring big. The first time I was on the high end of the guideline but this time I was above it! She said not to worry as it is not fully accurate and it's not too big to cause any concern. It's also better to be measured bigger than small. We also had a listen in on his heartbeat and it sounded strong and healthy. The midwife also told me that he was in the head down position already! He is head down, on his side on my left. Which explains why I get most kicks on my right side and why I have had a lot of prodding in my ribs. The position he is in is the ideal position for birth so hopefully he will stay like that! I had to rush over to the appointment after work so didn't have time for any lunch. Bad move! I had my bloods taken but because I hadn't eaten and as it was so stuffy in the room so I went a little woozy. Which was very humiliating! My next appointment is in 3 weeks time when I will be 30 weeks.

I have started thinking more about birth lately. I think I want a water birth. I can see why people choose to have them. I like that you have more space, not confined to a bed and that it feels a lot less clinical. The water must be somewhat soothing too and I like how a water birth would be less stressful for our son when he is born. I still need to do a lot more research and speak to my midwife about it but it looks like a water birth will be on the cards for me. I am absolutely terrified but at the same time excited. 

This week I started to sort through all his clothes a begun arranging his bits and bats. I still have a lot more washing and sorting to do but it was nice to get started on it. I will probably leave the rest for when I go on Maternity leave which will be in less than 6 weeks time! 44 days and counting! 

My cat Teddy was showing my bump lots of love this week. He normally has a thing for bare skin and he won't sit on your knee or come for a cuddle if you aren't covered up! I think most cats are like that, they don't like the feel of bare skin. Ted came and sat on my knee and I lifted my top up for him to have a see and he started to nuzzle my stomach and fell asleep. I just had to share some pictures as it melted my heart! One of the things that I worry about it how the cats will adapt to having a new baby in the house. I don't want them to feel replaced and know that they are still loved! If anyone has any tips on how to make the transition as easy as possible then please let me know. 

I cannot believe I am moving into the third trimester already. It has gone so fast, it's unbelievable. I can't believe that in three months time my baby will be in my arms! Where has the time gone?