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!  

Pregnancy Diary: Week 22 & 23

26/7/13

22 & 23 Weeks Pregnant.

I have just come to the end of week 23 and decided to do another double post from my experiences of week 22 & 23. I literally have had no bad symptoms whatsoever! My energy levels are back to normal, I feel fantastic, no nausea, dizzy spells, no nothing. I am loving it! Really appreciating this easy going time as I know I have had it pretty good and I know that the third trimester can be tough.

The only thing that has really changed is I am starting to struggle getting up when sat or led down. The bump is starting to get in the way a bit more. I have noticed that I have begun sitting, crouching and even standing differently. Again I find it hard to notice if the bump has got any bigger as I think it's harder to tell when you see it every day but in the past few days I have felt a growth spurt. My belly has started getting tighter and it's begun to itch. Especially around my belly button area. I have also gotten my first stretch mark on my stomach. It's only tiny and I know it will be the first of many! I have been applying creams and oil but not religiously as I know that genetics play a bigger role in stretch marks. If you are going to get them, you will get them! This bump photo was taken at 22 weeks. I am having to wear Maternity clothes now too. This dress was bought from the Topshop Maternity range and it's so comfy! 

Baby boy is now 11 inches long and weights a whopping 1.1lb! His little "poke" kicks have become much stronger and you can now see his movements through my clothes. At first I could just feel him around my stomach area but as he is getting bigger I can now feel him at my ribs and as far around as my side. He is still the most active at night time. His kicks woke me up for the very first time last night! It was 3am and it felt like he was running a marathon inside me! He tends to sleep most the day and I hope that isn't the case when he is here! Awake all night and sleeping all day! I could literally just lie there all day just watching his movements. It's amazing. I love him so much! 

We decided we wanted to buy our nursery furniture this week too. I literally went on so many websites to find a good quality set that was not too expensive and I found the whole process so frustrating. There aren't many stores now that you can walk into and view the furniture before you buy and that was my problem. We decided to drive over to our local Babies R Us as they had some great deals on and I knew they had the furniture on show. We literally walked in and both wandered over to one cot in particular and we just knew it was the one for us. We briefly looked at the others but we had already made our mind up. There was an incredible deal on the set and we got the cot bed, shelving with changing unit and wardrobe for just £250! We couldn't believe the deal. My partners parent's promised to buy us the cot so we rang them to let them know that we had chosen and that the cot bed on it's own was £100 but they kindly offered to pay for the whole set! It was incredibly generous of them and I am so thankful! I think I got all teary! 

The picture does the set no justice whatsoever. The wood is a richer colour and it's a lot more sturdier. I think they need to hire a new photographer!

Everything seems to be coming together and the next step will be choosing the colour scheme for our nursery and decorating! That will be next week! 

Can't believe how everything is happening so fast. In 17 weeks I could be giving birth. In 9 weeks I will have finished work for a year. In 3 months our son will be here!
Well they do say time flies when you are having fun!

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