Birth Centre Tour

It's getting to that stage in pregnancy when I really need to come to terms with the fact that in a few short weeks I will have to give birth. I am excited but absolutely terrified of the prospect. 

Ever since I found out I was pregnant the thought of a water birth really appealed to me and the town I live in has a newly opened birth centre which has received a lot of praise. It was a no brainer when I was asked where I would like to give birth, there was no other option. It has to be at my local birth centre. 

As this is my first pregnancy I didn't really know the difference between the birth centre or the birth suite. What is a birth centre I hear you ask?  

Well birth centre's are maternity units which are lead mainly by midwives. Birth centre's try to create a homely and comforting environment rather than a cold clinical one. They specialise in supporting women who want to have as much as a natural birth as possible with little or no intervention. You can still have all the usual pain relief if you feel that you need it but you cannot have an epidural. People always say why go through all the pain if you can just have an epidural? I thought that before I was pregnant. But after researching and hearing advice off midwives I would prefer not to have one if possible. There are less complications with birth and the recovery rate is so much faster. I really hope that I do not need one. Birth suites are normally buildings on their own and if medical intervention was needed you would need to be transported to a local hospital. Thankfully the birth centre I am at has the hospital just next door so if my labour didn't go to plan I would just be wheeled down a corridor. That alone is such a great comfort to have in the back of my mind. 

Nick and I decided to go take a tour of the birth centre to see it for ourselves.

We arrived on a Sunday morning and was greeted by the midwives, we were both so nervous. They were so nice and bubbly and soon put us at ease. They walked us around the entire building whilst telling us at what stage in labour we should come in, where the entrances are, what to bring with me etc.  

They took us up to the birth suite which looked pleasant enough even though it is more medically focused. When I was walking around this department I felt like I had a frog in my throat, everything seemed so much more real and a lot more frightening. I was so grateful I didn't hear any labouring mothers screaming in pain as I think that would of had me running to the hills! Considering this was supposed to be the more clinical side it still looked great but it just really isn't for me.

They then took us next door to the Birth Centre. As soon as I walked into one of the rooms I was amazed as it looked more like a hotel room than a hospital room. The lights where dimmed, the bed looked like a real bed, there was a massage chair, a sofa in the corner, a CD player, motivational quotes on the walls. An on suite bathroom with either a shower or a bath. The room even had it's own colour scheme! Everything medical was hidden away and out of sight but you still had the comfort of knowing it was there if it was needed. Not every room had a birthing pool but the majority did. You can also have as many people as you like with you when you are in labour but I think I just want it to be Nick and I. Especially when I am about to give birth to our son. I want that moment to be just for us. I instantly felt at ease and after touring a few of these rooms was actually looking forward to my labour! I know that will change when it is actually happening!

We officially have just 7 weeks to go. He could come sooner or later but we know that he will be here soon. I hope I have the birth that I want but I am just going to go with the flow, relax and try to remain calm. There's not long now. We can't wait to meet our baby. 

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?