We’ve been busy this May
- 36 weeks pregnant -
The last few weeks have seemingly to move quickly. Since Easter we’ve had four more antenatal classes covering Labour and Birth, Life after Birth, Feeding and First Aid. I’ve seen a number of midwives for routine health checks and questions and met up with an anaesthesiologist friend about the process of a C Section.
I’m feeling more tired as our little one grows bigger and bigger. What I thought was a bruise (where I accidentally open door handles onto my belly) turns out to be the start of stretch marks bellow my belly button. I’m jolly proud of my belly though, in fact I oddly feel more at ease in my body than I’ve done in a long time. Surprising that I’d feel at peace with my body when I more often than not can’t see my feet. Pregnancy has really agreed with me so far; I’ve felt contented and at ease and given how low my Keppra level has dropped I haven’t had one hint of a seizure. The journey has been pretty amazing. I can’t walk the whole way into town during lunch anymore, and after a brief distance my legs feel like lead but otherwise I feel well in myself. I’ve started having midday rests during the weekend and counting the days until I start maternity leave.
Lots of pills; more Keppra to compensate for the dropping levels, and the ever so enjoyable iron tablets.
Just this week we had our 36 week Ultrasound scan (at 35&5) and discovered baby is currently in full breech position. Measurements and blood flow are all reassuring so little one appears to be happy sitting in a dive position with legs stretched upwards. I’m getting a lot of pushing and movement right under my ribs! Since baby was said to be laying transverse, we’ve also moved into head down engaged position so there’s a good chance we’re going to keep turning around. We’re heading back to the hospital in a couple of days for an ECV procedure. At first I felt a bit daunted about baby being moved like this but I’ve read up as much as I can on breech and we’re adjusting our birth expectations accordingly. If baby is turned around and stays that way, I may be able to give birth in the MLU at the hospital. If not, then it’s the delivery ward on a different floor. I’ll know more following this appointment and then a telephone call with a senior midwife to discuss my plans.
Two types of breech presentation, we’re currently sitting on the left, full breech. It reminds me of watching an olympic diver.
- Lots of Getting Ready -
A highlight this month was driving to my sister’s house with Mum to collect the pram, car seat, two cribs and assorted bits she’s lending us. As soon as I unpacked it all into our house I felt a new level of excitement. Seeing all the gear that we’ll shortly be relying on. Henry and I have been deciding where each crib will go and I’ve been stocking up on a new mattress and crib sheets for the lovely crib Henry’s father made when his boys were born. It’s been beautifully fixed up and varnished and is sitting waiting for a new occupant. I’ve attached the newborn bassinet to the baby jogger pram and washed all the bedding so we’re as ready as we can be.
Last weekend I (rather optimistically) attempted to thoroughly clean the inside of my car. My trusty ford fiesta has spent the last six years ferrying horse food, mud covered coats and welly boots full of gravel backwards and forwards to see Kiwi. Suffice it to say, each footwell looked like a small garden area. I’ve hoovered the interior as best I can, whilst lying sideways across seats and trying not to get stuck on the hand break or lean on the steering wheel horn. It was a bit of a drama and didn’t look as ‘valeted’ as I had hoped. But after a few days I admit that the effort has paid off and it looks a lot cleaner. It’s having a service next week to check everything is working as it should.
I met Ally for lunch and a catch up half way between our homes. We had a wonderful few hours of chatting about our future small ones. She’s 6 months pregnant with her third.
As of tonight my hospital bag packing list is complete. I love making packing lists. There are a few odd bits I still want to get; our class midwife suggested a bottle of formula just in case as hospitals have limited supplies. I’ve used about three different lists to compile mine and I feel confident. I’m sure there will be some things I don’t use and somethings I didn’t think of. It’s like packing for a holiday where you don’t know where you’ll be staying or how long for and there’s a question over the activities you’ll be doing, or if you’ll be having surgery! Ha
- Hypnobirthing -
I’ve chosen a few hypnobirthing tools to practice for relaxation and mindfulness during labour and birth. What I’ve learnt from reading Siobhan Miller’s book is that how you feel about birth is as important as what you choose to do during it. I’ve put some positive mantra cards on the wall opposite my bed so the words are at the top of my mind. And each time I feel any stress when stuck in traffic or tired at work I practice my up and down breathing. I’m taking Bose noise cancelling headphones in my hospital bag with the hope of using calming music to zone out some discomfort. I’ve been sitting on my birth ball with my eyes closed listening to relaxing music played over rain fall. I’ve no idea how my labour will turn out but these tools are a good start. I’m also packing a TENS machine and hot water bottle, both are my monthly saviours.
‘Make your birth better’ by Siobhan Miller
- The nursery -
Henry’s been working really hard on the nursery for our new bundle. Baby won’t be sleeping in there for several months but soon it will be ready for newborn cuddles in the rocking chair. The old nail holes have been filled, the walls sanded and painting has begun. Eventually we’re going to use a stencil on one wall and paint it in different colours but for now it just needs one more coat of paint before we can move baby’s gear in.
Starting point of the Nursery redecoration