24-11-2008 - UPDATED 2nd FEB - Third Trimester

My mood while writing this blog: content

A new trimester a new blog! It suddenly dawned on my this weekend that baby will be considered full term in just 9 weeks time.. it's just amazing to think that the final countdown has started.

Things have been going really well. The bump is growing slowly but surely and is certainly getting heavier. Those kicks and punches are also getting quite strong and make me laugh everyday. There are busy days and quieter days in there but when s/he gets going it's all systems go.. so much action! My belly goes all wavy and I just sit there wondering what on earth is going on! This morning hubby decided to play some african music which has quite a deep base and baby seemed to like it because the dancing began almost straight away! So cute!

I had my 28 week appointment with the midwife today. All looks great - my belly measures 28cm (fundal height) which is spot on, blood pressure and urine were normal and the heartbeat was strong. The midwife had a good feel around and said that my little one is breech today but not to worry as there's still plenty of time to move. I also had my Anti-D injection today because I have a negative blood group (A-). It's to stop my body producing antibodies against my baby's blood in the event that baby has a positive blood group and for whatever reason our bloods come into contact. Although it wouldn't be a problem for this baby it could be dangerous in subsequent pregnancies. The injection stung quite a lot but I've been fine since. I'll have to have another injection at 34 weeks and once I deliver they'll test baby's blood and if it's + I'll have to have another injection.

In terms of preparations for baby, we've been pretty slow to get started - though we have had heaps of work done in the house so I can't say we've been lazy! I've bought a few basics from a shop that sells stuff made only from organic cotton. Since we don't know the gender of this little one I got everything in cream. It's very cute and utterly soft! My mother has been busy knitting away and has already made us two adorable outfits which will be so warm and snug. Hubby has been terribly busy since getting back from his trip but we've agreed that from now on we'll spend a couple of hours each weekend sorting the nursery from all the junk and getting things organised. We know what we need to buy so making the actual purchases should be pretty straightforward. I'm really getting excited now and I know that once the nursery is empty and ready to receive baby stuff it will all fall into place quickly. Ideally I'd love to have things sorted by about 36 weeks while I'm still able to move around reasonably well!

Well, I think that's all for now. I'll update this blog through these final weeks so if you'd like to stay posted then watch this space!!

28th December 2008 - 33 weeks pregnant

Gosh I've been really rubbish at writing blogs this trimester! Time just seems to be flying by I can hardly keep up!

I'm very glad to report that little bubba continues to grow well and strong and I've been feeling great. I'm growing right on schedule and have been amazed that in the last couple of weeks I've really started feeling actual body parts moving inside me.. little feet and a bulging bottom and what I think must be a couple of little wriggling hands! Baby really responds to our voices and touch now too which is just delightful! I've continued to read the story I started reading at week 20. I know it by heart now so I often recite it and just watch and pat my belly. Hubby also compiled a CD with a selection of music we like and that we think will be soothing once baby is here. I listen to it frequently, like in the car when I'm going to work or in the kitchen when I'm cooking dinner. It all helps us feel we are bonding with our baby!

I've met some really nice people through antenatal classes. I've taken two - one women's only class run by the national health trust and a couples class run by the NCT (national childbirth trust). We've had to pay for the NCT classes but it's nice to meet other couples and for hubby to get involved first hand. So now I have about 12 new contacts living in my local area and am looking forward to getting to know these new friends and their little ones as they arrive!

I'm also counting down to finishing work. My last day will be on the 9th January. I'm looking forward to having time at home to get on with jobs and preparations and just having time to reflect on the big changes ahead. We have been buying our baby essentials but haven't gone crazy.. I'd rather get what I really need and then buy as we go. I'm also banking on getting some stuff second hand from friends who have been there and done that!

All in all we are feeling tremendously excited about impending parenthood but the nerves are also kicking in.. this is permanent, there will be another human being living at this address.. wow! What is it actually going to be like??!!

14th January 2009 - 35 weeks 3 days pregnant

Wow! One month to go, I just can't believe it!

I'm now officially a housewife for the next year! I finished work on the 9th and have been slowly getting through my list of things I want to get done before the big day. It seems very strange being off work and knowing I'm not going back for so long - I know that once the baby is here the time will fly by so I want to enjoy every minute. Everyone including my hubby keep telling me to make sure I relax in these last few weeks but at the moment I just feel a bit restless - I can't sit and do nothing when I'm capable and have a list! I'm not pushing it though, I just follow what my body's telling me.

So last week hubby and I went for the midwife appointment. I got my second shot of Anti D and had the usual checks which all came back clear. The good news is that baby is now head down! I'm so glad because I was really beginning to dread the thought of having to elect for a C-section or one of those external manipulations to get the baby to move. None of that for us though because this little one is being a good girl or boy! I also got a swab done when I was at the appointment to check for Strep B and thrush and thankfully it came back negative for both - more good news!

All in all everything is progressing brilliantly - I am well and healthy, baby is growing right on schedule and we are pretty well organised! I couldn't ask for anything more - I just feel so very blessed. I'm trying to savour these last weeks of feeling my baby growing inside me - I will miss those quiet moments we share but I know we'll be embarking on the next part of our journey!

Saturday 24th January (36 weeks 6 days pregnant)

At my 36 week appointment on Thursday the midwife thought baby was breech - I was sent to the hospital for a scan which confirmed this. It was quite a shock since s/he was head down at 34 weeks but in hindsight I recall a night of crazy movements and I reckon that is when the turning was happening. My husband and I spent a long night talking and discussing our options - to either try an ECV (external cephalic version) or opt straight for a c-section. Initially we were leaning towards the section but after a lot of research and a long talk with the consultant at the hospital the following day we decided to try the ECV. One thing to add is that this little one is in the frank breech position (ie feet up by the head rather than curled under). This makes the ECV even less likely to succeed (makes sense, it's easier to somersault with legs tucked in that stretched out!) but the consultant said they would not force the baby and would not push too hard. We were reassured that our hospital haven't had anyone go in for an ECV and end up with a distressed baby.
Since finding out the news I've been doing all I can to help this baby to turn naturally - I've been on all-fours, I've been laying down with my bottom in the air (on an ironing board propped up on a bean bag - quite a sight!) and that sort of thing. I also had accupuncture and Moxibustion (where they burn this stuff on your little toe and on other key pressure points) today which is supposed to have scientific backing for helping turn breech babies. The accupuncturist gave me some of the stuff to do myself tomorrow.

So there you have it! Our ECV is scheduled for next friday morning and if baby hasn't turned by then by natural means and the ECV fails then we will be given a date for the c-section. We decided we definitely weren't going to attempt a vaginal delivery.

Hope everyone is well! Please wish us luck with this whole baby turning thing! I really want to try for a water birth!!!

2nd Feb 2009 - 38 weeks 1 day pregnant

A lot has happened since last time I wrote! I ended up with a 2 night stay in hospital when I started contracting and have the runs - since baby is breech they wanted to keep an eye on me to make sure I wasn't going into labour. It all ended up easing off and they attempted the ECV as scheduled. It failed and was absolutely excrutiating. I am glad we tried it but it was horrendous and I honestly couldn't recommend it! I guess if it had worked I might have felt differently but then again it was so darn painful I had to ask the doctor to stop very quickly. We were discharged from hospital and given the 10th Feb as the day for our section.

I've been home for 3 days and today we've been hit with the worst snow in 18 years! As luck would have it I woke up at 3am with contractions every 10 minutes and they are still going 11 hours later though not getting any worse. They are painful which is unlike the last bout I had and this time I don't have a funny tummy. Things definitely feel like they are changing and I don't think I'll make it to the 10th. My mother is now with us (she used to be a midwife) and she is doubtful too, though of course I could be in for days and days of this sort of activity! We'll just have to wait and see I guess! If things change or become more intense then I'll telephone the hospital and most certainly be told to go back in. I could end up with a section if they think I'm in labour.