38 weeks

Today I am 38 weeks pregnant, only 2 weeks to go!!! I keep giving bump pep talks to tell him not to be late!

Apparently bump now weighs about 3kg, he will not grow anymore in length but will continue to put on weight and build his fat stores.  He is about 50cm long (which is the same as a leek).

I think that my bump has definitely grown over the past week!! This was reinforced when I met 2 different friends who both commented that my bump was much bigger.  I also think it is rounder and fuller at the bottom, hopefully this means bump is making his way downwards.

I have been experiencing more Braxton Hicks, these seem to be more in the evening and night than any other time of the day.  I have also been experiencing a swollen right foot, this seems to ease when I have it elevated so I'm trying to keep mobile to get blood flowing but when I am sitting down put my foot up.  I am also drinking lots of water.  I am trying to use my exercise ball when I can to tilt my pelvis to help bump engage.

My sleep is still pretty rubbish, I now have to sleep upright in bed which isn't the best.  I can feel bump moving around but his movements have changed from forceful kicks to wriggles, probably due to the fact he has much less space to move about. 

We have the midwife on Thursday so I am hoping she will tell us he is more engaged and I had a visit from the breastfeeding support nurse today (see tomorrow's post).  Things are definitely moving along, I just want him here!

Pregnancy Apps

I love using apps on my phone and when I found out I was pregnant I hurried to find the best apps to help me through the pregnancy.  I have found some really useful and others I only used once or twice before deleting.  Everyone has their personal preference and what they are looking to get out of using an app but these are the ones I found the best

Bounty
This app is run by Bounty, the same company who provide mum-to-be bags and are in hospitals to give you benefit forms and can offer to take baby photos.  The Bounty website has loads of helpful advice for mums-to-be as well as information on baby, toddler and family health.  You can register either through the app or on the website, it asks you for your due date or date of last period to calculate how many weeks pregnant you are.  Each week there is a main "find out more" area which tells you about the week in general.  The week is also split into 6 days, each day with a different topic - for example contractions, nursery know how and breech baby.  Each of these days gives you specific information about the topic.  There are also links which take you to the Bounty website for even more information.  The app also has a journal where you can record things such as baby movement and cravings, although to be honest I haven't used this part that much.  There is also a gallery for you to store photos.

Emma's Diary
Emma's Diary is another great app linked with a website.  Emma's Diary also provide mum-to-be packs.  The website has loads of information from trying to conceive to baby at 18 months, they also have an online shop, family zone and FAQs.   Again with this app you can register with the website and once you log onto the app it remembers the information you used to register.  You have a "My Status" bar which will take you to your specific week of pregnancy and gives you information on what to expect during that week.  There is also a "Medical Information" section which is broken into preconception, pregnancy, giving birth and baby ages in months from 0-6 to 7-18 months.  In these further sections you are given more specific information.  There is also a photo journal and an option to read Emma's Diary.  To be honest I just use this app for the weekly information.  I have utilised the Medical Information section but I read most of the parts that interested me in a oner rather than as things cropped up, although its good to know the information is there should I need a refresher and I don't have to trawl through the weeks like you would have to with the Bounty App.

BabyBump
The BabyBump app isn't linked with any website.  This is probably one of the apps I use the most, I check it every day.  Once you download the app you register your details.  Each day you are told how many weeks pregnant you are and how many days you have left.  You get a daily tip and also weekly information about the pregnancy.  At the bottom of the app you can store weekly bump photos, I like this part of the app as the photos slide from one to the other so you can see any developments in bumps growth.  At the top of the app is the option to join groups and a store button - the store button however only works in USA.  The main downside of this app is that it is American so sometimes the information doesn't happen here (for example Strep B testing).  I still enjoy using it though

BabyCentre
This is another app I use on a daily basis.  The app is linked with BabyCentre website which you can register with.  Again the website has loads of information from getting pregnant to toddlers and also has a blog and shop section.  The app tells you how many weeks pregnant you are and gives you different information each day.  At the start of each week the information is about your baby and you, often there is a video and a picture to show the developing baby, which I like.  Each week has "Feel Good Activity" for you to carry out, this can be going to the cinema or getting your hair done.  There is a box for you to tick once you've done the activity.  There is also information each week about what is safe for you to do, eating well and health.  At the top of the app you can go to the checklist which is where the activities are recorded as well as the option to join your birth club.  I really enjoy this app as it gives you lots of information daily and is UK based.

Totally Pregnant
I only recently discovered this app when it came up on my Facebook timeline as a recommendation.  Mr M thinks the name is hilarious as how else would you be pregnant other than totally (men!).  There is a Totally Pregnant website that gives you more information on the app and blogs  but it isn't as detailed as the others above.  I have the free version, you can pay for more in depth information if you want and to watch the videos.  You do get a limited amount of time to try the app for free and you can watch the 4D videos, which I find interesting.  The app is based around a coloured wheel, you have the My Week option which tells you about your week.  There is a shop and an opportunity to ask experts a question, or see what people in your week have asked.  There is the video section which covers a different topic each week and My Album where you can store photos. 

As I have already said these are the apps I have found the most useful, other people might have found others that they liked.  The best thing to do is have a look and see what is available and what you want out of an app  I only downloaded free apps but there may be great apps out there you have to pay for. 

Date Day

Mr M & I have always tried to have date nights throughout our relationship but we've found these even more important since I have been pregnant.  It's also something we would like to carry on when bump arrives.  We both think it is important to spend time just the 2 of us and at the moment we are making the most of it as when bump arrives that will change.

We had our date day on Saturday.  Each time we have a date day or date night we do something different, it isn't something extravagant and other people might think "what's special about that" but it's what feels special to us.

On Saturday we went for a lovely walk, living by the sea we always have a lovely walk along the beach.  A walk gives us chance to talk, whether it be about bump, us or silly things like football and tv shows.  When we got back to the house we watched some of our shows on the planner and some football, luckily for Mr M I love football - it's always on in our house and I sometimes wish Sky just did a subscription to Sky Sports as not many other channels get used!!

We then both got dressed up for a lovely meal.  We always both make an effort and I did my nails and put on a dress I could fit into.  Mr M looked dapper in his shirt and jeans.  We cooked a lovely meal together and enjoyed the fruits of our labour.  We then retired to cosy on the sofa watching Dr Who with a glass of Schloer for me and a beer for Mr M. 

It was a lovely way to spend the day together.  As I get bigger I'm not as mobile so we chose to have a relaxing day but also do something that gets us out of the house for a bit.  We hope to fit in another date day/night before bump arrives but that depends on when he comes as we have a few things on for the next few weekends with friends and family. 

37 weeks

Today I am 37 weeks pregnant, only 3 weeks to go (we hope!!).  Bump is now classed as full term so he can arrive anytime and his lungs and internal organs should be fully developed and able to function.  We had told bump a number of times that we can't wait to see him and he can now feel free to arrive anytime. 

Apparently bump is 48.6cm long which is the same as a stalk of Swiss Chard.  I don't know about anyone else but I had no idea what that was, its a kind of spinach plant.  He weighs about 2.8kg.  He could also have a lovely head of hair, if the old wives tale is right about indigestion and hair then I think he might!

I haven't slept well the past 2 nights, I used to be able to get comfy lying on my left side but the past 2 nights whenever I do that I have felt cramps and feelings of pressure down below.  Last night even lying on my side for a matter of seconds the feeling of pressure was too much.  I have had to prop myself upright with a mountain of pillows (or my throne as Mr M calls it) and sleep in a sitting position.  I thought this morning when I woke up and looked in the mirror that my bump had lowered but after my shower I looked again and I wasn't so sure it had.  It is also quite uncomfortable for me to move around.  I have been trying to walk about as that is supposed to help bump engage but I've been having to sit down to ease the pressure feelings.

I have also been doing the cat/cow exercise to see if that helps him engage and tonight Mr M is going to blow up my exercise ball as its become a little flat and I'm going to do figure of 8 exercises on that.

Parentcraft Classes

Mr M & I decided that we would take up the offer of any classes or assistance offered to us throughout the pregnancy.  We thought the more information we have the better equipped we may be.  Our trust gives you a pack at your booking in appointment which has information on all classes that are available in the area from aquanatal and yoga to parentcraft.  Following our 20 week scan we booked our place on the parentcraft classes.

I didn't really know what to expect, you see in films people sitting around on the floor huffing and puffing.  I don't know what other people's experience of parentcraft classes are but ours wasn't like that in the slightest.  The classes were held in a nearby children's centre, we all sat around a big table like we were back at school.  I've read stories of people making friends during their classes, noone at ours really spoke - each couple pretty much kept themselves to themselves.

 Our first class was all about the early stages of labour and how you can manage at home for as long as possible.  We were given handouts showing different positions which can help with pain as well as massages that partners can give on the lower back.  The midwife discussed the effacing of the cervix, which caused all the men in the room to squirm!  The midwife also brought along items which are used in labour such as epidurals, mouthpieces and cord clamps so we knew what these items were.

Our second class covered active labour, this class was mainly about the different kinds of pain relief that can be used alongside the pros and cons of each.  The midwife also discussed where things might take a diversion from the norm and what will happen in those circumstances.

Our third class was held at the hospital and included the delivery suite tour.  Prior to the tour we sat around another big table and the midwife told us about the third stage of labour where the placenta is delivered.  We also discussed skin to skin contact with baby.  Our trust actively delivers the placenta, this involves mum getting an injection in her leg and the midwife "helping" the placenta be delivered.  Again all the men were squirming in the their seats!

Our final class covered breastfeeding.  Out of the 9 couples that started the classes only 1 didn't come to this class.  This class was given by a STAR buddy rather than a midwife.  She was really knowledgeable and we left the class feeling empowered and informed.

One of the downsides of our parentcraft classes was that the midwife who gave our first class unfortunately took sick leave so every week we had a different midwife giving the class.  We spent the first 20 minutes or so telling the new midwife what we had covered the week before.  We did find the classes useful though and I would encourage any first time parents to go

Maternity Leave - the financial worries

My maternity leave started today, I am now off work for 9 months.  I'm not due back to work until mid August 2014!  When you say it out loud it sounds like a long time but I don't expect it to be a holiday, bump will keep me very busy I'm sure.  The bad part of maternity leave is maternity pay

When we found out we were pregnant I had just been offered a new job, luckily in the same trust I was already working for so my maternity leave allowance wasn't effected.  I have to say I was dreading telling my new boss I was pregnant.  We then had to think about how much time I was going to take off work, after a long hard think we decided it would be best if I took 9 months, as much as I would have loved to have taken a year we just couldn't afford it.

I decided to spread my maternity pay evenly over the 9 months, that way we would know (roughly) how much we would be getting each month.  Unfortunately my first proper months maternity pay is the worst, what happens in Decemeber?!? Yep Christmas!  There was no way we could pay all our bills and buy people Christmas presents like we have done in the past so we had to tell people we wouldn't be buying presents this year.  We explained that we don't expect people to buy us any either and that this would only be for this year.  Everyone was understanding and we have already started receiving presents from people even when we told them they didn't need to buy us anything.  For our Christmas and New Year meals we are only going to buy basics, every year we go mad and buy enough food to feed the whole street.  There is no need and this year we are being good and only buying essentials, since it will only be the 2 of us (plus bump hopefully) there is no need to have an extravagant meal.

We have also been looking around on how we can save money on our household bills.  Sky have reduced our bill for 9 months after we said we were going to leave.  Our electricity and gas is the best deal we could find anyway so we haven't changed that.  We now do our weekly shop at Aldi, we have halved our weekly shopping bill!! Whilst I have often been a bit of a food snob you can't tell the difference from the other main brands and its such a good price!

My biggest expense in my car, although I am planning on walking as many places as I can with bump once he arrives so this will cut down on my petrol use.  We have also told friends and family who live in Scotland and those down south that we won't be visiting them for a while and have asked that they come to us instead.  Again everyone has been understanding.  Not only will this save us petrol money but the thought of a 5 hour journey with a newborn fills me with dread!

I receive Martin Lewis emails every week so check them for ways we can save money.  We put the heating on at the last possible moment (we layered up on jumpers for a while).  When we were thinking about getting pregnant we both started saving in an ISA each so we have some savings should we need to use them but we also have to think about childcare costs, etc.  We are also going to start putting money in a savings account for bump but this will have to wait until I am back to work earning a full time wage again.

People manage every day and we will manage however having a newborn baby can be a stressful time, we don't want to have to worry about paying our bills on top of that, we want to spend our time and energy on enjoying our time with bump.

36 weeks

Today I am 36 weeks pregnant, only 4 more weeks to go (hopefully!!)

Compared to last week my bump appears to have grown outward and there appears more bump at the bottom than there was.

Apparently bump is gaining 28g a day and is now 2.7kg in weight and 47 cm long.  Apparently this is the same length as a romaine lettuce.  The good news is that at the end of this week bump will be considered to be full term so if he comes after Sunday he won't be considered as premature.  Whilst part of me is hoping he comes early I don't think he will appear in the next week.

Last night I definitely experienced Braxton Hicks, wow it was weird!! I have had niggles and period like cramps a few times but not been sure if they were Braxton Hicks or not.  Last night I had a bath as my hip and back were really sore after lots of walking around the day before.  My mum had come to visit for the weekend and we had gone into town for a bit of retail therapy then taken the dog for a walk on the beach.  It was lovely but I paid for it yesterday.  When I got out of the bath my stomach felt odd, it felt like someone was shrinking my stomach or had wrapped it in clingfilm and was pulling it tight, a very odd sensation.  Then later as I was getting into bed it happened again.  Each time this sensation only lasted for a matter of seconds, maybe 10-20 seconds each time, and happened about 4 hours apart.  Thankfully they weren't painful either.

The feeling of Braxton Hicks made me excited that my body is practicing for labour but also a little anxious.  My mum and dad live about 2 hours away just over the border in Scotland, my mum has the week I am due bump off work (just by coincidence) but this sensation made me think about what will happen if I go into labour before or after she comes down.  Mr M is my primary birthing partner obviously but he doesn't drive and this constantly plays on my mind with regards to getting to and from hospital.

With only 4 weeks to go the end is in sight, I just hope our little man doesn't leave us waiting too long

Hospital Bag

Not that I am expecting to go into labour early but I want to be prepared so I've packed most of my hospital bag already, I don't want to be rushing about (or asking Mr M to rush about) last minute, we would forget something!!

I feel that my bag might be a little small, which also makes me think I'm forgetting things.  I have compared my bag to lists available on the internet from the likes of Mamas & Papas and Bounty.

In my bag:-

For Me -
- nightie
- 2 pairs PJs
- 1 vest top (incase I have a water birth)
- 5 pairs Primark big pants
- 4 x 2 packs of breast pads
- toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, moisturiser)
- slippers
- hairbrush & 3 bobbles
- pack of 10 maternity pads
- 2 flannels

I still need to put in my coming home outfit and my nursing bras, I ordered the bras yesterday so hopefully they should be here in the next few days.  I also need to remember a camera and my notes.  My notes are in my handbag which I doubt I will take to hospital with me, we might need to put a sign at the front door saying "don't forget notes" as a prompt 

For Bump -
- 3 x vests
- 4 x sleepsuits
- 1 sleepsuit for coming home
- pram suit
- 2 x mittens
- 2 x hats
- 8 nappies
- muslin square

I am also going to make up a little bag of food, this weekend when we go shopping I am going to get some sweets, cereal bars and sugary drinks.  Not only will these be for me but Mr M is type 1 diabetic so he needs to keep an eye on his blood sugars, I don't want him having a hypo as I give birth!  I'm also going to encourage him to make up a bag for himself with some essentials incase we are in hospital for a while, but that's up to him.

If there's anything that I've forgotten please let me know!!

35 weeks

Today I am 35 weeks pregnant, I can now count the number of weeks I have left on one hand, exciting!!!

I think my bump is slightly lower than it was last week, there seems to be more at the bottom.

According to the pregnancy update emails I get bump now weighs the same as a honeydew melon (again with the fruit) and measures about 47cm.  Apparently all his major organs are pretty much developed and he will spend the remaining weeks putting on weight.  I haven't noticed any distinct hand or feet marks on my belly when he moves, its all still a big lump but he is moving lots!  I can feel his back on the left side of my belly and feel his feet in my ribs and at the top of my stomach.  I also notice a lot of movement by my belly button on the right side, I'm not sure if that's feet or hands though.

I'm honestly not sure if I am experiencing Braxton Hicks or not.  I have felt some period-like pains in my lower stomach and there are times when my belly goes solid but this isn't painful.  I have felt quite exhausted over the weekend even though I haven't done much and felt a little nauseous at times, all par for the course with pregnancy I think.

I have noticed that bump is reacting more to sounds, he kicks when I wake up in the morning and speak with Mr M and when Mr M has been watching the football and getting quite vocal there have been lots of kicks too.  Apparently his eyes now dilate to the light outside my belly, I have tried shining my phone on him when I am in bed but I've had mixed results.

Can't wait for him to arrive!!  

Cravings

You always hear about pregnant women getting weird and bizarre cravings.  There are also plenty of myths that you hear - if you crave sweet things you're having a girl, if you fancy savory things they say it's a boy.

I have been lucky in the weird craving's department, I haven't fancied eating coal, dirt or wax like some people I've heard.  I have been taking my pregnancy vitamins daily so I'm not sure if that has helped as my body will have been getting a good mix of nutrients from them and my food.

I have had cravings for sweet things though - cakes, biscuits, sweets, chocolate - I don't care as long as it's sweet and tasty!!

Early on friends were telling me I was obviously having a girl, some were quite shocked after our 20 week scan when I told them bump is definitely a boy.

To make matters worse Mr M is a Type 1 diabetic so we don't usually eat sweet things.  There have been a few occasions where he has had a hypo and instead of having his usual jelly babies to help bring his blood sugars back up he's dipped into my sweet/chocolate stash.  I've tried to be healthy and eat a lot of fruit but it just doesn't cut it.  I do have fruit with my lunch to try and stave off the cravings until mid afternoon at least. 

I don't even realise how much I am eating, a share size bag of malteasers can vanish in no time and when I won a Jelly Bean hamper I had to end up giving bags of jelly beans to a friend as I had no willpower and would devour bags in no time.  How I'm not the size of a house I don't know!!

I'm lactose intolerant so really should stay away from chocolate.  They do make lactofree chocolate but again it just wasn't hitting the spot, there have been days where I have been bad and eaten chocolate - it's been delicious and lovely.

There are odd days where I just want to eat some crisps, toasts or sometimes olives but these days are few and far between

Hopefully bump won't have a sweet tooth (or be diabetic) when he's born!