Week 36/37 - Last Week at Work

Cardigan - H&M
Top - H&M

Last week was my last at work. It was pretty busy! I think it was a combination of the time of year and the fact there were jobs that needed doing before I left. I nearly had a melt down on Thursday, didn't know whether to get mad or have a cry. So I took myself off to calm down and felt much better! I was hoping the stress wouldn't bring on an early labour, it didn't :)

Friday was my last day, a lovely sunny day. It felt like the last day of term before the Summer holidays. My friends treated me to a yummy pic-nic lunch and some lovely presents for Baby Bond; a door bouncer and cot mobile. Baby also got a little bear comforter and a sleep suit and I got a little box of chocolates from some students and a Sanctuary bath set.

I will miss everyone, but I know I will see them often. Any excuse for coffee and a catch up and I'm sure I'll be there!

Mine and Baby's lovely leaving gifts

On Tuesday I had a midwife appointment. All is still good; head down, but not yet engaged and heart beat strong. Although I think Thursday night baby may have shifted a bit and moved back up a little as felt a bit uncomfortable, but seems OK today! I am feeling generally a little more uncomfortable as the baby has less and less room to move. But I think I have 'got away' with things pretty easy (so far; famous last words...)

I now have 2 and half weeks until my due date - let the nesting begin!!

Have a lovely weekend.

Amy xx

Week 35/36 - Sleep!

Dress - Primark

This week I turned 36 weeks pregnant, just a few days until I can give birth at the birth centre. So baby just needs to stay put a few more days! I also only have one week left at work now. I can't believe how quickly it has all gone the past few weeks.

Starting to get a bit more uncomfortable now. The bump doesn't seem to grow, but I can definitely feel the baby getting bigger as the bump is feeling a lot tighter. I am pretty good at work during the day. Just waddling down the corridors slower, sitting when I need to and getting others to bend for me if I need to pick things up!

In the afternoons I am feeling a little tired, but by the time I'm home I feel pretty good again and at 10pm-ish I'm not really feeling tired, until the end of the week. It's the evenings when I start to feel more uncomfortable. The bump feels pretty heavy and tight. It feels like my skin is stretching and needs moisture, so I whack on some moisturiser and it feels a little better. The baby is still trying to move quite a bit but now it has less room to move I can feel each movement and sometimes when you get a foot in the side, or bum under the ribs it can be uncomfortable, that only lasts a few moments. I am still fascinated watching my belly move!

Sleep
Most things I am reading about this stage of pregnancy say how you should be getting as much sleep as possible. I am not finding this particularly easy. As I said above, I feel a little tired at work in the afternoons, but I can't just have a nap! This may change once I'm on maternity leave but I am not a 'nap lover', I tend to feel worse afterwards, we will see how that one goes! 

Once I am home I no longer feel tired and there are things to do; dinner to be made, housework to be done and showers to be taken. Don't get me wrong, Paul and I share most jobs as we are both at work during the day, so neither of us want to be doing all the jobs. But I just can't sit still when things need to be done. Having said that, I am doing things slower and resting when I need to. But all the talk about resting and sleeping just seems a waste of time. I'd rather stay as active as possible; I think that's why I am still feeling good and have good energy levels.

When it gets to bed time I am not particularly tired, so have maybe been staying up 'later than I should'. Once in bed though I drop off quickly, only waking to go to the loo about 2-3 times a night!

I know once the baby is here I will need to try and nap when the baby does and I will probably be begging for sleep, but my thoughts are; I can't stock up on it now for when I need it so, for now, I will continue to go with the flow and sleep when it feels right to do so. Even if I went to bed early, I wouldn't sleep anyway so what's the point!!

Weddings
Over the next few months we have few weddings/receptions to go to. One before the baby, this weekend, 1 when I don't know if I'll have had the baby and 2 quite soon after baby is born in August.

This presented me with a fashion dilemma; what to wear?! I didn't want to buy a 'posh' maternity dress as the likelihood would be I'd only need it once so the hunt for a suitable outfit began. I thought maxi dress was probably the way to go so concentrated my shopping in that area. After visiting a few shops I found a lovely maxi in Forever 21. It has an 'elasticated' waist with a tie belt to cover this up and is an olive green colour. Not normally a colour I'd go for, but thought a change would be good. 

With this dress I can wear it again after the baby is here, so may be a good outfit for some of the other weddings. With the other weddings I think I will just have to see what size I am at the time and what I feel most comfortable in. I have a few maxi skirts and dresses that I can wear.

The key will be the accessorising! What did you wear to special occasions when you were pregnant?

Dress - Forever 21
Necklace and Earrings - H&M
Bag - New Look
Shoes - H&M

Have a good week, thanks for reading.

Week 34/35 - Friday the 13th!!!

Maternity Top - H&M

The end of this week saw Friday the 13th! I was a little worried that, even though 5 weeks early, Baby Bond may have decided to make an appearance. Not because of any traditional Friday 13th superstitions, but, for Paul and I it is a lucky day. A few of our milestones have happened on this date, so I wasn't putting it passed our baby not to turn up. This feeling was heightened by the fact that Thursday afternoon I had some persistent 'stitches' and twinges at the bottom of the bump. Luckily all passed without Baby Bond making an appearance. I can put the twinges down to being at work, on one of the hottest days of the year, and just needing to take it easier. Possibly Braxton Hicks? I've had twinges and stitches on the days since, normally around a similar time in the afternoon.

Overall this week has been quite tiring. Monday started off with me feeling stressed about work; just wanting to make sure all loose ends are tied and I get get my hand-over done. I don't want to be leaving earlier than expected without things being left in a good position. But I need to remind myself that if that happens, there isn't much I can do about it and I just need to do the best I can, my priorities now need to shift. Only two weeks to go.

On Tuesday I had a midwife appointment. Everything is going well and baby's head is currently down; so it's a bum I keep getting shoved under my ribs! The baby could change position but with 5 weeks to go that's fine, it still has time to move back, that is probably unlikely to happen.

I am now feeling a lot more connected to the baby and really feeling the bond growing. I guess a new batch of hormones has been released to prepare me for the imminent arrival! It's wriggling lots still, although sometimes uncomfortably so, but I am loving that. Now getting really excited to meet it, see what it looks like and find out what it is!

Yesterday my wonderful friends threw me a lovely afternoon tea baby shower, which was held at my mum's house. We had a few games; pin the dummy on the baby, baby bingo and guess the baby food flavour (which were all quite gross!) I didn't really want presents as I wanted the shower to be more of a get together before the baby arrives. But the girls got me a sterilising kit and my mum and sister got a cute owl piggy bank and owl cushion for the baby's room, Baby Bon'd cousin Emelia got some lovely little books. There was also lots of yummy cake!

Thanks for reading, hope you all have a lovely week.

Amy x

Week 33/34: What's in My Hospital Bags?

I can't quite believe my due date is now only 6 weeks away, and only 3 weeks left at work! This week has been a bit quiet on the baby front. Just feeling heavy and more worn out. Being back at work has tired me out, but it's the weekend and I survived! I just can't get in the habit of getting more sleep yet, I know that needs to change so I can stock up!

Yesterday I had my risk assessment at the birth centre. As the centre is midwife led they only take women who have had no complications in pregnancy and are considered low risk. It's basically a look through my notes and a couple of swabs to see if I have MRSA! Sounds worse than it is, literally a couple of cotton buds up the nose! I 'passed' the risk assessment and so can go to the birth centre, but only if I go into labour when I am full term; between 37 and 42 weeks.

As this week has been rather quiet I thought it was the perfect opportunity to share with you what I have packed in my hospital bags...

I think I was kidding myself with the thought of only needing to pack a few essentials for myself and baby for when the time comes to head off to hospital! I feel like I've had to pack for a weekend away, or short break! Not only have I got a bag for me and a bag for baby, but Paul also has a bag (as dads can stay at the birth centre) and a 'spares' bag for the car. Along with car seat, pillows, food etc!

I seem to have done this early, but as I had a week off for half term it seemed a good opportunity to get organised. Most of the lists of what to pack that I found online, in magazines and leaflets from the birth centre had pretty much the same thing on them. Below is what I personally have and will be packing. What have you got in your bags?

Have a great week 

Amy xx

Week 32/33 - Feeling Heavy/Time for a Skincare Change

Top - 'Old' H&M
Maternity Shorts - H&M 

I think this week must be another transitional phase for me and baby. I am feeling more worn out doing, not so strenuous, tasks and the bump is feeling much heavier now. Bending down just to pick something up, or to put socks/shoes on is a bit of a mission; so I am getting help where I can. Paul is doing a great job as my sock putter-onner! Sleep is also starting to get uncomfortable. I haven't used a cushion under the bump regularly, but this week it has been a much more comfortable way to sleep and I feel like I'm sleeping better.

Night time trips to the loo have also increased; even though, for me, these trips never stopped I have definitely noticed an increase. Even in day-time trips. The worst being when you feel you absolutely must go that second, only to find out the baby is just sitting on your bladder and you don't really need to go at all!

That being said, I am still trying to remain as active as possible as I think I'd feel worse if I was resting all the time. I have rested and chilled quite a bit this week, with it being half term. But I've also met up with friends and family. I need to keep my energy levels up to feel good for my last 4 weeks at work, whilst taking it steady. Then, once I am on maternity leave, I can slow down a bit more.

I had the whooping cough jab this week, which I wasn't looking forward to (does anyone look forward to jabs?!). I am fine with jabs and just think of something else whilst it's happening; I was more concerned about what came after. I had heard that it was a bad one and made your arm feel dead for the rest of the day. That was not the case for me; my arm was a little sore and tender, but nothing you would not expect.

I've been doing a bit of nesting this week, whilst I've had the chance. Tidying the house and finding new homes for things. I also decided it was a good time to pack my hospital bag. I've been putting bits together for a while now that I know I'll need, from lists found in magazines/the internet, but I've now bagged it and done a list of what I still need to pack! I plan to do a blog in the next few weeks on what I have in my bag.

All the sorting made me want to stock up on toiletries and make-up. I know I probably won't get out to do a 'proper' shop for a few weeks after Baby Bond is born, so I took the opportunity to do a big Boots.co.uk order. I am very excited for this parcel to arrive! It's just my usual bits and pieces, but I love getting parcels, who doesn't?! I have decided to try a new eye cream though. I normally go for the Boots own brand Vitamin E cream, which seems to do the job I want it to. However, I do feel like my dark circles are getting a little darker (and will be even darker in a few weeks!) so I've decided to give the Boots Botanics Radiant Youth Hydrating Eye Cream a go. On offer at £5.99 

I also decided I want to try some new skincare products. I have had the same routine and products for about 11 years and thought my skin could do with a change, as it itself has no doubt changed in that time. I have been using Garnier's Pure A/Active products; the exfoliating wash, toner and shine control moisturiser. My skin definately doesn't seem as oily and shiny as it used to, but it is still prone to breakouts and I would say is combination: slightly oily t-zone and normal everywhere else.

It was a total minefield, I didn't know where to start! I asked my sister for some advice, (fayesfix), she has more knowledge on the skincare subject than me. She uses a REN cleanser and so I thought I'd give this a go. Searching for through only REN products narrowed down the search quite a bit, but what to pick? I went on REN's own website to have a look at their products and what they offer. I wasn't sure if I needed a toner, as I have been using one for years I didn't feel comfortable with the idea of not using one! Luckily, the range I decided to go for does have a toner. I am going to stick with my current moisturiser and see how I get on.

After much deliberation I chose the Clarimatte range of products. 
Website quote: 

Combination skin is characterised by: oily and shiny skin epecially on the T–zone; congested skin; prone to open pores; 

blackheads and a few whiteheads; dull skin; dry cheeks and jawline.

normalize itself through the help of ground breaking as well as tried and tested bio actives.

Our Combination skin range is a one of our bestselling ranges and is true to the philosophy of encouraging skin to 

The ideal solution for combination skin is a range that carefully balances the skin, avoiding the  “strip – oil attack” cycle that causes combination skin to swing continually from one extreme to another.

I bought them via the Look Fantastic website, I found a 20% off voucher and they do free delivery. I have gone for the Clarifying Toner and the T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel. The products are more than I would normally pay, but it's worth a try, if I don't like them, or don't really see a difference in my skin, I will go back to my Garnier products. Hopefully they will last a while, and everyone needs a treat, even mummies-to-be!

Have a good week.

Amy x

Week 31/32 - Busy Weekend

Tops - H&M
Maternity Jogging Bottoms - New Look

I've made it to half term! After a relaxing and pretty chilled Easter holiday I was quite worried about the prospect of going back to work and knowing that I still had a couple of months to get through. But I got through the 5 weeks and have actually been pretty good, not feeling too tired and just resting as much as possible at home and taking it slower at work. Now just 4 weeks at work to go before I start maternity leave; just hoping I don't have to leave early so I have tie up loose ends and do a handover!

On Thursday I went, with my mum, to the last of my ante natal classes; this one was an Early Days class. I didn't really know what to expect, assuming we would be learning about breast feeding and nappy changing... I thought we may all be given dolls to practice on, well the nappy changing at least!

Fortunately the class followed a similar format to the other classes and was more about giving information so, as mums, we are better informed about what to expect. Firstly the midwives spoke about breastfeeding and the best position for mum and baby; 'tummy to mummy', 'nipple to nose'. We were shown three different sized balls which represented the size of baby's tummy at different ages.

When the baby is born its tummy is the size of a malteaser. They do not need very much food at all, which is good as a mother's milk hasn't yet 'come in'. For the first couple of days the milk produced is colostrum, basically very fatty/concentrated milk (some of you may have already noticed this building up whilst pregnant). So the baby gets all it needs from very little volume. Colostrum is different for each woman, it can be different colours and it is made specifically for your baby. Your body knows what things your baby will need from your colostrum, and make it! After about 3 days the 'proper milk' starts to come in. This is how we probably all think of breast milk, looks more like cow's milk and is produced in larger volumes. By this time the baby's tummy is about the size of a walnut.

What has fascinated me the most is just how amazing women's and baby's bodies are. Everything is done for a reason and it all just happens naturally. The tummy size to amount of milk produced and the days milk comes in and the tummy has grown... After I have had the baby I will be shown and helped by the midwife with the first feeds.

We also talked about nappies, the Vitamin K injection and not needing to bath babies for the first few weeks. They can have little cleans, but just use water and then olive oil to moisturise, no products for the first few weeks as their skin is producing all its own goodness. Although baby cleaning products say they are sensitive they are still made up of lots of chemicals, as new born skin is so delicate it is best to avoid these for the first few weeks. But they are perfectly safe to use and will be used all the time eventually.

On Saturday I met up with my girlies for a 'pre-baby shower'. It was a great night, catching up and spending time together. The girls surprised me with a kit to do a bump cast! My bump was smothered in Vaseline and then the ModRoc strips were put on, i had to keep it on for 15 minutes for the initial setting to take place. It now takes a few days to dry. Then I can decorate it, I will post some pictures when I have the finished article.

Yesterday Paul and I went to Lydden Hill Race Circuit to watch the World Rally Cross. We both like our motor sport and it's a fun thing to do together; trying to have some quality time just the two of us before we become 3! The weather and racing were great. I was a bit tired by the end of the day as it had been an early start, but I managed it. 

Have a great bank holiday Monday, I think I need to do some gardening!

Amy x

Week 30/31 - Ante Natal Classes

Smock Dress - eBay (new)

Last week I had the first of my two ante natal classes. I didn't really know what to expect, I had visions of the 'Friends' episode where Ross attends a Lamaze class with Carol and Susan; all sat in a huddle on the floor, role playing birth and breathing techniques! Thankfully, that was not the case.

The class was held at the birth centre where I plan to give birth and was free. I had looked into the NCT classes but felt I couldn't justify the cost with all the other baby bits the money could go towards. Plus, Paul does shift work so wouldn't have been able to attend all classes. My midwife assured me that all I would need to know would be covered in the class at the birth centre, which is run by the local midwife team.

The first session covered a 'normal' labour and birth. We started off by writing down our hopes and fears for our labours and births. It was a good exercise to chat to other mums and share our hopes and worries, most of which were the same. After this the midwife leading the course went through the stages of labour; what to expect, what our bodies do any why. I had already done some reading about this in my Natal Hypnotherapy book and an information book from Aptamil. The idea of the oxytocins and the relaxin fits in with the Natal Hypnotherapy ideals of calm mum, clam baby, calmer, less painful labour. (You can find out about the stages of labour here)

I found this really helpful, to know what to expect and to understand what is happening to my body, and why. Everything it does is for a reason. Some key things I took away from the class were:

• Labour is hard work, after all that's what the word labour means. But, it is hard work with a reward at the end. 
• People may say they have been in labour for hours/days, however, you are classed as being in active labour when you are 4cm dilated. Even then, you always have a 'break' between contractions, giving your body time to relax and help you preserve energy.
• Labour is a journey, you may take the motorway, the A roads, get diverted on to the B roads or even the country roads. Whatever road you take you always get to your destination.
• Our pelvises have a wider opening if standing, crouching, leaning forward. (Have your legs slightly apart and put a finger on your pelvic bone and one your coccyx. Lean forward and backwards. You will feel quite a difference in the space between your fingers. Leaning forward the space is bigger.) Therefore giving birth laying down is not the optimal position.
• Women who are paralysed from the neck or waist down can still give birth naturally. Our body does 80% of the work, with us just putting in the last 20%.
• Because of our lifestyles today, more sitting down, driving etc there are a lot more back to back babies born. In the 1950s when the majority of women were housewives their lifestyle meant that the baby wouldn't end up back to back, as gravity didn't take it there. In later pregnancy you can do things to help avoid a back to back baby. Lean forward more when sitting down, no slouching. It's OK to do a bit of housework on your hands and knees! Get walking.

The second ante natal class was held this week and was all about pain relief, what could go wrong and what interventions may be needed. As the midwife said, they didn't want to scare anyone, but not knowing what could go wrong and therefore what interventions could take place would be much scarier at the time, so best to be aware.

What, if any, pain relief a mother decides to use is up to her, some are more suitable for different times during the labour. Others may work for some people and not others:

Latent and early stages of labour. The best things you can try to relieve the contraction pains are things most of us will have at home. 

• Distraction, take your mind off the contractions; watch a film, bake a cake, read a book, listen to music...
• Have a bath, the water relaxes you and your muscles. Light some candles, play some music.
• Take paracetamol, it will take the edge off.
• Hot water bottle.
• Massage.
• TENS machine. These can be hired from our birth centre, so I would have thought other hospitals and centres do the same. It sends a small electric signal to your muscles and dulls the pain. The intensity can be turned up and down.

Active labour. By this time you will probably be at the hospital/birth centre. Depending on how you are coping with the pain a lot of the above will still work. I hope not to go to the next level of pain relief unless I really feel I need to! I hope with the support of Paul and the midwife I can do as much without major pain relief as possible.

• Gas and air. This is one pain relief I don't mind using, if I feel the need to. I have had gas and air before, after I broke my leg a few years ago, so I know what to expect. Gas and air is not for everyone, but I find it works for me. It is quick to get into your system, about 20-30 seconds and just as quick to get out; it is safe for the baby, in fact it is possibly good for you and the baby. Gas and air is 50% oxygen and so good for you and your baby's blood.
• Pethidine. This is something I didn't know much about until the class. It is not a pain killer as such, but a relaxant. It is administered by injection. It makes you and your baby drowsy and stays in your system for about 4 hours. Because of this the timing of the administration of Pethidine is quite important. The midwives/doctors do not want you and your baby drowsy for the actual delivery. So it will be calculated on your dilation and whether the drowsiness would have worn off by the time they expect you to deliver. Pethidine may be a good idea for you if you have had a really long early labour, you are extremely tired and just need some rest while your cervix continues to dilate before delivery. It will give you a chance to get some rest and get your energy back for pushing. 
• Epidural. This can only be administered in hospital as it is done by an anaesthetist. As I plan to give birth at the birth centre this option would not be available to me and after seeing what is involved I don't really want one anyway! It may be different in your hospital, but the one I would go to, if I had any problems, inject a very small tube into your back and the drug is then put on a drip. You would then have to stay on the bed for the birth as your movement is restricted. 

Following the classes and the reading I have done on natal hypnotherapy I am even more determined to go through labour and birth with as little intervention as possible. I know my body could give birth even without my help! However, I am also not going to say 'never say never'. At the end of the day I will do what I need to do to have a healthy baby and be healthy myself. If that means I need to have a little help along the way, then so be it. Whatever road I take on my labour journey I will get to my destination and that is all that matters. 

Please ask your midwife or doctor if you have any questions on the above. The information is what i have taken from the classes and may not be 100% correct (I have tried to be as accurate as possible).

Have a lovely Sunday. 

Amy x