Belly Casting

We did my belly casting today! With my sons pregnancy, we did it on my birthday (at 39 + weeks of pregnancy) and he was born exactly a week after! This time around I keep worrying that I won't have that long to wait and whilst I would be doing the belly casting in early labour (rather than not doing one at all! lol) - I would rather do it now whilst I am relaxed

and comfy and not rushed so we decided to do it today whilst we have the chance! hehe

I loved doing the belly casting last time and I loved it this time as well! It is so easy to do (though slightly messy) and I think worth it! I have my sons casting hung up on the wall in our bedroom and this one will go next to it once I seal it with a nice white gloss and throw a nice silk bow around it (similar to my sons).

I will have to do an updated post to show the two compared because the differences are amazing! You would almost think they were two different castings from two different people. And, though essentially they are two different people on the inside, I am just so surprised at how different they have turned out on the outside (cause I am still the same person! hehe) - but then my 'bump' shapes are very very different!

This weeks photo - 37+1!

Well here we are, nearing the very end! Lots happened this week (in the way of nesting and getting sorted/ready!) and I feel ready to pop! I feel good though still! But bump has clearly dropped. I have one funky shaped bump - in fact, at this point, I think it is kinda ugly! lol

The henna didn't come out too dark as you can see (oh well) - its like a fight between my stretchmarks and henna and I think the stretchmarks are winning! hehe

But here it is - this weeks photo!

What happened this week:

Baby gains weight most rapidly during this month: about ½-¾lb per week. Baby settles into the pelvis, a process called lightening or engagement, which makes breathing easier. Baby's new position doesn't stop it from kicking and punching. 35 weeks' gestation 37 weeks from your LMP. Baby's length: 33cm crown to rump (about 45cm or 17 ½ inches head to toe). Weight: 2700g.

My Blessingway!

Today I had a Blessingway! It was really quite a great little get-together with special friends that was really meaningful and special to me (a HUGE thanks to all those who attended and helped make this work and the day special for me!)!

At my Blessingway we made a 'Birthing Wreath' (the 'norm' is to make a Birthing Necklace but I just don't think I would fancy wearing a necklace whilst in labour so I got the idea to do a similar thing, but to use a wreath instead that I could hang on the wall whilst in labour!) and poems, songs and well wishes were shared. I found this very touching and special.

A close friend of mine also did a henna tattoo on my bump! This has turned out great and it was a lot of fun!

And of course - we ate great food too!

Today has offered me lots of positive encouragment and thoughts that I will be able to bring with me when I start my journey of labour and childbirth!

A great (head) MW appointment!

So today I had my 'head' MW appointment at the Stroud Maternity Unit in Stroud! I got to meet the 'head' MW there (who was actually really lovely and nothing how I imagined! hehe) and we discussed my birth plan and did a quick 'risk assessment' as well. I am not sure if the risk assessment is standard for all those planning a home birth or if perhaps it is just because I am planning a home birth after a c-section and/or because I have also declined to see a 'consultant'. Maybe all of the above really! She basically just covered the basics of 'emergencies' (focusing on the ones that pertain more to me such as uterine rupture and possible 'problem's that could arrise with a 'big baby') and what they usually like to do in certain situations - and letting me know that I can of course 'decline' anything they suggest (all of their suggestions coming from the 'NICE Guidelines'). So really, the 'risk assessment' was so that they could cover their backs. My MW said it was so I didn't go into labour, have something happen and claim that I didn't 'know' - and sue them or something! ...cause thats the way the world works these days you know! (shame but true). And of course, we covered my birth plan - what I would like and not like to happen. I think she got the basic idea that I would simply like a natural hands off birth as much as possible and noted the extras such as the fact I would have my own cord ties, plan to keep the placenta, etc. That was about it!...

Oh and before the 'meeting' my MW did a quick antenatal appointment as usual (feel and measurment of my bump as well as checking my urine and blood pressure - all of which are great!). I am still measuring large though (41 weeks) so I did agree to a quick scan (and no - I did not peek) to check that - as in, to make sure there was only one in there cause thats all been a bit 'iffy' (which they are not actually jotting down a scan because my MW preformed it and she is not a sonographer and I gave her 10 seconds to work it out, no longer - Am really pleased she respected that! ...must be the shortest scan in the history of man! lol). Well - there really is only one baby in there, it is just measuring on the larger side! But I guess I just grow large babies!

Birth Pool Practice Run!

Today we did our practice run of the birthing pool! It was actually a lot of fun (and I wasn't expecting that! hehe). We even ended up deciding to fill it all the way - which gave DH the practice on how to empty it and put it all away again as well! (it only took about an hour to put up in total - which including blowing it up and filling it up - so not bad at all!...but took longer than that to put away! hehe) Also - the bottom does inflate, which is lovely! The pool we will be using (thanks to a super great friend of mine who is letting me borrow it!) is the La Bassine. I love its shape and the fact it has handles on the inside! hehe
Duncan also really enjoyed the set up and didn't want the pool to go way (I certainly didn't want to get out - it was so comfy! Will be a huge help when I am actually in labour!). He was having fun in the pool as well until it got 'too deep' for him and then he wanted out but he enjoyed watching me float about in it! I really think he is looking forward to a new family member! (well - we shall see! hehe)

This weeks photo - 36+1!

Into the final last weeks and another weeks photo here:

Just getting all the last things done around the house and any last baby items needed. Really not much longer now! I am getting very excited and trying not to stress myself out too much!

What happened this week:

Baby is putting on fat and things are getting cramped inside. Almost time to come out. 34 weeks' gestation 36 weeks from your LMP. Foetus length: 32cm crown to rump (44cm or 17¼ inches head to toe). Weight: 2500g or about 5.5lbs.

One up on the MWs!

Yeah yeah yeah... Even my DH thinks I am being silly but it can't hurt. I have ordered my own urine test strips! (and actually, I only ordered 25 for a fiver but they sent me 100!) Now I can check my own pee out, before anxiously waiting it out the journey to the MW! And since I have so many strips, I can have fun with them too! Took my pee this morning after it had been sitting in my bladder for much longer than normal and all checked out fine! Will test my limits a bit - Going to a birthday party today so will have a slice of cake and see what my urine says some time after that. Not highly scientific, but it seems more logical to me than a glucose tolerance test! (yuck!) They are exactly the same strips that the MWs use - and if anything, will help me lower my stress levels as nothing will be 'unknown' to me that isn't known to them - at least I will know before hand! (helps me feel more in control at least!)

My Goldfish Bowl

My son was big - well over 10lbs at birth. I gained a lot of weight during pregnancy with him and my diet could have been called 'neglectful' in all truth. I figured it was probably my diet and liefstyle that led me to grow such a big baby! ... I would do it differently next time around. I would eat healthy and exercise, etc. This could not only be helpful to my own state of health but also to the health of my baby. And perhaps, hopefully - produce a tiny little bundle of joy! hehe

But it's not looking that way. That is, this baby is not looking tiny. I am begining to believe that perhaps my body just grows big babies.

But if you have ever been in the position to suspect growing a large baby, you have probably also been faced with worries, fears and scaremongering for the impending birth because of this.

So I shall clear up a few facts. Well, I won't personally - but I found these links helpful, insightful and positive! (very important that last one!)

Pushing
Pelvises
and
Big Babies!

Heck - they could be wrong!...This baby may surprise everyone and come out a very average for their gestational age! I can only wait and see.

Either way - my body will not grow a baby larger than it can birth.

Centering myself

I have been pretty stressed and offbalance the past few days. Most of this is due to my current state of mind - of feeling there just isn't enough time left for me to do everything I had planned to do before this baby is born! Perhaps that is also my bodies way of saying 'hey - this baby plans on arriving a bit earlier than your due date' (and I really do feel that this is the case - I am not talking an 'early' baby, I think we are past that! - But deff around the 38 week mark rather than 40+!). I haver also been phyiscally feeling unwell - perhaps more so becasue of the stress? But, either way, it has left me feeling drained and stressed. Add that with my MW appointment that I had on Wednesday and we suddenly have a mix for disaster! It was only a few days ago, but looking back now, I suddenly feel like laughing at it all. I was nearly thrown off track there! I have had some time to research and relfect and feel much more calm and centred and in control now. This is a great relaxation technique for centering myself. I also find that flower/crystal essesces (these are great for my son as well!) really help too!

I need to listen to my body. I need to be in control. I need to let nature do its job. All of this is very important to remember. I need to face reality and let any of those 'medical' fears go (this includes not surrounding myself by others fears for me). Pregnancy is a natural body state for woman - for me...it is not an 'illness'. My body knows how to work and it does not need 'fixing'.

A heck of a MW apponitment!

So I had another MW appointment yesterday and it was quite a roller coaster of one!
First - I am suddenly measuring much more than I really am! 36 Weeks - measuring 41! Yikes!
Second - there was sugar in my urine.
So of course, the first worry is ...gestational diabetes! (especially considering my history with my son who was quite large himself)

I went back with a urine sample today though - and it is absolutly fine! Not a trace of anything out of the ordinary.

I have declined a glucose test. I only have a few weeks of pregnancy left and my diet is, on the whole, pretty great. The urine test itself does not rule out (or rule in!) gestational diabetes (GD) ...and a glucose test could be just as inaccurate. But either way, simply having a good diet seems to be working well for me - and if I did have GD, then that is all I could do anyhow!

You know - this could be one heck of a long blog post...but I really don't know where to start...or what to say! A lot of thought and research has gone into every decision I have made. I don't just do things on a whim!

I personaly feel, as much as I was hoping for a smaller baby this time around, that I perhaps just make big babies. I had a crap diet with my son and he was big...I am having a fanstic diet this time around and it appears that this baby is still going to be on the larger side!

Their concern with a big baby though is obviously that the baby might get stuck. I am confident in my bodies ability to 'sow what it reaps' - so to speak!

The good news is though - baby is not breech and are in a most ideal position! Thats a start I guess! hehe

Am seeing the head MW on Monday to do a 'risk assessment' and make up my birth plan (with them/their format - I already have one made of cours). I appreciate how organise they are. I hope they appreciate how much research I have done and how much trust and faith I have in my body and the job it has before it! I know that simply coming across confident and sure of myself will go a long way.

Of course - they are not actually sure there is one baby in there...and neither am I tbh! So I have agreed to a quick 10 second scan on Monday to confirm that there really is just one baby in there. The last thing I want (I know it is also the last thing the MWs want - but to heck with them! lol) is to go into labour, give birth...and find out I have more children then previously thought! (no one wants a surprise twin home birth after a c-section! lol)...Some people might be thrilled with the idea of twins, but I guess if that is the case for me, then I would like a few weeks to come to terms with that first! lol .... I think it is just one though...I hope its just one!

Not long now anyhow! :)

This weeks photo - 35+1!

So here we are - the 35 weeks mark! (and this weeks photo of course!) I could happily and safely have this baby after next week (they are fine with home births after 36 weeks of pregnancy - most people, individuals or otherwise, seem to be comfortable with that mark)...or in just three weeks time (which is more realistic - the 38 week mark!...statistcally, second babies come 2 weeks earlier than firsts! - and that puts one at 38 weeks!) ...I suddenly feel like I have so much to do in the way of 'nesting' (though I really don't! - Super organised me!)...

And I think I have 'dropped'. Well, a lot of people I see often seem to think so - and so do I. I mean, I thought so first but knew it could all be in my head and then when everyone else started commenting - I knew it wasn't! Not that it means anything! hehe

What happened this week:

Skin is pink and smooth. Baby begins to develop sleeping patterns. If baby is born now and is healthy, he or she would have an excellent chance of survival with special care and respiratory support. You may feel bulky but you are, literally, full of life. 33 weeks' gestation 35 weeks from your LMP. Foetus length: about 31cm crown to rump (42.5cm or 16½ inches head to toe). Weight: 2300g or 5lbs.

Oh...and I seem to be averaging out at about 1/2 inch of growth around my waist every week now! hehe

Mothering Sunday

So today is Mothering Sunday here in the UK - and I just had to share this most fantastic card that my DH managed to find!

They really do make cards for everyone from everyone! hehe

But I love it!

Big Kicks!

Another video - just for fun!

Online 'baby pool'!

Guess my baby's date of arrival, gender and size!
A lot of fun! hehe

I will put my guess in first - you can find the little ticker on the right hand side of my blog!

This weeks photo - 34+1!

So here we are - another week gone by and the weekly photo to share!

What happened this week:

Fingernails have now grown enough to cover the whole of baby's fingertips. 32 weeks' gestation 34 weeks from your LMP. Foetus length: 30cm crown to rump (about 41cm or 16 inches head to toe). Weight: about 2100g or 4lbs 11oz.

Spring is here and I am so looking forward to meeting this little one inside of me!

Poem

I did not write this poem but it was shared with me on a forum and I found it very fitting so wanted to share it here too!

Loving Two

I walk along holding your 6-year-old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship. Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.

And I wonder: how could I ever love another child as I love you?

Then he is born, and I watch you. I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as you've never shared me before.

I hear you telling me in your own way, "Please love only me."

And I hear myself telling you in mine, "I can't," knowing, in fact, that I never can again.

You cry. I cry with you.

I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared.

A relationship we can never quite have again.

But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty.

I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying him -- as though I am betraying you.

But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.

More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine.

The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast. But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we two.

There are new times -- only now, we are three.

I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other.

I watch how he adores you -- as I have for so long.

I see how excited you are by each of his new accomplishments.

And I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you, I've given something to you.

I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.

I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong.

And my question is finally answered, to my amazement.

Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you -- only differently.

And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I now know you'll never share my love.

There's enough of that for both of you -- you each have your own supply.

I love you -- both.

And I thank you both for blessing my life."

~Author Unknown~

Tinctures ordered as well!

...and the homeopathic kit arrived the day after I ordered it!
I have ordered three tinctures from G. Baldwin & Co. - Motherwort, Angelica and Shephards purse!

Not much else on my 'need to buy' list!

Homeopathic kit ordered!

Well March is finally here and it is time to make my final purchases. Being March, it doesn't really matter when I make them exactly - just as long as it is this month. Though I am starting to feel a bit panicky and wanting to make sure everything is in place! I am having a baby next month - NEXT month!!!! OMG!

So as the title says - homeoapthic kit ordered! Woop!