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!)