Hmmmmmm – the weekly pregnancy diaries seem to have petered out with married life! I could say that it’s because I’ve been far too busy making sure that I’m the dutiful 1950s housewife with my husbands dinner on the table when he gets home from work and his slippers warmed by the fire. I’d be completely lying though. I have no idea where the last eight weeks have vanished to. None at all. Baby is still very firmly on the inside though and as I head towards my due date there’s no sign as yet of him or her making an appearance.

I was hoping for the last 10 weeks of pregnancy to be nice and calm, but I’m not sure I’ve managed that. Family life seems to continue at a pretty frantic pace. I don’t really seem to have much time to think about being pregnant, but then I’ve been quite lucky that this pregnancy hasn’t really had any issues or complications.

I wrote ages ago about how we were given the choice as to whether to have a C-Section or not and we’ve decided on a natural birth – hence the fact that I’m sat here writing this at 39 weeks rather than having a day old baby in my arms – as yesterday would have been C-section day had it happened. Fingers crossed that was the “right” decision. Only time will tell though.

I’ve had a few general aches and pains, but nothing more that I’m expecting at this late stage of pregnancy. A lot of my back and hip pain seems to have reduced by having got back to my regular aquanatal classes. It’s amazing how much they have helped. The Braxton Hicks have been ramping up all the way through pregnancy and I’m just hoping they’re all good practice for the real thing.

This baby seems to love a morning snooze before going completely hyper in the evening. Sitting on the sofa and watching my stomach lurch all over the place as become a regular form of entertainment in our house. I honestly sometimes think they’re making a bid for freedom straight out through my bump! I’m intrigued to see if they’re a real squirmer when they arrive or not.

I think I’m ready for baby’s arrival. Practically I’ve got things sorted. The cot is ready next to my bed. The car seat is already in the car and my hospital bag is packed. I have nappies, clothes, a little coat and lots of blankets ready. We’ve even decided on names. Logistics are in place for my kids should they be staying with me when baby arrives too and I have lists on my phone for what needs to be done in various different circumstances. Mentally I’m not sure I’m ready for the sleepless nights again, but will I ever be? There are certainly things I wanted to get done before baby arrived that haven’t happened (taking more photos of this pregnancy being one of them!) but in that way I don’t think everything will ever be done. I just need baby to be ready to make an appearance.

My last midwife appointment was nearly two weeks ago and at that I was offered a sweep – to fit in with local policy of trying to reduce the induction rate. I would have happily had one had baby actually been engaged. But it seems he or she wasn’t ready. Both Little Miss C and Master C were late so I feel a bit resigned to this baby being too. Then again I’ve got three different due dates (the first of which has already past) so you never know. I’m back at the midwife later this week so let’s see how baby is positioned then. Assuming they’re still in there by then.

Until then though I’m trying out lots of walking and every old wives tale for shifting babies. It’s definitely hit that stage where I’m over being pregnant. I’m just not sure how many evenings I’ll get away with serving up curry for dinner!

After a week in which I hardly had time to think about being pregnant, week 17 has been the complete opposite. Loads of time to concentrate on the little one growing inside me and how it feels to be pregnant.

Aquanatal

Firstly , after a couple of weeks off I was finally able to go back to my weekly aquanatal class. I’ve gone back to exactly the same class that I did when pregnant with Little Miss C and Master C and it’s so so lovely to be back. A 45 minute long weekly class run by a midwife from the local hospital and it is just perfect. There’s so much I want to say about the benefits of aquanatal (and I will write that post very soon – especially since Zoggs have given me a couple of maternity swimsuits to review!) but as well as loving the woman who runs it, I just find it a perfect once a week treat to indulge in being pregnant.

It’s also great exercise (if hard work at times!) and wonderful to meet some other women who are expecting babies at similar times. It is a little strange going back as so much has changed since I was last there six years ago. But at the same time it’s nice to also have a bit of a link to my past pregnancies too.

Midwife Appointment

Also this week I had my 16 week midwife appointment down at the doctors surgery. My maternity care has been a bit all over the place so far this pregnancy. Having moved house I had to register with a new doctors practice, and I chose one based on having a community midwife attached to it so that I don’t have to go to the hospital (and pay for their parking) every appointment. They got my notes transferred over and booked me in for a first appointment and there were no problems. At this they organised for the midwife to come to me at home for the booking appointment, but unfortunately a family bereavement meant she had to cancel and then the appointment was picked up by someone else a week later. All fine. These things happen I thought.

That booking appointment all went fine – despite struggling to take blood samples from me – and I was then booked in for the 16 week appointment (in week 17 to avoid having to take the kids with me during half term). To be honest though I’m not really all that sure what the purpose of the appointment was. Yes my blood pressure was taken and a urine sample tested for signs of protein, but that was pretty much it. She looked at my blood test results and told me they were all ok. She also told me to go and book myself in for a whooping cough jab with the nurse, but that was it. No listening to baby’s heartbeat. No asking how I was even.

I left feeling a bit surprised and I guess let down. Pregnancy always comes with a few worries, so I was hoping to at least be measured and his or her heart listened to just to know that everything was OK in there. For our own peace of mind we’ve bought a doppler online, but I’d much rather have had a professional just tell me if you see what I mean.

I have my 20 week scan to look forward to, and she told me that they will finally listen to the heartbeat at the week 25 appointment. Both of those just seem so far away right now.

Tots 100

My final bit of baby related news for the week is that I’m delighted to be the new Tots 100 Pregnancy Round Up Editor. As I’ve said before, being pregnant feels so different this time round. I’m also realising how much I’ve forgotten over the last 6 years so reading pregnancy blogs has filled a bit of a gap in my knowledge. I’m really looking forward to following other blogger’s pregnancy journeys, and continuing to pick up all the things I’ve forgotten from them all!

Being Mum

And in-between all that baby-related activity the week has really just been all about being a mum to my other two. Lots of taxi driving services for swimming lessons and Cubs, as well as a very important 8th birthday to prepare for. I somehow managed to pull off making her the much wanted unicorn cake. Not totally sure I would have succeeded had it not been for B suddenly revealing amazing cake decorating skills that I didn’t know he had! Look out for a “how to” post coming very soon.

pregnant

Pregnancy catch up – week 39!

Pregnancy Diary – Week 17

Aquanatal

Midwife Appointment

Tots 100

Being Mum