Week 37

Getting over my cold virus now, but it's left me with no energy whatsoever. Mum, Dad and Steve came over on Sunday, so it was a relatively busy day and I felt it by the time evening came. I was glad Mum was staying over though. Mum's make everything ok. It makes me feel better knowing she's around.

I had a follow up scan on Monday at 8.30am. Darren came with me while Mum took Stefan to the group. The sonographer (a male this time) was brilliant. He double checked all the same measurements as last week, and drew the same results. Amniotic fluid is normal, but the baby is still measuring slighter off the 95th centile around the abdomen and the head. Of course, it panicked me. He was very reassuring, and explained that it was really nothing to worry about.

We are all born with different measurements, some people have long legs others have short bodies - our baby has a slightly bigger than average tummy and head. As he was talking to us, we both couldn't help but smile at the simplicity of his explanation and how, infact, I was really worrying for nothing. To put my mind at rest further, he took me to have a quick chat with a midwife - something he didn't have to do, but could see that it would help us. He really was a lovely man,


The garden is dragging on a bit now. Tuesday and Thursday were really wasted days where not much was done. Probably about 2 hours work on each day. They blamed the weather in the morning, but on both days it was glorious by 11am, by which time the guys had packed up for the day. That said though, they are doing a fab job and what they have done is starting to look great.





















I finished work on Friday, thankfully. These last few days are proving to be quite difficult getting about now. Driving is a bit of a problem and I don't feel that safe behind the wheel. Moving my feet across the peddles takes longer than normal as my tummy gets in the way now. I won't be driving anywhere after finishing work on Friday.

I could sleep on a washing line. If only I cold get comfortable for long enough to fall asleep. Feeling very sleep deprived. Suppose I'd better get used to it. I'm having mixed feelings about the baby. Worried that I won't be able to cope, especially with Stefan having long lasting tantrums at the moment that are really to know how to deal with. I think once I can physically move about normally again I will feel much better. It is so hard having to chase Stefan about at the minute. Even just getting up off a chair takes an age with my painful pelvis - nevermind running after him down the street! On the other hand, I am really excited to meet our new baby and can't wait to find out if it's a boy or a girl now.

Week 36

Baby is getting lower and lower and lower. The pressure on my pelvis is increasing and I feel like I need a wee all the time. I can, however, breath a bit easier and can fit a bit more food in too (probably not such a good thing is it!)

Having good and bad days with walking still. Last time round the painful walking was caused by the swelling in my feet, ankles and legs. I have managed to avoid that this time. No swelling at all, anywhere. Not even in my fingers. Still have my wedding ring on. I've also escaped the constipation this time too. What us women go through eh?!

Mum came over on Sunday again and took Stefan off my hands on Monday. A welcome relief. Running about after him is near on impossible now. I just can't keep up, or pick him up. It was a good thing she was here actually as the workmen came to make a start on the patio so I could see to them without having to chase Stefan around the garden, avoiding some of the more 'fasinating' tools they had bought with them....

Work in progress.































Saw the midwife on Wednesday. All is ok. Blood pressure back to normal and baby's heartbeat was loud and clear. I enquired about having some physio if my pelvis is still out of sync after I have had baby. I didn't really get a straight answer, but she seemed to think it would all pop itself back in the right place afterwards.

Stefan has recovered from his ear infection and fever well, although we have all developed colds this week. Feel ok, just exhausted through no sleep. Have had some horrible headaches with it too. Came home from work early on Friday and went to bed for the afternoon. I've only got three more days to do at work before I finish for my maternity leave. Roll on next week!

Week 35

Had the scan on Monday. I was very nervous going in, but my mind was soon put to rest. The amniotic fluid situation is normal, as is the baby. It's measuring pretty much on the 50th centile apart from the abdoman and head measurements which are more towards the 95th centile. The sonographer assured us it was nothing to worry about and that the baby was just a little bigger than average. It's currently weighing in around 6lbs. It should be gaining on average about 0.5 lbs a week now so I could be in for another 8lb baby again. I am going back in two weeks for a further scan as a precautional check -up.

It was lovely to see the baby. Couldn't see all of it as it's quite big now. I will put the scan picturs up when I have more time.

The baby has dropped lower now and I have a constant feeling of wanting the toilet. Sleeping is pretty non existent too. I'm so uncomfortable when I'm lying down. I'm starting to believe I'll actually get more quality sleep once the baby is here!

My pelvis has been a nightmare. Some days I can't walk at all or put any weight on my pelvis/hips without nearly keeling over. On Thursday I had a very bored little boy on my hands, so I popped him in the pram with all intentions of going to the park. I got as far as the bottom of the road and had to turn back. I was in agony. The pain was awful. I was pretty tearful on Thursday night, so Darren took Stefan to his Grandma and Grandad's while I rested in some peace and quiet.

Tony, the patio man called and confirmed he would be starting the patio and path next week. Can't believe it's actually happening now after all this time! We'll have a lovely new patio for when baby makes an appearance and can finally entertain outside without stepping in chicken poo or having stones thrown at you from Stefan! My kitched floor will need less mopping too....

Week 34

My emotional and hormonal state have reached a balance over the past few days, and I feel so much better for it. The patch I went through a couple of weeks ago was horrible. It's a real strain having to cope with that and the tiredness. Anyway - for the time being I feel pretty much my normal self for the most part. I do have the odd day where I feel a little blue or down in the dumps. Doesn't tend to last too long, especially if I get myself out of the house and do something.

My friend Emma popped over on Thursday. She's 4 months pregnant with her first. After we had lunch in Left Bank, we popped down to look at the prams in baby Planet. I am really pleased I went. Solved a major issue of mine that I had with our pram. I can't believe I've only just discovered the solution - nearly two years down the line.

It was always a concern of mine that when Stefan (as a baby) was lying in the pram, he was facing away from me. Unless he was in the travel seat (which did face me, but could only be used for a maximum of two hours) I couldn't see him, he couldn't see me and it always felt like he was open to the elements. Anyway - the very nice lady down there showed me how to turn the hood around and she put a 'nest' into the seat area which baby lies on. It's exactly what I wanted. Just a shame I struggled a little through the first few months with Stefan not being entirely happy. Good that I can do this for baby No.2 and have him/her facing me.

Saw the midwife this week. I have low blood pressure, possibly down to tiredness, and I am still measuring four centimeters too big, so I am booked in for a scan on Monday to see what's going on with the amniotic fluid situation. I'm trying not to worry about it.I got quite concerned while I was sat with her, and while she was talking to me, I couldn't hear what she was saying as my mind was doing overtime and by the end of it all I was too frightened to ask anymore incase it was bad news. She did say that carrying too much amniotic fluid was usually just 'one of those things' and was nothing to worry about, although it can mean some abnormalities. I might have to ring my friend Chris, who had the same issue when she was carrying. My iron levels are spot on apparently but I do have a small amount of protein in my wee.

I've been thinking about packing my hospital bag, and have got a few bits already prepared (shop loads of maternity pads!) Although it wasn't so long ago that I had Stefan, I've drawn a blank as to what to pack. Putting it down to absentmindedness of pregnancy. Will have to get a book out and do a check list again. I can be a little more prepared this time as I know when I am going in and what to expect and I won't have to pack a bag of 'birthing aids' like last time. I think I over packed last time......typical of me.

I've got more clumsy recently, as the cat will tell you. She's constantly spitting at me as I keep booting her out of the way. I just can't see her! I've also felt myself toppling to the left and right and loosing my balance. Stefan has also got into the habit of hiding under my bump (between it and the cupboard) when I'm washing up at the sink and I sometimes forget he's there. He goes flying if I move.

Stefan has been poorly again this week. An ear infection on Monday - got antibiotics for it, and on Wednesday the nursery called me to fetch him as he had a raging temperature. He wasn't a well little boy on Wednesday evening and was very feverish - hot, then shivering with cold and sick in his cot. Such a worry knowing what to do for for him? We have been through this once before, so we were a little bit more clued up as to what to look out for and what do to. He did eventually go off to sleep and slept till 6.30am. Very subdued the following day, tired and thirsty for most of it, and just wanting to sit with me and be cuddled. I've never watched so much Winnie The Pooh!

We've also made progress with the patio situation this week too. Got Tony from Creative Landscapes coming - hopefully before baby arrives - to work wonders with the patio area and a path up to the shed. Going to be lovely and 'curvy' apparently! I can't wait. Will make the summer months more enjoyable without having to worry about either Stefan throwing the exsiting shingle or the baby choking on a stone (or mistaking one for chicken poo - ugh!) and will make the winter months easier without having to squidge across muddy grass to get to the hens.

Bizarrely, we woke to snow on Sunday morning. It soon melted to sunshine.

















5 weeks to go. And counting. My pelvis feels like it's about to snap in two. Gave a good loud 'crack' the other night in bed. Makes me cringe just thinking about it, nevermind the agony. What I'd give for a pain-free, good night's sleep. Well, actually, I'd give birth.