34 weeks!

Not long to go now! Yesterday I was 34 weeks through my first pregnancy...

What a week! I decided some time ago to take time off before the baby arrives, just to get everything including myself ready. What I wasn't prepared for was quite how emotional I would feel finishing work. I'm really lucky to have a job that I love and I work with some brilliant people. They certainly made sure I went out in style, I had a week full of treats including an 100% surprise baby shower. I was thoroughly spoilt. The week went by in such a blur of finishing tasks, handing over and receiving gifts ... I even contemplated staying on for an extra week (for like a minute!).

My body took the opportunity last week to remind me that I do need to slow things down and rest, I am after all carrying round another person! That's right - Braxton Hicks. I've read time and time again that on the whole they are pain free ... not mine. Last week they got so strong that I was almost double over in pain. Not good for the hubby's nerves bless him! I've found the best thing for me is to relax, drink plenty of water and if they still linger a nice hot water bottle tends to do the trick. But, just in case the next lot are not these pain free tests (?!!) that we hear so much about I've downloaded a contraction tracker app - technology is a wonderful thing!

We went to visit my dad and stepmum over the weekend, it was fab. We went o Lincoln on Saturday where there was a special Punch and Judy day - loads of P&J acts had come to the city for one day, raising money for charity. It was so nice to see all the kids enjoying something so traditional ... what made it even better was the weather, hot and sunny for a change! On Sunday we went out for breakfast to the Purple Cow in Cottingham, as the weather was even better we enjoyed it al fresco. It was halfway through my eggs benedict that I decided us brits don't 'do breakfast' enough, maybe when the baby arrives it's something we can do on a regular basis. I would thoroughly recommend the Purple Cow if you are in the area - fantastic food and a lovely atmosphere.

And finally, yesterday I went for my 34 week scan. Usually you would only have a scan at around 12 weeks and again at 20 weeks. I had this one because at my 20 week scan the placenta was low lying. I wasn't as nervous for this scan as the previous ones, I think because we have such an active baby I wasn't too concerned about that aspect. This was more about the logistics of how he/she would be delivered. As soon as the sonographer put the images on the screen my heart melted, you know that they are growing just by the size of the bump but to see how far they have come on is amazing. At this stage they are too big for the full body shots that you get at 20 weeks but, to be honest, the detail at this stage is far more mesmerizing. We got to see little chubby cheeks, a little button nose, tiny toes ... and our baby sticking it's fingers up at us, charming! Thankfully the placenta is well out of the way, I can plan for a natural delivery and pack my bag accordingly. Unfortunately we haven't got any photos of the scan to share, but it's not that long until we'll have photos of our little bundle to show you!

Looking forward to my first full week off work, although it's a busy one! Midwife appointment today, and visiting friends with babies for the rest of the week - yay!!

Cx

half way!

I have just past the half way point of my pregnancy and we had our 20 week scan last week. Like most people I was a mixed bag of excitement and apprehension on the build up to the scan, and if I'm really honest I took some of it out on my work colleagues and husband (thankfully we have the hormones to blame!).

The day finally came and I busied myself in the house in the morning, doing the usual dance of shall I go to the loo now and drink more water straight away or leave it? For reference I went and drank!

Our appointment was at 11am so thankfully we didn't have too long to wait (I think I would have been completely useless all day until I had been). Once you are in there the scan takes around 20 minutes, our midwife explained that she would take the measurements that they need to complete their calculations and focus in on certain areas, such as the heart, spine and head, to check for any abnormalities before taking us through the outcome of the scan and going on a 'guided tour' of our baby. We stuck to the original plan and decided not to find out the sex of the baby, we are really looking forward to finding out when we finally meet him or her!

It is such an amazing thing to see your baby on screen, at this stage they have developed so much since the early scan and their movements are fascinating to watch. Thankfully everything is fine with the baby, no abnormalities or issues were picked up on the scan. We also got some amazing pictures (our first scan pictures look like a jelly baby in a balloon!) which we have been sharing with everyone and anyone!

I'll have to go back for another scan at 34 weeks, at the moment I have a low lying placenta which basically means that the exit is blocked. This is quite common apparently, one in five women have it at this stage, and usually things have moved on by 34 weeks. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed!

Cx

team colours

Next Monday is the date for my anomaly (20 week) scan, something I'm really excited about but also a little apprehensive. This is where they look at your baby in great detail to make sure that they are developing properly and check for any abnormalities, it is also where you get to find out (if you want) the sex of your baby.

Now there are two sides to this, and very good reasons for both. Some couples prefer to not find out, to keep it more of a surprise, and some are eager to find out the sex, some say it helps them bond more or feel more prepared for their new arrival. We have friends that have done both. It really is such a personal decision and one that I think you need to make together if you are part of a couple. Us ... we're team lemon.

That is, we have decided not to find out the sex of our baby. I always thought that I would 'have to know' what flavour I was having in order to feel prepared, I'm a control freak and like to plan everything beyond limitation. However, when it came down to it I didn't want to know, the most important thing to both of us is that the baby is healthy and happy.

I'm also discovering that there are some things that you just can't control, or plan ... thankfully this discovery is taking place well in advance of the birth!

What about your plans? Any thoughts?
Cx