BABY: 34 and 35 Weeks Pregnant Update

Well, I've had a bit of a fail with my updates these past couple of weeks. I know there isn't really any excuse, but we have had family down to visit, followed by a cheeky trip to Liverpool. If I'm truly honest, combining both updates is probably a good thing as nothing has really changed too much during this time.

The obvious changes during this time was an increase in the size of the baby bump. It is so much heavier now and has created its own mobility issues. During both of these weeks I did find that I would get out of breath quickly and my only speed was equivalent to a snail's pace. Oh, there have been more stretch marks cropping up on the bump, near my hips, as well as a few on my thighs. None of these are a surprise to me as my bump is feeling really stretched and I've been sat down more than I'd like because of my swollen feet. Belly Button Update.. It definitely looks a lot more shallow, but no POP yet!

The lower back is still painful when I'm on my feet for longer periods and is at its worst when I'm stood on the same spot doing the washing up. Ouch! The husband now has a second job as my personal masseuse.. he is pretty good!

My breasts are still leaking, mainly when I sleep, which I hope is a good sign for when my milk comes in. Breast Boil Update.. It has taken a few weeks but the boil is definitely deflating and is no way near as painful as it was. Not wearing a bra at night and wearing a sleep bra during the day has definitely helped, as well as making sure the area is dry throughout the day (The warm weather doesn't help matters).

My main issue over these weeks has been my swollen feet and ankles. I did bring this up during my midwife appointment last week and she wasn't worried about it being a sign of pre-eclampsia, as my blood pressure was fine and I wasn't having dizzy spells or headaches and nausea. The main culprit is a combination of the warm weather and this latter stage of pregnancy. Drinking lots of water and raising my feet has helped to a point, but I still can't fit into a lot of my size 5 shoes.

Our baby is still active and he likes to make his presence known mainly in the evenings and when I turn over in bed. Talking of bed, my sleep is getting increasingly disrupted. After 2 or 3 hours it's time for a wee. Then I need to switch the side I'm sleeping on as the sciatica in the buttocks gets way too achy. Turning over in bed is also really difficult for me. The pains in my pelvic area make it hard to move my legs comfortably, so I've resolved to getting myself onto my back and then grabbing the headboard to turn me onto the opposite side. Sitting up in bed is another challenge! It's the weight of the bump that is my problem, as it makes me feel like I've been pinned to the bed! Luckily Chris hears my groans and will push me into a sitting position. Once I'm sat up, everything is fine!

Last week we had a home visit from our midwife. All of the usual things like blood pressure and baby's heartbeat were good. We also talked through our thoughts on labour and made a basic birth plan together. We haven't made a hugely specific plan, as we know that they mainly get thrown out the window when labour actually starts. We just covered things like Chris wanting to cut the chord, wanting skin on skin with the baby ASAP and being open to different methods of pain relief etc.

That's it for this update, hopefully I won't get into the same pickle again as we have no plans now.. just to wait for the arrival of our Bumpy!

LIFE: We Are Moving!

So, this was unexpected! We are indeed on the move, and we will be doing it sooner rather than later! The reason for this swift move is because my lovely husband has been promoted! If you're reading this Chris, well done, your wife (and bumpy) are very proud of you.

The difference with being promoted in the military compared to your run-of-the-mill job on civvy street is that with a promotion you become a new rank! With a new rank you will then get posted into a new job that is suitable for your new rank. With a posting you then typically have to move to where the new job is situated.

Alas, our 3 years down in Cornwall will be cut short rather abruptly. This is such a shame as we have been loving life down here. I also feel like we haven't made the most of our time here, mainly because I have been pregnant for the nearly 9 months that we have been here.

Moving a month after our due date is probably not the easiest of times, especially if this little one decides to not come out on time. However, we will just suck it up and get on with it and hope that the cat and our little baby can cope with 6 hours (maybe more for baby feeding stops) in the car.

So, I've put a hold on doing anything more to the nursery than is necessary and decided to just wash every single tiny item of clothing and bedding that we have purchased. It seemed like the most sensible thing to do.

The Cons of this move are just how soon it will be after the birth of our baby. It will mean organising a new GP and Health Visitor, so myself and our baby don't miss out on vital appointments.... not forgetting the general upheaval of having to move across the country.

There are Pros though! We have been posted to Lincolnshire, which is where both my husband and I grew up! We've both not lived there for 12 years now, so we are ecstatic that both our families will now be on hand to help us unpack, settle in and spend precious time with their Grandson!

So, onwards to our next adventure! Have you moved close to the arrival of your baby? If you have any tips feel free to comment below, they will be very much welcome!

BABY: 33 Weeks Pregnant Update

This week has been a week of tiredness and swollen feet. We had quite an uneventful weekend, Chris was away most of the week on a course so we had a chilled evening with friends on Saturday and just a generally relaxed Sunday. This was probably for the best as I've had to spend a lot of my time with my feet raised to keep the swollen feet under control. It is a bit of a catch 22 situation, as this may help my feet but it doesn't help my lower back.

My lower back has been awful this week. It aches when I'm stood up doing chores, it aches when I walk around. It even aches when I'm sat down for too long and is very clicky when I stretch it out. The worst is when I go to sleep... I dream about being able to sleep on my back and front. It would be pure bliss! Only being able to sleep on my sides is fine for the first hour or two, but after that my legs get cramped up and my bum cheek goes to sleep. Then there's the turning over! The pain in my groin and hips does not make this the easiest of processes. I know this loosening of the joints is all in readiness for labour, but it isn't helping my sleep!

 Little Bumpy has still been pretty active and Chris has loved watching the movements in the evenings when we are relaxing on the sofa. There's been a few bouts of hiccups too!

There hasn't been so many leakages in my breasts this week and they haven't grown much in size or got any more veiny. I have, however, developed a boil on the underside of one of my breasts. I had previously had a small spot there, but wearing bras 24 hours a day (for comfort and leakages) and being clammy from the mini heatwave hadn't helped matters. It is basically a lump under the skin, which is inflamed on the surface of the skin. It is really painful if any pressure is put on it, like bending over to pick up something. The position hasn't helped with it being right where the band of your bra sits. The doctor said it will either shrink and go away or it will burst. Ouch! I'm definitely not looking forward to that happening!

My midwife appointment was on Tuesday and it all went fine. My bump measured 1cm over the expected measurement, but wasn't something that she was worried about at all, as my blood sugar is fine and it is quite a firm bump, meaning there isn't too much fluid in there. She feels that it could be because I'm quite short and the baby may be taking after his Daddy, and may turn out to be a long baby. (Chris is nearly 6ft 5!)

I feel like my bump has got a little lower as well as heavier. Chris put his hands underneath my bump to gauge the overall weight and I think it surprised him how heavy the bump currently is! It really feels like all of the pressure is now moving lower into my pelvis.

That's pretty much it for this week. Any tips for swollen feet or lower back ache would be welcomed!

BABY: 32 Weeks Pregnant Update

So, another week bites the dust! I'm pretty sure that nothing particularly eventful has happened this week. If anything, it has been solely focused on keeping my swollen feet and ankles up. The mini heatwave we are experiencing hasn't really helped matters. This has meant I have mainly been laying on the sofa with my feet propped up on piles of cushions, drinking as much water as my bladder would allow.

Spending long lengths of time doing housework is taking it's toll on my lower back. The same goes for sleeping. My routine of following my toilet break with a few minutes of hip circles is still helping though. I'm definitely sounding like a dying whale, clutching my tummy when I attempt to turn over. The groaning definitely helps me, but it probably doesn't help Chris get a good night's sleep!

The tiredness is still kicking in around the early afternoon. Naps are my best friend! One minute I'll be reading the paper or checking my phone and then I wake up 10 minutes later wondering what has happened.

Every day this week I have been on belly button watch. Multiple times a day I've been keeping my beady eye on it. It is just so shallow, I'm so surprised it hasn't popped out. (Yes, this is as exciting as my life gets.)

My bump does feel like it is sticking out a bit more and we can really feel and see the baby moving under my skin. A few stretchmarks appeared a bit further up on my tummy, which really was no surprise at all.. Can my bump get any bigger! Watch this space...