Had a busy week in terms of baby preparation! Had two ante natal classes – one in couples so Sam came too and then also one just with ladies at the Birth Centre in High Wycombe where we were given a tour and a general nose around which was really helpful. It’s actually a really nice place and I would love to have my baby there. However, if anything was to go wrong during labour you have to be transferred to Stoke Mandeville hospital which is half an hour away and that freaks me out. I am choosing to use Wexham’s birth centre which is next door to the labour ward and so you are right there if any emergency happens. I have a tour booked in early Feb so I can have a look round. Hopefully it won’t be too hectic. The one in Wycombe was really quiet and peaceful and I liked that a lot. I’m sure it will be just as nice. Worrying if it’s too busy, there might not be a pool free and I am completely set on a water birth now.
The classes have been very informative so far. There’s 9 couples in the group so it’s good to meet people going through the same thing as you. We have 5 more weeks of evening classes and they’re fab for asking questions and learning about labour. I feel I know quite a bit already as I have been reading up, but still useful, especially for your partner who may not be doing as much bedtime reading as you! Would highly recommend them. The group is called Birth Matters for anyone interested. Here is their Facebook page.
Last week I also had a midwife appointment where for once everything wasn't perfect. Baby and heartbeat and everything was fine however my bump is measuring two weeks larger than it should. Now, hopefully this is because I'd had a big fat lunch before my appointment and not that my baby is growing too fast. It would be lovely if they’d got the dates wrong and I was really two weeks ahead but that’s highly unlikely! So I’m seeing my midwife a bit sooner, in two weeks instead of three to keep an eye on the growth. It’s making me nervous I’m growing a big one, but hopefully it’s just a blip. Or I'm eating too much chicken.
Baby is still in the correct position, head down. There is a chance she may move around again but fingers crossed she stays comfy how she is. My back is getting worse not better :( All the sitting positions that keep it feeling normal are leaning back ones and they’re not good for pregnant ladies so it’s hard to balance making sure I’m comfortable and making sure my posture is correct. I have a GP appointment booked this week to talk about it. It’s making work a challenge being at a desk all day but I’d really prefer to stay at work as long as possible and put off maternity leave for as long as I can.
Other symptoms annoying me this week are: Breathlessness. It’s really horrible feeling so out of breath, often for no reason. I can feel the strain on my body now. If I walk up stairs I really need a second to catch my breath, just doing housework can floor me for a good hour. It’s annoying that you can only plan one activity for the day, if I’m doing a big clean I know I probably won’t have the energy to then do a food shop as well so having to plan things a little more spread out. I’m actually sleeping OK when I get to sleep but the constant trips to the bathroom are annoying. I swear when you’re pregnant you spend your whole time feeling both dehydrated and dying for the toilet. Not an ideal combination.
The most exciting part of the week was Sam’s mum brought us down the pram we got off EBay at the weekend and its lovely. It’s a Stokke Xplory and brand new with all the accessories it would cost a fortune but we got a good deal. I love the Stokke brand and was happy to take one second hand if it was in good condition. I am so pleased with it. It genuinely is like new and it’s just beautiful and everything I wanted in a pram. It comes with a carry cot for when she’s a baby, up until about 6 months I think and then more of a seat that can be backwards or forwards facing that they can be in for a good couple of years after that. I love it. Big tick off the list as well only a few more big things to get for baby Hodgson now.
Lots of movement this week. Because she’s facing down her legs are always kicking about under my ribs and on both sides. Haven’t had too much rib pain yet but I think my back pain has made up for it (!) Especially when I’m lying on my side which is as much as physically possible. I do love getting a fort of pillows in position on the sofa, getting all sideways and watching crap on the telly. Preferably with a hot water bottle wedged on my back. The only issue is when you have found that perfect position you really don’t want to be getting up again so poor Samuel has to do a lot of passing me the remote/squash/biscuits. Bless him he doesn't ever complain though, especially if I make sure he has enough time on the Xbox. Fair deal I reckon.
The classes have been very informative so far. There’s 9 couples in the group so it’s good to meet people going through the same thing as you. We have 5 more weeks of evening classes and they’re fab for asking questions and learning about labour. I feel I know quite a bit already as I have been reading up, but still useful, especially for your partner who may not be doing as much bedtime reading as you! Would highly recommend them. The group is called Birth Matters for anyone interested. Here is their Facebook page.
Last week I also had a midwife appointment where for once everything wasn't perfect. Baby and heartbeat and everything was fine however my bump is measuring two weeks larger than it should. Now, hopefully this is because I'd had a big fat lunch before my appointment and not that my baby is growing too fast. It would be lovely if they’d got the dates wrong and I was really two weeks ahead but that’s highly unlikely! So I’m seeing my midwife a bit sooner, in two weeks instead of three to keep an eye on the growth. It’s making me nervous I’m growing a big one, but hopefully it’s just a blip. Or I'm eating too much chicken.
Baby is still in the correct position, head down. There is a chance she may move around again but fingers crossed she stays comfy how she is. My back is getting worse not better :( All the sitting positions that keep it feeling normal are leaning back ones and they’re not good for pregnant ladies so it’s hard to balance making sure I’m comfortable and making sure my posture is correct. I have a GP appointment booked this week to talk about it. It’s making work a challenge being at a desk all day but I’d really prefer to stay at work as long as possible and put off maternity leave for as long as I can.
Other symptoms annoying me this week are: Breathlessness. It’s really horrible feeling so out of breath, often for no reason. I can feel the strain on my body now. If I walk up stairs I really need a second to catch my breath, just doing housework can floor me for a good hour. It’s annoying that you can only plan one activity for the day, if I’m doing a big clean I know I probably won’t have the energy to then do a food shop as well so having to plan things a little more spread out. I’m actually sleeping OK when I get to sleep but the constant trips to the bathroom are annoying. I swear when you’re pregnant you spend your whole time feeling both dehydrated and dying for the toilet. Not an ideal combination.
The most exciting part of the week was Sam’s mum brought us down the pram we got off EBay at the weekend and its lovely. It’s a Stokke Xplory and brand new with all the accessories it would cost a fortune but we got a good deal. I love the Stokke brand and was happy to take one second hand if it was in good condition. I am so pleased with it. It genuinely is like new and it’s just beautiful and everything I wanted in a pram. It comes with a carry cot for when she’s a baby, up until about 6 months I think and then more of a seat that can be backwards or forwards facing that they can be in for a good couple of years after that. I love it. Big tick off the list as well only a few more big things to get for baby Hodgson now.
Lots of movement this week. Because she’s facing down her legs are always kicking about under my ribs and on both sides. Haven’t had too much rib pain yet but I think my back pain has made up for it (!) Especially when I’m lying on my side which is as much as physically possible. I do love getting a fort of pillows in position on the sofa, getting all sideways and watching crap on the telly. Preferably with a hot water bottle wedged on my back. The only issue is when you have found that perfect position you really don’t want to be getting up again so poor Samuel has to do a lot of passing me the remote/squash/biscuits. Bless him he doesn't ever complain though, especially if I make sure he has enough time on the Xbox. Fair deal I reckon.