It’s been a little while since I’ve posted a proper pregnancy update and I can’t quite believe I’m almost 9 weeks away from my due date! Things have been good in general, the feeling of the baby moving around and giving me kicks is like no other and I spend as much time as I can enjoying that feeling. The other day I was lying in bed when he must have done a full turn, my stomach went completely lop sided for a few minutes it was very amusing! I’m also doing very well with all my health checks at the midwife and coming in perfect on all of them. However I have started to feel the strains of pregnancy, a couple of weeks ago when I was working on the new site and hence were stuck at my desk all day, my feet really swelled up which was strange! They’ve been ok since thankfully. The heat has obviously been hard to cope with at times, and some of the tiredness and random sickness I had in the first trimester has made a come back.
23, 27 and 30 weeks pregnant
I also have quite a lot to say about how I’ve been feeling body image wise. I’m saving most of that for a longer post, but I have had days when I have struggled with my size and being a ‘big’ mama. I often have had people say that I’m big, but when I look at other pics of pregnant ladies at the same stage as me, I would say I’m just average really. I’m measuring perfectly for my stage in pregnancy so I don’t know, maybe it’s just perceptions. I also think being hormonal and therefore a little more emotional has played a big part in how I’ve been feeling too (i.e. emotional Laura = crazy lady). I enjoyed having my maternity photos done, but they are not flattering at all and I think thats added to my worries. Over all I’ve had to remind myself, as I often have in the past, that I am healthy and most importantly, my baby is healthy and that is all that matters. I also think that I’d rather have a big obvious pregnant bump than be smaller, I’ve had some lovely conversations with random strangers who have obviously thought I’m pregnant rather than just having come from from a buffet!
As big as I may or may not be I still have no stretch marks, varicose veins or anything like that so I’m also happy in that regard, plus I’m proud of myself for the exercise I’ve been able to do. I’m hoping I can keep it up until my due date!
Now that the end is most definitely in sight, we’ve started to get more prepared and last week I ordered the cot and James has put it up ready as pictured above. We went for the Kinder Valley Kai Compact Cot and mattress. There’s nothing like seeing the cot put together for a jolt of reality! I’ve also ordered a sling. I still need to get a changing bag, changing mat, bottles (I plan to breast feed and pump as well), steriliser, bouncy seat, play mat, sling and a few more sleep suits.
One of the nooks in our new unit with a glow in the dark bunny, fox felt cushion and a new blanket I ordered from Kiddicare
I’ve also signed up for a breast feeding and parent craft class through the NHS although these aren’t until September so I hope he doesn’t make an early arrival!
On Wednesday I visited a local nursery. It might sound like I’m being a bit quick off the mark, but I wasn’t sure what waiting lists would be like. It’s just a few minutes walk from where we live, and oh my word it is fabulous! It’s quite a big nursery, but seriously, I wanted to have a play about in there! They have excellent indoor and outdoor facilities, lovely staff, a great kitchen and healthy menu and even extras like yoga and football classes once they are older. I’m very keen to have him in there at least one day, not even so much so I can work, but more so that he can benefit from what is clearly a fantastic environment.
Something else I’ve been up to this week is starting to drink red raspberry leaf tea. It’s a herbal tea which when drunk in later pregnancy has been known to tone the uterus and help with a faster second stage of labour. It’s worth noting that you do need to be careful with this but I’ve done my research, I’ve started with one, very weakly brewed cup drunk iced every other day and plan to gradually increase it towards the end of the pregnancy.
The Birth Plan
Beautiful sleep suit and hat received as a gift from my parents from Jojo Maman Bebe which they picked up in Brighton
To be honest, I don’t have much of a plan! I’ve jotted down a few notes which go something like this:
I’d like to give birth as naturally as possible with as little medical intervention as is safe. I’d prefer to be able to move around freely rather than have to lie on a bed. I’d like to have the baby put straight on to my chest after birth and would like to try breast feeding immediately. However, I am willing to do whatever is recommended to unsure the baby is born healthy and safe.
That’s kind of it. I know ideally how I’d like birth to go, but if I need an epidural or a c-section then so be it. James will be my birth partner and after our hypno birthing workshops (the second of which is this weekend) I’m really confident in his support. I’d also like to labour at home for as long as I can. I was told that once you are in hospital you are on a ‘clock’ where they will be more likely to want to speed up your labour with drugs or other interventions, something I definitely don’t want. As I literally live 5 minutes from the hospital, I’d like to stay at home as long as I can. One thing the hypno birthing course has been brilliant at is getting me to think about how I can make myself really comfortable during labour and that’s definitely being at home as long as I can. I’m hoping I’ll be able to get an exercise ball to help me as well. I’m going to try and remember that actually, my body knows what to do naturally to birth this baby. My body has astounded me these last few months with what it’s capable of and there’s no need for me to stop trusting it now.
I’m also thinking that I’d like my labour bag packed and ready for the end of August, just in case!
If you’ve had a baby, did you think much about labour and birth? Did you have a birth plan? If you haven’t had a child, have you ever thought about how you’d like your labour to go? What was in your hospital / labour bag?
I posted my birth story on my blog like you I had no real plan. Mine was to get the baby here safe with me safe and us both as comfortable and peaceful as possible. I feel that was what I got. My bag contained a few bits but as we lived close I didn’t worry too much as my husband could nip and get what was needed. I also pump and it has taken a while to find a bottle which the baby likes so I would say just buy 1 of a few types until you know what flow rate, teat shape etc suits your baby. Your probably won’t know until your breastfeeding is established as they will want it as close to you as possible . I would say immediate needs for the birth bag were nice shower gel, clean pjs, coconut water and snickers as a snack. Also face cloths which my husband kept in cool water for my head was amazing!
I found your story really useful in generally relaxing me about the labour and the though of interventions that ideally I might not want, but realistically could happen :-) Definitely thinking of coconut water for the hospital, will include face cloths too!
Oh goodness Laura, I am so broody, stop it already! Hehe! I have been seriously lusting after one if those multi coloured crocheted blankets in forever and I’m not even pregnant! So adorable! Goes perfectly with the white cot too!
Haha, thanks Lucie! I love those blankets as well, they are adoreable :-)
Crazy lady made me giggle … sounds about right for pregnancy ;-)
My birth plan was SO different from yours – give me drugs, as many as are legally possible, as soon as possible!
Sounds like you are struggling with body image a bit but that I would say is to be expected but I just wanted to say that every bump is different and every mommy to be will carry differently. You know you are being as healthy as you can be and giving munchkin the best start in life xx
haha you aren’t half wrong there, crazy lady indeed! Thanks for those words Lara, I think it is a bit of a mix of being more emotional with the hormones, some days I think I look fine and others like jaba the hut ;-)
Laura you’re looking fantastic, definitely not a ‘big’ pregnant lady at all! I love reading these posts, it’s great how organised you are and all the things you have thought about. The nursery sounds fab, not that I know much about having children but I think learning to share and socialise at an early age can only be a good thing
Thanks Claire :-) Yep the nursery was so amazing, going to be great for him to experience that :-)
Laure, it’s so nice to read how well your pregnancy is going – and you look absolutely gorgeous (not ‘big’ in any way!). I so admire how organised you are – I’m sure you and James are going to make wonderful parents to your little one :) The cot is adorable and I love the bunny night light. It’s such an exciting time for you and that really shows through in your posts. x
Thanks Pop, you are so kind!
9 weeks! Oh my goodness! You are so right, what is most important is that you and your baby are healthy :) and for the record you don’t look big – just pregnant :)
I love that the nursery offers yoga classes – that is amazing!
Thanks Lauren, you are lovely! I know, I loved it then they mentioned baby yoga and I was even more excited!
Wow, nine weeks! I’m sorry you’ve had your confidence knocked a bit. I’m sure people don’t mean to be rude when they make those comments but it is a little thoughtless of them. Of course you are going to look bigger, you are growing a whole other brand new person in there! If you weren’t looking bigger then they would only comment on that, you can’t win!
Personally I think you look fantastic. You don’t look big, you look pregnant and that’s beautiful!
I think it’s me being emotional and taking it all to heart really, and I agree I think people would comment if they thought I was too small as well! Thank you for your lovely kind words :-)
I’ve already told you how much I love reading about your pregnancy. I’m super excited to “meet” your little boy (hope that doesn’t sound weird..!)! I’m one of those people who oohs and aahs over all the babies I meet.
I think you look great- healthy and glowing! Don’t let unkind or thoughtless comments get to you.
Thanks again Emma, it’s lovely that you enjoy reading about it, and thanks for your kind words :-)
You are looking fabulous and most of all you are setting a great example to all women out there of a healthy pregnancy – of authentic body changes throughout pregnancy which is amazing to see. You body is working and doing exactly what it needs to . On another i love your bed sheets in main photo – where are they from ?? Cant enough of floral these days….
Thanks Kezia :-) I know those bed sheets are lush aren’t they! They’re from Joules :-)
Wow 9 weeks!? Crazy!! Sounds your birth plan is awesome. You have your wants and wishes but at the same time you’re flexible and realistic. You never know how it’s going to go I guess, but I hope it turns out exactly how you hope.
I think I’d probably have a stash of apples in my hospital bag. Gotta have the essentials! ;-)
I know it’s a bit scary how soon it is! Haha I think apples would be quite a nice labour snack ;-)
I think that is a really sensible plan you have. We can plan for so many things in our life, but at the end of the day, you don’t know what is going to happen in the moment and you just have to do what it right and safe.
You look amazing by the way :)
Thanks Dannii, I agree I think at the end of the day you just have to go with the flow :-)
Honestly, I don’t understand why people can’t keep their opinions to themselves. You’re not ‘big’ by any means. Sure, you have a decent-sized bump, but you just look like a normal pregnant lady to me and your limbs/upper torso are still lean, so really you’re all bump! And that’s pretty essential, given that there’s a baby living in there and all that. I think you look great :)
xxx
Thanks Jess, I think it’s partially due to feeling hormonal and therefore being a bit more sensitive, plus we both know how hard it can be not to compare to others in the blog world sometimes!
Oh yes, absolutely! Sorry – I didn’t mean to seem as though I was being reductive about or downplaying your concerns. I was just frustrated by the whole #fitpregnancy culture at the moment, I know I probably have no business having an opinion because it’s not something I’ll ever experience, but I just think that the whole world having the right to ‘own’ a pregnant woman’s body by commenting on it is just disgusting. The only reason for praise or lack of is if the mother is doing what’s best for her health and that of her baby, and you are the epitome of that concept :)
I have to say that when I saw your pictures my very first thought was that you were looking so neat and far from being big. You also look very health and happy.
Thanks Lisa, that is lovely of you to say!
To be honest the thought of having a baby terrifies me! I have never really had that baby urge I can’t say I will never have a bubba but right now that is something that is definitely not in my near future….saying that I can’t wait for my little sisters baby to arrive she’s due in 6 weeks so my baby urge might come then…but I hope not! hahaha ….. looking fab my lovely x x
Ooh how lovely that your sisters is due soon! I think there’s nothing wrong with not wanting kids, to be honest I’d half convinced myself I wasn’t fussed when I thought it was off the cards, I think you can have a wonderful life child free for sure!
I think people saying that you’re big is just one of those things people say. A bit like when when you’re growing up and people say oh haven’t you grown even when you’re short! And in your pictures you like you’re all baby!
I think you are right, it’s just me being a bit emotional with the hormones and taking it to heart!
You look great! People used to ask me all the time if I was sure I wasn’t having twins etc then in the same day someone would tell me I look small and was I eating enough/not working too hard etc etc – pregnant women can’t win! It’s definitely not helpful :-) my daughter was breech from 28 weeks and even though they said she would probably turn deep down I somehow knew she wouldn’t so I reconciled myself to a scheduled c-section early on. Next time I’d like to have a vbac if possible but I think i will definitely be asking for the drugs ;-) my birth plan will be very flexible! Good luck for the home run – keep taking care of yourself and relaxing when possible! Xx
Thanks Bron :-) I’ve had the same thing! Glad I’m not alone but it is a pain, I think it’s all relative to what they have experienced. I think a flexible birth plan is best, at least you knew what was coming with the c-section. I’m pretty sure the baby is head down now, I’m presuming it’s his bum he keeps pushing into my ribs ;-) Will definitely be trying to relax as much as possible!
Laura I have that bed!!! Love Ikea – but I didn’t buy mine direct, I got it from eBay for £30 in the end for the Kingsize version – I love your duvet!! Where is it from? Goodness, sounding a little obsessed, haha! You look gorgeous – your absolutely perfect, precisely as you are x
It’s lush isn’t it! What a bargain getting it for £30, the duvet is from Joules, I love it! And thanks very much for all your kind words, you are a sweet heart :-)
Laura you look great, positively glowing with health and happiness, you just ooze sparkle. I would never say you were ‘big’ – there is another person growing inside you – your body is just doing what it needs to do to grow your wee one :)
Not long now!! How exciting!
Labour terrifies me! Although, really, who wouldn’t be scared at the thought…!? I think your birthing plan sounds pretty much the same as what mine would be. I’d never even thought past pushing a baby into the world, let alone when to begin feeding etc. So much to learn and think about!
I know what you mean, I’m just trying to think of it as a positive thing and keep telling myself it’s natural and what our bodies are designed for! I’m only just starting to get my head around what happens when the baby arrives, very glad I have my Mam, sis and friends to keep me right!
As far as nursery is concerned, my partner took his son to a nursery from 6 months. It was a really good one and his son loved it. I think it’s to do with your child, you and the nursery. It can be a really good experience for your child to be around a wide range of adults from so young if it’s a good environment.
Yeah I totally agree, I think having a couple of days with his grandparents and some time at nursery will be great for him, as well as letting me focus on work so I can focus on him when we are together!
love your birth plan, I am working on mine and it is very similar to yours :) I agree with everything you said!! I can’t believe we only have a few weeks left to go!!! so excited. I am drinking the red leaf tea for a few weeks now and plan to continue. So far I am liking it. Hopefully it helps :)
I know it’s amazing to think it’s just 8 weeks now! Hoping the red raspberry tea helps too, fingers crossed :-)