Introducing the new arrival

Tuesday 3 June to Wednesday 4 June

 

DH and I arrive at hospital at 7.40am and nothing happens for about an hour. There are 3 other ladies waiting in reception also to be induced.

At 8.25 we're taken to delivery suite to a side ward for induction – hooked straight up to CTG. Half an hour later I was examined (still soft, only 1cm) and given the first gel – tied to the bed for an hour… did however manage to get some toast to eat (had been told to only have one slice for breakfast, I was ravenous!)

The weather was gorgeous, so once I was allowed up we went for a walk – we'd been told not to leave the building but it was too nice for that so we went outside and found some nice benches and a grassy bit to sit and walk around.

Hourly monitoring then interspersed with walks and sudoku and crosswords. Missed the lady coming round with lunch at midday, so stuck with skanky egg mayo sandwich – better than nothing I suppose.

After lunch bellyache started, with constant cramping, more walking and lazing around.

At about 3pm I was examined again, slightly more dilated apparently, and given the second gel. I then had TWO WHOLE CONTRACTIONS while on the CTG (in bed for another hour…)

More walking around and sitting in the sun for the next couple of hours, tea at 5pm. DH went home for a while and I got to watch Neighbours.

About 8pm I was being monitored and having regular (frequent?) 'wee tightenings' as the midwife put it. I think I felt this more as just cramps for quite a long while. When the midwives handed over they suggested I had a bath and a sleeping pill before bed. I put the TENS machine on at about half 9, which if nothing else distracted me from the discomfort.  

By this stage 4 other women had been and gone from the induction ward – depressing or what! I was being reassured by the midwives that most first time mums needed 3 doses of gel… and this would happen at 6am if nothing happened before then.

Before DH when home at 11pm, I had a nice bath (TENS off again) then got my sleeping pill.

Had a bit of a miserable night really. Sleeping pill did nothing to help and the pain of the contractions was waking me up every time I started to drop off. I kept wandering out in to the corridor (there was no midwife in our side ward) and I couldn't find anyone. At 2am, I though I'd asked someone for more pain relief but apparently not – 5 minutes later I was standing at the staff base in tears looking for someone – anyone! – to help me… Given some more cocodamol at 2.20 but I was still awake at 3am and at 4am. Went to find the midwives again at 4am to ask for some pethedine (did not want that to happen!). I was examined by the midwife (still only 1cm dilated) who then referred to the sister who wanted a doctor to examine me…

At 4.45 after more groaning in pain and a distinct lack of sleep, I was examined by the doctor who proclaimed me 3cm dilated and that he could break my waters. I went in to a bit of a panic at this stage and refused to let anything happen until my husband was at the hospital… he was duly summoned. I was moved to Room 5 on the main delivery suite – the other corridor – this was where all the midwives had been hiding all night!

Hubby back in hospital at 5.30am and at 6am my waters were broken.

By 6.30 it was all getting rather painful and when someone mentioned gas and air I jumped at the chance – it had been great when I had a broken leg! To my dismay it made me feel really ill L Working with TENS and gas and air at this stage, and then midwife suggested an epidural – again something I had hoped to do without, but hey I'd managed to skip the pethedine which was the thing I really didn't want so decided to go with this.

About 6.45 the anaesthetist was on his way and my IV was in – starting to get a bit better at timing the gas and air, but still making me feel ill and stoned (as I apparently couldn't stop saying!)

At 7am I sitting up on the edge of the bed being told to keep incredibly still and tell the anaesthetist I feel a contraction coming – miraculously the whole thing seems to be done before another one comes along – I am babbling more nonsense now…

The anaesthetist told me I had to stay on my back (but sitting up a bit) until the epidural took effect, not lying on my side as I had been – now all through the last few months of my pregnancy lying on my back had made me feel really light headed – unsurprisingly the same thing happened now. I was lying there, telling them I needed to lie on my side, that I felt dizzy, that I was going to faint, that my vision was blurring and I couldn't hear properly. But I think since I'd already been talking so much nonsense no-one really took me seriously. 7.20am and next thing I know I'm lying on my side (finally!) with an oxygen mask pressed to my face. Apparently I was right all along (I won't say I told you so), my blood pressure had plummeted, baby's heart rate went from 150 to 60. Hubby described it as a bit of a Holby City moment with lots of rushing around and frantic activity – in addition to the oxygen I was given ephedrine and then things calmed down – and I was allowed to stay on my side.

After the drama, catheter finally fitted about 8.15 and syntocin drip started. Another internal is scheduled for 10am. I managed to doze for a while, and apart from pins and needles in my right leg which was quite disturbing all was good.

About 11am I started to feel some contractions again, and the epidural was boosted – I was now 8/9cm dilated! Contractions coming regularly now and also some upper abdominal pain which didn't go away between times – so they stopped the drip.

The midwife said about 12.15 she was going to take lunch early so that she'd be back by the time to baby arrived. I was in quite a lot more pain now (feeling it lots in upper abdomen still) so she examined me again before 'going for lunch' – lo and behold I was ready to push!

Cue panic attack – I don't want to push I'm not sure if I want this baby, what if I don't like it, I want to go home, I don't like it etc… (I don't like it was my phrase of the day). Hubby and the midwife were great – talked to me constantly, reassured me, told me to push, I cried a lot and pushed a lot, and swore a lot and accused the midwife of lying when she told me I was doing really well, and then I swore some more, pushed some more, pushed gently when I was told to, finally could see the baby's head and then calmed down a bit and pushed and the head was delivered and then in a really weird squirming and odd movement the rest of the body followed and teachersdaughter arrived at 13.00 weighing 9lb 3oz and a leggy 56cm long! She was straight up on to my chest for a cuddle. 8h 35m active labour (from being told I was 3cm dilated) and 25 minutes pushing – maybe the raspberry leaf tea did work! Placenta delivered easily after that, then she was checked over and so was I and daddy got some cuddling time. I had a graze and needed 2 stitches and then half an hour after being born, she was breastfeeding lying in the bed with me.

A truly exhausting experience after such a sleepless night, but well worth the effort. I couldn't have done it without my husband's encouragement, calmness when I was panicking, constant reassurance and positive attitude – thank you! Midwives and staff at the hospital were great too – although the nice student that was with us went off to see another baby being born and then missed teachersdaughters arrival! The midwife with me through the delivery was great – very good at being bad cop and getting me to calm down while DH played good cop and encouraged me!

 

Last call for May babies

Unless it is an extremely quick labour, this is a June baby. As of 6pm on 31 May there are no indications that this baby is coming any time soon.

Had another lovely day out with DH, we have circumnavigated Lough Neagh, and eating sticky buns in a very nice bakery.

Another blistering hot day, no complaints from me there!

We are just now getting set to have out second barbecue in as many days - bring on the alcohol free beer!

only a week late (so far)

So that's a week over now, and I'm feeling remarkably unfussed. But that's a momentary state of mind. In about 5 minutes I'll be fuming and impatient.

 

I've been trying to go for a little walk every day, walked to the shops yesterday and Tuesday and today went out for lunch with mum and neighbours and walked home from that. The weather is back - back and sunny! - after two days of interminable drizzle.

 

Bambino had such a quiet day yesterday I was actually quite worried, but today we've been disco dancing inside... particularly when I was reading aloud in a clary sage bath!!

 

DH just back with pizza for tea, and we have a DVD to watch - all good :)

Final antenatal appointment

I've been for my last antenatal appointment this morning. Had a really good look around on the scan (not at baby's sex though), and estimated weight is currently 9lb 7oz! Doc tried a sweep again, but no change from last time - still soft but not dilated, so not a real sweep at all. Oh, and baby's head is STILL not engaged at all!

 

Anyway, outcome of all that is that induction is booked for next Tuesday if nothing happens before then. I really hope it all starts naturally or I won't be allowed to have a water birth. I was however reminded today that in France full term is considered 41 weeks, so by their scale of things, I'm not even overdue yet.

 

Felt a bit abandoned after that as no-one was around at home, and after a long weekend hanging out with people it was a bit lonely! And it's started raining - boo. Had a nice soak in a Clary sage bath as well, chilled, but this time didn't even elicit much movement from the baby...

 

Had to go and get more iron today, gutted about that really, pathetic though that sounds, the last prescription they gave me was for 100 to be taken twice a day, and I though, nah, I'll not need another lot after that - how wrong I was! Also picked up some Evening Primrose Oil, which can apparently help 'prime' the cervix. So far just tried it orally rather than internally! And I walked to the chemist - good for me! - in the rain, hopefully that'll help send the baby in the right direction!

 

 

 

 

Patience is a virtue...

So today is 40 + 3 or 5 depending on what dates you believe. But still nothing.

 

Had a lovely weekend - North Coast by Train with DH on Saturday, gorgeous weather, very nice indeed to spend the day together. Fairly sure I felt some engaging pains in the evening (since this little one has yet to engage at all!) - shooting pains down leg and the rather disconcerting feeling that something (or someone) inside was trying to push a poo out without my consent! Nothing since then though.

 

Another beautiful Bank Holiday here today, Mum and I went to see Indiana Jones - totally surreal but very entertaining nonetheless; and we've been over there for tea tonight. DH and Mum are in the garden (still, at half 10) planting artichokes out - random! Couldn't believe it was still daylight when I came in at 10pm - I'd forgotten what a difference being a bit further north made!

 

So this evening, some generalised belly aching again, and diarrhea - is this a sign? I doubt it. Back at the hospital for overdue appointment tomorrow, imagine we're going to have to set a date for induction, which I'd really like to avoid...

Happy Due Date to Me!

So, this is it, 40 weeks (according to scans) or take it as tomorrow from LMP, but here we are anyway but no baby yet!

Had a reflexology session yesterday, which has resulted in noting so far, and a very nice pedicure this morning as I couldn't reach my own toes to even cut them!

Since the weekend I've been getting cramping belly ache in the afternoon/evening (period pain I guess, but since I've never really suffered that I don't know!) but then overnight it evaporates, so back to square one!

Reckon this little one is determined to show up in June...

Oh and another thing

As if that last post wasn't long enough...

I did actually use the sewing machine myself - to make giant muslins for swaddling! Saw these Big Muz ones online and the even posher Aden and Anais, and decided it couldn't be that hard! So I got some muslin (5 metres for £7.50) and mum showed me how to set up the sewing machine and turn a hem, and after one supervised run, I was off... 4 giant swaddling muslins for that bargain price (plus a bit left over that DH will use in the kitchen...)! Needless to say, very proud of my new sewing prowess!

Bring it on...

... I now feel well and truly ready for the baby to be here - and I've been telling it as much, describing the house and all the lovely baby things we have in it. To no avail. Raspberry leaf going down OK, had a clary sage bath today (lots of baby movement after that, but nothing else), curry, pineapple etc still to be foisted on my body...
Went down to Brownies last night, rounders outdoors - they're so clueless in a cute way! One asked me why I was having trouble standing up (I'd been a seated spectator) and I explained it was the size of my belly. Queue the next question, why is your belly so big - sweet, didn't realise it was because there was a baby in there!
I still can't believe how relatively narrow I look from a front on view... this pic from last week (38 + 3).










Mum and I have been making fitted sheets too for the crib (well, I found the pattern, she's been sewing them) they've come out so well, I'm very impressed! And it'll make life so much easier making up the bed!


And the garden is looking great too - DH is well on track for little one's first solids to be home grown :)



And finally (this has been a long one!) latest bump pic 39 weeks...

Stretch and sweep

Antenatal appointment this morning. I had so many questions, and I think I managed to remember to ask most of them!! My consultant is away next week on my due date!! Not that baby will probably arrive then, and even it does, if it all goes to plan it'll just be midwife led anyway...
Bubs seems to be a more normal size now - 7lb still, so that's quite good (although I was then worried it was bad it hadn't grown!) also got a stretch and sweep which I wasn't expecting - quite uncomfortable, but not the end of the world. Cervix soft apparently, but still 2 cm long, 1 cm dilated apparently... baby is STILL not engaged! But is otherwise lying in the best position
Oh and she looked at my birth plan which was good, without me having to ask her to look... so I'm quite pleased with that today.
I asked about bubs not moving at the weekend, moved only 3 times on Saturday, but she wasn't worried as it had been active since then.
Back to the hospital this afternoon for physio - very nice massage - and not a recurrance of the disc problem last time which is a relief.

My bra shopping expedition was interesting - 40DD in Debenhams and 38FF in Pretty Woman - so I have a bra from each shop and will see which works out best!

 

The stretch marks have landed

OK, so not that I didn't have stretch marks before from being overweight, but now I have some bona fide pregnancy ones... Ah well, it was bound to happen sooner or later! Gorgeous weather again today, although i'm now scarlet from less than an hour in the garden! Today i've waterproofed the bed with a shower curtain under the mattress pad, hung the curtains in our bedroom, done some laundry - is this nesting? All that remains is buying nursing bras and I think all cards are covered for the big day, whenever that may eventually be! Antenatal, physio and cra shopping tomorrow methinks...

Visiting hours

Granny is in hospital, so we're going to visit this afternoon. May also be able to catch up with cousin L and baby C when we get there, which would be cool, or perhaps pop in on them on the the way home - can't believe he'll be 5 weeks already! Will most likely be 2 months by the time this little one makes an appearance instead of the 3 and a half weeks we expected!

I don't know if we'll be allowed to bring flowers on to the ward?

Off for tea tonight - steak and champ - with M, but have to go shopping for dessert first - some sort of cheesecake DH is going to make.

Also have a vague notion to try and hang the curtains in our room today. I wonder how mum is getting on making fitted sheets too!

 

Feeling hot, hot, hot!

The weather has just been outstanding since the weekend!! I can't quite believe it! It's just been sunshine and more sunshine! I've had to wimp out and sit in the shade a few times!

It's just been lovely, and I have to say very chilled! After a terrible night on Monday with back pain, where I the least little movement had me yelping in pain, I'm feeling much better. I've slept well the last couple of nights, and have found a way to stretch my back out on all fours, so that's good! Also booked in to see physio again next Tuesday. There was a stage where I thought I'd have to go in and have an emergency c-section to get the baby out because I quite literally couldn't move off the sofa! All blown over now though, just the minor twinge now and again!

The house is sweltering too now, even with the heat off, so that'll save us some oil!

Medieval May Day

So yesterday morning was spent in town at the May Day Fair. Better than I was anticipating actually. Dancing was good and jousting entertaining... However I had to haul myself limping up the hill afterwards, backache so much worse :( In a lot of pain all afternoon, so didn't really get to enjoy the scorching sunshine, but managed the BBQ before heading to bed very early. Slept so badly, no more than 40 mins at a time, ended up on the sofa this morning, totally stuck, every slightest movement set off awful muscle spasms in my back. DH was a star this morning though, left me with tea, juice, cereal and cake :) Propped in the most upright armchair now, with dull ache of discomfort, which will convert to pain if I try and move. Today is supposed to be even hotter than yesterday, but I doubt I'll see much of it, everyone else off to the beach... Ah well, plenty of books to read, and maybe I'll make it outside later.

Climb every mountain

So on Friday we took our friends from out of town to the zoo. It was a lot of fun - their kids loved it! But it's built on a steep hillside and I now have bad backache from all the walking and climbing... Yesterday we went swimming which was lush, my back didn't twinge at all from the moment I got in the water. However when I managed to haul myself out again it was as bad as before. This morning now my neck is stiff too :( DH has just brought home croissants and scones though which is lovely, then I'm off to watch the ladies rugby 10s, haven't seen any of them since Christmas, so that should be fun!

36 and a bit week appointment

Did not get off to a good start, the receptionist said I was meant to be there last week - oops! But I thought, no, I distinctly remember being told 3 week gap this time, and asking for appointment on the 29th. Anyway, got seen today so that's OK!

Baby is doing well, head down but still free. Estimated weight now 7lb 3oz currently, which is 75th percentile - somewhat less alarming than the previous estimate of 97th! If he/she keeps growing at this rate and makes it to 40 weeks, we're looking at 9lb 3oz.

Although I did notice on the scan screen and estimated due date (based on current baby size) of 14 May - so you never know, this could be a sign that J will make it in to the world earlier than expected! Just want to make it past 37 weeks (Thur/Sat) so I can go in the birthing pool!

No-sew mai tei style asian baby carrier

Saw this pattern on mamatoto for a no-sew mai tei style asian baby carrier, and thought it had to be worth a go!! Bought myself 2m of fleece for 12 quid and this is the result...

I'd advise if anyone is trying this, buy the least stretchy fleece you can find - fleece is great as it doesn't need any hems - hence the no-sew bit!!

Oh, and use LOADS of pins to pin the pattern on the long edges of straps, that would have made life a bit easier for me!

I adapted the pattern a bit from the original, and have only been able to try it with a doll so far, but from reviews I've read on other sites of this pattern people are carrying up to about 20lb babies in this and the style is suitable from birth...

toffee apple

Apparently last night I was looking very pretty - brown and round -
like a toffee apple.

Belly on holiday

Exponential growth apparently! It must be all the relaxing that's done it!

bump at 31 weeks (plus one day!)

egg rolling...

...wow, my legs ache! I think I did rather well actually to haul
myself up that massive incline!! And the babies egg went the furthest
- marvellous!!
Another first then, first bbq of the season - cooked outside but eaten
indoors - Easter is ridiculously early this year!
Can't wait to go on holiday this week either - a week in the sun is
just what I need - just hope that they let me fly!!
Oh and the other big news I suppose is that I'm finished work!!
Feeling a bit weird about that really, but I guess I'll live - worried
I'll be bored, but so far so good!

last day at work

so this is it for 8 months or so - a bit scary really! I'm now feeling
sick from scoffing the chocolates that my form group gave me - oops -
should have rationed them a bit methinks! I've got away without being
used to cover anyone today, so I've taught 3 classes and now have 3
frees and one lesson to go until I'm off out of here! Desk is
virtually cleared. It's a bit weird really!

Scan pics 30 weeks and 5 days

Face on the right, hand held up on the left. Weighing in at just over 4lb

surprise new things for baby!

DH said to me last week there were some packages arriving and not to open them, and today they arrived!! So I am now the proud owner of Philips Avent Electric Steam steriliser, express bottle warmer and electric breast pump!! Wow! what a star he is... done all the research, read up on reviews, and made a decision that I didn't have to make (i'd have procastinated for ages...) it's sooooo cool seeing all this stuff - although breast pump looks a little alarming!

And the even better bit is there's another parcel waiting at the postoffice that I will get to open tomorrow or as soon as we can collect it! can't imagine what it is though!

 

Ordered pram...

...and picked it up all in one go!!
I went in to order and pay deposit, lady said they had some upstairs in store in colour I wanted, so I went and got the car and it's home!!
Only slight snag is it has to go back :(
part of the chassis has not been built properly, I was on the phone to the lady in the shop and she was like, try this etc, and it was totally not happening, eventually I convinced her it was the pram and not me! So just waiting for rugby to be over, and I'll be back to the shop!

Scan 28+5, bump 29 weeks

I'm starting to quite like this bump now. This despite the fact I still have two bellys, and an inny belly button, but it's all good! Baby weighs about 3lb now!

Spine and ribs

Baby at 28 weeks and 5 days. Hard to see much of it at any one time these days! Weighing just about 3lb now. Blood successfully and mostly painlessly extracted! Next appointment in 2 weeks...

Bump update

It's now definitely a bump (even if some of the kids at school still havent' twigged!). Today it seems to be sitting higher...

Photos from last week - 27+3 days - first pic bump pushed out, second one bump sucked in!

flat pack fun

How much harder is assembling flat pack furtniture when you're 6 and a half months pregnant?! All done now, had a very sore neck for several days, but that's fine now too... so baby's room is now habitable, except for the addition of the bookworm that DH and I bought several years ago and never managed to put up!
Mum is sorting out a mattress for the crib and has offered to make curtains, so it's all coming together. All seems very real now - somehow putting the sheet on the cot was the most 'real' thing!

Tasks for this week - chose a colour for the micralite, order said micralite, order car seat and base...

Going to IKEA...

... to furnish baby's room - get ready for BIG money to be spent - exciting and scary!

Decisions

Several decisions made all in one day!!

Baby monitor

Since additionsdirect is £15 off and free delivery, the Tomy Walkabout Premier Advance was a front runner and as soon as I found out it was a Which? Best Buy the decision was made. Now awaiting delivery :)

Travel System

The Maxi Cosi Cabrio Fix with Easyfix base was always a strong contender and I though I wanted the Micralite Fastfold with Newborn Carrycot - but having seen the Micralite Toro this morning and discovering it fits in the boot of the car with space to spare, I'm sold! Just hunting for the best price now... In fairness, two of the local stockists have just offered to match the best internet price I had found - and all becuase I asked! Just by asking, 10% off - and I get to buy local and have a shop to go back to if there are any problems!

I'm really excited about the Toro - it's around the same price as the Bugaboo Bee, but has a real carrycot suitable for overnight sleeping, it lies totally flat, has big off road wheels at the back (and you can buy an all terrain kit to swap the front wheels too). I'm really very happy! Oh and of course it goes with the Cabriofix! Just have to chose a colour now!

F*cking P*ssed Off

It can't help that I am being totaly undermined by the power that be at school. I've feel like this week I've been dragged through a hedge backwards whilst having a red hot poker shoved where the sun doesn't shine.

I put some kids in Saturday detention (the ultimate sanction) and following a lot of carry on and complaints they've been pulled out of it - so now I look like a comple pansy to the pupils. I agreed to that under duress (being taken in to my store by senior teacher while I had a class sitting waiting for me) under the condition that they are in before school every morning next week; but that's not what's really got me going. Two other kids in my tutor group were also in that detention for an entirely seperate reason and now they've been pulled out of the detention as well and god knows why!

I'm spitting at the minute, absolutely fuming - I have 5 mins before I have to deal with any kids and I need to calm down in a big way. As if it wasn't enough being persecuted anyway, everything I touch is falling apart and I'm so knackered from the journey in to work that I'm exhausted before the working day has even started!

OK, rant over, must go and think calm thoughts

Tired feet

Visiting my bro and his girlfriend this weekend, successful first pregnant flight, even got moved to an overwing seat for a bit more legroom. Today we walked out for lunch, 3 miles which didn't seem like far, but bugger me my feet hurt now! Took a cab home which is a big relief - sitting with a glass of juice now, and my feet up and not planning on moving anywhere soon! The others are going out again to buy cake ingredients, so I will eat the benefits of that without expending any more effort!

Cat's out of the bag

So one of the little darlings asked me today if I'd been off work for the last few weeks to have my baby!! None of the kids knew I was pregnant before I went, and now the rumours have been flying and become so twisted that they think I've had the baby already! I had to disabuse them of that notion quite rapidly!

I'm still not 'announcing' it to the kids, but if they ask I will tell them...

Mid term break

So after 1 day back at work last week it's midterm break now :) So I have a couple of days where I can roam free! I've been very busy this morning already (up since 8.15 which is unheard of normally on a non-work day!), I've written to my pension providers to transfer schemes, I've marked some mock exams (VERY poor results), I'm washed and dressed and ready to go! I've also just ordered an antacid prescription to help with the indigestion that has arrived in the last few days - not liking this feeling of food coming back up to visit again!
Next on the list is pram investigation... the hunt continues. Is there a perfect solution?! If money was no object, my current dream would be the Bugaboo Bee but the price is hard to justify. Anyway, off to have a look and see if it's all it cracked up to be. Joy. Tried this pram shopping malarky on Friday too and ended up feeling rough as f*ck! Hopefully today will be less awful. Another possible is the Micralite Fastfold Newborn Plus - just waiting on a phone call to tell me local stockists! Bonus though is that the sun is creepin gout, and I can see a small patch of blue sky ("enough to patch a sailors shirt with" as my granny would say...)

Forgetful!

And I didn't even mention there my 24 week appointment yesterday! Got another scan which was excellent - baby has grown loads in just 2 and a half weeks... so one pic here of a waving hand and one of his/her little face looking at us... Also attached, my slowly growing bump, which in certain lights now looks pregnant instead of just fat!

Aching muscles

I saw the physio yesterday and she was really pleased with my progress - my back is pretty much mended (apart from the odd twinge when I do one type of movement!) so that is great! Unfortunately I seem to now have symptoms of SPD - she was had a feel down there, and said my pubic bone is swollen and slightly out of alignment - great! She gave me exercises to do which should stop the back problem recurring and hopefully help SPD too. Anyway, keen to do it right, I did the exercises before bed last night and feel in to a deep sleep. This morning however, I woke with awful cramps in my lower abdomen... it didn't take long to work out it was just muscle soreness from the exercises (on hands and knees, pulling tummy up and in...) as when I came downstairs I could barely walk (butt strengthening exercises too!) So this is the problem of not having exercised in months - the slightest little exertion is killer!

 

I'm off to the docs later to see if they'll sign me back on to work. It's half term Friday and Monday, so taking sick leave then seems silly, and I have a really slack day on Thursday (I only teach 4 lessons out of 9!) so I thought that would be a good time to go back and get my classroom sorted out before I have the joy of a nine lesson day on Tuesday! Now it's time to take the car down the road to have a slow puncture fixed - the fun just never ends!

My tubigrip bump

So there is now starting to be a bump, of sorts. Albeit trussed up in tubigrip... Maybe it'd actually be bigger if it wasn't strapped in!

Ultimate ice cream sundae

Wow! Hubby just walked in with a giant goblet full of vanilla and chocolate icecream, topped with smarties, chopped mars bar and crumbled crunchie - how delicious!

Bump pic

so, here is my non-bump at 23 weeks...

Travel cot update

Well, the BushBaby Nestegg is here! It's fab - even at 5 and a half months pregnant, and with bad backache, I was able to assemble and disassemble it really quickly! Looks very groovy too if I say so myself!

Signed off

Went to the doctor on Monday. I have sacroiliac joint pain. It hurts. I have co-codamol - hopefully they will allow me to sleep, but last time I took them they made me really spaced out and trippy. Doctor also told me to self certify for a week, and go back to her next Monday if there is no improvement. I'm on a (short) waiting list for the obstetric physiotherapist, so if I can do that this week while I'm off anyway, that should get things sorted somewhat - here's hoping! I was just thinking it would have been good to know I was going to be off and I could have brought home some marking to catch up on! As it is I know I've left my desk in a mess, and with the schools maternity policy lying on it with my notes scribbled on (ready for my appointment that I missed with the Head this morning!) Good thing about being off though is I guess missing parent consultations on Thursday (a class I share with another teacher, who will regretably get lumbered with all the appointments...) and a staff training day. Ah well... all for my little baby, who incidentally has decided that now that I am in pain it is the ideal chance for a true aerobic workout!

Travel cot saga

So, we have friends visiting next weekend with their one year old, and as they are flying we decided we'd bring forward our search for a travel cot so they could use it and save carry theirs... bought one yesterday, very much on the spur of the moment, having given it no research whatsoever - most unlike me (researching on line for hours before even considering buying anything!) and I assembled it last night - not bad actually, but rather long winded to put up, adnd huge! We had decided to go for something tent style as they are smaller and lighter to transport.
So today I've been online and found two that pop-up - and after much delibeartion I've ordered one of them - still not sure I've made the right decision!

One (the red one) had a zip in washable liner/sleeping bag which sounded ideal, but in some reviews older babies were said to have been rolling around the floor in it like a hamster. It is also slightly smaller both assembled and folded (nothing in it in the weight though).
The other (green/blue) has carpet and outdoor pegs to avoid the hamster effect, is longer when assembled, and ended up slighly cheaper (not enough to influence the decision though...)
So, I ordered the green one, and when it arrives the shop bought one will go back - just have to hope that is before Friday!

J'ai mal au dos

So Friday morning recess, I was sitting in the staff common room having a nice chat, got up to go to the loo before going back to classes (usual routine here!), still nothing untoward. Close the cubicle door and suddenly excruciating backache. You know the sort where you just can't move?! Well, muscular I think, couldn't even reach the basin to wash my hands without pain. I've had back ache like this before, but normally provoked by something - over exertion at the gym or rugby. But this came from nowhere, so I'm assuming it's pregnancy related. That was 2 days ago. Still in pain. Moving very slowly and in straigh lines only.

re-scan

So, all went well today, wee bump behaved today and got to take some lovely pics home. All present and correct - bits where they should be, so very pleased with that.

Baby at 22 weeks

Clumsy

I have become so clumsy. Even the kids at school have noticed I am dropping things everywhere, and I have burned myself on the vacuum former twice in the last week - I've never done that at all before in the last 3 years!

This morning I moved a vase of flowers on the table (birthday flowers from last week - they were in a presentation box and last night we moved them to a vase - didn't trim the stems as they were so tough and I needed to borrow secateurs) and then a few minutes later it came crashing over - the long stems had made it top heavy. The vase smashed, and it was a really lovely one we received as a wedding present. I was so cross with myself.

Long time no type

So, since moaning and whinging about my cold...

Scan
Baby hid. Head down, not playing ball at all! So we heard hearbeat and some measurements were taken, but I have to go back again this week (and drink a can of fizzy drink before I go so that wee bubs is woken up!)

School
Made it in for the first day of term, then was off sick for two days! Evil mean and nasty headache accompanied by body racking cough. I just mostly slept for two days - and did a little knitting!

Birthday
Woohoo, I'm 28! Mum and dad came for tea, loads of yummy food, and chocolate cake, AND chocolate bombe! Rock on...

Open day
School, Saturday morning, marginally better than rugby... weird thing was as I was leaving I saw the Head, and he said oh, thanks for making the effort to come in, which implied I may have been excuse, owing to 'my condition'... ah well, if only someone had told me!

Birthday present
Oh wow! Pre-natal full body treatment at a hotel/spa! So miraculously relaxing and indulgent! My skin is silky and supple and the whole experience was relaly just quite delicious!

Heart beat
We used the Angelsounds Fetal Doppler to listen to baby on Saturday... you can listen to his/her heartbeat by clicking here!

Bienvenue la rhume

So, since Friday last week I have been smitten with an evil cold.
Well, really no more evil than the cold everyone else has had over
Christmas, but they've been dosed on sudafed to numb the discomfort,
and I'm kinda going cold turkey.
Day 1 - tired, sniffing
Day 2 - more sniffing, lots of sneezing
Day 3 - shattered, sneezing, sniffing
Day 4 - sneezing, snorting and starting to cough
Day 5 - prolific coughing and an inability to breathe
Day 6 (today) - couch bound, symptoms receding, just had a huge nosebleed.

Not all bad though, sister-in-law and her boyf have been visiting,
lovely to see them. She brought me loads of freebies from a midwifery
conference she was on! She also had a feel of my belly and found wee
rascals back - he was kicking something chronic after that - so much
that I thought hubby would feel too - but not quite yet...
Big scan tomorrow - very excited! Been told to get bloods done again -
apparently I look like I have hb 9 instead of 14-15... whatever that
means!