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Monday 29 October 2012

Planning my Wedding: It's all Booked!

I can now officially say that I will be married on Friday 14th February 2014 at 11:30am- eek! It is all so exciting!



We met with the vicar last Tuesday and it went really well, I had nothing to be nervous about as the Vicar is so laid back and instantly put pregnant hormonal me at ease. We have booked the wedding itself for the morning and then the evening venue isn't until 7pm so we will have lots of time to relax inbetween and spend some time with our families before the evening celebrations begin.

As well as booking the church, we were able to attend another wedding fayre (I'm sure Tim hates me for dragging him around so many) and from this I have been inundated with emails from potential local wedding photographers.



One caught my eye as her name is what my married name will be, coincidence or what? We have pretty much definitely decided on booking her to take our morning ceremony photos and then will probably hire a photobooth for the evening reception, if the budget will allow it! I am due to meet with her to arrange everything, have a look at the venue and put down a deposit on Friday as long as I haven't gone into labour by then!

After that I can calm down for awhile and focus on having the baby, Christmas etc. I did see a gorgeous dress in a bridal shop window over the weekend, but had to resist going to look at it as I want to be back to my pre baby size 8 before I go dress shopping!

Other little bits keep catching my eye and I will admit that I have already bought the supplies to make my wedding favours for the female evening guests and have seen a beautiful wish tree that I want to buy soon! I think everything will fall into place easily over the next year, I just have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the planning process as all too soon it will be over!

Pregnancy Update: 38 Weeks!

What's going on with me this week:

Babycentre says:

"If you don't know already, can you tell if you're carrying a boy or a girl? One hint may come from the size of your baby – boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls. Babies at week 39 weigh between 3kg and 3.2kg and continue to build the fat stores that will help regulate body temperature after birth".
What's I feel this week:

I'm not going to lie to you, I'm feeling pretty fed up this week.... I have been having severe mirgraines now for the past three weeks and have been in and out of hospital having blood tests. Luckily this week is half term which means my mum is at home and able to help with Cameron and give me a bit of a rest sometimes but I am dreading the next week or so after that as I will be alone with Cameron in the week and my migraines make it impossible to do anything. I am really hoping the consultant will be willing to at least try giving me a sweep prior to my due date if nothing happens on its own, but apparently they usually don't even worry until 41 weeks with your second.

I am massive now and finding it hard to walk around. I have been getting irregular tightenings every so often which are reasonably painful but go away after a little while so not progressing enough for labour just yet. I have also been having a lot of lower back pain and generally I am uncomfy in any position whether it be in bed on either side or sat on the settee. I have spent most of my time lately on my birth ball, not just hoping to get something started but as it is the only place I feel a bit comfortable.

I will be very relieved when this baby arrives, although I must admit I am also getting a bit nervous remembering the pain from the first time- eek! Apparently the full moon tonight is meant to bring on labour so cross your fingers for me....


What's going on with my baby this week:

Babycentre says:

"Your baby's organ systems are fully developed and in place, but his lungs will be last to reach maturity. Even after your baby is born, it may take a few hours before he establishes a normal breathing pattern. After he's born, he'll have a series of brief tests which will measure his health on what's called the Apgar scale.

Wondering what colour your baby's eyes will be? Most white European babies are born with dark blue eyes and their true eye colour – be it brown, green, grey or blue – may not reveal itself for weeks or months. The colour of your baby's eyes in the first minutes after birth won't last – exposure to light changes a baby's initial eye colour. Most babies of African and Asian descent have dark grey or brown eyes at birth, but it won't be clear what precise shade their eyes will be until after the first six months or year".

What my baby looks like inside this week:




What my bump looks like this week:


Ready to pop!


Monday 22 October 2012

30 Years of The Snowman

I am a certified Christmas fanatic and have been known to get into the spirit months before Decemeber rolls around so it will be of no surprise to my readers that I have already started watching Christmas films and listening to festive tracks. Luckily for me I have the perfect excuse as the much loved family Christmas film The Snowman is being re-released this year to celebrate its 30th anniversary!



I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of the DVD to watch with Cameron prior to its release on 5th November. Cameron is actually pretty fussy with what he watches at the moment and won't just sit down for any old cartoon so I was interested whether he would enjoy this festive film as much as I did when I was younger (and, let's face it, now).

Cameron watched the entire film from start to finish without moving, a record for him and once it finished he asked me to put it on again, and again. After five times of watching it I must admit I was getting a little bored, but Cameron was still loving it and now recognises the lead character, the snowman when he sees my copy of the press release hanging around. He calls the snowman 'man' or 'bear' rather than snowman, but I think he gets the concept and really enjoys watching the snowman and little boy enjoying their magical evening and trip across the skies.

On a more adult note, I was really interested in the additional bonus features of the DVD, especially the feature where you can see how the film was put together. I think my brother would be even more interested as he is currently studying animation at University in Newcastle.

For anyone who hasn't seen this classic Christmas tale before I would definitely recommend watching it. Like a lot of families, we like nothing more than getting together around Christmas time and bonding over Christmas TV and films and this special edition will definitely be a part of Christmas this year. If you would like to purchase the film, it is available from 5th November 2012, rated PG with a running time of 26 minutes and retails at £6.99 for the DVD and £9.99 for Blu-Ray. There are also 35 minutes of special features on the special edition disc.


Disclaimer: I was sent the press release and special edition DVD to review on my blog, however, I was not paid for this and it has not affected my opinion which is both honest and accurate.

A Pregnancy in Pictures

I knew early on that I wanted to document this pregnancy well so started a diary which I managed to keep up into the second trimester when I started writing the pregnancy updates on my blog instead. I did want to take a photo a day of my bump but never remember to do it so instead have taken a photo each Monday since I was in my second trimester, in the same spot to show the difference in bump shape and size as well as possible. With only a few weeks left I cannot wait to take a photo in the same spot with my newborn baby! This is my pregnancy journey so far.... 




21 weeks to 31 weeks pregnant




 

32 weeks to 37 weeks pregnant



Pregnancy Update: 37 Weeks!

What's going on with me this week:

Babycentre says:

"Around now many women start worrying about whether they will know if they are in labour".

So, not much!


What I feel this week:

To be honest, I am a little worried I won't know whether I am properly in labour or not as I didn't go into labour naturally with Cameron. I have had a couple of false alarms over the last few weeks which have had me wondering but the contractions always went away after half an hour. I am more impatient now than anything else. I am now classed as full term which means that the baby could come at any time. I also know that the due date is just an estimate and that the baby could be up to two weeks late.... I have started doing some of the old wives tales to help baby along including drinking vile tasting raspberry leaf tea, bouncing on my birth ball, going for walks and eating spicy foods. This lunchtime I have a vindaloo curry to eat- argh! I don't think any of these actually do work, but at least I will feel like I am doing something to pass the time at least. My mum wants the baby to come during her half term so that she can be around to help, I would be happy with that as it is next week when I will be 38 weeks and no doubt even more impatient!


What's going on with my baby this week:

Babycentre says:

"Your baby weighs close to 2.8kg and may be about 48.6cm long from head to toe. Your baby's head is now cradled in your pelvic cavity – surrounded and protected by your pelvic bones. This position clears some much-needed space for her growing legs and buttocks.
Many babies now have a full head of hair, with locks up to 3.5cm long. And then, of course, some babies don't have any hair at all. Speaking of hair, most of the downy coat of lanugo that covered your baby from 26 weeks has disappeared, and so has most of the vernix caseosa, the protective whitish substance that also covered her. Your baby will swallow her lanugo and exterior coating, along with other secretions, and store them in her bowels. These will become her first poo, a blackish waste called meconium".
What my baby looks like inside this week:

What my bump looks like this week:

Full term baby bump!



Monday 15 October 2012

So you want to Induce?

As a disclaimer before I even start this post, no I am not a medical professional and no you should not do any of these 'old wives tales' without first speaking to your midwife and/or doctor. When I was pregnant with Cameron I was very impatient and as soon as I hit 37 weeks (classed as full term) I was on the lookout for ways to start of labour. I tried tirelessly for three weeks, reached my due date and cried for a further week when labour still didn't start... I eventually had to be induced after my waters broke but labour STILL didn't start on its own!

I had Cameron eight days after I was due, on 13th September 2010 having been hooked up to an IV drip to strengthen my contractions, and having had a reasonably quick established labour of six and a half hours, with forty three minutes spent pushing him out. Now, from this, I can tell you that old wives tales do not (necessarily) work. When you hear people say that things have worked for them, they could in fact be down to coincidence. Despite this, next week once I reach full term this time round I know that the impatient side of me will inevitably come back out and I will be reaching for that extra spicy curry before you can say myth.

A quick search online will give you a handful of ways you can try to start your own labour, some I have been assured are safe by a midwife, others that are definitely not to be tried at home (the most scary ones include at home sweeps and drinking vast amounts of castor oil, both of which can cause the baby to become distressed and can be dangerous for both mum and baby).

I was intrigued to find out what women I know tried out when they were becoming impatient for baby to arrive so had a quick ask around on Facebook. From this I have come up with my own top ten old wives ways of inducing labour at home. Again I reiterate that these should only be tried once a medical professional has given you the ok and should never be attempted before you reach full term (37 weeks pregnant).

1. Spicy Foods



My Experience:

Probably one of the most well known ways to help start labour, the curry or other spicy food was one I went straight to when pregnant with Cameron. I was eating a ready meal Chicken Tikka Masala daily for a couple of weeks until I realised it was no longer hot enough for me so I moved onto the extra spicy Tikka Masala which still didn't do anything. After switching to a Jalfrezi, which still had no effect, I pretty much gave up on curries (though to this day I now love Jalfrezi so that's something anyway).

Theory behind it:

Apparently there is a link between the gut and the uterus meaning that when one is stimulated, the other will automatically be affected as well. By eating spicy foods, the gut is kicked into action thus (hopefully) also kick starting labour.


Real experience:

"(I) had a curry the evening I went into labour (my due date)"- Felicity, mum to Eric.

2. Fresh Pineapple



My Experience:

Another popular food to eat that is meant to help 'bring it on'. I started eating pineapple around the same time as the curries in my first pregnancy, in fact I can distinctly remember many a shopping trip heavily pregnant with curries and pineapples in my shopping basket. I used to buy the ready prepared packs of pineapple as the whole ones were too fiddly but this got expensive... You have to eat quite a large amount of pineapple at once for it to have any real effect, and my bank balance ran out way before I reached this amount. On top of this, my tongue ended up bleeding from eating too much pineapple, ouch!

Theory behind it:

In the same way that the spicy foods are meant to help start of labour, eating lots of fresh pineapple can also apparently stimulate the gut and then the uterus. In addition to this, fresh (not tinned) pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that is supposed to work like a prostaglandin (which ripens and softens the cervix). You need to eat a vast amount of fresh pineapple for it to work though.


Real Experience:

"Two whole fresh pineapples worked for me but god did my mouth blister"- Alex.


3. Sex



My Experience:

I was single when I had Cameron so this wasn't really much of an option. I was pretty gutted as I had heard that sex was the most likely to work. I will have to keep you posted this time round!

Theory behind it:

This is the one that is most recommended by doctors and midwives when asked how to induce labour. Sperm contains prostaglandins, which can ripen the cervix. On top of this, if you orgasm during sex or whilst having foreplay, your body releases the hormone oxytocin which can cause contractions.

Real Experience:

"On the Friday before Eloise arrived I cleaned the garden and did the deed. 5 hours after the deed, my waters went"- Emily, mum to Eloise.


4. Raspberry leaf capsules/Tea



My Experience:

I started raspberry leaf capsules at 36 weeks when pregnant with Cameron. I remember the woman behind the till asking me how far gone I was when I bought them to check I wasn't taking them too early on (I had a smaller bump that time obviously!). I took two a day, increasing to three a day nearer my due date. I also started drinking the tea when I reached 38 weeks but only actually managed half a mug once and a few sips another time as it tasted so disgusting (I am not a tea drinker usually anyway and I was gagging, not nice!). I do think the capsules helped me to have a shorter labour once my contractions had been stabilised with the IV drip. I was in established labour for six and a half hours which isn't too bad for a first time mum. Raspberry leaf capsules/tea are not meant to help induce labour but can do, which is why they shouldn't be taken until 35 weeks at the very earliest (despite what you might read online). They do help to soften the cervix and tone the uterus, which in turn is meant to mean a quicker and easier labour. Definitely worth a try in my eyes, and I will be getting the capsules next time I am near a health food shop.

Theory behind it:

Raspberry leaf doesn't actually induce labour (although there is a risk it could so it shouldn't be taken until term). It is meant to tone the uterus and make contractions more efficient. It is meant to help make the established stage of labour shorter and easier.

Real Experience:

"I drank 1 cup of raspberry leaf tea a day from 36 weeks....I have no idea if... that helped or if he would have been born (anyway)"- Felicity mum to Eric.

5. Walking



My Experience:

I started going for long walks along the beach with my mum once I hit full term with Cameron. I also up and down a hill local to me. None of this seemed to work for me and I am pretty concerned about my walking plans this time round. I have had pelvic girdle pain since around 22 weeks in this pregnancy and it makes walking incredibly painful. I often have to stop and rest after only a very short distance, so I don't really see myself being able to walk long distances in order to get this baby moving down the birth canal....

Theory behind it:

Walking can encourage contractions to get stronger once they ahve already started, and can also help the baby move down into the birth canal, pushing onto the cervix and encouraging it to dilate.

Real Experience:

"The midwife said my laps of the hospital and bouncing on the ball helped to dilate my cervix itself and staying upright encouraged her head further down"- Natalie, mum to Harriet.

6. Nipple Stimulation



My Experiences:

I think I attempted this with a breast pump as a last ditch attempt around 39 weeks last time. It seemed freaky to me and I definitely didn't do it for long enough to have any success. Looking it up online, I might be tempted to try again this time round but it does seem to take a lot of time, effort and practise to get a good technique going.

Theory behind it:

Just as foreplay can help bring on orgasms which release the hormone, ocytocin, tweaking your nipples releases the same hormone and can therefore help soften the cervix and start off labour.

Real Experience:

"Me and my husband did that when i was 37 weeks pregnant and i had my baby that night"-Jenny


7. Bouncing on a Birth Ball



My Experience:

I did try this, but I didn't do it enough to work. Apparently any form of bouncing will do and there are some people suggesting bumping down the stairs or going for a drive along a bumpy country lane will help but these things seem a bit more dangerous to me. I will definitely be inflating my exercise ball in the next couple of weeks and plan to do some bouncing reguarly, perhaps whilst watching daytime TV or in the evening when me and my mum watch Hollyoaks (guilty trash tv at its best).

Theory behind it:

By bouncing and rocking backwards and forwards and side to side on a birth ball, the baby is supposedly encouraged to drop down towards the cervix. The movements can also help to open the pelvis, which prepares it for labour and delivery.

Real Experience:

"I think the gym ball helped the most as I felt like he was moving down further. I used it a few times a day for an hour at a time. Riley was born 8 days early". -Kathryn, mum to Riley

8. Massage/Reflexology



My Experience:

I never tried anything like this first time round. I had a massage earlier on in pregnancy this time round which worried me as she actually did press on the pressure points which can trigger labour. Maybe having a massage would be a good idea later on once I have reached full term and labour would be welcome? I might have a look into it....

Theory behind it:

Reflexology, massage and acupuncture have all had positive results from women for getting labour started. It is thought that pressure points stimulated during these sessions are linked to the uterus, making contractions start. All of these can also help relax a heavily pregnant woman, something that won't help kickstart labour but will be of help during.

Real Experience:

"I had reflexology at 38 weeks 4 days later went in to labour it was my auntie as she did the same to my mum with me"- Hannah, mum to Erin and Annie.

9. Housework



My Experiences:

I must admit that I am not one for doing a whole lot of housework. When pregnant first time round I was in the process of moving into a flat with a Uni friend but staying with my mum during the last few weeks and I let her do pretty much everything. It was a shock for both of us when I suddenly got my nesting instinct and started manically cleaning the kitchen at 38 weeks. As you know, I still went overdue so nesting means nothing is imminent, however, it was doing housework that I believe finally helped get me somewhere as I was on my hands and knees picking up laundry off the floor to be washed when my waters broke! This time round I have definitely been getting the urge to have everything nice and tidy and ready for when baby gets here and have done a major clearout of my room in the last week, including finally sorting out getting a new bed as mine has broken a couple of times and often makes an ominous creaking sound when I get in it (I try not to let it give me a complex about my weight!). I will be doing as much housework as I can as I reach full term, which I'm sure my mum will be thrilled about as I am back living with her... Scrubbing kitchen and bathroom floors sounds like something that could help get things going....

Theory behind it:

The same way walking is meant to be able to help induce labour, doing housework can help by making the baby drop down and onto the cervix, causing contractions to start or intensify.

Real Experience:

"A whole lot of house work....worked a treat"- Becca.

10.  Clary Sage Oil



My Experience:

I must admit I had never even heard of this essential oil when pregnant with Cameron, nor was it something I was advised to use when asking around for induction ideas last time. This time I have done some research, as well as having a couple of ladies I know tell me how they used it, and I might give it a go. What worries me a little is warnings I have found online about it giving strong headaches, making people sleepy or euphoric, and that it can work too fast causing intense contractions instantly. I think if I do use this oil, it will be with caution, only in the evening or at a weekend when my mum or Tim is around to ensure Cameron is looked after and I am not alone if labour were to start suddenly!

Theory behind it:

Clary sage is meant to be able to stimulate labour, and if used in a nice warm bath, it can also help relaxation.

Real Experience:

"I... used clary sage oil massaged with some oil into bump once at term it's supposed to bring on contractions so use wisely!"- Christine, mum to six

Pregnancy Diary: 36 Weeks!

What's going on with me this week:

Babycentre says:

"You may begin to feel an increased pressure in your lower belly and notice that your baby is gradually dropping. This is called lightening or engagement, and your lungs and stomach will finally get a chance to stretch out a little – breathing and eating should become easier.
However, walking may become increasingly uncomfortable. Some women say it feels as if their baby is going to fall out. Also, you may still feel as if you need to go to the loo all the time.

The good news is that by the end of this week, your pregnancy will be full-term and you could give birth any day. Babies between 37 weeks and 42 weeks are considered full-term. A baby born before 37 weeks is premature and after 42 weeks is post-term.

Your may have noticed that your breasts are leaking a little. This is quite normal. They are producing the rich, first milk called colostrum that will give your baby a great start in life. If you feel like you're going into labour, your doctor or midwife will check to see if the neck of your womb (cervix) is starting to open. They'll look to see if your cervix is dilating, or widening, and effacing, or thinning.

Your midwife will be keeping an eye on what position your baby is in, to estimate how far your baby has dropped into your pelvis. This information will be entered into your maternity notes so that your midwife will know the position of your baby when you go into labour".


What I feel this week:

The end is finally in sight! I feel great now I have reached 36 weeks. With only one week until I am full term and able to safely have the baby, I am starting to feel very excited to meet our baby girl. I still don't feel that I will get to my due date (though she will probably stay in and end up overdue just to prove me wrong now!). I have my consultant appointment and growth scan this week so will see whether the fluid levels around baby are still growing or have reached their peak. There is a chance that they could decide to induce or give me a C-section if the levels are continuing to rise so I am preparing myself for this possibility. I also have my 36 week checkup with the midwife tomorrow so am hoping everything is still ok when I see her. I had a bit of a scare at the end of last week as I have been having severe migraines. I have been given codeine for them but after taking one and feeling very spaced out and sick, I don't think I will be using them again. My boobs haven't leaked, though they have begun to feel very heavy and hard lately so they could be about to, which I am prepared for with plenty of breast pads! Overall I am trying to be positive, something I haven't been much over the last eight months. I will be attempting some of the old wives tales once I get to full term next week (watch out for a future post on what these old wives tales are and whether they have worked for other mums). I am struggling to walk far and feel very fat and unattractive at the moment but I know it will all be over soon and totally will have been worth it! It's just a waiting game now...

What's going on with my baby this week:

Babycentre says:

"Your baby is still gaining weight – about 28g a day. She weighs nearly 2.7kg and is about 47cm long from head to toe". (Not much this week basically!).

What my baby looks like inside this week:

What my bump looks like this week:

Mahussive....


Monday 8 October 2012

Planning my Wedding: Booking the Venue and Meeting the Vicar


 Last time I posted about the wedding plans, we were in the process of booking our venue. Since then we have successfully paid our deposit and secured the venue for our wedding date. We are officially having our wedding reception on February 14th 2014- Valentines Day! I am so excited to have a date secured as it means we can start planning everything else now.

Totally hoping for snow!


Our Wedding Venue


The first thing I started planning once the deposit was paid was arranging a meeting with the Vicar at the church we want to get married in. It isn't my local parish, but the church I had Cameron Christened in last year, and one that is important to me for this reason. The chruch is also beautiful, really grand and traditional inside. We have been warned by the Vicar that the church is quite strict, but that we should be able to have our wedding there as we both lived within its parish for six months or more.





We are hoping to get married in the church where Cameron was Christened


We have a meeting with the Vicar at my house in a couple of weeks and I am hoping we will be able to get the church all booked then. I am pretty nervous meeting with the Vicar to be honest, it feels a bit daunting even though I met him a few times when arranging Cameron's Christening. I am so pleased we are going to be getting married in a church. Even though I am not the most religious of people, I feel that it is more traditional and romantic to exchange vows in the church. It is all so exciting!

I am hoping to find a photographer in the New Year, but wedding dress shopping is on hold until I have had the baby and lost all the baby weight, I am thinking probably next Spring/Summer. I have been putting together collages of all the ideas I have gotten from wedding magazines and my wedding dress ones look amazing, it is going to be hard to resist dress shopping!



Pregnancy Diary: 35 Weeks!

What's going on with me this week:

Babycentre says:

"There's much less amniotic fluid and much more baby in your uterus. You've probably put on between 11kg and 13.6kg and your weight gain has hit its peak. Even your belly button has got bigger and has popped outward. You may be feeling breathless and get indigestion now that the top of your uterus is up under your ribs.

Try getting down on all fours to take deeper breaths. See our photo gallery for how to ease late pregnancy aches. Although the pressure on your bladder will make the bathroom your second home, don't drink any less water – your baby needs the fluids. But you may like to cut down on drinks that make you wee more frequently, because they are diuretics. These include tea and coffee".



What I feel this week:

I don't think there is less amniotic fluid than baby for me as I have high levels, but I have definitely put on a lot of weight over the last few weeks. My belly button is totally out and makes a weird little bump under my clothes now- sexy... I feel the baby has dropped a bit which means I am actually finding it easier to breathe than I was a few weeks ago. I have been getting down on my hands and knees occassionally but this has been more to make sure the baby hasn't turned round and gone breech, and to help when I have a tummy ache (which seems to have been happening more often lately). I have been needing the toilet lots, nothing new for me really though. I am getting a bit nervous as well as excited now the home stretch is in sight. With only two weeks now until I am full term I am starting to think of things I can do once I get to that stage to help nature a little. I will be buying raspberry leaf capsules next week in preparation. Although they don't help induce labour, they are meant to help tone your uterus thus making labour shorter and less painful. I took them with Cameron and my established labour was six and a half hours with 43 minutes pushing so I think they are worth a shot.

What's going on with my baby this week:

Babycentre says:

"Your baby now weighs about 2.4kg and measures around 46cm from head to toe. His elbows, feet or head may protrude from your stomach when he stretches and squirms about. Soon, as the wall of your uterus (womb) and your belly stretch thinner and let in more light, your baby will begin to develop daily activity cycles.
This week, your little one is sporting full-length fingernails and toenails and has a fully developed pair of kidneys. His liver can also process some waste products".

What my baby looks like inside this week:



What my bump looks like this week:

Getting even bigger!


Monday 1 October 2012

October Plans

I  have missed writing up my plans for the month on the blog but have been distracted with the pregnancy, now it is coming towards an end, I thought I would let you all know my plans for October (even though some are pregnancy related!)


2nd October: 34 Week Midwife appointment and Cameron's 2 Year Developmental Check


Tomorrow I have my 34 week check up with a new midwife (my original one has apparently now gone on maternity leave herself). I will be making sure I ask about the whooping cough jab that is being offered to women between 28 and 38 weeks of pregnancy). It is also Cameron's 2 year developmental check up where the health visitor will check he is doing what he should be for his age range as well as looking at his weight and height etc.

3rd October: First Christmas shopping trip!



I am very excited about this! I love shopping but can't go as much as I would like as I don't have the money. Having saved up some pennies, I am going on the first of three big shopping trips to try and get the Christmas presents bought before my little girl enters the world!

5th October: Possible Maternity Photoshoot



I say possible as we have had to rearrange so might have to again, but hopefully I will be having some photos taken alongside Tim, Cameron and of course baby girl bump!

12th October: 1 Year Anniversary with Tim


On 12th October it will have been a year since me and Tim first started going out. This year has gone so fast! It is a bit crazy that by our one year anniversary we will be only a month away from meeting our baby girl and will have been engaged for three months!

13th October: Birthday Celebrations


It is my brother's girlfriend's birthday on 15th so there will be celebrations at the weekend, got to love an excuse to celebrate!

14th October: Wedding Show


I haven't been to a wedding show for a few weeks so I thought it was about time I went to another, especially as we have now got our definite date having booked our venue! I shall be on the lookout for a photographer for the big day, as well as possible DJs, although we haven't decided whether to have a DJ at all yet. It is also a chance to get some brilliant ideas and freebies, yay!

17th October: Relaxation Antenatal, 36 Week Growth Scan and Consultant appointment



I have a very busy morning planned as I have my first of two relaxation antenatal classes at 10am before going straight for my 36 week growth scan and then onto the consultant appointment where they will let me know whether my fluid levels have continued to rise or not (fingers crossed they haven't).

22nd October: Full Term!


This is very exciting as it means the baby could be born from any point now on. It is also the time when I allow myself to start trying a few things to help the baby along such as eating spicy curries and fresh pineapple (though I would never try castor oil or anything not classed as safe). Although it will feel good to be able to do some things that might help baby along, I know deep down that baby only comes when ready!


23rd October: Vicar visit to book Church for our Wedding


We are booking the church where Cameron was Christened for our wedding and I can't wait! The church is beautiful!


24th October: 2nd Relaxation Antenatal



I don't really know what to expect with these classes but hopefully they will help me relax during labour! If nothing else I hope to meet some fellow pregnant women.


29th October: Cousin's 21st Birthday


I'm not sure whether my cousin will be doing anything to celebrate which I would be able to join in with but either way it is an exciting time for him. I was 5 months pregnant with Cameron when I turned 21 so didn't get up to much!

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Ok, so I know it is only just October, but everyone knows that the start of this month marks a respectable time to begin your Christmas shopping.




I ordered all of Cameron's Christmas presents online a few days ago and today they should be delivered, so that's one person down! I have three shopping trips planned over the next 6 weeks before the baby is due as I want to get everything bought and sorted before I have a newborn to contend with.

My biggest issue is now getting my family to tell me what they want- nightmare! What definitely helps is that all the shops are now getting into the Christmas spirit and most have their Christmas gift selection on the shelves, yay! I for one absolutely love Christmas and cannot wait!

Pregnancy Diary: 34 Weeks!

What's going on with me this week:

Babycentre says:

"Many women start to notice a tingling sensation or numbness in the pelvic region or pain as they walk. This may be caused by the pelvic joints loosening, ready for labour. If you're in pain or hips are sore, mention it to your midwife or doctor and check out our self-help tips".
What I feel this week:

I have been suffering from pelvic girdle pain for the last couple of months so am no stranger to that pain but lately I have also felt a kind of scratching sensation right down below and think it might be her head engaging (although as it is my second baby apparently this can happen and the baby still come back out of position again before labour). I have also started waddling when I walk and struggle to get up from lying down or sitting down. I really am beginning to resemble a whale! My bump definitely seems to have dropped down a bit over the last week and I can breathe a bit easier. Although movements aren't as constant, my baby girl does still move a lot, more than I can recall Cameron moving , and she makes me gasp sometimes with the strength of her kicks! There's now only 3 weeks until I'm full term, 6 until I am due and I can now say that I will have a baby either this month or next, exciting!


What's going on with my baby this week:

Babycentre says:

"Your baby now weighs more than 2.2kg and is 45cm from top to toe. She's filling out and getting rounder – she’ll need her fat layers later to regulate her body temperature once she's born.
If you don't already talk to your baby, this is a good time to start – at 35 weeks her hearing is fully developed. Don't feel ridiculous if you're already chatting in baby talk. Some evidence shows that newborns pay closer attention to high-pitched tones.

If you've been nervous about going into premature labour, you'll be happy to know that 99 per cent of babies born at week 35 can survive outside the uterus (womb) – and most have no major problems. Although your baby's central nervous system is still maturing, her lungs are nearly fully developed by now".


What looks like inside this week:


What my bump looks like this week:

Starting to drop down now!


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