Week 37: The End is Near!

In fact, it's tomorrow! Due to my obstretric cholestatis, slightly raised blood pressure and baby slowing down, it's been decided that tomorrow - 20th Day - at 38 weeks pregnant , its D-Day for Baby Pedro.

I am in a mixed state of emotions - excited, scared, nervous, relieved! At the moment, the relief has taken over. After 8 weeks of going back and forth to the hospital it's nice to know there is a resolution, however, I'm also petrified of the fact that by the weekend, I'll be a mum. Oh, it sounds so grown up. Does that mean I'll have to start acting my age and stop binge drinking, watching Gossip Girl and being addicted to all things social media?! They actually wanted to induce him last week but all I kept thinking was I haven't shaved my legs, or had a pedicure - you can see the kind of mum I'm going to make!

It is however also MEGA exciting to think that hubby and I will soon get to meet our lovely newborn son. For 9 months now, he's been an abstract concept so it will be really nice to actually see him and start discovering his personality and what he looks like. We've already had bets on whether he'll have my nose or my hubby's ears - it's hilarious to think that he will be a mix of us. We know he's got long legs, so I'm hoping he'll be tall, handsome and most of all healthy.

So, I won't be posting for a while as I get to grips with this little fella and his needs, but once I'm back on track, I'll be back here blogging about the ups and downs of being a new mum. I'm sure, knowing me, I'll find myself in all sorts of situations - as my mother said, I never like to make anything simple. So I'm leaving you with the last picture of my hubby and me pre-baby - eek! Life will never be the same again...

Week 36: The Head is Engaged!

Earlier this week, I started waddling like a duck! Yes, walking the dog became a huge effort and along with the waddling, I was also getting a strange pain in my pelvis. I didn't really give it much thought as I'd read lots about ligaments softening and just thought this was the case, but when I saw the midwife this week she told me the head was engaged!

For me, engagement means a diamond ring, but in this case it means the baby is on the move and his head is now down low in my pelvis - hence the waddling and pain.

Immediately I thought I was going into labour, but apparently they can stay this way until they come out. The good thing about it is that I don't feel so breathless now that baby has moved down and my heartburn has pretty much burnt out! The bad thing is it feels like the baby will drop out any minute but I've been told that's a medical improbability so that's a relief, however, it also makes me want to pee every 5 mintues, which isn't such a relief.

So maybe baby Pedro will come early on his own accord? I'd certainly prefer that to having to be induced. The one thing I'm worried about though is whether I'll know I'm going into labour! Is that stupid? Or is that a normal pregnant-for-the-first-time worry? So I'm off to google first signs of labour now to ensure I know what to look for!

Week 35: The nesting instinct

It has to be said that I'm not the most domesticated of people. I do keep my house clean and tidy but I'm not obsessed with it and in fact, if I had the money, I'd pay someone to clean, cook and generally look after me.

When I started reading about the nesting instinct that pregnancy brings on, I laughed - out loud. The last thing I'd ever expect was to feel the need to feather my nest but this week it seems to have kicked in. First up, I had a desperate desire to get the baby's room ready - even though he'll be sleeping with us for the first 6 months.

Whether it's because Pedro may be coming early or because this is a natural mothering instinct, I'm not sure, but now we've sorted it out, I feel much more relaxed. It's also given me a chance to sort out everything we've bought for him and boy, have we bought a lot of stuff. It constantly amazes me how such a small thing can need so much stuff!

The other thing that's happened is a desire to cook. Now usually this is the husband's job - partly because he's around more and partly because that's what he originally trained at. However, since I've been on maternity leave, I've been conjuring up delicious treats every night - veggie lasagne, home-made pizza, home-made spaghetti and meatballs and banofee pie. I couldn't stop at one of these either, had to make two - why?!

The most hilarious part of this latest nesting affliction is that I don't even have much of an appetite now so poor ole hubby is eating and eating and eating... maybe this is why partner's often put on weight! Anyway, must dash... off to make a Peach Melba cheesecake...

Top Tip: Keep on with that exercise!

Yes, I may be 8 month's pregnant but I'm still exercising. I've taken it down a notch or two and mostly swim or do yoga, but I still go to the gym to do some cardio and toning exercises. There was one point where I nearly gave up but my midwife yesterday was very encouraging.

Not only did she tell me I had fantastic stomach muscles (that has made my year) but that all the exercise I was doing would really help in labour. You have to think of it as a marathon and you wouldn't just turn up and run it without training, would you? Well not unless you were Jade Goody of course!

Having strong stomach muscles also means I'll be able to push more easily, which will hopefully make the birth quicker and less painful. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one!

Week 34: And relax!

After all the excitement (that's probably not the right word but you get my gist) of the last month, it looks like this week might be the first time I get to relax.

I was doing some work at home still but that's all finished now so I feel my days are truly my own. I also had great news from the consultant yesterday who said that there was no need to go to hospital for regular monitoring and that my next appointment would be on 10th May. Hurrah. I hate going to that place with it's bright coloured walls and jaunty murals - it's not uplifting, it's seriously depressing.

I was also told that I won't be induced until week 39 or 40 so hopefully Pedro will be coming near his original due date. Happy days indeed.

It made me realise just how much I'd been stressing about it all so the next 4 weeks is me-time as EVERYONE keeps telling me I won't have much of that once the baby is here. Why do people think you don't know that? You're giving birth to a defenceless baby who needs constant care. However, I don't need to be constantly told that my life is practically over. Sigh.

I'm realistic and I know it will all be hard work but my mum managed to pop me out in July and go back to running a hotel so I reckon you can be a mum and still be you.

In fact, we've got our first adventure already booked for August as one of my close friends is getting married in Ireland. I'm being really relaxed by it all but I might change my mind after the trip! So if anyone has any good advice on travelling with a 3 month old baby, I'd love to hear it!

Week 33: Getting ready for baby's arrival

Until now I've been fairly laidback about the arrival of Pedro. That's not to say I haven't been prepared, and we've been buying stuff steadily since about 6 months. And thank god we did as this week I found out that due to my Obstetric cholestasis I will probably be meeting Pedro in 3 weeks, instead of 5-6 weeks!

This has really thrown a spanner in the works! Firstly, I had to start my maternity leave early. That was a real wrench and in fact, I came home and cried after my last day. However, I've now been off for just over a week and am VERY relieved that I got signed off sick. I'm spending so much time at hospital that my car parking charges could've bought my own ward! Not having to struggle into work inbetween appointments has really helped and I definitely feel less stressed. I'm also not sleeping due to the itching and need to pee, but it doesn't matter now as I can have a little disco nap every afternoon!

On a downside, my consultant has advised me not to go and see Whitney Houston next week. Now, considering her lukewarm reviews, some might think this is a good thing but I'd been really looking forward to it and the tickets were not cheap but I have to do what's right for baby. Thank god I bought ticket insurance at the time - maybe I'm psychic - so am hoping to get the cash back.

At the moment, we're getting the nursery done and that has actually made me quite excited. Seeing Pedro's room come together makes it feel more real, plus, it will give us a chance to get all the stuff we've bought out. At the moment, everything is stuck in cupboards, under tables, in our bedroom - wherever we can keep it.

We also had to get our fingers out and buy a car seat, which for some reason we've been putting off - well it's not the most exciting purchase is it? At first, we thought this was going to be problematic as the lady at Mothercare said our seats were funny and none of their car seats fitted. What?! Thankfully, Mamas & Papas came to the rescue. I know they're more expensive but every time we've been there, we've just had the best advice.

Thankfully, they found the perfect seat, which not only fitted but actually goes with our pushchair - result. It's the Cybex Aton in Cress if you're interested and it was £20 cheaper than the one we saw in Mothercare. So don't be put off Mamas & Papas and that they're too expensive - as that's not always the case and they are so helpful. Now, all we've go to do is wait for Pedro's arrival...

Weeks 31 and 32: The week I discover I have a condition I can't pronounce!

As I mentioned in my previous post, I had an unexpected stay in hospital due to a tummy bug. Well, two days after I was released, I was readmitted! I'd gone back to hospital because I was very itchy - especially on my hands and feet - and wanted to get a prescription for something. Instead, I got readmitted for not one but two nights!

It turns out that I have a pregnancy-related liver condition called Obstetric cholestasis. Basically, my liver can't process all the toxins so they are being released into my body and making me itch like a flea-infested dog. It's obviously very uncomfortable for me but unfortunately dangerous for Pedro. In fact, when you google the condition you get lots of horrible stats about stillbirths, premature labour and inductions.

In reality what it means for me and Pedro is that we'll be having lots more hospital visits over the remaining couple of months (but hopefully no more overnight stays - I couldn't bear the food!). He has to be monitored, while I need constant blood tests and if things get worse, unfortunately they will induce him. So much for my plans to have a fabulously natural birth in the birthing centre.

It just goes to show that you can't plan anything. Life is about throwing you a curveball I suppose. Obviously I was distraught knowing poor Pedro could be harmed but after that, the hardest thing has been having to start my maternity leave early. My GP signed me off so I have one more day in the office tomorrow and then that's it. It's only about 3 weeks early but I just wasn't prepared yet so has been really difficult to let go of, which I was just not expecting.

Thankfully this week, I've also had lots of lovely things happening. My hubby turned 40 and I got to dress up and forget everything for the evening. Even though I couldn't drink the champers, it felt so nice just being me for a night. Plus, everyone told me how amazing I looked and how small my bump was, which obviously cheered me up no end - all girls love being told they're slim!!!

I also got to see my two best friends who I haven't seen for ages. One friend lives back home in Devon and I haven't seen her since December aand the other one has been travelling since September. It was so lovely to see them and knowing my best friend is back from her travels and just down the road has made me feel so much happier. And that's what this last couple of weeks have taught me - it's the small things in life that make it feel so brilliant and that we have to make the most of every opportunity as who knows what's round that corner?