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?

Week 30: The week where I enjoy a stay in hospital...

Until this week, my health had been relatively good. Yes, I've had morning sickness. Yes, I've had bad pelvic pain, but overall I feel quite lucky. I keep hearing all these stories about people picking up loads of bug due to low immune system but I've actually been healthier then I normally would've been! Must have been something to do with early nights and no alcohol. However, this week unfortunately I was so sick I ended up in hospital.

I had a vomitting bug, and due to throwing up non-stop for 7 hours, I was admitted into hospital and put on a drip straight away as dehydration can cause premature labour. The baby bump was also rigged up to monitor Pedro's heartbeat (that's our new name for the bump!) to ensure he wasn't distressed. Thankfully, he seems to be a chilled out dude and was hardly affected.

I wish the same could've been said for me. So many feelings went through my head - guilt, sadness, loneliness. The latter was the most suprising as until now I've just been getting on with things and enjoying myself as much as I can, but as I lay alone in my hospital bed, I realised that I was truly on my own in this pregnancy lark. As much as friends, family and partners can say they understand what you're going through, they don't - how could they? The relationship you have with your bump is special and unique to you.

Until this scary 2-day stay in hospital, I've just been carrying on like normal but something has clicked and I don't think I can now. On one level, this means really slowing down on the physical front, but on another level, it means I'm not going to take any bullshit any more. I can't be bothered playing mind games at work or with friends or with the husband.

All I want to do for the final 2 months is to concentrate on making sure little Pedro is safe and healthy. It will probably be a shock for most of my acquaintances as I'm so maleable and game to go along with what everyone wants, but for the first time in my life, it will be no more. I'm going to do everything for this baby now and if some people get their noses put out of joint, so be it - after all, blood truly is thicker than water...