37 Weeks - Full Term/ Fully Baked!

At 37 weeks my pregnancy is considered full term - how wonderful to have made it this far!

 

 

37 weeks bump pics

I've finally completed a birth plan - I'm sure there is stuff that I've forgotten but what is important to us is on there:

Birth Plan

·              I would like to use a birthing pool if available

·              I would like the room to be as quiet as possible with the lights dimmed

·              Please don't offer me pain medication, I'll request it if I need it

·              I would like to touch my baby's head as it crowns and view it using a mirror if possible 

·              I would like to labour down until the urge to push is felt and I would appreciate firm advice and guidance at this time to guard against too quick a delivery giving the perineum time to fan out thus (hopefully) preventing a tear

·              I would like to give birth without an episiotomy

·              I would like my Husband to be in the pool and help "catch" our baby, and he is to tell me what sex the baby is if I don’t see for myself 

·              I would like to wait until the umbilical cord stops pulsating before it's clamped and cut by my Husband

·              I would like to hold my baby right away and have our skin-to-skin “Golden Hour”, putting off any procedures that aren't urgent. If I can’t do this my Husband will

·              I would like to deliver the placenta spontaneously and without assistance

·              I would like to breastfeed as soon as possible and want our baby to be breastfed only please: no bottles, pacifiers, artificial nipples, formula, or water

·              I would like our newborn to stay with us at all times, and can all physical exams and procedure be done in the room with us

·              The baby can have the Vitamin K injection

·              I would like a side room if one is free when moved from the labour ward, we are willing to pay for this

I have also finished packing the Baby's hospital bag at last! So all we need now is the baby! No signs yet and my bump hasn't dropped so we could be in for the long haul! I'm not fed up of being pregnant, in fact I'm loving the baby moving and feeling the feet so clearly at the moment but I am feeling impatient with excitement. I've only been on maternity leave a couple of days though and I'm bored! I have been doing a bit of housework and finishing off preparing for Baby's arrival - oh and a bit of resting! So whenever you're ready Baby D - we are!

Baby Shower #2 - 36 Weeks

So I had a second baby shower at home for my friends and a few neighbours and it was lovely to chat to them all and show them the nursery. Luckily my Mum came to stay and her and Hubby helped me get everything ready and tidy in time. I got some lovely presents for me and the Baby - we're very lucky!
One of my friends had special cakes made:

So here I am at 36 weeks:

I only have 3 days left at work. I know I will miss it at first and be bored so I have started making a list of what I need to do before Baby arrives. I also know that it is time to finish as I am quite uncomfortable now - I have a permanently stuffy nose and that doesn't help my breathlessness, my bump is tight quite a lot of the time and I have started getting period like pains every now and then. Plus my groin and hips have started to ache - must be all this baby weight as I have put on 1 stone 4 pounds now!

I have packed my hospital bag and there is one for Hubby but I still haven't packed Baby's bag - we have so many lovely things for him/her that I can't decide and want to pack most of the wardrobe!!

I am still seeing the consultant but don't need any more scans now as they are happy with Baby's growth and position, which is great. I did have a gestational diabetes test as I had sugar in my urine sample at the last two  appointments but it came back all clear which means I can stuff myself with Easter Eggs!

I'm so excited and feel ready for Baby to come whenever they feel ready now!

Baby Shower #1- 34 weeks!

My Mum organised a great baby shower for me back home. She invited so many people that we had to hire a venue rather than try to squeeze everyone into her house! Hubby was off work so he was able to take me which stopped everyone fussing about me driving on the motorway while heavily pregnant and tired. I thought it was also great for him to experience the shower too - so much happiness and love from everyone for our baby.

Mum had bought several huge scrummy cakes and my Auntie had made scones and pink and blue fairy cakes:

One of my cousins made a gorgeous coffee cake, and Mum's best friend bought a huge Baby Shower cake:

My family were such a great help to my Mum and me at the shower. My Sister-in-law collected my Mum and all the stuff and helped her set up the venue. My Aunties sorted out the tea and coffee for those people not drinking from the bar. My cousins sorted out the music and games such as guess how many babies in the bottle, guess the size of the pregnancy bump, guess the baby food, match the family photographs of babies and how they look now, name the baby of each type of animal and guess the celebrity from their baby picture. We also gave everyone a raffle ticket when they arrived and Mum had put together a prize box! Everyone had fun and enjoyed themselves.

Hubby and I were overwhelmed by everyone's kindness and generosity - our baby will be so loved and spoiled! Here are just a few of the gifts:

 

 

   

I bought and wrapped Hubby a present so he didn't feel left out:

So here I am at 34 weeks:

34 Week bump pic

I still can't believe I am pregnant and one day very soon I will have our baby in my arms!