Thursday 31 May 2012

34 weeks


Or: Holy Crap it's getting close!

My midwife came to see us at home on Tuesday to discuss "THE BIRTH" and also to squeal at a bundle of fluffy animal print nappies, our (fac,eb.ook) wedding photos, our rings, my dress.

We discussed all sorts of scary scenarios. Including the one where my waters break while Marmaduke is transverse. Including my bum-in-the-air-on-all-fours position until the ambulance arrives; my bum-in-the-air-on-all-fours transfer to hospital position (oh. my. god.) and poor Ray visibly paled when told that if the cord had come out HE had to "cup it gently' to keep it warm. The cord prolapsed when we lost George. It bought back some memories.

However. When examining my bump and prodding around A LOT. She decided that Marmaduke was head down (hooray!). Unfortunately he is still moving about quite a bit but it's nice to know that he is capable of finding his own way to the exit.

The birth pool is closed and has been turned into an emergency OR (boo) but I will be able to labour in a bath if appropriate (hooray). Apparently they have "amazing" birthing beds which can be contorted into all sorts of positions as well as yoga balls, mats and bean bags.

All sorts of lovely drugs are available, if I want them. Although they try to discourage epidurals because mobility and gravity help. I have NO idea how I will cope with the pain so I'm open to almost anything!

If I go into labour naturally (and we discussed various methods for getting it going at 37+ weeks to avoid induction) a midwife will come out to assess me and if all is normal I can stay at home for a while or go to hospital. I like choices.

Do I have a birth plan?

A living breathing baby. Does that count?

My blood pressure was "perfect". No sign of protein or infection in pee. Baby's heart beat was perfect. It's all surreal. I'm still expecting things to go wrong. Even with all the (I love fleabay) baby clothes drying all over the place. Even with the pram. Even with the small mountain of cloth nappies. Even with the huge belly and brutal kicking. It all seems so abstract.

He is coming isn't he?

He is real?

:::

I was talking with my Mum on the phone on Tuesday evening - she'd had a bad day with my Dad and a new carer stinking of pee (her own - long story) and at one point I said loudly, "OH MY GOD". Ray, in the living room not realising I was on the phone, came running in, "WHAT'S WRONG?????!!!!". Poor love had a bad night of nightmares that night - blame the midwife - blame my phone conversation with my Mum. Poor Ray!

:::

Swimming Floating yesterday was soooo nice. Virtually weightless lump of me and him bobbing around = bliss. Getting out of the pool was not nice at all. With each step out of the pool I felt heavier and heavier and heavier and heavier. Ugh!

:::

Thank you for the hospital bag suggestions. In the UK virtually nothing is provided. (As wonderful as a free NHS is: they have to save money). I will take baby clothes, swaddling muslins. nappies, cotton wool and towels. For myself: A couple of cheap (throwaway) nightshirts to labour in (nicer than hospital robes), pyjamas for afterwards/going home clothes, maternity pads (oh how I came to despise them after losing George), nursing bra, breast pads, slippers and towels. Cameras, ipod, phones (internet enabled - don't worry Danielle; I will let you know!), ereader if induced and it takes time and I can be bothered, snack food just in case he's born late and we're starving!

:::

Am I ready?

Ummm....




7 comments:

  1. You are going to be brilliant!

    I'm just trying to think if there was anything that I'd really wanted to have in hospital with R but I think you've got it covered. Definitely bring your ereader if you get induced, it took nearly two days for my labour to start in earnest (but it was all over in four hours and would have been quicker if R had not had such a great big head and got stuck!) Definitely take snacks so you don't have to rely on hospital shops / canteen and have your favourites with you. Nice bathing stuff for yourself? I ended up having a bath before and a shower immediately afterwards and had remembered shower gel but not my flannel so had to wash myself with my hands!

    And my birth plan was EXACTLY the same as yours! Aw, little Marmaduke you have such lovely parents, you are one lucky little boy xo

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  2. Eep! It is so close to meeting little Marmaduke. Like packing a bag close...that is so exciting and YAY! Sending you so much love and everything good. xo

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  3. i just discovered you were added me awhile back. i just wanted to wish you the best with your little one! Congrats in conceiving. =)

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  4. Reading this, I am too happy to type coherently. So even though I swear yet again that I never do this in real life, WHOOP!!

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  5. PS- I am marveling at the differences between the US and the UK. They ply you with free stuff here- including epidurals, which you practically have to fight NOT to get. Go figure.

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  6. I am so excited for you and Ray. I can't wait for the next couple of weeks to go by fast!!

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  7. OMG So excited for you!!!! :)

    What you said about Ray reminded me so much about my Aaron during my late pregnancy with Jasper... Lol, I shouldn't laugh because really it was awful for him being so worried...

    Will be thinking of you in the coming weeks. xx

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