37 weeks pregnant

37 weeks pregnant
Originally uploaded by jodicze.

I am now 37 weeks if I go by the scan date and 36+3days by EDD. Its only 4 days differance but it's amazing how being 4 days closer just feels better mentally. Although if you end up going over then it feels alot longer if you are anticipating an earlier arrival.

I have been having a pick up in pace of braxton hicks now. They are a bit more intense and feel like they are stretching the cervix. Last night they were happening every 15-20 mins. I wasn't thinking that labor would begin but I hope they are doing a bit of prep work. I usually have runs of contractions as I get closer to my date and I am sure that is why my labors end up being quite quick and easy ( if you can use the word easy and labor in the same sentence).

We still have not finalised a name for this baby. I have a name that I really like but David doesn't seem to want to even discuss names yet.(frustrating) He is not opposed to the name I like but won't give a yes either. I have decided to let him bring up the topic of names so that I don't become a nag about it but I really would like to throw same names around together.

I cleaned out our van yesterday. A job that has been way overdue. It can almost become a second wardrobe and rubbish dump if left too long. With 4 kids all taking off a pair of shoes and a jumper you very quickly have 8 shoes floating around and hidden under the jumpers.
I try to get the kids to bring things in as they get out of the van but sometimes we all get a little lazy and hence the clean out must be done. It feels good now that it is completed.

I feel ready for this baby to come now.
I have bought some PVC table clothes that I can put over our carpet for the birth. (who knows when the waters might break) and I also got a fleese lined plastic cloth for putting over our bed.
I plan to have a set of sheets made up under the plastic and then a set over the top. We can then strip off the dirty sheets after baby is born and all going to plan, I will be able to climb into nice clean sheets straight away. I may not give birth on the bed but thought I would be prepared for all senarios.
I have also bought some incontinance sheets that can be place where ever I may want them, they can then be easily disposed of.

I had such a nice bath the other night. I lit some candles and had some soft music playing. It would have been perfect to have baby that night and I would love to labor in the bath with that atmosphere. If I am comfy enough I may even have baby in the bath. It was so peaceful and relaxing ( mind you, I did not have contractions so my idea of relaxing may not be the same when I am in labour.) I want to have no set agender but to just go with the flow on the day/night.

I think that today I will put together a little pack of towels, baby clothes, nappies and a receiving blanket so they are on hand as soon as bubs is born.

I am getting excited about the arrival of our next baby and am trying really hard not to get impatient. My friend had her baby a few days ago and it has brought back the reality that I really am going to have another baby and that I now feel ready.

36 weeks

36 weeks
Originally uploaded by jodicze.

I am really into the cleaning thing now. I am having to pace myself and limit how much I do a day or I am going to tucker myself out. Today I spent an hour on my hand and knees scrubbing the tiles of our bathroom. I would normally just mop the tiles but felt the need to give a good old scrub and bleach. They look the best they ever had so it was worth it. It's also good to be on all four for getting baby into a good position for birth, although It seems that bubs is already in optimal position. The babies room is ready now apart from a very large printer that we need to sell, I am sure that bubs won't mind if it's still in there if it hasn't gone before the birth.
I have cleaned out all drawers and cupboards in the kitchen apart from a couple of high ones. It feels so good to be getting things in order. I still want to wipe down the outside of the cupboards.

David didn't like seeing me standing on a chair on my tippy toes trying to clean the fly spots off the light fittings so he has kindly wiped them down for me. Thanks Hon.

I saw a stand in midwife last Tuesday as my midwife is on holiday for 2 weeks. I am pleased she has gone away now and will be refreshed when she returns for the arrival of our little one.
All looked good at the check up. I have a slight trace of protein in my urine but nothing to be concerned about. My blood pressure has remained stable at 108/58 I always tend to be on the low side.

Baby's heart beat sounded great and is in LOA position (perfect). Bubs is also very low and has descended to +2 station. I could be in for a short and early labor but it might also mean nothing at all. These babies come when they are ready. I found this neat site called belly mapping. It shows how you can work out your babies position.

I have not had as many braxton hicks contractions as I remember having last time, infact I had already had a show at 36 weeks with my last baby. I do get a lot of tightenings but they are not at all uncomfortable like they were last time. Maybe because this baby is in a good position they are not painful. My last baby was still breech at this time.

All in all I am really happy with this pregnancy and am enjoying it so much.

35 week belly

35 week belly
Originally uploaded by jodicze.

I just remembered that I had not added my latest belly shot. It's still hard to believe there is actually a baby in there.

I have just been to"mothers group" and had a nice time chatting with friends while the kids played. It's great because my good friend comes as well and she homeschools her kids. Our kids ages are very close and they are all best of friends. The only down side can be that they are always wanting to be at each others places and sometimes its nice just to be your own family.

Week 35

I really can't believe that I only have about five weeks to go!!! My back is still good and I am managing fine. I do notice that turning over in bed and walking quickly are a little more of an effort but nothing I can't cope with. I also have that definite feeling of baby in the pelvis. I could swear that babies seek out your bladder and then purposefully give the odd prod just to see your reaction. I am convinced they find it amusing to see Mum jump and then have to explain why to others around.
Gas pain can also be a bit of a problem throughout pregnancy and unfortunately the pain you feel has to be released by very unlady like ways. Its not the sort of thing I usually want to discuss but it is one of those pregnancy joys that has to be addressed. It is one of the only pregnancy discomforts that can also affect those around (David would vouch for this).

I have started taking my raspberry leaf tea now. I usually drink the tea but this time I have been given capsules. I have been doing some reading on the use of evening primrose oil during pregnancy and have decided not to use it now as studies have shown that it does not ripen the cervix and may cause other problems. I have decided that although I took it last time I will give it a miss. I'll just stck to the raspberry leaf tea.

David is on holiday for 2 weeks now with the odd bit of work during this time. It has meant we can get a few things done around the place since I also don't have to teach the kids in the mornings. In fact, I am sitting in bed typing away on our lap top while David is still dozing. The kids have all had breakfast and are now playing outside at 7:45am. It is supposed to be winter but it really has not been that cold.

I have now managed to cross off a few things on my to-do list. David hung curtains in the babies room, they are just plain blue as I don't go all out to make a baby room look like a baby room. They are babies for such a short time so why not get curtains that can be used for any age.

A friend at church made a beautiful quilt for the cot. I made up the bed yesterday and it looks great. I also bought a new baby bag ( back pack) with a voucher I had been given at my baby shower. My old bag had seen better days.

We began washing the windows inside and out and I will do more today.

David also installed a hook into the ceiling of our bedroom so we can hang our baby hammock. The idea is that when baby is first born and at night time for a few weeks, baby can sleep in it. It saves a cold trip downstairs to bubs room at night. We'll see how it works out. David has hung it over our bed on my side so that I can just sit up and grab bubs without having to get up. It sounds great in theory but if this baby is too noisy we have the option of back to the cot with the baby monitor turned down low.

I am feeling a lot more prepared now for the arrival of this little one. I have a few more cleaning jobs to do and I also need to get a few things ready for the actual birth at home. If you want any information on finding a home birth mid wife in New Zealand then check out homebirth.org.

Don't get impatient

I had vowed that I would not get impatient to have this baby early and so far I have done well. Alarm bells went off today though as I was doing a quiet surf with my feet up. I was looking up natural ways of induction!!! Last pregnancy I took Evening primrose oil for the last 4 weeks and red raspberry leaf tea to ripen the cervix, I call this preparation rather that induction and will probably do the same this time. It is always tempting when you have one or two weeks to go to try things like castor oil, it may not work though and just give you a very upset tummy. I did try 2 teaspoons in lemon juice with my last pregnancy and took it a week early. Contractions started about 3 hrs after having it and I had a 2 hr easy labour. It is tempting to try it again but what would happen if this time it didn't work and all I did was end up with terrible stomach cramps and on the loo for hours. I remember almost feeling a bit naughty trying it last time and not wanting anyone to know but in the end it worked and we had a lovely little boy with no side effects of castor oil. Come to think of it. I don't even know if I told David I had taken it. I must find out and will definitely tell him this time if I try it again. I am not thinking of trying it yet with 5.5 weeks still to go but little thoughts have started to enter my mind. Another part of me just wants everything to be spontaneous and happen when it happens but I also know how as you approach birth you become almost obsessed with going into labour. I will try to remain patient as I am not uncomfortable and just enjoy my remaining weeks of pregnancy.

Here is one site I went to about natural induction for anyone who is interested.

Comparative bellies at baby shower

Baby shower shot
Originally uploaded by jodicze.

I have just returned from my baby shower that a friend put on for me. It is not something that is done so much in New Zealand but was really lovely. I felt a bit awkward receiving gifts, especially as it is my 5th baby. As I look at these tiny little new born clothes and socks It excites me to think that our babe will soon be in them. Socks seemed to be a very popular gift and actually something that I needed. Its nice to have fresh socks and bibs. I also received a few pampering things for myself, scented candles and lotions, foot revitalizer and a massager, bath gels and other nice little things to make you feel good. Maybe I will save the candle for during the birth. A friend also made a lovely cuddly rug, its extra special as she made it.

The photo on the right is of myself at 34 weeks and a friend of mine at 23 weeks. She was not very impressed during a game that we played. A toilet roll was handed out and everyone had to tear off enough to fit perfectly around my belly. Alison thought she had it sussed as she use her own belly and then added on a few strips as I was 11 weeks more pregnant that her. It turned out that her belly was bigger than mine so she struck out on that one. She is just a bit bigger to start off with. If you are interested in looking at other pregnant bellies then take a look here at the belly gallery

Iron

A lot of people have been commenting on how much energy I have. I don't say this to boast but I feel the best I ever have with only six weeks left. If it wasn't for my expanding belly I would sometimes forget that I am pregnant. I am making sure I put my feet up most afternoon and I do tend to be in bed by 9pm if I can but I did that with all my other pregnancies and never felt this good. I am sure it is due to taking extra iron from the beginning of pregnancy. I usually end up on Ferro Grad. Which plays havoc with the digestive system so this time I took Thompsons organic iron tabs with Vit C and B. I am convinced that not having to play catch up on iron levels has made all the difference. I think in an earlier blog I may have said that it was healtheries but it is definitely Thompsons. I would recommend anyone who gets low iron during pregnancy to give this a try. It did not upset the tummy and I feel great!!!

34 weeks pregnant

34 week pregnant belly
Originally uploaded by jodicze.

It feels so close to having this baby but at the same time it feels far away. (what sort of statement is that?)
Bubs is still moving a lot and tends to have very jerky movements compared to the others, they tended to roll and stretch. It is not always comfortable when the little feet begin to kick but I would rather have a little discomfort than have hardly any movements and be wondering if baby is O.K.
I am still feeling good and my back came right pretty quickly.
I wrote out a list of jobs I want to do before baby arrives. We have school holidays next week for 2 weeks so it will be a good time to get those extra jobs done.
I have already cleaned the oven and painted the fire place. Yesterday I re-wallpapered Caleb's room where he had peeled a strip off. Its not a perfect job but better than looking at gib board.
I have the urge to pull out appliances such as the stove and fridge and give a good clean. I guess I am having early nesting syndrome so I will do a few things each day and hopefully by the time bubs comes I will feel clean and prepared.

David was great yesterday and hung out some washing for me while I was resting. Its lovely when you are expecting to do a little job and then find it done for you. He really is a great husband and I wouldn't trade him for anything.

Someone tried to break into our home a few weekends ago while we were home. David chased him down the road with a gardening fork while I called the police. They managed to get him and he is awaiting sentencing. I must add here that I am not that impressed with N.Z sentencing and would love to see convictions and penalties increased. There is a group called sensible sentencing which is lobbying for tougher sentences. I just think life should mean life.

The children are all well but I realise I need to be a bit more consistent with Caleb's discipline. It is too easy when you are pregnant to let them get away with things but you pay for it in the end. I am trying to make sure I follow up on instructions given and not to tolerate any grizzling. It could end up being hard work with a new baby if I don't remain consistent.