Water baby...

We've been discussing birthing 'plans' - I say 'plans' because I'm not going to have this elaborate thing drawn out as I'm likely not to use it anyway. Or so I keep being told, especially by complete strangers. Oh well, always grateful for their tuppenceworth. I just don't like the idea of being this demanding mum-in-labour, although who knows what pain will make me do!!

John has been really supportive in choices over drugs and pain relief, although neither him nor my mum are too keen on the epidural thing and I have to say, I'm a bit scared of the idea too. We have said that pethadine and gas and air are the most likely candidates!

Since our little visit to the labour ward, I have been swaying more and more towards the idea of a water birth. I even had a dream about it last night, which must mean I've been thinking about it more than I realised. And fyi, it was perfectly painless. Ha ha ha! I've done some research on water births as we're looking at all areas right now, just so we have an idea of what to expect with whatever happens. The pros of water births?

• You are less likely to need any pharmalogical pain relief- the water works as pain relief.
• The buoyancy will help your pelvis open allowing your baby to move and rotate easily to be born.
• Allows better circulation of the blood and better contractions of the uterus, making the whole process less painful, and providing a better oxygen flow for the child.
• Research does suggest that you are less likely to have 3rd or 4th degree tears, but you may be more prone to labial or 1st degree tears.
• You can still use entonox if needed in the pool.
• Babies are born into a calm, relaxed environment.
• Your partner could also get in the pool with you if you wanted this, let him feel more involved...I'm not entirely sure how comfortable John would be actually getting into a pool with lots of gross things going on but it's down to him!!
• For the baby, they will be more familiar with the water environment than an air environment. As a result, the baby will feel more security and assurance.

The cons aren't even worth listing as they're so unlikely. I'm a convert! But we'll see what the midwife suggests.

Koala days...

Our little one likes to have what we call 'koala days' where they just have a plain lazy day, sleeping and the likes. Today is one of them. Every now and then, they give a brief stretch or a quick punch just to remind us they're ok but a koala day usually happens after two or three days of solid movement so they're obviously just getting their rest in!

It is sweet to just think of them lounging around contented in their own little liquid world, before another few days of constant activity ...

Our travel system...

...was ordered today! T'was a gift from the Grandparents Wallach-to-be...we were getting slapped wrists for buying stuff earlier on as Big Poppa Phil said family would want to buy some things. So after much probing, he said they'd like to buy us a travel system which was very helpful and obviously very kind.

The one we've chosen is lightweight, easy to fold and looks very cute! It's the Graco Mosaic One Chocolate Lime and you can see it left and above.

28 week bloods...

So I called the doctor today because, well, the Royal Mail aren't very well going to deliver the results now are they.

Glucose was normal (yay! Almost a tad suprising!) but my full blood count was 'to see doctor'. I'm slightly anaemic which means iron tablets (would explain the constant tiredness) but at least it's nothing concerning.

Coca Butter...

I've been using cocoa butter recently, mainly because it smells divine - although John did say if he wanted to marry a travel operator, he would've done but also because the Vitamin E is supposed to really sort your skin out. I've been really blessed and not had any stretch marks on my tummy at all (yet!), just mainly on my upper thighs, which sucks. Still, small price to pay.

I have read, and been told by midwives, not to waste money on special lotions and the likes as experts believe stretch marks are hereditary and can't be avoided. However, I was using cocoa butter anyway because it left my skin feeling really smooth. I was blessed with lots of cocoa butter bits and bobs from my Mum and MumS (John's Mum!) for my birthday. My mum said she asked the shop assistant in the Body Shop what was best for stretch marks and was told if you combine BioOil and Cocoa Butter together, that does the trick. Who knew?! There's a beauty tip for free!

29 weeks...

With eleven weeks left (!) baby now weighs around 2lbs and measures about 38.6cm from head to toe. Head hair is beginning to grow. The head is getting bigger, and brain growth is rapid at this time so we're making sure they have plenty of activity with playtime with Daddy & Mummy, especially in evenings! Their nutritional needs reach their peak this week so we're stocking up on lots of nutritional bits and bobs (and chocolate muffins - very nutritional). The skeleton hardens even more and the brain, muscles, and lungs continue to mature. The really exciting thing is that all five of our bundle of joy's senses are developing well (sight is the last to develop and will continue maturing once he's born). The baby is increasingly sensitive to changes in light, sound, taste and smell and may indicate preferences for particular tastes or odours! Whatever I am eating will flavour the amniotic fluid – it can smell strongly of curry, garlic, onion and cumin for example – and I read researchers have found the baby will drink it faster the sweeter it tastes. That's not currently a problem I'm sure!

Music...

Our little one has been bopping away whenever there is some form of rhythm going on! On Saturday, we had the first youth band practice with Jacob on the guitar, Liam on the drums and Daddy on the bass and as soon as we started playing, baby did too! On Sunday morning, from the moment we woke up Flump was moving around, grinding away and when we got to church, well. There were pokes and kicks and all sorts! The baby has been kicking when there isn't music around but when there is, it's double trouble and we just love it. We've mostly been listening to worship music so it's good that the little on enjoys it too!

Midwives & Doctors...

So I had a bit of a weird 28 week midwife appointment last week as, a) I forgot my file and b) it was a brand new midwife who had just come back onto community after two years out. Which meant I didn't have a urine test done (because she assumed the receptionist would give me a specimen pot?!) or anything else. So, being a nurse, my mum gave John & I a pot with a trillion dipsticks in and all these funky colour pads so we could tell what was what (protein, glucose etc). All ok on that front!

The midwife did check the baby's position and had a poke about my tummy, which caused our baby one to give her a swift boot or two. Clearly she had disturbed a moments peace! Usually, it's dad and mum that poke around for kicks! Anyway, she did mention (as did the doctor on Wednesday) how happy and lively our baby clearly was which was obviously lovely to hear. The baby is growing perfectly, well within the average range and my bump is measuring fine - no matter what certain M & S staff say.

On Tuesday morning I had my 28 week bloods, and guess what? I didn't panic once! As much as I hate needles, I don't want my irrational fear to be passed onto our child so I best get used to them now while they're not around to watch.

So now we're just waiting for my blood results...I'm hoping the glucose thing won't be an issue. No signs or symptoms of the diabetes thing yet!

Quick update...

All cramping has completely gone! A total answer to prayer. How amazing is that!?

So thankful...

Last night, we had a little scare. I had been cramping since Monday but yesterday it got a little worse, so I went to the GP after work who (after prodding my tummy and feeling a strong contraction) said, 'right madam, we'll send you into the labour ward for observation overnight - better to have the baby in your tummy for a few more weeks than in an incubator'. Not the most tactful but grateful he did it anyway! So John came and met me in Bromley and we popped back home for something quick to eat and to grab some bits.

We called both our mums to pray and they spoke to siblings and BTC and SLBC who prayed too. Just over two hours later, our prayers were totally answered! In fact, I'm more amazed today than yesterday as it was all a bit of a daze. John was a complete pillar of strength throughout the whole thing, however cliche.

My mum drove us to the hospital and we rushed up to the labour ward (maternity ward on the same floor - Level 3, signs for it too for those who want and need to know for visits in January!) and we got taken into triage. The midwife asked us a few questions and then took us into a labour room (we even got to see the birthing pool, which quite frankly looks massive). After doing a test or two, I was asked to hop on the bed and was wired up to this baby heart-tracking-monitor thing which was strapped around my tummy so had to lie perfectly still for a while. Unfortunately, our little blessing didn't lie still and was kicking more than he had all day - and that was a lot, so it was really hard to get the heartbeat tracked on the page. My BP, pulse rate and other bits and bobs were checked and we were asked a million questions. Then we had to get moved back to triage as there was a woman in labour who actually needed the room! She was more than welcome to it, a lady down the hall sounded like she was being bludgoned to death.

Back in triage, and after being wired up to the baby heart-tracking-monitor thing the doctor came in to do an internal exam (which wasn't so pleasant) and found the neck of the cervix was closed, which was a massive relief. So my waters hadn't broken or anything else that was needed to go into labour. The cramping and constant strong Braxton Hicks was what the GP was concerned about but as I told him, I've been getting BH since around week 21. Clearly, that is something that medical staff differ on as he said pregnant women shouldn't start getting them until week 31, whereas the doctor at the hospital said you can start getting them anytime. Both the doctor and the midwife commented a lot on how active our baby was and said the strength of the kicks was a great sign.

So, after being told that the cramping was likely pregnancy stretches, that we had an extremely active baby and the heartbeat was absolutely perfect, we are so grateful to our brilliant God and everyone who prayed for the protection and continued strength He blessed and continues blessing our little one and us with. We were driven home by my mum again, very relieved and very tired and flopped into bed.

We just can't wait to see what our baby is like....although not for a good ten weeks...!

Baby hiccups?

The past few weeks, I have been noticing constant little teeny taps inside my tummy for about five minutes (usually less) at a time. I think the baby is hiccuping...that's what I'm guessing anyway. Either that or they have a very strong pulse!

Grrr...

Ok, so I know I don't have the smallest tummy going but this morning, when I was in Marks & Spencers, the lady at the checkout asked me how long I had left.

Me: 12 weeks, so not long now!
Checkout Woman (jaw hits the floor at 50mph): Gosh...(looks at me curiously) are you sure you're not having twins? You're massive!
Me: Absolutely positive, thank you very much.

Why do people think it's ok to comment on the size of your bump?! It's not like I go up to them and say, 'goodness, are you sure you're a size ten? You look like you've packed away ten pork pies...'

Rant over.

Baby shop...

So, as previously reported, we purchased the carpet for the nursery on Saturday and the painting is now underway. My dad is doing the woodwork as he is seriously neat and neither John nor I are so clever with that side of things! Last night, we bought the mattress for the cot bed and the changing unit along with the baby bouncer and a mobile for the cot - we wanted bright and zingy so we thought the Mothercare Fun at The Zoo range would do perfectly. Not too pricey, great fun to look at and reviews are fabulous.

On Sunday, we had a roast dinner at my parents who had got all the baby stuff down from the loft so we had a good rummage. We even managed to capture some Kodak moments of John and Tanya wearing

baby bonnets...and one of Tanya even wearing a bib AND a bonnet. Don't ask.

But Grandpa Phil found a brand new wooden toy train in the loft (an un-given present!) so we've baggsied that for the Wallach Grandparents to keep at their house.

We're in the home stretch...

Twelve weeks to go and we can't wait!

By this week (28), all the websites and books say our baby weighs nearly a little more than 1kg and may measure 37.6cm from top to toe. However, judging by the measuring at the last scan, I'm not entirely sure this is accurate for our child who was about 150/200g out of the average at week 24. At least we know eating won't be a problem for them! Also about this time, not so little Flump can open their eyes and turn their head in the uterus if they notice a continuous, bright light shining from the outside. The irises don't have any pigment yet, they're a slate grey. Job this week? To shine a torch onto my tummy and see what movements happen then!

Fat layers are forming nicely which will help the skin to lose its old person appearance. The bones are nearly developed, though they are still soft and pliable – they won’t harden properly until after birth.

Also, baby's fingernails are starting to form and eyebrows and eyelashes are now complete!

We are thrilled with the incredible development that Baby Stevens is undertaking and we will really miss the feeling of the solid thumping they're giving mummy right now...it's so precious, fills us with pride at the strength of our little one and currently fills our evenings with so many giggles. But it will be sooo much better having them here so we can give our little one many, many smooshes and cuddles!

And it was all yellow...

So we ordered our carpet today which has left me feeling less panicked - I was starting to have bad dreams that the baby arrived and nothing was ready! A few cold sweat moments there. But we now have the paint (yellow for the window wall and creamy yellow for the rest) and with the carpet ordered (a creamy/beige colour), we are well underway. In three weeks, it'll hopefully be finished!

John is undertaking the painting with my dad giving an extra hand as and when needed. As John isn't carrying our little one, doing practical things is another way for him to be and feel involved - plus, it's quite an achievement doing the whole nursery by yourself (painting, building etc!).

So, a big cheer for Daddy John!

Clumsiness...

You have no idea how clumsy I am - to get an idea, I have broken eight glasses since we moved in, in July! Seriously. I'm not joking. My hands and arms just flail around on their own accord. It's very weird! It's like my hands just stop holding things...it's got a little bit better recently but not so much you'd notice! I still walk into things/people.

Tiredness...

There was a period from about week 23 or 24 where I had the most energy and felt better than I did when I wasn't even pregnant! It was great and we both got loads done, cleaning the nursery ready for decorating - we make a good team! However, since the last week or so, the tiredness has returned which sucks. I have heard others at 27 weeks complain of lack of energy and exhaustion so I'm not worried or fretting. It's a bit frustrating waking up and still feeling tired. I'm making sure I sleep for an hour or so in afternoons when possible (which sounds really quite lame) but as we're in the last stretch now, I'm trying to make sure I get as much sleep in as possible!

It doesn't help that John & I lie awake for ages with hands all over my bump feeling little one kick for England - it's so cute, especially as it feels like the baby is literally going for a walk inside my tummy. But we are thankful the baby is so active and it's such a blessing to share with each other. In fact, Auntie Tee felt the baby moving on Friday night, which was really lovely and we can't wait for Auntie Elle to come back from university so she can experience that too!

27 weeks...

So this is the last week of the middle trimester but apparently I still have a quarter of my total weight gain to come. This is also the last week most airlines will let you fly - so it's train, car or boat for any trips from now on! Not that we had anywhere planned but it's good to know these things.

Flumperdink now knows which way up they are, because the balance function of the ears has kicked in. The eyelids have fluttered open and they can now open and close their eyes. The focusing mechanism in the eyes are working - not that there's much of a view right now. It's also believed the brain now has the capacity to form memories, so we need to make sure we keep family talking very loudly so the baby remembers who is who when they arrive in the big, wide world. The baby now measures about 36.6cm from head to toe - now bigger than a ruler, yay! The baby also sleeps and wakes at regular intervals and may suck a finger or thumb, which I personally find very sweet.

Just 10 weeks to go until Flump reaches full term!

A little known fact: by now, baby has all their bones (there are 300 of them!). Throughout the remainder of my pregnancy they will be getting stronger and harder, and they will continue to ossify throughout the first year of life after birth.

Braxton Hicks...

I've been getting loads of these painless contractions - before I knew what they were in my naive state, I just assumed it was the baby moving around in the earlier weeks. But a doctor at work one day asked me if I'd been getting Braxton Hicks and I just looked at her blankly. She explained what they were and it turns out I'd been getting them since week 21! They were quite sporadic then, but now I'm getting them every day, fairly often. It's a funny feeling and it sort of merges with baby moving around too. Apparently, it happens more when you have a full bladder or haven't been drinking enough water.

Thankfully, it's only my uterus preparing for labour - no real signs yet! It does this by encouraging the flow of blood to the placenta and toning the muscles of the uterus. The body still amazes me!

Puff...

Feeling a tad out of breath right now!

I knew it was likely to happen, what with me being short in stature and the likes. When I asked about the measurements of our little one at my last midwife appointment (just due to them having sounded like he was slightly stout), my midwife looked at me like I was a bit mad and said, 'no offence, but you're not exactly on the tall side'...

So there we have it! Due to my expanding uterus pressing upwards on my diaphragm and restricting the capacity of my lungs, I may sound very breathless, even if I'm not doing any excerise! Once baby engages and drops down in preparation for birth the breathing should return to 'normal'. Or it could be 'pregnancy hormones' such as progesterone which stimulate the lungs to adapt to my body's changing needs and help my body to process oxygen and carbon dioxide more efficiently. Isn't it clever! Weird feeling though.

Amazing fact of the week...

Babies are born with over 70 reflexes that develop in the womb. One of the strongest is sucking – some babies are even born with sucking blisters on their thumbs or fingers, because the urge to latch on is so strong!

26 weeks...

With fourteen weeks to go (which judging by the speed September went by, doesn't sound too long in the grand scheme of things) our baby one is now measuring in at a whopping 14ins. Flump’s hearing is developing swiftly. Mostly, the noise that's being heard will be the swishing of my blood, the beat of my heart, the gurgling of my stomach and other weird and wonderful body noises. Baby's eyes begin to open around now and brain development is intense at this stage.

So many cute things to write about, like: if we go to a firework display and the baby will jump at the bangs! We've been told if we play music repeatedly the baby will become familiar to it and recognise it outside of the womb. So if we have many sleepless nights, the plan is to use these songs we've been killing ourselves with!!

The interesting thing is this: all the websites say Flump now weighs in at a little more than 760g...well, two weeks ago our child was 745g so I imagine the weight has just been piling on since then. The sonographer didn't seem concerned, neither did my midwife so I won't worry until they do...maybe I'll just give birth to a heifer!

Baby sang bass..

This morning, while we were having breakfast (and daddy was being unholy and watching Match of The Day), little one kicked up a storm! Usually, when Flump kicks we can only feel the full effect from the outside if I'm lying flat or slightly tilted but this morning was the first time we felt huge taps while I was sitting up properly! It was very exciting and did make us giggle a bit as they were really solid and you could see my tummy move. We think baby was looking forward to hearing daddy play the bass drum at church and was telling us to get a move on...

Clever baby.