Me and LP - Week 38

Week 38
Started the week off with a weekend away to celebrate our 3rd Wedding Anniversary (9th June). Our last ever weekend away as just husband and wife. We stayed at this lovely B&B called Willowlake Restaurant & Cottages http://www.willowlake.com.au/. As I lack a lot of energy these days we didn’t get up too much, we had some lovely but somewhat short walks and drove to a few of the nearby towns. We watched a few DVD’s and I managed to have some nanna naps, something that I haven’t been able to do at home. As I say I will just do this first then lay down for a rest, only to find that that thing I just had to do, took longer than I thought. The meals were lovely, the sort of meals that your grandmother would have cooked for you! Oh they were so filling….. And on the way home we stopped at Yea for a vanilla slice, okay we also brought some home. Can’t beat country made vanilla slices. The only down side to the weekend (apart from it having to end) was that the mild itching that I had throughout the my pregnancy really kicked in. Feet, hands, chest, belly and sometimes legs, arms and were itchy whether or not I scratched them (I gave in most of the time, it started driving me crazy).

Couldn’t sleep Monday night due to the itchy skin. So when I saw the doctor on Tuesday I asked him if there is anything I could take to ease it as it was driving me crazy. He checked the colour of my eyes for yellowness to find that they looked normal but as the itching was more than what normal pregnant women suffer from and the fact that I mentioned my mother had a Liver Transplant he sent me for a Liver Function Blood test. He didn’t think it would be an issue but if it was said that we would induce baby next week (week 39). Apart from the itchy skin doctor was happy with everything and said and showed me that he was getting into the right position (in my words; locked but not quite loaded). I weighed in at 80kgs and while he didn’t measure the belly said it looked a nice size. At the end of the appointment he said he would call me if there was an issue with the blood tests.

Doctor called me today (Wednesday), and informed me that the liver isn’t really copping well, so he needs to induce me next week. So we now know the date of LP’s arrival, just don’t know if he will be in fact be a he or not. Guess we will find out on the 16th June. After I got off the phone from the doctor I rang Buster, and told him to take the 15th and 16th off, we are both now a little nervous. Rescheduled the massage I had booked for next Friday to this coming Friday, John will help me do a few things around the house tomorrow (he had already scheduled this off to get a few things done) and over the weekend to finish getting ready for the big arrival. Better book in for a hair cut (don’t know when I will be able to find time for it after LP’s arrival) and a bikini wax (just encase I end up having a caesarean). Guess there isn’t much more I can do but wait now.

Buster will pick his parents up on Saturday and bring them back to stay the night. We will then take them both out for brunch or lunch on Sunday for Buster’s Dad’s birthday.

LP - Sized at approximately 49 cm head to toe, LP's growth is relatively stable, other than some continuation of the gain in general fat stores. LP's weight should be a little under 3kg and if we go to full term is only 17 days until we meet our little precious cargo. LP’s movements have been consistent but are feeling somewhat different, they feel more like he is kicking off the wall to push himself into position.

View from the cottage we stayed in

Buster had the birds eatting out of his lap and hands

Me and LP - Week 37

Week 37
Now that we are down to the pointy end of the pregnancy I thought I better make weekly entries just encase, as babies are classed as being fully baked at 37 weeks even though full term is said to be 40 weeks.

We started the week off with our last antenatal/parenting class on Saturday. Followed by my lovely girlfriend coming over and helping me with rearranging my pantry and wardrobes. I kept putting the jobs off; but when I attempted the job of the pantry the other week I found that rearranging 2 shelfs took me most of a day and left be completely buggered. Upon her arrival she produced a baby gift that she said that she couldn’t wait to until LP arrived to give to us. It was perfect, it was a set of mesh circle lanterns to put up in the nursery. With her clear excitement I thought it was a perfect time to ask her if she would accept the all important role of Godmother. She was very excited and honoured, and even blogged about it http://lovememyblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/have-fab-week-my-lovelies_30.html.
So back to rearranging; my girlfriend came in and while she wasn’t a whirl wind (took her time and thought how I used everything that she was finding a new home for), she rearranged not only the pantry and 2 wardrobes but also vacuumed and washed the floor in half a day. She is a blessing in no disguise!!!!

The sleepless nights have started, a number of nights this week I have been dead tired but do you think I can get to sleep; No! I spent hours watching the clock tick over or tossing and turning (annoying my poor husband) or spending hours watching really crappy TV until I fall asleep. Getting up in the middle of the night a few times can’t be as bad as not being able to sleep at all.

I finished up with other freelance client this week, as I am really become tried not to mention I’m ready now to stop and take some time to prepare for LP’s arrival. They sent me home with some beautiful lilies, and made sure I promised to send photos and bring the little one in once I was ready to leave the house. The company is truly a fantastic place to work, and I hope that I get a chance to work with them again.

Picked up some more freelance work from my last client. I think she got a little excited as she gave me more than she had done over the last few weeks. So I had to tell her that it will run over into the next week, which she was fine with after she prioritised a few that she wanted first. I’ve now decided that this will be the last lot of work I do for her as well as I’m just wanting to rest, relax and bumble around getting ready for LP’s arrival now.

Had the first of my weekly doctor appointments. As normal his happy with how things are going, weighed in at 79kgs and belly measured spot on at 37cm. Doctor said to except a 7-8 pound baby. With our anniversary weekend away the all important question about whether LP was going to arrive this weekend or not was answered when he said that LP hadn’t dropped yet.

I had what would be my 2nd last massage, I know Buster thinks that going as often as I do is a little bit of an over kill, but they really help with my back and it’s the one thing I look forward to every other week. I followed this up with lunch with a girlfriend at Mellissa’s in Lower Templestowe. I can highly recommend the grilled lamb salad. I don’t know how I managed to eat as much as I did, with LP taking up so much room, but there was no way I was leaving there without finishing every month full (including the mars bar cake we shared).

LP - Sized at approximately 48 cm (head to foot) and weighing around 2.8 kg, LP’s fingernails now reach the end of his fingers. His face is plumping out along with its shoulders and neck, and the amount of space inside the womb really is lessening, so his movements are becoming restricted. However that isn’t stopping him from pushing (very hard at times) causing me to be very uncomfortable at times.

Me and LP - Weeks 33-36

Week 33
Quiet weekend, just had my craft group Saturday morning and the rest of the weekend was spent resting and doing a few house hold jobs. Not a very interesting weekend, but it was good to rest with a few big weeks to come. I don’t know if it was the quiet weekend or it’s because time is getting closer and everything is becoming a little more of a reality, but I’ve started to worry about the birth a bit now. But I just keep reminding myself that many women before me have given birth and many more will after me. It’s just the natural thing to do and we wouldn’t be able to do it if our bodies were not built for it (just look at men for example; there is no way they could)

Other busy week with freelance, don’t know why I ever thought I wouldn’t have enough work to keep me out of trouble. Fitted in a massage on Wednesday and then everything when to mud as I had a car accident Thursday morning. I had just dropped Buster off at his work colleagues and was making my way to a freelance client, however I didn’t make it very far before I run into a car in front of me (which he then run into the car in front of him). Lucky for all concerned (including LP) I wasn’t going very fast has I had slowed down and had put the brakes on, but due to the wet conditions I unfortunately hit some oil and slid into the car/s. Buster and his work colleague drove past about 5min latter so stopped to make sure I was okay, which I was but rather shook up. Buster was fantastic, all I could think about was the fact that we couldn’t afford what I had just done, but he was just concerned with making use LP and I were okay (even well after the fact his not angry at me, just keeps saying these things happen).

As the car was still drivable I continued on to work as there was a lot to do and I needed to show a work colleague how to use the reporting program. However I left early to see the our doctor just to make sure LP was okay. I weighed in at 77kg (which means I’ve put on approximately 10kg so far) and the belly is measuring perfectly at 33cm.

LP - Sized at approximately 40 cm (head to rump) LP now weighs approximately 2.2 kg (which is apparently the size of an adult duck; after reading this Buster’s taking to calling LP a duck this week). His lungs have developed sufficiently enough to support life outside the womb, although the lungs, along with all the other well-developed organs and digestive tract, will benefit greatly by remaining in the womb (plus our stress levels). I’ve read that LP should be able to feel; and will respond usually by changing its position; when I or Buster stroke my belly.

Week 34
First of the big weekends in May started by celebrating Grandpa’s 80th birthday. We travelled up to Benalla for a family and friends lunch. He had a great turn out and with quite a few tails told everyone really enjoyed the afternoon. As lunch went a little longer than expected we didn’t join the family at the ‘old homestead’ for afternoon tea as we needed to get back home. But they all had a lovely time and then kicked on with a bonfire and dinner at Grandpa’s place.

We had our first antenatal/parenting class on Sunday, it was better than I thought and put my mind at ease regarding the birth etc. Buster also found that it made him feel a lot better about it all as well, he even decided to look at a placenta which surprised me. As much as his worried that he won’t be able to handle it all (he thinks he will faint at some point) I think he is going to be fine and be a great support (okay maybe not a good massager but the support side of things he will be great).

Other busy week of freelance work including picking up some work for a 3rd company, it’s defiantly keeping me out of trouble (but it is starting to wear me out I think). The week was finished off by a lovely afternoon tea with long time family friends of John’s parents.

As we were unable to see Buster’s mum for mother’s day last week, we presented her with her gift before we left for afternoon with the family friends. The framed photo of me and the bump taken at 26 weeks was a hit, she thought it was very artistic and just beautiful. She made mention that in her day, ladies generally covered up their growing bump and would never show it off.

Oh and I’ve had my first Braxton Hick contractions – feels oddly strange.

LP - Sized at approximately 42 cm (head to rump) and weighing around 2.3 kg. LP is now beginning to developing his own immune system, instead of relying solely on antibodies received through the placenta.

Both mothers or should we say grandmothers received a framed copy of this photo for mothers day

Week 35
The week is kicked of with my sister and brother’s girlfriend throwing a baby shower for me. They did a fantastic job and every one enjoyed the games and the painting of the baby clothes was the hit of the party. Oh I shouldn’t forget about the cupcakes with the little feet on them, they were very much enjoyed.

We were suppose to have the last antenatal/parenting class on Sunday however it was cancelled due to the midwife being sick. So what was going to be a big weekend suddenly changed to a quieter one, which was fantastic as I was totally exhausted after a busy week and the baby shower. And it gave me time out before other busy week of freelance work.

Doctor’s appointment this week pointed out that I had a bit of a weight gain in the past 2 weeks (must have been all those cupcakes). I weighed in at 77kgs and the belly is 3cm over measuring at 38cm.

My back has been giving me a lot trouble and pain so I made an appointment with a physiotherapist that specialise in pre and postnatal care for pregnant women. I also enjoyed a massage this week.

Driving home from work on Thursday, LP did some great circle work. My belly felt so weird let alone what it was looking like, I had some odd lumps and bumps for a little while. Very weird feeling but oh so beautiful.

LP - sized at approximately 44 cm (head to rump) and weighing around 2.4 kg, the antibodies continue to flow from my body into LP’s, and he continues to fatten up, although not enough that he can easily regulate his own body temperature at birth or for the first few weeks afterwards.

Week 36
Start the week off with a lovely lunch at the Eltham Glasshouse with the girls I use to work with at Designworks about 6-8 years ago. It was great to catch up with them again before little one arrives. We try to catch up at least once to twice a year as a group, but I do see a number of them at different times throughout the year.

I spent Sunday finishing up a group of work for one of my freelance clients. They will have more work towards the end of June, so we will just have to wait and see how that will pan out. If LP has arrived Buster might be able to look after him while I work on it, there should only be about 1-2 day’s worth of work which I can spread over a week.

While I finished up with one client I still had a busy week with the other 2 clients. But I did manage to fit in a little shopping as I started worrying that our little one had no clothes to wear. While walking though the shopping centre I had some more Braxton Hick contractions which are getting a little stronger these days.

So now that I have stopped worrying so much about the birth experience. I’ve moved on to worrying about what sort of mother I will be. I’ve always wanted to be a mother and I’ve always thought that when looking after children it come naturally to me. However now that I will be a mum in a matter of weeks I’m slightly worried. Will I be able to go and gar at this little baby and be happy to do so and will this child grow up always feeling like he/she can talk to me about good things, bad things and everything in-between. Oh I hope so!!!!

LP – sized at approximately 46 cm (head to rump) and weighing around 2.6 kg, LP should now be in the correct position for birth, with their head down towards the birth canal. As the doctor keeps saying that his head is down I can only presume that everything is okay. LP isn’t punching and kicking us much as he use to, but as his fast running out of room to play there is a consistent pushing sometimes worse than others. Oh and then there are the times that he shifts position and I can clearly see and feel his movement (sort of like the movie ‘Species’).

Me and LP - Weeks 29-32

Week 29
Low key weekend, finished off with lunch with Buster’s parents for his birthday. Followed by a week of freelance and a trip to my parents for my sisters graduation. I took a train to my parents and a train and bus home; mmmm not the most comfortable sets when pregnant.

Had doctor’s appointment on Wednesday which involved a blood test first followed by the doctor giving me my first of 2 (most likely 3) shoots of Anti D, due to me having A- blood. As Buster has a positive blood group there are a few issues that could arise once LP is born, so they give me 2 injections before LP’s birth and then if LP has a positive blood group then they will give me other. The doctor’s scales were not working so my weight remains a secret this fortnight. LP is doing well as the belly is measuring 34cm which is approximately 5cm over size.

We have decided to try cloth nappies (better for the environment and our hip pocket even with when you include the water usage) and as there are sooooo many different brands out there I’m buying a few different ones to start with just to work out which will work best for LP. So I picked up a few at the baby show last month and a few more this week as well us Mum ordering a few pre-fold ones.

LP - Sized at approximately 36 cm (head to rump) about the size of a loaf of bread. LP now weighs approximately 1.4kg, and will at least double his weight between now and reaching full term. The placenta holds approximately 1 litre of amniotic fluid so it is understandable that I’m short of breath with this precious extra cargo onboard. And with LP taken up most of the space in the uterus his most probably curled up in foetal position. They say that his most likely not to move as much but his moves are getting stronger and more regular

Week 30
10 Weeks to go, as long as LP’s not early or late in his arrival.

We had dinner with Buster’s best mate and his wife Sunday night (belated birthday dinner). They surprised us with announcing that they are also expecting (10 weeks). Buster is excited as it means the dreams of his child/children playing with his best mates child/children will become a reality.

Other busy week of freelance this week finished off with a well deserved massage.
With all the pregnancy supplements that I’ve been taking my hair has grown and thickened up quicker than normal so booked in for a hair cut so it’s looking at its best for Buster’s work colleague’s wedding.

LP - Sized at approximately 38 cm (head to rump), LP now weighs around 1.5 kg. Over the next few weeks, he will grow longer more than it will increase in weight. The brain is developing further, enabling him to absorb and learn at a great pace when outside the womb, and LP will be actively storing nutrients from my body such as protein, iron and calcium for his own development. His will also start to get into position for birth, with its head down towards the birth canal. Oh; when his awake he now fully open checking out his very dark surrounds.

And it just keeps getting bigger.

Week 31
The leg cramps and started to set in as well as my feet just aching, but I won’t complain (too much), as the reward at the end of it will be well worth it.

We attend Busters work’s colleague’s wedding. They are a young couple but in many ways they both have older soles and make a lovely couple. Buster isn’t one for telling me that I look lovely etc, but as I’m getting ready he says that I don’t need much make-up as I have a lovely pregnancy glow. He can be a real sweetie every now and then.

Doctors scales are working again so my weight is now unveiled at 75kgs. LP or should I say my belly is back to a ‘normal’ size, measuring 32cm (just 1cm over)

LP - Sized at approximately 40 cm (head to rump), and weighs approximately 1.5 kg.


Week 32
Start the week off with a massage and a visit from a close friend and her husband. While my girlfriend has been around a few times since the completion of the renovation her husband hadn’t so they were keen to check it out and to see my every growing belly.

Each year on ANZAC day we go to the Collingwood v’s Essendon football game and this year was no expectation. I had told Buster that it would be the only game that I would go to before LP arrives and within minutes of being there I reminded him again. As much as it would have been difficult to sit comfortable for the whole game anyway, it was topped off with us being seated right up the very top at the very back were they run out of leg room. Luckily I only had to sit through the first ¼ before it was clear that the a few people in the row in front weren’t turning up so I moved down a row and enjoyed (as much as one could on hard plastic seats) the extra leg room and space to spread myself out. Oh and we (Collingwood) won the game easily.

A busy week made up of a couple days of freelance work, a info session on reusable nappies (which was very informative and helped pin point good nappy brands), dinner with a friend that I had also worked with while at Big all finished off by Grandpa and his friend visiting and spending a night and Grandpa leading a hand with a few odd jobs.

We booked our annual weekend away to celebrate our wedding anniversary (3 years). Not wanting to travel too far from home (just encase) we booked a lovely self-contained spa cottage with wood fire in Macs Cove which is just passed Mansfield. So looking forward to this!!!!

LP - Sized at approximately 40cm in length (head to rump) your baby now weighs around 2.1 kg. With less room to move, LP is sleeping up to 95% of the time, still has some very active periods. That combined with pressure on the bladder means I’m up more often in the middle of the night, but on the up-side, I guess it’s getting me ready for night feeds once his arrived. On average I’ve read that he should be moving 10 times every 4 hours…….. I can vouch for that! LP only major organ left to develop is the lungs know which will be completed very soon. Toenails are completely formed while his hear continues to grow.