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’).