Dry Run

Last night we had what could only be described as a dry run(the less details here the better!) and with the exception of coming home sans newborn all went rather well!

Peter managed to extract Sunshine from Gran's house without a problem and came home, gave me a hug, packed some stuff to take to Annabels and happily went off down the road. She had some tea, played nicely, watched some TV and went to bed! And slept! All very calmly executed and a real surprise to find her asleep when we returned from the hospital...Whilst it seemed mean to wake her up and bring her home, it saved her being miffed that Shark hadn't put in an appearance. By all accounts, Annabel was a bit miffed that Sunshine wasn't there in the morning!

So, now the waiting continues...watch this space! If it doesn't arrive before, I'm due to be induced on Friday 13th...but then that doesn't always work first time!!

Bump Comparison

Ok so I'm a couple of days later than I intended with this post but at this stage I don't think any major size change is going to happen!

Sunshine Bump EDD -18 Days

Shark Bump EDD -14 Days

Spinning Baby

Yesterday I went to the hospital for the ECV and was quite prepared to chicken out if necessary and just ask for a C-section...well, in the heat we've had it would make everything so much easier, we could avoid other family birthdays and Peter could organise his work so there was no last minute panic when labour starts! After being on a monitor for 40 minutes or so, the consultant came in and did a scan and, lo and behold, Shark had turned (must have been on Wednesday evening)! "Yay!" and "Bah!" in equal measures!

♪♪Breech baby, breech baby....♪

My first day off work was eventful...I had an appointment at the hospital so I could be referred to an anaesthetist just in case I had a burning desire or need for some serious pain killing during labour and to avoid panic at the last minute when it turned out that I may not be able to have an epidural because of my back surgery. Okay, so far so good...until the consultant had a look at my bump and couldn't locate the baby's heartbeat and says 'hmm...think the baby is breech. I'll just do a scan to find where the heart is.' And yes, Shark has obviously been sitting up and reading my emails with me...!

So two more appointments for me...one with an anaesthetist next week (and it really should have been done earlier during he pregnancy as the normal clinics are only held once a month!) and then another in the Labour ward when an obstetrician who will try and turn the baby using ECV...Oh joy...Still, there is still time for Shark to turn before the due date otherwise it could be a C-section...

Bump @ 31 Weeks

I've been a bit rubbish at posting bump pictures this time round...so I thought I'd better do one! Unfortunately there is no comparison available between this gestation and the last but I shall make a reminder at 18 days to go for a comparison shot...

No More Excuses...

Ahem....After a couple of years of saying "one's enough" and "never again"...it turns out one isn't really enough (although there are days when one is more than enough!) There is to be another Allen joining our little family...At the moment it is called Shark...and we had our 12 week scan this morning!

Sunshine came too and was very good and even correctly identified the image as a baby...a "baby swimming"! And then it all got a bit too much and she decided that she'd seen enough and turned off the monitor!

So, I have an excuse for being a complete lightweight and going to bed at 8.30pm is becoming a bit of a norm! It's hard enough being a host but being a mummy to an energetic toddler can push you over the edge!

Oh, it's called Shark because I had an early scan and Sunshine also came to that and when asked what she saw on the TV she said "A Shark"....so Shark it was!

Curry...

Last night we had a curry...well Peter went for a mild biryani and I had a prawn dhansak...there's a bit left so I'll have that for my lunch today...I think I have been having a few mild contractions (probably just Braxton Hicks)...but I don't want to jinx it...could be days yet!

Ho hum...

Nothing yet...I don't think Junior has the slightest interest in coming out yet! Decided to start on the Raspberry Leaf Capsules (Thanks Katie!)
I did find out from the midwife that 2 of the other ladies in my ante-natal class have delivered though...Debbie (due last week - so on time I guess) and Sarah (who wasn't due for a few weeks yet!)...

Latest bump

I thought it was about time to post another bump picture...

Bump at 18 days to go

Mr Greedy


...I think I got the titles the right way round...

Another Scan

I went for another scan today as the midwife was having problems palpating on Monday...she was a bit worried that there might not be enough amniotic fluid -although Junior could just have been being difficult and lying on top of it all...so a scan was in order...Everything was ok so we can all relax again! No picture this time though :(

Sciatica is a pain in the butt

..literally! I'm not sure if this has been triggered buy my increase in weight, my poor posture (at times) or the fact that Junior is getting bigger and lying in a funny position - or all of these things! What I am sure of is it can be fine some times and agony at others...and it's a bit frustrating 'cos there is little I can do about it! Any tips warmly received! :)

Heartbeat...

I had my 16 week check-up today...and I got to hear Junior's heartbeat for the first time! That was really cool!! The magic Doppler wand picked it up and belted it out!! It's comforting to know that something is still going on in there and that all is well!

Junior

Well, its official now...I have become a host organism for a little growing thing known for the moment as Junior... Yesterday Peter took me to have my 12 week scan and, yup there is something growing in me...It was quite amazing and bizzare all at the same time.


Junior's first picture

He/She was very well behaved for the sonographer so she could do her measurements...and even waved for the camera! Junior is very laid back at the moment. We need to go back in 8 weeks for another scan..it will be lovely to see how Junior has grown by then!