Meet my little man!

XxxI woke up on Sunday 24th August at 5:15 am and said Stu my waters are going. He replied are they! Excited we both got out of bed where they just trickled. I got cleaned up then got my daughter ready to go off to her nanas and had my first contraction.
Stu took her over and I decided to get ready. I thought it would be like my other two labour's. So I washed my hair then ran a bath. Thinking about easing the long contraction pains I was expecting.
I went back to the bedroom to get my hair dried whilst the bath filled.
But my contractions really started one after the other each longer and more intense. I knew we needed to go straight to hospital.
I got dressed it seemed to take forever the pain was getting worse I could barley walk to the car!

I cried at Stu to go through the red lights I was in so much pain but he wouldn't.
I could feel more pain with each turn and stop n start of the car.

When we parked at the hospital I got out but couldn't walk Stu had to get a wheel chair. We got into maternity asssessment where I barely opened my eyes trying hard to breath through the contractions. I was examined and was 4cm but my contractions were just rolling one after the other no break. They quickly got me back in the wheel chair and headed over to delivery suite.

I got into the bed and Stu had to take off my trousers . I was squeezing his hand whilst being asked questions by the midwife. The pain was unreal. The pressure below. I told them I wanted the epidural the idea of trying to get in a bath for a water birth was insane.
They gave me gas and air which I took in so well. My head was light and did the first time I felt some relief but then the pain got more. I screamed I wanted the epidural a guy came in to do it but the midwife said it's too late. I knew it was I was ready to push. I didn't need to be told
My body was telling me what to Do and I blocked out everything around me except Crystal the midwife. She was so amazingly positive encouraging me whilst I squeezed Stus hand. I felt when I needed to push and when to rest. His head came and I felt so much pain and relief at the same time. I felt his head and he had hair!
When my body was ready I pushed again and delivered him and he was placed onto me. It was amazing, I feel so proud I did it with just gas and air and so quickly.

The moment I held him on me I was in love. He is perfect. Stu was so happy too. We held him and I fed him, he is so perfect. I can't wait to show him to the world. We rang my mum who hadn't even set off yet and couldn't believe he had come so quick.

He weighed 10lb 10oz, we have named him Reuben. :-) 

25/08/14 - 1 day young

Daddy's first cuddles 24/08/14 just a few minutes new.

25/08/14 - 1 day young

Week 39

How far along: week 39

20/08/14

Baby bump: 

What's happening this week: will see the midwife this Friday for another stretch and sweep and discuss induction for week after if he still isn't here. Had the sweep and booked in for induction on Tuesday morning if nothing happens. Saturday night I was 39+4, I really fancied a cosy night in so we went to dominoes and got lots of pizza junk food. 

Sleep: is really not happening. Suffering with the weight now trying to get comfortable.

Best moment: my waters broke on Sunday 5:15am 

Movement: 

Food cravings / aversions: 

Symptoms: no symptoms from the second stretch and sweep so just trying to relax.

Emotions: i was really hoping he would come at the last weekend after the stretch and sweep whilst all my family was here so they could meet him so feel deflated he hasn't come. Just a long waiting game. Had few tightening and what I think are little contractions but haven't developed into anything.

What I miss: not pregnancy related but missing all my family after seeing them all last week at the wedding. 

What I'm looking forward to: actually going into labour

How the family is doing: getting impatient.

Purchases: non.

Week 38

How far along:38 weeks

Baby bump:

What's happening this week: finished work this week, so glad tom exhausted. 

At 38+2 I had my hospital appointment for the stretch and sweep.
I had the usual blood pressure and urine checks then the Dr did the the s&s. 
It was uncomfortable but not overly painful. The Dr said I was 2cm dilated so hoping it gets things moving.
Had bits of spotting.
Feel a bit sore and heavy almost like the start of a period.
Stu and I went for a walk around the park which started tightenings and then short contractions.
Had a few more randomly throughout the day but nothing strong and consistent. Waters haven't gone either.

Sleep: nanna naps, seem to have got into a stupid routine of sleeping four hours when I got robed then up and tired again around 6am. 

Best moment: seeing all my family and going to my Auntie and Uncles wedding. 

Movement: he definitely has slowed down. Still having movements I can see but not as many.

Food cravings / aversions: 

Symptoms: heartburn and constipation. Losing the plug (show) since the stretch and sweep.

I've started with pins and needles in my hands when I was workings and when I'm sleeping through the night. Has caused me to drop things I'm holding :-(

Emotions: I get really upset how people can be so rude with comments like 'wow you're massive, omg you look like a whale, Jesus Christ and fuck me how many you got in there and can I take a pic to show my friend how freaky you look.!  Have to stay calm because I do want to say and what's your reason for being fat or some other rude comment back. But instead I save it all and tell Stu who is so supportive and gives me a cuddle when I cry.

What I miss: really fancied a drink at the wedding. 

What I'm looking forward to: hopefully meeting my lil man in the next week.

How the family is doing: pestering me with comments like 'is he coming, any signs, and the most stupid one when will he come? Erm I'll just get my crystal ball. As you can tell I'm very tired and sarcy now.

Purchases: just a light dressing gown for the hospital.

Week 37

How far along: 37 weeks

Baby bump: 

What's happening this week: we are officially cooked, so if baby arrives before 40 weeks he will be ok. 

We went to the midwife, She listened to heart beat and did my blood pressure and guessed the baby was weighing in about 8lb. We still haven't discussed my birthing option or plan or feeding options. 

Sleep: lots of nanna naps all through the night and day. 

Best moment: 

Movement: he seems to be quietening down, when he does move it can be painful. 

Food cravings / aversions: orange Fanta I love it

Symptoms: heartburn

What I miss: really wanting to do things with the kids during the holidays, visit places but I'm to exhausted so were cooking, baking and lots of arty work.

What I'm looking forward to: seeing my family

Purchases: non

Week 36

How far along: 36 weeks

 30/07/14

Baby bump:

What's happening this week: we visited the consultant at the hospital and she measured the baby with her hands she said he is around 6.5lb, his head is down but not engaged but apparently after your first baby can engage and move back easily. She said she will do a stretch and sweep at 38+5 but said to come in the Friday which will be 38+2. It doesn't always get labour started but Dr said with it being my third it likely will. So my baby could be here in 2 weeks :-) 

Sleep: is horrendous! I thought I was struggling before but now I can't breathe on my sides or propped up on my back. I'm uncomfy sitting too. Oh my lord I feel like I'm being crushed and beaten with the movements.

 

Best moment: date night, a lovely meal out and then the cinema. 

getting a good nights sleep even one day makes me feel better. 

Movement: can be so painful now in my rib and hip still and lots of dagger/stabbing pains down there they can increase when walking, standing for a while (good excuse to avoid washing up) and when I'm on my birthing ball.

Food cravings / aversions: really don't fancy anything I am getting constant heartburn. 

Symptoms: heartburn! Almost all day and night. 

Can't get comfy to sleep

So so exhausted, I cry with random emotion but also from the pain. The bump is so heavy it's been hurting my knees and ankles, stretching my tummy really painful and sitting in a comfy position is a task. The end few weeks are just for moaning lol.

Emotions: can still cry at random moments 

What I miss: being able to get out of bed easily

What I'm looking forward to: my eldest sons birthday

How the family is doing: just getting on with things now, kids are enjoying school holidays. 

Purchases: non, I think we have everything 

Week 35

How far along: 35 weeks. 

Baby bump: 35+5 

What's happening this week:

Sleep: same as previous weeks some nights I get some good sleep. But mostly I sleep 12-4 and then I'm wide awake but tired again at 7am. Gets a bit lonely I want to wake everyone up haha. 

Best moment: putting the pram together, imaging him in it. 

Movement: plenty of movement still. He definitely reacts to his daddy's voice and more with his sister now she is at home on holidays and being loud. 

Food cravings / aversions: not craving anything. I really don't even want to eat, I only do because I need to. I get full so quick so very small snack throughout the day. It's been so hot so drinking lots of Fanta and ice. 

Symptoms: had to go to the dentist as my wisdom teeth are starting to ache again, I could only get some corsydol but will be having them out after the baby :-( 

Started in the evening get really strong pains in my right side around my hip area, sat on my ball and had some paracetomal but they started getting stronger. I had to call the maternity assessment unit but I could barley speak to her through the pain, it was awful. We went to hospital and the pain stopped! Lol. Baby was still checked and they think I have an infection maybe urinary and will have some antibiotics. 

What I'm looking forward to: finding out if I will get a stretch & sweep early.

Purchases: we picked up the pram & car seat. Love it :-)