36 Weeks today!

"Your baby is still gaining weight – about 28g a day. She weighs nearly 2.7kg and is about 47.4cm long from head to toe. You may begin to feel an increased pressure in your lower belly and notice that your baby is gradually dropping. This is called lightening or engagement, and your lungs and stomach will finally get a chance to stretch out a little – breathing and eating should become easier.

However, walking may become increasingly uncomfortable – some women say it feels as if the baby is going to fall out. Also, you may still feel as if you need to go to the loo all the time. Check out our eating well guide and stock up on those last-minute nutrients.

The good news is that by the end of this week, your pregnancy will be full-term and you could give birth any day. Babies between 37 and 42 weeks are considered full-term – a baby born before 37 weeks is premature and after 42 is post-term.

At your weekly visit, your doctor or midwife may check to see if you've started dilating, when the neck of your womb (cervix) opens, and effacing, when your cervix thins. The midwife will also check what position your baby is in, to estimate how far your baby has dropped into your pelvis. This information will be entered into your maternity notes so that your midwife will know the position of your baby when you go into labour. "


"Weekly vist"? They couldn't fit me in until 3 weeks after my last visit, so thats a worry. Still haven't had the chance to discuss my home birth with MY midwife! She's the one thats qualified to do water birthing. I keep having to see whoever is available grr. I'm dreading them saying its too late to arrange a home birth, but that would be nonsense really. Got the room set up ready, Pools inflated, bin bags, bucket lol, just need to buy plastic sheets. I have got the babys bath ready and the hosp bags have everything in thats needed.

I know he's started dropping he's 2/5ths engaged. I just hope he can't turn round now.

Weel I see Debbie, my midwife, on the 10th so I will try and discuss birthing plan then and get it arranged, fingers crossed.

I also have a bad cold at the moment which if why I am feeling grouchy, sinus's hurt, feels like my face is falling off, and my nose, well we won't go there.

35 Weeks Pregnant Today!

"Your baby now weighs about 2.4kg and measures around 46.2cm from head to toe. His elbows, feet or head may protrude from your stomach when he stretches and squirms about. Soon, as the wall of your uterus (womb) and your belly stretch thinner and let in more light, your baby will begin to develop daily activity cycles.

This week, your little one is now sporting full-length fingernails and toenails and has a fully developed pair of kidneys. His liver can also process some waste products.

There's much less amniotic fluid and much more baby in your uterus. You've probably put on between 11kg and 13.6kg and your weight gain has hit its peak. Even your belly button has got bigger and has popped outward. You may be feeling breathless now that the top of your uterus is up under your ribs.

Try getting down on all fours to take deeper breaths. Although the pressure on your bladder will make the bathroom your second home, don't drink any less water – your baby needs the fluids. But you may like to cut down on diuretic drinks like such as tea and coffee, which will make you have to urinate even more often.

Still undecided about a name? Try our baby namer for new ideas.

Your doctor or midwife will probably want to start seeing you every week until you give birth."


People keep asking me if I'm due any day lol, it certainly feels like it! I'm huge, mornings, for a couple of hours I feel ok, but afternoons I start aching and get breathless just walking up the stairs. Evenings are much worse, baths help a lot. Nights are, well, a nightmare lol. Loo trips and can't get comfy.
The house behind us caught fire last night, no idea if deliberate or not but we heard a pop, loud enough to wake us (this was at about 3.15) and saw an orange glow through the curtains. Their front door and porch were on fire, hubby called 999. So we were sat watching that for an hour or so. Family were fine and their 3 cats, one got singed whiskers though. The house is a mess.

I might weigh myself in a minute, I've been putting it off as its scary hehe.

34 Weeks Yesterday

"Your baby now weighs more than 2.2kg and is 45cm from top to toe. She's filling out and getting rounder – she’ll need her fat layers later to regulate her body temperature.

If you don't already talk to your baby, this is a good time to start – at 35 weeks her hearing is fully developed. Don't feel ridiculous if you're already chatting in baby talk. Some evidence shows that newborns pay closer attention to high-pitched tones.

If you've been nervous about going into premature labour, you'll be happy to know that 99 per cent of babies born at week 35 can survive outside the uterus (womb) – and most have no major problems. Although your baby's central nervous system is still maturing, her lungs are nearly fully developed by now.

Many women start to notice a tingling sensation or numbness in the pelvic region or pain as they walk. This may be caused by the pelvic joints loosening, ready for labour. If you're particularly uncomfortable, mention it to your midwife or doctor and check out our self-help tips. "

I like the way they say you START to feel a tingling sensation, it bloody well hurts sometimes, and what with all the waddling it kills your hips lol. I think I have had enough of this pregnancy thing now, can I have my baby please? :P
Getting harder to sleep, can't get comfy, seem to need the loo permanently. Where my stomachs so heavy my stretch marks are getting bigger on my sides. I look huge!

To get back to 9 stone I will have to lose 5 stone! that sounds a bit daunting . The only thing that brings relief is a nice hot bath, lovely. I'm having one every night and getting hubby to wash my legs and feet hehe.

Saw Midwife Today!

I rang up this morning and Karen was there and one other, the others had been snowed in lol. We saw her about 11.00. No Im not measuring big, I am only 1 week ahead which is fine, I was right about the bloating. HB was a little high but after 10 mins or so she did it again and it was fine. Baby's HB was good too.

Discussed where I am having Ethan, Karen said she didn't think the centre would be open in Feb so I said prob home delivery then. She said she could't see any reasons why not apart from the weather. So will have to wait and see.

She advised I get a liquid form of iron, one that contains Vit C and doesn't cause constipation, all good lol.

Had another blood test afterwards to check iron levels then went into town to get the iron stuff, which tastes horrible by the way hehe.

Driving was fine, lots of snow but wasn't slippery.

33 Weeks Today!
"Your baby now weighs about 2kg and measures approximately 43.7cm from head to toe. Your baby should already be getting ready for birth by turning upside-down – her head should be pointing down, ready for birth.

Your doctor or midwife will be paying careful attention to your baby's position in the coming weeks – some babies do decide to turn back round again.

Your baby's skull is still quite pliable and not completely fused, so she can ease out of the relatively narrow birth canal (the passage between the cervix and the opening of the vagina). But the bones in the rest of her body are hardening. Your baby's skin is also gradually becoming less red and wrinkled as fat builds up underneath.

If you're a first-time mother, your baby's head may move into the pelvis this week and press firmly against your cervix. (This happens for about half of all first-time mothers.) If you're a second-time mum, you can expect this to happen a week before labour – and for some this won't happen until the start of labour. Hoping to manage your labour naturally? Here's all you need to know about natural pain relief.

You may notice that your feet and ankles are quite swollen by the end of the day. Water retention, also known as oedema, is often worse in warm weather and late in the day. Surprisingly, keeping hydrated helps reduce water retention. Your body – particularly your kidneys – and your baby need plenty of fluids, so drink up. If you suddenly feel swollen or puffy in your hands or face, however, call your doctor – it may be a sign of pre-eclampsia. "

Feel as big as an elephant hehehe. Midwife should be ringing me tomorrow or I will have to chase her again! I'm supposed to have an appointment this week!

I might have to have another scan, which I'm looking forward too, and another blood test too blahhh. Hopefully iron levels have gone up a bit, still very very tired though, not so much sleepy but achy, especially my legs.

My stretchmarks have spread from my sides to my bum lol, still none on my tummy yet.

Washed all the new baby clothes, blankets etc, I've decided Fairy non bio smells lovely might switch to that permanently lol. Seems to have a lot of 0 - 3 clothes hmm.

I've put on about 30lbs now, which I still think is not too bad, I mean.... christmas! Can't not eat all that yummy food!