.
Over the last weeks Sticky Bean has been confirmed as on the 97th percentile (macrosomnia) with excess amniotic fluid (polyhydramnia) too. Thankfully the consultant and the midwives I have been seeing have a much more relaxed approach than those early on in my pregnancy. The scare-mongering is over!
We have a birth plan (my version) and a care plan (the midwives’ version) and they actually say the same things, just from different points of view. Hurray!
Not long to go now! At 37 weeks pregnant I am HUGE. Just check out the picture….and bump still growing. Oh and it has officially turned into public property. Casual acquaintances will walk up to me to chat and stroke it, kids run up and cuddle it. Interestingly I really don’t mind any more.
The bump gets its beauty treatment: it is being smothered in Bio-oil every morning… and that’s not to prevent the stretch marks, because I have beautiful ones already. However, I do feel the difference when I forget or don’t have the time to do the bump care… by midday I cannot stand any clothes on the tummy and it itches.
I have started referring to the Sticky Bean as Monkey, because each night he still does a 180 degree turn and beds his head down on my stomach. He doesn’t like me lying down. In the mornings he fidgets back, head-down into my pelvis. (Apparently as he is 3rd baby this is quite normal)
Turning over in bed or sitting up is extremely painful without Sticky Bean’s head acting as stabilising wedge from inside. My sleep, hence, is very broken. (I actually dream of sleeping on my tummy… often on a nice sunny beach)
SPD keeps me doing things slowly. Sudden movements and back or groin pains warn me to stop. A pregnancy belt sometimes helps, sometimes makes things more painful. I think it depends on the Sticky Bean’s position.
This past weekend, I’ve had a hectic weekend in London (attending the Cybher blogger’s conference), then out Sunday all day doing Oxford Alumni stuff… all loads of fun! But it meant I didn’t give my body enough time to catch up with itself and I ended up with oedema on the scale of my bump size: feet like rugby balls and very puffy lower legs. Skin stretching so tight I thought I was going to get stretchmarks.
…Nothing a pair of sexy compression stockings won’t sort though, especially as all other factors that would concern the health professionals- blood pressure and protein in urine- are just perfect.
Goodness knows, I have complained enough during this pregnancy and struggled with it all. However, all in all, despite the pains, the lack of sleep, all the things that need to get done before this little fella arrives… I am mostly smiling.
Is that because I have an end in sight? Or because I have finally found some supportive professionals around me? (e.g. Both the midwives who are now at our GP surgery are just amazing!)
Am I just strange for liking this last bit?
.
.
.
You are doing fab and you look great. I feel for you as it does look very heavy. Not long now x
Yes, bump is now very heavy and has been renamed Heffalump since yesterday, but as you say it’s not long to go now.
Wow that’s a gorgeous bump! I also enjoyed the final few weeks of my pregnancies and would love to do it all again. Can’t wait to hear your birth announcement!
XxX
Thank you! 🙂
I truly admire how active you are with the SPD and big beautiful bump! I had SPD with my daughter and as it took me a good 5 minutes to shuffle to the loo, I ended up spending most of the time on the sofa xx
SPD is difficult. It’s a bit of a catch 22: if you don’t move about the muscles don’t keep up and give even less support, however moving about causes pain. I’ve learnt that it is about finding the right balance and pushing oneself to the edge of when the muscles fatigue from the pain, but still stay in good enough condition to provide some support to the laxed ligaments. Painkillers help too. 😉
I am so uncomfortable now I am just rubbish to be around! Glad you can enjoy the end at least! 🙂