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The ‘Berry’ Pregnancy Diaries – week 39

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Wednesday 19th February – 39w
One week until D-Day… And I’ve been asked today if I’ve had the baby yet! The answer is… I’ve also been told I look like I’m ready to explode! Yeah, I feel it too! 


Thursday 20th February – 39w 1d 
I’ve been getting AF type cramps on & off now since the weekend, but they never seem to be coming to anything. As far as I can remember, I had the same for the last couple of weeks before little man arrived. I’m hoping it doesn’t mean this baby is going to arrive over a week late like he did! Nevertheless, I’m at that really fed up stage now. 


Friday 21st February – 39w 2d
I’ve felt funny today like something is going to happen soon… Highly unlikely though! But for the purposes of nesting and (mainly) eviction, I scrubbed the floors down on my hands & knees this evening whilst little man & Daddy were out. Then when I was getting ready for bed I had some major tightening and pressure in my groin which has got me hoping it had got things started! 


Saturday 22nd February – 39w 3d
Getting things started? No such luck. The pain went when I laid down, nothing happened overnight and baby is still in there… But I am absolutely shattered today and have been trying not to nod off whilst little man has been running around like his usual hyper self! I’ve been for a walk and done some nesting, come on baby! 


Sunday 23rd February – 39w 4d
I’m getting really frustrated and fed up with this cramping now as it’s been pretty much constant since Friday night’s pain episode, but it’s leading to nowhere. Grr. I’ve been trying to keep busy today to take my mind off it but it tires me out even more.


I finally booked a maternity shoot for tomorrow, talk about cutting it fine! I had one with little man though so really wanted one this time but thought I’d left it too late. 


Monday 24th February – 39w 5d
Hubby was off work today so I got a lovely lie in which was much needed, thank you! On my first toilet trip of the day though when I stood up from the loo, I had immense pressure and I thought I was going to fall to my knees! Hopefully that was baby fully engaging… (Or the start of things – haha, yeah right!).


Unfortunately we didn’t have the maternity shoot in the end as the photographer’s little boy woke up with what was confirmed as chicken pox and she didn’t want to risk passing it onto me as she’s not immune. I obviously didn’t want to take the risk either so while it’s a bit disappointing for both of us, it’s for the best. Bless her though, she said she’d throw in a freebie when we have a newborn/family shoot. 


Tuesday 25th February – 39w 6d
Well the pressure from yesterday didn’t turn into anything, again. Grr. Though the cramps have gotten a little stronger again, especially after going for a walk. They actually made me stop in my tracks a couple of times too. But still fed up. That is all.


After a discussion on Twitter about home births with Fi from Childcare is fun, I’ve been baking brownies this evening ready for the midwives. I thought it was a lovely gesture, and they might be extra nice to me…


At 39 weeks, berry is the size of a mini watermelon.
Most of the vernix and lanugo has disappeared.
Berry will swallow the lanugo where it will be stored in its bowels, and be part of its first bowel movement. 
They have a steady supply of antibodies from the placenta that will help it fight off infections for the first few months after birth.
Weight gain will continue although at a slower pace.
Movements will begin to slow slightly as they don’t have much room left to move around.

The ‘Berry’ Pregnancy Diaries – week 36

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Wednesday 29th January – 36w
We finally bought baby their first outfit today – well, not so much an outfit but babygro etc. Exciting! Also managed to get another bump photo – it still looks small but it feels gigantic to me! Though I think baby is a bit low today.

Thursday 30th January – 36w 1d
I woke up with really bad heartburn (the worst yet) in the middle of the night so I didn’t get much sleep last night. Though when I did sleep I think I slept funny as I’ve been so achy today.


Friday 31st January – 36w 2d
I had my 36 week MOT with the midwife today. Baby is measuring right on ‘target’ (though looking at the centile chart they have stuck in this time based on what little man weighed, this one is aiming for around 9lb 9oz! Little man weighed 7lb 8.5oz!), the heartbeat was all good, and they are very low down and 1/5 engaged! Regarding me, my BP was fine, though my sample showed I may have a UTI  but she said they will ring me if so when the results come back. She also had to do a blood test to check my iron levels but couldn’t get any, she left me with a nice bruise though. I ended up going up to pathology at the hospital in the end. My home birth also looks all set to go and they will ring me next week to let me know when my gas & air, etc. will be delivered!


Saturday 1st February – 36w 3d
We’re having a baby THIS month! (Hopefully!)


Monday 3rd February – 36w 5d
I’ve been an emotional mess today. I’ve been in tears numerous times this morning, little man is just being an absolute nightmare, or maybe I’m just too sensitive at the minute! I also had a conversation with a checkout lady whilst shopping today (I must have looked uncomfortable or something): Her: “Are you ok?”; me: showed her my bump; her: “Oh I see, how long left?”; me: “3 weeks”; her: “Maybe!”. Yeah, thanks for that! 


Tuesday 4th February – 36w 6d
Oh man. I’m right at that stage now where I am both physically and emotionally exhausted. I have been in SUCH a bad & upset mood today. I must have literally spent half the day crying. Little man was up at 6.20am so we went in the living room and I did the bad Mummy thing and put the TV on for him while I kept dropping off having a snooze. He has then been a nightmare all morning. Smacking me, kicking me, pulling my hair, throwing toys at me, throwing his (empty) Lego box across the room because I dared to turn Peppa flaming Pig off! I admit I just wanted to run away today as I have been in such a state all day. And then I get told “not long now then the fun really starts!”. [Another] yeah, thanks for that! I know it sounds awful but I’m glad he’s at nursery tomorrow so I get a little rest! 

At 36 weeks, berry is the size of a coconut.
They are still gaining weight and becoming rounder in appearance.
The bones in the skull can move and overlap each other allowing them to pass through the birth canal more easily.
They will probably (though not necessarily) be in a head down position.

Review – Cantaloop bump support belt

- Stacey 3 Comments

Regular readers of my pregnancy diaries will know that I’ve been suffering with SPD and more general pain this pregnancy. When I was offered the chance to review a pregnancy support belt by Cantaloop I was so pleased as I have been recommended them by a few people. 

The Cantaloop pregnancy support belt promises: 

Total comfort due to seamless design. No lines/bunching under clothes. No velcro to destroy clothes. The pouch portion is a looser knit to allow growth. Back portion thicker for support and warmth, i.e. excellent for strained muscles.

 
The support belt looks pretty much like the bump band I have been using, but that was only really so I could wear my regular jeans etc. and it has no real support. The Cantaloop support belt arrived in a cardboard tube (which little man has taken to storing his jigsaw pieces in!) so it was very well protected so as not to be damaged in the post.
 
 
I received a white support belt (which is the colour I would usually go for). On first glance I could see the thicker support portion which I straight away felt was going to be a great help. I also like the little butterfly printed in the top corner which makes it feel a bit more feminine. 
 
 
When I put it on for the first time I immediately felt the pressure off my bump as it lifted it up, as it feels so heavy without any kind of support. The pouch part, as it states in the description, is looser and there was more than enough room to accommodate my smaller bump and allow room for growth, so it would be a good fit for larger bumps too. 
 
I wore it around the house at first to get a feel for it and then my next use was a short walk to the supermarket. Normally I would be getting a lot of pain around my front and lower down at this point but I was amazed that there was barely any (just the usual lightening pains which this wouldn’t help with). I have also worn it to walk around town which is where the pain really affects me. The same as the walk, I had barely any pain. I have to say I did still get a bit of backache wearing it though, but not as much as I do when not wearing it. I also found it did bunch up a little at the back which is a bit awkward to adjust when wearing a dress, but nothing really annoying that can’t wait to be dealt with. It is practically invisible under clothing though. 
 
With a current retail price on the CMS Shop of £13.30 I think it is well worth the investment to be relieved of pain which is at times debilitating, and I wish I had invested sooner as I have really suffered during this pregnancy.
 
My rating – 4/5
 
Disclosure
I was sent this product free of charge to review. All thoughts & opinions are honest and my own. 

The ‘Berry’ Pregnancy Diaries – week 34

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Wednesday 15th January – 34w
Feeling quite worried at how close it’s getting now… Really need to get my bum in gear a bit more!


Thursday 16th January – 34w 1d
Now it’s getting nearer to the end, I’m managing to take more bump photos. Here is the latest one. I think I was looking big, but I think I look small in this one – maybe baby had moved position. Though I feel huge!

Friday 17th January – 34w 2d
I had my 34 week appointment today. It was also the time to write up my birth ‘plan’. With little man it was very vague and I pretty much just ‘agreed’ to everything. This time I have thought about it a lot more, and decided I would like a home birth with as little intervention as possible. We were unsure about a couple of things from little man’s birth that may effect whether it may be best to have a hospital birth, but the midwife is going to check at the hospital and if they are OK then I’m all good. I am fine with having a hospital birth, but I would prefer a home birth – I’m just trying to stay neutral at the minute until I find out. In other news, all is good with me & baby and I am measuring at 33 weeks. 

Sunday 19th January – 34w 4d
Had a flipping awful nights sleep last night as little man has suddenly decided for the last few days that 3.15am is his new favourite play time! And I am in more pain than ever now when I lie down so can’t get comfortable as it is, without him in our bed. 


Though on a good note, we have finally come to a decision on names! And also a decision on a double pushchair after debating it since last week – we’re going for a Phil & Ted’s (second hand though as not sure I will be using it much – I will most likely wear baby and push little man when I’m on my own).


Monday 20th January – 34w 5d
We picked up the pushchair today! I finally feel like we are getting somewhere and we might just be prepared in time!


Tuesday 21st January – 34w 6d
I woke up this morning with SPD pain and backache. Much worse than it has been yet. I have a bump support belt on its way, so I’m hoping that will help with some of the pain. 

At 34 weeks, berry is the size of a canteloupe.
The immune system is still developing strongly in preparation for life outside.
The skeletal structure is hardening.
The vernix is becoming thicker as the lanugo is shedding. 

The ‘Berry’ Pregnancy Diaries – week 28

- Stacey Leave a comment
Wednesday 4th December – 28w
Hello 3rd trimester! I also had to starve from 10pm tonight, for my GTT tomorrow. I hate this bit…


Thurs 5th December – 28w 1d
GTT day. I knew the drill as I also had one done with little man. My appointment was at 9am, though I had to get the bus and along with strong winds, a 10 minute walk, and being 28 weeks pregnant, I arrived a couple of minutes late but they weren’t too busy at that time so it was okay. I was only waiting a few minutes until I got called through to the consultation room. First I had my blood taken from my finger, and then the midwife finally managed to get some from my arm, after finding a vein on the 2nd arm! (Everybody always has trouble finding my veins). As I hadn’t eaten since 10pm last night I did feel a little dizzy, but it wasn’t as bad as last time. I then had to drink a bottle of Lucozade which I was actually quite grateful for as it filled a space in my tummy! A student midwife then came to do my 28 week check up. My BP was fine, she listened in and baby sounded fine, then I had my bump measured for the first time this pregnancy. Baby is currently head down, and I’m currently measuring 2 weeks ahead. I was always measuring bang on or just behind with little man, but it could be water retention I suppose, or just the fact that a lot of people measure bigger with subsequent babies? After this I had to go sit in the waiting room until my 2 hours was up, I had remembered to take some reading material though so it went quite quickly. During this time I was told by another pregnant lady that I looked huge for 28 weeks. Thanks for that. My time was up and I had to have my 3rd lot of blood taken – this time it took 2 midwives to get it out! That was that and then I was free to go, all I could think about was food. In the process of walking back to the bus stop I was whacked in the face numerous times by crunchy leaves (ouch) and told to be careful by a lovely old lady. Since I got home I haven’t stopped eating though! 


Saturday 7th December – 28w 3d
I’ve started getting SPD type pains quite recently. I swear it didn’t happen this early with little man. Though two things I had very early with little man haven’t started yet – leaky boobs (at 20 weeks exactly!) and BH (at around 24 weeks). I think my cold has finally disappeared though, I just have a few sniffles now but obviously to be expected with the winter weather. I’ve been looking for a new baby ring sling to cheer me up though!

Tuesday 10th December – 28w 6d
Speaking of BH, it seems they have started now! Along with body parts sticking into me all over, I just cannot comfortable nowadays and I’m so fidgety. 

At 28 weeks, berry is the size of an iceberg lettuce.
The brain is now developing its folds (gyri) and grooves (sulci).
Billions of neurons are also developing.
Muscle tone is improving, meaning increased movement.
If berry is a male, his testes will be likely to begin descending.