I'm 38weeks pregnant and literally cannot believe how quickly these last few months of pregnancy have flown by. It’s a strange feeling knowing that I’m full term and baby could arrive anytime within the next 4 weeks or so. I’m not focusing on the NHS estimate due date, as I know the date in which we conceived. Going by that date I would turn 40 weeks a whole 1 week past the NHS date, which would make sense to why I’m measuring a bit smaller. NHS standardise all babies as being at a certain gestation period (age) going by specific measurements (which is ludicrous given all babies are different shapes and sizes – no one size fits all). Our bodies are all different, some women also have longer pregnancies than others, so I don’t think focusing on a specific date is very useful at all. Baby will come when she is good and ready. Everything is now in place for a homebirth. The birthing pool has arrived, I have collected the midwife home birthing kit from Peterhead, drugs are the in the fridge and gases are in the garage. Fire brigade have been notified of the gases in the event of a fire and the ambulance service will be made aware of the home birth and on standby once I’m labouring. There’s a lot of planning and organising that goes into homebirths and initially I felt a bit overwhelmed by it all, but everything has fallen into place with very little effort required on my part. Within the next few days we will be doing a trail run set up of the birthing pool. I think it’s a good idea to know exactly how long it’s going to take to set up and fill the pool for when the special time arrives. Being organised and leaving nothing unknown helps with building confidence and will create a stress-free atmosphere or so I hope. I don’t have a birthing plan written down this pregnancy, however in my notes I’ve stated I will be using hypnobirthing techniques and I have several requests during labour, birth and post birth. · Minimum conversation, hushed voices · Minimum examinations unless requested · Picking baby out of water myself · Optimum cord clamping · Skin to skin Final payment has been made to the birth photographer, so she will now be on standby for the birth. Will be so nice to have photos to look back on. I had very little photos taken of my son’s birth and I really wish there had been more. I’m also finally at peace with the possibility of my birth choices changing last minute in the event of an emergency, which could result in a clinical hospitalised birth. What will be will be. All I can do is stay positive and prepare and plan for all birthing scenarios. Last pregnancy I was solely focused on the birth and didn’t give much thought to what life would be like caring for a new-born. I did so much birth preparation classes, researching and educating myself on birthing history, facts, statistics and choices that I didn’t see far past the birth itself. So, when my son was born I felt immediately lost, in a daze and a sadness that labour and birth were over. I got the gentle natural birth I had planned so long for, but was out of my comfort zone in unknown territory as a new mum and this scared me. I did not experience that immediate bond and connection with my son. In fact, it took near a week or so to feel that special mother and baby connection and rush of overwhelming love for him. Looking back, it all stemmed from focusing months on ensuring his arrival was well thought out and planned, that I neglected the thought of actually being a mum and how life would change for me. This pregnancy has been different in every sense. Although I’m just as prepared birth wise, I fully know what to expect and have imagined what family life will be like with the new addition. Something I never gave much thought to first time round. My midwife phoned on Wednesday to see how I was feeling and check I have all kit for the birth at home. She told me she is only on call this month on the 20th and 26th. I really hope that when the time does come that I get my own specific midwife and not someone I haven't met before. I suspect baby will make an appearance early October but I guess only time will tell. I feel super excited to meet baby and cannot wait to go into labour and experience it all over again. Baby still remains nameless at present though. My sons slowly coming round to the idea of having a baby sister. Quite a few of his pals have little sisters which helps, he seems quite intrigued by them. However, this purely depends on his mood that day. He still shouts and declares that he doesn't want a baby sister and she is going straight into the bucket. I was also informed recently of him poking dolls in the eyes. Definitely need to be on top of my game post birth to ensure he doesn't feel left out, but most importantly isn't ever left alone for even 1 second with the baby.
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September 2017
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