29 Weeks

Another week rolls on by.

We went to see the new midwife on Tuesday but ended up getting a stand-in as the midwife was at a meeting. We didn't mind too much. The change of midwife came about due to our recent house move. We've had to change GPs and so changing midwife seemed the best option especially for follow-up. To be honest we were quite happy for the change. Our last midwife wasn't exactly energising. I felt she never paid much attention to Ryan in the process and I guess had got so used to being a midwife and involved in the new life process that she had become a bit numbed to the beauty and excitement of it all.

Ryan: Actually that is probably generous. She was crap. Crap interpersonal skills. Crap at making eye contact. Crap at asking any useful questions at all, like "how are you feeling?" Crap at giving us any semblance at all that she actually gave a shit... which clearly she didn't.

That comes across as really harsh but I guess she just wasn't the right person for us. We have no guarantee that our new midwife will be what we need but I hope she is. Certainly the stand-in we had on Tuesday was totally refreshing and I was grateful for the warm way in which she interacted with BOTH of us.

It was a fairly simple and straight forward appointment really. Measurements all appear to be normal. I had some blood taken to check my blood type and for any antibodies. Also to check my Hb to make sure that I'm not anaemic - which I don't think I am.

Next appointment is in three weeks time and then we will get to meet the new midwife. As it is, in the UK, the midwife you have antenatally does not deliver your baby also. She does see you post natal though. During labour we will just be dealing with the midwives at the hospital. Speaking if which this is the labour suite where our bubs will be born. It doesn't look that impressive actually, but I've seen some of it and it's not too bad. At the end of the day as long as it's clean we probably won't notice much else about it when it comes to being admitted.

So how am I feeling...

Well the belly is growing and I am starting to notice the restrictions just that much more.

"It's only when the rigidity of advanced pregnancy sets in that you appreciate fully how useful it was to be able to bend at the waist"

- Audrey Hull -

Isn't that the TRUTH! I'm now realising how uncomfortable and at time difficult simply putting ones socks on can be! So far I have only had to enlist the help of my beloved once.

Sleep: Not the best at the moment. But we'll get there. After work on Friday I had a few things I could have gone and done but then I decided that really what my body was asking for was just to rest. So I got comfy on the couch and closed my eyes for a little and then watched a bit of telly. I didn't prepare any dinner either which perhaps i should of because then Ryan got home at 8pm and had to make some. I just need to make sure I find that balance between resting and not becoming blobby or lazy. I don't expect Ry to wait on me hand and foot. I'm not sick. Far from it in fact! I'm more full of life than I've ever been!

Exercise: Last weekend we went and bought a soccer ball, Frisbee and some swimming togs to accommodate a pregnant belly. So on Wednesday I decided to christen them and went and checked out the local pool. It was great! I loved swimming. It's been quite a while since I've been for a swim actually. I braved the ocean while we were in Atlanta and realised then how much i had missed it. Being pregnant it really is the best option for exercise. It almost made me forget I had a big belly! I did some lane swimming and then made up my own little aqua aerobics exercises. So I'll be back.

I still need to get onto more pelvic floor exercises to strengthen things up in preparation for the big marathon too.

Work: I've now switched to Mon-Fri 7am-3pm until I go on maternity leave on the 13th June. By that stage we will be 37 weeks so the hours are a lot more pregnancy friendly. My manager has been fab at looking after me in this regard. These hours also make it easier to get to Midwife appointments and also to antenatal classes which we will be starting soon!

Food: Getting a little more hungry these last few weeks and am doing my best just to much on more fruit but chocolate and sweet stuff is still so appealing. Ryan had his Easter egg on the bench for a whole week and I tell you it took everything in me to stop myself from finding it a better home!

That's about it really.

I'm going to start doing proper measurements now. So rather that belly circumference I'll record the more significant Fundus height. Starting from next week. At 29 weeks preggers I'm this big.

Ciao