6th April 2017
I was not expecting to be writing a 40 week update! With Noah arriving pretty much on time and Jude arriving a week early I really thought I wouldn't reach my due date this time. Yet here I am!
At 40 weeks pregnant my little Pip is about the size of a watermelon. She (yes, it's a girl!) is between 19-21 inches long and could weigh between 7-9lbs now. Here's what's been going on during my 40th week of pregnancy with baby number three.
At 40 weeks pregnant my little Pip is about the size of a watermelon. She (yes, it's a girl!) is between 19-21 inches long and could weigh between 7-9lbs now. Here's what's been going on during my 40th week of pregnancy with baby number three.
Baby Development
Pip is fully cooked! She is fully developed now and will just keep getting fatter until she decides she's ready to be born. Come on little one, we are waiting for you!
Body Changes
I really didn't think my bump could possibly get any lower, but it has! Walking is so difficult now, I take such small steps I'm pretty much just shuffling along. I weighed myself today and now weight 147.6lbs which is a huge jump from my week 12 weight of 111.8lbs; I have gained around 2.5 stone which is more than I had hoped, considering I get married in July. Let's hope there's just a lot of fluid in there! I don't feel particularly big though and I am sure my bump is no bigger than it was with the boys. I've not had any stretch marks this pregnancy which I am positive is in part due to using the Secret Saviours system. You can read more about that here.
Pregnancy Symptoms
I am so emotional at the moment. I am worrying about how the boys are going to cope when the baby arrives, I am worried about going into labour naturally; everything is just worrying me and I just want to cry all the time. I can't sleep at night so have been sitting up until midnight watching rubbish on TV and crocheting before forcing myself to try to sleep.
It has been a busy week for appointments! I had my consultant appointment on Wednesday to discuss booking my C-section date in case I go overdue, as I can't be induced as I have a "J" scar. The plan was to book it for when I am 11 days overdue, but with the Easter bank holidays coming up the only slots were at 5 days overdue or 14 days. My doctor thinks that 14 days is too much of a risk so it has been booked for next week. Which really doesn't leave me much time to go into labour naturally!
At each consultant appointment the baby and I have been checked over; this time there was an issue with the baby's heart rate. It had gone really high and wasn't coming down, so I had to go to triage after my appointment to be monitored. Fortunately as soon as I was on the monitor her heart rate returned to normal and after 30 minutes we were given the all clear. The midwife performed a membrane sweep to hopefully help increase my chance of going into labour sooner.
I have also had my pre-op appointment today. This was quite full on; the nurse and anaesthetist explained what will happen on the day of the c-section, if I end up needing one, and I have been given some medication to take the night before and the morning of the surgery. I felt like crying during the appointment, but held it back as it was a group session and I just felt stupid. I had a good cry when I got home though, it has just made it seem so sudden and real.
The midwife is coming round tomorrow for a routine check up and another sweep, assuming nothing happens tonight!
Antenatal Appointments
It has been a busy week for appointments! I had my consultant appointment on Wednesday to discuss booking my C-section date in case I go overdue, as I can't be induced as I have a "J" scar. The plan was to book it for when I am 11 days overdue, but with the Easter bank holidays coming up the only slots were at 5 days overdue or 14 days. My doctor thinks that 14 days is too much of a risk so it has been booked for next week. Which really doesn't leave me much time to go into labour naturally!
At each consultant appointment the baby and I have been checked over; this time there was an issue with the baby's heart rate. It had gone really high and wasn't coming down, so I had to go to triage after my appointment to be monitored. Fortunately as soon as I was on the monitor her heart rate returned to normal and after 30 minutes we were given the all clear. The midwife performed a membrane sweep to hopefully help increase my chance of going into labour sooner.
I have also had my pre-op appointment today. This was quite full on; the nurse and anaesthetist explained what will happen on the day of the c-section, if I end up needing one, and I have been given some medication to take the night before and the morning of the surgery. I felt like crying during the appointment, but held it back as it was a group session and I just felt stupid. I had a good cry when I got home though, it has just made it seem so sudden and real.
The midwife is coming round tomorrow for a routine check up and another sweep, assuming nothing happens tonight!
Looking Ahead
We still haven't agreed on a name! Ian doesn't like the name I've chosen and I am refusing to budge. So she could be nameless for some time! There won't be a 41 week update, as my C-section is booked before then. Unless I can figure out a way to buy a bit more time, but it doesn't seem likely. Keep your fingers crossed for me that I go into labour soon, send lots of positive birth vibes my way as I need it! Hopefully the next update from me will be a birth announcement, yay!
That flew in the end didn't it? Fingers crossed you will go naturally. If not all the best for your c section. I am looking forward to first pictures. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Janine, yes it really did fly! x
DeleteCongratulations on getting to 40 weeks. Why does the consultant think 14 days over is too much risk? Is it a medically indicated and evidence based decision? Many areas don't induce or do c sections until 15 days over. Do you personally feel its too much risk? If not, you can refuse. And their staffing issues due to bank holidays should not impact on your birth. You should be able to choose your c section any day you want. If you needed an emergency c section they wouldn't let the day affect it. I was under a lot of pressure to be induced/have a c section with both my babies. 1st was emcs at 42+1 and second was a hbac at 41+5.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes it's for medical reasons, the vertical part of the "J" scar stretches as the uterus grows so the longer I go the more strain is being put on that part of the scar. I'm happy to have a csection at 12 days over, but wasn't happy with 5 days when the only reason for that is admin. I've a new post coming up though as I'm now 8 days over and still here! :) It's really good to hear of others than have had successful HBACs though as that does help me keep my positive hat on xx
DeleteOh honey, it is so normal to be really emotional at this point. I really hope that baby girl makes an appearance soon. Come on little girl! Hugs Lucy xxxx
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Lucy! xx
DeleteAw come on baby! Good luck, looking forwards to the baby arrival post 😘 x
ReplyDeleteThank you!! xx
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