“I wouldn’t be surprised,” said the Midwife at my appointment on Monday “if this baby decides to come tonight. He’s ready.” Cue an excited bounce from me…! I spent the rest of the day feeling the period-pain-esque cramps ramp up, and by the time Busby went to bed I had a hot water bottle on my back and was sat on a mattress protector on the sofa.
Baby did not arrive.
After finally dropping off to sleep, my cramps calmed down and by Tuesday lunchtime I only felt the occasional twinge. I did think he might decide to make a bid for freedom on Tuesday night – as there was a full moon – but once again I woke up with my waters fully intact on Wednesday morning, and with no baby.
“He will come when he’s ready” is my current mantra, but I still can’t help feel the excited tingle of anticipation! However, all this excitement has made me realise something: he is coming. He could come at any point… and now that I’m 37 weeks (and full-term) I can have him at home! I don’t have to go to hospital. I can have the birth I want. YAY!
This week Peppercorn is approximately 48cm long (the length of a piece of swiss chard) and weighs around 2.8kg. I’m now feeling like a whale, and am feeling very bruised from all of the kicking and bum wiggling.
My Bump has definitely dropped – as you can see in the photo below.
The positive from all of the drama earlier on in the week means that we’ve got our bottoms into gear with everything we’d left to the last minute! The Birth Plan has been written, and three copies printed. I’ve started washing teeny baby clothes and muslin squares – much to my delight – our washing line looks adorable! And the birthing ball is pumped and ready for bouncing. Nick pumped up the birthing pool for our trial run in the week, and all is looking good! It’s huge! I’ve been very tempted (on more than one occasion) to pump it up, fill it and float… Ah weightlessness.
I’ve had a couple of cravings this week; one of which has been a smell! I’ve been loving the Origins Vanilla and Lavender Body Soufflé that was sent to me in my Home Birth box by Which? – it has a really nostalgic scent and I’ve used it every day since it arrived… sometimes more than once! I’ve also just been sniffing it… The other craving I’ve had is for peanut butter and bagels – I found this AMAZING peanut butter in Marks & Spencers, and everyone says peanut butter is a great food to eat for powering you through labour, so… nom!
I keep getting bursts of nesting energy, which result in a completely exhausted comedown. Evenings have been spent on the sofa, or in bed, with a hot water bottle and my Kindle. I need to learn my limits, but there’s not much else I dislike more in the world than being bored or feeling restricted. It’s frustrating both Busby and I that I can’t do all of the fun things we’d usually be doing at the moment, but my whale-like state is only temporary, and soon I’ll be able to run around the garden with her again and be “Fun Mummy” once more.
I’m trying my hardest not to become impatient or wish this time away; I know I’ll only wish it back once Master Peppercorn has arrived and I’m sad I don’t have a Bump anymore! Everyday is just a slog and so much effort at the moment, and all I want to do is snooze… I have been very thankful for the warm weather in the latter part of this week, however, as it has meant I’ve been able to wear flip-flops, and haven’t had to bend over and force my swollen feet into shoes!
Hannah
So pleased that you can now have your home birth lovely!
I hear you on learning your limits - Even at this stage I keep exhausting myself, but I can’t bear being bored either! Not long of this resting to go now lovely xx
Aww Yay to reaching 37 weeks and the prospect of the home birth! SOunds like he really could come anytime too! I know what you mean about wanting to be ‘fun mummy’ running around in the garden again as that’s how I felt when pregnant with LM and just collapsing on the sofa rather than playing outside with Monkey. WOn;t be long now though so rest up! Thanks for inking with #MaternityMondays
Fab news that you will get you home birth and your bump definitely has dropped! My midwife told me that baby could come ‘at any time’ at our 38 weeks appointment… he finally made his entry into the world 19 days later!