Welcome Sesame!

Sesame is here!
Thank you so much for your well wishes, blessings, congratulations and love. I am so grateful to everyone who sent the above. I cannot begin to explain it, words just aren't enough. Soppy to start with... great!

Tiny!

Lucy arrived at 11:21am on February 29th 2012.

Nothing fit her, this is a 00 top

We thought she was coming on the 28th. I woke to pains low around my back, bum and pelvis. As the day progressed the pains got worse. They were never regular and we know now it was sesame getting into position.

Getting ready to walk around the shops

My mum came up to look after lufflump and the mister called in sick to work just in case. We had a pretty lazy day with family naps but included a long walk in the shopping centre to try and move things along.

Family naps

Nothing happened so mum and lufflump went back down to the Gold Coast while the mister and I chilled watching movies. I went to bed around 10ish and had a relatively good sleep, only waking up a couple of times during the night.

For some stupid reason 5:30am seemed a good time to wake and get up. I told the mister that it looked like it was all a false alarm as I wasn't feeling any pains. 6:06am I recorded the first contraction. It went for thirty-two seconds but wasn't very strong. Contractions started coming every seven minutes for about thirty seconds each time.

Not long before we left for the hospital

I called the midwife who said to call her back when a really strong, long contraction came that felt different from the rest. I had a shower and made sure we had everything. The mister and I hung around listening to music and checking the road reports before a strong fifty second contraction hit. The midwife was called and just after 9am we started heading into the hospital.

I was petrified of the car trip because you are just stuck and can't move around when a contraction hits. I'd decided to try and use music as my focus point to get through the contractions. I didn't know whether it would work but anything was worth a try. The car trip wasn't very bad at all. I listened to the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack and Regina Spektor while we were held up in traffic. I remember three contractions being very painful but focusing on the music, singing and rocking my head definitely helped.

Of course we couldn't get a car park easily and I had two contractions while walking from there to the birth centre but nothing too bad. We got into our room at 9:30am and immediately got settled, the mister with TV and me with my music, by this stage I was onto Florence and the Machine. She actually arrived to Florence's 'Drumming Song' live version.

Birthing room - RBWH Birth Centre

I tried many different positions while contracting but the best was on all fours with my head buried in the beanbag. I had entered a different world. My midwife, Carolanne, wanted me to move around to try and pop the waters but there was no way I was moving for anyone.

The mister began tickling my back and I had a sudden urge to push. We hadn't checked to see how dilated I was so had no idea whether it was time or not. It was decided that hopping into the bath was the best way to go just in case.

OMG the water was AMAZING! At first I thought that it had slowed down the contractions as I couldn't really feel them any longer but when the next one burst my waters I knew it was time. The next contraction 10 cent piece of her head showed. The pressure on my bum was intense. Next contraction her head came out. Next her arm then her. It was so quick.

There was no burning sensation as such. It hurt of course but it was more pressure than anything. I don't know what factors contributed to that but I'm definitely not complaining.

She was perfect from the very start. Her perfect little features and SO tiny! I couldn't stop staring at her amazed that her birth was so quick and easy. She also took to breastfeeding like a little pro. Damn cracked nipples though - she won't stop feeding! I'm not complaining though, I'm so grateful she's doing so well.

Just out of the water

My last blood test had shown I had low iron levels so we couldn't stay in the bath for long just in case I bled too much. Also because I'd previously had an episiotomy they needed to check whether I had a tear and needed stitches again. Thankfully, I only have a minor tear that didn't need stitches.

Happy!!

They sat me down on the floor and my placenta popped out spontaneously, no pushing or anything. We had delayed cord clamping which I highly recommend. It means that they don't clamp or cut the cord until it has stopped pulsating reducing wastage of such important blood for the baby. The cord doesn't appear as gross as lufflump's did who didn't have delayed cord clamping (I wish we had choice back then for him too).

Cutting the cord

After I got up and dressed, which included the sexiest fishnet undies with a big nappy underneath, we had visitors. Lufflump, my mum and the mister's mum came to see sesame and lufflump was ADORABLE! He was so excited shown off sesame and his baby. Sesame got lovely kisses and cuddles straight away. The grandparents were, of course, smitten.

Family time

After they left we had a little nap before more tests. The paediatrician was very pleased with sesame especially the big poo she did just for her. The physio pretty much just ran through what is in the booklet and we discussed what exercises are best to get me on track to training for roller derby. We were then discharged.

Car ride home. Everything's so big!

We got home at 4:30pm. Almost a typical work day - in at 9:30am, out at 4pm. It was lovely coming home straight away, we could settle in and relax with no worries. Go to bed, eat, laze around, watch TV - all at our own pace. The mister did have to go to work so his mum and my dad came to visit.

I highly recommend the birth centre. Not only are the midwives lovely, it was the best experience I could imagine and my recovery is bliss. It honestly doesn't feel like I have given birth a couple of days ago. Yesterday, we even went shopping as we had no clothes to fit her.

Daddy's little princess

For the next couple of weeks while I get used to having a toddler and a newborn (not yet experienced as lufflump has been away or at daycare) I'll be featuring some wonderful bloggers and their baby stories. I'm so excited and have really enjoyed reading these posts. I hope you will too.

Baby, Hurry Up!

1. Bored 2. Frustrated - hurry up!
3. Ok ouch 4. Breath

Want to play? Join in the fun - My Little Drummer Boys.


EDIT: Sesame arrived at 11:21 that morning. You can read all about it here.

Sesame - Week Thirty-Eight

Dear sesame,

We first found out about your existence thirty-three weeks ago, approximately 231 days ago. My first blog post about you was back in June. That's a long time especially for someone as impatient as your mother.

There are now only thirteen days until you are due to enter the world. I thought you were ready last night. I've actually been a bit sick all week so I'm expecting you to start the process any day now. I expect it to be quite painful, more than it was with your brother. I expect to not be able to sleep because I'll be too infatuated with you, just like I was and am with your brother.

Got the pregnancy itch!

This pregnancy has been totally different to what I experienced with your brother. Good and bad. With you I've been sick, lethargic, had low iron and blood pressure and a sore pelvis which has been quite unpleasant. On the other hand I've also been able to feel you from twelve weeks and you've given us all such entertainment with your wild and obvious movements. I also gained more weight with your brother which I didn't exactly enjoy.

I cannot wait until you are here. Here in my arms. Here in your daddy's arms. Here getting hugs and kisses from your brother. Your grandparents are aching to meet you too.

A little girl. I know you'll be tough. You can't be in this family and not be a little rough, especially if your brother and father have any say. I think you'll be sensitive but with attitude. It seems that's what is happening already. You definitely have attitude!

I don't care when you arrive or how. All I care is that you arrive healthy and as happy as you can be.

I have hopes and I have dreams for you. I hope you are healthy and I dream that you follow your dreams throughout your life. I hope you will be happy. I hope you will be who you are and ask for help when you aren't. I hope you will feel the love we give you, the three of us and your extended family. I dream of a long future for you full of health, wealth, love and laughter. All the hopes and dreams a mother has for her child I have for you and your brother.

My little girl, I cannot wait until I can't fall asleep because all I want to do is stare at your beautiful face.

Love your mummy
xxx

Sesame - Week Thirty-Seven

I missed last weeks update, oops! Damn illness again, this time it was some sort of cold. Poor lufflump was struck with bronchiolitis which I wrote about here. 

Good news; I've had so much more energy lately. I'm wondering if the Zoloft was making me lethargic as well as lowering my iron levels as I'm feeling amazing off it. In fact this week we went as a family up to Redcliffe and I did more than I've done in a LONG time, the mister even got to relax a bit while I was off playing with lufflump. That sounds terrible but it's true. Whenever we'd go on family outings I'd end up feeling sick or too tired to do anything but sit on my ass and watch the boys play. It sucked. I felt guilty, the mister would be exhausted and lufflump would be upset that I didn't join in. Hopefully this is a good start to change!

I'm actually feeling awesome off the Zoloft. Granted I've been a bit too snappy at the mister and I cry at the drop of a hat (no more Sunday Mail for me) but that could just be pregnancy hormones, right? I will start taking 25mg a day after I give birth with a reassessment at three months with my wonderful GP. 

We are on weekly midwife visits which is exciting! Our last midwife that we saw, Nicole, thinks I'll go early and said if sesame came right now she'd be happy. She also said she'll be a tall baby and was surprised at how big sesame feels. Apparently I feel all baby with not much fluid at the front. Sesame is still measuring two weeks small but so did lufflump and he came out 3.4kgs. She said she doesn't want me to go further than forty weeks, the ideal time would be 39 weeks which means two weeks! I'm getting more used to the fact she'll be here soon but, like with lufflump, I'm not sure I'll ever be ready.

I'm having major pelvic and inner thigh pains especially after walking for long periods. I must remember to tell the midwife that on Monday and also that my pelvic bone has a big crack in it, apparently broken from when I was a child. The mister thinks it's hilarious how I waddle around. I think it looks like I've got a third imaginary leg, I keep getting Rolf Harris' 'Jake the Peg' in my head when I walk like that but damn it's the only way that doesn't hurt. 

I packed the hospital bag yesterday. I'm only going to add to it now with essentials like pillow, nightie, bra and towels. The mister thinks it's hilarious that I've packed a bag the same size as last time when we are only staying in for six or so hours. My reasoning; I don't know what size she will fit into and I can't for the life of me remember what newborns temperatures are like (apart from frustrating) so I've packed a few outfits for her.

Now we wait. Hopefully she won't be as stubborn as her brother and make an early appearance!

Growth spurt currently in process (apparently)

How many adorable baby outfits did you take to the hospital?

Dream Hospital Bag

Although the birth centre stay is only short we still need to pack a hospital bag.

I can guarantee my hospital bag and contents are not glamorous. In fact I've bought the largest pairs of undies for a whole $1 to wear after the birth and simply throw out. That's how unglamorous I'm willing to be. Cheap clothes, underwear and anything that can be thrown out if it gets too much lovely gunk on it without feeling guilty.

I'd love to be one of those woman who have a glamorous hospital bag though so I'm going to do a dream hospital bag.

Starting with the all important bag which of course has a skull on it;

Lucky 13 Skull Overnight Bag $34.00

Next some pampering stuff to make the experience a little bit better. They can also be used afterwards by both the mister and me as long as they don't get gross;

Muscle Roller, Bath Pillow, Ultra Soft Wash Cloth from Body Shop

Shower and body essentials from the Body Shop which means quality, safe products;

Coconut Shower Cream, Vanilla Body Butter, DeoDry Deodorant from Body Shop

Massage oil and hair pampering again from the Body Shop;

Massage Oil, Shampoo, Conditioner from Body Shop

A lovely lace number that can be worn while giving birth, a pj set to wear after the birth and a tunic that can be worn to glam up while still at the hospital or on the way home. These are all from Peter Alexander. Quality clothes that look damn good;

Lacey Oversized Top, Daisy PJ Set, Summer Floral Tunic from Peter Alexander

Comfy, good quality clothes to wear home from the hospital. These clothes are light, loose yet look good;

Wrap Cardigan from Witjuti, Lounge Cape from Wellicious, Lounge Pants from Witjuti

The next necessity is of course maternity bras and undies;

Maternity Bra from Cake Lingerie, Undies from Bonds, Maternity Bra from Cake Lingerie

Hospital towels are fine and dandy but some extremely soft towels would be lovely as well as a beautiful throw for either the mister and I to use during labour. Lips can get dry quickly while in labour/giving birth so Lucas Papaw cream is a must plus it can be used for almost anything;

Bath Sheet and Throw from Laura Ashley, Lucas Papaw Ointment from Woolies

Can't forget the baby! Sesame would be dressed in light colours because she wouldn't have any exploding poos or spews. She'd look ADORABLE in these clothes;

Jacket, Booties, Dress, Leggings from Pumpkin Patch

Last we need snacks and reading material. iPhone has books, movies, music and social media to keep both the mister and me occupied. You never know how many snacks you need or exactly what you'll feel like on the day so this HUGE picnic pack is awesome as well as Coke. Always need Coke;

iPhone is mine, Picnic pack and Coke from Coles

I'm sure I've forgotten something, I always do. Luckily we live only 15mins away from the hospital and family members can always bring what we've forgotten. I left out the really boring stuff like maternity pads, breast pads, nappies, toothbrush and toothpaste - you know the boring essentials.

What would have been in your dream hospital bag?

Disclaimer: I don't own or have received any of these items from these companies. Oh except my iPhone which I purchased with the mister's money. I would like these products though which is why I'm blogging about them. They are pretty, yummy and smell nice.

What Birth Classes Taught Me

When lufflump was born we had NO idea about babies or birth. We'd kind of read a book and I'd read a few baby and kids magazines but that was it. I hadn't held a baby since my cousin, when I was about eight years old. I'd never fed or dressed a baby or changed a nappy. The mister has younger siblings who he used to help look after so he was a bit more experienced. Because we were late booking into the hospital we missed the free birthing classes and we weren't going to pay for something that would happen naturally.

How naive were we?! Stubborn and like two teenagers in the sense that we thought we knew better. We'd never even been in a birthing room before I gave birth in one. Lufflump's birth was relatively easy with the only complications being him coming out kind of sideways, getting a bit stuck and me having an episiotomy. It wasn't a fun experience, I felt completely out of control and the mister is still traumatised by his inability to help me.

Had we had birthing classes beforehand the birth may have been a bit better. Maybe I wouldn't have spent most of the time on the toilet thinking I was going to shit myself. Maybe I wouldn't have felt so out of control. Maybe the mister wouldn't have felt so helpless.

Maybe. What if.

The outcome was damn good anyway so I don't regret not having the classes. I am glad, however, that we decided to do them this time around. Although we've experienced birth before we learned a lot and lufflump's birth made a lot more sense. 

Here is what I learned from birth classes;

Stages of Labour

I thought there were three stages of labour - stage one, active labour and stage three. Stage one being the pain of labour but not quite ready to push, active the pushing and birthing stage and stage three when the placenta is born. We had no idea about the transition stage or the fact that I was pretty much in it from the time we got into the hospital until when lufflump flew out. I think when the transition stage hits this time it will be calming knowing that it's just a part of it.

Watching birth videos makes me cry

We were fortunate enough to watch the below video of a water birth which happened at the birth centre. If you can watch this without crying I take my hat off to you.

The mister and I are on the same page

We had an exercise which split the rooms into two, men in one and women in the other. Both groups had to say what they expected the support partner to do. The mister and I had the same contribution - 'don't leave the room'. When I was giving birth to lufflump the poor guy was thirsty and needed a bit of a break so left for about five minutes thinking I wouldn't notice. Oh but I did. He'll never live it down. We also were going to both write 'don't hog the gas' but didn't know how it would be received.

All bellies are different and beautiful

Self explanatory.

Ping pong balls aren't just for drinking games or strippers

The funnest exercise during the classes involved a balloon and ping pong ball. I'm sure everyone's mind went straight into a Thai brothel when the ping pong balls came out but it wasn't quite like that. Sure it still involved vaginas, kind of. We had to use the balloon and ping pong to show the baby coming through the cervix. It was fun and a tad scary at the same time.

The epidural doesn't look as scary as I thought it would

A needle in the back sounds scary, VERY scary. Especially one that they leave in while you give birth. It actually isn't this big scary looking contraption. It looks quite boring really.

Formula doesn't exist

I'm all for advocating breastfeeding and I'm so glad midwives see it as what it is; the best for you and your baby. What I'm not happy about is the pressure this puts on mothers. When the midwives were asked about sterilising bottles for expressing, their response was 'we advocate breastfeeding not expressing'. At the end of the day if your baby is being fed, you are both happy then who cares whether you're feeding your baby by breastfeeding, expressing or formula? I would have been ecstatic to hear 'Breastfeeding is the best option for your baby but if you have tried every avenue and it's not working for you, that's ok'. 

The bitch midwife at the Mater lied

When I got to the hospital I was eight centimetres already, apparently too late for any pain medication or so they told us. According to the birth centre midwives that is bullshit. We had two wonderful midwives at the Mater but we also had a horrible, stressed out bitch. The mister asked a couple of times if there was any pain relief I could have, she replied by telling him that if he couldn't handle it he could leave. If I hadn't had a contraction at that moment she would have heard the following 'no bitch, if anyone is leaving here it'll be you. You may have been through this before but we haven't.' Can you tell I'm still pissed off about this?

Second time parents are different

We know that birth plans don't always go to plan and that's ok as long as the outcome is a healthy baby and mother.

We know not to ask or expect too much from our support partner as they aren't exactly having a party either.

We know that co-sleeping will most likely occur especially if you want to sleep.

We know that napping becomes a luxury that should be taken advantage of, if you don't you'll regret it when they start dropping the naps.

We know that feeling of being on top of the universe when the baby is born. 

Image

What did you learn from birth classes?

Sesame - Week Thirty-Three

I'm slack. This will be a collective post of week thirty-two and thirty-three.

Last week we started birthing classes, two down one to go. That's a whole different post though, they're that interesting!

Last week also saw me retake the glucose test (GTT). Thankfully I didn't spew this time and I had a reading of normal. A huge thank you to Troy from Maternity Outpatients Pathology at the Royal Brisbane. He gave me confidence, remained positive when I struggled and allowed me to lay down between needles.

I've tried to cut down on sugar as I definitely do have a high sugar diet. So far that's meant having Coke Zero and the mister confiscating my Nutella stash (lesson learned - hide it better). Neither of which I've enjoyed. I am eating better though, more nuts, juice, yoghurt, salads and meat. My new favourite breakfast is toast with Philly cheese, avocado and either fresh or sundried tomatoes. Yummy, healthy and so simple.

Added coffee

Tomorrow I'm starting liquid iron supplements and raspberry leaf tablets. Hopefully I'll have more energy and feel more comfortable.

This week the sleeping troubles really began. Not only do I now have to pee every two hours at least I also have had to deal with a foot firmly in between my ribs. Apparently this is the time when my abdomen begins to stretch as well. Great timing, sesame. I tried sleeping every which way even with bum in the air - nothing worked. I stretched sitting down, laying down, standing up, leaning against stuff and on all fours. Nothing. Then yesterday morning it felt like she'd rolled around so now I'm a lot more comfortable. Thank goodness too as I was over being bedridden again as I'm sure the boys were too.

Bedridden with my little angel

I'm feeling massive as well. I'm sure I was close to being this big when lufflump was born. My tummy is so tight, it's uncomfy. When we've gone to the birthing classes I feel small and silly for complaining about my size as there are some ladies who look a lot more uncomfy than me! A lady at the Wedding Expo said I was carrying like a boy. It's true, I carried similar to lufflump but I know I've put more weight on other areas this time around. Here I am busting another old wives tale! I feel like a witch ;)

Today the mister and I went shopping at the Target baby sale. I love sales, especially baby and kids sales. So much adorableness! We bought a small electric swing, baby clothes, a gorgeous soft pram blanket, muslin wraps, dummies, bibs and maternity stuff (bras and belly belt). Mostly pink! Also snagged some cheap undies that can be thrown away and pjs for the hospital bag.

I have no idea what to pack for the hospital bag! I'm sure I saw a list in the Birth Centre book somewhere. I do know that nappies and maternity pads are a definite must as I ran out of both last time. It's so odd to be packing a bag for just a few hours. I'll be over packing for sure! 

Thirty-three weeks

What were your hospital bag essentials?

Sesame - Week Thirty-One

Wow. Into the single digit countdown with around nine weeks to go!

Christmas came and went. I ate lots, felt too full often and was exhausted most of the time. Family members felt sesame move for the first time and everyone was amazed at just how much she moves. 

Christmas Day - comfy clothes

As I said in my last post I started iron tablets, FGF tablets to be exact. They didn't work miracles, in fact made me so sick I thought gastro was back in the house. Naturally, I stopped taking them. I just couldn't function while on them. I have, however, modified my diet so I am having a lot more iron and making sure I have less dairy and more vitamin C so my body absorbs the iron better. Already I'm noticing I have a lot more energy and generally feel better. My diet hasn't been the best this pregnancy but it's all changing this year. Less sugar, more vegetables.

I went for the glucose re-test (GTT) and got really sick again meaning they couldn't complete the test. I had the first blood test, glucose drink and vomited it all up before the second and third blood tests could be completed. The Prof (the birth centre God) has said they need to redo it (again). As I have family history of diabetes (my grandma) they need to see that my body can metabolise the glucose correctly. So I'm booked in to have another GTT done Monday morning. I have no idea what I'm going to do to make myself not be sick again. I'm tempted to take a pillow and lay down on the long chairs at the entrance of the hospital. Camp out and try to relax. Any tips?

30 weeks - all dolled up to go to a friend's party

We got a fair bit of money for Christmas to spend on lufflump and sesame which was so much fun! We now don't need any more size 3 clothes for lufflump and just a few more size 00 clothes for sesame depending how she grows. I held out from buying anymore 0000 and 000 because we probably have enough for her and will, again, to see how she grows. Lufflump was in each size for longer than normal and now at 32 months still wears some size 1 pants. I hope that sesame has the same long limbs that lufflump has. Maybe she can make some good money for her parents by modelling when older ;)

I've chosen the date for my baby blessing which is different from a baby shower like what I had for lufflump. It's more centered on the spiritual aspect of birth. Now I just need to get these invites out that I've had ready for ages. Procrastination is still my strong point. I'm excited about it though as it's something I've never been to and I doubt any of my friends who are coming have either. New territory! What I've read about them sounds like it would be a perfect fit for me at this point in my life.

31 weeks - about to go for a nap

Sesame - Week Twenty-Nine

I didn't post last week due to being struck down with gastro. Sunday came and I had a whole new lease on life, got the house back in order and played lots of games with lufflump. It was wonderful. Amazing what a full nights sleep can do!

On Monday we had the 3D scan like we did with lufflump. It wasn't that exciting, actually quite deflating. We all wondered if it was the lady doing the scan, me spending most of the time walking around trying to get sesame into a better position or that we'd done it before. Anyway, the photos are indeed treasured. The similarities between lufflump's and sesame's are amazing!

Sesame left, Lufflump right

On Monday sesame was hiding her head below and in my right hip while kicking me in the ribs. On Wednesday her head was in between my ribs while kicking me in the hips. She keeps turning every which way so who knows how she is laying now. I can never tell.

I had my 28 week check up and glucose test this week. Everything is ok with sesame, she's measuring well with a strong heartbeat. The glucose drink made me really sick and after the blood test I threw the whole drink up and then some. One of my AMAZING midwifes made me Vegemite toast with an ice cold water and put me in one of the birthing rooms to sleep it off. After half an hour I was feeling better and went home. I can't describe how much I appreciate the midwives I have, they are beyond wonderful.

Stupidly I didn't read the instructions for the glucose test properly and had a banana for breakfast which is full of sugar. My glucose levels were 7.8 which is .1 above normal so I'm booked in for another glucose test, one I need to fast for. Most likely it'll come back normal and the banana was the cause for the slightly high reading but best be safe than sorry. 

My iron levels came back a bit low too at 107. On advice from my (amazing) midwife I'm now taking FGF tablets. I'll make sure I up my nut and red meat intake too. Hopefully that means I'll have more energy once my levels rise. That'll be good for the nesting period!

I've bought a couple of things this week for sesame too. One being a simple pink singlet but it's so adorable! It's so little and girly with the little frills around the arms and neck. Oh gosh, the mister is right, he may need a third job! How can I go past all these adorable clothes!? Dangerous indeed!

Awesome night time bathroom mirror shots (fail)

Hypochondriac or Not?

I feel like a hypochondriac.

Yesterday morning the mister and I were talking in bed. I was trying to make him miss his eyes while putting eyedrops in. That's just me being an awesome girlfriend. I rolled over and quickly got out of bed. Too quickly. A huge pain in my lower right side, near my hip, shot through like a knife. I couldn't stand straight, then I couldn't stand so I lied back down in bed until it went away enough to stand. Half an hour later I went to the toilet and there was blood, just a bit less than a teaspoon (I think).

I was still having some pain so I paged my midwife who told me to go straight into hospital. I had a problem though, the mister had just left for a twelve hour shift and I couldn't reach him on his mobile. I had no choice but call his workplace who were wonderful and told him to just leave and do what he had to do. So lucky!

Lufflump was asleep too. I'd forgotten how hard it is to change a floppy sleeping toddler. The mister managed to get him into the car still asleep. He slept all the way to the hospital and was quite happy to wake up in a car pack full of cars. 

We went straight up to the birth centre where I was admitted into Obstetrics. I got a funky red band as I'm lucky to be allergic to Stemetil and hallucinate on it. 

Could I have gotten into Stereosonic with this?

The midwife came and saw us, taking my obs and telling us I'd need a pap smear type test to check my cervix. The doctor came in and warned that I may have to be in overnight if they don't find anything but he thinks everything is fine. They were a bit worried as it's not the first time I've had spotting. Apparently, I should have gone in every time I spotted. Oops.

Meanwhile lufflump was dragging the mister around the hospital charming the pants off all the ladies. They kept remarking how cute he was and of course he was working his magical 'I'm so adorable' charm. The mister just wanted to either sleep, eat or be at work. 

Piggy backs are awesome because TWO ears are reachable!

We ended up waiting close to four hours but the test did show that I have an abrasion on my cervix which caused the bleeding. Anyone who says that it isn't as bad as a pap smear is a liar. It hurt. It's not likely that was what caused the previous spotting and if I spot again I've got to go back in. Thankfully that meant we were free to leave straight away with a sleeping lufflump who amused everyone with his loud snoring.

So why do I feel like a hypochondriac? This is the third time I've had spotting, I've had a total of five scans and I've urgently paged the midwives twice. I feel like a real pain, like I'm worrying about nothing. When I was pregnant with lufflump the only time I called the midwives when I was in labour. I know this pregnancy is more troublesome than my last but I also know I'm extremely lucky it's not worse.

Such conflicted feelings. I'm not sure what to do if it happens again. Should I go in just to be told it's benign or should I just stay home keeping an eye on it? 

Sesame - Week Twenty-Four

I missed a week. Last week I just wasn't feeling it. Now I'm sick so I'm not feeling it either but I'll regret missing another week.

We had another birth centre appointment and it was another success. We met our second (we have three) midwife and she was LOVELY. We laughed, she calmed my nerves and we heard sesame's heartbeat. Due to the echogenic focal point in the left ventricle of the heart found in our last ultrasound we should be having another ultrasound in about ten weeks. The sonographer said it wasn't clinically significant but I'm still slightly fretting. We are assuming it's a calcium spot which is kind of helping.

Sesame is such a ninja baby kicking, punching, wiggling and moving a lot. While at times I love it, other times it makes me feel sick. I'm also peeing every five minutes. I've never peed this much in my life. I swear I see the toilet more than I see lufflump. That's a lot by the way.

Mum bought her a tiny 00000 hot pink suit. It's so small, I think we'll be exchanging it when she comes into the world unless she decides to be early. I'm ok with early, but not too early as I do want to take her home straight away with us.

Lufflump and sesame are already fighting. She kicks him, he hits her. It's starting and she's not even born yet! I hope they both get it out of their system before she arrives.

Sesame - Week Twenty-Two

Oh it feels weird typing over twenty weeks!

This week sesame has been moving A LOT. I could spend hours watching my belly warp from her movements. Sometimes though, like yesterday, she really couldn't have been in a worse position. I was physically sick from it but she moved again not too long after that so I'm not really complaining. Her and lufflump wake at the same time, lately at 5:30 in the too early hours. I try and make it feel later by telling myself that it's 6:30 down south.

We still haven't bought anything new for her. I think we will after we get further confirmation of her gender after the 3D scan around the 30 week mark. I should really book that. 

Baby brain has really taken over as well. I find I have to leave lists everywhere and if I haven't written it down I won't remember it. So if I've told you I'd do something and I haven't please tell me because I've definitely forgotten.

This morning I found the perfect post over on Offbeat Mama about a water birth in photos at the birth centre where I'm giving birth! There is even a photo of my midwife, Nicole. How awesome is that?! Go check it out, it's seriously beautiful and I hope my experience is similar.

Popping!

Not so much with clothes on

Sesame - Week Twenty

Wow what a busy week! 

The week started with name issues. We were always so sure with lufflump, we knew he was a boy right from the start and had his name chosen from the beginning. The mister and I have always had an agreement that he'd choose the boy's middle name and I'd choose the first name while I'd choose the girl's middle name and he'd choose the first name. Middle names came easily as lufflump's is the same as the mister's (and his mum's maiden name) and sesame's will be the same as mine (and my mum's). The first names were the trouble. Our favourite movie is Across the Universe, my favourite band is The Beatles and both lufflump and sesame's names reflect that although we plan on calling sesame by her first two initials. Honestly, I wanted to call her sesame as I can't imagine calling her anything else, but the mister was very quick to say no. It's less stressful having that all sorted now.

Tuesday afternoon I met Jane, the RBH maternity mental health nurse. The mister and I spoke beforehand about why I was so nervous going and what I expected. I was shitting myself thinking I'd be taken out of the birth centre care because of the Zoloft. I really had nothing to worry about and as soon as I saw her I knew that. Our first conversation was about zombies, dinosaurs and Terra Nova. Awesome! We spoke about hypnotherapy, psychologists, hopefully weaning off Zoloft and sibling rivalry. She really calmed my nerves about being on Zoloft, I'm no longer stressing about being on it especially after finding out that 50mgs is a lower than average dose. 

Conversation starter

I would recommend going to see her if you have a baby at the RBWH as she is very reassuring and calming. I'm definitely very glad I stepped out of my comfort zone, didn't listen to my anxieties and saw her. The support from Jane, my amazing GP, the Birth Centre midwives, my family and friends is just wonderful and I feel very fortunate.

Wednesday morning we had our first Birth Centre midwife appointment. I'm in the RBH Caseload so I only see three midwifes throughout my pregnancy and birth. The midwife, Nicole, we saw was brilliant. She was so nice, helpful, natural and funny. I'm considering doing a lotus birth and the mister is so not keen but we were given information about it to discuss. Lufflump was so good there too playing happily.

The Birth Centre is perfect for us, the rooms are huge and beautiful plus this time we are actually going to attend some antenatal classes like we should have last time. They also have a little library there which I plan to use to it's full advantage. We've decided on a water birth but who knows what will happen. As long as the birth produces a healthy baby then I'm happy.

My uterus is around my belly button