35 Weeks Pregnancy Update - Finished Work!!!

So we are now up to the point when I can count the amount of weeks I have left on one hand!! What an absolutely crazy thought!! We are getting so close now.

According to my App, Blueberry is the size of a child's backpack (odd thing to measure it to, I know). He should be measuring between 45.7 and 48.3cm at the moment and weight roughly 2.25-2.7kg. He is getting really close to his birth size, because in reality it could happen at any moment now. He is just growing stronger, the skeletal development is nearly complete and the only organs that still need a little bit of work are the lungs but they are coming along now fast also.

I am absolutely exhausted!! I finished work this week, which is a really good thing. But even so these last few days with just me and Sienna have really tired me out. (Just think what I'm in for when the actual baby gets here :-O at least ill hopefully have a bit more of my mobility back, because at the moment any sort of movement at the waist is a real struggle.)
Carrying Sienna is getting difficult. I am finding that my stomach gets hard pretty much instantly from the moment I pick her up. So I am really lucky that she is walking quite well now and is able to pick herself up from a seated position without any assistance now.
I took Sienna to a Multicultural Festival we had here in town yesterday (check out my instagram for pictures of the day Amanda's Instagram Page ). However, it did consist of a lot of walking and throughout the day my hips were telling me that it was a bad idea but I kept going. By the end of the day my entire body was in so much pain. My stomach was tensing and hurting at the same time (It felt very much like light contractions), and my hips and legs were just aching, and to make matters harder, blueberry wasn't keeping still for a second. It was so worth it though, we had such a good day.
Feeling a lot better this morning though, so maybe it was just my body telling me to take it easy.

Not much else has been happening this week. It's been a pretty quite one. I have a midwife appointment next week so we will be catching up a bit more on how blueberry is growing (and I have a blood test egh) but until then its just the same old same old. So I might just leave it there... this update was short but sweet... here is my weekly bump shot =) have a great day!! x

34 Weeks Pregnancy Update - Loosing Weight

Gah!! This is crazy guys!! 34 weeks!! And I'm on to my last week of work. I am really looking forward to being able to spend some quality time with just Sienna before the new baby comes but at the same time am nervous over just how exhausted I am feeling after only a short time with her and wondering how I am going to cope with that. It's bittersweet knowing that these are the last few weeks that it'll just be us and our little princess. But I know that when Blueberry gets here it'll be even better.

According to my App this week Blueberry is the size of a pineapple. It says he should be measuring at about 42.7cm from head to foot, which sounds about right considering my midwives measurements say he is 35cm from head to rump. He also is weighing roughly 2.25kg. It also says that as he is getting stronger now and it is common to feel yourself fading a little, which I guess is a reason I have been feeling so tired and confused a lot lately (my brain just isn't what it used to be). I am finding that every time I sit down I just feel the need to shut my eyes and have a sleep. Which is very unpractical when you have a toddler running around and getting into all sorts of mischief in front of you.

As I mentioned earlier, I had my midwife appointment this week. She was happy with everything. Baby is growing well, and has a healthy heartbeat. My heart rate was good and she was happy with my sugar levels. One thing that I noticed though was that in the past fortnight, I have lost almost 1.5kg. I am assuming it is the diet I am now on, and the midwife didn't seem concerned by it, but I thought that during this stage of pregnancy you were meant to be putting weight on not loosing it.

This week though has been much like any other when it comes to aches and pains and I don't want to bore you all with the same details over and over again. I can definitely feel him moving around, pressing on my ribs and my hip bones, which makes me wonder just how much space is left in there for him to grow.
Last night, we had a rough night with Sienna and leaning over her crib to comfort her gave me the worst case of heartburn, I was fine up until then and it was just the worst. I have had heartburn throughout this pregnancy but not in a while, then to have it come on so strongly was really bizarre. I don't know if it was the position of leaning over the crib that brought it on or what it was.
I have been feeling a LOT of movement down quite low too. The midwife told me that he is not engaged just yet but is very low down, and a lot of the movement that I am feeling is probably his arms feeling around his head.
Another thing that I brought up with my midwife include the lower belly pains that I have been having, as I mentioned in last weeks blog, because they haven't stopped. She informed me that this is a type of Braxton Hicks. That there is the type in the top of the belly which makes your belly go rock hard, which I have been getting quite a bit. Then there is the lower part of the belly which can be associated with aches and pain, which is probably what I am experiencing. When I have the two feelings together, that is a contraction.
I have a feeling that Blueberry doesn't like, or really does like, the feeling of car travel. As soon as I get in the car and get going, he moves like crazy and when you're siting in a confined space being held in by a seatbelt and you have something pressing and pushing downward at times or up into your ribs at other times, it isn't the most comfortable thing. I really enjoy driving, I find it a good wind down to just sit, travel and listen to some good music (when Sienna is behaving herself in the back) but recently my hourly drives to work are not quite as enjoyable as they have been.

I haven't had the chance yet to get out maternity bra shopping, but I want to thank all the people that gave me advice. I will definitely be taking it all on board when I do get the time to venture out.
Another thing I want to ask for advice on is baby wraps... As Sienna is just getting the hang of the whole walking thing, when this baby comes I have thought about putting Sienna in a trolley or pram and wearing blueberry in a wrap. We only used a Baby Bjorn with Sienna, when she was a bit older so I'm not very knowledgeable on wraps. Did you use one with your baby? Do you know someone who did? What is the wrap on them? (see what I did there?) What other ways would you recommend getting from A to B with two little ones?? Eg. double strollers etc.

I don't think I've missed anything, so I'll end the blog with a bump picture. It's crazy to think that the next time I sit down to write a blog, I will officially be on maternity leave!! That really brings it all home, actually how close we are to baby being here!!

33 Weeks Pregnancy Update!! Pregnancy + Heat = Not Good!

33 Weeks!! This pregnancy is just flying!! I know I say that every time but it is really unbelievable how the weeks are just flying by. It seems like just yesterday I was writing my last blog and before I know it, it's time for the next weeks blog! I am really enjoying reviewing my weeks during this pregnancy, and sharing them with whoever out there is reading them. It's a great thing to look back on and remember what is was like.

According to my App this week Blueberry is the size of a Cauliflower head, and is now at the point where he won't grow much more in length, but will continue to put on weight. He could be anywhere between 45-48cm long and could weigh between 1.8-2.7kg, as we all know - all babies are different sizes and Blueberry should still be putting on about 230g a week now, so as long as my midwives are happy with his growth (which at the moment they are) its safe to assume that everything is on track.  His bones are hardening, which explains why his kicks and movement is starting to get more painful.

I had my diabetes follow up appointment this week and she said that she was really happy with my levels and there were only 2 entries that were too high in her opinion. But I had reasons for both of them and they weren't right together so it was fine. (If there are 3 consecutive high readings I have to call the hospital.) So I am super happy about that. After all my stressing out about it I think I have finally got it under control. I just apologise to all the people I whinged and whined to along the way to getting here (Josh and Becky in particular, I'm looking at you guys!!)

This week has been a whole lot better than last week. Of course it hasn't all been smooth sailing, I have had a lot of stresses through work and the horrid thing that is car rego, but all in all it has been a pretty good week. I had a moments panic on Thursday afternoon though, I was walking to pick my car up from the mechanic (it's only about a 10 min walk from my workplace), and I don't know what is was that caused it, maybe the heat? But I started feeling strong, sharp, consistent pains in my lower stomach area. I thought for a brief moment that they were contractions, but then after sitting down for a while they changed to only hurting when baby moved or I moved too much. And now I don't feel any pain at all. When I thought they might have been contractions, I was trying to cast my mind back to when I was having them with Sienna and I totally can't remember what they felt like. I remember that they were painful, but that's about it.
When I was pregnant the first time I remember people saying to me, "You'll know when the contractions are starting. You'll just know." And now I'm thinking they say that because even they can't describe what they feel like because everything on that day goes so quickly, by the end of it you remember they were painful and concentrated and strong but don't remember the exact details. I remember the exact feeling of my water breaking more than the contractions, but more on that later on....

Other pains I have had this week consist of, me waking up on Wednesday morning and stretching to give myself the hugest calf cramp I have ever had in my life!!! Even today I am finding that calf painful to walk on, so I'm thinking in stretching the cramp out, I have pulled a muscle or something. It feels like I have done a whole heap of exercise - when I have done nothing and therefore will not see any benefits from the pain I am going through. It has made getting through our house (which consists of a staircase to the bathrooms and bedrooms) quite interesting.
Blueberry has been moving a lot this week. I've had those weird "alien" like bumps moving across my stomach pretty much constantly. There has also been a lot of tightening of the stomach happening, this is more commonly known as Braxton Hicks and is your body "practising" for labour. It has been more frequent during this pregnancy than with Sienna, which my midwife thinks is to do with the fact that I am more physical this time, keeping up with Sienna. They aren't painful, which is a good thing considering how often they are happening, but they make it really awkward to bend and move, as the stomach is rock hard. I swear my ribs on my left side are bruised also, because when he kicks there it is so painful and sometimes even if I breathe too deeply I can feel that ache like when someone pokes a bruise that is tender.
My belly button has pretty much popped already too. Which didn't happen at all with Sienna. So that's something new for me this time. Another new thing this pregnancy is the heat. I'm not liking it at all. I thought that I would be fine with it, because our house has air con, but even then I am still really struggling. As soon as I get home, basically everything comes off because its just too hot for clothes ha ha I have a few baggy, breathable tops and dresses that I wear constantly because I don't want to scare anyone too much, but every day there is a cool change is very much welcomed in this household. It was so much easier with Sienna, as I was pregnant through winter and could just pile on the clothes.

Now a question for all the ladies that read this (or the men if you know where your wives shop)... I am in need of a good nursing bra for when baby gets here. Where can I get a good one? Where did you get yours? I am after one that is convenient and easy to use but also still gives some kind of support. Since the bras n thing in this area have all closed I am really struggling to find a good one. The ones I used with Sienna were ok but don't give me the support I want. They were just from Kmart and Big W which could very much be the reason why they aren't the best? I don't know. But please let me know where is the best place online or actual store to get a good quality one!!

And to finish up, my weekly bump picture!! It's nice and round still... I'm waiting for the drop because I remember that being so much more comfortable because I could actually breathe for a bit but I have read that in your 2nd pregnancy that might not happen until just before labour.... gah!!!

32 Week Pregnancy Update!! Rough Week....

Hey all!! Sorry I missed a weeks update. I've had a lot on which I will talk about his blog...

First things first though, 32 weeks!! Wowzah!! Only 2 more months till we have a new bubba in our arms!! Everytime I think about that it just blows my mind!! This week baby is the size of a Papaya fruit. He is measuring about 45.7cm and weighs about 1.8kg. It's a crazy though to think that if I was to have my baby now, he has over a 90% chance of survival! I would like him to keep cooking though because I want him to be as healthy and strong as he can be. I had a midwife visit last week and she said that he is measuring up fine and has a healthy heartbeat. He is still head down and is in the same position as a fortnight ago with his back to my right side and his legs to my left. She also told me that my stomach has grown quite a bit in the past fortnight and asked if I have noticed it.... and boy have I!! Every since Australia Day I have been out of breath even more than I already have been. It also seems to be getting in the way even more so than usual.

I have had a really rough fortnight this fortnight. After finding out about my Gestational Diabetes, I admit, I did stress a lot. I went to classes to teach me how to test my blood and how to monitor the foods that I was eating. It was quite overwhelming, everything that is said and the amount of paperwork you get, incase you don't remember everything that is said on the day. I came away from it thinking, this will be easier than I thought, basically all I have to do is cut out sweets and chocolate (I have not had a lolly or chocolate in 2 weeks, which is really good, if you know me and my sweet tooth) and I could keep eating what I already am, which was healthy enough, I just had to portion control. Keeping an eye on how much pasta I put on my plate when having spaghetti bolognaise and that sort of stuff. Because unlike proper diabetes, we watch out carb intake more than sugar intake. (Mind you I could have got that totally wrong, that's just how I have been looking at it.) You also have to make sure that you are having 3 meals and 3 snacks a day. Your meals must have between 30g-45g of carbs and your snack must have between 15g-30g of carbs. You also have to test your blood levels 4 times a day. When you wake up, and 2 hours after the first bite of your main meals. The rules are pretty simple but I have been finding them difficult to fit into my every day routine.

I work an hours drive away from my home, and although that is just for another 4 weeks, it makes it really hard to be having breakfast before 9am and dinner before 7.30pm. I felt like I was eating all day with the constant snacks, but strangely enough, felt hungriest in the 2 hours after my main meal, when I couldn't eat, before the blood test, and I find it really hard to snack at work, because I am so busy doing other things.
I felt like even though I was having all these difficulties, I felt like I was still getting on top of it. My blood was coming in at a good sugar level. Then I made the mistake of being lazy for dinner one night and getting Zambreros. I thought that this would be the best fast food option, it was a wrap and if I watched the things I put on it I would be fine. My blood sugar level after that was high... not over the limit, but high. And ever since then, it has been high and I am really struggling to get it back down. Today is actually the first day that I have felt like I have it under control again. I couldn't understand what I was doing wrong. I was following my diet instructions down to a T, but was still getting these massive sugar levels coming in. It was making me feel so depressed. Food. Something that I have always loved, was becoming a thing of daily stress for me. Eating and not being able to enjoy it, for fear of what my blood sugar level was going to be after finishing it. Feeling my insides falling to pieces every time my levels came back high and not knowing where I was going wrong. Having to stop myself from crying each time because I didn't want to feel weak. I didn't know how I was going to make it through these last 8 weeks. I already felt absolutely exhausted, thinking about every thing I was eating tired me out even more. I couldn't find the energy to be doing exercise, when I can hardly hold my eyes open at the end of each day, and the last thing I want, is to be put on medication. Then, finally, I think I had found the culprit. Although you are allowed to eat bread (and I was eating multigrain bread, not like it was white or anything), I thought that maybe that was what was sending my sugar levels over, because I was having it with every meal as it was an easy carb to use. So I left it out of all of my meals today and have been doing fine. Sugar levels have gone back down and although I am still absolutely exhausted, that takes a weight off of my shoulders. So no more bread for me. (Just for 8 weeks, I keep reminding myself). I have follow up appointments with both the hospitals diabetes expert and my dietitian this week so I'll let you know how they go in my next blog.

I have been having some weird pains this fortnight too. When he kicks, he gets me in the ribs which can get quite painful. And there are times throughout the day when he feels... heavy (I think is the right work to use), I feel like gravity is really pulling my belly down and it can get quite achy and to a certain extent painful sometimes. I have this belt thing that my parents gave me which I have been wearing around the house which helps a little, but sometimes I just need to tell myself to stop and sit. I have also been getting head spins this week. Its probably to do with the heat coming and going and me not drinking enough water, or the fact the I have to bend down to pick up Sienna so often, but there are times that I am getting light headed. My midwife said just to keep my fluids up and to pick Sienna up squatting instead for bending at the waist (which is easier said than done in my condition).

Looking back at my weight gain during these last few months of pregnancy has been interesting too. You can tell that I binged over Christmas because between the beginning of November and the end of December I put on 4.1kg. I remember saying in a blog previously that I was almost at the weight I was at full term with Sienna. But in the month since then I have only put on 900g and I'm thinking that most of that is baby. So I am still just under what I was full term with Sienna ha ha and i'm holding onto that for as long as I can. Although I do understand you do need to put on a healthy amount of weight when you are pregnant. Check out my bump picture.....

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