37 weeks today – full term!!

37 weeks today!! This is now classed as full term so if I went into labour today, I would not need to go to hospital and have the go ahead for the homebirth I want, as she is fully cooked. I am so excited, scared, nervous, happy…overwhelmed by so many different emotions! Hormones dont help lol.

We had an antenatal check at the hospital with the consultant on tuesday and they are happy for me not to go back there, so I akm discharged into my community midwives care. Baby is still in the anterior position and i’m pretty sure has engaged now. I feel a lot heavier down there – which has made the SPD a thousand times worse – and am going to the loo every 20 minutes. She feels a lot lower and when she sticks her bum out against my belly, it is around my belly button area instead of higher up under my ribs as before. Im getting a sensation loke being pinched in my nether regions too which is quite bizarre!!

No signs of labour yet and i’m hoping she can stay in there until the 13th atleast – in fact that would be the perfect day to give birth as Akeel starts his 3 weeks holiday then! Any sooner and I will be on my own with a new baby all day, and any later and he wont have as much time off with me and Jessica to get to know her. So, 13th will be a day of curries and walks and maybe a bit of something else to try and get things going! Its Akeels birthday on the 14th so what a present that would be! [The baby that is, not the 'bit of something else' ]

Curtains for the nursery are finished and up, my neighbour is amazing she did such a good job putting them together, I reckon she’s going to be an adopted Nana to this baby!

Not much else to report other than I’m feeling pretty good in myself..not too tired and feeling very positive about everything. Physically, the SPD is much worse as is my back and heartburn problems, but its small potatoes compared to some problems that other pregnant women have and I know I have been very very lucky with no sickness or major complications! So I cant move much as its too painful…but you know what? I have the most amazing partner who makes sure I dont have to, so its not a problem. I love him so much and know he is going to be an amazing Daddy!

Antenatal apt and birthplan!

35 + 5 today, and had my 36 week antenatal appointment with the new midwife. I miss my old midwife who is on mat leave as we really connected, but this new one is lovely – she said I look like i’m in my 20′s so she has my vote haha!

Baby has good strong heart beat at 144 and is the anterior position – the ideal position as she is head down (finally!!) with her back to my tummy….lets hope she stays like that until she engages now! She is coming to the house on the 1st June for a homebirth assesment and to go through our birthplan, but all looking good for a homebirth! Just have to give a copy of our birthplan to the consultant on the 24th May at our next apt there, and hope we can be discharged from his care. If I go into labour before 37 weeks then I will have to go to the labour ward, but there are no indications that I will so I am feeling really positive, in control, and confident now. Well most of the time anyway!

We spent £40 on some gorgous pink silk fabric with green emroidered flowrs for nursery curtains, I should have enough left to make a cushion cover, or bumper, or maybe even a pelmet…we’ll see. Going to my neighbours (ex-seamstress) on thursday to user her sewing machine and get some guidance from her as I have never made curtains before! Will post pics when they are done.

Here is our birthplan…its quite long and detailed, and I know not everything will go according to the plan, but it was a great exercise to do so I could make some final decisions and Akeel could learn a bit more about what to expect and have an input into what happens to0. It will be interesting to come back and compare after the event!

Birth Plan

Place of delivery:

Home birth using pool. The pool will be set up in our living room. It will be just me, my partner Akeel, and attending midwife/wives present.

Ideally, if all goes smoothly, I hope that the midwife who attends me in labour will support and encourage me, using her experience to guide me through labour and offer suggestions.

We would like to keep the atmosphere calm and relaxed using soft lights, candles and music as much as possible. Akeel will be in charge of the labour play list.

Labour:

I would like to remain active and use whatever position I find comfortable. Please encourage me to stay off my back!

I may wish to move throughout the house and use both the bedroom and living room, depending on where I feel most comfortable at the time.

I am happy to have one internal examination to check presentation, but would like to avoid them otherwise, unless there is a particular reason why you think one is necessary.

Please do not offer to break my waters, and please be very careful to avoid doing so during any internal examinations.

If the baby appears to be poorly positioned or labour is not progressing well for some reason, I would appreciate it if you could suggest changes of position or movements which might help.

I may wish to use aromatherapy in the form of lavender oils, and would like to sip raspberry leaf tea throughout.

Birth Pool:

I have bought a birth pool and will use it if it helps me.

It is important that the pool temperature is comfortable for me so, unless it is outside normal safety limits, I will choose the temperature myself. I understand that I would probably want a cooler temperature during the first stage of labour, and warmer – nearer blood temperature perhaps – for the second stage.

I would like to have a water birth if possible and would appreciate your support in encouraging me to give birth underwater.

Pain Relief:

I hope to manage using no drugs for pain relief, and would appreciate your encouragement to use other methods. For example, movement, massage, relaxation, or the birth pool. However, I would like Entonox to be available during the birth, but not offered unless I ask for it. (But if I am in so much pain that I cannot speak, then please offer it!!)

Please do not bring Pethidine or other opiates to my home as I do not wish such drugs to be used under any circumstances.

The Birth:

I do not wish to have an internal examination to confirm whether or not I am ‘ready’ to push. I shall only push when I physically cannot do otherwise! If there is any reason to suspect that I might have a premature pushing urge then I would like to discuss this on the day.

Please no yelling encouragement as I would prefer calmness, but would appreciate gentle encouragement and support.

I would like to give birth in an upright, kneeling, supported squatting or all-fours position to give the baby maximum space to descend through my pelvis. I do not want to be on my back or semi-reclining unless that position seems right for me on the day, having tried alternatives. If I am too tired to maintain an upright position then please encourage me to lie on my side instead of my back, to allow maximum mobility in my pelvis.

During the pushing stage, if I am making a lot of noise, please remind me to make low, chesty vocalisations instead of loud throaty ones, as I have read this can help with opening and would like to try it.

I would rather not be told how to push, or guided in the second stage, unless there is a particular reason to suppose that I need assistance, or unless I ask for assistance.

Please only administer an episiotomy if the baby needs to be born quickly. Please do not offer to do one to ‘speed things up’ for me, as I may be impatient then, but regret it later.

I intend to ‘catch’ my own baby, and would prefer the midwife not to unless there is a problem or I am in the wrong position to catch her safely, when I would like the midwife to catch her and pass her straight to me.

I would like the lights dimmed when my baby is born, and for the minimum amount of noise to be made. I hope that it will be a gentle entry into the world.

Please do not suction mucus from the baby’s nose and mouth ‘just in case’ – only suction if necessary.

Third Stage:

I plan to have a fully natural (physiological) third stage, and to cut the cord only after the placenta is delivered. I want to allow the placenta to turn up in its own time. It is important that the cord is not clamped or cut until the placenta is delivered. Please do not administer any drugs unless you feel there is a real need. I would appreciate your advice to help me deliver the placenta naturally. **Please do not pull on the cord or use fundal pressure unless there is a specific indication to do so, as I have read that this is contra-indicated in drug-free third stages**.

If I give birth in the pool, I have no preference to stay in or get out for the 3^rd stage, it depends on what is most comfortable and convenient at the time.

Please do not offer my partner Akeel to cut the cord, as he will most likely faint! I am happy for the midwife to do this.

We do not wish to keep the placenta.

Care of the baby:

I would like to keep the baby unclothed and close to my skin immediately after birth, to maximise skin-to-skin contact.

I would like to breastfeed my baby as soon as possible after the birth. Due to previous failures (due to lack of support), I am very nervous about being able to breastfeed, so will need some extra support and encouragement to get her latched on properly.

Please do not administer prophylactic Vitamin K after the birth. If the birth is traumatic for the baby or there is some other risk factor for HDN, I will be happy to discuss this with the midwife and allow vitamin K if we both decide it is appropriate.

Repair of Perinium, if necessary:

I am happy to have stitches with Entonox for pain relief.

In case of transfer to hospital:

If transfer by ambulance becomes necessary, please do not strap me in on my back – I would prefer to be on my side, to make contractions easier to deal with .

Please do not offer Pethidine/Demerol as I am concerned about its possible effect on my state of mind in labour, and on my baby’s health. I would prefer to have an epidural if this level of pain relief is needed.

I agree to female student midwives being present in the delivery room, but not student doctors.

I am very keen to avoid a caesarean section if it is at all possible. I particularly would like to avoid a caesarean just for slow progress. If labour is simply taking a long time but my baby is not in immediate danger, please would you encourage me to keep going and perhaps to try changes of position or movements which might help. Please do not offer a caesarean unless my baby is in danger.

If a caesarean section becomes necessary, I would prefer to remain awake with epidural or spinal block anaesthesia. I would like my partner to stay with me at all times, and would like to breastfeed the baby as soon after birth as possible.

If there are problems after the birth:

If I suffer a severe post-partum haemorrhage, I have no objection to a hysterectomy if it is deemed absolutely necessary.

Please do not admit my baby to Special Care simply for observation, but only if there is a specific reason for concern.

Baby Feeding:

Please do not give my baby supplements of glucose water or formula milk without my permission. I would expressly like to avoid having any formula supplements unless it is unavoidable, and certainly not in the first two days in any event.

Under no circumstances is my baby to be bottle-fed as this could lead to nipple confusion and hinder breastfeeding. If supplements are necessary, please give them by spoon or other method, not by bottle.

If I have trouble breastfeeding, I would greatly appreciate the help of a midwife who is fully supportive of breastfeeding, and would also like to be given contact details for local breastfeeding counsellors.

Going Home:

I would like to go home as soon after the birth as I am able to move, unless I or the baby have health problems which require hospital treatment. I do not wish to be separated from my partner in the first days after birth due to visiting times, as I feel this is detrimental to the bonding process.

34 weeks & nursery done!

Wow its getting close now! I keep getting these waves of intense terror followed by intense joy…..I am petrified in the most positive way! She will be full term in 3 weeks so aslong as she hold on till then I should get my homebirth yippee!!

We got the nursery furniture and now that is all set up and done barring curtains and a nursing chair, with all her little clothes and blankets washed and put away and all her other bits and pieces put away, it feels like we are ready for her. We love her room so much, we just wanted to sit in there all day yesterday once it was done!

Heartburn, farts, constipation, back ache and pelvic ache all keeping me awake at night…stick a fork in me i’m done! I am now up to 4 cups a day of Raspberry Leaf Tea and still loving it, hoping it makes a difference as anything to make labour easier naturally is all good. I’m still sure I dont want any drugs and want to do things as naturally as possible.

Off to vote later this eveing, Lib Dems it is. I hope our daughter isnt born under a Tory government and Labour are not much better!

Here is my 34 week pic followed by pics of the nursery.