31 & 32 Week Pregnancy Update

How far along?

33 weeks and 1 day 

Maternity clothes?

Nothing new apart from some underwear and practical things for my hospital bag!  As you might be able to tell from these pictures I can just about still fit into my old tops, so I might have to cave and buy a few maternity tops. The shops are full of such gorgeous clothes at the moment, which is torture as I can't fit into anything. *Sigh*

Stretch marks?

Still nothing, although the skin on my belly is so itchy so it must be stretching and growing. I am just slathering on the creams and oils non stop.

Sleep?

Sleep recently hasn't actually been that bad, or maybe I am just getting used to the discomfort! I still toss and turn constantly at night which is really odd as it takes forever to roll over!  I am so aware of the weight of baby and their comfort as I get huge kicks when I roll into a position they obviously don't like.  Third trimester tiredness has well and truly settled in now too - I just feel permanently tired all the time.

Best moment this week? 

The reason I didn't manage to do an update last week was that our cat went missing for 5 days, I was absolutely devastated and was desperately creating posters etc trying to find her.  Amazingly she wondered back, she was absolutely fine apart from looking a little thin so I can only assume she was trapped somewhere. Having her back has to be the best thing that happened as I was so sure we had lost her. We also picked up our beautiful new pram, the Uppababy Vista.  It is so wonderful, I could not be more pleased with it and I can not wait to use it once baby arrives.

Worst moment this week?

So apart from the cat saga we also had a horrible scare this week.  I have been experiencing quite a few Braxton Hicks, so on Tuesday night when they started I thought nothing of it as they weren't that uncomfortable.  However, I kept waking up needing to pee and in quite a lot of pain but just put it down to the usual aches and pains with pregnancy. However, at around 1am I couldn't take the pain anymore, I was experiencing severe period pain like cramps the worst I have ever felt in my life. The pain was also shooting down my thighs and in my lower back and it was coming really regularly and lasting for a good 5-10 minutes.  I tried everything rolling in different positions, walking around and drinking water but nothing was stopping the cramps they just kept coming in huge waves.  I woke up my husband and decided to call the hospital just to see what their advice was and thought it was better to be safe than sorry.  The midwife on the end of the phone was lovely and said that I should come in to be checked over, so off we went.  I was hooked up to a machine which monitors the baby's heart rate and my contractions and was given a hand held buzzer to press every time I felt the baby move, which happened to be a lot, little one was quite happy dancing away! The midwife then felt my bump, took my blood pressure and tested my urine sample. Then a doctor came to give me an internal examination to see if my cervix was dilating etc. Luckily everything came back negative and what they think I was experiencing was masses of Braxton Hicks and tightenings. After what felt like forever we were sent home. Apart from the internal examination which, I am not going to lie, really really hurt, I think the scariest part of being on the ward was hearing and seeing other women in labour, they were crying and moaning and it really hammered home that that was going to be me in a few weeks! 

That was definitely the scariest thing that has happened to me during this pregnancy - the thought of going into pre term labour at 33 weeks! It was amazing to hear baby's heartbeat for a good 30 minutes  but fingers crossed there will be no more false alarms and baby is happy in my womb for a few more weeks where they should be! 

Food cravings?

Nothing really although I have noticed that my appetite has died down a lot this week and I am not feeling like I need to eat anything and everything! I am also struggling with big meals as everything is getting so squashed.

Miss anything?

I can no longer reach my feet so being able to put my shoes on without struggling and being able to walk normally without waddling! Also while the weather in the UK has been so warm and sunny, a nice glass of wine! 

Movement?

Baby moves non stop I get huge kicks all the time which make me wince in pain as they are so strong now - It still feels like I have a mini Rambo in there! As baby is head down my ribs are getting a good old bashing too,  I am looking forward to when they move further down so I get some relief in the rib area as they constantly feel bruised at the moment.

Symptoms?

Lots of Braxton Hicks this week and the constant need to drink, I can't seem to drink enough water even though I get through 2 litres plus a day! My legs and feet feel seriously tired if I am standing for too long, even standing while cooking is hard work! I am still getting really out of breath when I walk anywhere which is such a pain and I just feel extremely heavy and tired.

General mood?

Happy and excited that the countdown is really on,  I can't believe in a matter of weeks I get to meet my baby!

Looking forward to?

The last couple of NCT classes, after one this coming Saturday we are all going for lunch afterwards which will be really lovely to actually get to know everyone a little better. I have my week 34 midwife appointment next week too, I can't believe how close we are now to our due date, I feel like I have been pregnant forever! 

Emi xx

29 Week Pregnancy Update

How far along? 

30 weeks and 1 day

Maternity clothes?

I stocked up on the most comfortable maternity bras, Emma Jane. They have been an absolute lifesaver! Jo Jo Maman Bebe offer a brilliant measuring service and stock various maternity bras but the Emma Jane bras really are the best.

Stretch marks?

None - I am so obsessed with the Mama Mio stretch mark oil, it smells heavenly and literally has magical powers when it comes to softening the skin!

Sleep?

This week sleep has been pretty bad, my pelvic pain has been horrendous and on Sunday night during my many loo trips my pelvis decided to give way and 'crunch' the pain was horrific, it made me feel like I was going to throw up instantly and I cried so much with the pain :(  I only hope labour isn't as painful as that was!! Bump is also getting much heavier so rolling over in bed is becoming challenging to say the least. 

Best moment this week?

We had our first Hypnobirth session this week and it was amazing!! I felt completely relaxed and so much more confident about the birth after the session.  I am definitely someone who benefits from any relaxation technique so it was hugely beneficial and inspiring, I would highly recommend it! We have two more sessions left and I have to practice everyday.  We also had our first NCT class yesterday which was  brilliant and so fantastic to meet other couples in the same position, so I am really looking forward to the next one.  

Worst moment this week?

Just my pelvic pain, my physio has helped but it is still so painful!

Food cravings?

Nothing really but I am still ravenous all the time and it feels like my life is revolved around food!  I am also drinking a huge amount, I always drink masses of water but I have been needing to up my intake this week.

Miss anything?

I am missing being able to do simple things with ease like, putting on my shoes or getting up from a chair and I miss not having continuous aches and pains!

Movement?

Lots of wonderful kicks and prods this week, sometimes it feels like baby is having a rave in my tummy!  Baby has also had lots of bouts of hiccups this week, so much so I wanted to call the midwife to check it was normal!  I feel so bad for them when it happens, poor little angel! 

Symptoms?

This week I experienced my first Braxton Hicks!  They didn't hurt just felt quite uncomfortable and so bizarre when your belly completely tightens, it was like baby was being vacuum packed!  Everything is starting to feel very real now, I can't believe I am going to be a mummy in two months! My heartburn has also returned this week, which is horrible, everything just feels extremely squashed now! The third trimester tiredness has decided to make itself known too this week, growing a human being is hard!!

General mood?

So happy but quite impatient to meet this little one now! 

Looking forward to?

More Hypnobirth and NCT classes and hearing baby's heartbeat again on Monday at my 31 week check up.

Emi xx

28 Week Pregnancy Update

Sorry for the wellies! We were walking the doggies

How far along?

29 weeks today

Total weight gain?

I still have no idea but I have definitely noticed it in the thigh and hip area and possibly in my face! Waaaaa!!

Maternity clothes?

Nothing new but I have got some gorgeous things for baby. The Little White Company is a dangerous place! 

Stretch marks?

Still nothing - I am applying every oil and cream religiously! My Linea nigra line is getting stronger and it's wonky!

Sleep?

Sleep hasn't been too bad this week thank goodness although I still have the lovely midnight loo trips and I am definitely noticing the weight of baby now when I roll over. 

Best moment this week?

It has been a really nice and relaxed week this week, I had a wonderful birthday and got super spoilt -  it was just so nice to relax with my husband, going for country walks and having cozy nights in watching baby moving around in my tummy.  Also our moses basket arrived this week and it is so so beautiful, it is from Emile et Rose - I can not wait for baby to be here now!

Worst moment this week?

On Monday night my pelvis decided to give up on me! I simply couldn't move and the pain was excruciating! I had to be carried upstairs, which was a drama in itself as I am not as light as I used to be! The pain has only just subsided after a lot of rest! Three years ago I was unfortunate to break my hip and although I am fully recovered and my surgeon said my pregnancy won't be affected I feel that my pelvic pain is a result of the weakness in that area as the pain only really occurs on the side where I had my fracture.  I have decided to try some antenatal physio next week and hopefully that will help relieve some of the pain!

Food cravings?

I am still hungry all the time, even though it is getting harder and harder to eat a lot as my stomach is getting so squashed!

Miss anything?

I just miss my old body - being able to move, pick things up and walk without waddling and getting really out of breath! 

Movement?

Heaps of movement this week, the kicks and prods are getting so so strong - no more scary moments of quiet this week that is for sure! I have felt baby hiccuping for the first time this week and it is the cutest thing ever! Sometimes they can last for 15 minutes at a time and I feel bad there isn't anything I can do to help stop them!

Symptoms?

I have a delightful list of symptoms this week!  Backache, pelvic pain, heartburn, itchy tummy, period pain like cramps, tiredness, sore feet and when baby decides to rest on my bladder - a million loo trips! 

General mood?

Despite all my aches and pains I am very happy!

Looking forward to?

Starting our NCT classes in one week today!  I can not believe how quickly the third trimester is going - two months time I am going to be a mummy!

Emi xx

Week 26 Pregnancy Update

Apologies for the horrendous picture quality! iPhones are dreadful cameras

How far along?
27 weeks and 1 day today

Total weight gain?
I will find out early next week at my 28 week midwife appointment, but it has to be a lot I look like I have swallowed a beach ball!

Maternity clothes?
Nothing new but I definitely need to buy some maternity tops now.

Stretch marks?
Nothing, yay!

Sleep?
This week sleeping hasn't been great, my pelvic pain has increased! Every slight movement in bed wakes me up with excruciating pain which means I still need an extra cat nap during the day!

Best moment this week?
Probably getting to know baby's routine, it is so nice to know when they are active and when they are resting.  Although this week they have discovered my ribs!

Worst moment this week?
Just this horrible pelvic pain and not being able to take painkillers.

Food cravings?
Nothing this week - I just want to eat everything and anything! Food is all I think about, which is so weird for me.

Miss anything?
I really miss my old pre pregnancy body and I miss being more mobile, things are definitely getting harder as I am getting bigger.

Movement?
Loads of movement this week which I absolutely love, there is honestly no better feeling in this world than feeling your baby moving inside of you.  The kicks and jabs are definitely getting stronger every week which still never fails to take my breath away.

Symptoms?
The absolute worst symptom this week has to be the pelvic pain! It feels like my pelvis is actually broken and any slight movement is torture, I am having acupuncture later today so hopefully this will help relieve it.  Still have bad acid reflux and heartburn this week and in the evenings I have been getting period pain like cramps, but they don't last long.

Gender?
We know but we want to try and keep it a surprise which is so hard, especially with baby brain!

General mood?
Generally this week my mood has been great but I still get the random bouts of crying that come from nowhere and I just feel really emotional and teary for no reason! I know it is just the pesky hormones but I feel like a crazy person when it happens.

Looking forward to?
I can not wait for the weekend as the husband and I are going baby shopping for quite a few big baby items like the moses basket, the pram, car seat etc - super exciting!

Emi xx

Week 25 Pregnancy Update

How far along? 
26 weeks and 1 day

Total weight gain?
I am guessing over a stone! I feel absolutely enormous and there are still 14 weeks left, yikes!

Maternity clothes?
Nothing new I am just living in my Topshop maternity jeans which are so comfortable, the bump band is super soft.  I am still managing to fit into my jumpers and tops so fingers crossed I can get away with this for a bit longer.

Stretch marks?
Nothing, thank goodness I keep slathering on the creams and oils!

Sleep?
Sleep hasn't been great this week with horrible pelvic pain and back ache (feels like my bones are being crushed) rolling on either side is seriously hard work! My dreamgenii pregnancy pillow is a lifesaver though.  I have also had some ridiculously vivid dreams this week and nasty acid reflux - boo!

Best moment this week?
Hearing baby's heartbeat at my 25 week check up, it never fails to amaze me.  Also having some really strong movements this week and be able to see actual areas of my tummy being pushed out! Crazy but beautiful

Worst moment this week?
Really painful pelvic girdle pain

Food cravings?
Still just craving copious amounts of chocolate, which is weird for me as I never was mad on chocolate before being pregnant.  This week I have also noticed my appetite this week has increased, if that is at all possible!

Miss anything?
I miss being able to have proper cuddles with the husband and I really miss runny eggs!

Movement?
Lots of movement this week which is definitely getting a lot stronger, which can take my breath away but I love it so much, by far the best part of pregnancy!

Gender?
We are trying to keep it a surprise!

Symptoms?
The main one this week has to be the pelvic pain and back ache. Warm baths seem to help, I am just hoping it doesn't get any worse! I have also got acid reflux, which is so horrible as it feels like I might throw up - again!

General mood?
I feel really content this week and really happy! Hormones have definitely calmed down a lot recently, so less crying at everything and anything!

Looking forward to anything?
I have finally booked a well overdue hair appointment just before my birthday in a few weeks!

My 3 Favourite Stretch Mark Products

Sadly another pregnancy gripe is stretch marks, they are seriously common in pregnant women, hardly surprising with all the rapid growth taking place.  If you are anything like me you will do anything and try anything to avoid them!  It has been proven that babies in the womb sense and feel everything, your voice carries energy as well as your thoughts.  During my evening routine, I always take time to stop and connect with my growing baby, talking to baby and sending them loving feelings.  For me it is such a lovely thing to do and anything to make you feel more pampered in pregnancy is definitely a good thing!  From the moment I found out I was pregnant I applied Bio-Oil religiously but the smell really isn't that pleasant and I felt like an oil slick afterwards as it took forever to sink into the skin, so I looked around for alternatives.
To be honest, I think the pregnancy beauty market is seriously in need of more choice, but here are my three must have products which I have tested and so far, zero stretch marks - yay!

Cussons Mum & Me Stretch Mark Cream is wonderfully light but also feels extremely moisturising, it sinks into the skin marvellously and the scent is floral and delicate which I found very comforting in the first 3 months when my nausea was so extreme any strong smell would have horrible consequences!  There is also a body lotion in a big pump bottle cream which is lovely for applying to the rest of your body as your hips, bum, boobs and thighs can also be a target.  The only niggle is the price and how long the product actually lasts.  It is around the £10 mark and if you are applying it everyday or twice a day I found it only gave me around a weeks use, but overall a brilliant product.    Buy it here

Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil is a higher end product and is developed specifically to soothe, strengthen, nourish and protect the skin during pregnancy and beyond.  It is brimming with omegas 3, 6 and 9 (which are naturally depleted during pregnancy), and the best thing of all is that there  are zero nasties in any of their products, so completely safe for you and bubba. Unlike Bio-Oil and other oils it is absorbed into the skin very easily and smells seriously divine!  This product is a definite must-have for all mothers-to-be.   Buy it here

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Tummy Butter is by far my absolute favourite at the moment, I have fallen head over heels in love with it and I can not rave about it enough!  First of all the smell, it is seriously nice, much lighter than other Palmer's Cocoa Butter products as it has added lavender.  There isn't any sticky residue that you can get with some other body butters and your skin still feels completely moisturised 24 hours later.  I have no idea how it does it but it literally melts into the skin and leaves you with the most glowing and radiant skin I have ever experienced from any body cream, ever.  It is the cheats way of getting the 'pregnancy glow'.  I loved this product so much I went back and bought the rest of the shelf!  At £3.99 a tub it also doesn't break the bank, I will definitely continue to use this product as it does things to my skin that other creams just don't - absolute genius.   Buy it here

I'd love to know if you have any other recommendations on pregnancy related skin care!

Emi xx

My Pregnancy Story So Far...

Hello everyone! I am back after a shamefully long time away from blogging. But my goodness a lot has happened in my life in the last 18 months!  In a nutshell,  I met and married the love of my life, we bought and completely renovated a house and now... I'm pregnant!
I am now 24 weeks pregnant and it was always my intention to blog my pregnancy from the very beginning but let's just say my body had other ideas!

I want to make it very clear that I don't want this post to come across as negative or depressing, as pregnancy is the most beautiful and phenomenal experience, I simply want to be honest about my experience of pregnancy so far. I don't think enough women feel able to talk about their experiences on how hard pregnancy can be.

To say the first half of my pregnancy has been gruelling would be an understatement. All I have ever wanted is be a mother and I am overjoyed that I am pregnant but nothing could have prepared me for what was in store. I was one of the unlucky women to suffer from the dreaded Hyperemisis Gravidarum (severe morning sickness in pregnancy).
From week 9 I was totally bed bound and vomiting constantly up to 6-7 times a day! As soon as my eyes opened in the morning I would vomit, rolling over in bed would make me throw up and brushing my teeth was asking for real trouble! Sadly the loo and I were to became great friends.
The nausea was so crippling, so all encompassing, so toxic it completely consumed me and sucked all the colour out of my life.  It also came with huge doses of metallic taste in my mouth.  It is hard to put into words how it feels, but I can say it felt like I had been poisoned.
I am not sure who named it 'morning sickness' as my goodness it was every waking second of the day and night, in fact it happened to be worse in the evenings.  Thankfully I did have relief when I slept (I have heard women can be woken in the night with vomiting).  I tried everything from copious amounts of ginger, peppermint tea, dry biscuits, boiled sweets you name it I tried it but sadly nothing worked in fact it made things worse.  I have no idea what the obsession with ginger is? Everyone kept telling me drink ginger tea, eat pieces of ginger and nibble on ginger biscuits but really it did nothing!

It was like my body had shut down and while all I wanted to do was enjoy the experience and look after my growing baby I simply couldn't. My midwife and doctor said there was very little to be done and that the best place was to be in bed with little movement and to try and keep fluids down as the danger was I could have become severely dehydrated and needing hospital treatment. I was definitely one of the 'luckier' women as I have read some women can get HG so severely they vomit up to 30 times a day!  When I lay still in bed I found I could hold down melon and so that is what I was to pretty much live on for the first 3 months; still water and bowls of melon.
I gradually introduced smaller things like toast, cereal and plain crisps and but still the nausea and vomiting persisted.

Despite having a wonderfully caring and hugely supportive husband and family, HG completely isolated me and I had constant anxiety.  I googled every little thing and I felt like no one else in the world knew how horrendous I felt and I yearned desperately to hear from other pregnant women who had gone through it.  Hence why I feel the need to write this blog post.
However, at 13 weeks I was able to see an incredible acupuncturist who really helped ease the nausea and after just 3 sessions there was finally light at the end of a very black tunnel!  For the first time in months I managed actual meals, I can not describe to you the joy of this!  Even though I still had odd bouts of vomiting it was hugely reduced, my energy levels came back and I was able to feel like myself again, even if that was at 5 months!

Now this is only one of the many side effects of my pregnancy.  I have been plagued with extreme fatigue, frequent urination (especially at night), backache, headaches, heartburn, hot flashes, spots, nose bleeds, pelvic pain, migraines, sore breasts, receding gums, stuffy nose and probably the worst of them all, round ligament pain!  Which (and still does) felt like I was being stabbed in the side of my tummy over and over again.

It must be said though that the first time I felt my baby kick was the most amazing, life-altering experience. Every scan we have, I am truly humbled by the privilege it is to carry and grow this little life. Their movements and kicks delight me and I am literally counting the days until they arrive in early May.

Now I am looking forward to really enjoying the last few months of my pregnancy and being able to document and blog as I go!
I wanted to be wholly honest that pregnancy is really, really hard, but also it is completely and utterly awe inspiring and it makes me feel insanely fortunate to be a woman and experience it.

Emi xx