Sunday 17 March 2013

:: 40 WEEKS ~ ??? to go ::


(green jeans for St Patty's Day)

I have arrived! I think?? Weird time of life I reckon. Probably the weirdest I've ever had. You count up these weeks, and you prepare all this stuff.... and then you feel like you must be just pretending or something because everything is just as normal! People keep texting me, asking for news. The answer is nada peoples! Bub is sitting mighty high, up under my ribs, so there is a lot of decending to still happen before I'm expecting any action.

But, I feel great, and have plenty of energy. That's what scares me; I feel like I could carry this baby for the rest of my life. Is there actually an end? At least there is comfort in knowing that the doctors won't let me carry it forever and eternity. :-P

Mummy-Dear arrived on Thursday, and buried me under a pile of gifts (a whole 15kg suitcase full), which I then had to find homes for. Then she's got this thing going where she can't sit still, and doesn't let me wipe a single dish. She keeps hunting for jobs to do, which there just aren't that many of, considering I have already had 5 weeks at home to get the house spick-and-span, plus there aren't any kiddlets messing anything up (yet). So I'm inventing ridiculous jobs for her, like organizing my linen cupboard (she created two empty shelves = win!). In other words, it's totally awesome having her here, but I've got to keep busy too, y'know! x

I've been doing squats with deep breathing to encourage the head to lower (recommended exercise whether it does lower the head or not) as well as those yoga sits, where you have your feet together up as close to your body as possible, while having your legs pretty much flat on the ground. This helps open things up a bit too. It's easy to do while reading or watching a movie, and it's nice to feel flexible.

I've been drinking raspberry leaf tea about 3- 4 times a day. Contrary to some rumours I used to hear, it's not supposed to help induce you, but has many other benefits. So it's good to drink throughout pregnancy. 

  • Ease the symptoms of morning sickness.
  • Sooth and prevent bleeding gums which many pregnant women often experience.
  • Relax the smooth muscles of the uterus when it is contracting.
  • Assist with the birth of the baby and the placenta.
  • Calm cramping of the uterus.
  • Provide a rich source of iron, calcium, manganese and magnesium. The magnesium content is especially helpful in strengthening the uterine muscles. Raspberry leaf also contains vitamins B1, B3 and E which are valuable in pregnancy. 
So anyways, that's me at the moment. Nursery photos this week, I promise. Painting the cot with mum tomorrow! Thanks everyone for your messages and prayers.

xo

P.S. Any good tips for bringing on labour? :P

8 comments:

  1. The ladies in my May birth group are starting on the raspberry tea to help "ripen the cervix" so that labour can be easily induced.

    As for tips for inducing labour, there are two that my antenatal class midwife suggested: nipple stimulation (20 minutes a day, 5 minute stints on each side) and sex, as well as anything else that increases the oxytocin levels in the body.

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    1. Good tips! I have been doing nipple stimulation for weeks though, in order to prepare them for a hungry miniature mouth, so I'm not sure if my body will notice me doing anything different :P.

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  2. I still can't get over how beautiful the pregnancy has looked on you--since day one! You were put on this Earth to be a Mama, and I can't wait until you bring this babe into the world!

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  3. Walk, walk, and more walking!!

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  4. Hey Hannah what weight/gym routine were you doing before & during pregnancy? I had a little look through your posts but couldn't find any clues!! I love that you avoided the dreaded 'nana arms' during your 40 weeks!! :) Jemima

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    1. Hi Jemima! I didn't really do a post on my specific routine, but I'd be happy to email you a rough outline. :)

      Basically, you do exactly what you're doing before you fall pregnant. Except that you can't lay on your back after 12 weeks, and in the 3rd trimester you lower your weights a tad. People talk about keeping your heart-rate under 140, but that's pretty much impossible at even a super slow jog! My doctor said going over that is fine, as long as you don't become gasping for breath. Because if you aren't getting enough oxygen, neither is your baby.

      Things like pushups, and running are all still possible right up until the end! I only stopped doing HIIT walk/running at about 37 weeks. And avoiding flabby arms is EASY since arm workouts are some of the easiest to do while preggas lol.

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  5. Han, my advice on inducing labour is... simply... I'll um.. tell you later.

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