Week 29 To 30

Saturday, 29+2
Finally the number 30 is appearing! I really will be counting down when I hit 30 weeks. October is going to be a very busy month with lots of antenatal appointments, scans, tests and antenatal classes too. I think it will fly by and then we'll be in November and just around the corner from meeting our little girl! I'm so excited! Although I do still need to find us a new house in November....

The last few days have been a bit tough. On Wednesday I felt like I was coming down with flu. Everything ached, blocked sinuses, sore throat, lack of energy, so I took it easy for the day. I felt a little better Thursday but I still kept getting lightheaded and dizzy and just not feeling "right". Also the insomnia started to kick back in. It's hard to cope when you've only had two hours sleep maximum. I have so many thoughts racing around in my head at the moment about birth procedures, what ifs, etc. Yesterday it all seemed to take it's toll and I had a very emotional day where I couldn't seem to hold it together and cried on numerous occasions. I did feel like a bit of an idiot afterwards but I suppose it was a good release!

Today I'm feeling bright and happy, despite the awful weather outside. I managed to clear my mind and sleep through the night, well, most of it! Sleep really is the best medicine!

Sunday, 29+3
I'm still sleeping well and the weather is still awful but it's a refreshing change from the relentless heat of late. I found myself getting very excited today about Christmas this year! I think the baby picked up on my excitement as it seems like she is having a party in my tummy. She's shifting all over the place. We took a few pictures of my bump this evening but it looks a touch lopsided in the frontwards one due to the position she's lying in. I didn't think I was as large as I am until I saw the photos! I think that explains the 8lbs in 4 weeks!

Week 28 To 29

Thursday, 28+0
We've just been for the 28 week check-up and scan. I'm pleased to say that everything is looking perfect and on schedule. It was a very thorough scan where all the organs were measured for functionality and growth measurements taken. The heart, brain, kidneys, umbilical cord and placenta all have good blood flow to them. The limb measurements were fine. The head is still a week behind as always but the stomach measurement has caught up. The arms and legs still measure long though! Her estimated weight is 2lb 14oz.

She is currently in breech position sitting on my bladder with her head under my ribs. The doctor wasn't too worried as he said about 30% of babies are breech at this stage and only about 2-3% of those end up being breech by delivery time. He said there was a good level of fluid and the baby had room to turn.

She was her usual uncooperative self during the scan. I even drank a large coke about half hour before but she decided to spend most of it curled up in a ball with her feet and hands covering her face. She was prodded, shaken around, we had the table tilted backwards, tried coughing and all she did was kick the doppler off! We did get some lovely shots of her feet and legs though... Eventually she gave us a tiny glimpse of her face and she is looking beautiful. The changes month to month are amazing. I'll upload some photos shortly.

My blood pressure was really good this time round. In fact it was the lowest reading of the whole pregnancy so we were all pretty happy about that. My weight on the other hand was a bit of a shocker for me! I seem to have gained 8.5lbs in a month. This is almost as much as I've put on over the whole pregnancy so far. I don't feel heavier though and everybody still says I look tiny and have just gained a baby bump but I suppose it must have gone on somewhere! My chest seems to have had a bit of rapid growth this month so I reckon that will be about 2lbs of it, the baby has gained 1.5lbs but I'm not sure where the extra 5lbs has gone! Mmmm, perhaps I need to eat more fruit and less chocolate.....!

It seems it takes concentration for these poses!

I guess that's all she had to say on the matter...!

The pictures below are the select few we did manage to get of her face...

Week 27 To 28

Saturday, 27+2
I'm having real problems getting comfortable in bed now and sleeping through the night. I wake up countless times with an ache in my tummy, hip or back, or to find I have a sore shoulder or dead arm. I've tried numerous combinations with different pillows and when I think I have something which works for me it's not long before it's uncomfortable again. I feel so tired and grumpy at the moment and like my brain is on a go slow and my patience level is low. The baby is starting to put increasing pressure on my bladder so trips to the toilet in the night are starting to become more frequent just adding to more broken sleep. I think I'm going to try sleeping on top of the duvet tonight to see if the extra padding from that can alleviate some of the soreness in my hips. On the bright side, it's only 5 days until the next scan which I'm really looking forward to. She should have filled out with some fat by now and hopefully we'll get some really good pictures. She appears to be doing well and has been having a good move around with some quite painful kicks to the ribs or bladder depending on position!

Monday, 27+4
I've just been to my first pregnancy yoga class. It was a little strange and something I will have to give more of a chance before I make my mind up on it. The breathing exercises were good, although I had trouble getting the hang of it initially. I also felt a bit like a stranded upturned beetle at a couple of points in the lesson, when I was trying to go from laying on my back to getting up! I'm hoping the classes will help with flexibility and make me more agile in later pregnancy. Also I'm sure the breathing exercises should help in labour. I did get numerous kicks from the baby during the class, one so hard it made me burst out laughing! I guess she was enjoying it anyway.

Week 26 To 27

Thursday, 26+0
Getting ever closer to the 30 week mark and only 98 days to go in total! Now the countdown to the due date has gotten into double figures I'm feeling the end is getting nearer. I have been told though that the last trimester can drag so much and the last month or so will seem longer than the whole pregnancy put together. There's always someone who likes to come along and spoil it!

I'm meeting up with a midwife tomorrow to discuss starting antenatal classes in October. We're due to attend 4 two hour classes and I'm hoping they will be helpful and informative. Not so much for me as I've read just about every pregnancy and labour article I can get my hands on and scared myself by watching numerous birth videos, but more for Chris so he has an idea of what to expect. The thing is I don't think anyone can really prepare you for labour. It doesn't matter how much you read, how informed you think you are, every pregnancy and labour is different and I think we just have to relax and go with what feels right on the day. I'm also due to start some active birthing/yoga and relaxation classes in a couple of weeks. I guess it can't hurt.

Today we finally managed to get somewhere with the spanish healthcare system. We're trying to make sure all our paperwork is intact before I go into labour so we're not hit with a huge bill! Since I'm no longer working I'm no longer entitled to free healthcare, so we've just been and added me as a beneficiary on Chris' social security account so my healthcare costs will be covered. It was no easy task believe me! Finally though we are all set and don't have to do anything else now until after the birth when it comes to registering our baby. I can relax at last!

As far as the baby goes, she was so active for a few days and seemed to be kicking me all day, but as usual she is now going through her quieter two days where she just gives a few kicks a day. I guess this means yet another growth period for her and my tummy! Her heartbeat is still strong and regular. I don't know what I'd do without a doppler. It seems as though this is a weekly pattern now. Active for five days quiet for two.

Sunday, 26+3
I've had a few different aches and pains over the weekend. My bladder feels like it is maybe being squashed and also I had the stomach type pain which I had a few weeks ago when I thought it was an ulcer. I didn't take any medication this time, just waited to see if maybe it was the position of the baby and it has eased off now. I also had quite bad heartburn last night. The baby is still not quite as active as at the beginning of the week, although she does still kick a lot. Yesterday my tummy was moving out with the kicks even when I was standing. I think she must be in an odd position at the moment. I'm wondering if she's standing length ways on my bladder with her head under my ribs squashing my stomach, or the other way round with her head in my pelvis and feet by my ribs. I can't really make my mind up!

Tuesday, 26+5
Her movements and kicks picked up a level again yesterday and it was one of those non-stop kicking days. It feels like she had a foot behind my pelvic bone last night though and I have to say that those kicks aren't particularly comfortable. Today is very overcast and finally it feels like summer may be coming to an end. I'm quite relieved as the heat has been exhausting and not what you need when you feel pretty drained from pregnancy anyway. I love winter, it's my favourite time of the year and especially this year as it means we're getting ever closer to meeting our new arrival! I'm also looking forward to a change of season clothes as I'm so bored with what I've currently been wearing!