Apologies!

Hello all,
This post is to apologise for my laziness in actually completing the birth story still!
The main reason, is because my little man's dad walked out on us when he was 6 weeks old, to become a drug addict (it's like something out of Eastenders!) and he has not paid a single penny towards raising this beautiful boy.

We attempted supervised contact, but unfortunately, he was inconsistent, and even stole money from my purse, so I have removed him from his life altogether.

I know some people don't agree with the theory, but I truly believe if I have to be the sole parent, providing for this child emotionally, practically and financially, why should that man think he has the right to come in and see him when he wants but not take any responsibility?

He's Here!

Hi All,

Well what can I say? I have been absolutely rubbish in keeping this updated for the last month, because he is finally here and I have had no time to do anything apart from feed him, change him and wish I could get some sleep!

He arrived on 25th March at 6.20am, so was exactly one week late, and weighed 8lbs 13.
I will add the detailed labour story once I have time to sit down and concentrate.

Mother's Day,aka MY DUE DATE and he's still not here :(

Well today is officially my due date, and also Mothering Sunday.
I have been counting down to this day for 9 months now, and I cannot describe how gutted I am that he has not turned up.

It would have been the perfect very first Mother's Day gift: my first child.
What hasnt helped, is that I have stupidly believed that he would be earlier than his due date, because everyone around me for the last couple of months have said that there is no way I would get to the due date as he is way too big a baby!

Midwife Appoinment: 39 Weeks

I had my week 39 midwife appointment yesterday, and it’s safe to say it scared the life out of me. It was the most beneficial appointment I have ever had, because for once it lasted more than 5 minutes and we got a lot of things done, but at the same time it has given me a lot to think about. I wish she had been my midwife a lot earlier on, as I might have got a lot more support!

Firstly, I am now officially a beached whale, and it is SO hard to try and do simple things, such as get off a chair, get in or out of bed and even bend over the sink to clean my teeth. I have had enough of being pregnant now, as I feel like I’m going to break anything I sit on and I just want to be able to roll around in my bed pain-free!

My Third Antenatal Class: Breastfeeding

This was the fun class where we had to bring in teddies to practice on. At first the midwife talked about the importance of breastfeeding, for both mum and baby, and she explained that we no longer have the natural instinct of how to breastfeed, due to evolution. She said that is why so many women struggle to do it these days, and that persistence is the key.

Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and osteoporosis for the mother, as well as suck her uterus back into place quicker and help burn 500 calories a day. It reduces the risks of asthma, other allergies and being overweight for the baby. It also contains all the correct nutrients the baby needs to set up their immune system.

My Second Antenatal Class: Pain Relief

To be honest this session didn’t really do very much for me, but I think this might be because I have already talked to lots of people and read on pregnancy forums and websites about the many pain relief methods.

The midwife started by talking through a basic labour scenario, and then would give different incidences that would result in different birthing methods having to be used. This included looking at using ventousse or forceps if the baby was finding it hard to turn in the canal, and she said this can include the doctor having to cut you (episiotomy). She said that these days episiotomies are not done very often, because it is known that tearing naturally heals a lot quicker than being cut.

My Third Trimester

I thought I would write this now, seeing as today I am officially 37 weeks pregnant and therefore baby is fully cooked. I cannot believe I am finally able to say that; in some ways it has felt like such a long journey (especially during the nasty first trimester!) but since hitting this final tri, it has flown by.

The main things I have noticed in this final tri, is the sheer DISCOMFORT of it!

My First Antenatal Class: Labour

Had the first antenatal class yesterday. Apparently the one session that they felt was sifficient 9 months ago when my sister was pregnant, is no longer good enough, so they now do three classes.

The first is about labour. I took The Bloke to this, because I was hoping they would talk about what he needs to be doing to help me whilst I'm in the biggest agony of my life.
He was quite reluctant to go, but when I reminded him that he won't need to go to the other two (pain relief and breastfeeding), and it would save him from being HUGELY nagged at, he soon shut up.

34 Week / Growth Scan

Had my 34 week growth scan last week (6th Feb) and yet again the little boy chose to hide and not perform!

I say little, but he has really grown over the last four weeks that I feel him a lot more, and most movements are actually quite painful (especially the feet under my ribcage!).

I had been told a few days before by the midwife that he is now 3/5's engaged, so he is head down- SCARY!

Back Pain...SUCKS!

Unfortunately this may be a ranty, moany post, because my back has been in a lot of pain during this third trimester, and I am starting to go slightly crazy!

I have been getting shooting pains on the right side of my body (the right butt cheek, leg and lower back) on and off for the whole pregnancy, but as baby (and I) have been getting bigger, the pain has been worse and more constant.

I went to the midwife, who referred me for physio, which I have now had three sessions of. It is a physiotherapist who only works with pregnant women, which is reassuring, but as you can imagine I did wait a couple of months before she saw me!