Preparing for birth- such a magical experince (Preparing for Birth)

Member Name: mummy2twogirls

Product:	Preparing for Birth
Date:	02/12/08 (73 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: getting to meet you baby at the end of it all

Disadvantages: The sickness, and hormonal changes

Even though we can try to do everything in our power to try and prepare for birth, I don't think not one person really knows what to expect from the whole issue. From first seeing that blue line appear in the test window to actually getting to hold your baby in your arms, we over come so many different experiences and feelings that although the time leading up to the birth is supposed to be exciting it can be very daunting and scary to.

Being 7 months pregnant myself, expecting my third child, some people might think I'm a pro? But in reality I'm just as nervous as I was first time round. In all we have 9 months to physically and emotionally prepare ourselves for birth and for what lies ahead- Sleepless nights, dirty nappies, and coming to terms with the fact that you will become the sole provider for this little person growing inside you.

Whist being pregnant we have on offer so much guidance and support from so many different people, that at times it can be hard to take everything in. From reading all the baby books under the sun, listening to other people's experiences, and having regular checks from midwifes.

This pregnancy was a little unexpected to say the least, with my second daughter being just 17 months, there will be a small age gap between them. Me and my partner weren't planning on having children so close together, but at the end of the day what's happened has happened and it can't be. Looking back we were a little weary, but have come to a theory that we would like for them to grow up together, at first I thought that it would be very expensive, but in actual fact it isn't because i have the majority of things from last time.

Ok so here is my pregnancy diary so far and what i have done this time round in order to help me prepare to meet my baby.

==Week 9==
This week after having major bouts of sickness, and feeling very unwell, I originally thought I was unwell; the sickness appeared in the mornings and at night. It never crossed my mind that i might be pregnant until I saw a baby advert on telly, and then it suddenly clicked. I rushed out to get a test (or two). My partner was at work, but I couldn't wait until he got home. Stood in the bathroom, those three minutes seemed to drag on for so long. I plucked up the courage and there before my eyes were two blue lines- I was pregnant.

At first I was shocked, so many feelings ran through my mind, how would I cope? What would my partner say? , what would my parents say? But then none of that mattered, It was what I thought that mattered. It took about ten minutes to get used to the idea, but the thought of becoming a mum again sent a rush of love through me, and that inside me was a tiny bean that needed my help to grow and neuter.

As soon as my partner came through the door after work I was so excited I shoved the test at him, and a big cheesy grin spread across his face and I knew that he was happy to. We did another test to make sure and again that came up positive. We both decided not to tell anyone just yet, and to wait until the 12 week scan in case anything where to go wrong.

In my head i started making mental check lists, having been pregnant before I knew there were things I would have to do, to start with would be to start taking folic acid, so the next day off to the chemist I went, I brought some pregnancy vitamins called pregacare, by taking one of these a day would ensure that me and my baby would be getting all the right vitamins and minerals we would need.

Next i rang up my Doctors and made an appointment to see my GP. He did some checks like my blood pressure, urine, and helped me fill in my pregnancy booklet, which I would keep hold off until my baby is born. He asked me if i had any questions and then said he would refer me to the local team of midwifes for my booking in appointment, bloods, and would also make an appointment at the hospital for a scan.

==Week 12==
This week I had both my 12 week scan and my first appointment with the midwife. My scan was to determine how far long i was, and to check that there was only one baby on there! The scan lasted about ten minutes and put my mind at ease, as i got to see this little bean wiggling about on the screen and its heartbeat.

The midwife appointment lasted about half an hour, she took all my details, did some checks, and explained everything that would happen each week, and what appointments I would need. Because i had group strep b in my other two pregnancies, and that my blood group is O negative, I would be classed as a higher risk pregnancy, which meant i would have to be checked a bit more often, and that at 28 and 32 weeks i would anti-d injections.

She made sure I was aware of the different foods I couldn't eat, like soft/blue cheeses, liver, nuts etc, and that meat and eggs where properly cooked. I knew all this and was reminded of the thought that for the next 7 months or so I couldn't eat my beloved pate or camembert. I had another appointment booked for 16 weeks where she would take my bloods.

==Weeks 12-20==
During this time I constantly felt tired and sick, my appetite had gone and the only things i could manage to eat was toast and fruit, my sickness never stopped and it hit me morning, noon and night. Having two other children to look after was hard because all i wanted to do was spend all day in bed. Around the 19-20 week mark I did start to feel better, and knew i had my 20 week scan to look forward to. The scan went great and my dates where still spot on, the scanner checked my baby and made sure it was growing well and that there we no potential problems.
I also had a few more appointments and everything was going fine with the baby, it just seemed to be me who was suffering. During my last pregnancy i had developed sciatica in my legs, and it hadn't gone away. So by now I was in a lot of pain, so my GP prescribed me some stronger painkillers and I was referred to a physiotherapist, it did help but there where times when even walking became a chore and it still is today.

==Week 20-30==
Known as the 'home stretch' or the third trimester, if started to feel a lot better and started to enjoy the pregnancy, I had my energy back, and although my bump was growing fast I loved every minute of it. I wanted to try and bond with my baby and knew that I had to slow myself down in order to care for it. I would be rushing around during the day, playing with the children, cleaning, etc, and sometimes my body would be telling me to slow down. I kept forgetting that i had a bump and things like bending and lifting became such a task. And at week 27 I started to feel tired again, it got the point where I couldn't get out of bed, my instinct told me I had to get checked out, so my midwife took some blood which confirmed that I had dangerously low iron, I was put on iron tablets and after a couple of days I started to feel better.

Coming up to 30 weeks i could hold out any longer and started baby shopping, as we didn't want to know the sex I went for neutral colours, and picking up the little outfits sent butterfly's through me. D day was fast approaching and the last 20 weeks seemed to have flown by. My daughters are still quite young and don't really understand what's going on, my eldest knows there's a baby in mummy's tummy, but also thinks there's one in daddy's to. I have started to wash bits and bobs and I'm really looking forward to meeting my baby.

As i write this I'm 32 weeks, 8 weeks seems a long time, but as were so close to Christmas, time seems to be flying by. I am desperately trying to get organized with Christmas and as i know once that's over, i will have very little time.

I'm hoping to have as natural birth as possible, with my last two I managed on just gas and air and really want this to be the same. I haven't written a birth plan as they never go to plan, and I think it's much nicer to just go with the flow. Although I do have one request, that my partner does actually make it this time, as he missed it last time. It couldn't be helped as my daughter made quite a speedy entrance and shocked us all.

The sickness has died down, but I do still get the occasional bout, my legs still hurt, but I'm making the most of what I have left. I think I'm mentally prepared, and yes a little scared to. I love lying down and watching my baby's foot pop up against my skin, the feeling of it kicking is such a magical experience and although sometimes it can hurt, the pain is priceless.

Summary: I don't think anyone can quite fully prepare