January 27, 2008 – 10:47 pm
Today has been eternal! I’m beginning to feel REALLY uncomfortable. I slept until 11.30am, got up and went back to bed an hour later sleeping next to Mr. Gin (our cat) until 3pm. Amazingly, I woke after having had a miserable dream where I was forgotten and abandoned by everyone I loved, on my birthday, in a cold, derelict, Victorian school (somewhere austere), needing to do something to help create happier thoughts. I found the inspiration to bake a cake only to slob and indulge further (with the resulting cake of course) in front of a movie. The hours seem to pass so slowly and considering most of them have been unconscious, you might say I’m a little fed-up.
My bump is heavy and tender. The little jabs at the side and tucked under the ribs leave a sore spot and my chest feels… (difficult to explain) compressed making me breathless. I woke the first time today with groin ache. I woke the second time with period like twinges low in the pelvis and a visit to the loo presented a possible/maybe sign that things are beginning to progress in the right direction… … … maybe… possibly… ?
I can’t quite believe I’ve passed my due date. Baby just needs to get himself to the start line and we’re on our way. It’s amazing to think life as I’ve known it will change forever any day… (breaking into song) ‘A Whole New World, a new fantastic point of view…’ Where is that cheesy stage number from?
Phrrr, think I’ll go back to bed!
January 27, 2008 – 10:22 pm
Claire and Pau viewed by award winning photographer Julieta Sans on the 14th Jan 08
January 27, 2008 – 9:39 pm
Watching quality television : ’skinny celebrity mums’ (a title to that effect) I found myself guilty of the desire to be taut and trim again. Knowing how your body will change during pregnancy is an unknown until you go through it and it’s been a small obsession of mine to deal with and accept the transformation. Pau has been documenting the physical changes almost monthly. There’s been some obvious high-lights for me : BOOBS! (didn’t have those before) and I’ve proudly watched my bump grow into a compact beau.
BUT, now I come to the final hurdle I’m beginning to wonder what my new self will look like after the birth. It’s a slightly tenuous thought balancing feelings of happiness and excitement with (dramatic moment); buried woe. I’d love to think I’ll spring back into my old girly figure but I fear expectations as these are… hopeful?
January 27, 2008 – 12:11 am
Here, looking and feeling heavily pregnant. You can see it in my face and on every limb! And NO! I do not own a pair of leopard print knickers. Pau added these in photoshop later. Hilarious. I think he’s trying to help me feel sexy… Really works huh?? rrrrr tiger!
January 24, 2008 – 5:55 pm
It’s here. Today is the day. The finale of finales. The long awaited relief. The prize won for nine months of focussed physical and mental endurance. Yes, the day has arrived that I officially earn myself the title of ‘MUMMY’! …
HelloOoo in there
… ?
No, there are no fingers tapping, there are no hands ticking, there is no restless moping, and certainly, no sighs of frustration… IT’S ALL FINE!
Having visited the hospital today for an appointment with the midwife, we have learnt that baby is still not engaged and happily mobile. Oh God, there it is, the first sign that he may be like his mother - La la laaaa… happily lethargic, lazy, daydreaming the hours away as he floats in his personal bubble, blissfully unaware of the hard journey to come and LATE.
Ok, we know that 80% of first born babies arrive late with only 5% arriving on time. There’s no hard and fast rules to nature and it is after all an Expected due date. So expect we shall continue to endure… sorry enjoy… Actually having given the midwife the date we conceived she was able to calculate what could be a more accurate time of arrival - Exactly one week later - Thursday next week, so there’s time yet to disco.
January 22, 2008 – 1:33 am
One of the fun things about childbirth is playing with the toys you can get for pain relief. Mines a TENS machine; that’s Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, as recommended by midwives… (see my story ‘Charged’ on the home page). You can hire the machine online direct from Tens-Hire.co.uk which works out a little cheaper than ordering through a retailer such as Mothercare. I’ve heard mixed reports from different women about how useful this is for helping deal with contractions, but if there’s even a slight chance of some relief, it’s got to be worth a go. Anyone tried this?
January 22, 2008 – 1:09 am
One of the fun things about childbirth is playing with the toys you can get for pain relief. Mines a TENS machine; that’s Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, as recommended by midwives. You place four sticky pads with a mild electrical current running through them on your back. A machine with a little hand held button allows you to order either a ‘burst’ or a ‘continuous’ surge of electrical impulses to the area of pain. The instructions recommend you test run your machine before going into labour by attaching the pads to your arm or leg. So I placed the pads on my left forearm. I switched on the machine and slowly turned up the controls to increase the pulse rate … it’s pretty impressive; like buzzing pins and needles on a focussed area of your skin. BUT, if you’re curious and want to explore the machines potential…(Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus)…WATCH OUT! You WILL feel as though plugged into the national grid.
I tried this on both the ‘burst’ (advised) and ‘continuous’ (not recommended) mode. The ‘burst’ mode, as it suggests, delivers a pulsating electrical current. On increasing the surge rate, the pins and needles become more like repeated electrical shocks which unwontedly instructed my hand to flex and jump in rhythm with the surges. A Carry-On moment followed as my hand (no longer my own), repeatedly grabbed at the air as if trying to squeeze an invisible breast. Trying this on ‘continuous’ mode however was admittedly plain stupid! Within a spilt second of turning it on my ass leapt out of the seat and my heart jumped into my throat - Christ. SHOCK is the word!
Having done my research, I am now as you can imagine looking forward to applying my new found skills to the real thing - Labour. Bring it on! I’m armed and ready with my boost button. Man, I’m gunna be wired!
January 17, 2008 – 5:36 pm
This is a fine example of a Wordpress plugin
January 16, 2008 – 9:39 pm
Hackney and participating boroughs are in on the scheme to provide washable nappies for London babies. So much so that they’re prepared to give each baby a free nappy voucher (worth approx 50.00) to test run their favourite poop catchers. There’s several types of natural nappy available, all sorts of shapes, sizes, colours, styles and fastenings. If you’re worried about the washing, there are laundry services available and if you can’t afford the initial outlay on natural nappies, you can source recyled nappies via various nappy exchanges - Not only do they save the environment and the pocket to considerable effect but they seem easy to use, and look amazingly cute too! Visit the Real Nappies for London Campaign or call the helpline t:020 7324 4709.
I’m all in to the idea. I’ve sent off for my voucher and can’t wait to start experimenting… How to make poo friendly and fun - It’s brilliant!
The campaign also links with The Washable Nappy Company who deliver ‘Nappuccino’s’ in participating boroughs - That’s demonstrations on the different bottom options for your baby with err… coffee and chat I guess. Got to be worth a go.
