Saturday, May 15, 2010

Week 41: The End - Baby has arrived


Finally our little one has arrived. She was born on Mother's day. What a nice coincidence. The birth was induced and took a very long time. I can only recommend having an epidural for an induced birth as everyone told me afterwards that it's always a lot more painful. But with the epidural you are alert but relaxed and it's a breathtaking experience. 
- The End - 

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Week 40 - No baby yet



Today was my due date but no baby in sight. All the accupuncture but my little girl really seems to like it inside... And I had contractions for the last two weeks, just minor ones but I thought I would hold my little one in my arms before the due date. But no - I have to be patient. At least the accupuncture cured my newly occuring back pain. So I feel really good, I am still out and about and who knows... maybe she thinks 05.05.2010 is a real cool birth date. I haven't put on any more weight for the last two weeks but I still feel I look bigger than ever... hope it's all fluid and I lose at least 10 kg by giving birth.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Week 39 - Almost there


We have mastered the second last week. So now we are really getting close! I have unregular contractions now and then but they never become regular. But at least I have an idea what might be coming. The ones in the back are like period pain. But then I also have contractions in the front. And they are quite amazing. The belly gets so hard on the sides! My husband was checking it once and got a bit scared. So far they are not very painful, still manageable and they never last very long. But I can imagine if they become just a bit stronger and last longer that's gonna be interesting. My doctor said I might start labour like this and since the first phase can last for several hours I should take a couple of paracetamols so that I can relax a bit and won't be too exhausted when the 'real' thing starts. Because then the paracetamol won't help anyway... But I also read a story about a lady who was attending her company's dinner until she was eight cm dilated and she said it was alright. So that's actually the picture I have painted in my mind, it won't be my company's dinner though but maybe dinner with my husband?
I continue with the accupuncture and since we are getting closer to the due date we are stimulating contractions now even harder. Yesterday I had four needles in my feet, two in my hands and six in the back and they were all connected to some electricity. The needles started jumping up and down and I burst out laughing. But only at the beginning because when she increased the voltage (don't worry it's just minor voltage) it got quite painful. But I did my yoga breathing, meaning inhaling through the nose for six and then exhaling through the mouth for six and then starting all over again. Amazingly it really helped. Tomorrow is my next session if nothing happens.
The other amazing thing is that I am still fit, flexible and moving about. I can still close my shoes on my own bending down and walking for an hour is also not a problem. And I have the feeling that I do my laps in the swimming pool faster every time I go there... On the downside my body makes me feel a bit sad. Not only my feet are swollen now but also my legs and arms look quite big. I hope it's all fluid retention and that I will lose most of the weight after giving birth. But I shouldn't complain I have seen worse pregnant ladies and once I can exercise again it will fall off quickly I guess.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Week 38 - The waiting game


Now we have reached the point where the baby is considered to be at term and she can come every day now. Actually I hope she will as I am swelling with fluid retention. Only swimming can make it a little bit better. But apart from that I am still fit and mobile. So I hope that will help me have a short and not too painful labour. Isn't that what everyone hopes for?
So let's see whether we will have another fashion update next week or maybe something different!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Week37: Waiting and accupuncture

This week when I saw my doctor she told me that I will probably have the baby by the end of the month. So these are my last two weeks of pregnancy! But it's good to have an idea when it's going to be about time. Now I can still plan my days and do little excursions without having to fear that my waters will suddenly break. Like the lady they told us about in the antenatal class who was standing in a chocalate shop when suddenly she was ankle deep in her waters. Wow that would be so embarrassing.
I had expected to be more tired by now, but no, still feeling pretty good and active. I have also started accupuncture treatments this week. They are supposed to shorten labour and to make it less painful. Well I will let you know afterwards... but at least I can give it a try. By the way I gained 18 kg by now. But it's slowing down now and it also seems to be a bit of water retention. I have no idea how many I will lose when giving birth, maybe 10 kg? So many questions...

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Week 36 - Belly photos



This week was very relaxed. Since it was the Easter break my husband was at home too and we just enjoyed sleeping in, cooking, going for a walk and a little swim. We also took a few photos of my big big belly as a memory. Little one won't probably stay in there for very much longer so we didn't want to miss the opportunity. Strangely enough my back is also getting better. Maybe the swimming helps after all.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Week 35 - Slowing down


This week I had to start slowing down. My back is still the same. It gets better when the muscles warm up but when I get out of bed I usually make funny movements. Instead of yoga I started with swimming now. We have a small pool in our building so it's not a big deal. The water is really relaxing and since my doctor also advised me to have a little nap in the afternoon I really feel like being on a Spa holiday now. The baby just started dropping down last night and my belly is now sitting lower which is quite funny. You start realising now that there is not that much time left over. It might come earlier anyway and all sorts of feeling start coming up. A bit of anxiety, a bit of curiosity and joy and a bit of relief that all the discomforts of the big belly will be over soon.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Week 34 - Big feet and enormous growth


This week my feet and ankles got really big and swollen. That's so mean now that the wheather is finally nice and warm and you just want to run around in sandals and summer wear... And there are still six weeks to go. My worst fear is that they might get even bigger! I already feel like a stranded whale. To make things worse there seems to be a nerve in my butt that aches whenever I bend over or stretch the back. I will try to avoid that and give it some rest and hopefully it will go away again.
But there are also some happier news. We had our first antenatal class on Sunday and the midwife who did the course was so lovely and reassuring that most of my worries about giving birth are soothed. But I never imagined it would have such a big impact on my husband. He is all worried that we might go into labour any minute from now on... But I think it was good for him to see the other hubbies and to get an idea what to expect.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Week 33 - The long break has finally arrived

Finally it was my last day at work and from now on I am at home. And it's amazing how time flies when you have nothing to do. You just had breakfast and all of a sudden it's three o'clock in the afternoon... But it's totally cool, reminds me of my uny time. Lovin it!
The little fellow is also appreciating. She is such a lovely baby, never making mummy feeling bad or uncomfy (well almost never). Can't believe we only have less than seven weeks to go and then we will find out who's looks she has inherited. That's definitely gonna be a little miracle...
By the way... do you like my new bootie sandals? So comfy!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Week 32 - Last week at work

This is my last week at work. I still had some annual leave so I take that first and then it will smoothly go over into maternity leave. Lucky me, I still have a German contract, that means that maternity leave starts six weeks before the due date. I plan to stay at home with the baby for six months - let's see how that works out in the end. This is the first time to have such a long break from work and it seems a bit weird. But long hours in a sitting position start to feel a little bit inconvenient so I am really looking forward to my time at home.
I still have so many ideas for my nursery and I also need to get the last few items on my shopping list. Such nice stuff as a breast pump for example... So it shouldn't get boring.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Week 31 - Gym Class


Yesterday me and the baby had our first little fight. She was pushing her feet so heavily into my belly that I thought my belly was about to burst. And I mean not just one kick, no, constantly pushing. Then I pushed back hoping she would stop it and move around. But instead she thought it was a fun game and pushed even harder... In the end it was just I guess because my jeans have become so tight so that she had to move upwards and that was why she had this strange position. So from now on the jeans are stored away and it's little dresses time. Tried it today and much better for me and the little one. We are back to our normal good team spirit.
By now I have already put on 12 kilos. But my doctor says I shouldn't worry. Maybe it's a little bit less next week? Stay tuned...

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Week 30 - Swollen legs and Yoga




This week I had swollen feet and legs for the first time. I guess it's still OK but I am worried it might get worse. Especially now that the weather in Hong Kong starts warming up. So I keep on going with cold showers, lots of walking and my weekly prenatal yoga class.
The yoga class is really fun as all the different belly sizes try to manage the yoga poses in a more or less elegant manner. And over the weeks you can watch the bellies turn from grapefruits into massive pumpkins before they finally disappear. And you hear all the latest pregnancy gossip. Plus it's good for your health and you keep really fit even though the poses might not seem very difficult. I love it!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Week 29 - Fit to fly



This week we went on our last flight for probably the next couple of months. But we already made plans for the next trip when the baby is six months old. My doctor had to write a letter for the airline saying that I was still fit to fly. But the lady at the check in counter was still not quite convinced seeing my belly. But finally she gave me the ticket. We only stayed for three nights but it was still nice to be away from home and see something different.


Sunday, February 14, 2010

Week 28 - Big Belly Is Still A Fit Belly


I was determined not to buy any more clothes until the baby was born. But I couldn't resist this cutie... And I have also discovered this week that even though the belly is getting bigger and bigger (you can almost watch it grow) I am still very fit. Sometimes I have the feeling I am even fitter than at the begin of my pregnancy. And the little one is now kicking and playing at very regular intervals but it's still not inconvenient. I guess she still has enough space. And it's so funny to see your belly vibrate because of another kick or punch.