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.

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.

Week 27: Big Baby Shopping Week

It's interesting again how light coloured clothes make the belly bigger and dark coloured ones let it look smaller. The belly itself doesn't care though and just keeps on steadily growing. But I still feel really good, no big impact so far. I try to introduce a daily walk in my routine and whenever possible I take the stairs. This week was the big baby shopping week. We bought the stroller and the nursery furniture. I try to avoid pinks and blues. They look way too cute and boring for my taste. The list of things you need to set up the nursery seems to have no end... bathtub, bibs, burb cloth, nappies and all the other things which come in handy. The clothes' shopping was done in a couple of days but the other stuff takes so much more time. But there is still plenty of it left so we should be able to be prepared when the big day arrives!

Week 20 - Show it or hide it?

This week I told another one of my colleagues that I was pregnant. She couldn't believe it. When asked if they hadn't noticed my little belly she responded they had only noticed that my bum was bigger than before... Thank you, girls!

Week 18 - It's popped...

My belly really starts popping out now. I put on one kilo in one week! But in my new CK shirt (see the photo in the middle) it's still not so obvious. The grey pants are one of the last pants of my pre-pregnant wardrobe. They are getting tight now. But I bought another pair of black jeans two sizes bigger than usual. They are low cut and fit under the belly. So they have to get me through the next months. And once they don't fit anymore either there are still tights and dresses...

Week 17 - Stretch cord pants

Because I was so frustrated about maternity jeans (who wants to spend 200 US$ for a pair of jeans that don't fit well and look boring?) I bought a pair of stretch cord pants from ZARA two sizes bigger than what I usually wear. This will last for a couple of months I hope and afterwards I can probably wear my husband's pants. And they only cost me a fraction of the maternity jeans. Instead I invested in a CK jumper (the black one in the last photo) and a dress that I will still be able to wear after giving birth ...

Week 16 - A little belly

The belly is getting bigger now. But I still have one pair of low cut jeans that fits underneath the belly. Stretchy items like jumpers and tees grow with the belly. So no need to buy maternity clothes for the upper body. You can find lots of other items that are a lot cheaper and more stylish. And wide shirts will also do for a few more weeks.

Week 14 - Floating style

I found this dress/jumper at H&M. The wide floating style hides a lot but the tight waistband adds some shape.