Swollen

my 39 week swollen foot and ankles

Looking at my own feet I often wonder whose feet are these??!

WEEK 39

I am 39 weeks pregnant (1 week to go)!!! BabyBunny weighs a bit over 3200 grams (a mini watermelon), and measures about 50.5 cm (head to heel).

LittleBunny continues to build a layer of fat to help control her body temperature after birth. /BabyCenter/

My official EDD (by the Dating Scan) is TODAY, but BabyBunny shows no sign of wanting to meet us. Although she is busy tunneling her way down into my pelvis!

The waiting is almost over! The countdown begins. I miss my bump already, and I can't wait to meet our bundle of joy at the same time! Nervous about the birth and excited about the new family member and about the role what is comes with it.

Generally feeling well. The sleep is still good, although sleeping less and less as less sleep seems to be adequate. Still no need for napping during the day. Not sleepy, not tired. Appetite is still good, preference for fresh, crunchy, juicy, raw fruit and vegetables. The 5-a-day now more like an 8-a-day. Walking still feels good once I get the rhythm.

Hospital visit

38+6 today and another scheduled hospital visit this morning. After queuing up 45 minutes to get my chart the midwife/nurse check-up came immediately. Urine is clean, no sugar, no protein (surprisingly, the sample was somewhat cloudy this morning). Blood pressure is okay (120/76). Weight: 68.5 kg (gained around 16 kg from the start but all you can see it is my bump and a bit of water with swollen feet).

Another 45-50 minutes at the doctor's door. What I like about these 'waiting outside'-s that there is no chit-chat among 'mum-to-be'-s asking about this and that. Everyone is quietly reading something in a book or in a magazine or on a mobile phone.

BabyBunny looked happy on the mini scan, and in all probability that she is happy there because no sign of wanting to come out and meet us. My (Dating Scan) EDD is tomorrow!! The doctor said that they will see me next week and if there is still no happening I will be scheduled for an induction on the following Monday (which is the 25th). Oh, boy, I do hope that Bunny don't want to wait that long. The 19th would be nice. It is my father's birthday. Bunny would be a lovely birthday present for him. I know he would not love anything better.

I asked the doctor about the vaginal swab taken two weeks ago. The result shows 'Light growth of Candida sp.' She said this is very common and asked me if I am using the Canesten (Clotrimazole Anti-Fungal) cream as she told me to. Well, she told me on Wed and I got it on Fri and used it only on Sat once but(!) I stopped using panty-liners around the clock the day I come home from her visit and the itching and whitening is gone since. No need to use then, she said. BTW, on the swab result there was a hand written note: Pt. called no answer. Well, there was no call for sure!

I handed over my updated Birth Plan so my chart is up-to-date.

On a hunt

We are on a 'hunt' for a paediatrician.

The current GP Medical Centre is very bad even for a general use, unfortunately. There are a bunch of GPs (or should I say a bunch of pansies) practising and I tried most of them. One used Google image search to diagnose my itching chicken pox skin rash. One forced me to have a flu jab at 4+5!! One diagnosed my peeling skin condition as dermatitis even pointed out a picture of fluid filled red pimples on the palm (it wasn't the case, in fact it wasn't even close to that picture). The same one diagnosed me with tender breast when my backbone (thus rib) was twisted and locked. Another one prescribed antibiotics for a vital infection. I won't let them near my baby. Time for a change? Maybe, but GPs are just general practitioners not doctors of infants and children.

We are looking to find a properly trained and qualified paediatrician, an experienced one. Who can provide the quality of medical care. Whom we can develop a close relationship. Who has the ability to listen, and the openness to questions, and the willingness to respond to them fully and clearly. Who believes in preventive medicine, and last but not least, who has genuine fondness for children. In one sentence, we are searching for Dr Right.

WEEK 38

I am 38 weeks pregnant (2 weeks to go)!! BabyBunny weighs around 3000 grams, and measures over 49.5 cm (head to heel), like a leek.

BabyBunny's organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. /BabyCenter/

Two more weeks left! I can't believe it! Where did the time fly?? Where did the past 38 weeks go? I still clearly remember reaching the milestones at 12th, 13+6, 20th, 24th, 28th, 32nd, and 36th weeks. Tow more weeks and finally I will hold my precious cargo in my ever loving arms. Can't wait!!

I am wondering when Bunny will make the appearance. She is 38 weeks by me (LMP) but 39 weeks according to the hospital (dating scan). Curious, which time is Bunny following...

The lower arching of my bump (just above my bikini-line) is more prominent, Bunny makes her way down, every day a little deeper. Sometimes just with tiny pushings, sometimes with strong, sharp pain.

She worries me more than amuses with her daily hiccups. I am still trying to find the comfortable position to easy her inconvenience. The 6-8 minutes are back to 20. Lying down doesn't help, getting on all fours not makes them shorter.

I can still fit a decent amount of food into my belly. Looks like the last few weeks with a bird's diet is not for me. I can enjoy whatever I like. What I really like is raw, juicy fruits and vegetables, like strawberries, cucumber, radish, pepper, tomato, green salad leaves, apples, oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, raspberries, blueberries, mango, papaya, you name it.

Household cleaning is on hold, from my part anyway. The chores are mostly on DH. He cooks and does the dishes, hoovers, shops for grocery, cleans the bathroom. I do the laundry. Setting the washing machine is not a problem but ironing is a different story...

With a daily probiotic supplementation and natural probiotic yogurt 'treatment' the itching (and whitened out vulva) is gone. I used the canesten cream just only twice (purely out of fear). I did not want to mess with it while Bunny is inside. They did not ring me back from the hospital with the swab so I take it that nothing grew under the microscope. I suspect it was the panty-liner. The skin got irritated. I am not using it 24/7 anymore just when I go out but at home no more panty-liners for me, rather changing damp panties often as I did previously early in pregnancy.

GP visit

37+6 today. Another scheduled GP visit this morning. Urine is clean, no sugar, no protein detected. Blood pressure is okay (126/85). Fetal heartbeat is fine. Weight: 66.6 kg.

Symptoms/questions and comments/answers on this week's visit:

Generally feeling well. Looking nice and round (very big bump she said). Slightly puffed up feet, still stiff fingers but blood pressure is fine so not to worry.

The sharp pain down in the lower abdomen is getting more frequent. I had to jump up from the dinner table yesterday because it was so painful that I could not bear sitting with it. Baby is getting ready, she commented.

Itching L nipple, and some itchiness around the belly-button.

Accidentally ate some unpasteurized feta cheese last week. Not to worry, she said.

More (migrating) numb spots on tummy. Stretching on nerves.

Q: Baby medicine cabinet essentials?

A: Nothing in the first 2 months. Calling and visiting the GP ONLY.

Not that I want to drug my baby just I do not want to be caught in the middle of the night having nothing to bring high temperature down with...

BIRTH PLAN is ready