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

Hospital tour

Later this afternoon we took a little tour in the hospital just to get around familiar for the big day. With a guidance of a midwife we have visited the Admissions Office and the Assessment Unit (already familiar parts of the hospital), a Single Room in the Private Ward for private patients (I wasn't impressed), a Delivery Suite (it was nice, bright, spacious, well equipped) and the former Nursery, now Clinical Nursery where she brought in a six-hour-old. Dressed in pink velour onesie, the baby was tiny (although 3.3 kg), so cute and adorable. Can't wait to have mine!!

WEEK 37

I am 37 weeks pregnant (3 weeks to go), woohoo! BabyBunny is now full term!! Weighs around 2880 grams, and measures over 48 cm (head to heel), like a stalk of Swiss chard.

BabyBunny's lungs will likely be mature enough now to fully adjust to life outside the womb.

Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently now and may last longer and be more uncomfortable. An increase in vaginal discharge is common. The 'bloody show' (mucus tinged with a tiny amount of blood) means labor is probably a few days away — or less. /BabyCenter/

Prof. R.'s Clinic / Surgeon visit

With my gallbladder '?polyp' I finally got an appointment with the relevant hospital. The surgeon/doctor was very helpful and informative with good explanations. I felt myself in good hands. He suggested to wait 3 to 4 months after delivery, then an ultrasound scan will be performed to check and confirm if it is a stone or a polyp. In case of a stone if I am asymptomatic the stone will stay. In case of a polyp it will be evaluated and an operation will be performed to remove the gallbladder if necessary. The nurse took blood and I made a new appointment for September.

Hospital visit

36+6 today (37+6 according to Dating Scan). Another scheduled hospital visit this morning. The waiting wasn't so bad. Urine is clean, no sugar, no protein. Blood pressure is 'perfect' (118/75). Weight: 66.4 kg. BabyBunny is happy, growing well. Amniotic fluid is nice, plenty.

While I was waiting outside the doctor's door BabyBunny started to dance and my bump burst out like a billowy playground.

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

S: discharge still yellow(ish)
C: it's hormonal;

Q: Group B strep. test (GBC vaginal swab)?
A: not routinely done;

S: itchy labia majora (the top of the vulva), the skin is whitened out
C: yeast infection/thrush, very common;
the doctor took a swab and it will be checked under the microscope, meanwhile she told me to get a canestan cream in the pharmacy but use it only for a week;

S: hiccups - they are still frequent (noon, around 4pm, 8:35pm, 11pm, 1:3am just the last 12 hours for example), lasting from 15 to 20 minutes, but not so rhythmic anymore, there are 30 to 45 second gaps sin them sometimes; Q: what is normal in frequency and length?
C/A: there are no set parameters, do not worry about hiccups, we only worry if the baby is not moving;

S: baby movements - trembling/shivering-like movements once or twice a day for 3-4 seconds;
C: it's normal;

S: numb spot on tummy;
C: it's the stretching, normal;

Q: flowmetry (to measure microcirculatory blood flow in tissues - cord, placenta, oxygen, nutrition)?

Q: can I leak amniotic fluid while the mucus plug still there?
A: yes, if the fluid just dripping the mucus plug can stay there but there is a flow the plug will be loosen;

Q: raspberry leaf tea to tone the uterus?
A: no clinically proven results, but it won't do any harm;

Q: what is given and what is done (routinely) after a baby is born?
A: cutting the cod, putting the baby to skin-to-skin contact, some checking;

S: brown skin-growths on upper body mostly;
C: to be checked by a dermatologist after delivery;

I informed her that we gave it a try to perineal massage but it did not work for me eventually. I did not feel any burning sensation (DH was very gentle and careful). She said that there is no proven evidence that it can help avoid an episiotomy. In theory, yes.

WEEK 36

I am 36 weeks pregnant (4 weeks to go)! BabyBunny now weighs almost 2700 grams, like a crenshaw melon, and is more than 47 cm long.

Bunny is still packing on the grams, about 28 g day. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. She swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement. /BabyCenter/

GP visit

35+6 today. Another scheduled GP visit this morning. The nicer, kinder midwife is back. Good news, I can ask questions! Urine is clean, no sugar, no protein. Blood pressure is within normal limits (124/80). Fetal heartbeat is nice and loud. Weight: 64 kg.

Generally feeling well. Slightly puffed up feet, slightly stiff fingers but the blood pressure is fine so just a bit of water retention which is normal, she said. Some change in vaginal discharge: slight increase and more yellowish but the urine sample is clean so not to worry, she said. For the occasional sharp pain down in the lower abdomen also normal, and the strong, frequent Braxton Hicks' do not effect the baby (which I still doubt), she said.

Bunny received some extra vitamin D today as the sun was scorching on the way to and back.

The bags are packed

1. LABOUR BAG

• maternity notes (birth plan);
• an old t-shirt (nightshirt);
• a pair of socks (feet can get cold in labour);
• light snacks, bottled water (yet to be sorted out);
• baby vest, grow, hat;


2. POST DELIVERY BAG

FOR MUMMY
• wide opening nightshirts or pyjamas (if breastfeeding);
• nursing bra (if breastfeeding);
• breast pads;
• maternity (sanitary) towel (2 packs);
• disposable or old knickers (for after the birth);
• dark coloured towels (2-3), face cloth;
• flip flops (for the shower);
• dressing gown and slippers;
• own pillow in coloured pillow case (if desired);
• toiletries, tissues;
• wet wipes and pocket size alcohol gel;
• camera, mobile phone charger;
• pen and paper (for taking notes);

FOR BABY
• long-sleeved baby grows (x6);
• vests (x6);
• a cardigan;
• a hat;
• a pair of scratch mittens;
• baby towel;
• baby blanket;
• bibs / burp cloths;
• pack of nappies (newborn size);
• pack of cotton wool;

All baby clothes, towels should be pre-washed!

FOR GOING HOME (to be brought in on the day)
• clothes which fit you at 26 weeks;
• baby going home outfit;
• car seat

WEEK 35

I am 35 weeks pregnant (5 weeks to go)! BabyBunny now weighs about 2380 grams, like a honeydew melon, and over 45.7 cm long. The uterus now reaches up under your rib cage. There's more baby than amniotic fluid inside the womb now.

BabyBunny's kidneys are fully developed now, and the liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete. Bunny will spend the next few weeks putting on weight. Because it's so snug in the womb, isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. /BabyCenter/

Bunny buggy has arrived

bugaboo bee with maxi-cosi car seat
alias 'bugabee' Bunny vehicle

What was in the box:
• bugaboo bee chassis + wheels + seat unit
• sun canopy (black)
• cocoon (yellow)
• MaxiCosi cabriofix
• car seat adaptor
• foormuff (khaki)

Still waiting on:
• seat liner (orange)

Bump on the couch



my 34 weeks + 2 days bump

WEEK 34

I am 34 weeks pregnant (6 weeks to go)! BabyBunny now weighs about 2155 grams, like a cantaloupe, and almost 45.7 cm long.

BabyBunny's lungs are continuing to mature, and the central nervous system is maturing as well. Her fat layers (which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born) are filling her out, making her rounder and her skin smooths. /BabyCenter/

WEEK 33

I am 33 weeks pregnant (7 weeks to go)! BabyBunny weighs a little over 1800 grams, like a pineapple, and measures over 43 cm.

BabyBunnys rapidly losing that wrinkled look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood. /BabyCenter/

Bugaboo Bee



individualized bugaboo bee package