Labour ward tour

As the title suggests, we went on a tour of the labour ward.

Quite simply, it has confirmed with concrete certainty in my mind why I want to have the Wiggler at home. I understand that hospitals are a necessary evil, but childbirth is one of the most natural things in the world and, to me, the hospital is one of the most unnatural places in the world (when you stop to consider some of the things that happen in them).  The midwife lead rooms were OK, all 4 of them (!). By OK I mean quite big, had a birthing ball & a birthing mattress (about which a highly *informed* father-to-be commented “I’m not being funny, but what’s with the big spongy thing?” Ugh.) The consultant rooms were really poky and the amount of equipment present in each room was baffling! There were several waiting rooms, very few of which had windows. It seems the fact that all rooms have televisions is a plus point and was highlighted as a benefit? I suppose it is to a certain extent, but good grief – really? There weren’t any pictures on the walls and it was so sterile. I know it’s a hospital and it has to be, but the children’s ward is bright & colourful – do labouring women not need nice surroundings? Oh, hang on, I guess that’s where the TV comes in right?

I’m sure the midwives are all lovely & do everything to make your labour/birth go as smoothly as possible and you can take your own things in to make it more your own, but I honestly felt uncomfortable walking around the ward; not a place I’d like to bring the Wiggler into the world. I’m probably only seeing the negative side of things and quite possibly being difficult because I don’t like doing things that many people do in the usual way.

I know you aren’t in control of your labour and it all just happens, but I don’t think I’d feel like I had any control in the hospital with bleeping machinery and unfamiliar people watching me from a different room ready to rush in with more machines at the drop of a hat. I’m sure others find this reassuring, but I have faith in my body and ability to deliver my baby. Thousands of women have done it over the years in much more challenging conditions and I find it quite insulting that the medical profession seems to have lost sight of this. Maybe I’m just anti-institutionalist? I know there will be two strangers in my house (i.e.: the midwives), but they’ll be in my house – it’s my baby after all!

Saying all that, I may have to eat my words and go into hospital. Here’s hoping not and also hoping I don’t have to be induced! I really don’t want that. Really, really I don’t.

Hat II

I made another hat!

I told you I’d have another crack at it!

I gave in & used a pattern from Debbie Stoller’s The Happy Hooker (the Seija Set, but without the blanket (obviously duh – got enough of those already – and not the stripy version because I only had this yarn). It went through a short phase of looking like a little Gestapo helmet before I put the ear flaps on, which was highly amusing for all who witnessed. Don’t think the dog was very pleased to be used as a model, even if she did look very turn-of-the-century! Teehee!

If it’s a girl I can put some flowers (or something) on it and if it’s a boy I can put a tractor (?) on it (Simon’s suggestion!).

I think that’s enough hats for now.

What next…?

Hat!

I made a hat! It’s somewhat pixie-esque, but hey – the child’s got to know what kind of family it’s been born into!

Olivia gave me the yarn a few years ago & it’s been sitting in my yarn tub since then. It rather luckily matches a lot of the Bertie Bear stuff from Boots that we have which is good!

Rinny worked very hard too while I was knitting away -

Oh to be a dog.

I started to crochet one, but I kept mucking it up with sizes and number of stitches to increase by and it also had a weird lump running along the join at the back. So I unpicked it all. The beauty of crochet it that it’s so much quicker than knitting! I dare say I shall have another crack next week. I’m thinking about putting ears on it

I’m starting to think that maybe I should’ve stayed at work for the extra 2 weeks as I’m now getting increasingly bored. It’s nice to be at home and all, but I think I’m going a little crazy! I’m told I should be grateful for not having anything to do, but I’m one of those people who can’t just sit around (unless I’m ill); I’d rather be too busy than not busy at all, that’s just who I am.

Anyhoo, I’m leaving the house today! WOOH!

All fixed…mostly

Simon is officially master of the PTFE tape – I told him what Dad said about having put it on the wrong way round a few times & he did it first time Then…we got in! Both of us at the same time. It was a bit full LOL, but that can be rectified by taking some water out (basic physics doesn’t seem to have escaped me at least). However, there are 2 very small leaks on the same pipe, but in different places; they can’t be fixed because the water is coming from a part that doesn’t open up. Hmm. It will be fine. They drip very minimally and we really aren’t bothered. It was really nice floating around it the water I’m sure all will be fine for actually delivering the Wiggler in the pool. It’s a bit annoying how much of the living room is taken up, but it’s only a temporary measure with great benefit so I’m not complaining.

I made a hooded towel! I made the hood from this tutorial, but my machine wasn’t up to the pleat in the back so I just sewed it on straight. It leaves more of the ends of the towel free for drying wiggly arms and legs. I didn’t use any ribbon either. It was really easy; to think I’d been putting it off for ages. Sewing towelling is really weird. I bent a needle too – serves me right for being over ambitious machine wise. I think I want to make one for me

The first baby girl has been born from our NCT group! Simon got a text from a very proud father yesterday – congrats guys We know that there are 2 other girls to be born, but the other 5 – who knows?

I’ve made a decision about vaccinations (one of many yet to still make). If we do decide to have them/some/any, then I don’t want the multiple dose ones (e.g.: MMR, DTaP/IPV/Hib <– 5 in one go?!?!) or any multiple/same day dosing in-fact. Individual doses on different days when the Wiggler will have had a chance to recover from each dose. It’s bad enough that an undeveloped immune system is given toxic chemicals to deal with, but bombarding it with more than one dose at a time seems even more barbaric. The doctor is gonna love me!

Had the scan, all is well. Wiggler is head down – wooh! It was also lying back to my back, so needs to shift around, but it’s incredibly mobile (considering how little space there is in there) so I’m sure it’ll be fine & wiggle its way back round. Didn’t get a picture because it’s really not very clear what’s what anymore and you can only fit parts of it on the screen at once! So, not worth it all round. Plus we get to meet him/her soon enough.

Saw one of the NCT Dads on his phone outside the hospital en-route to scan department – got a thumbs up so all is well with that bebe too. That’s 2 now! 6 to go…

Pool installation glitch

All was going well until…we sprung a leak! One of the joints between the heater and the pool leaks…boo. I’ve spoken to the AquaBirth lady who assures me that there will be no logic as to why it’s leaking (with which I totally agree as all the O rings are in place and it’s threaded correctly) and to get some PTFE tape to put on the thread. So, Simon’s on the PTFE case to pick some up on his way home from work & then hopefully we can get in! I can’t wait. In the meantime here is what it looks like -

And here is the dog not really knowing what the hell is going on -

We’ve put my Shiatsu futon mattress underneath for softness as it’ll get quite uncomfortable kneeling on a hard surface (i.e.: the floor) having decided that duvets just wouldn’t cut it. We can just see over it to see the telly from the sofa so Dexter is safe That or we can get in & watch from the pool; bizarre!

NCT coffee morning tomorrow – I’m sharing a lift with the other lady who lives in town as we’re off to Ripley which is about 10 miles away. 2 heads are better than one when finding new places I think. Then back for the scan! I’m very excited about that, although sad that Simon can’t come as he doesn’t have any holiday left and work won’t let him have the time off – ungenerous swines. *Remember to take book for notoriously long wait* Still, I’ll get a picture, but it’s not the same as seeing the Wiggler Wiggling™ away!

I’m also meeting some of the local NetMums next Tuesday – how exciting! All these new friends who won’t mind talking about babies! I’m going to tackle the hooded towel today – going to print out the tutorial and everything!

Pool arrived!

Holy cow – it’s here. It’s still in boxes, but it’s here. Need to buy plastic stuff to put it on now & get a duvet down from the loft for padding inside.

More maternity antics

I’ve done yet another load of washing today. This is good though because it means the weather is good enough to hang clothes outside! Hurrah for the sun!

I changed the date of birthing pool delivery from Saturday (yesterday) to Monday (tomorrow). This is good because it means that we won’t have boxes lying around while the girls are here and also endless questions relating to said boxes from said children. I do think the Wiggler is trying to break out of me though so I’ll be glad when it’s here & set up. I can sit in it & watch DVDs!! *Must buy plastic sheet things/shower curtains* I really did think there would be a chest burster moment last night, but exiting from the side rather than through the sternum. As much as I love the Wiggler, I won’t half be glad to have my body back. I’ve got some serious pelvis action going on what with the poking and Wiggling™!

I made some fitted sheets for the crib last week!

I used this tutorial. I think my pregnancy dementia is climaxing in super stupid because it took me several goes to get it right. Maybe I should’ve printed it out rather than thinking “I can remember that”. Seriously, it’s very sad and a tad worrisome! Please tell me I’ll get my brain back post-birth!

I also made flat sheets from the remaining part of the sheet so I now have 2 of each. So here is the crib in its made-up glory The little bear is a gift from Mum. Can you believe that my Dad made this crib 35 years ago??

I know it’s virtually impossible to distinguish between sheet & blanket, but that’s the joy of a direct flash and phone camera combo. I still can’t be bothered to get my other camera out. Maybe when not pregnant I will. In-fact, I know I will because I hate direct flash.

I think a hooded towel project is on the cards next week, now that I’ve wrapped my pregnant brain around it that is! However, there are loads of tutorials for making a hooded towel. Some have pleats in the back & some are just squares sewn together. I don’t know which one to make! Which one my machine will stand is probably the question I should be asking. Hmm…

I’ve got my presenting scan on Wednesday next week. I’m sorely tempted to ask what gender the Wiggler is…although we’ve come this far without managing to find out so I think a few more weeks will be tolerable, especially as I’ve stipulated on the birth plan that we’d like to find out ourselves, rather than the midwife telling us. I’ve decided that I’d like to cut the cord. The Wiggler has been linked to me by the thing for the whole pregnancy and I think it fitting that I should end the permanent physical connection.

I’ve been drinking raspberry leaf tea so I’ll be interested to see if it has any effect on my labour. Will it be possible to tell? Scientists will say no because there isn’t a controlled environment in which it can be tested and “everyone is different”, but the midwife may have an opinion? I’ve also ordered some arnica 200cc in preparation for baby time. I was going to take some anyway, but didn’t realise it came in a 200cc strength! All I have around the house for general use is 30cc, but birth/labour is pretty traumatic for both mother & baby so I guess 200cc is a better bet. Also, some sweet almond oil for perineal massage. I hope there’s enough time to do some before the Wiggler makes it’s appearance…after last night I’m not so sure there will be!

Next!

I did clean the windows yesterday – the downstairs back ones anyway. They really were disgusting, as was the kitchen floor.

Anyway, the news is that the Wiggler is partially engaged! Midwife wasn’t going to tell me, so I asked. Apparently when 3 5ths of the head are in the pelvis she calls that being engaged, although this isn’t what every midwife says. Pah – how am I supposed to know? I knew it must be though because I could feel it in my pelvis & I haven’t been able to before, plus I could breathe more easily.

Had our first post-class NCT meet today at my house. I made brownies…mmm. Think they went down well – hurrah! Was really nice to meet up with everyone. One of the other ladies has step-children too! Phew! Now everybody knows & it’s all OK. I was stressing, but it’s all good. I think we’re going to do lots of stuff together over the course of our maternity leave which is good. I’ve volunteered Simon to take a photo of all of the babies when they’re out which will be nice

I couldn’t resist…

I know that I’m really on maternity leave now – Simon’s gone back to work and it’s just me & the dog. Curtains and windows are open and the house is spotless LOL! I’m looking at how dirty the windows are…

Anyhoo, I’ve determined that the Beeb can’t accurately predict the weather often enough and thus decided to wash the baby clothes we have. Here’s is a picture of the first load, because I couldn’t resist

Little tiny clotheses

They’re so small! Simon & I were removing the labels from them last night & it properly dawned on us that there’ll be a Wiggler wiggling away in them soon enough. Although they look quite big. Which isn’t very reassuring considering from where it emerges!!

Other great news: my friend Ute had her baby yesterday: Jonathan born 27th July 2009 at 9.33pm weighing in at 5.36lbs. Both mother and baby are fine and should be allowed home in a few days. I’m so glad after a complicated pregnancy. Hurrah!

Maternity leave and mobiles

So here it is, ze mobile:

My lovely husband put it up for me today They look a bit porky on this picture – I think my phone has distorted them a tad. If I could be bothered to take a proper picture with the Nikon I would, but I really can’t right now.

I finished work today! WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! The last day for 52 whole weeks. It’s still quite surreal and hasn’t really sunk in because it’s the weekend. I know that it means that The Wiggler is now imminent. Hopefully not before-pool-arrives-imminent, but the due date is a darn sight closer than it was! Erk! My work mates very kindly bought me some crib blankets and a swaddling blanket – which is exactly what I needed – I wonder how they knew?! Hmm LOL! Anyhoo, we have pretty much everything we need now. I’m still debating a baby bath. Some people say they’re a waste space, time and money. Other people say they’re great.

We had our final antenatal class yesterday and went for a curry afterwards. Rebecca has arranged loads of coffee mornings at each other’s houses over the coming weeks and a reunion in October. It seems so far away, but I know the time will fly. I’ve learned so much from the classes and genuinely do think they’ve helped both Simon and I on our journey through this pregnancy. So the ladies will be visiting my house on Wednesday for drinks & stuff – best get some biscuits in! Or…shall I make brownies…hmm?