I think it’s safe to say, the last trimester of this pregnancy has been interesting. What with preterm labour scares, hospital admissions and a slipped disc, I now have to wrap my head around giving birth in the middle of a world wide pandemic, Covid-19.
I am currently 36+4 weeks pregnant and still having regular contractions. They haven’t stopped since January. With my due date looming, I find myself incredibly anxious about my labour and delivery especially with there being restrictions at some hospitals. I was called in for a scan the other day, Liam was not allowed to attend as they have stopped partners attending appointments and scans. They have done this in a lot of hospitals and I completely understand why.
My Labour and Delivery Worries
I asked the midwife what the situation was re labour at my local hospital. I was told that women are allowed 1 birthing partner instead of the normal 2. That birthing partner must not have or be showing any symptoms of being unwell in any way. You are encouraged to spend the early labour stages at home for as long as possible before going to the hospital. Once at the hospital and admitted, the birthing partner is not allowed to leave. Not even to pop home and get something, not to even go to the hospital canteen. They will have to stay on the ward at all times, otherwise they won’t be allowed back in. In regards to once the baby is here, I have been told that at the moment birthing partners can stay until mother is discharged. I fully understand this could all change at any given moment.
My local services have suspended home births due to the shortage of midwives. That and the amount of pressure the ambulance services are currently under. I also know some places have stopped allowing water births. I need to find out if this is the case for mine as a water birth was part of my birthing plan. If I can’t have one, It’s not the end of the world. I’m lucky that I get to have Liam with me at all at the moment.
Some hospitals are saying woman can’t have any birthing partner with them. Meaning they will be doing it completely alone – which I think is completely awful!! Some are saying you can only have your 1 birthing partner, and only when you’re in established labour. Then for an hour once baby is here. They then have to leave and can’t return until mother and baby are discharged.
Once Baby Is Here
Nobody knows what will happen in the next few weeks. I am hoping that all goes well with the labour and delivery and that we can go home relatively quickly. The thought of having to stay in hospital makes me incredibly nervous. That, and the fact no visitors are allowed onto the post natal wards, – not even siblings. I don’t want us to be away from Molly for too long, and just want to get back home and into our newborn bubble. As I wont be pregnant, I will be able to leave to house for our daily exercise/walk because I should be able to walk again! That alone makes me happy. It also means I can start looking at getting my back fixed and doing things with Molly again!
I don’t know what will happen in regards to the first and second week check ups, or the midwife home visits, or even registering the little one during this lock down. Especially if they implement a full blown lock down. Everything is up in the air and that only thing we can do is go with the flow.
The Pregnancy Update
Symptoms?
Apart from the contractions and slipped disc, I think things have calmed. Heartburn is nowhere near as bad as it once was. Swelling has gone down. I struggle to get comfortable, no position is comfy. If sitting I have to sit on the birthing ball and in bed I have to lay on my side with 2 pillows between my legs. However, the weight of my bump then makes my back and hips hurt if on one side for too long, so I am forever turning from side to side, so sleep is non existent! Baby is head down, and I can feel that, everything feels low.
Total weight gain/loss.
I have no idea. To be honest, after how this pregnancy has gone – I really don’t care!
Any Food cravings?
The cravings seemed to have calmed down. Although, saying that I could drink fresh orange juice by the gallon.
Maternity clothes?
I have been living in my Maternity leggings for the majority of my pregnancy. However I was kindly gifted some bits from JoJo Maman Bebe. A beautiful red dress which I cant wait to wear over the summer. A Dark blue bat winged jumper and the best pair of denim dungerees I have ever worn! Boobie wise, Cake Maternity kindly sent me a nursing bra and my gosh – so soft and so comfy!
Any Stretch marks?
No new ones! I have been using my Mama Mio products religiously which I think have helped. You can find my full review here – honestly best products ever!
How’s Sleep?
Hahaha! I’m lucky if I sleep for 2 hours straight. I take every opportunity I can to nap during the day.
Best moment this week.
With everything going on in the world, It has been an interesting and emotional week. It was so lovely seeing baby at the scan, gutted Liam wasn’t there. Despite everything, Molly like to play Dr’s, and she will rub Balmonds baby oil on my bump. She likes to read baby books too which just melts my heart!
Miss Anything?
I miss the ability to move. Mobility is a big issue at the moment. I can’t walk, sit, stand, bend down. Bit pathetic really haha! I can’t wait for Covid-19 to be over!!
Gender?
We are still team yellow! We have NO idea what we are having. At every scan we mention we don’t know the sex of the baby. I am so proud of us for not finding out. I didn’t think we would make it! We still need to think of names though!
Happy or Moody most of the time?
I have been relatively happy and calm, until the last week or so. With everything going on I have become a little stressed and emotional. I have had a few wobbles, and a few tears, but Liam has been the most amazing support.
Looking forward to..
Baby arriving safely. For Molly to meet baby for the first time and being able to have my family come and visit. Plus, I am really looking forward to all of this Covid-19 crap to be over and for some normality to be restored. But tat’s sadly going to take a while.
To all the pregnant Mama’s out there who are close to their due date, my Inbox is always open. It’s not a normal situation to have to go through or even think about. I know some of you feel robbed of your dream labour, but everything is in place for our own protection, and for little ones protection. Stay safe <3
