Baby Number 2 – 37 Weeks Update – Full Term!

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yesterday I reached 37 weeks pregnant and I’m now classed as full term! To celebrate being full term baby decided to give me a day of sharp, stabbing pains very low down, which I think is him engaging and nestling his head into my pelvis. All good signs, but bloody painful!

You may know already that last week we spent Monday to Friday on holiday at Butlins as we were chosen to be ambassadors this year. We had such an amazing week as a family of 3 and I thoroughly enjoyed spending one last holiday away with Lamb, before he has to share me with his brother.

While I was away I panicked that I was losing my plug (something I didn’t experience with Lamb) but nothing serious happened so I stopped panicking and managed to enjoy my holiday. Not easy when you struggle with anxiety!

We did lots of walking around on holiday which meant I was pretty achy and tired at the end of each day. My feet were sore and swollen and I had quite bad back ache, but it was all worth it to see Lamb having the time of his life on all of the rides. Poor daddy had to take him on everything as mummy wasn’t allowed to!

This week I learned that I am carrying the strep b infection, which was a big shock as I’m so close to the end of my pregnancy and it could of gone unnoticed. The only reason I was tested for it was because I went to triage for something else to be looked at and while I was there they took a swab of my lady bits. I had no idea they would test for strep b, but luckily they did because I now know I’m a carrier and baby would be at risk of infection during labour. Apparently I need to have antibiotics every 4 hours once my waters have broken or I’m in established labour via an IV drip in my hand. Not looking forward to this to be honest.

This also means I need to discuss my birth plan with my midwife, as I have no idea what is available to me anymore.

During both of my pregnancies I have been consultant led due to having an under-active thyroid. Earlier this month my consultant cleared me and said I could be midwife led during labour, as my thyroid levels had stayed normal for a few months. Now it looks like I’m back to being consultant led due to having strep b. I was really hoping to have a water birth so I need to discuss this my midwife in my next appointment on Wednesday.

All I care about is both myself and baby being happy and healthy once he’s born, but I can’t help but feel sad that I may not experience a water birth, as I didn’t have one with Lamb. I’m hoping that because I only need the antibiotics every 4 hours they will still let me use a birthing pool, even if it’s only for labouring and not delivery.

In general I’m feeling pretty good. Hospital bags are packed and in the car (I took them on holiday just in case). We still need to put together the SnuzPod, but I need to tidy my bedroom first! We have so much stuff and such little space it’s going to be a tight squeeze but totally worth it of course.

Baby is definitely running out of space in there, the kicks and pokes are becoming quite painful and the friction burn at the top of my bump is at it’s worst.

But hey, 3 weeks until my due date, baby will be here in no more than 5 weeks! No point complaining now!

Ax