He's here!!!!

Oh my word - what a relief. He's finally here - my very cute baby boy, Olly.

He arrived on Friday the 14th of October at 9.04pm after being induced the day before and being in active labour for about 10 hours. Five hours in I opted for an epidural as I really wasn't dealing with the pain and felt the urge to push far to soon. By the time I was transferred to Delivery from Antenatal I was 8-9cm dilated and the Anaesthetist was questioning whether the epidural was too late.
I did, for a moment, wonder if I could carry on without the drugs, but in the end I am so glad I did as it made the whole birth experience much calmer and pain free!
It's afterwards the problems occur as because I couldn't feel anything, pushing was hard to control and I think I actually pushed too hard - leaving me with second degree tears and a general feeling of everything being ruined down below!!
But that aside, baby Olly is perfect - he weighed 9lb 9oz! Wasn't expecting that! He was 12 days overdue at the end - and I didn't even have gestational diabetes. Despite what so many doctors say, overweight women are more than capable of giving birth without intervention. Yes he did need to be induced, and I had an epidural, but my out of condition body managed to push out a perfectly healthy, bouncing baby boy!
I will post more in the days to come but for now here is a picture of my little creation -

11th October 2011 - 41 weeks

Late posting as usual - and still pregnant!!! I am now 41 + 3. How do I feel about this? Surprisingly calm, but mostly because I am delaying the pain. As much as I know I have a baby inside me, my son, my first child, I feel like I am avoiding the inevitable at the moment and am happy to put of D Day for as long as possible. I am very scared of the pain and how I will cope with it.

This fear has been elevated since visiting my consultant last week. She decided to perform a sweep - I was expecting this, and happy to go ahead - despite the embarrassment factor. I went with the Hubby, and glad I did as it was NOT a good experience. I knew it would be uncomfortable, what I didn't expect was for it to be one of the single most painful experiences of my life (so far). She brought in a Midwife for distraction purposes - which I thought was a joke at first. It wasn't, and she didn't distract me. She didn't really explain what she was going to do, in fact I think she thought the hit and run approach was best but it shocked the life out of me. At first it felt as if she were using a giant speculum with sharp bits on - but it was her hand. It was so roughly done - I'm sure it could have been less traumatic.

I was booked in for an induction date afterwards, and hardly remember anything the midwife said to me as I was in shock. I had to drive myself home afterwards as we had taken separate cars, I don't know how I did it. It took me a couple of days to get over it, and made me realise just how much pain I am in for. The sweep didn't work, even though I was 2cm dilated, so today I went back to my regular midwife and had another sweep - this hurt alot too - especially as she had sharp finger nails!! But I knew what to expect and we've tried everything else in the past week to oust this little fella. I really want to avoid being induced (I'm booked in for Thursday) as I've heard in can be even more painful than normal labour - but I just need to get him out now as I'm getting worried about him being in there too long, and everyone is getting really impatient - not to mention the husband - who thinks I am stalling!! Like I have a choice!!

Who knows - after the sweep this afternoon (still 2cm) things may happen tonight. And tomorrow is a full moon - which is also supposed to increase the delivery rate. Will miss my bump I think - especially as it is only a recent development. Won't miss the pain in my pelvis though and not being able to sleep on my front or back. I guess it all depends what happens at the birth - I may be in even more pain afterwards!!

Here are my measurements for the week -

Bust - 52 inches (-0.5)

Waist - 52 inches (-0.5)

Hips - 56.5 inches (-0.5)

Weight - no change from last week 

Symptoms

• emotional (still!)
• random aches and pains - some sciatic pain in left hip
• dry lips
• some dizziness
• painful aching in my pelvic area - especially around the pubic bone
• heartburn
• crazy dreams

Here are the last shots (perhaps?) - 

41 weeks side view

41 weeks plan view

3rd October 2011 - 40 weeks

It's October!! And yes - no baby as of yet! My official due date was yesterday and like a trooper I made it to my friends wedding, lasted right to the end, and even had to drive home myself as I stupidly allowed the hubby to have more to drink! Was ok, although felt very tired the next day, probably also because it was 29 degrees and we went over to my Mums to help her pack for her move. Phew - it was a tiring few days - that included the day before the wedding where a last minute dash to Bluewater was required for accessories to my outfit!
Friends and family are getting a little impatient, so is the husband. But I'm not at the "just get him out" stage yet - would like a few calm days beforehand to chill out.
Trying to find a wedding outfit that I felt comfortable but nice in was interesting - luckily I discovered a dress I had bought about a year ago - it was just a dark blue jersey dress but has a pretty waistband of oversized pewter sequins to make it a bit dressier. So I teamed it with a metallic shrug, shoes and clutch bag, bought a fancy hairband fascinator and even if I do say so myself looked ok. I still didn't look pregnant to some people though, one lady, when she was told I was pregnant thought I wasn't due until February - when I said sheepishly - No I'm due tomorrow! It was a little awkward - but the husband said I was being over sensitive. When I showed my family the photos even my Mum said I didn't look pregnant. Think she thought she was being complementary.
Well it's a bit late now - I'm not suddenly going to develop the perfect bump, and my horrible wobbly bit underneath isn't going to disappear. So I'll just have to accept this and stop worrying about it so much! What I need to worry about is the labour!! Have bought a TENS machine and am hoping that it will be of use as a friend who had her baby yesterday said it was fantastic. Am seeing the consultant on Wednesday so may possibly discuss my options regarding induction - I think she wanted to check whether I was favourable - REALLY looking forward to that - NOT!! Anywho - am off out tonight for a meal (no curries) for possibly one of my last nights out for a while! More developments next week perhaps!!

Here are my measurements for the week -

Bust - 52.5 inches (-1)

Waist - 54.5 inches (+1)

Hips - 57 inches (-0.5)

Weight - +0.3kg 

Symptoms

• emotional (still!)
• random aches and pains
• dry lips
• lack of appetite
• strong twinges and painful aching in my pelvic area - especially around the pubic bone
• heartburn at night if I eat too late

And now for the weekly shots -

40 weeks plan view

40 weeks side view