36 Weeks

I can't believe I'm now officially 9 months pregnant! Only one more week of pelvic/bed rest 'til full term and surgery to remove the cervical stitch that's been keeping my bits together these past 9 months. James and I are so excited to be meeting our baby boy within the next month.

How far along: 36 weeks
How big is baby: Size of a honeydew melon (47cm from head to toe)
Total weight gain/loss:  I'm up 3.5kg (7.7lbs) from my pre-pregnancy weight and had a growth spurt this week! Hopefully that means baby boy did too.
Stretch marks: Still none to report (moisturizing my belly, hips and tatas religiously every night)
Maternity clothes:  Surprisingly I'm still able to wear some of my pre-pregnancy wardrobe. The pants I'm wearing in this week's bump pic are my size 8 skinny jeans (obviously with the button undone). I've really only worn one maternity skirt and pair of leggings - everything else has been pre-baby regular clothes that are super stretchy.
Wedding rings on/off: On
Linea nigra: Nope
Sleep: Not getting much thanks to regular Braxton Hicks contractions, an acrobatic baby and a bladder that always needs emptying
Food cravings or aversions:  I've had a thing for strawberries lately
Gender: BOY!
Movement:  Less than what I'm used to, which is a worry, but I think it's just due to him running out of room
Belly button: Out... but only just when I'm standing, and in when I'm laying down
Exercise:  Getting out of bed is quite a workout on its own
Diet: Still eating small meals and snacks throughout the day
What I'm loving: That we'll be meeting our little man in a matter of weeks
What I'm not loving: Braxton Hick's contractions, lightning crotch, round ligament pain, back spasms, sore boobies, lack of sleep, the list goes on...
What I miss:  The crazy acrobatic movements baby boy used to do on a daily basis. Now his movements are so subtle I barely feel them.
Sickness and symptoms: Heartburn, reflux, muscle spasms, insomnia
Notes:  I have my 36 week OB appointment on Wednesday and can't wait to see how big baby boy has grown since my last ultrasound. Sadly James is away working so won't be able to make it, but my parents are very excited that I've invited them along instead.

Weekly Guide to Pregnancy: Week 36

Your Baby

How big is my baby?


Fetal size: 47cm total length
Fetal weight: 2.6kg (5.7lbs)


Your baby weighs about six pounds and will gain approximately half a pound per week from now until birth. The protective fat layer will make up about 15 percent of his weight at birth. Even though his gums have ridges that look a bit like teeth, the real ones won't make their appearance until about four or five months after he is born. His cheeks are developing fat. The cheek muscles are also developing, creating that lovely chubby appearance. There isn't much room for him to move around anymore, although you will still be feeling regular movements. 

35 Weeks

It's hard to believe there are just 2 weeks 'til full term and only 5 weeks 'til our baby boy's due date! The time really is flying and the excitement, anticipation and anxiety is building. James and I can't wait to meet our little man and are literally counting down the days. 35. Yep that's it. 35 weeks pregnant and only 35 days (give or take) until we'll be a family of 3.

We had an appointment last week with our OB to check on my cervical length and were so relieved to find it hadn't shortened since my previous measurement a couple of weeks earlier. It's good to know that my strict pelvic and bed rest is paying off. We found out babe is weighing in at 4lbs 8oz (2.04kg) and is still head down so fingers crossed he continues to gain weight and maintain his current position until his due date.

Because his head is putting pressure on my cervix, I've been battling Braxton Hicks contractions, lightning crotch and round ligament pain a lot more lately but have been prescribed medication to help ease the uterine muscle spasms and hopefully prevent pre-term labor.

Here's our beautiful baby boy, hiding behind his hands as usual and tucked away behind the umbilical cord. I swear he only sleeps (or pretends to) when the doctor is watching and every other minute of the day is bouncing around like a jelly bean!

How far along: 35 weeks
How big is baby: Size of a bowling ball (46cm from head to toe)
Total weight gain/loss: + 2.5kg (5.5lbs)
Stretch marks: Still none to report (moisturizing my belly, hips and tatas religiously every night)
Maternity clothes: Wearing stretchy pre-preg clothes mixed with a few maternity pieces
Wedding rings on/off: On
Linea nigra: Nope
Sleep: Not getting much thanks to regular Braxton Hicks contractions, an acrobatic baby and a bladder that always needs emptying
Food cravings or aversions: Nothing out of the ordinary
Gender: BOY!
Movement:  He's always wriggling around in there. Sometimes I only feel a subtle change of position, other times he nearly knocks the wind outta me!
Belly button: Out... but only just when I'm standing, and in when I'm laying down
Exercise:  Getting through the day is exercise enough
Diet:  Still eating small meals and snacks throughout the day
What I'm loving:  That we'll be meeting our little man in a matter of weeks
What I'm not loving: Braxton Hick's contractions, lightning crotch, round ligament pain, back spasms, sore boobies, lack of sleep, the list goes on...
What I miss:  Sexy time! But only 2 weeks 'til pelvic rest is lifted... and hell yeah we're counting!
Sickness and symptoms: Heartburn, reflux, muscle spasms, insomnia
Notes:  After much hesitation and consideration, I decided to fill the prescription given to me by my OB to treat the regular Braxton Hicks contractions I've been having. The benefits far outweigh the minimal risks and this medication can help prevent pre-term labor so it's definitely worth taking.

Weekly Guide to Pregnancy: Week 35

Your Baby

How big is my baby?

Fetal size: 46cm total length
Fetal weight: 2.3kg (5.2lbs)

Your baby will start with a period of rapid weight gain this week. From now until birth your baby will gain approximately one third of a pound per week.

Fat has continued to build up under your baby's skin, and is responsible for providing energy and regulating body temperature. These fat deposits have also changed the appearance of the skin, making it pinker (rather than red) and less wrinkled.

Fingernails are developed on the fingers, but may still be growing on the toes. Eyelids can be opened and closed and blinking is possible. The irises are also now light sensitive, and will dilate and contract depending on exposure to light.

34 Weeks

It's hard to believe how fast the time is flying. Our little man will be here in a matter of weeks! For so long it felt like I was wishing for the days to come and go quickly, but now I find myself wanting to freeze time. Still on strict pelvic and bed rest due to cervical shortening but it's all worth it for a healthy baby boy.

How far along: 34 weeks
How big is baby: Size of a rockmelon (45cm from head to toe)
Total weight gain/loss: + 2.5kg (5.5lbs)
Stretch marks: Still none to report (moisturizing my belly, hips and tatas religiously every night)
Maternity clothes:  Wearing stretchy pre-preg clothes mixed with a few maternity pieces
Wedding rings on/off: On
Linea nigra: Nope
Sleep: A couple hours, interrupted by the need to pee, another couple of hours, then woken by my active baby boy, and repeat, and so on and so forth.
Food cravings or aversions:  Nothing out of the ordinary
Gender: BOY!
Movement:  Not as obvious and often as they were but he has his moments. I'm getting used to his pattern of sleep and play time now.
Belly button: Out... but only just when I'm standing, and in when I'm laying down
Exercise:  I can hardly remember what this is, let alone find the energy to do it
Diet:  I eat when I'm hungry and until I've had enough but definitely smaller meals due to the onset of heartburn and reflux after eating
What I'm loving:  Next month we'll be meeting (or will already have met) our little man!
What I'm not loving: Braxton Hick's contractions, lightning crotch, round ligament pain, back spasms, sore boobies, lack of sleep, the list goes on...
What I miss:  Everything below my belly button lol
Sickness and symptoms: Heartburn, reflux, muscle spasms, insomnia
Notes:  I've washed and put away all of baby boy's clothes, toys and blankets, packed the hospital bag and written my birth plan (although how can you really plan for something that's completely out of your control?). With only a few weeks to go, James and I will be spending his next break putting the finishing touches on the nursery, installing the car seat and baby-proofing the house in preparation for our little man's arrival.

Weekly Guide to Pregnancy: Week 34

Your Baby

How big is my baby?

Fetal size: 45cm total length
Fetal weight: 2.2kg (4.8lbs)

Your baby weighs about five pounds now. By this time most of the lanugo (body hair) is gone. His immune system is no longer relying on the antibodies from the placenta. This self-immunity is important to protect your little one at birth and for the rest of your baby's life. The vernix (thick white layer of protection present on your baby's skin) is disappearing; however a little bit of it will still be left at birth. The digestive system is fully working by itself. Moreover he is peeing up to a pint of urine a day into the amniotic fluid. Even though the placenta is capable of supporting your baby until birth, it will start to age this week.

33 Weeks & Baby Shower

I had such a beautiful day on Sunday celebrating with my family and friends. My baby shower was a high tea held in the morning at our house so I didn't have to venture too far from bed. There was a table filled with delicious desserts and savoury snacks, including macarons, cupcakes, caramel tartlets, apple slice, meringue kisses, chicken drumsticks, meatballs and assorted sandwiches. Yum! Of course I had to try everything, more than once, and enjoyed every mouthful. My guests had a great time playing games and it was especially funny watching them guess what was in the (chocolate smeared) diapers being passed around the table.

Our baby boy received so many presents and we ended up with a closet full of the cutest clothes, and some big items including a portacot from my parents and a carseat from James' mum and dad. There's not much more we need to buy and no items to return so all in all we're very lucky.

I really enjoyed my baby shower and as my cousin Linda did such a fabulous job hosting, it meant I got to sit down and relax the entire time. A big thankyou to everyone who made it and to those who weren't able to but still sent such beautiful gifts. We're so grateful to have you in our lives.

How far along: 33 weeks
How big is baby: Size of a pineapple (44cm from head to toe)
Total weight gain/loss: + 2.5kg (5.5lbs)
Stretch marks: I can't see any and I even had James check below my belly button because I can no longer see what's going on down there and still none to report (I'm moisturizing my belly, hips and tatas religiously every night)
Maternity clothes: I wore a regular women's size small Supre dress for my baby shower but the fabric was stretchy and it was gathered at the sides so I'm still able to mix and match between regular clothes and maternity
Wedding rings on/off: On
Linea nigra: Still no sign of it
Sleep: Rare!
Food cravings or aversions: I've been eating ham, cheese and tomato sandwiches a lot lately
Gender: BOY!
Movement: Always. Every hour, on the hour!
Belly button: Out... but only just when I'm standing, and in when I'm laying down
Exercise: Ah no sir!
Diet: I indulged big time at my baby shower but otherwise I stick to eating small snacks
What I'm loving: How fast time is flying. Baby boy will be here soon!
What I'm not loving: Braxton Hick's contractions, lightning crotch, round ligament pain, back spasms, sore boobies, lack of sleep, the list goes on...
What I miss: My husband. He works a few hours from home for 9 days straight and is only home for 5 before he's gone again. It's getting much more difficult being apart as the pregnancy progresses, especially as there are things I just can't do on my own.
Sickness and symptoms: Heartburn, reflux, muscle spasms, insomnia
Notes: This week I'll be washing all of baby boy's new clothes and packing the hospital bag. Once this has been done I think I'll feel a bit better about things. Not that I want or expect to go into labour anytime soon, but if it happens at least I'll be organised.

Weekly Guide to Pregnancy: Week 33

Your Baby

How big is my baby?

Fetal size: 44cm total length
Fetal weight: 2kg (4.4lbs)

Even though his bones are hardening, the skull is still not solid and the skull bones are not fused together. This will allow for his head to reduce its diameter as it passes through your birth canal. His brain is developing more distinct functions and is capable of controlling breathing, digestive functions and body temperature. He can now tell the difference between day and night. Lungs are almost completely ready for breathing on their own and if your baby is born now, he would need only a little medical support.