It’s just been revealed that Mad (wo)Man, January Jones, ate her own placenta after giving birth to her first child last year.
The placenta hold key, essential vitamins that can boost energy after a draining birth. But what are your thoughts on consuming your own placenta? Do you know anyone, or have you yourself eaten your own placenta post-birth?
Would love to hear your thoughts!
MM.
Tuesday 20th March: 4D scan! Fetal Heart Echo (Echocardiogram) and 20 Week Anomaly Scan at UCLH.
This Tuesday we went back to the Fetal Medicine Unit for a repeat Echocardiogram, doubled up with our 20 week Anomaly Scan. We are absolutely chuffed to say that every appears normal and all of baby boys organs are working correctly. So we will have no further review organ-wise, which is great news! The specialist was also (more than!) kind enough to surprise us with a few sneaky peaks at a 4D scan of our baby boy! It was absolutely incredible.
The extensive scan did however highlight that in some views there was a suspicion of Talipes (club foot). But in other views both feet appeared normal. The specialist also noted that the range of movements in all joints is normal. So this basically means that we have to go back to the FMU in about 4 weeks time to have a repeat scan to confirm or exclude the suspicion.
If it is found that one of his feet are a little on the wonky side, there are tons of things that can be done – without the need of surgery. So we’re happy.
Just also curious to find out if you had a baby with a suspected club foot and your experiences? What happened after the birth?
Here are some measurements and findings from the Anomaly scan that you might find useful. We were told these measurements were pretty much spot on for gestation, 21+4 weeks.
Biparietal Diameter (BPD): 52.4 mm
Head Circumference (HC): 189.1 mm
Abdominal Circumference (AC): 168.0 mm
Nuchal Fold Thickness (NT): 5.3 mm
Nasal Bone: 7.3 mm
Femur Length: 34.1 mm
Estimated Fetal Weight (BPD, HC, AC, FL): 416g / 15oz
MM.
Baby size at 22 weeks: 28cm long.
Baby weight at 22 weeks: 430g.
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I’m feeling great – still! Definitely feel like I’m getting enough sleep, so have more energy. My bump is pretty massive – although the baby boy inside is in proportion! So that’s good.
Baby Boy is still moving about lots and lots. He’s certainly enjoying himself.
We were at both UCLH and Broomfield this week. Will be writing up the results of both visits shortly.
So what is happening to baby boy this week?
Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/22weeks/
Your baby’s legs aren’t curled up so tightly to his tummy now. This means he can be measured from the top of her head to his heels, instead of his bottom. He is proportioned like a newborn, albeit a thinner version since his baby fat hasn’t yet developed.
Although he’s getting heavier every day, his skin still appears wrinkled and translucent because he needs to gain more weight. His lips are distinct and his eyes are formed, though the coloured part (the iris) still lacks pigment. The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily.
He can now hear when you talk – try singing or reading to them and see if you get any kicks in response.
MM.
…Curtains! These are for our nursery.
What do you think of the IKEA bunting print that we’ve chosen?
MM.
Today I’m 20 weeks pregnant… and this is how we look!
I’m absolutely loving having a bump, although I’m feeling pretty massive. Feeling bigger than I probably should, but it’s probably all the water I guzzle down! I just need to buy some more Maternity clothing to proudly show it off a bit more! A lot of my usual wardrobe is casual and loose fitting – so I’d like more tighter fitting clothing.
Most people usually have a scan at Week 20, mine will be performed at the Fetal Medicine Unit at almost 22 weeks as I will be having another Echocardiogram. But this is fine, some hospitals perform the ’20 Week scan’ between 18 and 22 weeks anyway.
So – how is baby doing and what changes are occurring at Week 20 then?
Fig: www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/20weeks/
Up until now your baby has been measured from crown to rump but from this point on the measurement will be from crown to heel – and this week he is about 26cm long and is steadily gaining weight. Your baby weighs about 220-250 grams (about 8 to 9 ounces) and measures approximately 22 cm (about 8.7 inches). You could cup the little guy in the palm of your hand.
Your baby is truly starting to experience the world around him, limited though it may be. His brain has been working overtime developing the nerve centres dedicated to his senses, and they’re coming alive. He’s more responsive to the changes in the world around him: your activity, sounds in the environment, and even the taste of the amniotic fluid.
You’ve probably felt your baby rolling, diving, and kicking inside your belly. Now you might also feel a rhythmic jerking. No, he’s not tapping out a tune; he’s hiccuping. Most babies get the hiccups in utero, possibly due to an immature diaphragm having spasms. There’s nothing you can do to stop the hiccups, but there’s no need to-they won’t harm your baby now or after he’s born.
Out of breath? You may start to feel a bit puffed out after going up just a short flight of stairs. Some breathlessness is normal and may become more pronounced over the rest of your pregnancy as your expanding uterus (womb) pushes up against your lungs.
Check back next week for what’s happening at Week 21!
MM.
Marks and Spencer is always your one-stop shop for Mother’s Day gifts and treats for your Mum….those Mums-to-be in your life too!
Take a look at my gift recommendations below for some inspiration – or maybe purchase a cheeky treat for yourself! You know you deserve it ;o
Classic Collection Pure Silk Lightweight Scarf £9.50, MarksandSpencer.com
The perfect accessory to this season’s styles, this elegant pure silk scarf has a abstract print, adding a luxurious finishing touch to your look. Wear with casual or smart outfits to tie your style together.
Per Una Revere Collar Spotted Pyjamas £19.50, MarksandSpencer.com
Modern, feminine style is combined with soft fabric, making these gorgeous pyjamas stylish and relaxing.
Faux Pearl Dome Drop Earrings £7.50, MarksandSpencer.com
Feminine and elegant, these softly lustrous earrings add an instant touch of sophisticated style.
Crossover V-Neck Sprig Print Jersey Dress £35.00, MarksandSpencer.com
Chic and contemporary, this jersey dress has a sprig print. A fabulous fashionable look.
Kirstie Allsopp Tea Cup, Saucer & Side Plate £15.00, MarksandSpencer.com
Kirstie Allsopp for Marks and Spencer: A pretty porcelain teacup with contrasting saucer and matching side plate. Enjoy afternoon tea in style!
Maternity Pure Cotton Button Through Spot Minishirt From £12.00 – £12.50, MarksandSpencer.com
Marks and Spencers Maternity: Our great value maternity range is designed for style, comfort and functionality, meeting all the needs of mums-to-be. This stylish spot print minishirt has been cut to flatter and the button fastening makes it ideal for nursing after the birth.
Maternity Wrap Plain Jersey Dress £29.50, MarksandSpencer.com
Marks and Spencer Maternity: Relaxed and casual, this wrap style dress is designed to flatter you and your bump. A clever cut gives a neat, comfortable fit with room for growth. Enjoy your pregnancy in style!
MM.
Win a trip to Disneyland Paris with AlexandAlexa.com! Plus, £1, 000 to spend on the perfect holiday wardrobe!
Just head to AlexandAlexa.com/Disneylandcompetition to enter!
The prize includes two nights accommodation at a Disney Hotel to celebrate their 20th Anniversary with continental breakfast plus travel up to the value of £250 and tickets to both Disney Parks for the duration of your stay.
Good luck!!
MM.
Oooooh! I just got a special email from Boden so thought I would share the love…
You can now receive 25% off selected products in Boden’s 3 Day Spectacular! It’s only valid for 3 days mind, so get yourselves over to the site now! Perfect timing for Mother’s Day!
Offer includes 25% off all Mini Boden, plus 25% off selected Womenswear, Menswear and Johnnie B styles.
Starts: 6th March 2012.
Expires: 8th March 2012.
Promotional code: 3DAF
Small print: All items which are included in this promotion show the discounted prices on the Boden website. No further discount will be applied in your shopping bag. This offer is valid until 23.59 on 8th March 2012, is available online only, is not for resale or publication and can be used once only.
Let me know what you purchase! I’m heading over to the Boden.co.uk right now!
Enjoy!
MM.
So, Lifehouse Spa!
We had booked this little break away after having all the scans and tests a few weeks ago. We’d decided that we would need a relax after such a rollercoaster couple of weeks…
Being 19 weeks pregnant, we jut wanted to go somewhere where we could relax and chill out for a few days. Get away from it all. A spa was perfect. I literally spent 3 days alternating between the swimming pool and jacuzzi (Hydrotherapy Pool). Unfortunately, all of the treatments were too expensive for our budget… in fact, they were just overpriced in general.
I’m well aware that this review is just going to sound like a right moan! It was our first trip to a Spa though, so we would have expected a bit more in some areas. Albeit, we had a wonderful time and would return tomorrow! But with hindsight of course ;o
Pro’s
– Drinks were relatively cheap.
– Comfortable bed.
– Contemporary room with lovely bathroom and great views of the gardens. Usual coffee and tea making facilities.
– Lovely staff – all very polite and always had a smile.
– Easy place to relax.
– Food was great, restaurant quality.
– Great swimming pool and hydrotherapy pool. Can’t review the Steam, Sauna or Salt Inhalations rooms as I can’t use them being pregnant… but DP absolutely loved all three. So they kept him quiet! 😀
– Loved the Orchids Bar area too… must recommend the bread and olives. Best olives I’ve ever eaten! Amazing! Just £2.00 too!
– Very very nice gardens… it was absolutely blowing a gale outside and raining but this did not deter us! We borrowed some Hunter wellies from reception and had a great walk right around the gardens.
Con’s
– We weren’t given a ‘welcome’ note or shown around the complex. So didn’t know what facilities we could and couldn’t use.
– Because of the above, we didn’t know we had a safe in the room, until we were messing on with a rather ambiguous looking drawer underneath the TV!
– Again, because we weren’t given a ‘welcome’ note, we didn’t know that you could order Room Service.
– Couldn’t lock the door to the room.
– No bath in the room – albeit, the shower was incredible. I still could have done with a soak before bed!
– Treatments are expensive and need to be booked well in advance. Many people were left disappointment upon arrival when all appointments were booked up.
– Pregnant ladies cannot use Sauna, Steam room or Salt Inhalation rooms as they raise the body temperature too much.
– Packages that exclude food are very expensive. A lunchtime meal (main and starter) will be around £45 for a couple with one wine and one soft drink. An evening meal is per the set menu, £35 for 3 courses or £28.50 for 2 courses.
– Menu’s left a lot to be desired for someone who is both pregnant and doesn’t eat fish or mushrooms! I ended up having the same evening meal on both nights of our stay because the menu didn’t change… and the Duck dish was the only one that didn’t contain fish or mushrooms! There was also a £3 additional supplement on this.
– There were no decaff teabags! I also wasn’t given an alternative… would have definitely thought there would be decaffeinated everything with it being a health spa!
– No soft drinks menu! Just Wine and Cocktail lists… which isn’t great when you can’t drink! Imagine if you’re an alcoholic visiting for a detox!
– Restaurant was basic-looking; for such an ambitious menu, it was a shame that the restaurant was more like a canteen in a Sainsbury’s with cheap chairs and tables. The chairs of which offered zero support for a pregnant lady.
– There were no bottles of water for free, or even for sale! So it was a case of having to get up every 5 minutes to go to the water fountain in the corner of the ‘Wet Area’. Which is quite annoying when you’re pregnant and just want to lay down, but of course, you need to keep hydrated.
– Although this spa is relatively new, (about a year old), we did notice lots of signs of wear and tear. I actually stood on a piece of broken glass in the Hydrotherapy Pool! Turns out, upon further inspection, lots of the mosaic tiles were cracked and broken, but glued back together. Again, when looking up from the jacuzzi, the ceiling paint was peeling…
It was such a shame there were these little niggles – we really did enjoy ourselves though! Honestly! And we would go back… just hopefully when they have a different menu! 🙂
MM.
We’ve literally just got back from a long weekend away to the LifeHouse Country Spa Resort, in Essex. Had a wonderful few days but the Spa definitely had its up’s and downs. Going to review the weekend below…
First off though, I wanted to show you my new ‘tankini’… something I never ever thought I’d buy!
Mamas and Papas Spot Tankini, £30, www.mamasandpapas.com
I had been searching for a nice bikini that would grow with me, ready for my proposed water birth! But alas, it was February when I started looking… and apparently mothers don’t have holidays, or indeed water births, in colder months! (BOOHOO BRITISH HIGH STREET!)
I looked all over but just kept coming across full one-piece swimsuits or tankini’s… I’ve always been a bikini girl, so didn’t really contemplate a tankini and a one-piece will be well, useless during a water birth! ;o
I went to Mamas and Papas and looked over their range of tankini’s – DP said “Just try one on! See what it’s like!”. So I did and fell in love with this Spot Tankini. It’s the most comfortable piece of swimwear I’ve ever had! It’s supportive in all the right places and will definitely grow as bump grows!
MM.