Never Knowingly Concise > infant

Tag: infant

Weekly Update: 35 Weeks Pregnant

Posted on by Claire 
Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/35weeks/

Baby size at 35 weeks: 46.2 cm long.
Baby weight at 35weeks:  5.2+ lbs

——————————————————————————————-

This was my final week at work… and what a stressful week it has been. So so glad that I’m on my leave now! I can finally get my feet up and rest properly, without checking emails, without worrying what’s happening in the office! PHEW.

This week, my SPD has been mostly situated at the front of my pelvis which has been really painful. Especially on a morning after waking up,when it feels really stiff. OUCH. I have my first Physio appointment at the hospital on Monday 25th – so hopefully that will bring me some restbite.

I’ve also noticed a massive increase in ‘stabbing pains’ through the front of my pelvis, that radiate right under my undercarriage and through to my coccyx. Apparently, it’s just practice cervix movement! Scary, but really good to know that everything is progressing as it should be.

 

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

This week sees the start of your baby’s most rapid period of weight gain. Your baby’s ability to control their own temperature is well developed so they no longer need the protective layers of vernix and lanugo. The downy lanugo has almost gone now although some babies are born with patches on their shoulders and back. The vernix will gradually disappear over the next few weeks. His elbows, feet or head may protrude from your stomach when he stretches and squirms about. Soon, as the wall of your uterus (womb) and your belly stretch thinner and let in more light, your baby will begin to develop daily activity cycles.

Your baby’s lungs are finally fully developed now and the digestive system is ready to cope with a milk diet. The gut is filled with a dark green sticky substance called meconium. This is made up of waste matter that your baby has ingested along with amniotic fluid. It usually forms the contents of the first few nappies after birth, but if your baby becomes distressed during labour it may be passed into the amniotic fluid.

MM.

Dressed for the Occasion: Maternity Dresses from ASOS.com

Posted on by Claire

We’ve been invited to a wedding on Saturday 21st July… my due date is just 6 days after said-wedding. Whether we even make it to the 21st July without Baby Boy arriving is actually a bet in itself!

But this set aside, I thought I’d have a look at some Maternity ‘Occasion’ dresses anyway. I headed to all the usual Maternity stockists online and came to ASOS.com last, but by no means least. I was quite honestly shocked at the full range of smart to casual that they had on there! Wish I’d visited earlier in my pregnancy now!

Anyway, here are my favourites… These dresses all scream elegance, but also look really very comfortable. I’m sure you could also get away with most of them post-pregnancy too!

ASOS Maternity Grecian Maxi Dress With Side Split – £35.00
ASOS Maternity Exclusive Dress With Scallop Sleeve – £45.00
ASOS Maternity Exclusive Dress With Embellishment And Fluted Sleeves – £50.00
ASOS Maternity Midi Dress With Lace Detail – £50.00
ASOS Maternity Katie Lace Dress – £45.00
ASOS Maternity Midi Dress In Lace – WAS £55.00/NOW £33.00

 

MM.

 

 

 

Weekly Update: 34 Weeks Pregnant

Posted on by Claire


This is us at 33+3 weeks pregnant, this week. As you can see, we have a HUGE baby bump!


Baby size at 34 weeks: 45 cm long.
Baby weight at 34 weeks: 4.8+ lbs
——————————————————————————————-

This week I’ve been on annual leave from work and it’s been BLISS. I’ve had my feet up every day and actually relaxed!! I have no idea how I’m going to go back to work next week!! Albeit, it is my FINAL WEEK! So I’m sure I’ll be fine ;o

I’ve continued to struggle with my SPD. Quite badly. I’ve been reluctantly taking paracetamol and rotating between hot water bottle and bath. But at least I have been off work and able to relax. I’m definitely going to miss my bath when I’m back to work next week! What will I do?!?!

I went to see the Midwife for a standard appointment yesterday. I’m still measuring big – 36 and a half weeks at 33+5 weeks. Which isn’t too bad, and she did say it does just feel like we have a lot of fluid as Baby Boy doesn’t feel particularly ‘big’. PHEW. Another thing is… Baby Boy is in the “Brim”! Which means his head is engaged. This all means things are progressing normally – I do think we’re all convinced he’s coming early regardless. My bets are on Week 37!

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/34weeks/

Your baby’s fingernails have grown up to, or even beyond, the ends of their fingers and they may accidentally scratch themselves from time to time (it’s not unusual for babies to be born with scratch marks on their faces). The toenails will take a while to catch up.

Baby might be lying head down already. He will be making lots of little movements but you won’t feel so many big ones – there’s just no room for lots of somersaults any more.

MM.

Surprises from my best friends!

Posted on by Claire
Table at Babylon restaurant, Kensington Roof Gardens.

On Saturday of last week (9th June), I was whisked off to Kensington for lunch with my best friends at Babylon, Kensington Roof Gardens. The restaurant and garden’s were absolutely amazing… there were real-life flamingo’s in the gardens! On the ROOF, in Kensington! Crazy!

When I arrived at the restaurant I called my friends and they came and met me at the reception and lead me to our table. They’d decked the table out with ‘Baby Shower’ banners and presents! What a lovely surprise!

I thought I’d share the lovely gifts that they got us 😀

Scrummy cupcakes from Whole Foods.
Scrummy cupcakes from Whole Foods.

 

We're massive fans of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", so this amazing box has taken pride of place in the nursery!

 

Lots of presents! Lots of essentials 🙂

 

Beautiful gifts from The Little White Company.

 

Absolutely adore this super-soft bunny rabbit and elephant rattle from The Little White Company!

MM.

Newborn Nappies: There’s so much choice out there, which did you go for?

Posted on by Claire

We’ve pondered many-a-time over which Newborn Nappies to use. Which brand are best in quality, absorbency, fit and of course, which are lightest on the old purse strings?

As we live in a very rainy Britain and we currently do no have a tumble dryer (plus only electric heaters/radiators) going cloth isn’t really an option for us. We struggle to get our own clothes dry at the minute (definitely going to invest in a tumble dryer for Winter!!). So, we’re going disposable…. but what does that mean?! With so much choice out there, which are best for Newborns, based on my criteria above?

I asked my Twitter followers for their tried and tested recommendations… here is what the lovely people out there said.

 

From @CharlieMoos – www.charliemoos.co.uk

 

From @NatGourley – readysteadymummy.blogspot.co.uk

 

From @MummyAdventure – www.themummyadventure.com

 

From @Petitmew – www.petitmom.co.uk

 

From @BexandMic – busybeemummybex.blogspot.co.uk

 

From @TheMakeUpMentor – themakeupmentor.co.uk

 

From @CupcakeMumma11 – cupcakemumma2011.blogspot.co.uk

 

From @KiddyCharts – www.kiddycharts.com

 

So there we have it… the consensus is Pampers Vs Own-brand.  Do you have a different opinion from experience? Or even just agree? Let me know your thoughts by commenting below or via Twitter @MaternalMusings and I’ll be sure to add your comment to the post above!

Thanks for all the responses so far!

MM.

Weekly Update: 33 Weeks Pregnant

Posted on by Claire 
Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/33weeks/

Baby size at 33 weeks: 44 cm long.

Baby weight at 33 weeks: 4+ lbs

——————————————————————————————-

What an absolutely awful week. I cannot tell you how much pain I’ve been in with SPD. I wrote a post on how I’ve been suffering, here>> Woe is me… I have SPD. I do feel slightly better today. But the pain in my coccyx is still there… being all resilient.

I didn’t manage to get to sleep until 5am this morning with Braxton Hicks. Pretty sure Baby Boy is ready to come, he’s moved really low down and I keep feeling a lot of pressure downstairs. But he’s not fully cooked yet, so he’s being warned (daily) to keep put… at least until 37 weeks anyway 🙂

 

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

You may be able to tell the difference between a jab from your baby’s elbow and a nudge from their knee these days. And you may sometimes be amazed at how much your bump visibly moves.

Your baby’s sleep patterns are similar to that of a newborn now and they spend more time in REM (short for Rapid Eye Movement) sleep than older children and adults. In REM sleep our eyelids flicker and we dream so it’s possible that your baby is spending much of their time dreaming!Your baby’s skull is still quite pliable.

The plates of bone that make up his skull have not completely fused. This is so he can ease out of the relatively narrow birth canal, the passage between your cervix and the opening of your vagina. But the bones in the rest of his body are hardening. Your baby’s skin is also gradually becoming less red and wrinkled as fat builds up underneath.

MM.

Weekly Update: 32 Weeks Pregnant // My birthday!

Posted on by Claire

32 weeks on my birthday evening out 🙂

Baby size at 32 weeks: 42 cm long.

Baby weight at 32 weeks: 3+ lbs

——————————————————————————————-

Today is my birthday! Which also marks 8 weeks until D-Day! HECKERS.

Another tough week I’m afraid! I’ve had such a busy time with work, I just don’t feel like I’m resting… in fact, I’m not resting. As I write this I have just 9 more (non-consecutive) days left in the office. And they cannot come fast enough. I’ve had increased back pain this week – with aching low down on my coccyx. Ouchy! I also had to visit the doctor on Monday for Hayfever relief! I didn’t even think about not being able to take my usual tablets (Zirtek). So was prescribed Piriton, along with my usual nasal spray and eye drops. But aside from this, I’ve felt not half bad!

Tonight we’re going for a curry at our favourite Indian restaurant; Tayaabs. Let’s hope it doesn’t set anything off, because I *still* haven’t packed my hospital bag! *WRISTS FIRMLY SLAPPED*.

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/32weeks/

Although his lungs won’t be fully developed until just before birth, your little one is busy inhaling amniotic fluid to exercise his lungs. From 32 weeks, babies born early have good chance of surviving and thriving. His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.

Some babies have a head of hair already, others have only a few wisps. Thick hair at birth doesn’t necessarily mean thick hair later on. But children with fine hair in childhood also tend to have fine hair when they’ve grown up.

MM.

Weekly Update: 31 Weeks Pregnant.

Posted on by Claire

Another pic of my massive Baby Boy! This was taken last week, at 30 weeks pregnant.

Baby size at 30 weeks: 41.1 cm long.

Baby weight at 30 weeks: 3+ lbs

——————————————————————————————-

Well this week has been horrendous! A mixture of fed up with work (and obviously the commute!) mixed with this glorious weather that I’m REALLY not coping with! See my blog post about the intense heat>> Coping with this heat (!!!) at (almost) 31 weeks pregnant.

My heartburn seems to have calmed down this week, but I have had increased Braxton Hicks! All very strange – but it’s not at all painful so I don’t mind so much right now. Baby Boy has kind of slowed down with his kicking, but is really really active still – he just keeps twisting and turning now instead! He’s definitely running out of space in there. Literally, everyone just keeps remarking on how “big” “massive” “ginormous” I am. Which is of course lovely! (Please note the sarcasm in my tone).

I’ve had my wrists slapped by OH as I have still haven’t started buying my Hospital Bag essentials or sorted out my Birth Plan! DEFINITELY doing both of these things on Sunday, whilst sat in the shade of the garden 🙂

We’re pretty excited to also be starting our NCT Antenatal Classes tomorrow! We have a long session tomorrow, 9:30am-4:30pm… and they then continue every Monday 8pm-10pm for 4 weeks. Really looking forward to meeting couples in our area as we haven’t lived here long.

Hope you’re all enjoying this weather!

 

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/31weeks/

Baby’s brain and nervous system are fully developed, although their movements would still be poorly co-ordinated if they were born now. Baby boy’s sucking reflex is fully developed, but he could still do with a little more practise before he has to feed from the breast.

Baby Boy’s lungs are developing so quickly that each day he spends in the womb increases his chance of being able to breathe unassisted. The adrenal glands are busy producing a hormone called cortisol, which stimulates the lungs to make surfactant. This oily liquid plays a vital role in helping your baby’s lungs work properly.

MM.

Weekly Update: 30 Weeks Pregnant // The final quarter!

Posted on by Claire

Here we are then! With just 10 weeks (ish!) left to go.

Baby size at 30 weeks: 40cm long.

Baby weight at 30 weeks: 3 lbs

——————————————————————————————-

This week, again, I’ve felt increasingly fed up with work… and the commute. I’m just so so tired. Baby Boy is really beginning to take it out of me now! I just really need to get my feet up.

As of today, I have just 18 (non-consecutive) days left at my desk. Hurray! So fingers crossed that is going to fly by.

Otherwise, I’ve felt a little bit tetchy this week. I’m not sleeping so well. Getting up twice a night to nip to the loo… I suppose it’s all in good preparation! I’ve had Braxton Hicks, bad back pain and leg cramps this week. All part of the course, of course!

I managed to get some videos of Baby Boy wriggling around in my belly. So will upload those on a new post 🙂 He’s amazing. I’m so so proud of him. His hiccups have again increased. He usually has a hiccupping session at around 9:30am-10am, then again after lunch at about 2:30pm and then at bedtime, around 10pm. I really can’t help but feel like he’s irritated by it. I keep imagining his little face! Poor Boy!

We’ve also started stocking up on (more!) clothes. I just REALLY need to sort my hospital bag. I have made a massive geeky spreadsheet list, so just need to actually get out and get it all organised! *Must sort this week*.

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/30weeks/

Baby Boy’s lungs and digestive tract are almost fully developed. He continues to open and shut his eyes. He can probably see what’s going on inside your uterus, tell light from dark and even track a light source. If you shine a light on your stomach, he may move his head to follow the light or even reach out to touch the moving glow.
About a litre of amniotic fluid now surrounds baby,boy but that volume decreases as he gets bigger and has less room in your uterus.

MM.