39 weeks

On Thursday 10 February, I went to Fawsley Hall for a spa day and afternoon tea with Granny, Auntie Lora and Auntie Rosie to celebrate Granny's birthday. I had a facial and they tinted my eyelashes for me so if you arrived the next day, I wouldn't look too awful without make up.

We had some time chatting in the relaxation room before decamping to the pool area. I went in the pool on the off chance it might help you to move, but I resisted doing handstands and forward rolls. My mind was made up by then I think; if the ECV didn't work the following morning then you should be in my arms that afternoon and I should stop pressuring myself to try and change the outcome to fit a set of birthing aims that were ideals and not set in stone and follow advice for best outcome for you and for me.

Our spa was followed by a scrumptious afternoon tea.


Just what a mummy to be needed to help her to relax.

After the spa day, Daddy and I set about creating some memories of our most treasured first bump using some high tech photography equipment borrowed from one of Daddy's colleagues at work. The results are yet to be seen - Daddy hasn't had a chance to work his magic with the images yet. We had a chuckle doing it though - I even did some naked shots!

Time for one last panic before the procedure then - not very sensible for Mummy and Daddy not to go to bed until 1am Friday morning, especially given that we had to arrive at hospital for 7.30am. Unfortunately, I decided that there were things needed doing and needed doing NOW! Bit of manic nesting perhaps?

Pre-Op clinic: 38+6 weeks

On Wednesday afternoon, Auntie Lora took me to the pre-op clinic. As per normal, we had a bit of a wait: firstly for a nurse to give us an overview (arrival time, what to bring, where to go, general overview of the procedure etc) and take my bloods. I was first on the section list for Friday morning but I was still hopeful that the lady after me would get bumped up the list. She swabbed for MRSA and took bloods as part of the pre-op.

We returned to the waiting room after the nurse to wait to see an anaesthetist. He ran through the anaesthetic for an elective section - preferred choice is a spinal block (last resort, a general anaesthetic).

We ran through how the spinal block worked (regional anaesthetic directly into the spinal column, numbing me from the rib cage down) and the risks associated with the anaesthesia (none worth listing now I know I'm not effected). The anaesthetist was a nice man (shame he wouldn't be on duty on Friday). He even checked they could avoid my tattoos with their needles!

He sent us on our way with his hope that the ECV would be a success and with two tablets to stop me being eaten alive by stomach acid (I wasn't allowed to eat from 10pm the night before the procedure - even drinking was limited!)

Ante Natal appointment: 34+4 weeks

Yesterday, Daddy and I went to Mr Afifi's follow up clinic for an appointment to discuss breech birthing. We didn't have too long a wait to see one of the senior registrars.

We had a brief discussion (explaining that we'd like to avoid a section if possible; that we'd tried acupuncture and hypnotherapy) and then he palpated my bump - you were still breech.

I've been doing the hypnotherapy daily so my gut feel (and Daddy's) is that you need to be breech for a reason. We discussed natural breech delivery and although I've done lots of research, having a doctor outline the risks to me and risks to baby gave me serious second thoughts. An emergency elective section was simply not practical. His recommendation was to book in for an ECV followed by a section if unsuccessful. That way, we still kept a small chance (50%) of turning you for a natural home birth but if it wasn't successful or distressed you in any way, I was prepped to have the elective to meet you. We discussed the risks of the ECV and there is only a tiny chance of it hurting you.

So, I'm booked to have an ECV possibly followed by a Caesarian section on Friday 11 February (11/2/11 is quite a cool birth date).

I'm not sure how I feel about it - every emotion from very excited to meet you to petrified of the operation or something happening to you. I'm also still having period painy surges so maybe you're ready to come and meet us anyway and I should stop worrying so much.

You're having big wriggles this morning.

Love you precious xxx

Photo: 38+2 weeks

Photo: 37+3 weeks

38+3 weeks

So what's new, sweetie?

Tomorrow, we have an appointment with Mr Afifi at the Ante Natal clinic to discuss our options. I'm hoping you've turned but just in case you haven't, I want to make sure we select the best possible birth experience for you - be it a natural breech delivery, an 'emergency elective' section (where we wait for labour to start before the section - some babies turn early in labour and if you don't, at least you'll have told us you're ready to meet us) or a straight forward elective section.

My bump is a different shape than it was and I have a lot more pain and pressure in my pelvis (not to mention your kicks being in different places now and even the occasional surge that I need to breathe through). We're hoping this is a good sign that you turned when I thought you did; I'm still doing my hypnotherapy just in case.

My feet and legs are puffy and I've noticed that my remaining rings are tight so my hands must be swollen too. As moving is becoming harder (despite me not having the biggest bump), I'm starting to feel a bit fed up.

Daddy has almost finished your nursery so I'm looking forward to being able to nest and complete your mural this week. I might also see the NCT ladies and babies (they're all here waiting to meet you) this week and I'm seeing Granny, Auntie Lora and Auntie Rosie on Thursday for some spa time, a facial and afternoon tea.

There are two belly photos on the camera ready to be uploaded and Daddy is going to do some arty shots this week too.

I've dreamt about having a baby girl for the past two nights and last night I dreamt you turned the right way for a natural home birth - I felt you move in my sleep. I don't mind if you're a baby girl or a baby boy (we will love you very much either way) but I really hope I'm right about you turning :o)

Granny has almost finished her latest knitted creation (a beautiful cream cardigan) and has started on a lovely pram blanket. Nanna gave Daddy two beautiful white sets she'd knitted yesterday (he popped to Wales to be measured for a suit for Uncle Rhys' wedding). I'll take photos and pop them on your blog tomorrow.

I think that's probably it, my darling. Everyone here is so excited to meet you so if we're allowed a natural delivery, don't hang on too long. Love you very much xxxx

Hang on!

Did my hypnotherapy for turning breech babies today and I think you might have listened to the hypnotherapist or my body or both...

I'm not 100% sure but I think that the significant shift afterwards was you moving into a vertex position and I'm hoping the dog walk when Daddy got in might help you stay there.

I need to call Jacqui and see what she thinks but fingers crossed!!

Love you xxx