I've just reached 35 weeks down and 5 to go in this pregnancy so it's all downhill from here!
I must say this pregnancy has been more challenging than the first for a variety of reasons: I'm not as fit; dealing with a 3 year old Angus; I'm 4 years older....But we are all starting to get very excited about meeting Isaac (we found out so that Angus could bond better and it has really worked).
My birthday was a couple of weeks ago and I was lucky enough to be given a voucher for a pregnancy massage (from
Bella Mama). Sam the masseuse was wonderful and knowledgeable - she is also a Doula, first one I have heard of in NZ. Having used a Doula for Angus' birth in Sydney I find it hard to believe they haven't caught on here in NZ. Although we aren't using one this time (2nd time around and all) I would definitely recommend a Doula for first time mums. My lovely husband also made me home made bacon for my birthday, check out the photos on the right!
I've been reading
Nicola's blog since being pregnant with Angus and just read one of the articles she linked through to on some
American midwives going to work in a Senegalese clinic. It was really interesting, especially the American's having to learn to be able to be less interventionist, also the Senegalese women learning how to be a little more hands off during the pushing phase. I know that sounds contradictory (the interventionist vs hands off part) but it's more the American's having to learn to get by with less.
For both my pregnancies I have tried hard to remember I'm not sick/ill so therefore don't need much help/attention during the pregnancy and that during the birth itself my body was designed to do this so don't have to have intervention/drugs. I know that's not for everyone but even though I ended up being induced last time I was glad I managed to labour without any drugs for pain relief. This time round I'm hoping to have a water birth (all things going to plan of course). When we did the tour of the hospital and got shown the birth pool a little voice piped up from my side and said "but I didn't bring my togs" (bathing costume to non-kiwis). Very cute.
Am off to visit the midwife, but am starting to feel it's the beginning of the end now!
