Moving along

I had my first contraction at 5.35am and it unequivocally answered my question of 'How will I know I'm in labour?' Ferocious is the only word I can think of. Another word beginning with F also springs to mind. I've now been having contractions every 4 minutes for about the past 3/4 of an hour so are heading in to the delivery suite. I hope they have an epidural waiting. This all seems to be moving really quickly so no doubt I'll get there, the contractions will stop and I will be sent home. Or maybe that is just wishful thinking.

Bx

Home again

Back home from the hospital. We were there about 2 1/2 hours during which time Bump got monitored with a tummy strap thing for 1/2 an hour and I got checked over. The midwife confirmed that my waters had indeed broken and they booked me in for an induction on Sunday morning should nothing have happened by then. Evidently 60% of people go in to labour within 24 hours of waters breaking which rises to 80% within 48 hours so hopefully we won't have to wait until then. In any case, Bump will be with us or on her way by then end of the weekend. Scary! Right now I'm going to try and get some sleep although between the cramps and the excitement it might prove difficult.

I hope to keep blogging as things develop so watch this space...

Holy sh*t!

My waters have just broken. Was feeling crampy all yesterday and my waters broke about 20 minutes ago at 1.45am. We are off to St Georges now to check all is well. Will hopefully then come home and wait for the next stage. Eeeek!

Bx

Baby shower

Hello

I've just returned from my (or should that be Bump's?) baby shower at Carlene's and have had a fabulous afternoon. There were baby balloons, banner, napkins and even confetti. I've been very spolit with lovely presents - at times like this being pregnant isn't so bad! Andy has spent the afternoon moving furniture around. Don't feel too sorry for him though, he has managed to get drunk the past two nights.

Bx

Ooo - a new look website!

Hello

As you can see, Andy has been doing lots of work to make our website easier for us to post comments and photos. One would think that as I'm home all day that I'd be doing it but pregnancy has shortened my attention span to miniscule levels and made me rather stupid (temporarily I hope) so poor Andy has been stuck doing it. Hurrah for him! It means that in future we should (note the should) keep it more up to date and be able to put more photos on.

We are just playing the waiting game here. I've been eating lots of curry, walking up and down the stairs loads and having reflexology but Bump has yet to get the hint. I'm not actually due for another two weeks but have had enough. I'm sure Andy has too, particulary as he's been staying sober in case he has to drive.

Time for me to cook dinner. Being at home hasn't exactly turned me in to a model housewife but I am getting pretty good at ironing. Well, maybe not good but better than I was.

Bx

New post archive

Hello

I'm trying to make it easier to post updates on to the website, by incorporating blogger software. This is the first post on the new system. Hopefully I can transfer across the old posts onto this archive if the new system works well, but at the moment you can access old posts using the menu on the left.

Andy

We’re having a girl!

Here is the latest scan:

We are just back from a lovely four days in Venice. It was hot hot hot resulting in plenty of siestas and generally lazing but we also managed to fit in some site seeing and visiting of nice restaurants. Travelling around by water bus and water taxi was an unique experience and the absence of cars made for very relaxed wandering. Upon arriving we did the obligatory walk through St Mark’s Square which was packed and over run with manky pigeons then spent most of the time avoiding the packed tourist areas.

Things didn’t get off to a great start with the first thing we ate being dodgy pizza and salad which made both of us sick. The next day, on the advice of my hospital in London it was off in a water taxi to Venice Hospital (no holiday this year has been complete without checking out the local A&E) where I was quickly taken for a scan. Although the obstetrician’s English was much better than our Italian we still had some trouble understanding each other. However, he managed to convey that all was well, the baby was fine and we were having a girl! Well, we think we are having a girl but given the language barrier there is still some element of doubt…

The next day we visited Murano, a short boat ride away and where all the Venetian glass is made. It was filled was glass shops and had lots of jewellery which kept me happy.

All in all, it was a great trip away. Venice is falling down, incredibly dilapidated and teeming with tourists but still exudes charm, beauty and a unique way of life.

Other than our holiday, we haven’t been up to a great deal. We had a good night out at the football where we saw Chelsea beat West Bromwich Albion 4-0. We’ve been to theatre in Regents Park - HMS Pinafore, very camp and lots of fun and we’ve been seeing friends when I’ve been able to drag myself off the couch.

It’s Friday today and we are still on holiday which is lovely. Andy is currently moving furniture around and I’m thinking of all the pink things I can fill (what will be) the nursery with.

Bec