It's been a good few weeks since I last put together a pregnancy update, and if I'm honest, the last few weeks seem like a total blur and I feel like I'm going to actually have to use my own weekly vlogs for reference. Nothing dramatic has happened but in all honestly, I've just been so incredibly exhausted, that the days have all merged together and I've just had no energy to do anything, let alone open my laptop and work. Where I have found moments of energy and get up and go, I've had so much that has needed doing, that unfortunately, my blog has had to take a backseat, which without sounding too over the top, kind of breaks my heart.
Being pregnant isn't easy and although from an outsider looking in "it's just a bump" and "you're pregnant, not ill", the strain and impact it has on your body and lifestyle is huge- too big to even describe. There's been things I want to do and quite frankly, need to do, but surprisingly, even with eight/nine months of practice behind me, the final leg is incredibly difficult and nothing prepared me for it.
Lack of energy and exhaustion aside, it's been really tough on my hormones and although not as bad as the beginning trimester for me which I'm grateful for, things begun to get a little bit too much at times. I'm not sure if I maybe put myself under too much pressure for things to be "perfect", but over the last few weeks, I've hit a few brick walls and couldn't physically do anything more.
My back constantly aches, I'm tired, nothing fits (even my maternity clothes are too small), I waddle around with my arms swinging, suffering with pains whilst my baby boy is making his way deeper into my pelvis squashing my bladder (we all know where that's going!) and my feet are
constantly huge, swollen and sore.
The extent of my swollen feet has really got me down recently, they're absolutely massive and I honestly can't remember what my feet and ankles looked like prior to pregnancy. The only shoes I've worn for the past few weeks are my trusty
Birkenstocks*, which although I am so incredibly grateful for and are in fact fortunately a current trend, they're far from what I want to wear on my feet- especially to a wedding where I was supposed to be a Bridesmaid!!
With my due date so close and only a few weeks to go, you can imagine the mix of emotions of excitement, fear of the unknown and although I hate to admit it- stress that I went through. It's a stressful time planning for a baby and awaiting the arrival of your little bundle of joy and whilst I would for sure do it all again in a heartbeat, the last few weeks haven't been the easiest.
To remain as relaxed as possible, keeping in mind that my baby could have arrived at any point, by Week 36 I tried to make sure that I listened to my body and took it a bit easier. Sleeping when I was tired regardless of how much I had to do, taking time off of work purely just to get some much needed rest in, sitting down to relieve my feet at any available opportunity and although typing this sounds a little selfish, putting myself first again, because as I'm constantly reminded- stress really isn't good for the baby.
Waiting for something you're so desperate for is always super exciting and frustrating, and time always seems to go that little bit slower, but strangely enough, I do feel like the last few weeks have flown by for me which has surprised me a lot.
By 37 Weeks, I was all packed for the hospital and although I have since re-packed a
crazy amount of times (I blame nesting), my Cath Kidston Weekend Bag and
Storksak Coral Ashley* bags are both ready and waiting by the door, ready for labour to begin for the what I can only imagine will be a panicked dash to the hospital.
As I write this, I'm in fact 39 weeks pregnant and on the
very final leg of pregnancy. Since dropping at around Week 37/38 (on a trip to Currys and Ikea which was terrifying), things are even more real (and uncomfortable) than ever and I am so excited to get pushing to meet our little boy. My mood has picked up somewhat and I'm feeling a lot more energised and each wiggle and every hiccup from my baby boy has me so excited for his arrival.
Things have changed on the home front too, which is all very exciting and has given me a lot of relief and something else to focus on- so keep an eye out for a possible house/nursery tour!
I'll be sure to let you know how week 38 and 39 were for me shortly, but keeping in mind that I'm due to give birth in a week- there may well be a lovely little boy that keeps me from doing so for a while.
Just in case, thank you so much for following my pregnancy journey, I've absolutely loved sharing the ins and outs (which reminds me, I still don't have a full on outie- woo!) with you all and there will be many pregnancy products/birthing/mummy and baby posts to come.
Although my posts/videos may have come across slightly negative at times, put it down to my hormones and lack of sleep because honestly, as much as I haven't been its biggest fan at times and I've always been very honest about it, it really is the most amazing thing in the world and is such a blessing. I feel so grateful to be able to experience it and along with all the cramps, swollen feet, yawns and endless trips to the loo (if you make it that far!) come cute baby hiccups, a delightful growing bump, kicks and somersaults that automatically bring a smile, a perfect bond with something you haven't even met yet and some of the most dreamy of moments for both Mike, my family and I. It's been a whirlwind and I've had my fair share of ups and downs, but would I do it again?
Yes. In a heartbeat.
Keep up to date with me over on
Twitter,
YouTube and
Instagram- where the arrival of my bundle of happiness, joy and love will be shortly announced!
