Pregnancy diaries - 35/ 36 weeks pregnant bump shoot
Pregnancy diaries - 35/ 36 weeks pregnant bump shoot
First things first the pregnant bump shoot bump shoot. The morning of the shoot was a little hectic. Well, Jasmine was her usual self, playing with her toys while I got myself showered and beautified for the photos. In my usual style I was having a clothing meltdown which was heightened by the fact I'm pregnant. I'm sure some of you can relate. I ended up bundling several items in the car and then dashing out of the drive only to realise I needed petrol. Not only were we running late, I had the moment of 'oh s**t' I have no bra on. Not my usual move but necessary to avoid strap marks before the photos. All I can say is thank goodness for pay at the pump! Arriving late, Jess welcomed us in and we had a fabulous time and loved every minute. A relaxed shoot with lots of fun for Jasmine. Thanks Jess. Oh and in pure Bridget Jones style, afterwards I realised that my underwear was back to front!
later in the week I had a midwife appointment which was slightly manic, mainly because Jasmine just couldn't keep quiet or still to the point of her toppling over backwards on a little stool. Anyway, iron levels aside, Baby M is tracking a similar size path to Jasmine at this stage and my blood pressure was normal. Oh and we're engaged head down. A birth plan was mentioned too which I smugly said I'd prepared one and wanted a water birth in the MLBU. With that we were free to go!
Despite having a sore back and experiencing pretty intense cramp in my calf muscle I decided it would be a good idea to get on my bike. Well, I rode Andy's bike and he was on mine with Jasmine on the back. It wasn't as if we were tackling a 100 miler but the exercise and fresh air was nice. All 4 miles of it!
Work has been busy which is good but has taken it out of me a bit. Massage can be pretty physically draining. Also with a baby that doesn't stop moving you get tired quickly. Oh and occupying an almost 3 year old comes with challenges! Growing has also increased, as Baby M is putting on fat. My tummy is getting tight, hello stretch marks 😩 I must say though the foot and back rubs have finally been introduced by Andy. We've also been practising breathing and visualisation before bed which really helps get us off to sleep. The only down side is that I wake so many times because my back hurts or I need the loo. Then I have to tackle the millions of pillows tucked between my legs before I can move. Which then means getting back into to bed is impossible! Oh well only 4-5 weeks left until we see Baby M. We are so excited now we just want her here.
read all of Ali's guest blogs here or to book your pregnant bump shoot / mini maternity package book in by using my contact page.
Jess
Baby Portrait Photography and The milestone you have to capture
Baby Portrait Photography and The milestone you have to capture
Baby Portrait Photography and the milestones you have to capture at my fully equipped baby studio in Norwich. What do I mean by milestones? If you’re a parent, or a proud auntie or uncle, you’ll know that there’s something truly magical about newborn babies. Images of newborn babies sleeping peacefully are enough to melt the hardest of hearts and capturing this fleeting part of a child’s life is a fantastic way to keep a part of your newborn forever.
As children become more confident and begin to babble and move on their own, the opportunities for capturing unique images only increase. Once babies reach the age of six to nine months, they’re able to sit up all by themselves. Having a photoshoot done at this stage, at my lovely cosy home studio in Norwich, gives you the opportunity to capture some truly special images, giving you a memory you can treasure forever.
Capturing your baby’s personality at a Baby Portrait Photography shoot at my studio in Norwich.
When babies begin to hold themselves up, smile and interact with the people around them, their personalities really begin to shine. With a little gentle coaxing, most babies of this age will grin for the camera. These heartfelt, toothless smiles (or with one or two tooth pegs peeking out ) are truly priceless. They show the child’s developing personality and make for spectacular photos.
As well as smiling, this stage of a baby’s life often involves a lot of toe grabbing. A photo of a baby munching on their tiny feet is a fantastic memento of this precious period and is a must-have for all proud parents out there.
Smile or no smile
Sessions are fun and not forced, I am all about capturing your child as they are, whether it's a gorgeous serious face and or their joy as we play a game of peek-a-boo.
As sessions are relaxed and fun, they’re enjoyable for both the parents and children, making for a great family experience.
Sitter sessions
If you’d like to capture timeless images of your child as they grow, a sitter session is a perfect choice. Full baby sessions with siblings can be booked at any time at the studio I am based in Sprowston, Norwich. And for a limited time only in September Sitter mini sessions are available, ensuring there’s an option to suit you and your baby perfectly. Be quick and book here.
If your child isn’t quite at the sitting stage, give us a call to discuss our Watch me Grow package and the other sessions we offer at my home studio in Norwich.
Jess x
Pregnancy diaries - 33/34 weeks pregnant third trimester
Pregnancy diaries - 33/34 weeks pregnant third trimester
I am in my third trimester! Birthing, does my mind feel in control? At the moment on and off! Although I think that's more a reflection of how I'm feeling at the moment, as I know I can do it. In fact, the birthing toolkit workshop with Jackie Heffer-Cooke from the Orange Grove was brilliant and has refreshed our minds on lots of things. Andy is confident he knows how to breath down and out of his vagina so all is good! I feel more comfortable about it all too and at the end of the day Baby M has got to come out sooner or later. Fingers crossed we can make it another relaxing natural birth.
It feels like these past two weeks have been long and tiring. I've experienced a day and night of rib pain which I can only liken to having a broken rib (not that I've had one). I managed to stretch that out, only to be greeted with excruciating abdominal pain. Now I like having a bath but spending two hours in one trying to ease the pain and get Baby M to move was not my idea of relaxing. I am lucky in that I made a teary call to my mum who came and took me to the doctors as well as looking after Jasmine for a day or two. I wasn't concerned for Baby M at all I just wanted to understand where the pain was coming from.
My instincts were telling me the baby position, stretching muscles combined with overdoing lifting Jasmine. Oh, and I did find myself in a pit of foam blocks at Mini Springers (gymnastics at UEA) which wasn't easy to get out of. Probably not my finest hour! In the back of my mind, I had thought appendix which the GP did mention. The whole scenario ended up with Andy taking me to the hospital Delivery Suite, who was brilliant, and made a number of checks. Four hours later nothing was conclusive, but my mind was happier and the pain had subsided. Touch wood, since then all has been fine. Aside from having a cold. Oh, pregnancy, the gift that just keeps on giving!
Onto nicer things, we'd been visiting family in Lowestoft and on returning home I was welcomed by 'Dixie' the cutest little caravan sitting in our drive all set up by Dolly & Belles for a baby shower afternoon tea. A couple of months after Jasmine was born we did a course of baby massage. I made some great friends and three years on five of us still catch up which is great for our sanity and lovely to see the kids grow up together. They were behind this surprise, oh and of course Andy loves being in on a little secret mission too! Thank you lovely ladies for 'showering' me with baby love.
I've read that from now till birth my weight gain will be Baby M and not me. Mmmm, best stop eating those pastries and icecream now then! Roughly about half a pound a week and she's gaining brown fat which isn't the wobbly stuff we get, it keeps the baby warm and protects against hypothermia in the first few weeks after birth. All very clever stuff in my eyes. That aside probably a good idea to get any photos taken now before my face fills out like a doughnut!
The lovely Jess Wilkins has worked her magic and finally shot the infamous bump! All will be revealed in my next posting.
Till then I'll leave you with a little meme which made me chuckle ... 'You know you're in the 3rd trimester when you drop something on the floor and walk away muttering 'f**k it!' Oh I'm definitely in that place!
Wanting to book a bump, baby and beyond shoot feel free to message me via my contact form for a chat.
best wishes
Jess
Pregnancy diaries - 31/32 weeks pregnant third trimester
Pregnancy diaries - 31/32 weeks pregnant third trimester 2017
I am now in my third trimester and this week I had the lovely job of being a superhero in our swimming lesson at the Waterbabies Splashathon, raising money for Tommys.
It got me thinking, if you were a superhero what superpowers would you have. Mine would have to be 'pop off' powers. At the click of your fingers, you could be anywhere - a sun-kissed tropical island, feeding monkeys in the jungle or simply snuggled in bed! To me that would be amazing, however, us girls already have a superpower and that's to grow humans! Believe me, that's not something I've taken for granted as for some it's not always a given but when it happens it's the strangest and most wonderful thing all rolled into one. In fact, I've decided the third trimester is the hardest on the body. Alright, the sickness and nausea (if you experience it) in the first trimester is pretty grim and the second trimester brings with it tiredness and growth spurts but everything is gradual. The third trimester, on the other hand, seems to have everything rolled into what feels like a short 3 months. Your body is managing your extra weight, as well as your growing baby constantly moving around. You may have uncomfortable legs or swollen ankles, a sore back or pelvis, a glucose intolerance, low iron levels, I could go on! And to top it all your emotions don't know if they're coming or going! You're also mentally preparing to birth, organising your hospital bag and a nursery all while carrying on your daily routine. I feel cream crackered just thinking about it!
In fact I've decided the third trimester is the hardest on the body. Alright, the sickness and nausea (if you experience it) in the first trimester is pretty grim and the second trimester brings with it tiredness and growth spurts but everything is gradual. The third trimester, on the other hand, seems to have everything rolled into what feels like a short 3 months. Your body is managing your extra weight, as well as your growing baby constantly moving around. You may have uncomfortable legs or swollen ankles, a sore back or pelvis, a glucose intolerance, low iron levels, I could go on! And to top it all your emotions don't know if they're coming or going! You're also mentally preparing to birth, organising your hospital bag and a nursery all while carrying on your daily routine. I feel cream crackered just thinking about it!
I've been relatively well during this pregnancy but have just experienced a two-day taster of Baby M being in the most uncomfortable position ever. Possible breach, I'm not sure but it felt like I had broken ribs, chronic neck and shoulder pain and flu. Oh and 3lb of baby weight pushing down. I spent a day in bed and then trying to mobilise Baby M through stretching and moving on my gym ball. It worked thank goodness. I can't imagine feeling like that for the rest of my pregnancy. Fingers crossed that's not coming back.
From a family perspective, Andy has been an absolute trouper. He puts up with my completely mushed baby brain and helps out when he can after a long day in the big smoke. We haven't quite got to the rubbing feet and massage stage yet but it's coming. I hope ;0). If not I'm sure Jasmine will help do that! In fact, she's been talking about her little sister a lot. Allocating toys and clothes she's going to give her and looking forward to playing and doing cartwheels with her. Cute!
I've been reading my hypnobirthing notes to get set for our birthing workshop run by the lovely Jackie Heffer-Cooke of The Orange Grove Clinic. I'm looking forward to feeling in control of my birth which up until now I've felt a little anxious about. This pregnancy has been different to the first in many ways and I feel apprehensive. Still, only time will tell. I'll let you know how the Birthing Toolkit workshop went next time. Now I'm grabbing 5mins to put my feet up while Jasmine is sleeping!
click here to read Ali's other blogs , we can't wait for the next installment.
Pregnancy diaries - 29/30 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy diaries - 29/ 30 weeks pregnant 2017
wheredo I start? It's been a mixed bag of things this past couple of weeks really. My emotions have been heightened and I've had a couple of teary moments for no particular reason. I had news from the midwife that my iron levels have dropped a little low which made me feel pants, but I've sprung into action and am eating beans and spinach at every meal. Fingers crossed that does the trick. Andy's suggestion to boost my intake was to make sure I get the ironing board out every day. #joker #nochance
Jasmine has now finished nursery for the summer, which brought a tear to my eye and it struck me that I need a plan of action to keep her busy, as well as making sure I can put my feet up. Yeah right! Luckily the local Children's Centres have holiday activities we can get involved with as well as pottering at home. Oh we've already started with baking! Plus I need to get Jasmine riding her bicycle by the end of the summer so I can avoid getting a double buggy.
Birthing has also been on my mind which for some reason I feel a little apprehensive about. Entirely no reason to as I had a lovely birthing experience with Jasmine. I know once we have our hypnobirthing refresher and Jackie Heffer-Cooke has worked her magic I'll be focused and feel more at ease with my S-breathing and feather breathing!
I feel a little bit out on a limb in that people assume because you've had one child you'll be fine with another. No doubt I will but I still want to do some new things so I've signed up for pregnancy aqua with Babyfit which kicks off next week. As well as having some 'me' time I'm looking forward to being around other pregnant women. #watermumma
Baby names are still bubbling around and we've been talking about what baby M will look like. I have everything crossed that if nothing else she will have curly hair like mine. Only time will tell! I'm also hoping she's not gonna be such a sicky baby like Jasmine was. I can't think how many muslins we got through a day!
On a more practical note, we've sorted the nursery and have unearthed all the baby grows and clothes that we kept of Jasmines. Nothing like recycling!
I'm now equipped with a birthing ball and foam roller which have helped to ease my creaking body. Pelvic pain has been manageable but I've had days this week where I've felt really 'low down' and achy. I'm sure a lot of you mums out there can relate to this, especially second time round. It's all slightly more puffy 😉 Plus the third trimester is growing time so with baby M at around 1.5kgs extra weight on top of that is bound to put the pressure on!
Here's to another 12 weeks of growing that special little girl of ours. (Officially 10 but the mills-o-meter says 12). #cantwaittomeetbabyM
Read Ali's other instalments here
Seriously Cute Cake Smashes Make the Perfect Pictures!
Seriously Cute Cake Smashes Make the Perfect Pictures! 2017
Cake Smashes, one of the best things about taking portraits of kids and babies is that it lets us have some real fun in the studio, at my home in Norwich. Many of the best photos you’ll see of children capture them when they’re laughing or smiling naturally, so introducing some simple but cute props and peekaboo to the shoot is a sure fire way to get some truly classic images.
One of the ways to mark a 1st or 2nd birthday at my home studio in Norwich is doing a super cute ‘cake smash’. An optional extra for the end of your family shoot or baby and toddler shoot, cake smashes give kids the chance to let their hair down and enjoy some tasty baking and the photographer the chance to get some fantastic shots.
How does a cake smash work?
If you’ve brought your child in for a kids’ photo shoot or a family shoot, you’ll have the option of adding a cake smash to the end of the session. Once we’ve taken a variety of timeless shots of your child in their best outfits, you can bring the cake you've bought with you (avoid chocolate cakes at all costs - it's not pretty!)
As your child demolishes the cake, we’ll snap away, capturing some unique images as they indulge in their tasty treat. Cute Cake smashes last around 10 to 25 minutes depending on the child. Once they’ve had some fun, if they’re happy to do so, we’ll pop them in a little bubble bath so they can get clean and we can take another couple of timeless snaps. I oragnise the collection of the cake and clean up after the cake smash, I take care of it all making it stressfree.
Why a cake smash is a perfect way to end your shoot
Cake smashes are a fantastic way to end a family or birthday photo shoot. Kids absolutely love them so it helps to ensure they end the session on a very happy note. Cake smashes also gives me the opportunity to capture some fun and unique images that you can treasure forever. They make great gift ideas for grandparents too!
If you’re bringing your child in for a birthday shoot, cake smashes are even more apt. You can use the images we capture as a thank you card to send to friends and family after their party or simply get it framed and keep it as a reminder of this important milestone.
Choosing your cake
When you book your cake smash, I’ll give you a few different cakes to choose from (the cake maker can make lots of colour variations too). You can opt for a giant cupcake, a tiered cake covered in sprinkles or a variety of different designs. My favourite is a simple iced cake with minimal decoration. I love this style as it doesn’t distract from your child and babies can grab and smash it more easily.
To find out more about our unique baby and family photo shoots, or to book a fun and super cute cake smash art my home studio in Norwich (packages start from £200) for your little ones, explore our site or contact me using my simple form.
Pregnancy diaries part 5 - guest blog
Pregnancy diaries part 5 - guest blog 2017
First things first who said pregnant women can't have fun? I decided to squeeze myself onto Jasmine's new scuttle bug toy. Andy found it amusing when he saw me whizzing, well not quite, round the drive!
We've also been having a laugh about Couvade syndrome and that now he's thinking he may have experienced Braxton hicks contractions too! #takingempathytoofar
Third trimester and my bump has definitely grown. Baby M has stepped up a gear and it feels like she's doing interval training. As if growing and carrying a baby for 28 weeks isn't tiring enough! At least we know she's developing her muscles and will be super toned when she arrives into the world.
On the flip side of that my movements are snails pace and frequent trips to the toilet are becoming tedious, especially when there's only a tiny trickle! I've also visited the physio for some advice about the pelvic girdle pain I'm getting. Nothing debilitating but wanted some reassurance that its not going to get progressively worse and interfere with birth or a previous prolapsed disc. The good news is it shouldn't and I have some exercises to do plus a sexy little belly band to use if I need to!
I've also endured a remedial massage from Clare Corcoran at Rowan House Health and Wellbeing which has helped ease my aches and pains. Oh to be weightless, permanently floating in a pool.
And on that note I'm off swimming for some me time. I may even have a cheeky hot chocolate afterwards! #thejoysofpregnancy
check Ali other pregnancy diaries in my blogs for me , and follow her journey throgh her second pregancy !
Sex after Birth- Norwich Guest Blogger DabbourPhysio
Sex after Birth- Norwich Guest Blogger DabbourPhysio 2017
Sex after Birth- Norwich Guest Blogger DabbourPhysio -Two of the most common questions I get when doing postnatal Women’s Health check-ups or Healthy Mummy Assessments are ‘when can I start to have sex again?’ and ‘when will I be ready to have sex after birth?’.
While the questions are similar, there is a slight difference and I often reflect on how birth is both a physiological and psychological experience. This overlap can be seen in the two questions above and hence, the answer is also interconnected.
To begin, the pure physiological changes are usually obvious and understandable; they usually include a combination of pain, bruising, minor bleeding, problems with scars from an episiotomy, healing/scars of tears or a C-Section. Increased or decreased sensation is also common as well as issues caused by a weakened pelvic floor, which if you are unlucky, can lead to temporary problems with incontinence and other dysfunctions. Other physiological aspects are also increased volume of the breasts due to breastfeeding (which often cause sensory changes both good and bad).
Now that I’ve made you all scared, I also want to say that you are unlikely to have all, if any, of the problems above and most of all, they can all be helped and rehabilitated with time – do not worry or stress, healing is a normal part of having a baby.
The second issue, where physiological and psychological experiences overlap is the hormone levels inherent in having a baby – early on after birth your hormones are still likely to be high, and this can cause, among many other things, vaginal dryness that will remain until your body has stabilised itself – something that may take a while. This change in hormones are also linked to the ‘baby blues’, or intermittent moodiness, sadness or irritability that may come along in the weeks after birth. Needless to say, both of these will slow down your ability and desire to have sex.
Then there are pure psychological effects – the shift (mainly by others) from woman to ‘mother’, no longer being centre of care and attention, and often a sense of loneliness once partners and family return to their own lives while yours have changed. Many women also find a conflict in being a woman and a mother at the same – post-partum body, emotional ups and downs, lack of personal time all add up to fight against feeling sexy or desirable, both important elements to having sex.
This is all a mighty cocktail of potential things that may make you hesitant, scared and struggling to desire to have sex. On top of this, there is the stress of taking care of a new-born and the tiredness it brings.
So… when can I start to have sex again and when will I be ready to have sex again?
To answer it to the best of my ability from a Women’s Health Physiotherapy point of view:
- The first bit of advice is medical and it is to wait until you stopped bleeding. This usually takes a few weeks, but there is a lot of variation. (If bleeding continues past 4 weeks, see your GP.)
- Second advice is to trust yourself and your instincts. If it feels good and ok, it probably is. There is nothing to stop you from having sex before your 6 week check if you feel it works for you.
- However, don’t rush and be prepared to take a step back, slow down and try again later – particularly if there is pain or you feel fearful of the idea. This is not a defeat or something to feel bad about; it is just part of the healing process. At a minimum you’d expect at least three weeks of healing if you had any tears or an episiotomy but it might take longer before you are comfortable and it feels natural.
- Do not fear it – it will get better, I promise. Fear avoidance is common and that can become an issue in itself, adding to the psychological impact of birth, making women feel inadequate or that something is wrong. Talk to your partner about what you are feeling.
- Intimacy and sex is looking after yourself – do prioritise it for you own sake. If you liked sex before there is no reason you won’t get back to it – but it might just require some work. Think about what made you ‘tick’ before – that probably hasn’t changed very much and take it from there.
- Along the same lines, intimacy takes many forms and while penetration might not be possible early on, don’t make this stop you from being intimate with your partner in other ways – find what works for you and build up from there. Many find massages a good way to share an intimate moment (see below) and allow for a slow build to normality.
- You are likely to experience vaginal dryness of some form – again, nothing wrong with you, just a hormonal effect. There are moisturising creams to help with this in daily life, and for sex be sure to use a good lubricant that works for you (I’m partial to Liquid Silk but everyone is different – try and see what works for you) and if you really struggle with dryness, please discuss with your doctor as there are prescription medicines that can help.
- To help with scar tissue, sensory issues and pain on contact, do start to massage your perineum (and if relevant, your C-section scar) any suitable moisturiser/oil/lubricant as soon as you have healed. This is also something your partner can do for you and provide you both with intimacy.
- Once you are comfortable with penetration, massaging your pelvic floor before intercourse may help to increase comfort. See this pdf for a description and use lube. Again, something your partner can do!
- Vary your positions during intercourse – many women report some positions being much better than others. It can depend on your particular scar tissue, any perineum injuries and in what position your pelvic floor is most relaxed.
- If you had third degree tears or worse, liaise closely with your GP/Gynaecologist/WH Physiotherapist as these can require some more healing and some other adjustments – regardless, it is just a matter of extra time rather than something being wrong forever.
- Laugh about it and fall in love with your vagina again. Don’t be afraid to have a look as it is often not as bad as you think. Sex may be stop-start, it may take a while to get there and it may require lots of preparation. All part of the process. You’ll get there.
Hope this helped! If you are struggling, please don’t be afraid to seek advice – it is what we are here for. I am based in Norwich, please let me know if you have any questions let me know or visit my website for more information.
For some other reading on related topics, please check out the following posts:
Pelvic Floor Gadgets and Aids
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
Post Pregnancy Exercise
Hip Pain During Pregnancy
DabbourPhysio is a Norwich-based Physiotherapy Clinic specialising in Women's Health and Musculoskeletal problems, rehabilitation Yoga and Pilates classes as well as Hypnobirthing and Antenatal workshops.
The current Pregnancy and Postnatal classes run on Tuesday afternoons in Norwich. The Physiotherapy rehabilitation classes, YogaPhysio and PhysioPilates, are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays in Norwich, Noroflk.
DabbourPhysio also offer the Healthy Mummy Assessment, a postnatal check-up again in Norwich and this can help reduce the risk of having problems later in life as a result of giving birth.
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My other guest blogs can be found here.
Pregnancy blog - third trimester
Pregnancy blog - third trimester: 2017
After having a nauseating first trimester which trickled into the second, I find myself in the third trimester with only fourteen weeks till Baby M arrives, unless she decides to make us wait! I can now say I'm finally enjoying being pregnant!
The past two weeks have been busy with lots of fun stuff. Andy and I enjoyed a grown up trip to London, wahoo. We've been to the beach, visited Pensthorpe and completed a toddle for Banardos with nursery. Tiring as it is I'm also still working which I plan to do till I can no longer get close to the table to massage! I will say the fun stopped momentarily when I had a meltdown about not having a bikini that fitted just as I was going to take Jasmine swimming. She looked at me and said 'Oh mummy!'
For those that know me I am reasonably endowed, however I've recently been told that to accompany my growing bump my boobies have become ginormous! Judging by the message Andy left me the other day it's all fine though (see pic)! Oh and we did make it to swimming in the end.
As I understand it, at this point in pregnancy/ thirs trimester the amniotic fluid has reduced making any baby movement felt. I'd definitely agree with that as I can feel all the moves she makes! Her pattern of movements seem to be early morning and late evening with some added squirms when I eat or if she hears Andy and Jasmine talking! She's definitely sensitive to noise.
We had a check in with the midwife and heard that lovely whooshing sound of baby M's heartbeat. I also had the usual blood pressure and urine sample checks too, both of which were fine. My speech on the other hand has utterly gone to pot. I can't get my words out, forget what I'm saying and sometimes can't even think of the right words to say. Baby brain has kicked in. Luckily that's not something checked by the midwife!
Sleeping in the heat has been bearable. I think the worst part is turning over. I feel and probably look like, a beetle when they're stuck wriggling on their backs! I'm sure there'll come a time when I actually can't right myself!
Cravings are still non-existent but I'm enjoying the freedom to eat icecream when I fancy it. A gelato in Southwold was pretty lush at the weekend after paddling in the sea and lunch at The Nelson pub (one of Andy's favs). A pre-Father's Day treat.
Here's to another two weeks of pregnancy mayhem! Oh and Happy Father's Day to all daddies out there.!
to read all of Ali's other fabulous guest blogs from her first trimester to her third !
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Norfolk Blogger - Pregnancy diary part 4 : baby names?
Norfolk Blogger - Pregnancy diary part 4 : baby names? 2017
Week 24 and its all about baby names!
In the words of Will Smith 'Summer, summer, summertime' or should it be Nellie 'It's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes!' Don't worry I've not felt that hot yet despite the temperatures soaring these past couples of weeks. Even though us pregnant ones have more blood pumping around our bodies, something like 50% more than pre-pregnancy, I'm lucky I've not been affected by the heat. In fact I love it! Ask me again in another 10 weeks and it may be a different story!
Pelvic girdle pain, on the other hand, is becoming an annoyance. Nothing major and I remember having it very briefly when I carried Jasmine as I joked with my husband saying I had a cracked pelvis. Luckily it only lasted a couple of weeks. This time round I don't have severe pain just more of a bruised sensation to the left of my pelvis. Self-massage has helped, along with thinking I'm a mermaid and keeping my legs as close together as possible!
I've contended with half-term which before Jasmine I really didn't have a clue about as I had no reason to. That said we've had a great time. A trip to the zoo, continuous play, some paddling pool fun oh and role play to the point of feeling that I'm living in a Disney princess world with friends called Belle, Aurora, Tiana and Moana, I think you've got the picture.
At the beginning of last week, I had a 'birth' moment. Yeah, I've done it once already but I still think you should treat it as your first. I don't want to be complacent and want to do all I can to have a comfortable birthing experience like the first. I'm not kidding myself though that all births are the same. If my pregnancy is anything to go by I definitely need to be prepared. Being a massive advocate of hypnobirthing I've booked onto a refresher course in July with Jackie Heffer-Cooke based in Norfolk at The Orange Grove. Having already done the full course I cannot recommend it enough. At the end of the day, we're made to give birth. Our bodies instinctively know what to do and it's our mind that needs to work with our body rather than against it. My husband also found it gave him a purpose and how as a couple we could work together during the birth. He also loved the breathing techniques as they helped his sleep no end! I'm sure I'll talk more about birthing again so I will move on to the important matter of names.
Baby names: Do we go traditional, alternative or unusual? Decisions decisions. If you've got any suggestions let me know. Jasmine has come up with baby names Emily, Poppy, Gracie, Maui, and Izzy but I don't think we're quite on board with all her suggestions. 'Maui' the demigod of Hawaii in Moana, doesn't feel right for a baby girl! That's as far as we've got with names but I'm sure we'll toy with more ideas as the pregnancy progresses.
Only 16 weeks left to go! Here's to another fun packed couple of weeks.
You can read Ali's other guest blogs here - happy reading or to book a shoot at my baby studio in Norfolk contact me today!