This post is marked by so much happiness and sadness for me for two reasons. Firstly, this is my last pregnancy update and I’ve absolutely loved this whole journey and it’s coming to an end – it sounds so final! I’m genuinely going to miss being pregnant as I’ve enjoyed the experience so much, it’s been such a beautiful adventure. Secondly, I’m on cloud nine thinking about my baby boy and his arrival into this crazy world. It’s going to be so surreal, being pregnant with a bump one day and then starting life with a newborn the next.
Last week I had my last check up with my midwife. She ended the appointment by saying ‘I’ll see you at home with your new baby,’ which really made it seem more real to me. At the appointment, we did the usual tests which were all fine and my little man is happy and healthy. Obviously, the fact that he’s late was discussed and she booked an induction and offered to do a stretch and sweep, which is purely optional. This is when the membranes of the amniotic sac are separated from the cervix as a method to bring on labour. I don’t think he liked his nest being disturbed as he seemed jittery and even more active than usual for the rest of the day. The sweep didn’t help at all so I’ve tried all of the natural methods to bring on labour. 😉
In regards to the induction, I’m praying that it won’t come to that and labour will start naturally. My birth preferences are all centred around a natural and active birth with no medical intervention. I was very flexible when writing my birth plan and realise that things like this are never black and white. If medical intervention is required for the safe delivery of my little boy then so be it, that’s all that matters after all. Admittedly, I have had problems getting my head around the prospect of an induced labour as I really hoped that this would happen spontaneously whether he was late or on time. I’ve spoken to my mum who had to be induced with my brother and she has reassured me that everything will be fine. Potentially, the majority of my birth preferences may have to go out the window, but at the end of the day I will have a beautiful baby boy at the end of it all.
Everything is going well where I’m concerned too, I’m getting enough sleep and there are no aches and pains. My bump dropped significantly on Sunday and I’m sure that I could feel him wriggling further down whilst we were shopping in Sainsbury’s. I’ve just been carrying on as normal, which I think has been the best approach for me. Even being overdue I still feel perfectly fit and healthy so getting out and going to the gym hasn’t been a problem this week. Obviously, if it was harmful to my baby’s health and mine, then I would stop immediately, but I’m happy to keep going for as long as I can.
He was actually moving against my hand when I took this photo!
As the previous weekend was our last together as two, Alfie and I made sure that we spent lots of quality time together. We didn’t do anything special just shopping, lunch, cooking together and lots of TV and movies, but it felt special either way. It was nice to relax together before our imminent arrival because life as we know it is about to change, but in the best way possible! All of this extra time has meant that I’ve managed to buy some extra bits for the baby that I think we may need. Also, I’ve been able to get mentally prepared for the major changes that are going to occur and the fact that I’m no longer going to be pregnant. I’ve always appreciated that mamahood isn’t going to be easy and there will be challenges, but I’m really looking forward to this whole new chapter.
I feel like I’ve just dumped all of my baby thoughts in this post. We’re so close now, how crazy to think that we’re only a few days away from meeting him, exciting times ahead!
How were you feeling in the last days of your pregnancy? Did you feel that you had enough time to mentally adjust to the changes ahead?
If you’re not pregnant, how do you think you would spend the last few days leading up to the birth?
I’m so excited for you, I can tell he’ll be along any day now!
All the best for when he does arrive.
Lucy
She’s So Lucy
This is so exciting Jemma! I’m not pregnant (nor anywhere near!!) but like you say his health is the most important thing with regards to delivery. You look so blissed out in that photo, I just know you’re going to be a fabulous mum 🙂 xxx
It’s so soon! I remember reading the first pregnancy posts and now look where you’ve got to! So excited for you and I’m sure it’ll all go smoothly! Wishing you all the very best <3
xoxo,
BerryBloomXO.com | Beauty & Lifestyle Blog 
Enjoy these last few days before a brand new baby filled life.
Oh good luck, I hope it goes well for you and you can get away without having intervention. It must be such an exciting time.
I went 11 days over with my last pregnancy. Savour every moment of these last few days, and remember you are still in control if you decide to go ahead with your induction. You can ask to wait and be monitored instead if you want another day or two to see if baby comes of their own accord
Aww he’ll be in your arms so soon. Looking at your pictures I really miss being pregnant. I don’t have any pictures of myself whilst I was pregnant, next time I’m documenting EVERYTHING!
It is crazy how different you and Laura (keeping healthy blog) are so different in your pregnancies. Her’s being 5 weeks early and yours being late! It is a very individual thing. Fingers crossed your labour goes how you have planned!
Sounds like an exciting and nerve wracking time! If I were pregnant I would definitely want to try to go the natural route as well. The last few days of the pregnancy I would probably want to spend as much time with the hubby hanging out and doing our normal day-to-day things.
You are looking beautiful! I had these same feelings at the end of my pregnancy. So excited to meet my baby girl, but also I loved being pregnant, and it was sad to see that special time of my life coming to a close. It’s so much better having that baby in your arms though, trust me 🙂
wow 41 weeks. I Hope things go the way you want and good luck on the natural birth.
What an exciting time in your life! Congrats on you soon-to-be new bundle of joy!
Good luck I bet your super excited!! Urrr I think I would spend the last few days terrified to be honest but that’s cause I gave no idea how I would feel for any of it…maybe one day eek!
My doctor was planning to induce me, but the day before my due date, I went into labor naturally and delivered my daughter on my due date. The last few weeks of my pregnancy I felt like I could barely move and could not wait for labor.
This is precious! I’ve been married for a few years and am starting to seriously think about babies (so weird!). This makes me excited (for you and me!). I think I would probably spend my last bit of time before the baby constantly thinking “my life will never be the same after this”.
This was so interesting to read! I’m not or have ever been pregnant so it’s all new to me. I imagine the last few weeks to be a quite stressful!
It was all such a bittersweet experience for me. I absolutely loved being pregnant and now with my son being 21 months I still miss feeling him in my belly at times. However, each new stage is the “best” and it’s the most amazing experience to watch them grow into their own little person. Take it all in. It goes faster than you could ever imagine! PS. Being a mama to a little boy is THE BEST! 🙂
Yayyy you are so close until meeting your baby!! Hope he comes soon and I cant wait to see pictures of him 🙂
I’ll honestly probably work up until the day, I have no idea how I’ll be feeling though, so that may be a complete lie! hahaha.
You look beautiful! I can’t wait to see more photos!
Look look so fresh and happy for the end of your pregnancy! I’ve never been pregnant so I can only wish you the best of luck in meeting your baby boy!! Congrats!!
xoxo
Candace
http://www.FromCtoC.com
This is so exciting! The time has almost come! Wishing you the best of luck and all the love in the world <3
Good luck to you and baby boy! Excited for you 🙂
Oh wow! Hard to believe it is finally here! Any day now! How exciting! I keep thinking that the next time I read your blog, your little boy might just be here! 🙂 I hope as much as the birthing process as possible can be natural because I know it’s what you want!
So exciting and so excited for you Jemma! Hopefully baby arrives very soon and 100% healthy!
The end of pregnancy is bitter sweet. I had to be induced with 3 of my 4 boys and all went perfectly fine and myself and my boys were all healthy. Happy birthing!
It’s too bad your plan is getting skewed a bit. It’ll be all worth it when your little man is here though!
You’re so close! I’m glad you still get to exercise this close to your time! Hey, you never know, it might induce labor naturally!
You look so cute! And you are almost there! What an amazing experience ahead of you!
I give you tons of credit for wanting to take this birth naturally. I know if I were to ever be pregnant, I would want a C-Section, ha! I want to not feel a thing…… Well, then I should just get a surrogate, right? Ha! No no, I want to be pregnant, I want to eat even more than I already do? LOL! Uh, I know that shouldn’t be the reason, LOL!!!!! – Which is why… I will not be pregnant, lol!
I remember thinking with my first second, for a split second, “Crap! What did we do?” Only for a second though 🙂 It ends up being a very wild ride with little sleep for the first month and then it gets easier! I can’t wait to read the post about your new baby!
This is so fantastic. It will be the beginning of a whole new life. I am so excited for you.
So happy for you! A new little person is such a gift. Blessings.
Congratulations on the impending awesome event!! So happy for you!!
This is just so exciting Jemma! You look wonderful in the picture and I’m sure little man will have a safe and healthy delivery.
How exciting!! Good luck with everything!
I’m so excited for baby to come soon! I remember being so excited in my last few days before I had my daughter.
How fun that you can feel him moving while you take photos!
How exciting for it to be so close! Can’t wait to hear all about your new adventure!
I was miserable with my last week or two, but he was almost 9.5lbs so I found out why after I had him, lol. I felt like I couldn’t eat enough food and was always “hangry”. I had him at 41w2d 100% naturally. 🙂
Wishing you all the best! It can happen just any moment now 🙂
I’ve never been pregnant but it’s always interesting to read other people’s stories so when/if it happens for me I will be all knowledgeable! I hope everything goes well for you. All the best.x
What an exciting time of your life! I wish you all the best as you prepare to give birth to your baby boy!
Best to you. My birth plan the first time around was completely change. Having my baby boy safely and healthy was all that mattered though. You’ve got the right idea. Do what you can.
Yay!!!! He will be here soon. I am excited for you. Don’t be sad about not being pregnant anymore. Motherhood is a MAJOR ballgame.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
You look so great! I remember that bittersweet feeling. I’m only 17 weeks and I’m already dreading not being pregnant so definitely trying to soak it up 🙂
Wow!!!! I think it’s special how the two of you spent time together before the baby arrived!!! I think that’s what I would do if I where pregnant too!!!!