It was also the day I hit 36 weeks and had another midwife appointment. All in all it was a pretty busy day.
And I did it looking like this:
It's funny looking at this photo because I'm not sure I actually feel as big as I look. I keep catching sight of myself in mirrors and windows and doing a doubletake because surely that's not me.
The midwife appointment went well. Despite the massive bump, Baby Bo is measuring smack bang on the average line for growth. My belly measurement was 34 weeks which is consistent with where I measured at my 28 week appointment. I'm curious to see where his actual measurements at next week's scan put him.
And he's definitely getting ready for the off.
Last week I said I thought he was starting to drop. This week I know he definitely is, though he's still able to get those long legs all up in my ribcage.
His head is down in my pelvis and he's still in his comfy spot along the right hand side of my bump, bum up on the right, feet off to the left (sometimes he stretches them out the side and sometimes tucks them up under my ribs). I thought I heard the midwife say this was an LOA presentation but on reading up online it's actually ROA which isn't a bad spot for him to be in, except there's a risk of him rotating clockwise and going back-to-back during labour.
We chatted a little more about my birth plan, then about recognising the signs of post-natal depression and things you can do to help, and then a little about breastfeeding. It turns out that we can borrow a breast pump from the local midwives which is fantastic news and something I may well take them up on should the need arise.
Then it was back to work for the rest of my last day.
As far as last days could go, it went well. I was worried someone would get it into their head to make a big fuss and I really didn't want that. I did have a fairly steady stream of people coming through to wish me good luck and give me hugs which was nice.
It felt a little surreal walking out the door at the end of the day, knowing that was me done. I mean, I'll be popping back in during the next few months and I've left the two teams I'm involved with my contact details in case I'm needed urgently for anything, but otherwise I'm focusing on my new job as Bo's Mummy.
At the same time, walking out the door sort of felt like walking out the door on any other Friday. I still feel like I'll be walking back in again on Monday (which given my baby brain is actually a definite possibility, I did inadvertently steal someone's lunchbox on Thursday night when I took it home thinking it was mine).
I shouldn't be back on Monday though. I've got a week's holiday booked, and it's a pretty action packed week as well, what with a plumber visit, a hospital visit and a lunch date planned. And then I'm officially starting my maternity leave.
I still can't quite believe it. I waited eight years for the chance to go on maternity leave. I stuck with the job through some pretty tough times for the guarantee of that maternity leave. And now it's finally happening.
It still doesn't really feel real!
This post left me with a huge smile on my face! So happy for you. And you definitely look very pregnant now :D You seem to work a bit longer there, here I think maternity leave started around 35 weeks. And I remember very well the feelings when leaving on the last day, it's a special moment that stays with you :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. :)
DeleteI could've started my leave earlier, I think any time after about 28 weeks if I'd wanted to, but that would mean fewer weeks with Bo when he's born.
The impression I got from work is that they like you to take it from around two weeks before the baby is due which is why I went for having it from the 22nd of January when I'll be 37+3. Thou
The week's holiday next week is a little bonus. ;)
You look great. So happy for you and can't wait to see pictures of the baby.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Not too much longer to wait now.
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