Lara Percival

Blog

  • Not so lazy Saturday 

    Hey little one, today we have packed our bag with everything we are going to need for you arrival.
    We have even unpacked and put everything away in your draws and wardrobe all your clothes and things we will need to look after you. 
    As you can probably tell me and your mummy are getting really excited about meeting you,you have been kicking loads after mummy has eaten, means you are getting big and strong  

  • Into Week 34 – Cantaloupe Melon

    Into Week 34 – Cantaloupe Melon

    Your baby is the size of a cantaloupe melon 2.1kg and measures 44.5cm (head to heel)…

    YOUR GROWING BABY

    The brain is working enthusiastically forming all of the millions of complex connections needed for learning in the outside world. While this is happening your baby may be sleeping much more and possibly even dreaming. This can be monitored by the rapid eye movement (REM) during sleep.

    Your baby’s brain is not the finished article at birth and will triple in size in the first year. At the age of one your baby’s brain is three-quarters the size of that of an adult.

    The lungs are maturing well and healthy babies born now are at less risk of needing extra help with their breathing, but may still need extra care after birth and require monitoring in the neonatal nursery.

    WHAT’S HAPPENING TO YOU

    By this week, fatigue has probably set in again and your tiredness is perfectly understandable. Now is the time to take frequent rests and conserve your energy for the big day.

    Your vision may seem blurry and a decrease in tear production can leave your eyes dry and irritated. An increase in fluid in the eye can change their shape so you may find you are more near-sighted or far-sighted than usual. These changes are temporary and your eyes will return to normal after you’ve had your baby.

    Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs only in pregnancy when the body can’t make or use enough insulin to meet the extra demands of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can be controlled by keeping physically active and making healthy changes to the diet such as cutting down on sugary foods and replacing them with starchy foods like pasta and rice and eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. But, for one in five women, medication and/or insulin injections are required during the rest of the pregnancy.

    NEED TO KNOW

    Things for you to consider during week 34 of your pregnancy:

    • See your midwife every two weeks from now on to assess your wellbeing.
    • Contact your midwife/maternity unit immediately if you experience any vaginal bleeding.
    • If you wear contact lenses you may find glasses more comfortable these days.
    • If you have gestational diabetes you have a two-in-three chance of developing gestational diabetes in a future pregnancy. You are also at higher risk of developing diabetes later in life so you should have an annual blood check which you GP can arrange.

  • Been a while 

    Hey little one, been a while since I’ve posted and said hi. I’ve started to talk to you more and sometimes lay on mummy tummy but you kicked my in the head as you didn’t like me laying on you. 

    You have been very stretchy and very wriggley lately as you continue to grow. Mummy is now struggling to sleep and lay on her front so we have broken out the noodle to help mummy sleep and can honestly say last night was a good night for sleep. 
    In the outside world it’s the same old both me and mummy continue to work so we can buy you nice things, we have your room setup and clothes blankets baths etc are ready and waiting for your arrival, we will be going shopping at the weekend for more essentials. 
    And as always we can’t wait to meet you 

  • Into Week 33 – Pineapple

    Into Week 33 – Pineapple

    Your baby now weighs about the same as a pineapple 1.9kg and measures 43.7cm (head to heel)…

    YOUR GROWING BABY

    Your baby is gaining is about 220g (8 oz) a week and the skinny, wrinkled look is becoming a thing of the past.

    Your baby’s skeleton is continuing to harden but the bones in the skull will not fuse together. This is to allow them to move and slightly overlap whilst travelling through the birth canal. (The pressure during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a cone-shaped head). These bones don’t entirely fuse until around two years of age.

    Your baby has probably moved into the birth position with the head downwards and may descend further into your pelvis at any time within the next six weeks.

    During the last 12 weeks of pregnancy, antibodies, which help fight infection, are passed from you into your baby through the placenta. Babies born prematurely are at greater risk of infection, as they have not had the same transfer of antibodies to them in the last weeks of pregnancy.

    WHAT’S HAPPENING TO YOU

    As your baby fills out it may become more and more difficult to find an easy position to sit and sleep in. You may also be doing rather a lot of waddling and bumping into things.

    If your hands and fingers swell, pressure may be put on the carpal tunnel that houses the tendons and nerves that run to the fingers.

    This can result in pins and needles and numbness in your fingers and may cause pain to radiate from the wrist to the forearm. In severe cases you may need to see a physiotherapist who may suggest that you wear splints on the wrists at night.

    NEED TO KNOW

    Things for you to consider during week 33 of your pregnancy:

    • Try sleeping with your hands raised on a pillow to prevent fluid from building up.
    • Take frequent breaks if you work at a keyboard so that you can flex the fingers and rotate the wrists to exercise them.
    • Make sure you include omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) in your diet. Found mainly in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, DHA is crucial for your baby’s brain and vision development. Up to a maximum of two portions of oily fish per week is recommended in pregnancy.
    • If you are finding it hard to sleep at night, develop a winding-down routine before bedtime. Try a candle-lit bath with some lavender oil added to make you sleepy, listen to relaxing music and have a milky drink before you go to bed.
  • Into Week 32 – Chinese Cabbage

    Into Week 32 – Chinese Cabbage

    Your baby now weighs the same as a Chinese cabbage 1.7kg and measures 42.4cm (head to heel)…

    YOUR GROWING BABY

    You’re gaining about 450g (1lb) a week and roughly half of that goes straight to your baby. During the next seven weeks your baby will gain between a third and a half of birth weight whilst fattening up for survival outside the womb.

    Your baby is practising all the skills needed to survive outside the womb, from swallowing and breathing to sucking and kicking. The digestive system is fully functioning. Toenails, fingernails, and real hair have formed and the skin is becoming soft and smooth.

    Your baby’s movements may change as the amount of space inside the uterus decreases. But there should still be a regular pattern of movement. If you notice any change, or lessening of your baby’s movements you should go straight to the maternity unit, as this could be a sign your baby is in trouble.

    WHAT’S HAPPENING TO YOU

    To accommodate your baby’s growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you became pregnant.

    Your uterus is pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach increasing the likelihood of shortness of breath and heartburn.

    Braxton Hicks contractions are likely to be more noticeable now and will continue to increase in both frequency and strength until real labour begins. You will feel a painless, tightening sensation, starting at the top of the uterus and spreading downwards, which can last anything from15 seconds up to two minutes. They are irregular and will stop if you change position.

    NEED TO KNOW

    Things for you to consider during week 32 of your pregnancy:

    To help relieve any discomfort caused by shortness of breath and heartburn, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller, more frequent meals.

    Practise some deep breathing or relaxation techniques in preparation for labour and birth.

    If you haven’t already made a birth plan, think about doing one now. It will help you decide how you would like your labour and birth to be managed.

    Delivery of larger items of baby equipment, such as a pram or car seat, can take a number of weeks so if you haven’t placed an order yet, you should do it now. Check that the items can be delivered in time for your baby’s arrival.

    Practise putting the car seat into the car so that you know how it works before the baby arrives.

  • Into Week 31 – Coconut

    Into Week 31 – Coconut

    Your baby is now the weight of a coconut 1.5kg and measures 41.1cm (head to heel)…

    Your growing baby

    Your baby’s body is entering another growth spurt as much needed fat accumulates under the skin. The constant bouts of activity are an excellent sign of a healthy baby, but these somersaults and kicks may be keeping you awake at night.

    The eyes continue to develop and the pupils can now dilate in reaction to the light that filters in through the wall of the uterus. The eyelids are likely to be open during the time your baby is awake and closed when its asleep.

    What’s happening to you

    You may be experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions every so often. These contractions are the result of your uterine muscles tightening. They last for about thirty seconds and should be quite infrequent and painless at this stage.

    Frequent painful contractions, however, could be a sign of early labour so seek advice from your midwife or doctor.

    You may have recently noticed some leaking of colostrum, your baby’s first milk, from your nipples. If so, try placing nursing pads into your bra to protect your clothes. Don’t worry if you don’t see colostrum at this stage, your breasts will still be producing it.

    Clumsiness is quite normal at this stage in pregnancy. Caused by an increase in weight, a change in your posture and a lack of concentration, amongst other things, you will need to tread carefully to make sure that you don’t fall. Avoid slippy shoes, or walking around in socks, and take extra care on any slippery surfaces.

    Need to know

    Things for you to consider during week 31 of your pregnancy:

    • If you notice your baby is moving less or there is a change in the pattern of movement, it could be the first sign that your baby is unwell. Contact your midwife or local maternity unit immediately.
    • Find out more about breastfeeding. Even if you are uncertain about how you wish to feed your baby, or haven’t breastfed a previous baby, talk to your midwife about the benefits of breastfeeding and what you need to know. Attending antenatal classes will give you loads of useful information.
    • Make a list of everything you need for the baby so that you can see what you still need to get.
    • If you are not having a home birth, start thinking about what you will want to pack in your labour bag.
    • Check what birthing equipment, such as TENS machines, birthing balls and birth pools, the maternity unit supplies and what you can take in yourself.

  • Into Week 30 – Cabbage

    Your growing baby

    Your baby is about the weight of a cabbage 1.3kg and measures 39.9cm (head to heel).

    The formation of white fat cells under the skin is causing your baby to have surges of energy and you may find that it ends up lying in a strange position.

    This ‘transverse lie’ position is quite normal at this stage. Your baby is floating in about a pint and a half of amniotic fluid and will move into different positions before reaching its final position with the head down, ready to be born.

    Your baby’s sleeping and waking cycles are quite defined but may not coincide with your own! Be prepared for some strong kicks under the ribs and pressure on your pelvic floor.

    While the eyesight is still developing and is not yet very acute, your baby is able to discern objects quite close to its face. All five senses are now functional.

    Pregnancy week 30 – What’s happening to you

    Tiredness is likely to be an issue as your sleep is being disrupted several times a night. Your growing baby is putting a lot of demands on your body, so be kind to yourself and rest whenever you can and try to get more sleep by going to bed earlier, or staying in bed later or, if you can manage it, both.

    You may experience breathlessness because your baby is putting pressure on your diaphragm and lungs, making it uncomfortable to take deep breaths. Try sitting and standing as straight as possible and taking slow, deep breaths. At night sleep with pillows propping you up. If breathlessness causes you concern you should see your GP.

    The mood swings of early pregnancy may reappear or appear for the first time. The changes in your body, hormonal surges and lack of sleep can all play a part in this.

    Need to know
    Things for you to consider during week 30 of your pregnancy

  • If extreme tiredness is accompanied by other symptoms such weakness, breathlessness or fainting you could be suffering from iron-deficiency anaemia so tell your midwife or GP how you are feeling


  • You may be worrying about the approaching labour and your role as a new parent. One in ten expectant mothers suffer from depression during pregnancy so talk to your GP or midwife if you are struggling with low mood or feelings of anxiety.


  • If you have a low household income you may be entitled to a Sure Start grant to help buy things for the baby (if this is your first child).

  • Into Week 29 – Butternut Squash

    Your growing baby

    Your baby is the size of a butternut squash and weighs around 1.2kg and measures 38.6cm (head to heel).The size of your baby’s head is now in proportion with the rest of the body. The brain is getting faster and more powerful and is building up the connections between nerve cells and is now controlling your baby’s breathing and body temperature.

    Your baby is becoming more sensitive to light, sound, taste and smell.

    Your baby’s adrenal glands are helping to make oestriol. This is thought to stimulate the production of prolactin, which is responsible for the production of milk. This means that even babies born early will be able to breastfeed from their mothers.

    Pregnancy week 29 – What’s happening to you

    Heartburn and constipation may be more of a problem. Excess progesterone is the cause of these conditions as this hormone has the effect of relaxing smooth muscle tissue throughout the body. This relaxation slows digestion and in turn causes heartburn and constipation. 

    It is very common for piles (haemorrhoids) to develop in your rectal area during pregnancy. They can be itchy and uncomfortable. Fortunately these swollen blood vessels disappear soon after your baby is born.

    You are more susceptible to urinary tract infections (UTIs) in this trimester.

    This is because the muscle tone of the bladder has been reduced, which means your urine flow slows down which gives bacteria longer to multiply in the bladder. It’s very important to consult your GP or midwife if you experience any symptoms such as pain when passing urine, back pain and flu-like symptoms. Left untreated a UTI can lead to kidney infection, which can increase the chance of premature labour.

    Need to know

    Things for you to consider during week 29 of your pregnancy

    Eat a high fibre diet and drink plenty of water to relieve constipation.

    Doing pelvic floor exercises will help to prevent haemorrhoids by improving the circulation to this area.

    If you have haemorrhoids and you find they are itchy or painful talk to your pharmacist who can advise you on an ointment to use which is suitable in pregnancy.

    Buy some breast pads as your breasts may start to leak colostrum (your baby’s first food).

    Help to prevent UTIs by drinking plenty of water and don’t go for long periods without emptying your bladder.

  • Antenatal Session 2

    Your Mummy and I are fresh out of our second antenatal session where we learned about what Mummy could do to relieve the pain when you finally decide to come into the world. Exciting times. 

    On another note, I have progressed with your room and there are only a few jobs left to do, and then I will get in contact with your uncle Jason and get him to bring over your bed and other furniture so I can paint them for you. 

    We went to Brands Hatch race circuit to see the touring cars, we went with Daddy and Mummy’s good friends Brad and Floss. They brought you some presents: some ear defenders for when your born so you can come with us and a vest that your going to look very cute wearing. On our drive down, Daddy has his rock music on and you were kicking along to Black Betty, glad you like your rock music.

  • Antenatal Session 1

    You Dad and I attended our first antenatal session yesterday evening. You Dad was kind enough to pick me up from work so I didn’t need to get the bus home, but neither of us like your Dad’s too stiff suspension, especially over those speedbumps and potholes. You kick like mad and roll yourself into a tight ball. You definitely prefer your Mum’s car. Much more comfortable ride, but louder exhaust.

    The first session taught us more about what signs to look out for when going into labour, and how to manage it. I feel comforted that the pain will be manageable, either by me or given at the hospital. Either way between us we will get you out safely.

    Dad’s been busy painting your nursery. We hope you like Star Wars as much as we do.