Third trimester... !

Would you believe that 27 weeks pregnant constitutes the start of the third trimester? So, here I am, in the final third of my pregnancy. Less than 13 weeks to go. I guess we should start getting organised!

This is the latest belly shot, from last night. A dear friend surprised me with some divine Peter Alexander maternity pajamas, and while I intended to save them for the hospital, I couldn't resist wearing them last night. I think it's extremely important to treat yourself (or be treated, in this case) to nice things when you are pregnant as it is so easy to fall into a bit of a lull when nothing fits, you feel swollen and chubby, and it's just not feasible to go out and do the things you are used to doing.

I had an appointment with my obstetrician on Friday and was very happy to hear that everything is continuing along nicely. I've put on 6kgs, and the baby's fetal weight is 1.1kg. Hmm. (Doesn't quite seem fair!) She's pretty much bang on average, maybe ever so slightly above.

I'm busy brushing up on some important vocabulary for when it's go time, so at least I don't feel completely helpless! Ideally, I'd like to feel confident enough that the words will come to me naturally, and I won't have to be mid contraction, trying to remember how to say, 'I need to push!'. I'm sure I won't need words, and they'll know anyway (they're incredibly thorough here!), but I'd rather be prepared.

There's heaps more I could go into, but won't!

Labour

breech position: sakago

show (pink or bloody, jelly-like discharge): shirushi

labor pain: jintsu

rupture of membrane: hasui

cesarean section: teio sekkai

fetal monitor: taiji kanshi sochi

pain or discomfort: itami, itai desu

shaving: teimo

enema: kanchoo

injection: chusha

general anesthetic: zenshin masui

Delivery

delivery room: bunben shitsu

delivery table: bunben dai

episiotomy: ein sekkai

father attending birth: otto tachiai bunben

pillow: makura

placenta: taiban

umbilical cord: heso no o

vaginal delivery: keichitsu bunben

I want to push: Ikimitai

Push now: Ima ikinde.

Don't push: Ikimanaide

epidural: komakugai masui

spinal anesthetic: sekizui masui

Time to get 'Big in Japan'.

After just over 3 weeks in Australia, I have finally returned to Japan for the remainder of my pregnancy. It was particularly hard and emotionally upsetting leaving my loved ones this time round, but it's time to settle down, get organised, and rest. I am so grateful to those special people that took the time out of their busy lives to see me, and thank-you to Mum and Dad, who treated me to a beautiful going away lunch with family and close friends, where myself and our baby girl were truly spoilt.

After a helter skelter type of September and October, it's wonderful to have our little family of three back together again. I've been rushing around like a mad woman, often forgetting I'm pregnant, and then wondering why I'm so sore and exhausted by early evening. Not to even mention all the international travelling with a 14 kilogram, and incredibly active, 17 month old. How different it is to the first time round, where I was so careful and so gentle on my body. That, plus all the climbing and jumping Billy does all over me, it will be a miracle if she arrives in one piece. All preparation for her life with an older brother though, I suppose!

Here are some pictures, taken this morning, at 26 weeks. I think my belly has grown a fair bit over the past few weeks. Hopefully it's mostly baby, and not all the good old Aussie junk food I indulged in!

Speaking of food, I've got the biggest sweet tooth this time round, and almond croissants are all I can think about!! You must admit they look pretty good. Dean & Deluca make the best ones so a trip to Roppongi Hills may have to be on the cards this week! With an espresso... ahh, pregnancy heaven.

Chubby cheeks and pouty lips.

My scan last week was fantastic and it was so great to see some pictures of our growing baby girl. Technology is amazing and she looks so developed already, despite having 16 weeks to go.

I was told she has pouty lips, and well, the chubby cheeks speak for themselves! I was very grateful to hear that everything is progressing normally and that she is strong and healthy. Whilst chatting with the sonographer, I asked whether it was common to go through a whole day without discovering an abnormality, of some description, in a baby, and she said it is quite rare. I really feel for the families that have to hear that something is wrong with their baby and have such admiration for the children, and their parents, that grow up with these disabilities. When I think life is hard, and I'm feeling sorry for myself, I really need to take a step back and remember how truly lucky we are.

Enjoy the latest pictures of Billy's little sister.

A quick one...

It's been a while, so I thought I better post a picture of my growing tummy. This was taken today, at 23 weeks and 3 days. All is going well and I am generally feeling pretty good. I am off to have a scan at the Wesley tomorrow morning, which I am really looking forward to. It will take one hour; there will be two sonographers; and they will check the baby all over, so I'll get a nice good look at what she's up to in there! Until then...