37+2

Erk.
37 weeks
Erk.
That's pretty much full term, isn't it? I mean, the hospital won't let me have my homebirth til 38 weeks (unless I just sit at home and refuse to go in, but I probably wouldn't do that!) but 38 weeks is on Monday...it's almost Thursday...

Did I mention that I'm having this baby at home? If anyone calls me brave, I shall bite them. My Fatbum came out so quick that it was verging on dangerous - precipitate labour is associated with increased incidence of infection in both mother and baby and increased risk of haemorrhage. I could have given birth to him on the side of the road, t'was nought but will power that stopped me pushing when my body was SCREAMING at me to PLEASE PUSH.
So, it's not a question of bravery, but one of safety and practicality. I can't drive, I live alone. I can't get myself to hospital if labour begins at a perilously fast rate. Let them come to me!
Home delivery means you have at least one midwife with you at all times. No sitting around waiting for them to finally get to you. Home delivery means if there is a complication, you're fasttracked to the front of the queue. I live 10 minutes from hospital: if there's an emergency, I'll probably see a consultant faster than if I'd been an inpatient.

I am looking forward to giving birth. I'm not afraid of it. I just want it done. I want to see my baby. I want to hold him and feed him and know he's OK and that I'm OK with him.

I did all my washing and packing today. I've packed an emergency hospital bag, just in case. If all goes to plan, it means all my postnatal stuff is in one place. One of my kitchen cupboards is now full of shower curtains, old sheets and a couple of towels. I have washed ALL my 0-3 months baby clothes from having Fatbum and folded them nicely and put them away. I am more or less ready.

I've been having a few signs that everything is progressing as it should be. A massive hormone surge, the baby appears to be engaging slowly (and painfully) and more frequent, lower braxton hicks.

I recently became an auntie again and the newborn has quite literally fired up my maternal instinct to MAJOR new highs.

Fatbum was two at the weekend. He is absolutely bloody adorable. He makes my heart gooify.

I'm on maternity leave now. I should probably post more.