Hi and welcome back to BabyNames.co.uk.
Our story continues.
Ana and I were now at the eight-month mark. The final weeks were seen as both a time to finish preparations and deny the need for them. Ana wanted to squeeze in some nights away, dinners out, and cinema dates because she was warned that the chance would never occur again. But in truth, squeezing into clothes required more energy than she could muster. Everyday tasks were becoming more difficult – getting up, sitting down, and especially sleeping. There was literally no room for both of us in our double bed as Ana enforced a non-touch policy, due to the fact she was running hot at all times.
Fact attack!
Studies reveal the amount of blood in a pregnant woman’s body increases by 40 to 45% during her pregnancy, creating cardiovascular changes and increasing blood flow to various organs of the body. This extra blood flow boosts body metabolism by about 20%, creating more body heat and making pregnant women less likely to feel the cold. A pregnant woman’s core body temperature will often rise to about 37.8°C, when it is normally 37°C.
No wonder they say pregnant women have a glow about them.
Once my Dad and I had raised the bed to a lofty height of 1.2m, enabling Ana to get on and off the bed without having to bend a leg, there were only a few items remaining on the ‘to-do’ list. The trouble was that one of the remaining items was, in itself, a ‘sub-list’ (don’t you just hate that?).
So one afternoon, I set out with a printout entitled ‘Birthing Bag Pre/Post’ to the shops. As I stood in the department store reading and re-reading the list, I knew I was out of my depth. So I called Ana.
“Ana, how big are ‘big knickers’? What type of sanitary pads do you want? And who are the ear plugs for? Can I drink the Lucozade to complete the shop?” I asked.
It seemed I was more of a hindrance than a help (a recurring feeling I had throughout the pregnancy).
Of course, I didn’t question a pregnant woman on whether she needed all of the items on the list – I’m not silly – and by the end of the week, we had a small suitcase crammed with every item on the list, placed beside the front door of our apartment.
In hindsight even Ana agreed it was slightly OTT. However, I have attached a copy of the actual list below for your reference/amusement:
Birth Plan Pre/Post
(Pre)
Playing cards, colouring pencils, book, Suduko
Big T-shirt
Maternity bra and big undies
Water bottle
Natural/herbal stuff
Chapstick
Hair tie
Warm socks
Oils (lavender, sweet almond), Diffuser
Hot water bottle
Fan/ spray bottle
Flannels
Snacks – Lucozade, nuts, protein balls, glucose sweets, soup
Music, ocean sounds
Swimwear for me
Camera
Phone charger
Champagne
(Post)
Nighty
Maternity top, comfy bottoms
Undies
Sanitary pads
Maternity bra x2
Breast pads
Camera
Mug
Pens, magazine, book
Dummy
Un-scented wet wipes
Makeup bag
Witch hazel
Arnica
Earplugs
New flannel x3
Lucozade
Baby book
Coins
Mum and baby going home clothes
(Only the items in bold were the ones that got used).
Now that Ana and I were able to count the remaining weeks on one hand, our situation became an instant reality that was filled with excitement and anticipation. Cementing that feeling was the suitcase beside the front door, of which I was able to see from my bed made up on the sofa.
