Pregnancy Update 33 weeks

How far along: I'm 33 + 2 days 

Baby's size: About the size of a pineapple! Glad it's not as spiky! 

Me in blue 33 weeks my friend 39weeks (I feel huge)

Maternity clothes: I brought some maternity leggings from Asda a couple of weeks ago £8 for over the bump and they are really comfortable would highly recommend. Haven't brought anything else as don't want to spend too much money with not that long to go!

Stretchmarks?: still being kept at bay, do have some dark marks on my belly which I think is veins! 

Sleep: I have been sleeping ok, got lots on my mind with trying to nest and starting our extension. But I'm a big believer in what will be will be.

Miss anything: having a large array of clothes to choose from.

Movement: baby has now started doing slow movements which stretch my skin about feels and looks very strange.

Best moment this week: seeing our friend who are now expecting a baby after a long time trying. We also had our hospital tour around Lister in Stevenage, I thought it might freak me out slightly but it's done the opposite and has calmed me a lot. I now know where to go and the midwife lead unit has really nice rooms, the midwife was quite funny and part of me would love her to be on shift when the time comes.

Cravings: not many cravings at the minute and I'm running out of space so don't really fancy dinners been eating more snacks.

Belly button in or out: it's still in and I can't believe it.

Happy or moody: im super happy what's not to be happy about, I have three weeks left at work and six weeks until my due date when I get to meet my chunky monkey.

Baby buys: i have started to purchase the essentials for my hospital bag for me and baby, I think part of me was in denial lol, but after our tour I realised I should get a move on. I've been buying things on offer and have done a list and ticking off as I'm buying. Still a long way to go and my biggest confusion was the size we needed for basic clothes to take to hospital. I decided on tiny baby as most people have said newborns are very skinny and don't fill out most clothes, we got a selection from Asda to get us by then we will know what sex baby is we can purchase pink or blue. 

A small haul but it's a start.

I will do my hospital bag update once I'm packed xx

Pregnancy Yoga x

Sorry I've not been on this past week seem to be really busy with our extension starting. I know I'm totally mad with baby being due in 7 weeks and a double story extension just getting under way.

To unwind I've been going to pregnancy yoga and have found I sleep much better after a session and don't feel as though I have as bad back as I did. Pauline is a great instructor in fact I went to her normal yoga classes whilst doing IVF. Pauline has been teaching yoga for over 10 years and says you can start Pregnancy Yoga around 16 weeks, she also offers Birthing Preparation classes which I'm booked on in June which are two day classes covering Breathing, Birth positions and general help through labour and breast feeding.

Pregnancy yoga is much more relaxing and gentle than other yoga but it's enough as baby gets bigger. Each class starts and finishes with relaxation, the middle part is stretching and pelvic floor exercises. These classes are also great for meeting new Mums-to-be and quite a few in my class are due near me.

The health benefits of Pregnancy Yoga are:
 –  increases your energy

–  empowers the mother-to-be to have a conscious birth experience
–  keeps you fit whilst being sensitive to the baby + you
–  decreases anxiety
–  strengthens birthing muscles
–  quickens postpartum recovery
–  improves sleep
–  reduces backache
–  improves circulation
–  promotes healthy birth

Excuse the floor extension prep!

The Yoga pants I'm wearing are a brand called KDeer they are specifically for Hot yoga practise as the material is very similar to swimwear which dries quickly. I brought some when practising hot yoga and have found they are perfect for my growing bump as the band is big a stretchy. They come in fantastic prints and can be brought through the UK distributer Hayley Blackman. Hayley is also a great yoga instructor who I had the pleasure of attending her classes before becoming pregnant. Check out Hayley's blog for all things yoga and healthy living. I can't wait to get back to Hot Yoga once baby is here. Xxx

Old Wives Tales - Boy or Girl

I'm loving all the guesses and opinions on whether we are having pink or blue! Some people are really adamant how I'm carrying or look means I'm having one sex or the other. I thought I would answer some old wives tales and see the predictions.

#1 - Carrying high or low - I'm carrying high = Girl. I'm sure the way you carry is more to do with your body shape, muscle tone etc.

#2 - Linea Nigra - mine has just started to appear from belly button to pubic bone = Girl

#3 - Numbers - adding age at time of conception with month of time you conceived. Age was 30 month October (10) is 40 = Boy

#4 - Sweet, Salty or Sour - as you all know I've been craving jelly sweets & coca cola generally sweet stuff = Girl

#5 - Morning sickness - I felt sick but wasn't physically sick = Boy?

#6 - Wedding ring test - a friend of mine did this to me a result was swinging backwards/forwards rather than circles = Girl 

#7 - How do you look - personally I feel I look like s*#% (what pregnant woman doesn't) but most people say I look glowing and radiant! = Boy

#8 - Sleep on Left or Right - I'm more of a right sleeper (although always wake on my back) = Girl

#9 - Belly shape - I think mines like a watermelon rather than basketball = Girl

#10 - Baby's Heart rate - I do have a Doppler at home (naughty) I haven't used it loads lately now I can feel lots of movement. Baby's heartbeat is usually around 150bpm it was 169bpm a few weeks ago = Girl. I do think this one can depend on baby's movements as if it's been active surely like us it would beat faster!

#11 - Chinese gender prediction - you can use http://content.thebump.com/sitelets/chinese-gender-chart/ mine says = Boy

#12 - Nub Theory - I try and predict all my friend baby's sex by the nub and so far haven't got it wrong! When I look at mine I think Girl

Let me know if any of your old wives tales were right or even what you think I'm having. Any prediction has a 50/50 chance if being right! X