Today I am 34 weeks pregnant. I am very proud of myself and Matilda Bump for getting this far together. At 34 weeks gestation Esther and William were almost 7 weeks old!

At the dawn of 34 weeks I am starting to feel fat and clumsy. I am noticing now that I have gained weight on my thighs and upper arms and think I am starting to get a bit of a chubby face. Just 6 weeks to go and apparently from now, as long as I do not over indulge(!), I should not put on much more weight and may even lose a bit!

Big and Clumsy!

I keep forgetting how big I am and bumping into things. The kitchen units are the worst culprits for obstructing me and the bump. I am finding it increasingly difficult to get on and off the sofa and think from now on I am going to resign my comfy corner and bounce away on my birthing ball. Hopefully without falling off!

I am also struggling to fit into my clothes and may now have to dig out my maternity bits from when I had the twins as I was generally bigger then and it was a spring/summer season so there should be some bits there to see me through the final few weeks. Maxi dresses and flip flops here I come!

I have started to pack my hospital bags but keep thinking of new things that I will need to take. The bag I got for Baby has turned out to be far too small so I think I will have to use it as a wash bag instead! An excuse to shop again for a new one!

David and I have started our NCT classes. We have had one session so far which was good. The course leader is very friendly and the other couples seem nice too. David and I are in a bit of an odd position because of course we have children already but we do not have any real experience of labour and the lead up to the birth.

I have really enjoyed this week getting out and about with friends in the sun. David and I have also started house hunting today and saw one house in particular that we loved but it was just not quite big enough for our needs though came with loads of land. We have to be sure that we make the right decision as this next house will be our family home.

Looking to the week ahead I have an all girl NCT session on Tuesday and a full day session with partners on Saturday. Esther and William be spending time with Granny and Grandad Henley which I am sure that they will love. Also on Tuesday I have a 34 week check with my midwife. Am looking forward to knowing more about how baby is lying and I am hoping that she will be able to give me an approximate weight. Is that something that midwives do?

This week I had my 28 week bloods retested as my iron levels were low. Hopefully will get the results back on Tuesday and some advice on what I need to do.

It is all getting very close now. If I can get to 37 weeks I will be very proud of myself indeed. If I go overdue though I think I will go mad as I am impatient already to meet my Matilda Bump.

According to my update from BabyCentre this week Baby weighs more than 4lbs 8ozs and is about 45cm long.

According to my NCT email update she is

starting to develop an immune system to fight off germs as the placenta has been taking up antibodies from your bloodstream. Babies borrow their mother’s immunity to a whole range of diseases until they can develop their own immunity. If you are planning to breastfeed, her immunity will be boosted through your colostrum and breastmilk.

I am really hoping to breastfeed Matilda Bump for at least a year as I did with the twins. I am going to keep a breastfeeding diary here on the blog and I am hoping that it will be helpful not only for me but also for other mummies and mummies to be.

I have loved writing my Bump Watch Diary and I am so happy that so many people have taken the time to read it and comment on it.

If you have enjoyed following my pregnancy on Edspire I would love it if you would consider nominating me for a MAD Blog Award in the category for Best Pregnancy Blog. Thank you.

Here’s hoping we make it through another week to 35 when Baby’s hearing will be fully developed and her lungs will be mature enough to breathe on her own. How wonderful it will be to have a baby that I can bring home with me. A baby that I will be able to hold as soon as she is born. Wish us luck as we approach our final month of Mummy and Bump before becoming Mother and Baby.