40 weeks pregnant and definitely counting....

Last week when she signed off we said it was the last you'd see of her pre baby.... but ever the professional, here she is blogging in at week 40 of her pregnancy and dare we say a little fed up!

This week Jess talks about the Bishop Score (good girl!), Sweeps, Leap Year babies and Doulas.

She also reflects on the book featured on ITV This Morning recently 'French Children Do Not Throw Food'.  I have to say the book came in for a bit of a knocking on ITV and Twitter although the author agrees that it does focus on a very specific demographic of French Parents and she is not trying to state this is how everyone does things in France or should do things .... have a read and see what you think!

SOooo over being sick!

Sheer dedication!  Jess talks to us this week, 36 weeks pregnant and feeling poorly!  Thank you Jess and get well soon.

She talks about how she is sooooo over being sick, about pushchair shopping (but what colour!!!), washing muzzies and good old perineum stretches and massage!  Plus she reveals where she hopes to have this baby!

"Yes Jess, you are correct you can use edible oil for your perineum massage" ...  but if you can't face the massage, the stretch we use in Daisy Birthing classes is a good option (although as Jess correctly states, not suitable for ladies with SPD as it involves abducting the leg).  Here she is pictured here on all fours, getting ready to work her pelvic floor and perineum;  get those knees back a little Jess, behind your hips, as it will help to open your pelvis!

Finding your Pregnancy Symmetry

In our Daisy Radio antenatal podcast Daisy Radio - 2 of 6 Episodes (Series 1) last week, we considered the importance of balance to the uterus (womb).  This is something we work on a huge amount in our weekly antenatal classes.

Think of a hammock tied to two trees and how important it is that the ropes attaching it are even, in order to allow you to lay in the hammock without falling out.

Now think of baby in the womb - a symmetrical womb will allow baby to turn more easily into their optimum position - in short OFP is all about balance!

Uju encourages you to love your post pregnancy body!

Pregnancy is a bit of a Jedi mind trick. For a while there you're all lightsabre glow, fab hair and va va voom bosom.

Months later, things start falling apart. From stretch marks and overhang to deflated boobs and hair shedding in clumps, the after-shock of birth can be a blow to any lady's self esteem.

But chin up, it's not all bloom and doom.

With a little research and chatting with some other mums, I've come up with 9 reasons to appreciate our bodies after giving birth.

Jess's Birth Journey - Episode 1 of 7

Hi I'm Jess, mum of 1 and 34 weeks pregnant with baby number 2.  Here in my pregnancy and birth video blog I talk to you all about life as an expectant mum with a toddler in tow, about my hopes for my own birth (and whether this will be at home or in hospital), about my experiences of Daisy Birthing® classes 2nd time around and the great debate ..... as a professional photographer, should I have a photo shoot of my labour and my own baby's birth!

Enjoy and feel free to leave your comments here!