33week check-up day in review and getting ready for TJ-baby

A week ago, we had another TJ-baby check-up (33weeks).

Of course on days when we need to be out of the house early, K sleeps in. I could NOT budge her,and it was already past 8am! I had a 9am appointment (well, 9-9:30am枠） at the docs, so really needed to get out of the house by 8:20am, as I like to get there early 1) to get a carpark and 2) so that i can be one of the first ones they see. But K was out to it. Managed to tickle her into awakeness, but still it was a matter of running out the door, and handing her her breakfast in the car, haha.

The docs were pretty crowded, so we didn't get seen to until a bit after 9:30am, oh well. I was also a bit late arriving after taking the back roads (going round in circles on them) to try to find a short cut, and ending up it being a long cut as I came out on the main road that is super traffic jammed most times of the day. If only I could find the back street that comes out at the best position on the main road (I can see it from the main road, but just can't find it from the back streets) I could cut 15mins off a morning trip to the doctors (it only takes 10-15mins max at other times of the day.....)

There was also a bit of commotion in the waiting room - a newborn was packed up in a humicrib and being taken away by ambulance, I guess to the big hospital.The mum was crying right there, and it got me all choked up too. I really had to fight back the tears. (why am I the only hormonal pregnant woman in the place?? everyone else was super cool about it all)

Got to the other nice doctor, well, the one that always tells me to watch my weight. Fair enough, have packed on a bit again. Am now sitting at about 12-13kg weight gain. This is what I was when K was born. Also baby is at about 2500g, which is what K was when she was born.......yikes.

I had an internal, and the doc asked if I was having hardening of the stomach（張ってる）to which I replied "oh yes" and he was kinda concerned...asked me how many times an hour, to which I replied that I don't think it comes every hour, more like several times a day, but of course after I came home, my belly was hard as a rock for most of the rest of the day. So I started getting stressed, and the more I stressed, the more it seemd to 張ってくる. Seems better today though, so think it was more stress related, but am gonna keep an eye on that.

I got to ask my questions, esp about GBS, and he was very calm and non-worried, simply stating that yes we will need to have a drip at the first signs of labour, and that having it does not necessarily mean that I will pass it on to TJ-baby. But he does think that labour will be quick (as in, from the time it starts) and that I will probably go early, hopefully not pre-term, but when I mentioned that J will be away the start of April, he was like, that is probably when something will happen then (kind of said in the ironic sense, but I also think he was kinda being serious too). He told me to get to hospital as soon as I feel contractions even 15mins apart, esp so that the antibiotics can be administered by drip. This is where I am still concerned because last time my waters broke, and I never even felt contractions until I was in the transition phase (basically) and they were coming 2-3mins apart. I guess I am just getting nervous about giving birth, and not knowing what to expect - so it it seems that even being a 2nd birth, I am still clueless lol!!

Also my other big worry was what am I gonna do if it does happen while I am here alone. My parents were supposed to get in April 10th, but J leaves before then (not sure when) and while I can call my PIL, they are an hour away. It is so much stress just thinking about what I can do with K.

(I deleted a long section here with me freaking out about the logistics of them coming, what we are gonna do with K etc, as I had a talk to them on skype and I got all upset, so they actually went about changing their ticket to a week earlier.....end result - they are coming MARCH 31st!! I am so relieved! At least when J is away, I won't be alone now.)

Otherwise, TJ-baby is doing good, very active still, making my stomach look like a set for "alien" movie re-runs with all the poking, prodding and kicking from the inside.

J went for his 父親学級 (dad's class) at the clinic on Saturday, so now he is able to be there for the birth, if he is HERE for the birth of course. Next check up is March 29th, and apparently this time they will be strapping me up for 20mins before the check (I am guessing that means the stress-test thingy, which I never actually did with K). I bet it is just another way for them to charge me more money....did I MENTION that I got a bill for when I rang them up for a "phone consult" (apparently) - in my mind I was checking something that the doctor forgot to tell me, so am a bit peeved that they even charged me for it (only 710yen or something, but totally not the point).

Finally, this last 2weeks or so I have really felt that I am pregnant, being able to now tick off the following traits:

penguin-like waddle when walking

constant trips to the bathroom, day and night (the night time bathroom runs have just begun, somehow I managed to avoid this for 2tris!! but now I am spending more time in the toilet at night than bed, lol)

constant use of the word "よいしょ" , "よし” and general grunting when getting up off seats, out of car, climbing stairs etc

given up running after K most of the time, just letting her do as she pleases in shops etc (truthfully, I couldn't catch her even if I tried ;))

getting tired from going out (ok, this has been around for a while, but even just sitting in the car for extended periods of time these days wears me out)

needing to lie down rather than just sit down to relax, as sitting tends to just put too much pressure down low, making it rather uncomfortable

taking off my wedding rings (mainly due to peer pressure from the nurse at the clinic.... I haven't had any swelling at all, but I can't be bothered listening to the same rant every time now for the next few weeks. Put rings in with my engagement ring box - better document it in case I forget and freak out post-partum about not being able to find them!)

wearing tunics and leggings

and we even set up the cot this long weekend (in the playroom, but I figure it is the best place for it at the moment, as I can store nappies and the bath underneath it, and use as a nappy changing table and for naps during the day), and got the nappy bin out ready too. Even dropped in to city hall to check what needs to be done to register baby's birth (wasn't sure as now koseki and jyuminhyo are in different cities, but can register birth here where we live!). Tomorrow I am going out to buy nappies while they are still on sale, and a friend has offered me an old maya sling to use (already have a baby bjorn and the ergo for later on, but wanted a material sling to try this time), so I am feeling kinda like I am starting to get ready for TJ-baby now! Getting excited! Now, if only we could work on that name list......