48 hours from Bump to Birth

L to R clockwise: 

Arriving at our delivery suite @ Lindo Wing, excited and full of anticipation // the en-suite bathroom // Breakfast menu // Dinner prepared by in house chef is served // Contractions finally beginning to kick in after three attempts with Prostin gel // trying out 'gas and air' before the anaesthetist arrives // having an epidural injected in my lower back // Exhausted and scared as I've been moved from the delivery suite to the theatre // After a long labour, and trying to deliver Scarlett Grace with both ventouse and forceps, she finally entered this world after an emergency c-section

And so we are four!

After two days in hospital trying to be induced, and experiencing various complications - late last night our lives changed again with the arrival of our baby girl, Scarlett Grace! 

She was delivered by emergency Caesarian on Friday 10th January at 21.54, weighing 3.8kg-  simply beautiful and oh so perfect! I just can't stop looking at her :-)

Being a parent of a newborn for a second time is a lot easier as you're not obsessing and stressing like you did first time around. Now I'm thoroughly enjoying my little baba - savouring this wonderful time and breathing her in <3

Here are some pics of our little miracle;

Goodbye bump!

"Goodnight Sis, looking forward to meeting you tomorrow!"

Sunday in Amersham

On Sunday we drove to the beautiful Amersham in Buckinghamshire. It's located 30 mins by car North West of London, and the town is split into two distinct areas, "Old Amersham" with several stunning buildings and old pubs, and "Amersham-on-the-Hill".

There we met up with Erik and John to grab some lunch, drive around the area and visit estate agents, in the search for a property for my mother 

We opted for a pub lunch in the beautiful "Old Town"

I had a delicious pan fried lemon sole with prawns in a lemon butter sauce at The Kings Arms

Amersham has a direct Chiltern Railway fast train in to Marylebone, as well being linked to London by the underground (Metropolitan Line) straight in to Baker Street.
- That would be ideal for my Mum, and for us too of course!

"THE" pram!

I am in love with my new pram - it's so sleek, modern and versatile! 

Let's just say that when I was buggy hunting, I didn't know what I wanted, only what I didn't want, and that was the Bugaboo with the very low seat! I had seen the Stokke Crusi but didn't like any of the colours it came in. Until now that is...

This is the brand new "Beige Melange" and it's very different from the previous "Beige" (see close-up pic for the actual colour).  

The Crusi can be expanded to a double stroller with the option of a separate sibling seat, but I won't use that feature, as Sean is simply too old for going in a pram!

I love the large shopping basket underneath - amazingly spacious and perfect for when I go on grocery shopping etc. 

Other fab features are that the seat unit can be used for a high chair in restaurants, and it's so sturdy which is ideal for living in central London with it's very uneven roads/pavements and high kerbs. 

We got the complete set (ordered from here), i.e the carrycot (so snug for a newborn!), which will hold your little one up until around 6 months, and the Xplory & Crusi seat unit for the following 3 years. Now I just need a baby to push around :-)

Bare bump @ 39 + 2 weeks

Today's bump, three days before I will cross the finish line!

Still waiting...

Bump today on Marylebone High Street @ 39 weeks

Reporting good news

Leaving Lindo Wing with the good news

On New Years Eve, I was examined fully and was very relieved to hear that my varicose veins are not posing a threat to rupture during a vaginal delivery.  My obstetrician Mr. Fernando then thankfully cancelled the elective c-section appointment and instead booked me in for an induction - in one week to be precise.

He also did an internal exam to check if my cervix had dilated, which it hadn't, however he confirmed that baby's head is low down.
If Scarlett Grace does not appear earlier, 11am on Thursday 9th January is when Bear and I will be going in with my hospital bag to Lindo Wing, where they will induce (start artificially) labour by various techniques. 

Furry & Fabulous

Mum in her fur-trimmed wool coat, and my little man in his new rabbit fur aviator hat

It's getting close..

Bump here @ 38 + 1 days
Yesterday Erik and boyfriend JJ came round and helped me setting up my new MacBook Air and syncing it with my Macbook Pro and we discussed our plans for NYE that we will all be celebrating together

It's so surreal, I am 38 weeks + 2 days- that is REALLY pregnant, isn't it?! LOL!

I know baba's room inside the womb is very limited now, but I still feel her wriggling around a fair bit, and sometimes its really quite painful! 

I can't get round the idea that her features are now fully formed - that's so amazing, but it has not yet hit home that I am actually having a baby GIRL, no matter how many pink clothes I buy! 

Feeling so impatient to meet her, and I keep thinking that every twinge is a sign of imminent labour. Also, the weirdest thing is that in the last week or so I've been craving beer - something that I would never drink normally!

With a maximum of 10 days left, it is getting so close, and now it is the waiting game.... Feels like an eternity though, when all I want is Scarlett Grace in my arms now, to snuggle, to feed, to smell and most of all to love ♥♥♥

I'm ready - B.R.I.N.G  I.T  O.N!

Park play today

Video of Sean practicing his "Jingle bells"notes on the playground musical machine! 

Sean and Daddy took advantage of the gorgeous Winter sunshine today, and headed out for a day of fun and adventure in Regents Park whilst Mum and I stayed home. Me and my big bump on the sofa as the expectant Grandma prepared a nice meal for us all.

Think pink!

Pink sheepskin booties from my dear friend Viv

Hat with fur pom pom and matching gloves

Pram suit

All in one fleece suit with hood & bunny ears, super soft blanket & musical cot mobile

Velour set

2 x two-piece set in organic cotton

Fizz & Festivities

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

Baby name revealed!

Bump on Christmas Eve @ 37 +3 weeks 

Bear and I decided the name for our daughter, Scarlett Grace, way before she was conceived. 

We couldn't choose between the two equally beautiful names, and instead we've given her a double barrelled first name, without a hyphen (and no middle name!).  

Very pleased that her name hasn't made the top 10 most popular in the UK :-)

UK's TOP TEN BOYS AND GIRLS NAMES 2013 (source: babycentre)

Nespresso coffee & "Little Christmas Eve"

Over the weekend we popped in to the Nespresso shop in the basement of Selfridges, to top up our coffee capsules, as the java consumption will no doubt increase during the holidays. I bought 20 sleeves (each containing 15 capsules) of my fave Lungo flavours, the colour blue and orange. I also branched out and got the new flavours vanilla and chocolate.  

I am eager to try out the "Vanilio" in a home made Espresso Martini, and the "Ciocattino" - well it's got to be a hit, as I have always loved mochas, and the combo of coffee and chocolate :-)

PS see how our Christmas tree is "shrinking" as the pile of pressies grows larger each day!

Today is known as "lillejulafton" - Sweden's Little Christmas Eve - and I've got a maximum of 17 more days of being pregnant!

Preggo update @ 37 + 1 weeks

A glorious London morning greeted me as I woke today, and I went on a slow but yet uplifting walk around the beautiful Regents Park

During my last appt with my consultant, he advised me of that I should not go over-due, with all the problems I'm experiencing. He will see me in the morning of 31st December and examine me internally to see how things are progressing, and determine if a c-section is needed. 

Either way, I will come in on 9th January, two days prior to the original due date, to be induced and kick start labour, or have a Caesarian. Having said that though, I hope she appears much earlier - I am so done now, and ready for our little addition to join us. 

Other news is that as of yesterday (at 37 weeks), our baby is fully baked, which also means that I actually could literally give birth at any given moment and she will not be considered premature. 

Overwhelming but very exciting! All this hard work is about to pay off, and a bottle of a chilled Billecart-Salmon Rose, is sitting in the fridge waiting for me to just pop it open..

My nesting instinct is now in full throttle and I'm packing and re-packing the hospital bag, folding, unfolding and organising the baby clothes, sterilising bottles and today I've been assembling the new gorgeous pram that's just arrived (pics to follow).

Off to pick up my Mum!! :-)

Sent from my iPhone

Inside Info - Lindo Wing

Bump @ 36 + 4 weeks today 

This afternoon, Bear and I are going for my antenatal appointment at the Lindo Wing. My consultant will examine me, the position of the baby as well as taking a closer look at my varicose veins in my groin (very painful I can add, as they throb every time I stand up!). 

They can potentially be dangerous as they can rupture during a vaginal birth and then cause haemorrhaging, so he will make a judgment if  I will need a planned Caesarian.  I'm keeping all fingers and toes crossed that won't happen!

Well, as the countdown continues, here's a little insight on the venue where all the action will take place! The following is an extract from their brochure: 

The Lindo Wing at Imperial Private Healthcare

At the Lindo Wing we have been providing the best private obstetric and neonatal care for mothers and their babies since 1937.

Over the years, we have gained an international reputation for clinical excellence in both obstetric and neonatal medicine which has made us the choice for thousands of mothers. But what really sets us apart is the discreet, traditional, individualised service we provide.

We are equipped to deal with straightforward and complex pregnancies and deliveries and offer antenatal and postnatal packages of care. So you have the peace of mind that should you or your baby need additional support, a full range of specialist services including on-site specialist neonatal services, critical care facilities, and specialist staff are here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

At The Lindo Wing we are extremely proud of our maternity team who take pride in the service we provide and consistently receive high ratings for patient care and experience.

The Lindo Wing is part of Imperial Private Healthcare, a dedicated facility which provides modern, world-class consultant-led care in one of the UK’s leading teaching hospital groups, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

About your stay in Lindo Wing

Your room
Your room is designed to provide you with comfort and privacy during your stay. Deluxe rooms and a suite are available on request.
All rooms are en suite, and have satellite television, Wi-Fi, radio, safe and a fridge. There is a bedside telephone or you may use a mobile phone in your room. You can also access the internet. A newspaper of your choice will be delivered to your room each morning. 
All postnatal rooms come with the comfort of a fully reclining chair should your partner or birthing companion wish to stay with you overnight.

Meals and drinks
All meals are prepared in a dedicated kitchen and a wide range of options are available. Our extensive and nutritious
menu caters for special dietary, cultural and religious requirements including vegetarian, kosher and halal meals. Please let us know in advance if you would like to order kosher meals.

Tea and coffee are provided at regular intervals throughout the day but you can ask for these at any time. We also provide tea and coffee for your guests free of charge. 
We have a comprehensive wine list, should you wish to enjoy a glass of champagne to celebrate your baby’s arrival.
Your guests are welcome to order meals and our catering staff will charge separately for this service. Breakfast is provided free of charge if your partner or birthing companion is staying overnight on the postnatal ward.

Visiting hours and protected rest times for mothers
Your partner or birthing companion is welcome to stay with you, however we have a protected rest time for mothers between 14.30 and 16.30, and we discourage visiting during this period, to allow you to catch up on some well deserved sleep. Family and friends are most welcome to visit after this period. 
We recommend no more than two visitors at any one time, but if you wish to receive additional visitors please speak to the midwife in charge. Any children must be supervised and remain the responsibility of their carer at all times. We may request that your visitors leave the room for short periods as and when required by your healthcare team.

We kindly ask that your visitors make themselves known to staff at the reception desk on arrival. Should you not wish to receive any visitors, please inform a member of staff who will make the necessary arrangements on your behalf.

Accommodation
We do not provide overnight accommodation for relatives and friends within The Lindo Wing, with the exception of your partner or birthing companion. 

Nursery services
All mothers have the opportunity to have a rest after the birth with the peace of mind that their babies are being well cared for by professional staff in our nursery.
We can also offer an individual nursery service. Please contact the midwife or midwifery administration manager if you would like to take advantage of this.
Insurance companies may not cover you for your baby to be cared for in the nursery. Please see our price list or contact us for more information. 

Going home
Your consultant and midwife will advise you when you are well enough to go home. On the day of discharge you will be seen by your consultant and your midwife, who will arrange for a community midwife within your local area to visit you at home. Your midwife will advise you about birth registration, health visitor visits, family planning and any concerns you may have prior to your discharge.
Our discharge time is 11.00 to allow us to prepare the room for another patient. An additional charge may be made for stays after this time. You will need to organise your own transport either by car.  Alternatively a member of staff can arrange a taxi for you. Please ask someone to bring in a baby travel seat on the day that you are going home as this is required by law.

The midwife will give you any medication that your consultant has prescribed for you to take home. Should you need a further prescription, please do not hesitate to see your GP.
To help you and your baby settle in at home, we have prepared a starter pack which can be purchased before you leave.

Birthing suite @ Lindo Wing

Whirlwind week

iPhone images, clockwise L to R:
Sean watching a personalised message from Santa (this is genius, and free - a tip to all parents with small kids!)// My darling friend Anna who's also due on 11th January(!) came by for our weekly meet-up// My bump from different angle at 35 +4 weeks // Hubby & I outside Scotts - the perfect people watching spot in Mayfair// Anna's son Nick and Sean had lot's of fun dressing up during a play date// Latest crush:"Chanel Boy bag" silicon iPhone 5 case with long chain strap

Sunday lunch

Today we chose typical British cuisine at Canteen, for our lunch. Fish finger sandwich for Sean and bangers and mash for the adults. I know it doesn't look very appetising  but I can assure you it was delicious!