Former international sprinter and Olympic medalist Katharine Merry is a regular commentator on BBC TV and Radio, Sky TV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 and has mentored some of the UK's most talented athletes. But, with the recent arrival of baby Lucas, she faces an even stiffer challenge. In her open and honest blog Katharine shares the hopes, fears and daily surprises of life as a new mum
The final stretch
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I’m told that Junior could arrive anytime after 37 weeks of pregnancy so I’m trying to tick off everything that is left on my to do list.
To be fair, he could have come anytime, but now he would be classed as full term not a pre term baby. I don’t know if it is just psychological but I am really relieved and pleased to have reached this milestone.
The sad news this week of Amanda Holden losing her baby at seven months gave me a bad night’s sleep. I would keep waking up and moving to check junior was moving and ok. I worry about things anyway and having friends who have had miscarriages and lost babies, there is never a good time for this to happen, but because she was so far gone, it somehow made it worse. My thoughts are with her and her family at this sad time.
So D Day is around the corner. Luckily, we now have everything in place. I think! Having read the list of ‘essentials needed’, then yes - we are good to go.
Junior is still as active as ever, which is nice, and my bump is still compact and tidy. I am tiring of people telling me how small I am for 37 weeks. I was never going to have a thumper of an eight or nine pound baby due to genetics, sporting background and my partner only being six and a half lb when born.
But when people keep commenting on my petite bump it triggers my natural worrying gene. But then I always go back to science, the facts!
I have been having regular scans due to a couple of bleeding issues; I was again in the hospital this last week due to light ongoing bleeding. Nothing to worry about apparently, all down to an erosion on the cervix which is common during pregnancy.
But I do have another scan booked in at 38 weeks as they want to make sure that junior is just smaller because ‘that's the way he is’ and not because of a placenta issue. He is putting on weight fine and following his growth curve on the chart, just his own one! It will be interesting to see how close his delivery weight is to what they predict. Sometimes they are spot on, other times a bit out!
As long as he is healthy, that is all that matters.
Nothing is ever straight forward is it!?
So to relax this week I went and had a pregnancy massage. My partner had thoughtfully bought me it for Christmas.
It was nice to just relax and get pampered, although the lady did chat a lot during it, which was a bit of a kill joy!
I also had my hair done; hopefully it will not be another six months until I get back to the salon!
With most things in place and all systems go we are now being asked by friends and family what we would like as gifts. That is nice. We have very little left to get, but know things will come to light as time goes by.
Coming off the list this week was a baby monitor. Essential when junior goes into his own room and cot after a few months.
We wanted one which was well reviewed and had a video screen, and having undertaken my usual thorough level of research came across the Secure Sleep Digital Video Monitor by Summer - it has received a silver award by Practical Pregnancy and Parenting Magazine.
This monitor ticked all the boxes in terms of having digital technology, a large colour display, crystal clear sound and a temperature monitor. I like the traffic light colour temperature system that lets you know if the nursery becomes too hot or cold. The large screen also adapts to day and night time lighting to allow you to watch the baby clearly.
We couldn’t see a better monitor with as many plus points, so that is another item ticked off the list and one less thing to worry about.
I love it when a plan comes together! All we await now is the little man himself!
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