"Oh are we nearly there??"

"Oh are we nearly there" a sentence often heard by my parents when we had just left the Cardiff juction of the M4 on the long bi-annual trip to see our grand parents in Yorkshire. However, the phrase has come to mind on several occasions this week as today I turn 40 weeks + 10.

I honestly can't complain though I have enjoyed most of these past 9 months and I have been in excellent health but as the days go on I am becoming extremely impatient and I have lost the ability to focus on anything.

Dare I say it but I am actually missing work (here's hoping my boss does not see this). This is my first child so as the days go on there are only so many lunch dates and coffees you can go on. Spending money is even difficult!! I am still pregnant so cannot buy new clothes, I do not know what I am having so I cant spoil my baby quite yet and do feel frivolous buying cosmetics, however my QVC account has been visited frequently (lets hope my boyfriend doesn't read this too).

These last few days have had some positive outcomes; I think if Martin Money read this he would be proud as I have begun to budget for Christmas, with several presents bought and I have taken advantage of the offers on cards and wrapping. With my nesting instinct still intact too even my skirting board shine can be seen from the moon!!

Upon reading back this blog a smile has returned to my face and I have put everything a little more into perspective I am a very lucky person to be blessed with the gift of pregnancy and after several sweeps already this week I will be meeting my gorgeous baby before the weekend is over and Ryder-Tyler family life can start a new chapter and I cannot wait to start the first page.

Due Date is it just a nice to have??

As I sit here and write my latest blog post I am contemplating whether my due date is just a nice to have date midwifes give you to work towards, when really any time from 38 weeks to 42 weeks could actually be your due date, a 4 week window!!! I am just 3 days away from that allusive date and not a Braxton hick in sight!!?? But surely my tummy cannot expand any further I am on my 6th bottle of Elemis Japanese Camilla oil! My hospital bag is packed and I have nothing left to nest!!

During a moment of insomnia last night I decided to refresh my memory on those natural (old wife's tales) ways to bring on labour, there are a few which I need to discount immediately; Acupuncture - my mum has still lost the feeling in her hand after accompanying me to Anti D vaccination; Castor oil- There are reports of Castor oil being used to bring on labour as far back as the Ancient Egyptians, though we don't know exactly how it works. The most commonly given explanation is that it acts as a powerful laxative. So when it stimulates your tummy it also stimulates the uterus (womb) and so kick starts labour. However this just makes me feel nauseous just thinking about it.

There are several though that I needed to investigate further;
Raspberry leaf tea/tablets - On the advice of some of my friends I have already started drinking the tea and have now replaced these with the tablets. Raspberry Leaf will work best if you start taking it when you're about 32 weeks pregnant, not before. That's because raspberry leaf can have a stimulating effect on your uterus (womb). If you start taking raspberry leaf at 32 weeks, it'll have plenty of time to build up in your system.
Eating Curry - Spicy food is often suggested as a means of bringing on labour, and many women swear by it. It's thought that curry can stimulate your tummy and therefore also stimulate your uterus (womb), and kick-start labour. There is no evidence that this works however my gorgeous mum is going to cook the Ryder curry special tonight just in case!!
Pineapple - Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which is thought to help soften your cervix and bring on labour. Eating large amounts will probably stimulate your tummy, which could also stimulate your uterus (Tiran 2009). However on further research I found out I would need to eat 7 whole fresh pineapples so I have decided to give this a miss, a little extreme I thought.
Walking - Being upright encourages your baby to move down onto your cervix. Then as you walk, the rhythmic pressure of your baby's head on your cervix stimulates the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone which helps to trigger and regulate your contractions. In the next few days you will mostly find me walking around my local neighbourhood.
Sex - Don't worry my pregnant readers I dont think they mean act out the pages of 50 Shades of Grey!! However there are three ways in which having sex could help you go into labour: Having an orgasm may help to stimulate your uterus (womb) into action. Having sex can trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone that controls your contractions. Semen may help to ripen, or soften, the neck of your uterus (cervix) ready for it to dilate when labour starts. Semen contains a high number of prostaglandins, which are chemical mediators that can help to relax tissues.I have been thinking however due to size and shape at this stage of my pregnancy sex will be the easiest task, alternatively it is recommended that giving your partner oral sex may work better. It is thought that prostaglandins are absorbed more efficiently through the gut than through the vagina. (A man definitely did this research and I will be keeping this information to myself)!!
I also found a selection of other methods, which are rather bizarre that other mums are said to have found helpful. There is no evidence for any of these and I am very unconvinced but like a fool I am sure you will find me trying them out over the next few days:-

• Blowing up balloons: the theory is that the build up of abdominal pressure encourages labour to start.
• Bouncing on your birth ball or driving your car down a bumpy road would seem to put the same faith in shaking things up a little.

• Get a weepy video and have a good cry.
• Wear your best knickers (sod's law will ensure that your waters break in them)- Boux Avenue here I come!!

However I know that my baby will come when it is ready but I hope he/she knows mum and dad cant wait to meet you xxx


http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/planningyourbabysbirth/naturalbringonlabour/

What's in a name??

Apon finding out I was pregnant I believed one of the most fun and easy things I would need to do is decide on a name. All these years that I had waited to be fortunate and fall pregnant, I had an abundance of names in my head and thought I would be spoilt for choice - how wrong could I be!!

As I started writing down my initial list I seemed to be crossing out more names than were left, due to friends' children, celebrities pinching my names and a mum and friends in the teaching profession where names have left good and bad tastes in their mouths. So it was back to the drawing board!!

I decided to stock up on name books and name apps and as I read through the introductions I realised it was not just the name I needed to worry about but the initials, whether we choose a middle name, will their friends abbreviate it or come up with a nickname? and also the background to a name; "Consider the difference it will make to a little girl to be told she is called Charlotte, not only because it means womanly, but also because it has encouraged others like Charlotte Bronte and Queen Charlotte to be strong and persevering." (taken from Babies' Names - Flame Tree Publishing).

Armed now with all this knowledge and information at my finger tips my search began again it is still not easy but between us my boyfriend and I have a short list for both boy and girl names and for my close friends who are reading this do not worry 'Tiger Lily Peaches Cream' did not make the cut, much to my dismay.

One thing we will keep in mind when we make our final choice is a babies name it is a life long gift and one of the greatest gifts we can give to the next generation.

PS. My baby is now the size of a pumkin!!

Nesting is this really happening to me!!

At 37 weeks pregnant I have finished work to take my fortnights holiday before my maternity leave starts. As you can imagine I am sadly not jetting off to Marbs, but I did think I would be lunching, shopping and just generally relaxing, however a strange force has taken over me the desire to clean frantically!!! I like a clean house but in the past this has never involved sorting cupboards and scrubbing floors!! All very alien. I also have developed a steam cleaner obsession can anyone recommend a good one??

I decided to look up this strange desire on many of the birth websites I have joined, and thankfully it is all normal (I breathe a huge sigh of relief). Nesting is common in animals and is considered to be a primal instinct to prepare for birth, though not all pregnant women feel it. Nesting can start any time in pregnancy, although it is common from around the 5th month. It’s often experienced in the last weeks when it is thought to be sign that you’ll be going into labour soon.

Nesting can be found in many forms you may want to wash the floors, sort out your cupboards, or buy vests for your baby, or you might feel compelled to knit baby clothes, pack and repack your hospital bag, or simply be at home.

Some women experience nesting subtly and may simply want to arrange their baby’s clothes in a drawer, while others, such as Bounty mum, may be overwhelmed by the desire for housework:

‘Since I woke at 7, I’ve been non-stop: I’ve scrubbed every tile in the bathroom, skirting boards, door frames, in fact anything that has stood still has been scrubbed and I still feel like I could go on for hours, but just ran out of jobs. I’m sure come 5 this evening I’m gonna be shattered and moaning about backache.’ http://www.bounty.com/pregnancy/health/the-nesting-instinct

However in our household my boyfriend also seems to have come out in sympathy, every door in the house has been painted, wardrobes built, ceilings painted and cars washed every weekend without fail. Sadly I don't think this will last when the baby arrives!! Anyone know a good cleaning company........????

Pregnancy and Weddings

I don't think I have met any mum or mum to be that during the course of her pregnancy doesn't get a wedding invite. And instead of what usually follows after such an invite, excitement about the day and the numerous shopping trips to find the perfect dress; along with the excitement of seeing a good friend get married mild panic sets in of what you are going to wear and how big will you be by the day!!!

My usual stopping ground for wedding attire was out of the question, Karen Millen and Coast where would I turn??

I turned initially to my new lust brands Isabella Oliver and Tiffany Rose however with the average occasion dress costing upwards of £150, I had to be realistic as my boyfriend has yet to make his first million and it was just the one wedding I had been invited to!!

So it was back to the drawing board, I trawled the Internet but nothing seemed right so it was time to go back to the wardrobe for what at the time would have had to be divine intervention however it worked!! As I pulled out numerous maxi dresses I found one I had bought in a small chic boutique and never worn!! And it fitted perfectly (perhaps why I had never worn it before??). It is also amazing how glamours and sexy a spray tan can make you feel!!

My friends day was perfect and I loved getting up the following morning minus a muzzy head just sore feet from dancing!! I think I will offer to be the designated driver in future weddings and trusting my existing wardrobe much more in the future!!

The Bride and my chic friend and fellow mum to be oh and me:-

No excuses

I am quite ashamed of myself as I write this post as I realise I have not updated my Sugar Glitter world since July!!! Huge apologies!! And sadly I cant even think of any good excuses!!

However do not panic I have lots of posts up my sleeve to bring you write up to date of where we are at with the pregnancy, maternity leave, weddings and nesting!! oh and birthing pools (I will explain in later posts).

PS My baby is now the size of a Winter Melon!!

'Ready to Pop' - Baby Shower

Baby showers have been a tradition in the US for a long time now, and are growing in popularity here, too. What better excuse is there for getting a group of friends together than to celebrate a new life?

Traditionally the shower will be organised by a friend or family member but being a slight control freak and a love of organising I have been secretly researching ideas for my shower since I saw the positive result on the test!!


There are a few companies out there that specialise in organising the event for you (so wish I had that business plan first!!) one of the best I have come across and a favourite of the celebrities is
'Before Baby'. Before Baby specialise in exclusive and exceptional themed baby shower party packages at home or work. They packages cover everything from a day of pampering to a classic afternoon tea. Stacey Solomon choose the 'Girls Playground' http://www.beforebaby.co.uk/girls_playground.php and Michelle Heaton choose 'Pretty in Pink' http://www.beforebaby.co.uk/pretty_in_pink.php


Sadly with most of my money going to my baby fund I will not have the luxury of employing a baby shower planner however my quandary is the theme to go for I have found some fantastic ideas on both British and US websites. And despite not knowing the gender there is plenty of inspiration.
Games to play

In this game you give all your guests a bib or baby grow for them to decorate and show their creative side for your baby to be.

Gorgeous cakes and treats-

And treats for your guests -

Watch this space for your invite.....