Why I've Been Dreading Due Date

Evening everybody.

So today is due date for our second baby girl. And I've got a problem with this date and due dates in general. It seems to then give people an excuse to start telling you how you should be spending your time trying to expel this baby from your body. Let me start by saying, for my first pregnancy I was the girl drinking raspberry leaf tea from 36 weeks and consuming a pineapple a day, hoping to no longer be pregnant. I ended up going 12 days over and being induced so none of it worked anyway.

I've had such a wonderful pregnancy this time, I feel so lucky. Why would I want that to end? Yes, I desperately want to meet our little girl, to see who she looks like, how much she weighs. But, I'm not going to force it. My body has done something incredible and I'm pretty proud of it right now.

So why do people think they can tell me I should be eating a hot curry for dinner tonight? No thanks, I'm quite alright with spag bol. Why are they saying 'Oh you need to go for a long old walk, get things going!' Um, no actually I don't. My baby will come when she is good and ready.

Speaking of which, when writing my birth preferences with my midwife a few weeks ago, I have declined induction. If baby and I are perfectly healthy, I do not want any drugs to force labour. I had an induction the first time round and it was not fun. I want to know how it feels to go in to labour naturally if possible. This could be the last time I do this! I want the excitement of things starting at home. This is the trouble with due dates, if you go 12 days over said date, or less depending on where you live, you'll be booked in to be induced. After having a few sweeps first of course. I've declined those too. No sweeps, no inductions thank you.

Now I am well aware that not everything goes according to plan, hence why I have called them preferences. If I am told that the health of our baby, or me, is at risk then of course I will consider the options given to me.

But I think it is important for women to understand that there actually is a choice, you don't have to be told what to do.

Hopefully she will be here in the next few days anyway!

Chloe x

Giveaway Goodies

I love a good giveaway on Instagram and seem to enter so many, does anyone else?

And a few weeks ago I actually won one! One of my favourite InstaMums and bloggers, Ainsley from Life with Oaks and Olive had teamed up with online retailer ScandiPlay to give away a £50 voucher to spend on their site. I know, amazing prize right? So, I thought I would share with you guys the bits I chose.

All the items I got are by a brand called Done by Deer and feature this really sweet elephant print. These muslins are super soft and are going to come in really handy when our new arrival comes soon. I remember getting through so many muslin cloths when Matilda was tiny.

Next up is this silicone placemat for the table, I thought it might make mealtimes more exciting for Matilda and it comes as part of a wider range of products. It is great because it is big, so any mess stays on the mat and doesn't spread over the table, making my life easier - less cleaning!

Also in the range was this cute cutlery set with easy grip silicone handles perfect for little hands. 

The anti-slip silicone bowl is perfect for breakfast. Oh, and ice-cream! 

I also ordered the matching cup, it is the ideal size for a toddler. I'm still trying to get her used to drinking from a normal cup, it is taking some time but this cup is easy to hold, non-slip and not too big.

Here are all the items together.

I would really recommend ScandiPlay, their website has some amazing pieces, I'm particularly keen on this wooden baby gym, how adorable! 

Once I had chosen the items, they arrived so quickly, I was really impressed with the service and will definitely be using them again.

Have you found any new retailers or brands recently?

Chloe x