Hit the shops, hit the town, didn’t hit my husband, a good time was had by all with lots of nausea in-between.

My Pregnancy Vlog

My To Do List

• Get Whooping cough vaccination next week
• Next week go to 28 week growth scan

Pregnancy Problems

• Pregnancy sickness
• Nausea

Pregnancy Recommendations

• Bought two Seraphine maternity/nursing dress (Used Emma’s diary code that gives you £15 off when you spend £100) A white and blue striped dress RRP £50 (worn in video) and a Dark Green Knot Front Nursing Dress RRP £52 (worn in photo)
• Your No Guilt Pregnancy Plan by Rebecca Schiller RRP £14.99
• Picked up some cosmetics for my hospital bag from Boots mainly on 3 for 2 miniatures, got hand cream, conditioner, tooth brush, dry shampoo
• Medela Swing Breast pump (barely used given to me by a friend)
• Replacement Boori Babysafe mattress for cotbed ordered from John Lewis £89.10 (Usually £99)
• ABC Wedge Change Mat from Mothercare £16.20
• Lansinoh breast pads from Mothercare (60 Pack) £5.39 (Currently £5.50 from John Lewis)
• 2 Pack jersey fitted pram sheets from Mothercare £4.80
• Pram Cellular Blanket from Mothercare £8.10
• Tommee Tippee healthcare kit from Mothecare £11.99 (at the moment it’s cheaper from John Lewis at £9.79)
• Top and Tail bowl from Mothercare £3.60

Exercise

• Walking
• Pregnancy Yoga
• Dance Aerobics

Diet

Only way to stop myself being sick in the morning is to have breakfast after school drop off.

How I’m feeling

My mum was down for her birthday. It was a busy week with quite a few evening appointments, but we had a couple of great evenings out and it was lovely to spend some Mummy-Daughter time just the two of us, nobody takes care of me like my mum, or feeds me, or does my laundry and lets me focus or just opt out for a little while so I can recharge.

Following week it was Takie’s birthday and we had a rare date night to cinema, and Ava’s godmother came to babysit her with her fiancé. It’s very rare we get an evening out just the two of us, as we either go out separately or with work, kids, life are too tired sometimes to take advantage when my mum is visiting. I also got my whooping cough vaccination on his birthday and got confused with the texts from the hospital for the scan, and texts from GP surgery for the vaccination which were at roughly the same time, which isn’t like me at all. It all ended up OK and the practice nurse at the surgery is very good, barely felt the injection at all.

Pregnancy Tip

Enjoy some timeout when it’s offered, either going out, having a sleep, reading a book or staring into space. #26weekspregnant #27weekspregnant #pregnancyproblems #mumtobe

About Amy

Amy Beeson runs Wordsby Communications and has a successful writing partnership with her mum Sarah Beeson MBE. Their latest memoir Our Country Nurse is set in a country village in 1975 and is bursting with stories of mums journeys during pregnancy and motherhood. They’ve also written nursing memoir The New Arrival and first year parenting guide Happy Baby, Happy Family. Amy is currently writing her first solo novel set in Wartime Staffordshire while Sarah pens advice for new parents on baby sleep, weaning and building a strong emotional attachment.

Clearly the move from five to six months pregnant has been a super busy one for me – not least because I got a big haul of baby related products inspired by my list to The Baby Show and had a great day out with my mum. I even went back later in the day to roadtest a new pram with my husband on their buggy track.

My Pregnancy Vlog

My To Do List

• Book Flu vaccination
• Book 24 weeks appointment with GP
• Book Whooping Cough vaccination
• Book 28 weeks scan
• Do paperwork for Statutory Maternity Pay
• Get steriliser, bottles, pram suit and hospital bag bits and pieces, floor mat for tummy time
• Order bespoke romper suit from Squidge and Smudge (Many thanks to founders and mumpreneurs Judit and Boglarka for getting my bespoke order just right. Can’t wait to see your organic handmade design)
• Buy Maternity Tights from Snag Tights
• Read Milli Hill and Janet Balalaskas pregnancy and birth books

Pregnancy Problems

• Morning sickness
• Tightening (Braxton Hicks already???) and teeny bit of pelvic pain

Pregnancy Recommendations

• I finished reading Ina May Gaskin Guide to Childbirth
• I also read The Testaments by Margaret Atwood in a week and a half
• I ordered some black full length maternity leggings from Love Leggings. They are so comfy, snug and easy to wear. Think I’ll need to get a second pair

I went to The Baby Show and here are my top recommendations…(I will review items once baby comes)

Exercise

• Walking
• Pregnancy Yoga
• Swimming (my friend is back!!!)

Diet

Don’t eat a chocolate mini pastry quickly in bright red lipstick like I did…it ends up on your chin and Molly Gunn from Selfish Mother has to point out to you the perils of being a bold lipstick wearer at a breastfast event at The Baby Show.

How I’m feeling

Now have two breast pumps to try out, one from Tommee Tippee and one from Medela so I’ll definitely write up review once breastfeeding is established. Thanks to the two lovely friends who passed these on.

My mummy came to London and we went to The Baby Show at Olympia (there are three a year also at ExCel London and NEC Birmingham). As you can see from photos and videos we had a fantastic day. It was great to discover new products and revisit some old favourites. I particularly like to support independent businesses especially one’s run by mums which are being sustainable. The Baby Show is a great way to test out products, ask questions and get your shopping done all under one roof. I always make a list of stands I want to see in advance and check out deals on social media beforehand to make the most of our time there. I still have my eye on a maternity/nursing dress from Tilbea.

We did a Facebook Live with Georgie from Tots Play Stafford & Rugeley to chat...watch here. Sarah answered lots of mums’ questions on sleep, feeding, weaning..there were so many. It was great to see Georgie and chat with other mums.

Pregnancy Tip

Shopping for a new baby is a bit like planning your wedding. It’s about what’s important to you. Everyone is different, sort out your ideas into baby essentials, nice to have, gift list items. #20weekspregnant #21weekspregnant #23weekspregnant #pregnancyproblems #mumtobe

About Amy

Amy Beeson runs Wordsby Communications and has a successful writing partnership with her mum Sarah Beeson MBE. Their latest memoir Our Country Nurse is set in a country village in 1975 and is bursting with stories of mums journeys during pregnancy and motherhood. They’ve also written nursing memoir The New Arrival and first year parenting guide Happy Baby, Happy Family. Amy is currently writing her first solo novel set in Wartime Staffordshire while Sarah pens advice for new parents on baby sleep, weaning and building a strong emotional attachment.

This week has been all about the gender reveal for baby.

My Pregnancy Vlog

My To Do List

• Sleep and cuddles (Ava says I should be getting 9-7 hour a night – ha ha ha ha)
• Wash my hair and put some make up on at some point during this pregnancy
• Making gender reveal balloon
• Plan which stalls we want to see at The Baby Show next week and finalise my baby shopping list (we like to support sustainable and independent businesses)

Pregnancy Problems

• Pregnancy sickness morning, noon and night every single day
• Tired and needing to slow down

Pregnancy Recommendations

Exercise

• Tara Lee Pregnancy Yoga
• Dance Fitness
• Walking back and forth from school
• Swimming

Diet

Whatever stays down. Not bananas they don’t stay down with porridge.

How I’m feeling

So exciting Ava discovering whether she’s having a new a brother or sister. We went to the scan and it’s all looking really good and they told us IT’S A GIRL! So when we got home I needed to fill the balloon with tissue and hearts like I promised Ava and it took me an hour, I only just managed to get it ready before we picked her up from school.

When we got to our street we blind folded Ava so she couldn’t see the balloon and had her stand underneath it. Then as she lifted up her blindfold…POP! Confetti everywhere. We didn’t tell anyone else (except my Mum) so Ava could tell her class tomorrow.

Pregnancy Tip

Work out what are your luxury items are when it comes to baby shopping list. What you’re happy to splash the cash on, where you want a bargain and what you’re happy to get second hand or don’t really need at all #20weekspregnant #pregnancyproblems #mumtobe #babyshoppinglist

About Amy

Amy Beeson runs Wordsby Communications and has a successful writing partnership with her mum Sarah Beeson MBE. Their latest memoir Our Country Nurse is set in a country village in 1975 and is bursting with stories of mums journeys during pregnancy and motherhood. They’ve also written nursing memoir The New Arrival and first year parenting guide Happy Baby, Happy Family. Amy is currently writing her first solo novel set in Wartime Staffordshire while Sarah pens advice for new parents on baby sleep, weaning and building a strong emotional attachment.

Had my 16 week (slightly delayed) midwife check-up and tried to sort out the toys to make some more space in the flat. Sending love to the bump…it’s getting visible and I don’t think I’ll fit into my yoga pants for much longer.

My Pregnancy Vlog

My To Do List

• Buy glucose tablets
• Book check-up with GP
• Book flu and whooping cough vaccinations

Pregnancy Problems

• Pregnancy sickness
• Nausea (caused by decorating flumes)
• Headaches
• Tight shoulders and back
• Waking up in the night

Pregnancy Recommendations

• My pregnancy yoga teacher Tara Lee recommended coconut water for headaches (it’s something I like and can keep down so will include)
• Getting comfortable to sleep. Noisy neighbours upstairs keep waking me up at 5am and it’s so hard to get back to sleep. So now using blankets, cushions and pillows as props
• Singing to baby and getting Ava to join in. Relaxing the jaw to release tension

Exercise

• Pregnancy Yoga with Tara Lee
• Dance Aerobics with Dr Nirja Joshi

Diet

Feeling and being sick. Drink lots but not too fast or it triggers the sickness.

How I’m feeling

At the end of the week our midwife paid us a visit for our rescheduled 16 week check-up (she’d had to cancel because one of her mums was in labour, so, completely understandable). One the day of the new appointment I got an early morning text to say another mum had gone into labour in the early hours of the morning and rather than cancel again could she come earlier. We quickly got changed out of pjs.

Having a Sunday visit was great for Ava who has been waiting for her chance to meet our midwife. The midwife really let her get involved by including her in the conversation and letting her use the Doppler to pick up baby’s heartbeat. She checked urine, blood pressure and discussed results of blood test and asked what we’re doing as a family to bond with the baby. She talked me through what I’ll have to do for the Glucose Test when I see her at 28 weeks (it was much simpler when you just got to drink a bottle of Lucozade beforehand).

Trying little by little to sort out the flat. Regularly have to declutter and rearrange Ava’s toys. Her kitchen has been a mess since her birthday party months ago. I finely found the energy to sort it out but I had to give up on doing more. Nausea has returned so had to do bits of sorting out mixed in with lying on the sofa feeling a bit sorry for myself.

Pregnancy Questions

This week my question for my mum (Sarah Beeson) was…

Q: If cut I back on activities in an attempt not to spread myself too thin will it make my older child resent the new baby?

A: It’s a delicate balance trying to keep your child/children involved and in no doubt of your continuing love for them when a new baby is expected. Reassure them that they still are and always will be your baby. Giving cuddles and enjoying fun activities creates love and security with a generous helping of praise and encouragement. It’s often not what we do but how we do it that makes us feel cherished.

It might be you need to put a few activities on pause but reassure your child they can resume them later. Maybe offering them a choice of what they’d like to continue doing and which options can go on pause for a little while.

Looking after yourself and balancing everything is such a challenge so accept offers of help from family and friends if available. Some domestic chores and meal preparation can be kept simple.

Pregnancy Tip

There’s no harm in taking some easy options for awhile, no-one should expect you to be supermum (especially you). #17weekspregnant #pregnancyproblems #mumtobe

About Amy

Amy Beeson runs Wordsby Communications and has a successful writing partnership with her mum Sarah Beeson MBE. Their latest memoir Our Country Nurse is set in a country village in 1975 and is bursting with stories of mums journeys during pregnancy and motherhood. They’ve also written nursing memoir The New Arrival and first year parenting guide Happy Baby, Happy Family. Amy is currently writing her first solo novel set in Wartime Staffordshire while Sarah pens advice for new parents on baby sleep, weaning and building a strong emotional attachment.

Another shopping haul vlog this time for a few luxury purchases from The Spirit of Christmas Fair and a few more deliveries from my baby shopping list.

My Pregnancy Vlog

My To Do List

• Get a maternity dress to wear to see Sophie Ellis-Bextor (so excited)

Pregnancy Problems

• Braxton Hicks contractions
• Nausea and pregnancy sickness

Pregnancy Recommendations

• Korbell Mini 9ltr Nappy Bin £27.50 and Korbell biodegradable Nappy Bin Liners £13.97
• Baby Uma Buggy clips £6.99 (for all thos extra bags that hang off the pram)

Exercise

• Walking
• Tara Lee Pregnancy Yoga
• Dance Aerobics
• Swimming

Diet

Trying to eat breakfast later after the waves of nausea and morning sickness have passed. Naps and hypnobirthing help to get rest and keep sickness at bay. I bought two packets of Rosebud tea from Choi Time Teas at The Spirit of Christmas Fair which smells gorgeous; nice to get a warm drink as I can’t drink builder’s tea at the moment.

How I’m feeling

We had a lot fun at Spirit of Christmas Fair, see this week’s vlogs for my shopping haul – I do love a haul and couldn’t wait to test out my new purchases and gifts. I bought myself a very expensive early Christmas present of a pure cotton full length breastfeeding nightdress from If Only If; the exact same one I wore when I had Ava. Really feel like my shop small and sustainably items are coming together and it’s been lovely to support UK indepedent businesses. I am thinking I’m going to use Kit and Kin nappies. Has anyone else used them; would you recommend?

Been quite chilled this week after a weekend shopping followed by pregnancy yoga in the week and swimming. Doing pockets of work to maximise my productivity rather than trying to work all day.

Morning sickness is striking morning and night – thanks pregnancy. The trial and error to try and reduce the foods and activities that aggravate the pregnancy sickness continue but sometimes there’s nothing to be done but puke.

I’ve ordered more pregnancy books. Thanks especially to Doula Mars Lord who I follow on Instagram who recommended Your No Guilt Pregnancy by Rebecca Schiller I can’t wait to read it. Especially as I started to feel vulnerable this week following lots of stories in the media about treatment of women of colour in maternity care. I’m very fortunate in that I think my community midwives are fantastic but it has made me question who I should give my time to in the media talking about birth, what conversations I want to participate in, and who I should snooze for awhile. I know I’ve encountered some negative attitudes as a woman of mixed race at times in my health care in both this pregnancy and my last, more so in the last, as this time I have continuity of care with an excellent midwife. How do other women cope with negative attitudes that can leave you feeling powerless? I do think knowing your rights is information every woman should have access to so I’m very much looking to informing myself further with Rebecca’s book.

So looking forward to my mum coming to stay next week.

Pregnancy Tip

You can’t do everything. Choose what you want to achieve with your week and what you can easily ignore that sucks your time and doesn’t nourish you. Look after yourself mama. #25weekspregnant #pregnancyproblems #mumtobe

About Amy

Amy Beeson runs Wordsby Communications and has a successful writing partnership with her mum Sarah Beeson MBE. Their latest memoir Our Country Nurse is set in a country village in 1975 and is bursting with stories of mums journeys during pregnancy and motherhood. They’ve also written nursing memoir The New Arrival and first year parenting guide Happy Baby, Happy Family. Amy is currently writing her first solo novel set in Wartime Staffordshire while Sarah pens advice for new parents on baby sleep, weaning and building a strong emotional attachment.