I am fairly certain I am going to give birth to our fourth child in the footwell of my car…
I am in my seven month of pregnancy. I am wildly superstitious. I’m not very practical. Where do you think the line can be drawn in the sand for beginning preparations?
I am slightly panicking as I don’t even know where I’m going to have this baby. Where we are moving to in Scotland is miles away from the nearest hospital. The one my husband is suggesting is almost two hours away.
I am fairly certain I am going to give birth to my fourth child in the footwell of my car…
When can I start collecting the essentials? Teeny tiny baby grows. Muslin cloths. Newborn nappies.
After eight miscarriages I seem to be a candle that all the delicate moths flock to tell me their heart rending stories of woe and tragedy. I am full to the brim. I know everything that can go wrong at this point. And more.
All of my miscarriages have been before 12 weeks though. I’m now almost in my third trimester. My best friends had their little peanut at 28 weeks and he’s now over 6 foot and wonderful in every way. That means our little gaucho baby - who has ridden the Pass of Tears - and published a book this year (almost two books - Tangled Webs is published in the US in two days!!) is hopefully viable. We are a week off 28 weeks…
We move house in four weeks. Well, that’s when the movers are booked. Terrifyingly the paperwork is still not complete. Exchanging and completion are taking forever for the lawyers to hash out. Moving house is not a simple process. Who knew?!
By the time I make it up to Scotland - if we ever get there - after getting the boys back to school, two book events and hopefully - by the grace of God - having my edits for Silver Linings (Book II) back to my editor, I will be 33 weeks pregnant. I’m not allowed to reach the normal 40 weeks as I’m a geriatric mother. Oh the glamour. So they’ll induce me at least a week early. So… by my own (wonky) calculations I will have six weeks to unpack and get ready before D Day.
When do I start preparing for the baby?
The nursery. The hospital bag. Clothes. A pram. A Moses basket and cot.
Do I start before the arrival? Am I tempting providence?
I really need some practical advice and help with this. It’s all beginning to fry my brain a little.
I’ve been looking at baby pictures this morning. I love babies so much. That bit is VERY exciting. All being well… 🙏🏼🤞🏻 (wish me luck!) xxx
Jesse
Merlin
Peregrine
