Boobs and bagpipes???

I really shouldn’t have had that coffee in bed and got up earlier instead. It amazes me how we set the alarm for the exact amount of time it will take to race out the door. Then end up sitting there with a coffee and blowing all time frames out of the window. Every. Single. Time. Grow up already 🙄.

Anyway today’s the day we leave to ride the Trek for Life. 200-250kms a year over 14 years from Cape Reinga to Bluff. This is the second leg and goes from Rawene to Pouto. It raises money for the Fireys and ambos in each area we go through. There are about 160 horses and riders, 25 mountain bikers and lots of walkers too. With loads of volunteers to make it all happen. Showers and toilets are trucked in, a massive marquee is set up and we are fed like queens. We cross land you wouldn’t normally have access to and get to say “I have ridden the length of NZ” with some great people and quite a few beers.

Sounds idyllic aye! And mostly it is. But last year as first timers I had a new horse who suddenly changed personality in a big group and jig jogged for the entire six days of riding. Was great for my arm bat wings but not so good for my arse and his back! Along with a husband that was only half a horseman and was like organising a toddler to attend. On the first day he mistakenly drank the tick wash. And then got actual blisters on his arse. So I had a lot of balls in the air.

This year he is much more prepared, excited and helpful. And ok, it goes without saying that he underestimated the time required to organise and pack for this epic adventure, it has been much easier on me overall.

I worked up to the last minute with only one baby this week, then crossed my fingers to not have any arrive the night before we left. The birth goddesses smiled on me and although it means I will probably miss a birth, without time away from that phone none of us midwives would survive. The clients are always initially disappointed if it’s not their main midwife at their birth, but honestly, in the heat of the labour moment, it takes about ten minutes for a family to realise that the backup is just as great and their decisions will still be respected. And when I return and find out what I’ve missed and what a great job the back up has done I too will get over it pretty quick.

The client I wrote about in my last blog painted me a card depicting her birth, she’s an awesome artist with a great sense of humour and I’ve attached a pic of it below. In fact all the pics today are hers. Her pregnancy and postnatal time has been full of loads of laughs (and a little bit of midwife eye rolling - you’ll all relate!) as she always has lots of random questions. Here’s a few for you:

“Hey sorry to be annoying whilst your still on leave. Forgot to ask, can I still eat mayo and aioli ? I’m a big fan and the thought of losing those would be heart breaking.

is there any chance of finding out the baby’s sex at 17weeks instead of waiting until 20? We’re doing a burnout gender reveal.

Erm I cooked stuffed chicken breasts last night, and with the extra one I made I sliced it up and put it on sammy’s (then straight in the fridge), for lunch today and I just ate them and then was like oh shiiit pretty sure cold chicken is a no no. I’m going to assume that it’s not a wise idea but everything will be fine? 😬

Just wondering if I can go for a massage? There seems to be mixed opinions on everything on the net etc 🙄 but I sure would love one!

So this wasn’t in the info folder you gave me... but I just bought a set of bagpipes 😂 and I’m just wondering if playing them could damage the babies hearing 😬.

Some a&$ holes given me a cold. Just wondering if the Dimetapp 12 hour nasal spray is safe or not to use? It says on it ask your doctor before using in pregnancy and breast feeding.

I left my folder at work, so if there’s info in there I haven’t read it 😬😬😬.

I’m sure it’s not a lot to worry about other than a busy weekend but last night I noticed my feet were quite swollen, to the point where I had Kankles. What’s that about?

Is it possible iron tablets can make you feel shit?

Sorry to bother you with nothing more exciting but I’ve had regular f’n uterus contractions with mild-average cramps since Saturday afternoon that literally don’t stop no matter what I do , consistently 8-10minutes apart.

I know jerkeys a no no when pregnant but now I’m in early labour can I eat jerkey sticks?

Just for your info my waters just broke. In the bath thank fuckkkkk lol. Um basically looks like 10 years supply of semen coming out, but thinner. Caught some to check it and it’s clear in my hand, so I assume we’re good. Can I still water birth if they’ve broken before going to birthing centre?

Think #2 I’ll adopt.

Last night did not go well as you probably already know with the little tiny cluster feeding terrorist.

P.s I pooped! Today is going to be a good day!

I’ve been keeping that feeding log you wanted. I still count the hours from the start of the first feed to when the next ones due aye?

This morning my Boob job is back and we got plenty of milk so yay!!

Anyway when can I do yoga again or can I now? Within reason of not spreading my legs too far ha ha! Or will it upset my abs trying to glue them back together?

So during one of mini Satan’s 3am nappy changes I found myself wondering where do those seeds in his mustard explosions even come from? I must know, I’m losing sleep over it.. just kidding I never sleep anyway 🙄 😬

His sticky eye you told me to put breastmilk in... well I think that went well... 😂. We’ll practice our aim.

Just discovered your blog 😂. So good!

Can’t believe you didn’t write about the ventouse cup coming off and spraying that ruthless baby pulling lady’s face though.

Was cool to read, I’ll have to put a copy in my bedside draw for birth control. I could write about it but my story would just be a bunch of f*%#s and full stops that ended in a satan baby that’s decided he doesn’t like day naps anymore 😅.”

So there you go, that’s been only some our journey together 🤣. Those prolific emailers can drive you mad sometimes, but they also provide a lot of entertainment and after all that bonding it sure helped at her birth. But bagpipes - really????

So back to the trek, we’ve just met up with friends we made last year at the horses first rest stop in Mercer. It’s now my turn to drive and guess what? THEY GAVE US A WALKIE TALKIE!!!! I am so mentioning the duck and the convoy. I may even sing it!

Living the dream. Talk soon.