We're off to the hospital...

...but Hayley isn't in labour... yet!

We saw our regular midwife, Jane, this morning and told her that Hayley hasn't felt any strong movement that she can recall since yesterday afternoon. She has therefore booked her into hospital this afternoon to be monitored. Depending how things go, they will also perform a membrane sweep which may start labour. We were hoping Jane would do this but in light of this development we have had to hold off.

Maria (another midwife who was with Jane today) checked the baby's heartbeat which was fine (140bpm). The baby's head was 40% "out of reach" when Maria examined Hayley, so (s)he is ready to go.

So we are now preparing to go to the hospital. Jane told Hayley to drink iced water to stimulate the baby and to rest this afternoon before the appointment at 3pm because the membrane sweep could cause labour to start tonight.

Depending on what this afternoon's monitoring shows they could even decide to induce Hayley this afternoon, but we are hoping this won't be necessary.

Jane is on duty tomorrow and Saturday so we are hoping it all starts in time for her to deliver Bump into the world tomorrow.