nitnat there are women with huge boobs whose milk simply doesn't come in. I think it's a case of size doesn't matter??

Thanks twinklegreen. Do you know much about prem babies and bf/expressing? Mine will be anything between 30-34 weeks and I read that even at 34 weeks baby will probably not be able to suckle.

Well I had my baby at a local hospital, and 4 friends did at around the same time. Out of all of us, only one wanted to bf and couldn't - the rest bf as long as they wanted to.
Of my other friends who had babies around then (again 3 or 4 I think) NONE of them bf for more than a couple of weeks even though all of them wanted to (and not just saying it to avoid questions, one is a close friend and I could tell she was really upset and had asked for all the help and support she could get). I know that's not many women but I'm suspicious that I'm lucky enough to be in an area where the local hospital is good at supporting bf, and most people are unlucky So don't assume it's you, and the stuff they're telling you is right, if it's not going well, ask for as much advice as you can, bfcs and on here!

yes i read that not being able to breastfeed is more often related to - not proper support, mismanagement of breastfeeding, etc rather than any issue with the breasts themselves.

that's why i always rave on to people about getting in touch with breastfeedng groups, counsellors etc. sometimes i'm like a broken record. but for me, it was only my ridiculous stubbornness and two fantastic women (one a counsellor, one a lactation consultant) that kept me going.

oh you poor thing
FWIW I think the figure is about 98% of women should physically be able to bf (obviously that assumes all else is fine, support in place etc) and I assume that includes women with tubular breasts.

with a grain of salt

ooops

can i just say something about drs (not all, but some) - often they are not particularly trained in BF issues and can end up saying things that aren't based in the current research. so if they say something negative about BFing, please take it will a grain of salt and speak to a BF counsellor. BF counsellors are generally so much better (than drs, HVs or MWs) to speak to about anything BF becasue they know this stuff and deal with it on very regular basis. plus they have a passion for helping women and babies breastfeed and have generally breastfed their own children.

nitnat, likelihood is you'll still be able to breastfeed, but you might want to make sure you've got some help in place in case you need it. if you can find a breastfeeding group near you, pop in before you give birth so you've met hte leaders and know where it is etc, makes it easier to go with a newborn. or your hospital might have a lactation consultant with whom you can speak.

No I havent mentioned it. Scared what they might say. Silly I know... just always been very self conscious of them.

just been off to find it and I see you've already posted sorry!
Have you mentioned it to your MW?

nitnat, not sure how common tubular breasts are, but there's a support thread I think...

Honestly, nitnat - mine didn't grow bigger until after baby was born. Have you got a good GP? Might be best if you check with them. I've googled so much in the past and scared myself as a result [usually unnecessarily]. Put your mind at ease...

I mean thanks Twinklegreen! Pregnancy brain!!!!

http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?q=tubular+breasts&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GBfficial&clie nt=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=wRNPSsTvKqLMjAetqbhE&sa=X&oi=videoresultgroup&ct=title&resnum=4#

Forgot to send link! whoops

Thanks Ladylush!
Blue- They have not grown at all so far and they are similar to the ones on this link. Mine are bigger than this but I have a large bulbous aerola and flat chest wall. Not breast tissue beneath the aerola they just are pointy if that makes sense.

nitnat I hope you don't mind my asking, but what makes you think you have tubular breasts?

Does anyone else have days when baby kicks loads and then days when they are less active?

nitnat84 Just to let you know I have seen your post. Unfortunately at my parents house and the computer is not co-operating! I will post you a proper reply soon x

Ooh thankyou - about time I got round to getting some waxing, kind of slips the mind when you can't see most of the relevant bits! thanks

You can get the bounty things at Boots by the way, if you register with their parenting club they send you a voucher for them, although I expect they'd just give you one if you asked...

It's been a busy day on here, hasn't it!

I get my swab results on tuesday, but my discharge is back to normal now (sorry if tmi) and I feel like a total hypochondriac. But, would rather that than ignore something that turned into something more serious, I suppose. MW said it could be thrush, but could turn out to be nothing signficant and we'll never know, but to keep an eye on things in the meantime (obviously).

Hope the bf does work out for you, ladylush, and that you don't have to be separated from the LO too much.

Regarding walking, etc - I'm lucky in that I have no physiological problems so far, but am sick of hoicking up the bloody maternity trousers every 10 steps!!! It's too warm to wear the over bump ones and I'm convinced that the side panel ones were designed by a man who'd never seen a pregnant woman!!! Grrr... Back to frocks after today.

I'm up for a new thread with September in the title, even though we await the minilush in August

I registered on the Bounty website but have never got around to finding a pack anywhere. I have midwife care at home not hospital so I guess I missed that one...

Yes the bed with the hole is in London www.hb-therapy.co.uk/ and it seems they do pregnancy massage. Might have to indulge before this is out

ladylush, so glad you are hanging in there! FWIW, my nephew, although not preemie, was very poorly when he was born and spent three or four weeks in nicu; my sister managed to express and later establish bf on demand, and ended up bfing him till 6 mo. It is totally possible. I'm sure the expertise to help you is out there on MN and in RL, you can do it girl, you and your LO have come so far already.

Hey girls - just thought I'd quickly say cheerio for a week as I'm off to Jersey with parents (aka babysitters) in tow - up at 4.30am so i'm off to bed now!!

Ladylush - don't you dare have that baby till I get back

Hellloooo Lobyd

I'll keep an eye out incase you've started a new thread by the time I get back then blue - but yes, guess it would be better to have september in the title - we'll be found alot easier that way.

..have a nice weekend peeps x .....

Twinklegreen- what do you know about Tubular breasts? I have a horrid feeling that I have them after seeing a website on them. I am leaking colustrum so does that increase my chances of being able to breastfeed? Feeling really shit about it all to be honest!

Hello, I'm due in September too! but am posting as I saw LizLemon's comment about the waxing place with a hole in the table...sounds genius! It's not in London by any chance is it?

ladylush I'm a breastfeeding counsellor and am happy to answer any questions you have, may also be able to point you in the direction of a good bfc in your area x

Stealth - yes I would express if possible. Have heard that it is not always possible though when separated from the baby - milk ducts don't always cooperate! A good idea to post in the bf section - was going to do it in the prem birth section.

about the bf - can you contact a bfc or post in the breast & bottle feeding section here (if you haven't already). If you want to bf it would be such a shame not to get all the support you can. Even if you can't right from the start, would you consider feeding him/her (sorry, I don't know!) the expressed milk and keeping your supply up for bf fully when the baby's a bit bigger? Not even sure if that would be necessary!

ladylush can't believe it will be so soon! Glad you have a plan though - sounds as though everything is being handled very thoroughly.
Can I start a new thread with September in the title? Would anyone mind? I think I'd post more if I noticed it in Active Conversations

Yeah I'm struggling a bit with sore feet though leaking fluid kinda takes my mind off my feet! In pregnancy if it's not one thing it's another

Sprinkles - I'm feeling ok thanks I do wonder every day if this is the day iyswim so it's hard to plan anything. Tomorrow I am thinking of buying some prem clothes and some prem nappies. Not sure what to do about bottles yet as I had planned to bf but don't know if that will be possible now. My bag is packed and I carry my notes everywhere but I do need to get some baby things.

Tomorrow I will be 29+3 so inching towards the 30 week mark

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

2 weeks left of work for me! Countdown begins. Is anyone really struggling to walk? My feet are sore from the minute I put my feet down once I get out of bed in the morning. Agony!
A woman at works daughter gave birth today. I got all emotional, feel as if everything is getting closer now.

Just registered and found out loads more info, may have missed the 12 week pack but I'll still get the others, phew!! As you said FairySparkles, it is good to have something for nothing (although is labour nothing, really, surely some free stuff is the least we deserve???) Will still ask MW just in case, lol!!

I got 4 bounty packs from babies r us last week - they kept handing them to me! When I got home I discovered that the free baby food goes out of dtae before baby is even due! haha. I didn't get a voucher for nappy disposal though

Really pleased you have a plan now ladylush, I know I would feel better just knowing what is going to happen, how are you feeling about it all?

When I got my first bounty pack the stupid girl in boots gave me one that was for when the baby was 6months+ so was full of food and things that were of no use to be now, unfortunately I didn't realise until I had got home and ripped it open in gay abandon cos I was so excited, have forgotten to mention it to MW since, do you think there's a chance I'll be able to get a new one? I presume there's a thing in each one that allows you to get the next one? This was the last one so there wasn't anything, otherwise how do you get it?

yeah Bounty is a baby company - they give you magazine's and freebies when you register - in the hospital after delivery, everyone just gets a big bag of free stuff: vouchers, samples etc..
I got a bag of goodies at my 12 week scan when they register you at the hospital -had prgnancy samples and info, then you get the next one given to you in hospital after you've had the baby, then you get another when they are 1year which you collect from asda or lloyds pharmacy, and I think another at 18months
register here
everyone one loves something for free eh?!

Babylady- you get a bounty pack when you register and again at 16 weeks and then another when the baby is born. It is a pack of freebies. I got a nappy, sudocream, washing powder etc.

Thank goodness it is the weekend!

Fairy Sparkles - what's a bounty pack?

That was my plan too ladylush - but I've bought a crib instead cos lo can stay in that till upto 6months - I got one second hand off ebay from a lady that had only used it for one week but had a nightmare baby she was having to co-sleep with - bought the crib with mattress for only £40 - saved myself a small fortune! Wouldn't your lo still be in a moses basket by sept anyway tho?? Save your self the cost of a new cot and matress?

We need to buy a new cot because we were going to use ds's cotbed but his new bunkbeds don't arrive til beginning of September. Think we will just get a cheap one from Ikea then change over to ds's cotbed once his bunks arrive.

LOL Blue! DH would never in his life mention 'wetness' !!!

Ladylush - so pleased you dont have to stay in hospital! and 5 weeks til you meet your LO, how exiting!

Bought some cot blankets today.. so soft and fleecy!

PMSL Blue - bless dp's!!

Just thought I'd let you all know - when I had dd just over a year ago - you got a voucher for a free angelcare nappy bin in your bounty pack after you've delivered - so I'd hold off on buying one anyone that hasn't already!!

Ladylush - phew, big relief you don't have to move in to the hospital then! Wow - your lo will be here so soon - I've got 12 weeks left and that doesn't feel like long enough!

Also heads up ladies, Mothercare has a big sale on at the moment.

Re Nappy bins, we brought the Tommy Tippee Sangenic one in the weekend, got the bin (which comes with 1 liner refill) and a 3 pack of refills for £20. Each refill lasts approax 1 month. Not bad seeing as bin is normally £20 by itself.

Ladylush - great news and how exciting that your LO will be with you in such a short space of time.

Only just dealing with the heat. The tube is terrible and I must confess I am hoping for some crap weather next week so that it is cooler.

Anyone else getting incredibly uncomfortable in the evenings. I just can't find a position I can stay in very long. Sitting upright brings on some rib ache and then lying on one side or the other gets uncomfy after about 15 mins...sigh Not sure how I am going to get through the next 7 or so weeks!!

Actually sleeping okish at the moment despite the heat, other than of course obligatory wee at some point between 12 and 4.

Finding my NCT classes are a bit biased towards fully natural births. Not that I don't want to get through with as little intervention as possible, but it does start to make you feel bad about choosing a hospital environment and some proper pain relief options. Wish there was a bit more balance to it. Anyway, it is informative and nice to meet some others going through the same experiences as you.

the place I get my legs waxed has a table with a hole in it for pregnant ladies. Perhaps I should see what they can do in the way of massages as well.

29 weeks today, so only 9 weeks until considered term! I was two weeks early and dh was 3 weeks early (both of us first babies)...that has no bearing on anything surely?!

blue76 - that is soooo funny!!! Lol!!!

snowfalls, it is bliss when you find a place with a table with a bump hole, i actually used to have one myself back years ago when i was doing some massage. more likely though, you'll lie on your side propped up by some pillows. i'm loving having massages, i'm making time for them once a month or so, it really makes a difference to how i'm feeling.

I had my massage sitting on a stool resting my torso/face on one of these desk stands

My first labour was on my back thanks to epidural. Second I spent most of the time in a bath and transferred to a birthing chair so was sitting up which was much better. Hoping to repeat the second one this time round.

Snowfalls - yes an August baby (or July.....hope not). Still feels weird.

Good point, Ladyem, I'd never thought of it like that. Maybe DP didn't help either - when I said I was sure there was something I had to ask and he piped up, 'Wetness??' Oh God, the shame. Suppose he was only trying to jog my crappy memory...

Wow - Ladylush, 5 weeks! How exciting. So our first September baby will be an August baby!
So some of us must be at around 32 weeks now. I'm almost at 30, and have to say if this heat continues the next 10 weeks are going to be hard work, although it feels like the previous 30 have flown by!

LizLemon - I'm hoping for a waterbirth. I've got my first hospital antenatel class next Friday so was going to ask more about it then.

I've got a very baby focused week next week. Monday - midwife appointment. Wednesday - scan. Friday - Antenatel class. My boss is going to love me! Luckily it doesn't take too long to get to the hospital, as long as the buses are running smoothly.

I've got a massage booked for this weekend - I can't wait! Does anyone know how they do a pregnancy massage - I'm envisaging a table with a whole for my bump, but guessing they probably make you lie on your side?

ladylush - Great news that you are able to be monitored from home and that you don't have to spend the next 5 weeks in hospital!! I bet that is a weight off your shoulders.

blue76 - I had a midwife like that with DD, no chit chat or putting me at ease in the appointments, just the basic need-to-know stuff. We all dreaded getting her for labour, but I actually did end up getting her and you know what, she really came into her own and was fantastic. I think that some midwives are just good at the antenatal care and some are just good in the delivery room, so don't worry too much!! You never know, she might be fab during delivery!!

Made sure I took lots of snacks and drinks with me when I went out today!!! Not getting caught short like that again!!!! Bought a can of magicool too, just to keep in the car. Is bliss when you feel overheated, I can recommend it for these stuffy nights too!!

Hope you are all keeping cool in this HOT weather!!

Hi
I'venot been around for a while I'll post and read properly but just wanted to show my face

Minshu - what a worry Did the m/w know what it was/what caused it? I think swabs take a few days to test - am still waiting for the result of one that I did on Tuesday.
This pregnancy lark is stressful isn't it!
Glad your m/ws are nice

Thanks blue and lizlemon
blue - I had a robot like mw for my 28 week appt (which was a week late due to all the drama) but was very grateful to her for challenging the medical plan. I made assumptions iyswim. Mind you, I know what you mean - you want someone with a bit of oomph when you are in labour
Liz - I fancied a water birth with ds but got a very medicalised one instead. This time it'll be even more medicalised! I'd say go for what you want in your birth plan but be prepared for things becoming medicalised.
It may never happen but at least you will be prepared if it does. I think labouring in a birth pool must be a much nicer experience.

Ladyem - what a nightmare journey That's the last thing you need when you're pregnant.

Ladylush - really glad that you have an agreed plan and have managed to avoid being stuck in hospital for the next five weeks. Hope that you are feeling reassured and that bubs stays put until given permission to exit.

Fingers crossed for your scan, mum2be.

I had a bit of a worry today, but feel like a total fraud. Had my scheduled 28 week midwife appointment this morning and all is well. Then I got to work and noticed that I had discoloured discharge - not a lot and brown, rather than anything more sinister. I called the PAU and they were more than happy for me to come in, so another lovely mw gave me lots of reassurance and took a swab. But, I have ended up taking the afternoon off work as it didn't seem worth coming all the way to the hospital near where I live, then head back to the office. I'll try to make up some of the time over the weekend, I think. My boss was very nice about it (he put it down to a funny turn brought on by the heat and I didn't want to go into details) which actually makes me feel really guilty, especially having just got back from holiday.

I think that all the lovely, personable, sympathetic midwives in the country must work in north tyneside - I've now met four of them, and they're all fab. Sorry, blue...

ladyem that sounds awful. I recently decided I can barely drive across London, just because I need a wee ^all the time^ so I can't imagine 3 hours in a stationary hot car.

ladylush am delighted you don't have to be in hospital. Amazing that we are on a countdown for minilush in just five weeks - hope all goes well over the next few weeks

Glad to hear all different experiences of labour. Was fairly set on being at home if possible but am tempted by the birth pool at hospital (we are on the first floor and I don't trust my victorian joists to hold up a pool) - anyone considering water? They have a talk twice a month at Kings about waterbirths so I think we might go along next week.

Oops x

Ladylush thats good news - must be a relief for you. Everything crossed

Had 28 week mw appt today. Came away hoping I don't get that particular mw when I'm in labour. She was young but very hard to get along with - devoid of personality is probably the best way to describe her. I need someone bubbly who will distract me as much as possible! Forgot to get my HIP grant form too. Bugger.

Ooh must share this one...
www.amazon.co.uk/Angelcare-AC2000-Nappy-Disposal-System/dp/B000UODTXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby&qid= 1246556305&sr=8-1

BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN - IT'S ON OFFER - £7.49 INSTEAD OF £19.99
Ooh must tell you - [[

mum2be - hope all goes well with your scan tomorrow. They should have told you what the rationale is for the scan. It really annoys me when they don't give you crucial information. Makes people worry (and often unnecessarily). It will be nice for you to see baby again, so try to think of it in that way if you can.

I now have a proper management plan for my PPROM. I will be seen at the hospital bi-weekly for clinical and chemical monitoring inc. weekly scan with dopplers. Happy with that. If I experience any changes I have to go to delivery suite. Otherwise they will deliver at 34 weeks which means in less than 5 weeks bubs will be here
So glad I did not need to stay in hospital for then next 5 weeks

Come to Swansea if you want to cool off! Temp is down, the sky is grey and it's been tipping down most of the day! Proper Welsh weather

Best of luck for tomorrow Mum2be x

Afternoon ladies! Looking forward to the cooler weather coming but wish it would stay sunny just without so much heat!!

I'm off for my 31 week growth scan tomorrow, my 1st with the consultant. Bit about it as I get nervous before all scans and they didnt make it too clear why i was being sent for this one (my 5th overall), just saying the baby looked small. I hope that's all it is!

Also my DP has invited my twin sister along which I was a big annoyed about coz as much as I want her involved this is probably the one scan I'd rather have had with just me & DP incase theres any problems (which i have no reason to belive there will be its just me being paranoid).

Also had my 1st Antenatal class last night, it was about pain relief which was useful, next week is labour and birth eek! Also i have a much smaller bump then some of the ladies there which I was a bit about, but then i am small and this is my first!

Blue, your birth experiences sound almos identical to mine. I had to have monitorin g with both of mine but second time round i insisted on being in a rocking chair which was fab as there was n o way I could have stayed on my feet, my legs just went from under me, and it kept me off my back. When I wanted some ,pethidine they wanted to examine me so I got on the bed but then stayed on my side with DH holding leg in the air.

Aw thanks for the sympathy ladies - it was a bit of a self-indulgent, poor-me wallow, lol!

It's just the way things are here - honestly I had to throw the french pg book away, it said... in France women give birth on their back, period.

It is possible to have babies in a more natural way, you just have to "fight" for it a bit more, hence DC1 born in clinic, DC2 to be born at home or in much more natural promoting hospital, and either way with my midwife .

And Ladyem that sounds awful for you and DC, hope you're rehydrated now.

poor thing Ladyem - I could barely stand to be in the car at all today. Nope, by the way, this is my second, and I have plenty of evidence that I am pregnant but really, an ACTUAL baby ?

Anyway, last time I gave birth (1997) on my back due to constant monitoring and will absolutely NOT do that this time. It's the most difficult way to do it. My placenta was tugged by the MW too, which (in my view) contributed to a post-partum haemorrage (sp?). I had asked in my birth plan for a natural third stage, but was still given the pitocin injection apparently. That must have been when I was busy because I only found this out when I saw my previous birth notes this year!

(BTW, don't panic about the bleed I had first-time-ladies! I just took lots of iron for a while afterwards, and wasn't in danger.)

So, I will be birthing as upright as possible and will be asking for no interference with the placenta this time. I have to say that these days, there is much less pressure to take the interventions .

We waited till the cord stopped pulsing before it was cut, and had a physiological 3rd stage as per the birth plan. TBH I was just gazing at ds by then and totally unfussed about either of those things! Pulsed for about 4/5 mins and then took about 20 mins for placenta to come out I think, but can't really remember it clearly.

Babylady it is his child, but its your body going through the labour and birth, so really its what you say goes!

Ladyem how awful, that is one of my nightmare scenarios! Happened to my mum recently too though she didn't have a small child with her. Hope you rehydrate and cool down soon.

Audrey - yeah I am planning to do a birth plan this time - i'm delivering in a midwifery led / birth centre anyway so they're pretty cool with anything hippy

Pebble - bless your cottons!! France sounds brutal! Can't you plan a little trip to the UK around due date?!?!

Babylady - agree with Ladyem - once dp see's just exactly what you have to go through on the big day, it'll be quite obviously what you say goes (any partner willing to question the choices of a woman in labour is a brave man indeed!!)
Until then - just humour him! They don't feel like they have much input bless'em so a bit of decision making makes them feel a bit more involved

Completely off the subject, but I've just been sitting in a traffic jam on the A5 for 3 HOURS in this heat, no air con, no food and an irritable 2 year old!!! Am now downing water like there is no tomorrow and stuffing food in my face as I hadn't eaten since 8.30am!!!

The one time I don't take any snacks out...!!

Babylady I think that when your DH sees what you are going through and how amazing us women are for being able to make and deliver a baby, he will pretty much let you do as you see fit during labour and delivery. We all go into it with certain ideas about what we want, but as things progress, sometimes things turn out differently. The main thing is that a healthy baby is delivered and the Mum is happy and feels in control. Hope it all goes well and discuss your concerns with the midwife. She may have some furhter advice that may make you feel a bit better about it all!

babylady I'm on my third now. On my back for DD1 and on my side for DD2. Had foetal monitoring for DD2 but still managed to give birth on my side. I was advised to lie that way due to suffering from SPD. I will DEFINITELY be giving birth on my side again this time. I felt much more in control and didn't slide down the bed [like you do when you're on your back]. Also, I spent the majority of labour sitting upright in a chair- had to lie down when they decided to put a clip on baby's head. Ex H had to hold my leg up when baby came out...

Thanks for all the advice ladies - seem like for the msot part, despite what might work best for the delivery the reality is that most people are either too knackered or have an epidural/intervention so deliver on their backs. DH is keen to explore options other than being on my back, so I will ask my doctor but as I am sort of planning on an epidural I am guessing delivery will be on my back.

Interesting on the stage 3, at my class last night we also had quite a lot of discission on that. Seems like that if you have intervention (i.e epidural or forceps etc) they are keen to whip the placenta out straight aftwerwards due to higher risk of beleeding, but we actually talked about something in the middle, i.e leave cord to pulsate for 10-15 mins and then have injection/cut cord. Anyone had experience of that? I am going to ask my doctor about it next week so I will let you know what he says.

Also getting a little annoyed at DH who seems to be forming "views" about certain aspects of labour and how I should go through it. He is fine with the epidural choice but is not keen on cutting cord until after 10-15mins (which I am not sure about but fine in principal with). I want to tell him to butt out and that it is my body having to do this, but then I guess this is his child too. Bit of a tricky one really.

Pebblebeach you poor thing! It sounds as though most of their emphasis is on the Drs etc getting the best view of proceedings, which is fine, but in moderation!

Bigbang - I do feel bad now! Alot of it was 'she's right, I am going to have this to look forward to' and had no idea of what I would do in the circumstances, which of course made me think I'm going to be a crap mummy...plus I was sore, hot, tired and getting crosser and more hormonal by the second! Treated myself to a Magnum on the way home though which helped

Wish I'd never bought any preg/birth books now! Reading experiences on here is far better than the 'crowning may sting a little..'() that you get in books!

wow that is astounding pebblebeach. i've heard childbirth is rather medicalised in france.

Afternoon all - I am melting... but I have ice poles {grin]

I didn't have a choice how I gave birth.... up to 3-4cm I was on ball, leaning against wall, walking, on toilet, etc but when they moved me to Labour room I was strapped to monitoring and couldn't leave the bed, grrrr. I lay on my side as this was much better than back, I did sneakily try all fours when midwife left but found it unbearable. At the end (after begging for epidural, but too late, hmm that would be transition then) they pretty much man-handled me into stirrups flat on back, I did resist for a bit and said I want to be on my side, but they just moved me anyway . Having said that I did it all with just breathing/visualising, had no pain relief and pushing was only around 15mins, I did tear a bit though - but I believe that was because they coached me to push hard.... which is why this time I am hoping for home/water birth with an independant midwife, letting my body do the pushing (it did it last time which is how they knew I was 10cm and it was too late for epi) and a physio 3rd stage.

BTW - I am in France and that's how it's done, you generally have an epidural (there is no other pain relief options, I miss out on gas&air ) so staff have no idea how to handle (gently!) a women without an epidural.

Ladylush - hope you don't have to stay in for 5 weeks, but glad baby is still in there, take care

agree, are you writing a birth plan? you can put in there that you don't want to clamp and cut until the cord stops pulsating/ placenta delivered.

Wow - 5 minutes is alright!

The reason i want a physiolocgical is cos I don't want them to cut the cord straight away - so the blood from the cord goes into the baby (as mother nature intended!)

Hi Babylady,

I gave birth on my back, originally planned an active home birth, ended up in hospital and had to have an artificial rupture of membranes, epidural (fantastic), syntocin drip, foetal monitoring and ventouse in the end. Labour just started and then nothing happened for hours and hours and hours, (apart from the agonising pain of contractions, obv). I didn't dilate beyond 2cm, waters didn't break, nothing.

I didn't mind, even though it wasn't the birth I'd planned. none of it was as bad as I 'd thought, I'd really not wanted an episiotomy for eg, but in the end I had no choice and it healed fine, no bother. I just kept thinking 'well, at least I didn't need forceps, and I didn't poo' and as far as I was concerned, that was a result. Although dp was proper freaked out by the end

fairy, yes will plan physiological third stage. the weirdest thing happened with ds, i sat on teh toilet holding ds straight after the birth and we all heard a huge plopping sound. that would be the placenta arriving in under 5 mins

so i'll be really annoyed if i actually have to do something to get it out this time!

Oooo Ladylush - when will they section you then?? Couldn't imagine going into hospital for 5 weeks when you've already got a LO to look after at home - would be physically impossible for me! Glad bubs is still ok tho - surely even tho its breech its still got plenty room to turn around in???

re: BH, on your 1st pg I think its just really easy to not know your having them - my mw pointed them out to me when I was 36 weeks last time and I'd been having them for ages - just thought it was the baby sticking its bum out!!

pebble & minshu - I'm with you on the 2nd baby but still can't believe it!! It doesn't make sense - I'm already a Mum but I can't get my head round the fact that I'm going to be a Mum to 2!!?!

Babylady - I laboured in different positions up until i was about 5cm - then I spent the rest of the time on my back on the bed cos I was sooooo tired and off my tits on drugs (no epidural tho) - finally had ventouse delivery so had to be on my back for that anyway!
This time I plan on not having as much pethidine and being more in control so I can try delivery in a different position - squatting is meant to be very productive??

Daffodolli -
<smack bum> for the annoying kids and smart ass!!
poor you with the wee infection! Is it easily sorted??

OK - so anyone else planning a physiological 3rd stage??? - just asked my midwife for one on monday and she nearly hugged me!

I couldn't bear to be on my back, it made the pain a million times worse. Mw found it very difficult to examine me as a consequence. I was kneeling on the bed, hanging onto the head board iyswim. My second (pushing) stage was only 18 mins, not sure if it was the position that helped or not though! And I had really bad arse and thigh ache afterwards! I would agree with audrey, only medical necessity or exhaustion would get me on my back this time, I want all the help I can get from gravity.

Lying on your back gives the midwives and doctors the best view of what is going on, which is prob why some mws encourage it. It is unfortunate that it puts the pelvis in one of the worst positions for helping the baby out. I reckon just get into whatever position feels most comfortable and not worry too much if it is the 'right' one or not. Most mws now recommend active labour and upright positions if circumstances allow, its just luck of the draw which kind of mw you get I think.

Ladylush, thinking of you.

Daffodilli, I hate that too, a little sympathy wouldn't go a miss. Your reaction is normal anyway, my own toddler is annoying enough in doctors surgeries, I have even less patience with someone else's!

Fingers crossed for your consultant appointment Ladylush x x hope you can keep out of hospital - 5 weeks is a long time.

Nitnat - re BH, now I know what is going on I've had these since about 17 weeks, and am 29+2 atm, they are quite strong and do take my breath away sometimes, and freak me out big time! SIL never had any, neither did my mum or my cousin and looked at me when I mentioned it. I could never miss when I have one, though I guess they do come in different 'strengths' as well!

Think I've got a wee infection , went to Docs this morning and waited an hour and a half in the heat, with two 2 year olds fighting and screaming and stepping on my feet until I was feeling totally insane! Then some smart ass who had been watching my reaction says 'ohh you've got all this to look forward to'!! Now I'm generally very polite, but the look I gave her was enough to sour milk!

although yeah if i'd been in labour for 70 hours, i'd probably want to lie down too!

babylady, i was squatting hanging onto the bathroom sink. that's just where i got to at the time. i had just gotten out of the bath. i would never even consider giving birth on my back unless it was really medically necessary for a bloody good reason. you will probably find in labour that it feels better to move around, squat or be on all fours. buy loads of cheap pillows and things to make lovely supportive mountains with. i have some of those yoga bolsters which i ended up using at the time.

Welcome Ladyem

So much cooler this morning, thank goodness.

I grew up in Durham, Stealth, but haven't lived there since i was 18. The cloud always seems lower down when I visit my mum

Re birth positions - the two friends I have who've given birth recently did so on their back, with epidurals, which I think is fair enough considering their labours were 50 and 70 hours. Consequently I think anything under 24 hours sounds short. Unfortunately dh's mum and sister specialise in short labours (7 and 9 hours) so they keep telling me that that it only really hurts for a couple of hours and I won't need any drugs as long as I breathe properly. I'll keep my mind open I think.

stayfrosty I have the same problem: before we can sort out the spare room for the baby, we also have to clear out the tiny junk room, mend the cracks in the walls and move all my sewing stuff in there.

Glad you've made it to 29 weeks ladylush. Looks like you're having an August baby! Presumably they can monitor you without you having to stay in for five weeks - that would drive a person stir crazy. Hope the consultant gives good news tomorrow.

Babylady - I was over back of the bed for a while, then on my side and then - as tiredness set in! - on my back for a ventouse delivery - ouch!!! No epidural for me though, as was 8cm by the time I got to the hospital - although I did beg for one!!! Lol

My friend did it on all fours and found it really helpful, no tearing and helped to ease the head out better than on her back.

Ladylush - Glad you and baby are ok and that baby is staying put for the mo! Did they say when they wanted to do the c-section?

2 other friends who gave birth at the same hospital at about the same time also gave birth flat on their back, with epidural and assistance (in one case I think) but there were other issues in both cases.

I gave birth on my back, because that's what the MW told me to do! Was surprised and tried to ask why but at the time didn't really have the energy to argue! As it happens it was fine but I did have a very long 'pushing' stage and I believe that was why - gravity wasn't helping. Am going to ask my MW about it in my birth plan meeting this time, as I don't understand why they were promoting different positions in the first place
No epidural though, or assisted delivery.

Ok, some questions for those second timers. Went to antenatal class last night and they were talking about positions for giving birth. How many of you gave birth in a position other than flat on your back. Does it differ depending on whether you are in birth centre/home vs consultant led unit?

Also how many of you who gave birth on your back had an epidural?

Sorry for the 20 questions but the teacher was suggesting all these positions for giving birth and I was just wondering in practice how often they are used.

So sorry to hear your news ladylush but glad your LO is staying healthy (albeit very naughty and unco-operative).

Welcome sydneysuze and Ladyem.

I am meeeeelting like the wicked witch of the west, honestly you could irrigate an entire rice field with the sweat off my bumcrack alone. Tis a glam business no?

I went in the spare room and had a major panic today, it is still full to the brim of crap, I can't lift anything and dp is off swanning about for a month at least soon, and we are mega busy until then. Fucksticks!

Stealthpolarbear - I'm by the seaside in North Shields (almost Tynemouth), so it may be a few degrees cooler here. Actually, DP just walked in complaining about being too hot, so maybe it's just me being cold blooded. Back to work tomorrow, so will feel like I'm back in the sauna. There was one blissful day in the middle of winter when the heating broke down that it wasn't too hot in that office. Happy day!

Love that it's not just us first timers that are undergoing the "having a baby" revelation, pebblebeach.

Right, bed!

Minshu, where are you? I'm in Durham and despite no blue skies it is very warm! Lol at your dream
ladylush, I missed that happening, sorry. Will keep my fingers crossed for Thursday for you.

Welcome ladyem
Thanks again everyone for all your well-wishes. I'm sure the cosmic positive thoughts are making a difference
Went to see mw today. After much chopping and changing of plans (ever thus since waters went last week) I was scanned. Hardly any fluids and baby is breach. Naughty baby this one So they wanted to keep me in for up to 5 weeks (will deliver at 34)but I requested to go home and discuss with dh. Seeing the consultant thursday morning. I would miss dh and ds terribly if I had to stay in for 5 weeks. So looks like I will be having c-section. Baby is ok. HR fine. I'm fine - apart from getting jittery about it all.
Nitnat - I don't recall getting any bh with ds. I think I had bh with this one but haven't had any for a while.

doh... symptoms

Thanks for the welcomes!! This is my second, but am due to have c-section for this one, so will be a new experience for me again!!!

I've been having quite strong BH too. Think it is when I need to slow down, have a drink or a wee!!!

Apart from that all going well so far!!! Suffering from the heat like the rest of you!!

blinder - I had that 'OMG' feeling with my first and so I rang my Mum and she just said 'well it's a bit late to worry about that now!!!' NOT very helpful!!! In a few weeks time, you'll be thinking 'let's just get on with it!!!' instead!! Is this your first?

Nitnat - I don't think there is anything to worry about re having BH (re-named in our household as Branston-Hicks?!? pg brain) it's like all pg sypmtoms, some you get some you don't .

Btw - about the realisation that you are GOING TO HAVE A BABY, sometimes I have to stop myself and say but you already have a baby, you're not a first-timer.... how'd that happen - lol!

With ds I didn't have any BH till around 38 weeks, and then I could hardly tell they were there. This time I have had them for a while now and they are stronger, though not painful.

Minshu, I'm 29+3 and I don't think I've had any BH either, and definitely no leaky boobs, maybe it's because we're first timers?

I had one of those moments today lizlemon. I've decided to paint the nursery pink (very unlike me) and once I had finished, and was proudly surveying my work, I was suddenly hit with the realisation, ' I AM GOING TO HAVE A BABY !'

Nitnat - I always thought it was baby turning - tummy goes really hard and tight - but mws told me they're not baby moving, but braxton hicks!

Welcome Sidneysuze as well, really happy for you that this pregnancy is going well x

I'm 28 weeks today, and don't think I've had any BH, either. And no boob-leakage.

I have my mw appointment on Thursday, so am going to ask her about BH.

Gutted about the Chillow reviews, I just got excited when I saw it, lol!! Still... nice idea. I slept with 2 ice packs wrapped in a towel last night, put them on my long pillow and cuddled it close, worked quite well until DH stole one of them because he was hot too!!

Welcome Ladyem, hope your PG is going well?

Yay Tigerfeet for coming off the meds!!

FairySparkles, how frustrating for you, I was really scared about getting back in the car after my bump but glad I did, we've been lucky enough to get a courtesy car, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get to work! Can imagine how annoying it is for you to be stuck without a car, thank god for the internet!!

I have done absolutely no exercise since getting PG, apart from walking, which has been effort enough at times walking from the house to the car!! But tomorrow night I am starting a yoga class for PG ladies, quite excited and nervous about it. Worried about how tired I am and whether I'll make it, although having paid in advance is an added incentive to go!! Will be good to be able to move and not worry about damaging the baby though (as paranoid first timer, this happens alot!!)

Hello ladies - welcome ladyem and sydneysuze.

Keeping everything crossed for your little one staying put for a good few more weeks, ladylush.

Been trying to catch up with what's been going on since I've been away. Seems everyone is suffering with the heat. Not wishing to make anyone jealous, but it's disappointingly cool and grey up here in the northeast.

We've been in the south west, where it was lovely, as long as I didn't over do it. DP carried a chair all around Glastonbury for me, so it was fairly manageable, but I did limit the amount we tried to cram in and insisted on staying way back from the stages. Even coped with the loos without the aid of a beer blanket. The airbed is softer than my normal mattress, so sleeping on my side was more comfy than at home! And I love the sound of rain on canvas, and thunderstorms, so slept really well last Thursday. Baby enjoyed herself I think - had some massive, dress-waving kicks from her at times.

Don't think I'll be going to Glasto next year. While there were some tiny babies there, I'm not sure I could do that to the baby or myself. To be honest, I am struggling with the idea that there is really going to be a baby coming at the end of this pregnancy-lark, and have no idea what it's going to be like in the comfort of my own home, let alone going away anywhere with her!!

Bringing together the themes of BF worries (which I share) and strange dreams (which I have anyway), I dreamt that the baby arrived as a cross between a human, a monkey and a cat, with sharp cat-like teeth. Was worried about feeding her, but it turned out fine in the dream, in spite of the teeth. I'm taking it as a good omen on the BF front.

Is it normal to get Braxton Hicks? I am 29 week s and I dont think I have had them? How do I know what they are like?

daffodilli - i totally know what you mean. i am actually refusing to go out for lunch/dinner at all unless i can walk there within 20 minutes. i so don't have the energy for anything else, particularly in this heat. i just planned a lunch for this weekend in a place a short walk away which i know is generally quiet and has airconditioning!

now i'm imaginging slinging this little one around in the heat, will see if this heat stays - if so may have to invest in a buggy quick smart. i'm sure it will cool down in a few weeks though and then everyone will complain about the rain and greyness ... (probably including me)

welcome ladyem. are you feeling okay (apart from the heat)?

blue - i'm not sure about BH, i get some pains/cramps but don't know if they are BH.

Welcome Ladyem!

Physio was cancelled so I'm back there on Thurs...not that I'm too gutted as not looking forward to her manipulating the old pubic bone back into place!

Bh really strong and a bit uncomfortable today. Is anyone else getting really strong ones that take your breath away?

Hi Stealth - are you reaching for the magnums, chillows, ice, cold shower etc like the rest of us?!

Welcome Ladyem! do you know pink or blue? (20 questions!)

for stopping meds Tigerfeet! Let the blooming commence!

Off out tonight for a retirement do - is it bad to say I cant be bothered? Its DHs birthday and am just a bit to tired and hot, and cant really do meals late in the evening yet as they tend to 'sit' all night! Do feel a bit guilty , hoping it will be one of those 'will be fine when I get there' times.

Welcome Ladyem.

Right any of you in the Midlands have you seen this meet up yet?

hi everyone
bookmarking
I will get better at keeping up, promise
welcome Ladyem- is this your first?

Hi Ladies,

I'm a newbie on here a and wondered if you mind me joining? I'm due 3rd Sept and in this heat it can't come round soon enough!!

oh i got excited about the chillow too until i read all the bad reviews on amazon about it!

[passes round magnums for everyone]

Tigerfeet - yay for stopping your meds, it's really been a long haul hasn't it.

the closest i come to exercise is thinking about putting on a yoga dvd and then never get around to it.

BAbylady, that's really rough going on the tube. I just can't imagine it now. I can't even get on a bus for more than 5 minutes, i've pretty much resolved not to leave my postcode!

keep thinking cool thoughts everyone.

I wouldn't get too excited - it's the first exercise I've done since one yoga class 13 weeks ago....(and it's really easy)

Me too bigbang

<<sits on spreading arse>>

I am at all this talk of gyms and workouts, I can barely walk up the stairs!

I want a chillow!

I've become obsessed with looking at our thermostat. Last night it was quite cool and breezy, so we opened loads of windows and I moved the industrial fan upstairs and managed to get five hours sleep in a row! Bliss. Got up at 7 and the thermo said 23, which was delicious, but now it says 25.5.

I did get a bit over excited and do Davina's prenatal workout this morning, which was perfect for the weather. Actually feel like I have more energy - meeting a friend in the city later, but at least i don't have to get the tube - that would be hideous.

lol at hot arses blue - I've discovered the downside to leather sofas and and not wearing trousers at home in an attempt to keep cool. sticky!

Had a moment this morning where I suddenly thought 'oh my god I'm not just pregnant - I'm going to have a baby!' Does anyone else get that?

hope the little one is still in there ladylush.

Morning peeps,

just want to second how bloomin hot and uncomfortable doing the third trimester in summer is!!! Going to Jersey for a week on Saturday which will probly be even hotter!! Last pg was a winter one - sooooo much better!!
That chillow looks lush!! Just bought a fan for the bedroom so actually sleeping a little better at the mo.

Glad you managed to get some bargains pebble - I'm on the look out for something near us - however I'm still car-less after my M42 fiasco 3 weeks ago - I feel like I've lost a limb or something - can't go anywhere!!!

Woo hoo - just checked my internet banking and I've had pay day, child benefit and HIP all come together this morning - LOADED!! Shame I can't get to the f**ing shops to spend it!!
<goes of to surf on ebay....>

Mmmmmm chillow

<slap> for mumtobe's colleague

I stayed up to watch Andy Murray last night and then couldn't get to sleep [yawn]

Really feeling the heat today [sigh]. We've had a move around at work and I no longer have air con, thankfully my desk is near a door which is kept open all day, there's a bit of a breeze coming through which is stopping me from expiring completely. BabyLady I can't imagine how horrible the tube must be, you have my sympathy. Sometimes there's a good side to living out in the sticks where public transport doesn't exist!

I've finally been able to stop the meds for hyperemesis, I still feel a bit queasy for some of the day but the sickness has almost completely stopped

I hope everyone has a good day despite the ridiculous weather

Morning Crew,

Temperature is unbearable. I at least work in an air conditioned office but need to naviagte the tube every day. Can get so hot it is a bit scary. I am usually here in Canary Wharf by 7:30am for the gym so that is not so bad, but the way home....I have agreed with my boss that I will leave at 4pm and work from home in the evening for an hour or so. Tried it yesterday and soooo much better.

Then there's the night time. Had fan on for about 4 hours and actually managed to sleep ok. Why is there never a happy medium with summer here. Baking or non-existent!

Ladylush, glad to hear so far so good. Is your tummy growing back at all?

Mumtobe, watch that one at work!

Chillow sounds like bliss!

Haven't posted for a bit...

Ladylush - am so sorry to hear your news, am thinking of you too - fingers, toes, etc crossed baby stays put for a couple more weeks... I was born at 32 weeks and am (mostly ) fine, it's good the steriods will be having time to work, take it easy.

And thanks fairysparkles for the 2nd hand advice - we went to an enormous jumble sale on Sunday, no pushchair but lots of other toddler/baby bargains .

Melting here too, phew... ice cream, cold baths, chillows... bring them all on.

Oooh a chillow! How fab does that look?!

What was I saying earlier about a cool shower? Our shower broke tonight and the part takes 2 weeks to arrive!! Cannot be doing with baths in this weather! Or traipsing about the countryside having showers at parents and ILs either...oh well!

Glad you and lo are ok ladylush, thinking about you both

about your work collegue mum2be, very irritating to be given unasked for advice at the best of times.

Clouded over here, so hoping for a cooler night!

Well, who else picked this week to decorate the nursery? Great timing!

It's damn hot sanding a radiator in this weather. Especially in the smallest room in the house.

But it's really nice having a cool bath afterwards and letting your hair stay damp while you eat a doughnut and have a foot rub! Highly recommended!

Hoping everyone is well, nausea-free and with snug babes!

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0986083/c1/2%7Ccategoryroot%7CNursery%7C12109130/ c2/3%7Ccat12109130%7CPushchairs%7C12109169.htm?Price+Cut=1

just found that Argos are doing the Loola at £139 saving of £100 if anyones interested. Sorry not sure how to hyperlink but if you copy and paste into browser it should work.

I want a chillow too.

I so want a Chillow!

Have just found this on amazon, how much do we all need 5 of these!! www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/ref=pe_18601_15945511_pe_30/?ASIN=B0000V0E14

Sooooo HOT! Woke up last night and actually thought I was melting!! Hardly slept and can't stop sneezing today as well as a sore throat!!

Lots of good bf tips, thanks everyone!! It's hard to know what will happen when never done it before so the more knowledge I have the better!!

Mumtobe23, hope you feel better after your rant, it's always good to have a good old moan!!

Ladylush, glad things are going ok, just take care of yourself x

Blue- expected to get hotter each day by one degree. I know what you mean about the linen trousers. Mine were glued to me lol.

eeewww mum2be - she sounds touched, that one...

I hope you're taking it easy, Ladylush!

Sitting on plastic chairs in red-hot classrooms + hot, fat sweaty arse = very soggy linen trousers

Hopefully people were right today - that the temperature has peaked. I can't honestly say I'd feel any better if I wasn't pg though - it really is feckin hot and everyone seems to be suffering

Shoot me 2! We have a Maths outside learning week at school. Outside with 30 naughty kids in this heat and hardly any shade! grrr! Poor hubby better say the right things when he gets in from work! Plus I better sleep tonight. Woke up with such a sore back and sides.
Yum.... Icecream!!!!!

Ha ha mum2be - she sounds a bit stalky. Watch out

Thanks for all the messages of support. Went to work today. All was ok and it was a short day for me anyway as I leave early on Mondays to pick up ds from school.

URRRGGH I AM SO HOT!

Sorry rant coming...

My bl**dy work collegaue is driving me up the wall!
She is sooooooo broody (but not pregnant) its unreal and because her sister in-law has recently had a baby she seems to think shes this expert on babies now and keeps trying to give me advice (without me asking for it) on all things pregnancy, labour & birth related.
From what things i should look out for when buying a pram (as if she'd know) to what to buy for the baby (as if i didnt already know), to "i know how you must feel in this hot weather!
Shes annoying at the best of times but theres nothing worse then having someone try to give advice when they haven't been there or done it themselves!

Ahhh sorry rant over!

put a fork in me!

we need litres and litres of icecream NOW!

I am melting.

SCORCHIO!!! !

Cold showers and ice water...bliss!

the heat is really difficult. i was sitting with my feet in ice water last night as i was so hot. another prob is that i drink a lot of iced water, but then need to go to the bathroom every 2 minutes.
when i was pregnant with ds, i used to carry around frozen bottles of water everywhere and sip them as they melted. am just trying to lie low and close the curtains and lie down in the middle of the day, and stay in the shade with ds in the morning and late afternoon.

Yes im suffering with it too.
And it doesnt help I'm soo bloody tired & irritable! I work in an office with no air con and even though the windows are open theres no air movement to its hot and sticky.

Ladylush - that sounds awful, you poor thing.

How's everyone coping with the heat? I've had to leave work today and work from home as the office was so hot.
Anyone any tips?

Hi all

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you Ladylush, here's hoping that your baby hangs on as long as possible.

Has anyone been watching the Glastonbury coverage? I was watching last night and the baby was kicking along... she particularly seems to like The Prodigy

We've had a move round at work and I'm now in an office without air con... I thought it would be hell but I'm sitting right next to an open door and we have a fan in the corner, there's a breeze blowing through and it's lovely and cool.

I breastfed dd without too many problems. I have very big boobs with south pointing nipples so was advised to prop them up with a flannel so dd could latch - that worked a treat. Makes discreet breastfeeding interesting though

Hello!

Ladylush, I really hope that the baby can hang on inside for as long as possible. Fingers crossed for you!

WRT breastfeeding, I wanted to echo what the others have said. Also for the first few weeks have a muslin or something to hand as when the baby feeds off one side the other boob squirts milk across the room. Its all glamour being a mum! Do make full use of helplines and clinics as pps have said, I didn't until ds was 3 weeks, by then our problems were well set in and didn't go for another 8/9 weeks.

I hope everyone is managing to enjoy the weather. Ds and I are a bit fed up with it, me being fat and uncomfortable, and him because he is a very warm child anyway, so sweats so much in the heat. I dread going to the park (his favourite haunt) its like torture running after him in the sun! Might have to book a last minute 'summer' holiday to Iceland or something.

29 weeks today. I want this baby to hang on as long as poss as I have a course to finish and a driving test to take in early September. Cutting it a bit fine I know but ds was 9 days late so I expect the same again!

That's really amazing Ticklist - you must have been really determined, well done to you.

I had a lot of trouble breastfeeding for the first few months. My experience seems kind of extreme, most people probably sort it within a week or two. But thanks to excellent support from breastfeeding groups, an NCT bf counsellor and a lactation consultant, we got there, and we finished around 20 months.

i'll look up all the BFing helpline numbers and post them here when i've got a moment, then you can just write them down. Also ask around if there are any BFing support groups near you. They are generally excellent social groups for making friends even if you find you don't really need any help with BFing per se.

I agree that I'm too lazy to sterilise bottles, it was one of the main incentives for me not to give up in the early days!

My cup size has been all over the place. Was 34D, and got measured the other day and am now 34F. That was the size bra i was wearing when BFing before, so I hate to think what my boobs are going to enlarge to this time!

I've got 10 weeks and 2 days to go to official due date, but am hoping for earlier (as ds was 2 weeks early). [fingers crossed]

should have read breast fed their children not mine....oh you know what I mean.

Hi all
I am off to the Antenatal appointment this morning. I am not sleeping because my bump is so massive it hurts to lie down. 29 weeks this week so if they are hatched at 38 weeks that makes 9 weeks to go! It can't come quicker- it is a real effort now even to get up the stairs .
Don't worry about the small boobs both my sister-in-law (ex) and mother-in-law (ex) used to take the mickey out of my fried eggs but I was the only one of us who managed to breastfeed my children, even if it was only for 3 months as I found it hard to juggle with work.
I will consider the total reworking of my body after twins have ravaged it though .

Nitnat - I grew a little bit when I was pg, but mainly after baby was born. Then the more she fed, the bigger I got.

Blue- so did u gradually grow through the preg or after the baby was born?

Just for another bf experience and to help with the expect anything thinking.. My milk never came in with DS. On the plus side I never had any pain or problems with engorgement or leaking but it did mean I had to resort to formula. I didn't have any support.

I ended up pumping to get my supply going but was a bit scared to do it to start with as I wasn't sure if things were just delayed and I was going to cause a bigger problem. DS wasn't interesting in bf by that time (I think about a week or so). He got to the stage he was having expressed milk for all feeds. So I was happier with that, though exhausted from pumping. DH got to help with feeding which was great and sped up their bonding.

I stuck with trying DS at the breast but as it didn't start instantly he wasn't interested, had a bit of comfort at the end of feeds. Then one day he stuck with it a little longer, his suck was stronger and we were away. Ended up bf until about 10 mths.

Maybe we should have a bf thread in a few weeks [when we finally meet our babies]

nitnat I was a 34A/small B cup when pg with DD1. I gradually grew and when she was born I was a 36DD. I bf her for 15 months. As soon as I stopped, I became pg again. Bf DD2 for 17 months. When I stopped my boobs shrank to a 34AA. To cut a long story short, they were in such a state I ended up opting for breast augmentation.

daffodilli you could always pad your maternity bras out with breast pads! Though I can assure you that if you're planning on bf then you won't need padding!

ladylush I'm glad to hear your LO is still hanging on in there. It must be worrying. Have you started to grow again yet?
I agree with you re bf support. I had my mum pushing me when it got me down, but after a couple of weeks all was good. I'm really lazy and can't imagine having to sterilise and prepare bottles, not to mention getting up in the middle of the night!
One absolutely huge tip I can offer is one which most of you have probably heard of. When I gave birth to DD1, I was very tired and didn't try bf her for a couple of hrs. Getting her latched on was very difficult. The ward sisters were a fantastic help.
When pg with DD2, I read that you should put them to the breast within half an hr of delivery. WELL - I put her on as soon as she appeared and she latched on straight away. No probs at all.

Long post and I really hope I don't sound like a know-it-all - just thought I'd share my experiences... especially as they were fairly positive ones!

Hi,

I miss a few days and there's so much to catch up on, ladylush - so sorry to hear about your scare, I hope you are still doing well and everyone is still looking after you.

28 weeks yesterday, so under 11 weeks to go now (determined that I won't go overdue, lol!!) Have had no leaky breasts, is that normal? Pantyliners are a must though and the hot weather and extra LG growth isn't helping to the general yucky feeling!!

Had a bit of nausea recently, just put it down to the heat and always being so bloody tired, have been quite snappy with DH this weekend, which is the first time really so he should consider himself lucky

Back is hurting so much, across the shoulders, it really gets me down as I can't get comfortable. Oh and have been referred for physio for the hip pain caused by the car crash.

Still in general things are going ok so should count my blessings, hope all are well xx

What Audreyraines really means is that bf can actually be hard work (esp. at the beginning) and a lot of women give up because they don't have the right support so having those numbers on hand will help you when you feel at the end of your tether. Of course, some women take to it like a duck to water and never have any problems at all.

28+4 and in a few hours it'll be 28+5. Almost 29 weeks. I hope baby hangs on for another week at least. Still, have my bag packed just in case.

thanks Audrey - hope mine goes away too!

yep, you'll be fine with bf. breast size and shape doesn't matter at all. however i recommend to everyone to write down the numbers of the breastfeedng helplines so you can pester them with any issues/ questions in the early days. they really are such a great tool.

Thanks LJ- I am so paranoid. Just want everything to go smoothly. 11 weeks to go tomorrow 3 weeks of work left- yipee.

LOL! christmas baubles = nipple tassels!! Only a man would think of it!

Thanks for the advice LJ, was worried about boob size as well.
Nipples on the other hand, well, I think I'm going to need some sort of pad when I go into maternity bras as they dont seem to come in padded varieties and I'm going to get a lot of looks!!

Glad the sickness has gone Audrey, you've had a pretty rough time up til now - fingers crossed it stays away and you get some energy back as well! x x

Never go from 8am til 1pm without food... not good! I have to eat every 1-1.5 hours, but left the house and brain behind this morning and didn't take provisions...have learnt from my mistake!

Nitnat it doesn'tmatter how big your boobs are. Your body will produce enough milk for baby as long as you allow it to suckle when he/she needs to. They will produce milk in response to the baby trying to feed and it is difficult to start with because you only have colustrum for the first 2/3 days and baby is really hungry so hey can cry alot (in my experience). It takes a little while for the supply/demand to settle down but its worth the perseverance. Once your milk comes in on day 3 your boobs will be huge believe me!

Ok so I am getting paranoid that I wont be able to breastfeed. I have really small boobs and they have not grown at all. Plus I I have really tiny nipples and can't see how a baby is going to be able to latch on to anything. I am worrying about everything at the mo. So emotional - ahhhhhhhh.

Apparently nipple stimulation can help produce the hormone needed for labour. Some ladies on the other threads have even used their breast pumps to bring on contractions!

i know what you mean about the tape thing blue. can be just so perky after bfing ds! don't think i need any tweaking for this one ...

Oh I'm really sorry, but DP wants me to share this...whilst decorating the Christmas tree, he decided to hang baubles...[not on the tree, but on a certain part of my body]. He still giggles to himself when he thinks about it

tweaking nipples? Am I missing something?? Is it for pleasure or practical?? Hehe. I breastfed DD1 for 15 months and DD2 for 17 months so mine need tape over em when I wear a sheer top. Mightily shameful

psml at "tweaking your nipples". Nothing is sacred in pregnancy is it

blinder - i got the nausea returning thing too for a couple of weeks. i read on the web that apparently at hte beginning of the third trimester there is a hormone surge which can cause it. i was sick for about 2 weeks and then it suddenly went. i have not vomited for 3 days now which is a miracle.

the heat is very troublesome - not sleeping very much!

so hot, can't sleep.

ladylush - I find it inconvenient to travel anywhere since my midwife normally comes to me. I'm so spoilt (glad to see you're still here btw)

lol at personal questions daffodilli - dh's nana, who used to be a midwife, asked me 'Have you started tweaking your nipples yet?' I mean, goodness.

Sydneysuze - congrats on the girl I'm not a great fan of pink either but I do love little yellow and orange dresses so if I had a girl I would be buying those colours. Even white is nice. Ikwym though, once your lo starts to choose what they wear you've probably had it Little girls seem to be more particular about what they wear than boys. I've got a 5 yr old ds and he has only just started to argue with me about what he wears.

Hi everyone and thanks for the lovely welcome messages

Ladylush we are having a girl. Very excited about that but am not really a fan of bright pink so might have to brace myself throughout the first 10 years.

Hope you are feeling ok and your LO stays put for as much of the duration as possible.

No leaky boobs here (yet ....) but can definitely empathise with the extra damp lady garden . It's all glamour isn't it? Am feeling mahoooooooosive too and it didn't help at the village carnival today when a friend's mum bellowed 'Oh, I was just wondering who that really fat woman talking to [daughter] was then I realised it's YOU Sydney' Grrr .

I ate copious amounts of pineapple throughout my pg with ds and never went into labour - was induced at 39+4 and it was a slow labour. Think I'll avoid RLT given that my waters have gone. Don't want to tempt fate

nitnat - I'm 28 weeks tomorrow. I never had leaky boobs with previous pgs.

Aww I had a cuddle of a friend's 4 wk old DD. She seemed tiny! I asked how the birth went [wish I hadn't] only to be told that they had every tom, dick and harry in the delivery suite and she vomited with every contraction...oops - I had told her that giving birth isn't as bad as she thought it would be! feel dead guilty now.

lj i read that rlt can be taken all the way through, that it's a myth that it brings on labour, but prepares the uterus for labour. Think I might wait til 36 weeks, just in case. That said, I've had a hankering for pineapple and have eaten copious amounts for the past few weeks - that is said to bring on labour too.

Hmmm, I think we are past the TMI stage now! Share the wealth of things and we all feel a bit better!! Have figured that pregnancy is not something you can be shy about really - and people seem to ask personnal questions like hows the sex life, pelvic floor etc?! ('tho I do work in a Drs surgery so I guess thats a bit different, they will talk about ANYTHING when its lunchtime!)

Another low lying baby here (at the moment) as well, and as my consultant said I HAVE to drink 2 litres of WATER (yuk!) a day I think I'm going to need a portaloo soon or I'm not going to be able to go anywhere!!

for feeling crappy - the heat, kicking, hormones etc dont really make the best combination do they? x x

well, bizarrely, nausea seems to have started up again after three months off. Have only eaten a banana and juice all day as I just can't face anything.

Or maybe I am coming down with something.

Anyone else feeling really sick today?

lj29 I took raspberry leaf both times from 36 weeks. Went overdue both times but had very quick efficient labours. Will take it again from 36weeks, I have the tea and the capsules for good measure .

Thanks for the hayfever advice ladies. I can sympathise with everyone feeling rubbish. I have started taking my Pregnacare again to try and give me a boost.

I have bought some Raspberry Leaf Tea capsules, I did take these last time and although they didn't brin labour on any early I did only have to push for 2-3 minutes. I can only find conflicting advice though. Some sites say to wait until 36 weeks and some say its ok from 32 weeks. any opinions?

mummyhill - sorry you are feeling so rough Have you tried a saline nose spray? I heard they are good for allergies/hayfever etc.

I am carrying low too. I have felt stretching in the rib area but no kicks there - kicks are always low down. M/w said babies are often low at this stage then move up after 30 weeks. I think the baby being low down and pushing against the bladder may have contributed to my waters going. Only a theory of course. The 3 nights before my waters went I had to get up 3-4 times a night to wee as the pressure there was unbearable. It's much better now - interestingly. I've also had to wear panty liners for weeks - obviously sanitary towels now. No leaky boobs though.
Liz - how annoying that you have to have more blood tests. It's annoying having to travel unnecessarily at this stage in the pregnancy.

My BP has dropped again (it does this during pregnancy)and I keep going light headed. The weather/my size and allergies are all making me wheezy so I feel generally crap atm.

Panty liners are essential and I have started to wonder if breast pads would be a good plan too. Not leaking much but enough iyswim.

Ohh well only 12 weeks to go if this one plays ball and arrives on time!

Hi, i've felt pretty terrible most of the way through, due to ceaseless vomiting really and insane fatigue. havent' vomited for a few days though, so hoping this will last to the end - only 10 and a bit weeks to go though.
know what you mean about leaky bits and i went to buy a new bra last week and had gone up 3 cup sizes . i'm not even feeling that busty yet!
if anyone's in london bravissimo in covent garden was really great for doing a fitting.

I'm carrying low too blue - I did with dd aswell; right up until the end even I didn't get heartburn or kicked in the ribs and this one seems to be the same, my movements are really low down by my groin or just in the middle of my belly.
.....and yes; I'm a regular with the pantyliners - have been since the beggining

No leaky boobs either tho- again; I didn't leak all the way through pg with dd so I wasn't expecting too this time either?

Anyone got their line on the belly yet?? Can't remember when I got mine last time; I'm quite pale skinned tho so I think mine came quite late on???

Oh the dampness! It's not something I care to mention in rl but I really do want to point out how uncomfortable it is some days No leaky boobs though, so that's something.

I'm also carrying low blue - no hoofs in the ribs but I feel an almost constant need to pee. tmi? or are we all past that?

How many weeks are you Blue? You are lucky to have escaped the leaky boobs so far. Nightmare. If I lay on my side and my weight pushes down on my boobs there is a great flood.

Thanks Nitnat - was starting to worry! Haven't had leaky boobs yet, but my god they get sore when I'm cold. Know what you mean about feeling sicky - it almost wears you out when baby moves constantly.

Blue- I am not feeling too bad at the mo. Feel a little sicky sometimes when the baby is constantly on the move. The movements I have felt have mainly been to the side of my belly button. Have han an occasional tickling in the ribs, almost as if its little fingers are tapping on them.
As for the 'damp'- I know what you mean! Nightmare. Then there are the leaky boobs as well!

Welcome sydneysuze

Is anyone feeling great at the mo??
I thought [at 15 wks] things had taken a turn and I would feel fantastic until the end. Oh how very wrong I was...up at midnight with screaming heartburn, baby doesn't seem to sleep [ever] and I feel like I'm carrying low. Not getting kicked in the ribs like some people are describing.

Just to have a really petty moan - DD2 angrily informed me that she spotted one of my colleagues pushing the same pram as we've bought. 'Same colour and everything, Mummy!' I told her about it weeks ago, when we bought it. When I told her we'd bought it second hand from ebay, she snorted and said 'eeww I have everything new' Ah well...We've only seen 1 other like it. She was miffed! Then when I told DP he was fuming too. Funny how people get - I think DP thought we were being a bit original.

Oh and REALLY sorry if too much TMI, but I need to ask...is anyone else ridiculously 'damp' down below? It's really getting on my nerves now

Know where you're at FairySparkles - I have to lie down and close my eyes and try not to hyperventilate. It's not my mw though - it's the hospital. She took 3 vials but they had only logged one result onto the system. They also lost dh's blood somewhere when we asked to find out his blood group. The hospital mw wasn't anywhere near as good at taking blood either - have a horrid bruise.

OMG Liz - if my MW lost my bloods her life wouldn't be worth living!! I have quite a serious needle phobia (full on panic attack, swearing, can't breath etc ) so my blood tests are a wee bit of a challenge on both parts to say the least - how bloody incompetent for yours to go missing!!

......got my 28week bloods on monday - they're coming to the house to do them - I'm allready shitting my pants!!

Glad to hear all's well so far ladylush. Still got everything crossed for you. Those steroid injections fair put my little anti d into perspective.

Welcome sydneysuze. Very pleased for you being able to decloak and glad all was well at your scan.

Did have anti D today and had to have yet more bloods taken, since the lot the mw took have gone awol. is it too much to ask that they can keep track of a few vials of clearly labelled blood? Apparently so.

Haven't had any of the promised thunder or rain here but could do with it to clear the air - had a bath an hour ago and already feel horrible again.

Hi and welcome sydneysuze! Congrats on your scan x x !

No we haven't heard from purple in a while have we? Lol at your DP fairy, I was exactly the same! DH on the other hand slept through it all,while I was stressing that the house was going to be hit he was happily snoring away...!

Glad your being looked after ladylush x take care x

Buggy and car seat arrived today, and is now living under the stairs. Foot muff looks sooo cosy I could get in and have a nap!

Woah blue - that does sound painfull indeed <wince and grimace emoticon>

Helloooo sydneysuze the more the merrier!! Congratulations on being able to announce your pregnancy - what an awful experience to have to go through last year - two trimesters down, one to go

daffodilli - congrats on the healthy scan! We had the same thunder storm here too - dp was too scared to put the bins out!!
....speaking of other south wal'eans - purple hasn't been on for ages has she????

mummyhill - your doctor doesn't sound too helpfull!? They absolutely can prescribe you antihistamines - sure you can buy from the pharmacy tho if they're not willing!

sent my HIP off last wknd so I'm hoping it won't be much longer - my other pg friend has just been telling me about a local cheapy shop that are selling loads of tommee tippee products really cheap so I'll be popping down there once my money comes in!

I remember a friend who had a similar experience and one with pre-eclampsia who both had to have steroid injections at 30 weeks. They both said it hurt and they couldn't sit down properly for a while afterwards! As you say though you will do anything to give bubs the best possible chances. Will be thinking of you.

Mummyhill - thanks Yes I had two steroid injections. Quite painful but tbh I'd have done anything to help the lo's chances.

Ladylush - Huge hugs love. Will keep my fingers crossed for you that everything is ok and bubs hangs on there till at least 30 weeks. Have they threatened you with steroid injections yet?

Stayfrosty - Glad you have a new date sorted out.

Sydneysuze - Welcome to the group.

Hayfever - GP told me just to get on with it in their words there is nothing they can/will prescribe so just have to wear dark glasses outside and make sure I carry my inhaler in case the allergens trigger an asthma attack!

Nan's funeral went ok yesterday. Needed a big sleep when we got home though.

Insomnia is driving me insane and so is the weather. Got completely soaked on the school/nursery run this afternoon.

Thanks for all your supportive messages All going ok. No signs of labour or infection. 28+2. Would love baby to hold on for at least another 2 weeks.

Sydneysuze - so sorry to hear of your loss but congrats on this pregnancy and now that you feel able to announce your pregnancy I hope you can enjoy the last trimester Do you know what you are having?

Hi Sydneysuze- lovely to hear your prego is going fab. It is such a relief when you come out of an antental appointment knowing everything is still fine and dandy.
I cant cope with this muggy weather. So hot and sticky.
Hope everyone has lovely weekends
3 weeks of work left for me - woop woop!

<waves> to Sydneysuze - welcome onboard.

Congrats on new date StayFrosty, will have my fingers crossed for you.

Ladylush - hope all is ok.

Hi sydneysuze

Welcome!

So sorry to hear of your loss last year, I hope this time things turn out better for you.
Congrats on the great scan news - not much longer to go now! xx

Hi <peeks head round door>

Am I way too late to join you all? Am due Sept 15th but was much too paranoid to post until now as I lost my first baby at 24 weeks last year.

Had my 28 week appointment this morning and all is looking fine. Fingers crossed this one's a stayer

Glad you've got a date stayfrosty! Please post some pics - your dress sounds lovely!

Ouch blue! that sounds painful x

Biggest,loudest,bloody scariest thunder storm last night! Lasted from 8.30 'til gone 3!

28 week growth scan today, bubs was not playing ball again! He is in the perfect position for 39 weeks, head down, facing back, but not so great for getting measurements! He was awake most of last night with me though so he probably needed a kip! Consultant quite happy with the sizes they did manage to get though so thats good.
Only managed to get hold of my HIP form today, and will have to wait 2 weeks to get it signed by the MW! We've bought a bouncer and a bath today, and got totally confused by the ammount of stuff that there is out there! Not thought of my hospital bag yet.

Hope the sun comes out soon...

I got my Hip the other week. I have spent some on new mattresses from a shop on ebay, a few bits of clothes and the rest on hospital bag things. I got 2 nighties for £5 from ASDA, loads of sanitary towels, breast pads, raspberry leaf tea capsules and aromatherapy oils. I did most of this at Boots so then with my points I was able to get my bottles (for later on, Iam going to breastfeed to start with)for nothing! I have also sent off a couple of old mobile phones to http://www.bootsrecycle.com/consumer/
and received v£21 worth of points for them.

blue <boak> at the thought of having pelvis pushed back into place, I feel quite faint.

Woohoo my HiP grant has come through and I only sent the form off last week.
I can now go out and make a start on buying bits for my hospital bag (though not packing it just yet!)
I have 10 weeks to go today so I'm probably being a bit early even thinking about it but I like to be super organised, anyone else thinking or even started to pack a hospital bag yet?

ladylush hope all is ok with you xx

Lol stayfrosty

Ah how sad that Michael Jackson has died.

Physio was quite helpful yday. She told me my pelvis is lower on the left. [She wanted to push it up there and then but I was in too much much pain and bottled it]. Got another appt booked for Tues and she's going to try and manipulate it back into place then. She ordered me a support belt which fits around my hips She repeated what I was told with DD2 - to give birth either on my side or kneeling. I wasn't given any specific exercises to do. I don't think there are any?? She seemed quite confident that it can be pushed back in.

Glad you've managed to get another date frosty - will keep fingers crossed for you!

Forgot to say LJ - take your antihisamine in the evening and when your up for the 4am wee - polen count is worse in the morning and evening as this is when its rising and falling - I take one once dd has gone to bed then I can vege on the sofa and early hours of the morning so its not so bad as soon as you get up!

OMG ladylush so sorry to hear your news, I hope you are taking it easy and get some good news from the consultant this week. I am thinking of you, how blimmin scary.

Well, we managed to sort ourselves out, and wedding is booked.... will not say what day in case something happens to stop it, but we are cutting it v fine with dp's leaving date for Mongolia. Am relieved they are no longer planning to travel through Iran, they are going through Azerbaijan and across the Caspian Sea now. Although today we got lost coming out of Morrisons carpark, so chuff only knows if he will even make it to the ferry in Dover lol.

LJ - I'm really suffering with hayfever too! There is only one kind of anti-histamine you can take when your pg: 'chlorphenamine' -you get it on prescription from the docs; it is drowsy and at 1st it was knocking me out but I don't know if I'm just imagining it but that effect seems to have worn off after taking it regularly for a couple days, I also just try to keep myself busy and so I don't have time to think if I'm feeling tired or not - cos if you stop and sit down for more than 10 minutes it's easy to nod off!!
Also, like daffodilli said; local honey is a good natural remedy - builds yuor imune system against pollen thats in your area!

Good luck - hope that helps!!

Hi all
Long time no post.
Sorry to hear about your trauma ladylush I am praying for you to hang in there a bit longer so your LO cooks a bit more. I am getting jittery about having these early so I know you must be concerned. Just take it easy if you can.
Had my 28 week scan and all fine- definitely boy and girl but the radiographer told me they were in a bit of a jumble. Legs and arms everywhere! They seem to have everything alright so I am not worrying.
Have choosen the Graco Quattro duo travel system at BabiesRus and will buy it soon as I want to take them home and wheel them around like little dollies! I had to go straight back to work before but I have about 6 weeks of non-stop playing with them this time!!

Local honey from local bees (sounds like something from the League of Gentlemen!) works really well for my sis LJ, can you get hold of any? Or other than that something called Lufra (sp?) which is a herbal remedy.

Sending 'comfy and snug' vibes to your little one Ladylush x x take care of yourself as well, and make sure everyone else looks after you well x x

Very dark and hot here - under the bed for me tonight I think ! Cant believe I'm saying this but it would be nice if it rained, at least it would clear the air!

28 week scan tomorrow at 28+5, will be interesting to see if I am right and bubs is actually lying sideways, I felt his head the other day sticking out of my right side which was rather lovely - 'tho I guess it could have been his bum!!

Hope everyone manages a good nights sleep - thunder just started here!!!!! help!

Is anyone else really struggling with hayfever? I know I can take the ol fashioned Piriton (not the non-drowsy version)but it sends me to sleep within an hour which would be nice if I didn't have to work and drive. Any tips?

Yeah mine seems more wriggley!?!?

Thunderstorm brewing here - it's making my ears ring?!? must be the pressure in the air?

Also - gettting pretty fed up of being so damn hot all the time - roll on winter!!

My babe seems intent on head-butting my ribs. Impossible to bend! I almost failed to put my socks on today and have started huffing and puffing like Ivor the Engine.

Is it me or does this hot weather make the baby incredibly active!? My tummy is on the move the whole time!

Thanks everyone

Ladylush, what a panic for you! Get loads of rest and take care of yourself. It seems everyone will be sending fingers crossed to you! x

Crikey Ladylush what a shock! I have my fingers and toes crossed that your bubs hangs in there a bit longer. Take it easy and let us know how you are getting on.

i hope everyone looks after you perfectly ladylush. and gets you some good dvds. take it easy my dear and hope everything goes along perfectly for you. xx

Sending lots of positive vibes ladylush! What a frightening experience, but glad baby is still snug and warm, quite possibly for a few more weeks yet!
Cotton wool treatment sounds perfect - enjoy it and relax.

Gonna - no, they don't know. Usually it's an infection but I'm not showing any signs of one.

OMG ladylush, how scary! Hope you are doing ok now. They didn't say what caused it??

OMG ladylush, how scary! Hope you are doing ok now. They didn't say what caused it??

Blue - my bump is much smaller
Liz - thanks. I'm going to take it easy. At least I am over 28 weeks now. If I can go at least another 2 weeks, even better.

Ladylush, that must have been horrendous. I was reading yesterday that you continually produce replacement fluid even when your waters break at full term, so you can leak until the baby comes out. Hopefully if the sac reseals itself you will be able to replace it - got everything crossed for you. In your place I'd definitely self-cert this week.

Ladylush - they didn't tell me why they broke. I leaked for a few days and bump ended up a lot smaller. Just make sure you take care and let others make a fuss!

Thanks Fairysparkles - he's wanting to do a bit over the summer to earn extra cash. He did that tink in exchange for 3 bottles of red, so I'm not expecting him to earn much!

Off to physio now...

Thanks fairy. It is worrying but I am glad to be home. Yes, looks like this one will be early. Wasn't prepared for that at all. Had to ask my mum to get me some prem babygrows as ds's would swamp the little one. Ds was born at term weighing 91b 3oz. I hope the sac reseals itself.

Cross posted! Blue the pics are great - you've got a very talented dp!! He should defo do it proffessionally!

OMG ladylush!! You must be really stressing bless you! Haven't heard of this before so have no advice I'm afraid - I thought they only let you go 72 hours once the waters have gone and then they want the baby out- - but thats at full term of course - I guess it's six of one, half a dozen of the other this early on!
You have fore waters and hind waters - you maybe still have one intact?? I did when mine broke with dd (full term again tho)
Hope everythings ok - keep us informed - looks like you'll be the first of us to introduce your bubs to the world tho

Thanks blue - reassuring. Glad your dd was ok. I lost a lot of fluids so not sure if I can replace what was lost iyswim. Do they know why your membranes broke? I'm not signed off at the moment. Am thinking of self-certifying for this week, then going in only for meetings next week - then taking it from there. I do know that I have to take it easy though. Have been practically wrapped up in cotton wool by family and friends.

Ladylush - I hope you're ok! I lost some amniotic fluid with DD2 around 30 weeks and she ended up 4 days late, weighing in at 7lbs 9ozs. Take it easy! Have you been signed off work?

I've put those Tink pics on if anyone fancies a look

Hi everyone, will try and catch up soon.
Was admitted to hospital on Monday after my membranes ruptured at 27+5 weeks. Huge shock as you can imagine. All seems to be fine with me and baby and I was discharged yesterday with instructions to check temperature and pulse four times a day. No sign of infection so far. No pain either and cervix is closed. Have to keep hoping that baby will hang on a bit longer. On the other hand, have heard that loss of amniotic fluid can hamper growth - so not sure what's best. Rather concerned that there are no immediate plans for an ultrasound but I guess I can discuss this next week when I see the consultant.

Frosty - I hope things are better for you today. Men can be forgetful and disorganised, but I'm ashamed to say it's me who is more forgetful than my dp. We're both pretty disorganised though! Did he sort it out yday?

Re baby stuff - we've got nearly everything now. Started buying really early. The only thing that's not in the house is her pram [at mums]. We're going for the 'I love my bear' range from babies r us. Dp wants to strip the walls, paint them cream and paint beige bear murals. I can't wait. He painted high school musical murals in the girls' playroom and a life-size tinkerbell on my friend's daughter's bedroom wall. He's wanting to start doing it as a hobby/extra cash thing. Will put some pics on here.

Got appointment with physio at 11am. Will let you SPD sufferers know what they say. Hoping they'll provide me with a proper support belt [mw said they would].

Plus where we were in the States baby baths were ridiculous prices as they all had shower attachments and the like. We really struggled to get just basic things without all the bells and whistles.

With DS we tried to get away with buying as little as possible seeing as how we were on secondment. For a bath I used an appropriate sized plastic container. It had a lid so when we'd finished with it I used it to store the clothes he'd outgrown. Also means its one less thing to get rid of when this baby raising lark is over with.

Liz - drink lots and lots of water! You might be holding on to it in the manner of a camel in a drought. I know I do . Plus elevate your feet above your heart level for a couple of hours.

Ah Frosty - so many men come under the 'think about things we need 30 seconds before we have to leave the house' banner. Mine does, such as asking on the train on the way to the airport last week 'Have we got our passports?'. It doesn't get to me the way it used to, since everything else is good. Hope you can work it out with him.

Have swollen feet and ankles. Look like I have little chipolatas instead of toes. Had dh rub them with some very nice foot gel my friend got me but hasn't made a bit of difference. Any ideas or is this me for the summer?

Hi
The breast pump I've got is the mini medela electric one it was fine for me but is a little noisy.

I used lanisoh nipple cream I've still got some left and I'm hoping it will be OK. what do you think it will be two years old??

I never bought a bath but we had a floating pillow thing with polystyrene balls in it and that was great for us. we went in the bath with DD and still do now. when she was really small we put her in the sink.

Sorry to hear you news stayfrosty, what a PITA.

Breast pumps - From experience the avent hand one is ok but can be a bit of a faff to put together especially if you lose the star valve thingy. I have brought a tommee tippee to try this time round. If looking at electric I found the ameda lactaline absolutely wonderful and quite portable too.

Cream wise I swear by kamilosan.

I too am sick of been told how huge my bump is considering I have about 12 weeks still to go. I am actually smaller than I was with the other two and weigh less than I did before I got pregnant so wish they would all keep their mouths shut.

Nan's funeral tomorrow and I am not sure what I am going to wear. Can't afford to go shopping so will see if I can find a suitable top to go with my black matty trousers.

oh yeah babylady - personally only ever used the tommee tippee hand pump and I loved it, I'm a mother supporter at my local bf group and we all swear by this one, but then again I haven't tried any others!

I think this time I may invest in an electrical one as I spent alot of time watching telly and pumping away!!

re: cream I never needed anything other than a bit of vaseline personally - its cheap and doesn't need wiping off before you feed bubs! If and when you do get cracked nipples breast milk is the best thing for them - just rub a bit extra on after feeding!

Hello everyone - sorry to hear a lot of you are feeling pretty shitty at the mo!

Aw stayfrosty - so sorry your wedding didn't turn out the way you hoped - men are shits the majority of the time aren't they - in their deffence tho they don't mean it - they're just not as capable as women and from my experience tend to spend a lot of time in their own little world! Hope it all works out in the end for you?!

I will join the huge bump group - people can't believe I've still got 13weeks left - personally I don't think i'm that massive, just a bit on the big side but I do tend to have extra water in pregnancy - but what do I know - other people seem to think they are more qualified than me to judge the size of me!! cheeky gets

pebble - check your local paper or free ads if you've got one for second hand buggy's - and of course any NCT sales - and also second hand shops often have a buggy or two?!

gonnabeamummy - I was like you on my 1st pregnancy, I'm generally a total worrier anyway and was convinced my pregnancy would go wrong at some point!! (total pessamist I know!) so I was very strict with not buying anything until I was 26 weeks as this is when a baby has a strong chance of surviving if it is born prematurely! It's very normal to have worrying thoughts and dreams and stuff - don't worry your not on your own!

April - wow your so organised, although I must confess I'm a bit of an OCD planner/list maker too! Had FIL down last week to decorate the nursery so thats all ready, plus I've even put any neutral clothes and bedding from dd in the baby's chest of drawers so I feel like I'm starting to get on top of things now - even contemplating putting the hospital bag together but I think that would be too keen!! - and tbh I haven't got the f**ing time!! these are all things I lay thinking about whilst still bloody awake at 1am, 2am ,3am, 4am etc...

Aw StayFrosty what a bummer - he needs to do some serious ass kissing! Men can be pigs, no doubt!

Thanks for the thumbs up on the tummy tub - just what I wanted to hear. Gonnabamumma, tummy tub is a baby bath which pretty much looks like a bucket. Attached a link to the website
http://www.tummytub.co.uk/

Now just need some advice on nipple cream (TMI perhaps - but realistic I guess) and a breast pump (anyone got a Medela swing pump?)

By the way, Frosty, 'foolish'?? Don't be silly! Sheesh, the number of times my DP has been late, thoughtless, oblivious, selfish, obtuse, resistant, stubborn, [voice fades away into the distance...]

frosty you poor thing. What an arse he has been today! I hope he makes it up to you so that you want to marry him again.

FWIW, I think most men are guilty of bumbling about like thoughtless selfish twats even on very important days like today (sorry for sexism, but it's true). I wouldn't read too much into it, but I'm very sorry you didn't have the lovely day you planned ! Awful that you are missing DD as well. Have you had a good cry yet?

lol at trying to outrun labour! If I cross international borders, the contractions can't find me.....

It is hard, I am sat here feeling very a) upset and b) foolish. 'd' p is down at the court house trying to get a replacement as I type, he is very contrite but I am so very angry and disappointed with him, and the worst part is the fact that I am not even that surprised iyswim? Part of me thinks that I don't even want to get married to such a thoughtless lazy selfish twat now. I know it's a bit heavy for an AN thread and maybe I should have started a Relationships one, but I need to work it out on my own, that's how I roll. Ho hum.

Thanks ladies for the lovely messages of support, am feeling a whole lot better today after a decent nights sleep and a bit of a boohoo. 28 weeks today - yay!!

StayFrosty, so sorry to hear you missed your slot - men are just rubbish (my DH is 50% thoughtless, 50% forgetful). Not sure what to suggest to calm you down (GBH?)

I am totally in awe of the shopping you ladies have achieved, I need to get over myself, make a list and go spend some cash! BTW, what the heck is a tummy tub (first timer alert!)

ah bollocks stayfrosty. That's just so rubbish, but I know where you're coming from. Nagging is such a bore though - I hope he finds it and then does something huge to apologise for not giving it due attention.

The XT was on my original list but I shunted up to the XLR because it comes with a footmuff, so pricewise worked out around the same. I am fairly sceptical about the research - I think it might depend a lot more on the baby and the parent, rather than the equipment. Everyone around here has a Bee and I think I'd feel odd spending so much money, but dh is smitten. Think I might force him into a day at Mothercare in Croydon. Why is it so hard?

last night I dreamt I'd bought a flight to New York and was at the airport two hours later. Perhaps I was trying to escape giving birth at any cost...

I've also just cleaned my kitchen cupboards, very thoroughly, which might have to go down as an official bout of 'nesting'. God knows I don't clean them any other time.

Well..... i had a tummy tub for for ds and dd and it was great. So handy as its frees up your hands to get the bath wash etc etc. I have got to try and get mine back from a friend otherwise i will be on the hunt for a new one.

Was talking to a friend today who has a 15weeker and she was saying how useful the bath washes with the pumps are. She said that you forget that you dont have the luxury of having both hands free to pick up open and pour the bottle.

Congratulations are appreciated but I fear in vain We are supposed to be down there having our appointment now. But we missed it, because dp couldn't find his decree absolute from his first marriage. He only started looking at 9.45 (appt was 10.30). He didn't look for it yesterday because he went out with his mates all day until 1 am. I am so fucking angry right now. We were supposed to go do this thing this morning and then off to the seaside where dd my mum and dad have taken dd for a few days while I rest from my SPD. I was so lookign forward to seeing little dd and spending the day at the seaside with her, she is having a lovely time according to my mum and dad and I am really missing her. It is a beautiful day outside. And the worst part? I am not even that surprised. Dp is lovely in many ways but his mouth writes cheques his organisational skills can't cash and he often lets me down.

But anyway.

liz, we had the XT from birth, I think it is fab, I have never hankered after another buggy. I know all that blah blah about forward facing buggies and speech development but if you could hear the way my dd chatters on you would be as sceptical about that research as I am and I have had her in it a lot all her life as I don't drive.

babylady we had a tummy tub for dd and I think they are the bollocks, can't recommend it highly enough. She screamed the place down on the few occasions we had her in a conventional baby bath, but loved the tunny tub. Also, she was often prone to have a nice relaxing poo in the bath , and would often go through two or three changes of bath water - much easier with the TT, especially since 'd'p works nights regularly so I would often be bathing her alone. And I don't know if this is coincidence or what, but she never had colic, which is supposed to be another benefit of the TT since their tummy is submerged in the warm water. I absolutely loved ours and had her using it till about 5 or 6 months, brilliant bit of kit.

Well ladies, I am off to try and calm myself now. Perhaps I should read Jane Eyre or something and try and put things in perspective a bit....

Congrats Stayfrosty, hope you get your slot!

31 weeks today so off to Doctor. Have a scan today too to check on bubs development. Can't wait to see how it is lying. I feel like it is squashed under my left rib (at the side) at the moment - a bit sore to be honest.

Ha ha April, I am like you - too impatient to wait so I keep buying a couple of things a weekend. We are shifting back to NZ at Christmas time so we are trying to minimise what we buy over here which is hard as first timers. Borrowing a car seat, a moses basket (just ordered a new matress and some bedding for it) and feeding chair and have now bought P&T Sport, Bjorn synergy carrier, clothes, muslins, grobag room themometer, grobag shaped swadling wraps and baby monitor (luvion digital). Need to get a breast pump and a few other bits and pieces but I feel like I am getting there.

I have decided to get a Tummy tub baby bath - has anyone got one of these and can provide some feedback? Also recommendations for nipple cream and breast pump gratefully recevied.

I am getting quite "sticky outy" at the front ad can't imagine where another 9 weeks is going to fit???

Chin up all those feeling a bit down. Pretty much on the home stretch now.

Hello everyone!

Haven't posted for ages and have missed a few pages of posts so sorry if I have missed anything important.

Had a lovely holiday, though the weather a bit changeable! Got back on Sat only to find my computer hard disk had died and we had no internet connection. Both hopefully back again today in the mean time have to use rubbish mobile connections. I feel lost without my computer! Thought I had lots all my work for my OU course but dp managed to recover everything from the disk thank goodness.

I am also feel very fed up, I feel a lot more pregnant that I am which is annoying, how will I cope in 10 weeks! Backache is the worst for me, I can't sit down for long, and the headaches that have started are crippling too. The baby is also now up under my ribs when I am sat down which is really uncomfortable, I don't remember ds venturing up there till 32/33 weeks. Feeling very tired too so might get some iron supplements to see if that helps!

I have only got the crib to go on the essentials list. I stupidly gave ds's mothercare rocking crib away <fool> when he grew out of it so need to find another one. I was thinking of getting an Amby natures nest but am not totally sure, the price is steep and its pretty big. I have all the newborn clothes ready, so anymore lovely things I see I can buy in bigger sizes! Received all the newborn nappies yesterday too- have gone for bamboo terries and a couple of little wraps. Ds and I spend yesterday folding them and putting them on teddies, he had a great time which hopefully bodes well for when the real thing is here. Though I guess it could all change in the next couple of months.

I love the phil and teds, we very nearly got one. Didn't in the end as a friend of mine with two was selling hers when the youngest was still only 6 months as she said it was far too heavy, and really hard to cope with on the tubes and buses. Though I guess that doesn't really matter if you don't live in London. I figured ds would be out of the pushchair and walking more/buggy boarding anyway so a double seemed like it would be a bit pointless. Though I did spend ages pushing it around the giant mothercare in Manchester wistfully.

Congrats stayfrosty, how exciting!

Lol audrey, I dreamt last time that I gave birth to, and attempted to breast feed a cat! It was very weird. Thankfully ds was born with less teeth and no tail.

Gosh April - I have to join the 'baby's room still full of boxes' brigade to my shame. I panic about it every now and then to be fair...Might nick your list and stick it into boots.com

The dress sounds lovely Stayfrosty. Haven't heard of this rally thing, but it sounds nuts. Can i ask - did you start out with the XT from birth with your DD, and was it ok?

How nice of your scanner TickList - ours did that too, and I thought it was normal practice until my midwife said it wasn't, but she knew the man who did it and said he was one of those rare breeds of doctor who remember about the human on the other end.

StayFrosty - we got married in a registry office in Cambridge, very fast as DH was being transferred to the US. Went punting afterwards with champagne and strawberries, had drinks by the river all afternoon then a lovely dinner. Just 13 of us. Was fabulous and relaxing. Hope it all goes well for you.

Just had my follow up to my 28 week growth scan. Baby still looks good and still about the 50 centile. Another one in 4 weeks to check again.

Best bit after the lovely scanner had finished doing the measurements she said 'I'll just change the probe (thingie) over and we'll take at look at it on 4D!!! I was so shocked (and thinking how pissed DH was going to be to miss that) Still can't believe it. Got some cool pictures but unfortunately she was pressing a little bit close to the placenta so one side isn't as clear as it could be. Can't stop looking at them.

Gonnabamumma - i think weird dreams about the baby are part of this stage of pregnancy. i dreamt last time (and starting again this time) about giving birth to all sorts of creatures including dinosaurs etc, anything but an actual human baby, so i think it's quite normal

stayfrosty, i think calin bleu make really lovely wraps. i've got one linen kind of one that is nice and summery, will have to drag it out again, though i'm planning to start with my hug a bub that i used when ds was newborn.

you can definitely fit a lascal buggyboard to a maclaren xt, though my one concern would be about lying the buggy back in teh sleeping position, i don't know if you could fit toddler on the back with it reclined iyswim.

AND CONGRATS!!

...and did someone mention insomnia - oh yeah, i hear you!

LOL I was a PA for 8years and organising was my thing! Also i come from a family of highly annoying organised people so i guess its in the genes. Personally i put it down to being unable to wait for things - i was patient and waited until i was 24 weeks before looking at stuff and since then i have been on a buying mission.

Have my 28wk appt tomorrow pm and will get my HIP grant stuff then i think - that will help replenish my bank account that has been given a good pasting after buying everything

Why dont you get the buggy board in advance and get dd to try it out when you go out and about. Perhaps she could put a dolly in the buggy in place of a baby. it might help her get used to going on the back

Thanks for congratualtions, I am really excited!

I am glad I'm not the only one intimidated by Apil's organisatinal skills, when you have sorted your own bub's room out will you come and do mine please?

Thanks for the buggy board info peachy. I like the didea of coping wihtout another buggy, we have only ever had the Techno so I will feel all thrifty and virtuous if we can get away without buying another. However, I don't know how kindly dd would take to some young upstart nicking her buggy iyswim? Toddler jealousy is an unpredictable thing, I often worry about how to handle it, along with the million other things I worry about while enjoying the early third trimester insomnia we all seem to be blessed with atm.

Cautious - I had a P&T sport with my other two (obviously i sold it when i wasnt planning on having anymore!) P&T do a travel system kit that turns it from a buggy to a travel system. Option A and Option B I know option B is from the USA but i had one that i bought from the uk. I think it fits all car seats. Although P&T do this Car Seat which goes with option B. I had it and its great, unfortunately it doesnt fit the vibe - nothing does!!

Sorry to scare you all. I have been buying things that i remembered were god sends with the other two, even just having them in the house as a just incase was enough to help us relax!

I feel rubbish cos its been so long since I've managed to post on here but have tried to catch up by reading last few pages - to knackered to go back further.

Stayfrosty - fantastic news. Hope your plans come true.

AprilM - you have terrified me. I now feel totally disorganised. Our nursery is currently chock full of boxes which need sorting out before giving the whole room a really good clean and then digging out the stuff from DD and seeing if any of it is in a fit state to reuse.

Those with travelling DPs - wow, I really feel for you. DH had two days away for work last week and I was totally fed up without him.

I'm feeling OK at the moment. Really relieved to be in the third trimester but can't wait til September. A friend had her baby last weekend and I was so jealous - proper feet stamping 'I want mine now' two year old tantrum! DD has started having a two hour nap post lunch which is great when I'm off work cos it allows me to get my head down for a bit aswell. But work is knackering at the moment and I really can't wait to finish - six weeks left. Seem to be getting pretty big now - bending over all the time to pick up DDs toys is driving me nuts and I suspect that painting my toenails regularly over the summer may have to take a backseat this year! Last time I got on the scales my weightgain seemed about reasonable and a few people have said that it looks quite neat but I never trust those type of comments.

On the buggy front - we have been looking at the P&T sport as have a few friends who have bought it recently. The man in the shop was great and very honest telling us that no double buggy is perfect. It seems to do the job but I loved the fact that DD faced me in her pram and still does in the big buggy and am not sure about having both my angels facing away - altho I'm sure they'll be relieved! I would love to have just one pram to do everything so I can keep it in the car and don't have to deal with 'pram' clutter in the house so am thinking the P&T together with maxicosi car seat should do the job. Unfortunately that means buying a new car seat. Has anyone got experience of linking the maxicosi to the P&T?

Sorry - obviously making up for ages without a post by wittering on and on!

Congratulations StayFrosty, really happy for you!!

Gonnabamumma, I've had dreams like that too, and I believe they are completely natural so try not to let them affect you too much, enjoy being able to sleep as much as you like and watch what you like whilst DH is away!!

There really must be something about the stage we're at as I'm feeling a bit fed up too (although the crash hasn't helped that!) Feeling much better from the RTA now though and fighting the urge to not drive ever again, been going to work ok, bit shakey but getting there.

We have all the bigs things left to get, which I have found on Kiddicare.com, have them all in my basket just waiting for the order to be placed, not sure when we'll do it though!!

AprilMeadow, I thought I was an organised person but I never even thought of getting half the stuff you listed, but then this is my first so I'm just constantly learning, I will listen to your voice of experience though and start collecting some of those things just in case!!

Let's hope the sunshine picks up our spirits and we all start feeling better!! Maybe it's because (well for me) lots of people keep saying how close it is and 'not long left now' however I still feel like it's ages away and we are only 2 thirds through, sometimes feel like punching people when they want to impart wisdom/experience/opinion on me, but maybe that's lack of proper sleep and extra hormones???!

Sorry for the bizarre post, feeling quite tired and a bit delirious!!!

doh, missed the last page.... LOL, thanks Daffodilli that is excellent, honestly you couldn't make it up!!

Congratulations StayFrosty, that is great news, I love a wedding and that sounds v romantic, good luck getting a slot!

Hope everyone is feeling a bit better, I am hoping that I've got past the fed up stage now....

Gonnabamumma, I can sympathise with the absent DH, mine travels with work 2-4 nights a week at the mo. I find that I have to stay positive and do stuff for me with my evenings.... watch my choice programs/films, have my kind of food or have a lovely long bath, maybe that will help take your mind of the horrible dream - they are soooo much more vivid in pregnancy aren't they.

And re. pushchairs for DD who will be ~18m... am kind of torn between coping with our MacLaren XLR/sling combo or going the whole hog and getting a P&Ts..... decisions! If only I could find a reasonably prices 2nd hand one, but am useless with ebay

AprilM - you are sooooo organised, really must get my act together! Although I think I will end up actually just waiting until my mat leave starts in 6.5weeks

congratulations stayfrosty.
I kknow someone has answered your buggy board question but the website is here if you are interested
fit finder
my DD will be the same age and I am hoping to get away with a buggy board but as my buggy does not appear on the site I am a little about it. I have found a web page which says it is possible.
I have been really busy the last two days, into work on INSETS, one of which I led.

I'm also not sleeping well.

But I am going to see my parents at the weekend and have arranged with a friend to meet her to go to an NCT sale, which will make up for the one DH made me miss two weeks ago. I was volunteerng too (grrr. The real PITA is that I can't find my card.

oooh some lovely happy news I hear!

If anyone wants a bit of a chuckle - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/778412-Oh-sod-I-just-bought-my-own-HAT?pg=1 PMSL!

Congratulations StayFrosty!! Lovely news!

Congratulations Stayfrosty that is great news! I will keep my fingers crossed that they can fit you in.

The buggy board does fit the XT as i had one for ds to use - great contraption!

I now have everything i could possibly need (i think) for the baby. We have the P&T Vibe, Maxi Cosi cabriofix car seat, Willow cot & Dresser by M&P, Moses basket (only thing i have from previous pg's) bedding etc. Just need to choose the fabric for the curtains and get a few baby vests/grows and a matress and thats it. Did an online Boots order and went to holland and barrett for things like:
Infacol, Gripe Water, top to toe wash, nappies, wipes, dentinox shampoo, dummies, nipple cream, arnica tablets, raspberry leaf tablets (cant stand the tea), muslins etc Basically all the things we have needed at some point in the early weeks with the other two. All i need now is a baby to finish it all off.

Nursery will be 'put together' in about 5wks time and then i can sit back and await her arrival

Thanks Liz and Snowfalls! DP's team is aiming to be done and dusted in 5 weeks too, as that is all the leave they can take from work. Are your friends going via Russia, or through Kazakhstan/ Krygystan etc? DP and co are going the -stans route I am a bit nervous about them going through Iran tbh and wish they would reconsider. Do you know what? He initially told me it would only take 3 weeks ah well. It is his turning 40/ midlife crisis thing, it could be so much worse. And of course, I will subsequently be owed 5 weeks of solo holidaying wherever I choose, at a later time convenient to me........ <strokes chin and fancies New York>

I am jealous of your glam elopement Liz, Sheffield town hall is just not the same somehow but I agree it is v good fun being just between us, don't get me wrong we will have a big old party next year sometime, but weddings are generally a bit of a stress and a faff aren't they, and judging by threads passim they cause more bad feeling than anything else. Luckily I have a lovely vintage green lace dress I got years ago and never wore because it made me look heavily pregnant. Tried it on whilst heavily pg and voila - perfection!

StayFrosty - congratulations! That's so exciting.
How long is your DP aiming to do the Mongol rally in? I've got friends who are taking 5 weeks to do it.

Gonnabeamumma, I'd recommend a film of either the laugh out loud or weeping variety, plus a glass of wine. And order in your favourite takeaway while you're at it. Might as well make the most of the time on your own

StayFrosty Congratulations! fingers crossed for you. Swift weddings are fun - we eloped to New York on our 10th anniversary and it was such fun. (Couldn't have a wedding over here, not with the amount of divorces our parents carry between them... saved anyone getting upset, including us.)

Am meant to be sewing but have the tennis on and it's very distracting. Also very hot indeed - I'm having to sleep under just a sheet at the moment too. Poor DH ends up sandwiched in between my discarded duvet and the cat.

......oh, forgot to say, this is a RL secret but will share with you AN club ladies - have an appointment at the registry office tomorrow to give notice to get married. DP is off doing the Mongol Rally for charity on the 18th of July and we have decided to try and get married on the fly before he goes. We are cuttting it really fine, but I hope we'll get a slot, please keep your fingers crossed for me.

What is it with the blues? There must be a scientific explanation for this 27/28 week dip in spirits.

I haven't thought about prams yet, but have ordered a Calin Bleu wrap sling in 'mystic cloud' colour. Had a hand me down Baby Bjorn last time and did not get on with it at all. I have proper done my research this time and think a wrap might be the way forward, esp with a toddler to chase. I like the versatility of them, and the possibility of hands free bfing.

The reason I haven't thought about prams is I was going to get a 2nd hand Phil & Teds cos dd will be 2.7. But we live at the top of a really steep hill and I can barely push her in the Maclaren atm, so I dunno how I would manage one of those behemoths with two of them in. Does anyone know do buggy boards fit Maclaren Techno XTs? I am tempted to try and manage with sling and buggy, but don't want poor little dd to feel turfed out of her ride.

Hi ladies, am feeling a bit blue today and sorry for myself - hubby is away for a week on a motorbike trip to scotland with the boys and I am feeling a bit lonely tbh Have felt pretty well until now, am 28 weeks tomorrow and am starting to expand at a rate of knotts and feel a bit pukey today (first time in pregnancy). Am also scared to buy anything for the baby yet, feel like it is too soon. Have ordered the pram and nursery furniture from M&P but only put down a (refundable) deposit so far. Had a really bad dream the night before last that is lingering a bit - dreamt the baby was stillborn. Have nothing to complain about really - just need a good shake!

On the upside, am off for a weekend away for our first wedding anniversary on Saturday to the coast with hubby and dog, so that will be nice - sorry to be a grump!

hello everyone! Just back from my holiday and trying to catch up with you all, but since my mind is shot to bits and I can't remember anything anymore I might have to concern myself with what's on this page only...

I've had my pillow for about 8 weeks and it makes a huge difference. I was a bit nervous about being away without it, but luckily the bed in the room was about 8 feet wide (wide enough to get three pillows across it anyway) and there were spare pillows in the wardrobe. Slept the best I have for ages actually, but that probably had more to do with the blackout curtains and the aircon I think.

Best comment on holiday came from the receptionist when I went to ask if they had any bigger robes - honestly they were so small I could barely get them round my sides. Her answer was "well of course! You are two!" So now I am wandering around saying 'I am two!'

Agree with the fed upness. Since feeling considerably larger and more like a turtle on its back when i sink into the sofa I've started to realise the fun part of being pregnant is now over. I think I've also sort of forgotten that there'll be a baby at the end of it - it just seems to be inconvenient that I can't put my socks on, get heartburn at 9am and have to get up to wee at night.

As for pushchairs, I can't decide at all. I'm tempted to go and look at the loola up again, but my original choice was a maclaren (xlr) since I expect I'll end up with one anyway, but DH is smitten with the bee. I did buy a never slept in crib from someone locally for less than half price, so Fitz has somewhere to sleep even if we can never leave the house.

I think ice is meant to be good for those 'liitle visitors' Snowfalls, bag of frozen peas and a tea towel was recommended by my Dr, just in case , poor you x x am scared in case they get me too, still downing the lactulose so fingers crossed...

People who have to wield needles should learn to wield them properly!

Chap from the buggy store rang to say they have 2 Loola Ups left in the colour that I preferred, ChocoCream, and because it is last years colour we've managed to get the buggy, footmuff, parasol, changing bag and parasol for £260!This seems a good price?! We've also ordered the car seat, its a maxicosi one, but cant remember the name! Should all arrive in 2 weeks, which is great as I think I'm going to need the time to figure out how the thing works!! Dont want to fold it up with bubs still in it! Anyone else ordered buggies etc yet?

1 and a half days left in work before Uni hols start! Girls in work have agreed to share some of the holiday cover this year as I usually do it all, so wont be in much between now and mat leave. Am thinking of doubling up the Spatone as one does not seem to make a difference now...yawn....

Hi everyone.
Had my anti-d injection today and my blood taken for 28 weeks appointment. My arm is so bruised- ouch!!
Have to be observed at work tomo and really not in the mood. So hormonal that I am scared that with the nerves I will cry!

Tiger the GTT only involves tiny finger pricks so no big needles in the veins if that helps at all. I'm absolutely knackered today. Both DCs wet the bed last night despite being 5 and 3 (5 year old has never been dry at night for more than a few weeks) so I was up at 4am changing beds.

Hi everyone

Can I join the fed up corner? I've been awake since 5am thanks to the baby seemingly trying to claw her way out of my stomach Alien-style - or at least that's what it felt like anyway. She wriggled and kicked so hard that it hurt. I wouldn't mind but I'd had my usual 1.30am and 4am bladder calls so I haven't had much sleep . I'm tired and emotional today, without the benefit of wine.

I have a GTT on Friday. Not looking forward to that. I'm not too squeamish about having blood taken but it doesn't mean I have to like it

April, i get terrible insomnia at the moment. some mornings am up from 4am . i really think i could wait until AFTER the baby is born for the sleep deprivation but apparently my body can't wait.
just put ds to bed and planning for a lie down myself but have a sneaking suspcion ds doesn't feel like napping as much as i do!

Morning all.

Soooo...erm.... piles. Anyone else got these?
Lovely new development with me.

ooh nice tip Aprilmeadow. Off to Boots.com now!

Good morning all

I hope all of you that have been in RTA's lately are feeling ok. It is blinking scary. I have only had two prangs since i passed my test 9yrs ago and they have both been whilst pg.. I didnt know i was pg with ds at the time but some pillock pulled out onto a 50mph road without looking and i went straight into him (both ok) and then when 12wks with dd i had some numpty pull out and she ended up getting the front of my car. I have spent this entire pg worrying that i am going to have a crash!

My friend loaned me her long sleep pillow last week and it is fab! So comfy that last night i didnt actually move once i was in position!

Sleep insomnia got me good on Saturday night, i was awake from 2.20 until 4.10 for no reason. I spent that time on facebook or playing games on my phone. Nothing seemed to work and when i did get close to falling asleep i got a massive bout of braxton hicks that took my breath away.

I seem to be getting more and more bh's every week and some of them do leave me thinking 'is this it?' I dont think i paid much if any attention to them when i had them with dd which is why her arriving 4wks early took us by surprise as i assumed that the early contractions were just bh's. This time i will be more wary!

Woo Hoo finally in the 3rd trimester 28 weeks today. I have my first midwife appt for 12wks on Wednesday, i cant believe that i havent seen her since 16wks.

Off to see Take That a week on Friday and can't wait My sister and some friends went to Cardiff last week and said it was awesome so very excited.

Got all of my nursery furniture now - definitely check out boots.com as they have a 20% nursery furniture sale atm. I got a M&P cot and dresser for £290 that should have cost me £400! Plus you get the advantage card points.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend x

I was HUGE with DD2 - went big quickly [inc weight-gain]. It slowed down after 20 weeks. I DD1 was 16 months when I became pg, so I put it down to poor tummy muscles.
This time around I feel tiny - but I walk around a massive secondary school 5 days a week at the mo...oh and I haven't been near the scales for weeks and weeks as I know it'll depress me! Again, how the hell do these people know how 'big' we should be at this stage. They mustn't be women who haven't had kids as they should know better than to comment on size...how rude!
19 get-ups til summer hols

Oh nitnat, I am huge now too, about the same size as I was at 35 - 37 weeks with dd if the fit of my clothes is owt to go by; I am sick of people asking when I am due and then their jaws dropping when I say September, or going 'oooh, not long to go now eh?' errrr well, three months just A THIRD of the way......

Just wondering, I am quite short, not quite 5' 3", and it is my torso that is short rather than my legs iyswim, maybe that is it? Or maybe it is the complete and utter lack of any kind of stomach muscles, and the way I have been absolutely caning the chocolate lately, who knows Either way it never ceases to amaze me how it is somehow magically ok in some people's eyes to tell a woman she is basically a fat heifer as long as she's pregnant Even my mum was going on: 'oh you are big aren't you? Oh dear.... maybe it is all water' last week. Cheers for that.......

Long pillows are fab! Have had one for about 6/7 weeks now. Sleep ok as am v tired, apart from 3 nightly wee breaks! Only downside with the pillow is that I tend to get quite hot, but it is worth it for bump support.
28 weeks today! and bloody uncomfortable! Bubs seems to have adopted a feet down, head to the side position at the moment, and seems to want to kick his way out which is very OUCH! Then sometimes he will get into the transverse position and do a forward roll, which is totally bizzare (sp?!) to watch!

Will share my tissues with you nitnat! am welling up most of the time atm, and when am not welling up am a grumpy cow! Good luck for tomorrow and the Anti-D xx

Hello All,
I have one of the long pillows. They are fab. Def help a little but have to say that sleeping is still not that brilliant. I swear the lack of sleep is to prepare us for when the baby actually arrives. Well I am 28 weeks tomo and have my Anti-D injection as well. AHHHH!!! I hate injections. Love hearing the heartbeat though very sweet. Going to mention my enormous weight gain. I was falling within the normal expected weight gain until a few weeks ago and now seem to be a stone over the expected. I feel really big Everyone keeps saying, 'Are you sure you have your dates right?' This is getting to me now and it doesnt help that I am super hormonal and have been crying like a baby lately. Ok, got that all out!!!
Might go to bed now. Hope you all have a gd week.

Just popping in to say hi and getting the thread back on my active convos.

Aww you must be feeling really fed up! I'm still down for a home birth. But I do reckon I might bottle it at the last minute. Hate hospitals but I like to feel 'safe' Though if the swine flu that has appeared at the local hospital stays there, I'm staying at home! Maybe this is the 'fed up' stage?? Kinda not at the beginning but not near the end either?? Thinking back, I remember getting to around 36 wks and just wanting baby out...feeling uncomfortable and impatient to meet the new addition!
Do recommend the long pillow...it can also be used when sitting upright and when feeding baby. We have it along the back of the bed when we go up to bed to read/watch tv and DP hates it when I say, 'Right, I'm taking my pillow now!'

Hi Blue, I have been eyeing up those big long pillows, they look supercomfy. I bought a maternity support belt form Mothercare myself as I thought well it might help and couldn't bear waiting - it seems to, a bit, but I dunno if the physio one is different.

I don't know if I will be able to have a water birth or anything like that, I have to have consultant led care cos of my hypothyroidism, and in our hospital there is basically one bit of the corridor where you go for birth balls and birth pools and active midwife led fun and one side where it is all epidurals and drips - guss which side I will be on? I need to talk to MW about the possibility of having a MW led birth and then maybe a consultant check up after - don't know how rigid it all is.

I am getting fed up just thinking about it. God, when I think about how happily and healthily I drifted through my pg with dd, in a little bubble of hippified yoga babylove, compared with all the shite I am having to think about now, I get really cross and tearful. I know I should be counting my blessings but this pg is making me really fed up atm.

Oh and 1 more thing for SPD sufferers - I was advised last time to give birth on my side, as again it reduces pressure. Hey, you know, I wish I'd done the same when giving birth to DD1 - sooo much easier [none of this sliding down the bed whilst trying to push lark]

Stayfrosty and Ladylush - I've been referred to physio for my SPD. When it fist kicked off (2 weeks ago) I could barely walk. My mum bought me a big long pillow from mothercare which I put between my legs and under tummy when in bed. Then I have a pillow behind me so I can't roll onto my back. It took a few days but it's really eased the pain loads. Mws said physio should provide me with a support belt too - they're supposed to be really good. ALSO mws recommended a waterbirth as it alleviates the pressure on the pubic bone. (I'm not into that tho). Hope this helps folks

I actually make myself laugh when I try to turn over in bed (obviously this laughter comes through tears and grimaces of agony) I feel like some weird creature stuck on its back flailing around. It is not so much the pain as the knowledge of what is causing the pain and the grinding sensation that puts me about, it really is gross. Actually it is the pain as well. It hurts like a motherfucker! Sorry but it does. I had never heard of this before coming on mumsnet either.

ladylush when you had it before did anything help at all? Did you get referred for any physio or anything? I am seeing midwife next week and she will refer me, and a woman at toddlers says her friend found osteopathy a big help, so I'll be checking that out too. <clutches at straws>

Evenin' all.

Agree with Thank ** it's Friday, with bells on. Off on holiday (Cornwall then Glastonbury) tomorrow, so really pleased to be away from work.

Sounds like so many of you are having a really hard time at the moment. Hope that things start to improve very soon.

Will catch up a week on Tuesday.

I came on to winge about my indigestion (making me feel sick without the nausea iyswim) and ask to swop for something else, but I'm now counting my blessings! Sorry to hear SPD is starting up for some of you

mummyhill - so sorry to hear about your nan
trixie/sprinkle - how frightening Glad you are both ok.
stayfrosty - my SPD has started as well. So far it's just on waking or when I turn over in bed. I hope it doesn't get worse. I had it earlier with ds.

Sorry some of you seem to be having it rough. I had my Glucose Tolerance test today which wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. The sugary drink that i had to drink and had imagined to be quite syrupy(sp!) was only really like strong lemon cordial. Had 3 finger pricks at different time intervals and that was it!

I will second pebblebeach...thank ** its friday! If I could be bothered to get off my backside I'd do a dance..!!

Trixie and Sprinkles, hope you are ok and resting up.

Mummyhill, sorry to hear your news, you seem to have had a rotten time of it lately.

I am having a shitty time too (but not bereavement/accident shitty, I am feeling pretty lucky right about now actually) I have started with SPD and it is agony. I had planned to do so many lovely things with dd this summer and make the most of the rest of time of just having her, and now I can't even pick her up if she has a fall I feel rotten.

TrixieVix am glad you are okay too, hope you can take it easy for a bit while your boby recovers.

Blue76 - ouch for your DD, I hope she's okay this morning and not in too much pain

Sprinkleofstardust - I hope the pain is better today

Mummyhill - am glad your DS/DD went to nursery/school, sounds like it gave you the space you needed to spend with your mum and sister

Daffodilli/Fairysparkles - am not sure if my bump as grown much but I have been SOOOO grumpy this week, poor DH I don't know how he copes, am being such a cow at the mo.

Thank ** it's Friday

That's awful TrixieVix, glad you are both OK. Can't believe he asked you what you were doing! When he'd driven across two lanes of traffic!

OMG TrixieVix, how spooky, although yours sounds worse than mine as I wasn't kept in overnight. Luckily my blood pressure is normally on the low side so even though it went up it just pushed it into the normal range. So glad that you're ok though, I was so scared so sure you must have been terrified.

I don't have any bruising at the moment, not sure if any will come out, just in lots of pain but nothing to show for it!! Will probably go back to work on Monday, but will only have 8 weeks til mat leave!!

Blue, sorry to hear about your DD, what a week it seems to be for us all, must be something in the air/hormones or something, let's hope next week is better for us all xx

Oh dear Trixievix - not you too!!! So glad to hear everythings ok! It must have been awful!

Daffodilli - my bumps had a growth spurt and I too have suddenly become generally very uncomfortable and grumpy and I don't think I have much more room left for bubs - I'm sure I didn't feel this big last time!?

Blue - your poor dd! My dd's only 17months and thankfully hasn't had any accidents - YET! It must be soooo worrying! She walked into a door earlier and had a big egg on her head and I was almost in tears for her - I'm sure it's just the over empathetic pregnancy hormones kicking in again!

Sorry to hear you news, mummyhill

sprinkle - I'm glad all's ok. Make sure you take it easy.

DD fell over ice skating tonight and cut her wrist open on her skate...trip to A&E ensued... butterfly stitches needed!

Oh my god Sprinkles - your post could have been mine! I was in an RTA last Thursday when a stupid man in a taxi drove across two lanes of traffic and straight into the drivers side of the car knocking me across another lane of traffic and into railings! He then had the cheek to ask what the hell I was doing??!!!

Anyway, ended up in an ambulance with 3 very lovely male paramedics and then kept in the mat unit overnight for checks and monitoring. Luckily both baby and me are fine, apart from a very sore back and a nice bruise the entire length of my bump where the seatbelt was

BP on admission was 180/90 though, so warning bells were ringing, although I was blissfully unaware until the Dr came to sign me off and told me!

How strange that virtually the same thing happened within a week to you too...der der der der

Pleased everything's ok.

How is everyone else?

<<<< big virtual hug to everyone having a rough time >>>>

nothing much to report from this end, except am v sore due to bump having suddenly grown overnight again, and have turned into the grumpiest thing alive! countdown to mat leave....

Sorry to hear about all the woes everyone.

mummyhill. me and my dad sorted averything out after my nan died and it is awful... but it does get better. your poor DD too

Sprinkle, really whats next?? Glad to know you are OK

sprinkle! Glad yoyu and the baby are both OK
mummyhill glad your DD is well enough for school

OMG Sprinkle - just seen your post from earlier - I must have missed it!!
Your having a full on shite week eh?! - Bless you [sympathetic emoticon needed!]

Glad no serious harm was done - whiplash is a nightmare tho - I know from experience! Take it REALLY easy - a few days of work at least! The pain really kicks in a day or 2 after the incident - don't forget you can take co-codamol in pregancy!

I am an evil mummy! I sent ds to Nursery and dd to school with a note saying that she wasn't to go longer than 1/2 an hour without drinking something and if she seemed to deteriorate then to call me but as she is not contagious she would be better off at school with her peers than lolling around at home. I then spent the day with my mum and my sister!

Sprinkle glad to hear everything was ok. Take it easy though as you must be really uncomfy with the bruising.

Mummyhill, I am really sorry, what a tough time. I hope your DD gets better soon.

And Sprinkle, that sounds very scary, am so glad you and baby are all fine.

<Seconds babylady's final comment>

Time for a nice cup of tea and cake all round I think.

blimey - I almost believe in astrology after all this. My week's been one stupid problem after another and I needed a long weep while dog-walking today.

Sprinkle - how frightening! Good to hear you and baby are healthy though.

How is Nat now mummyhill? Have you managed to get any rest today?

Sorry to hear about your loss Mummyhill - take it easy.

Sprinkle, your week sounds awful too! thankfully all ok, but not what you need!

Everyone take care of themselves please (she says very bossily!)

sprinkle love, take care of yourself.

the midwife was meant to come for our appointment at 2pm, but is not here yet. might have to call and see if she's coming at all. i understand she might be caught up at a birth, but i hate people not calling if they're late/cancelling.
also ds been in bed for 1 1/4 hours and still not asleep! i have a feeling it's another non-nap day. is this how it all starts, the dropping naps thing? if so, it's really crappy timing.

Oh mummyhill! What a shitty time your having!
It doesn't rain it pours eh?!
Hope you get chance for a bit of 'me time' - even a wee soak in the bath with some nice bubbles later once the dc's have gone to bed might help to cheer you up slightly?!

Really feel for you

Oh Mummyhill, what a horrible time you are having, it seems to be one of those weeks, so sorry for your loss

I've not had a great week either, after Monday's trip to A+E for the chest pain, whilst driving to work on Wednesday there were some traffic lights out so whilst trying to avoid the cars and make my way across a girl in a megane hit me on the drivers side, luckily towards the back of the car, so the rear passenger's door is all smashed up and all round the wheel arch. Was absolutely terrified as I skidded sideways across 3 lanes of traffic and ended up at a 90 degree angle to where I started, luckily I'd just readjusted the seatbelt at the lights before as it had ridden up a bit and no one was seriously hurt, I have whiplash but the baby is fine, had a CTG to check movement and the heartbeat but he's completely fine and keeps kicking me quite low down where it's really tender from the seatbelt. Wasn't kept in and I'm glad to be home, probably have tomorrow off work as well and then go back on Monday.

Hope everyone is having a better time, please take care when travelling anywhere!!

Oh mummyhill, so sorry
How is your DD now? Hope the antibiotics kick in today and she feels much better

feeling for you mummyhill. Is there anyone who can help you look after the kids today, someone who isn't grieving like a friend, maybe? You are probably far too vulnerable yourself to be caring for an ill child by yourself . Your daughter might be picking up on your sorrowful vibes too which might have added to the bed-wetting and / or her wanting reassurance. If you had a bit of practical support today, that would help you both.

(obviously make sure DD has lots of fluids - the headache could be a bit of de-hydration as well I s'pose.)

so sorry for your loss

sorry to hear about your nan mummyhill.

what an eventful time you've had. your poor sick dd, but i know what you mean, i hardly ever let ds in our bed (and he's only 2) because habits always seem to stick around here!

Ok grab a cuppa this is going to be a long one.

My nan passed away on Tuesday night after a 6 week battle with illness. We were expecting it and I am feeling a bit numb. Think it probably hit me properly at the funeral itms.

I have called into work and I apparently get 1 weeks paid leave for bereavement. So I took last night off and am saving the rest till I know when the funeral is.

They are having fun sorting everything out as Nan lived in a sort of no mans land. She paid rates to Atherstone, her post code was sutton, but her water was paid to south staffs, If we called an ambulance unless we specified and told them that Sutton was closer she would of been taken somewhere in Warwickshire. So after much phoning round it turns out that her death needs to be registered in Nuneaton which is miles away from where she lives. We can't do anything until we have the death cert though.

It's never ending. Nat is poorly now, think it is a uti, took her to the walk in after school and they have checked her over there was protein and white blood cells in her urine sample. So they have asked for her to be reviewed by GP this morning and a sample should be sent off to the lab before they start anti biotics. She has been complaining of a headache for about 3 days. I have given calpol and pushed fluids but last night I thought ok this has gone on long enough and got her looked at. Shortly after we got home she managed to throw up all over my bedroom and the bathroom. Lovely! Took her to the out of hours clinic as I wasn't happy about how she looked They have prescribed anti biotics and I have to take her to see our gp at 9.30 in the morning so they can send a urine sample to the lab. Gave her the first dose of meds and she went to sleep pretty much straight away. Was woken up at 4am by someone screeching for mum cause she had a headache. Went in and gave her calpol and told her to settle back down to give it chance to work. Had been back in bed about 10 mins when she decided her bed was wet. I nearly hit the roof because this means she was awake and deliberately wet it so she could climb in with us as she knows I can't change the top bunk atm. I made her get changed and put her in sleeping bag on the mattress on the floor in her own room. I know she is ill but honestly I refuse to be manipulated by a 7 yr old! Woke up this morning to find her curled up at the foot of our bed though.

This morning I have 2 over tired grotty kids and feel like a zombie!

Hey it sounds like a lot of you are feeling a bit under the weather! Hope you all get better soon.

Spoke to GP yday. She said that even if I were to catch slapped cheek , there's no treatment for it. Apparently I've probably already had it without even knowing. It's a common virus and lives on all kinds. Those who are less than 20 wks pg are at higher risk, so I'm safe. I also spoke to the school nurse, who has a poster about the different viruses in her office. It states on that that children do not need to be kept away from school whilst they have it. Just thought I'd post this info in case anyone else comes into contact with it.

Eh up Stealth - long time no post indeed! Sorry you've been poorly! Glad your feeling better now tho

Apart from the ones who at a quick scan I can see have been ill / in pain. Glad you're better Snowfalls and Sprinkles.
Had an ill few months here too, finally I had a D&V bug last week, wasn't actually that sick but felt dreadful - constantly nauseous and exhausted, and the worst thing was it coincided with me starting the third trimester so I wondered if I'd just been lucky up to now and this was how it was going to be for the rest of my pg! Fell much better again though so hopefully not

Hi everyone
been gone for ages, sorry
Have I missed anything? How is everyone?

Thanks everyone!!
I went on a course today for work. Music, but it involved lots and lots of singing and jumping about. I'm exhausted

Thank you everyone - feeling much better now.
DH and I reckoned that with all the pee, vomit and poo that was around it was giving us a sneak preview into our life come 3 months time!

How's everyone else's brain getting on? I'm sure I used to have a good memory, but not I can't remember things one minute to the next! And the stupid things I keep doing - suprised I'm being kept at work!

Oh sorry Sprinkles - it was rib pain, not a virus Hope you are feeling better.

Snowfalls - hope virus has gone. Last thing you need when you're pregnant.

Peachy - size thing seems a bit blown out of proportion. Agree - if you're small it stands to reason your baby will be small.

Nitnat - I think it's terrible that the hospital can't offer you any antenatal classes. You should complain to the head of the department and copy it to your gp. Maybe they could organise classes for you at another hospital? Afterall, classes will be pretty much standard in terms of talking about the birth options and feeding.

Sprinkles - that virus sounds nasty. Hope you are feeling better now.

Minshu - ignore the people at work. I've had a few comments this week along the lines of "Cor, that bump is HUGE compared with last week". Actually it has grown a lot since last week. I think there is a growth spurt around now. I just smile and say "yeah I know". Also there's a guy who keeps saying to me "you sit down, you've got enough on your plate". I'm pregnant ffs - not an invalid

Sprinkles - that sounds so worrying, you definitely did the right thing though!
Snowfalls and ticklistqueen - I hope you both feel lots better soon.
Minshu - well done for going swimming, I really must get more motivated into staying active.... ho hum.

And lol fairysparkles - I had exactly the same conversation at my 38 week appt with my gyny about BH, glad it's not just me ! It also took me ages to work out that baby was having hiccups, and that it was not just some weird ticking sensation, I blame pg brain.

Hi girlies,
just thought I'd check in

Sprinkles - glad your feeling better - very worrying tho to struggle breathing - I would have done just the same thing!

Snowfalls - bless you with your virus - our house had that pleasant experience a couple of months ago and it ain't fun is it! You have my sympathies!

Peachygirl - I would defo say there is nothing to worry about if your measuring only 2cm under - my midwife says measuring is pretty pointless unless it's the same person measuring you throughout the whole of your pregnancy as everybody will measure slightly different - infact, many hospitals/midwives no longer measure at all as it is so easily done wrong. However when they do measure they usually allow 2cm over or under and if your any more than that you get to go for another scan - lucky you! Also - FYI, I was speaking to my friend yesterday who's dd was 10lb 4oz, and she was measuring a couple cm under at around this stage of pregnancy!!

Re Raspberry leaf tea: I drunk it by the gallon when i was last pg - although my health food store wouldn't sell it to me until I was 36 weeks and even then they would only let me buy 1 or 2 boxes at a time. Personally I think it's right that they don't bring labour on (I was 4 days overdue before going into labour) but they probably are good at toning the uterus!? (I personally love the tast of it as I like most herbal and fruit tea's - I used to drink it hot or keep a big iced jug of it in the fridge - but if you don't like the taste of the tea you can get it in tablet form)

When i was 1st pg I didn't think I 'd had any braxton hicks until I was in the middle of a check up at 36 weeks and the midwife was about to have a feel for the baby and she said "ooh - I'll just wait for that go" - I said "wait for what to go?" she said "your braxton hick - your having one right now!" - I hadn;t noticed, my belly would just go quite hard sometimes but I just thought that was the baby sticking it's bum out or something - turns out i'd been having them for weeks! - after that I noticed them all the time!
This time around I think I've started having them earlier - but then I don't know exactly when they started last time so I can't be sure?!

Phew - sorry for the lengthy post!! Took me ages to type it too as I seem to have lost all ability to type properly!!

Getting checked out isn't foolish if you are really struggling to breath Sprinkle. Hopefully the baby will give you some breathing space soon.

I have a stinking cold and my ribs and diaphragm hurt every time I sneeze, that and at the same time I pretty much wet myself. Really want this baby off my bladder to have a bit of relief but hope she doesn't go too high as not breathing sounds scarier.

minshu that would make sense, a friend told me today that it's all to do with where they put the tape measure anyway. I'm not worrried. I think the GP has to cover themselves TBH
I was tested for slapped cheek and you should get a blood test if you can I think the risk is low but I think the implications can be bad. It is worse in the earlier stages. I may have posted a link before
here it is

Nitnat that is bad. We have sessions where you can just turn up at the hospital. Have you tried the NCT they maybe able to fit you into a group.. it will cost you though

Slapcheek- I had a kid at school with it when I was early on in preg. They sent me for blood test and it came back that I was immune so that was ok. If you are not immune then they do more regular scans.You can be immune even if you have not had any physical signs of it.

nitnat I can completely understand your anger, if that happens to me I won't be happy at all and DH has just said that he will get cross with them. Especially as my MW care has not been very good at all right from the start! This is my first pregnancy as well so have absolutely no idea how it all works, but everyone else seems to be getting better care!

I thought RLT brought on labour so you couldn't have it until near the end, but I don't know for sure at all, think I'll leave it until I finish for maternity leave and I'll be 36 weeks, just to be on the safe side, but who knows!!

Re: Slap cheek, I thought I had been exposed to it and went to see MW, who scared the crap out of me, however, they took a blood test to see if I had previously had it or was immune to it and the GP told me that it may make the baby slightly anaemic and you would just need to be monitored a bit more closely so nothing major to worry about, he was far more reassuring than the stupid MW who seemed to have forgotten that I was a pregnant woman!! Have to have another blood test next week, 4 weeks after the original to see if I was exposed to it and had the virus. It is also more 'dangerous' at the beginning of pregnancy, before 20 weeks so you should be fine now Blue, but still worrying. Just take care and work should ensure you don't spend time with children suffering with it, I was removed as soon as we thought he had it. Hope that helps a bit x

Had a self-esteem issue again today - on arrival at work this morning, one lass would not take a hint and stop going on about how massive I am, how I must be having twins, etc. Really made me feel fat and frumpy. DP keeps telling me I'm gorgeous and beautiful, but I'm struggling to work out what clothes suit me at the moment and just want to hide away at times.

Still on the positive side, I managed to go swimming for the first time in about 4 months this evening and found it much easier than last time, when I was still feeling crap and really tired.

Peachygirl - my mw told me that the height of fundus measurements were to within 3cm, so 22 cm at 25 weeks should be on the lower limit, but fair enough considering your stature, I'd have thought.

Tigerfeet - can you describe what the raspberry leaf tastes like? I'm not keen on raspberries.

Sorry you had such an ordeal, Sprinkleofstardust. Hope that you are feeling reassured, though.

Snowfalls - that sounds awful - hope you both get better soon.

No BH for me either, but I think that some of you second-timers (or more) are saying that you are getting them earlier than with the first?

I was given info about the antenatal classes in my 25 week appointment last week. There is no booking for the NHS ones run at the maternity unit - just turn up for two consecutive Monday evenings. I can understand your frustration, nitnat - that sounds barking. Other people must have been given an earlier opportunity to book (or they all turn up with 3 week old babies in tow...)

I was told that RLT is good for preparing for the birth, and that it's a bit of an old wives tale about it bringing on labour I eat loads of pineapple and that's supposed to bring it on so I really don't know. My mum said she doesn't know how I survived cos she ate what she wanted when she was pg with me

Re BH - I get them all day long and it's driving me mad. I thought it was just baby shifting, but when I described the feeling to the mws, they told me theyre BH and the more the better. I don't remember having any with DDs and they were 4 hr and 2 hr labours. So again, I dunno! Hehe

Oh, apparently slapped cheek syndrome is doing the rounds of DDs school. Joys. Another thing for me to panic about.

Well I was annoyed Sprinkle as when I went for my 23 weeks antenatal appointment I asked to book the antenatal classes and she said they are booked till October!!! Well I said how that is no good as due mid Sept so she said u will have to come without your husband and go to the afternoon rather than the evening classes. I was angry!!!! Especially as this is my 1st baby and I have no idea what to expect. Could do with partner there.

Oh Snowfalls, that sounds terrible, I hope that you are feeling better now?

nitnat, I've not had any BH's yet either so I hope it's normal!!

I've not had any information from MW about antenatal classes, will ask at 28 week check but just thought I'd see what others knew and what they'd been told?

Ahhh swollen feet are killing me!!! Hurts to bend toes.
I am 27 weeks preg and I haven't had any Braxton Hicks is that normal?

Poor you SprinkleofStardust, and how frustrating.

I've had a pretty miserable few days. Friday night got leg cramps for the first time - didn't understand just how painful they can be. DH was shaken awake and I screamed a lot.

Then on Sunday night I started to vomit, and DH had severe diahorea, this continued all night and well into Monday from both of us. As you can imagine our bathroom was a lovely place. Spoke to the doctor on Monday morning who said that the baby would still get everything they needed, but would just mean I would feel 10 times worse than I normally would with the virus - oh joy! Upset because I've had to miss a local evening for pregnant women to get to know each other tonight.

Other than that pretty pleased I've reached 27 weeks - it does feel that time is flying by. 3 trimester next week, and under 3 months to go!

My mum got all mine and my brothers baby clothes out at the weekend, although there were some real shockers in there, there were also so really cute little things as well, so very pleased.

Hope everyone is well.

Hi all,

Well I phoned NHS direct just to check about the pain as I was really struggling to breath and they sent paramedics out and then they took me to hospital to cut a long story short - after hours of waiting around and BP and oxygen levels taken etc we finally got home at 1.30am and then went to work this morning, very tired!! However, it seems the pain was just the bump pushing on the diaphragm so I felt a bit foolish for worrying everyone and causing a fuss, even though the paramedics and nurses said I'd done the right thing, think they were just trying to make me feel like I hadn't wasted their time!

On the plus side, even though I've been completely shattered at work today (and had to stay 2 hours later than normal) I had a lot of positive feedback about how I'm getting on (only been there 6 months) so feel lots better!

PMSL at the limerick Blue, and maybe a buggy snuggle would be possible by the time the baby comes, wouldn't that be lovely!?!?

Just did a google and it seems that the pelvis thing is a bit of an old wives Tale.. ho hum,

Hi hope everyone is well , just a quickie from me. Things fine although I had a very long Drs appointment yeaterday.

They were quite concerned that I am measuring only 22cm with the tape measure and I'm 25 weeks today.
I pointed out the obvious, I'm only 4''11! DD weighed 5lb9! But they want me to be measured again when I see the midwife and I may be sent for an extra scan. I was never measured with DD - at least I don't remember it ..at all.

They also said my size and my feet size (2)could indicate a small pelvis so be prepared for them to say I have to have another C section. I pretty much knew this anyway and am still open to whatever options are given to me.

I've just had a quick trawl online and there doesn't seem to be much on there that's conclusive - a few sites say start from 32 weeks with a cup a day increasing to 4 cups a day

I think I'll get some ordered. You can get the active ingredient in tablet form too, the taste of the tea isn't for everyone

I drank RLT from second trimester, one cup a day last time and then 3 cups a day from 36 weeks. had a 4 hour labour too!
i remember speaking to janet balaskas about RLT and she was for starting it earlier rather than later, but limited to a cup a day.

Blue, it was my understanding that Raspberry Leaf Tea wasn't recommended until after week 35 as it can trigger contractions... might we worth checking it out. I drank it from around then during my last pregnancy and I remember it triggered fairly strong Braxton Hicks. I'm getting enough of those atm anyway, not sure I need any help yet!

I get the tight chest feeling at times too, I think it's caused by the diaphragm and ribs being displaced by the uterus and everything else being pushed out of the way. Worth getting it checked out if your worried though.

Glad to hear you can relax a bit BabyLady! Not sure I could have coped with 1am finishes myself so you have my utmost respect. I'm usually tucked up in bed with my cocoa by 10 at the latest

That limerick must be about me (my name isn't Louise though)

Hi all, lots of posts to catch up on. My deal finally closed last week (bye bye 1am finishes) so I had a few days off last week. I must say I was very reticent to go to work on Monday after 5 days off (including weekend). Bring on maternity leave!

All fine here. Bump appears to be growing and I can't belive where another 10 weeks of growth is going to go. I am getting very uncomfortable towards the end of the day as my tummy grows tighter and tighter. Must be as all the food for the day mounts up. Bubs is still quite active at times but only a few kicks or wriggles and then it settles down again.

Start my antenatal classes tonight which will be interesting. Hopefully there are some nice people and we don't launch into any gory stuff. I think I need to work up to graphic discussions about labour and any videos!

Even though I am going private I am going to make an appointment at my GP to see if I can get my fruit and veggie grant. Couldn't face asking the private consultant who we are paying a small fortune to for a form to get me back £190. But in all honesty paying for a private consultant is a real stretch for us (I am sure we are not like a lot of his patients who wouldn't even blink at the amount of cash). Hopefully the GP is happy to oblige.

6.5 weeks of work left to go...just wish it would hurry up. The tube is already getting hot, imagine it is all going to be unbearable by the time I finally get out of here.

Sorry for long "me" post . Hopefully everyone is all ok.

LOL at that limerick.

Blue - why do you say that about RLT? Just interested really, my midwife has had me drinking it for a couple of months now, as it helps tone the uterus and therefore make contractions more effective (rather than bring on labour), but please only do this on advice from a HCP, I was a bit when she first mentioned it, but she convinced me it was a good thing....

My midwife also said the first thing to do in labour is brew gallons of it, and drink that rather than water throughout labour.

Ladylush - I like your 3-day weekend plan . Maybe to make up for the hideous work-weekend, my work laptop has given up the ghost, which is a complete nightmare as I work from home, so IT need to ship me a new one and I have piles of work to do asap and I now have no access to emails/files plus in theory I am not supposed to use non-work laptop for work, but what else am I supposed to do.... still trying not to stress and making the most of it, it's not my fault, laptop was due for replacement a year ago .

Hope you ladies are having a better week than me!!

PSML

Sorry about this. All the talk of LGs has made DP force me to post this limerick:

There was once a girl called Louise
Whose pubic hair hung to her knees.
Her crabs got together
To knit her a sweater
So in winter her ** wouldn't freeze

He keeps reciting this to me...cheeky bugger!

Ooh folks...you might want to read up on raspberry leaf tea

at pubic hair net sprinkle! Maybe you could save it up and knit a pram set?? hehe. Cannot be arsed doing mine...what I can't see can't hurt is my new motto. Re chest pain - if you're really worried, get it checked. To be completely honest, if it was me I'd go and get it checked out. Can you not go and see your mw? Are you carrying quite high?
I can't even wear bras anymore without being in agony by the end of the day - it's crop tops for me most of the time. Gonna end up with boobs around the knees, but what the hell.
This little one has been jigging around for the past 2 days - dancing on my bladder!

Pebble - sounds like your weekend was knackering as well. I could do with a 3 day weekend at the moment. One day to do stuff, one to potter about and one to do absolutely nothing

I've been getting that tight band like pain under my bust as well - I'm sure it's the ribs moving. I need to get some new bras. I meant to buy some a few weeks ago but never seem to find time. It'll be my 3rd set of maternity bras Also get the stitch like pains.

Minshu - good luck with the decorating/cupboard thingy. We haven't done ours yet.

also back after busy few days. got some minor business problems at moment so been on some different threads. Haven't had a chance to catch up yet. Hope everyone is well.

How many braxtons hicks is everyone getting? Can that be what is causing your breathlessness Sprinkle? They take my breath sometimes.

I've been getting them for weeks, and frequently too. Sometimes every half an hour or so all afternoon. I'm not worried about them as they are def. BH, not contractions. But I am certainly experiencing lots more this time round.

Plus, even thinking about the birth (ie classes, threads, looking at birthing pools) can set them off. As can running (well, jogging... well, lumbering slightly more quickly across the living room )!

It has been quiet, hasn't it?

Not quite like a tight band, but I've been getting stitch like pains, normally down the right hand side, and occasionally on the left, too. I've found deflatine helps, as it's mainly been trapped wind , but have also read the same as LJ and think that some of the pain is getting to be related to the ribs moving, too. I'm going to have to get some more new bras, soon.

My midwife told me that these aches and pains and the breathlessness are all normal, too. Only another three months

But seriously, if you are worried about your breathlessness, it's worth getting in touch with your midwife.

Well done on the painting, sprinkles. DP is still busy with his giant 3-d jigsaw / cupboard, so we should soon be able to emtpy the spare room and start decorating soon, too.

Sprinkle I think its quite common to have pain in your ribs as the uterus grows upwards and i read one article that says your bottom ribs actually have to spread a little to make room. obviously if you are having trouble breathing you may want to get it checked but again breathlessness is quite normal.

Has anyone suffered with chest pain? I feel like I've got an elastic band just under my boobs and it's really tight. When it started I couldn't breath properly, but that's better and now it's just pain, I've had some gaviscon in case it's indigestion, but just wondered if anyone else has had these symptoms and if they're normal as DH would like to take me to casualty.

I'm here (or back rather), had the most exhausting weekend of work (grrrr), people round for dinner on sat night and a grumpy/