so here it is, a new home for us newly updiffed ladies or still seeking that golden egg after a mc part 3

Oooh and yay for mat leave for you both - you'll love it!

x post worm - it does make you wonder about the scans, doesn't it?

Will NOT be scrubbing my nips thanks very much!

Lovely muffins worm - thank you. Makes up for the huuuuge bolding fail! Congrats to sil and sorry to hear about the hand, particularly when they were reassured all was well. Assume all is well with you too?

Gawd yes to the skin tags sparkly - I seem to have developed most around my neck and because I've been spending more time outside in the sun lately as I'm not working, they have gone quite brown - so it looks like I'm just dirty . I really do hope they drop off but if they do I have visions of waking up one morning in a sea of them! Other odd skin things - my nips and aereola have hardly changed colour, but I have a birth mark on my right boob that has almost double in size! . HAve ob/gyn appt on tues which i will be pleased to go to as putting myself on the scales yesterday, I haven't put on any weight in the last 2 weeks and prior to that, only 700g in the previous 4 weeks. Bump is getting bigger though....

I got some of the Moulin stuff and it really is gorgeous - the circus stuff mostly.

Good luck with the p massage - I haven't actually tried it by myself yet but will prob do so tonight - I figure some has to be better than nothing at this late stage right?

Now where is our yellow? I thought she was due back from croissantland this weekend... hope all is well ma jaune amie!

Yes it is genetic, sparkly, but Dsinl is dh's half sister sharing mums. The gene is on her dads side. I am getting madder the more I think about it as to why this wasn't picked up prior to the birth though. She had 3 scans!! Makes me really fret that if they can miss something as obvious as that what else do they miss ? Although I know it wouldn't change the outcome she could have been prepared for it rather than find it themselves when he was on her tummy.
Have a wonderful last week at work! (its mine too) !
I have been reading up on preparing your nipples for feeding. One tip was to scrub your nipples with a scrubbing brush to toughen them up! Youch [shocked]

Took me a while there to work out that 'Bolding fail!' was not an Irish greeting!
Aw, congrats Wormydsinl and her new son, lovely. Are deformities genetic? I don't know the nature and extent of it, but she will know how to guide him through life with it I'm sure.
All fine here, muffins have flushed me out. Been lurking on and off at work but had no news, sorry though, I know how we worry! Last week at work next week, it's going to be really odd and probably quite emotional. Really ready for the rest though.
Anyone else got those bizarre little flaps of skin that appear in sweaty hot areas of the body? My skin has gone beserk, really dry and itchy - thought I had ingrowing hairs but luckily it's just warty things that will drop off eventually, so I couldn't feel sexier!
Love the Moulin-stuff Wombat, the duck is super cute, tres chic and a bit weird, right up my street. Going to hold off on any more purchases though. I did buy some raspberry leaf tea for use from 37 weeks, not to accelerate things as I'm not convinced anything could, but to soften the old bits in readiness. Also got some almond oil massage base from Holland and Barratt to try the perineal massage, that's alright to use isn't it Harassed?
Righto, going to search for some gruesome tales to scare me on here, then bath and a cheesey lasagne should anyone wish to join me (for the lasagne, bath barely big enough for me) x
Ooh, slightly leaky boobs again - perhaps I should be harvesting some colostrum, heh heh!

Bolding fail!

My word [wombat] you sure are hurtling towards the finish line! Hope you Re having fun with the olds.

I hope [sparkly] is ok think she finishes work very soon so let's hope boredom forces her out of hiding. Failing that here are some muffins of various flavours.

Greetings across the channel to [yellow] hope you are getting well rested.

Dsinl had her baby this morning. It went really well and was a water birth on gas and air only at the local midwife led unit. I am very impressed and jealous! The baby was born with a deformed hand same as his mum bless them , which they had been told was fine at the anomoly scan. So that's a shame for them that they weren't prepared for.

Waves frantically to everyone else hope all is well.

Bonjour ma cherie! Glad that you are having a good time in la Belle France and making the most of the pastries - merci buckets for sending some our way! Oooh - while you're there - if you see any shops stocking Moulin Roty products, have a look. My neighbour is the distributor for the Dubai region and has got me 30% off their stuff and it is toooo cute for words.

Haven't done the perineal massage since - I really need to seeing as I'm only 13 days-ish away from this whole birth thing.... it's odd - I really feel as this is happening to someone else, not me. Does anyone else feel that way.....?

So the parents arrived on Tues night and it;s testing my patience a little, but at the same time I feel bad as it is very kind of them to come over for such a long time. The guilt!

Bonsoir mes amies

oooh wombat, very impressed at perinal massage, glad you enjoyed it! did you use oil, did you feel a weird stretching or where you just having too much fun???

worm no idea re the gushing, good idea to get an appt though if you are worried.

I have been out with the inlaws this afternoon and bought cute baby clothes, some lovely dungarees! and I have been eating lots of croissant

kool i think i forgot to reply to your genii question? essentially it has helped me to sleep on my side but it is a product of low quality and I guess there may be something better available. It is a really good idea and the back and front supports help but perhaps are a little too thin and the cover is v poor quality. I do need it and have bought it to france with me but i would look around for something better quality but i am thinking of getting the quilted cover to see if that helps.

please enjoy this selection of pastries and sweet and savoury crepes

Arevoir et a bientot

Thanks for the reassurance worm - I'm a bit of a plan-ahead sort of girl, but it;s good to know that at the end of the day, you just get on with it and I guess what doesn;t work, doesn't work and what does, does! I find this lack of control thing a bit anxiety-provoking!

Your poor DH - I guess it's a question of whatever he did, it might not be right! Not had the umbilical flow thing - sounds interesting though, if not a little worrying although good to know baby us moving around fine.

So, DH and I actually tried the perineal massage this afternoon and we both found it quite enjoyable - not sure we did it right in that case!

Morning Ladies
Hope you are all well...... how about a change today, and omelete with whatever fillings take your fancy, I am a mature chedder, ham and onion kinda gal myself.
wombat I have never had deep and meaningfuls regarding parenting and mine are 12 and 10! so no definately not late in the day! Thankfully DH and I seem to have the same ideas and both just learnt "on the job"
Good luck with Mum and Dad I bet it will be lovely to see them again, If the baby comes while they are still here I can see you having a hectic time!!
I agree about keeping us informed, and in fact think we should be told before the hospital!
Bonjour yellow hope you are having a lovely relaxing time with DH in France, 40 working days for you!!
Great to hear from you kool you are nearly there at the magic 20 week mark! I thought I had felt movement at around 18 weeks, however when I was having the scan I could still feel it and the baby was completely still! so it must have been wind definate movements felt from 21 weeks ish. Hope you and DH are keeping well.
sparkly loving the 8 more working days! that is what I have too I have started a "things to do while before baby comes list, and if I do them all will be busier than when I am working!!

So this weekend I have been feeling very snappy and irrational. Yesterday I got jealous of DH buying the kids some christmas presents as that is a job I usually do (and have started) and DH is just as surprised as the kids to see what they have on Christmas day! This year he has actually thought about what to buy and bought some, and my nose was thoroughly put out of joint!! Silly hey....... Last weekend I felt the same when he cleaned the windows for the first time ever!!
Katy Perry was great, DD absolutely loved it. Bump didnt seem to mind at all.

So I woke up to turn over in the night ( for the millionth time) and felt this very weird gushing/pumping sensation inside. Looked it up on google and it sounds like I could feel the umbilical flow?? So now I am super paranoid that the baby was laying on its cord......... anyone else evr had this??
I am not supposed to see the midwife again for another 4 weeks! they leave you to get on with it when its not your first.......
Being the neurotic geriatric that I am I am making an appointment for the clinic this week to ask about it. Baby moving around fine which is re-assuring.

Have a good week ladies
x

Hi everyone and a pols for lack of posting lately. It's an extra long religious hol here and dh has 5 days off - Eid Mubarak to you all!

Have a fab time with the in laws yellow - hope they treat you like a princess and do snaffle some decent pastries for us while you're there please! Great that all is well following mw appt. Your daughter seems to be doing very well

Really fab to hear from you kool- totally with you on that 12-20 week period. I hated it. For me, movements came at 19-20 weeks and even then they were tiny and easily confused with excess gas! We are all here for lots of hand holding.

Same goes for you wellie and don't think for a second that we're not with you every step of the way - there's not a chance we'll lose touch. Hope all is well with you and dh down under and you're enjoying some swi.

Saw a couple of pics on your fb worm of KP. How was it? How lovely about your clients.

Quick word of advice for your review sparkly - frame your achievements as a list of facts - it's not about selling yourself, it's about evidence. That should help take some of the emotion out of it. Reviews are positive for both the org and individual so make the most of it and good luck!

So yes not long at all for me which is exciting but nerve wracking too. Have been having some deep and meaningfuls with dh about bringing up children and while we do have differences we do seem to be on the Sam page. I realize that perhaps it's a little late in the day to be having these conversations but I'm hoping better late than never!! Actually typing this in bed as not feeling 100% today. Prob my own fault after too much sun and painting yesterday. Forced myself to aqua this morning and now feeling a bit lethargic and queasy.... Silly wombat. I have the place entirely to myself though which is v rare and lovely. Mum and dad arrive tues for 2.5 weeks so need to gear myself up for that too! I think it will be fine, just hoping they won't be offering up too much unsolicited advice!

Don't worry yellow, you guys will be the first to know of any contractions etc!

Morning all

Just a quickie before I depart to the land of croissants!

Kool good to hear from you. I found that period difficult too, but you're nearly there. I don't think I felt any movement until about 20ish weeks but I can't remember exactly, I think it was like 22 or something........well done for going to the yoga, I go too and really like it. I'm doing yoga for active birth so it's all about birth positions and we also talk during the first half hour about different aspects of birth. thank you for the crumpets......nom nom......

sparkly thanks for the nipple updates, sounds like things are getting ready for action. Good luck with your review, only 8 days left...wow. I was working out last night that I have 12 weeks to due date, so 10 weeks working but what with Xmas and my hols coming up that is less than 8 weeks in the office.....how did that happen so fast?

Big hug and a nipple tweak to everyone else and those who are nearly ready don't even think of going into labour until I'm back.

Also to be clear I want to be updated on the whole process from first twinges, dilation updates and all the details. you can update from your phones in between pushes

Buttery crumpets anyone? Best be quick, I'm getting through the packet...

Sorry I've been AWOL, I'm finding the time between the 12 week and 20 week scan is dragging. Still over a week to go until the 20 week one. When did you ladies first feel a flutter? I'm 18+3 and nothing yet. I do have a wonky backward tilting uterus though so I'm guessing and hoping that s/he is indeed wriggling away. Not much other news from me although I have progressed from wearing my yoga bottoms to actually attending pregnancy yoga. I'm really enjoying it although I do have bump envy. There's some brave ladies there, still going at 40 weeks (honestly!), I'm sure by then I'd want to stay as close to home as possible, with my feet up! Besides that, I'm mostly looking forward to my 20 week scan, we're not finding out what we'rw having so I hope nothing is obvious on the screen...

Sparkly I'm loving the milk/cat updates, cats rock, how clever of him!!

Yellow I'm glad all is well with you. I too am managing wee free sleeps but I guess I'm a lot earlier on than most of you. How is your dream genii working out? I'm getting a really achey lower back and also favour sleeping on my back so I'm wondering whether it'd be a good investment or not. For all the good reviews I read, there are usually an equal amount of so so ones. I wouldn't worry at all about not feeling the urge/being apprehensive about buying baby stuff yet. My sister is due in 7 weeks and hasn't bought much. I mostly hear people saying that they ended up buying unnecessary things, and in these days next day delivery internet shopping, even if you had nothing it wouldn't be a disaster. I think I'll be the same as you. I did, however really enjoy a trip the baby dept of John Lewis the other day to buy stuff for my sister. It was really lovely and felt 'safer' being able to look at all the baby stuff but shopping for someone else IYSWIM?!

Worm I'm so happy about your clients being lovely. Ooh, how was the Perry?

Wellie I'm nowhere near the end so I'll be here for a long time yet! I hope all is well with you

Wombat wow, not long for you now....exciting!

Happy weekends, all

Ah, Worm, 'Filthy Fridays' aren't what they were, eh?!
Wellie, no way are you leaving us! We're all behind you, lovely!
Where is Harassed? Playing with her new wooden train set I dare say
Yellow, don't recommend telling the PM to eff off, although you could have a go at the Greek one and no-one would mind. You can have a good cry and people put it down to hormones, a raging rant is probably a different kettle of fish though. Perhaps you're getting too much sleep!
Right, got to prepare for my review next week, not looking forward to it as remembering selling my achievements is not a strength. 8 more working days after today, huzzah!

Ooooh what a lovely breakfast worm delicious, just what I needed on a rainy morning like today. That's so nice what your customer said, at least the light is at the end of the tunnel!

sparkly you body really is getting ready, it's very exciting to have you ladies leading the way.

wombat you are so close to the finish line.......so excited for you. How are you feeling?

All was good with the midwife although my measurements had gone from 24cm at 25 weeks to 28 at 27 weeks! A little growth spurt I think. Blood pressure was up from last time, but last time was particularly low so it's back to where it normally is. So that's good news. Baby is lying across at the moment bu she has plenty of room to jump about so lots of time to get in the right position.

wellie don't worry we'll never let you go. The ladies that are ahead of us will have to take time out from nappies etc to support us that are still going and we'll keep in touch for all the next stages [hopeful emotion] but I def want to hear about how you're getting on and we'll cheer you to the finish line.

I am still sleeping a good 9 hours a night with no interruptions for a wee or such like, long may it last. Work has been particularly shitty this week, I really want to tell an number of people to f* off. Do you think I could get away with it if I blamed it on hormones.........so looking forward to my week off. So don't worry if you don't hear from me, I will be out of range of a signal unless I can get my in-laws pc from the dark ages to work. But it's annoying to use as it's a french keyboard so some of the letters are in the wrong place!

I'll try to pop in again before I go........

Filthy friday today so here is bacon, sausage, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes and beans to keep you all going, washed down with a

wellie good to see you...........sorry, but you are not getting away from us, we will stalk you until you become a graduate! Hope you are well.

wombat eeek it's so exciting that you could have your baby anytime now! I am getting so close to this baby already , more so than I was when I was PG with DC's to my shame! mind you that's only because I know now that babies turn into children which are so much fun and endless entertainment! They really do keep giving and giving.
I am having to drag myself to watch Katy Perry tomorrow night with DD. It's a tough life being a Mum! (DH was secretly hoping I wouldn't be up to it ) S-in L's baby is due this weekend and seeing a newborn will make me even more excited to meet mine.

Good stuff on the tightenings sparkly I never got them to be honest with DC's but have had loads this time. I think it's because it is breech, every time it turns over in there it sets off a BH.

It's been quite nice at work this week, I have 100 different customers all to say cheerio to and some of them are saying how sad they are to see me go and have given me chocolates etc and asking me to go and see them with the baby once it is here. One even said I was the best rep they ever had, and that she usually hides when she sees the reps coming. 8 more working days !!

Ladies! It is so exciting to hear you all getting so near the end, bit scared I will lose touch with you all tho!

Lots of love to all,
Xxx

No news other than I have to keep batting Finky away from my nipple! At least there seems to be milk in there, and I don't know if it's braxton whatnots but there is a definite periodic 'tightening' going on. Not painful though, leading me to believe I shall breeze through this childbirth malarky! Wombat, you are now at term, congrats! You're right, Womby-baby could make an appearance at any moment from now and be all well and wriggly and cute!
Just waiting for the lazy buggers on 'maternity holiday' to get cracking with some breakfast!

Morning ladies- good to hear from you all.

I hope you are feeling a bit better yellow re: the red face etc - did the m/w take your bp? What else did she do? Quite jealous of you heading off on hols - make the most of it and enjoy lots! Glad to read you are less stressed about the buying process - I still feel a bit odd about it, almost as if it's for someone else, not me. Never too early for mince pies in my view, although would prefer cream than custard

Oh, and on the wee front - make the most of your sleep.... I was 4 times last night and don't actually think there's been any point in this pg where it hasn't been at least once a night.

Go Monts! That's very interesting sparkly and def not TMI - we need to know these things! Is the cat still sniffing around?! M/w said warm water only for first month to clean, I strongly suspect I may also be getting the wipes out well before that.....

Not wimpy at all breaking up at 33 weeks worm - I broke up at 34 and v grateful for it at maternity holiday! Great to have your experience and input on all the shopping stuff - thank you v v much. I'm tempted to buy shares in mothercare - there is just so much you could buy so tis fab to have your valuable experience. Have some worm (and some more fruity loaf as it has been so popular)

So, 37 weeks today which I think means if he popped out now, all would be tickety boo - eek! Perhaps this was the cause of my insomnia last night.....

Hi Ladies
Loads to catch up on after yellow tempted you all out with fruity loaf!

I can't believe how quickly we are getting to the finish line! It's so exciting!!

Right on the shopping thing here is my 2 penneth .......
Change mat - Yes I am getting 2 cheapies one for upstairs one for down and like sparkly suggested a muslin/towel will make it nice and warm.
Wooden thingy - No the mats are perfectly fine on either a bed or the floor unless you have back issues.
Moses basket canopy - no I think they are there just to look pretty
Swaddler - No- you can try with a blanket if the baby likes it then get one
Grobag -Yes these look genius to me. My DD used to do a nifty move where it didnt matter how tight I tucked her in she would always end up on top of it, with it still tucked in........no idea how, it was like she had leviteted or something!
Breathing monitor -no for me, I can see it going off all the time leading to panic and I wouldnt trust it anyway!

The baby cleaning talk is funny, all that using water only and cotton wool really does go out of the window the second you get home!! Its only the eyes bit that is worth taking any notice of imho.

I just spat my out about your kitten sniffing out your milk sparkly you be careful it doesnt latch on in the middle of the night!
I am a twice in the night for a wee kind of gal at the moment.

Sorry you are all having such a shitty time at work, looks like I am being the wimpiest of us all breaking up at 33 weeks and intending to do so for 4 years. One of my customers today asked me when I was starting my "maternity holiday" bless him, english isnt his strong point and he couldnt really understand why I thought it was funny.

Feeling a bit sad I can't join in all the birth plan chat as this one is to be "hand plucked".
I have blocked out both of my labours (a combined 44 hours)!! all that matters is that they were both delivered healthy in the end.

Hope you have a lovely time in france yellow I plan to just do a great big internet order for the whole lot of stuff I need once I have broken up from work.

Waves to all

What? When did I start needing a wee in the night?! When I was born, and hasn't stopped since, I've always needed to get up at least once, now it's 3-4 times. I am aghast at this loaded question! I am going to be seriously incontinent after the birth, I already have to adopt a knock-kneed stance whenever I feel a sneeze coming!
Right, here's TMI! Batfink (kitten) just sniffed my nipple with interest (to clarify, I am off work today!). On inspection, they are slightly, er, crusty, and some liguid seeped out on squeezing, then I felt a tightening below! Felt teary, then in awe (at no stage vaguely repulsed by crusty nips, interesting). Best stop tweaking incase Monts decides to be on the move, but wow, looks like my body is gearing up. Also looks like I am going to be leaking from all angles soon!
Wombat, you are so right about the Wooden Toy Company, I was wondering if we could use the code HARASS11 for a significant discount! Is cleaning the baby to do with not using evil wet wipes?

Morning all

wombat cleaning the baby guidelines? How dirty can a baby get? [knows nothing emotion]

Thanks all for the buying things (or not as the case my be) reassurance. I feel a bit better about it all now and have decided not to force myself to buy stuff but to wait until I feel more ready. Like some kind of nesting thing or something. And if that doesn't work there is always online shopping or DP can do it. He likes shopping more than me anyway. So that 'to do' is parked for now.

Work has been pretty shit this week, I felt so stressed the last two days, I'm sure my blood pressure was up as I was all red in the face. Things should be resolved today or tomorrow........and then I'm off next week so that should help too. It's weird that there are certain stressy work situations that don't get to me at all and others totally hit the button. I've been trying to keep calm and have been falling asleep as soon as my head touches the pillow. I listen to my hypno track every night but am not awake for much of it.

When did you guys start having to do a wee in the night? I am so enjoying my sleep right now!

harassed your work sound bad, it is getting a bit tight isn't it? We haven't found anyone yet either but the most likely candidate can't start until Jan so that would leave 2 weeks to handover which isn't nearly enough. It took me at least 2 or 3 months to get my head round everything. Oh well, I guess it's not going to be my problem.

I think you have wise words on the birth plan sparkly Ina May is so interesting on the subject of the effect of the right/wrong environment etc. Key thing seems to me to stay at home as long as possible. I think that will be difficult because DP will be getting anxious and want me to get into the hospital asap. My friend waited too long as she didn't think she was in proper labour and gave birth at home. I think that's what I'd secretly want.

off to see the midwife again today, more blood taken today and not sure what else. It's not meant to be until next week but I'm away then and then she's away the week after and she didn't want me to see my 4th different midwife!

The fruit load was a big success, how about some mince pies with custard? too early? Not for me yum yum yum.

Blimey harassed - how far through will you be by the time you leave work? I've a feeling you'll be about 38 weeks in which case you are one brave lady.... hope you and yellow aren't getting too stressed with it all.

I can't believe Sparkly hasn't been on demanding your friends' details of the wooden toy company . Can't wait to hear all about your h/b - most jealous.

Last antenatal class last night on b/feedign and bringing baby home. DH thought the cleaning the baby stuff was way over the top, but I plan to stick to their guidelines for a while at least (or until I'm so knackered I can't see straight, so that will be,ooh, about a week then!

Have you left any fruit loaf??!!

I'm having a rotten day! I finish work in 5 weeks and I have no replacement. Tight boss will only advertise in the job centre, and we've had ONE applicant. Interviewed her this morning and she'll be fine, but he thinks she hasn't got any get up and go and wants to wait another week...... I really feel like just getting another sick note! I can see me getting a week to fully train in a specialist industry, oh and have an ISO audit [hangry]

yellow if it makes you happy, just buy the basics lovely. You can always order the whole lot online for next day delivery (kiddicare are v good at this!). Try not to let work stress you out too much (a bit pot & kettle I know!), do you have any holiday left? Sometimes a break is needed to recharge. I'm def finding it harder as time goes on and I'm part time!

nordic welcome to the madness our lovely thread! I'm not on the originals, but these ladies are lovely and supportive.

wombat that is v true re birth plans. Will all the will in the world you can plan a lovely natural birth, but if there's a prob you'll want baby out safe and sound no matter how! I think it's good to know what you want, but also to be very open to deviations from that. Now wondering if I should pack a bag just in case!!

worm loved your scan pics, I guessing a boy! I measured 3wks ahead for a while, but it's settled down now so they said it was a growth spurt. Or dodgy measuring lol!

sparkly dh is freaking about this homebirth! From a mess/will I give birth on our lovely cream rug in the bedroom [hgrin]. We get a box from the birthing centre with lots of incontinence type pads and sheets, and mw recommended getting a plastic sheet as well - one for bed and one for floor/where ever I give birth. Dh is refusing to get one on account from the builders merchants.... so I may take him to Homebase, loudly!!

I'm def nesting! Lots of sorting/washing going on at home, and yesterday I had to clean the fridge. Believe me, it's not normally high on my list of priorities!

Otherwise, I'm trying to sort out Christmas presents! Luckily my friends have their own wooden toy company, so that's what the nieces/nephews are getting.