December 2010: no, it's not an autumn pumpkin up my jumper ...

[Miffster]

...and we're gliding towards the third trimester, draped in suitably flowing attire.

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Hi all, missed loads over the weekend. With DH being away all week at the moment I don't have chance to get on the net.

Thanks for the info C&G, I thought it was something to do with ironlevels but not sure what. I'm trying to eat more green veg and eggs as the MW said to but it's hard when it's just me and the DC's all week, especially as I don't have the time or energy to be creative with it and I'm strating to get bored of scrambled eggs already.

I've been saying I wish it would cool down a bit for ages as it's not easy to sleep in a hot stuffy room, I got my wish and then some - it's been raining since friday and is absolutely freezing. I hate getting out of bed every morning coz it's so cold (nothing at all to do with being lazy). I'm just glad I've already washed most of the baby's things as we don't have the space or money for a tumble drier and it takes ages to dry clothes on the clothes drier.

Hi all
Hope you are all doing ok although I can see from reading that not everyone is a happy bunny.
I will reply to everyone properly later as am at work so have to do this on a minimised screen.
Am on here stressing with a bit of a random question though: I am currently worrying about how pregnant I am.

Could my 12 week scan be wrong by as much as 6-7 days? Sorry about all the TMI and bear with me because this is a bit complicated...

LMP- 9th March.
EDD date based on ovulation on day 14 of a 28 day cycle is 23rd March. This gives me an EDD of 14th December which is what is on my notes - they didn't change it after the 12 week scan so they must be happy with this date.

HOWEVER I know exactly when DH and I had sex in March; he was working late and away most of the month.

We had sex twice that month, both times on Sunday evenings, on Sunday 14 March and Sunday 28 March. Days 6 and 19 of my cycle respectively.I remember being fed up that we were missing what I thought was my fertile window. I was always on a 28 days cycle all my life but for the last 3 months pre-PG it had been all over the place due to a low-carb diet I was on and I lost track of when period and ovulation were expected.

But no way could the sperm survive 9 days from 14 March to fertilise an egg on the 23rd March. Equally no way could an egg hang about from 23rd March to 28th March to get fertilised by sperm released on 28 March. And in any case, an early scan in April showed a heartbeat and a fetus age given of 6+1: if that fetus wasn't fertilised until after 28 March, no heartbeat would have been visible because it would have been only 5 weeks old. Because (afaik), fetal heartbears can't be seen in scans until the fetus is 6 weeks.

Therefore, by my calculations my DD is not 14th December and I am not 27+6 but 28+4 or 28+5 and due on 8th - 9th December.

This is all assuming fertilisation occurred within 2 days of the first sex occasion ie. when we had sex on 14 March, the egg got fertilised week of 15th - 19th March (sperm I understand can be viable for 5 days but mostly it's 48 hours when they do their fertilising thing, so am putting fertilisation 2-3 days after the sex, on the 17th- 18th March. That's only 9-10 days into my cycle but hey.)

Now I am not an expert and I might be completely wrong and maybe 12 week scans are never wrong, they are accurate to within a day, and fetal heartbeats actually can be seen at 5 weeks, in which case I'd really like to know.

At the moment I think I am more pregnant than has been thought to be the case. This will obviously affect sizing, EDD and all that stuff. Should I bring it up with my GP or just keep quiet?

Personally I wouldn't worry about it too much. My EDD is 6th December but 20wk scan put it at 9th Dec. I'm still counting the weeks from original EDD because that's what I've started with and am too bloody minded to change. The baby will arrive when its ready not when a doctor decides - my 5 year old DS arrived 4wks early as there was no room in the womb .

Hi all. Could really use all your advice. I'm due December 9th, but family history on both sides suggests this baby will be late.

Friends who've given birth at the same hospital as me say that, as routine procedure, they'll wait till you're two weeks overdue before inducing.

Now if it were any other time of year I really wouldn't have any problem with that. But 14 days after my due date is Christmas Eve.

Apart from the slightly glum prospect of spending Christmas day eating turkey twislers in a grotty hospital ward, I'm worried they'll be lower on staff and generally less well equipped.

If I ask to be induced if I go, say, one week over, are they likely to pay any attention to me? And aside from that, is it a good idea? I've heard very mixed reports about the effects of being induced, and would rather have Christmas in a hospital than risk the baby's health, obviously...

Sorry, that was a long one!

Hi Maxpower,

It was ordinary doctor at antenatal clinic. After chat to DS have decided its just a matter of bump changing position - now breech and jumping up n down on my bladder . I'll just have to grin n bear it.

Hi Hettie I have no experience but I am in a similar situation as if I go two weeks over it will be Christmas day. I too am a bit worried about the staffing levels not to mention the lack of support for things like Breastfeeding etc.

I am happy for the baby to be late (For various reasons) and so don't particularly want to be induced so I am just trying to chill out and not panic, but like you would be interested in hearing what staffing levels can be like at Christmas-time/New Year.

It's all a bit vague isn't it? On the other thread where I was stressing about being more pregnant than EDD allows, it was pointed out to me that a normal pregnancy is between 37 and 42 weeks.

So I don't know why they bother with EDD at all to be honest.

I really hope DC1 arrives in the first half of December. So does DH because then he can go on paternity leave for most of December!

mu DH said tome the other day 'but it's more likely to arrive on or around the due date isn't it?' ...erm, NO!

I am guessing that mine will be 20th Dec!

Hey all, cant reply to you all as we all chatter wy too much!!!

So whats everyone got ready?

I have my pram... and car seat (but need to get my isofix base back from my friend)

moses basket is in our room but i need to wash it all, buy a new matresss

sort and wash clothes and put away ready

pack bag for baby and I incase of hospital transfer

get pool

get tens

get pethidine script

(plus may massive stocks of decent snacks for 2 midwives, DP, the doulla and DD and I)

I've got pram, car seat, clothes, blankets ready.

Need to finish the moses basket cover - using DS's moses basket and mattress as he only used it for a few weeks, his cover is blue and baby is a girl.

Buy a new mattress for the cot SIL is lending us, a rain cover for the pram and some socks for baby.

Pack hospital bag, probably do that in the next couple of weeks. I'm also going to get a cheap over-sized night shirt/mens t-shirt for labour and a dark towel which can be thrown in the bin after.

I'm also going to try and make sure there are lots of stews, pasta sauces etc. in freezer and try and keep a decent supply of tinned stuff (soup/beans) so DH only has to go shopping for fresh stuff if I'm not up to it. Left to him all he'd buy are sweets, crisps and pizza - he's lucky and can eat nothing but junk and not put on any weight.

nipple cream!!
baby socks
baby hat
DD a present (from baby)
I want some big cotton man shirts (with V necks though) to sleep in
I have plenty of new muslins :)
Bought nappies, towels for me, cotton wool etc

No cot, no pushchair/stroller/pram, no moses basket for me... I am very behind... I can't make my mind on these items... :(

strix I think I can receive CAT now... changed my email preference to allow it... exciting... didn't know it exists :)

Hi everyone. I haven't done anything other than randomly strip a load of paint off a wall in the bathroom a few weeks ago as disliked the colour. Will need to start getting organised. At some point in next ten weeks we need to:

Get chest of drawers for baby's stuff
Clear out spare room so somewhere to change baby at night
Get the car seat and moses basket from loft
Sort out baby clothes into gender neutral and girls stuff
Get down cloth nappies and sling, plus all the newborn bits for travel system (pram bit etc) and baby bouncer chair
Get new moses basket sheets as ours have walked
Get some newborn nappies and new changing mats x 2
Get breast pads and maternity pads
Pack bag
Buy new hat and possible snowsuit for baby
Cook some meals for freezer

Hmmm, should probably get started.

miffster I wouldn't worry too much either as EDD can only be a vague estimate. I remember being so stressed out when DD went overdue that I'm trying to forget about my actual due date altogether this time.

hettie I personally would rather try and avoid induction if possible as a routine procedure as from what I've read it can make labour more tricky to cope with. I was wondering about staffing levels over xmas as although I'm due on 17th xmas is not far away if I go over. Surely they have the same minimum staffing levels no matter what the time of year though?

lauren pleased to hear you had a nice evening

ff my sympathies on the housework front - we're nowhere near the proper clearing up stage yet!

C&G sorry to hear about your difficult week, let's hope they get things sorted out for you

miffster I know where you're coming from. I was adamant last time that my DD's EDD was wrong for exactly the same reasons. However, they reckon the 12 week measurement is pretty accurate. DD arrived 2 weeks late and when she was assessed by the paediatrician he agreed with her 'age'. I wouldn't worry too much about it though. Baby will arrive when it chooses.

DF & hettie maternity services are staffed 24/7 because babies don't recognise holidays like we do . The hospitals are likely to shut down elective admissions over xmas, eg women being booked for planned cs or induction, but they should be more than able to cope if you spontaneously go into labour on xmas eve/day. If you do decide to go for an induction, they're likely to book it for the Monday of Christmas week to try to make sure you're all done and dusted and back home before xmas day.

Don't know what was up with DD this evening - serious hyperactivity and everything had to be yelled at the top of her lungs. She's in bed now so I'm finally getting a bit of peace and quiet, but I'm extra knackered today. I'm also sick of looking for wardrobes!!!

I have to get a new mattress for my moses basket and for the cot.
Need to pack hospital bag but guess there's ages to do that?
Sort out button down tops for the hospital and something to labour in.
Get some kind of nursery sorted in the spare room.
Buy re-usable nappies.

RE christmas and inductions, that's a real bummer for me - that they might want to induce on the Monday before Christms - because I will be 40 +10 then and if they have to wait until after Christmas then I'll be 2 weeks on Christmas day and they might put extra pressure on me to have it before then?!

I have had very little movement from my bump in the last couple of days, definitely not as many kicks as other people seem to have. I am seeing the midwife tomorrow so hopefully she can reassure me that all is ok. Perhaps I just have a very chilled out baby?

DF just remember, it's your decision if you want to be induced or not. Just because it might fit with their timeframe, doesn't mean you have to go along with it. I didn't mean to worry you - I doubt that Monday will be a firm cut off date for planned admissions, but you're normally admitted the night before for an induction, and as it can take a day or two (but doesn't always!) they'd want to leave enough time to get you home before Christmas (ideally)

I've had odd days where my baby hasn't moved a lot, so try not to worry, hopefully you'll feel better after you've seen the midwife tomorrow.

I still have nothing ready at all (except for one baby bath (courtesy of the neighbours) and two freebie disposable nappies. And this is literally everything).

However, I did spend an hour in the best baby shop in the world looking at prams on a recce visit (DH couldn't make it) - at the moment I'm leaning towards the icandy apple jogger - wonder if you can actually jog with it?

hettie - why don't you ask your mw questions about staffing levels (assuming your mw if from the hospital you're booked into). I think it was japhrimel (whose been v quiet lately) who came up with a very sensible list of questions about the hospital to ask, such as how many anesthetists (sp?) are on duty at weekends and holidays (compared to normal).

miffster as the others have said, don't worry about the EDD too much, the baby will decide when he's ready, not the doctors. Remeber also, you could have ovulated early or late too? Anyway, I read somewhere yesterday that the 12 week scan can still be out by a week. Oh yes, I think I mentioned before that in france, a pregnancy is considered to be 41 weeks, not 40. So I really wouldn't worry about it too much (easier said than done, I know).

Hey all

DF you may want to pack your bag sooner, at least one bag with a few things - as I was admitted at 26 weeks and DP packed a hideous selection of ill fitting pants, no tooth brush etc

also DF what nappies are you buying? Are you buying the whole lot before LO arrives?

doesnt seem real that am 30 weeks tomorrow - some evenings i find it so uncomfortable under my ribs, getting kicked and bumped :)

getting very excited, looking forward to meeting my baby now :) but got so much work to do in next 10 weeks, it cant be early!!!!

Every time I think my baby is really quiet and get a bit scared he then goes into a frenzy of Marix-type kung fu manouvres. If you are worried DF try drinking some fresh OJ or a few jellky babies (blast of blood sugar) and lying down quietly with your eyes closed and your hands on your tum and humming a low hum to lure him/her out.

Hard if you are at work though.

I am feeling broke and fed up with how much having a baby costs even though I have bought everything cheap/vouchers/ebay/sales and not bought any silly faffy stuff AT ALL. I still haven't added it all up, will do that when I have been paid in October.

On the plus side, at least I bought it all while I was earning a salary, spread it over 4 months and have now got everything I need, literally, every single thing apart from:

*mattress protector for our bed
*cheap dark towels (though have quite a few old white ones)
*plastic sheets/shower curtains
*meals to put in the freezer; this is because I need a new fridge freezer. Annoying as we are moving abroad in 6 months to have to fork out.

How are we all feeling emotionally? Am alternating between happy and serene/very angry over trivial things. Also getting very tired and can't cope with broken night's sleep very well. 2am, loo, 3am, DH snooring, 4.30am, loo, 5.15am too hot, pillows falling out of bed, 6am, give up and read...etc.

Early nights are becoming a necessity, which is very boring and means hardly seeing DH at all in the week.

Work is also super-boring and totally point-free.

God, what is going on with my typing.
'Matrix-type moves'
'Jelly babies'
'Snoring'

WWSB I am now sure I know when I ovulated (early) and am going to adjust my 'what to expect when you are expecting' i-phone app accordingly so my EDD is 8th December, not 14th, because I know when I had sex and I reckon I ovulated a few days after that and therefore scans are 6 days out.

This makes me feel better, to be a bit further along (although I know he will arrive when he wants). :)

Miffster

I guess from your list of thinkgs still to get you are planning a HB - if not planning a HB then I don't see why you need the top 3 really. If you are worried about waters going in bed and making a mess of the mattress why not buy the pads they do for young children that go under your sheet - I think they are made by Huggies and are about a fiver for a pack of 6 - they are like the old incontinence sheets we used to use in hospitalds for post op patients but slightly more glamourous, the other option is to look on line at the similar ones they do for the elderly which are probably cheaper - they are enought to protect your mattress. If you are planning a HB then they still might not be a bad idea. However have you consider3ed going to the local hairdressers and asking if they have any old towels they want to get rid of? They are always replacing their towles because they have got hair colour or bleach or something on them, also ask family and friends as well - although second hand nothing a good hot wash wouldn't sort out! If not try TJ Hughes or Matalan on line - they do really cheap bundles of towels.

Shower curtain is a good replacement for plastic sheet but you are not going to want it on the bed the whole time on when actually delivering as it will make you really sweaty - Tesco do a value range one for a couple of quid which should save some pennies.

Fridge/Freezer - please look on freecycle or gumtree or preloveed first to save forking out for a brand new one when you are about to move.

EDD- I am working on the knowledge I know exactly when we conceived as I was away from home during the weeks around then and it was my birthday that day as well as being the day I ovulated although had forgotten this at the time! My EDD is 6 Dec on scan, I don't think it should be until 12th and DD was a "week late" so I think I will be around 19th. Last time DD held on until after the ashes were finished (Cricket!) as my DH kept talking to the bump and saying - just wait until the cricket is finished and she did

Well DH is driving down so we can go and look at the houses today - I have decided that if neither is suitable i am going to the housing office and having my baby early on their desk just to annoy them - in all seriousness , if we cannot take one of these today we may have to look at staying where we are and me going off sick or working permanently from home until maternity leave

Staffing levels - have just heard a rumour down here from one of the anaethetists at the local city hospital that there is a shortage of midwives at the moment - not sure how long it is going to last for but seeing my midwife tomorrow so will get and update for CherylAnnTweedy and Chloesbaby as we're all in the same place.

Have still not bought anything new for the baby, can't remember what we have left over from last time or what has been given to us since. I do know we need to get a babay monitor and a travel cot at some point as well as some newborn boys bits and some nappies - I think we have got most other things. No point in packing a bag as if I go into labour early and I am down here then one of the Drs where i am living will have to sort me out with the basics and if I am at home DH will pack the basics - he's not bad at that sort of thing. Will probably getone ready for when we start the house move in case I go into labour early then.

Hope everyone is having a reasonable pain free day

Franken me too, appointment is tomorrow morning so we shall see, failing that I'm seeing the consultant next week for a swab so I'll moan at them instead! She is definitely moving a lot, hard to tell what position she's in most of the time!

chooster I wondered that about the weight but I've been eating loads, not like I've been starving myself or anything, it's weird.

strix I didn't realise that, I guess that could be the cause, I seem to be eating all the time so it has been worrying me. I feel you on not being able to breathe, I'm already fed up of that. I measured 3 week ahead at my last appt too, hoping that doesn't mean a huge baby. Hope the flight went well.

pjen the sounds lovely, baby's smile on your pc :)

Crazycat I know what you mean about not having the energy, I feel like that a lot, dh has been so good with cooking and getting the kids ready for school etc. I feel like a lazy bum lately!

Miffster I honestly wouldn't worry about a few days either way, baby will come when ready :)

hettie have you gone overdue before? I don't think family history, and definitely not partner's side, plays any importance in whether you will go overdue or not. It only matters about your personally history as far as I know.

Dueling I'm due on the 23rd but have never gone overdue, got later with each one though, dd was 36 weeks, ds1 38 weeks, ds2 39 weeks so I have no idea what this little dd2 will be. I'm now worried she'll be massive by then due to if I have gestational diabetes, she will get stuck and then I'll end up with an emergency section on Christmas eve or something! If I do have GD I plan on discussing with consultant about induction if baby is big early on as I don't want to be in hospital on Christmas day having 3 other children. Have to see how that one plays out though. How are you feeling with movements now? Definitely call in if you haven't felt the same amount, I did that last week and they had me in the hospital on a trace etc to check baby was ok.

OWO we have pretty much everything sorted now, just a few little bits and pieces still needed and a changing unit which my parents are gettin gus.

maxpower the thing that worried me about induction was that if your body isn't ready it can take literally days and days before anything even starts and then you're heading towards Christmas day rather fast!

Feeling so tired today, every day seems to be like this lately though. I feel like I could sleep all the time, even moving is effort. I really need to sort myself out and start doing more. I need more energy!

Mrs Snaplegs thanks for all the brill advice and suggestions, yes, I am planning on a HB hence the mattress protectors etc... really good ideas that as the John Lewis towelling one was £34! And love the ideas about towels!

Good luck at the housing office, I can't believe they have been messing you about for such a long time, I would try bursting into noisy tears in there and then panting.