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.

laurenamium I remember the first time I was pg - DH was DP then and had recently started running a pub as a leaseholder. He only ever left me alone on 2 occasions for proper boys "nights out"/ weekends away and on both occasions I had nightmares. 1 involved a power cut which affected 2500 houses as well so everyone decided to come to the pub even though we had no electricity either - it was busier than New Years Eve and I had no till or electric beer pumps - he came back Monday afternoon to a pub with no beer as we had sold most of it On another occasion I had a young lad turn up who had previously caused problems (criminal damage to the pub) which he had been arrested for - he had come to the pub to "square up" to DH who was out playing cricket. I was sat in the "lounge" reading as we had a fairly young barmaid on and this lad came to the other side of the bar asking for the Landlord. I got the nudge from one of the regulars who told me who it was so I made the dog get up with me I then went to see what he wanted - imagine me stood there 7 months pregnant with my hand on the collar of a fully grown Rhodesian Ridgeback (as soft as anything but he didn't know that!) saying - "Yes can I help you, I'm the Landlady?" - he stuttered and spluttered for a bit as he had clearly come in with a bit of an attitude on and was planning to be really aggressive with DH - when he saw me it surprised him so much he didn't know what to do! He never set foot in the pub after that again Maybe I looked scary or something I have to admit if any of the regulars looked as if they were starting trouble when I was pregnant I would square up to them and embarrass them by saying " Do you really want me to have to split up this fight when I am X months pregnant? You wouldn't forgive yourself would you if something happened to my baby?" It always brought them back down to earth!

Gem Welcome - nice to have you with us at last! you must have sailed through the first part of your pregnancy to have not realised - lucky you!! Hope the rest of it is plain sailing as well!

Wholelottalove I have a really easy bread recipe if you want it - when I am home I regulalrly make bread, it is cheaper and tastier - only problem is because it is so tasty you end up making it every other day because everyone eats it!! I have a bread maker but only to make it as far as dough because I can't do that bit with the pain in my hands. I find the bread maker leaves it with a big whole in the bottom from the dough hook and it doesn't last as long. I bake mine on a stone in the oven - that way you can oput different toppings on to make it either soft or crunchy. Let me know today if you want any recipes or tips - if not I will be back home on Thursday.

With the uncertainty of where we are going to be I have been "mentioning" the subject of HB to DH - he is not keen but I did come up with a plan last night. If we stay here we have a really good friend and neighbour who has 3 DC, she home birthed for the last 2 so I suggested DH goes up to her house with our DD and looks after the kids with her DH and she comes down to be my birthing partner She can then ring him as baby is crowning so he can pop down just as baby is born I think he thought I was joking but it could work!

I have stopped weighing myself after last weekend when I realised I am the same size now as I was at full term last time round - couldn't do up my maternity jeans I was wearing at the end last time. DH and DD godparents confirmed it as well! I know I was still half a stone lighter than pre pg up to then so clearly once this baby comes out I will shrink to the size of Ali McBeal as I am clealry loosing weight elsewhere and gaining it all in bump and baby

I don't have a problem with having interventions if required - last time I had one dose of pethidine about 8 hours before I delivered and it didn't not seem to affect DD or her breastfeeding and at the time I wasn't advised it would slow labour down. I also requested to be allowed to tear not be cut and did have a small tear which healed well. I won't have G&A as it doesn't agree with me, I plan to stay home longer this time, use the pool again if I can, possibly have an epidural if needed. I would be happy in the hospital in Portsmouth as I know most of the anaethetists there already and we have already had a chat about if one of them is working when I go in and the possibility of an epidural this time. If I need an EMCS then clearly I will have one but I would prefer VB again. I am not nervous or bothered by interventions but then I think that is my medical background as I have a good understanding of what may happen. My only concern is my ME and the possibility my muscle fatigue will cause problems. Having ME means my muscles get tired much more quickly and I get lactic burn quicker than "normal" people and it lasts longer - if I have a protracted delivery this will be my issue but consultant seemed fairly content last time I saw him. I just need to be fully rested before the time so I have "preserved" some of my energy

For those sufffering lack of sleep - don't feel guilty about power naps or afternoon lie downs if you can get them, or you could try sleeping sat up/half lying on the sofa with a duvet - worked for me last time round.

Back down south today for work, have to go in for next 3 days as I have loads of meetings. going to take Thurs and Fri off though and probably same the following week. Have a formal work dinner on the 8th in Plymouth so need to find a dress that is not too expensive (cheap), formal, floor length and will fit from now until delivery as have 2 other dinners like this to go to between now and then

Thanks MrsS I was really annoyed last night at having to sort it out, unfortunately I dont have a scary dog to hand and if it was someone new I know other regulars would have helped me out. It was just the shock of it being an actual regular that got to me I think, going to mention it to my boss today and possibly see about putting 2 weeks holidays in before my mat leave which would only leave me with 3 weeks left at work...9 locking up and the rest opening so that wouldnt be too bad I dont think

Welcome Gem!
Mrs Snaplegs, I am smiling at you with the dog and the bump facing down troublemaker! And using the bump to stop fights by embarrassing people - I bet the rate of Friday night violence would fall if bars and clubs had pregnant women on the doors saying 'Now then come on' to the drunks!
Mrs Chris hope you had a good holiday, where did you go?
OWO that is such good news about size and position of the baby. Must be a relief
Lavita poor you with the ear infection, that is horrible, hope the antibiotics sort it out asap
99pjb glad you are enjoying Buddha Bellies,

WLL thanks for the fetal positioning stuff, am now bouncing on a ball and about to do Buddha Bellies yoga for second time this weekend and DH is going to join in which should be amusing!

Am feeling much, mush better after 48 hour crying and panicking session: thank you so much for letting me come on here and whinge and flap on. Yesterday DH and I went to Homerton for NHS antenatal class which turned out to be a tour of the labour room and birth centre! Which helped a lot. Then I emailed and interviewed a doula who was just great, the missing link between a medical pro delivering the baby and DH supporting me but not knowing anything about women in labour. Am now feeling so much better about HB plan and hoping I can do everything I can to avoid hospital but at least if I do have to go, I've seen the room where the delivery would happen (unless it is an emergency caesarean) and I have been able to start making a plan B.

Lauranamium that is not good at all, you really shouldn''t have to do stuff like that and def talk to the boss - taking holiday then mat leave sounds very good plan.

Morning all, slept in this morning as dh didn't wake me so he got up with the kids. Must have needed it as I haven't been sleeping that well at night. I've not just got up though! I really feel like I can't breathe, think baby is still breech though as I can feel something right up under my ribs on the right side. Still struggling for names, it's really odd for me as I had the others' names ready for ages.

Wedding photos came yesterday, think we're going to get a cd of them all so hopefully will get some proper pics up soon! I'm so pleased with them though, they're lovely :o

Dueling the epi puts me off as I have a needle phobia and also the idea of being numb totally freaks me out, I don't know what I'll do if I end up needing a c-section. I'm quite scared actually. Bump photo looks lovely :) I'm really worried that I'm too big, my bump looks huge and I think even more so as I'm quite small everywhere else.

Gem welcome, wow you found out late! Your first labour sounds traumatic, hope you get some good advice from professionals to reassure you this time.

kitty you get whoever is there when you go into labour, I rarely see the same one twice even antenatally but it doesn't really bother me at all.

cheryl I haven't bothered with a birth plan either, ime they don't read them anyway once you're in there in labour and you still have to tell them or be asked the things you want. You should see the gp about asthma, I have it too and it can definitely be made worse by the lack of space inside now.

japhrimel I've definitely done reseach on anything that could happen, I read a lot about birth, labour etc and have done since I had my first, things haven't changed that much really even though I'm now on my fourth and it's 9 years later! I have to know everything, all the possible outcomes, or I don't feel happy. I need to know what to expect.

wholelotta that 3 hour nap sounds lovely, you must have really needed that. I still haven't put the weight back on that I lost at the start of pregnancy, all of it at least, I've put half a stone back on but still down another few pounds. I'm eating loads as well so it's either stress or if I have GD I guess, oh or the three children that I have; they keep me busy lol. As long as baby is healthy I'm not bothered either way.

lauren I'm planning on taking as little as possible, I always fill the bags up with so much crap and don't need half of it, trying to be realisitic this time.

MrsS is that a by hand bread recipe as I don't have a bread maker, would love to have it too if so. Some of my maternity jeans won't fit for long, I wear under the bump ones as I generally prefer them but they are getting rather tight round the bump part already. Different styles come up differently though as some aren't like that at all, it's odd. I also want to tear and not be cut, as long as it looks like I won't tear extensively as I've read they heal a lot better and faster if you tear along the natural line. Also, with a cut, you're likely to tear even more along that cut as the baby comes out.

Miffster glad you're feeling better now, what did you think of the homerton?

lauren has your employer carried out a risk assessment for you? I think it would be reasonable for them either to put you on eraly shifts only or nake sure you're not left alone to lock up. That might save you having to stop work earlier (unless you want to of course )

miffster glad you're feeling better

I think the nesting is beginning to kick in here but I'm hampered as DH is sleeping because he's on nights so that means I can't do anything too noisy and I'm having to entertain DD as well.

Hope everyone has a nice day

Trying to tidy and clear garden in anticipation we may move ! Have potted all plants I want to move but leaving all heavy labour to DH!

Oooh, MrsS just saw your post. I would love any recipes or tips, especially for hand making as have no breadmaker, but don't worry if you don't have time today as I've got my very first attempt currently sitting in the airing cupboard rising. Nearly killed myself hobbling round the supermarket to get flour, but I am a woman on a mission with this bread! DH thinks it's funny, but I can;t explain it, just had the strongest urge to make bread. I've used the recipe and method on the packet so we'll see how it goes.

Your HB plan sounds good to me actually! I like your relaxed attitude wrt to the birth - all sounds really sensible and well informed.

lauren that doesn't sound to good with work. You don't need that stress - if you're able to finish earlier I reckon you should go for it.

Right I am off to put the bread in the oven...

hey there.

just to let you all know - Sainsbury are selling Lansinoh cream with a third off :)

Basic Bread Recipe - not bread maker but if you have one you can mix the dough in it
1kg strong white bread flour
550ml water
20g fresh yeast
15 g salt

With bread maker - put all ingrediants in and set on 1kg dough setting - take out, shape onto your baking tray ( I cover a stone with greaseprrof paper) put on and let rise again under a damp teatowel for 1/2 an hour before putting in oven

Without bread maker - use your hands! mix flour water yeast and salt in a large bowl with your hands to form a dough. Once you have a ;arge ball turn out onto a floured surface and push base of palm into dough ball and with same motion push it forwardto stretch it, lift the front edge and bring it back over to form a ball again . Work dough quite vigourously for about 10 mins then put back in large bowl and leave to rise for about an hour ( cover bowl with damp cloth or clingfilm) Next punch dough back into bowl a couple of times to let out air then turn it out onto floured surface again and shape into loaf.

When putting it on baking tray make sure surface is either greased or floured to stopp it sticking - hence why I use greaseproof paper with a bit of flour on it.

Cover the loaf either with a light dusting of flour (for soft loaf) or brush with lightly salted water for crusty)

Leave to prove again for about 15 minutes - 1/2 an hour

Pre heat oven to 240 C or gas mark 9 - put bread inoven and leave for 8 minutes only - open door for 2 minutes and reduce temp to 190 or gas mark 5 close door and cook for further 30 minutes.

Eat when cool enough to touch and not burn your mouth

wholelottalove I suppose my job helps with the being relaxed thing - you never know what each day will bring so you just have to get on with it!

Thanks all, spoke to my boss today and she is taking me off the busy shifts when there are functions, and is going to see how many holidays I have that I can put in before my mat leave starts. Roll on some time off!

Im loving that everyone is starting nesting :-) sparkling homes, cars and gardens everywhere!

Wholelottalove - we got lost on the way to the NCT sale so got there late. Just picked up a few bits - maternity yoga trousers (so comfy, I'm in them now), an evening top, a JoJo organic babygro, some bibs and a book on active birth. Not bad for £9!

laurenamium - your work have a responsibility to make your job safe when you're pregnant. They should either ensure that you aren't put into a difficult situation (e.g. never being there alone), or change your role or give you paid time off if that's not possible. You shouldn't have to use holiday or maternity leave just to feel safe.

Had a birthday do for my MIL in London last night. I somehow managed to stay awake for it all but am now shattered...not helped by DH having a hangover today.

Miffster glad to hear that you are feeling better about where to have the baby etc. I guess it was you who recommended Buddha Bellies, thanks I am really finding it helpful. DD likes to join in although that makes it distinctly less serene than on screen.

C&G it's a yoga dvd that Miffster suggested. I'm almost relieved at the news that the baby might be small as I have been fairly sure for a while that I was too small but last mw I saw didn't seem bothered so at least now it will be properly checked out and I can plan for it. DD was very small but otherwise fine and hopefully it is just that I have small babies. Will wait until after the scan before worrying too much. The problem with scans is every time I have one they seem to find something new for me to worry about that probably isn't a problem but has increased risk etc...

Also wanted to say that I had DD at the Rosie in Jan 08 and was well looked after. One thing that impressed me was that everyone who was caring for me during labour had clearly read the birth plan. It was very short but I did include things like not wanting anyone extra in the room, because sometimes people pop in to get something out of a cupboard etc and also that I wanted everything carefully explained to me and dh so I could make informed decisions. They were very careful about that in particular.

Also was that your first post referring to "DH" rather than "DP"

MrsS recipe sounds really easy - will have to give it a go. Congrats on the house front if it is all happening!

93pjb no news on house front but if we don't prep for move now it will be harder in a few weeks - we have to leave house as we got it - same standard of cleanliness etc and if we end up not moving until after baby is born then I don't want to be trying to sort garden then!!

So i've previously mentioned I'm a massage virgin, looked at a few spa's locally to see what they offer, packages either pricey or not recommended for those that are pregnant. I visited our local holistic therapy centre and asked about the facilities, table didn't look too comfy and I would be lying on my side for the massage. £60 for an hour full body massage.

I've found one on the web that's a little further from home but seems to have many more options. I don't really want to pop out for a check of the facilities if it's so far away. www.victoriasbeauty.co.uk/pregnancy-package.htm I was particular interested in the freeloader pacakge.

WWYD? Any recommendations? or been to a mama mio therapist before?

Wow I've missed a lot in a few days, I'll try and catch up properly later.

Had a nightmare weekend. I've just about got over a sickness bug which had me up most of fridat night being sick or feeling sick so felt aweful all day sat. Baby was kicking loads though so I wasne't too worried about it affecting her. Really didn't help when she landed some really hard kicks to my stomach in the middle of saturday night though.

Finally convinced DH to call emergency dentist last night after him complaining about toothache all week which got even worse over the weekend. Shocked at how much it will cost though, especially as things a tight with him being away the past few weeks. At least it will get everything sorted that needs doing. Just need to find him a dentist that is taking on new patients as he hasn't seen one for years due to always working away.

kellestar - that massage place you posted the link to looks nice for a relaxing massage.

I get specialist myofascial release (physio type) massage regularly anyway so have just carried on with that, but that's probably not the most relaxing option for a massage virgin.

It depends what you want - if it's help with SPD or backache, then a specialist one will help most but may not be as relaxing as a pregnancy one with oils.

I'm exhausted today...was exhausted last night anyway but couldn't sleep and was in pain with the SPD (it's worse when I'm really tired). So I tried taking some codeine at bedtime (it's been doctor okayed) and it made me itchy all over! I was so uncomfortable and was just sobbing with exhaustion half the night.

PLus I was stressing that it might be a sign of OC as the codeine has never done that before to me. I need to get my 28 week bloods done anyway so will check that liver function is included on there. I looked up some info on OC when my hands started getting hot and burning and got quite scared by it (though at the time I didn't think it sounded like my symptoms) with all the stories of OC caused stillborns! And last night the tops of my feet were the most itchy.

Sorry to hear of the itching/SPD japhrimel, that must be awful, but well done on the NCT bargains. Sorry about the sickness crazykat and the dental expense for your bloke, good luck with the massage kellestar

and good luck with the house MrsS and with the breadmaking and nesting everyone!

Yesterday my DH nested and made lamb shanks casserole after we did yoga together. In the afternoon I kept falling asleep - incredibly tired again, almost like in first trimester, that weird tiredness that suddenly comes on.

Also increasingly savage lower back ache, so when I get up from a chair or sofa I stagger and am really stiff and can't unbend properly for a few minutes. Yoga, and bouncing on a ball sort it out but I can't do that at work! Am thinking that I might have to finish work earlier than planned so I can look after my back and not bugger it up with sitting in an office chair for hours on end - or should I go to GP and get signed off with back pain for a week or 2 before starting mat leave?

Feel a bit guilty about considering it... what would you do?

I don't think you could get signed off that close to your leaving date - if you go off with preganncy related sickness after a certain point, your work can trigger your ML starting anyway.

If it's not late enough for that to apply, I'd get signed off.

Don't feel guilty - your work should make more of an effort to make your work station/job so that it doesn't hurt you. E.g. you should be able to take frequent breaks, have a chair that isn't bad for you (or exercise ball to sit on!), etc.

Is anyone felt finding baby's movements very uncomfortable/painful at times? I hadn't realised it would be so awful when she kicks or stretches sometimes. Wonder if my Fibro means its hurting more than it should do.

Miffster - I just checked and your work can only trigger your ML starting early due to pregnancy related sick leave in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. So as long as you're taliing about before 36 weeks, you can get signed off sick.

Thansk Japhrimel

It would be 30 weeks if I got signed off now. Health and Safety have decided to okay a ball as long as they agree with me that they will not take any responsibility if I hurt myself.

Just ordered one from argos to be delivered to the office tomorrow, a bright green anti-burst one for £12.99, more expensive that the normal fiver Argos kind but I want to be sure I'm safe if I am going to sit on it most of the day.

So now I am basically paying to continue to work for these people, I hope they are grateful!

I'm sorry I have only briefly skimmed, but wanted to comment on massages. Yesterday, I went to the gym but forgot my ipod and headphones and so inmy stroke of genius I though, hey, I'll go get a massage instead because my back is killing me. Ha! That didn't work out. I went to the spa and enquired and they said they wouldn't do a neck and back massage but could offer a mam mio bady massage instead which would not include the back. Eh? Do pregnant women suffer from sore legs and arms? I thought it was backs! It is for me anyway. So, I walked away miffed about why theu would not massage a pregnant womean's back.

Oh well, saved me £60.

Afternoon, I'm off to see the consultant shortly, supposed to be having a swab today but I want to discuss a few other things as well. Hopefully I'll get an opportunity to. Since yesterday I've felt like I've been leaking a bit, clear fluid, not sure what is it though :s also been getting frequent tightnenings so I thought I'd mention it there rather than calling gp this morning, always something it seems! I worry they'll think I'm a hypercondriac or something but I seem to just get a lot of things feeling and going wrong in pregnancy.

MrsS I'm going to give that recipe a go, sounds really lovely,

93pjb Ah I see, that makes sense. I'm glad you feel better knowing that they're taking you seriously, you may well be right about just having small babies as DD was small. Hope the scan goes well. I know what you mean about the scans though, finding something else wrong...it's really worrying and stressful. I think it was you know! Have to get used to writing DH now :o

crazykat sounds like you had a pretty bad bug over the weekend, hope you're feeling better now.

japhrimel that would worry me too, are you still feeling itchy? Do you think it's worht a call to midwife or hospital and maybe getting checked over? They could rush bloods through the same day, within a few hours, at least it would put your mind at rest and hopefully find nothing wrong.

Miffster I'd get signed off early. I hope the ball helps but if it doesn't then take it easy, think about you first and rest at home. You'll be grateful of the rest.