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.

I saw the GP and he's given me the request form for bloods and said I could try Piriton if I really need something in the meantime. He agreed that it's not a rush job, because even if it is OC, it'll take a little time to get into see a consultant and as I'm only 29 weeks, there's enough time to wait 3 days for blood results. Off in a mo to get them done, have been having my hair done!

Fingers crossed it's nothing and will go. Having OC is up there as one of my top "nightmare" scenarios - risk of stillbirth, early induction needed, etc, etc.

Is anyone else thinking about when to book things like haircuts with the EDD approaching? I've next booked for when I'm 36 weeks as I figured I won't get 2 appointments in before baba arrives and I want my hair to be as manageable as pos with a newborn.

Also, I'm starting to feel I need to get a move on and finish the Christmas shopping!

CherylAnnTweedy - a dress isn't ideal for physio TBH. Ideally you want stretchy trousers and layered tops. If nothing else, if the physio wants to examine your back & pelvis, you'd have to strip if you're wearing a dress, rather than just lifting a top.

I think you either need to arrange childcare or prepare yourself to be without your OH if you needed to transfer. Do you have friends locally who could take your kids for a couple of hours (ie. until your Mum can get there) in an emergency? Also, are they old enough to entertain & feed themselves - if not they might end up taking your OH's time even if you manage to stay home.

Miffster - back pain shouldn't affect a HB. I have back & joint issues all the time and it hasn't been flagged up at all by the CMWs as an issue. In fact the opposite, as a water birth is especially good for supporting good birth postures for women with pain issues that would mean they'd struggle on dry land and a HB is the only way to guarantee a pool is available.

japhrimel glad you've seen the gp, hope the tests come back clear. Have you got much christmas shopping done yet? I have most done for the children now, just family to go. I've been looking up GD and PE, I've had PE before and already have some signs, plus it's more likely to come back with a new partner and GD so I'm really worried about stillbirth, inducement etc too, oh and not forgetting c- section :( Always something else to worry about.

Cheryl My physio always has me in my bra and knickers so it doesn't really matter what you wear

I am booked in for a spa day when I am 30& 4 and I have to sign a disclaimer for them to touch me I really want one though and am hoping it doesn't send me into premature labour of something.

I am also sleeping really badly, it is so uncomfortable. I also feel really whingy which is why I've not been posting much lately.

Also sad too that chocolate is the cause of my heartburn, was it Japhrimel who this also affected?? boo hoo!

I feel huge have put on a stone and a half so far/10 kilo's but it's mainly a huge bump and a bigger bum

On a nice note one of my best friends had a little boy yesterday, although she had a 27 hour labour then an emergency c section. He is lovely though and breastfeeding well so she is delighted

Hello,

Jesus, Christmas shopping, have not done anything! Oh well, that is what the internet is for...as for haircuts
Lavita hope you enjoy the hell out fothe spa day, am
Japhrimel glad you got seen and hope tests are ok,Piritron is great stuff, helps you sleeep as well.
C&G and Maxpower hope the pain goes a bit, maybe the babes will get into better positions, sorry the kids are playing up too C&G

Cheryl glad the chest pain has subsided that must have been worrying
Wholelotta good news about your physio! You gave me hope to do something about back pain... so here is my upbeat story

Stupid back pain got worse and worse all day til I had to go and have a quick cry in the loo. My bouncy ball ordered from Argos arrived at post room so pumped it up and sat on that and it helped a bit. Although colleagues thought it was very amusing as it is ridiculously low and I have to reach up to my desk as if I am sitting on a child's chair!

At lunchtime I managed to find out on internet that Homerton has a PGP clinic on Thursdays 2.00-3.30pm so am going to that and they may be able to fit a support belt, for free - yay!

Then I went to GP surgery for emergency appt and saw very dishy (frighteningly young) male GP who happily wrote me a 2 weeks off sick note for 'PGD, severe, back pain, severe, debilitating', and he said I could fill in dates whenever I wanted to deploy it, and he also gave me a referral note for osteopath, in case I can claim in back on DH work's private medical insurance, which DH has just told me he thinks he is entitled to claim since he got promoted a few months ago - even more woo!

And then I walked back home from GP like a rolling limping comedy weeble and walked past an osteopathic clinic at end of my road! So I rang and made appt for 8.20am tomorrow!

Just got out the bath and am pleased to say that the pain has got better by about 50%. This might be due to the bath, the relief of doing something re. pain or the baby doing a somersault and getting off my sciatic nerve for a change.

Whatever, it's fab. Have celebrated with enormous piece of carrot cake.

Feel SO much much better now that Something Is Being Done as thought of 10 weeks of pain was awful.

Have new respect for people who put up with pain for years and years and retain their sense of humour. I find it a bloody struggle it must be said.

Sorry not to individually reply to everyone.

Hey miffster glad you are feeling better.
I know what you mean about freaking out about another ten weeks of pain. Utterly miserable. I was getting really worried. I can't say enough how much of a relief it is to have been sorted out properly by the physio. I am feeling even better today, although got some odd pains in different places wich I was told to expect, but still so much better. Walking is almost fine. I hadn't realised how little movement I had before. Planning to rest this week and go back to work Monday.

lavita it was me who said choc was giving me heartburn. Have experimented and sadly it definitely is choc :-(

I'm feeling quite squished up and breathless today. Got midwife tomorrow so will be interested to see what position she thinks baby is in. I think it's swivelling about a bit but still not feeling much movement above naval level - certainly no feelings of head of feet wedged under my ribs yet.

cheryl In my NHS physio I was told to take my trousers off and was in my knickers, but for the appointment on Monday she did everything through my clothes - but possibly because she was using her hands to feel the problems not just taking a swift glance.

Morning all,

What are OC and GD? Trying to figure it out, but can't. Also started worrying about group b strep, after reading an article about in the sunday papers. How do you get yourself tested? Apparently the UK has one of the worst rates in the western world as its not routinely tested for - seem bizarre to me not to test for something that could be so treatable?

On the Christmas present front, is not the delivery of a new grandchild/cousin/niecephew enough of a present from you to your families? (I can see that other DC may not appreciate it, so they probably need presents, and its always worth bribing DH with a good pressie so he's more inclined to do nappy changes).

Sorry to hear all you ladies are in so much pain. I've got a really bad back at the moment too - quite high up so the physio I saw doesn't think its necessarily caused by the pregnancy, but I now think its going to hang around till the end anyway. Keep muttering the mother's mantra to myself "this too shall pass" and trying not to think about how there is still 12 weeks to go!

OC = Obstetric Cholestasis, a pregnancy liver problem.

GD = Gestational Diabetetes

There is not evidence that widespread testing would actually improve outcomes overall, that's why the NHS won't test everyone.

The GBSS group say that if you have a positive test and no other risk factors, IV antibiotics should be offered, but are not essential. And the antibiotics are far from risk or side effect free.

A lot of people who do not need them would be on IV antibiotics if everyone was tested, with risks from allergic reactions, infections in the mother (especially thrush, which can cause some women to stop breastfeeding earlier - something that is known to not be good for overall health), infections in the baby (the antibtioics can make them more susceptible to other infections, including hospital acquired infections that kill) and possibly a higher risk of asthma & other health issues in the baby in later life.

TBH, I think an awareness campaign about the signs of GBS in mothers and babies would have more benefit than routine testing. That way Mums with other risk factors would recognise them as that and get tested and babies showing any signs of GBS would get faster treatment.

OMG, just finally got through to book a maternity wing tour at the RBH and was told the next available tour is on the 28th November!

If I do have OC and need to be induced early, I'll have had the baby before then.

Morning all, feeling a bit happier today, as I have plucked up the courage to weigh myself and I have only put on 2 lb since I found out I was pg so despite everyone telling me how huge I am I must have actually lost weight.
Have been getting a bit of practice in with my friends newborn, though I couldn't hold him properly because my bump was in the way I had to put him on my shoulder instead!
Was supposed to have seperate 3 consultant appointments this week but they have obv seen sense and I just have one long one next Tues.

That seems a bit late, Japhrimel Maybe if you need to be induced you can ask if you can come up and have a quick look around before then? Let's hope the OC comes back negative.

WWSB to add to my growing list of complaints this pregnancy I am GB Strep positive. Was picked up from an early swab I had when I had some pains, then a subsequent swab was negative. Originally, I was going to have another swab at 36 weeks and if negative not have antibiotics and go for HB, but now I am not sure. I will probably pay for private test to be done which is more accurate and then make my decision based on that. If positive, I will have the antibiotics.

More info here: www.gbss.org.uk/

Christmas shopping...yikes! Haven't even begun to think about it yet. :)

Lavita hope you enjoy the spa day, sounds wonderful. Congratulations to your friend, how lovely :)

Miffster you sound a lot happier, glad that you're in less pain now, must make such a difference. Hope the clinic will be good tomorrow and the appt this morning went well :)

Wholelotta I think you can ask for a swab to be done for group b strep, not everywhere does them automatically. There is a high false negative rate I think though. Some of dh's family exasperate me so god knows what Christmas will bring, new baby or not, his brother is ignorant to say the least...don't get me started on him though as it really irritates me. Ah just seen your post about being group b positive, I'm not sure what that will mean for you during labour other than anti biotics.

japhrimel surely they could fit you in given the circumstances?

notso all bump it sounds like, try not to worry about looking huge, my bump is massive too!

Soo tired again today and I've had a nap, I feel so lazy but also so legarthic. The thought of sorting dinner is making me feel tired let alone actually doing it! Baby has been really quiet today so I'm wiating for her to wake up a little by drinking a coke!

miffster at my physio session I wore my maternity leggings, which I normally wouldn't wear outside the house and a long t-shirt. I just had to remove the tshirt, down to my bra and rolled down the leggings.

Is your ball fully pumped up. My DH found a little elastic band [not the stretchy one] that is a guide to pump up to. It really does pump up that much. It should make it firmer and you should be able to sit up to your desk better. I bought one on the weekend, it's at least as high as our sofa seat.

Japh I've gone off chocolate completely, it's like eating candle wax, absoloutely no flavour. Even chocolate flavoured things just don't do it for me. Sigh.

I've done a fair bit of christmas present preperation. I tend to 'make' things for the family. Chutney and Jam mainly. I've got some crochet projects underway at the moment as well. I've only bought for my neice and nephew. I'm quite a grizzly and only tend to buy or make presents for close family. I've also made the blanks for my christmas cards, hoping they will feature LB if s/he arrives in time :) I haven't thought about what to get DH though. I wanted to get him something 'dad' like.

LB's been awful quiet today, s/he had hiccups most of the night and then I woke up face down, so tired. DH put the doppler on last night to hear what's going on. You could hear the hiccups and kicks, he got a little emotional, bless him. He did keep his hand on bump for the early evening as he could still feel the hiccups.

It sounds silly, but I am so happy to be resting with my SPD at home. I really don't want to think how much agony I'd be in if I was still at work. They've been keeping me up to date on the chaos of registration. I drove into town to tax my car, it was hard work, getting in and out of the car, parking and walking into the high street. People are not that considerate. I was elbowed by a middle aged woman who turned round when I hissed in pain, but didn't comment/apologise. I did see some people I knew that didn't know I was expecting so had a little chat, I almost got rude after the umpteenth time as I just wanted to sit down. I got home and bounced on my ball for a bit.

I'm going to go elsewhere to grumble about MiL, I know she means well but she is a big pain in the behind.

Hi all, hope you are all well and welcome to new people :) I've not had much of a chance to read through as really busy in work.

I felt a limb yesterday!! freaky. Am convinced the baby is still Breech though so doing a bit of hands and knees stuff where I can.

Someone told me today that his wife was induced on her due date because she had 'too much fluid around the baby' - anyone know what this means?

Hi dueling - oddly enough, i think there's a thread on exactly that (fluid levels and induction) in the childbirth section, I noticed it this morning. Only got 30 seconds as am franticly busy at work otherwise I'd link to it, but it should still be pretty near the top of the page. Hope that helps!

thanks hettie :)

I was tested positive for group B strep and had the IV anti-bios... That bit was absolutely fine but did get thrush on my nipples and in my baby's mouth as Japh mentioned below. Its really quite horrible and toe curlingly painful when LO feeds - kind of like crushed glass being rubbed of your nipple.. BUT, it does pass and there is treatment for it... I'll have a group b strep test later on I think, just to see whats what. Although this baby has been breech for ages and doesn't seem to be shifting! Plenty of time left though, although am 31 weeks tomorrow (I think?) Or is it 30?

Either way the nausea is coming back in 2 scenarios - if I get too hungry or if I eat too much - so its a fine balance to get it right!

Sorry to all those in pain and with worries like OC. Hope all tests come back clear so we can all head towards the end worry-free! .

ooops, my first reference to group b strep was with my previous baby - DS2.... I haven't sneakily gone and had this LO yet...

Sorry, I've been really rubbish and away from this thread for weeks! Too much to catch up on properly, but I've just skimmed about 500 posts... Hope everyone is well and as comfortable as can be expected! I have a massive bump and the baby (another boy) does indeed seem large. We have a growth scan at 36 wks, but I'm not fretting about that too much.

We had a nice week in Portugal a couple of weeks back, staying at a relative's house, which was cheap handy and comfortable. But there was a bit of a heatwave on, and temps were late 20's to early 30's, very unseasonal. I suffered. Feet and ankles were very puffy and though I knew it was most probably because of the heat (and the size of this bump!) I fretted about Pre-E a lot. MW took my BP when I got back and it was fine really - 120/78. (That's fine for me.)

Since we've been back, I've had a tummy bug and a nasty cold, and have felt weak and exhausted for the last two weeks. I wonder if it's anaemia? MW is testing blood at 28 wks on monday and in the meantime, has given me a couple of weeks' worth of Spatone. I can't say it's made me feel any better, but maybe that's the virus still.

On the good news front, I saw a physio before we went on holiday and she taught me some exercises and how to hold myself, and my mild SPD has almost gone! I have to remind myself to keep up the exercises now that it doesn't always hurt, and nothing's painfree, but it really did make a difference.

I'm thinking I might have the swine flu/seasonal flu jab soon - will talk to GP about it tomorrow. Am very nervous about having it, but for phobic reasons, not because of the vaccine itself. We will get DS done at the same time, I think.

Have done absolutely no baby-prep for weeks! We got all DS's clothes down from the loft a few weeks ago, and I had a bit of nesting, washing them and packing them into storage (we're hoping to move next month) but that's sort of wiped me out. We have most things already, anyway, but I'd like to look at buggies this weekend, since we don't have what we used for DS any more.

But I suppose I'm feeling sort of nesty - am knitting DS2 a pair of longies, and am planning a fabric numbers frieze for DS1's new bedroom when we move in! (It's displacement activity, I have loads I should be getting on with...)

Sorry for being away for a while - no news on house yet although my HR dept at work are now getting involved ! Taking today and tomorrow as leave so short week this week. Haven't really slept for last 2 nights but will be in my own bed tonight so should be better! Saw MW yesterday, seemed ok . Bump measured 31cm which is ok for 30 wks BP fine and will redo bloods for Hb in 2 weeks . Offered physio for PGP but turned it down as main issue is bed in work accommodation so physio will be little help with that. Have warned DH I want to do some nesting at weekend - jealous of all of you that have started including those doing Xmas planning!! Off to matalan this am to buy a suitable dress for a formal function next week - don't want to spend a fortune as it will only be worn 3 times ! Hope you all have a good day

miffster definately check if your ball is inflated enough, like kelle says. I didn't find the elastic band thing until I had inflated mine and it was nowhere near pumped up enough, mine is higher than the seat of my computer chair and so comfy.

Mrs SL glad you have a short week and hope you manage to find something to wear.

reshape nice to hear from you. Sorry you have been feeling ill. I am of you being able to knit, I wish I could, have tried to lear several times.

Chooster Owwww! Your post made me put my hands over my boobs!

DF Its strange isn't it? I am not quite sure which way round this baby is yet I think its head down and back to back but probaly wrong!

Kelle Awww at your DH and the doppler.

C&G Am also really tired. Glad I'm not the only one feeling massive, I'm not too bothered but it does get wearing when you're being told about 10 times a day you are humungous!
The woman who works in the corner shop was going on for ages how I looked overdue and her daughter due in December was tiny and wasn't I massive blah blah blah, I felt like saying "aren't you old? Your really old looking, aren't you? My mums your age and she looks nowhere near as old as you" to see how she liked it!

WLL I too have a list of complaints, I definately didn't appreciate how lucky I was in the previous two pregnancies!

My SPD/hip pain is really bad am going to pester the consultant for more help next week as by 3 o'clock I can barely walk, trying to stay off my feet but still have lots to do around the house so it's hard to sit and do nothing. Apparently they don't routinely refer to physio for SPD/PGP here as there is no point

Hello girls,

Have been unbelievably busy at work and today found some time (decaff coffee in hand) to go through the last page and write a quick hello!!! [smiling and waving at everyone]

Japh and Lavita are going to be one of the first ones it sounds like... Japh I really hope that your OC doesn't get serious but I have to confess that I am a bit
that you will have your baby sooner... I can't wait for it to be over already and have 9 more weeks to go...

lavita and WLL I get heartburn after choc too but still eating it everyday... can't stop

Pain in the bum and lower back is now transfered to Fonjo!! suddenly yesterday I wasn't limping anymore and could walk normally but felt at the same time as if somebody has kicked me very hard in the you-know-what-area?! Does anyone know how I can get rid of this one??

My baby girl is very active. She doesn't stay still for longer than 10-30 mins, which is starting to worry me... Is she too active? Does it mean that she is not getting sleep for longer than 30 mins and will stay like that when out? I read that the average should be 10 kicks in an hour but when counting she moves more than 50 times an hour... Counting kicks is one of my favourite activity these days- sit there in meetings look professional and thoughtful as if listening carefully to the speaker but actually counting your baby's kicks :) give it a try :)

Oh by the way, a little bird (or a colleague at work ;) told me that Mothercare has now 10 percent off voucher for all orders above 50... I still don't have the code but will share as soon as get it... :)

PJen if it makes you feel better my DD was the total opposite - never kicked really hard or for more than a minute, and only every other hour - yet she didn't really like sleeping when she was born. Maybe your LO will have tired herself out before she gets here and will be really good at sleeping.

Starting to get fed up of pain at the bottom of my bump, it's driving me nuts, and only gets better when I lie down - sometimes. I finally got a doctors appointmnet and they think it's probably a urine/kidney infection as I have pain in my back around my kidneys but won't get the test results back for a week. They also found protein in my urine which could be from infection (if that's whats causing the pain) so I have to go back when antibiotics are finished to test it again. BP was 115/65 (normally 100/60) but the doctor says thats within normal range.

I'm stressing myself out though as baby hasn't been as active as normal since yesterday, I usually get lots of kicking several times a day and can feel her turning over when I lie on my side or turn over. I've still felt kicks but not as strong or as many as usual. Logically I know it's normal for babies to have quiet days and she has before but I still find myself worrying. I probably sound completely neurotic, worrying over nothing. I'm going to see how it goes tonight and if she's still quiet I'll phone my MW and see what she says.

Why can't pregnancy be easy? If there are no problems you worry that it's going too well and something's going to happen, or you stress out over the tiniest thing (like I'm doing at the moment).

I swear I wasn't this worried first time round when everything was new and I didn't have a clue what was normal and what wasn't.

Hi everyone.

PJen don't worry about lots of movements - I'm sure I saw on a thread here that it doesn't really correspond to how well they will sleep. This one is much less active than DD was, although the placenta is at the front so maybe masking some movement.

notso and kellestar sorry you are still suffering. I am getting increadsingly cross hearing about the crappy treatment dished out about PGP by the NHS. Yes, we all know some aches and pains are normal in pregnancy, but serious pain that limits your functioning on a daily basis is NOT normal and we shouldn't have to put up with it.

MrsS good luck with the shopping trip.

reshape nice to hear from you and glad you had a good holiday :)

DF ooh, it's so weird when feet and arms and things start sticking out!

Had midwife yesterday and she confirmed baby is transverse which is not a good position for my pelvis. Baby should be turning in next couple of weeks which hopefully will make me more comfy. It was a different midwife to my normal one and she measured my bump - never had it measured in this pg or last one (had same mw for both) and I was 28 cms (and am 29 wks tomorrow) so clearly all those people saying I'm huge are talking out of their behinds.

notso I can't believe that woman in the shop, how rude!

Hi crazykat - I've been going through exactly the same thing today! Getting the odd kick relatively regularly, but not as strong or as frequent as usual... I was thinking of speaking to midwife tomorrow too, as it seems a little early to get overly concerned...

Speaking of which - how often should we really be feeling kicks these days? I'm 30 weeks, and have always been told you should count at least 10 a day until this week, when I've suddenly started noticing lots of people mentioning that they aim for 10 an hour... I'm definitely not getting that! Unless you count the incredibly subtle/could be gastric fluids feelings...