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.

Hi everyone, I do find that I want to cry over things more than I usually would, really silly things give me a lump in my throat. I am quite a cuddly person though, and, although not so much now, but even when I'm ill I want my mummy! I remember a really bad bout of sinusitus a few years ago and the only thing that made me feel better was my mum coming round!

Had my ECG yesterday and as expected all was fine. So maybe dr & DP were right. DP's an expert on the subject of anxiety and panic attacks as both him and his mum suffer from them, and he said he thought it may be that before I saw the dr. My throat turned into full flu, but strangely only in my head. Or maybe I should say luckily, I'm uncomfortable as it is without that on top. I was going to get the flu jab, I usually get it every year but then read that it contains the swine flu jab so I'll pass on that as there's no way I'm having a swine flu jab, and especially not risking the baby getting ill from it. So fingers crossed I don't get flu too much this season.

Boys are at their dads this weekend, think we're going to have a lazy one & possibly go to a wedding show tomorrow.

Morning,

C&G Glad the echogenic bowels have cleared up, you must be relieved.

japh my friend had unexplained itching, from about 32 weeks they never did find the cause but she was induced at 37 and a bit weeks.

lauren when my cousin was pregnant she kept on sleeping on her front and the midwife told her to secure a tennis ball to her pj bottoms with an elastic band to stop her getting comfy on her front!

Can't remember who asked about sterilisers but the Tommee Tippee ones are reduced on the mamas and papas website. I am going to optimistically just buy the boots travel cold water one or the Tommee Tippee one bottle and hope BF goes well this time.

Its the weekend :o and finally having a little bit of time off (and time to catch up with you all).. hopefully going for a break to Scotland with best friend who spent the last year in NZ

• still working out travel details as was refused fit to fly letter yesterday (although put in for it 2 weeks ago), due to borderline anemia from 28 week bloods.(am on iron - loving the black poo! )

I couldn't believe it. So am just having a think about ease of slipping past airline gate with no 'fit to fly' at 30 weeks. Has anyone been asked for a letter so far?

Lots of moves from baby, but getting so uncomfy. I love eating really big meals but at the moment i'm paying for them when I do. Last night at a restaruant for my dads bday i just ordered a starter, but then tasted my bro's dinner and ended up ordering one the same. Ow ow ow. serves my greedy self right!

Morning all, so exhausted today, did not sleep well at all last night and the kids had me up early. I could fall asleep right now...dd has a party to go to after so need to be getting off to that soon. Feeling so awful today, might try and get a nap later on if I can. Really sick already of not being able to breathe or be comfortable in any position ever.

Cheryl glad the ecg went well, I had to have one a couple of months ago because I couldn't breathe properly, just for them to check and it was also fine. I'm with you on the swine flu jab, not having it either, mind you I don't have the seasonal one either.

notso there have been sterilisers and breast pumps on offer at Tesco for a little while, I bought a tommee tippee one of each, microwave ones I believe. Found them easier last time, I'm going to breastfeed so shouldn't get much use out of them but will be nice for expressing so someone else can feed baby.

Button hope you manage to get away, I'd love to visit Scotland, never been there yet! I really wouldn't risk the airport without a letter, especially at 30 weeks as they might think you're closer to due date and want a letter for that if nothing else.

C&g glad to hear bowels have cleared up - must be a relief, hope you manage to get some rest this weekend.

Button that's a real pain about flying. I have seen someone turned away at 29 weeks by easy jet though and it did look like a horrible stressful experience but the cabin crew just refused to let her board. Also have you tried spatone instead of the prescribed iron? It's much easier on your stomach so no constipation or black poo but does the job all the same. You can get it at most supermarkets now I think or holland and barrette. It's sachets of iron rich water.

Japh hope you get some answers about the itching soon - it really sounds horrid.

I had growth scan and consultant this week, al fine really, nothing to worry about yet but growth is slower than average so will have another couple of scans to keep an eye on things. I'm going back for bloods to check liver and kidney function on Monday. Only bad news is that I have to do a 24hr urine collection tomorrow and take it in. I've been given a 5litre plastic canister like you get turpentine in and have to collect all my pee for 24 hrs in it and then worst of all, take it to work with me . Oh dear, I'd been hoping to hold on to my dignity for a little bit longer....

Not having the flu jab here either.

We had a curry last night and I was up 4 times in the night with bad heart-burn so I think I'll be knocking curries on the head until I am overdue.

Generally I don't feel any hungrier than usual and my weight is still the same as it was 3 weeks ago; I don't have room for big meals anymore and tend to just snack.

DH thinks the baby will come on the 15th, I am hopiing for the 20th. I don't know why he's picked the 15th ir of that's what he is particularly hoping for but I do wonder how much pressure I will get if I go over. I can imagin DH thinking being induced is a good idea and am not sure he realises how much I will resist if it's safe to do so!

93pjb sorry, I had to laugh at the image of you hauling around a 5 litre jar of wee. Hope it's not too bad.

kelle glad it isn't just me! My Mum has been out of the country working but due back tomorrow. We're not generally a particularly huggy family but I may make an exception when I see her.

C&G sorry, I think I forgot to say that's brilliant news about the echogenic bowels.

button sympathise with the horrible iron tablets. I took myself off the pregaday and on to spatone, but was a bit of a mistake as my bloods came back anaemic this week, so docor has advised I need to be on the iron tablets. Shame, because they make me sick and constipated. Hope you are able to get your break away, but I would imagine they'll check at 30 weeks? I've never tried flying when pg so don't know.

I am knackered as well. DH is working so I made the mistake of taking DD to the park. After being brilliant yesterday, she turned into a complete tantrumming monster, pulled my back, refused to walk or sit in buggy or keep her coat on. I ended up losing my cool and marching home with her crying and getting looks from passers-by. Am now feeling pretty sore in my pelvis so definitely overdid it. She has thankfully gone for a nap, but feel a bit crappy about the whole episode. 2 1/2 is such a strange age, they are gorgeous and funny and amazing one minute and evil the next.

DF I've been following the Swine Flu thread. I still don't feel well informed to make a decision and haven't actually been offered the jab in any case.

Heartburn is a real bummer. I'm finding I'm having to start to eat smaller meals now as just can't fit a big dinner in. I too would love to be early. EDD is 17th and DH and I were discussing how fab it would be if it was more like the 10th! Fingers crossed...

notso thats a good idea i might try it as I end up feeling really guilty!

I havent been offered the flu jab either and im with wholelottalove in that I have no clue either way so I think Ill stay quiet about it and then look into it if Im offered and need to make a decision!

Talking about being early I have been booked in for the 16th November! that is 6 weeks and 3 days away I'm not ready yet
I have 8 more days at work so glad to be finishing as I am so tired and achey.

C&G Great news about babies bowels, that must be such a relief.

Button Have you looked into getting the train, I think they do a sleeper to Scotland, you can often get good deals if you are not travelling at peak times.

PJen, Strix & Emma fancy a coffee/dinner meet up soon? anyone else in SW London?

Dp has organised a dinner party for tonight, thankfully I'm at work so don't have to do anything other than turn up but really I think I'd rather watch tv than entertain guests!

Thanks for all the supportive comments. I get the blood tests back Mon or Tues. If they're positive, we're into seeing a consultant to discuss meds and induction. If they're negative, it's get retested in a week or so.

I'm thinking of asking about the flu jab as I think I'd prefer to have it and not risk the flu and the complications. I had suspected swine flu last summer and felt awful enough without being pregnant! And that was with loads of meds to help me feel better! Plus I had a real fever which would not be good for baby.

ButtonAzure - I didn't get asked when I flew on holiday (out at 26+2, back at 27+5) but I'd taken a note from my GP anyway. I think the issue is that if you are stopped without a note, having been told not to fly, no insurance will cover it, so you'll be out of pocket for anything you've paid for, like the flight. If you're going to Scotland, could you consider the train? I went to a conference in Glasgow a while back and flew while a colleague went by train and he definitely had the easier trip.

my sympathies C&G I'm still getting nowhere near as much sleep as I need and I'm now suffering for it - I've got 3 cold sores and the pain in my right hip that I've managed with for a good few months reduced me to tears this morning, very unlike me. Unfortunately DH is on late shifgts this weekend (finishing am this morning and 4am tomorrow morning) so it means I don't even get a lie in as I have to get up with DD when she wakes up.

I won't be having any flu/swine flu jabs - I've never bothered in the past so I don't see why I should start now.

wow lavita 6 weeks! That must be scary and exciting for you. I've got another 13 weeks to go and I'm convinced I'll be late (again)

Thanks everyone, we really are soo happy that the problem with the bowels has gone on its own now, best result we could have hoped for. I'm getting so impatient already and can't wait to meet our little girl, still worrying so much about the birth but she has to come out one way or the other now!

Wholelotta I refuse to take iron, I'll only take the natural supplements, my level is 9.2 at the moment but it went down to 8 with ds1 and everything was still fine so I'm not worried about that.

Lavita 6 weeks! Wow, I'm due in 12 weeks! You must be so excited, coming around so quickly. Hope the dinner party is going well.

japhrimel Good luck with the blood tests. Are you going with an induction if you have OC then?

maxpower Sounds like you're quite run down and need a good rest, hope you manage to get some proper sleep soon.

kids have been an utter nightmare today, well ds1 and ds2 have been, Dd had a party this afternoon (she's been good all day) but ds1 is supposed to go to a bowling one tomorrow....mind you, the two boys have bad colds so that can't be helping. Took ds1 ages to settle for bed tonight, about 2 hours! Have to see how they are tomorrow. Still knackered now, hope I can sleep later as I'm still feeling so uncomforable. All I do is moan lately!

C&G really hope DC's better tommorow; otherwise dvd day sunday?

Thanks for the advice about aeroplane. id basically booked flights a month ago on strength of MW telling me wouldn't be a problem, i'm low risk yardy ya. Its meant to be sunday, so i'll turn up, and if I get refused i'll get an overnight coach from London. I'm a little tight financially for the train right now sadly. I drove up in June and don't fancy doing that again!

Lavita thats so exciting just 6 weeks to go :) Hope dinner was lovely.

C&G how did you get levels for your iron? my gp just told me 'slightly low' are they likely to write it down in my green book next time I see MW or do you have to ask?

93pjb the litres of wee sounds like something the boys from my uni house used to do.. keep bottles in their rooms when they couldn't be arsed to go to the toilet, gross. these 'joys' really are wasted on us ladies aren't they?!

maxpower v v much sympathy on the sleep..

Button Hope you manage to get on the plane today, fingers crossed for you. I always ask for exact results no matter what it is hehe, I'm quite obsessive about knowing precise numbers. I always check the blood results when they put the forms into my notes too. With iron or anything they've tested specifically I always ask what the number is, you know for yourself as well then exactly what you're dealing with.

Ds2 is still being a little pain this morning, whine, whine, whine, cry, whine, whine, arrrgghhh.

A quick catch up before I start the long trek back to work on the train. Took 2 days AL last week so have had a long weekend which has been lovely but still tired. DD is still having separation issues and is waking a couple of times a night to come into our room, she mostly settles once back in her own bed but still has to be taken there other wise tries to get in with us. Only does it for a coulpe of nights when i am home but when you are only home for a cuouple of nights it's a pain. Oh well better get used to the sleepless nights again!!

Button Hope you were ok with the flight today - a bus to Scotland would be tiring I imagine.

C&G Good news about the bowels issue clearing up - I bet you are really pleased.

I am taking iron but I have had low iron for weeks now and it makes the symptoms of my CFS/ME worse is I am tired from anaemia as well as that and pregnancy so trying to do everything to stay well.

I had the H1N1 vaccine last year and had no issues with it, if I get offered this year I will accept. I won't risk coming down with something in my situation.

Lavita Can't believe you have only 6 weeks to go! That time will fly so make the most of any quiet time you get now!

Thanks for the reminder about sterilisers - we will need to replace our old one but as I plan to BF hopefully won't need it for a few days

DF I am not being replaced at work but I am trying to get all my projects into a fit state to hand over - dreead to think how much work I will have to do when I go back! I plan to use my 10 back to work days sensibly!!

Suffering from lots of indigestion as well but to be expected I suppose at this stage.

DH has said I am definately bigger now than I was at full term last time so he seems to think I will be early - hope not!!

Housing situation not improved yet, no news is definately not good news but have some extra support from work seniors so may have news this week hopefully!!

I have decided if no offer of a move within 3 weeks i.e. in new house by end of Oct then we will have to stay here and I will get signed off sick early - I have enough lee way in my mat leave to manage if it is brought forward. So only 4 weeks left of being on my own down there.

Right off to pack and get ready fro trip back - see you all in the week!!

CheeseandGherkins - from what research I've done, induction at 36-37 weeks is standard with OC because the risks of stillbirth go up from 37 weeks. With meds and early induction, the risk of stillbirth is nearly that of a healthy pregnancy, so I don't think I'd be happy to wait even if the meds did get my bile levels down.

Obviously, don't yet know that it is OC, but I'm still itchy, so its been a week now. Plus piriton doesn't stop me itching (just helps me to sleep despite it) which is a sign of it being OC or something liver related, not a new allergy.

If it is OC, I'll be a bit sad to be going for an early induction with high risk of EMCS instead of my wanted home water birth, but I'll be fine with it to ensure baby's safety - and to stop the itching asap! It got really bad yesterday late afternoon and I was too tired to cope so was snapping majorly at DH. Practically at the china throwing stage I was so frustrated and upset by it!

ButtonAzure - hope you got on the plane okay!

I ordered the Medela Swing pump from Boots online yesterday as they've got 15% off atm. Now looking at which steriliser to get, having decided to sterilise even with breast milk. Avent sterilisers seem to get better reviews than Tommy Tippee, but I want wide-neck bottles like the TT Closer to Nature ones so am v confused by it all.

We went and looked at a gorgeous new house development near us today and are very tempted. It now looks like we're staying in this area for a while so we want to move next spring, and if we got part-exchange, we wouldn't have to worry about selling our house! A very tempting idea when we'll have a new baby.

Lavitabellissima - wow, that seems early! I'm definitely getting into the "OMG we'll never get all this done before baby arrives" stage. Finally cleared out the nursery for decorating this w/e but have loads more to do!

Lavita I am sooooo as I have to wait another 8 weeks and 5 days (sounds better than 9 weeks lol).. Anyway, I am up for a coffee, dinner or whatever. You need to email me as I washed the little paper that you put your contact info on with my pants and all contact details are washed down the drain - pregnancy brain side effect. If you also have lost my contact info then you can private message me here...

Sorry to be a drag but I have to share my sad saturday experience..... I fancied going to Westfield for a shopping. Stayed there till 9 PM till the shops closed and managed to walk in rain to the bus station in Sheppard?s Bush with big heavy paper bags of shopping for me and the baby. Was peacefully waiting for my bus when a car drove by fast through a huge puddle and washed me from head to toe in disgusting street water. I got completely wet through my clothes to my underwear and my hair!!!! All shopping and bags got soaked. My make up started running on my face.... My eyes were open and I got eye infection all weekend as a result. My mouth was open and I tasted the water in my throat. I felt horrible and only one girl in the bus station asked if I am okay and couple stupid teenagers started laughing their heads off... In the bus, people started staring at me as if I am a crazy pregnant homeless woman that might attack them... Nobody offered a seat until I asked a guy to stand up and give me the designated seat. As I was getting out of it got even worse; all my paper bags got ripped within 1 minute and all shopping spread on the wet ground into water puddles. My LO?s white winter dresses... cute little shoes... all on the street with cars driving on them... I had to close the umbrella as I needed my hands to hold around 10 kgs of shopping piled on my hands..... Went to the bus station to take the other bus home but people in the station stared at me so rudely that I couldn?t bare it..... Walked home for 10 minutes and felt so miserable that I cried loud all the way home! Horrible... I really hope that the bad karma got that idiot driver and everyone who so rudely stared at me!!!!! 

Ah PJEN thats awful... Bad enough to get soaked in the first place but to have no-one offer you a seat on the bus is so rude!! Especially with all your bags and obviously having had a bad time of it... Hopefully your stuff will come out of the wash looking as good as new.

Japh - let us know how your results are when they come back - like you say though its all pointing to OC. My pal had OC and said that the still birth reasearch was being challenged quite a bit and there were questions about whether women with OC really needed to have an earlier labour... Having said that I know I personally wouldn't get too hung up on that and would adopt for the safest possible option to reduce any possible issues. I know I'm super-cautious though... If it is OK, hope the meds give you some respite from the itching - I'm not surprised it must be driving you mad.

C&G - Hope the kids are behaving a bit better today - at least I guess one or two of them will be out at school today.

Hi to everyone else - hope all is going well. I think my little breech baby is on the move. The head shaped lump has moved from near my bra strap to about half way down and am getting loads of little kicks on my left hand side. I think he's settled into a transverse position now. We'll see if he continues to head south

Oops OC not OK....

Am feeling quite sad for another friend today who's had a miscarriage. They'd tried for about 4 years before her 3rd IVF round worked. Her DD is now 18mths and she very recently became pregnant naturally despite having previously been told that the chances were almost non-existant and both she and DH have fertility problems. It was such a lovely turn of events but now she's miscarried. Its made me realise how lucky we all are to be here, at this stage.

japhrimel ah that makes a lot of sense, I'd be doing exactly the same in your shoes, what a worry for you though! Hope you get the results soon. Is there anything else they can give you for it if it is OC? Something that might work better?

Pjen oh that's so awful, I'm not surprised you felt so bad! I can't believe noone offered you a seat or to help you, it's disgusting. Are you feeling any better today? How's the eye?

Chooster My little one seems to have moved today although I'm not 100%, I feel I can breathe a litttle easier so may not be breech anymore. Really can't tell at the moment though! So sorry to hear about your friend. I've been unlucky enough to have miscarriages and it's so difficult to cope with, I feel so very fortunate to be pregnant with this baby and have 3 little ones already. I'm always grateful for that even if I do complain.

Well I'm feeling soooo rough today, barely slept last night, got about 20 mins at a time and kept waking in pain, needing water, needing a wee etc. My throat is killing me, as is my head, ears, nose and I'm now aching all over. I've been having honey and lemon in hot water which is helping and some tunes, helping a little! I've just succumbed and had a spoon of liquid paracetemol too, very unlike me as I usually avoid everything possible in pregnancy but I really feel I need it. I'm hoping that as I'm not used to it the small amount will help more?! Ds1 is also off school, poor thing was really hot and is coughing and not well at all so he's on the sofa having had calpol watching tv.

Oh PJen what a horrible end to the day, people are so rude. I hope you are?

chooster so srry to hear about your friend :(

I thik my baby has moved as my bump just feels so different today. Was gatting a big lump on my right side (possibly the head) so hope it is now head down.

japhrimel hope you get your blood tests back soon?

C&G hope you feel better soon, I've been lucky so far.

Am stressing about having to train my replacement - not looking forward to it at all.

oh Pjen that sounds awful - bad karma to the lot of them

japh fingers crossed for your test results, let us know how you get on

C&G sorry you're feeling so rough

chooster sympathies for your friend

Feeling a bit more rested today (thankfully) and the pain in my hip has subsided a bit

Dh has started painting DD's new bedroom - only problem is the pink is a bit more pink than it looked on the tester pot part of the problem is that he's in a rush and trying to cut corners and didn't do a particularly good job of putting on a white undercoat. he also thinks I'm uber-critical of his DIY so if I say anything, he'll get the hump. oh well, I'll have to see what it looks like with the second coat on....

Hi all,

Sorry to those having a tough time pjen what a crap load of things to happen to you, I believe in karma so that driver (and all the other unhelpful people) will get their comeuppance!

C&G glad to hear the echogenic bowel has gone, must be a huge relief.

I have the dreaded cold too but at least no sick children that must make it much worse. I have been off today feeling sorry for myself and craving lemsip :( hopefully if I get a good night's sleep I'll be back at work tomorrow, I always feel guilty having sick leave and get really worked up about calling in sick.

On a happier note my lovely family came round at the weekend and painted the nursery it is very very yellow! I love it but the baby may need sunglasses for a while :) my dad came round again today to do a bit more, I can't wait till it's done and I can start putting the baby stuff in there, it's currently taking over every other room in the house.

Like some of you have been saying my baby has been a bit quieter on the movements and the ones I can feel were much softer, I was getting a bit freaked out about it but tried to think the baby had just moved position but since Sunday it has been back to normal kicks on both sides - so I guess transverse?! I still can't identify feet or a head or bum yet. Is it 36 weeks when it starts being an issue if its not head down?

Also had my second parents to be class, my DH was the only man there this time maybe because it was just about breastfeeding, I'm glad he went though so he has a good idea what it involves and how long it takes to get into a routine etc.

Right, i'm off to eat something, Have a good evening everyone x

Japh I was induced at 37 wks with DD as she was not growing fast enough and it wasn't worth the risk of continuing with the pregnancy. I'd planned a homebirth too so was terrified about the whole spiral of intervention thing. The reality was fine though - I think the research and planning for homebirth was really important. It gave me a lot of confidence in my body and its ability to deliver DD safely and the breathing I'd learned with my yoga class was invaluable. I had a five hour labour with a tens machine and g&a for pain relief. Some yoga teachers do intensive birth preparation workshops which might be worth looking into for you and dh?

pjen I'm not surprised you cried - how awful, hope you've recovered now.

Hope everyone else is feeling a little less tired, but guessing from the small number of posts that probably not the case.

My consultant appointment today was fine. I'm feeling well looked after which is reassuring. I survived the indignity of lugging a barrel of pee to work with me, although I left it with my bike in the bike shed rather than taking it to my desk. Figured that if someone pinched my bag then the pleasure I'd get from imagining the look on their face when they opened it would be worth it!

Dueling I hope you find out if you have to do the training soon, could you speak with your boss about it tomorrow?

maxpower glad your hip pain is a bit better, pain is so awful when you can't do much about it either! I'm sure the pink is lovely :o Dd choose pink when we did her room a while ago and it's very bright, didn't bother with an undercoat as it was already plain and only did the one coat.

Kitty I love yellow. Bought a pack of sleepsuits months ago in yellow that I can't find anywhere.... Sympathies on the cold, I also would love a lemsip. Honey and lemon doesn't quite cut it, I've had 3 spoons of paracetemol so far and that's more than I've had in years lol, still isn't getting rid of the pain and achiness fully but better than nothing. I have no doubt that I won't be able to sleep much tonight either. May take laptop up with me tbh just in case.

I think it's about 36 weeks, depends on the baby, size etc though.

I've been thinking and reading about breech and definitely wouldn't let them try to turn her after what I've read, risks of waters breaking, baby getting distressed, not working, baby turning back and also that there can be a reason why baby is breech ie a short cord. Have I posted this before? Really feels like de ja vu. Odd. Maybe I did lol. Feel sooo rough! Really wish I could have a few lemsips, always helps.