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.

It hasn't happened to me, but I have heard many similar stories so I guess it happens a lot.

I wouldnt mind being barefoot in the kitchen...I would be fat with it though...mmm food

Wow you're all up late. Normally only me browsing at this time of night! Laurenium - don't worry the wee thing happens to all of us eventually!! Sorry I cant spell your name right when I am on iPhone!!!

lauren I sneezed the other day as I was getting into the bath and leaked you're definitely not the only one! I tend to wear a liner now as if I need to go and sneeze or baby kicks me hard I do leak a little occasionally.

MrsS I'm usually up fairly late, just not always on here, my phone is crap for browsing on but I'm on the laptop watching The Bodyguard on tv :o

oh good Im glad its not just me then! had a little panic that I would need to buy nappies for me aswell as the baby then!

Ow is anyone else still getting night cramps in their legs? Mine have woken me up again!!!

Yes, I am getting night cramps in my legs. I just wake up, flex my foot like mad and go to sleep again, it's not so bad for me. But the back ache is coming back, despite taking a week off work and trying everything I can think of: seeing osteopath, buying a backsaver chair brace, going to Homerton PGP clinic class, having acupuncture, wearing back brace, bouncing on ball and sleeping with Genii.

I can't afford any more treatments, I have spent 200 quid on all the above in a desperate attempt to get better and be able to go back to work. I don't want to have to start mat leave 8 weeks before DD, it will really impact on me financially.

:(

I have a physiotherapist appointment tomorrow at the hospital and am going to do some yoga and walking today, maybe swim as well. If nothing more can be done I am quite worried about how I am going to manage between now and baby coming. Also how I will cope if it continues afterwards, we have to pack up and move to another country when baby is 12 weeks old and I will need to be able to move about!

Maybe it is because I am nearly 40.

:(

Morning. I feel really awful today again. I woke at about 3am and suddenly felt really sick and started shaking all over. It was really scary; then I started sweating loads and felt really faint. This all lasted about 5-10 mins and then just went away as suddenly as it started. It felt so awful though, no idea what it was but I really felt like I was going to collapse. Managed to get back to sleep and feel rough this morning.

Asthma is playing up a bit so I'm feeling that but this cold/flu thing has come back worse. Had to take more paracetemol this morning, which I hate doing. Really want to be better.

I've not had leg cramps in a while thankfully but they're horrible.

Miffster my back's been hurting more again too, might be just because the baby is growing.

Sounds like we are all having a rough day today, I did manage to get back to sleep eventually but then didn't want to get up for work this morning. Been very sick this morning and bump feels really uncomfortable, almost like it does at the end of the day when it really aches.

Miffster I agree age may have something to do with it - I am nearly 38 and the 5 year difference between this time and last time is noticeable to me.

Just need to get through the next few weeks until we move and then if LO decides to come early I will be ok

Miffster - there should always be more that can be done, TBH. Physio should help - you'll probably need to be doing stretching and strengthening exercises a few times a day. Also, painkillers can really help! I wouldn't have got through this pregnancy without Panadol and the odd codeine.

I'm knackered, still itching and waking up at night with it - I half wake up because I'm itchy, scratch and then wake up fully because it hurts! Think I need scratch mitts for me as well as baby. Blood test results tomorrow. I don't know whether to hope for a positive (will then get help, meds and a plan to deal with this but have OC) or a negative (no help, may still have OC). I think a positive result would actually be best because as the itching is getting worse, not better, a negative result now will not be conclusive.

Oh and we have a bloody estate agent coming round this afternoon to value the house so I've got loads of cleaning to do this morning!

Not great to hear people suffering! Japh - agree that a positive would be the best outcome if the itching is getting worse... At least then you can get some help and create a plan for the next few weeks - it must be awful and driving you mad...

Miffster - Ouch for your bad back . Apart from niggles I've not needed to get any professional help but hopefully something will ease it soon. I'm loving swimming at the moment - I just feel so light and bouncy in the pool as opposed to heavy and lumbering... .

Laure - I've not actually leaked but know of several people who do - nothing unusual but not a bad idea to so some pelvic floor exercises - (not that I can talk as I'm so lazy with that!).

Strix - I think I'm on your side of the political fence. I can't see any evidence of the blues wanting women at home. Surely scrapping CB goes against your point DF? Damn labour getting the country into this mess

Well, lots of chatter...

MrsSnaplegs great news, finally things are moving in the right direction. It's going to be so lush to have your family so much closed to you from now on. I am amazed at your strength, I would be a weeping wreck.

Laurenamium Oh WOW! Another 4D scan, you must be able to see the changes so clearly between the last one and this. So exciting. It sounds like you are settling in with your mum, it's really great that you have your own space as well. I've had a few dribbles, when i've been busting and in the middle of a long phone call. So far it's only the nipples that leak excessively.

Miffster I wasn't going to spend alot of money putting my SPD right, if work weren't prepared to respect my needs. I felt angry at them, if it was anyone else with a bad back or pelvis and they weren't pregnant I think they would have jumped to meet their needs. I'm trying to get hold of them to figure out what's hapenning. I should return in November, but as my Annual Leave was going to kick in then, I'm not sure if it's still on the books and they aren't expecting me at all. I'd like to go in for a day or two for a handover and to clear my desk out. I think I left half a packet of crisps in my top drawer, though I am sure they'd have found them by now. :)

All in all I'm in relatively good mood. DH has planned a romantic 'last weekend away in Ilfracombe, I know not exotic, but we like the coast and it has good food and the chocolate emporium hot chocolates are divine, though haven't had one since I've been expecting.

Physio for SPD going well and finding more flexibility, but do get myself in a pickle if I over exert. Getting to love my ball.

Sleep best when DH has gone to work, it's bliss. When we share the bed I can't get comfy. Oddly the only position in which I am comfy is on my left. On my right i get awful heartburn and on my back my hips ache. But it's all good, hopefully.

LO goes from across my tummy, transverse to head/bum down. I could almost make out a shoulder and head movement the other night, little freaky. Kicks have been inwards, rather than outwards, so think s/he's facing my back. Struggling to do the manouvers it once did, getting a little cramped me thinks. I have a growth scan next friday 31+6 as it's measuring up long, first LO and my BMI. Excited that I get to see LO again though.

Finally got the dates through for the tour of the Princess Anne Wing @ RUH Bath, 27th November, it's taken them 6 weeks to send me that letter. I am slightly worried as I'm due 2 weeks later, what if LO decides to arrive early and I have no idea about their facilities. I did ask for any cancellations, but because they only do tours Wednesday 9-12 places are limited. Which is why I asked 6 weeks ago about dates, they would accept an earlier request. I am now starting to worry that lots of people must then be due at the same time as me, is it going to be chaos. I've already been advised if they are full I'd be transferred to the BRI.

29 weeks today!

Just been to Asda Living and bought a breast pump that came with a mini steriliser(thanks for the tip C&G), big knickers, mini hats, and new PJ's.

I generally am barefoot because I get hot feet and in the kitchen because I love cooking and eating and also pregnant

lauren definately do Pelvic Floor exercises, I have been a bit lax with mine and this is the only pregnancy where I have had leakages.

MrsSL I get cramps that wake me up too, flexing your toes towards your body helps and eating Bananas are supposed to help but I hate them so don't know if it works.

Miffster sorry your back is bad, if it's any consolation most of the ailments you get during pregnancy magically disappear once the baby is born so try not to worry about your backache carrying on.

C&G sorry you are still feeling rough. I know what you mean about not wanting to take meds during pregnancy, I took two of the codine tablets the consultant gave me last night as was in absolute agony then felt really guilty and have woken up with a massive headache, I'm not taking anymore.
Glad I'm not the only one having a potentially big baby, were any of your other babies big?

japh sorry you are still itching, hope you can get sorted soon, good luck with the bloods. Hope you manage to get your cleaning done.

chooster I want to go swimming now, I like the idea of feeling light and bouncy!

My MIL is an angel and has come and taken all of my ironing.

also wanted to say

strix completely agree! I lack domestic talent. Quite a few spectacular failures. Last nights slow roasted shoulder of pork was vile, DH thought it was delish though. Had to chip off the burnt bits. However I can make a mean fishfinger and grilled cheese sandwich. The only thing I refused to eat pre-pregnancy and could now eat them every day.

Pregnant and Barefoot, but that's only becuase my ankles are so swollen socks dig in. :)

kellestar I love fish finger sandwiches!

working from home today - woohoo!

MrsS great news on the house front, you must be delighted a tthe prospect of being with your family full time again. My sympathies on the leg cramps - I have to be really careful stretching my legs at night as they'll cramp at the slightest movement.

Lauren sorry about your creepy stalker person. My frined at work's been wetting herself for months (she's due early Dec) - It's become a bit of a joke around the office now.

C&G and Japh sorry you're both still unwell, hope the results reassure you Japh

re baby position, I have no idea which way round my one is. I get a lot of movement at the very bottom and very top so I'm guessing it's either head up or down - but no transverse

DH is soldiering on with painting DD's bedroom while suffering with the after effects of the MMR jab he had 10 days ago. I changed my mind about one of the colours so he's on about the 6th coat thanks to me. But it does look lovely now!

Seeing mw for 28 wk bloods this afternoon.

notso yay for your MIL. I gave up ironing when DH left his job in the city although I suspect I may have to start again when DD starts school in Jan.

on the politics front - I can't abide any politician of any party - IMO they're all self-serving career minded liars who don't give a rats arse about your everyday person trying to work hard and provide for their families. (This doesn't mean I don't vote though!) A truly dedicated government would have the social and economic welfare of it's population at the forefront of everything they did and would have made sure that the actions of corporate giants would and could not compromise the security of their country. Neither the labour nor tory parties are innocent in how we've got to where we are now and we will now spend the rest of our lives paying the price.

Right, really must get on with some work...

kellestar I have been a weepy wreck frequently but I try to do it behind closed doors when at work or at home with Dh which makes it desperately hard for him as he feels there is nothing he can do to make it right!

Too all those worried about taking codeine - don't panic at the moment, I have to take something much stronger than that for my normal pains and had concerns when I was reduced onto codeine early in pregnancy (had to wait to see consultant to get confirmed I could take the stronger stuff) GP and Consultant have said that it (codeine) will not impact baby's breathing at this stage in their development - and it is better for baby for Mum to not be stressed by pain. The baby is still "breathing" amniotic fluid now, I will probably reduce my stronger pain killers including the codeine based ones the week before my due date just in case of breathing difficulties but am not overly concerned. Hope that may reassure some of you.
laurenamium I have just got used to smelling of wee

notso I find that bit the most painful - worst bit is not being able to make too much noise when it happens in case I wake others in the accommodation block up - the walls are really thin!! I find myself biting my pillow to stop myself crying out with it!

I would love to be barefoot in my kitchen doing the domestic goddess bit - I am sure my DH will have an eating disorder by the time we get to live together again - he has got so used to either putting things in the microwave or ready meals in the oven he won't be able to handle real food when I start cooking again He did make a real effort at the weekend and he made brunch for all of us from scratch - I was very impressed.

Hiya everyone,the chat here moves very fast but have managed to gather you at last have suitable accommodation MrsS, fabulous news.

Have been dealing much with RL and laid low with heavy cold/flu for past week or so,so apologies to everyone else.

Good news is,at least I have no pg related woes other than tiredness. Need to keep up the iron and pelvic floor exercises.Am a bit worried that have been not doing any form of exercise,actually,son has been dog walking for me and I have been unable to go swimming due to time and cold-suffering restraints.

Went for my 4D scan as the Health in pg grant money came through. Like 20 week scan,they think it is a girl,she was head down though not convinced she stays like that,she is very active! We got a peek at her although she had hands and feet up at her face and think she looks like DS2. She had a yawn so she is obviously very comfortable in there :)

DP on the other hand is pissing me right off,no single reason but when I am awake for hours at 2am and he is snoring I want to punch his face in. Those relaxation tapes don't seem to be working....

FF lol at your rage at your DP - I was the same a while back - completely irrational anger at DH for being asleep while I was tossing and turning!

laurenamium thank you for sharing the scan news. That's Transverse isn't it, I wonder if mine might be sideways. Won't know until next week when I see the midwife again.

I haven't wet myself yet but I do make sure I wiggle about when I am on the loo as there always seems to be a bit left in which won't come out!

MrsSnapLegs No cramping here, only had it 2 or 3 times thankfully.

C&G I hope you are ok. And Miffster too :(

I am jealous of those getting scans. Not sure I will get another - or is it standard to have one later?

kellestar I am having a very late tour, same as you it's about 2 weeks before I am due. I can't get onto the hospital's relaxation technique class because it's full! Have been advised to complain strongly. I just want to be as prepared as I can.

Had a meeting with my boss where I was determined to be vocal about what's happening in the future but was told almost immediately that I shouldn't worry as 'you won't be here' - made me feel like my opinion is no longer valid even though so many things could change while I am away. Oh well. I'll just train the new person and leave until next September then :(

Hi everyone, just giving you a wave to let you all know I'm still here, not so fit & not so well! Chest infection now, wish it was December and generally feeling very sorry for myself, although mostly un-pregnancy related.

I could bore you all to tears for hours, have spent most of the day crying, DP and I just upsetting ourselves further by talking about things. Feel like 18 year olds just moving out of home, but with the added worry (and expense) of 3 children. I'm starting to do something I always swore I'd never do and that's have regrets. My 'motto' has always been to have no regrets, but to learn from the past so you don't make the same mistakes again, and I've always done that but am now feeling so useless and can't see a way out of it that I wish I could turn the clocks back 15 years, but then that feels like I'm wishing my babies (esp ds1) away.

I will try and pop on more, but don't really go online an awful lot with computer over in the corner. Plus don't want to come on here dragging everything down and being depressed.

Hope you're all OK, hooray MrsSL on finally being offered a house & hope you've given the gp a big kick Japh and they finally test you for what you need.

sending you a big hug cheryl don't bottle it up, if it helps to offload then please do

just back from mw - baby is breech. will need to spend lots of time wiggling my bum in the air to try to get it to turn. one more factor trying to complicate my attempt at a successful vbac..... I had a student mw delaing with me and bless her, she seemed very inexperienced. It was the most painful taking of a blood sample I've ever had and she couldn't work out which way the baby was lying so she couldn't find the heart beat - mw had to take over in the end. Oh well, everyone has to start somewhere.

Miffster take magnesium tablets for calf cramps and when it happens flex your feet. It disappears faster. I had couple of bad cramps but switched to magnesium tablets and they are under control. However, I didn't take them for 3 days (I ran out and too lazy to go to boots) and woke up again in pain and had to flex my foot to get rid of it... Mg really helps me...

Cheryl honey why did you get chest infection? take care of yourself sweetheart!

C&G why are you caughing? Hope you get well soon

Third trimester is catching with us and we feel worse with each week. I am absolutely pissed with my hospital. First MW touches my belly and says "baby is heads down" I touch the orange sticking out of my side and say "then what is this?" she says it is a bum! I say "the very same thing was there and I did a scan and they said breech!" she says: then baby has turned! Then I asked for a hospital tour and she said they don't have time for it. I asked for antenatal classes and she said they are full. I asked for physio referal for my back and she said "it is normal pregnancy syndrom!" and then she added women in Africa give birth without any help indicating that i am high maintenance. I responded that I am unfortunately very aware of the lack of health system in Africa and really hope they can catch up with advances and do my best to help them but I don't see how that is relevant to my situation?! Kids die in Africa during birth due to lack of care, which is absolutely horrible but I do hope that this is avoided during my birth experience?! She was so cross with me after that and I could smell war in the air!!! I really need to change hospital and get a MW that understands I am worried and it is normal to be worried when pregnant!!!

DF AFAIK you only get a later scan for medical reasons and they would not necessarily show you any pics or discuss the sex. Mine was private-spent pg grant money on it but still have enough left over to get the remaining things I need for baby. It was lovely to see but not so wonderful that if money was tight I would have missed it,IYSWIM?

Cheryl I have been feeling the same way.In my case though,I know feeling depressed is strongly linked to my physical state so lack of sleep and a bad virus on top of me normal stresses and strains(car broke down and so did gas boiler)is behind it.It somehow helps to know why you feel the way you do,even if you can't do anything about it immediately. And keep talking -that's what this place is for :)

I feel like my head is full of cotton wool. The cold DH decided to share with me is really starting to get me down. Doesn't help that DD has an ear infection and DS has a cold too so they're keeping me up most of the night between them. It'd be a lot easier to handle if I wasn't feeling so bad.

He doesn't know it yet but DH is looking after the DC's this weekend while I have a rest - assuming I don't feel guilty that he works all week or he does something different to how I do it and have to take over. I'm becoming a bit of a control freak with stuff like washing up, I rinse everything after washing it and he doesn't, drives me nuts and I don't have a clue why.

FF I want to punch DH too when he's snoring while I can't sleep. It's not helped by it usually being him that wakes me when he turns over or starts snoring really loudly.

I don't know if anyones already said it but pulling your toes up towards you helps with leg cramps. I haven't been able to stretch properly for weeks as I get leg cramps if I do.

cheryl rant and unload away that's what MN is here for. It's good to get it all out, much better than keeping it to yourself.

My test results came back negative for infection so no idea what caused protein in my urine. Got to have it re-tested tomorrow so hopefully there won't be any protein this time.