December 2010: Our Christmas Babies are growing but our energy levels are slowing!

[WhatWillSantaBring]

With thanks to the provider of the snappy title (it wasn't me - I think it was Strix)

Link to Stats thread (I hope)

Here

Hi Chloesbaby - we have painted the nursery too - it does feel lovely to get to that point!

Since last night my bump has been so sore - its like a constant Braxton Hicks that doesnt die away - my bump feels very tight like my skin cant stretch anymore - more uncomfortable then painful except when the baby moves it can be a little breath taking - a little achy - guess its just growing as definitely wouldnt call it cramps/period pain as to me that suggests coming and going in waves whilst this is constant - anyone recognise this??!!

My skin too feels about ready to burst SpanishLady. I get the tight feelings at the top of the bump, especially just after eating. A hot bath and loads of moisturiser helped me last night.
I've had it fairly frequently since about 24 weeks, so I'm assuming it is growing pangs.
I get periods of BHs, but the tightenings then come at the bottom of the bump, accompanied by an urgent need to wee, even if there is nothing in there.

Sorry Spanish can't help on your question. Any BH's I've had have been of the 'typical' kind. But I sympathise on the tightness - frequently by the evening the top of my bump is completely solid and I feel as if I'm fit to burst.

Day off today - woo hoo! Had to do the nursery run this morning so I got up at 7am and was back (via te petrol station) at 8.30. Had some breakfast and went back to bed at about 8.50 - then slept for 3 hours. Bliss. I could have slept longer but I know I'll pay the price tonight!!

SpanishLady - what position is your LO in? I'm finding that some positions are actually painful now - there's one spot above my right hip where she seems to like to wedge a foot and it makes my whole left side and back painful.

I think I may be missing some BHs as LO is so violent! Is anyone else feeling like they've got a kickboxer/vampire hybrid baby (sorry, Twilight reference ) in there? All the books/emails have mentioned baby's movements getting less as space gets restricted, but mine just seems to be getting more violent not less. When I had the monitor on in the DAU, she obviously didn't like it as she kept on kicking it and it was actually bouncing off my tummy despite the straps!

Oh and does anyone know if you can soothe them in the womb at this stage? I seem to be able to soothe her by stroking and talking gently but do wonder if I'm imagining it having an effect.

We've painted our nursery too and I love it. Still got some shelves and a couple of bits of furniture to finish painting, but the glider chair and cot are up so it looks like a proper nursery now!

Oh fwiw, I got given a Tutti Bambini glider chair from Mothercare from my MIL and I have to say I don't recommend it - if you're getting one I'd spend the extra £100 and get a Dutalier one. The paint finish is crappy, I need extra cushions to make it comfy, the tilt mechanism sticks and the locking mechanism makes a noise when you rock. We think we can sort the noise out and the knocks and bald patches will only be added to, but I expect more from a £200 piece of furniture. It was towards the low end of the market for glider chairs, but even so, not impressed - if we can't sort the noise out it's not fit for purpose after all (who wants a chair that makes a noise when you rock?). Our £100 cot from Mothercare is far better made!

notso good luck tomorrow for the consultant appointment. I am curious about the reason behind your excess fluid as I feel I have too much too. Although my MW + GP are crap and they don't recognize anything wrong with me.

C&G it's fun to read birth stories... I cried for couple of touchy birth stories... I am so ready for this LO. I love her and worried that something goes wrong with her. good luck for Wednesday's scan. I am a bit that you are getting attention more scans and will see your LO. Obviously wishing you that all is fine .....

Yeyy... I am going to a new Hospital tomorrow. Have been very cross with my current one (UCLH) and have been trying to get to another one close by. QCCH gave me an appointment tomorrow so we shall see...

AND I spent most of my nights being scared!!!! DH travelling and the house two doors down got broken into while they were sleeping (4 people) in the house!!! I am so lucky that I was awake till late watching loud TV or they would try me instead I am sure!!! Specially if they knew only a pregnant wobbly woman is in the whole place!!! I am so deeply praying that nothing happens till DH comes back... I am so scared to sleep in the house for another 3 nights...... You may see very late night posts from the freaked out me!!

thanks for replies - I think it is head down still but I have no clue when I feel LO move what it is that is moving - am clueless - have midwife's appt on Friday so will discuss with her - I agreea bath helps and I suppose I will have to upp the ante on oil/moisturiser - my pain is just on the sides at the top of my bump x

spanishlady I agree with Japh on some positions maybe more uncomfy. My breech LO goes to transverse sometimes and I can't breath and it is so tight and uncomfy.... It is very obvious that she is in transverse as I have her head on right side and bum on left side. thankfully she doesn't stay there long and goes back to her breech position, which is more comfy for poor me... Can you find her/his head (a small hard thing like a tennis ball or an orange) and her/his bum a bigger semi round (not complete sphere necessarily) softer ball?

Hello all, had another migraine last night that badgered me most of the morning. They stopped when i got pregnant and they seem to be coming back with a vengence.

LO's kicks are evil at times, really agressive and will go at anything that rests to firmly against my bump. Books, arms, laptop, counters, I am not sure whether it likes 'touching' something outside. Will settle down a bit if I rub and humm to the bump. I'm obessesed with the Juno soundtrack, have had to go through the CD collection and pull out some more velevet underground and other joys, LO seems to calmly kick to it.

No BH yet, but I don't really know what they feel like or what to expect - yet.

I have to moisturise bump every night it feels so tight. A few of my older stretch marks have started to extend, little pink tips to them.

I can't believe how autumnal it's got. Loving the crispy leaves and sunny afternoons.

Went to an NCT nearly new sale in Frome. It was really good, my first. DH came along and was a real bargain getter. He bought a huge bag full of clothes in great condition from one stall for £5, he came home and worked out he paid 20p and item. I bought a few books, sheets and blankets. They have another one in a months time that I shall go back to for a few other things that I regretted not pouncing on quicker.

I bought a crib on eBay last night, mothercare gliding one for £18 in the village. Just need to get a mattress. Perfect for going on my side of the bed.

I still have a few things on my list to buy. I'm slightly panicking about my clothes. I have two pairs of maternity trousers, thin link leggings but not tight, they go over the bump and are very comfy, I wear them religiously. I have 1 pair of maternity jeans underbump that are not comfy now. I want some maternity joggers, over bump but don't want to pay a fortune as I could do with 2-3 pairs. eBay hasn't seen much come up, though I am watching. Any recommendations?

I got some fab joggers from an NCT NNS! £2! They're mothercare and over the bump and so so comfy.

kellestar have you tried H&M? Cheap and cheerful - I got some soft jersey type jogger things there is the summer, and went and bought some maternity cords there the other week.
The cords were £19.99 and I think the joggers were a tenner.
The only problem with H&M is they come up very small. I am in size 16 cords and believe me I'm not a 16. All my other mat clothes are a 12 and I'm still fitting in non-mat size 10/12 leggings.

H&M are hit and miss for me generally. Though they cover 18/20 sizes actually getting them in store is hardwork, so have never had the luck of trying on their maternity range at all. The nearest mothercare is over near bristol ikea and they only stock up to 18 and again are rubbish in their range. Blooming Marvellous in Bath was great, but they've gone now.

I'm feeling really quite sick and crampy today. It actually feels like early or pre-labour...waiting to see if things settle or anything changes though as it's probably nothing. I've been getting uncomfortable tightenings with lower back ache and my thighs aching too, plus crampy at the front and generally feeling a bit off. Distracting myself with MN and lots of browsing atm.

notso did you get your results yet? I was surprised at that too but she said I could be asked to do another! No way! How much fluid do you have and what were the tests for if you don't mind me asking? I have load of fluid and have been worrying it's going to get too much too. Have a scan tomorrow afternoon so I should see then.

chloe heartburn is so annoying, I use Rennie as I find the gaviscon a bit chalky.

japh agree with you on the positions, I notice that with my hips too, can definitely feel when there is something wedged against it and also at the top near my ribs. I don't think the movements should get less, it's worth getting checked out if that happens, it's a bit of a myth. There is less room as time goes on but movements shouldn't really change as such. My little girl is a very strong kicker too and often hurts me!

pjen think I'll go read some more in a minute myself, I've been reading a lot of posts on the childbirth section over the past couple of days too. I'm the same when I'm alone, I really don't like sleeping on the house without dh in it. I tried to stay busy watching tv, reading MN, I also let dd stay up late and she slept with me lol.

kelle I tried using the palmers cocoa butter to help my skin (used it fine last time) but it brought me out in a huge spotty rash all over where it has been so my tummy, boobs, chest etc! Was horrible and put me off my usual cream too, I was using the sanctuary mother to be one but I've used nothing since then in case I react.

Oh and for future reference, I came across this on my browsing :o contraction timer

C&G - I've never got on with Palmers, bought me up red for weeks after. I've got the lloyds pharmacy aqueous cream, cheap and cheerful and doesn't seem to be bringing me up red.

DH downloaded it for the Ipod the other night, did advise that he's being a bit prepared!

Aww that's great :) I'm starting to get really excited now. As much as I'm worried about the birth I'm really excited about meeting our little girl :o Just not yet I hope!

I came to the realisationt that I could go into labour in the next 5-10 weeks! Yikes. 32 weeks sounds like I've got loads of time left, but starting to get a little nervous and excited. I can't wait to meet LO, I'm slightly more scared about being on my own in the hosptial afterwards, recovering. Ykwim without DH, I know there will be other people there, but the worry is there. Odd I know.

I'll be 31 weeks on Thur so not that far behind you, it's all gone so quickly but then that also means that Christmas is coming soon too! I can't wait for Christmas as I love it :o You might not have to be in hospital at all afterwards, see how things go.

Hi all

Quick q - do you have to have a glucose testing thing? Nobody has mentioned it to me, and I'm 32 weeks...

The glucose tolerance test is the first thing I had but it's fairly new here as I didn't get it with ds2 who is 3 and a half. Not all areas offer them. If you fail that test then you get the glucose tolerance test. I think if you get glucose in your urine and/or fit certain criteria then you get offered one.

Oh right, thanks. I have never had anything show up in my wee, so that would explain why I have never been offered a test, I guess.

It's standard for everyone to have the glucose challenge here now at 28 weeks but it does vary around the country.

Still feeling crampy and achey, getting quite annoying now, keep having to move to stay comfortable. Been bouncing on my ball, walked about a bit and now moved into the study on the pc but still not comfy. Think I'll get my little one ready for bed soon as he needs to rest and sleep after this bug he's had. Lol he's just told dh we should call the baby toys r us :o

Midwife appt was fine everything as should be including size etc. Baby is head down which I had guessed anyway from movements. Waiting to book hosp tour but as they have closed the other MLU have little choice. MW said they are ok to let me go 10 days over before they even think of intervening and if everything is ok will normally let you go another 3 over that. She also said I can go home 4-6 hrs post delivery which is ok with me- don't plan to stay longer!! Can book private room on admission if there is one free so will save up for that!! 33 weeks today so only 6 weeks left at work !

Hi peeps,

Had the day off today and spent a lot of it asleep :) i was away for the weekend for a hen do and the girl I was sharing with is about 10 wks pg too, so either one of us was getting up to wee, get water, just generally be awake all night! So not too much sleep for either of us, but I'm very excited to have a pg friend

Had a big fight with DH last night - he is still smoking, we had a deal that he would give up when the baby gets here but I was (not very secretly) hoping he would come to the conclusion that giving up earlier would be less stressful and better for all of us. I get so cross about it as he doesn't even smoke that much (he doesn't smoke at all when we are on holiday just when he is working as he gets bored ) and I've given up loads of things to be able to grow us a baby and he can't even do this

chloesbaby i'm so glad you said about those cords at H&M I was so depressed after not getting in to a 16 or 18! I've given up on buying clothes now I'll just muddle through for another 8 weeks :)

c&g ha lol about the toys r us name :)

spanishlady its really hard to tell the position isn't it! My GP said my LO was head down but I'm not convinced as I still get the biggest movements at the bottom of my bump. Is the pain at the top in your ribs? maybe a head or a bum? sorry, not very helpful!

pjen how horrid about the break in, put loud music on and pretend you are having a party like in home alone :)

japhrimel good news about the diagnosis :)
i so want a glider chair! I never knew they existed but they had two at my antenatal classes, I thought they would be mega expensive though :(

kellestar I've had no BH either - I guess we'll know when we do

emza - I was excited when you said about not getting much bigger after 34 weeks but I don't think it's true, from what I can tell it just gets bigger and bigger till about 39 weeks!!

df my iron was 11.8 and the mw said that was good (i'm veggie so i was expecting it to be low)
also, at one of my classes the health visitor made a point of saying to the partners that it was their job to protect us and get rid of visitors when we get tired, she also said we all need time to bond with our babies as our own little units with no outsiders and my DH took this on board - I hope someone at your class says all this too.

MrsS hope the week at work isn't too exhausting :)