Feb 2011 - growing bigger, loosing our figure

[angels1]

Just a new thread as I noticed we are near the limit (again)!

Hi all made it out alive from the sale. Nct was only equipment and i dont need any,so went to the local toddler group,there was loads of stuff!I got lots of really nice clothes for baby and a fab swing which fold flat and plays music and lights etc.I had one with dd and it buys you time for a bath or a meal.
I cant use crutches ladies as i have had so much boob surgery that it would be too uncomfortable.I dont actually need them really i can walk for a short while then i rest.Its just that coupled with the breathlessness i feel about 72 yrs old.
Cher cheated in my opinion.Putting an eminem rapin the middle!They could have all done that,Mary could have stuck a bit of Bassy and Mat some r.e.m. Oh i love Matt and in a bit of an inappropriate way if im honest. Dh was saying hes not all that good last night i think hes a bit jealous. He is still not that keen on my advances he says hes tired but i think its just my resemblence to Mr Blobby thats the truth.

I'm surprised that Louis Walsh didn't get his rule book out when Cher performed!

Angels, I didn't get mat ones, just cheapies from Sports Direct, as I wanted them more for after the birth than before. I just wanted something comfortable in case I have to have stitches etc, then I'm not sat around in jeans (which is pretty much what I live in). They do fit me at the moment but I don't know how long they'll last! I have some Lonsdale ones that lasted me the whole of my pregnancy with DD but they're really tatty and holey now and they fall down! The elastic must have gone!

Thanks again everyone

Angels, I got some good maternity joggers from Peacocks in my last pregnancy, and they are still serving me well! Not sure if they sell them online though. I've asked for some nice maternity / nursing pjs for Xmas from my mum, so will do a lot of post birth lounging in them (if not expecting visitors).

Am starting to get a bit nervous about the logistics of going into labour and getting to hospital, as DH is currently working in London 3 days per week (we live in Lancashire) on a contract that was due to end at Xmas, but looks like it might actually be open ended. My parents live in Cornwall and DH's parents live an hours drive away. Am thinking that perhaps I need to get a doula, but not sure how I feel about having someone that I don't know at the birth, especially if DH is going to be there... any thoughts?

SBF what a nightmare! How long does it take for him to get back home from London?

There's a guy at my office who lives in Northern Ireland and stays in London for most of the week and I just found out that his wife is due with their first next week. He's intending to jump on a plane as soon as she calls. I'm not sure I'd be impressed if I was her. :(

I've had such a productive day - even painted the kitchen, which I've been wanting to do since we moved here when I was 6 weeks pg. :) Nice to have a bit of energy (even if only temporarily..)

sbf my ex was in london when i went into labour with dd.I told him not to go as i was 40+3 He went at 5am and my waters broke at 7am. Mym son rang him then i noticed meconium in the water so he rang an ambulance. DS 3 came in it with me and ds 1 and 2 followed on the bus. Dh got there in plenty of time tho.It was nice cos the boys ended up staying which i hadnt planned on.
Dd has jsut got back from his house actually,his child bride has had a baby and im sure she is feeling abit funny cos she has been vile to me since she came back.I am taking her swimming and she said can we walk? i reminded her that i cant walk far to which she replied S-child bride-has just had a baby and she walked to the shop to get me sweets,i wanted to scream or say "well s wasnt bothered about you when she was s**ging your Dad and you were a baby" i didnt tho of course.grrrrrrrrrr

SBF I'm in the same position which is why I have booked a Doula. DP works in the offshore oil industry, 3 weeks on & 3 weeks off. He is due to go offshore on my due date haha! Problem is he isn't currently on a fixed term contract therefore isn't entitled to Paternity leave. We live in hope that he may get a contract before Feb plus he can always take a week unpaid if it comes to it though of course baby's arrive in their own time! Anyway, suffice to say it's complicated and I need the reassurance of knowing someone else is there.

I personally don't have a problem with having a Doula and DP if it comes to it. They are lending support as much to them as to you and DP has really come around to the idea. I think it would be well worth you at least looking at your options. You're under no obligation on emailing & meeting with a Doula in your area (go to doulauk). There are only three / four operating in my area but they always have to have a back up / stand in (who you'll also meet) so you may find that the choice locally is less (if that makes sense!). I met one and as nice as she was we didn't click. The one I have chosen I actually know from us both being pregnant at the same time 4 years ago and we're similar people & very much click. I'd just say you really need to have that potential affinity from the start ideally. I already feel I've had a tremendous amount of support and help with my home / hospital dilemma already. I have money saved for this and can justify the cost to ensure I have as close to the ideal birth experience as I can. The standard Doula charge for antenatal visits, birth and postnatal visit / feedback is £450. If they are still in training (haven't yet attended 5 births) then the charge is £200.

Ledkr, it must be frustrating for you but you can take comfort from the fact that with maturity your DD will make her own decisions on her father and his decisions all those years ago (smug emoticon).

DH was working in Edinburgh when I went into labour with DS, so jumped on a plane to fly back down. It was a 40-hour labour in the end before my c-section so we still had a day and a half to go when he got here.

sbf Mr Wiggles can be uncontactable, uninterruptable? for long periods of time while working (he works 10/12 hour shifts). He arrived with 20 mins to spare when I was having dd2 (and I was induced!!), to be honest I quite liked the peace of being on my own, no-one else to consider, just able to get on with it. My sister hopped on a plane from London when she found out I was in labour with dd1 she still made it back to NI with hours to spare.

A friend of a friend had her baby yesterday, 10lbs 5oz (ouch), was convinced it was a girl, told everyone she thought it was, painted the nursery pink, pink moses basket etc, not sure if she had got the wink from the sonographer and yes you guessed it out popped a boy!! She apparently has bought a whole baby girl wardrobe full of clothes, taken labels off, washed them all!!! Needless to say no name yet!!

Sound like everyone has had a busy weekend.

Same at my end. Boys swimming lesson and today some lovely old friends came over for Sunday lunch.

She told me she has had two mc's this year. It reminded me of how lucky I've been having four immediate conceptions and low risk pregnancies (touching wood for the rest of this one).

Has anyone else been having 'stitch' like discomfort under their bump? I've never had it in previous pregs. I mentioned it to my midwife and she told me to take things easy, as I have also been having loads of regular Braxton hicks. I completely agree with her, but it easier said than done with three kiddies. One big one with special needs who needs lifting in/out the car and bath, on/off loo etc and one little one who is just off walking but needs carrying most of the time. Oh and a dh who works away!!!!!!!!!
Just trying to be careful as I can. Not complaining as this was very much what I wanted, just wondered if anyone else had ever had these pains?

Hi JustOneMorePlease - I had that stitch effect under the bump today while out walking; sounds exactly what you describe. I think it's probably just everything stretching and moving around. I have had lots of strange muscular pains, dr/midwife have said not to worry...

Thanks lost glad I'm not alone. Just weird when I get one laid in bed in a morning and not necessary when exerting myself! It is amazing how every pregnancy is so different. :-)

JustOneMore, I too get the stitch like feeling just from a fast walk! I agree it's easier said than done to take it easy, I just have one 4 year old (& one 34 year old but that's only in 3 week blocks!) and that keeps me on my toes! Nothing compared to what you're dealing with. Getting as much rest / sleep as you can will help inbetween times, are there any friends / family nearby who can help? Or perhaps your older ones (sorry don't remember ages?) taking more responsibility to help mum?

I'm having to watch the X Factor results over the net due to DP watching an "important" football match on ESPN! Ah well, it's not the boy bands I'm wanting to see, just whether Wagner is gonna be out yet!

Oh don't you hate footie matches! Oh god Wagner just got through!

The older ones are only just turned 7 and 5! They are little poppets and will help as much as I ask them!

Although it sometimes creates more work if you see what I mean!

I'll be fine, am enjoying every moment as this is my last pregnancy and I think I'm going to be sad! A bit nuts but I love being a baby machine and with each one I always knew we'd be trying for another but you do have to have a limit I guess.
Dh would have stopped at 2 so I have had to use my womanly skills to persuade him!

Heehee! Thank goodness for womanly skills huh?! This is also my final pregnancy, stopping at two and running out of age! (though never say never I always say!). Aw 7 & 5! Yes I know what you mean about it sometimes being more work! DD is very helpful actually but needs a lot of coercion which means I'm more often than not as well doing it myself! Make sure you get plenty of rest too.

Aiden out! Shock! I have to admit I never rated his voice but quite liked the eye liner & intensity! Poor Aiden, I feel sorry for him!

I've been getting a lot of stitch like feelings in my bump in the last few days, mainly when I'm doing something other than lounging on the sofa, could barely walk a couple of days ago when I popped down to the local shops. Will mention to the midwife on Thurs.

I've got my GTT tomorrow morning. Have just had a farewell slice of black forest gateaux yum. Expect I'll be diagnosed with GD before the week is out. Not really fair as I'm not overweight and no relations with diabetes, but there you go!

I've started putting the feelers out regarding arranging a doula, and think that if I find one I really like then I'll go for it, if not I won't bother. DH was my lifeline when in active labour with DD - I really don't know how I'd have coped without him mopping my brow and feeding me sips of evian on demand (I don't think I let go of his hand throughout the whole shebang!). It takes him 3 hours from door to door (home to office in London) but that is in the day when trains are hourly - if labour started in the night I have no idea how long it would take him. I was in labour for 5 hours with DD.

Can't speak, Aiden is out, my lovely psycho, eyeliner, bracelet wearing, late 80's throwback, guess I'll go for comfy Matt instead!!

Poor Aiden! Think there will be tears.

sbf think a doula sounds like a good idea. I have even considered doing the doula training in the future. Maybe it would be a good way to move on from being the baby machine myself!

Going to lie in a lovely bubbly bath and watch the bump dancing! Am trying to NOT get into celeb jungle, not too hopeful though as quite difficult to get my butt off the sofa on a night and go to bed.

good choice wiggles Matt all the way!

Morning!

I'm pretty sure I had Braxton Hicks contractions last night I didn't get them with DS (or didn't feel them) but these were quite painful and came like a "wave" for about 1/2 hour. Anyone else experienced this?

I am at home resting today though need to pop to the shops as running low on food!

So glad my DH doesn't work away although he is not entitled to Paternity Leave (started new job after I was already pg) and has not yet plucked up the courage to ask his company for unpaid leave (AL is allocated and you cannot change). Hope he gets his act together soon!

Morning,

Just got back from bluewater to get mat bra. While I was there I popped into h&m and tried on some mat clothes - please someone reassure me that h&m sizes of clothes are a little sporadic?? I seemed to only fit in mammouth maternity sizes . I do seem to rememeber though that when shopping there pre preg their sizes can come up odd/small, so am trying to console myself that it's the shop and not me but not sure it's working

Watching x factor last night I always think it's Louis that looks the most shocked that Wagner makes it through every week .

I know a few of you mentioned you feel kicks quite high up - has anyone only felt kicks lower down? I don't think I've ever felt any vaguely high up, it's all low down. I'm wondering if this is just due to the fact that according to my scan I have a high anterior placenta

Morning,

angels yes I always find H&M sizes to be total nonsense, I tend to go by how they look when I hold them as opposed to the label. And I also feel kicks low down, mostly anyway, have had a few in the ribs! Baby feels like it is where my bladder is supposed to be!

PDR poor you with braxton hicks, bet it's pretty scary!

Just a general update, I have been signed off work this week (at last) but I feel soooo bad about it! Not even sure whats wrong to be honest, I just feel shattered, dizzy and havea dodgy stomach! Just feel ad that there is no 'label' for whats wrong if yu know what I mean? Would be much easier to tell work that I have a virus or something!

Does anyone else feel bad when they are off work? not even sure what to do with myself.

yeah suzy I feel really bad, especially as it's hard to explain easily why I'm signed off to all my colluegues. I tend to just say I feel sick alot as it's easier to say and most people get that I can't cook (my job) when I feel sick. But really its a mixture of lots of different things like you mention, and when you say 'I'm signed off as I feel a bit sick, I'm dizzy and tired' it sounds a bit pathetic (well, I think it would) and it's hard for people to understand just how bad and debilitating it is. I think a day or 2 of resting at home and feeling better you'll soon realise you're doing the best thing. How long have you been signed off for?

Btw glad you say h&m are crazy sizes too, makes me feel a little better - there were some trousers I could barely get my legs in and I felt very [wanting to burst into tears emoticon]

Suzy I am also signed off (but with SPD) and my sick note ends this Friday. I feel awful but I don't think I am going to be able to go back - not yet anyway. I am still waiting for my support belt to arrive and I really notice if I do something a tiny bit active I really pay for it at night and am in agony.

I know my colleagues think I am being silly but I know I would not be much use at work so think they are better off without me to be honest!

Hope you feel better soon!

Thats exactly the way I feel, like there is nothing specific wrong, I just feel like crap and couldnt possibly stand and teach all day!
Signed off til the end of the week, but dr just said to go back if I need longer. Feel like a total skiver, as I do feel better bing at home, but still struggle to eat etc and need lots of naps throughout the day.

Got to ring work this afternoon and break the news about the sicknote

Hello Everyone, Sorry I've been AWOL, I've been avoiding posting in past weeks, though have been reading. I didn't want to write depressing posts since I've been having a pretty rubbish time of it with pain. I was stupidly being me and soldiering on through it, but went to the doctors for my 25 weeks check and was instantly signed off without even hinting for it for the remainder of my pregnancy! Pretty scary as I have no idea how I will fill the next 15 weeks, though I guess ts just as well as I really am in too much pain to do much.

I'm sorry to hear alot of you are in pain, and needing time off etc. We (as a group) have all done pretty well up until now though, as I think most have worked until this point!? Isn't it scary how fast time is going!!

Justonemoreplease I have the 'stitch' too, mostly when I'm walking, even a short distance, but often when I'm doing nothing at all. Doctor wasn't overly concerned, just said to take it easy, thougth I have to anyway.

angels The maternity trousers in UK H&M are stupidly small, its a joke! When I was over I saw some nice cords, but to get them to fit they had to be in a HUGE size, so I didn't bother as I wasn't sure they'd last the pregnancy. However, buying in H&M in the EU is totally different, I have two pairs of jeans and they are my favorites! Weird! Was it you, or someone else that was asking about joggers? I picked up some lovely grey ones in Mothercare for £16 and I just want to live in them, they are SO comfy!

Whilst we are on clothes, TIP for anyone after comfy, soft pj bottoms, I got a bargin pair in ASDA for £8 in the most comfy jersey stretchy cotton - they come in pink or black. Soooooo nice and cheap ready for all the lovely leaks post birth to ruin them. They also do not look typically 'pj like' so will be fine if an unexpected guest were to arrive.

I'm another one who has an OH who works away alot and have no family here, I've decided if I go into labour early I'd much rather be alone than have the MIL (who is being the MIL from hell at the moment - anyones MIL suddenly clinging to your OH? ARG)there. I just cant imagine her seeing that..am I being stuid even thinking that, let alone uttering it out loud (not to her of course)?

What a huge message!! I have so much more to respond to, probably because I've been so quiet, but best stop here before I send you all to sleep!