DueJan 06 - third trimester and we're on a roll

[iris66]

Here we go then girls - a nice shiny new thread!!I was going to call it "backs, bumps & boobs" but that sounded like all we do is whinge about them! lol

Thanks for the welcome! We have been so lucky with the weather here lately - clear skies and sun... northern europe having a good October

Oooh Lyra, v green with envy - went for reflexology with my first 2 babies - used to love it and in late pg would always drift in and out of sleep. Love having my feet massaged and poor dh was on feet duty throughout my first labour (subsequent ones weren't long enough Haven't found a reflexologist round here, maybe I should look harder...

On the Christmas prezzie front, think I will do most of it online, but like every year determined to have it all organised in good time. Some hope!

Been working in the cafe today - quiet so not stressful - but lots of standing so I'm off for a hot bath. Enjoy your weekend everyone

Hello all
Travels still going well, welcome to everybody I haven't chatted to yet. Sorry have to so briefly skim it isn't funny.
Have had a few back problems on the journey but it was a bit expected really and they have passed. Probably a combination of bad train seats/journeys, bad beds (some really bad beds).
Have had some awful dreams, dreamt I had treatment for my back in Croatia and it induced the baby early and I had to get rushed back to UK to have a premmie, really bizarre.
Also I think I might have had indigestion? a couple of times, never had it but sort of soon after I ate for a couple of days I felt like sick was coming back up and couldn't really find any position that was comfortable until it passed. Haven't had it for almost a week now so not sure - is this indigestion or me being a pig and eating too much?
Bub very active, lots of kicking etc. Hope all is well - chat soon (we are in Bratislava Slovakia at the mo and in less than a week we'll be in Croatia going down the coast so hopefully we'll get some lovely nice warm weather for shorts. It hasn't been bad at all quite lovely really but very brisk in the mornings and evenings.

hi good to see you chuffed and glad your travels are going well.

Was freakishly sunny here yesterday, I even had a washing out! Today is cold but sunny.

Reflexology sounds lovely, I love having my feet massaged but DP doesn't like doing it says my feet are disgusting! Pelvis/hip is still really hurting though 2 weeks until midwives appt.

Hi everyone. And welcome Tickle. Nice to have you on board.

Would love some reflexology. And a really good back massage. Beany seems to be on a growth spurt at the moment and my tummy is feeling tight and I'm really noticing that my pregnancy waddle is happeniong earlier and earlier in the day!

Weather been lovley here today. Clear skies, beautiful sunshine. DD with her father so spent lovely afternoon with DH reading the papers and eating healthy veggie wrap.

Just got a new book called The Bad Mothers Handbook? Anyone read it? Will let you know what it's like.

Anyhoo, better dash as need to get supper cooked....

G xx

Sorry, forgot to say....hi Chuffed! Glad the travels are going well. Apart from a few dodgy beds!

Sounds as if you've got indegestion my love. Am now all in favour of the can of coke method that Lyra (I think) suggested. Much nicer than Gaviscon - retch!

Hi all

Chuffed, it's so hard to imagine you on your travels, I feel kind of envious of the freedom side of thing, but also enjoying home comforts of warm bath and own bed. Good on you though girl, I hope the sunshine continues to follow you.

I went for a massage on Friday evening, but I'm afraid I didn't much enjoy it, and usually it's my absolute favourite treat. The massage therapist had me lie on my side, and I should have insisted on sitting up and leaning forward, the sideways thing just wasn't that comfortable.
Shame as it was a birthday pressie from a friend, so I'll have to tell her it was fab!

Well, that was my rest after tea, I'll go back for pud now (cherry pie and custard).

Hiya, quickie to say hello while I prepare for two days in Reading, I think I will enjoy a night in a hotel away from the builders' mess - might even get a spot of xmas shopping done - I probably will do most of it on the internet though - ebay, argos and amazon mostly!

Lyra - stocking fillers for my ds1 (11) last year included cds (copies from friends! - but he doesn't mind), loads of little practical joke bits (eg fake poo, floating sugar, whoopee cushion) which went down very well, some of those science type experiments kits - do you know the school fundraiser 'yellow moon'? - you can find it online, getting a bit young now but does have some bits. Also trendy/sporty boxers, socks, hats etc and goosebumps type horror books. Girls on the other hand seem so easy! (smellies, cute things, nice craft stuff eg to make jewellry)

I want to get dp a new watch - any ideas on what is currently 'in'? He's more ripcurl than rolex thank god! Me - I would love some reflexology vouchers! Dp's mum asked me rather obviously what that lovely smell was today, so I think it's perfume from them! I wish I'd cottoned on and said something more expensive now!

Really amazed at your endurance Chuffed, keep it up! Welcome tickle too

Heartburn still really annoying and I have no stamina at all, had to have a sleep in the car on the way home from Devon yesterday - such a lightweight.

Morning all!
Monday again!! - were are the weeks going?!!

Welcome Tickle and lucky you!! Denmark has loads of Reflexologists (it's the main centre for clinical research) so you should be able to find one pretty easily. Let us know how you get on.

Hi again Chuffed!! glad you're keeping us posted with your travels. I am so envious (though not of the uncomfortable seats/beds) but what an experience!! - how long 'til you get home? You'll have to post some piccies of the sights when you get there.

Lyra - sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your massage - especially as it was a gift - how disappointing. Though I'm with you on the positioning issue. My pg clients have always sat on a stool & leant over the side of the couch for back massage. Yes I'm an holistic therapist. I practise 5 therapies but specialise in Clinical Reflexology and Therapeutic Massage. I'm also a Reiki Master. I work from home and am lucky enough to have treatments swaps with a friend (I don't relax properly doing it myself) She's offered to come & give me a treatment when I go into labour too - fab! DH is going to be in charge of homeopathic remedies so that should keep him busy - and feeling useful. He's finally agreed to my having a home birth so MW (who I saw last week) has said she's going to come round for a "home birth chat" at some point. I saw a thread about what you need for homebirths so I may go and have a look later.

Georgina - The Bad Mother's Handbook is a really good book - hope you enjoy it - did you manage to get your Burger King BTW?

I haven't even thought about Christmas yet - let alone prezzies (hadn't really thought about the logistics of being heavily pg & shopping either so "well spotted" whoever it was!!) I've only recently discovered the joys of internet shopping (relatively new PC & broadband - we we're steam powered before!!) so I'll probably do most of mine sat with a mug of something hot and chocolatey.

Spent most of yesterday outside planting bulbs, playing with the dog and generally faffing. It was so lovely to just muck about getting dirty in my wellies. I should have been doing my accounts but have noticed that I'm avoiding anything that requires even the slightest mental effort at the moment! It was also a good excuse to wear a hat all day to hide my horrid hair. I had it trimmed last week (always had a spikey pixie type cut but have decided to grow it (to hide the grey!) but it now looks as though someone has put a bowl on my head & cut round it!!! Don't know whether to go back & get it redone (more cutting) or leave it in the hope that it has a growth spurt & wear hats for the next 2 weeks.....decisions decisions

Anyway - have to go (not even dressed yet - practising for when the baby arrives - (early I know - but that's my excuse - I'm not really a lazy mare) have a fab day !!

Hi there. What a glorious day it is down here. Beautiful clear skies, sunshine and just a slight breeze. Had some fantastic news this morning. Have finally managed to rent my house out to the council who will give me a lovely amount of money per month regardless of whether they have tenant in there or not....all guaranteed for 3 years! Whooppee. Beany won't have to sleep in a drawer after all!

I'm all for shopping online for Cristmas pressies. Have pretty much thought of what to get everyone (I have small family so not that much of a brain teaser!). Have been dropping hints to dh about what I'd like (vouchers for local beauty salon) and I hate to admit it, but I'd really like a Cath Kidston apron too (oh the shame!!!)

Rachey, re: watches there's some super cool G Shock and Swatch ones out there at the mo. Does he like chunky or more subtle? Casio and Omega do some nicer metal ones that won't break the bank.

Iris - I've been going grey since I was 24 (thanks Dad!) so am firmly in denial about hair colour and go get it coloured every 6- 8 weeks or so!

Am off to get some lunch. Absolutely starving today.

Iris..... please can I pick your brains about what you do, how you trained, how long it took, where you trained etc. I have been thinking for some time about re-training and your line of work is something that has always interested me. When I worked in PR one of our clients was a herbal remedies manufacturer and I became v intersted in how the hebs and body work together to combat illness. Just find the whole concept fascinating.

And could you tell me more about what homeopathic remedies I can take during/after labour.

Sorry to bombard! But am v excited about having a prof to talk to....

Ta ever so

G xx

Georgina - you can pick as much as you like hon but there's not much there at the mo! CAT me(rather than have me bore the pants off everyone here!)
Homeopathic remedies - I got a specific childbirth pack from a firm called Helios (think it was about 26 quid) as it has loads of remedies to help all aspects of labour. It also has a really comprehensive (but simple) booklet linking the symptoms (both physical and emotional) to an appropriate remedy. I have friends who have used it and it's really helped them and as I often use homeopathic stuff anyway it just made sense.

Lyra - am I dreaming with pg brain or are you doing a homeopathy degree at the mo? I know I've spoken about it to someone on here ((((( ((pretend this is a confused emoticon )))))))

Hi all and welcome Tickle,

Gosh,all that talk of massages makes me want to go out and have one too. I've never had a proper one although DH is very good at it so I suppose I can't complain. We had talked about him massagine my back during labour last time but when it was happening, I really didn't want him touching my back anywhere! All I wanted was his warm hand on my tummy to make the pain go away and he also had to help me with my TENS machine as I was holding the gas and air as well. Gosh, it must have been quite a funny sight, really.

Nothing much is happening here. just had a lovely Subway tuna sandwich. I never used to go there but now I go almost every week! At least you get a stamp every time to save up for a free sub. I can't wait!
And more yummie talk - On Sat i had a hot chocolate with coconut syrup in it. It was the best hot chocolate ever! I usually demand to have a Moccha Frapuccino and don't dare order anything else. If you've never had one, please go and try one right now. Soooo lovely!

Hot chocolate with coconut syrup? That sounds gorgeous!! where did you get it (I want one...NOW!!) Green & Blacks hot choc is divine by the way - especially with cream & sprinkles - YUM

It's miserable here today feel bery of you all with nice days, still one of the bad things about moving abck to Scotland.

I would also love to know about homeopathic remedies for labour (and before and after ) last time I took raspberry leaf capsules from 35 weeks and will be doing so again as I believe they contributed to my 4 hour labour (4 mins this time would be nice ) and I took arnica afterwards for the bruising. I tore pretty bad having DD as she came out with her hands by her face but the stitched weren't bad at all. Also had baths with lavender oil every day.

So please homeopathic girls let us know your secrets, your not boring the pants off us.

Had OK weekend, been thinking about how I'm going to cope with 2 under 2 now. I think now that all the moving/house saga has gone we are both focusing more on the new baby. That and my bump seems to have sprung from nowhere (well from the layer of fat it was hiding under) got loads of comments from strangers at the weekend too. Am definately in maternity clothes now as well.

Have been looking at bedside cots trying to convince myself that this one will not sleep in with us, think the bedside cot is a good idea kind of a bed extension. DP thinks we should just get a single bed put it next to ours and the wall and be done with it. To be honest I love cosleeping but DD is a nightmare now and is so fidgety and wriggly.

Anyone got their pram or any ideas about prams yet?

That hot coconut chocolate came from a local coffee/sandwich place, nothing too fancy. They had some bottles with syrups to choose from and I'm pretty sure I've seen similar sort of bottles with syrups at Starbucks before but was never interested as all I wanted was a Moccha Frapuccino. However, with winter coming soon I am happy to have a hot alternative. I'll let you know if I spot them somewhere else.

Sweetkitty, I love my push chair too much to even think about replacing it with a double buggy of some sort. I've decided I'm not going to be out on huge walks with both children at the same too often as DS will stay at nursery most of the week anyway. The new baby can go in my baby carrier for a while and hopefully DS can graduate to a buggy board a bit early. In the meantime, I have bought a second cheap umbrella buggy and some connector clips to link the two buggies. This will only do for short walks of course but I really don't want to spend any more money on baby transport when I have such a great push chair already. Also, I don't want even more crap sitting around in the lounge, which is where it would end up being stored...

Eshay I'm thinking the same thing but would love an E3, DP not so keen. I'm thinking maybe a mamas and papas twin aria, I hate double buggies though. What kind of pram have you got that you love, I'm dying to know now?

I had a Graco deluxe travel system for DD it was nice but very bulky, will use the car seat for no2 though. I have a Techno XT which I love throw it in the boot and off you go.

It's funny up here as I have noticed that a lot of people have big traditional prams like Silver Crosses which they have as a lie flat pram then convert to a back facing buggy type. I never saw these much down south where everyone seemed to have light strollers.

Evenin all,

We're off to our first NCT class shortly, so it won't be a long post.

Physio for sore back was excellent, she did some manipulation (like the osteopath) and gave me exercises and lots of advice about keeping my legs together and rolling on my side a lot. The most impressive part was how much time she spent with me, almost an hour, and all on the NHS!

Pram wise, I've already bought a really old fashioned Silver Cross coach built, coz I just love those, I like to be able to see the baby easily and for him to see me, and as it's so big it seems like a real baby kingdom, with the lamb skin fleece to sit / lie on, and toys around to play with. I'll also get a travel system for convenience, I'm currently looking at the Britax Practicale travel system and another one whose name I've forgotten. I'll get that second hand (as was the SC), for about £100. I really like the idea of a car seat you can clip easily onto wheels so you don't disturb a sleeping babe.

Iris, no I'm not training to be a homeopath, I'm a Speech and Language therapist, working with children on the Autistic spectrum.

maybe it was Loomer then?!? (there was an L somewhere in the name!!!) Talking of which - there are quite a few people who don't post anymore aren't there - maybe they'll turn up again soon.
I've heard a lot of people say that arnica helped them with the bruising afterwards and I'm going to try the raspberry tea thing too from 35 weeks.

Lyra - you lucky thing finding a second hand Silver Cross!! There's something just so lovely and traditional about a big pram isn't there. We got the sc sleepover travel system in the end (like the one Sweetkitty was talking about) and I'm determined to use it as a pram for as long as possible (both DH & I are not exactly blessed in the height dept so I'm hoping that the baby won't grow out of it lengthways too soon lol!)
Glad the physio went well and have fun at your NCT class!!

Hello all,

Iris, I was actually taking a reflexology course when I became pregnant with dd1 - she was not exactly planned, so it came as a bit of a shock when the reflexology teacher was demonstrating something to the class on my feet, and said, 'are you pregnant?'
I of course replied, 'no' - but had to return all sheepish the next week & admit she was right! Unfortunately with being pregnant & all associated bumph I didn't finish the reflex course, but maybe one day...

On the pram front - in Denmark everyone goes for the big silver cross type, even in the cities, and babies tend to snooze outside in them during the day - even in snow When we lived in London I had 2 under 2, and tried a double buggy, but it was a nightmare to push, so took it back. And we were in a flat with no storage space, so we made do with a maclaren & a buggy board, once ds1 was out of the Baby Bjorn sling. It worked well, but awkward to manouevre onto the bus (but I don't think any of the solutions are good for that!)

Some of these car seat/buggy systems look very cool - alas this babe will be lucky to get even a new vest, given the number of hand-me-downs available in this family, poor little mite.

Shall have to invest in some of those syrups for our cafe, methinks! Any other favourite flavours ladies?

Bloody pg insomnia!!

Can you beilieve I'm awake and posting at this hour? It only happens about once a week thankfully, and I can usually catch up with naps later in the day / week. I just get so incredibly hot in bed, and it's not helped by the fact that at physio yesterday, I was advised to increase the no. of pillows in bed, which is (slightly) more comfortable, but also seems to add to the heat factor. The physio also told me to try to do pelvic tilts as often as I could, as well as pelvic floor exercises ditto, and gave me lots of advice about moving around, i.e. trying to keep my legs together as much as poss and rolling on my side to get up or to lie down. Hth anyone else with sore back.

NCT class was good, althou I felt like a bit of an old timer, I'll have to make a real effort to keep my mouth shut or I'll soon turn into teacher's pet! It doesn't help that we know the antenatal teacher from church too. The other couples seemed really nice, but most having first pg, just one other with a 7 y o ds. I'm always conscious of being too gobby in group situations, it's a little phobia of mine brought on by going back to Uni aged 35 to retrain, and trying to make the most of my time there. Long story and too dull for now! During the class, as well as several "getting to know each other" activities, we were given an overview of labour (with fairly realistic diagrams) from the mother's and baby's points of view, it was rather a grim reminder of exactly what your body goes through. Ouch.

One of the many fab things about having a dog is the company they give you if you're up in the middle of the night. Bella's just here by my feet, and will curl up on the sofa with me shortly when I try to get an hour or so's kip before ds1 wakes up for school at 7am.

Iris,

what's your dog called, and what type is s/he? Bella is a smallish terrier mongrel, about the size of a cocker spaniel, with the same colouring as an alsation, black and tan, and a very soft cuddly nature. It'll be interesting to see how she is when I'm in labour. Anyone else have experience of the company of a dog or cat in labour?

Sorry for the waffle ladies, just skip past if you're not in the mood!

I do have some work I could be doing, a report to write for school, but I'm not sure my tired brain is really up to it just now. I suppose I could make a start and then edit the rubbish out later...

Ds had a note home from sch yesterday about a school trip for geog gcse, to Rome if you please, at a cost of £750!!! I'd love to send him, it sounds absolutely fab, but it also makes me really cross that they are offerring this, as so many families won't be able to let their kids go at that price. Don't you think that's a crazy price for a school trip? Surely they could study tourism in the UK at a youth hostel rather than on the Amalfi coast, or am I just being a tight wad? I've never been to Italy myself, maybe we should try to go as a family before ds2 is born, but tbh, there isn't really time is there. Oh well, maybe after...

Isn't there a lot of waiting involved in pg? I swear it's to teach us patience to help after the baby comes. I get so impatient towards the end, you wouldn't believe the things I did to try to get dd out when I was 38 weeks+. She finally arrived at 41 weeks, and well worth the wait she was too!

Well I think that's just about all my waffle for now, I'll go make a drink I think, and maybe surf mn a bit more before trying for a bit more sleep.

Oh Lyra you poor thing. There?s nothing worse than being too hot in bed is there ? not helped by the fact that the weather?s warmed up again! I?ve (luckily) managed to reduce my number of pillows now ? I?m not a big pillow fan. The last one to go was one between my knees (kept it for a week or so) because it made me lie more squarely on my side.

Our dog is called Millie. She?s a smallish terrier mongrel type thing too. We got her as a pup from the local rescue centre 6 years ago ? we were just there having a wander really but the woman there pointed her out commenting that she was the ugliest puppy she?d ever seen and that sort of convinced me that we had to have her ?cos she?s not ugly ? she?s beautiful!!) She?s black with a white bib & paws , big pointy ears and kind of foxy looking but really cuddly - and you only have to look at her and she lies on her back to have her tummy tickled. She?s been treated like a small child ever since we got her so I am a bit worried about what she?s going to be like around the baby but, saying that, we?ve had friends round with their babies and she?s been fine (just a quick sniff then off into her basket). I?ve seen a few of the Home Birth Stories (think the prog is on UK living TV or something) where there have been dogs in the house for the birth. They?ve brought the dog in for a quick sniff as soon as the baby has been born - presumably because the baby will still smell of mum as well - and all looked fine so I think that?s what we?ll try. I?m going to talk to the vet too though to get his view.

I agree with you about school trips ? they have become ridiculously expensive and they seem to plan one for each year the child is at school!!. DD wanted to go on one to France in yr9 (we let her because she?d not been abroad with the school before) but then in yr10 we got a letter about a trip to New York ?to help support art GCSE coursework? talk about guilt trip!!! ? she didn?t go though ?cos a) we couldn?t really afford it at the time and b) guilt tripping has the opposite effect on me (except when it?s my mother lol )

Talking of whom she?s announced that she?s coming up as soon as the baby?s born to stay for a week! (no, really, just invite yourself ? don?t bloody mind me!!) I?m going to have to convince her to just come for a day to see him then bugger off until DH goes away (he has to go on a 2 week course in Feb ? am gutted) when I may just go back to my bed for a week to let her get on with it. ? though the baby will be about a month old by then so I may be pushing it a bit!!

BTW I read yesterday that a scientist from Yale has concluded that OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) results from having all the hormonal activity of having a newborn, but with no baby to look after. Apparently OCD sufferers have abnormally high oxytocin levels and that the phrases they use to describe their feelings about OCD are the same as those used by new parents!! (interesting eh ? it was in the Times ? sorry have no link)

Tickle ? had you been on your course for very long? ? it could have been the Reflexology that helped you conceive you know!!(3 people out of 16 got pregnant on ours ? & nobody was trying) Hope you get the opportunity to complete it someday.

Sorry for the long post - guess I'm just in a waffly mood this week (or am I really just a sad loner with nobody else to talk to sniff*.....)

I was awake too last night for ages - usually sleep well & touch wood still fairly comfortably - but last night Hector(ds1) & 5 next week, decided to come into bed with us. So there was me, squidged in the middle of dh & an unbelievably space-eating boy
Eventually got him to go back to his own bed, 15 mins before the alarm went off...

DH is a vet, and we have 2 dogs (only had 1 when we started out with babies). Jealousy etc isn't usually a problem, as long as you don't make massive changes to the dog's routine as soon as little one arrives.

We stopped Tilly, our lurcher, from coming on the bed well before dd1 was born, so that she wouldn't take a flying leap and land on her by mistake. But dogs seem to take a new family member into the 'pack' very easily... the heinz 57 types especialy well in my experience. Would never trust a staffie etc 100%, as they don't know the strength of their own jaws, however cute they are.

We got Lettuce, a whippet, as a pup when ds1 was born, so they are the same age. I came in to the living room when Hec was a few weeks old to find Lettuce curled up on his shoulder, in his little bouncy chair. Ooops

Iris - hadn't been having much reflexology when I conceived, but I can see it having a very good effect if you are ttc!

I'm off to bake carrot cakes, and think of things to do for ds's birthday on Monday... have a good day everyone!

Hiya

Just a quick post from work. Soooo tired as never got back to sleep this morning, so think I'll finish work at 3:30pm and go home for a nap. Or I'll call at my mum's on the way home and have a nap there, so no one will disturb me. She tells me a very big bra has arrived for me, so I'd better go and pick it up. It's one I ordered on line, an underwired nursing bra, very cheap, so I'll let you know if it's any good. I find nursing bras tend to be rubbish on the support side, so I'm hoping this one will be better having the underwire. I know you shouldn't really wear underwires when pg or bf, but I'm prepared to live dangerously!

I like the sound of your dogs, Tickle and Iris, especially Millie who sounds a bit like Bella, who's also very foxy. Could you post a photo of her I wonder? Probably have to put it on your member profile. I'll have a go at posting one of Bella.

Tickle, do you know whether you're having a boy or a girl?

With regards to when the babe's born and dog jealousy, someone advised me to give the towel you clean the baby off with after the birth to the dog, and then s/he will know the baby's part of the family and become very protective.

Better go and tidy up my desk now ready to go home.

Laters.