March 2011 - The final countdown!!

[1Catherine1]

I hope you all find this thread easily enough. This is the latest list we had on the thread. Keep it updated people - looking forward to seeing due dates turn into birthdays! :)

24/02 Sam26Oscar DC2
25/02 Spilttheteagain pg#1, baby Bobbie, a girl, born sleeping on 09/10/2010 at 20 weeks, RIP xxx
27/02 Muser pg#1
27/02 Mendipgirl pg#2 (DD1)
27/02 StrangewaysHereICome pg#3 (DD 5yrs DD 4yrs) Worcester SURPRISE
28/02 BramblyHedge pg#3, (DS1 4, DS2 2)
01/03 BunderTheBonnet pg#2 (DD3) Kent.
01/03 Snapdragon3 pg#9 (MMC, DD 3, DS 2, 5 MC)
01/03 MummyGeorgie pg#1
01.03 rfata Expecting TWINS!!
02/03 AfterIVF pg#1
03/03 Celia76 pg#3 (DS1 5 & DS2 almost 3)
03/03 cherub59 pg#3 (DS 3 & DD 20months) expecting a boy
03/03 TooImmature2BMum pg#1, BABY GIRL
04/03 Larty74 BABY BOY
04/03 Bluebeach pg#1
04/03 Jeffily pg#3,(DD1 angel baby, DD2 15months)
04/03 Carriebadshaw pg#2
04/03 Superpenguin pg#1
05/03 Hattie05 pg5 (DD1 7, DD2 3, no. 3 mc, DD3 7mths) Baby boy on the way
05/03 NowPanicAndFreakOut pg#1
05/03 Bollandbear (ds1)
07/03 Toota pg#?
07/03 Mixedmama pg#3 (DS1 4.5 and DS2 2.5) London. BOY
07/03 Lauzifer pg#1 expecting a girl
08/03 Clucky31 pg#1
08/03 Polkadottytotty pg#3 (DS1 5.5 and DS2 3.5)
09/03 Sittinghippo pg#2 (DD3) BABY on the way
09/03 Penguindreams #1 & 2!
09/03 Pushmepullyou pg#4 3MC, DD20 mo BABY BOY
09/03 gem3225 pg#1
09/03 DramaMama pg#3 (BABY GIRL) DS now 4 + 1 angel baby.
10/03 EvianBaby pg#2 (DS1 Oct 08)
10/03 Coraltoes pg#1
10/03 Sevenbubbles pg#2 (DD1 23.5 months)
10/03 Mama2LeahandAisha pg#3 (DD2, DD1)
10/03 LovelyKatie pg#1
10/03 spaceal expecting first- baby girl
11/03 Rayeraye pg#4 (DD aged 3, two angels)
11/03 am988 pg#1
11/03 Sarahscot pg#2 (DS aged 3) BABY GIRL
11/03 chny1 pg#1 expecting a boy
12/03 Medee pg#1
13/03 Gemmasetters pg#2 (DD 2.5)
13/03 Doubleshotlatte pg#2 (DD 2.5)
13/03 HeadingHome
13/03 katster37 pg#2 (DS 10mo)
13/03 MJM86 pg#1
14/03 ZafNoodles
16/03 Honeymoonmummy (was Campervanfan) pg#2 (DD born Nov 08)
16/03 Sharu Expecting a baby girl
17/03 KateandEmsMum pg#5 (DD 3, DD 10 Months)
17/03 MrsMullen pg#1
17/03 looblee pg#1
17/03 edeluna pg#1 It's a girl!
17/03 Niknan pg#3 (DS3,1MC)
17/03 Coco29 pg#1 (1MC) Its a BOY!
18/03 EvaLongoria pg#2 (DD 3 on Thursday)
18/03 Oceanbreeze pg#1
18/03 JeelyPiece pg#3(2MC)
18/03 Jenchandler Expecting baby #1
18/03 Purplefan pg#2 (DD 4.5) Baby girl on way
18/03 Rockchick1984 pg1 baby boy
19/03 castlegirl pg#1
19/03 angelbabe1982 pg2 (ds 2.9)
20/03 Kagey pg#2 (DD Sept 08) SURPRISE!
20/03 Haloflo pg#1 surprise
20/03 nancydrewrocked
20/03 1Catherine1 pg#1 expecting a baby girl
21/03 Jupiter118 Pg#2 (DS 3.5)
22/03 NoSleepTonight pg#3 (DS1 5.8, DS2 15months)
22/03 jammiedodger2 pg#3 (DD9 DS6)
22/03 Niamh29, DD1 4, DD2 1.5, DD3 on the way
23/03 Me23 pg#2(DD 5)Baby boy on the way!
23/03 Lozario pg#2 (DS 15 mo)
23/03 Katystar pg#2 (DS 4)
23/03 Lia66 PG#10, (dd 15, ds 13, ds 7, dd 5, dd 3 (4 angels)) BABY GIRL
23/03 sac55
24/03 Snotdroolanddirtybums pg#4 (5, 3 and 2)
25/03 Darnsarfupnorf pg#1 (DD on the way)
27/03 KPidgeon pg#1 (changed by 1 day)
27/03 FuzzyWuzzwuzz pg#1
28/03 Chickiewoo pg#2 (DS 4)
29/03 Emma31177 pg#7 (Ds 14, DD 19 months +4 baby angles) Baby BOY on his way
29/03 PipPipPip pg#1
30/03 pettyprudence pg#1
30/03 JoJoB77 pg#1

copy latest list, paste, edit, post

Hi Ladies
having a very chilled day off work. Am a little in love with kiddicare. Ordered some much needed stuff late tuesday (car seat, changing mat, babymonitor etc) and it was delivered free today in a one hour slot.
Very fab and so much better than vertbaudeut who are leading me a merry dance at the mo. When will I learn that the free goods aren't worth it!
Have printed off a list of things to go in hospital bag and am going to pack on saturday
Feel like I have moby dick inside of me. All kknees and elbows. But I remember that from last time.
keep well
love
j
x

Cripes the final countdown... as if I wasn't feeling under-prepared already!!!! Although we have our second cot now which makes me feel a bit better but also quite scared as someone is going IN IT soon!!!!

It's going SO fast this time - feel a bit sad that DS1 and me are going to be shaken up something chronic by the new arrival - our lives are lovely at the moment! I think I'm a bit of a "glass half empty" person so maybe it won't be as chaotic as I'm anticipating... cha, or maybe I'm realistic!

I feel like 32 weeks onwards is a bit of a slog, I remember that from first time around too. By 32 weeks I was definitely ready to give up work! No such luck this time, DS1 is a full-time job until D-DAY!

LOVING OBEM, I cry at the opening credits. I think it's the music that gets me. I love those older midwives too, they're so calming, I'd like one in my house just to say nice motherly things to me all day!

Better go and get DS1 up from his nap now - was just checking in to mark my place on the new thread really. Hope everyone is doing ok!

Well today was my last day at work...bloody exhausting too, and feels so so strange knowing i wont be back for about a year! Knowing everyone else will be going about their normal lives but mine is about to flip upside down.
I was given some lovely gifts for baby, and some good books which i'm sure will come in handy to keep me entertained til bubba shows up. I've got lots planned for the first few weeks (lunches, hair appt, waxing, massage...) basically all the things that i'd love to do if i didnt work! Figured best to cram it in between 33 and 36 weeks when still quite mobile.

In a bid to prove to DH that i'm capable of being a domestic goddess i've got flapjacks baking in the oven and i'm making vanilla ice-cream! I tend to bake when bored...god knows how fat i'll make us over the next 6 weeks!

Kpidgeon glad the movements are back! I've bought a few box sets of dvd series to watch whilst off work, if you haven't watched The Wire i'd make a start on that- SO addictive!!

Ooh i've got the car seat and buggy arriving next week! Went for an Icandy peachand the maxi cosi cabrio thing. Cant wait for the buggy to arrive. It is the last crucial thing we need to be ready (i like to be prepared).

I'm looking forward to my next mw appointment (monday), so keen to know what way up baby is. Like so many of you say it is hard to guess from the movements!

Everything seems to be moving so fast for all of us atm. I've got an NHS antenatal class tomorrow followed by my 32 week MW appointment. Feeling full of energy atm even though it all seems to be directed at work.

My hospital bag munchies have been raided already... I must put them in the car before there's nothing left

Thanks Coral I'm sitting here being totally pummelled on my right side so he is totally fine! Will just monitor early evenings I think because that's clearly play time for my LO.

I LOVE the Wire. We're on Series 4 and savouring every episode. I'll get series 5 for mat leave for myself and then feel bereft when it's all over. Bloody fantastic TV.

Jammie you made me spend money! Checked out kiddicare and bought a basic bouncer seat and a bath support. I think they will be very useful though.

Am making a mental note not to put in hospital snacks until much nearer the time because I have zero will-power at the moment! Thanks ladies for that tip.

Have a nice evening all. x

Hello all

Thank you [Catherine] for starting the new thread.

I've got 5 weeks left at work and cannot wait to finish as most days I feel ready for bed by mid afternoon - glad I'm not the only one ready for a nap! Doesn't help with the long commute I guess but I'm sure those 5 weeks will fly by

Re movements - I'm 30 weeks and have noticed a change in the type of movements, they are more smooth and slower if that makes any sense. Still just as much activity, probably more than ever, just feels different.

I've printed off the hospital bag list too, just browsing it at the mo although got as far as buying a new bag for the occasion (£6 from Primark ooh yeah). Plan to get it all sorted by 35/36 weeks. I have zero will power too so I think I'll leave the snacks until much closer the time!

Hope you are all well and having lovely evenings x

hello all!

much empathy with those feeling tired at work - it's knackering isn't it! I've got 4 weeks at work left and counting down every day!

Got tomorrow off happily and DH & I are going away for a last weekend together before baby arrives. It's only a couple of hours drive from home and in an area near where my parents live and some friends so will catch up with them all but we're staying in a hotel, which I'm looking forward to! :)

Had the growth scan on Tuesday - fluid levels are all normal and the baby, although measuring bigger than average (90th centile) is still within the normal range, so all is well, and there is no explanation for the erroneous fundal height measurement last week.
It was nice to have the extra bonus scan though in the end and see our little baby boy again! They estimated from the measurements that he is already about 5.5lb so likely to be 8.5 to 9lb by the time he is born!!

I am not remotely organised enough to have packed hospital bag yet - there is plenty of time! hopefully...

coraltoes flapjacks and ice-cream! wow!

tooImmature I am also thinking vaguely about a waterbirth now too, but also want to keep my options open.

Glad everything with the scan looked good superpenguin.

Morning everyone!

I just got back from midwife this morning for accupuncture to try and help my back but also mentioned a bit of "leakage" I've been having over last few days. And it hasn't been the cough or sneeze and wee kind of leakage either - its very random. So they are sending me off to hospital this afternoon for full exam and just to be sure since for some reason they can't do a speculum exam before 37 weeks?? Dont' know why, but am happy to go along with it to cover all the bases.

And just had cot mattress delivered! Exciting day, I think

Afternoon all,

I hope everything goes well at the hospital today Larty. A full exam should be reassuring and hopefully totally boring and uneventful :) It is so nice how easily some of us classify a day as exciting. Your cot mattress arriving is definately exciting, made me smile for a week when mine arrived. Today my hospital bag arrived (e-bayed) and I found that exciting.

This morning I had my first ante-natal class. It was an NHS Active Birth class which was really just outlining the general views of the hospital on the best ways to give birth with minimal intervention. Had to do a bit of persuading to get OH to come in when he thought he was the only man but by the end out of 8 women 4 of us had brought our OH. I suppose that happens when it is at 9am on a Friday morning. It was very informative and reassuring though although they only have one birthing pool they say it is rare not to get it if you want it. So here's hoping I don't go into labour on a busy day!

Had a midwife appointment this afternoon and again she told me baby was growing just fine :). I mentioned the worry about me losing weight and she weighed me to check but was less than concerned saying in the politest way possible that as I was overweight to start with I shouldn't worry. Although she did say that my iron levels are on the boarderline of ok so I must eat red meat and dark chocolate . If it gets lower by 34 weeks then I'll have to have tablets. I'm sure its just a temporary dip though.

catherine glad baby is doing well. Don't forget orange juice helps absorb the iron so have some whenever you have iron rich food. (sorry if you already knew this!)

larty Hope all is well, glad they are doing full checks though.

superpenguin Glad baby isn't too large, must have been nice to see him again

A couple of questions to everyone if thats ok.

First do I need sheets for the carrycot? And blankets? Or do I dress the baby warmly for outside leaving him/her lying on the mattress. Sorry if this is a really stupid question.

And also are cheaper sleeping bags as good as gro bags? I thought I might get a couple of sleeping bags to try along with a few blankets so I can see what baby likes. Do I need the proper gro bag ones?

Hello all
Dh is away at the mo with the laptop, so it's not so easy to sit about watching TV DD and also MNing! Hence it's been a bit quiet at my end.

Not much to report. Feels strange to not be going to work and I found out today that my ML will be starting a month earlier than I was hoping to get away with. Bit of a pain on the money front, but if it means that the baby stays put till later I am happy with that! And enjoying having time to spend with DD and doing things like wash the moses basket bedding etc.

haloflo I think people tend to do things in different ways. I used to put a sheet over the carry cot mattress and tuck DD in like she was going to bed, so not worry about getting her all geared up for outside. But then she was born when it was warm, and never liked the buggy anyway so ended up always being carried close to me. I think you probably will want to cover the carry cot mattress, even if you do then rug the baby up. And most prams/buggies have a built in cosy toes these days I think.

As for the sleeping bags I use them and have used a variety of different types. I have found the cheaper ones to be just as good as the gro bag ones, although the gro bag ones have nicer designs on and tend to wash better (and not get bobbly/faded as quickly). You need to check the tog of them though, as they vary from 0.5 tog to 2.5 tog and you obviously don't want LO to be cold! Also I don't think they are recommended until a certain weight is reached (not sure it's very much though, DD was 6lb when born so quite little!) so you might want to check that. You can pick authentic gro bag ones up for a snip on ebay though. I have two really nice ones at the mo and paid only £4 for each.

Hello all! See some of you are at work still.'1 week to go and it's a bit manic since I had to take a day off after the evil sinus infection returned with vengeance on Wednesday!

Still I have antiboitics on a longer course so at least I won't be working once I am off. Has anybody found that their 2nd pregnancy parallelled their first even if they were different times of year?
First one I was pregnant spring summer and autumn. Was fine until week 29 when I got an infected insect bite which turned to cellulitis - course of antibiotics. 2 weeks later I grow a boil in armpit - 2nd course of antibiotics !
This year it's been infected sinuses at the same time in pregnancy and I am on the 2nd course of antibiotics...

I hope the rest of you have remained disease free this time.

Hi everyone.

Just back from hospital (6 hours) later! I won't complain though as they fed me biscuits and were very thorough and all is well and you can't put a price on that really. Leakage is NOT amniotic fluid thankfully, just excess and very thin discharge and LO is in a position where he occassionally squeezes it out. monkey. Anyway, my lovely friend drove me and kept me company which was nice. VERY ready for DH to come home tomorrow!

Hope all your weekends are a bit more uneventful!

Glad everything was ok Larty. You must be very relieved.

Lozario I also cry in the opening credits of One Born Every Minute! We probably cry at exactly the same moment, when the music starts.

Hi Everyone, Hope you are all well.

spilt I hope your scan went well.

We went to mothercare today bought some cot sheets and moses basket sheets, socks, hats and a baby journal all I need now is some pj's for me and nursing bra and feeding pillow.

Think baby has turned breech again as have painful rib again and movements are the same as they were a few weeks ago i.e low down and not very forceful.

Am on ab's again for yet another suspected UTI have had ab;s 3x so far in this pregnancy, I was at antenatal appt at hosp on thurs and my urine sample was showing nitrates so they sent it off but because I have symptoms they sent me up to labour ward to get a prescription obstetrician said if it happens again I will need renal scan to make sure everything is ok with kidneys/bladder.
I'm feeling very nauseous due to the uti.

That's great, Larty! Good to hear that everything's fine.

Have broken through the weird feeling I had that I must not buy things for the baby with a vengeance today! Have just blown HIP grant and a bit more. Most of the things were essentials (cellular blankets x 3, Moses basket sheets, bottles and Aptamil milk, changing mat, babygros x 6, newborn cotton hat x 2, maternity pads, breast pads), but some were very much not. I got 4 pictures for the nursery, 3 bright animal canvasses and a framed montage of Tailor of Gloucester prints, some bright polka-dot bunting and a pink mushroom doorstop! I realise that no one needs a pink mushroom doorstop, or bunting, for that matter, but they are so cute and I'm sure the baby will appreciate them when she's, ooooh, 8.

I bought the bottles and formula because the midwife advised me to, even though I want to breastfeed. She said that if you have it in the house, the chances are you'll never use it, and if you do resort to it in desperation at 4am some night, you can always go back to breastfeeding in the morning - the hope being that the baby took the bottle and let you get some sleep and you woke up ready to try again with the breast. Obviously, the baby may equally refuse to drink from a bottle.

Has anyone found maternity pads with wings? I got some slim Mothercare ones, but all the big fat ones didn't have wings, and I think I'll need the big ones at first. I just don't get why anyone designs pads of any sort without wings - it's a recipe for ruining your pants at the best of times, which are not likely to be straight after the birth.

Maternity leave starts in 2 weeks! Well, annual leave first, and then maternity leave proper on 28 Feb. I got a letter from HR this morning saying they noted I planned to start my maternity leave on 19 Feb - God only knows where they got that date from, seeing as my email clearly said 28th. It's as well I couldn't talk to them today - I really want to phone them up and say something snarky like "what part of the number 28 looks like 19?". Hopefully the urge to verbally abuse them will have died down by Monday morning and I will be able to sort it out calmly and rationally.

We've been discussing names again, and DH has agreed to use my mum's name (Joanne) as a middle name, hurray! He knew I wanted to, but I hadn't pushed it, and then suddenly today out of the blue he said that if that was what I wanted, then we should go for it. I'm so pleased, because she will be so delighted, and she has helped us out a lot over the last few years with one thing or another. I'm not going to tell anyone (not even my sister) until the baby is here, and then it will be a lovely surprise. I think it's a good way of saying thank you for everything. Still not decided on a first name, though.

Larty - phew what a relief that not leaking!!! I have had more than my fair share of hospital visits this week also. Following Tuesday's trip to delivery triage after reduced movement and v bad headache they wanted me to see community mw on Thurs. Have had the headache throughout not so bad now though, but can't ever seem to completely shift it. I went to MW - BP was 190/80 so mw phoned the hospital and sent me back to triage - she also thoough baby might have gone breech??? not what I wanted to hear. After further fetal trace, blood, BP (which had settled), urine etc nothing obviously wrong and they don't really know what to do with me and decide on 24 hour BP monitor - not a joy and big sympathies to anyone who has to have one at any point. So had to go back again yesterday when it seems that BP is actually ok. Got to go back to see consultant and have scan next Thur so we'll see, but guessing I am now on pre-eclampsia watch list (deja vu from last pregnancy). Sorry what a ramble

too immature, me I have also been shopping today. All the visits to hospital gave me a sense of urgency re: contents for hospital bag. I now have maternity pads, disposable pants, breast pads, nappies, nappy bags, scratch mits, a newborn starter set and one additional babygrow. Need to get the other clothese out of the cupboard and do some washing/sorting and buy some vests/bodysuits. Also ordered a moses basket mattress - preparation has begun. I also have bottles this time, but no formula yet - I got got caught last time and had to send my Dad to buy bottles/formula whilst DH, DS and I were in the neonatal unit due to his refusal to feed unless through a tube in tummy.

Also cleared my desk just in case for some reason I don't actually make it back into the office. Finishing on 4 Feb - yippeee.

Right must give DS a bath. DH next to useless - has tonsillitus - is actually quite poorly, but men - honestly did I not say on Monday think perhaps you should go to the Doctor!!!

Have just had a massive BH contraction, literally took my breath away. Am thinking I probably should get plastic sheet on bed. DD was born at 34 weeks. DH is playing at gig tonight so haven't told him, just waiting to see if I get any more!
From the last set of posts we really are starting to creak a bit aren't we? I hope the next 8 weeks or so goes easy on us all.
jx

Jupiter I hope your BP stays ok and you don't get any worse :( I'm due the day before you and my MW said I shouldn't be worrying about the position of DD yet anyway. I asked her since I felt all left out (I'm such a child) that I was the only one who didn't know and she said she thought baby was head down already but there was still plenty of time for her to go breach again so she didn't want to do a proper prodding for nothing. There's still time :)

I'm so of all your ML starting already. I've still got another 6 teaching weeks left - am sure it'll pass in no time though. I packed the majority of my hospital bags last night. Got just a few little bits to put in. I can't quite bring myself to pack a change of clothes for me yet as I'm limited as to what I can wear atm anyway so I don't want to lose stuff and not wear it for 2 months. That and my slippers, can't live without my lovely slippers. I also productively washed all LOs things to get out the nasty chemicals yesterday. Her bedding is going to stay in the cupboard now till needed as I don't want it getting all dusty in the meantime. In many ways I'm ready for her now... in other ways I'm still petrified!!

Jammie I'm with you on the BH, unfortunately i get them ALL the time.Everytime i get up from bed/sofa, get out of the car, or even just walking . however as its my 2nd pg apparently the uterus is just prepping itself ( although it really needn't to as its coming out the sunroof!!) and you feel it more as you know what to expect.

I have started to pack bag for baby, but just keep putting mine off!! I have some things but to be honest i am still kind of in denial i know it seems a bit silly especially as i am so obviously pregnant and am currently being battered from the inside out!! However i just keep putting the whole thing to the back of my mind, thinkikng "Oh i'll do that tomorrow" but actually don't .

Speaking of movement and being battered, is anyone else getting actually quite painful movements???
Sometimes it feels like my stomach is being split!! I will have a kick down in my left hip and a kick...well a proper thump really!!! under my right rib. How ther hell is this baby lying!!???!! Also sorry for tmi, but i swear to god i have a limb trying to belt its way out from down below

Well, on that wonderful picture i have left you ladies i'm off to watch criminal minds nite x

Wow Jupiter you've been through the ringer! I hope all stays well for you. I know what you mean about the sense of urgency. I'm marching myself back to mothercare to get various pads/hosiptal bag items. I've also invested in 2 x 5 pack of white full brief pants from asda and am glad I did now that there are no such thing as wings apparently! Will look forward to the day I can dispose of them.

I am compiling a list of things to do on ML. First off order that birth pool in a box. Also get broadband sorted it's been a pile of poo for the past 6 months. Cheeky BT multiplexing and throttleing - i cannot stream anything.

Larty74 I'm glad it was just watery discharge and not your waters - don't want and end to pregnancy just yet!

Jupiter glad that overall things are OK too at your end!

Wow this thread is so busy as we all approach our D Days! Can't believe I've got less than 6 weeks - and only 3 till full term. Despite various grumbles, pains and sleepless nights it has flown by.

Am feeling a lot less panicked since hospital bag is now half packed(!), started NCT (not sure what I was expecting but have found it reassuring) and have done a mammoth shop so only buggy / car seat, baby bath and baby clothes left to get. Removals men are delivering cot (my old one thanks to my mum!), sofa, bed and chest of drawers in next few days so at least we'll have basics in new flat. Finally feel things are working out.

Split hope scan went well.

Superpenguin glad yours was ok.

Everyone else hope pains and stresses are ok - at least we're all in the home straight.

I've got my 32 (I'll actually be 34+3 but only way DH could come) week scan (we all seem to be on different systems of check ups and scans) on Tues so fingers crossed...

Is anyone else thinking they might miss being kicked once LO is born?!? I know that sounds weird so perhaps it's just me!!!