July 2011 we're entering the second half!

[confuddledDOTcom]

F1rstT1meMummy 25/6/11
Ickle: EDD 29/6 pg#1 age 31
Pesha: EDD 30/6 pg#4, age 32, (dd 10yrs, ds1 7yrs, ds2 3yrs)
Blueberryjam EDD 1/7 PG#5 AGE 27 ( 7,6,4 & 8 months)
Loueytbg EDD 1/7 PG#3 Age 37 (DS1&2 3.6, 1 mc)
Tebbles EDD 1/7 PG#1 Age 29 (No DC yet)
Orchid: EDD 1/7 pg#2 age 31 (DS 2)
WolfcubEm83: EDD 1/7 pg#1 age 27
Phlebas: EDD 2/7 PG#10, age 35 (dd1 10yrs, ds 4yrs, dd2 18mo)
Riddzy: EDD 3/7 PG1, Age 31
MadAboutTheBoys 3/7 PG#3 Age 34 (DS1 3yrs; DS2 17 months)
Emmylou30: EDD4/7 pg#1 age 30
Mitchell81: EDD 4/7 pg#4 age 29(dd 10 yrs,ds1 4yrs, ds2 2yrs)
Eglu: EDD 5/7 pg#3, age 33 (DS 7 & 3) - Girl
Twit: EDD 5/7 pg#6 age 35 (3 ds's 12,9,3 one dd 4)
Countrybunkin: EDD 6/7 pg#14 age 26
Miss Lolita: EDD7/7 pg#1 age 31 - girl
ScarIettOHara: EDD 8/7 pg#1 age 34
Oceanfox: EDD 08/07 pg1 age 37
Smiler80: EDD 08/07 pg#1 age 30
Fiatlux: EDD 08/07 pg#1 age 36
MeesaMum: EDD 9/7 pg#1 age 30
wolfhound, EDD 9 July pg#3 age 40 (DS1 is 3 and DS2 is 16 mths)
Mrsfarge: EDD 9/7, pg#4, age 34 (ds 9, dd 3, ds 2)
Scarthy: EDD 10/7 pg#2 age 35 (DS 3yrs)
SpannerPants: EDD 10/7 age 27 pg#1 - boy
emilyplus1: EDD 10/7 pg#2 age 25 (DD 17 months)
confuddledDOTcom: EDD 11/7/11 girl (expected to last until May, ELCS will be mid-June if I last that long and they get their own way) age 30 (3 girls: 1 angel and two amazing girls age 4 and 2)
Sweetiexxx: EDD 11/7 pg#2 age 32 (DD 17 months)
Highheelsandequations EDD 11/7 pg#2 age 30 (no DC yet)
Rarewelshbit: EDD 11/7 age 33 (no DC yet)
Scrivette: EDD 12/7 pg1, age 30 (no DC yet)
canny77 12/7/11
NNABAIW: EDD 13/7 pg#2 age 33 (DD 15 months)
Stottiecake: EDD 13/7 pg2, age 37 (ds 2)
StormBird: EDD 13/7 pg2, age 28 (no DC yet)
Squirrel007 EDD 13/7 PG#1 Age 29 (No DC yet)
BeatrixRotter: EDD 14/7 pg#2 age 34 (DD 2)
kalp12 14/7/11
Sues1974: EDD 15/7 pg#2 age 36 (DS 21 months)
filey1: EDD 16/7 pg#1 age 28 (no DC yet)
pennyly: EDD 16/7 pg#1 age 32 (no DC yet)
JazzS: EDD 16/7 pg#1 age 29 (no DC yet)
Nicolamumof3: EDD 17/7 pg4 age 33 (DS's aged 11.6, 4.11 and 3.3)
youpie: EDD 17/7 pg#2 age 34 (ds 16 months)
Nitnatnaboo: EDD 17/7 pg#2 age 38 (ds 5 yrs)
Highfibrediet EDD 17/7 pg#4 age 38 (ds1 8y, ds2 6y, ds3 2 1/2y)
Fraochsmum: EDD 17/7 pg2 age 33 (dd 11 months)
Hefner: EDD 17/7 pg#1 age 28
a11J: EDD 18/7 p#1 age 21
Stangirl: EDD 19/7 pg2 age 41 (DD 9 months)
Fab123: EDD 19/7 pg#1 age 29
Zanzicat: EDD 20/7 pg#1 age 30
Pregnant inParis: EDD 20/7 pg#1 age 30
isitreallythattime: EDD 20/07 pg#2 age 32
Dynababy: EDD 21/7 pg#1 age 34
FessaEst: EDD 21/7 pg#3 age 30 (mc & DD 13 months)
cara2244: EDD 21/7 pg#2 age 31 (DS 2 years)
FallingandLaughing: EDD 22/7 pg#1 age 33
Geordiemam4: EDD 23/7 pg#4 age 31 (DD age 13, DS age 11, DS age 8)
Brassicababe: EDD23/7 pg#1 age 37
Brightsideoflife: EDD23/7 pg#3 age 33 (DD 19 months)
PixieOnaLeaf EDD 23/7 pg#6 Age 44 (DD1 16, DD2 12, DS 9, DTD1 8 months, DTD2 8 months)
GruffaloMama EDD 23/7 pg2 age 35 (DS 2.1)
Inbetweener EDD 24/7 pg3 age 36 ( DD 8 DD 6 )
LadyGoneGaga: EDD 24/7 pg#3 age 32 (DS age 2.5, mc)
honeybabymoon EDD 24or 25/7 age 30 (no DCs)
Emmywoo: EDD 26/7. pg## age 33 dd 4 and mc
Chocoflakes: EDD 27/7 pg#3 age 37 (dd15,ds13)
Ivegotmrbitey: EDD27/7 pg#1 age 31
SelenaDoula 27/7/11
Sugargirl1: EDD 28/7 pg#2 age 32 (DD 13months)
Badgerwife: EDD 22/7 pg#1 age 30
Buttonmoon78: EDD 29/7 pg#5 age 32 (DCs 13, 10 & 3)
ddas: EDD 31/7 pg#1 age 26
sunshiney78: EDD 31/7 pg 1 age 31
ZuluWarrior: EDD ?/7 pg#3 age 32 (DS 20 months)
JimmyChoo17: EDD 16/07 P#1 Age 29

Hi All. I have my peptac for the heartburn. It is just like gaviscon. It doesn't really work though, I still need to sleep on about 5 pillows until about 2 am when I can lie flat again. Unfortunately this is giving me a sore neck and shoulders.

I now have just over 4 weeks left at work and I can't wait as I am so tired in the mornings.

Having washed all the baby clothes I also bought a couple of packs of nappies too, so it really is starting to feel more real.

I am seeing my consultant next week and will get another scan, so I'm looking forward to that. I'm also seeing the mw at home later in the week and she will be doing all the hb paperwork.

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter weekend, I spent most of it in the garden with the boys, it was lovely for them to be outside getting some fresh air and running around. I do now have chloasma across my cheeks though. I really should have stayed in the shade as I got it quite badly last pg.

Living here in the US they do not celebrate Easter with a national holiday. All rather annoying as I prefer Easter to Christmas. Things have finally slowed down for me at work. I had my first of two exams on Monday (I know I failed but for the first time in my life I really don't care) and managed to rearrange my second exam for the local test center rather than one which is a 2 hour drive away.

I had my 30wk obn appointment and was told I should have a hospital bag packed. I got a list from them and found we had most of the baby stuff already but none of the stuff for me! DH is out on his travels again but is coming home tonight to celebrate my birthday (strip carpet from the stairs and carry the water in) and leaves to go back to Dallas tomorrow morning at 5am.

Hope you had a lovely time today nicola! What is GTT btw?
Button as of my 28 wk app last week I am now down to being seen every 2 weeks, until 36wks when it will be every week. Sounds a hell of a lot, but our town is very small and they would rather keep a close eye on us. Actually I see my mw most times when walking the dogs as we pass her house
Gosh that hits home how close we are confuddled doesn't it? A girl I know was celebrating today getting past 24+4, when her first was born 3 years ago, and doing great now! Sorry to hear how bad your PGP is tho :( and hope today went well :)
I just had to look up chloasma on google eglu ! I did a bit with pg1 and many weeks ago thought I had been a bit liberal with the blusher, so now I know it has a proper name
Have a lovely birthday supermum x

Thanks Fraochsmum! I was surprised that DH rearranged his week to come home. On Saturday he is taking me to my fav brunch spot too!

I am on the same schedule as you with the appointments. Thank goodness they have appointments from 7am. I would have no holiday left otherwise!

Fraochsmum you made me laugh with the blusher bit. I'm having to wear make up when I'm going somewhere now to even out my skin a bit.

My Mum has just been on the phone and offered for me to go and stay at hers this weekend. She knows I'm exhausted and said she would take the boys out while I rested. Unfortunately it is my wedding anniversary this weekend, so I feel I should stay home. She is now thinking she may come and stay with us for part of the weekend. I find it particularly sweet as she doesn't really agree with me having a third child, she is one of the nobody should have more than two brigade. It has really made my day that she is thinking about me.

Hi, have read all posts but retained very little!

Button - I am now on 3 week appts. At my 25 week appt she made it for 3 weeks but I kind of assumed that was to get me to having an appt at 28 weeks for blood tests and well, even numbers are just better aren't they?! [strange, even number obsessed person emoticon] But then she made the next for 31 weeks so I assume that it is every 3 weeks now.
Although I had my 31wk appt yesterday and mentioned to mw that I have been having flashy lights in front of my eyes as had it just before going to see her. I also have trace protein in my urine and my blood pressure is slightly raised, well its still well within normal (120/74) but is quite high for me as I am normally firmly at the low end of normal, even when pg. Shes not too concerned but has made me an appt for 2 weeks time just in case and has told me if I have any concerns to make another appt or ring labour ward.

Have been meaning to ask - those of you having scans - are these just routine where you are or are they because of specific concerns? Seem to keep reading all over MN about people having scans other than the 12 and 20 wk ones and just wondered if its routine in some areas.

I have sympathy with all the heartburn, mine is getting a lot worse over the last couple of weeks but not as bad as in previous pgs which is a bit of a relief as everything else has been worse this time! With dd I was getting through a large bottle of Gaviscon in less than a fortnight! I keep forgetting to put in prescription requests though so ending up buying my own gaviscon most of the time. My nausea has been a bit worse again lately though.

Was ds2's birthday on sat, we did have all sorts of things planned for the day but unfortunately I sat on the floor on Friday night to wrap his presents which turned out to be very bad for my hips so could hardly walk on sat and dp has an abscess under his wisdom tooth so was in quite a bit of pain too. We did cinema and pizza hut though and then they spent the afternoon playing in the paddling pool so was still a nice day. Oh and found out yesterday that ds2 has got into our first (and only) choice school which is a big relief

Button My MW said they up the ante a bit now and see us every 3 weeks or more if there is a problem. I've got an app on Thursday and want to ask her about Bounty packs as I've only had one and my pg friend due in Sept has had 2! Shocking! Also hoping for another scan as the placenta was anterior but she said last time that as they didn't mention it being low on the paperwork (even though sonographer said it was a "bit low" to me at the time of the scan) then there should be nothing to worry about. But of course, because she said it to me at the time I am worried and fear she just forgot to put it on the paperwork....

Anyone else got a sweet addiction? I'm not usually one for sweets and choc but I made a batch of brownies which is fast disappearing and discovered Maoams (if you haven't tried them DON'T - they are seriously addictive!) and have now found nimm2 soft vitamin sweets. I'm currently conning myself into believing that as they are vitamin sweets it will be fine to munch through the entire bag before the night is over. Checked the pack and there's no vit A so I figure, why not?! My poor teeth! Help!

Hi all!
We're off to ikea tomorrow so will get the changer etc. I find them easier on my back than kneeling or twisting on the sofa I also need somewhere to store babyTwits' clothes so practical for us.
We have moved bedrooms, it's lovely to have a bit more space - the moses basket is now peering at me by my side of the bed and I have a baby box that is getting filled as we sort through various places and find muslins and stuff.
Knowing I had DS1 at 36 weeks has made my mind up to start washing through stuff, but I'll leave the clothes until it's rainy so I can tumble dry them and not feel bad, it's just that they'll be extra soft and snuggly.
I haven't been able to put much weight on one of my legs either at times and can no longer kneel to do things 'cos I can't get the leg back under me ... I just hope it's a temporary blip.
I've got my 31 week check on Wednesday so will have to see what the MW says then.
MrTwit came back from taking DS2 to football saying he wanted to get a tent and go camping in (wait for it) August. This year.
So now the pressure is really on to
a) be on time
b) get BF sorted
c) have everything be fine and dandy.

Morning everyone !
Sounds like everyone is busy preparing, its so exciting lol.
Well I am 28 weeks today ! It was nice to see my Bounty email declaring that as I arrived into work today. Apparently my baby is as big as a chinese cabbage lol !

I had my 28 week MW appt yesterday and finally got my MATB1 form so can get everything signed and sent to HR today. I am leaving at 36 weeks I have decided. A bit lazy of me I know as I left at 40 and 39 weeks with my other 2 but I just feel like I need the extra time this time round.

At the end of my appt the MW said I wouldnt be seen again now till 36 weeks . ??? I cant help thinking thats a really big gap ? When I queried it she said I could make a GP appt at 34 weeks but as the hospital is so over subscribed thats all im getting ??
Are all of you getting appts inbetween ??

Apart from that all was good. Baby moved round a lot and kept sliding away from her when she was trying to listen to the heartbeat. She also said he is head down so all that left hand sleeping has worked then lol.

Right better do some work I guess.

Unfortunately it's true tho Eglu - I thought to myself 'what are you doing?' and felt like I was a teenager again experimenting with make up. Very positive news about your mum too
Good luck with the camping twit! My friend spent a week in a caravan when her DD (bottle fed) was a couple of weeks old and got on fine.
Wow inbetweener, why such a wait for your MATB1? I think that is quite a gap as well, I know we are spoilt in our wee mw unit, but in that time I will be seeing her for the 4th time! Love the analogy to a cabbage btw
I'm so looking forward to my day tomorrow - file and polish then facial in the morning, drive to Glasgow (only downside is the 3 hour drive, very pretty tho :)), spend afternoon with my wee sis then aunt and uncles ruby wedding anniversary at night! Really looking forward to seeing all my relatives on an occasion other than a funeral

just a quickie update, had 4d scan..

confirmed a girl woohooo! and also placenta is moving so thats good, not quite out of way yet, but plenty of time for it to do so am pleased.

inbetweener I had an appt today and don't have another one until 34 weeeks. I think the important thing is to ring if any problems come up. Good to hear about everyone getting stuff sorted out. I managed to win a carrycot on Ebay for my buggy that they don't make anymore, and have bought a car seat too. I have sorted out a couple of drawers of clolthes that are vaguely girl suitable, and am just hoping all the rellies buy us loads of stuff as I am so skint! My poor son had to have a bundle of 2nd hand spring clothes off ebay....mind you, at 2 they don't care!
Enjoy the wedding tomorrow everyone :-)

Just got back from MW and am fuming. Got to vent!
Saw a different MW (Kent is really stretched at the moment which is why they closed the Birthing Centre in our town and the next along, trying to funnel everyone to a single hospital) which was fine and she was very nice. Got my bloods back which showed I am slightly anemic. She gave me the paperwork and said I should just drop by the doc's on the way home and get an appt for the prescription. Called my doc as I was leaving the hospital only to be told by the grumpy receptionist that I can't have an app or prescription until I force my MW to email them. The paperwork isn't good enough on it's own and presented by me. She literally refused me an appointment until she had heard from my MW. I tried explaining that this wasn't my normal MW and they are snowed under, I have the blood test results on me and hadn't realised this would be a problem. She snapped at me that I would just have to resolve it with the MW and hung up on me!!!

Rang birthing centre who said they ALWAYS have trouble with my practice (I had the same thing when I had a UTI in the first trimester) and when I said it's made me more determined to move she said "good for you!". She called them and told me that I need to try calling them again at 6pm today and apparently they "may allow" me my prescription today. Is this normal? Why should the patient have to be liaison officer between two NHS bodies?

Anyway, my next appt is in 4 weeks now, after saying that button but heartbeat was perfect, bump the right height and she's head down finally (again, left hand sleeping seems to have worked so far!).

Going to read for an hour to calm down before I head to the other surgery to pick up some paperwork to join them. When I call the docs at 6pm I will be asking for the name of whoever I spoke to and make a complaint before I go. Silly thing is she nearly had me in tears at the time

Fab I would be livid too. You have enough on your plate without having to deal with a GP practice which isn't supportive or interested in helping you stay healthy during your pregnancy. I would ask your midwife if they can suggest a better practice for you to join and I would join them ASAP. If this is the way they are with you now I can only imagine they would be difficult too if the midwife spotted a problem with the baby.

Hi all. Another lovely sunny day to put me in a good mood. I'm sure it helps my energy levels too.

Fab you really should complain that is terrible. Also on the maoams, I ate a lot in the early days but not so much now. I am totally addicted to celery. I bought two packs on Monday and they are now finished. It is getting out of hand. Can only imagine what the boffins at Tesco are thinking looking at my clubcard info.

Congrats on the scan Nicola. I'm having anothe one on Tuesday as I'm seeing my consultant and he always scans you when he sees you. I'm hoping ofr extra confirmation on the girl thing too. Even though I've had two scans telling me that. It is still hard to believe.

My appointment this time has been 3 weeks, and I think I'll be going to 2 weeks after this. Even though this is my third and they usually see you less if you've had previous babies. The appointments getting closer together does make it all seem a bit more real now though. I just really want to meet this lo now, and DS1 (7) is the same.

I'm now looking forward to a lovely long weekend in the garden with the boys again. I'm not back to work until next Wednesday after today. :)

I've emailed the Practice Manager to complain. A friend suggested getting Spatone from Boots rather than the prescription anyway as apparently it doesn't make you constipated like the NHS drugs do. Off into town to do that now and get paperwork for new doctors. Munched some of those vitamin sweets to keep me going for the walk (too many hills to bear thinking about!). Thanks guys.

Eglu I am addicted to carrots...and really crunchy apples. And sometimes celery. It's the crunch that I need I think! Ah well, there are worse cravings I could have seeing as with DS it was pork pies and scotch eggs!

Oooo congratulations on the girl news nicola!
Not really caught up too much with posts I've missed but hope all are ok. Good to see con fuddled that you are still holding on!

I have returned from a well needed break in the sun in egypt hardly feeling any kicks at the moment compared to about a week ago but I had my 28 week appointment today (but am nearer to 29 weeks) MW said baby has back to belly so kicks are the other way. I feel full on rolls and odd movements I guess that's bums and head rolls rarer than kicks. Baby is also head down. Keep feeling prods in my pelvis! But luckily growth is bang on target.

I brought back a souvenir I didn't bargain for...some sort of bug so am on anti biotics now :-(

Fab holiday tho and nice to get a tanned bump even tho i am sure u can see the tan mark of a wet flannel on my bump! I did have a growth spurt tho and only fit in one bikini which I had to use as a bra too as my boobs suddenly expanded!

Heading to asda baby event to get a few last bits but actually I think I'm all set for bubs now! Just need to get nursing bras nearer the time. I am planning to breastfeed if I can do it but do I still need to buy any bottles or anything for the early days? Did anyone watch that cherry healey programme about breastfeeding? Anyone else struggle on here?

Nct idea gone out the window as it's nearly £200 which I can't justify as am looking to change car so would be better putting towards that. My original quote was £130 but that's too much of a price difference. Am about to settle down with my breastfeeding DVD...is that a rock and roll evening or what?

fab I have a similar story from this week. Blood test showed I'm anaemic and MW normally gives out iron tabs there and then but had not packed any (I saw her at GPs). She told me that as a resident of Lambeth all I had to do was go into any pharmacy, show them my test results and they would give me free tablets. I went to the local Boots and they said they were not part of the scheme and my MW should have given me a list of participating pharmacists. I phoned the maternity helpline and the MW said she had never heard of the scheme and so could not give such a list. However, she was willing to fax and phone my GPs to get them to write a prescription. She phoned me back and said the GP would have my prescription ready for me that night. I turned up and the receptionist had no prescription/record of any request. I filled out an emergency request fr help, waiting 10mins and got my prescription. Grrrrrrrr

I'm having scans every 3 weeks to check growth now as I have a blood clotting disorder which can effect the the placenta and either Ob or MW every fortnight/week. Next appnt I'm having my csection booked in. Wahey!

Jimmy I can't believe baby classes are that expensive. It's $150 here for the classes and they cover 2.5hrs of breastfeeding, 3hr of baby care, 6hrs of labour classes, a hospital tour, 3hrs of infant 1st aid and cpr plus help installing the car seat into your car. The hospital we are using is one of the more expensive ones too with classes held in the evenings (7-9/10). If a profit making hospital can offer all of that for $150 (about GBP105 max) then I would think they could do it for less in the UK. We only pay $30 for the classes which is the cost of a co-payment. The remaining $120 is paid for by our insurance.

you should get nhs ante natal if first baby?
also check with mw about bf support groups. I wouldn't get any bottles if you are planning on bf and see how it goes? easy enough to get if you need to.

I struggled bf with last two but managed with first ok, so really frustrating. Very little help or support here, which really irks me. Am going to speak to mw about it when i see her next week, and see if there are any classes or support groups nearby.

Had my GTT this morning, not nice really, and felt wiped out ever since but all done now. Just had big tidy up after boys going to bed and left with major BH so decided to park myself on sofa now and have some more royal wedding highlights
[cgrin]

I spoke to the midwife on Weds about the birth and she has me a little worried! She said that, because I had a very quick first stage last time (1 hour) to expect that it may be longer this time! Perhaps she is just preparing me for the worst, or not to be disappointed if I'm not fully dilated when I get examined? It sounds silly, but I don't feel prepared for contractions as they were all just a big blur last time, no opportunity for breathing exercises, baths etc. I feel like I know what I'm doing with the whole pushing thing, as It went on for ages and I remember it really well, but not the contractions bit!

Fab a wise midwife told me last time not to have any formula or bottles in the house, but to get a breast pump. Good advice, as I found pumping helped with early engorgement which is uncomfortable. I would also very much recommend finding a breastfeeding support group before the baby is born as it Is bloody hard and you don't get a lot of help on the nhs. TRy ringing your local children's centre. I'M planning on going to one as soon as I can after the baby is born even tho I have done it before and fed until my son was 20m.

Hi all. It sounds like there's a lot of variation between areas in terms of how many appts then, as well as classes!

All good here. I'm still convinced that baby is breech and getting v comfy that way. I'm getting increasingly scared about having ECV again but I've also been terrified about having a section. However, after a good long chat with my mum last night she told me to pull myself together and that a section wouldn't be the end of the world. V true!

Had a busy day (eating too much, watching the wedding) a busy pm (making a skirt) and I still have 2 tarte au citrons to make tonight How did that happen?!

Got a nice day planned tomorrow - off to Lyme Park then a bbq at my sister's place. Then Sunday lunch at my mates on Sunday (strangely enough..) Monday is Sky fitting day (hello Spartacus!) and then shoe shopping for dd1. Busy busy!

Oh. My. Word. I have just seen a photo on the BBC website of Victoria Beckham outside the Abbey. Her shoes are enough to bring tears to my eyes at the best of times, let alone when I'm about as pregnant as she is but obviously not as glam!