Jue in June 2011....... labour here we come!!!!!

[Jer79]

New thread. Should last us a week.

Thanks everyone for your concern, luckily DP was with me and took over with all the detail collecting/car checking, but the twat other driver just kept saying "what do you need my details for? My car was this smashed up before and there's nothing wrong with yours" and then proceeded to say it wasn't his fault that he drove into the back of us at a red light because "he was reaching down for his fags" well, that's fine then, I do hope none of them were damaged

Feeling a bit achey all over but not in pain iykwim and a bit headachy, but I'm sure I'll be fine - little 'un is still wriggling around so I'm going to join Jasmine with my feet up, I hope that's ok!

8rd your names are lovely, my friend had a Lola Violet earlier this year which I think is gorgeous, as is Ruby and kara's
Cara :)

clarkiee I am mega jealous of your goodies, have you sniffed them all yet? Best bit, I think, is re-arranging stuff and having a cheeky snuffle of the johnson's.

Thanks for all the 3rd stage info mrswantstobeamum, I'm having a 'managed' third stage as I am donating the cord blood to the Anthony Nolan trust- they said the likelihood of them being able to get a good 'harvest' of stem cells from a physiological 3rd stage was slim but that they'd still try if that was what I really wanted. Although it's not my preference, I think that it would be better to give them the best shot at the cord blood nice and early as it can do so much good when they have it.

Off to scoff Pop Tarts - my daily Friday treat!

Daisyfields I have heard about donating the cord blood before, was it easy to sort out? I might do some research later and have a think about it. I was going to look into it last time but completely forgot about it .

Thanks for your thumbs ups regarding our names!

Glad you're okay after your crash. The guy who hit you sounds like a right wanker complete numpty. Was there much damage to your car?

Woo hoo - i'm off for the scan everyone!!! I'll update you later if the dates change. If I can figure out how I might post the pics as well. I'm excitted to see my little babbit again! Hee hee hee. :o

Joanne I'm envious! Enjoy!

Hello everyone!!

So hard to keep up with you all, but i'm trying, honest!

Loved the list of ailments Tinyk - could have been describing me. And brilliant that your friend thought you should have time off! If only our bosses were so understanding...

Jasmine glad all is looking rosier. I'll be joining you in the garden in a min, as I've got the day off. BTW, a double caramel Magnum, made perfect garden company earlier on...

Talking of BF, apparently it's all about the 'latching' - they need to get a good old mouthful, not just the nip. Though having said that, I had breast reduction a few years back so not sure I'll be fully functioning. Nobody seems to know - most likely scenario seems to be I may have some milk, but not enough. We'll have to see, and like everyone says, just keep chilled about it.

Anyone got seriously puffy hands, to the point that fingers actually ACHE? Quite fed up of this now.

On the plus side, 33 weeks on Sunday - hurrah! Can't wait to meet the lovely Ms Flump (not real name, but haven't decided on one yet, though have a shortlist)

Right, where's the sun and ice cream emoticons?

Good luck to everyone who's still got assignments due. Such a drag having to do them when the weather's like this!

Kara that's a beautiful name, and 8RD I love all your choices as well, Ruby was on my shortlist. Honestly I don't think how popular a name is matters much if you love it. Though I am at the mental picture of you having to shoo great herds of children away in the park! Leila is really pretty as well.

Enjoy your scan Joanne, am jealous :)

Oh BPrincess you've just made me NEED a magnum! Have to pop to the shops in a mo so one may just "accidentally" end up in the basket.

Glad you're feeling better Jasmine, make sure you get lots of sun and rest and you'll be over your pesky cold in no time :)

Daisy I hope you're OK after the crash. Even if no-one's hurt it can really shake you up so make sure you take it easy for a couple of days. What an idiot that guy was, he went into the back of you because he was reaching for his fags? Oh, that's OK then! FFS!

I've been in contact with X to tell him how I'd like maintenance sorted (standing order into my bank account weekly. I have zero idea about things like this but used the CSA's online calculator thing. I'm very concious of not wanting to ask for more than I'm entitled to but also don't want to take any less), and he's coming round tomorrow to discuss "access" :( Which all seems terribly mercenary, this is my baby we're talking about after all. But I also want things to go smoothly and be as unchaotic as possible so that she's settled. Gah, I feel too inexperienced to deal with things like this.

Good luck nurse. Do you think it would be useful to have an unbiased 3rd person there?

Jealous of all the ladies who are in the 30s weeks-wise. I'm 28+5 and I wish I was further along!

Forgot to say I had a 28 week scan on Wednesday and it was lovely. It was for a clinical study so they don't give you much info, and won't tell you the size of the baby (but I know from the mw that she's a healthy size), but it was just nice to see her so close up. She was sleeping (you could see that her eyes were closed) and drinking at the same time, because her lips were doing a little sucking motion. And we got pictures of her face and of her feet, which were pressed side by side. She has DH's massive big toe

8rubberduckies I actually am not feeling guilty at all enjoying my day off, spent some time with my mum who has been feeling low so it did us both some good. And we both got stupidly excited about washing my donated (yet mostly unworn!!) baby clothes - they are now all swinging beautifully on the line

Daisy make sure you have a wee rest, I know DH had to slam on the brakes the other day and even though everything was fine, my newly honed 'protect-the-bump' senses made me feel a little panicky.

jasmine hope you are resting up!

I'm back! Everything is fine with the baby, it is measuring towards the top end of most of the ranges (with a mahoosive head - gulp) I will post some pics in a moment. It is still breach with it feet up in it's face (maybe it's not the brightest if it thinks that's comfortable!) so we are going to have to do parent voice at my bump to get it to turn around before b-day. I asked about the difference between MW bump height due date and the scan due date, and she said it was because there some people have more muscle and fat than others and the measuring tape is not very accurate. In other words - it's flab! Oh well the belly had to go somewhere I suppose. There is a normal amount of fluid so she doesn't think I have GD, but she said "I didn't say that though because the consultant will get snippy if he thinks I've been diagnosing his stuff" accompanied by an eye roll. So all round I'm a happy bunny.

nurse just a thought about the ex and maintenance/access if you are in an union - either student of nursing they might be able to give you free legal or arbitration and agreement advice about it. It might be worth calling them to see what they can help you out with. Right time to think about birth plans and find my pelvic floor...or have a nap. I'm not sure which yet! :)

Jasmine - Cara is pronounced with a hard C. Kara is the American alternative, but Cara is the traditional version which DH and I both prefer, I think it looks prettier! He chose the middle name, he is a big fan of the singer and liked her name, and so did I.
I definitely think you should have your business give you a pressie, can you declare it as a tax write off, I might do the same
Glad you got some reassurance from the MW, hope you feel better soon! Could it be hayfever rather than a cold?

Jimper - I am always seeing floater, mentioned it to optician years ago and he said it was nothing to worry about.

Clarkiee - did you get your lie in

Joannezipan - hope you are enjoying your afternoon down the pub No boozing though

Couriselle - welcome back! Glad you are well.

TTL - do we have to go off and start our own Milkybar/Cadbury's/Mint aero worshipping thread Your friend sounds like a right bossy boots
Yey for your scan! Sounds like you got some great pics.

TinyK - yep we're all feeling just as rubbish as you but feel free to moan away anyway!!

8rd - yeah I know a few Ruby's, so I can understand your dilemma! I do like Leila though.

Daisy - OMG, what an idiot, reaching down for his fags??? BTW I think it is fantastic what you are doing re: stem cells. I don't think they do that up here Would be great if more hospitals did it, but when I researched it before not many do!

Bprincess - hands are swollen but not achy though. Have you asked your MW about that?

Nurse - it is good that you are sorting out money and access. Hopefully he will be reasonable and consistent. And it is perfectly okay for you to say that you will agree to supervised access only while the baby is tiny, he/she will be dependent on you, especially if you are planning to bf. Don't express or bottle feed solely for his convenience, do it because that is what is best for you - don't let him put any pressure on you. Don't forget he made the choice to leave! I agree with TTL, perhaps a 3rd party could help keep things on an even keel?

I'm going to give it a go tomorrow and see what happens, if we can't agree then I will consider some kind of third party involvement.
Kara it will be supervised access at my house for a good few months or so as A) I will be breastfeeding and B) I have no idea what he's like with babies and if he could be trusted to change her nappy promptly, not leave her on her own "just for a minute" etc. I haven't seen where he's living at the moment either but he lives with a friend and I can imagine it's not the cleanest so I don't know if it will be possible for him to have her at his anyway. Also they both smoke (wouldn't smoke around baby) and I don't want her being covered in chemicals from the furniture.

I think Cara is nicer than Kara (no offence to your MN name!)

Offence definitely not taken

Good luck Nurse - all sounds very wise, what you're doing. Def see how he gets on with baby at yours before you even consider leaving them alone together.

Joanne really envious of your scan - must have been so lovely to see!

Can't remember who mentioned about donating cord, but I've signed up for that too, but didn't know it meant you had to have a managed third stage. Ah well... at least it gets it all over with that little bit quicker!

Defintion of a good day...realising there is no chocolate in the house (bear with me)....then remembering there is a secret stash in the 'cherry brandy bottle that isnt a real bottle..its designed for hiding valuables'...opening it and finding a load of chockies from the Thorntons Mint collection in there...ahhh, happy days.

Nurse have a chockie from me, sounds like you are being very grown up and sorting things out sensibly. A third party is a great idea if you have access to one.

Kara love Cara

8rd we have same prob with DS intended name..its moving up the charts and I'm worried the class will be like mine at school and the name 'Sarah' - we had 5 in our class!

Ooh thanks Jasmine, am intrigued about your secrect bottle and that your valuables are chocolates!

8RD here are the details of the scheme I've signed up for: www.anthonynolan.org/What-you-can-do/Donate-your-umbilical-cord.aspx but as Kara said, they only do it in a select few hospitals, I don't know whether there are any alternative trusts that can organise it. It's all been very straightforward for me, I have a sticker on my notes so that a trained 'harvester' can be informed when I'm in labour and after the birth they do their hoovering job (that's how I imagine it) and will need a signature and blood sample from me at some point before I leave.

BPrincess, that's what I thought - whip it out and let me get on with being a mum! But if you'd prefer not to have the oxytocin they're fine with it, just makes the success rate lower, but they'll still try.

Good luck with the grown-up talk nurse, don't let him bully you into making compromises, although you sound like you're not the kind of girl to be messed with! How about being shamelessly official and taping the conversation or taking minutes and getting him to sign them? I would, but I'm a bit weird.

Going to sniff out a nice beer garden with a comfy seat and get myself a shandy I think :)

Oh exciting, DH just called and said to get a cab and meet him at our favourite restaurant. Japanese food - yummy and healthy! I posted my scan pics...it has DH's nose. See you all later, have a lovely sunny evening.

It so hard keeping up with this forum! If I dont log in for half a day I feel like I'm missing out! I honestly haven't thought about the third stage at all and I'm not sure I want to until I have too coz I'm so squeamish!

Absolutely loved sitting in the sun this afternoon playing scrabble with a home made fruit smoothie!

I went to the antenatal clinic on Thursday for my 31 week check and my baby is growing exactly to textbook size apparently! It's nice that she is playing nicely for now! Her heart beat was a little fast at first when we listened in but it settled down so they werent worried!

I decided that she is going to be called Maisie as I love the name and my partner decided on her middle name as Angel and people laugh at me when I tell them!

Some woman in the clinic said to me on Thursday that I looked huge and I'm not actually that big so it annoyed me a bit - and there was a girl sat near me who was 25 weeks and she was bigger than me!!!!

TinyK the miracle ward still has room. Gosh it's so full in there right now, hope I'll still be able to get a private room

Clarkiee I must admit to not looking at your box pics as didn't want to deal with the dose of I know will follow. SAHM's don't get leaving presents cause we never leave work

Sasa I agree mint areos used to be really yummy, but they're rank now. I'm not a fan of cadbury's either really. I tend to go for Green and Blacks. If I were at home I'd be scoffing whittakers (OMG! I just realised my sister is coming to stay - runs off to email for peanut slabs by the suitcase full). TTL on the aero front we will just have to disagree I'm afraid. In my defence I did buy a Galaxy caramel at the same time as the vile orange aero and I have no complaints about that (well other then my expanding thighs..)

Kara there is a wee Cara in my son's playgroup class and she is lovely. Not stressing about names here, though I'm currently loving Daisy if it's a girl. I like really girly names.

Also meant to say good luck tomorrow Nurse. It's good you're getting these things sorted out now before you are sleep deprived.

Crazy x-posted, DH likes Maisie for us and I like it for everyone else, I just know a couple of Maisies (including a friends DD) so couldn't use it myself.

Oh boy, I've eaten to much (sushi - yum yum) and don't want to move. Some one roll me to bed quick!

Sorry TTL I honestly can't eat ANY Nestle chocolate - Cadbury is the absolute best, followed by Thorntons

Joannezipan I only do pelvic floors when I remember - or when someone prompts me on here.

Welcome back Curioselle

Mrswantstobeamum - if he really won't go for the moby, could you persuade him to use a yamo or manduca - they can both be pretty manly!

Crazychick - I think Maisie Angel is lovely.

I'd love to do the cord blood donation thing but I don't think we can do it up here

Thanks for the details Daisy I'm going to have a look into it.

Nurse best of luck tomorrow, it must be difficult, but although I don't know you I feel I know enough of your personality from this thread to know that you'll be strong, fair and level-headed about the whole thing. I didn't want to presume you'd be breastfeeding, but as you are I can say that it seems a good reason to ease yourself in slowly to the access thing and be abe to have some control over it and ensure that visiting is just for short periods to start, until it becomes more natural and comfortable.

I am loving both Maisie and Cara . My great-aunty was called Maisie and she was a right character .

One of my clients said I was really small today for 30 weeks... I nearly jumped over the desk and gave her a great big smackeroony!

Daisy sorry to hear about the crash :( but glad you seem to be OK....it is nerve wracking though when things like that happen. Re the cord blood donation; are there only 2 hospitals doing this in the UK? I had a peek on the Anthony Nolan website & it looked that way?

Good luck with the meeting nurse, if it feels like too much at any point you can always conduct as much as poss by phone or as others have advised with a 3rd party. It is hard enough seeing an ex without having to discuss all the important stuff AND being pregnant.

Glad to hear you have had good scans TTL & Joanne :)

Jasmine thats good that you got some reassurance hope the cold passes quickly.

CMH I have one friend who loves telling me how big I am (she swears I was bigger at 6 months this time than at term last time...), & also that I am going to balloon even more...apparantly she can just tell by looking at me ... this is despite other people telling me I am tiny?!

Mummy congrats on your wedding, lovely to hear that you had a great day :)

Lovely box Clarkiee lucky you!

You can tell we are all getting nearer as the name talk gets a little more urgent! I am 33+1 & today after a long day on my feet I realised that I was actually waddling not walking through the park with DS3... I was mortified & immediately tried to correct myself!

Sorry for anyone who's post I missed, my brain feels very pg & generally frazzled recently.

supersunnyday I've got to pick up some iron tablets today too, although not sure which one the doctor prescribed. However, I have been taking shop-bought iron supplements for a few months now (mainly Spa Tone sachets), so maybe my system's already prepared for an onslaught of extra iron (fingers crossed). Had you been taking any iron supplements before the fumerate gave you all that grief?

8rd it probably varies by PCT, but in Oxon they gave me a form somewhere during the process last time about donating umbilical cord, so I didn't have to search anything out. But my mind is so hazy now, I can't even remember if this was given to me during pregnancy by the MW or when I'd been admitted to the hospital in labour. All I remember is that there was definitely a form given to me, without me ever having heard of cord donation before. That said, Oxon is normally quite a shit-hot PCT when it comes to medical research-ey type things, owing to the number of research grants at the JR.