June Just around the corner now...

[petitech]

Will this be the final thread?!? I somehow think not, with more and more people starting on maternity leave, we have time for a good few more methinks!

neenewps I think you should certainly try to tell her how you feel, but also remember that she might just be using this as an excuse to sever contact. Perhaps she doesn't blame you at all, but just has to stay away from his family because it hurts her too much to see you, and be reminded of the fact that she used to be a part of your family, and maybe she's just using this tenuous excuse as a reason to cut the contact and make it final. Did they have children? If not, she may have to just walk away and make a clean break, so she can start afresh with a new man, and not have to explain to him why she's still in contact with her ex in-laws. She's obviously the very injured party in this, and has to be allowed to do whatever she needs to help heal herself. However, it could also be the truth about how she feels. If I were her, I'd want to see people punishing not just him but also the nanny, simply because that's the normal human response to being hurt like that by 2 people you're close to. But it's not feasible for you to destroy your relationship with your brother, or with this new woman who may be a part fo your family for a long time to come.

In other news, I just got done for £18 for a birthday cake! I'm going to make the one for DD's party (huge thanks to mother for her recipe), but wanted to buy a small one for DD to take into nursery as it's her actual birthday today. Unfortunately, Waitrose is the only convenient shop on the journey in to work, so we were already looking at higher budget cakes. I was going to try to 'influence' DD towards the smaller cheaper ones. Then, standing at the cake counter, I suddenly started to feel really dizzy and sick (mild BH if last pg is happening again) so just let DD choose any so we could get out of there. Got to the till, and was asked for 18 whole English pounds. Dammit. Better be some left over to come home with us tonight!

Thanks Merlion and Thorny for your comments re. the adoption reference - I am still struggling to finish it. It hadn't occurred to me to post on the adoption board so have done that now!

Good luck Banana!

Less than 3 days left at work and counting..... woohoo.

O lisa I would have made you a cake last night...I was so bored I was considering losing my pineapple virginity. Rather glad I didn't now. The thought of enzymes dissolving my cervix while it tingles is not a nice one.

lisa good points.

The idea of tingly pineappley cervix rather appeals to me, for some weird reason

Bit pissed off as I have just finished two of my three pieces of coursework for the course I had to take as part of my probation at work. I will finish the third by the weekend. If it's all signed off, I can get an £8k payrise next spring. But I am supposed to have an 'evaluative conversation' about one of the pieces of work and I just emailed the tutor who said she doesn't want me to use a keeping in touch day to do it while I'm on leave and doesn't want me to discuss this year's work next year when I'm back, so she'll de-enrol me from the module and make me do it again next year. So the 5,000 words I've just sent her is now defunct and I have to do the whole frigging course again (which was a waste of time in the first place) and defer my payrise by another year.

I am and trying to persuade her that this is not an option. I'm sure there are grounds for discrimination here, especially as I have made it clear throughout the course (not least of all by my bump!) that I am pregnant and this will be an issue. Grrrrrrrr...

TTL that's awful, I'd be fuming. Very inconsiderate of her. Studying is hard enough as it is without being pregnant at the same time. Hope you get it sorted xx

TTL - that is awful!! Can you protest to someone above her? Why won't she let you use one of your KIT days?

I am a hippopotamus. If I could have run more hot water into the swimming pool I'd still be there!

neenewps tricky sounding situation with you brother and SIL. Sounds like you've been given some good advice though (by other whose brains work better than mine) and can use this to find the best way to approach SIL.

TTL how very annoying and rude of your tutor to spring this on you now. Def keep pushing to get it sorted this term! (I dunno, can you have a melt down at her like you did with your DDH?!)

confessions, the problem is I'm so much politer in RL than I am with DH

I've emailed her a big long list of my reasons why I want to sort it now - hopefully she'll just let me sort it out asap. Not sure about the KIT days thing - I think she thinks she's helping me out - maybe once I've explained it'll get sorted.

Hope everyone else is having a nice day. Got quite a lot of bananas in the house at the moment, and they look much more convenient for cervix-stuffing than pineapple (only kidding ...)

Hello all - I haven't had the energy to post in a few days but I have been reading (and laughing about pineapple insertion). I hope we have some news r.e. babies arriving soon, especially from banana - gogogo baby banana!!!!! TTL your boss seems like she is either being very discriminatory or thoughtless - if you don't get a positive response to your email I would definitely approach one of her seniors. This doesn't sound like it would be an issue if you were not pregnant, and at the end of the day you should be treated exactly the same as you would be if you were not on maternity leave.

Neenewps that must be a horrible situation for your family at the moment, I think everyone else has given you some grand advice - she must be very angry, and I am sure that once the anger subsides she will understand your family's point of view. I had a similar thing about ten years ago with an ex and a group of his friends who I was really close to, and I expected them all to drop him and rally around me when he went off with a close friend of mine, but in hindsight I can see that this was not possible and put them in an awkward position.

I have news on the baby positioning front. Went to see the consultant yesterday, and although I was not booked in for a presentation scan she examined me and said baby is currently transverse (sideways). She has felt to me like she has been in this position for quite some time now. She is very high up the moment, and there is absolutely nothing in my pelvis, not a bum or a head.

I am booked in for a presentation scan next Tuesday, and they have told me to take my hospital bag... if she has gone back to breech I will have to be kept in and observed until I have the baby (by CS), as it is something called an "unstable" lie, and means that there is a high chance if I go into labour she could come out cord or foot first, which is very dangerous. Although I live a 10 minute drive from the hospital they do not want to take any chances if I go into spontaneous labour. If she is still transverse next Tuesday she is unlikely to turn as it will be 37 weeks by then and she cannot be delivered naturally in that position, so I will be booked in for a CS and allowed to go home. If she is transverse because she is on her way to head-down position from breech systems are all go for a natural birth, but I have a niggling feeling deep down this is not the case.

I am dreading having to stay in hospital for 3-4 weeks - I will miss ds terribly, and he will miss me, and we are just getting somewhere with his clinginess and jealousy about the baby. Also, I will be worrying about my partner coping with everything on his own, and he doesn't drive so he is going to have massive logistical problems every day just getting ds to the childminders, getting to work on time, picking him up every night, and visiting me as well. I have been nagging him to get his car license ever since I was pregnant with ds1, he just has a motorbike licence, so am feeling a bit pissed off that he hasn't sorted it. Hopefully this will be the wakeup call he needs.

Just got to sit tight until next Tuesday really and see what happens... at least I have lots to occupy me as I need to try and get as much done as possible before Tuesday, as this may be my last chance! Serves me right for being so laissez faire in this pregnancy so far, I hot-footed it to Boots this morning and got everything for my hospital bag and the baby's room still isn't finished, or all the stuff we need ordered . I have received delivery of a lovely pair of red birkenstocks today though, and I declare them the most comfy footwear ever .

That's great that you're on the mend confessions
TTL no way should you stand for that nonsense - that's a dreadful way to treat you!
I managed a small bowel movement earlier but v jealous of Kara's massive one.

8rd - what a worry! I can the logisitics for your DH will be a nightmare :(
Is there any friends/family who can help out?

Kara my Mum is about 10 miles out of the city and DPs Mum about 10 miles the other way. My Mum is going to come over and help me get the house clean and up together this weekend, and she has offered to look after ds one day a week like she does already, but overnight, and will also travel in on days DP has not got time to bring ds up to the hospital to see me. We're lucky to have her so close. DPs Mum is a full-time carer to her husband who is terminally ill, so can't help out so much, but is going to get on the case with some batch cooking for the freezer, so at least ds won't be living on spaghetti hoops! (DP is a bit challenged in the kitchen dept).

8rd as you will be full term at 37 weeks can't they deliver by CS then rather than waiting? Hopefully it won't come to that but might be better than having to stay in hospital for a few weeks?

Congratualtions Nurse

I have a confession to make.... I was so fed up of the stabbing cervix pains last night that I stuck 2 huge Evening Primrose Oil capsles up erm 'myself' in the hope they might help. Took ages to get them all the way in as I couldn't quite reach . Went to sleep and actually slept all night had a bit of leaking from the oil I suppose in the morning but not had any stabbing type pains today yet, so am happier. Although might be co-incidence and nothing to do with the oil.

Am 38 weeks tomorrow, have an appointment with the midwife am crossing my fingers that baby will be engaged and hopefully a little bit early as I am grumpy and uncomfortable. I haven't gotten round to packing my hospital bag yet though so maybe had better make a start.

Good Luck for today Banana!

I have some sort of pregnant woman rage atm, especially directed at the scrap iron van that keeps driving past, I want to go outside and hit him over the head with his scrap iron. Done nothing today except sit on the sofa even though I have loads to do, not even got dressed. Have to pick the DC up from school soon though so better get a move on!

Merlion I have been thinking the same thing this morning - I am going to suggest it if the consensus is I need to stay in next week.

Trying to catch up, sorry can't post individually but I have complete baby brain. It's really strange sitting here breast feeding my 9 week old reading all about your late pg symptoms. Glad I didn't have to go through some of it. Some more babies are definitely needed, I feel lonely......so come on banana I need company
We have our first baby jabs tomorrow.......hope my LO is ok, my dh is going to hold her as I'm not brave enough.
As for lady gardens......if you can I would have a trim if you can manage purely to make it more hygienic for the post baby bleeding.....don't worry about mws etc they won't care......I just found it hard to stay clean and fresh and I was pretty neat lol

Ah lovely to hear from you moomin the jabs are definitely worse for the parents than the baby!

This is probably going to sound like a really daft question but are your edd's based on 39 or 40 weeks?

Good luck banana!

TTL that's crap. Hope you can get it sorted.

neenewps Ah, awkward situation. She might mellow a little if you try and keep in touch with her.

Confessions hope your aching fanjo sorts itself out. While I can't compete with your cyst, I do have a MASSIVE boil on my belly, under my belly button, a bit to the left. Luckily it's not sore but I've got a midwife appointment tomorrow, I may have to stick a bit of concealer on it...or knit it a hat!

And my hips hurt. And my back. I woke up for the loo at 4.30, went back to bed, knocked a glass of water flying, woke up DH with all my clattering and swearing (he was very lovely and understanding about it) and couldn't get back to sleep. DH got up at 5.30 as he was wide awake, went to work for 3 hours then came home, and is now tidying the cellar. Bless him! Think I'll be glad to see bedtime tonight.

:o @*almighty knitting a hat for the boil!

moomin lovely to hear from you. We defo do need some more babies to compare notes with... you have had a definite headstart on us all :) We are all going to be asking you what to expect next!

merlion mine is based on 40 weeks... I think now you have me questioning myself!

8RD Noooo mini rubberduckie... behave yourself. Me and your Mummy are due date buddies so no misbehaving. Hope that your MW has got it wrong and that your LO is hunky dorey in there. I can imagine how difficult it is to be the sole driver in the household. I wonder if your DH could get one of those little side carts to pop your DS into :o

sasa & kara :o at your poos

ttl how bloody frustrating for you re your work. Agree with the others about how to progress with it.

Finally thank you all SO SO much for the advice re my sister in law. I really really appreciate it. I am going to attempt to compose an email to her shortly explaining that I understand how she must feel and that I would like to stay in touch. Perhaps once I have had this baby she will feel more inclined to get in touch too...

Hello I haven't posted in ages although I have managed to lurk from time to time. I'm very sorry - very busy finishing up work and dealing with DTs. Was really looking forward to my maternity leave starting this week and catching up with you all, but its all gone pear-shaped.

I had a scan last Thursday at 34+1 to find that the baby had barely grown in a month and sonographer sent me straight up to day assessment. Since then I've been in hospital every day except Sunday for monitoring and Drs appointments. The consultant on Monday said that it was a significant drop in growth and wanted to take things on a day by day basis. He didn't think I would get to 39 weeks and wanted me to get to 36 weeks if possible. I had steroids on Monday and Tuesday to mature the baby's lungs in case they decide to get it out this week. Bp and urine have so far stayed normal, so we don't know whats caused the reduced growth. Monitoring this morning was less reassuring and the baseline heart rate is getting lower, just met the criteria but the mw told me to come at any sign of reduced movements and carry my notes with me at all times which wasn't exactly reassuring. I've got another scan tomorrow to check fluid levels and blood flow. I have a horrible feeling the baby might have to come out before 36 weeks.

Anyway, enough of my moaning! I haven't got a hope in hell of catching up with everyone. I'm surprised we haven't had more babies yet, I'm right at the end of June so I thought we would have a few come early-ish. banana looks like the hopes are riding on you at the moment!

moomin so glad Florence is home with you now. You have done very well after such a rocky start, its not easy dealing with a prem baby.

clarkiee you too! I remember well the ups and downs of SCBU, we used to go in every day and see whether DTS2 had taken milk overnight and how much. We kept being told he wouldn't be in there for very long, but we were knocked back several times when we thought he was about to come home. Hang in there!

TTL that is total crap!!! I would definitely contact her superior and try and get it sorted. Sounds like she just can't be bothered with the
bureaurcraocy paperwork

8 nightmare - really hope your scan next week brings you good news about which way round your LO is lying. There is still time for it to turn. Can you try the things on the spinning babies website to encourage it the right way round?

almighty painful hips are rubbish. I have phases when mine really hurt, usually after I've been doing lots of bending over. You have my sympathies.

Right, that's enough from me for now. I'm going to attempt a snooze, been up since 2.30am

Dear me what have I started?! Some strange competitive thing. s at Kara on your rival poo (you're welcome to that crown) and Almighty with a little wooly hat on the side of your tummy.

Welcome back Louey. How worrying for you! Fingers crossed you LO hangs on in there until a decision can be made.

Waves at Moomin while gushing over Flo

Still waiting to see who'll cave first with the pineapple... (don't look at me Currant Bun is still cooking)

Hey Moomin! I think I cried more than DS when I took him for his 1st jabs! Glad Florence is doing well

Almighty - yep aching hips here, and the ever present piles

Louey - fingers crossed you get to 36 weeks, hope everything is okay for you and the bub.

Hi all, the last piece of our nursery kit turned up today ? a gliding chair and footstool. Hopefully I can get DH to put it together tonight (he's generally been fab about his baby-related jobs). I?ve been slowly washing and putting away clothes and linens, so everything is almost set now! Not much else to report, other than I seem to be getting quite a lot of BHs contractions this week.

Banana, I didn?t know that about sex after waters breaking, but it does make sense. I guess that rules out pineapple as well! Good luck today!

TTL, I?m also tired of hearing negative newborn stories, but also negative stories about birth and breast-feeding. I get that it?s not a walk in the park, but it seems like it?s those who have had particularly bad experiences who like to share them the most. I just don?t think it helps to traumatise mothers-to-be.

8RD, sorry about the baby being transverse. I hope she manages to turn before Tuesday. I?m sure you and DH can finish sorting out the baby?s room before then, just in case.

Louey, sorry about the drop in growth?good that they?re monitoring things, though. Good luck with your scan tomorrow. Hope you can hang on until full term.

Louey how worrying for you - fingers crossed you can get to 36 weeks.

Kara I'm really worried about piles just now - do you think that when you push the baby out, an entire bunch of grapes will appear?
I know it sounds ridiculous but I'm genuinely worried about this

I am soooo crampy today - but I know it means nothing so just burying my head in the sand so I don't get my hopes up

I drank lots of prune juice earlier so hoping to ease the constipation.

neenewps dont think im much of an expert on what to expect.......our MN friends on number 3 wil be much more experienced LOL

For me its the tiredness.......i know a lot of you are experiencing insomnia but its totally different when you are being woken and you cant possibly believe they want food again. Flo has a reversed body clock at the min which apparantly is very common and just takes time. During the day she sleeps and at night she wakes every 1.5-3hrs for food. It can be all consuming and expect tears, expect to feel resentment for DH/DP who can stay asleep while you feed, wind, nurse back to sleep, fall asleep yourself and be woken 30min later! Even though my DH takes her downstairs after the 6-7am feed so i can get some sleep ( he is still on paternity leave) or lets me sleep in the day whenever i want too, there is nothing quite like the wish for a full 2 hrs of night time sleep.
the amount of love you can feel for this little person is just so wonderful, you want to protect and make everything ok. The trapped wind that makes her cry in pain makes me want to cry with her, to feel her snuggling in is the best feeling in the world.........it wont be long until all you lovely ladies can be sharing it with me.