Due August 2011, third and final trimester here we come!!!!

[KLou111]

Oooooo ladies, an exciting time for us all either already here or speedily arriving.
Can't believe how quick it's all going.

Bubbas will be here in no time!!!!

Hope all goes well MrsS with the peas :)

Enjoy your scan Winter and remember the tissues!!

Wishwales sooooooo glad Morgan is staying put, she's defo a little fighter!

Oh, question for you, cot or cotbed??
It's more a room thing in our case as cotbeds are wider, and would mean we'd have to rethink which way the room is, but would rather buy the right one!
Planning (at the moment) to have 2 DH, hopefully around 2 years apart if all goes to plan, so a cot would be used again, but wondering if a cotbed would be better to buy. Help!!

Best of luck MrsS can't wait to hear how it goes fx all the way.

Almost 29 wks and got blood results today so been put on iron tabs as anaemic, rats, still, maybe that will make me less tired!

Congrats Selina pics fab.

KLou personally I'd go for cot and then get a full size single when the time comes for DC1 to go into a bed. There is a high likelihood that you will spend more than one night having to cuddle up to them, and a full size bed is much comfier for you Was an experienced mum friend's top tip to me and it's worked for us really well - DS loves his big bed :)

wishwales so pleased that Morgan is comfy where she is :)

Thanks KLou just hoping DPs DD is as excited as she was when she asked to come with us.

We have a cot for baby, mainly because of space and the fact it was DSD's cot many years ago. There is no way a cotbed would fit in the box room, god knows how they can class it as a bedroom

Mornings how long did it take for your results to come through?

Thanks guys, just had a little measure and basically if I put a cotbed in, I can't get a nursing chair or blanket box in. If I put a cot in, I can get a cot, single wardrobe, chest of drawers, blanket box, and chair in. So think will go with that for now :)

Firawla We are entitled to help from the council, but they've put us in Band C. Which with the huge waiting lists, I don't see anything happening before or within six months of the baby being born. So I think our only option is private or nothing. Sorry to hear you are struggling as well. :(

I'm very weak physically, as surprising as it is, I can only, and I mean this seriously, only barely pick up our pram. Even then, I can't lift it much off the floor and struggle. Anything over a few kg in weight I struggle to lift. (Like my laptop).

MrsV A family hostel would be our last option yes. What range of time are we talking for the hostel to deem you 'ready to leave'? Hard question so you may not know the answer. It's just if it's over a few months I don't see how I'd cope mentally.

Wishwales You've come so far and I'm glad your LO is still hanging in there. She'll be just fine. :) Keep us updated, my thoughts are with you and your family.

Thank you everyone for all the support. One question, do you think our chances would improve if we offered to pay for rent guarantee insurance for the landlord? If so, how much are we talking for the insurance?

Winter it took 2 days - I had my GTT today and those results should apparently be back on Tue.

thanks Mornings I guess they will only get in touch if theres a problem. I dont think im having the GTT, no one has said anything about it. I never thought to ask about when Id get my results the muppet that I am... remembered to ask everything else tho (only because it was written on a list)

yukana you should be in band b, what's their justification for band C? You would be ready if no issues within weeks to be honest. It all depends on your support needs and if your ready to be housed as a family unit alone (as the main reason for family hostels is to work through the reason they were homeless fix it and get it sorted) a bit of a joke if the real reason is lack of property available. It does all work on vulnerability to get in them not a waiting list so be as honest as poss and it will help.

Klou I having bought a cot bed for dd would too recommend a cot then a small bed when the time comes. I say this as someone who has done the cot - cot bed transition and is dreading cot bed to toddler bed (would have been much easier cot to toddler bed iyswim). Also it will feel far less like the toddler is having to give their bed to the baby

How has it gone today MrsS?

I have eaten too much crap today- ice cream, rolo cookies and steak sarnies mmm!

Winter I didn't ask at the time and it was only when the nurse who did my GTT said to call on Tue that I asked if I should also be calling about the original blood tests and she said yes, checked the system and discovered a prescription was waiting for me! Gtt due to twins - not otherwise the norm I think.

hmmm I might ring up on Tues and see if my results are there then, just to make sure.

MrsV I honestly can't remember what their justification was. I don't think they actually wrote much on the letter. (The letter is buried somewhere in a mountain of paperwork at the present time). We have a medical assessment council housing form but we still haven't filled it in. Really need to get it done.
I called my doctor and she said she wouldn't write to the council about our situation, as 'there was nothing she could write'. She did mention though that they are being extremely strict on the criteria as there is a massive shortage of houses.
I'm just worried about not finding a house at all and then falling deeper into depression. I really don't want that to happen, but I can't see how I'll be able to mentally cope (suffer from depression, eating disorder and anxiety disorder) if we don't have a stable home for our family to live in.

Oops, have done it again, got way behind on this thread! Too busy decorating nursery last weekend and no energy during the week. On the plus side we now have pretty painted walls (blue and green) and lots of stickers to put up with Sea creatures and safari theme.

I'll try and catch up with all the news now so sorry if this turns into another epic post...

Had an extra scan yesterday, a growth scan, he is slightly on the large size but not too much so, I've just been told to cut back on carbs and sugar a bit, but without dieting. Easier said than done I think, at least for me, any tips? Another growth scan in 6 weeks time.

MrsStevo That's great news, am so glad it wasn't TTTS, fingers crossed it keeps going well and babies keep cooking for longer. Glad to hear maternity leave starts soon too, bet you're ready for it.

Star, Firawla Sorry to hear about the gestational diabetes, that sucks :( I think it is one of those things that it is much better to know about though, so they can control it, it's when it's undiagnosed it can get bad. And it does disappear when the baby's born. Think the main issue is if blood sugar's not controlled baby might get too big so they need to monitor... I think it means extra growth scans etc.

Firawla I also agree that while it is exciting to be in third trimester I don't feel ready at all! so hoping this baby doesn't come too early. Really hope you find a new house soon though, so you have plenty of time to get ready. Can't believe so many landlords say no children!

ali and MrsStevo and others having this discussion- DH and I have hardly dtd either, it just doesn't seem to tempt us much, unless he just doesn't want to pressure me. Plus we both seem permanently knackered, me with pregnancy and him with new job starting etc! Good to know it's not just us.
Guess everyone has different levels of libido!! Poor MrsStevo tho, I imagine it's worse when you're being told not to do it, that's different somehow. MrsVidic lol, that's funny! Am impressed you convinced him, and it worked, will have to remember that if I end up overdue.

Klou Awww, your DH sounded so sweet saying that. Mine doesn't manage to be that romantic but he tries, bless him!

Anu and Annie and anyone else whose suffering them - I hate the night cramps. they're horrible. Hope you aren't getting them too often.

ohanotherone That's scary about the bleeding gums, I didn't know that, I hope it's OK. Mine quite often bleed a bit, since before I was pregnant. I keep putting off going to the dentist but maybe i should go.

MorningsMadness hope the twins stay put long enough for you to get sorted! I feel nowhere near ready just for one, nursery needs so much doing yet. Not to mention I don't feel at all ready in my head to finish work and become a mummy, it's all so different. Oh, and Ikea does a chest of drawers with a changing table attachment, Leksvik, we have one and it looks really useful.

DTM excellent news on scan :)

Wishwales Great news that things are going well. Must have been so frustrating not seeing your new house straight away but it will be worth it when baby comes all safe and sound - and so glad they let you home in the end! Thinking of you and hope Morgan stays cooking for a while... Am impressed your DH is bring obedient to your nesting instincts too!

Thanks to all those recommending baby clubs, and books to read (I know those are for Wishwales but I'm going to steal some of the ideas too!) I really need to get organised and join the baby clubs, and actually claim the free gifts - free changing bag sounds good.

KT So sorry to hear about your DS, that sounds so scary. Glad he is OK now. Also sorry to hear your work is still being so dark ages about your pregnancy. Do you have an HR department? Or are you in a union? You could take them the emails as evidence and ask them for support.

Leilandri Great news about your DH's job, you must be so pleased :)

MrsStevo Also keep having twinges 'downstairs' and need more fibre - I've found fybogel helps if you really need to get things moving, though is a bit icky...

Carrie Your appointment with your community mw sounds like mine have been, tick off all the official stuff, but no attempt to find out how I'm feeling or if I have any concerns, it's not really what I expected... Hopefully with your previous experience they'd listen to you if you said you shouldn't be sent home? Or is that too optimistic?

rugbywidow That's rubbish about your DH. I was really disappointed to find out my DH can't get paid paternity leave either, but they will prob let him have unpaid, would that be an option for you, even a few days of it? The time in job restriction is really crap!

neverlookback No wonder you ended up throwing wee at your at your DP, he was being really rude - and you are pregnant, he shouldn't be commenting on your bump as if you are overweight! Size 14 sounds thin to me! Wish you could train him to be more considerate, I love star's sticker chart for grown ups idea

On the subject of getting cheap cotton knickers rather than paper knickers, does anyone have any suggestions for large ladies? I am on size 24s already with my bump (size 20 usually) and I'm not sure what size I will need for after birth or if they will all be too small!

Yukana glad midwife appointment went so well, and hooray on the improvement in benefits situation. I found good leggings at Red Herring, in John Lewis department store, they went up to Size 18 which fit me fine (even though I'm often Size 20) so I recommend them, sure they'll have some which would fit you. Don't know Scotland v well, but DH and I just had 1 week up there on holiday, at a place called Aberlady on the coast near Edinburgh. Public transport seemed amazing, good train and bus links right into Edinburgh and along the coast. Sorry to hear your Mum is still bad though, hope you can get your own place soon. Ah, just saw you have changed your mind re Scotland but thought I'd leave that info in, in case. fingers crossed you can find something in local area soon.

JenniL and Rehune Glad to hear there's someone like me out there in terms of not being organised! Mind you, my work nickname is Last Minute Leake (my surname) so guess I am just living up to it. I do keep thinking I ought to prep hospital bag but just can't get round to it.

konatsu think growth scans are more if they're concerned about size than positioning but not sure, sounds worth asking your midwife. Plenty of time for him to turn around yet

Take care all xx

Oh, and just a warning for people with heartburn - a friend sent me this link the other day. If heartburn gets really bad and is just underneath your ribs (epigastric pain), it could be a sign of pre-eclampsia/HELLP. Not wanting to scaremonger, as it freaked me out at first, but I think it is worth knowing you should get it checked out if it gets really bad. Think it is a great thread about how useful Mumsnet can be too!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/440848-omg-heartburn-from-hell-advice-please/AllOnOnePage

Daisy not to stir things too much but are you not worried that you're pinning all your hopes on a birthing unit birth. Surely some antibiotics in hospital are far better than demanding/'wanting' a birthing unit birth and god forbid your baby gets GBS meningitis.
The best advice I have got is 'throw your birth plan out the window' - all I want is healthy baby & healthy mum. The rest really doesn't matter one jot in my mind. Loads of people have warned me to not be too fixed in my ideas about how I want the birth to go - you're only setting yourself up for disappointment.

MrsBB1982 I hear what you're saying. Thing is that that MANY women are colonised without knowing, my gbs infection wasn't even vaginally/anally but IN my kidneys 17 years ago. (I don't know if I am still colonised atm). Also IF antibiotics guaranteed my health and baby's then I'd be all for it, but there are several problems in no particular order. 1. they use hefty dose penecillin-i'm allergic. 2. death's of babies who's mum's have gbss are rare... 3. my health is likely to suffer becaue of anti-b's as i'm extremely sensitve to medication and it's not a good start for baby either

some further reading/evidence to back up my thoughts:
www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab007467.html
www.aims.org.uk/Journal/Vol15No4/WarOnGroupBStrep.htm

PS: the birthing unit is 1 floor above the medical unit

daisy they have told me I have to have hospital birth as I tested positive in urine test week 12. This is fine by me as it's where I want to be but previously they were pushing me to have a home birth (not a chance in hell)
They have also said as I tend to be quick that if they don't get a full dose in me I'll have to stay with baby for 24 hours (again no argument from me as I'll be off duty- as to a toddler at home I'm always on duty)
They still class me as low risk though and don't seem too bothered by the whole thing.

wishwales - fabulous news! 30 weeks is just fantastic!! Like lifeofkate said though - I bet she stays put until you end up having to be induced or something at 42 w!! So pleased for you though.

daisyair - It was me who saw the change bag. But I can't remember what it was called! DH looked it up on his iphone whilst we were there so I'll see if it is still saved. I THINK it was this: www.amazon.co.uk/Ryco-Deluxe-Everyday-Messengers-Black/dp/B004JHXWZK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1306589319&sr=1-4

klou - we have gone for cotbeds. To be honest, I'm not 100% on our rationale, but it just seemed to make sense (cost wise) to get one that will turn into a bed eventually. Fortunately, our nursery seems to be big enough for 2 with other furniture as well ... although we haven't actually GOT all the furniture yet so I might yet change my mind on that one!

As for me, scan yesterday went fine. Babies are looking good in general but are a teeny bit small for their gestational age - but both still between 25th and 50th centile so they aren't worried. They were SO wriggly in the scan though that it was hard to get accurate measurements . Slightly pissed / confused about the deal with my appointments tho - my understanding was that my appts would now always be on a Friday morning specifically because that is my consultant's clinic so I would be seeing him. So I got there yesterday, expecting to be scanned by him, and was scanned by an average joe sonographer (nothing wrong with that at all, just not what I'd expected) and then had my post-scan discussion with a STUDENT midwive!!! I'm all for students learning etc, but I had kinda thought that given that my babies are way up in the high risk category I might see someone who at least has some knowledge about the subject of TTTS twins. I was made all the more by the fact that I had to tell both the sonographer and the student mw about what we'd been through, the surgery etc ... you'd think they'd bloody know that!! Anyway, nevermind, the main thing is that the babies are still looking gorgeous and they can stay put! Back to weekly scanning and fortnightly growth scans ... suits me :)

OH! and!! I'VE FINISHED WORK!!!! WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Sorry to brag, but I'm just over the moon (if still finding it slightly surreal!). Really don't know what I'm going to do with myself though.... catch up on a lot of sleep and episodes of eastenders I guess!

Oh yeah, one other thing, they tested my urine yesterday and have written "leuco +++" in my notes. They said they were sending it off for growth and would write to me with the results. Any thoughts on what this might be? Potential urine infection? I feel fine though - no (new) issues in that department. Could it be linked with the betametasone injections I had on Tuesday / Weds?

Glad all OK MrsS would have thought you would have had fully qualified professionals in your case though!
Congrats finishing work, believe me you will wonder what you do with all your time, but you will fill it, believe me I do! Just relax and try and take it easy now :)

Sorry if TMI but is anyone getting a lot of......ahem......wetness/discharge?

Oh, friend made this cheesecake last weekend, was the BEST thing ever!!!

Yes Klou. A lot indeed. It seems to all be normal coloured though so not panicking and mine generally seems to be worse if I haven't had a bowel movement for a while (deffo TMI, Sorry!!). My midwife said it was totally normal but if it got to the point where I had to wear a pad or anything then I need to tell the doc. For now, I'm pad-free but getting through quite a lot of undies!!

Mrs S - I'm fairly sure that leuco means leucocytes which are white blood cells which go up in number when there is an infection present, so I think a UTI is the most likely explanation.

Am shocked that it was a normal sonographer/student midwife you saw at the last appointment, I'd have thought you should be first in line for a consultant's appointment!