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!!!!

Winter funnily enough have just had my weekly email from Aptamil and it said this about water retention:
P.S. A final tip to help you support your baby from the inside? Some mums-to-be suffer from water retention at this stage, leading to swollen feet and ankles. But don?t let this put you off drinking water, as keeping hydrated can actually relieve symptoms, and both you and your baby need plenty of fluids. However, if your hands or face start swelling up, call your doctor as it could be a symptom of a health problem.

Thanks KLou im trying to drink loads but that then means im at the toilet every 10min!!!

Im 32weeks tomoro and I agree its gone far too quick. Sleeping is proving to be a problem for me, I cant settle on my left and can only sleep on my right. If I lay down I get BH (well I think thats what it could be)

Baby is still sitting breech tho, which is causing pain pain pain :( I think I have an extra MW appointment next wednesday for some reason, il be 32+5 so dont know why they've booked me in then.

I'm a lie on the right person too winter. Can't seem to get comfy on the left, but it may also be because DH sleeps on my left (even though he did offer to swap, but the loo is closer my side!!)

Had a MW appt today at 32 weeks.
Blood is normal again - high sugar level from 28 weeks must have been down to the Soothers I was eating when I had the cold/sinus infection after all! So that's a weight off my mind.
Blood pressure/urine is normal - thankfully has been throughout.
Heard hearbeat again - always nice
Measuring at 31 weeks, which is interesting becuase my original dates (pre-scan) would have me at 31 weeks rather than 32.
Baby has swapped sides so now his back is to my left hand side - which is the perfect place to be so lets hope he stays put!

A good day :D

MrsS I ended up having a CS last time with my son. A few things that I found helpful were -
batch cooking meals (spag bol sauce, chilli, curry etc) and buying in pizzas, chips etc so meals are quick and easy.
Registering for online grocery shopping, for all the heavy things and nappies if nothing else!
I kept a jar of cash in the house, so I could ask visitors to pick bits up for me, and was able to pay them back easily.
My V-shaped pillow was a godsend, bubs could rest on it for feeding instead of on my scar, and for the first week I couldn't lie down in bed as it pulled on scar, so was fab for propping me up too.
This time round (knowing that I'm having a CS) I have bought some cheap "lounge" pants from Primark, that rest above the scar, and are smart enough to leave the house in, instead of my scubby pj bottoms!
I have washed EVERYTHING, as lifting the laundry baskets was a real strain for a few weeks, and have bought DH extra pants, socks and work shirts so if the laundry falls behind, its not a big deal.
I have also bought tea tree oil, to add to baths/apply neat to wound, as my scar got infected last time :(

Oh and really big, unsexy granny pants for after - 1) so nothing rests on scar as that really hurts and 2) so DH doesn't get any "ideas" as he can just jog on for a few weeks

Hope that helps X

It is amazing how this pregnancy seems to be flying. I second the comment that it seems like five minutes ago we were all having our 20 week scans.

33+1 today, I've spent every day this week out in town, and my pelvis is throughly sore. DP is tidying our room (Bless him, I offered to help) whilst he told me to put my feet up. My feet are very swollen and puffy (right one more so than the left, I've noticed) so gave the midwife ward a call, told me it's normal unless I'm having headaches etc. Will go to the GP if it hasn't cleared up by Monday.

Desperately need to do some food shopping online but don't get paid for another few days. In the meantime it looks like it's fruit, cereal, waffles and peas.

quick question, ive had my 32 week appointment today and she has forgot to tell me when to go next, if eveything is normal is it 3 weeks or 4? there were some white blood cells detected in my urine sample so she sent that off, i do get on/off thrush in pg and was a bit itchy the other day but no other symptoms im hoping thats what it is.

Never think it's different depending on where you live. I'm in Edinburgh and had 32 weeks appt today, next one is in 4 weeks.

hi everyone, i am back all moved in and got internet connected yesterday so have read through all the posts to see how everyone is doing. its too much to reply everything but wishwales really good to hear morgan is doing so well!

as for me i have been put on insulin this week and i saw on my notes that the dr wrote that they will b inducing early either 38 or 39 weeks (altho they did not actually tell me just wrote it! so i will have to ask and talk to them) but if that was the case then it will be only around 6 weeks left!! which seems sooo little time but atleast now we are moved will be able to get baby stuff all sorted soon, well once we are back from holiday as going away tomorrow.
i had babies weight estimated at growth scan on monday and was 4.4lbs which is not particularly big? so atleast the diabetes does not seem to have affected his size or anything so far

Firawla I'm glad you found a place and are settled in. :)

Bad news came just now. We were all set to be ready to go through with moving in to a place we found, and then were told by the estate agents that as we don't earn three times the rent, we can't rent the place without a guarantor. So, that's that estate agent and option blown out of the water.

We are going to look at a place on Monday that accepts housing benefit with no guarantor, but I just feel very :( that we may never find a nice place in the future. Both me and DP feeling fragile right now, I just want the house hunting to end.

Firwala that seems like a really odd thing to do to not tell you that they plan to induce! Quite annoying actually. I'd get back there pronto so you know where you stand. Exciting though that it might only be another few weeks.

I'm feeling (unlike you all) that things are going quite slowly at the moment. Think I've got a bit of SPD now too, damn it! Hurts a few times a day and partic when walking. I've been told to lay off the breaststroke when I go swimming, so may actually begin to knock that on the head now, as i'm increasingly self conscious too and the showers are crap.

Yucana, I'm really sorry to hear things have fallen through for you - it does sound harsh that you need 3x the rent. Good luck with seeking out agents that don't have this requirement.

I'm knackered and also not sleeping v well any more. Last night I went to the loo and couldn't get back to sleep. Also struggling to sleep on my left. Feel like an old woman in the afternoons! Fewh... am v excited though!

never my appointments are fortnightly from now on 34, 36, 38, 40 and 41 if bubs still in there! But it's my first baby so think you have more clinics. Just give your clinic a ring or MW :)

Well, been doing the filling bits today, just got rub them down tomorrow, then can paint, hopefully, if the lounge plaster is dry. Don't know about anyone else, but I seem to have had a burst of energy!! I don't know whether it's because there is stuff that needs doing that I can actually do, or what?
Will get on with glossing the skirtings if walls not dry. Feel actually helpful for a change! Can finally see light at the end of a very long tunnel! Hopefully this time next week we'll be painting the nursery woohoo!!! Then just got to order the cot and mattress :)

KLou im not sure about the energy but im nesting... im 32 weeks and decided I needed to get hospital bags ready. I havent stopped there, ive got babys clothes washed, crib and cot sheets washed, babys hospital bag done, bought bits for my bag, and now im washing the curtains for babys room!!!

DP thinks ive gone mad!

winterlover you sound very organised! must feel good to have everything ready though

yukana that is so annoying about the agents, i think its standard with a lot of agencies tho or atleast saying 2.5x the rent, maybe a private landlord advertising directly without an agent may b more flexible, hopefully..
hope you find one really soon

rugby i was supposed to be back in today so i could have asked, but soo busy bc of going away tomorrow, so i thought i would see if i could get away with just phoning up the midwife and telling them my readings rather than going in, luckily they were fine with it and didnt tell me off. but will be back in as soon as im back in london, they seem to have scheduled me a huge amount of appointments! lucky i am living near the hospital this time or would have been a pain going in so much

klou that will be exciting painting the nursery,is it you who was going to do it duck egg colour?

Anyone mind if I have a quick rant? No? Good.

I had a growth scan this morning. Usual 30 minute wait between my appointment time and my actual scan time. Nice sonographer who I've seen before did the measurements - both babies still measuring between 25th and 50th centile, but bigger twin hasn't grown all that much in the last 2 weeks which worries me (but doesn't worry the docs). Then she measured the ventricles in the babies' brains and found that the smaller twin's right posterior ventricle is dilated more than it should be - maximum depth should be 10mm and it was 11.4mm. Second sonographer then came in to double check it (10 minutes later, so I was alone for 10 minutes having just been told there was an abnormality with one of my baby's brains!! FFS!!) and confirmed the same. So THEN I was sent packing back out to the waiting room to await meeting with the midwife. An HOUR later (about half of which I spent in the toilets sobbing my heart out) I get called in by yet ANOTHER midwife who I've never met, who has no idea what I've been through etc etc and the first thing she said was "Oh, I see you're having twins". ARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES I AM HAVING FUCKING TWINS AND THEY ARE VERY COMPLICATED TWINS AND I'VE HAD SURGERY AND NOW ONE OF THEM POSSIBLY HAS A BRAIN ABNORMALITY....... READ MY FUCKING NOTES!!!!!!!!!!!! (I didn't say any of that of course, just a polite "yes"). So she does all the normal stuff - BP, asking me about movements etc - and then goes to get the doctor to 'sign me off' for another week. Doctor comes in and basically said that he couldn't tell me what the increased ventricle thing could mean at this stage but there's nothing they can do about it anyway. He said they would measure it again on my next scan in 2 weeks and if it remains enlarged, then I would be referred to a paediatrician to discuss what this might mean when the babies arrive. I then had to point out that I am actually scanned weekly and would it be possible for them to measure it again next week. "oh yes, so you are. In that case, yes, we'll measure it again then". Idiot. Would have loved to have seen my own consultant who actually appears to give a toss but of course he wasn't around (despite it being his bloody clinic!).

So. I now have to wait for a week to find out whether or not there is actually a significant problem. In the meantime of course I'm verging on hysterical, jumping to huge conclusions about the baby having brain damage / cerebral palsy / hydrocephalus etc and have no idea how I'm supposed to get through the next week and stay sane. I am resolute that I will not google this latest development though for fear of self-diagnosing any / all of the above conditions.

All of this not helped by DH being at work so I'm all alone. Have spoken / sobbed to him on the phone but I could really use him being here for a hug not 50 miles away in some office.

Sorry to wail (and for the blue language!). I'm just hugely upset that we've encountered yet another problem after everything appeared to be going so well And also hugely pissed off at Lincoln County Hospital for their shoddy, shoddy information sharing. If I have to tell one more midwife our "story" then I will seriously lose it with someone.

And I was on such a high after a really productive day yesterday of getting stuff together for my / the babies' hospital bags. I've ordered everything that we need and all I need to do is crack on with sticking the stickers on the nursery wall ... which I now don't feel even slightly inclined to do. Much better to sit and wail loudly and then maybe get my ass up and get myself some lunch :(

((HUGS)) MrsS Nothing useful to add really I'm afraid excpet that it sounds very insensitive of them, which hopefully is an indication that it is something and nothing? I know it saounds stupid, but try not to worry. If there is nothing they can do about it then the best thing is that the babies stay cozy and baking for another week. You're so close now that if there was anything that could be done or if it was serious, they would be talking to you about imminent section dates wouldn't they? (not my area of expertise I'm afraid)

So sorry MrsS that you are being so fucked around, bastards!! Do they not think all you'll do is stress for the next week causing yourself even more upset?!?!?! Is there anyone else you can ask and have a second opinion (I know you had 2 people confirm it, but I mean somewhere else?)
Try not to worry as KT said, I know you will, but try and just be excited that they are still in there, your little fighters, and that's hopefully where they'll stay for a while :) Big hugs xxxx

Firawla yes am doing duck egg blue :) Bought the paint, just need the room emptied!

Well have had a very productive day this end. Glossed landing and 3rd bedroom skirtings, glossed 3rd bedroom door and surround, painted landing ceiling, rubbed down all the filling around doors and windows I did yesterday, and put first coat on lounge ceiling. Then I cleaned up all the bits of plaster around doors and windows (which took an age as they are wood not PVC so gets into all the grain) so am feeling very pleased with myself today :)
Tomorrow, lounge ceiling, lounge, landing and staircase walls :)

Il try to catch up on what ive missed (only been gone a day or two!!)

Quick question for thoes who had the GTT done. Ive just found out that my Dad and grandma have diabeties, something which no one thought to tell me before. My mum only let my dads slip yesterday Im going to mention it to MW on Wednesday but would this mean id have to have the GTT too? Or do they only do that if you have excess glucose shown at teh 28w bloods?

MrsS you have every right to be annoyed with the care you recieved (or didn't), hope as others have said that it could be something and nothing. Is there any way you could get someone to go with you to the appts- MIL? DM? a friend? Only because from my experience having someone with you helps you to get your head around things and in my experience I generally recieve a lot better care. People always assume if they see a preg lady upset its hormones not a genuine concern
Klou good to hear the work is going well to the house. DP empties the study and has removed the inbuilt desk to reveal a hole in the carpet and wallpaper! One job done another added to the bloody list!
Dp is back at work today after his 2 days off and DD is begging him to stay at home, its quite sad. She has decided he is far more fun than mummy who no longer can run around in the park!
I am knackered today and I'm sleeping really well so god knows how you guys cope who struggle sleeping! I'm off to sleep about 10 ish and up for a wee about 2.30am then straight back to sleep until 630 when DD wakes us up. Its quite cute actually as she just starts to say 'down stairs please, wake, awake!' down the montior. Then she runs into our room and tries to get into bed with us!
winterlover you inspired me to pack my hospital bags yesterday- 35 weeks on Thursday so I've not done to bad to put it off (I was packed and ready by 28 weeks last time!)

Is anyone else running out of clothes- I have loads of maternity summer things but this crap weather is seriously limiting my wardrobe!
So tasks for this week are building a toddler bed and moving the cot into the new nursery! Its all a little real now!

Thanks ladies, I'm feeling a bit less fragile and more positive today after a decent night's kip (the blackout blinds for the nursery arrived yesterday so we test drove them in our room last night - amazing! So nice not to wake up at 4:30am with the sun shining in!).

DH came home from work mid-afternoon in the end yesterday so we had a good wail together and he then rang the lead midwife at the hospital (who looked after us through the last lot of traumas) and explained that I was v.upset by the treatment I got yesterday and pretty please could she ensure that my consultant sees my notes asap. She was lovely apparently and is going to shove them under the consultant's nose when he's back from his holiday on Tuesday. At least then I'll feel re-assured that someone who knows what they are talking about has actually reviewed me. DH is also coming with me to the scan next week so I'll have him for support - think he'll prob come to all of them now (he's self-employed so no work = no cash, but this is more important).

Anyway, time to haul myself out of bed and go and make a banoffee pie for a cricket club "do" tonight - oh the joys!!!

Hope you all have lovely weekends x x

MrsS banoffee pie is my FAVOURITE!!!! Might have to make one for next weekend when my mum and dad come :)
Glad you've managed to get a few thing sorted.

Re hospital bag, I did mine about 2 months ago lol! Received my labouraid mouthguard this week, so that's got to go in. Just need to make sure DH takes it out of the car when he goes away for a few days next weekend lol. He'll only be 3 hours away if any emergencies thank god :)

Been painting again this morning. Have put the second coat on lounge ceiling, first coat on lounge walls, stairs and landing and glossed the bathroom door and surround.
Just having a rest watching a bit of f1 qualifying, (and might a have a cheeky slice of iced jam sponge I've made), then off to do second coat on the walls. Starting to look 'home' again!!! :)

Hope you're all having lovely weekends so far x

Sorry you've had such a rough time MrsS, FX everything is ok and in the meantime have lots of hugs, cake and chocolate. If you want a little job to take your mind off things, please post the banoffee pie recipe!
WinterLover at my booking in appt they said I would need the GTT if any firstline relatives had diabetes so that would mean you qualify with your dad having it. It bodes well though that they haven't detected any glucose in your urine samples. They wouldn't normally test for glucose in your bloods as it's inaccurate unless you have been fasting.
I'm having clothes issues too MrsV but I'm reluctant to buy anything else as we're nearly there (not that I have visions of pinging back into shape straight after the birth!). Thank god for maxi dresses - DP and I went to a wedding yesterday and it was so comfy being in a maxi dress and flip flops! Is it about 36 weeks that we're meant to get measured for nursing bras?
KLou sounds like you're doing a good job with the decorating. I've got 4 shifts left at work (last one Friday) then I MUST sort the nursey out and pack my hospital bags.
Well, we've had a busy couple of days with the wedding and visiting DP's friends and family who live away, and I have a 13 hour shift tomorrow so I'm off to put my feet up. Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone xxx

13 hour shift betty? The thought of doing anything for more than 10mins without a sit down is exhausting enough! We've had a DIY weekend building the new wardrobes for DD and DS's room, which means the chest of drawers that housed DS's stuff is now free for the baby. Really need to get the baby things out of the loft and start sorting them, goodness knows when though.

mrsS I'm so at the 'care' you received at your scan, I was fuming on your behalf when I read the bit about 'so you're having twins then'. Good on your lovely DH for making the phone call, I'm sure you must be very keen for your consultant to come back from holiday and put your mind at rest about the whole thing. Your babies are fighters and you're growing them brilliantly :)

I had a lot of fun doing a pregnancy photo shoot yesterday for a friend who's a professional photographer and wanted to enter a photo competition for which she needed bumps! She took some great pics of me and DD too (DS was having none of it, there were trucks to play with in the other room!) so it'll be great to have mementoes of this pg as we've taken a fraction of the number of photos we took with the first two.

winter, when I went for mine there was a lady who was at our stage now so deffo not the 28 weeks (as I was) but yes with your dad you'll need to have it done - is he insulin - when mum was on tablets & I pg with DS I didn't, however now she's insulin I had to.

just quickly for me until I can get back on & catch up properly. We have now brought everything we need, save some breast shells for me, but last outing yesterday. DP can't believe the amount of clothes DC has . still least we're sorted & he's properly indulged me since being home.

how's everyone, what are we all doing/up to?

Morning all

winter I'm feeling a bit panicked that I haven't got hospital bag together. I've got most stuff I need i think, so just need to check it through and put together.

With my high BP situation I've been a bit wobbly this last week. My pg has gone so smoothly so far, that to suddenly have consultant led care and lots of appointments has made me feel worried. I know it's good that they're keeping a close eye, but on friday I was up at hospital for hours & they wouldn' let me leave until they got blood tests back ok for pre-eclampsia. Seems that its just high bp at the moment. They've started me on methlydopa which seems to be having an effect. Felt totally spaced out yesterday and very weepy. :( Hope this isn't going to last for the rest of my time. Feel like got so much to do, not much time left and if I feel like this off tablets, not sure how I'll get everything sorted out in time. I feel quite out of my depth to be honest.

Hospital tour next weekend so need to get list of questions together. Haven't had my antenatal class yet but I'm going to check they have me on the list as I haven't had any info about it through and I'm sure they said they would. I had better try and sign up for the BF class too. I keep forgetting to ring