Summer, summer, summer PESH: Get in your birthing pools, it's going to be a hot one

[LadyGoneGaga]

BESH BAYBEES

dontrythisathome, girl born March 25.
Cheggers, twinz girlz, born April.
FannyPriceless, boy, born June 8.
CurlyCasper, girl, born June 24.
CUNextTuesday, boy, born June 29.
AlpinePony, boy, born 1 July.
Carrots, boy, born July.
IggyPiggy, girl, born July.
Cosmosis, boy, born Sept 5.
Backinthebox, boy, born Sept 7.
Skatergrrrl, girl, born Sept 10.
VAG, boy, born Oct 2.
Silversky, boy, born Nov 1.
SomethingSuitablyWitty, girl born Nov 2.
okiecokie, girl, born Nov 12.
Honeymoo, boy, born Nov 11.
ReginaMonologue, boy, born Nov 13.
Maswera, boy, born Dec 24.
PollyPoo, girl, born Jan 5.
MrsFC, boy, born Jan 7.
ChoChoSan, girl, born 6 Feb.
Ginhag, boy born 11 Feb.
Muser, girl, born 15 Feb.
CluckyKate, boy, born 18 Feb.
Perfect Dromedary, boy, born 23rd February.
Casserole, girl born 19th March
Medee, girl, born 26th March.
Scorpette, boy, born 21st May.
Rocketleaf, girl, born 23rd May.

UPDIFFED

Laurielou, the unmarried hussy with the "surprise" diff, due 31 May (ish).
TwinkleToes, supergluing her fanjo shut, due 20 June.
Orchid, hoping for a zen like child, due 1st July.
Ginfox, loving the new mega-boobs, due 12th July.
LadyGoneGaga, No, it's not fucking twins, due 24 July.
Ivegotmrbitey, appears to have eaten posh spice, due 27th July.
Macaroonmum, eating for 7, due Aug 6th.
Owlbooty, suddenly weeble-shaped, due 7th August.
Ocarina, there's a what in there?! due late August.
Mountie, too shy to shine, due Autumn.
Truffkin, growing a padawan, due 17th November.

Twenty week scan already truff? How exciting! Are you going to be finding out what flavour? Gah to the vom though. Have you eaten somehting different or got overtired? Tiredness would set me a-puking fo' sho'.

Glad you've had some good news GG and a definite date for moving too. Phew! Good luck for tomorrow as well.

Rash has gone thanks maccers to be replaced by a resurgence of the acne. Luckily I have gone with envy at your Tuscan villa which is toning it down well!

occyoccyoccyoyoyoy massage sounds fab, heading to tesco.com to se how I can get one too!

brown that sounds ugh, hope you can get it sorted with minimal fusning of lawyers holidays. I believe you are experiencing first trimester exhaustion. It does get better, promise!

arial I have no food to offer you as am not sharing my cake but would be pleased to press you to my buzzwams?

I have been signed off work for another week which I am very glad about. Suppose I will have to go back sooner or later but would prefer later. In the meantime the nursery has been painted and all decorations put up. I like to go and squee in there every ten minutes or so. Mid wife this AM said baybee's head is down very low now. Eeep. I recorded his heart beat on my mobile as a late father's day treat for the FDH. He is now under the impression that I am growing a spaceship

Ps congratulations on nephew truffles

It can't be long until Maternity leave starts, Bitey? When are you going on leave?

Pressed send a bit early there . I mean can you be signed off right until you go on ML or do you need to tie up any loose ends etc? Can't see that is worth the stress. I finish on Weds and can't come soon enough.

lady The Dr did suggest signing me off until I start ML but I do have a few things to do before I go, including a leaving lunch I'd rather leave a clear desk and not think about work for a year if that makes any sense? I'll have three weeks left when I go back, how bad can it be? (famous last words)

do you have to go into the clinic for your results or will they ring you? Fingers crossed for you

Morning All.

GG good news re: exchange. Fingers crossed for GTT result.

Ocars I have written down some notes for Mr Fox so he can prompt me re: positions during contractions etc. Have been doing preggo yoga every day, but suspect that all my practice and learnings will shoot out of my brain when I actually need to use it.

Brownie and Truffers hope the boaking stops soon.

Bitey I have finished decorating the nursery, and it is now my favourite room.

Had MW appointment yesterday, and my top-of-uterus-to-pelvis measurement is the same as two weeks ago, so going for growth scan. Everything else is fine, Foxcub kicking me black and blue, heartbeat spot on etc. So mostly about the whole thing - apart from the small % of me that is crapping myself. MW admitted that she is sure everything is fine, but she'd be in a world of trouble if she didn't get me checked out. In other words, it's a box-ticking exercise. At least we get to have a sneaky look at the foxcub again!

She also did a Strep B test - even though she's not supposed to as our NHS Trust doesn't fund it. What a top bird.

Bitey maybe you could just go in for a few half-days instead? Sort of like a phased-return, to keep the stress levels manageable. Do you have access to an Occupational Health service? They might be able to help.

Bollox. Have Impaired function - so not quite full blown Diabetes but for the purposes of being up the duff they treat you as a Diabetic. Fuck. No more cake for me. Got to speak to the Diabetic nurse to see where we go from here. The antenatal assessment unit sounded hopeful that as not too high could be controlled by diet though rather than insulin. And also back to the Consultant. So will be in the hossie after all. Which I think I am ok with. Possibility they may induce two weeks early too. Not so sure about that but going to dose myself with lots of EPO and white goods to ripen that cervix up.

Sorry for the me, me, me. Just a bit

ahhh shite GG. At least you've got time to get your head round it and make it 'your' birth as much as you can. And I like your plan for cervix-ripening

Foxy that's very . They don't ever measure here and just go by growth scans at 31 and 36 weeks - isn't that weird? Fingers crossed everything's ok even though cub sounds like he's more than happy in there.

Am constantly pinned down by a scrummy baybee but wanted to rush in to offer GG a huge smoochy hug in light of this latest crapulent development. Still, if there's summat wrong, it's best they've caught it and are taking no chances. If you're looking at controlling it by diet, may I suggest looking at Low GI stuff? It really does help stabilise blood sugar (if you can handle brown rice, etc. - I quite like it). Mmmm, brown rice and white goods - Ina May-tastic!

LUFF you guys! Sorry I haven't got time to comment on everyone's thangs, but I keep lurking in my free seconds and thinking of you all :)

PS Mr T is one month old today! How did that happen?!

Cock monkeys, GG :( Good that you might be able to dodge the insulin though - and, at least they've been on the ball and picked it up so you know you're going to be in the best and safest place for you both when MicroG turns up.

I am still betting you deliver early and don't need induction at all.

Bites why bother going back at all? It sounds a right bunch of arse. How much longer would you need to get signed off for to get you as far as mat leave?

Foxy I do think these measuring things are a bit dodgy. Especially the way they roughly guesstimate where they are measuring from! Lovely to get an extra scan though - hope it shows all is well (I'm sure it will as like you say, he's beating the crap out of your innards).

Owlet gave me The Fear yesterday by deciding to be an awkward b*gger and not move - again. Thankfully a large coffee with sugar in it did provoke a response eventually, I really don't want to end up back at the hossie looking a prat for a second time. It's so difficult to know when one is being a prat and when one genuinely has cause for concern when the baybee has clearly not read that he should be doing however many kicks in 2 hours etc - and is having a laze instead. Pattern? What fecking pattern???

Owlie don't feel bad about looking like a prat. Is probably fine but much better safe than sorry. If you are feeling uneasy about it then give them a ring.

Foxy I bet what has happened is that baby has engaged in the intervening couple of weeks and has therefore dropped down your uterus so offsetting any growth. But nice excuse for another scan in any case - am sure everything will be fine and they are just being careful. You are so nearly there now!

Thanks Score - have ben looking into GI stuff. Reminds me of when i was on the Atkins diet. Don't mind brown rice although it is a bit worthy and takes ages to cook. But have ready that Basmati rice has equally low GI as brown rice which is good. Going to have lots of meat and veggies and salads and stay off the cake. Nurse still hasn't rung back so I will just have to use common sense until then.

Anyone know the GI of red wine?

Thanks GG. Measured myself today, and got 35cms. Foxcub was probably just lying differently. It really is a bunch of arse, but am looking forward to a sneaky-peek at the little monkey.

Hope Diabetic nurse can get you back on track. And if you batch-cook a shedload of brown rice, tis very nice cold with salady-type stuff. Easier than cooking it for every meal which takes for bloody ever.

Macca that's a lorra scans. Presumably just a quick look each time. Our obstetric scanning dept is already having to run saturday sessions to catch up with the back-log, so they'd never cope with a load of growth scans too.

Wol sorry about the LittleOwl's mind-games. I find a glass of OJ has the same awakening effect as a strong coffee, only healthier innit.

Cooee Scorps. Nice to have you watching over us in a benevolent goddessish sort of way . (Must be the effect of the solstice - came over all woo.)

LGG what a big bunch of arse - not what you needed. Hopefully the low GI diet will help and things get back on track. I'm sure red wine has a very low GI and is prescribed in such cases as these.

Foxylady like you say, it will be nice to take a sneaky peak at the foxcub again. I'm sure all is well and it's always good to have peace of mind.

Owlie that's boys for you, they misbehave from day 1 . Glad he's doing fine and the coffee did the trick. These babies really do need to read the books about what they should do and when, it would cause a whole lot less worry for us! Seriously though, you should never feel bad about wanting to go and get monitored .

Well, as you know I had my massage yesterday. It was lufferly! My mum came down and had one too so we had a very nice girls day together. I also had what is likely to be my last MW appt yesterday too . Baby has slowed down in measurements a little and I had trace protein in my urine. MW semed unconcerned about these though and booked me in for my next MW appt at term + 7 for a membrane sweep (2.5 weeks away). I was a bit concerned that both the slowed growth and protein might need monitoring before then but she didn't, so am going to keep an eye on things and take myself off to hossie if I suspect anything dodgy. She also took more blood to check iron levels again. I can't believe it's my due date a week on Friday!!!

Tis true, Orcs , maybe I should read him the books aloud in the hope he's listening in Massage sounds fab; I must book myself another one.

Like you I had trace protein at last GP appt. GP sent it off as she knows I worry about everything anyway, but nowt came of it. She told me at the time is apparently v common in late diffment. Apparently if you have no other dubious symptoms (cankles of doom, splitting headache, high BP) and it's only a trace it's not something that they worry about.

GG Red wine has no calories, no fat, no sugar and no GI at all. It's official. As for feeling a prat; I figure Owlet is going to spend the rest of my life showing me up in public so I am already resigned to him getting a head start

Foxy - what is this 'healthy' you speak of, hmmm?

Wahey, lookie what I have found here. Ignore the fact is is the Daily Fail. It is obviously the troof, the whole troof and nothing but the troof. Hic.

mmm.. "Although the study didn't look at the effects of wine on people"

Sorry to hear that though, Lady GG.

I'll take the anecdotal evidence, Meds for my twice a week small glass of vino. Am seeing the Diabetes nurse tomorrow so she can show me how to monitor my glucose levels and tell me what I can and can't eat. Joy.

The last bit of pregnancy is a flipping worrying time. You think you have it bad in the first trimester (which you do) but in the Third there is sooo much stuff to worry about. No wonder pregnant women end up with high blood pressure.

You are - as always - spot on about the worrying 3rd trimester LadyG. Just back from my growth scan. Baby is bang on for dates, so that concern was alleviated. Waiting on iron levels and Strep B, so still plenty to menkul about should I wish.

Then as I was waddling out of the clinic, MW says "make sure you're ready, could be any time now". Fuckity fuck! I mean I knew that of course, but being reminded by a lady in a professional capacity makes me want to run away and hide.

Owl take no notice of that "healthy" nonsense I was spouting. I blame the hormones for my momentary lapse.

Sorry to hear about the cake ban gaga :( Brown basmati is very nice you know and only takes about 20 mins to cook if you wack the heat right up.

booty i wouldn't worry about looking a prat, safety of your baby is most important thing but I'd trust your instincts. Just so you know it doesnt stop after they are born as Sprouts little 8 days worth of poonami just prior to the nurse administering a suppository making us look like proper over anxious noob parents, proves. In that case I knew she was ok but the MW had a panic and sent us to the hospital (fun sunday avo that was)

orchid loads of luck, hope MW is right about lack of concern and you dont need to see her again. Fingers crossed for an easy sneezey lay. That seems to have come round SUPER quick. Can't believe foxy is nearly there too! Where does the time go?

Waves at score yup, Sprout is a month old on thursday. Weird isn't it! Got discharged from MW care yesterday and TB went back to work which just seems a bit crazy really. Who decided I should be left in sole charge of a baybee for 8 hours a day? :o

bitey just stay off, who cares about the bits you need to finish off. It'll be someone elses problem and after you lay you really wont give a shit.

Sorry for not catching up with everyone properly am only capable of keeping up with one thread at a time properly so have had to skim a bit.

Morning all . Last day at work today before Maternity leave starts

I am soo ready for it. Walking/waddling like an old lady, massive, baby brain addled, unmotivated and grumpy. Who wouldn't want me for a colleague right now?

Lovely to "see" you Rocket. Sounds like you are doing great on the other fred as well.

Hope everyone else is well?

Aw GG . Massive hoorah for the last day of work

I hope you are going to get the chance to treat yourself lots in the next couple of weeks? Massage, maybe? Go for a float in the swimming pool?

this website has loads of very nice low GI recipes - I can particularly recommend the warm halloumi and puy lentil salad. Yum.

Rocket nice work on the Epic Poonami Hope the feeding is sorting itself out. Happy 1st month birthday to Sprout and MrT :)

We finished our NCT class last night so now it's officially all systems go - can't believe so many of us are almost there now.

Ginny I am having iron levels retested on Friday too - hopefully they will be less shite than last time. I dunno about worrying more in this trimester, I think it's just a different sort of worry in each one. In 1st trimester I worried constantly about mc. In 2nd trimester I worried constantly about getting to the 20 week scan and what it might show up, then after that I worried about movement or the lack thereof. In this trimester I have mainly worried about whether he will arrive safely and whether he is still okay in there. I look forward to worrying about him in a new and exciting way when he arrives!

What's this I hear about Third Trimester Worry being worst than First Trimester Worry?