March 06 - Into the 3rd Trimester

[RosiePosie]

Here we are girls. I think we are all a bit shell-shocked at the moment, aren't we?

Thinking of you DHW and wishing life wasn't so cruel sometimes.

Hi everyone

Well it's vomit city here - the kids and dh have all got some dreaded virus, fingers crossed I'm okay so far. Just skimmed through the thread - it's all getting very exciting now, isn't it?

VYY, I bet the women you look after love the fact that you have done it before, and are doing it again - the MW who helped me during my first birth was pg with her second, and I must say I found it really reassuring. I know training and experience are important, obviously, but having a MW who has never been through it herself doesn't quite feel the same to me. I know there must be some wonderful childless MW's, but that's just the way I feel.

Rom, I found in labour that time took on new meaning, or no meaning! Admittedly after my long labour I was exhausted, but it certainly didn't feel like it had been that long. Second labour of 8 hours may as well have been half an hour, it went so quickly! I reckon the birth partners must feel it more, to be honest.

Will second the Spatone recommendations

Hi all

Good luck with scan next week Spiker

LL, good to see baby is a good size! hope you don't have placenta probs again

Vyy, rest up hon! far too much nesting tidying there!

RP, sorry to hear about the sickness bug, ick, hoping we don't get anything......can't face being huge and icky!

Had to take my rings off this am, as fingers have swelled a little over night.....although they're looking ok again now??? dd had a bad dream and woke up at 2am again, and I thought it was 5, argh! seems every night between 2-3 she's waking......shattered! and this is only the begining......

so far today, i have got out of bed!!!!!! and thats it! apart from log onto mn of course.

spiker & laundrylover - the swelling is to do with the position of the baby, pressing on vessels and hormonal changes. lovely

just sold my ds2's buggy on ebay and the woman collecte it last night instead of today, so that was good, £100 for sitting on my bum, if only everyday could bring me such joy, just need to sell ds2's pliko now and then i can justify spending all that money on a new pram for no3, LOL!

after having been told that this one is a girl i am now beginning to worry that it will be a boy, not that it would matter in the long run, but dh has been talking to 'Lucy' and buying her pink things even though i asked him to wait until my scan at 34 weeks. oh well we will just have to wait and see.

i think this pg has been worse with me being a midwife now as every little thing i worry about as i think i now know too much that can go wrong, so much so that i have borrowed a doppler for at home so that i can reassure myself if little one doesn't move for a couple of hours . umm def a case of a little knowledge being a bad thing.

hope all you other ladies are doing well, and bet you can't wait to finish work, those of you who haven't yet. dh has persuaded me that the decorating can wait until afetr the baby is born. we moved just before chrismas and i don't think the house has been decorated since about 1992, its all pink and flowers, stripy wallpaper on the bottom, with floral border and sponged effect wallpaper on the top

VYY: wish you were my midwife, mine spends half of the appointment (which is always v late as ahe can't be bothered to turn up on time for clinic)finishing off her texts! She then felt my belly to get an indication of where baby was asked me what the scan had said about the babies' position an crossed out VX and put breech like the scan had said...I don't trust her an inch! With DS 2 years ago the MW's were brilliant, but they have all retired now. I'm just glad I have MN and have been there before.
Romilly- I had contractions for 47 hours with DS and that sounds loads but I could sleep a bit in the early stages and then it is amazing what your body can do, my DH was beyond knackered but a bit of gas and air, loads of cups of tea and a birthing ball and I was fine!
It's wierd so many of us are having late scans...I didn't have any past 20weeks with DS, hope alls well for all xx

Lizzylou - that sounds awful, i wouldn't be happy with that either! i would ask her why she changed her mind after asking about the scan, if she was unsure she should have said, i am unsure which position the baby is in, would you mind coming back/going for another scan at a later date jsut to check the postion.. where i work all mobiles have to be switched off in clinic so that would be a disciplinary offence to be texting or talking on a mobile in clinic.
personally i hate it when midwive's leave there mobiles on when in someones house as well, i leave mine on vibrate so that i can check and if it is anumber that i know is important, i apologise to the parents amswer quickly explaining that i am with another mum and take a message to call back when i leave or ask them to call someone else if it is urgent.

i would def keep and eye on things and aks as many questions as you want to reassure yourself that you are getting adequate care. even tell hewr if you feel you are not. i know this is difficult, but sometimes we just need a kick up the backside to wake us up!

good luck witht eh rest of your pg though, and keep us posted on the position.

p.s mine is also breech, but as i am having a c/s (because i ahev already had 2, one emergency and one for breech), it doesn't make any difference to my care at the moment, but it may do if you are planning on having a vaginal delivery.

3rd time lucky posting this for today! lol.

VYY - glad to see we've got a m/w amongst us! lol. even if u are NQ - don't matter! lol. I can wait to finish work - 2.5 weeks to go, but it will be the first time in 7 year's i've not worked not to mention i'll be dependant on DH and I hate that fact with a real passion. tlaking of m/w's actually what is the general view on the whole to trim/oh naturel down below during the birth? and shaved legs etc??

Liz at ur m/w, althou with mine - we have about 10 community ones and 4 with my pratice and 4/5 with the other dr's surgery and I've seen 'my' lady once - booking in, apart form that i've seen the other m/w's from the other surgery every time - only seen one m/w twice in all my apt's - have been for about 8/9 I think. gettin a bit worried that at the birth it will be someone different again lol.

RP - hope u're not going to get the sickness and it leave's soon.

rom - glad ur scan went well.

well got the consultant apt tomorrow. gonna ask if she can tell how big LO is gonna be, apparentyl she does scan's at her apts so fingers crossed she'll let me have one. I'm sooo stressing about this baby being big! lol. althou week's r right to CM now. does anyone know actually if the amount of fluid changes ie u have more the later on u get? at 24 weeks when I had the crash they said it was 'normal'. well best get back to work then.

friz - i'm swelling as well - must be how far we've come! lol. and body heat! lol.

spiker good luck with ur scan tomorrow. fingers crossed all's well.

LL - how many ketones do u have idd they say? apparently i've only got traces, i've started having 1L of squash a day and a slightly better diet - althou rom don't worry last night I had a cream cake pizza chips and 3/4 a big bar of dairy milk! lol - man I felt better after! lol - and sick so the fruit/veg seems the way forward! lol. are u measuring particually big? at ur DH checking for piles, mine won't even trim me! lol.

pop - fingers crossed the builders don't take too long - any chance u can have a shower next door?

VYY/Munz...I am seeing my Consultant next Friday after my scan and I am more confident in her opinions. I have to say every other midwife I've seen (at the hospital and with DS) I really felt cared for by, this one is a bit like Vicky Pollard!
VYY - I may have to have a C-Section anyway if the placenta hasn't moved, also the baby is big (measured 39weeks by tape at 33 weeks, scanned 36 weeks at 32weeks)so will it be able to turn? And how big is big? What is the cut off? I know the hospital that I am delivering in is a bit anti-caesarian, will that mean they will be more likely to induce me early due to babies size?
Sorry for all the questions...I have been waiting a long time for this next scan...well 4 weeks but feels an age! I am a big lass anyway, big built and 5ft 9" but had problems delivering DS who was 8lb 13oz and had to have a ventouse.....so am bit worried!

ll - if you have a low lying placenta then i'm sure that it would be section regardless of the hospitals stance on c/s, as this is a matter of safety for you and your baby. if baby is breech, most hospitals these days tend to go for section rather than attempt v/d as personally i feel the doc's get scared as they rarely perform the procedures these days. re the size of baby and c/s, did you have a c/s before or a normal delivery and what size was that baby? i have seen the same woman have to have forceps witha 6lb baby and then go on to deliver a 10lb baby without help! so it really isn't a question of the size of the baby, more a case of your body being able to deliver the size of baby it has made. i have also seen really skinny minnies (vb size) give birth to 9lbers no problem, but women who are larger (not obese just 'big boned') struggle with little 5/6lbers.

munz - re 'hair' we truly don't notice, unless you were to have a loveheart with your dh's name in it, i think we have seen it all before! if there is a chance of a c/s i would def tidy up before, i have my wax booked in for three days before my c/s date, as no way are my colleagues trimming my bikini line!
as long as you are clean i.e had a bath or shower in the last day or so then we are not bothered, uncleanliness and smelliness (from being unclean) makes the job not very pleasant, as i'm sure you can imagine

thats VYY! lol. i'm just about managin to trim and stay on top of it - don't fancy a wax! lol. I think i'll be gettin in the shower b4 going to the hospital! can imagion it's not nice being unclean.

Liz - fingers crossed for ur consultant apt next week.

I think this whole birthing lark's gettin to us all now! lol - these babys actually have to come out fancy that! lol.

Is anyone else totally fed up with being pg? I have personally just about had it now - i am SOOOO tired and don't remember it being this bad the last time. Unfrotunately I'm an end of March person, so i still have 8 weeks to go!

other general gripes - went for last scan last week - truly hoping to find out what flavour bub was. AFter the last time when they said they thought it was a girl - now they think it "might" be a boy, but couldn't see clearly enough. Looked like a pair of bollocks to me though! SO - bang go my pink fantasies and I'm not bothering to wallpaper the room now - suppose that's saved myself some hassle.

Sorry - just generally talking at you all.

klara!

Klara- I had enough of being preg at 8 weeks! Vommed all my brekkie up before work this morning with a crying child clinging to my leg! Get the little blighter out I say!
Munz - you do make me giggle. Not sure how many ketones but know it's just me being crap at eating. Feeling sick 80% of the time is not a help! My hairy bits are au naturel usually bar pits but have had Pete trimming down below since I got preg due to 'stickiness'! I could never pay someone to wax my fanny it has to be said!!! The very thought is too terrible but on the Feb thread they are all at it!!
Re long labours - I started last time on my (very late) tour of the labour ward on the Weds night and finally popped on Sat morning but you do get through it and I was still (literally) standing! I had some pethidine on the Friday and actually slept between contractions which I didn't think would be possible. I was also tripping away on the gas and air/pethidine which I over did a bit and thought I was at Glastonbury some years ago!!!! Time just disappeared man!

Hello everyone!

Just done my aqua natal so feel quite perky!

munz - I had fantastic bfeeding help from midwives in hospital including from a male midwife! They were as 'hands on' as you are comfy with I think. I think I had to have help for about four days so they were sooo patient. The nct breastfeeding hotline is good too. But once you get the hang of it it saves getting up from the sofa so well worth it!

rom - I was induced and I think it is different for everyone. I think it starts with a sweep, then pessary, then drip, each one more powerful than last. I think it is good to avoid so labour is more gradual so if you go overdue, lots of walks and not slumping on sofa unlike me last time!

ll - I'm going to get that spatone thanks!

spiker - I've done my tax - Have you tried the maternity benfit form yet - bloody hell, its a nightmare I think my brain is past it.

Klara - I am really fed up with being pregnant now too - I want to have new spring clothes and be able to bend over

hi vyy- LOL at personal hygiene!! every job seems to have its downside!

bye for now!

Klara, totally with you...really fed up with being a walking whale now! 40 weeks seems like forever!

VYY, thanks you have made me feel better, I had a vagainal birth last time, but DS got stuck, had a ventouse and he was a bit "floppy" and had to have oxygen, am a bit worried about that...altho I know he will have paved the way and he did have ginormous shoulders like a mini rugby player!

Munz, I had planned to do my bikini line and then went into labour...I kept apolgising much to the MW's amusement! Just keep it in trim so it's not down to your knees!

I also think if you want to give breastfeeding a go, it's worth reading a decent book on the subject before hand - something like "The womanly art of breastfeeding" is good - tells it like it is! I think it's largely down to luck whether you get good support or not unfortunately. I had terrible/non existant support first time, and took it upon myself to read all I could on it second time around - and it all just clicked into place. I also think it's partly down to luck - some babies just seem to instinctively know what to do, whilst others need a bit of help. I'm undecided this time - I bf dd for 18 months, but I just don't know if I want to do it again - being glued to the sofa for the first 6 weeks is normal, and I just don't know if I have the will to do that again. Will definately bf to start with, but will possibly mix-feed from quite early on.

And to all of you worried about ventouse etc this time around, second time is often SO different. I had to have an episiotomy with ds and pushed for ages, whereas dd virtually dropped out in less than 15 minutes without a tear.

Thanks RP...I need all the positive stories I can get at the moment!

I agree with you re: the breastfeeding too. I had a great HV who was v supportive because it can be tough going.

Liz - LMAO down to ya knees! lol. it would be like that scene in scarey movie with the bush and the chain saw! lol.

klara - yep fed up - that's why i'm hoping this baby will be out around 38 weeks! lol. althou that's only 3.5 weeks hope u get ur girl.

LL - lol@ u as well! don't think i'd like the fanny bit thinkin about it like that - talking of which how do they do it??? my eyes are waterin at the thought! lol.

anyhow off home to get my changin bag from the PO.

thanks girls on all ur BF help tips, will wait and see what our m/w 's are like I did want to express as well so I can move from the sofa! lol. will def look at the books thanks RP.

exactly there is no way of knowing how each labour will go. i feel that as long as mum and dad are informed of wahts going one ach step of the way then anything that arises isn't such a shock and can be dealt with quickly and efficeiently without the distress of not knowing what is going on. i know in some circumstances there is not time to explain fully what will happen and something needs to be done, but if the m/w makes time to explain events after then this helps mum and dad to understand what happened and why. i think all too many times parents are left with no explaination of waht has ahppened and why, which then leads ontot them worrying for future births.
i'm not perfect far from it and perhaps as a newly qualified m/w i still have my rose tinted glasses on, but i still see it as my personal duty to the women i car for to give them full and frank explainations of the care that i have provided for them!

Quick product reveiw - I got some bra extenders a couple of days ago, and they are great, well worth the 2.50 (P&P free)I paid www.nctsales.com for 2 sets.
I'd been having problems with bra (now 38DD) being hard to do up and digging in somewhat round the ribs, but at only 34wks didn't want to to go and get fitted (yet again, I used to be 36c) for new bras as is still a tad early for getting nursing ones.
The extender gizmos have done the job, I'll get a few more weeks out of my 38DDs and will go and get new bras once pips dropped down a bit and my ribs arn't being puushed apart so much (I hope).

Update on nesting- Phone socket is now in place, shelves are up, friends invited round for dinner and a litttle light furniture shifting on friday - the office will be on the move downstairs.
UniSarah

Wow - taken me over an hour to catch up with you all. Sounds like we are all ready to stop feeling so heavy and uncomfortable and get these babies out! (although that part still petrifies me ) Good to read lots of stories about coping with (and sleeping thru!) contractions
Poppy - hope you are keeping fingers and legs crossed and your builders are speedy - just threaten them with possible helping at home birth if they don't finish on time...!
PMSL at all the 'hair' discussions. Is scary when you have not seen it for months - I must look a sight but dare not go near it with a razor when I can't see! Also, how hard is it to do a we sample now without being able to look where the bottle is?!
I have been doing some nesting too - finally have the travel system & all the furniture delivered, baby clothes washed and put away and started packing my bag.
UniSarah - am with you on the bra extenders - got a pack of 3 off ebay and work a treat.
Does anyone else's bump seem to be always moving if the radio's on? had a 4 hour drive on Monday and it never stopped!
Munz - hope you are eating better now - am going to do your thing with the dog/blankets too
Friz - let me know of that hypnobirth person in Notts - might give it a go.....
Am off now to try and sort out the design of my new kitchen - just what I want to be having done in 8 weeks, (due in 7....)

Hi girls,
Hope you are all well, my UTI has cleared itself so no need for antibiotics but still getting strong braxton hicks, realy thought i was going in to labour today, still hurting now!

Started nesting this morning, sorted out steriliser, bottles (just in case i cant bf) and finished my hospital bag. Getting realy worried about the birth, worried i wont get to the hospital on time, worried about leaving dd and woried about the pain ( i am a wimp), last time i had no pain relief, i hope i get there in time for somthing this time.

I hav'nt wrote a birthing plan yet, i asked my midwife about it and she said not to worry to much as they will ask you what you want once you get there.

Seing the midwife on friday, hopefuly to be told bump has grown, i dont think the baby's head is down yet, when should it be? DD's head was down realy early.

went to see m/w this morning as i had a phone call from teh gp, that my 28 week bloods had been lost and could i go back and have them redone! also had to have my blood glucose done as baby measuring large for dates.
both my other 2 have been 10lb+ so i would say obvious that this one will be as big too, had discussion with m/ about the accuracy of the tape measure, especially on larger women (i was a size 18/20 before pg) so allowing for some of mum to get int eh way it's obvious that at 32+ weeks i'm not going to measure 32-33cm. we both agreed that it is silly, but rules are rules and she would get into trouble for not referring me, so have to await another scan appointment now, i've got one on 8/02 anyway, so the scan to check growth will probably take place after this scan, knowing the trust that i work for.
came home to find the cleaners had been and put me out of a job, how am i suppsed to nest if they have done all my cleaning for me?
off to town with dh on sunday to get the last few things, steriliser (even though b/f still need it for pump, and later on), bath, raincover for pram, and car seat. was putting off buying car seat as we haven't ordered our new car yet, but think as long as i don't get an obscure make one, we will be fine whatever car we get. at the moment the short list is for a ford galaxy, mondeo estate or a vauxhall something!!!. had been looking at an isofix car seat but the maxi cosi one is almost £200 and i cannot justify spending that much money on a car seat that will only realistically last 6-9months, will get one for the next stage up though. so am feeling very organised at the moment, not sure what i will do for the next 6 weeks after though.
are you all organised too, or still in a quagmire as to what to order and when, you don't have much time left told you i was feeling smug! also sneaked my doppler home from my bag at work just so that i can listen in whenever i want toods1 and 2 are fascinated by it and ds2 keeps asking if he can hear his rabbit yet! (hes getting a rabbit for his birthday next week that he thinks is in his tummy at the moment)

jus t a quick update b4 tonight, seen consultant buba's 'average sized' had a scan but not a detailed growth one. def a boy i'm only 33.5cm and head's still 1/5 of the way down. don't know how I lost .5cm in a week! anyhow ketones/protein all gone now so Laundrylover - key for mine this week's been a lot more fluids during the day and healthier/balanced dinners in the evenings. with more fruit/veg. fingers crossed they saty away. ooh and she doens't think i'll make it to my due date she thinks will be about a week b4 .

Pip seems to move most when i'm talking to dh. Hes a bit keen on music with a strong drum sound too, think we might have a little raver on our hands.
I'll be quite glad when he's out of there,I walked down to the shops and back today (1 mile each way) and its got to easier pushing a pram than carrying him as a bump.AND with the pram I'd have somewhere to put the shopping other than a backpack.
Unisarah