September 2011 - a month or so to go, come here to share the joys and woes of the final stretch.

[100years]

Now I know the threads we were in weren't finished, but there were 3 threads for the September due dates, and I thought it would be nice to get everyone together and share their experiences.

Stats thread is here If you aren't on there, then get adding yourself.

Hopefully we can all get through the last stint together :)

I'm due 1st Sept, so one month to go, if the LO is punctual.

Ooh we're all sorted here but.... The bedside cots sound fab!!!!! Could have done with 1 with ds, he spent about 6 or 7 months in our bed cuz as soon as we put him in crib he'd scream (he wasnt an easy baby, esp compared 2 dd who was an angel) what u'v got would have been the perfect solution! :-)
May try some more xbox dancing c if i can speed up the arrival of bday :-)

Wow 100 yrs 5 smilies in ur post you sound like u had a gday :) &bedside cot sounds gd plan.

jimmijam I am impressed that you can still xbox dance! I can barely walk 100m anymore. I wasn't like this with DD I still swam 20l on the day she was due &walked everywhere as didn't have car then. Alas I think body is 4yrs older &muscles with old C-sec scar is taking its toll this time or maybe I just more chilled :o
DD been with grandMa today so had some rest time which was gd.

Hi Everyone,

Just found this thread. I am due DC3 on 23rd September but have been told I will be induced on Sep 2nd..........that was until the little so and so turned and is now breech so all bets are off! Have the midwife next week and if still breech they plan to try and turn the baby. If that fails its a CS for me :(

Nursery is complete but I keep adding things to it, however tonights task is to build the crib for our bedroom.

Feeling constantly sick, tight (not sore but far from comfortable) tummy and soooooo ready for this baby to appear. Does s/he not realise the sun is shining and we could be having fun walks with the pram :)

I looked into it as my sister had one for her two girls and thought it was ace. Ordered the original one and as you know it didn't arrive so had to buy a slightly more expensive one, but it's fab and looking forward to lying in bed and being able to reach out and touch LO

Yeah, been a nice day, just chilled out and got things sorted which is nice. Glad you've had some rest time, I could do with a little snoozlet now!

Welcome sewmuch. Boo to breech baby, hope LO decides to turn the right way soon.

Thanks 100years, I have been spending a lot of time on all fours or in the bath!

Hey guys
I keep having dreams where my water break in the strangest of places ie the bus! Jesus I hope this don't come true!
Think I have finally brought everything for the baby and my hospital bag is near enough packed.
Getting slightly bored now as been on A/L for two weeks and Maternity leave officially started today. Might by myself a Kindle to entertain myself until baby get here.
Think I've been getting BH my belly goes really tight and I get a bit breathless does this sound right?

Jojo - yes, that sounds like BH! I'm getting really weird dreams too - like last night I dreamt there was another stage to labour ... it went - 1) your waters break and then 2) The Philidelphia Soft Cheese test... I'm really not sure what it entailed, but there was definitely something about eating Philly Cheese... but only after waters broke. How's that for weird???
100years - well done on a such a good chilled day :)
Sewmuch - also hope baby turns. Birthing ball worked for me, but sounds like your doing everything you can...
Jimmijam - impressed!!! Xbox dancing!!
Ssmile - glad you had a restful day.

Just back from midwife - all seemed ok but she's not seeing me now until the day after my EDD . (She's on holiday in a fortnight). But I can make an appointment to see one of her colleagues so will do for late next week. But I've just thought - what if I can't drive by early Sept??? May have to ask for a home visit (I live 10 miles away and no buses). Went through Birth Plan - I'm going to type mine up I think and print off two copies - one for my notes, and one for my bag / partner.

Midwife reckons LO has just started to engage - she said she was definitely down by the pelvis but she could still move the head.

I couldnanage zumba on xbox but the easy and medium dance central dances were ok.
Im sure ur baby will turn, BUT if not then a cs isnt so bad, and at least u wont have 2 put up with the pains of labour or tearing.
Found note posted thru letterbox 2day from health visitor saying she came round 4 an antenatal visit but we werent in and she'll come back next week. Is it usual 4 them 2 turn up unanounced? We did live in a different area at the time, but with our 1st 2 we didnt have health visitors round until a week or so after birth. Do u know wot happens at the antenatal hv appts?

I would think HV should at least call you before visiting! They visited us pre-baby with my DD for a 'risk assessment' I think &then a few times after but I did not find them helpful at all they all contradicted each other! We were better off not seeing them once they decided after the req 3/4 visits we were low risk I just dropped into the health centre for weigh ins etc. I haven't heard from this time so no idea if we have to see them this time.

I had an ante-natal visit from the HV last week Jimmijam, I also had one with DS. They do a risk assessment questionnaire. Some of the questions are fairly standard ones about domestic violence, etc but it also includes things like what was your childhood like, which one of your parents were/are you closest to, how were you disciplined, are you going to do things differently, are you planning to breastfeed (and if not, why not), how is your relationship with your partner, is he/she happy about the pregnancy ... I was thinking "mind your own bloody business" by the end of it. She also left a load of leaflets about SIDS, feeding, infant mental health (a four page leaflet that can be summed up in four words - interact with your baby) immunisations, etc.

100years, so nice that you had such a good day :)

Sewmuch, welcome :) I hope your baby turns in time, I can imagine it's stressful.

ssmile, I think the HV does a home visit at 11 days post-natal for everyone when you get signed over from the MW to the HV but that you can just go to the clinc after that. I agree on the conflicting advice though. When DS was a baby the clinic HV sent me to my GP on an emergency appointment because DS had lost a few ounces (despite him having cold and feeding less), put the fear of god into me about it being very serious, etc. My GP just laughed and told me to ask either him or my mam is future because the HVs are generally "useless".

I bumped into a work colleague today who asked when DH and I are planning to have a second DC. Um, in about three weeks ...?

We found the HV like any other health person some we got on with and some were like your worst interfering MIL :o I sussed quite quickly which ones I would prefer to see and only go to their clinic but I too found the GP said one thing &HV another. But on our occasion the HV was right. We had a lovely ozzie one who gave unofficial alt health advice like supplements to try from health food shop when we were struggling with things. I hope she is still on our patch most of the mums really liked her! And she ran the weekly buggy walks to help get mums out n about.
We also have a newish children's centre which seems to have lots of drop in help like a bosom buddies group which wasn't around 4yrs ago when had DD so should help in those early difficult wks.

Haha 2 cbears friend!!
Myst b the same everywhere with sum fantastic hvs and some you'd prefer u didnt have 2 c again. We met this 1 once when we moved here 2yrs ago i think just 2 make herself known, i didnt think much of her, wouldnt feel comfortable answering the questions u mentioned. Eg which parent were u closest 2...well am not close 2 my mum but havent seen my dad in about 20years etc esp if she's gping 2 want 2 know 'y' 2 all my answers and i dont c that its any of her business. Ooh not looking4ward 2 that now..

Had my last scan yesterday and everything is going well, baby is engaged, but she said she could still measure all of babys head, so hes not that engaged! We got a lovely view of his face, chubby cheeks, little button nose - i couldve cried it was that cute :)

Im going back to diabetic clinic on 30th august for a sweep (though i dont want one on that day, just in case it triggers labour, we lost my nan on 31st august last year and i dont want my baby born on that day) and then i have 10 days to go into labour myself, if not, im being induced on 9th sept due to having GD, but that ok. Cant believe i went for a scan yesterday and we welked out without the bloody photos - what a moose! Going to ring them to see of i can still collect them today.

Can i just ask if anyone else has an inflatable gym ball and have you been on it yet, what are you doing on it? Did it last time with DS but cant remember what you are supposed to do on it lol

Hope everyone is well x

Hi mrssawer got my gym ball in Tesco £5 use it to sit on as more comfy than sofa, also rest on on all fours when baby in odd position I find it comfy. You can do some simple Pilates leg lifts sitting on it to help core strength or leg squats by leaning against a wall with it behind you and rolling it up/down. Not essential kit but I find it useful.

Wish me luck today I am going for job interview at nearly 38wks preg! My dept being restructed whilst I away so hoping to keep job, or get promotion. My boss been excellent helping me but I had fun choosing what to wear as just about fit into mat black work trousers with all buttons &tabs let out!

Good luck ssmile, have inflated the gym ball now and my 5 yr old DS is kicking it round like a football and generally wont leave it alone, cant get a look in yet! lol x

Went for my 36w check today and they've changed the MW. All the MWs here are based at a local health centre and they go out to the local GP surgeries one day a week for ante-natal appointments. Because the ante-natal clinics are all on different days they now have one MW does all of the GP visits and the rest stay at the health centre. I. Don't. Like. The. New. MW.

I don't know if it's just because it was a less than stellar appointment or if it's the case that I just don't like her. There's protein in my urine but I don't feel like I have an infection, my hands and feet are swollen too, BP is normal though (115/60, which is about average for me). I'm sure she measured my tummy wrong as at every other visit I've been measuring spot on, 31cm at 31w etc, I'm now all of a sudden measuring 3 weeks ahead. Then she couldn't tell DD's presentation, she thought ceph but couldn't be sure so she felt at the top and thought she felt a head there but couldn't be sure. She tried to ring the MAU tonarrange a scan but couldn't get through so she asked me to go to the health centre tomorrow or Friday where there'll be half a dozen MWs can have a feel and they can reach a consensus, "if you can't make it we'll try again to arrange a scan".

Well I can't make it (and was by that point so stressed I wanted nothing less than a scan) so I rang them to say so. I'm now seeing my own, regular MW on Monday morning and she's going to check me over, she says she's felt that head and it was down when she did so she's not convinced that this has changed. She also told me the hospital won't do a scan until 37 weeks anyway.

I told DH when he rang after the appointment so he's now in full on "protector of the gestating woman" mode and is banishing me to the sofa to rest. We've had words about me taking DS to soft play tomorrow because he doesn't seem to understand that sitting in the house "relaxing" is anything but because DS will happily take the place apart and I don't sit down at all whereas at soft play I get to sit for almost the whole two hours and a good hour and a half afterwards while he sleeps it off.

Crappy, crappy, crappy afternoon. Sorry for the pity party.

Good luck for your interview, ssmile :)

Hi all,

Wow - so many of you seem so close. I've still got a month til LO's due date and I don't think he'll be appearing much before then. Feels like a loong time away.

MrsSawyer - I have a gym ball and got a whole list of exercises to do with it but in real life I just sit on it and rock back and forth on it. Seems to calm LO down when he's doing his ninja moves and I'm told it is better than sitting on the sofa.

Great to hear you had such a good day 100years. Hope today is equally good!

That questionnaire sounds awful CBear. I can't believe they would actually ask those questions! I'm glad of the heads up about crap HVs. At least now I'll hopefully not get too worked up/worried if they tell me something stupid.

Hope you're all having a lovely day.

Ssmile - hope the interview went well.

CBear - Your alternative midwife sounds a bit of a novice! I wouldn't worry about measurements - At 34 weeks, I was measured 35cm by my normal midwife then 37cm by a Consultant, then at 36 weeks I was measured 38cm by another midwife, then this week (37 weeks) I was measured 37cm by my normal midwife again!! My normal midwife also said it can be difficult to tell the difference between a head and a bum!! I'm sure your baby is head down, but it'll be good to get your normal appointment next Monday. I'm in the same boat, but due to midwife on holiday. Won't see my normal midwife until 6/9 which is one day after my EDD! But seeing an alternative next Thursday for a check up, thankfully. And, yes, your soft play option for tomorrow sounds the better option!!

MrsS - got a gym ball and used it a lot around 32/34 weeks to help turn the LO. Haven't used it for a while, but aiming to use it whilst at home and in labour??? Hospital have their own so won't be taking it with us!

Cbear glad ul get 2 c ur regular mw!!!!
Got my gymball as part of a pilates pack with weights etc from asda a fiver too. Its blown up in the spare room waiting 4 labour day cuz the kids kept stealing it off me. Had 1 4 ds and dds pregnancies 2, just used to sit on it bobbing up and down, rotating my hips or sat on floor leaning over it rotating hips. Hope that helps.

cbear - I see a different mw everytime I have been! All been nice though so that's good. Also means I suppose that I know most of the 'team' and I should get whichever one of the team is on birthing unit that day delivering me. All seem to have same consensus head down but not enagaged - does not explain why i felt like i was carrying a melon on my perineum all weekend though!

Mrssawyer - I got a birthing/gym ball as someone told me it would be comfier to sit on due to the pelvic girdle pain I have. Came with exercises which i have not done. Mainly sit on it in front on the the laptop!! Although do find rocking back and forwards eases back ache.

Busy week this week - DH's friend came to visit and stayed last night as well as my mum visiting yesterday. Also decided that as I'm only 35 weeks there is time to go back to pottery class for a few weeks and would be better than sitting around waiting for baby (cue babs putting in an early appearance, not to mention all the ironing I have pilled up to do after going on a mad 'i must wash anything that may touch the baby washing spree'!)

Has anyone else found themselves asking questions such as ' should i wash the hood that comes on the moses basket?' or is it just me turning slowly mad?!?

Interview went well even survived wearing heels for an hr :o as had been living in yoga pants &sandals lately.
Yes I've washed all the bits on my mosses basket because we bought a new one and it had odd 'factory' smell.
My MW also been on hols but the alt was nice too. Had regular one again on last visit I like seeing the same one as built up a gd rapport as had her 4yrs ago with DD as well. But vdifferent set of MW work at hospital, then get 'mine' back again for home visit post baby.
I definitely go softplay cbear much easier parenting than 'relaxing' at home with a wee active one! It's what I do regually :)

Good afternoon everyone :)

Sounds like there are a few of us having weird dreams. Mine last night was rooooood and I'm not willing to disclose the information in here at the moment! LOL

sets, wouldn't worry about the driving to the mw yet, if you get a few days before and you know you won't be able to then let them know then :)

Not had any HV visits yet, or talk of them, and the mw who came here yesterday didn't mention I should expect a HV before LO gets here. She said it's usually about 14 days post birth here.

MrsS glad your 'last' scan was lovely, I love seeing the cute nose and can't wait to kiss my LO's nose! Re the ball, I've just sat on mine occasionally and bounced up and down on it occasionally, but that's about it. I've had mine because I had PGP which has been a lot better recently, but it helped to sit on at times.

Ssmile, how was the interview?

CBear, just keep an eye on things, if you get headaches/upper abdo pain stuff like that then don't be afraid to get checked out, I know your BP is normal which is good. :) (hope I've not worried you, I had a scare a few weeks back and so it's been drilled into me to get things checked) Sorry you don't like the new MW. I didn't like one of the students who was with my normal mw as she seemed quite loud and slightly too full on for me, she wasn't with mw last the I saw her though. I know they have to have students and stuff, and I'm not bothered by it, you just get feelings about some people.

Millie, pottery classes sound cool. If I could have a day doing that between now and when LO gets here I would and i've only got 2 weeks (tomorrow) till EDD

My sis is coming over tomorrow, she will also(along with my OH) be present at the birth (I was at both of hers - but it's not a 'repayment' thing) So I will go through my birth plan and stuff with her so she is aware and will also fight my corner if they are wanting me to have/do stuff that's not clinically necessary or of any benefit to me. I will obviously not put my LO at any danger, but there may not be the need for certain things to be done.

Done naff all today so far! I have no idea where the time has gone. Yesterday met up with OH's sister for some tea at the pub, walked there and back and had some cracking BH on the way back, then awful pelvic/hip pain today so a rest has been good. Know I'm really lucky to be able to do this.