Nov 2011 - Mat B forms are in and time is flying not long now

[PamSco]

Sorry just went for a new thread as I couldn't see another.

Hope you are all well this morning

Oof, all this victory shimmying! I didnt join in, but got tired just laughing!
I took three weeks off before my son was born, or before my due date anyway, though I moved house and completed an essay and a bunch of other work in that time, you know, as well as spending at least a few hours a day going "holy crap, how is this things going to get out of me????". This time I am planning on four weeks cause my current placement is a bit more demanding in terms of travel and being out and about all day and stuff, plus coming home to small fry. I will have two weeks leave, hopefully, and then maternity. But I am totally planning on taking the year. With my son, I was all "I will take six months and then go back full time" but, ooh, about 48 hours after he was born I realised I was going to take a year and go back part time if it was at all possible. Means that I am currently doing the most protracted training doctorate in the history of the world, but whats more important to me is my family, so it will just have to take the time it takes. Job prospects after I finish the doctorate arent great at the moment, so as long as I am doing it, at least I have a job! Should have about six months left when I go back. We're also quite good at coping with wild fluctuations in our income, so we're confident we can do it from that perspective too.
The rain today has been such a relief! I hope its sunny but fresher tomorrow. And I just picked up about twenty slugs in the garden without having to rumage amongst the plants at all. Mostly they were just cruising the lawn.

Ewww slugs! I hate the things.

Thank goodness for the rain! Sorry I've been quiet but all I've been able to manage this week is work / commute / food / bed. Really not sleeping well at all. And I really wish RL people would stop telling me it's good practice for being sleep deprived when baby arrives.

MW tomorrow and trying to decide what to talk about first, puffy hands, sluggish baby, cramps in legs...

Definitely breeding an awkward DS here - not only does he refuse to move if DH is paying attention, but he waits until I'm am my most paranoid because he's not moving to then give me a nice kick in the fanjo (TMI, sorry!). I think the heat makes him tired and slow just like it does me.

I'm still in some normal clothes, but slowly filtering them out. Mainly because I lost some weight last year, I've just been pulling out all the clothes that were too big for me. For once I'm glad I'm a hoarder! All maternity trousers etc seem to do on me is fall off! But the last work suit that fit is definitely giving up on me, so work will just have to put up with me being scruffy from now until the end of October.

On cakes - have been brewing a lovely Dutch Friendship Cake this week - you start with a sourdough starter that you feed and feed, and then split between you and 3 friends - with your bit you make the cake, and you give them the instructions for their bits. I was given the starter by a colleague at work, so really want to keep it going.

Sorry for the epic post. Nearly the weekend!!

Hi everyone, hope all are well. Poppet am so pleased for a good consultants appointment! I'll not shimmy as I am crashed on the settee but the squidgey one is having a good wriggle so I think she can take my place!! Am all set for a quiet night, need a full nights sleep cos am sick of not sleeping! I sleep for about 3 hrs solidly then wake up for about 2 and a half then drop back off for about another 2. It is driving me mad!

Ah I have the most restless/twitchy legs as well!!

I just remembered, I wanted to ask if anyone is experiencing anything like this. I find that when I lie on my side, like I'm supposed to, when I wake up my knees have gone all stiff and sore. Really, really stiff and sore, in that it is difficult to actually get them moving again (and I have to really psyche myself up for the pain). But its only at night, it must be something to do with lying down, because they don't give me any bother during the day. I'm assuming it might be fluid retention or something, the legs have puffed up a bit over the past couple of weeks (Dr has been informed and is satisfied it is nothing sinister). Sleeping with pillows between my legs definitely helps, but if I forget to do that, or they move out when I'm asleep......argh, it bloody hurts!

Snoozle not having any problems with my knees but my goodness today's cankles were something else!

Poppet well done!

Snoozle, i too am sleeping with pillows between my knees. Doesnt sound as bad as yours, but a little like it. Also not been sleeping much or remotely well lately. Shattered but just cant stay asleep. Sounds horribly like I might have a toddler in the same state thisevening.
Anyone with toddlers already, when have you stopped using a cot? The toddler beds and so on all say from 18 months, but frankly if there werent bars to restrain him the whole concept of lying in bed to sleep would have to go out the window for all of us I fear. Wondering whether to buy Ugli Fruit (er, yes, thats what we've been calling this foetus) a new cot or to buy my son a new bed. Given that his is a cotbed. A decision I can put off for a couple of months to be honest. But all that wakefulness at night leaves one trying to solve ALL problems at once. Plus, that problem seems so much more manageable than, say, preparing a research proposal or planning a loft conversion.

just my DS was in his cot til at least 2.5 maybe even 3 - he showed no inclination to get out of it and was sleeping well at night Nd hVing quiet time in it in the afternoon so we just went with it. Only 18 mths between DS and DD so we bought a basic cot for her - she went into a bed much younger than DS as she seemed like she might jump out of the cot and liked the look of her brother's bed.

Sorry brain dead tonight but on knees - I'd recommend trying to elevate legs during evening before bed to drain fluid and try and sleep with legs only slightly bent with top leg slightly behind bottom leg but raised up on pillows so level with hips

My job share partner had her baby today yay 2 days over, diddy at 6lb 14oz James Andrew - can't wait for a cuddle. Our new niece / nephew is 10 days over ...

Well done poppet, I'm sure shimmying will also help with optimal foetal positioning ;-)

Excellent news Poppet

Folic I'll definitely go to the sling meet.

Bit tired tonight off to sleep

poppet yay for a good consultant appt, will think good positional thoughts for you x x

just DS went into bed before 18months as tried to climb out of cot (having had a nephew break an arm & leg from doing the same I decided to play it safe!!). If they are sleeping well in the cot & have no inclination to climb out then there is no reason you cannot leave it as a cot!! It is a hard decision to make between another cot or new bed but so what is best for you to ensure you continue to get good nights sleep!!

I will try the tips on arranging my legs a bit better, to see if I can ease this pain. I quite often end up sleeping on my back, but at a sort of 45 degrees position, since I'm obviously not meant to lie flat, as I find it more comfortable than the side. But, then I sometimes wake up flat-ish after having slid off my 8 pillows, and then of course I worry!

just DD went into a bed at around 18 months. She never tried to climb out of the cot, but she just hated it, and used to wake up and cry and couldn't be settled. As soon as we put her in a bed, it all stopped, and she stayed in bed all night. She has never ever got out of bed without asking 'permission' first either - she would never get up during the night, or even in the morning, without calling us and asking if its ok. I don't know why, I can't claim any sort of super parenting power, but I'm not complaining!

Snoozle, do you think this would be a good way to arrange your legs?

Snoozle It does sound like excess fluid in the joint (I have a condition that causes this even when I'm not pregnant, though thankfully I seem to be in the good majority that grows out of it). Best thing for the knees actually is plenty of gentle exercise during the day (walking particularly), then popping up at an angle in the evening and having a good massage of the area to encourage the fluid to drain (if it's worst in the morning, and you have the time, do it then as well).

Just My eldest two were in proper beds by 18 months, my next one was in a little mattress just above the floor trundle type thing at just after 12 months because, like Snoozle, she just hated it and still had to be swaddled, but once in a proper bed she was fine. My older two took a few weeks to settle (they didn't come out, they'd just get upset until someone sat in with them so we put a mattress down in there room for my DH to crash if he needed to), my young one took longer (because she is a silent ninja when she wants to be and would just crawl into our bed and nurse and I wouldn't notice so we had to stop the ninja night nursing - after that she was happy in her bed unless she needed a change or a skin cream top up for her eczema).

Thanks MrsA, Folic and Cali. I have spoken with DH about my concerns and he is supportive and backing me. We will interview the lady tomorrow evening. She was recommended by friends here, so I will let you all know how it goes.
None of my family will come out. My Mum doesn't fly and won't let my Dad go on his own. Big sister is too busy with her career and little one has learning disabilities. MIL will come out in February and BIL and SIL are scheduled for Easter. Though nobody has booked tickets until we are certain all is well with bubba.
We will then be heading to Europe with MIL and spend our birthdays with our families.

You are right, the title is scary. Sounds like I'll be a prisoner that will be watched very closely. That is really what I am worried about. I agree that I need to be 100% comfortable with her around.
This is my first baby and I am expecting loads of criticism, telling off, etc. DH says that that won't be the case. She may however suggest alternative ways of doing things.
Why does all of this have to be so scary? I am still in denial that the baby is coming if I am totally honest. I keep thinking "Oooh, loads of time yet. Months!" And matter of fact only just over 3 months left. When I think of it I get really stressed, so I just stick my head in the sand for now

Collie I have been having lower back pain for over a week now and nothing helps :(. Hopefully yours gets better soon

H007 I know what you mean about struggling since finding out you were pregnant. It's been the same for me. That's why I planned to finish early. Though it looks ever more unlikely to happen and I will probably finish end of September instead of in 26 days (not that I am counting!)
Sorry for argument with OH. It's stressful. I have the opposite argument with mine. He keeps putting me to bed anytime he thinks I look tired. I normally am, but feel so bad for wasting the precious time we have alone on the weekends before our DS arrives.
Could you try sitting him down this weekend to talk it through when you are not tired? I agree with the others that he may try to be involved and feels a bit left out, or that he hasn't injected himself enough into the pregnancy? You could try and find out the answers to his questions together whilst relaxing in the garden? Or at least do some research?
I am very lucky that DH's Aunt and Cousin are both MWs, so I have an endless supply of what is normal in the UK. Just wish I had someone here?.

Folic I'm glad you had a good MW appointment.

Snoozle, you are right. It has been a while since Caz has been here.
Hope your knees are better today

Poppet fantastic news! I am so pleased that you can go to the MLU and water labouring is fantastic!

Buffy hope MW appointment today goes well

I am heading to Ikea tomorrow to buy pillows. I am getting very frustrated with my current pillow and keep waking up because I have to turn it, as it's gone flat. I really hope that it will make a difference to my sleep.
I seem to only be able to fall asleep on my back lately, but I don't have problems with breathing, or dizziness, so I reckon it's ok. And I always wake up on one of my sides, so I reckon it's fine.

Hope everyone has a good Friday! :)

mashpot can I join you in the cankle club? lordy yesterdays were bad. Worst thing was I didnt notice (must be used to them), a colleague was admiring my sparkly (but against dress code flip flops) and went 'bloody hell look at your ankles'

I tried to join in the victory shimmying but my huge old ankles got in the way so little miss lk did one in solidarity

And todays PMA is ....my husband is home for 2 whole nights back from his 5 weeks away exercise and we're going to collapse on the sofa with a DVD tonight

Have good fridays all

~~Waves~~

hello ladies! I am here! Honest! I've been lurking, then I lost the thread, now I've found you! Just seems to have been a busy week or so. It was our 2nd wedding anniversary on Monday so we've been out for 2 'dates' this week, as well spending 2 days out now with my mum and friend!

Thanks for being concerned snoozle :)

I've been doing much better on the anxiety front the last few days. Lots of movement from X so I know he's ok. DH is doing a wonderful job of calming me down when the hysterics start and now I'm booked in to see midwife at GPs every Tuesday, the 'eternity' wait between check ups feels more or less gone. I next see the consultant on the 24th for another scan etc. I wonder how heavy he'll be estimated then!

I'm a bit worried about DH. He's doing a grand job looking after me but it appears he's struggling with his own anxieties and fears too. I busted him smoking at the weekend and we have an almighty falling out about it, he's been smoking on and off again the last 3 months whenever the stress of worrying about X gets too much. He used to be a full time smoker, 20-30 day type, but quit 5 years ago. 4 years he went without touching a single fag, but since we lost Belle this will be the 2nd relapse. I understand he's scared, but I wish he'd find a better way to deal with it than the fags. I really hate them. Anyway, he was really sorry for lying to me and promised to cut it out again.

I'm another one starting to suffer pain. My right hip especially is really playing me up now most days and after a day out yesterday baby shopping my entire groin was in agony in the evening. MW said she'll refer me to physio if the pain gets any worse over the next few weeks.

Hows everyone doing with the heat? God its turned me into an evil bitchbag at times! lol!

Can't believe maternity leaves are starting already!! I'm off at the moment for the summer hols, but I'm supposed to be getting myself back into work mode for the whole of September.

Happy Friday everyone. Going to do some housework that I've left pile up all week then meet DH for lunch! :) xx

Hi guys,

Folic deffo up for sling meet - where is the centre?

Sleeeepy today but got to stay up late tonight baking for market in Portobello. Ahh well, that loft extension won;t pay for itself.

Have a great friday :)

Have fun baking Ziggi! I am going to do the same thing (although not, I suspect, in the same quantities)

MW all good - heard a HB for the first time! Was lovely. The student MW reckoned she could feel where his bum is, which made me laugh. Then he kept kicking the HB monitor. He's a nuisance already...

I hadn't really put 2 and 2 together but the MW reckoned my numb and tingly hands is down to carpal tunnel. What joy!

Afternoon all. Glad things are going more or less OK for most (welcome back Caz!)

Poppet yay for you seeing sensible HCPs! Makes a change and I'm very glad for you. Being happy and confident yourself is a major step to a great labour. Don't be put off by the 1 in 200 risk of rupture - that includes VBAC women who have been induced, which really increases the risk of rupture and would only be done in hospital, plus it includes women who have had a tiny window open up in their scar with zero consequences - not a 'rupture' at all.
If you remove these, the actual risk from natural labour is 1 in 300 and that includes women whose uterus ruptures and they haven't had a c-section. Yes, anyone's uterus can rupture, it's not exclusively c-section women. But it's sooooooooo rare - a good indicator is (obviously) unusual pain in labour (How do you know though I think they mean pain that doesn;t feel like a contraction) and a woman's pulse being very high.

Whoever asked about cots/ages etc, DD came out of her cot about a year ago when she was about 18m old. To be honest it was more for us as we were going to Spain in the Sept and didn;t want to have a travel cot. She went into her cot bed and is about to go up to her full-size single bed so baby can have her cot after his Moses basket.
She's always been a great sleeper though and when she did have a few nights of not wanting to stay in bed, we did the rapid return/no eye contact method which seemed to work within a few nights (not a fan of leaving any child to cry, no matter how old).

Those taking a LO on hols btw, once they get to 6months, we used this. Ab fab. Folds down to a thin circle and DD slept in it very comfortably for about a year.

Oh, and how did DP and I meet I met him in 2003, ahem, on the internet..... At the time, I was married and he had a 13 yr old DD but our respective relationships had crumbled. We moved in together within 11 months, I got divorced and we would have had kids earlier but he got made redundant a year after we had set up home with a £200k mortgage and paying maintenance! A big test of our relationship but we managed it and made sure we paid all our bills.
He now owns his own business and we started trying for DD in 2007 - the rest, as they say........
DStepD is now 21 and is married herself, so things have worked out just fine.

Thanks for the info about sleeping arrangements. Its still taking me at least an hour, often more, to settle DS at night - I simply cant be doing the leavinghim to cry thing, its just not for us, but I need to change something cause this isnt going to swing with two kids. BUt he moves around so much in his cot and wont lie still at all that I cant imagine him not simply getting up out of bed or falling out repeatedly. We tried a bed guard on a single mattress on holiday but it was a total failure.
Anyway. So i am having some complete paranoia and need some reassurance or vindication, depending on whether I am being silly or perfectly sensible. So I ate half a frozen ready meal shepherds pie for lunch before my partner realised he had only half cooked it in the microwave (he got distracted half way through and forgot to put it back in for the last 6 of 12 minutes). Am I going to get food poisoning or listeria or something or are we going to be fine?
I met him, if we appear to be exchanging those stories, (must have missed that while on hols) in a nightclub. Dull. I'm quite shy though, but also really bad at remembering people and I thought he was friends with the friends I was with and I was supposed to know him and had forgotten him, so I just carried on as if we were vague aquaintences. Worked out I guess! I think the only romantic part of the story was that when we all left the club that night (he did KIND of know my friends by the way. Via some other friends) it snowed for the first time that year. Less romantic when you consider we were in a gaggle of five or six of us, but still. Not really given to romance, my man. Good consistent level of treating me like a princess, but more like a mum than a prince! He's currently a bit devastated he fed me undercooked ready meal.

just I am sure any food poisoning would have hit within about 2 hours so if you're ok now you've prob got away with it

Hi everyone, long day at work and sunburnt into the bargain! Dd has been sick a few times.... Eek. Cleaned her up and praying that's the end of it! Back on the settee unable to bloody move am so wrecked from the heat and the sun and work. The lo is mega wriggly, imagine if u will old fashioned diving from the edge of a swimming pool complete with flowered bathing cap and coverall swimsuit and that's how I imagine her! Or swimming lengths and turning over at each 'end'!

just I'm sure you'll be fine the meat would have to have been infected with listeria M. in the first place to put you at risk. Just be aware that the incubation period for Listeria M. has a median of 21 days. So if you get any flu-like symptoms go and see your doc and tell him/her what happened.

Like I said you'd be very unlucky ;)

Did a while project on the little bug, quite an interesting little bacteria really.

Ladies, thought you might like to hear my friend's birth story (from yesterday)...it was her 2nd baby

Labour 1.5 hours in total, her DH just made it back from work (baby arrived 10 mins after he did), didn't make in into hospital had it at her MIL's house with the help of some paramedics (with her DD playing in the garden with MIL) - then went home and MW visited her and that was that. Both doing brilliantly.

Thanks Alicat and H007. And for the birth story! I'm a complete emetophobe, so I get scared for me, and now I get scared for the baby too. Still scared.