December 2011- over halfway there!

[sevendwarves]

Welcome to the new thread ladies!

A tattoo of a pram... now let's see - genius or crazy? Bloody daft. I hope that I like our pram that much that I want to promote its many benefits and advantages..., but not permanently on my skin! Crazy.

OiMissus that 'end of an era' thing is so weirdly emotional, I sympathise.

Bleugh, I have been up half the night worrying about Obstetric Choleostasis because I'm itchy. Had a crying fit on DP at 3am (DP was hopeless, but then he didn't have a clue what OC was). Am trying to persuade myself that as I haven't had it before it is really very unlikely that I do have it, I am probably making myself feel more itchy than I am because I'm so worried.

We have our 'not back to school' picnic today, hopefully it will take my mind off it.

It's the end of an era, but the start of something new and exciting. My life will never be the same again - and I will be less selfish - less about ME, and now all about my family. So it's a good thing. :)
Hope it isn't OC. I get periods of itchiness - it's just our skin stretching. I find that rather than have a shower every morning, it helps to have a bath with oil in the night before and then use more oil to top up.
Enjoy your picnic!

I've been looking at labour bath oils and sprays to relax me during labour as well, but after DH complaining that I must be reading mumsnet too much, and my mother saying I have too much time on my hands without DD looking at this stuff, I've decided to do what I did last time and just ignore the birth part completely. If it does end up being particularly slow, long and drawn out, I guess DH could always just pick me up something at boots anyway. Maybe I can have a pleasant/relaxing birth experience in a few years time. Meh.

Planning to work till 40 weeks (using holidays to drop to 3 days a week from October), only thing that stopped me working to 40 weeks last time was the birth of DD at 37+4, but worked up to the day before (4 days a week from about 34 weeks) and had no problems. Anyone else aiming to go till 40 weeks?

Thanks for the link Honey, I think I might use that recipe as Delia as never let me down. When do you start your cakes?

OiMissus time to start a new ritual with your friend? So that instead of an end of an era it can more be a shift?

msbuggywinkle probably is the stretching of your skin tbh, Is it just tummy itching? Are you hands, etc?

msbuggy hope it isn't OC, it sounds horrendous.

oimissus glad you're looking at the positives. I second trying to find something else you can do together, maybe have lunch together or something else so it's the beginning of a new era.

We're going to be needing another new thread soon, we're on the last page already!

Hope it's not OC msbuggy - is it soles of feet and palms of hands or everywhere? I had an itchy palm in bed last night but it stopped luckily. Isn't it stressful having to worry all the time :( Maybe call your midwife for advice?

I'm not entirely sure where it is...seems to be intermittently everywhere! I think it is me worrying really, as when I'm busy it goes! I should know better, with DD2 my main unfounded worry was gestational diabetes, I managed to find lots of symptoms in myself, but of course I was fine. I need to make some space for meditation today, always helps me figure out what is me stressing myself and what is real!

I'll give it a few days, if it gets worse I'll go and see the midwife, who happily is lovely and gets me!

Itching is horrible msbuggy, hope it goes soon! If not then piriton is safe in pregnancy. Def see midwife (or GP) if it persists, she can do some blood tests which should reassure you. It's far more likely to be simple "pruritis of pregnancy (pruritis means itching!) which is quite common, non harmful, and like loads of things, vanishes when you've had baby.

If it's any consolation I'm still feeling paranoid about this low placenta malarkey, I know things will probably be fine but it's driving me bats having to wait so long for the next scan (8weeks to go til I know more...arg!) personality-wise I am a total planning nut so not knowing is something I'm not good at!!

And today is the first morning with both DDs at school- house is SO quiet!!!

Bee - 40 weeks!! I'm impressed. I'm currently supposed to be working through to 35 weeks and I am seriously doubting I'm going to make it that far. I've just had a chat to my boss though and he said I can start working from home a day or two a week, so hopefully that will keep me going till then. (I do have a 90 min commute into the City each day though, hopefully you have a better travel situation than I do.)

We saw two couples last night who have kids and they were incredibly generous - we were offered a moses basket, bouncy chairs, loads of girls' clothes (but even if we have a boy, there must be clothes that will work for boys - don't remember these particular girls being decked out in pink ruffles)...it was really lovely.

tyelperion- welcome to the wonderful world of pass-the-baby-stuff! When you've finished with things it's incredibly satisfying to pass them on- most people sell some and pass on some, depends on how much of it you bought new and how much was given, plus financial circumstances of course. I passed on all my stuff after DD2 to friends and relatives, it was lovely seeing little dresses and boots being reused.... So am reaquiring from various lovely people (and ebay) for DC3! record for my brothers' moses basket (he reckons) was its use in 18 different households (with several mattress changes along the way!)

I'm planning to go to 38 weeks. I've never done it before so don't know how realistic it is, and can work from home if needed.
At the moment though, I must say that I have better days when I am up and about and at work. It's when I have lazy days/rest days (weekend for example) that I suffer more aches and discomfort.

fusam I usually start in October to give me a chance to feed it (we like a well-brandied cake) & to give the royal icing time to harden the way DP likes it but I think this year I'll bake them as soon as I can get my act together; should've started already really as my EDD is 2/12 & I'd hoped to get it done before the LO arrived...I've been known to ice it on Xmas Eve but hopefully not this year.

Bee I'm planning to work until I pop; so nice to hear from someone who's actually done it....my friend's think I'm mad. :)

I just spoke to one of my best friends & she told me she is pregnant with twins!!! She's 15+3; I can't believe she's managed to keep it a secret for this long. Also FIL's partner just popped round to say to go ahead & order a Bednest & they will pay for it. Started as a really frustrating morning but I'm feeling pretty chipper now :o

BabyBay or Bednest ???

Oh - both nice, both quite expensive - but lovely idea. I think I slightly prefer the nest - but only on looks. Attachment straps (nest) vs vice-like gripper (bay) - your choice- what would fit and do least damage to your bed?
(We've borrowed a crib, otherwise I'd consider one myself!)

I want one of them Honey but they seem awfully expensive ... and a friend has offered me a moses basket for free. But I like the idea of being able to breastfeed without getting out of bed ...

A friend's giving us a moses basket which I think I'll keep downstairs but I really want to cosleep & DP is wary with a newborn so this is a compromise. Looks like the Bay will last until 9 months & can convert to a seat vs 6 months for the Nest but good point about the straps OiMissus, I don't want to damage my bed. They are very expensive, I wasn't going to buy one if FIL didn't but they also have great resale value on ebay. With the shortage at the mo' used Bednests are going for the same price as new

Should we start a new thread? I would but can't think of a name

Something about entering the third trimester? Someone due 1 Dec will be 28 weeks today.

I am just revelling in the birth ball at my desk or I would try and come up with something witty to do with threes...

I would suggest the end is in sight (ie entering the 3rd trimester) but we'll get through loads more threads as yet.

honey big congrats to your friend, how wonderful!

Can anyone tell me whats so good about birthing/gym balls in pregnancy? I've never had one, are they good for your back, mine is agony today!

Think they are supposed to be really comfy and good for back and pelvic girdle pain (good for strengthening core?). Mine hasn't arrived yet but will let you know what I think ...

seven - yes, I got a 75cm birthease one delivered this morning and my secretary and I pumped it up at lunchtime - I've been sitting on it instead of my desk chair since then - bliss!! Takes all the weight off my back and I can circle my hips round on it as I mn work.

I was sceptical - but now I have seen the light!!

What height are you Tyelperion? I am 5 foot 4 so I am presuming that a 65cm one is okay? I got a birthease one too - is in the post! Is it easy to pump up?

Honey The only problem is if you deliver early and so haven't given the work handover, so perhaps give a brief handover at 36 weeks if required.

I didn't realise that BFing type cribs were only for 6/9 months? What do you use when the baby gets older but is still feeding?