December 2011 - She Canna Take Much More, Cap'n...

[Xiaoxiong]

Betwee 8 and 12 weeks to go...and we're giving it all we've got!

sorelip yep, loa is where you want them. Not being sodding awkward like mine, although she is at least head down today.

I'm feeling productive today, have done the baby sling wash (mei tai, water wrap and stretchy wrap!) and completed the list making for Christmas. We're having duck, yummy! On the subject of poultry, on.e of my chicks has spent the last two hours in the compost bin because the bump means I can't reach to get her out!

Highs - organisation
Baby is head down after day one of the plan!
Am not as tired as I should be

Lows - my sister is being weird with me again
My back is killing me and I want to flop on the sofa, but tis crap for baby positioning.

My banking practices are hair raising but not illegal sorelip I think the technical term would be 'skinning along on the bones of my arse'

Central hedging is in fact central heating. After two years in a freezing house we are finally getting radiators. This will, if all goes well, be the first time in about ten years that I have lived somewhere that will have a system with a full compliment of functional radiators! I can handle having to rearrange my stuff (looooots of stuff) and brave the pit of a room my eight year old calls her own if it means we can have a warm winter for the first time in recent memory

I'm off to make a bottle of juice then I'm going to ensconce myself in my room and shift the boxes of books to the other alcove, as apparently they are in the way. They're small boxes, before anyone panics.

Hope you all have a relaxing evening:)

seven: ferritin is iron levels and folate is what folic acid gets turned into in your body. Both are needed to build red blood cells, so probably they want the levels to work out if you need extra iron, folate, or both.

The size of your red blood cells depends on your levels of folate and iron too: when they do your full blood count (hemoglobin) level they also check the cell size (MCV). If you are iron deficient the cells get small, if folate deficient they get big.... So if you lack both the cells can look normal size. So my guess is you're a bit anemic but they are asking for the extra test just to plan what to give you as a supplement to sort it out. Hope that helps!

Thanks aethel, I'm a carrier of thalassaemia so my red blood cells are odd anyway, I guess it's probably related to that then.

Ah, that makes sense seven. Thalassemia can affect the accuracy of the automated tests so they are prob just making sure before flinging pills at you that you might not need. See what your doc says when you've had the tests. It will probably be "here, have these nice extra tablets"....

And tyel, take your mat leave dude, you know it makes sense... If you're getting irregular contractions the last thing you need is a 90 min commute! Good luck with HR (who if they have any sense will be sympathetic). Myself, I'm doing what I did with the DDs and knocking things on the head at 36 weeks (I went til 41 weeks with DD2). There are no prizes for working until your waters go!

This evening has been brought to you by magnum minis. You can't eat just the one....

Thanks for the good wishes - interview went well and through to next round on Wednesday.

Aethel hope DD is better soon!

Tyel sounds like you need to be resting up - hope you can get mat leave sorted.

Msbuggywinkle - you put me to shame. I keep getting into seriously bad habits of slouching on sofa in evenings. Have been doing my marking and working on laptop in worst possible position - really need to spend more time on my birthing ball!

I'm off to bed for an early night for once - think today took it out of me and it's only Monday.

Highs - had a growth scan today which was really positive - baby hawthers has grown in accordance with the instructions issued by his/her mummy.

Amniotic fluid all present and correct and Doppler studies all great. Whoop whoop.
Am now 7 hours more pg than I have ever been.
baby hawthers is a massive (for me) 3lbs 11oz already.
Next consultant appt/growth scan not for another 3 weeks.
DS has spent two nights in his new big bed and slept relatively well.

Lows - DS has just woken up screaming for no reason and would only be consoled by his daddy who has a v important job interview tom - oh dear I think its going to be a long night

"Am now 7 hours more pg than I have ever been."

And you can keep on gaining on that record, hawthers! The most effective coxing, of side-by-side rowing races, I ever experienced was one boat "climbing" past the other, with the cox shouting: "I've got their seven; give me their six! I've got their six; give me their five!...." all the way to "bow" and then "clear water!" Each successful increment makes you feel stronger about the "climb" to the next step, and it's easier and easier to see yourself getting there.

hawthers that is ace! I remember the feeling well after DD1 was prem. Although, DD2 did feel alike she took forever to decide to emerge, she was born at 39 weeks but I had a month longer of being pregnant.

We're off to the wildflower centre today for the start of their harvest festival. My friend who works there has built a new cider press so we're making Apple juice. I'm really looking forward to it!

Morning all, squee-ee--eeeze...
Well done baby hawthers - very obedient!
I'm working from home today so going to set up the birthing ball at the dining table. Was so uncomfy in the office yesterday, and my tummy just keeps growing and growing.
I will try and get some work done in between MN, washing, solicitor dealings and baby prep. :) To be honest, I have really lost interest in work now, and I have almost 4 weeks still to go.
Got Parentcraft session 2 tonight, quite looking forward to it.
Have a great day everyone.

Keep forgetting my pelvic floors [hblush]
Another antenatal class last night. Made me feel like yes, I CAN do this. Which is good.
have a good day y'all!

Morning all! Looks like I've missed a very busy weekend on here...

Tyel I'm glad you & LO are ok. After your night in hospital it's no wonder you're raring for a homebirth; I think I'd have been climbing the walls :) Hope it all goes well from here. If you're not already on the thread you should go to this homebirth thread a MNetter called KellyKettle posted her birthing story on Saturday & it's lovely, really uplifting.

Hope everyone else is feeling ok this morning. I have an enforced very light work week as there just wasn't anything for me to do which is crap as I need the money desperately but also kind of fantastic as I have sooo much to do & I was on the verge of a meltdown. At least now I have time to clean the house & I don't have to cancel the HV appt 2moro. I'm off to do some painting now, then some cleaning & ironing a couple of hours work & then maybe I'll make a lasagne to freeze. Still a very busy day but it'll be wonderful to get some jobs done. Going to London on Friday for the weekend, not looking forward to the 5-6 hr journey but I can't wait to see friends & we're picking up a La Bassine pool that I won on ebay for £10...absolutely bargainous!! [hgrin]

Btw...I'm sure you're all ahead of me on this but...at my 34 wk appt last week I asked MW about Raspberry Leaf tea & she said I should've been drinking it from 32 wks (very helpful of her to have mentioned it) [hhmm] She said to start on 1 cup a day & work up to 4 by 37 wks & as many as I like after that. Loose leaves are apparently better than bags as they're cheaper & stronger. It doesn't bring on labour, just tones the uterus to give you better contractions. I've heard some people like it but I think it's bloody awful [hsad]

hawthers glad baby is growing so well.

I rang MW and she's going to do the extra bloods tomorrow. I feel guilty though as receptionist told me I'm now the third person added onto the end of her clinic, I didn't realise they were so overstretched where I am. Is anyone else feeling immense pelvic floor pressure? I can't see myself lasting another 8 weeks.

Weather is horrible here this morning. DS wants to do some of his workbooks this morning then we might make white chocolate rice krispie cakes this afternoon.

Morning!

I can see the floor in my daughter's room!

Quick then onto the boy and his mess. Someone remind me that radiators>rest please!

Laters... If I survive the smell [henvy]

LMF are you nesting? I wish I was, so much to do but I'm lacking the motivation somewhat.

Just had a phone call from the estate agents, they done a viewing on the flat yesterday which went really well, the couple are thinking about buying it for the daughter. Fingers crossed!

Not nesting alone seven I have to clear rooms so the men can come fit radiators in them.

Fingers crossed the mugs couple buy for their daughter. I need some parents that can afford treats like that!

Thanks for the information on moles Tyel got appointment on thursday next week with the Dr and with midwife on Monday for 34 wk appointment going to mention it to her too.

Its my last parentclass tonight we have had 3 weeks of labour, pain relief and just tonight about post birth....god i dont know what to do with a new born in the slightest need more than 90 minutes to teach me what i am supposed to be doing with the little fella!!

I had a dream last night that i had a rush birth at home, baby delivered by DH and was waiting for an ambulance to take us to hospital while was laid in bed with the baby in the crook of my arm when i woke up this morning was in the exact position as in my dream and i felt really sad there was no baby in my arms i must be feeling a bit more ready!!

I have such a craving for Burger King Whopper Burgers. OMC they're amazing, damn you BK for not having a store near to me.

seven, feeling very odd when I stand up, MW says Squatters head is engaged, but I didn't expect it to feel so out of balance...unless it's just got a fat head fingers crossed for you!

Honey, I know it didn't help you, but thanks for letting me know about raspberry tea from 32wks!

It's scary how close to popping you (ok, we) all are!
Going to our NHS antenatal class the week after next, some of you could have babies by then

Hi everyone. I just had a very confusing MW appt. I know that the bump measurements aren't very accurate but the one I had this morningput me at 32 weeks, which is the same measurement I had 2 weeks ago (I'm 31 + 4 today) so now I'm worried the baby isn't growing properly but MW wasn't worried.
On the other hand, my scan at 28 weeks showed the baby as off the charts in terms of weight and length, and had some glucose in my urine this morning which I've never had before. So now I'm worried about diabetes, MW going to tk to a colleague to see if I need a GTT test.
ALSO, had vaginal swab come back as saying I had scanty white blood cells which I assume is a sign of infection? MW is going to talk to GP about it but I don't have much faith in my GP! I asked on the main board if anYone knoes what this means but no reply yet.
Sorry for selfish post but now I'm worried about all sorts of things!

Mmmmcheese did the same MW measure you? Measurements differ quite a bit if you have different people measuring. I wouldn't be worried if she isn't though. In fact there's no point in worrying about any of it until they tell you to...they'd be rushing you in to hospital if there was a serious concern. Easier said than done I know but I'm trying to be more zen about things at the moment [hsmile]

AHWCH It does all feel pretty imminent & I'm feeling sooo unprepared but trying to stay as calm as possible, after all if I go over you may be having your LO before me [hgrin] Hope not though, I'm feeling pretty antsy now.

mmmmcheese at week 28 I measured 34cm, and had appointments and a scan to check the baby's size. They basically told me that the baby was a little larger than average, but no cause for concern. At week 32, I measured 33cm - by the same MW - but she wasn't concerned, just shrugged her shoulders. My tummy was definitely bigger. - My takeaway from it all is that they are just very broad measurements, but are largely useless.
I'm getting bigger. The baby is still moving and kicking. = nothing to worry about.
In the last two urine readings I had protein in the first, and then glucose two weeks later. they sentthe first to be tested, it came back ok. The second - I'd had the GTT test weeks ago and that came back OK - so this time they shrugged their shoulders again.
I'll get worried when they do.
Am now going to tidy up, do washing and preparing of hospital bags. Work? Nah.

Thanks for the info about the raspberry leaf tea! Off to make a cup while awaiting the plumber to sort out our backed up loo.

Mmmmcheese, if any of these signs were desperate, surely they would be doing something themselves immediately, or sending you straight somewhere, rather than referring you. This one in particular : "MW going to tk to a colleague to see if I need a GTT test." is very indirect!

I've just sorted out my sewing stuff, so have a rag-bag for making Christmas crap tasteful gifts which don't need to be paid extra for just my tribute to my Scottish blood... Seriously, though, if I have to sit about for 10 days or so, between December 1 and the EDD of December 10, what else am I going to get up to? Driving about this morning for a playdate and getting back the plumber was quite a foolish amount of stress (as in: I feel a bit of a fool), so there will be no more of that after my "deadline"!

Thanks everyone for the reassurance. I think part of the problem is that I don't have much trust in MWs and drs due to past bad experiences, so I always feel like I have to double check everything!

Eg I had lots of pain in my first pregnancy and went to GP and MWs about this numerous times but they always told me not to worry. Turns out they were contractions and I was dilating and I always wonder if they had been more proactive then DS wouldn't have been so premature. It also took me 6 months to convince the drs and HVs that something was wrong with DS and it turned out that he had cerebral palsy (mild) and if I hadn't been so pushy DS would have missed out on loads of physio etc.

Maybe I am being unfair but I find it very hard to trust medical staff! Sorry for another self-indulgent post!

PS can't remember who asked but it was a consultant and then MW who did the measurements so I realise it could just be human variation!

Hello all - thanks for the raspberry leaf tea info as well, I will have to get my hands on some! plu I hope your loo is fixed soon, there is nothing worse than plumbing stuff and the plumbers always suck their teeth ominously before proceeding to bankrupt you in a clinically efficient manner.

Well I think you and DH and my midwife are all in cahoots to make me start mat leave right now. DH came along to my 34 week appointment this morning and when the midwife said she thought I really should give up work now, DH chipped in and said "yes I agree and so does everyone on mumsnet!!" I think it's going to happen - just have to break the news somehow to the partner and sort it with HR. I do feel rather pathetic not even making it to 35 weeks in the office but as the midwife said, no one gives out medals for making it that long, and not everyone has a long commute like I do!

Luckily MW was totally reassuring - looked at all the notes from the weekend, and said there was absolutely no reason a homebirth won't work out. She even managed to explain the localised pain and soreness that was one of the reasons I went to hospital - apparently when a baby is breach (as mine was until it flipped and thumped hard into my cervix, causing the loss of fluid) sometimes some of the uterus gets jammed between the baby's head and your ribs, bruising it from the inside, which matches exactly what I was feeling and in the right place too. She suggested arnica and paracetamol which are working a treat. Mmmcheese she measured me as being 34cm - two days ago the midwife in the hospital measured me as 38cm and I'm definitely no smaller today than I was two days ago, so it seems like it's only a useful measurement if the same person does it each time. Also I've put on exactly 11kg since my booking-in appointment which is good, I hope...I think that's about 1st10lb?

Can't remember who said they were feeling massive pressure down below but I certainly feel that - walking is quite uncomfortable especially when combined with the SPD. And also (poss TMI) I can no longer tell whether I need to pee or not - there's no urge, it just hurts.

Finally we got our rears in gear and drove to a place just outside Oxford and bought a red and black baby jogger city mini with a raincover and fleece footmuff, a car seat with a click-in base, a changing mat and manly looking messenger style changing bag. I think we got off pretty lightly for £400 total - some of the prams in there were twice that much just for the pram alone - I thought DH was about to faint when he looked at the iCandy Peach (which also weighs a ton). We did look at a Maclaren but it was so much heavier than the city mini, harder to fold and laughably too big for our Ford Ka. Now just need a drop-side cot to make a sidecar co-sleeper thing, a beanbag and some plastic sheeting for a homebirth, and I think we'll be ready.

Then we went to Atomic Burger on Cowley Road and stuffed our faces to reward ourselves for our efforts, DH is now playing me songs on his ukelele and I am debating how best to word my "don't think I'm coming back to work" email to my boss...