We will brook no argument for a boring, uneventful, blooming pregnancy; followed by a perfectly-timed pain-free sneeze birth; vol 5

[ScreamIfYouWantToMeetSanta]

Hi No Brookers! I do hope this has worked and is in the right place...

I've added a few extra sofas so we have plenty of space for all the Rat Smackers who will be joining us soon. There's also a nice long table filled with mince pies, yule logs, gingerbread snowmen and xmas puds! Plus some non-alcoholic mulled wine. I've strategically positioned a few clean glittery vom buckets under the table, just in case it's still a bit too early for xmas munchies for some people!

As you were...

Morning all.

Well we took on Sainsbo's and won .

Think we're sorted for Christmas now in as much as everything is bought, iyswim. Still need to wrap all the pressies etc but everything is within our control now I think.

I have to confess I couldn't bring myself to read the birth story - the knowledge that there were pictures in there totally put me off - I don't look at mine and I don't want to look at anyone else's - especially not if they're neat and tidy .

I think last time I decided all the MWs must have seen it all before .

Oh and Pomme I have my waddle on too and I'm only 6 months . I now walk at the same speed as DS and my bump aches if I've done, well I was going to say a lot of walking, but really it isn't even that much! Maybe an hour's walking and it starts to ache. And then because in waddling, my back is kind of arched, so I know I've got poor 'pregnant person' posture but I can't seem to straighten my back without hunching my shoulders over.

Anyway, hope everyone else is ok. Thinking lots of Bartlet and Generic and their families xx

Hurrah for conquering Sainsbo's Biscuits! Tescos is delivering Christmas this evening, so I'm slightly worried that something major won't arrive... ah well!

I really enjoyed the birth story - thanks for posting Purple! I'm not sure about the faith bit either, and if I were in your position dream I'd definitely be going for the more cautious approach!

A bit of a rant here. So I went to the doctors last Thurs when feeling completely rubbish - was signed off for Fri, and they took some samples. I got a letter this morning (dated Monday!) saying that they tried to phone me with regard to the test results and couldn't get through, and that I should call them. Apparently it was food poisoning, and I might have to do some follow up tests to ensure all's fine, but that it should be ok!

My ranty rant is... they clearly only tried to phone my home number, and clearly while I was at work. Why do they presume people will be in during the hours of 9 to 5?! There were no missed calls on my mobile (they have both numbers)! If I hadn't felt better, but just hadn't gone back, I could have been pretty ill by now! They also said something about not coming into contact with kids when I had the bug - it says on my records that I teach, so they should have been a little more proactive in trying to contact me methinks!

Rant over. Apparently the doctor will call me back to confirm if I need to do anything else, and as DH is out it means I'm doing chores in my pyjamas looking (and feeling) very lazy!

Hi all

hope you're in labour hawthers!

too I'm sure I always had leukocytes in my urine last pregnancy, and nothing was wrong. I think sometimes they suggest trying to make sure it's a mid-stream cycle can help stop them being there?

ninja yes it is the book! I love her books too, especially The Secret History, but that didn't make a very good name . There was a 10 year gap between those books and apparently there is another due for release next year, 10 years after The Little Friend.

Congrats to everyone who has conquered their Xmas food shopping already! I must confess I still just live off the hospitality of relatives at Xmas, I've never had a house big enough to play hostess on Xmas day.

Musical I'm very on your behalf re your GP! How ridiculous that they know you teach and couldn't take the 30 seconds extra to try your mobile number after your house number! So frustrating, it's very lucky that everything turned out okay despite that.

I've just got in from my first physio appt, and the physio herself was very helpful. I have a much better idea of how I can support my back day-to-day, as well as a few exercises to work on to strengthen my core. She was absolutely lovely and friendly, my one complaint is that she's perfectly slim, toned and gorgeous! Oh alright, I guess I'm not allowed to be jealous. I did feel particularly elephant-like having to roll up my top and display my humongous belly so that she could assess my back though! I'll definitely be heading back for more appts in the NY though, I feel much more positive about still being able to walk by the end of this pregnancy now!

I don't want to bring in a note of sadness when we've just had that lovely positive twin birth story (I also couldn't look at the photos Biscuits!) I've just seen some sad news on facebook though. A good friend of mine is godmother to the very sweet little boy of her friend. I've never met her friend, but the photos of my friend and her godson are all over her facebook page, and he just looks so unbelievably sweet. I don't know exactly what the problem was, but from the photos it's clear he's been in and out of SCBU since he was born a few months ago, and today it seems he passed away. I've never met this little boy, or his Mum, but I just cried my eyes out when I saw that update. It just seemed so very heartbreaking. My friend is religious, and she's a wonderfully stable and peaceful kind of person, she's looking at this in as positive a light as possible, and she's grateful he's not suffering anymore and she believes he is in heaven. I'm so glad she's okay, and I'm sure she'll be a great support to the parents. It's just so sad!! The closer I get to 24 weeks the more I think that it just isn't enough! I can't imagine relaxing before 32 weeks! Plus I just cry at everything now, I'm a permanent fountain.

We also won our battle in Sainsbury's this morning biscuits. Such a relief that's over. We're now in the middle of de cluttering DS's room to make room for his new stuff. We'll be spending the rest of today cleaning and tidying so we can just relax over the next week. Fingers crossed here for hawthers, looking forward to hearing about the new arrival. Purple I'm terrible for typing in real life names and noticing at the last second. I'm sure I will tits it up one day. My first post ever typed on my phone so apologies if it looks terrible, can't get my head round how to set it out properly. In case I don't get time to post again before Sunday, I wish you all and your families a very happy and peaceful Christmas. Bartlet and Generic you are especially in my thoughts xx

scream that really is very sad. I'm often in awe of how strong some people manage to be during such heartbreaking events. My friend who's baby was stillborn at term amazes me with how she's come to terms with her loss. Her faith has helped her immensely. I'm the same as you at the moment, it doesn't take much to set me off these days. I saw my best friend yesterday who's under a lot of pressure at work and also has much stress in her personal life currently. We both ended up in tears at the same time, it was so weird and unusual for us both the tears turned to hysterical giggles. Maybe we're both cracking up. musical I'm pleased you have a diagnosis. Even though you're feeling better it's good to know what caused it. I agree it's frustrating that no real effort was made to contact you.

musical - I've got a Tesco delivery too tonight and I'm a bit paranoid too now! Shopping with dh and dd on Xmas eve sounds awful so fingers crossed.

Seriously, my dh needs to relax a bit more about his job, it seems all the other gp's do!!! He was worried about some patient last night, so decided to pop in and see him at 7:30am this morning to take some bloods to make sure he got a result by this afternoon so it wouldn't wait over the bank holiday, because he also knows the patient is an early riser so would be up .

scream, that is such a tragic story. I really feel for your friend. I find that's the problem with mumsnet too- you start worrying/ being upset for people you've never met and never will... I have met perfectly healthy no-problems, 11+ passed 28 weekers if that's any reassurance! And really glad your physio appointment went so well.

too, I frequently had the odd thing show up in my urine- leucocytes, protein, sugar once- they were all one-offs that were just unaccounted for. I shall Brook No Argument yours are too!

musical you poor thing still feeling unwell. Right, that bug/food poisoning- 24 hours to GO COMPLETELY!!!!

Right, I'm all festive-name-changed, at last!!!!

Still here still not in labour. Grump. Tmi but cervix still closed (mw) although apparently ripe (reflexologist). Who knows - sex and curry tonight so at least that should be fun

Bartlet I've just seen what you wrote about your daughter and it was beautiful. You sound very strong and I hope you have lots of support.

I'm feeling much better, getting over the shock and concentrating on Christmas with DD and DH. I'm sure I'll be back with the rat smackers in the New Year and will lurk occasionally to hear your news! Happy Christmas all. X

Generic you sound so strong. I hope you've had / are having lots of cuddles. And we look forward to seeing you back in the world of brooking in the new year (and hopefully back on this thread soon).

Take care my lovely xx

Oh and I meant to say what a sad story Scream - I hope they all have lots of support.

And Scarlet we also have has a little rifle through ds's toys and books to make a bit of space for the influx. I'm a bit frightened by how much stuff even we have got for him. I sort of did all his present shopping, then found some stuff I'd kept back from his birthday, then found some other stuff I'd bought in advance and forgotten about. I don't think it would matter if nobody else bought him anything.

Biscuits do I remember right that you have an anterior placenta? If so, when did you start to feel movements? I'm still getting nothing here and had a thing through from the Aptamil club saying that Spud is treating me like a football at the moment

Jen that's right indeed. Um, I'm 26 weeks now and I would say I've been getting them for a few weeks. It wasn't before my 20 week scan though, other than flutters. If I were to check back through the thread I could probably work it out but I would guess 22-24 weeks. Even now though I have started wearing my count the kicks bracelets and I still don't normally get to 10 kicks across the day.

Today has been a pretty kicky day and I'm approaching double figures now - oooh there goes no 10 there as I type. So that's still not a lot. I think the MWs don't worry unless you're not getting 10 mvmts a day at 28 weeks iyswim? I definitely have days that are much quieter, and then other more active days.

On the subject of 'update' emails though like the pampers and aptamil ones, I have generally found them to just make me worry that I'm not doing things at the right time! Or at least things aren't happening at the same time. It was even worse once ds was here as you just notice the things that those emails assure you should be happening but aren't yet, so I really wouldn't worry too much what they say.

How many weeks are you Jen? Have you had your 20 week scan yet? Is it deffo an anterior placenta?

Jen am I right in thinking you're about 19 weeks now? I think that's normal not to have felt any kicks. I haven't got an anterior placenta (but have quite a podgy tummy) and have only just started feeling proper kicks over the last week or so, I'm now 23 weeks. I think I started feeling flutters quite early this time but probably only because I recognised the sensation from my previous pregnancy. With DS I think I noticed the first flutters at around 18 weeks but nothing really definite until about 22.

I know you weren't asking me but just wanted to try and reassure you so you're not worrying too much over Christmas. When is your 20 week scan?

I hit 19 weeks on Sunday and my scan is on 3rd Jan. I'm not worried about it but simply wondering if I could have an anterior placenta. I haven't even had any flutters yet. The only sensation I get are aches and pains.

Tesco man bought me no sprouts or cranberry sauce!! I am going to have to go to a shop tomorrow - ack! Am wondering about going to posh farm shop and stuff the cost!

Dream loving the festive name change!

Pomme how frustrating! Personally I'd definitely try the smaller shop first, even if the items cost double their normal price it's still just not that much money in real terms, especially not compared to losing your sanity in a supermarket scrum!

I've just freaked myself out by looking at comments on my local nurseries and the sheer number of people who registered at 12 weeks pregnant and still couldn't get a place at the 12 months end-of-mat leave point! I read these reviews before but couldn't bring myself to register so early on, now that I'm past the 20 week scan I've decided to dive in! I signed up for the two closest to the station I'll be commuting from (I doubt we'll be living in the same house by the time I return to work so it's useless looking close to home). Eek! Kinda freaked out. Still don't really want to actually visit any nurseries until after 32 weeks.

pomme, I second the farm shop... supermarket on xmas eve

wow scream, that's amazing you have to sign up this early!! I would be totally freaked out.

Oh no pomme! When I was unpacking ours I was hoping yours was ok! Definitely seconding the farm shop...

The only things they didn't bring at all were the turkey bags and the cheese board. We made a quick emergency trip to the supermarket to rectify the situation (well, with foil rather than turkey bags!), and all now ok. Did well on substitutions - got a considerably bigger gammon joint for when our friends visit post-Christmas, price matched - hurrah!

Scream - the nurseries situation around where you are sounds absolutely mad!

Hawthers, hope the sex and curry are getting things moving..!

The doctor phoned me back eventually this afternoon. As I'm so much better they just want me to repeat the tests after Christmas, to check all's completely ok.

A lovely peaceful day of baking and lots of music for me tomorrow. Oh, and cleaning - less relaxing - but if endured in between baking sessions I'm sure it'll be much more tolerable!

Glad your shopping was mostly ok musical! I would be so incapable of hosting/ cooking/ baking like you're doing [very impressed emoticon]

A quick panic/rant if i may... I may have mentioned my varicosity disfigurement in the groin/fanjo area once or twice and the rest!! . Painful, and the rest-with-legs-up advice is obviously impossible most of the time with dd... Had an aching sore leg today, finally checked, and yes, a mass of varicose veins. I'm still getting m.s, up every night with awful reflux and heartburn and dd and now these varicose veins everywhere. Showed Dh, said, guess what, put your feet up. Little concerned at how much I'm getting at 23+1.... I didn't think i sailed through with dd, as had awful ms til 16 weeks, then later got reflux, and lots of pain in hips and with rib flare, but compared to this time I did indeed sail through .

Good luck with the curry and sex hawthers,

No sign of mini hawthers although delicious curry was had last night. Resigned to cs on wed seems like I'll never have a chance to experience labour as I doubt they'll let me go for a vbac after 2 cs. Of course may not be a bad thing given the issues that lots of people have had but still feel like I'm missing out on something. Oh well.

Sorry for me posts at the mo.

Morning all :)

Hope everyone is doing ok. Sorry minihawthers is staying put - still you might get a Christmas miracle?

We wrapped an absolute present mountain last night - took flipping ages! Still, we have a bit of cleaning left to do today and the veg to prepare, which my parents are coming to help with so we're not doing too bad.

DS is pretty excited I think it would be fair to say. And all this from a boy who had only asked Santa for a magazine!

Dream - you poor thing with those vv's . You know though that you have to take every opportunity to put your feet up

• sounds like a great excuse to get DH to stay busy .

If I don't get on again I hope you all have a lovely Christmas. And I look forward to hearing of the birth of mini Hawthers in a manger

Hawthers - brooking for an Xmas baby for you. I am likely to never experience spontaneous labour (will always be induced at 38/9 weeks) so I kinda know how you're feeling but at the end of the day birth is just a means to an end and something to get out of the way. Hope you do start to feel more positive about your cs if that is what happens.

DH reckons he's going to get the cranberry sauce and sprouts on his way home so we'll see. He also reckoned he'd be home at 10.30am - we'll see on both of those!!

Scream - Sign up for lots I reckon to keep your options open. You'll know when you visit the right one for your lo. London sounds loopy on childcare!