April 2012 babies: Third Trimester: the end is in sight!

[LaTristesse]

Heartburn, haemorrhoids and hairy stomachs; come waddle through the glamorous third trimester with us... !

Previous (2nd trimester) thread here

Initial thread (1st trimester) thread here

Stats thread here

Hi ladies!

It's half term for me now, otherwise known as sleep time! Exhausted!

Then it's just 26.5 more working days until Mat Leave at Easter - not that I'm counting!

A friend of mine brought her little boy (6wks) for a cuddle yesterday, first newborn I've been around since I discovered I was PG. So cuddly!!

Hope you're all well!

Half term in our house too Jamabalya (DH is a teacher) so that means I have DH AND DD to get under my feet all week

I got to cuddle a newborn last week. Very strange. Couldn't relate my bump to having one of those in it, even having been through it before. It just seems so ridiculous.

And then this morning I had an 'OH SHIT! I'M GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER BABY!' moment, not that I've had months to get used to the idea or anything.

Anyone got any plans for the weekend?

Hi all, I have been reading up on everything via mumsnet but a 1st time poster- im due in April too so can I join in?? I recently had a GTT and dr called me last night (!) to tell me I may have gestational diabetes. Took me all of 30 seconds to read up on nhs website and a further 30 seconds to burst into tears! Hubby came home to me bawling my eyes out as I thought I had done something wrong (still do) :(
Wandering if anyone had any similar experience?? I'm 30+1 and GTT was late as midwife hadn't organised it and told me to do it when I saw her for check up.

On brighter note, reading mumsnet this morning has cheered me up loads do thank u all!! :)

Aww Rups it's just one of those things, you haven't done anything wrong :(
I don't have experience of it, I'm sure someone will be along that does though.

Off to try on my bridesmaid dress today... In order to get 38+2 appropriate measurements, I picked up DS and we measured around me and him, then added a couple of inches to be on the safe side So its safe to say it is going to be huge, don't really know how much if at all it'll need to be taken in until a bit closer though.
My nan made me laugh the other day. She said (of me being a bridesmaid) "it's okay, if you wear an empire line dress and carry some flowers, maybe noone will notice" !! First, it's 12 days before my due date. I'm quite sure a dress and some well positioned flowers won't hide that! Second, it is my sisters wedding. There won't be anyone there that doesn't already know I'm pregnant!!

Ah thank u!! I know how u feel about weddings- its my cousins wedding next wk and i had to get a tent like contraption made a few wks back in case I "bloomed" any more!!! I know there's nothing I can do about this GTT thing- just feeling a bit low after having had a brilliant pregnancy with hardly any issues- and was looking forward to natural birth if possible with little or no interference. Ah well as long as baby is ok I don't mind I just want to know if anyone felt the same as me ie am I massively over reacting??!

rups welcome :) as yet you don't know it is GD if it is, you can still have a low/no intervention birth - its up to you what to do (eg induce early or not, that sort of thing)

I'm 32+3, measuring nearly 36 and haven't had a GTT - they're not routine everywhere so don't worry about yours being 'late' - some of us don't get one unless GD is suspected anyway. What has the doctor said about further tests?

Well dr called last night to say that in her opinion my levels suggested GD but she had to refer me for further tests and it was likely I'd be under care of consultant/specialist unit. She wasn't too clear on next stages and said they (whoever they is) would be in touch. As she called around 7.30pm I couldn't call my regular dr or do anything else this wkend but think about what might happen!! Also we had a growth scan last wk to check everything ok and baby was perfect- not too big and just about average on everything apart from longer legs than was "average" and weighing slightly more than average but only in 63 percentile so still not massive. All so confusing as I don't have a clue what is going to happen now. My midwife has been terrible so far in any event so i don't think she will b much help!! Thank u for coming back to me though- the reassurance is what I was after :)

Hi all! Think I posted on here once or twice, ages ago... time flies! Just read the last few posts and empathise with those of you feeling big, I've been referring to myself as a hippo this week - just suddenly feeling huge. Think I must have grown too as I have a new flurry of stretch marks errupted on my belly.
DD2's due earlier in the week my first dD is due to turn 1 - anyone else got/having two close together? Would be good to have a 2 under 1 buddy!
Also DD1 was born early and quickly so we've been advised to expect DD2 early and even more quickly. Our midwife unit and target birthplace is quite a drive away so we're on red alert for any birth signs to dash off, otherwise DH may end up delivering! Anyone got experience of this/worrying about this?
Remember, not long now and all you first timers pack your bags early... we ended up packing and reassembling the car seat after my waters had broken at 3am! :)

Tinwe, is it worth having a homebirth pack at home just in case? If it's very quick then at least you'll have things there handy for a MW or paramedic (or DH) if need be?

Thanks Fliss. I asked my midwife for a home birth assessment in case we don't get time to make it to the unit and she was a bit dismissive saying if I can't make it to the unit in time no one would make it here in time either. Her back up plan is for me to dash hell for leather to the nearest hospital instead - that is really NOT what I want! I'll ask about a home birth pack - what does it include? Maybe she'll agree to that at least. If this birth is anything like DD1 then the difficulty will be the third stage.

My bump has a life of its own this week, lol its suddenly gone huge! ill be 34 Tuesday. i cant get into see my midwife till 35 wks she is really booked up, but i might try to ring up to check there is no spaces this week.

We had a our 1 and only anti-natal class at the hospital last week. It was 3 hours long. But did have a break in the middle where tea, coffee and hot chocolates and biscuits were serve. Hubby decided to eat 4 biscuits greedy!!!! im sure he is gaining weight with me. im still all the 2 stone mark, not sure how more ill gain. Class was good did a hour on breast feeding and met a mum, then 1 hour on pain ref and labour the sign. Oh and a tour round the local hospital. But still planning on Bristol city, because its only a small midwfe run one.

Started MAT leave now, was sad to leave my work started crying on my last day, and cry loads at OBEM last week, really thought the baby might die, even though i knew it would be fine. Im blaming the Hormones!!!!!

Had really inchy nipples too, so brought some nipple cream to put on.

hope u all are well? x x

Hi everyone. Not been on for a while as DH has been at home since the 3rd December and only just heading back to work now so I finally have the laptop back :) Missing him though!

I am 33 weeks on Wednesday and finally starting to enjoy being pregnant. Had major back pain last week so gave in and went to the dr's. Much better dr this time who actually prescribed pain killers and said if it got worse would refer me to physio. Much better than December when the dr just said it is pregnancy related so just put up with it!!

The nursery is nearly completed, just got the teddy bears picnic to paint now. Baby is moving lots and almost looks like it is doing mexican waves across my belly now, which me and DH find very funny.

Only 6 weeks left at work now although some days that feels like a life time. I am getting a little fed up with people telling my how big bump is. Yes it is over 32 weeks old it would be a concern if I still looked 20 weeks pregnant! I am exactly on the average line so I am not worried.

Tinwe You don't need a home birth assessment (if you mean in the have-you-got-running-water-and-heating-and-space sort of thing) but if you've had problems previously (I had 3rd stage issues first time) then it can be helpful to have a chat with the Supervisor of Midwives to discuss what they can do to help you at home if necessary.

I self referred to the SoM at about 11 weeks - even if you're not planning a home birth it might be worth writing to her just to say that you have fast labours and 3rd stage issues. Certainly if you're not entirely happy with your MW's suggested plan of action then it might be worth speaking to the SoM to see if she has any ideas that might be more useful!

She might come out and see you and chat about what they can do as the CMWs carry syntometrine and whatnot and can help with 3rd stage problems at home to some degree, whilst an ambulance can be called to you.

Obviously with anything than a low risk pregnancy or birth expected they prefer you to go to hospital but IMO surely it's safer for you to stay at home and have MWs come to you and arrange an ambulance if necessary than you and DH shoot off out in the car, not make it to hospital and you experience problems by the roadside where the MWs and paramedics have to then find you - it might be nice just to have a pack at home just in case things happen quicker than you expect IYSWIM, especially if your MWs argument is that if you can't get to hospital in time then a MW won't get to you either!

The home birth pack varies really, but my last one contained basics like inco pads, paper potties (you know the things that look like grey hats?), I think there were things like clamps for the cord in there - it was basically a bin bag full of stuff that never got used as I went in for induction in the end. The cord scissors and things were probably in there as well. The MWs bring the drugs and needles and whatnot with them in their own bags.

Help I'm dying of heart burn today I'm 29 + 1 and don't have any gaviscon in the house. Iv had a million cups of tea (de caf) which usually does the job but nothings shifting it tonight and I can't get to sleep through it. Feeling like crap to tonight.

Justhayley, hope you managed to sleep. I believe milk is supposed to help, sleeping sat up and even those loveheart sweeties. I appreciate they're hard to get hold of in the middle of a sunday night, but maybe stock up for future attacks (as well as rennies or gaviscon of course)?

Thanks Fliss, my thinking exactly (about better to be prepared at home than get caught out in transit). The third stage was just very long and almost required me to go to hospital from the MLU, no horror story so might be manageable at home by a CMW if necessary. I was trying for a natural third stage but ended up with drugs, tension and anything else to avoid an emergency transfer. I lost a fair bit of blood but avoided a transfusion, my DH was scared though. Afterwards mum told me a retained placenta runs in the family - could've done with knowing that earlier mum! Seeing my normal midwife in a couple of weeks and she's normally very supportive so I'll try again with her, ask for a pack etc.

BTW, my DH is convinced I'll make it at least to hospital, he's refusing to consider delivering DD2 himself! I can picture us rowing in the middle of the night, me stood in a pool of waters, naked from the waist down, him sat in the car reving the engine...

I heard milk was good too, its all my mum has for heartburn, she doesnt like rennies or gaviscon! Plus my grandad mixes up bicarb and water and drinks that? Not nice, but essentially the same thing as a rennie I think?

I've decided I am going to book a homebirth, even though I'm not 100% against going to hospital if I think I'll make it. Like you Tinwe, I'd rather have the baby planned and relatively calmly at home than in a panic on the side of the M4 (though that would be an interesting story for him when he's older!). One major factor in my decision is that DH doesnt drive, so my mum would have to get here first (only 2 mins in the car, but still...), then get us to the hospital (about 15mins in the car). So I estimate about half hour from phone call to getting to hospital, and I'm not too optimistic that I'll have that long. But, if I think I can make it, I'll try.

I was "good" with DS and stayed home as long as possible (mainly paranoid about being sent home!), only at hospital for less than 2 hours before he was born. But knowing that 2nd DS is likely to be quicker, I imagine myself going in for every single twinge and being sent home!

I am 33 weeks + 4
I got up in the night to go for a wee and there was a lot of pressure down below. When i went to the loo i felt like i had to push to wee out.
Then when i woke up and got out of bed it felt very 'warm' between my legs...I went down stairs to see DH off to work and i dripped what seemed to be a cear whiteish liquid onto our lovely black carpet! ( i know, no pants on but i'd only just got up sorry for tmi!!) and was wet on the inside of my thighs.
I wiped and there seems to be nothing but a real pale yellow on the tissue
My waters broke at 34+5 with DD 9 months ago
Just after some help here...

due april 6

Just came back from my MW appointment - blood all average, GTT average, baby growth average. Never felt so good to be average before :). Next appointment is only in 3 weeks time. I'm not sure - is there one more scan at the end or was that it and it's only "outside" measurements?

Bit short of breath at the moment, I'll hope he'll move down soon, but not too far as otherwise pressing on my pelvis!

Off to Germany on Wednesday and it's going to be SO busy, I'm already exhausted. Still looking forward to seeing everybody one last time before everything changes.

riamay2011 first timer here so can't really offer any advise!

Hope this is it & good luck!!!!

well this is my third but i have no experience of waters breaking....didnt even know they went with DD2...
I am just anxious but going to be checked in around a hour... :)
Ill keep you posted hopefully its nothing as another premmie with a toddler will prove hard!!

Thaleia it's usually just 2 scans (12 and 20 w) then any extras are if concerns are flagged up, so if you are now average then that's your lot unless there are any changes. Growth scan this afternoon for me, not particularly concerned still as not showing any signs of GD and baby was averagely average at the 20w scan. Think it's just going to end up a longer than average bugger like DD was.

riamay best of luck DD was born at 42+2 so no advice other than see what the MW says

Hope all is well Riamay

Fliss I have my first growth scan nxt week due to previous chunky baby! Here's hoping for average hey

just and fellow heartburn sufferers remember you can get gaviscon free on prescription. At my drs I can just leave a message & he will write me a prescription without having to have an appointment, good job there is a 3 wk wait for one

tinwe definitely push to have some prep for homebirth. My sil had v short labour for dn1, was fobbed off by dr etc about hb saying it wouldn't be that quick. She ended up delivery dn2 whilst my db was on the phone to hospital telling them they were coming in. All was fine but she literally had a 15 minute labour & it would have been helpful to have had some stuff there at the house.

I'm 31 weeks this week (I think? - I keep losing track) and just back from holiday, definitely feeling 3rd trimester-ish, waking up most nights for several hours at a stretch, sometimes with heartburn.

My bump is still tiny, though, I really don't think I look 6 months pregnant. Will see what the midwife thinks as I'm due another appointment this week and 32 week scan next week. The bump looks enormous at certain times of day and tiny at other times - also depends what I'm wearing, I guess.

Re. the warning about bag packing...how early is early? Should I have it packed now?!