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

jambalaya I am massively impressed! We have a Moses basket and a whole heap of clothes! :)

My sister bought me the Sanctuary Mum to Be set for Christmas and the body butter is lovely. I'm yet to get a stretch mark... But who knows if that's the cream or genetics :)

I also have a hairy belly - it's generally downy, so keeping the Diva warm. Pretty sure she's training to be a gymnast, the movement is something else!

Had my 28 week appt last week, measuring at 27cm, which they're happy with (they allow for 2cm either way) bloods all good too.

I also seem to be nesting at the moment, full of energy when I get home. Until it gets to 9.30pm, then I'm in bed and alseep within seconds!

I had an appointment with my consultant yesterday. He's happy with my blood pressure and the baby's growth. He said as long as it continues like this they're looking at doing a caesarian at 39 weeks. Because the surgeon who did my caesarian last time had to cut vertically as well as horizontally I'm at much higher risk of uterine rupture should I go into labour. He didn't seem worried about my bicornuate uterus and said it could stretch to hold a a full sized baby. Baby is head down right now.

I feel quite happy and relaxed really (don't want to jinx anything by saying that!) - have another scan at 32 weeks and seeing the consultant again at 34 (28w 4d now).

Excellent Bearcrumble :)

Jambalaya I am very impressed. VERY. That saving is my kind of thing!

digitalgirl I only have DD so far, but I have every intention of bathing DC2 with her, whether she likes it or not. I suspect the poor little bugger is going to be introduced to a rather more lively bathtime than DD was, complete with water poured over it's head, but hey, it'll be fine.

I have avoided stretch marks so far this time, I have even checked the bottom of my bump with some rather acrobatic leaning-back moves, and nothing new so far. I did get a lot first time round though so perhaps it was all so stretched then that there's more give this time. My belly hair is something to behold though, really, I feel rather gorilla-esque apart from the completely bald and unnervingly smooth ring around my belly button, which used to actually be in my belly button.

Soooo... Anyone got Olympics tickets?

No stretcg marks for me yet.... Fingers crossed itstays that way? Had my 28 weeks last week and was measuring 30 which i suppose sounds about right.

V impressed by jambalya shopping. We've ordered pushchair and i think i might go and do car seats today... Have to say, car seats are one thing I'm struggling to get excited about...

That's me 27 weeks today! Starting to get a bit scared, about how life will change etc but we'll just need to cope.

I've not even thought about packing yet as I've not really got a clue what to take, can anyone give me any tips? I saw one girl on OBEM who had a massive suitcase thing!
My landlord has agreed to re-carpet the whole house, this time properly with underlay etc so that's happening next weekend. I think it could be quiet traumatic!

Well I am most of all of you stretch markless people, I slithered my way though 1st pg like a bio-oil secreting slug and still ended up with a bellyfull of them! However I have only got two more in subsequent pregnancies.

You need ideally two bags for hospital,
one small one for labour- I usually take,
whatever you plan to give birth in,
babygro for baby, they probably won't need a vest in hospital it's usually too hot,
couple of nappies,
vaseline for your lips and also to cover your babies bum in as the first poo is like tar,
camera,
snacks or money for birth partner,
maternity pads and paper/primark big knickers,
flip flops to use as slippers and in the shower,
shower gel etc,
something comfy and forgiving to put on afterwards-not white or you will look like shite in the pictures,

Ward bag, leave this in the car or at home,
plenty of nappies,
whatever you will use to clean baby's bottom bear in mind if you use cotton wool/water you may need something to put the water in or end up trotting round the ward to the sink and back, I use a tupperware and just keep damp cotton wool in it ready for changes,
fold up changing mat as you have to change on the bed or in the cot,
spare clothes for your baby,
spare PJ's for you cooler and dark is better,
a towel- old or dark or both is better,
mat pads, spare knickers,
comfy bra,
toiletries I always put a bit of foundation on,
drinks and snacks,
muslins,
nipple cream if BF lansinoh is the best IMO,
you may want a cardigan or shawl especially if BF for a bit of modesty,
money,
mobile phone if allowed,
V pillow can be useful,
couple of carrier bags for rubbish, dirty washing and for DH or whoever to take gifts and cards home in,
magazine or book to read when it gets a bit dull and you can't sleep because of noise/heat/adrenaline,
you may or may not need formula if that is how you are feeding, my hospital still provides it free.

Everything that Notso said there, but with the addition of straws for your labour bag, so you're not trying to hold the G&A, cling on to the side of the bed/pool/sofa/DH/MW and tip up a cup of drink.

30wks today here lizmarshmallow - has absolutely flown by this time. Keep having the realisation that in reality, in 6/7 weeks I am going to be 'full term', and that 6 weeks ago feels like no time at all. In 13 weeks time MAXIMUM there are going to be two children living in my house.

Fuck.

LateToTheAprilParty - we've got tickets ... if everything goes to plan he'll be 3 months. I checked already, as every person (that includes babys) needs a ticket and the sessions we chose, are not child-friendly which means instead of pay the age it's actually full price.
We have beach volleyball and canoe and I really want to go, I just hope it's ok to leave him for 3, 4 hrs?!?! I guess, time & baby will tell.

notso - great list, thank you!!! That's really helpful!

I had a look at moses baskets on eBay, but I think - if you don't pick up for free - it's almost as expensive as buying a new one as you need a new mattress and, ok,that just me, I want new bed/ basked linen as well (I know you can wash them but still ....) and the cheapest I found was £25 on the web. And for £45 I can get a new one in the Sale. Stand however, yes please! £30? For 2 wooden sticks together? No way!

£45 total for the moses basked incl. mattress that is ..

I didn't bother with a moses basket last time, but with a rampaging toddler I think we need the added protection this time, so I bought one in the Asda baby event thingy which is on at the mo - £25 inc mattress, and an extra £16 for the stand - I didn't get the stand! Seems to be ok, and she'll only be in it for a few months...

Loads of new stretch marks here - don't really care now though - my bikini-wearing days are looooong gone!

Thaleia I was really lucky with my moses basket - It had only been used twice - as a spare at grandparents house. It really is as new (RRP £45) and cost me £9.50.

Then, when I got the address, found out its literally only two minutes down the road from me! Sheer luck though.

I think with eBay, you really need to take the time to research what price things are going for in your area.

29 weeks today! We've been to visits nurseries today for when I go back to work in mid October. Very scary thought but needs must. Saw an amazing one, all babies were fast asleep, all seemed very content too.

We have tickets to the olympics eventing showjumping in Greenwich! So excited :) The Diva will be at home with her dad and I'll be making the most of it pining like crazy

Anyone else bothered with the Bounty packs? I picked number 2 up today. Free samples of Sudacream, Fairy non bio and Dettol on the go (?) and a Pampers starter kit..

Also a catalogue for a French company that does the most adorable baby clothes and nursery bedding etc. I've mentally spent about a grand so far!

Holly I got really excited about the Bounty packs first time round.

Haven't bothered this time, that twee Emma's Diary was only fit for the fire and the products that aren't specifically for baby are things for doing chores with . Oh, and a can of Caffeine free diet Coke. What you really want in there are copious amounts of chocolate, and some form of alcohol in the post-birth pack.

And then there was all the bloody marketing bumph that started cluttering up my inbox and letterbox

Olympic tickets - now that's worth getting excited about.

I have today got a place on a funded course for work one night a week (am a Childminder) which will run from January until mid-May, they've been very accommodating at the council and the college seeing as I'm going to miss a few sessions when DC2 arrives, can't imagine the tutor would be particularly thrilled for me to turn up complete with newborn, but given that the course is running at what will probably be prime cluster feeding time, I might have to see how child-friendly the department actually are!

This morning, I "found" my first stretch marks ... had to actually google it because it looks like I scratched myself just above the belly button. But there is no denying it. DH somehow more upset that I could be upset - which I am not - which he thinks can't be true and he's upset now .

However, he came up with a shortlist of names and I like 2 but only 1 will work. He'll promised to go through the rest of Name Book on the weekend, so far he covered A-K. I will share just want to wait till the list is complete.

Went to Preg Yoga yesterday and I enjoyed everything but the actual Yoga part. I just can't sit comfortable on the floor, not straight legged, not in the tailor seat, not half/ half and my back hurt all night.

Holly, Fliss and other 2nd timers - which of the Bounty packs are actually worth getting?

at Fliss on bounty packs.
I can remember getting them all with DD but I don't think any of them had anything that worthwhile in Thaleia, was 12 years ago so a bit hazy. I opened both of the labour room ones when in with DS1 and 2, took the nappy out and forgot to take the rest with me.
I think the only other useful thing is the cute little tub of sudocrem and the child benefit form in the post natal one... if you can still claim it that is, yay Mr Cameron and his family values.

Just thought of my other tips for the list;
Get your going home outfit ready for your DH/P to bring when they bring the carseat to pick you up, show them a million times where it is so they are not rooting through your wardrobe and decide on your will-just-about-fasten-if-I-lie-down-and-haven't-eaten-all-day jeans, needless to say I went home in my PJ's thanks DH.
Also don't assume you will definately still need your maternity jeans, my bumps have disappeared to flab pretty quickly and my old faithful 3rd trimester jeans would not stay up.

Same applies if you are having DC2, put outfits together for your DC1. DH brought my 4yo DD to visit me and her new baby brother wearing a too small orange and yellow dress, with a navy cardigan, grey wooly tights and bright red boots.

Have realised this morning, I was supposed to get my BP done fortnightly from the week after Christmas. I have left a message with MW and am feeling very guilty.

I am teetering on 29 weeks, will be there next week. Felt shattered yesterday at work when I had to stand up for a while and was thinking 'is this what the entire third trimester is going to be like...?'

I am also waking up quite a lot in the night and struggling to get comfy - partly due to our bed being a standard double and we're fast running out of space now I have a maternity pillow. I managed to get it into a position comfortable for me but this leaves no room for DP! (We don't have a spare bed so nowhere else for him to sleep :( )

We've managed to work out a compromise position where the pillow is in a relatively good place for me but I still get stiff with one arm stuck under it and have to turn over and over in bed just to get comfy again. We'd love to get a bigger bed but there isn't enough space in the room for it or indeed the money to pay for it.

Plus DP's snoring...I have asked politely if he'd try the nasal strips but not actually persuaded him to buy them yet...

Apart from that we are both very excited and happy about everything. We have 1 lot of Olympic tickets which we do still ideally want to use...before the latest furore we just assumed we'd leave DD with her GPs on the day, but allowing for travel delays, time spent hanging around, etc, we'd probably be away from her for about 8 hours, (she would be around 4 months by then).

Leaving her for a day all seemed fine in theory when we discussed it months ago, now if the Olympic people give in about babies I'm totally undecided about whether we'd take her or not! What if it's blistering hot and no shade in the stadium, what about queues for toilets/baby changing, what if she screams for 4 hours non stop, etc...?

Thaleia The first one - I can't remember what was in it - I got that at my booking in appt, which seems like a LONG time ago :)

I got the 2nd one yesterday... The little Sudacream pot will come in handy, although how long it'll last is another matter! The Dettol thingy, I'm not entirely sure what to do with. There was also a Pampers newborn essentials kit that consisted of a nappy and some sensitives wipes - so not really essential. Erm, oh and 2 Fairy non bio tablets! A whole lot of marketing bumpf from Babys R Us etc.

I'm loving the lists of what to pack, but I do love a list full stop.

We went to the Asda baby event last week and got a ton of baby grows for the Diva, long arms/long legs, long leg/'short arms etc. DH thinks we went over the top, in reality we probably have enough for about 4 days :)

Long time without posting, things are much busier here now! I'll be 30 weeks tomorrow and reading all your posts makes me realise that I'm still in complete denial about having a real live newborn in the house in less than two months! You all seem to be so organised! Thank you not so for your very helpful list - I intend to print it and keep it somewhere.

Our house is in chaos - new bath sitting in the living room, front door half painted, new carpet for half the house arriving in a few weeks, need to order a sofa. No real thought given to the baby yet! Oh yes, and DS (3.4) is still sleeping in our bed....

Fell asleep on the sofa at 8.30pm yesterday - but feel so much better now. So at least I gained a good day at work vs. a nice evening at home with DH

I have a problems with walking. Every morning & evening I have to walk from the station to the office which is now a good 25mins walk (I remember the old days were it could be done in 17 mins). Half way through, the baby turns into a brick and by arrival my stomach is so hard it takes an hour to recover. It's quicker in the evening when I just lay down for 15 mins and it softens up again. Is there a secret? Should I take the bus instead? Walk even slower? I thought walking is good for you?

I am also annoyed about the whole Olympic ticket debate. I can see "the other sides" point: I wouldn't like to sit next to a screamer for 2.5hrs when my ticket had cost £50 or £100. On the other hand, I'd like to go AND they allowed for some of their events children at "pay your age" - so what's the big deal? It's just bad luck, the same as being stuck on an airplane with, well one of us from May onwards ;-)

marshmallowpies can totally sympathise. When I was pg with DD, DH and I shared a single bed until I was 36 weeks and we had finished doing our house up!

Holly They have some cute babygro's in Asda don't they. I was almost wishing I knew the sex when I was looking at them.

UniPsychle you are welcome . Perhaps you should just buy a really massive bed

Thaleia I also get 'brick baby' when I have BH while walking, so perhaps you are having them but not feeling them build up. I find it's worse when I am rushing around, which is most of the time! It helps to try and breathe through it, but like you have found out relaxing is the best way to ease it.

Desparately need to go to Ikea, we can't start on DS2 and No.4's room until we finish DS1's room. DH has zero urgency about him, I am getting worried, on Tuesday I will be 28 weeks so that gives us 9 weeks until 37 weeks which is when DS2 arrived.
In that time we have to have the room replastered, radiator replaced, room decorated and get DS2 in it and used to it.

Phoned MW yesterday and left a message for her to get back to me, good job I wasn't in labour as still not heard anything.

Argh - with my first pregnancy I had to stay in for 2 weeks afterwards, the Bounty lady kept coming round every day and opening the door to my room without knocking, thinking there'd be someone new in to pounce on. One time she even said "oh, you're STILL here" and did a sad face. I was furious - think I said something like 'yes, there is a medical need for me to still be here'. Told the midwives to keep her away from me.

Remember you can take her bag of bits (tiny tub of sudocrem is quite useful) and refuse to give her your address and details. Also the photographers are usually shite, don't bother - take your own photos.

I would change one thing on notso's great list - I found disposable incontinence knickers with the built in pad were much more comfortable than big pants and maternity pads - and you can just rip them down the side to take them off and throw them away, don't have to bend down which can be dificult if you have a caesarian. Tena do them but I think I had Sainsbury's own brand.

notso they do, they're just too cute. I also went i to Next today, whic was a mistake, and bought 2 t's and three pairs of leggings.

How am I supposed to ignore cuteness like that? Especially when one of the t's had a picture of a dinosaur on with the word Cuteasaurous on?

I am done today, not sure how I'm going to get home without falling asleep on the train.

BearCrumble I never liked the bounty lady after she asked if I'd "been round the block a few times" after I said I had had 9.5oz DS1 without needing stitches, after swinging my sleeping newborn through the air to get him to open his eyes for what turned out to be a hideous photo.

For the sole purposes of shopping I would like this one to be a girl, we won't need to buy anything if we have another boy as DS2 is only one, maybe I'll just buy some cute flowery stuff and dress DC4 in it either way.

In hospital my Bounty pack was next to the bed, when the Bounty Lady approached with her enormous camera and rictus grin I just glared at her and barked 'No!' at her before she could speak. She knew to ignore me the following morning