rounded tums and knackered mums - bouncing our way towards June 2012

[Kveta]

thread 5 already - and 3 months to go!

thread 4

thread 3

thread 2

thread 1

Don't be sorry Kveta :) Not everyone is in hiding like me!! :)

Radishes. Suddenly been snacking on rocket and radishes and lots and lots of ice!!!! Just waiting for DS to return from martial arts and then roll on some ME time, have a great weekend girls.

Warlin, the 4D scan sounds amazing! It's only really been in the last week or so that I've started to believe there's a real little person behind the bump. It must have been amazing to see yours 'for real', as it were.

I measured 27cm at this week's 28-week appointment. Was 24cm at 25 weeks, so the sproglet seems to be growing to plan, if a tad on the smaller side...

Any other first-timers sneaking peeks at babies in prams/slings and beginning to realise that we're actually going to have one of those in just a few months? Or am I the only one still suffering some strange disconnect from reality?

Chateau I'm definitely no first timer but I have started sneaking peeks too! I sat staring at babygros/sleep suits this afternoon in absolute amazement, completely forgetting how small these little people are!!
They grow so fast IMHO so i'm really going to enjoy this one, (I hope!!!!)

"Or am I the only one still suffering some strange disconnect from reality?"
I am too chateau!!! I was so focused for years on getting pregnant, then on getting the bump to term, I am still disconnected from the whole idea of holding the dd in my arm, I know it in my head, but it still feels like about a different person iykwim

oh thanks for your lovely replies. I am calm now.. he slept on sofa and i slept in a freezing cold bedroom with windows open all night, aren't they funny.. just had it in his head that was what he needed to do...have lovely dinner being prepared - i think it is to say sorry as it is not usual, love him.

I too am living in a dissassociated world or however you want to spell it! Still think it will be a miracle if I get a wee one at the end of it all, it is a miracle that I am 29 weeks so I understand.

rrray - it's odd mine has a busy day - but not strong kicks flicks turns and judders and then a quieter day, i have put it down to growth spurt and am doing the 10 movements in less than 2 hours after my evening meal just for peace of mind.

Bemy- no idea how you did that I was knackered and achy after packing 5 boxes of food bits and plates today... how did you do that? extra lucozade?!

I really don't know surf. Never again also ;)

Hi all,
Bemybebe - thanks for your experience re GBS testing. I'm going up to the hospital again on Tues so I will ask about it again. Asked earlier and they said they didn't test but think I need to insist, just because of my history, they didn't have a record of it in these maternity notes but should do and I will push that further.
I think we are doing really well - all of us. But, yes it seems hard to believe that we will have a little person of our own before too long. It's really lovely to think about and I can't wait - just wish the pregnancy bit was safely over. Funnily enough being a parent when the DS actually gets here isn't something I'm too worried about - everyone just copes somehow and do the best they can. I actually got my pram organised last week - that was a really big step for me. Wheeling the pram about the shop trying it out really made it real for me - before that I think I was a little bit in denial that I actually was pregnant!
Hope you have a restful weekend everyone (with no snow!) xx

Are we talking Group B Strep? I asked my midwife on Thurs if they tested (as she was taking blood) and she said no. The reason being that there is a 50/50 chance it will be there and once you are listed as having it then you get treated as though you have it permanently even though it might not always be there?!

I need to check I can borrow my friends cocoon for my p&t - think she has still got it but she hasn't confirmed and I do want to know if I need to locate one. Apart from that I feel moderately organised.... famous last words. Still have about 12 weeks to go so I don't really need to be too sorted at this point!

Hullo everyone. It been so long since I last posted. Life seems busy - roll on maternity leave (6 weeks and counting!)

Rrray - just wanted to say that I also went for monitoring a little while back due to lack of movement. Presumably they attached you to the machine that tracks the baby's movements. Did you get a button to press as and when you felt anything? Hopefully you were reassured by the fact that your baby is moving more than you realise. The midwife also mentioned that if the placenta is anterior, it can effectively act as a 'shock absorber' so that you may not feel so much movement. Don't know if that helps? As this is my first I don't have anything to compare it to, though.

Happy weekend to you all!

Rrray mines a quiet one too, I do feel things but still not regularly, a bit like surfmama mine will have a fairly busy day followed by a quiet couple of days. I never feel the ten movements in 2 hours so I just don't count because it worries me too much. My placenta is anterior and I've been told by midwife that might mean I don't feel strong movements til much later, also at my last scan baby was facing inwards so that was affecting how I feel movements too. These things should prob reassure me but don't really, I totally understand the worry.

I'm also in denial about actual baby at the end of this! Spent do long focusing on getting pregnant that I can't actually believe it's happened! I've bought a pram and a few bits but nothing practical, haven't given a thought to hospital bag yet. Some friends have offered us their old cot bed tho, which is great- just needs a new mattress.

Please say that it won't snow? I can't cope with any more cold, It's time for spring!

DP has bought me a gym ball thing to sit on and a pregnancy pillow which seems to be helping my sore back a bit. I am still trying to tell myself that it isn't spd/pgp

Have a good Saturday everyone x

Hi Cath, yes, Group B Strep. The reason I am tested throughout is because last year I gave birth at 24 weeks seemingly because of this infection. Although I do not believe it was just that, I had a strange feeling from around 20-22 weeks that the baby was kicking actually into vagina, but my consultant said it is a very common sensation. I also had mild period type pains that were pretty constant from 22 weeks. I do believe my cervix was open a bit already then and the infection (that is present in ~30% women) got through the opening, infected membranes and by the time i was in actual labour it was too late to either treat the infection or to stop the contractions, I was told I had to deliver immediately or we would have both died.

Both my consultants believe that the test is not great but it is the only way to spot GBS in the vagina areas and at 15GBP cost I was would be happy to fund myself.

bemy - mine is definitely kicking me in the vagina occasionally - think I remember the others doing it too but not as much.

Hope you carry to term this time - must have been a terrible shock last time, I always feel a bit rubbish at articulating how awful something like that must be and how brave I think you have to be to move on and get pregnant again.
I met a mum at a playgroup recently who delivered her 3rd baby at twenty something weeks when they were on holiday in Spain and fortunately they must have had good care and he is fine.

She actually thought that being in Spain in one way was quite good as it meant her husband literally could not go back to work until they were all fit and healthy and could travel but obviously its not an ideal scenario!

Anyway, another waffling from me, got an enormous dessert to eat all by myself while my DH has taken the kids out to give me a break!

twiglet emblosion thanks for your reassurance. Placenta is anterior, but my daughters was too & that made little difference. Movements just seem to be ever so gentle.

GBS I had GBS in previous prEgnancy althought didn't know until home with DD. in our area not routinely screened but can pay for test. Although when in for monitoring midwife said they test once waters gone in labour & won't treat before that. All seems a bit causal about something that really can be so serious.

Cathfin - I am another who feels like all movement in vagina / downstairs. Although are pretty gentle right now.

Spent do long focusing on getting pregnant that I can't actually believe it's happened!

Yes, exactly!

All seems a bit causal about something that really can be so serious.

I totally agree. In North America all women are screened for Strep B routinely towards the end of pregnancy - makes you wonder, doesn't it? I still haven't decided if I'll go for a private test or not...

Think my baby is going to be very quiet today - it did not stop yesterday!
I am so tired I'm wondering if all that jiggling around it was doing has managed to exhaust me too!

Cath Although my little wiggler is VERY active all the time, when it does have a really crazy day it's always quieter the following day. And I'm always more shattered when it's had a day training for the Olympics. Today it's chilling out and sleeping on the right hand side giving me a very lop sided bump!

Afternoon all!

Just a quick stop in - no time to catch up with everything I'm afraid!

Still mad busy here - plasterers finished bedroom on Mon / Tues / Weds and we took Friday off work to clean the house and get rid of all the paster dust on everything. Was nice to have a day off actually as days at work have been long recently. Piano arrived yesterday, which was exciting, and I managed to sand down the bedroom door and doorframe ready for priming in the week at some point. Just need to do the skirting board and then hoover and we'll be ready to paint when the plaster is fully dry.

Today I'm baking some cupcakes I promised for work. I'm currently 72 into the 144 I need to do. Knackered, back hurts and wondering why the hell I thought baking 144 cupcakes was a good idea when I haven't baked in years and my house (including kitchen) is a bombsite. Hey ho. At least my ankles haven't swollen yet, despite the last four hours on my feet in the kitchen - haven't had a problem with swollen ankles until Thursday when I got home from work and my ankles and feet were enormous - quite freaked me out. They were a bit better on Friday and seemed okay yesterday so guess it's nowt to worry about.

Hope everyone's well and I'll drop back in when I get some time to catch up!

144 cupcakes baked, iced, boxed and ready to go. Actually, 142 - had to eat a couple to check they were cooked .

Never again.

Ever.

Wow SSC that's an incredible baking session and very impressed you only ate two!

I had no idea you were supposed to feel a certain number of movements per hour, mine has a big wriggle in the morning and early evening but I often don't feel her during the day at all, particularly not if I'm standing up a lot.

I've also found myself observing other people's babies a lot more recently, I've never been that comfortable with babies, am much more at home playing with toddlers so it's still a bit of an abstract concept for me that I will actually have my own to look after soon!

I've had loads of people asking about when the baby is due this week, either it just got really obvious or it's because Americans are just so much more outgoing than Brits. Fortunately no attempts to touch the bump yet except for two of my good friends who very sweetly asked permission first because they know I have personal space issues.

Well done on the cupcakes SSC that's no mean feat!

Speaking of unwanted bump touching, I popped in to my work to get my form for mat pay and one of my colleagues actually lifted up my top to get a good look and poke at my bump good job I wasn't too bothered!

SSC well done indeed!! All this dyi-ing and cooking. I am totally incapable of doing anything these days, so as much as I love cupcakes no way could I make 144...

I have only one close girl-friend touching my bump (with welcome permission), she is very sweet and a good friend, so i find it bonding rather than anything inappropriate. Obviously my dh is all over the bump in a loving and affectionate manner, some of the best quality time we are spending together. We are both foreigners and he is speaking in his own language to her sometimes even complaining about me something I can just about understand but not always and i find it rather sweet, a little secret between them two.

Otherwise strangers are asking whether the baby is my first, when it is due and just behave very caring and interested. This friendly attitude does make my day sometimes.

Thankfully haven't had any unwelcome bump touching.

I've heard lots about the amount of movements you should feel. The midwife when i was monitored said 10 moves in 24 hour period. I think deep down we all sort of know what is normal for our baby. If this was my first i would be really concerned, she moved non stop all the time.... this baby is just super chilled. Even when he does move its so light/ gentle.

I'm going to order one of the count the kicks bracelets just to keep tabs on it.

info about kicks

Kick counting bracelets

Seriously, do you wanna make about another 20 that is my job for tomorrow. Then Wednesday they need decorating!!

3 sleeps til the wedding!!