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

eurgh, suffering a complete lack of energy today, a quick trip to the shops has just left me exhausted. Going to load up on Spatone and vitamins then grab a quick nap before heading out to a friend's civil partnership ceremony.

SSC OMG, 144, I usually can't get past 24 cupcakes as my limit and I feel knackered. not to mention doing it pregnant. hats off definitely.

bemybebe I'm glad you're getting really good care. the clinic was mental and DH actually came out and said he didn't want me going to the RSCH as it was so un-organised. after all that, she didn't have the courtesy to get my notes from the other consultant in the last 6 weeks, so I've given up. I've booked an appnt with my old GYN to discuss it with him. However, found my notes and the good news is I don't think thats a reason to c-sec me, and the placenta has moved, so that's another tick off the list. Yay!

I'm on an ebay mission the last few days. Been doing some research and topshop, river island, fat face and white stuff clothes seem to do really well if anyone is clearing out their wardrobe?

off to make a cheese and cucumber sandwich for lunch.

Afternoon,
Got an unexpected afternoon off so back on the sofa :)

chateau I'm with you on the disconnection. I'm just about convinced I'm pregnant but the fact there is going to be a baby on the next 3 months still hasn't sunk in at all.

SSC You're cake baking is amazing. Dreading the 24 i've promised to make for Friday.

Rrrayray baby is very inconsistent with his movements at the moment He seemed really quiet all last week apart from the 2 hours during antenatal when he spent the whole time kicking me and doing somersalts. Think he knew he was being talked about.

my 6 year old little sister has spent the weekend obsessed with my bump. Kept hugging it and chatting away, very cute. Makes a change from the usual annoying bump touching.

Hmmm to do something productive with the afternoon or have a nap...

Hi everyone. Ssc im very impressed with your cupcake baking. In my last pregnancy i went through a phase of baking cupcakes ad xmas gifts till the early hours of the morning but onlu made about 30.
Group B Strep- I was told I have this in this pregnancy (2nd pregnancy) and am v worried as my last labour was about 5 hours start to finish. Also have a 45 min journey to get to the hospital. Ive also been told ive got cervical erosion so wonder if this will have any impact on gbs.
My bump is massive and strangers keep telling me i must be due any day, anyone else have thid? Its so irritating!

special I have been to this clinic about 6-7 times now and I honestly never had a shorter wait than 1 hr, usually 1.5 hrs, a couple of times it was over 2 hr. i nearly ripped the head off the mw the first time i waited for 2 hrs when after the wait she offered to take my blood pressure. i growled that my bloodpressure is thru the roof due to the unreasonable wait "thank you very much"... not to mention that it was hot, busy and when I came back to my chair next to dh iwth a glass of water, another poor pg lady was sitting in my chair, reading my magazine I was guarding from everyone else.
mw response was that they are a very busy hospital and things happen. whatever. i still visit them because (apart from the blood pressure) it does no harm

my private clinic is a bliss on the other hand, comfy, on time, tea/coffee/chocolate/water/fruit on offer, smiling mw and the receptionist. but most importantly i get personal care, my consultant remembers me and the bump is scanned every 3 weeks to ensure that all stays in place as it should (incompetent cervix). the downside it costs a bloody fortune and now i am encouraged to go down the elcs route... i was very focused on natural birth before, now i am looking at all the options and may well take this route.

Evening all!

Well, the cupcakes did okay - only 3 left when we left work! Of course, I couldn't possible comment on having eaten half a dozen myself through the day . Don't think I can face a cupcake again for a while!

So, went to see my consultant today to discuss my desire for a homebirth. He was very good in that he went through his enormous ticklist of risks he has to tell me about, but tried to balance this out with the positives. In the end he recommended a hospital birth 'according to the guidelines' which, the way he phrased it, sounded like a thinly veiled 'I'm recommending this because the guidelines say I have to regardless of my personal opinion' - but maybe that's because I want to see the positives! Difficult for him if he does think differently to the official guidelines I guess as he couldn't say it even if he wanted to as it would open him to liability. I advised him that I'm still choosing a homebirth, assuming all continues to go well, and I get to see him again after my 36 week scan.

The only thing he did say which I have never heard before was that if when they weigh me again at 36 weeks, my BMI is over 40 (it will be - the cupcakes haven't helped ) they will give me an injection of low molecular weight heparin (after birth presumably) to minimize risk of thrombosis or embolism. Anyone else been advised of this? I'm currently researching the guidelines round this to find out more, but would be interested to hear from anyone that's had this or been advised to have it.

Hope everyone's had a good Monday!

Just had the curtains and lampshade delivered from jojo maman bebe for baby's room. Got the boat ones, they look fab so pleased with them. Feel it's the first real change from the room being a spareroom to a nursery.
Whoever mentioned count the kicks bracelet. I have one, I don't use it every day as often ds is throwing a party in there so know he is all ok. Occasionally he has a quiet day which makes me worry but if you actually count each movement you realise they are moving around more than you think so it's really reassuring.

Crackers&cheese - funny you say that, as if by magic little man has had the most active day for weeks today. Very reassuring.

Pinkpanther - I am confused how you have already been diagnosed as having GBS for this pregnancy? The info that I have been given is that those who have carried it in previous pregnancies (I carried it with DD but didn't know until well after she was born) are tested between 35 & 37 weeks, as it's intermittent, and say if you are carrying it now, there's as good chance at delivery that you wont be carrying as that you will. I share your worries about antibiotics, I was 6 hours labour with DD and I've heard often you follow your mothers footsteps, and my mother was 6 hours with me and 1 and a half with my younger sister so on that basis I've no hope of 4 hours of antibiotics. Unfortunately If you don't get them on board before delivery I think they give them to the baby, poor little mites. But I guess surely better than the possible consequences. Have you had a look on the GBS support website? Lots & lots of info on there. They are trying to campaign for GBS to be routinely tested for in pregnant women as it is in many countries. Id never heard of it until I had a call the day after I got home with DD.

Florin - glad to hear someone who has got the bracelet & made use of it. fingers crossed ill realise he's actually moving ALOT more than I think / thought.

Hope everyone else well. X

Hi rrrayray, sorry I prob wasnt clear in my post. I've had a few bleeds in this pregnancy and went to Delivery Suite with a bleed a couple of months ago. It was then that they took swabs and I got a call from my community midwife saying I was GBS positive - so wouldnt have been detected if I hadnt had the bleed. I dont really want my little one to have the injection although obviously if it was that or nothing then I would agree to it - would rather I had it though. 1 1/2 hours is v, v quick!! I've been on the GBS website, been on some other websites too which scared me to death! I guess Im just upset at the thought that I could unintentionally cause harm to my baby when I've been so careful in both my pregnancies to do everything by the book. Oh well, there could be worse things to have so I guess I should be grateful :)

It's snowing in Glasgow today!

Hi all, haven't been on for a few days - finished work on Friday but now it's Easter hols so looking after my two DSs is my full-time job for the next two weeks. And I'm feeling more tired than ever and have got a weird tummy-ache thing - feels like indigestion but I've had it for two days now (and I've been downing the Gaviscon). Might call my MW today just for reassurance - I'm sure it's nothing to worry about though - just annoying and painful.

Good luck to you ladies who are moving/have recently moved.

Kayzr Best wishes for a brilliant wedding day - hopefully not in the snow!

SSC Well done with the cupcakes - I hope your work people appreciated the effort!

Florin my DH is just finishing painting our spare room white and it looks lovely - so clean and fresh. I'm going to order the wallpaper and curtain material today. Can't wait to get it all sorted and pretty-looking. I've just been searching for drawer knobs on the internet and they're so expensive. Someone gave us an old (1980's) chest of white drawers. They're not the nicest but I thought I could change the knobs to smarten them up - but for the price of 8 knobs I could buy a new chest of drawers from ikea...

Today's the day DH finds out if he got the job he was interviewed for on Friday. I'm trying not to think about it too much 'cos we both really want him to get it and it would be so disappointing if he didn't. Fingers (well, everything really) crossed!!

pink and rrr it is scandalous that this testing is not available and, what is worse, is not mentioned even in the context of a private option, eh?

The risk of passing GBS to the baby is low (1 in 2000), but once the infection is passed 1 in 10 will die from it and 1 in 5 will survive but will be affected permanently (link is here). Fuck me (sorry ) isn't it enough for a proper awareness campaign amongst parents-to-be??

I am the one whos baby was born prematurely and died 23 days later (she was perfect otherwise) due to dreadful coincidence of incompetent cervix and GBS. I will never recover from this loss and I will never forgive NHS for their hands off cavalier attitude to my body and my dd's life (both conditions would have been at least tested for if not diagnosed in my home country). I wrote about this before and I really do not want to summon any obligatory sympathy (not that i feel it here and it is not the point), but I just want to show what permanent impact it had on me and my family...

Hi bemybebe thanks for the link. I had never heard about this before, and for 1/5 to have it is high odds! Do you know where private testing can be done and what it involves? is it a swab? I can't imagine what it must have been like with your DD, but I know you're taking matters into your own hands this time to get the best care, so I'm sure everything will be good this time.

fanbelt good luck with DH's job. fingers x-d for you

kayzr have a fab day. I loved my wedding day

Where can I get one of these count the kicks bracelets?

Oh, and can anyone help me with suggestions on what to labour in? I was thinking black cami top, but do I wear something on the bottom at first then take it off nearer the time? excuse my ignorance

Special For labour I would advise a baggy knee length nighty. If possible a dark coloured one or a red one (something that won't show any blood etc to obviously). Also, if planning to bf then one with buttons up the front is useful too or at least half way down. I have always just bought cheap nighties from Primark or somewhere like that. Last time I could only find a red one but it did the trick

Hi All

Just popping in for a moan as haven't been on for a few days (will catch up with all the posts when I get a minute).

House move all done....very very stressful. I swore I woulnd't lift things but ended up doing a fair bit of it and whole body ached after it...back has been sore since as have my legs and am totally and utterly shattered. Love new house but the heating is broken and we need a whole new boiler...house has been empty for good few months so is totally freezing...boiler man can't come until tomorrow so will have been 4 full days with no heat. We are huddled round radiators but it's not the same as the bathrooms are freezing and we only have heat in bedroom and living room :( And temperatures to be freezing tonight...really don't know how i'll cope...

Love the house but gutted we can't enjoy it and now I'm stressing I've done too much as have been getting sharp pains in lower stomach....hope LO is ok. I think I've just exhausted myself to the point where I can't think straight.

Def wouldn't recommend moving at 7 months....!

On plus side, we can go out at the weekend and buy nursery stuff :) Hoping all will seem brighter tmw when the heat is fixed.

Sorry for the moan!!!

Good luck kayzr.......have a fab day x

Hope you have a wonderful day kayzr

warlin poor you getting so worn out, you need to rest now . Get some blankets and a cup of cocoa and snuggle up and don't move till the heating is fixed!

Glad the move is over, sure everything will fall in to place once the house is warm and you've recovered a bit

Hi all, hope weather is ok where you are. Kayzr, when is the wedding, Thursday? Hope it's a good day!

Can't reply to everyone as on my phone in conference!

Just wanted to ask the other 2nd or more timers. Is anyone else having wobbles about a new baby impacting on older siblings? I was in tears saying goodbye to ds this morning, as I came to work, and was thinking how much worse it will be with a new baby, a toddler, and no sleep, plus work commitments, etc. Not sure why it has taken 7 months for this worry to hit me. But just wondered If anyone else was getting it.

Better go listen to science now. Just what I want to do on 2 hrs sleep.

special Unfortunately I do not know the best place to test privately because I am tested by my clinic this time to avoid the repeat of the situation. I know it is available by post and it is easy enough to carry out yourself. NHS test is 50x50 carried out by a MW and self-testing kit. I have been told by the NHS consultant that NHS tests costs 10GBP each, I wonder if your MW/consultant can arrange one for you free or otherwise... I certainly would press mine for one if it was not routinely offered. The best time is around 37 weeks (they need 3-5 days to grow the culture, but still be close enough to your ddate so that it is as accurate as possible). ABs will be offered in labour if one is GBS+.

Please look at the GBS Support website, there is also info about doing testing completely independently from the NHS antenatal care/privately, but I have never contacted any of these clinics...

Warlin oh lack of heating sounds so stressful, hope boiler man can get it sorted for you tomorrow. Glad the move is done, but hope you are taking it easy now? Get those feet up! (easy to say I know when things need sorting).

kayzr 2 sleeps to the wedding now! Hope you have an amazing day, enjoy every minute!

I had never heard of GBS causing complications in pg or in newborns until reading this thread, its shocking how there seems to be relatively little awareness of something that can cause such serious problems. So very sad for those that have had losses :( I will definitely ask about being tested.

I am also v impressed with the cupcake making tales, I could kill for a red velvet cupcake right now! Hope everyone is surviving the cold weather! Brrr!

Yes Kveta it's on Thursday! It's been chucking it down all day . I don't care if it's cold I just want it to be dry!!

Hello ladies,
Snow in Glasgow! Wow! We had a sunny bright morning in the park followed by ominous clouds and heavy rain... Sure hope Jubilee holiday is going to be one of sun!
Kayzr you must be sooo excited
Kveta it will all work out and fall into place. My three have just helped me fold and put away the newborn stuff and keep giggling (even the 3 year old) at "it's so tiny I can't believe it" clothes I was just wondering tbh what it will be like putting LO down for a sleep with almost 4,5 and 6 year old around and hoping no one needs to check on baby etc! Also worrying how I'll be able to b/f when out at park when others need me (toilet etc) mind seems to have gone into jittery overtime so am quite on your wavelength!

Relative who was going to be here for birth can't now so back up plan in place. Am now getting some painful BHs -- had forgotten these and came home early today completely exhausted vowing to slow down completely. Did assemble shelving though I hv a 3 year old whose pretty good with an Alan key

Warlin hope u get some rest I really do and some heat! When I went abroad a fortnight ago it was to empty old apartment and on arrival was so cold and electric off that we too were huddled round gas heater with winter blankets I was glad of hotels then home -- congrats on new home though all bd worth it
Posting from app don't know how to bold peoples names!
Am starving again.......

Kayzr - hope you have a fab day whatever the weather!

Kveta - wondering what my DS will make of it all, he will be 3 in Oct so think he will not enjoy being ousted from being the youngest and having a bit less attention. I think DD who was 4 in Feb will be fine and just go with the flow and be quite happy to have a baby to look at/help with.
DD was very good when DS came along, she was about 20 months and it was fine but they are all different and I think you just have to try and reassure them that they are not going to come second to the new arrival (where possible!).

Warlin - hope the heating is sorted soon - brrrr! Hope you can put your feet up and have a rest.

Fanbelt - good luck for your hubby and hope your tummy feels better soon. I overdid the lactulose so I was a bit crampy yesterday.

Simnel cake in oven - think I bought the bag of dried fruit for it last easter so it was just a bit out of date but I'm sure it will be fine ;-)

Bemy your GBS experience makes me so sad,for you and your DD. I find it frustrating that the logic is you may be treated unneccessarily...I think anyone would rather have a dose of IV penicillin they didn't need than a really sick baby (or worse)

Part of what I do is look after really sick babies with GBS in ICU - Luckily not that often... but in my 1st pg they refused to test me, as seems to be NHS policy. I did the self test,ordered it for about £35,it entails a vaginal and anal swab,taken at about 36/37 weeks then they send you and your health care provider a copy of the results. Luckily I was neg,which was one less thing to worry about.