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

[Kveta]

thread 5 already - and 3 months to go!

thread 4

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thread 1

It has all gone a bit quiet here, but I hope that just means that everybody has been enjoying their lovely Easter weekends with their families :)

I've been toying with the idea of going to an NCT café to meet other mums and mums-to-be but I'm actually terrified!! Does anybody else go to one of these and are they from people's experiences any good or at least worth a try? Haha serious pregnancy confidence issues here... Just not sure if I feel ok to go considering I'm still 9 weeks off even having a baby and feel it might be more of a mum's social?

Gah, any info or previous experiences would be greatly received!!

It has indeed been quiet, hope everyone had a lovely Easter weekend. We had an awesome time at my brother's wedding on Saturday and I was very pleased that I managed to stay awake until the end and get involved in the dancing. I did get told off by my grandparents for wearing heels [buhmm] but they were wedges and I felt very stable so I just ignored them. Was completely wiped out yesterday and today though so am planning to take it as easy as I can this week, might start putting together my hospital bag and writing lists of things we need to buy before the baby arrives.

blondie our local NCT has a 'bumps' meet up which I'm planning to go along to this week for the first time. I'm also pretty scared but hoping I can keep my nerve as it would be great to know a few people nearby in a similar situation. I will report back but also interested in anyone's previous experiences.

Totally understand your rage Kveta, when my cousin's wife had their first DC his parents visited and moaned that there was nothing in the fridge and no one made them lunch, fortunately the rest of the family put them firmly in their place for being so incredibly rude and inconsiderate. Hope you are feeling a bit better today.

Hi ya, had a v tiring weekend. Our little man now has a bigger, newly decorated bedroom thanks to inlaws and hubby. I didnt do any of the decorating but ive been feeling particularly achey and tired.
Group B Strep- Im thinking about testing again via a private test in a few weeks time but im worried that if i did then test negative the hospital might change their mind about giving me the antibiotics in labour (and it may have re-colonised by then) so not sure whether to or not. I am going to talk to my midwife about taking probiotic capsules though.
Today has been a difficult day- came home from getting food shopping to find my poor cat was hyperglycemic, trying to keep my gorgeous little man entertained, and a husband who appears to have turned into kevin the teenager, sometimes feel like this is gonna be my fourth child! ;-)

Oh and my (brew) gone cold :(

Kazyr that's funny...they should have done a measurement called the BPD (Bi Parietal diameter) which is also a head measurement,in order to do the calculation correctly. What is the cut off size for home delivery? Your plan to ask for Midwife unit sounds like an ok compromise but frustrating for you if you want to be at home and previously delivered 10lb5oz with little problem ...

Kveta your rage is completely justified!!!

Pink I thought that once you had tested positive they had to treat you even if you subsequently tested neg. Sorry to hear your weekend has been tiring,men can be so annoying at times.Is your poor cat diabetic??

Ceej the wedding ssounds lovely. I'm going to a wedding when I'm 38 weeks - worried about what to wear and whether I'll be able to keep up (let alone keep up at the hen do at the end of April...)

Blondie don't worry,this is my 2nd child and I never did NCT 1st time around.Going to 1st NCT class on the 17th and I feel nervous (silly isn't it) Didn't even know they did "bump" meetings - let us know how it goes Ceej

I never had any measurements last pregnancy - with either the midwife or the 3d scan. I just get told how many weeks I'm measuring. I've heard several people mention how much their baby is expected to weight etc though so maybe it varies across the trusts?

ffnorm - my area dont seem to be as pro-active or even reactive actually) as other areas with GBS so I dont know if they would still treat it in labour if I got a subsequent negative. Consultant has already told me that they wont be monitoring my baby unless I have a fever in labour and if I get pregnant again they wont treat or test me for it.
My cat is diabetic, she really worried us yesterday, she was behaving very bizarrely trying to get behind things and in tiny gaps and generally disorientated, weak, and non-responsive. She seems so much better today though. Gonna get her booked in for another glucose test soon.
Blondie/ffrm - I never did NCT first time around but cant see that my area has bump meetings which is a shame cos I had maternity leave buddy last time but not this time - although I do have a v active 3 year old so Im sure I wont get bored! Went to an NCT nearly new sale though which was v good.

Morning all

Hope you had good bank holiday weekends (annoying family notwithstanding Kveta )

I've had a bit of a rollercoaster week - was admitted to the antenatal ward on Wednesday following a heavy bleed, which thankfully started to die down on Thursday, but they kept me in for observation and finally let me out on Saturday. Bump's heartbeat and activity have been absolutely fine, and I have been feeling fine (no pain or anything) but have to wait until tomorrow morning for a scan to see if they can identify the cause. Placenta praevia would be the most obvious explanation, except that my placenta was high posterior at 20 weeks (now 29+4).

So I'm left sitting on my bum resting at home not knowing what happens next - I'm going to be on MN even more than usual now

What does everyone have planned for the week ahead? (need to live vicariously!!!)

PinkPanther and ceeej, hope you are feeling a bit more rested today

Pink sadly it seems most of the NHS are very lax about GBS... Frustrating for you,really! Your poor kitty,hope he's a bit better today.

Sorry to hear about your bleed Tea - how scarey for you.Glad bump is ok!!! Hope the scan gives you some answers tomorrow. No exciting plans this week - I'm just in from work ,so just about to go to bed

Enjoy you day!

Tea how scary for you, hope you're relaxing now, and the scan is good tomorrow.

ffnorm how are you coping with working nights at the moment?! I'd go mental just now! I am struggling with working days :o

I was going through the few things my sister had given back to us yesterday, and it's all stained with baby sick, so am going to have a go at it all with Vanish, then probably have to keep most of it for emergency clothing, then bin it at a later date. Grr.

And the few toys (which I gave to her, and she has given back - I didn't want them back FFS!) are filthy - also covered in sick (crusty baby vom; nice) and/or general dirt. DH and I have fairly low housekeeping standards (as in, just above the dysentery line is FINE by us), but my sister and her twat of a fiance really do take it to a lower level.

As DH said though, that'll teach us never to lend anything we want back. I'm still annoyed about the cot - it's only a travel cot, but a nice one, with a basinette bit, so baby is high up enough not to kill my back picking her up. DS used it a few times, but mainly co-slept, and we don't have room for a new cot, cot-bed, and bed for DS, so we planned to use the travel cot for baby for the first 3-4 months when she's not in our bed.

Judging by the state of the clothes sis has given back though, I dread to think what the cot will be like. that's why we wanted it now, rather than just before baby is due, so we have time to fumigate it or get a new one.

Do you think it would be ok to say to her (if she can't bring it to us in the next fortnight), 'keep it, and give us £50 towards a new one'? I've seen an o'baby one which looks ok on the kiddicare site.

When we lent them the travel cot they said 'oh, we'll never use it' so we said just keep it until we need it back, as we were sure they would need it eventually. If it weren't for the SPD, I'd be kicking myself now! :o

oh well. 32 weeks today, so 6 weeks or so left at work. Not long enough to get everything done, so had better go and do something productive!

Hi

I came on to bemoan the fact I can't get my wedding/engagement ring on any longer as fingers have swollen over the weekend, but that seems a bit insignificant compared to tea's weekend

tea hope all is well, you're resting and hope scan is good tomorrow. take it easy!

kveta I'd just say, can I have my cot back, or £50 instead please. mind you, I'm not known for my diplomacy! I really hate lending things to people, as you never get them back! Then they make you feel awkward about asking for it....

Tea I hope you are ok and that your scan goes well. Will be thinking of you.

Kveta I would tell them to bring it back or give you £50 for a new one. We've been lent loads of clothes by SIL. They've said they would like it back someday as they want to try for another baby but not to worry about baby sick ones. I can't understand why anyone would give back clothes covered in sick. Yuck.

I have made a MW appointment for Thursday to discuss everything. I am in 2 minds about pushing for a home birth. I think I am going to see if I can use the MLU and hopefully the pool. If I can do that then I will be happy to give up on homebirth.

Anyone want a birth pool?

McKayz (love the name ), if it helps, my friend was told at a scan at 41ish weeks that she would probably have an eleven pounder, but they didn't stop her trying for a home birth. She ended up being transferred in the end, but was able to do most of the labour at home (and he was only 9lb 7 or something). I appreciate that your view probably depends on how far you are from the hospital, etc., but just wanted to offer that story

Your MLU plan sounds like a good alternative though, especially if you can use the pool there. My MWs are very pro-home-birth, but given it's my first and I don't know how I will cope, I (and DH) feel a bit more confident being in the MLU.

Can I just say, teaching hospitals are great - best bit about being on the ward last week was when the consultant came round with a load of students on Thursday morning, and because he was explaining things in a lot of detail to them, DH and I got a much better understanding of what might be going on. The consultants I had the other two days just sort of left my head spinning

Hi all, hope everyone had a good Easter

Fanbelt - brilliant news about your DH's new job
McKayz Really pleased that you had such sunny weather last week, your FB profile pic is lovely :) I too have heard of loads of innaccurate birth weight predictions, I am sure you'll be fine...keeping fingers crossed.
Kveta I am Grrr on your behalf at your parents' and sister's antics! I have been very lucky as loads of baby clothes have come my way from friends and family...but I have been very surprised at the number that have reqlly quite awful stains. I have put them to one side in case of emergencies! Some are lovely though so am also going to get the vanish out to see if I can improve them. Got some beautiful things off of my SIL at the weekend :)
Tea I am so sorry to hear about your hospital incident, you poor thing, I think you're just one day ahead of me, so it really brings it home what has just happened to you. Lots of hugs and positive thoughts coming your way, and lets hope LO stays well for a few more weeks yet. x

I am off to a birthing pool/active birth workshop tonight and also to have a look around the maternity ward...v excited

Got my midwife at 14:30 this afternoon...I'm armed with a list of Qs!

Then tomorrow evening I have my first NCT session...really hope there are some nice people there, DP and I are 44 and 37 respectively, so dreading it being full of peole young enough to be our offspring!! He already had two teenage DCs. I haven't heard about these bump meet ups...must see if any near me?

amethyst I'm sure you will be fine. I'm nearly 36 and I would say I was pretty average age at ours for the women. (either that or I'm ageing well and they're not ) . I certainly don't feel old. My friends had a similar experience in their groups.

at ours everyone is lovely, although I think it's taken to about week 3 for everyone to settle in and start letting their guard down. people are already talking about meeting up for coffee's on saturday's etc soon.

if you go to the nct website and find your branch pages, it should list all the regular activities and meet up's they have.

I was 27 when I had DS, and was far and away the youngest at any NCT thing I went to - most my friends are 8-10 years older then me! At 30 I am still one of the juniors, it seems!! you'll be fine :)

I am not planning any bump meet ups or the like, but know of playgroups and the bfing clinics, and La Leche League, so will stick with them!

I meant to ask, Dairy did you say you were a peer supporter? how did you go about becoming one? It's something I'd love to do :)

Amethyst I am sure you will be fine. Unless you live near me. I was 20 when DS1 was born and I was the oldest person on the ward.

Hello girls,
Tea - Hope your mind is put at rest at tomorrow's scan, will be logging in to see how you are. Keep posting, I'm around a lot -- have my sneaky breaks between FB and MN and if you need anyone to talk to we are all here. Hope your feet are up and that you're taking things easy.

I had a call from the GP this morning, last week's blood test are showing that I'm again anaemic with levels quite low. Have been given bigger doses of iron so am going to do my best to get them up -- GP said if they haven't increased by next week's blood tests will be blood infusions up at the hospital and I hated them last PG so onwards and upwards with Iron intake!! At least it explains why I'm so lethargic!!

Will pop back later

There aren't any specific 'Bump' NCT's near me but all advertise that they are bump/baby and child friendly!! Unfortunately they have cancelled the one closest to me and unnecessary travel is something I avoid at all costs right now!

Tea Sorry to hear about the bleed, but as long as baby has been monitored and seems ok, that's the main thing.

Kveta Just can't understand some people! I would be very upset also if I were in your position - but I'm a pretty fiesty soul when I want to be and I'd say it was only lent so we need it back or need you to contribute to a new one...

Amethyst I was dreading the exact opposite, at 23 DH and I have been worried that slightly older more experienced mums and dads will be looking down at us, our midwife already gave us the 'Are you together? Do you have a stable home? Will you be living together?' lecture, seemingly just because we're a young couple! When I think about it, the two closest friends I have at work are 6 and 14 years older than me and we get on because of our interests and personalities... Isn't it funny how we all worry about meeting new people throughout life?

Does anybody know when midwife appointments get more frequent? Like fortnightly then weekly?

Got up from my post nights nap - as DS at nursery decided to blitz the living room (amazing how much faster you get things done without a toddler "assisting you") and make dinner and now I'm completely knackered

Kveta I could do without night shifts now,if I'm honest but as shift work is something I've done all my adult life,I just get on with it and funny enough I am coping better this pg than last time! We are an exceptionally fertile bunch at work - 2 had babies in Feb,1 due this month,Me due in June,2 due in Sept and another due in Oct ...

Small your Hb must be really low if they are talking blood transfusions!!! You must feel exhausted. Take it easy and eat a big steak with Spinach

Blondie how patronising of the midwife

Amethyst I'm of you going to see the birthing unit,I really need to get organised in that respect

Kveta meant to say,I would have a lot to say if it was my sister,am far more forthright with her than I am with others and what yours has done is so off side.Definately ask her for money towards the cot.

Hi all,

I've been away over Easter at my mum's so just catching up with everything that's been going on.

I had some more good news today - 32 week scan and Little Miss' current estimated weight is 3lbs 10oz which is the same as DS2 weighed when he was born at 35 wks. She's still on the small side but I know i'm never going to have an 11lb-er. Next target weight for 35 wk scan is 4lb 9oz which is what DS1 weighed when he was born at 36 wks. The exciting thing is that I'm now starting to let myself believe I might end up having a normal pregnancy which means maybe I should consider VBAC rather than just going for a planned c-section... Still very much in two minds but I would love to have a 'normal' delivery - can't imagine what it must feel like to go overdue or go into labour normally at home... the exciting/nerve-wracking drive to the hospital etc. I know it sounds daft but I get excited just thinking about it.

Anyway, I'll probably be back online a bit more next week as it's still Easter hols at the mo so have to keep kiddies occupied and can't spend too long on the computer.

Evening all

Small - hope your iron levels pick up, you must feel so tired. Fingers crossed for you.

kveta Yeah I became a peer supporter after I had ds2. I went along to the local Breastfeeding drop in with him at our local sure start centre most weeks. I had a pretty crap time trying to establish Breastfeeding, kept getting lots of pain on and off till 5 months!! Anyway, the peer supporter coordinator runs the group and she asked me if I'd like to be in her next lot of trainees so I said yeah. Think I had to go to about 6 training sessions (took ds along) then I got my certificate. Now I get people referred to me and I'm just there for support and friendship and general info The training was really I retesting and I learnt a lot about how Breastfeeding works so I would have done it regardless of whether I continued to volunteer.

Ok have forgotten what everyone said now so will post this and go read some more!

Ok here I go again

kveta How annoying your sis won't give the cot back! Has she said why? I would deffo ask for it back or for a donation towards a new one. I have lent our Moses basket to sil and the sheets and my hugabub and am hoping to get it all back, we really can't afford to replace it!

fanbelt great news on baby's weight. Got my fingers and toes crossed you make it all the way and get the birth you want

Ffnorm Hats off to you managing the night shifts, hope you aren't too tired. Not long to go now.

blondie What an annoying midwife! No need to make such assumptions, how bloody nosey Take no notice!
The appointments are as follows from now (for a first timer, sorry if you're not, I can look back at the list to check) 31wks, 34wks, 36wks, 40wks, 41 wks.

special glad you're settling in at your group and making some good friends. No doubt they'll make you feel more sane once baby is here! It's so good just to have people to share experiences with when you have a baby, even of just one here

Amethyst I'm sure you'll get on just fine at your NCT group. There aren't any NCT groups here.. I tend to make do with the Breastfeeding drop in. Have been to a few toddler groups too but clicked with the drop in more.

Tea I agree teaching hosps are good. Which one are you referring to? I gave birth at ours here the last two times and don't have any major complaints. The one near here (well, I say near, it's 60 miles away!) is the Wansbeck. Sorry to hear about your bleed, glad all is ok. Time to put your feet up and relax

McKayz I quite fancy having a go in a birth pool this time but don't want to pin my hopes on it. I say that because when I asked about it in the past they kinda said they only have a few and it just depends of one is free on the day. Also depends if I go overdue as I ended up being induced the last few times and had to be monitored so couldn't have gone in the pool..

Pinkpanther glad your cat seems a bit better today.

ceeej Glad you enjoyed the wedding and lasted throughout the night. We went to a family party recently and I was glad to have the boys with us as an excuse to leave early, was knackered!

justwantcheese Sorry you've been feeling sick and dizzy, that can't be much fun. I haven't had that myself lately. Maybe just mention it to the midwife again if it carries on?

Well I'm just chilling here watching supersize vs superskinny Got my next midwife app on thurs (am 32wks tomorrow). Getting lots of kicks now, some make me jump as they tickle my ribs/ pelvis.

I really must think about packing my labour bag but something is stopping me so far. I feel like I have more to do before I'm ready if that makes sense?! I think also I'm convinced nothing will happen any time soon having gone to 42 wks the last few times..

My sinus headache seems to have finally gone the last few days. It lasted two whole weeks though

Starting to get a return of indigestion now as my stomach becomes squashed. Just what I need when I finally feel like eating everything in sight yet it won't fit in!! Have invested in a bottle of gaviscon.

Apologies for all the spelling mistakes, my phone keeps autocorrecting

Thanks dairy, will ask at clinic when baby is a bit older!

Just checked the baby carrier sis returned to me to find not only is it coated in baby vomit, but also had maggots. Ffs. Dh and I are horrified to be honest!