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

Thanks guys, tis v exciting. Can't believe wedding is finally almost upon us! Am in Buckinghamshire at my mums (that was a looooong uncomfortable ferry/car trip!) We're getting married in the local church, going for a meal and then back to mums for a party (hpefully in the garden if weather cooperates). It's a smaller do than we originally planned but am looking forward to it. :)

LOL at the thought of belly tops warlin most of my clothes show bump, never fear! I have a couple of shirt style tunics that are baggier but that's it. I figured bump impossible to hide at this point! Totally agree about m&s being patronising too, I thought the woman that fitted me was awful!

hi all, how shite M+S sounds! our local one doesn't do maternity bras (or much else anymore actually), so I went to a wee local bra shop where they do have mat and nursing bras, and they are pretty good - nice folk, and seem to know their stuff! Which reminds me, must pencil in a nursing bra fitting sometime soon, as my old ones are falling apart and too small.

Emblosion good luck with the wedding, hope the weather stays nice! how exciting!

Warlin I have been wearing mainly clothes that show my bump, as I certainly can't hide it! I have one tatty black cardi which fits me at the moment, so am wearing that over every top I own. My mum and grandparents have made comments on maternity clothing these days (accompanied by deep sighs and eye rolls) as they all wore sacking by the sounds of things. I just tell them how crap it must have been in the olden days, as I love being able to wear jeans and a t-shirt for work and all else :o

we had a hard frost this morning, which was annoying, given that I did so much seed planting and plant planting over the weekend, grr. that's 3 times now I've planted out seeds on a beautiful weekend day, only for a frost to hit 2 days later. So much for spring. Hope these seeds germinate ok.

Is anyone else permanently ravenous now? I swear I would eat my keyboard if it wasn't so grubby. I am having to get snacks in the night so I am not sick in the morning now. Can't wait until baby is here and the nausea fucks off, and I can sleep again (albeit in 2 hour chunks :o)

just finished writing my birth plan so I can waft it under MW's nose later. Lucky woman :o

now to do some work then look for travel cots to get for baby - so annoyed by all this shite from sister. Latest is my parents are giving us money for the travel cot, so a) sister is off the hook, and b) baby won't be getting the present from her grandparents now that they intended to get her (3 months supply of nappies :o). So DH and I are quietly furious, but thanking my parents regardless, as we have manners. Unlike some siblings I could mention... It's all such a fuss over nothing too. Oh well.

28 work days left now!

Emblosion I hope you have an amazing day!

I have a mix of tight maternity tops and some looser tunic style tops. I'd love to see someone try to hide my bump!!

Morning everyone!
emblosion it all sounds so exciting :) Weather on the Bucks/Herts/Beds border where I am is lovely today so will keep fingers crossed for it staying that way.

Although, kveta, I agree about the frosts... our neighbours must have thought we were nuts as DH was creeping about festooning the garden with dust sheets after we'd seen the forecast on the ten o'clock news last night...!

Interested to read everyone's wardrobe assessments! I spent time yesterday letting down some trousers I bought in the pumpkin patch sale which were about 6 inches too long, so I took them up... and which had then shrunk til they looked like cropped trousers gone wrong. Glad I didn't chop off the excess the first time I did them. Am finding trousers more problematic than tops though as even my maternity ones are feeling tight :( I have a couple of dresses I'll get back to when I go back to work next week but tights are uncomfortable too :( Oh, the joys.

However, I have definitely been baring the bump over the last few days!! I pulled on some old gym trousers which slipped under bump, and really tatty old top to paint in which kept riding up over it! I was standing in the window painting the woodwork in full view of the neighbours with entire belly out!

Massive list of things to do today - and then things like me dropping the full water filter on the floor get in the way :( - so better get on!

Hope everyone's Mondays are going well :)

Must be said I prefer tops that are fitted over the bump not only because they are less likely to show any flesh if they are floating about over it and secondly because tunic type things can make me look even bigger.

Am also permanently a bit hungry but trying to eat things to aid my lack of digestion - think I will have to go back to the doctor as I am taking loads of lactulose for my constipation (TMI) but to be honest it doesn't seem to be doing much!

Just caught up with about 20 pages! - I've just not had the time to log on recently . Impressed that many of you do (only have laptop for access).
Tea hope all is ok with you today?
Dairy - think it was you re bras. I can recommend Bravissimo - even online/via tel. If you follow their measurement guide and then call you can speak with a consultant - they are brilliant. I got 2 bras when about 4 months and they have been perfect. Now feeling a little tight under the bust so will be measuring myself again and calling them.

Busy here - decided to put our house on market - just not that happy here even though its a great house. Have made an offer on a house that needs a lot of work (must be mad with a 3 year old and a new one imminent) and have had an offer on ours after only 3 days on market! But life goes on heh?

Very uncomfortable as baby is currently breech. Sleeping impossible; indigestion, shortness of breath. Have 34 week scan next week with consultant to check size and position. As was emergency c/s last time might be having a planned one if baby hasn't moved. Can't decide if this is good or not. Like the idea of knowing exactly when it will happen which makes life easier re plans for DD. However recovery is so long. And as this will be my last baby I'll never push one out which I sometimes think I'd like to do and then sometimes (esp after watching OBEM) I think NO Way!

I will try to keep up with messages now I've caught up. Positive vibes to all of you.....

Welcome back Mrsshears -- nice to see you post again, that's only 7 weeks or less to go I think, really exciting now. Hopefully the last few weeks at work pass smoothly :)

Dairynips More or less the same scenario here. It was so much hard work waking up every couple of hours with DS1 that I kept him in my bed and that is exactly what happened with all three babies until they decided that they were quite happy in their own room. Now they share but obviously can't happen with 4, fortunately we have a spare room (my sanctuary) and will need to either get that fitted with beds for eldest two or give DS1 his own space -- he's still only 6 so not too worried about him having that yet.

I like tight fitting tops but almost always have to wear with the maternity cardis as although i'm happy to show off my bump my a* is another story at the moment! Also eating a little too much, I will so be hitting the gym/pool end of summer (says she who will have 4 small children!).

Iron supplements are not working, just keep throwing them up. Is anyone else anaemic?

My DC are at their grandparents for a few days so I've been happily arranging home. It is wonderful to have time by myself, words cant quite describe. Hoping to have a nice meal with my mum this week for the first time without a little entourage, haircut, shopping and an immaculate home to return to (until three little boys return of course).

emblosion -- fill us in on all your goings on...so exciting!
Gwenniebee - YOu did provide me with a giggle, thought of your DH being spied putting the sheets down post weather forecast by neighbours and then your belly on display. After dropping my LOs off yesterday arrived home and hopped gracefully out of car cheerily greeting neighbour, totally forgot that had undone trousers on drive home and was wearing an 'interesting' colour of 'granny pants' that were proudly on display
Teanhobs -- Where and how are you?

Back later, hello to everyone else, have left the bolognese on!!!!!

small that made me laugh about your neighbour. As I've just moved house, the neighbours are seeing me for the first time and must think I'm nuts..always out walking the dog in DH's big fleeses and tracksuit bottoms that DH says look like PJs!

Interesting on all the clothes fronts ad glad I'm not the only one with the tight tops and big cardigans.....not sure I have the confidence in my new found figure to lose the cardigans. I have real problems with torusers falling down...think I need to switch to over the bump ones. I have jeans that I love the fit of but they just fall down so DH put his braces on me to keep them up!! I had a cardigan on so you wouldn't notice (unless the wind blew my top) but really wasn't the most attractive look .

I'm totally fed up with all my mat clothes but seems such a waste buying new ones at this stage.

Kveta I'm starving these days too and still craving bad stuff. But am getting conscious of how hard the weight will be to lose afterwards to am a bit more guilt ridden than I was earlier in my pregnancy.

emblosion hope the weather stays nice...lots and lots of luck.

nov very brave on the house front! We moved 2 weeks ago and was totally exhausting. And I don't have any LOs yet. I know life does go on and I hope you have as stress free a move as possible.

Today is dragging in

Hi ladies!

Quick round robin catch up -

Glad you had a good scan and GTT result fireflies - any news on today's scan McKayz?

Good to see you back mrshears

Thanks for the bra shop recommendation CathFin, will definitely make a visit at some point. I'm pretty much living 24/7 in my genie bras at the mo, and when I do occasionally wear one of my u/w bras, I am using a back extender such a cheat - don't really want to buy anymore bras until it's time to get some nursing ones.

On the clothes front, I have mainly been wearing jersey dresses / tunics / long fitted tops over leggings, or jeans/yoga pants if it's colder. But it is so warm in my room in the ward, I am wearing floaty summer dresses! Everyone keeps telling me it is bloody freezing outside

Kveta I saw some travel cots on eBay the other day, is it worth looking on there for a replacement?

Hi Novmama!

smallwonder if you are struggling with the supplements, is it worth just trying to increase your intake of iron rich foods? Maybe that wouldn't be enough :s LOL at you and your granny pants though

Sorry if I've missed anyone

Update from me... After doing SO WELL over the weekend, I had two small fresh bleeds this morning (glad they were small though) - Dr on the rounds this morning said, as they can't find an explanation for it, they would want at least a week of no bleeding at all before they'd consider discharging me . I don't think that will ever happen! So I think I am stuck here. I am because I miss my lovely cat and being with my DH, but I know I am in the best place (and DH is relieved, he was very nervous at the prospect of me coming home)

Passing the time reading MN , cracking on with my knitting, etc. Lots of lovely friends are coming to visit me which is great

Are we hoping to have a meet-up post-arrival of LOs?? I know we are probably a bit widespread to meet up with everyone, but I'd certainly love to organise something with those in striking distance of London. Cos I can, like, drive and stuff now

BeMyBebe Nothing wrong with a bargain, the more you save now, the more you've got to spend when your LO comes along!!

Fireflies Congrats on the 10th Anniversary :) MrBlondie and I are celebrating our first at the end of this month and it's such a lovely occasion :D

Emblosion Good luck with your wedding, I hope you have the most fantastic day of your lives and enjoy each other and all the attention your family and friends lavish on you!!

McKayz Praying you don't have to be induced, and that everything goes really well, enjoy seeing your LO again on screen :)

Warlin My mum said exactly the same thing and offered some of her old clothes from when she was bigger (sort of 18+ tops) I was horrified as I'm still wearing my size 10/12 tshirts and vest tops that are longer but have bought one pair of maternity skinny jeans and one 'jogging' set where the trousers have a roll top so that's super comfy! My mum had me during the era of 80's smock tops and a-line dresses and can't understand how I'm comfy in tighter fitting clothes - but I grew up in skinny jeans and tight fitting tshirts, so it must just be what we're used to??

I admire each and every one of you still at work, my maternity leave begins today, the last 2 weeks were holiday so I've already been off for 2 weeks and have absolutely no idea how I'd have still been able to work now! I can just about drive to the supermarket or my parents house, but the 12 miles drive to work would be impossible! Am kicking myself for getting a low 'sporty' looking completely battered 15 year old car now and would love a Vauxhall Agila or the like where I could just sit in it at normal height without feeling like a I need a winch to get in and out of it... But my job involved standing up for 8-10 hours straight (up until I told them I was pregnant in 4 inch heels too) and that now is
seems completely impossible, my day is broken up with equal amounts of sitting walking around the house pottering and lying down!

Apologies for the gargantuan post! Obviously have too much time on my hands!

Hi everyone and to all the new comers :)

My NCT class was okay in the end, me and DP were def the oldest there but not by miles. DP did feel a bit self concious though...they all seemed nice enough...if a little odd in a couple of cases...but that just makes it all the more interesting I think I am def seen as the hippy of the group as they all want epidurals/drugs etc. and there's me raving about the birthing pools at my hospital and my hypno birthing! I know it may all work out differenty and that's just fine by me, but I figure there's no harm in planning my ideal birth :)

Blondie - I think that's awful some of the questions you've been asked just because you're young...it's not like you are both 16. I'd have loved to have started a family at your age...ignore them..they're just jealous

ffnorm I totally recommend a visit to the birthing unit/labour ward. I am very excited now about my birth after my visit to the (admitedly) newly done up birthing centre. The birthing pool rooms were like walking into a Champneys spa (sort of!) all dimmed lighting and coloured feature lighting around the room, en-suite bathroom, no bed (yipee!), swanky birthing chair, bean bag, birthing ball, music....can't wait! (I am weird I know - but hey I'm happy)

Tea I am so sorry to hear everything you're going through (((huge hugs))) it does sound like you're in good hands though. I really feel for you, I was only admitted to hospital for one night and that drove me potty! Hang on in there LittleTea, it's not quite time yet! x

I told my midwife that I had got a private Strep B test and she was very supportive, said £35 was cheap for the peace of mind and she was sorry the NHS don't do them routinely.

Dairy I can't believe the way you were treated after your midwife's c*&k -
up! What a cow! Makes me very . I am so pleased that it was a mistake and that you're measuring okay.

McKayz have you had your scan yet, fingers crossed for you x

Small you made me laugh, my arse is huge, so same here, I am proudly showing off my bump but going to all sorts of lengths to hide my bum! I have actually noticed I get far more compliments about my appearance when I wear tight tops on my bump than baggy.

Emblosion Good luck for your wedding day, may the sun shine all day for you :)

I haven't got off my bum to start decorating the baby's room/office yet...really must make a start, I am only re-painting it cream for goodness sake! you're all putting me to shame

Tea - I'd be up for a meet up :) I live in Hampshire but right on the A3 so easy to get to London by car or train for me. But wait for me ot have my baby, I'm near the end if June...still 7 weeks at work to go and I'm stopping 3 weeks before my due date!

Reposting from another thread... look like real bargain offers from Little Lamb!

Amethyst Glad your NCT went well :) I think the DP/H's will always find it a bit odd or the like because it's almost as if they're entering girl world before they realise how beneficial and interesting it is for them too!! I'm used to all the prejudice and judgment now, we met young, married young, both did well at uni, earn good money (for our age compared to our friends) have bought our first house and will have our first child before we both hit 24, I feel very blessed and take the judgement with a pinch of salt apart from when I need to bitch and moan on MN as I guess it's not 'the norm' now, I mean even our closest friends think we're crazy! Glad your MW was so supportive about the GBS test, we're debating whether or not to tell ours purely on the basis that we get treated like unintelligent incompetent fools anyway and sometimes a nod and a smile is far less stressful than a heated debate!!

Tea Sorry to hear of your bleeds again this morning, but you are in the best place and it is bloody freezing outside!! Hope your knitting is coming along beautifully, what a lucky LO to have mummy's own hand made bits and pieces :o A meet up would be pretty fun, I'm on the Somerset/Wiltshire border but LDN is only an hour and a half on the M4 (DH and I will use ANY excuse to go to London), we were in fact looking at houses there before we found out we were pg and decided to go for something cheaper so we could spend more on LO. My DB lives in Maidstone and works in Central London and DH lived in Kilburn the rough bit that's nice and cheap when he was on placement year in uni!

would also be up for a meetup - we're 45 mins from central London so no issues getting there - more of an issue doing so with a toddler and a newborn, yikes! (gwennie where in Bed/Bucks/Herts are you? we're in East Herts, v. near Essex/Cambridge)

tea poor you - let us know if there's anything we can do to make life less dull in hospital for you! can send postcards to the ward for you or something :D

I have done pretty much sod all today (sent a couple of emails and found some files). must get some sleep tonight so I can do some work of use tomorrow!

32 week appt later, so better go collect silly toddler then navigate the M11 home. Joys.

afternoon all. God, I feel like I'll be working forever compared to everyone. I have 7 weeks to go! Luckily I can work at home most days if I really had to, 1 day in the office. So I'm hoping that I can keep going. I've taken some holidays so May is pretty much 4 day weeks.

Tea - sorry it doesn't seem to be settling down, but you're in the right place, and every day the LO is happy and bumbling around in there is a step in the right direction. I'm definitely up for meeting up, I'm Guildford way, (and I think Bemybebe is too) and I think Cathfin said she was Woking area?

Kveta - definitely recommend ebay for things like travel cot etc. I've got quite a few things on there and if you pick right, it's nearly new quality. I got a breastfeeding pillow, close baby carrier and brand new little white company blanket last week (I feed my shopping cravings by selling my own stuff )

I'm on a mission to find the right outfit to labour in, but nothing seems to fit the bill. The only thing I've seen I like you can only buy it in the US (binsi skirt) anyone good at sewing?????

special I don't like the idea of a second hand cot, not bothered by everything else though!

and re: labour outfit - in all honesty, it will not matter once you're in labour! find the oldest, comfiest t-shirt you own, and that will be perfect!

I'd be up for a meet up too... I'm nearish to Aylesbury and a total country bumpkin as regards getting into London but it's doable!!

Amethyst glad the NCT class went well... the lady who is taking ours seems very pro breathing/relaxation etc and not very pro major pain relief so they must vary hugely! It's been really informative though, and as I like the idea of a water birth ideally I won't be able to use much in terms of pain relief anyway.

Am spending my day doing cooking related things... not quite what I planned but will get the suppers for the next few days sorted! Also going to make some biscuits to send to my "baby" brother who is on active service in Afghan. This morning I bought him a Union Jack shower hat!! He is always on about needing to shower as it's so hot, so it seemed appropriate ;) Looking forward to getting it packed off to him, makes him feel a bit closer :)

I am also in Woking guys...

I have a second-hand cot, but I am changing the mattress (despite the seller saying it was new) to a new shop-bought one.

In case someone is interested in real nappies, it is REAL NAPPIES WEEK from today. Looks like people arranging special events around the country and retailers offering special discounts.

London sounds good - would be even better if I could manage to turn up somewhere with just a baby and have DH look after the bigger ones.

Waves at bemy - I'm in West Byfleet so tend to put Woking as no one has heard of WB so could meet up locally if you fancy it. They are starting a Fit4mum buggy class in Woking Park I think too - not sure if that will ever fit in around everything but maybe after the summer holidays??

Tea - well done on the knitting - must pull my finger out as I only have half a blanket done!

Amethyst - your hospital sounds fab - wish mine was a bit better equipped!

I'm from Frimley originally (mum and dad still there) so know Guildford / Woking / West Byfleet very well. In fact DH and I have been dreaming about a move to Horsell, but that is a while off yet, I imagine - we can't yet afford what we would really like.
I live in South London at the moment, but am happy to go anywhere for a meet-up - don't want to drag everyone into London as I know it can be a bit of a pain!

Kveta you are very sweet with your offer of postcards I'll put details on the fb group.

Hi all,esp Mrsshears!!

Tea thinking of you loads St Thomas' is fantastic and at least you have that amazing view, just wish for you that they could figure out the problem...

I would be keen for a meet up - we're in East London/Essex (still can't figure it out,it's a London borough with an Essex postcode) but as I work in central London have no issue with any London meeting point or surrounds really

Warlin I suppose in their day there just wasn't any options besides those hideous smock tents ,my mother only saw me at about 24-28 weeks last time and never commented on my clothes,though i have found myself wearing more fitted clothes this pg.Loving my over the bump denim skirt with a long fitted top,which even though i'm not slender makes me feel a little funky.

Amethyst we have 1st NCT class tomorrow night,think we may be on the older side of the spectrum in our area but might be wrong... Was looking through my notes today,must definately call the "tour the labour ward" no that's provided.

Am so tired today - worked all weekend and the hours are starting to take there toll - leave the house 0615 get home 2130.roll on Mat leave...have decided to take more annual leave this side of mat leave than I had initially intended so will stop work in 2 weeks time.Yay.DOn't get me wrong,I love my work but I'm knackered.

Also got the you are anaemic letter,so have started taking iron tablets.Luckily they don't make me feel sick but does constipate me a bit - sorry TMI

I have good news!!!!

I had my scan this afternoon. Well Baby McKayz is measuring slightly higher than average. Today she weighs 3lb 14oz which is quite nice compared to the 4lb 4oz she weighed 9 days ago. The MWs are not impressed with the private scan place as apparently it is quite common to have women in scared they have big or tiny babies. She is also head down now.

So I can still have a home birth!!!!

Also DH got me a Kindle today as my early birthday present!!

I'll try and read through in a mo, just eating my mexican take away!

Evening all!

Tea - sorry you're still stuck in hospital and hoping you get the holy grail of a week without bleeds.

McKayz - glad you're still on for a home birth; hope you're feeling more relaxed after the scan.

So, I've now had two whole nights in a real bed rather than on a mattress on the lounge floor! Woohoo! The bedroom isn't quite finished, but we got the carpet fitted and built the bed on Friday and then got the curtains up on Saturday so were finally able to sleep up there on Saturday night. It is so comfortable. My pelvis and back have been really bad when getting up in the night or first thing in the morning, but this orthopaedic foam mattress is fantastic - I have next to no pain or discomfort when I wake up and can get out of bed in one movement! Between that and moving to sit back in my armchair rather than my nursing rocking chair when I'm in the lounge I feel like a new person!

In other good news, midwife appt today showed blood pressure still fine, bump measuring okay and homebirth now being talked about as though they're finally willing to acknowledge that that's my plan. I know it won't be 'agreed' until I have the final scan and see the consultant at 36 weeks but every appointment that goes okay is a little step closer. Only 5 weeks to go before I can actually book it officially.

Hope everyone's doing okay - sorry if I've missed anything major but haven't had time to read everything in detail.

Came back to say I finished my mammoth post prematurely as DH and DS came home and wanted to still wanted to 2 things

1st was to ask after McKayz scan - and here you are with great news!!! So pleased you can go back to your homebirth plan

2nd was to say to Emblosion have an amazing wedding day!!!