May be Babies - The Third Trimester

[SirCharles]

A new thread as the other one was ready to burst!
Thanks *Mikocat" for the new name.

All quiet here. Have got really really swollen ankles in the evenings so trying to rest more and keep feet up on my footstool.

Have a routine scan in 2 weeks at 35 weeks to check he isn't breech (they don't think he is but everyone gets the scan) and I'm interested to see what they think he weighs. Midwife keeps poking and measuring tummy and saying "I don't think theres any doubt that he's a big baby"... gulp....!

it is very quiet isn't it! i'm afraid nothing interesting is happening here either, i'm 35+2 and i am finished with antenatal, no midwife till 37 weeks, hospital bag done, off work, nesting hasn't kicked in yet, pretty much on my own all day with the dog! so all very dull here!

We also finished the birth plan, little one is 3/5 engaged so i'm not walking like a duck JUST yet..

I've been getting extremely painful heartburn which is not nice and won't let me sleep.

House will be on the market by Monday which is great, the agency have used the pictures i've taken and said they were great :-)

Hope everyone's doing okay!

Swollen ankles by the end of the day here too heidi

Had my 31 week MW check yesterday and she though I might have a UTI but got to wait until Tuesday for test results. Was exhausted last night, fell asleep by 8:45pm but woke up about 11pm absolutley sizzling hot...sooo hot...took me ages to cool down and took some paracetamol in case it was a fever. Slept fairly well from then on (paras also worked wonders on relieving some of the pain in my pelvis!) but thought I should see the docs this mornign anyway...he did another urine dip stick and said he couldn't see anything of concern and that I should just keep my fluids up and wait for test results on Tuesday...so...back in the office this afternoon, though I do feel a bit better. Other than the UTI scare all was well at the check yesterday.

Looking forward to a relaxing weekend...I need to catch up on some sleep I think, this week has been far too busy! But, today's milestone is that I finish work 4 weeks today - woohoo!!

Sorry for being quiet!

All fine here but I still have 8 weeks to go and 4 weeks at work! Just had my end if year review with my boss this morning though and got an exceed rating - top rating out of 4 possibles, so I'm very pleased :)

Have been struggling a bit more with SPD and tiredness but have adjusted some chairs and got extra pillows & cushions which has helped the SPD and my 28 week blood tests picked up anaemia so now on iron tablets and Toluca acid tablets. Have discovered I don't have to be tired and out of breath the whole time!

One question I have is around Braxton Hicks. I was never aware of them when pg with DS and can't say I've noticed this time yet. Am I just oblivious or is it possible not to get them? How would you describe them?

Hope everyone else is doing well :)

hey, SES, at our active birthing class the "teacher" said something quite interesting that braxton hicks are not practice contractions and they happen because baby is not in the right position for labour.. i don't know if she was talking rubbish or not but i don't think it's uncommon not to have them! I only get them after sex they are not painful just uncomfortable - my belly just goes ROCK hard, they last for 30ish sec.

Thanks Mythical :)
Interesting theory that about BH which I like. Wasn't true with DS though as he was transverse oblique so completely wrong position. Either he was an exception and I didn't & don't get them, or I just don't notice them / get them very strong!

ses I never had bh with ds but think I have had some this time, also felt like bump going really really hard & just a bit painful/uncomfortable.. quite different to period pains.

blue hope u don't have a uti. Yay for 4 weeks left!
I also had to take paracetamol this wk & walk around with my mini hot water bottle stuck in my jeans waistband as my sciatica was v painful.. definitely helped!

Another one with ridiculously swollen feet/ankles/calves here, in fact my legs are just like tree trunks now. I think this may be due in part to the very warm weather here too.

Baby very wriggly, I think she may be trying to turn herself back round from the breach position. I have my first ante-natal appointment at my 'new' hospital tomorrow (Homerton, East London), so let's see what they have to say about it.

SPD utterly utterly miserable, I'm sure I'm not helping by doing more than I should, even if it is just a little bit of unpacking here and there.

In other news I think I have LO's hospital bag pretty much packed and some of mine, trouble is I'm so short of clothes that fit me right now that I can't afford to pack any away, so all that's in my hospital bag is one nighty, 2 pairs of pants and a pair of slipper socks! How are others doing with their bag packing?

BTW, I've been using Boots Reviving Foot Spray on my feet and their Cooling Foot Gel at bedtime, I don't think it actually helps, but it does feel nice :)

Evening all! Well I survived the 0430 wake up call & the flight back. I highly recommend flight socks to prevent swollen ankles.... Not sexy bu work a treat - oh & lots of water..... Water retention allegedly responds to drinking gallons of the stuff.
I am suffering with swollen fingers though - took my rings off as a precaution before we took off as they were looking so tight already!!!

Has anyone tried reflexology to treat pregnancy symptoms or to turn a breech baby? Just interested as I read about it the other day & wondered if anyone real rated it! I had a session this week but purely as a means to relax ahead of the flight. Was lovely.

Don't think I am getting BHs but then I don't think this baby is moving much anyway so perhaps I am too fat/tough skinned?!.... On the flight DH kept poking bump as I was worrying!!!

Am v excited to be back.... Off to stock up on neals yard mummy to be treats tomorrow & try out buggies at a "Barn" by the A3!
Just spoke to sil too - she has bin liners full of baby stuff for us to pick up at Easter. All we need to hope for now is that one of the fats we view in SW London on Mon/Tues is suitable so we can move out of this holiday let bedsit ASAP!!!!

Doula interviews on Sunday/early next week. NHS antenatal classes start next week too. NCT is mid April. Hypnobirthing course starts Monday!

Busy bees for the hext few weeks - hope I have not bitten off more than I can chew....

Keep well ladies & those of you in pain - please try to take it easy :)

SES - I never had Braxton Hicks in my last two pregnancies and this time I may have had.... one. Yup. One night I woke up and bump felt v uncomfortable and very hard for about 20 secs, that was it! Not sure it even was a braxton hicks. Didn't feel like a contraction at all, just uncomfy and tight with the very hard stomach.

Cupcake - those vests sound v handy, I have been scouring wardrobe for breastfeeding friendly clothes. Looked on Mothercare today and saw long plain nursing vests for £15 but £2 sounds far more tempting!

Bluecrane - Get well soon, you definitely sound like you need some rest.

Re the mat leave I too am looking forward to some time off, three more weeks! Although I only work part-time from home it will just be so nice not to have to think about it and just be able to look forward to baby coming. Although I will have to write my doula essay!

Mythical - You are so close Missus! Not much more than a month to go, so exciting!

Miko - I hope wee one is slowly wriggling herself into a head down position. Sorry to hear your SPD is so bad, not long now before it is all worth it hopefully... Hope your hospital appointment goes well.

Hi all, nice to see lots of activity on here again . Gorgeous pics of Sophia littlelamb.

Interesting theory re the braxton hicks. This baby is transverse and I am getting them almost constantly and they're very painful, it's really exhausting. However, DS was in the perfect position from very early on and I got a lot then as well just not quite as many and not so painful. Some sources say everyone gets them but only some feel them. I guess it's like some people don't feel early labour contractions whilst others suffer with every one!

I don't know if I fancy trying reflexology to try and turn this baby, I have really tickly feet so might find it horrible!

I've also started packing my hospital bag. I've been reading the childbirth threads for tips on what to pack for after a CS. For baby I've packed a small bag with newborn sized clothes, then shown DH where all the rest is so he can bring more if needed. I've sorted it into tiny baby (DS was only 6lb so we had to go and buy a load of very small clothes as newborn were too big), average sized and slightly bigger newborn so he can grab the right size! No idea how big this one will be, probably bigger than DS but I'm still measuring slightly small so doubt it'll be huge- we don't have big babies in my family! For me I'll have a bag ready to go and more stuff at home to come along later, I don't want to turn up looking like I'm staying for a fortnight.

I agree re cheap vests. I didn't like the Breastfeeding vests as I didn't find them supportive enough without a bra and with a bra it's a lots of faff unclipping bra and vest then locating nipple. Much easier to just have a cheap, stretchy vest you can pull down when you pull down your bra. I've got loads of really comfy vests from Costco, not as cheap as those Primark ones though! I guess it depends on how the Breastfeeding vests fit you as I know some people love them and wear them braless.

Looks like everyone is starting to get a lot more prepared! I wonder who'll be the next to have their baby. I bet we get a couple at least in April, a whole load in May then a few stubborn babies hanging on until June .

Ooh, meant to say as well I just ordered a couple of new nursing bras from here. I think it was one of you who posted a link to it before so thank you whoever it was. They've got a great range across all sizes and they seem quite pretty good prices too.

I went for a couple of bravado ones, they are really nice and stretchy. When I was feeding DS I found I could vary by a cup size over a day (before and after feeds) so the more rigid fabrics were really uncomfortable.

Please someone reassure me!
Went for 34 week scan yesterday and showed doc my swollen legs. She referred me to hospital straight away for leg doppler scan. That's all fine, so not panicking there, although I really should try and put feet up more. Given half a chance I would!
Here's the scary bit. Baby is only 34 + 4 but is already measuring close to 40 weeks! Date is definitely not wrong, and because I already delivered a big baby before, they are just keeping an eye but will probably let me go to term or even term + 10 days, which is the usual induction time. Baby is ALREADY measuring almost 8 lbs.... I know these estimations can be wrong, but surely not THAT wrong???
Ooooooooh. I'm terrified!

how did they measure the baby, myweeangel? did you have a scan? (sorry if that's what you meant and i'm asking silly questions!)

I think I remember hearing that scans have an error margin of about 1lb or so, it's mostly guess work based on the measurements. Baby might just have been doing its growing early, it could slow down now so I wouldn't panic too much. There are loads of stories of babies being estimated as whoppers early on but actually being fairly average size at birth. How big was DC1?

Hi ladies,

I've been a bit of a lurker the past week so apologies for my quietness! DH has just bought an iPad and today has been the first day I've logged myself in properly to MN on it. Tis great though - DH persuaded it me it would be a good investment because I could use it while breast feeding. I was a bit at first but I think it will actually be really useful...!

Started my maternity leave today, wahooooo! Was v strange leaving work yesterday and saying goodbye to my class. They made me some really sweet cards and messages though (they're 5 and 6!) which made me v teary!

Thanks for the primary vest tip cupcakefairy - I went and stocked up this morning! I also bought loads more bits for my hospital bag - DH is paranoid that now I'm on mat leave, I'm going to have the baby imminently! It doesn't seem to calm him when I say it could be another 7 weeks if I go over!

I don't have any words of wisdom re size of baby I'm afraid myweeangel but if they're happy for you to go full term plus 10 days then they can't be expecting it to be toooo big? I've heard a lot of stories (mostly on MN actually!) of mums that have been told they're having a massive baby, and then out pops a very average sized 7lber!

wrigglebum (possible stupid question alert) how did you know which size nursing bra to order? I realised when I was in town today that they were something I hadn't really given much thought to yet. For first baby is it best to wait until closer to due date? (I'm nearly 35 weeks at the mo).

Love the pics of sophia littlelamb, she's so sweet!

Went to see buggies today. How ugly are they?! & HOW MUCH? Christ.

Anyway - any thoughts on the Uppababy?
2nd hand (well, only 2 ebay roght now) does not seem cheap enough to warrant buying 2nd hand but new still seems expensive..... But not as expensive as a new Bugaboo!

dreaming I would wait a bit before getting a nursing bra.. get measured at about 38 weeks and just buy a couple then so u can get more later if necessary. When milk comes in about day 3 after baby your boobs will be massive (i remember not doing up the clips on my nursing bras when I was in the house as it was just too uncomfortable my boobs were so big) but they do settle down again. Hth.

myweeangel you poor thing, I'm fretting loads about massive baby too but as others have said, I know of so many ladies told of big babies that aren't in the end. One friend was put under consultant care & induced early cos they thought her baby was big, came out 6lbs something!! Have faith in your body you will be fine.

sircharles I know, buggies are ridiculously expensive & some v ugly! Haven't heard of the one u mentioned but gonna look now!

Yes, it's normally better to wait until 38 weeks to get bras measured up by a good fitter (not M&S or Mothercare), I went to our local NCT fitter last time. The bras I have are really stretchy ones so they cover a few cup sizes and they've got plenty of room for growth and breast pads. My boobs never really expanded and I didn't get that massive boob thing when my milk came in, so I'm kind of guessing I'll be the same again. I go for comfort over look mostly but if you want pretty bras they'll probably not be as stretchy so best to get them when you know what size you are.

The uppababy does look pretty good, and they're quite rare over here still. I was really impressed by the basket size, very useful! Pushchairs are so expensive. I've heard good things about the Oyster too and they always look quite nice when I see them around. The pushchair reviews on here might be worth looking at. It's worth thinking about how and when you're going to use it- does it need to go in a small car boot, on public transport a lot, town or country? Sounds a bit mad to think so much about it but plenty of people spend hundreds on one that doesn't suit their needs. Plus if you are planning another one fairly close in age it might be worth considering one that can convert to a double, quite a few can now so it's not just Phil & Teds.

www.which.co.uk/baby-and-child/baby-transport/reviews-ns/pushchair-first-look-video-reviews/uppababy-vista/
Link re the buggy I mentioned. Which best buy in 2011. Quite new to the UK, hence I expect so few are on eBay.....

Thank you cupcakefairy and wrigglebum, I'll wait a few weeks then!

Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday - I'm off for a mooch round a vintage and antiques fair, then off on our tour of the maternity unit of the hospital, and then dinner at the MIL's...fingers crossed it stays as sunny as it is now!

Thanks for reassurance.
mythical my daughter was 10lbs 5ozs at term + 10 days, and yes, it was after a scan. Well two scans in fact as they wanted to be sure. The second doctor (male!) looked at me with nothing short of admiration and awe!
Having another scan in a fortnight to check progress. Hoping it slows down! Have had a fairly good diet throughout pregnancy but wondering how much diet affects baby's growth?? Anyone enlighten me on that??

sircharles I haven't read all of the info but the uppababy looks quite similar to the Mamas & Papas Zoom which is what we have gone for and is quite a bit cheaper! mamas and papas zoom Feel free to ignore but thought I'd post the link for you anyway!

I had a very emotional day yesterday - no reason in particular...just very tired and kept bursting into tears poor DH really wasn't sure what was going on! I think it is suddenly dawning on me that LO could decide to arrive anytime now (31+5 a the moment) and I'm still trying to get my head around the humungous changes our life will undergo when that happens! Probably also a few perfectly natural worries about being a first time Mum and learning how to do everything!! Anyone else had days like that?

Cannot believe that 1wk tomorrow is the start of my 5wk 37-42 window when I can have baby at home! You are all sounding so organised with hospital bags - if baby turned up tomorrow it would have nothing to wear as all the little clothes are in my mum's loft - she's supposed to be sorting and washing them and bringing them down during the holidays. We're not even sure if my tens machine is in the study (sounds posher than general dumping ground!) or in the loft, but DH is on leave next week so hopefully we can make some progress then. If the weather stays like this tomorrow I'll wash the Amby hammock and then at least it will have somewhere to sleep.

Miko - chiropractors can do an adjustment called Websters by pressing on the round ligament which holds your uterus in place which can help breech babies turn - might be worth a try. Never needed reflexology to turn a baby but find it really relaxing and interesting, DH has very ticklish feet but he loves reflexology too so it may be worth a try.

Meant to reply to loads of different comments but so tired today, lay awake for 2.5 hrs last night so not been much use today