Due in October 2012 - Part 5

[Kyyria]

Just starting us off on a new thread

Oh, just a note re. Gaviscon- I'm taking it too (heartburn every bloody day!), but my midwife did say last week not to take too excessively as it can lower your iron levels, so prob best not if your iron levels aren't great anyway

Hey peeps! Just a quick howdy, had a friend visiting (without her husband and son - pure girlie catch up = bliss!) and now deep in the throes of renovations, terrorising errant workmen etc. Having some kind of mad nesting thing. Bizarrely BP back down in spite of working harder than I did when I was actually at work

So pleased for CWest, Midget and Fjord that all is well for you ladies! x

Lady gardens = funny :o I had to do a blind trim before saw consultant in case he had to do a speculum exam (thankfully he didn't). Waxing is agony although I think there's some local anaesthetic gel you can put on that helps? Anyone know the name? There was athread about it a few months back. I find the pain of bikini wax fast but awful!

Have had a quick scan back but need a proper catch up. Lisbeth I hope you get your son into somewhere nice x Hello newbies and at Cherry - Japan is very cool :)

Oh and clothing help required!!!! Oh please oh please!!!

Has anyone seen maternity yoga pants or trackie bottom type things in size 16-18? I got 2 fab pairs from George at Asda and Matalan respectively and have been living in them - but they have been DISCONTINUED!!! Lots of leggings and lots of bloody linen trousers (ha! I have 3 pairs but no sunshine to wear them in) but just want dead comfy, hardwearing yoga pants or trackies as they will be good now AND post-section. Have googled and can find ones that are 14-16 or 16 but at the minute I really need 16-18. Has anyone seen any?

I will be eternally grateful if anyone can recommend somewhere! x

Thanks London, didn't know that about gaviscon. My iron levels have been ok so far, and have blood test in just over a week so will be interesting to see if it's all been leached out!!

Angelico I still wear some trackies I bought from Mothercare last time I was pg. Don't know if they still do them, but I wore them during and between pgs, and they're still going now. Love them. They sit under bump and are super comfy. Worth having a look on their website to see if they have anything.

I think the problem with Gaviscon is only if it's 'excessive'- like chugging it all day...

Angelico I just got some lovely new yoga pants - not maternity but very forgiving - I got small size and am just wearing them under the bump. I can still pull them up and over for that very attractive Simon Cowell look. The brand is Manuka and I got them off the interweb.

Angelico I'm wearing Boden leggings today. I bought a size 12 and I'm 12-14 and they re plenty big, in fact sag a little but not bad for leggings. 10/10 though for comfort.

Spoke to (free) solicitor yesterday. He asked me to tell him the story (I had 3 pages of writing and I thought that would be clearer). He asked me what I wanted from the situation. I replied that I had gotten over the wanting to strike back mode, I just wanted my money back for the entire month and to move on. I said that if this had all happened on the last week of the month I would not have paid for the next month and I would get over it quicker. He then began by saying that he thought I would have no problem getting my money back from Small Claims or District Court. He said not to send 3 page letter as this would be the basis of the case, if there was one - if she refused to refund the ??. He said to write a short letter, no more than 5 lines - phrases like unilateral cancel of contract, no fair procedures, money to be refunded in 5 days or further action without notice.
Then he said -are you really sure you want to go there? He said he personally would be inclined to just leave it. He could see I was very upset at it all. He said with new baby on the way, was prolonging the stress worth it?

Sooo - spoke with DH briefly after, he was away with work. Choices are;
Drop it. DS is out of creche. I will operate between family and neighbours and more leave from work between now and September. Forget about the ?? which we can afford to do, but it annoys me. That also feels like an admission of guilt on our part - does that make sense?

OR

Get DH to write 5-line letter, and later receive (full) refund OR go to small claims OR do nothing.

Can't say I have moved on mentally but ZoeP I also have a very sensible supportive DH. He will calculate the amount of money versus the amount of stress and make a decision. He thinks my stress affected DS and probably bean, so I know he is inclined to walk away from it.
She (Creche owner) is kinda living 'rent free' in my head this week and I do want her out.
As I am here posting, bean is kicking , DS is asleep husband is at work to provide for us . We are going to visit my mother this weekend who adores DS and I will get to visit friends. Life is good.

On a separate note, I was a little that a total stranger could see I was stressed. As my BP was high for me before when I had a problem at work I decided to call into my GP this AM and get my BP checked. I thought, if it is high, I'm not going to work next week and that's that! (Baby minding solved) Anyway it was 101/80, my usual low number. I was relieved, even though I must now run out to a neighbour to ask if she is around next week.

With that I'll sign off but I'd love peoples views on what further action, if any, you think we should take.

Sorry for the loooong post

lisbeth for what's its worth I would get DH to write a 5 liner, see what happens buy maybe then drop it. Nothing to loose from another attempt. You should forget about it though as it isn't good for you and the bean.

Lisbeth I think I agree with Midget, get the 5 line letter off because you deserve your money back and she shouldn't get to keep it. But I probably wouldn't bother with small claims, just because by the time you get to court you'll probably be heavily pg or with a newborn.

It's such a shame that you're having this stress at this time but good that your blood pressure is OK. I know it would wind me up no end but at least you know your DS is out of that environment now.

God, that women sounds like such a cow though!

Hello ladies - I have so much to catch up on having been away for a week!

It was very nice to be out of the 37 degree heat of Toulouse and back in (please don't hate me) drizzly old Blighty.

The hen weekend was great - I stayed up till 2.30am both nights and didn't miss drinking at all although did feel like a bit of a blob among some very beautiful ladies.

However, I have been on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster the last two weeks. I'm going to blame it on preg-head and have thankfully had a stern word with myself and pulled it together. Just saying in case anyone else is feeling down. Think it's normal.

I don't have Gaviscon, but Rennie tablets are my 'don't leave the house without' item at the moment. I am also feeling uncomfortably full after eating anything too.

london I've been looking into the natal hypnotherapy course too - think it's the British version of hypnobirthing and sounds really great. Did anyone read the article in the Telegraph this weekend about the woman who was so scared of giving birth she actually had it diagnosed as a phobia?! She did get over it in the end thankfully.

Oh and my lady garden looks more like a lady jungle at the moment. I normally trim and Veet my bikini line, but I seem to have no shame right now

dameflatyoulent, I happily prescribe gaviscon for pregnant ladies, one of those things I kind of expect people to need, would do it just if someone phoned and asked me for it.
Welcome to our newbies, lovely to have more people! cherry Japan is somewhere I've always thought I'd love to go.. Though I'm not too sure when that's ever going to happen....
lisbeth I agree, five line letter and then probably wouldn't pursue it unless its huge amounts of money that you need. You are in the right, but I think the amount of stress you'd be under going through small claims court wouldn't be worth it - you are more important than that.
I am so relieved it's the weekend. Just worn out today and really really struggling to keep going at work.

Hi ladies, thank goodness for all of you and keeping me up to date with what's next and how to deal with it! Getting the Gaviscon ready...

Lady gardens... Well during first pg I decided to use hair trimmer/clipper and gouged a chunk of flesh out of my very sensitive fanjo. DH had to finish the trimming much to my shame . So this time I practiced religiously with my Venus razor bikini trimmer while I could still see said fanjo and now I can trim without looking, now there's a lesson for all of you

Trying to look on the bright side although my painful hips have turned out to be Bursitis, or something, an inflammation of the fluid filled sack around left hip joint. (not actually pg related but made worse by it methinks) Been given a brace for my hips and told to 'cut down on housework and overdoing it' ha ha ha ha, I sacked my cleaner a month ago, DH doesn't even know we have a dishwasher and I drive 30 mile round trip each day to fetch DS1 from school. Now I realize I will have to bribe DS1 to Hoover, buy groceries online and pray for end of term and the new school locally in the new school year is going to be a treat, only 5 mins away. Maybe take out and paper plates will be the next energy saving I implement!

I am 38, 27+1 dc 2 due date 1 Oct

Angelico - I got good, sturdy maternity yoga pants from topshop. Can't remember the price, but not too dear!

lizbethsopposite it sounds like the stress matters more to you than the money, and that the stress is largely about having her actions affect you - the 'living rent free in your head' bit.

If that's true, then it sounds like your first goal is just getting her out of your head, in order to achieve the second goal of not being stressed out.

(I'm sorry if that sounds really obvious, I'm just trying to get to define the problem properly - defining problems properly is my job ;) )

It's hard to shift someone from your brain just by trying - that's like trying to forget a number on purpose, you can't do it. The brain isn't wired that way.

I don't live in your head, but if it was me, I'd be furious that she'd gotten away with it with no comeuppance - and that I was powerless to change that. So I'd send the five-liner, just to let her know she HADN'T got away with it, and to prove that I could take some power if I chose to (court) - it would 'put the ball in my court', meaning she would have to wait on a decision by me. And that would help me shift her from my head.

Sending a letter doesn't mean you have to follow through - it just means that you can, if and when you choose.

Does that help?

Thanks for clothing tips ladies - will investigate. I need the overbump ones for post section as the under bump ones will lie right along the scar... ouch!

Lisbeth I would probably ask her politely for the money first, explaining that it's not reasonable to wait for payment and then effectively 'expel' your DS. Then the 5 line letter to escalate. At that point you can decide for yourself about small claims court if it isn't going to stress you but if it is maybe think 'bigger picture' or see if you can wait for new bean to arrive and then pursue?

On Gaviscon front I need it about 3 nights in 7 and only the odd time during the day. I really do notice the difference between the double action one and the ordinary one btw so if ordinary one isn't cutting it - worth trying the DA one.

Giggle major sympathy on the hip pain :( Hope the brace helps a bit. Think someone else was getting it at night, not sure if you found a way to help it. I got it early on and found sleeping with a pillow between legs helped but had an awful night last night and was getting a bit panic-stricken about SPD. Feel v tired and grouchy this morning.

Raining here and have to spend the day hounding an errant workman... I swear I never feel more like I'm at work than when chasing workmen...

Have a good day peeps x

Lisbeth x-posted with Zoe - I like her explanation but only you know what will make you feel better. Personally I would be less stressed feeling like I'm doing something but I know DH would probably think "what's all the fuss about?"

Ugh, what a crappy day. I managed to fall on some dodgy pavement. Went to hospital and got checked out- baby is fine, but I've got a really badly sprained ankle. It's all swollen and black and I can't move it at all or put any weight on it. :(
And my hubby is away, so all on my own feeling sorry for myself.
Sorry for moaning- had to let it out somewhere.
Am supposed to be taking my driving test this week, but not sure if I'll even be able to do it. :(

Sending a hug London Glad bean is okay but a sprained ankle is not what you need between pregnancy aches and twinges. I know people swear by strapping / icing / raising feet with ankle things but maybe one of the physio peeps will have some advice? x

OMG what a few months.... we were homeless for a while, then eventually got a house, but have only got the internet up and running like 5 minutes ago, lol.

I am now 27+4

Hope all you ladies are well :)

waves to milk - sounds like a nightmare, good to see you back.

I am awake at 5 in the morning, grr. Combination of restless sleep due to yucky cold, being properly woken up by enthusiastic kicks from baby (thanks baby...) and nose running to often to actually fall back to sleep between blows. Feeling very sorry for myself.

Meant to post yesterday as trimming comments had me giggling! I trim with scissors as am too lazy never seem to find the time to use cream, and I can still just about see what I'm doing but might have to resort to a mirror soon.

My stomach capacity is in no way reduced yet, I can still eat for england. Had been getting myself really down about my bump size, thigh size, general increased fat and lumpiness, but in then I saw my midwife who measured me and said my measurements are spot on, and also read in my Day-to-Day pregnancy book that it's natural for my body to be laying down fat reserves right now - so I feel a lot better about myself, had been feeling down due to insensitive comments about large bump, had been giving myself shit for being greedy and having no self control at all and piling on far too much weight but according to the doc's scales I have gained about 9kg which is pretty normal for 27 weeks. Baby was kicking while midwife listened to heartbeat so the doppler handheld thing kept bouncing up and down, lol. I went top the gym yesterday morning anyway and did uphill walking and slow jogging for half an hour and felt great afterwards. Then went into town with DH to start looking at slings and travel systems and after talking to a John Lewis lady and trying some out then coming home and reading reviews, we're going for a Babybjorn sling and an Uppababy Vista travel system. Feels good to have made some decisions.

On the yoga pants thing, I've just bought some basic black ones from M&S in 2 sizes up from normal and they're really comfy. Also got re-measured for bras as expanding bump is increasing my band measurements. The ones I have been wearing are not offering me enough support and I am not impressed that of all their bras she would only recommended this style for me - non-wired crossover. The skin colour one (lots of my tops are light colours) feels frumpy :-( She tried to put me in a maternity one with dropped cups to begin with but I refused, not ready for that yet (and anyway, I think I might go up another band size if not cup size yet)

Having a really nice weekend apart from feeling like death and needing lots of sympathy having a bit of a cold. First non-working weekend in weeks and DH is not working so we have the whole weekend together which feels like such a luxury. And have to share a hilarious although quite possibly TMI moment... yesterday morning we had a little sexy time and afterwards he was clearing up with a tissue , which he then threw towards the bin, missing totally. I wasn't looking but heard an "oh no!" followed by guffaws of laughter and when I looked I couldn't see the tissue anywhere... until I looked in my cup of tea. Spunky tea, anyone?

Usual epic post from me. Hope your weekends are going well, and glad for those who have had good news.

Yomping, 37, 27+2

Hey Yomping - I'm awake too! NOrmally am at this time though tend to read more than write as feels a bit lonely! Sorry you have a cold, I am full of back/hip aches and don't think I could bear to have a "normal" ailment on top of the pregnancy ones! I am giggling at your tissue story.

I go through phases with the weight gain thing - people keep telling me I look "healthy" which I sometimes suspiciously interpret as well-padded - also it's a bit tiring to be told how healthy you look all the time when you are sleeping a few hours a night and so tired! My skin is ok, maybe it's just that. Anyway yeah some days I feel huge and definitely am eating more than I used to, though still very healthy, and people keep saying my bump is "massive" now, which I think they mean kindly. I don't think I have put on weight elsewhere though I don't feel much like weighing myself. Boyfriend is very sweet and tells me repeatedly I have only put on bump and therefore it fall off easily - not sure how much truth there is in this.

I think it is just hard and strange, to not have much control over your changing body. Other days I love my bump and the growing and the newness of it all.

Anyway I feel like baby squid didn't move much yesterday (though I was busy all day and at a party, so maybe was just distracted) so sitting here hoping for some reassuring movements. Had 4 or 5 but it seems a bit less active than usual. Still I'll wait till the boy wakes up to decide whether to call anyone.

Hey squid, thanks for keeping me company :) Lol, I am so very sensitive at the moment to any comments. I was told last week "you have bloomed these last couple of weeks" which I instantly took to mean "fuck, are you sure you should be getting so fat?" . I think it's because any other time if somebody commented on your weight it would have to be a really noticeable change, and I can't separate "gaining weight" with "bad" in my mind. Told DH last night that the last time I was this heavy I was horrified as it was the heaviest I had ever been and I promptly lost 2 stone (well, not that promptly actually, over a couple of years with lots of exercise). Now I am there again but can't just lose it. DH pointed out that it's a bit different this time but I still find it very hard to accept, and I wouldn't say I've managed it yet.

I have to stop reading early morning mumsnet, it's depressing and sad. Nothing positive gets posted this time of day :(

I have lots of movement on some days and barely any on others, I think that's totally normal and not anything to worry about. My midwife this week said that you should feel 10 movements over a 24 hour period - it will generally be lots more but no need to worry unless it drops below this. And if you were busy you wouldn't have noticed much yesterday. But I know how easy it is to worry!

Off to make myself a - want one?

Bit of a read back, been busy! Hugs to all having worries and stresses and pains . In bed on phone so can only remember recent ones!!!!
yomping excited by your purchases!!!!! We too ordered Uppababy vista! Fell in love with it after much searching and trying . I've got useless weak hands and it was just so easy to click apart and assemble. What colour?? We went for red. Don't know flavour of bean.... Figure red might be bit odd for boy bean in carrycot but super cool in stroller! and red nice for girl. If my mum mourns absence of navy prams once more I might throttle her.......

Squid my midwife too said 10 kicks a day. Seems awfully low to me as usually get massive spurts of loads then none for ages. Had hardly any at all yesterday but been a wiggly worm since about 7 this morn!!

Welcome back Milk! Glad you settled and can begin nesting! Lo

eeek! Hit pOst button in error!! Really should not do this on phone!!! Yes, welcome back Milk, so pleased for you to be sorted.

Our renovations and move taking longer than expected. DH doing most of work himself. He is a builder but he is only one person and only so much we can afford to pay others to do! Had a very tearful conversation this wk about being realistic and might not be able to move before baby comes. To me this is hideous as do not want upheaval after, not knowing how we will cope and cos DH has to learn how to l

Oh for goodness sake, did it again!!!!!!!!!
Yes, DH has to learn to look after baba and be SAHD so I can go back to work which in itself is horrible but I am self employed and we need an income. But I com