Due in October 2012 Part 6 - Third Trimester Trials and Tribulations

[YompingJo]

Shiny new thread!

Ready?
Steady?
Go!

Bump photo is finally up!

taken last week- my belly button is dramatically further out than it appears in that picture its sort of stuck between the decision of wether to go fully out or not, and at the moment just looks flat. Very strange!!!

Well ladies I went out to a friends 21st last night, saw half of Bjorn Again! and I managed to stay out until 11.30. And dance. I'm so proud of myself!!! although i couldn't walk this morning

Well thats all I have to say for now.. will post some more in a while :]

Hi ladies, it seems like so long since I posted. Things have been fairly hectic with us. The Mairie finally let us close the road to move house - yay! However, having got quotes from removal companies that were all around the ?2.5-3,000 mark we have decided to do the move ourselves. A very generous neighbour has said we can store our belongings in her flat and garage for the 17 days we are homeless. Then we move to the new place on August 30th... the day after we get back from holiday and a day before we leave for the UK for a wedding So, we started packing up today - ouch my back is sore!

We visited the new place on Thursday to measure up and unfortunately it does not improve on viewing a second time. DH and I both left feeling very flat and neither of us said anything for 15 mins afterwards. The kitchen was awful - old, worksurface rotting, tiles loose, cupboards that don't close, handles missing. The bathroom wasn't any better - lots of black mould in the grouting. They aren't even going to repaint before we move in. Some of the plug sockets were loose and hanging out of the wall, inc the one in what would be the baby's room. We're currently negotiating with them to get something done about it all, but as with most of France they are on holiday in August.

I've loved seeing all your bump pictures! Fjord yours looks awesome! Yomping you looked great in the wedding outfit Mickey I can't seem to see yours?

Co-sleeping - we're not planning to, mainly because DH thrashes around so much the poor little bean wouldn't get any sleep! Lovely siz-in-loz has lent me her Moses basket and am also planning to swaddle for first month. I bought a great Merino Kidz swaddle blanket on eBay for £1. I figure the heating in the new house is so crap Merino wool would be useful, and it's washable. Swaddling not at all popular in France though, so I'll wait and see what they say in the clinic.

Third trimester not going too badly so far. Heartburn is still there every now and then and my body seems to be a furnace, I wake up every night drenched in sweat. Luckily the hot weather broke yesterday and we had the most spectacular thunderstorm overnight. So spectacular though, our building was struck by lightening and we had no electricity this morning. Still no hot water now.....

32, 29+5, DC1

Ooh and congrats Auntie Angelico!

Well the wedding was fun, though it?s always a bit sad to go to a celebration of love without the one you love. (DF was away on a course). Oddly (and this really wound me up) most people I spoke to when I mentioned I was pregnant (hence not drinking) said ?really? I hadn?t noticed.? One person said ?are you sure??. Harrumph. I thought I was finally getting to the stage of looking definitely pregnant, not fat. Apparently not. Sigh. I?ve uploaded a pic. I think it?s my ego protesting as I?ve always had a flat stomach and now people think I?m fat 

Angelico congrats aunty! And crikey re your sis?s very very speedy birth. Delighted all well.

Yomping Goodness re intense conversation with your DH. The thought hadn?t even occurred to me that DF might have to choose at some point. #panicsandgetsweepy

Squid so glad you?ve been enjoying maternity leave. Sounds blissful!

Crazypaving so glad that the week got a bit better and you survived.

Smorgs that?s GREAT news re the mairie. I feel your pain on the packing though ? we have spent much of the weekend sorting stuff / clearing out / going to the tip / packing boxes etc. We?ve made good progress though so hoping that the house purchase will actually go through. We need to find a removal company to do the lifting of furniture / boxes though and will be hoping it?s rather less than the quote you had. EEK.

Much sympathy to anyone with heartburn. I seem to have escaped that particular problem but at the moment have shocking, shocking wind. Poor DF.

Evening all, just having a quick catch up. Congrats to Angelico and family! Sounds dramatic...
Am loving the new positive and calm Squid! Seems like maternity leave really suits you. Personally I can't wait for mine- more weeks to go.
Had my tour of the birth centre yesterday- it's unbelievably lovely and seems like the perfect environment in which to give birth so I'm going to go for it. They will see me at 36 weeks to make sure everything is still low risk- it's obviously still not guaranteed as something may get complicated (waters break, no labour- that sort of thing) but fingers crossed. ShellWeDance I asked about stitches- they can administer them there as long as tearing isn't really severe. Due to really wanting the uncomplicated birth, am starting to think seriously about all that 'optimal foetal positioning' stuff. Am doing yoga things (lots of 'all fours' stuff. Does anyone have any thoughts or knowledge on the subject?
My new symptom is terrible aching shoulders and upper back. I suspect it's due to a posture change and I've always held tension in my shoulders. Yoga not really helping. Might book in a massage- love the idea of one of those ones with a proper pregnancy massage table with a big hole in it so you can lie on your front.
Wanton I was a late starter with stuff like buttons and shoe laces, didn't do me any harm. I had a friend at school who couldn't tie shoe laces into his late teens, and was for some reason he shook his head to say no and nodded it to say yes. He just finished a physics phd at Cambridge.
Keep the bump pictures coming! I still haven't taken one. I keep walking past windows and thinking 'Who's that massive fat... oh, it's me.'
Big hugs to all. God, would love to actually meet you ladies in real life.

Evening morning?? all.

Lovely long holiday weekend here. Saturday went to a rodeo, today went to yoga. Found out the instructor is also a doula...which is probaby why she has been so helpful saying this position is good for labouring, showing all sorts of massabe and assisted squats etc. so glad I decided to go. Tomorrow I have a bbq at the house with one of the ladies frim work. Sounds like an intimidating croud, but I was the only ine from our iffice she invited, so I.m going to go schmooze.

Heartburn, check
Snoring, check
Nesting, double check

Anyone else with possibke spd? I don't think it's very severe in my case, haven't mentioned to the doc... But might. Not that they can do anything. Yoga uns shared some helpful tips for me.

Oh dear, spelling (typing) pretty bad tonight. Can't be bothered to fix.

Night all!

Morning,

Beeble, I love the sound of your life - rodeos and cabins by the lake, very cool. Hope the BBQ went OK.

LondonMrs Glad you like the centre too and thanks for asking about the stitches. Now you've got me thinking about optimal positionning! Didn't you think the balcony area was a bit random? I suppose it could be nice after the birth in Summer.

LondonLivvy What stupid comments. You've obviously got a neat little bump (you look lovely BTW) but it's definitely a bump and not a tummy! I've had the same comments, must try and upload a picture, I really don't see why all and sundry feel they can comment!

Smorgs Glad you've got the moving situation nearly sorted and sorry the place needs so much work. Hope you can get it sorted.

Mickey I think my belly button is going the same way as yours, really want it to stay in!

Sorry for the nausea Huffle and Kyrria. I have been going the other way and eating everything is site. Am working at the Olympic site at the moment right next to McDonald's which is a bad, bad thing.

Am now keen to get a pregnancy pillow and birthing ball Squid and Wantan. Have really not bought much yet so need to get my act together.

Yomping Glad the holiday wasn't too awful. What a pain about the bike though, thank goodness everything was fine.

Angelico - After you mentioned dreaming about being in labour - I dreamt that I was last night! It was the early stages and then the next thing I had a baby but I couldn't remember anything about the actual labour and felt really stressed that I'd forgotten it. Fortunately it wasn't a sign. Have you met your new nephew yet?

After working at the Olympics for the last week, I finally have a day off so am going to try and be productive and a bit more organised. Or I might just watch the Olympics all day....

Morning all,

Shallwedance Just watch the Olympics - you know it makes sense. I haven't had it switched off yet.

London third trimester brings your shoulders forwards as gravity does its stuff. Anything that rolls the shoulders back or opens the ribcage (but gently) should help with this. I still go to normal classes but all of them give me lots of things that opens back/chest and stretches this area. Stuff with resistance bands sitting on a ball seems to be doing wonders for me and I have whiplash too. I am really really obviously pregnant and someone still asked me shocked the other day if I was. I think unless I am dressed in tight clothes I maybe do look fat - this also depresses the shit out of me. And I decided not to keep the dress I was wearing that day in a sign of my disgust.

Smorgs Sorry the new house sounds so depressing, hopefully you can spruce it up in time for the bean. Good thing is you have plenty of time to make it safe before the baby gets mobile. Sounds like it has all been a bit stressful though which is the last thing you need.

Beeble I try and spend a lot of time on all fours not in that way you filthy beetles when exercising and on my exercise ball. However, I did all this last time and DD still decided to come out back to back but we can but try.

Angelico Congratulations Aunty. Sounds much like my sisters labours. She shells them like peas. Wish it ran in the family but alas I do not seem to have her amazing ability to shoot them out. Must have been a bit scary for all involved though but alls well that ends well.

Crazy Sorry for all your crazy family stuff. Sounds all a bit extreme and not what you need. Have a and some even though it is early. Mums and their emotional blackmail - god I hope I never lay that kind of shit on my DC's.

I am knackered from all this Olympic action but so enjoying it all. London is amazing right now and everything I have been too has been so magical. Went to the Athletics Friday night and the gold star pregnancy treatment was not quite as good as before but actually it was all so easy it didn't matter anyway. And feel privileged to have seen our gold medalists in action. Have 2 more athletic sessions this week, some Big Screen action and then the closing ceremony. If all that doesn't bring on early labour I don't know what will. Had my 28 week scan last week and all looking good. Having to have checks now every two weeks to check PE doesn't rear its ugly head again but so far so good. The urge to nest is overwhelming, can't stop cleaning, tidying and looking at storage solutions -this is so not me. And at last I have started to think about what the baby may need. Got my moses basket back from a friend, and a car seat, just need to get the sling out, and the pram down (we have a dog, picking up dog pooh with a baby in a sling is a precarious business that rarely ends well), if nothing else we have the basics - they really need nothing else than that in the early weeks. Actually starting to admit I may be having a baby.

I think I am fairly lucky with my third trimester woes. Slight nausea sometimes, ligament pains, a little breathless with the weight of the bump in certain positions and the notorious hip aches in bed but apart from that not bad really. Long may it continue. Sorry to all of you who have the sickness back and SPD - SPD sounds awful, I hope you can get some relief.

Although not on mat leave for ages I feel I have relaxed a bit and begun to take my foot off the gas a bit - feels much better. 8 weeks of work to go - which is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Right I best get off and get some paint for DD's room (she wants fecking purple and pink - I need to find the faintest tints possible). She also wants red carpet - if I gave in to these demands I would have a room in my house like something out of Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. I need to put my foot down.

To all of you already off - have a lovely time, I am totally and can't wait to join you. Although I am with you in spirit

Beeble I've had touches of spd. I had a week of AGONY around 15-16 weeks- genuinely felt like I was being repeatedly stabbed in the pubis with a knife. But all the usual advice about keeping your knees together, sleeping with a big cushion etc really helped. I think I was quite lucky because I only get twinges now. If it gets bad, a support belt might be a good idea to keep your hips stable?
Midget thanks for the advice, am trying to just do the gentle stretches and hope for the best.
My relationship with my body had changed, it's surprising. I've always been very weight conscious (to the point of obsession in my teens and early twenties). Then in recent years I've settled at a healthy size twelve, but still been a bit conscious. Even though I now look pretty chubby (although I've put on an appropriate amount of weight for 28 weeks) I'm not bothered at all! I'm not fat, I'm pregnant so it's ok!
ShellWe I almost wanted to move into the place. Not sure what the balcony is for, but certainly nice to have one. If only all NHS care was like that. Is your alternative the Royal Whitechapel, or are you in a different area?

Just popping in to respond to those asking about positioning: have a look at Spinning Babies. I don't think evidence is any more than anecdotal, but loads of people rave about it.

Beeble I've got SPD. Its horrible. Mines not too bad most days as long as I take it easy. Try and keep your knees together my doctor smirked at me when she said that, bit late for the lecture love as much as you can, especially when getting in and out of the car. I thought it was wierd advice at first but mine is starting to get worse and some days if I don't remember to swivel both my legs out at the same time i nearly collapse!! If swivelling is a bit difficult too I remember reading great advice somewhere on this beautiful website, sit on a plastic bag in the car and you'll be able to swivel with no problems.
I definately recommend getting a bump support band as well- i've been wearing it whilst at work and its great, keeps your hips in place and keeps you upright.
I would also say try and lay flat as often as possible (when you work 40 hours a week I appreciate that impossible!!)- thats the only thing that seems to relieve the pain for me, and pay a visit to a chiropractor- the pain from my pubic bone has virtually gone (although my hips feel like they are falling apart, but we're working on it!). It might take a few visits, but it really has helped, promise.

And don't, DON'T for heavens sake, try and push anything heavy around on the floor with your leg. Or shut doors with your leg- basically don't do anything that invovles moving one of your legs side to side, if that makes any sense. It's agony and you will pay!!!

Anyway, hope this helped. If you can't touch your pubic bone without jumping up then you've definately got SPD.

Well. My day really hasn't gone to plan. I was supposed to go and visit my Grandad today in the home but I'm so tired I may just sleep instead thank god he can't remember anything Is this awful?!

Mickey, 26+3, with a very wriggly DC 1.

Morning all,

Arrrrrrgh!!! I just lost a massive post as I chose to ignore my iPad telling me it had no battery...oh well, I shall endevour to recreate it word for word....

Sorry I haven't been on in a while, but I am now free to post as crazy busy week is finally over! and the 6th day of crazy busy week was cancelled, so it wasn't as crazy busy as it could have been. I survived!
Today was my last day at work for a while, I now have nearly 2 whole weeks off.
Going to Seoul tomorrow with my friend for a couple of days for some shopping, eating and sightseeing. Oh, and hopefully some pampering. I am in desperate need of a pedicure!

Congratulations on the new family member Angelico, are we allowed to know a name? I'm obsessed with names at the mo.
Anyone else decided? Willing to reveal??
We're pretty much definite on the girls name and have a couple of possibilities for a boy, but not 100% sure on them. It all becomes twice as hard when trying to find something that works in 2 (very different) languages.
I'm not willing to reveal them though, so being more than a bit cheeky to ask you to!

Hope everything's going ok back at work Kyrria. Sorry to hear your sickness is back

Glad you both survived your hols Yomping and Crazy, it's amazing how stressful the most relaxing time of the year can actually be!

Londonlivvy, you look fab in your wedding outfit, and definitely pregnant, but very neat.
I was thin and had a very flat stomach before, so I think for those that know me well, it's blatantly obvious, but for those that don't, I could still be mistaken for a strangely proportioned, slightly overweight person! But to say "are you sure?" when someone tells you they are 20+ plus weeks pregnant is very strange

Couldn't seem to see your photo Mickey. I'll be putting one up soon, I promise. I want you all to try and guess what I'm having

I am enjoying the pregnancy attention Squid, but the mums of the kids I teach say "oh you got bigger!" EVERY time I see them, which is a bit obvious and repetitive.
The kids are the sweetest though. They're really interested now I'm visibly pregnant. One of my students is also the daughter of a good friend, and apparently she has been practicing how to hold a baby with her teddy. She even has to practice with the "boy" teddy and the "girl" even though they're exactly the same because we don't know what we're having!
Another boy has a younger sister and obviously remembers the process a bit, as he's very worried for me and keeps telling me it's going to hurt when the baby comes.

I'd love to go to a rodeo Beeble, very

Shell, MacDonalds has always been my weakness, but now I feel I can justify it - dangerous thinking!

I won't name check anymore, otherwise I'll be here forever.

Regarding co sleeping, we're definitely (famous last words) not doing it.
I'm a really light sleeper at the best of times and would never sleep with a baby in the bed.
Also, like someone else said, I kind of want to keep something separate just for me and DH.
I know it's selfish, but I'm not willing to give up that much of myself, IYSWIM. But hey, I'm the one that'll have to wake up fully and go through to another room several times a night to feed, and it's a price I'm willing to pay.

In Japan, mothers co sleep, with ALL children until very late, primary school or later even, and the dad often sleeps in another room. They don't use babysitters, and sleepovers are very uncommon, so suffice it to say, there are a lot of "sexless" marriages!!!
I know it's not like that for everyone, and it works very well for many, but it's not for me. I admire those that do though, as it makes a lot of sense when breast feeding.

I'm planning to swaddle too. My parents got me some GroBags, which I'm going to use as soon as baby's big enough, so they just got the GroSwaddles from the same place to use in the meantime. That is if baby cooperates, of course!
They all arrived the other day, along with some lovely cellular blankets. It was like Christmas

Also, my Moby wrap was delivered last week. I can't wait to use it. At first I was a bit at how covering it was - its like an outfit in itself. But it looks so snugly for baby and comfortable for me. I've practiced with a teddy for size and a bag of rice for weight. I could do with a real baby to practice with now.
Has anyone else decided on a sling?

And finally (I promise!)..... I'm in my third trimester!!! Still feeling good and not too pregnant, touch wood, but it is definitely getting harder to bend over...

Must get on with dinner and packing, otherwise I'll be up all night. Though I probably will be anyway as the Olympics are very hard to turn off and I have that holiday feeling!

Would it be weird to knock on the door of my neighbour (who I've never met) to ask them to help me put my socks on?
Fuck it, I'll just wear flip flops.

I think I'd quite like to be neighbourly and help someone in need on with their socks LondonMrs! Poor you though, at least the weather is good for flip flops. Yes, my other option is the Royal London. It is closer and obviously pretty much brand new but I'm not a great fan of hospitals and the fact that DP can stay over at the midwife centre and you're guaranteed a birthing pool really swayed it for me. I have my antenatal classes at the Royal London in September so will try and get a look then, in case we have to end up there.

Cherry have a great time in Seoul. We're desperate to get away for a last minute break but I've had to book a one day appointment to get my passport sorted on 21st August and I'm worried we're leaving it a bit late! Eek re the late co-sleeping in Japan. I think we're going to go for a Moby wrap too but will need to practice with it a bit.

Midget, I didn't want to be rude so I did what you said and stayed watching the Olympics had a big nap. . Glad the scan went well and you're having fun at the Olympics. I really hope the nesting urge kicks in soon or the baby will arrive in a very messy flat.

Getting quite breathless today just sitting down so must be things moving around. I love my bump but it now seems to stretch from under my boobs which makes it look a bit odd and less bump like.

Also, sorry for TMI, but is anyone else suffering from thrush? I think I'm at the start of it but not sure what to take for it. Guess I'll call the MW and see what she says.

Glad you did what you were told Shall. You can get a pessary for thrust you just don't use the applicator when pregnant. I had it and it brought on some pretty strong braxton hicks so dont do what I did and just leave it. GP or triage should be able to sort you out.

Mickey7* thanks for the tips. I don.t think I have it that bad- but realize if I don't take care it could get bad. So far only things that set it off are putting on pants standing up (so I sit down now) and lifting one leg up stand forward or to the side while standing on the other leg. Pubic area is a little tender if I poke it but not too bad. I tried the swinging legs out of car together, but that actually flared it up. I seem to be able to pain free swibg one leg out and push off with the other.. Good thing is a can do squats pain free and can still totally spread legs apart, bearing that my hips are bent.
So my dh is wondering... Whho will you have with you in labour and delivery?

Here in Canada we can only have 2 people in the room, so obviously dh. But. I don.t want to have to choose between my mom... Who may want to be there though I don't know how comfortable I am with my mom seeing my lady bits at this age and my mil, who is a nurse, who has tought pre-natal and done labour support. I.d like just my dh... But it seems that HE may want some "support " in the room.

Happy Monday chucks

Went out for a hike today and managed it really well so dead pleased with myself. My mum wouldn't let me do more than 10 miles! And she carried our pack. She is so protective. We did about 7 miles in the end which is not bad I think. She is staying with me for a few days. We joked about old woman + heavily pregnant idiot out hiking the hills. It was lovely though, reservoirs and valleys and high cliffs and steep hills and picturesque villages and lots of wildlife, and pub for lunch at the end. (Though I have learned that however much it smells appealing, rich food does not go down well at all, so I had a sandwich. (And chips.))

Baby felt very heavy by the end of the walk, and I feel a touch unsteady when it's steep, particularly downhill, but generally it was not bad and I am 33 weeks now so feeling hopeful I can stay active till the end... I still live in fear of being housebound for the last few weeks!!

Quick heads up that if you are considering reusable nappies, you can get a half price trial pack from totsbots using the code BTRIALP12.

Trail pack here, then type in the code when you check out. Free shipping too.

I think the picture should work now- I had my profile set to private excuse the underwear!!

Oooh thanks Yomping!!!
Congrats to aunty Angelico, you must be dead proud.
Beeble Glad I could help. I'm having DP and a doula in the room.. At first was unsure wether I should ask my Mum but have got the impression that she would rather not be there- she was with my DP in the thinking that it should be just us two- so easy choice for me!! Managed to persuade DP that having a doula was a good idea though- luckily I know of one quite well and so we got it for much less the price than people usually pay!!
I know I will feel more comfortable knowing that DP will have more support (as I clearly won't be in a position to give any, and he's rubbish in hospitals) and knowing that we will have someone with midwifery knowledge in the room with us all the time. Yay :)

Hi strangers I'm back!!!

Sorry had a mad end to last wk....the house we wanted then lost is back on again so its all systems go once again, keep your fingers crossed for us!!

It was my 30th birthday on sat so had lovely family celebrations all weekend and got loads of dosh to spend which I think I will save and treat myself after baby arrives. Managed to be good and only have 1 glass of purple wkd all weekend but it was absolute heaven!!

On the work front, iv been granted the early mat leave, and my last day is Fri 17th Aug :) huge relief, I know I can drag myself through the next couple of weeks and all will be well.

Got a consultant appt in the morning, and may start getting an idea of how long i have left until my elective c section. (No im not too posh to push, I have a medical condition which won't enable me to carry to full term or have a natural birth) Going by my sons due date (34 weeks) this baby could be here around the 3rd week in Sept, so about 7 wks!!! Arrrgg I'm sooo not ready for this, we have hardly bought a thing!

Hope everyone else is ok, will catch up on posts soon xx

Hello again, I'm trying hard to stay positive but I still have no hot water so not had a shower or been able to do any washing. The lightening strike caused the boiler to cut out and the man who came today couldn't work out how to get it back on and said call someone else?!
Plus DH has now decided to throw money at our housing issue and wants to view a house we rejected a month ago for being ?300pcm over budget. He's prepared to risk us losing our deposit for the place we're about to move into, plus even a few months rent too?! I've been trying so hard to be positive about the crap new place we're moving to, I just can't get my head around viewing another place now, even if it is better. Does that sound crazy? I'm so sorry for wingeing I've just had enough. All our stuff is in boxes and he's off changing the plans without even considering how I feel. Now I have to go to a viewing straight after midwife apt tomorrow, which involves 40 min bus journey and 20m walk in the hottest part of the day.
I'm still going to assume we're moving to the original house, so if anyone has any amazing interior design ideas on how to improve the bathrooms, or even just cleaning tips for grubby grouting, I've posted up some pics. Which is literally all I've achieved today.

squid you sound so well, I can't believe you're still hiking 7 miles, amazing.
beeble Mickey Londonmrss sorry to hear about your spd, I had to look it up I didn't realise what it was. I have a new found respect for women who've gone through pregnancy now I've been pregnant, there are so many things that can affect you.
Shellwedance Yes I was suffering for a while, but I got that gynae soap the midwife recommended a while ago and it's really helped. Plus not eating too much sugary stuff.
cherrychopsticks the kids in your class sound so sweet!
londonlivvy I'm sure your removal quote will be lower than ours were - we moved here from the UK for significantly less than that (with a UK company). The funniest thing was we have estimated the total value of our belongings as about ?8k so they were going to charge us over a third of the total value of our belongings to move?!
londonmrss I've never heard of 'optimal foetal positioning' but the midwife does keep telling us things to do to help the baby trouver son chemin/ find its way to the birth canal. Mostly it involves pelvic tilts while breathing in and out on a Swiss ball. I'll try and remember more from my next class and post them up.

Had a 28wk scan today - all is well and measuring as it should. Little bean is already head down (explains the inability to bend) and weighing in at 2lb11oz. Consultant on Wednesday AM so await being told off about weight!! I still can't quite connect what is happening in my tummy (movement etc) with a little person...I'm looking forward to meeting the little bean but still feel quite disconnected.

Still not sleeping properly and the bits where I did last night I was dreaming about changing nappies!

Work is ok - with annual leave left I.think I only have 1 full week to work in the 8 weeks I have left

32, 28+1, #1

Kyyria, I've just been saying the same thing to my mum- that even when I'm feeling kicks and stuff, I still can't really relate to it being a little person- I'm trying to visualise it being a baby, but it's impossible! My mum said she felt the same but as soon as my brother and 3 years later I was handed to her, she had a feeling of 'oh... of course, I know you, you're my baby who I've known for 9 months already.'

CWest glad (and jealous) to hear you'll be finishing soon!

ShellWe I've been having my scans at the Royal London. As it's recently been completely refurbished, it's not too bad at all- although they are fairly short staffed and the whole hospital feels strangely empty... But very clean and fresh.

I would love to go with reusable nappies because of the environmental issues, but I can't face being that organised! We're going with disposables.

I'll just be having my husband with me in delivery so am currently harassing him to do some preparation. I think he thinks it'll be hard for me and he'll support me. But I reckon providing that support will be hard going for him too and he maybe doesn't realise that. Plus I want to feel confident that he knows what he's doing and is fully aware of my preferences. We'll probably have a long chat about it when we've done our 1 antenatal class towards the end of Sept.

Much love

27, 28 + 3, #1

londonmrs and kyria feel exactly the same finding it hard to get my head round the fact there is a baby in there! Pram ordered tonight and still feels surreal. Four weeks left to work and counting how many days thats going to be be with annual leave.

No scan for me til 34 weeks so 2 weeks to go.
43, 31+5 #1

Hi everyone.

Quick update from my phone.

First of all sympathy to all those with SPD. Am told It's horrid.

We went to our first NCT class last night which was really interesting. Feel like I leant loads. I was a bit disappointed though that none of the other people actually live in the village we are moving to, though they are within 5 miles so I guess I shouldn't be too picky! I was v nervous as it felt like first day at school, trying to make friends. Not sure there were any soul mates but we will see. I'm now panicking about moving to surrey and knowing no-one and being horribly lonely.

Still, I'm sure there are other ways of meeting mums locally. Mother and baby groups etc. Fingers crossed.

And we may yet be moving in August! Due to be exchanging this week. Eek. This feels like the big unknown and tis scary. Good, but scary.

I'll catch up with all your news.properly later.