November 2012 - reaching the six-month mark

[StuntNun]

Previous thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1518656-November-2012-baby-shopping-time-has-really-taken-off

Stats list: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1485512-November-2012-Stats-List

I don't think of myself as particularly high maintenance but I've been dying my hair and getting my eyebrows done. The only thing to slide has been shaving as often and DH in now using his beard trimmer on my lady garden. I used to refer to it as the patio as pre-pregnancy was always hair free. Now it just gets trimmed. I've had brazilians in the past but just can't face it now and while DH loved the bare look he always saw it as a bonus rather than a requirement.

Last night was my first hypnobirthing session and it was AMAZING. We're paying £240 for a course that is 13 hours over 4 session and it is so worth the money. Having 3 1/2 hours to just chat about birth (the therapist is a midwife) was great; stuff like what a contraction actually is. And she was the first person to care about DH and his thoughts and feelings which was great. For three Saturday from the 18th we'll be with one or two other couples.

It gave me the confidence to just go with my gut feeling and ignore all the negative stories and look forward to giving birth. I don't believe my friend saying how awful she found contractions will prepare me, I know all the stuff that can be awful and am not naive. And I'll learn about all the drugs at NCT. But I'm just feeling happy and last night sat in the bath talking to him about looking forward to the day we'll meet.

Now where is my loom? I have lentils to weave...

Such sad news garden

horsey I also have 9 weeks left at work. I?m finishing at 35 weeks which I thought was a bit early. There have been a few colleagues who have worked right up until their due date. However, I?m 26 weeks tomorrow and really starting to feel it. I?m supposed to be blooming but I?ve got terrible acne all over my face, painful hips and I?m exhausted which is the reason I haven?t posted much lately. I will definitely be ready to leave at 35 weeks.

Thanks for the kind words everyone. It is such sad sad news. The funeral was yesterday, they had her cremated. My cousin and his wife are naturally very upset, she had to be sedated initially. They have a 3.5 year old and she is not really talking since it happened, her parents are worried about her. It must have been a very scary thing for her to be around.

Shelley that is now the second set of twins I have heard about where one has died of cot death. So worrying and scary.

garden I am so sorry, that is such sad sad news. My thoughts are with your family - I can't begin to imagine what the parents are going through.

I am finishing work in 7 weeks - I'll be 34 weeks and while that may seem early, it can't come soon enough for me! I am feeling big and achey already, and we are about to move house so my new commute will be almost 2 hours long and My DH isn't even happy about the fact I will be doing that for 5 weeks before maternity leave! But I figure you can do anything for 1 month!

Oh dear - all this talk of hair removal etc just serves to remind me that I have really let everything go since pregnancy! However DH doesn't seem to mind one jot so I guess that is all that matters. I am however concerned with how I look post birth (mainly as I know people will take photos and I would love not to hate them - but that is unlikely!)

Apple I'm finishing at 37 weeks, using two weeks leave and officially start maternity at 39+2

I think this will be ok I've got time to change my mind!!

garden I am so very sorry. It doesn't bear thinking about, and as for the proud big sister my sincere condolences to you and your family.

I have still to hear from HR. I have left messages on all the phone numbers, including emergency mobile number, yesterday and today, and nobody is getting back to me. Usually I go down and knock on the door. Eventually someone will answer when I do it constantly for some time, to tell me to go away, then say they cannot talk to me or answer somebody else's phone. I do not go until I am seen I am not popular. Cannot imagine why.

It is easier to finish earlier than date agreed, but pretty much impossible to work later than agreed.

BP is usually lower in pregnancy, but if accompanied by symptoms, should be reported to MW.

My MW said that they only write things in notes if outside normal range. This relates to scans too.

Dentist damage was minimal. Just need 1 filling replaced that wasn't done properly first time round. Soo relieved. New dentist was absolutely lovely too which makes such a difference! Those of you putting off going I'm so glad I did as I've had myself convinced for the last 2/3 years I needed loads done when in actual fact I don't!

Hodge podge has arrived! Can't wait for DH to finish painting cot so we can put the room together properly.

I need to go to the dentist but need to find an NHS one. Most of them round here are not accepting new NHS patients and the one that I found has an 8 week waiting list.

I'm nearly falling asleep at work. Could do with a red bull but haven't touched the stuff since I found out I was pregnant. Any tips for staying awake?

Afternoon ladies

I have spent a couple of hours at a farm park with the boys, my bump is so low I actually have a gap between bump and boobs now for the first time in ages meaning I can breath!
Quite little shrimp in there today, a few little pokes and lots of bh but nothing else.

tits I have a gap between boobs and bump too but I always have because I've got a long torso it never comes to right under my boobs.
I believe Claudia Schiffer had the same thing because of her long torso so there's a bit of comfort!

I've spent the afternoon down the beach (even though ds was bored within 10 mins )

Just found out my dad has got a job after three months out of work and hundreds of applications. So pleased for him He had started to get really disheartened at all the rejections and was really worried about his age going against him as he?s coming up to retirement age but still needs and wants to work. He starts a week on Monday.

My MW never recorded my fundal height either - nor told me it. That really annoys me - as if you wouldn't be interested in your own information and it's theirs to own not share. Grrr

Anyhoo hope everyone is good. I really must stop baiting the trolls on the supernatural thread but it's addictive....

Have just been given three different sets of advice by HMRC re Maternity Allowance and paying my class 2 NI - am going to call again tomorrow to see if any of the 3 versions can be confirmed as true and asking for the name of the person I speak with to keep a record of it, as otherwise I'm shitting it about deferring my application until November and potentially losing money but that's what I'm being advised to do (by one lady) with the promise of 'oh you'll not lose money' - yeah right... The reason this country is skint is because of HMRC I'm sure of it. Shit at collecting when you are trying to pay and excellent at letting the big avoiders off the hook.

I might be wrong YW but you can apply at 26 weeks for sma? I sent off my application for NI exemption yesterday as a quick projection for the rest of the year shows my expenses will push me under the threshold. I printed off the 32 page form as well for sma - it's so confusing. Think i'm going to book an appointment at job centre to work out what i'm actually entitled to. Unfortunately dh's salary means I miss out on a lot but with any luck my small income will qualify me for a few things. I thought i'd get nothing so still working on that assumption and anything else will be a bonus!

YW I have tried to keep up with the ghost thread, and thought about contributing, but have not felt strong enough today, and they did not take kindly to me yesterday. Thank you for sticking up for us poor woo woo nutters

Cast is off now, replaced by a moon boot for three weeks. Still cannot drive, but can walk easier, and can take it off at night and to shower. Also three more weeks on full pay! At this rate my Mat Leave is due to start at 34 weeks, which is better than 29 weeks! I will still aim to go back at the same time, but it means more money while I am off. Every cloud....

To apply for MA you need to be registered self employed for 26 weeks (which I will be in November) at the point of application. So I'll be applying just as I'm due. Marvellous!

VQ I love a good paranormal thread and don't understand why you'd go on one just to derail it and ruin it for others, so I don't blame I'm just the stubborness of stubborn feckers and can't help myself. M'eh bunch of bitches with the sensitivity of a brick

Wahey great news on the cast!

Aah apple chuffed for your Dad! And yay for no cast vq! Good news. I have to say yellow I felt such a gang mentality on that paranormal thread from the sceptics. I love a good ghost story whether I truly believe or not. They weren't simply stating their belief, they were deliberately trying to cause arguments and belittle people in my eyes and it felt awful to read. Obnoxious so-and-so's!! X

Ah well i'll be in the same position then. Just i think. I was told you could apply after 26 weeks but couldnt start recieving payments until you've been self employed long enough? If that makes any sense? Ie we apply at 26 weeks but cant actually get money until november. So confusing.

Great news on jobs/casts/bumps/spooks!!!!

I'm much more comfortable today. Trick is not to eat too much in one go!!! I can't fit much in so need much smaller portions!! Good though stops me being sick!!!

To be fair MissMummy I've heard three entirely different stories of how and when to apply so I'm happy to go with a fourth and if you can get it in writing then you would totally rock! Good god this country's bureaucracy is shite. I wonder why on earth they'd try to make it difficult to claim back a benefit you've paid tax for for 15 years, f*ckers. Ahem

I am having meals the same size as my kids as I get full or feel sick.

Great news about your dads job apple

Vq that makes me feel better!! Doesn't help that yesterday I had legs under my ribs after the mw visit!!

Little but often has worked wonders today!!

If i can get it in writing i'll email you a photocopy, although now preparing to be told something entirely different when i speak to someone in person.

I've always worked and supported myself through uni. Even when there were no jobs i set up my own business, very well aware of the fact i'd have a heck of a lot more money on the dole. Makes you wonder how people who (are able to but) have never worked a day in their lives get handed everything on a plate. Grr, we might not be rich but everything we've got we've worked bloody hard for!!

Such sad news garden.

I am working til 10 days before my due date on 2 jobs and right up to it on the other. Having said that, babies are so unpredictable. With DS I was finding it so hard I went off at 34 weeks. I was gutted at the time, thinking I'd miss out on time with him when he came, but then he came at 36 weeks so I ended up really glad for the 2 weeks rest before he arrived!

Got a load of baby stuff from Boots delivered today, which has sent DH into a complete panic about space - he is running round pointing out dozens of places to put shelves (which we really don't need) and suggesting we need to throw out most of our clothes to make room! Didn't like to tell him there are 2 more packages to come...