Due in October 2012 Part 7 - towards the finish line, going for Gold!

[Planktonette]

On your marks...
Get set...

GO!

Wide effing awake again. Little one has still got his feet jammed in my ribs to the point where in certain positions it hurts to breathe in and the only thing making it stop is applying pressure with my hand. Have had about 3 hours sleep in 48hrs and absolutely shattered.

orange hope your BH have settled. I still haven't felt any so no idea what they're like.

32, 34+0, #1

Midget, that must have been a bit worrying! I'm keeping my legs crossed for you. You thought baby might come early didn't you? Why was that again?

Wantan are you sure they're not the real thing?!

How did the walk go Squid? It sounds like it would be lots of fun, but with your possible early symptoms, I wouldn't be surprised if you came back with a baby...

Welcome back Mickey , nice conception story.

Don't think I could cut someone else's toenails either Huffle, so far I've managed to do my own, but I think DH is going to have to paint them tonight. It just feels really odd and uncomfortable being scrunched up like that for too long.

Congrats to all those that have finished work!
I don't really have an end date in sight, I just said I'd work as long as possible. The perils of having your own business...
My replacement won't start til the beginning of Nov. so if I need to stop before then, my partner will have to cope on her own. We have events and things planned up to the 19th of Oct, so I might sneak out sometime after that (if baby's not already here )
But I do have the week off from tomorrow!! Well, I have to work on Thursday, but I'm trying not to think about that.
I'm planning to do a bit of "maternity leave" type stuff then instead, like freezer cooking and washing baby clothes (now I have a chest of drawers to put them in). Maybe go to the cinema.

DH has a 3day weekend, so we are definitely going to the beach tomorrow, even though we had the most amazing thunderstorms yesterday and it still looks a bit ominous today. We have balconies/terrace on 3 sides and get the best views of all the lightning - I love weather!

I was planning to go to aqua aerobics today but it starts in 45mins and my lunch is definitely not digested yet. (I may have slept slightly late this morning) So perhaps I'll just go swimming later. If you can call what I do "swimming".

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!

wantan are you ok? BH's do not tend to come every few minutes. If they are regular, increase in intensity and don't go when you move about they probably aren't BH's at all. I am the queen of BH's and even mine don't come every few minutes. Could be a UTI or could be the first baby on the thread, either way hope you are ok and hope you have rang the hospital...

Ooh wantanorange hope you're ok and there were no dramas overnight.

hufflepuffle I will selflessly buy croissant from the market this morning so you can live the buttery dreamyness vicariously through me helpful face

Kyyria ouch that sounds sore, I often give the bump a 'helpful' push if it's in an uncomfortable place. Make sure you try and get some daytime naps if you're exhausted though.

Right before I go off to the market I have a few questions.

1. Freezer cooking. I currently have two salmon pies and one chicken pie, both with mashed potato topping, in the freezer. Am feeling uninspired about what else to cook. Have bought some stewing beef - any suggestions? What have you cooked for the freezer?

1. I'm having changing bag issues. Found a reasonable one on Vertbaudet but I've since seen the matt is toweling so not wipe clean. Most of the others I like the look of are SO heavy even before anything is in them. I'd really like a nice bag to double up as a handbag (haven't had a new one in years) but can't justify most of the Storksacs etc. any ideas? Have bought this for DH so he can just stuff it in a rucksack with a bottle and change of clothes, but I'm struggling to find anything stylish and practical for me.

1. Intrigued at all your measurements and would quite like to do mine - do I simply measure round my waistline or what?

Took delivery of a very nice Bravado bodysilk nursing bra yesterday. I got medium as am usually 36C now 38C/D and it fits perfectly. Went a bit off piste with the colour though and got Honeysuckle but have to say it looks really nice.

Ok that's all, thanks!

orange please check in and let us all know what's happening - as little one has had me awake all night I've spent most of that time worrying that all is ok.

Managed to finally doze off about 5:45am. Was awake at 7:00am for loo and then alarm went off as we need to sort out car park fee (charges from 8am) and then have breakfast/check out of hotel. Am beyond shattered. Will head home, sort out washing etc (need work stuff for tomorrow) and then will plan on snoozing pn the sofa for the afternoon!

Wow, nct class was a bit full on yesterday, DH couldn't make it and it was miserable to be there on my own.

Started with massage - teacher took pity on me and used me as a model but then I sat there while 7 blokes massaged their wives and jiggled their hips around and I felt like a poor lonely spare part (for God's sake, Yomping, it wasn't not the end of the world!)

Then we did a mock up of a Caesarian to help us get used to how many people would be there (likely around 8-10 medical bods) and what would happen, just in case this is the birth we end up having. And I didn't know they take the woman's bladder out as it would be in the way . Then we talked about proper unexpected emergency C-section, as in, the baby's not breathing, get it out NOW, when you would be swept off and given a GA and DH would not be allowed in there with you. Really hard for DH, this one, as it would be an unexpected turn of events and he would just have to wait and hope, and then try to look after the baby when it is born while the surgeon stitches the woman up. It made me well up just thinking about how he would feel as I know this is something he is really scared about.

They also said that the baby would probably need feeding and the woman may not be able to breastfeed when coming round from GA, in which case the midwife would offer to give formula, and the best way to do this is via a plastic syringe into baby's mouth as the whole birth experience has not been so calming for it and having to feed from a bottle straight away might cause difficulties.

I just found it all very sobering and scary and wished DH was there. Then she showed lots of graphic photos of stages of labour and I just felt . It seems so undignified (that is probably a really stupid thing to say!). She said that when it comes to it, we wouldn't care, and that might well be true, but I get awkward around other people and so I might not care then but I care NOW, about the prospect of looking shite and making stupid noises and hanging around with my now tree trunk sized and lumpy thighs and arse and pubes and bits on view for all to see. And it really bothers me . I am trying to be calm and zen and "what will be will be" like you all seem to manage but actually, I'm really, really bricking it. I feel as scared now as I did at the start of the pregnancy, it's like it's symmetrical. Only now as well as being scared, I can't sit comfortably and things ache. Maybe it's nature's way of helping me to just want to get it over with and that being a powerful incentive.

And breathe.

And the other thing about yesterday - we went to M&S to get some nice food for dinner and the lady at the checkout said "when are you due?" and I smiled (it's nice that people ask) and said "three weeks" and then she stared pointedly at bump and said "big baby!". I mean, FFS . DH took an audible breath in, in a kind of "really shouldn't have said that, lady" way. And I nearly let it go but I couldn't. So I looked at her and said "I don't really want to be told it's a big baby, that is actually a scary thing to hear". She was very apologetic, but still. FFS. I'm so cross I'm actually considering writing to M&S to have a bit of a go. We did wonder whether it is a cultural thing - she was asian and possibly a big baby is a sign of good health or prosperity or something in some cultures? (grasping at straws) - but still, what a bloody insensitive thing to say to someone you don't know! What is it about pregnancy that makes people think they can make the most personal comments? Would she look at a well endowed person and say "big tits!"?

Grr. Rant over. Am meant to be feeling calm but instead am scared and angry. Good start to the day Yomping, way to get those lovely happy hormones to the baby

Want to hear from WantanOrange and Squid - did the BH stop and did the night hike end with just one squid, still?

smorgs, you, your pies sound good! I'm planning on batch cooking things like risotto and lasagne - stodgy foods always appeal when I'm tired. Maybe some bolognaise sauce too. And measure round the biggest part of bump, no cheating!

I am also loving the bravado bras, I got a lifestyle one for a tenner on eBay and its really comfy. Would it be wrong to start wearing it now even though I'm not breastfeeding yet? Big thankyou to whoever it was on this thread that gave us the tip off (tit off?? ) about them.

midget, glad bean's still in!

Wow, another epic post, sorry. Evidently have nothing better to do, even though to-do list is spread over 4 bits of paper.

Morning all! My goodness a lot's been going on.

wantanorange REALLY hope you're ok - do let us know if you can (although if you're in labour we'll let you off if you don't update here )

midget glad things have calmed down.

squid how was the walk? You're probably either asleep or....!!!

smorgs gimme croissants We had croissants for breakfast today - you can buy frozen ones from Waitrose that cook in the oven straight from frozen, and aren't bad, but seriously - not a patch on the real thing.

You asked about changing bags - dunno your budget but have you checked out pacapods? I have one, and whilst I no longer use the bag so much, I use the pods all the time - they're brilliant. And I think the resale value will be good too one day.

Re frozen food, I'm freezing soups and sauces mainly. My DH works vaguely in the area of frozen stuff, so I know things like mash, pasta, rice etc don't freeze so well. Cooking up a bit of pasta/rice/spud won't be too tricky, between us (I hope!!)

Mickey, love the conception story. I figure each antenatal thread needs at least one mad, drunken conception

Yomping again, I think what you feel about being afraid of the loss of dignity in childbirth is absolutely normal. I was terrified as I'm a very reserved, private, self-conscious person. As it was, I had 2 ambulance crew peering at my bits and asking the midwife questions and I didn't give a flying f*. G&A helps, cos you become a bit disinhibited, but when you're focussing as much as you are on pain and coping, things around you kind of fade into the background. It's not something that's easy to explain, but I just want to reassure you that you'll see when you get there!

Yomping again, tempted by the lifestyle bras - having worn Bravado during last pg and bf I was pleased to see they've brought out something a bit more flattering-looking. Are they supportive? I know in the early days when your milk comes in it is worth having something seam-free like the bodysilk, but the lifestyle looks fab for once things have calmed down somewhat.

If anyone's looking for cheapo bras to sleep in at night for nursing, I'd recommend these They're crap in terms of support but super duper uper comfy, and I got mine for a tenner.

Err, not sure what happened there with yomping again! hmm...

Smorgs yay! I will enjoy thinking about someone enjoying a proper croissant in proper France!!!!! 2 short term jobs there changed my life, I shall pine forever!!!

My freezer stuff consists of spaghetti Bol sauce, lasagne, chicken casserole, pork casserole, beef casserole, cooked mashed potatoes, soups. These not all made specially btw, we tend to cook for a family of 6 and freeze the extra! Always hav done. Sounds good but we not really stodgy eaters and hav such meals usually once or twice a week!!! But DH is our main cook and he will be at home full time anyhow, so not too concerned.

Kyrria I am feeling v sorry for u. I am sleeping badly due to hip and pelvic pain but not a patch on that....... Hope u get some daytime snoozing in

Squid & Wantan where r you???????? Suspicious sounding symptoms indeed!!

Cherry konnichiwa! Loving sound of your weather watching!!! I would be well entertained by too!! Glad to hear u taking some time off work, need to get your nesting instinct awakened!

On the weather front Angelico I lived in your neck of woods for 3 + yrs at university. I still miss it. Absolutely nothing like it for the soul! If I close my eyes u can still visualise the wind and sea and just the whole bloody cleanliness of that feeling. I envy you, nicely of course!

Yomping poor you. Sounds a stressful class on your own. We just need to keep picturing that perfect birth. I tell myself that if things go wrong, my concern for baby's welfare will far outweigh any indignity or discomfort for myself. My best friend had horrific birth which I will in no way go in to for all our sanity and apparently whole way thru she just kept saying thank you to the obstetricians and telling them to do whatever they needed. She had a beautiful healthy girl and recovered perfectly well.

As for the lady in M&S. Well, people r just tossers! They think preg ladies r fair game for discussion!! I am still getting the 'due in 4 weeks?? R u sure? Looks more like christmas' . Now as we hav all measured ourselves and I am same bloody circumference as rest of u, I know this is an illusion!! But it is making me feel like I am being cruel and not growing baby properly!! They then tell me to slow down, stop working and look after myself...........,, Grrrrrrr!

Must go, phone about to run out. Oh, I am having so many more BH, really tight ones. Not painful and no pattern, but they are uncomfortable. Between that and the weirdness of a person having hiccups inside me several times a day,, this is just getting stranger by the day!!

Happy Sunday all! Xx

Just had a friend phone me to say her 12 year old has just been diagnosed with slapped cheek. They gave me a lift home last week so should probably give midwife a call to be on the safe side, although imagine it's more dangerous in early preg than now.

Just heading home from York, will phone midwife when I vet home, then put washing on, then snooze

Yomping, good on you for saying something back to that woman in M&S. You have just done all pregnant-womankind a favour - she won't make a comment like that again!
As far as your fears go, I can't be of much help - I have a mantra "it's natural, people do it all the time" and I won't let myself think about it beyond that. I'm sure it'll all come crashing down nearer the time.

It certainly does get stranger by the day Huffle!

One of my students punched me in the stomach yesterday, knowing full well there was a baby in there. It wasn't hard but it was right on the baby's side. I wanted to cry, not from pain but because my poor baby had been put through that .
Of course I told her off and luckily I only have one more lesson with her, but I was so angry I had to control myself.
I teach a lot of kids of different ages and every other one has been nothing but kind and gentle though, and baby is fine

Right, I'm off to marinade the tandoori chicken for tomorrow's beach picnic...

I am here!!! Will write more later but not in labour!!

Hike went well - v slow but proud of myself - been for a swim with boyfriend this morning and now having coffee and cake. More later xxx

Cherry, oh my god! poor you . What on earth possessed her? Think I would have wanted to punch her back . Your baby is safely protected by layers of fluid and muscle (I'm assured abs are still present even though we think they've disappeared) and I'm sure it would barely have been felt through all that, but how massively upsetting that must have been.

And thank you, I felt a bit bad for saying something to her but my indignation got the better of me.

I am so sorry I worried you all! I was concerned it was the real thing and had a horrible nights sleep. Very uncomfortable but all settled down in the early hours of the morning and feel fine again now. I don't think she will stay put much longer though (I'll go two weeks over now I've said that!).

Cherry , how old is the student? I would've wanted to punch her back, and I'm usually very child friendly!

Feel the need for a reminder!

Sept. 25: Squidkid DC1, Angelico DC1 by ELCS, CWest DC2 by ELCS
Sept. 26: Elpis DC2 by ELCS
Sept. 27: Planktonette DC1
Oct. 1: FjordMor DD1, Gigglewhizz DC1(?)
Oct. 2: Firstbubba DC1, Velo DC1, Milk DC2
Oct. 5: Yomping DC1, Lisbethsopposite DS2
Oct. 7: Crazypaving DC2
Oct. 10: WantAnOrange DC2, MrsConfusion DC1
Oct. 11: Smileyhappymummy DC2 by ELCS
Oct. 14: Hufflepuffle DC1.
Oct. 17: Smorgs, DC1
Oct. 18: Bella2012 DC2, Beccus DC1
Oct. 19: Shellwedance DC1
Oct. 20: Beeblebear DC1
Oct. 21: Dosomethingmutley DC1
Oct. 26: Londonmrss, DC1, Zara1984 DS1.
Oct. 27: MidgetM, DC2 but more likely to be around 6/10
Oct. 28: Kyyria DC1, Loopyla, DC1
Oct. 30: Cherrychopsticks, DC1
Nov. 1: Londonlivvy DC1
Nov. 8: MickeyTheShortOne DC1

Phew , glad you're ok orange

5am and had to sneak in to check on wzntan and squd. Glad beans have stayed put overnight at least.

I used to get bh lots when chanfing from sitting to standing, but I think my uterus has gotten lazy i.m being more careful when I stand up and I don.t feel them anymore. No signs ir symptoms here. Still 5 weeks to go.

yomping in your "birth plan" be sure to unclude that you would prefer to stay modest and have examinations done under a sheet. Exams early in are more about feel than sight, so won.t be an issue. Tell tour dh that he can help with this too and tuck you back in if you get uncovered. Never being through this before, I assume that at some point that yes we will stop caring about these things, but I think some attention to this detail in the beginning will help put us more at ease zand help things progress more smoothly.

Bloody hell! Been a bit of a dramatic 24 hours, or could have been! Glad everyone is well big group hug and all babs are safe.

hufflepuffle Thanks for the concern and for asking after me! I don't feel like I am being very pragmatic really... a bit like an excited school kid. I honestly don't know if I'm in early labour or about to be... I guess the point is no one does until they see whether symptoms ramp up or fade away.
And I think it was me talking earlier about how great it is we've had no premature babies on this thread - stay put, smaller babies!
Glad you got pram sorted - ignore superstitions! Hope it was a good bottle of beer. I am craving ale now.

Yomping Am glad your baby shower was lovely! That hat is fantastic, and even better as it was knitted by your friend, how talented! Well done for drinking squash. I am finding it almost impossible not to drink when other people are now I am so near the end. Not more than a glass, but probably more often than I should....
All your NCT stories make me kinda glad I didn't do them... I was a bit upset and alarmed even after 4 hour NHS one. But I feel fine now and I don't know how helpful I would find endless discussions of all scenarios. I dunno, an emergency emergency section (ie a crash one) is pretty rare and I don't know how much you really CAN prepare for that or how helpful it is to know it could happen. I mean, you won't have to do anything in a situation like that... it will all be done to you.
And yeah, stupid rude woman. Sorry it upset you. You're not big at all. People are thoughtless. This lady at the market said to me yesterday "your bump is lopsided" but I was in a cheery mood and said, "yes, that means she is in an EXCELLENT POSITION" and another lady said "wow that bump is really low. It won't be long AT ALL. Maybe you shouldn't be out" and I just smiled, but other times it FUCKS ME OFF. People just like to comment. Also people keep calling me enormous/tiny - totally arbitrary.

WantanOrange you may be a youngun in years, but you are an experienced mum of much valuable advice in my eyes! I love owls. Your baby room sounds gorgeous.
Am v relieved your baby is staying put for now... it's hopeless isn't it, we're all like stay put stay put and then the minute we're full term we're all come now come now! Perhaps my baby will be as OCD as his/her dad and come on its due date. My gran told me (disapprovingly, as if she was sure I would not be so organised) that my dad arrived at 9 am on his due date, which is just LIKE my dad, really...

Angelico congrats to your GD friend. Oooh, and so excited about my symptoms yes... Birth pool - well they were supposed to call me from 38 weeks so I could come pick it up but not heard anything yet! Sheffield apparently has 18 pools for hire so I may be waiting for someone else to deliver to get one! I will call them tomorrow to check I've not fallen off the list.
Enjoy your stash of deliveries!

Midgetm - you keep scaring us, lady! I think you are a bit like me and find it impossible not to keep busy, but maybe your baby/body really is telling you to take it back a notch or two (you do realise we all visualise you as tiny pregnant midget halfway up a ladder)

Kyyria has that foot moved yet?! I also have one pretty much permanently in my right rib, though it doesn't hurt most of the time. On the bright side, feet in rib cage means baby is the best way round! (I think - all this baby position stuff confuses me)

Welcome back Mickey! Have no idea how you're going to catch up with all our blatherings! Loved your conception story. I went out for sushi in a state of confused shock the day I found out I was pregnant... I don't think one cigarette is any big deal either!

Beeblebear Please tell me there's not an almighty list of things you're not allowed whilst breastfeeding too... I am planning on sashimi and white wine - regularly! I know a great japanese place that delivers!

Cherrychopsticks the beach then a week of nesting sounds PERFECT. Enjoy the storms.

God that was long. Sorry!!

I'll try to keep my news brief: hike was marvellous, through the woods at night, I was slow but I managed it and people were lovely and complimentary (and looked a bit worried, though I kept quiet about being 39 weeks!) It was a big organised "light the night" event for the cancer hospital here. I lost a good friend to cancer a few years ago and my boyfriend lost his dad around the same time so we try to do some fundraising from time to time.

Came home exhausted but triumphant and slept a bit better than usual, though achy this morning. Managed 30 lengths swimming this morning but walking at a snail's pace on the way back from the pool - it's about a mile, took ages - and boyfriend has now told me off (though he did all these things with me ) and says I am doing too much. So I am taking it easy for a day or two.

Still period-y pain much of the time, lots of tightenings at times, then they stop. No show.

So today is not getting better. DH's parents are off on a cruise for a few weeks in a couple of days, they will be away around the due date, we haven't seen them since a few weeks ago (when we went to them - in fact, we always go to them so that they can sit and smoke in their house) and they can't even find time to come and see us before they go to say they hope the birth goes well. They don't seem to care that DH is about to become a father for the first time. I guess they have so many grandkids (this will be number 8) that it's no big deal to them, but they should damn well realise that it is a big deal to him. And they made it even worse by giving him a lecture on how unsafe homebirth is so now he feels awful, they made him feel like we are trying to harm our baby. Not entirely sure what they are basing this on as studies have shown homebirth is as safe as hospital birth with less chance of intervention. Makes me really cross, how dare they make him feel that a) he is unimportant to them and b) he is stupid and doesn't care about his unborn child?

The unimportant thing, they do to him quite a lot. He frequently invites his dad to do astronomy type things with his as it is an interest they both share - his dad never bothers to come and doesn't seem to have the faintest idea how disappointing this is for DH. He was in a band when he was younger and they never bothered to come and see him play but they bought his elder brother a guitar and lessons (DH had to buy his own guitar and teach himself) and went to see the brother play several times. They don't treat DH the same as they do their other kids and it pisses me off, it makes me so sad to see him hoping for a bit of attention from them and not getting it. Bastards. At least he is about to get the chance to be the sort of parent he feels like they should have been.

Grr, again. Lots of grr today and yesterday. Baby is wriggling lots, think he/she is cross on DH's behalf too.

Squid, well done on your hike. I'm drinking a glass of wine or bottle of beer or cider maybe 3 times a week at home, just don't feel so confident about doing this in front of others. But figure bean is pretty developed now so it won't hurt.

Beeble, that's good advice. I think to be honest that I really won't care at the time, it's more that I care now, in advance. Need to stop being so silly.

Am off to grump my way around Asda, where no doubt the checkout person will give me their unsolicited opinion on my bump and I shall throw a tin of beans at them get even crosser!

Afternoon ladies :o Just back from a carvery lunch and a nice coffee on the beach where it was surprisingly warm in the sunshine! Nice chilled out day doing some baby clothes washing / hospital bag packing / nursery tidying (even though bean won't be in it for months).

midget glad all those years of bossing kids teaching has paid off. And frankly with such a mighty placenta to sustain him your bean knows when he is well off and is staying firmly put! Is he definitely a he? I've forgotten who is having what / who found out etc.

Huffle great about buggy - and helpful DH! :) As for living here - you know yourself it's the kind of place you would either love or hate. I moved here because of DH's work and at first hoped he would get transferred back towards Belfast (closer to family and friends), then realised I LOVE the lifestyle here! You can bring your bean up for a winter visit! We love it much more here off season with no bloody tourists stealing all the parking and restaurant tables :o!

Fjord sorry you are so uncomfortable :( I find if I 'squat' down for anything now (only way I can get down) I really feel bean pressing on everything so trying to avoid it in case she gets any ideas about popping out! :)

WantanOrange glad everything has settled down for you but all sounds promising :)

kyrria don't be afraid to give bean a good hard poke!

Cherry very cool about the view of storms, very uncool about the student. You were seriously restrained - well done I wouldn't trust myself hormone-wise at the minute not to do something career ending...

Smorgs almost died of envy reading about the luscious croissant Food wise I have been making and freezing lots of soups for quick lunches, also going to bake some very healthy 'breakfast' muffins (can post recipe if people want it). Plus the usual spag bol, have bought and frozen stuff from butchers. One thing I find seriously helpful is frozen sliced veg e.g. mushrooms, diced onions, peppers, baby carrots etc. Carrots and onion are brill for soups and taste just as good as fresh, mushrooms / onions / peppers great for throwing in omelettes, quick pasta sauce with some Quorn mince, or curry sauces with chicken etc. Thanks for bra link - might try one of them, they look really nice and comfy.

yomping am seriously impressed that NCT class is talking about CSs at all but try not to worry about the details :) The bladder thing for example is just unhelpful lol - it will all be behind a screen so if it happens you'll be blissfully unaware! :o My understanding is they only 'move' organs if needed because of you personally (ie your organ size etc) and better they do it if they need to - the one CS complication I know about was a friend's wife who got a little nick in her bladder. I'd rather they flung the sucker out of the way in that case! :) All this is academic of course as you will more than likely be grand - but if anything needs to happen you will be vvv well looked after :)

Crazy those pacapod bags look great but having just used up an Amazon voucher on the Bababing one can't really justify another one...

Squid well done on the walk, lovely doing the sponsored stuff like that and there is something totally magical about woodland at night :) V funny about your dad's extremely punctual arrival :o

Have any of you bought any nursing bras in Mothercare or all getting them online? I have a hospital appt on Tues near a Mothercare so was going to run in then and get a fitting, just don't know what they're like. I got my maternity bras there and they have been surprisingly good and comfortable!

And is anyone else ready for Downton Abbey??? :o A few friends who are writers have made a little online FB writing group where we share writing stuff but also pictures of the lurvely Branson (Irish chauffeur who runs off with Lady Sybil, God I am sad lol!). Plan for this evening is to light stove and swoon over Branson :o :o :o

Angelico OMG SO EXCITED ABOUT DOWNTON!!!! Although no spoilers here pls as I can't stay up that late, so will be recording and watching the next day! Lame, I know.

Yomping your DH's relationship with his parents makes me I just can't understand how parents can treat their children so differently so flagrantly. It's just completely awful

I've just got a bit over-excited about the prospect of not being pg any more and have bought a load of clothes from H&M for the Autumn/Winter. And now they've been delivered, I realise I can't try them on. Blardy fool I am I'm just SO looking forward to not being massive and lumbery any more...got a bit carried away. Oops.

@YompingJo There's clearly something about M&S. Checkout assistant on Thu said: 'You're having a boy, aren't you?'. So did my childless cousin on Friday. They thought I was 'carrying low' but I reckon the baby has just shifted downwards. I can climb stairs more easily now.

That NCT class sounds horrific. The bladder-moving is not something I have ever heard of, nor was aware of during my c-section. The way I try to think of it is this: if he came out of the door he'd probably damage it on the way, so he might as well come out of the window and keep the door frame intact, since that's what gets more use. I also found that what matters is how kind the hospital staff are, and they were all lovely to me during my labour and birth. It's a bit like having bad flu: you're just grateful for their expertise and kindliness. (Unless you're my DH, in which case you just want to lie there alone in a filthy mood.)

I think it is awful of your in-laws to be away for the birth. Mine are addicted to cruising, much to the bemusement of DH and I (and each one seems to cost a quarter of my pre-tax salary), but they would never go away at such an important time. Hope you have other family who can help out and admire the baby.

@Beeblebear You can eat anything while breastfeeding. I've been at it for three and a half years and have never stinted on the raw fish/ rare steak etc. Someone once suggested DD's mild nappy rash was because I ate too much fruit, but I just carried on and it went away.

Spare room is now officially no longer spare! The walls are white and I've ordered a big lighthouse decal from Etsy to decorate one of them. DD has a bamboo plant and frogs leaping in vegetation in her room. I do like decals... But have hauled a lot of toys, clothes, boxes, bedlinen and books around today and my bump hurts.

DD starts preschool tomorrow. I have no idea what to expect, particularly as she had an upsetting two minutes on Sat when her ballet teacher ended the class early and she had to wait for me - I'd gone half a minute down the road to drop off stuff at a secondhand shop. I was so annoyed that she was left to wander around the theatre foyer on her own at the age of three. Is it irresponsible for me to pop out and return five minutes before the half-hour class was due to finish? I don't think so. Oh, and I got a lecture about the need to sew elastics into her ballet shoes. Where do I buy tiny strips of elastic? Sigh. I am rubbish at sewing, too. It is clearly something Mothers Ought To Know How To Do.

Smorgs thanks for that bra info. I currently relying on the bravado silk one and reverting to uncomfy Mothercare one to wash it! Think I might get one if those for now and early nursing. Do not want to spend much until I see what shape these puppies take post birth!! Anyone looking, if you eBay search Emma Jane nursing bra they come up from a seller at £11 plus free postage, general online search gives same price but fiver postage.

Yomping isn't it weird? Families never cease to amaze! My DH mostly dislikes his family due to a very difficult childhood and lots of guilt and grudges. I swear blind he will make an excellent father because of it all. Nothing for granted. Let's love our new generation properly!!!!

Angelico sounds like a lovely afternoon!! And sounds like a lovely invite, might just take u up on that some time!!

Off to iron some babygros..... I actually iron practically nothing, despise the task and find it mostly unnecessary!! But for some bizarre reason do not want to pack unironed baby stuff and nighties in hospital bags...... Obviously turning in to my mother, she even irons pants.......!

And DH actually said last night that although I hav all hospital bag stuff sorted could I not just pack bag incase we need to go in a hurry??!

Oh and bit disappointed by cellular blankets,,., look v scruffy once washed! One from Matalan but also a mamas n papas one, both look bit scrappy now. Hmph.

Stop procrastinating.........

Ciao! X

Just checking in from my phone so apologies for not name checking.

Regarding the seemingly eternal situation of bean jamming himself in my ribs are there any other suggestions for trying to get him to move? Over the last 48hrs have tried prodding, cold drink, leaning over my gym ball, more prodding and regardless of what I do he moves for a bit then keeps on returning to jamming his feet in my ribcage again. I honestly don't think I can put up with the discomfort and lack of sleep for yet another night. Jamming my hand in my ribs to put pressure on where he is helps for a bit but the minute I stop it gets uncomfortable again.

On the changing bag discussion I too have got a pacapod one - was at the more expensive end of my budget but I like being overly anal well organised.

In terms of cost on mat clothes, then probably about £250. That includes some "nursing" tops and pyjamas, 2 "gownie" maternity gowns for hospital and then 3 pairs of jeans/some tops/work trousers. Have tried to buy off eBay where possible. Have then spent about another £200 on bras!

wantan, glad all ok, squid, i know u r getting impatient, but it was probably a good thing u didnt go into labour in the woods. Sounds like your body is practicing!!

Braxton Hicks - are these your whole uterus or just part of it/ i get brief tightenings low down, often when i need a poo/am gassy. Would people say thats them?

freezing food - many good suggestions - does cod freeze, does anyone know?

yomping, the most annoying comment i overheard was to another preggo lady at the pool while we were both getting ready to go for a swim. This fat old lady was saying how disgusting the pictures were of this pregnant lady in her bikini at notting hill carnival. Just what we both needed to hear standing there in our bathers. Had half a mind to give her an opinion of how ravaged she looked and remind her we will go back to our normal selves after our babies come. I had a panic about labour too when i first felt baby engage. All the pressure was quite uncomfortable, and i thought how am i ever going to manage labour in the birth centre with no epidural, if it's this uncomfortable now?? Think it's normal for us to be having a panic this close. Re the dignity thing, u r having a home birth, aren't u, so you shoud definately feel more comfy there. You DH's parents sound horrid, would they really have been that mush help and support to you guys? perhaps it's better they are out of your hair.

kyria, i was exposed to slapped cheek at about 8 weeks, which was a bit of a drama, am pretty sure our beans are now too big for it to be a big deal....have in my head either after 20/30 weeks, it's not a risk for them.

Can i just recommend day time naps - i never normally have them, but was on the phone to mum after lovely big pub lunch and she asked if i was having them, and i thought, ooooh, just what i feel like. So refreshed after 2 hr snooze ;)

2 more weeks to get through at work, full time, no days off... cannot wait to finish! Just stressed out by everything left to tie up and freaking out that some other big drama will happen in the next 2 weeks that will also need resolving. Oh well, just have to remind myself to delegate, delegate, delegate!!

Beccus, 35 +3, DC1