Very long catch up alert (I always do this, don?t I? 
)?
Firstly, I should have said in my last post, thank you all so much for your support, virtual hugs and kind words following my GD related meltdown. It is getting easier although it?s still somewhat all consuming as the diet I?m having to stick to is so expensive, unlike any way I?ve eaten in my life before (high protein and very very low carb), and requires a great deal of thought and planning before each meal (as well as nearly doubling the food budget, despite me eating much less volume of food!).
Still not sure about paying for the birth but it?s seeming more unlikely than likely at the moment. Hopefully I?ll know more by the end of the week and my numerous hospital appointments. Funnily enough, the day after I posted and all of you were so lovely, I absolutely bawled on reading your messages. I had to go and pick up DP and go to IKEA and I tried to tell him about how lovely you had all been while driving there and I started bawling again and funnily enough bella he said exactly what you wrote ? that I am doing a marvellous job etc (cue more bawling). Midget I also found your words, in light of your experience of diabetes sufferers, valuable and comforting. I?m trying not to beat myself up about it these days! :) lisbeth - I was comforted by your description of induction. I hold that idea in my mind when I think of what will possibly be mine. Hopefully my hospital visit on Monday (and trying gas and air apparently) will make me feel more settled about whatever the inevitability is. The whole unit is supposed to be amazing.
After a week of so of feeling a bit ?lost? I?m starting to feel more back on track now. I had a lovely meet up with 3 other expat ladies (2 Brits and 2 Aussies) who are due around the same time. They were all really great and we?re going to meet weekly. 3 of us are in the same ante-natal class/hospital visit next week and 1 of them will probably be delivering at the same time on the same ward :). londonlivvy - I?ve dropped the price on the flat and even put it lower than an identical flat in a neighbouring block to remain competitive. I?ve everything crossed that this might bring in a whole new wave of interest. Kind of need to achieve the asking price though which makes any potential offers a bit more stressful as we weigh up a disadvantaged financial position against selling the place at all.
Feeling everyone?s pain re heartburn; mine particularly flared up when I first changed my diet ? so bad I had pain between my shoulder blades half the day and had to take Calcium Carbonate virtually every 2 hours (was also thinking desperately of a Lanzoprazole prescription but it seems to have abated a bit now). Still not leaking or producing any milk though. Trying not to worry about that one although it seems more normal to be by now than not. Not sure about BH. Sometimes the bump feels tight when I touch it, sometimes not. Have had a couple of episodes of quite painful contractions but they usually occurred when I needed a number two so I put them down to bowels making the whole area freak out a bit??
Kyyria - I had one bad episode of diarrhoea with cramps. Thought it was contraction at first. Still not sure if it was some kind of severe BH bringing on fast moving bowels or something I ate. However, I felt fine ? no nausea, fever or symptoms that lasted after it had finished so I guess I?ll never know. Did find out Google that it can be a pregnancy symptom though, while I was worried at the time.
Angelico - out of interest, what blood sugar levels have you been told to aim for? I have been told 5.5 mmol/l or less fasting and 7 mmol/l or less 1.5 hours post food. It?s conservative compared to regular diabetes management but I guess the Norwegian endocrinologists have arrived at that based on what?s safest for baby. I can?t find anywhere from other countries online suggesting levels so low. I?m only really managing it with very low carbs ? Zone diet almost meets Atkins. Doesn?t really suit me but I?m coping. Pulses are good. Pulses rock but stepkids don?t eat pulses (hence my slight spikes after dinner when they?re here 
). Also I have to check my bloods on waking, pre-food, 1.5 hours post food and pre-bed (8 times in all). I found they crept up eating the same food after the first 2 weeks so I had to tweak my diet even more firmly than I originally did (can only do low GI bread, 2 tiny slices, at the lunch meal now, if at all and only 2 dessertspons of pasta, noodles or bulgur wheat as a carb - can't do tomtoes without a slight spike for some reason and if I just eat too much - more than a child's portion, I also get a spike). Interested to hear your feedback but we can take it private if you like :).
smiley - you?re so right about the perspective that this will all fade in significance in the end once I have a crawling, beautiful baby with a personality that I?ll be discovering new things about every day. I?m mostly worried about doing her right at the moment but I guess I?m doing everything I can and look forward to the day that I can just enjoy her, having got her here safely (I hope!). Know exactly how you feel about feeling ?not ready? though!
squid - some days I think mine?s engaged. On Friday I felt like she was almost ?hanging? between my legs but other days, I feel like the bump is less heavy and have less dragging pain than even in the 2nd trimester while walking, as well as having almost less breathlessness than at any time in my whole pregnancy! (still waddling, but waddling fast :)) So tbh I have no idea. Hoping midwife on Monday will be persuaded to have a feel re. a) position and b) engagement (will they do that as early as 34 weeks?). She seems to ?sleep? heavily on my bladder, have to ?push? to get the stream going sometimes, even when I feel bursting! Hope she?s not obstructing anything?
londonlivvy - super congrats on the big move! Sounds like you?ve coped exceptionally well and must feel relieved that you are at least in there now and able to nest. Fingers firmly crossed indeed for your flat. I know from the uncertainty of money worries when flat money doesn?t come through when needed?
Yomping - lol at forgetting what a squirrel was 
. I think that deserves some kind of baby brain award!! 
bella - I?m not surprised you?re disappointed to miss your night away with DH but that?s an amazing selfless thing you?ve done there. And he?s a total muppet if he doesn?t appreciate that!
CWest - you have a lot to have a lot of feelings about. Don?t feel corralled into feeling ?positive? please (although it is a good thing to try to?). I think it?s important that you work through your feelings about your birth experience, whatever they are. Sending hugs :).
Apologies to anyone I've not name-checked. I have read all your posts. Sending comfortable, heartburn-free vibes your way!
Don?t know what to do about adding myself to the due date list. My official ?Norwegian? due date (based on size at 20 week scan) is October 15th. My UK due date would be October 7th and the chances (predicted size wise) of me being induced before either of these is fairly high (I?d say 70% at least ? will know more after Thursday?s growth scan I expect). Is ?any time between 23rd September and 9th October? too vague??
(I don?t have a birth ball. Now feel like I should have a birth ball?Should I have a birth ball??)