Jan 2013 part 4: the one where we are closer to the end than the beginning

[PricklyPickle]

Here we go!

Stats: 16 girls, 9 boys, 13 surprises

BuntyCollocks (29) DC2 EDD 28/12/12 She?s a girl!
Pmgkt (33) DC2 EDD 28/12/12 He?s a boy!
Birdies (33) DC2 EDD 30/12/12 She?s a girl!
Pascha (35) DC2 EDD 30/12/12 It?s a surprise!
PricklyPickle (31) DC1 EDD 31/12/12 It's a surprise!
LowLu (31) DC2 EDD 02/1/13
TootieMaroo (32) DC2 EDD 03/1/13
MarasmeAbsolu (31) DC2 EDD 03/01/13 She?s a girl!
Lora1982 (30) DC1 EDD 04/01/13 He?s a boy!
IsSpringSprangedYet (?) DC4 EDD 05/01/13
DollFisher (28) DC1 EDD 05/01/13 She?s a girl!
Allchik (30) DC1 EDD 06/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Pockemuchka DC3 EDD 06/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Happyhow (26) DC1 EDD 07/01/13 It?s a surprise!
EmilieFloge (38) DC? EDD 07/01/13
Complicated24 (44) DC1 EDD 07/01/13 It's a surprise!
Newbie6 (36) DC1 EDD 08/01/13 He?s a boy!
Norfolkinway (25) DC1 EDD 09/01/13
Octanegirl (34) DC1 EDD 09/01/13 He?s a boy!
BumgrapesofWrath (30) DC2 EDD 10/01/13
Kim222 (30) DC1 EDD 11/01/13
Lulabel27 (29) DC2&3 (twins) EDD 11/01/13
CraftyGirly (26) DC1 EDD 11/01/13 She?s a girl!
Cejay8 (32) DC2 EDD 12/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Tinyeyes123 (30) DC1 EDD 13/01/13 She?s a girl!
CreepyCrawly (22) DC1 EDD 13/01/13 She?s a girl!
PixelCarrier (37) DC1 EDD 13/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Shakemyhead (37) DC1 EDD 14/01/13 She's a girl!
Godzookey (35) DC1 EDD 14/01/13 He?s a boy!
PeshwariNaan (33) DC1 EDD 14/01/13
Hormonalhell (40) DC2 EDD 15/01/13 He?s a boy!
DoIgetastickerforthat (36) DC4 EDD 16/01/13 She?s a girl!
Theboutiquemummy (35) DC1 EDD 17/01/13
ChutesTooNarrow (33) DC2 EDD 18/01/13 She?s a girl!
Glorious (28) DC1 EDD 18/01/13
Tugstonia (33) DC1 EDD 18/01/13 It's a surprise!
SpringFlowers (39) DC4 EDD 18/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Eagleray (40) DC1 EDD 18/01/13
13mma (29) DC1 EDD 18/01/13 scan 13/09/12
LetThereBeCupcakes (30) DC1 EDD 20/01/13
Silversixpence (29) DC2 EDD 20/01/13
mulan07 (27) DC1 EDD 20/01/13 He?s a boy!
BadgerFace (34) DC1 EDD 21/01/13 She?s a girl!
PreggoFabulous (30) DC1 EDD 22/01/13 He?s a boy!
Bunny222 (31) DC1 EDD 22/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Bealos (34) DC2 EDD 22/01/13 She?s a girl!
AppleCrumples (??) DC4 EDD 22/01/13 It's a surprise!
Woody2313 (33) DC1 EDD 23/01/13
SigningGirl (?) DC1 EDD 24/01/13
Mrsbugsywugsy (34) DC1 EDD 25/01/13 She's a girl!
SquealyB (29) DC1 EDD 26/01/13 It?s a surprise!
knuckingfackered (39) DC2 EDD 26/1/13
Thinkingpositivethoughts (28) DC1 EDD 26/01/13
MrsMallard (35) DC1 EDD 26/01/13 She?s a girl!
Salt1 (38) DC1 EDD 27/01/13 She?s a girl!
Lilblondepessimist (33) DC4 EDD 28/01/13
MamaMary (31) DC2 EDD 28/01/13 She?s a girl!
Sebsmama (32) DC2 EDD 29/01/13
BionicEmu (26) DC2 EDD 29/01/13
Missymoo (32) DC2 EDD 30/01/13
DiscoDomina (31) DC1 EDD 30/1/13 He's a boy!
Brugmansia (35) DC1 EDD 31/01/13
Mummypud (32) DC3 EDD 31/01/13
PipIsOutNow (27) DC2 EDD 31/01/13 scan 19/09/12

That sounds really sensible advice about the shingles pascha.

I think think the difference between doctors and midwives woody, is that midwives will give advice in this sort of situation by following guidelines and using their personal experience. A doctor however, interprets a guideline and make a judgement (based on their medical knowledge, their experience and available medical evidence) so that it fits an individuals situation. So you can end up with slightly different advice, depending on who gives it and how they get there. I guess the thing is that, sometimes, like so often in life, there just isn't a single "right" answer!

Sorry you are so sore bunny with the SPD. Mine has been much better since I saw the obs physio. I've really just been following their advice sheet, using a support belt if I'm standing for a long time at work and a special pregnancy pillow at night, and being really really strict with picking up heavy things. My poor husband is having to do a lot more now! These are good websites: www.pelvicinstability.org.uk/practicaladvice.asp and acpwh.csp.org.uk/publications/pregnancy-related-pelvic-girdle-painfor-mothers-be-new-mothers

I'm off work today. Overdid it at the weekend with work, and now vomiting re-started, ache all over and completely exhausted and tearful. Told not to go in to work by DH, so in bed for the day...

Agree with pascha about the Shingles. I'm told it's worth getting the blood test even if you think you've had chicken pox, as you might not have immunity if you only had a mild case.

Mama I have one of those fetal doppler things and my baby's heartbeat is usually between 140-150, so I think yours is normal. There are lots of old wives' tales relating the speed of the heartbeat to the baby's gender (I can't remember if you know what you're having).

Bunny it's funny you should ask about the heartbeat going up and down, I have that too. I did a search on here and apparently its perfectly normal and a sign the baby is moving around. They only worry if it starts to slow down a lot.

I've also been having crazy dreams - I dreamt DP turned into Bob from Twin Peaks Yours sounds scary, but it sounds like a typical anxiety dream to me.

Am currently worrying a little about my SIL who is also pregnant as she has just been told she has sugar in her urine and has to go in for tests for gestational diabetes. Has anyone had this happen to them?

Hello Everyone

I have been lurking for a while now as work has been really busy and stressful. I have now been signed off for a month as the stress was so extreme I had begun to worry about the baby. I wasn't due to start maternity leave until the beginning of January but am not sure now if I will be able to go back before then.

I don't feel like I'm on the home straight at all, it feels like I have ages and ages to go. As this is dc#4 we haven't bought anything at all yet either - we have most of what we will need I think but still can't decide on prams. Does anyone else have a toddler? We can't decide whether to go with a buggy board or buy a double pram. I would really like a Bugaboo Donkey but I don't know if I can justify the cost for the length of time that we would use it - even on ebay they cost a lot.

I must read back and catch up a bit on everyone's news...

Sorry to hear of some people feeling ill and spd as well which sounds awful. And worry about shingles - blimey a lots happened since I looked on here yesterday!

Someone said about vivid dreams but they're so common and mean absolutely nothing (except maybe to show you feel anxious about baby which is perfectly normal).

I'm now getting a few leg cramps at night. And I am getting loads and loads of Braxton hicks contractions. I couldn't get comfy last night as tummy kept tightening over and over. Maybe it seemed worse than it was. I had an anterior placenta last time so I'm not used to any of the feelings I'm getting this time. Does anyone else who's about 29 weeks get these a lot, esp at night? I hope it doesn't mean baby is coming early - that's my most recent worry.

spring I'm getting a bugaboo donkey but selling off a lot of things on ebay to justify some of the cost! I did see an icandy peach blossom twin 2 in berry bon bon though on the Internet and it looks gorgeous....but they have serious production and stock issues so have to forget that one.

Birdies I get loads of braxton hicks at times and I seem to remember last time I had increasing amounts of bh the more pregnant I was. I mentioned to midwife at 16 weeks and she didn't seem bothered! Think you only need to worry if they become regular and start to hurt!

I am having loads of vivid mad dreams that all involve ds1 being taken away. Some mornings I nearly suffocate him. I'm so happy to see him!

I had been having cramp in my legs at night which I find the most awful way to wake up. I have been asking my DH to massage my calf muscles before bed and have been trying to sleep with my legs straight. So far this has worked and the cramping has stopped. I also get randon Braxton's, I had them last time too and they didn't signify premature labour, baby born at 39+6.

I can't believe people are getting Braxton Hicks already! You're scaring me! That's the trouble with being in the January group when I'm right at the end of january o_O

I have been given a Bugaboo Frog/Cameleon by a super kind friend! The handle won't stay up on its own so I've either got to repair it or buy a new chassis, eek. It's not a super serious problem but I couldn't get it on the bus without cause of my PGP. The Donkey looks amazing for 2 children. /plans a second child/

Thank you for the PGP links PixelCarrier! Bunny, hope it doesn't get much worse! :( It's so annoying, walking anywhere is so slow and painful! The midwife referred me to a physio, I'd really like crutches so I can get up some speed.

I have finally bought something for baby! Got some vests and super cute sleepsuits from tesco. Feels a bit more real now a baby is actually going to wear them. Won't get anymore clothes til after baby is here and we know what it is. All we need now is a car seat and a pram!

I need a bit of a rant.

My midwife first wrote to my hospital at the very start of September to get me a consultant appt to see about my water birth (previous section). She wrote again last Monday, and still no appt. I know I'm only 30 weeks, but I am ridiculously anal, and just want this box ticked, especially if madam is going to stay breech.

I want to know my options. I want to know if she turns and I can have my preferred birth, when should I go in? I have a list of questions a mile long that are really consultant discretion, not midwife, and it is pissing me right off that I am still waiting to have them answered 6 weeks later.

Currently on hold to speak to choose and book, who are fucking useless anyway.

My exciting news for the week - my big boy is going into his new room this weekend and the cot is coming back down into mini-mode.

I've had one bout of what was probably braxtons, horrible tightenings which I was worrying was early labour about a month ago, but were brought on by stress. Had nothing before or since. Never had any with DS.

I got all excited about the double Stokke (Crusi) that's just been launched, but my DM has talked sense into me - do I really need it when DS is happy walking? So, just going to get the buggy board for the xplory. He'll be just under 2 when DD arrives, so between the buggy board and his little life backpack, I'm hoping we'll be ok. I have a rose and rebellion for him, and a moby wrap for her dependant on how we need to do things if we're going any distance as well.

20 m later. Still on hold. So. Fucking. Annoyed.

bunty eat chocolate!! I know what you mean though, I have to deal with two different hospitals for DD and everything takes forever. I asked two simple questions via the consultants secretary over email and instead of getting a simple 'yes' or 'no' email reply I got a letter after a stupidly long wait. Hope you hear from them soon.

Thanks for reassurance over the Braxton hicks. katolla I've been getting them since about 14 weeks! I thinks it's cos she's my second baby - the first time I got them quite late on.

apple hope you enjoyed your baby clothes shopping! That's reminded me for anyone still to buy things, I've bought all kinds of body suits from m&s, boots, asda, tesco and I find the tesco ones the best for fit and sleeve length if long sleeved (trying to get some bigger ones for DD at the mo though and they're always out of stock here :( ).

Ps I have just eaten two chocolate bars.....low fat ones this time though

Bunty that would completely enrage me. Hope you manage to get through to someone soon and they can actually give you some information!

Excellent advice from birdies chocolate will certainly help.

No BH here yet (I think).....

Thanks birdies and squealy!

I ended up hanging up on choose and book after 40 mins as they still hadn't answered, phoned the hospital back, got the same snippy woman: "You're not booked in! You need to book!" Kept constantly talking over me until I raised my voice and informed her, "I must be booked, I'm 30 weeks pregnant and with the X midwife service!"

She soon changed her tune and passed me to someone helpful, who informed me I do have an appt (!), next wednesday (!!) and though I'm booked to give birth at the hospital, my midwife service have apparently not passed on the information that I'm with them (!!!).

At least I have the appt now, thank god I phoned and didn't give up.

Off to get a calming hot chocolate with cream mint tea

squealy I seem to recall we're at same stage and I have no BH either.
I dont remember them being especially pleasant so I'm not too bothered

Bunty, what a total nightmare. At least you have an appointment now but even still, so much stress unnecessarily.

It just goes to show bunty sometimes you've got to be pushy, if you hadn't have done that they'd be grumbling at you for missing your appointment!

I had my flu and whooping cough jabs this eveing, one in each arm. The nurse at my gp said the next time she'd see me will be to give my bubs its baby jabs. Eep!

Thanks pixel and katolla for the SPD feedback. Wish my referral would hurry up!

mrsbugsy like your SIL I had sugar show up in my urine two weeks ago the midwife said it could be a sign of diabetes. However the next time I was tested it didnt show, so the first result was put down to the large amount of chocolate id eaten the night before,hopefully itll be the same for her.

Glad im not the only one with the vivid dreams.

Hope youre all doing ok.

Been awake for over an hour. Not impressed. That is all.

happy im awake with what must be braxtons.... although i was led to believe theyd be painless...

Thanks guys. My midwife told me I'd be absolutely fine having already had chicken pox and, also, having been exposed to shingles when my sister got it about 20 years ago so I've been back at work. You can only go with what your midwife says I guess.
Bunny222 I keep thinking sugar is going to turn up in my urine tests too given my new-found chocolate/sweet addiction but my midwife hasn't said anything yet...
Bunty sounds like you've been having a nightmare - all we want is clear consistent information! I thought we were supposed to be avoiding stress..!Good on you for standing your ground and not giving up though.

Ah happy I feel your pain. I was awake at 3 AM this morning FFS. Stupid vivid dreams and a blocked nose causing major dry mouth were to blame I think.

Good news on the shingles front woody and great you have an appt now bunty. Hope everyone's ok.

Squealy how are you doing? Hope you're feeling less anxious. CBT and acupuncture have really worked for my anxiety in the past and pregnancy yoga has also been ace. Also did a mindfulness course recently which was fab.

Anyone else been getting unsolicited comments about their bump size? I guess my bump is pretty big and it might explain some of the extraordinary weight-gain, but jesus, I do wish people would stop pointing it out to me! I know they're not being mean and it's just one of those things, but it is quite annoying. Checkout woman in Sainsbury's yesterday couldn't believe I still have 3 months to go and advised me to have an CS "rather than trying to push that out". Helpful.

Tugs Last time people were always commenting on my bump - I was massive (I ate a lot) and after a while I found it quite annoying. It didn't bear any resemblence to the size of my baby who was 7lbs 9oz. Sometimes I think people want to say something and end up saying something stupid.

Lora How are you doing? BH are supposed to be 'painless' - I find them to be a noticable sensations that can be uncomfortable. I hope they've passed and you were able to get some sleep.

Happy I seem to spend half the night awake too. It's so frustrating as I'm exhausted. Did you sleep any more?

I get the opposite: "Oh, you aren't very big for 6 months" which makes me worried that there is something wrong...however I'm really tall so maybe that's why. Though I was denied an emergency exit seat on the plane last week as I was clearly pregnant which apparently makes me utterly incapable of opening a door. Goodness knows how I get in and out of my house/car every day, seeing as I can't open doors....

I've got this really weird and horrible leg problem - right thigh, constant numbness that turns into burning and then deep seated pain if I stand or walk for more than 5 mins. Lovely. I've looked it up and I'm stuck with it till post baby...

Other than that, I keep panicking that despite screening I will be the statistic that DOES have a Downs baby. I was on holiday last week and saw posters of Downs people in several towns and then saw a whole group of them in person so naturally convinced myself it was a sign. Does anyone else worry about this????

I got told a couple of weeks ago at playgroup that my bump was cute and that I compared very well to her friend who is due a week before me who is huge apparently. Mines all front, it was last time too. I have a long torso and Widget just fits nicely between pubic bone and ribs without sticking too far out at all. My mum was the same with my twin brothers, she carried them one on top of the other so looked the same as singleton pregnancies at the same point. The fundal measurement is still the same as if I was short-bodied, just my curve is longer and slighter, instead of shorter and fatter

I have consumed 2 penguins and an enormous bowl of porridge with brown sugar on top this morning. I'm waiting for my arse size to explode with the amount of sugar i'm eating lately.