April 2013 part six...what does the third trimester have in store?

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Also meant to say re belly button that mine got really flat/stretched and I was sure it was going to pop out-but it had gone back to normal now. So weird

Hi all.

Hope everyone is staying safe despite the thick snow.

I want to moan about bloody men. My DH started wallpapering (he does hate it though) it took six drops of paper to get two hung, one step ladder kicked across the room, one massive row and lots of swearing before I legged it down the road where a painter and decorator live. Quotes coming tomorrow and even though he's busy he. Will fit us in. Thank god. I thought I was going through a divorce before due date. Never again. I accept my DH can do electrics, painting, plumbing, carpentry and lots of ironing however wallpapering is not a skill he possesses.

Moan over. :)

Fwiw my belly buttons not moved at all, but I have got a wobbly tum anyway so the fats probably keeping it in.

oh ratbag wallpapering is not fun. We have done ours but never again and we only have to do 3 drops and a bit over the door.

Been shopping this morning - a local store had a blue cross sale so two dreampod bags for £7 each (were £30) and 2 flannelette sheets for £5 each (which I will cut in half to make 4 cotbed sheets!). Also braved nappies with my mum and got 100 pampers, though slighly niffed you can get cheaper Huggies via Amazon (so will order some of these too). Guess we will use so many it won't matter and in buying pampers we got a free changing bag which will be a handy spare as we got one with our pram. Also went to a fab charity shop that only does childrens / baby stuff - 4 vests, 3 long sleeve vests and a blanket for less than a fiver and all great condition. Love a bargain and every penny counts!!

Good to hear that I'm not the only one with a changing belly button. It's a little freaky.

Ratbag, my DH and I are planning to hang some wallpaper in the nursery, it will be DH's first time of hanging wallpaper and I may just go done the decorator route like you for fear of wallpaper-relate divorce proceedings.

Sounds like you got some great bargains photochick, I must check out the Huggies on Amazon.

Also have a belly button 'on the move!' Don't think it will become a proper 'outie' though. After surgery for my ectopic the little wound in my belly button got infected and had been a bit stuck down since.

I have had a lovely morning. Also done a spot of shopping & got some lovely stuff in Cath Kidston: a blanket as a new baby present for a friend expecting a girl reduced from £16 to £8. Two beautiful bibs (supposedly to go with blanket, but may end up staying here!) reduced from £8 to £2! Two vests for bump reduced to £4 for both. Also popped into M&S and was surprised how reasonable they seem, got DD a swimming costume, leggings and lovely (too nice for nursery) top for £12 total in the new season line.

I only have 12 working days left :) :) :) I am finishing at 32 weeks! I worked till 39 last time so quite a difference. I work fulltime & will be returning fulltime after a year and I owe it to DD to spend some te settling her into her new routine (as well as potentially moving house!) and preparing her for the new baby.

To those on DC2 (or more!) can I ask how you feel about this pregnancy? I thought I'd be more relaxed this time round and I'm definately worse! I'm generally pretty laid back though. I think I've bonded earlier and feel more 'invested' in this pregnancy as I look at my bump and see DD.

Work is super busy at the moment, lots of nasty viruses and chest infections around at the moment. I also saw two people last week triaged as ? Shingles and ? Chicken pox. Couldn't work out if I was being overly precious or not but it doesn't seem to be ideal. There are 3 other (male) docs in and two nurse practitioners who are both approaching 50 so not pregnant who could have seen them. They were extras so had just been out on the end of my list. I just got on with it in the end.

Right enough about me:

ratbag I HATE wall pappering and there would have been a similar scene in this house! That guy will be worth every penny.

Mama hope both you and wee Alex are continuing to go from strength to strength. How much does he weigh now?

Trishstar how are wedding plans going?

floss hope you are taking it easy, must be difficult with DS! And not too bored.

JJ hope things are ok with your mum.

Apologies for not name checking anyone else I can't flick back whilst writing this on my phone.

29 + 1

Hello everyone! I haven't posted for absolutely ages, I do try and follow the thread but it moves so quickly I find it hard to keep up!

Since I last posted I was struck down with Bells Palsy and put on 50mg Steroids for 10 days, but luckily it was mild and has mostly gone now. They were worried it was a blood clot in my brain because of the clot I had in my last pregnancy, but thankfully no clot this time! Just a wonky face and a sleepless night in hospital ;) .... (is anyone else dreading the postnatal ward???)

So pleased for Mama and Alexander, wonderful.

Some of you are so organised with your baby equipment :), I need to sort through the bits and bobs I've got and see what I need to get! Did venture out this morning to M&S and get a pack of vests and 0-3 months sleep suits, seem to be very lazy at getting stuff together for this DC.

Have joined FB group. Will seriously try not to be absent for so long again!

28+1
Due 12th April

I love hanging wallpaper, I find it so therapeutic I need to do the living/diner but I have been banned until baby arrives.

Not done anything re nursery decorating yet, not even sure where we're going to put him, DS has a room but sleeps in my room still, DH has been turfed out to the spare (can't do with his snoring and tossing and turning all night) and the box room is still junked up from when we moved here 18 months ago

Managed to get out in the back garden to build DS a snowman today, not that he was bothered, think he was more entertained by the dog frolicking after his ball!

30 weeks today yay!

toobreathless totally agree with the other staff looking at/after infectious patients, I had a patient, with GBS caused by CMV.
I know a young boy DSs age with congenital CMV so was paranoid the whole shift that was it, I had infected this one.

Wedding plans are going ok! Set for march 2nd. OH has suit just needs new shoes! I just need a dress but if I don't win the one on eBay then I've found a good website that sells maternity wedding dresses between £100-£150! And you can give them your measurements to have it altered!!

Then we just need to choose some (cheapish) wedding rings.

Xxx

Hello everyone! I haven't been on here or absolutely ages, but was pretty active on the 1st couple of threads. Glad to see everyone is doing well.

Mama1980 Congratulations on the birth of little Alex. So glad he is doing so well. Hope you will start to feel better physically soon.

Flosshilde glad you're doing ok too and that you managed to keep minifloss in for the time being. Aren't women's bodies amazing?!

Since I last posted I've had a horrendous chest infection, ended up in a&e with suspected pneumonia which was a bit scary but they put me on some steroids and antibiotics and told me to stop going into bloody work (I am an idiot and had been working in operating theatres while feeling that poorly. Had to go to A&E halfway through my shift. Not very good at admitting defeat you see.) anyway feeling a lot better now.

I found out at my 12 week scan that I have an amniotic band - a band of tissue across my uterus, which probably formed after my ELCS with DS. Apparently this has meant that there is reduced room for my baby so while it won't affect growth it could affect the baby's movement. Anyway they've been keeping a fairly close eye on me and I had a scan last week at the Fetal Medicine Unit. The scans are really detailed - they can do all the 3D stuff which was amazing! DH and I decided before I went for the can that despite always saying we didn't want to find out the gender and waned a surprise, that actually we did want to know! DH couldn't make it to this scan (to be fair it was the 8th in this pregnancy!) so I asked the consultant to write down the gender and put it in an envelope. We sat down in the evening with DS and opened the envelope. So we're having a.......................GIRL!

I am ridiculously excited about it and want to go out and buy loads of pretty girl stuff (despite not being much of a girly girl myself) But DH is a tight bastard thinks that since most the newborn stuff we've got from when DS was tiny is all neutral, we can just use those things. I've bought a few sneaky inexpensive bits and pieces though. A little red hat and gloves, a couple of girl sleepsuits and some little socks.

Anyway, I've joined the Facebook group now so will go and have a sneaky peek over there. Sorry for the epic post!

So, mum has been given all clear by doctor, still slightly paranoid as last time she got lump checked for 3yrs then had to have a mastectomy within 24hrs of the last scan, but hopefully this is nothing to worry about. Mum seems happy with result so I am too. :)
midwife thinks weight loss nothing to worry about either and bean has been reassuring me by being super wriggly :D
This morning a lovely lady helped me down the road as I was picking my way across some ice, as she walked on with her son he asked "what was wrong with that lady?" to which she replied " nothing, she has a little baby inside her that she is looking after" :)
angel hope your DH is home and you're feeling okay. Super pleased to hear mama & alex, and floss are all doing well xx

Ooh and trish that dress on eBay is gorgeous, hope you win it!

Hi,
I did originally post when we were all just pregnant, and I was a nervous wreck after having a miscarriage in April. But now I am happy things are going smoothly and I am starting to enjoy being pregnant I thought I would join everyone on here again!

We are having a surprise! Due on 26th April so a bit behind most of you.

What did most people decide about NCT classes? We are signed up for the free ones but thought we would do NCT too, until they told me it was £230! Which we can't really afford, but as none of my friends are at 'the baby stage' I'm worried I'll be a bit lonely when DH goes back to work etc. really to sure what to do!

Stay safe in the snow! X

Will also join FB group!

Welcome back keys :)
We started NCT last week (the next course finished 2 days before our due date so thought that was cutting it a bit fine!) and we've met three other great couples. Its great to feel like we have RL people to share it all with, I also feel like we're learning a few things which will help me cope with the labour and birth. I was in two minds when I found out the cost but I've no regrets now we're doing them. Just my experience though, do what feels right for you x

keys I'm not doing NCT classes (and haven't decided abou the NHS classes yet) but there are plenty of post-baby activities you can do to socialise with little one! In my local area I've been looking at surestart / bumps and babes / and NCT meet ups (that you don't have to be a member for) - I will make a rota of things to do once my LO is born and we have some kind of routine!

trish how exciting! just a word of advise, it may be worth buying yourself a super cheap temporary wedding ring and get a real one post birth, only because I can't wear my engagement ring, and my wedding ring is almost jammed onto my finger at the moment with pregnancy swelling!!

keys like you I've been an infrequent poster but trying to get a bit better now I feel more relaxed in the pregnancy (mc at 11 weeks Dec 2011) and the end is in sight with work, so there's all the exciting stuff to sort now (thanks everyone for all the lists-v useful).

On your NCT question-we were in two minds about it (for various reasons). In the end we decided to stick with the NHS ones and for me to do pregnancy yoga because I liked the idea of spending money on something fairly practical. Anyway I completely LOVE the yoga and it's local so I'm meeting some like minded ladies due around the same time. The teacher does a separate intensive birth prep workshop (for partners too), v reasonably priced so we're going to do that as well. Just an idea....if you can find a local yoga class.

Hope everyone else is well. jj - great news about our mum. You all must be so relieved.

Hi all. Trying to keep up but when I'm at work I struggle!

We decided against NCT for two reasons 1. The cost (about £130 here but can think of better ways to spend that money) and 2. They are running for 8 weeks and there's no way I can commit to that since I work shifts. We are going for a private midwife who does 1:1 at home over two sessions instead.

Great news about your Mum jj :)

I am a bit worried we're not very organised now! I need to get all the stuff we're having off my sister soon so I know what we still need!

Pontouf glad the pregnancy is going well and you're excited about a girl!

26+4

Ooooh just found a fab website listing loads of other great ones for funky babywear and other bits and pieces....I love clothes that are bright and bold colours (for bump not for me!). Just thought I'd post in case anyone is interested...apols if you all know of it already:

www.littlestuff.co.uk/shopping-directory.php?catID=17

Thanks candy! We only got engaged on Christmas Day. My ring finger has been and still is size j (has been since school) and that's what my engagement ring is and fits fine. Think j will be ok for wedding ring?

Ooh exciting trish! The dress you shared on the fb group is lovely, fx you have the winning bid :).

jj fantastic news for your mum and family :).

We're signed up to nct classes but we got them for less than £15 or we wouldn't have been able to afford them.
I'm glad too as the nhs ones are so crowded I find it difficult to see anything and people tend to talk over the ladies running the course, meaning I can't hear what they're saying either.
The nct ones start early feb.

Silly question but is it worth buying basic clothes for baby in newborn size or should we just get 0-3 months? The obstetrician thinks its going to be on the small side so I'm thinking newborn might be better at first?

My aunt has been knitting and crocheting like mad making us blankets and cardigans. Would a crochet blanket be similar to a cellular blanket with the holes in it or should we still buy cellulars? The hand crocheted ones are lots prettier :).

Thanks Faith, obviously I'd have been happy with another little boy. I have a two year old DS who is absolutely the light of my life, but I have such a great, close relationship with my Mum and i'd love to have that with a daughter of my own. Also DH and I absolutely cannot agree on another boys name so now we can stop arguing and just go with our beautiful girl's name!

Trishstar that dress is utterly gorgeous. Am very jealous, wish I could get married all over again. It was so much fun. I loved the planning as much as the day I think!

Fluffeh, if The obstetrician says your baby is likely to be smallish I'd go for newborn. To be honest a lot of it depends on leg length though. DS was an average 7lb 3oz when born but was in newborn for at least a month as he had little short legs (still does a bit!) I'd get a few newborn bits at least. It'll be a pain in the arse to have to go out and buy stuff as soon as you have the baby and if they are too small you can always eBay them and get some of the money back. Or just leave the tags on till the baby is born and you can swap them if necessary?

Urgh, have had such a rubbish night's sleep. The baby was going crazy last night, felt like she was stretching out her full length. Made me feel quite ill. Now I'm up watching a DVD with DS (lazy mother alert) as he was up at 6 as usual and it's DH's turn for a lie in. I may sneak back to bed once he gets up though!

Hi everyone!
Glad we are all progressing nicely. My belly button isnt an outy and never has been but i do have a piercing, which i have a preg bar for!
I went to a mums market event yesterday and got loads of stuff for bambino. Some new/preloved etc but at great prices. Got an elephant shaped feeding cushion, electric breast pump, tommee tippee feeding cloth, breast milk storage bags, sleepbag, birthing ball and 3 reusable newborn nappies and pail, a dummy steriliser for out nd about and a hanging decoration for the nursery all for £24!
Those of you wanting to use reusable nappies, i recommend you check with your local council on any schemes they may have first. Ours had a stall at the event and i got the nappies and pail for free(all brand new) for signing up to do 3 online surveys over a year! It allows me to see if i like them and they also do a hire scheme so you dont have to keep buying new sizes along with a support group!

back to work today after a weeks holiday, so better get myself ready!

porkus good to have you back :) really glad to hear they caught the bells palsy early too and you're well again. Our plumber had it in November too and they thought it was a stroke at first, surprisingly common and must have been scary.
I'm dreading postnatal ward and have fear they won't let me out because I can't get the hang of breastfeeding. In ideal world bean will be born with no intervention, feed straight away and we'll be discharged 6hrs later straight from labour ward :)

Can I try & reassure people somewhat about the post natal ward. I had DD 23.04.2011 so same time of year. I went to a small district hospital in Hampshire for induction on good Friday & she was born on Easter Saturday.

I had 1 midwife and a student through out active labour despite not really 'needing' it - no particular medical reason for 1 to 1 care. For pushing I had 2 midwives plus student. I stayed the first night on labour ward as I had a bleed after DD arrived so they could 'keep an eye.' Then I spent a further 2 nights in as DD was rubbish at breast feeding initially. The care throughout was exceptional. I had a double room to myself as I was staff (didn't ask for it) but the main rooms slept 6 and never had more than 3 ladies in each, most had 1 or 2. DH was given a lesson in how to bathe DD and we had so much support with everything. One of the other ladies in my antenatal group went three as was also really happy with the care they recieved and she had an EMCS.

I know you hear some real horror stories on MN but people don't tend to talk as much about the great experiences so it presents a rather biased picture. I did think very carefully about where I had DD opting not to go to my local bigger and busier hospital and going to the one I worked at instead. Not sure how much of a difference this made.

I will also be hoping for a discharge from labour ward this time though :)