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

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I love the name Esme, but a friend's DD is Esme already, so I think it's out for us.

Morning everyone, thanks so much for the comments and support, as always, it really helps so much seriously to know we are less alone.
Well Alex is still going great on Cpap and had 1ml of milk yesterday and he rested much better afterwards which is great as it means that he didnt suffer any pain, now just awaiting to see what his bowel does. He showed a echogenic bowel the scan while I was pg and they have been monitoring everything really closely but it looks like that was just old blood. They have scanned his bowel and everything looks good so fingers crossed. He is actually doing much better so far than ds1 was doing at this stage, his bowel hadn't formed properly and he needed three operations on it, two neonatal one at 6 months corrected.
dysgu your are right it looks like so much when really its tiny, I took a photo of the syringe to compare to a pint for him on his 18th birthday do you mind me asking how early was your dd? I hope your babe stays put this time!
Glad to hear everyone else's news I hope anyone feeling poorly is feeling better soon.
I have physio this afternoon we are going to practice sitting up fully lol! try to get some strength and movement in my hips. The bruises I have to say are phenomenal it looks like my legs have been beaten with a stick. I also have another MRI to check everything is more or less where it should be.
All this food talk is making me hungry! I'm not able to eat much yet just milkshakes and soup really but my brother has promised to bring me a Big Mac as soon as the drs say its ok -something to aim for.
My poor dd had her first gcse biology part yesterday she thinks it has gone well (she's taking it a year early anyway) but felt awful she hasn't had time to revise properly coming here every night. At least the school know so she has exceptional circumstances for a retake if she needs it.
I'm waiting for a porter to come get me to see Alex so better go. I'll try to update later

Afternoon ladies.

aufanie I could go to the midwives at my Drs but they are the same midwifes as at the health centre they just move around during the week. I have a named midwife who did my booking in but so far I haven't seen the same midwife twice!

I have had good news today though DS has finally been offered a school place!!!!! He has been out of school for 7 months now and was desperate to get back in to school. I am bloody over the moon
seeing the
So that's 2 of them in school (seperate schools but I just don't care) and just 1 (DD2 age 5) waiting for a place now. Fingers crossed they will all be in school by the time DS2 arrives

Off to my 28 week growth scan now, looking forward to seeing Hugo again

mama good luck with the physio and keep looking ahead to that Big Mac

Have been trying to skim read through the thread but failing miserably to properly catch up. My bad! Glad to heard that Alexander and Mama are still doing well and keeping trucking. Hope everyone else is well, too.

Had whooping cough jab today and can confirm there is nothing to worry about - very straightforward and not as painful as flu jab IMHO. Also had 30 week growth scan yesterday which was nice. Baby not getting too big yet, although they are keeping an eye on fluid - still in normal range for now but on the high side... Um, other than that, just feeling huge and getting lots of really strong kicks and punches from LO. Finish work 5 weeks tomorrow (not that I'm counting).

Seeing the chat about hospital bags- I have a rough list of things to get but was not planning to pack for another few weeks. Has everyone else already started to pack, or are you just list-writing?

30+1

Lovely to hear that mama and alex are going from strength to strength, great to have you back with your own updates too mama :)

Feeling like the "last man standing" a bit with everyone posting when they are working until, the 3 other girls in my NCT class are due first 2 weeks in March and I've still got another 11weeks at work as I'm aiming to work until 39 weeks, it seems like forever. Also feels like forever until scan at 34 weeks, but at least I get to see little bean then and don't have to wait all the way until the birth, (I'm a bit impatient!)

On the flip, also not looking forward to the pregnancy being over. I'm fortunate that I've not had too much to deal with and apart from heartburn, insomnia, some early SPD (which thankfully cleared up) and my fragmin injections, I've felt really well throughout. i really love feeling little bean wiggling and kicking inside and think I'll miss that feeling of closeness, although of course I'll still have little bean to cuddle :)

I've not packed my hospital bag, but have started accumulating stuff, although really really need to get the room sorted to make room for the cot and everything else! i also need to read the breastfeeding and Gina ford books that my friend loaned me, and start Maggie Howell's CD, although I have started the raspberry Leaf tea :) Guess I should count my blessings that I still have a fair few weeks to go!

jj - yes, you have a lot to fit in, but that is a good distraction too

I've started my hypnobirthing CD and am doing it a couple of times a week at the moment. When I go on mat leave I'll be listening every day, so hopefully it will have some effect!

Mama great news about Alex! Hope you are quickly back to 100% soon too.

I went out with OH's Mum today and took advantage of the Boots and Asda baby event

Got
Manual breast pump
Breast pads
Maternity pads
Cotton buds/wool
Coming home outfit
First size vests/sleep suits
Stroller toy
Lasinoh cream x2
Sodocrem (big pot for home and little pot for changing bag)
12 muslin cloths (do I need more?)

Now do I need nipple shields?? Xxx

Wow lots going on on the thread-as usual I'm in catch up mode, so sorry for not namechecking everything.

mama great to hear little Alex is progressing well. What a little trooper. And great to hear you're starting to feel a bit better too...onwards and upwards.

jacqueline hope your growth scan went well. I have mine tomorrow-was already a bit fretful then had 28 mw appt today and bump is now measuring small (25cm for 27+6....first time since they found blood flow risk thing that there's actually any evidence of baby being small for dates). Loveliest midwife was v reassuring saying all the right things but of course I'm still in a massive old stress about tomorrow. Deep breathing in order!

Must check out all these supermarket baby events-we don't have any of the toiletries (for me or baby!) sorted yet. Thanks for all the tips.

Trishstar I would say probably yes, but then I live about 35 mins from a large supermarket and they were a lifesaver with DD & got us through a very bad patch leaving me able to continue feeding for over a year. I honestly think without them I would have given up, it was excruciating. Think they are about £4.

I have been told over and over you can NEVER have enough muslins so buy the same again and not all white - get some coloured ones that won't get lost in the bed sheets at night!

Someone also recently recommended the Medela (?) nipple shields as being the best.

I have started to pack my bag i got new knickers pjs and nightys yesterday have to add only starting so early as i think baby will be early. i had my 28 week scan on tuesday and consultant app baby is lying transverse and breech!i am under consultant care for high bp in previous pg but on tuesday it had dropped really low so midwife is comin on saturday for a home visit

Thanks for the advice. I got 12 muslins in white, blue and white with blue stars!

Will look at those shields too! I did see them today

Mama wow 1ml - I know it looks so much and will be a great comparison with his first pint when he is 18 (because they all wait until they are legal!)

DD1 was born at 32 weeks so nowhere near as early as Alex - but she came very quickly (active stage

I got a bit behind this week!

Am a bit stressed out, planning to move soon & time seemed to creep up on us and now I feel all rushed, plus terrified as am moving to Scotland so will be away from my friends, family & well basically everything I know except OH. Not sure he realises how worried I am about it & we ended up arguing this morning because I assumed I would be able to take baby on train back to London by about 6 weeks for visits, but he is really against baby travelling so soon, I can't even argue properly at the moment as I just cannot stop myself crying.

Is anyone else crying at the drop of a hat? starting to wonder if I actually have something wrong with me I cry at least once per day & anything can trigger it.

I can't namecheck today as I got a bit behind, sorry for all the mememe. I hope everyone is keeping well in the snow

user just a quick note to say that in the circumstances I think it's perfectly normal to be crying every day, you're combining moving house, leaving your friends and family and all the stresses and worries of pregnancy with a heap of jumbling hormones. I think it would be more of a worry if it wasn't affecting you! It will get better and your friends and family will only ever be a phone call away or even better, use Skype! Talk to your oh so he can at least understand how you're feeling then you'll at least feel like you're doing this together, not alone xx
always hope all goes well tomorrow
dysgu thanks so much for sharing story of Dd1, she sounds quite the inspiration and just shows that anything is possible

username I am literally crying at everything, adverts, people being nice, so the fact you are doing something as life changing as moving to Scotland, you are more than entitled to cry! I cried explaining to my DP why my son will only be allowed to wear a Welsh rugby jersey and not an English one. DP isn't into rugby and isn't very patriotic where as I am massively so he's only teasing me but I was a ball of emotions explaining my passion-issues!!

Right had a look at Maggie Howell on amazon and there are too many choices. Which do I need to buy please...

www.amazon.co.uk/Maggie-Howell/e/B001GJJ1YK

Yes, Mama DD1 is marvellous but so is DD2! She was born at 35 weeks (in active stage of 25 minutes) and has lesser vision issues. We were so laid-back with her though as she had none of the major issues DD1 had had.

Regarding crying, yes I can join this gang too although I have found the last week to be a bit better. I am now 27+1 (or +2 as it is past midnight ) which I think makes me more relaxed as each week DC3 stays inside should mean a better/easier outcome.

DP is also very good at coping with me off-loading: maybe this is when his Asperger's is useful as it is basically impossible to hurt his feelings so I can moan about him and he just (pretends) to listen. It would be easier for him to have a list of problems to solve as 'just listening' is hard for him but he is good at trying.

OTOH he frustrates me when I want sympathy/empathy as he doesn't 'get' it - today DD1 had to remind him that I had been at the hospital for my first steroid injection and that I am there tomorrow again for more injections and my GTT. He does not think to ask how things went etc as it is basically not directly relevant to him!

Once the baby comes however, he is great

user that sounds like a totally normal reaction to your situation! Where in Scotland are you moving to? I am in Edinburgh but have lived quite a few places so happy to help with tips on places to go, anything that might be different (can only really think of buying a house as an example, otherwise I promise it's not a foreign country :)) PM me if I can help at all (I have no idea how that works so maybe message here to let me know that you have and I'll look out for it)

Hi ladies!
The crying I'm thinking is normal. I was watching that Trevor McDonald thing this morning and was sobbing at how horrible the death penalty is. Silly really but to think of another human being having execution hanging over them sometimes for 20+ years just really got to me. I know they are some of the most awful crimes ever committed but it still makes me sad.

I got a fab deal at the Asda baby event, steriliser plus 2 bottles and a brush for £10. We aren't planning on formula feeding but thought we might need the steriliser for dummies, toys etc.

My friend starts mat leave today and only has 5 weeks till her due date, I'm slightly envious but would probably be in a blind panic if my baby was here that quickly because we are so unprepared! Haha :).

Morning everyone, hope you are all well.

mama so great to hear little Alex getting on so well, and your on the mend to.

Still not bought a lot, but i have started to gather my hospital bag bits and pieces together, is anyone else taking a small suitcase in? I know I'll be in for 48 hours at least, but don't want to give the impression I want to stay longer that necessary!

Essexwelsh I would start with the Effective Birth Preparation CD which is the Natal hypnotheraphy CD I listen to a couple of times a week. www.amazon.co.uk/Effective-Birth-Preparation-Hospital-Centre/dp/1905220502/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359102365&sr=8-1. Then if you get on with that you can buy some of the other Cds/book.

You can usually get these a bit cheaper on ebay which is where I brought mine x

Morning everyone...Crying at the drop of a hat here too

28 week growth scan was fab! The consultant said the growth couldn't be more spot on if it were in a text book.

Mt Pascall is such a lovely consultant, he asked about my anxiety about the hospital (because of past traumatic experiences there) which proved he had read my notes. He chased my anethiatist appointment, asked how the other children were, joked about me having had a full MOT this week and how I could really do without all these appointments as I am busy enough as it is. Then asked me if there was anything at all I wanted to talk about. So, so lovely and I will be seeing him again on Feb 21st after my next growth scan.

I do have a possible urine infection which they are running some tests on as this is why they thing my waters broke at 30 weeks last time but other than that all is goo in the hood

Off to look at DS's new school in a bit, he is so excited and I am hoping he can start on Monday!!

Will list everything I have bought so far later as I unpacked and sorted it all the other day. Haven't even begun to assemble my hospital bag yet, that will be my next target.

Hope you are all well and have a fabulous Friday.

Happy Friday! Thank goodness. All this talk of hospital bags has got me thinking I should get some bits together.

I ended up taking ridiculous amounts last time do this time I am having two small bags; one for labour and immediately after and one for PN ward (if I end up staying). Will leave 'bag 2' in the car and just get DH to swap them after the birth.

Hi all
Just got back from midwife (31 week appointment? Not sure!) she was pretty sure that the baby is now head down, which is wasn't at the 28 week scan. She also said that my iron levels were 'amazing' - so it's not anaemia knackering me out then, just life!
Also wanted to reassure everyone about the whooping cough jab - had it on Wednesday and my arm is a tiny bit sore but nothing more. I know everyone reacts differently but wanted to reassure that it's not a foregone conclusion that it will be unpleasant!