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

[edinfirst]

Link to stats thread

Morning all lots to catch up on. Had my whooping cough jab yesterday and mu arm is so sore! I think ive nearly got everything for my hospital bag think im going to wash babys clothes and pack it today. 29weeks so can see the finishing line babe has been super wriggly so im hoping hes thinking of going head down soon!

Hey everyone! Hey steph!

We've nearly got everything just need nursing bra's, baby carrier/sling, new Moses basket mattress and we're done!!

I have had my eye on the mamas and papas gingerbread blanket for ages tho so might "have" to get it!

Today I've got to give legal notice of marriage at the registry office n go get bloods done. Wonder why I haven't had a 28w appt? I had one at 26, then nothing til next week when I'm 30w!

Anyways hoping baby boy stays head down (he was head down at 4d scan)

29+0

Morning all.

Crikey ruddy, that sounds like a bit of a nightmare. Hope the crack turns out to be easier to fix than it seems.

mama, I'm amazed it's taken this long for your OH to visit and that he didn't see Alex. Maybe he needs more time but if it's he's not there for you when you need him most I wonder if you'd be better off without him. Anyhow, you have more important things to focus on. I hope the phsyio is going well, the cute instructor has to be an incentive

dysgu that sounds like a busy couple of weeks ahead make sure you don't take too much on.

My maternity cover is a bit strange, rather than recruiting someone to cover my work is being devolved around colleagues. The thing that kind of bugs me is that I have to plan it all myself in terms of deciding who should cover what. My bosses haven't lined anyone up, it's all up to me it seems. Sometimes I wish they'd take more of a part in it rather than me sorting everything out. My motivation is on the floor, cannot wait to finish.

Gosh ruddy, what a nightmare. Make sure you get a second opinion from another builder/structural engineer to make sure he's being honest...

mama well done on the progress (and the fit physio!). Alex is such a strong boy, you must be so proud. Clearly your P has no idea how to handle things but I'm a bit shocked that he didn't go to see his own son

I'm very much enjoying my A/L this week. I keep remembering I don't have to go to work and then ! I've started packing my hospital bag. Have you guys washed the baby clothes? I feel a bit superstitious about it! I need some vests though - think I'll go to Asda tomorrow since I'll be in that part of town.

28+0 and off to see the midwife again in a minute, presume I'll have my whooping cough jab and the results of my GTT that I had yesterday.

Morning and thanks everyone.
Feeling better today, stronger and I'm getting a Alex cuddle soon and then have a meeting with his consultant to talk everything through thoroughly. Alex was making little kiss shapes with his mouth last night its sooo cute, apparently that's what he would be doing in utero right now to prepare for the suck reflex developing. So so beautiful. I can't believe how big he is looking as well, he's starting to look like a baby not a baby bird! He is getting some control over his body too rather than just being moved and positioned he is reaching and kicking. The one thing they are concerned about is his eyes but to be honest when the dr mentioned that I almost laughed if him being worst case scenario unable to see is all we have to worry about then I can't believe our luck.
As for my 'partner' well as much as he is struggling and finding this terribly painful (see my sarcasm here!) no one treats my children like this or puts themselves before them. He is not my partner nor will he be getting any second chances with me.
I hope everyone is well?
I'll update later thanks again.

Hi Ladies!! I'm currently 26 weeks - is it too late to join the thread? New in London - registered at St Mary's hospital. Thinking of joining Lynda leach for Antenatal Classes at the Life Center in Nottinghill. Anyone going there? Or heard of her? Thanks :)

Hi everyone - this thread moves so fast! Sorry to hear so many people have external pressures to deal with at the moment. :(

I'm feeling tired, fat, fed-up and weepy today. Sleeping really badly at the moment as I just can't seem to find a comfortable position. 30+4.

I also have a bit of a selfish issue. I love my DH very much and understand that his family are very important to him (and to me). But I do feel a bit overwhelmed that his parents are going to visit from Spain for 5 days, 3 weeks after my due date and then this morning he told me that his sister and husband are going to visit for 4 days, the day after his parents leave. That means we will have visitors for 9 days solid. (Followed by his niece a week later!)

In usual circumstances I wouldn't mind - but they don't speak English and it's just hard work - especially as I won't be able to get away. We only have a small 2-bed terrace. It is selfish on my part I think, as it's important DH gets to share the new baby with his family too (mine are going to be around frequently!) But my heart is just sinking at the thought of having guests as I think I'm going to be tired, irritable and trying to adjust to a massive-life-changing experience. I'm sure it'll be fine - but in my current over-emotional state it seems like a big deal. :(

On a happier note - all our baby furniture is up now and looks lovely. I've even stocked the changing table with everything we'll need! Our moses basket is on order and should arrive tomorrow. My Mum has ordered our pram (she buys all the first ones in the family, which is lovely!) We are having a beautiful black Silver Cross Sleepover Elegance.

Also - I've been listening to the hypnobirthing CD, but can't stop falling asleep to it! Does anyone else have this issue?

Morning all! welcome Nottinghill

Mama so glad to hear you are doing well & I hope starting to recover physically yourself now too.

Fluffeh & Ruddy sorry to hear of your house problems, I hope you get everything cleaned up & sorted.

So my GTT was normal but the high end of normal. The consultant yesterday was a bit vague if I should be worried or not. He said I was borderline, so I asked if I should try to watch diet etc and he said no your result is normal, BORDERLINE normal. So I was like okaaay but really should I worry a bit, & he was again, no your normal ONLY JUST NORMAL THOUGH.

I didn't see the point of stressing the only just normal part if there was really nothing to be done... I checked the result myself & I'm not overly concerned (blood sugar 6.5 after 2 hours after all that lucozade) but figure there is no harm in cutting down on sugars.

I also had +4 leucocytes, so been sent off yet again to check for infection. Pretty sure they will find one this time thankfully since I can't stop weeing!

Lastly was a trace of protein, but my blood pressure isn't up (surprisingly considering) & I don't have headaches or swelling so I assume I just contaminated my sample since I was having difficulty in reaching to do it... tmi sorry, but bump seems to be in way of everything.

Wow really long post, sorry for waffling.

29+4

Welcome Notting, not too late to join at all! This thread moves quite quickly so jump on in. I'm nowhere near you unfortunately so can't advise!

user I concluded that even though my GTT came back as normal (yay!), I should make a concerted effort to cut down on all the crap processed sugar I've been eating. I just snacked on pistachios and a banana

Leukocytes can show up for other reasons like discharge contamination in the sample...but leukocytes and protein might indicate infection. Make sure you're drinking plenty.

Glad you're doing ok this morning Mama :)

Novia is it all booked? Could you ask for a bit of a delay so there's a gap between visits? That sounds intense!

Mama you sound very resilient your children are lucky to have you!!

Welcome nottinghill!

Novia I don't think it's unreasonable that you want your space so soon after due date, just explain to OH that he will need to be doing the hosting duties whilst you adjust xx

Right ladies! Nappy bins yay or nay?

Wow, this thread moves quickly!

To update you, my friend had her little girl at 35 weeks, she's going great guns and they are now home. She's apparently a dream baby, barely cries, feeds well, is putting on weight, sleeps well. What's not so good is that their 4 yr old DS is playing up. He's being gentle with the baby but is very angry otherwise. He keeps rejecting Mum, only wanting Dad to do things with him, and when they visited us was very volatile, kept pushing our DS (21 months) away, shouting etc. So it's made me think about DS and how he might react. I've got a toy ready for baby to give him (a till, that beeps, and has buttons to press) but if anyone has any strategies, I'm all ears!

We've got a few things still to get, a new cot mattress and a baby monitor. clothes wise - if she is refluxy like DS then we don't have enough! But I don't want to buy in lots and she only wears things once.

And I think I've got everything for my hospital bag, apart from a button down nightie. I've got my Mum on the case looking in the UK, so if anyone has found any so I can send her to the right shop I'd love to know.

Welcome nottinghill!

Trish, I'd say nay to nappy bins. Unless you get the ones that seal the nappies in, they are such a faff and end up stinking before you empty them. With DD1, I just hung a carrier bag on the end of the changing table and chucked one or two dirty nappies in and then threw that in the outside bin. At first we had bought a lovely shiny white nappy bin, but the whole room ended up smelling of poo by lunchtime (nice). She was an August baby, but ours will be still pooing a LOT by the time the weather warms up.

On non-poo-based matters, I just can't get my head round getting everything ready - getting stuff down from the loft, cleaning bedding etc. Although it's only (approx!) 8.5 weeks to go (oh my god oh my god), I still can't bring myself to do it. Anyone else on DC2 or more feel like this?

31+2

Wombat, I've read a lot about introducing existing DCs to new babies. Apparently the very first meeting is very important - things like you shouldn't be holding the baby when the DC first sees it, talk about 'our baby' (or even 'your baby') rather than 'mummy's baby' or similar.
I'm really worried about it, although I've been making efforts to hold every baby I can so that DD gets used to it (she's been fine so far, but who know?!)

Thanks jess, I was looking at the tommee tippee sangenic one! Looks like it seals up everything nicely! It's half price in boots and mothercare at the moment too! So it's £12something!

Hi all,

Nothing to report here, except insomnia and leaky boobs, lovely catching up on your updates.

mama glad to hear Alex is so well, and that your old P won't be getting a look in.

novia we live some distance away from family, DH and I have said that neither of us can agree to any visits without checking/confirming with the other first.

We have also said that all visitors will have to book into the Holiday Inn/Travel lodge etc - use the excuse of we don't want the baby to disturb them, plus while they are welcome, we need time alone to bond with our baby and get feeding established etc.

He only gets 2 weeks paternity leave, and i don't want it ruined for him by having to compromise on his time bonding with DD ad entertaining visitors

Thanks guys - the problem is partly cost. The economy is appalling in Spain and they all have miniumum-wage type jobs, so putting them into a hotel isn't an option (and would be considered really rude as we always stay with them). No one has visited in the entire time DH and I have been together (over 3 years) and he has 5 siblings, all married with kids, so it's not as if we have them all the time - which is why I feel like I'm being a bit unreasonable to object IYSWIM?!

I think I just need to suck it up really - at least they care. But wanted somewhere I could have a moan without offending DH. He really misses his family, so I don't want to spoil this time for him - logically I know it's as important for them to meet the baby as it is for mine... it's just that my family speak English and will go home at night!

welcome notting :)

mama loved your last response about 'partner', you are such a strong person and have your priorities very soundly placed, I'm sure you'll make the right decisions where he is concerned so your children always come first, he just needs to grow up and learn that for himself from the sounds of things.

dysgu and teapig, feeling the pain re. the maternity leave. I'm planning on working up to 39 weeks and taking no holidays prior to then, so that I can take 1 day a week holiday when I return from 18 weeks ML. i currently just work 5hrs on a Friday so I've asked if I can return to work not doing Fridays as part of my ML notification and application for flexible working hours. I've just been informed by my boss that they are still considering my request to split my holidays on my return, let alone consider the flexible work request as they are really short staffed and are struggling to recruit anyone (we are 2 people down, before I go off!) This means instead of easing back into work 3 days a week, I may have to come back full time, after just 18 weeks ML :( I really don't want to be putting bean into childcare at all, and the thought of them going in full time at such a young age is a real wrench. I just want to shout "well if you paid us all more, you'd have no trouble recruiting someone else!!" Sorry, just worrying about returning to work and I've not even gone on leave yet! I didn't think I was asking for that much though with the flexible hours... also worried they will force me to take some of my AL before bean is born when I don't really want to take it... Off to look at 2 potential nurseries next week... maybe should start buying lottery tickets :D

Thank you so much ladies for welcoming me :) I'm loving this thread!! Seems like u guys have already bought stuff for the nursery and all ready to welcome the baby. I've only just started buying stuff - am i too behind (26 weeks). Any recommendation on what bottle to buy?? I will be breast feeding hopefully - thinking of buying Dr Browns. Is that a good choice?

I feel for you Novia but my mother in law will be coming in feb for 2-3 weeks before the baby arrives and then comes back for 1.5 months after the baby arrives :) I can't do anything about it as it is important for my husband - thought u might feel better that ur in-laws will be coming only for 9 days :)

More rain = more leaking into the back bedroom. I rang the letting agency again this morning and they're saying they can't release the job to a contractor until they have the landlords consent. That's fine except the landlord is not getting back to their 4 messages since yesterday! (Angry face goes here).

In more good news, the building next door is infested with rats. There was one sat on the drain pipe (the kitchen/bathroom one) just having a wash in broad day light! I neeeeed to move house :(.

mama hope you have a nice cuddle with Alex.

nottinghill welcome :).

Hope everyone's ml plans get easier. It's almost February eek April is practically round the corner!

nottinghillmom1234 - that does make me feel better! ;)

Novia I sympathise with you. My sister has kindly booked her wedding for just over 2 weeks after my due date. We both live in the Channel Islands and our family in England so they will be descending en mass for 4 days and expecting to stay at my house as my sister has a tiny flat. Feel I've been put in a awkward position and as we have a spare bedroom so feel I can't tell my parents that they can't stay with us. The last thing I wanted was to have people stay straight after having the baby let alone have to deal with a wedding and get dressed up in a bridesmaid dress!

I think all you can do is accept they are staying but get your other half to make it clear to them that they need to give you space and you can't be running around after them.

Hi all, my cuddle was amazing I got to hold him for over a hour and read to him a bit, problems with his sats or anything I spoke with the consultant for a long while who is basically thrilled with his progress-words cannot express how proud I am!! They think he has a hernia which will need to be operated on when he is a bit bigger but other than that everything is looking good. The steroids and magnesium drip seem to have made a huge difference as far as his lungs are concerned and he is tolerating milk well which is a huge step, he's hopeful alex will be home before his due date!
I'm going to tell my dd she can go shopping for baby things, she will be so excited.
I need another blood transfusion my bp is a bit low nothing serious but they just want to be safe, after yesterday. Physio again tomorrow.
trish I am firmly in the nappy bin yay camp! I loved mine and found it really useful. Think mine was a tomee tipee one that had a self sealing top.
Welcome nottinghill the more the merrier as others have said things move super fast on here so leap in!
Thanks as always for the good wishes x

Mama that's great news so thrilled for you all!

Thanks for the nappy bin answer! It's the tommee tippee one I was looking at! It's £10 on amazon at the moment too and the cartridges are cheaper there also x

Cor Blimey, you lot are having real problems! Houses and families and partners, thinking of you all!

My family live in Wales but I have already said they are welcome to come up for a couple of weeks after the birth...as long as they stay with my MIL who lives around the corner

Working from home has been wonderful and my SPD has not flared up at all since and only 3 full weeks left (have half term in the middle) feel a bit bad that will be enjoying the ML without baby for 5 weeks, but can't wait!

Nappy bins, I have one as recommended, it's angel care that turns after each nappy to lock in the smell. Currently only £9.99 from kiddicare or £18.94 with 3 refills. Have to say kiddicare online was amazing, ordered Friday, arrived Monday and they text to say that it would arrive at 14.27 and was 3 minutes early!!! Also found a code on voucher codes to get an extra 5% off! My life revolves around finding bargains now