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

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Morning!

Can anyone help ... I had my 28week bloods taken and when I went back for my next appointment the midwife said my iron levels were fine, I just had a phone call from my doctors to say that they have received copies of my blood results and my iron levels are low and that I need iron tablets. The doc has even put the prescription into the chemist for me to collect straightaway.

I'm confused! Who do I believe?!? And what should I do?

Keys86: I had it another way around at my earlier blood test. The MW said it's low and that I should go back to my GP and ask for iron tablets. I went back and my GP said it's totally fine, on the borderline but it's still normal and I should not take them. Confusing! So I then heard about spatone iron liquid sachets (100% natural) bought some and taking them since - just to be on the safe side as I want to make sure I have a good iron level. I need a good level as I have a higher risk to haemorrhage.

Hi all
I had my 34 week scan this morning (growth scan due to early low hormone level). All is fine and I've been signed off from hospital care to the community midwives again. Baby is growing well and estimated to be 6.5-7lbs at birth. Really relieved.
I'm going to pack the hospital bag this week. Pretty sure I've got all the bits, just need to put them all in one place!
One tip that I'll share from DD's birth is to take Vaseline as breathless says, rather than sudocreme - if you put it on baby's bottom, the meconium slides off rather than setting like tar and needing to be scraped off! Only need it for a couple of days, so just buy a little pot.
I took huge amounts of stuff in with me, and used a fraction of it, so I will try and tone it down this time!

Keys do you get sent a copy of the rest results? Perhaps you can get someone else to look at them?

Jessie & Toobreathless thanks for the advice on the Vaseline. Stupid question, but how soon does the meconium come? Straight away?

ollibobs, with DD the first meconium came after a couple of hours, so we were still in hospital. I think it lasted a few days before things became a bit more 'normal' (it's all a bit of a blur though!)

Bought a nice secondhand cot off eBay which was advertised as taking mattress size 120x60. Bought new mattress 120x60 and it's far too small. There's a great big gap at the back. Not happy.

And the car seat won't attach into the car. No isofix points.

Not the greatest weekend in terms of baby preparations!

I did get hospital bag packed though. It's very much the same as everyone else's though I will get some Vaseline -thanks for that tip!

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Bought a nice secondhand cot off eBay which was advertised as taking mattress size 120x60. Bought new mattress 120x60 and it's far too small. There's a great big gap at the back. Not happy.

And the car seat won't attach into the car. No isofix points.

Not the greatest weekend in terms of baby preparations!

I did get hospital bag packed though. It's very much the same as everyone else's though I will get some Vaseline -thanks for that tip!

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So great I seem to have posted it twice!

Thanks everyone for sharing their hospital bag lists - I'm very disorganised on this front and still have to buy all of the bits and pieces so your lists will be very useful.

Back in the hospital today for more monitoring today and delighted that baby decided to perform for the doctors and clocked up around 80 movements in an hour and her heart rate acceleration and decelerations looked good. They have given me the all clear so am chuffed!

Hi all

Can someone just reassure me please?

Baby had mega reduced movements yesterday and today, so rang fr advice and they gave me a trace. All fab could feel baby and showed well on trace, still less movement than what been before. Anyway as a matter of routine apparently I now need an extra scan tomorrow and a consultant appointment on weds as this the second time I've been in for the same thing. Please tell me it is routine and that they haven't found something dodgy but are not telling me. :(

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Hi all - have just caught up on the last few days as we have been away for the weekend.

Hope all those with worries are finding reassurance. There are so many things to worry about when pregnant although then there are times I almost forgot I am pregnant (but remember again as soon as the baby kicks or I bump myself trying to close a door or something else so simple (but narrow!)

We have pretty much bought everything that we need to - at least until the baby actually arrives when we will need to buy it some more clothes. We were on the mainland for the weekend and have come back, as planned, with a cot, mattress, sheets, muslins, travel system with car base and 2 chests of drawers (which are for DDs as I need to sort their room out and will then re-use DD1's chest of drawers for DC3). We also spent a small fortune on DDs in Toys R Us and Primark so at least they don't feel that the baby is the only one getting spoiled! So there went my birthday money (although I did buy another pack of big pants for myself!!)

The travel system is really nice - we just wanted something small to live in the car so we bought a Joie Mirus (or something like that) which does exactly what I want - it has a car base that fixes in the car (with the seat belt not isofix) and then you just pop the car seat on and off with the press of button. The staff at Babies R us were great - they had to keep trying until to get the base to fit correctly until I remembered that the back seat in our car slides forward just for such things!

And the highlight of the weekend was that DD1 actually managed to dance at her first dance competition! She hates being the centre of attention! She ended up dancing the first dance with one of her teachers, the second she did by herself but stopped half way through when she noticed the audience and the third one she did by herself all the way through. She was meant to do three more dances but her dance school leader agreed for her to just do these... and she came away with 2 medals: one 3rd place and one highly commended so we are a very proud family.

ratbag I'm sure they are just being extra extra cautious and just want to be 100%, its seems there's not always a reason when movements go quiet but its good they take it seriously and do extra checks. With me because the baby wasn't moving much they just wanted to check that there was no problem with the cord that meant the baby wasn't getting enough energy to move and to check the growth. I'm sure they are just being extra cautious with you rather than finding something dodgy. Hope all goes well tomorrow.

I know this sounds like a weird question, but I am planning to have a water birth (fingers crossed) - anyone know what it's best to wear? I'm too prudish to be totally naked but don't want to invest in a bikini top which won't fit me later.

ratbagcatbag that seems normal these days, I think there has been a change in policy recently. I think it's just in case there may be a problem, but not that there is.

empress our mattress has a little room around the sides, it did worry me, but it seems that a bit of space is fine.

Is that a maxi cosi base? I think they might do both seat belt attach and isofix. Might be worth checking the instructions.

Somedays are head smackingly annoying.

DD has a fever and is really drowsy, slept 12 hours last night and spent most of the day asleep. She hasn't slept during the day in over a year, she's just turned two.

Forgot to say, thanks for posting about bags... Must get on and pack mine!

mama loving hearing the news about Alex. You seem to be working hard on your recovery, as well. I hated seeing counsellors, but must admit that I didn't feel the need to talk about it for a while and then they were helpful. Different circumstances, but I was too busy at the time for it to actually hit me. It was nearly a year later when things were normalising.

lutrinae I didn't get a water birth last time as I was induced. This time I have a long, stretchy vest to wear that will cover some of me but won't float! I may end up getting rid of it halfway through though! Xxx

I've done the stupidest thing ever today :(. I was walking my aunts dog and ended up breaking the roller tip off my cane. So cue DP having to piggyback me home, muddy shoes and all. I've rang social care for a new tip but it could be weeks. I'm now stuck in at home until they can get me one :(.
It means I'm missing my nct class tomorrow night and maybe even Saturday if its not fixed by then. Thankfully my midwife visits me at home so she'll still be ok to visit tomorrow :).

great bag lists - thanks! One more trip to boots and I will be ready (hopefully! ). Then just have to order a cot mattress and the car seat. Might have to wait till pay day.

Last night had major leg cramps - so painful I literally jumped out of bed more than once which is not easy these days! Anyone know what causes it?

Got on my plane home tonight, tired and just said good bye to my DP who I won't see for a week and the guy next to me makes s sarcastic comment about me putting my bag under the seat in front. Cue tears for a good 15 mins. Served him right ha ha! blooming hormones!

Sorry some of you have had stressful weekends but it's good you are being thoroughly checked out.

fluffeh that's awful for you, don't know if this is any help, didn't know if it could help until your cane is fixed. On eBay there is a health care company and they sell ambutech graphite folding canes with roller tip 120cms, for just under £9 plus £2 delivery, and it says delivery within 3 days via courier. could something like this help so you're not housebound until yours is fixed. Anyway just thought I would let you know.

Fluffeh sorry about your cane, hope you get a replacement ASAP.

Ratbag, I had exactly the same last week - even though my midwife got a clear heartbeat she insisted I go in fr a trace. And even though they got a good read with lots of movements they still insisted I go back the next day for a scan. They all said it was just a belt and braces approach, they won't risk missing anything. Hope you get the all clear.

Lutrinae I'm also hoping for a water birth. Everything I've read suggests the water is so pleasant you won't want clothes per se so I've got an old jersey cropped bra top that I just about fit in still so I thought I'd wear that to keep my boobs out of the way. Not particularly bothered about showing them, but I think they might just get in the way as they've gone so massive!

Hope your weeks improve everyone

30w tomorrow - hurray!

And the heartburn at night has started....

Any suggestions?

keys that's fantastic thank you! I've ordered one now just gotta wait for it to arrive :)

Will update properly later but has anyone bought a car seat yet? If so any recommendations? I won't be buying a pushchair. My brother is going to get one for Alex and he hasn't a clue bless him

So glad its sorted fluffeh!

Was rushed in yesterday, with what could have been labour! (Under strict instructions not to go into labour because of my history- just have to remind my body that) anyway 7 hours later it turned out to be braxton hicks.
Baby monitored and all ok, but the pain didn't wear off until the early hours of this morning.
All ok now and just need to keep an eye out if my waters go, or I start bleeding etc. scary stuff this pregnancy malarkey!

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