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

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As far as I understand baby being engaged is not particularly indicative of early arrivals. Certainly as sneezy says second plus babies may not be engaged until the start of labour. This doesn't necessarily mean a longer labour either, for your body knows what it's doing!

FWIW I was engaged by 34 weeks with DD who was then induced at 42 weeks.

magic no advice to add but hope its not stressing you out toouch. Not wanting to defend your oh but I think men can never understand the many huge ways pregnancy hormones affect us.

I'm not sure how engaged my baby is, I know she's head down as all kicks are up in my ribs and I just feel the odd poke lower down from the arms.
I had to swap the dress I bought her yesterday because it had buttons right down the back and I think they'd be seriously uncomfortable to lay on. I was a bit sad because I loved it but for the first time DP took a real interest in clothes buying for her and chose a little pink hat with a frill on it. It's not something I'd choose but he loves it and I was really pleased that he's getting into the preparations now :).

Ow, ow, ow! The arm I had my whooping cough jab in is all hot and red around the injection site. Plus the whole arm is aching. Just want sympathy !

Enjay my friend frequently had thread worm throughout both her pregnancies and was treated with no ill effects with the medication.
I think a lot of the medication says not to be taken in pregnancy as it is unethical to conduct trials on pregnant women, so therefore everything says not suitable.

I have my whooping cough on Monday, really not looking forward to the sore arm, poor DS has his mmr on Thursday to be honest I get more upset than he does when he has his whooping cough he just frowned at the hv as if to say well that wasn't very nice!

We're head down here too, I think he pops in and out of my pelvis, as sometimes he's quite comfortable other times I can feel real pressure on my cervix and pubic bone. Scary sometimes!

Sending you lots and sympathy sneezy, hope your arm eases up soon.

I'm so ready for the weekend, work holds no interest at the moment. We have three of DH's family coming to stay at the weekend so doubt it will be very restful. Just what I need as next week work will be really full on and not really in the mood for entertaining. Crikey I sound like a moany old sourpuss.

Morning growth scan and consultant today. Baby is definitely lower down as I am getting kicked or punched on the bladder continously but I think he may still be head up.

DS was head up still at 34 weeks and I went into labour the day after having the scan that showed it so I'm not too worried about whether the head engages early or not.

teapig relatives and friends can be a real pain at this time in pg can't they but I bet they make a fuss over you (fingers crossed)

Off to take the dcs to tennis lessons, catch you all later.

SneezySnatcher here's some and sympathy for you!

magic you sound like you're under a huge amount of stress, your DH is being completely unreasonable. Why does he think he shouldn't contribute while getting to ride roughshod over your (very reasonable) concerns and to make such major decisions for you? Is your name on the mortgage / deeds? Presumably he won't be able to sell the house from under you if you refuse to sign on the dotted line?

The drinking is concerning also (and I say this as someone who used to drink quite a lot - as did DP - till we became a parents) I'm worried he may well not be able to give you the support you need when the baby comes. Is this your first?
I wish I knew what to suggest. Is there any chance he might consider counselling? I think posting about it in relationships would probably be a good idea (as well as talking to us of course) as I expect you will find good support and practical advice there.

Jaqualine good luck with the scan today :)

We had a 4D scan yesterday (a Christmas present from some lovely friends).
It was amazing to be able to see DD. She looks like DS, chubby cheeks and full lips. Really looking forward to meeting her :)

The not so great news is she's lying pretty much back to back. I need to spend the next 7 weeks sitting upright or leaning forward to try to get her to move! I don't really have a chair which encourages good posture, beside the dining chairs. Need to have a think about this ...

33w

Just been to the hospital for first visit of the day - blood test. Got to go back this afternoon for growth scan and consultant but wanted to get in early to avoid a long wait for the bloods. Nice chat about the Royal Baby with the lady taking my blood - fancy doing that all day, every day

Just about to head off to have my hair done - then meeting friends for lunch before heading back to the hospital. Had to get all appointments today so DP can have the girls

And yes, my two were never engaged right up until they put in an appearance. They were not engaged when I got to hospital after waters went but once they were coming it all happened very quickly so not sure it means too much!

Have a good day all!

aufaniae have you thought about using a birthing ball?

HavingALittleFaithBaby I've been toying with the idea of a birthing ball. Money is really tight atm (we're just moving house, and it's been really costly - plus I'm earning exactly nothing right now as I'm a student and will get no maternity allowance at all.)

So I was trying to think of a solution which didn't cost money. However if I compare £15 to excruciating agony (and really trying to avoid it this time round! Once was enough thanks!) I suppose it's a no-brainer really isn't it!

Maybe I'll should go have a look on ebay ...

Sorry where are my manners? Thanks for the suggestion :)

Or just see if anyone you know has an exercise ball gathering dust? I reckon lots of people probably do! :)

Soccer sport do birthing balls cheap and TKMaxx, they are just called yoga balls there

aufaniae this baby is b2b too. I'm avoiding sitting on the sofa and I'm instead sitting on a hard dining chair or my birthing ball. MW also suggested leaning forward over the ball or getting on hands and knees.

DD was b2b and so I'm doing everything I can to avoid that this time!

Aufaniae there are some gym balls on offer in TKMaxx - very cheap - it would be worth a look. I have a sheet of exercises you can do on the ball from my ante natal pilates class which I will try and dig out. There is also a website called spinningbabies which is supposed to be really good for getting them in position!

Mama yesterday I went to look around Boots baby event and they have clothes for tiny babies on a 2 for 1 offer. They are from 3.5lbs up and some of them were very cute. Might be worth seeing if anyone can have a look for you!

Finally moved! Everything is still a bit of a mess but getting there! Just hoping/waiting for nesting to kick in and give me some energy. Had a cold during move but aside from braxton hicks I didn't suffer too much

Not going to name check as a bit behind but hope everyone is ok!

faith and sneezy good to know I'm not the only one with baby's head engaging, I have been feeling more pressure on my bladder and tush since Tuesday and baby's bottom seems to be sitting a little lower (seems to like residing just to the right of my navel!) but I know it can be weeks before anything else happens, or it can even come back out again, so it might mean all or nothing. thank you breathless for the reassurance though, MW just said "oh , it can be like that for up to 5 weeks", which sounded fine, until i realised that was still only 36 weeks!

Mind you, it has done some good as DP's face was a picture and he came out the appointment saying we needed to get things sorted at home in case bean makes an early appearance, whereas up until now everything could wait as it was "still months away". i won't let him know that it doesn't really mean anything
magic good to know you can talk this stuff through with OH. if he really is doing it because he believes it will be the best thing for you and the baby then you just need to thank him for trying to look out for you all but then explain just how upset the potential move is making you, and give him some good, non-emotional but rational arguments as to why it makes sense to stay where you are for now. Either that or drop lots of hints why staying is good and moving is bad until he thinks it was his own idea not moving anyway

payday today, so have stocked up on a pack of 2 nighties from mamasandpapas for the labour and nursing ( 2 for £18 and one is black, so is more likely to survive all the fluids but even if it doesn't then won't have cost the earth, sorry TMI) and a breast pump and more nappies/wipes/cotton wool. That will be it for this month hopefully... DP is getting the new cot/pram/moses basket mattresses, then hopefully nothing big left to get.
I had an argument with my Mum over mattresses, as she said I should just "sponge them clean", but for such relatively little money (I know it is still a good chunk, but small price to pay for peace of mind and a clear conscience) i'd never forgive myself for not doing it. Doubtless there will be many more disagreements about the way we're raising DC1 but the bottom line is, it is for us to make the decisions. of course will listen to all advice with a nod and a smile on my face (while gritting teeth and counting to 10 inwardly)

username congrats on the move, must feel like a huge relief, let the nesting commence :)

Am exhausted after spending literally all morning looking working out maternity dates/annual leave dates and maternity pay. Also quite depressed as it really is not much to live off..

Did you know you get paid full for bank holidays during SMP? My work have said they will pay for these as full pay. As will be off May and August this means 3 extra days.

Just popping in to say 'hello' - really having lovely relaxing break with folks in Devon!

Most people seem over their ailments now which is good- due dates getting closer and closer!

Question: are you getting a baby sensor movement mat thingy for under the mattress?

wishful we were going to but won't in the end for lots of reasons, but main one is we have bought mini cots that have foam mattresses and you can't use them with foam- only sprung :)

Hi Guys, Bit late to the party but thought I'd say hi. In the 30th week and everything seems to be happy and healthy.

Don?t know quite what advice I am seeking here ?maybe I just need to rant a bit.

I am really worried that DH just isn?t taking parenting seriously. We have a car seat that won?t fit into his car so he is going on about propping it up on a cushion or pile of books because ?as long as we strap the baby in tightly it will be fine?. I have explained that this is highly dangerous and probably illegal but he just tells me to stop being ?hysterical?. He still hasn?t forgiven me for buying a new mattress for the cot (because advice says you can buy a secondhand cot but should really get the mattress new). He called me hysterical then and hasn?t really stopped using the word since. I am also ?frivolous? because I bought a baby bath instead of agreeing to wash the baby in the sink. Never mind that it only cost me a tenner!

We?ve got our first NCT antenatal class tonight. I was looking forward to it but now I am dreading it. He has made it clear he doesn?t really want to go because he says it?s nothing to do with him as he?s not the one giving birth and that it?s all about feminists trying to force men to get involved in ?women?s things?! He can be outspoken at the best of times so I am a bit worried he?ll be the troublemaker of the group.

What I really hope is that it teaches him some things and acts as a wake-up call but I?m not sure ?it could just alienate him completely.

He is a really lovely and loving person and I think he will make a great dad but at times like this he really worries and annoys me.

Anyway, that is all I wanted to say. I guess it?s just another hassle I could do without at the moment, when I need him to be strong and sensible.