May 2013 - celebrating our entry into the 3rd trimester and an early arrival!

[SevenReasonsToSmile]

Welcome to the new thread, grab a .

Hi sea glad your back & settled and alls going well I'm another working till the bitter end :-( the day b4 due date actually although I am doing half days the last 3 weeks I was 2 weeks over with both DC's so not too concerned about going early xxx

seasalt glad to hear you're settling in ok. Those are crazy hours, make sure you relax when you can.

lolly enjoy your weekend away :)

elly that sounds like a really good weight, bigger than both of mine born over a week later than you are now. Can't believe how quick its coming around until you meet your LO. Hope you have a day without having to contact work soon!

I'm getting organised, today I've ordered bottles, a bottle warmer, nappies, maternity pads and cot bed sheets. I think once I get the new mattresses we'll be pretty much ready, I still need to pack my hospital bag but will probably wait another week or two.

30+6

I'm back!

Arrived yesterday night, both DS and I are shattered and freezing, but great to be here. We get the keys to our new house (six month lease) on Tuesday because of the Easter weekend, but will stay a couple of weeks with my parents whilst I get my furniture etc out of storage. Bit nervous about being here and having to start all over again friends-wise, but better than being stuck where I was!

I'm 32+something, and I will work up to the bitter end, but only part time hours from home :)

Am I being a hypochondriac? I'm 32 weeks and starting to find things tough! I've suddenly got no energy and feel really hormonal/ emotional. I walk like a duck, struggle to put my socks on and im so fed up of being dragged out to family/ friend commitments on the weekends. Some one slap me, I've still got 8 weeks to go! X

bunnychan with 8 weeks left you're now 7 months gone. I class anything from 7 months as being heavily pregnant, so no you're not being a hypochondriac! Can you tell family/friends you want to have a relaxing weekend while you still have time to do so, or gently remind them you don't have as much energy as before? Perhaps you could compromise and go along to commitments on one day at the weekend but not both?

Welcome back zorra! How long were you in Sudan for?

Hope everyone is having a good bank holiday weekend [busmile]. Me and a friend are doing a street collection for Muscular Dystrophy to go towards DHs London marathon fundraising tomorrow. Cross your fingers for warmer weather for us, its been trying to snow here today. I think it's actually colder than the collection we done in December.

Morning ladies, hope you are all enjoying an Easter weekend of chocolate treats :) thought I'd catch up on the thread since am wide awake with LO alternating the samba & what now feels like a large case of hiccups. Looks like he's going to be a chip off the ole' block [bugrin]
Good luck with the run seven hope the weather is as clear for you as it has been here these last couple of days.
Welcome home zorra! must be quite a shock to the system coming back from Sudan, but that's great that you've got a bit of time to nest now before b'day.

Glad the app went well elly sounds like your little one is strong & healthy.

Can't believe that due dates are approaching so fast. I did my last orchestra concert on Thursday night and it felt absolutely like it was right to be my last before ML... Was totally knackered the whole day and comments have now changed from "oh you're looking great" to "5 weeks to go?! Looks like 5 minutes to me, love!" That would be my cue to go!!! Have had several people with what I can only describe as Pregnancy Tourettes adding joy to my world this last fortnight with streams of all the things that a heavily pregnant lady just does not want to hear! I am feeling v remorseful about anyone I ever made an insensitive pregnancy comment to in the past and just want to hug anyone who says nice things now.

Missed the first NCT class as was on during my concert, but DP went and reported back. People seemed nice... He got teamed up with the only other person whose partner hadn't made it for an (in the circumstances consequently tres awkward) relaxation exercise with relaxing touch on her, which was both funny, useful and embarrassing both for him to do and me to hear about but at least he learnt about it! The teacher is apparently v well meaning but quite militant about things & is going to send us lots of literature about how we don't need to take the antibiotics for strep B in labour. That has pissed me off slightly. I KNOW someone who lost their baby after 24 hours because they didn't have the Strep B treatment & frankly I think it's a bit irresponsible to be someone with no medical qualifications telling people to ignore medical advice. We've done a lot of research into this decision and whilst I have a good dose of hippy in my character there is no way I am risking my child's long term health & life for a preventable reason. Humph pregnancy rage!!! Anyway, next class is on Tuesday so we have decided to just go and take it all with a pinch of salt as it were... Just take away the useful stuff & discard the hoopla. Why do people have to go so far one way or the the other? Can't we get balanced and relax a bit? Telling us to relax whilst being incredibly tense & tightly wound about anything slightly conventional seems a bit counterproductive to me. I think it sets up the exact negative associations with things surrounding birth & fear of labour that she is trying to teach us to avoid. Teaching distrust of the NHS and medical profession isn't going to be great for us if we really do have an emergency or things don't go to plan.
Have suddenly got MASSIVE in the last few days & my boobs are getting sore again, so something is changing. My stomach looks like something from Alien at various points in the day... We just sit there watching it in amazement as he stretches and does his thing in there. So cool (although not so much at this time of the morning when mummy wants to sleep!). Did a big mothercare shop & bought a gazillion maternity pads (still prob only enough for a few days), breast pads, nightie & dressing gown, air purifier (which has revolutionised our world & DP now want to get another one for the living room!), nappies, batman babygro (his dad picked that out) [busmile], bath bale, muslins etc, so we are pretty much setup now. Covered the cot mattress in tin foil to stop the cat jumping on it & it worked instantly. Thank you google search!

Just need to wash all the baby clothes now. We have napisan but not sure how to use it in our washing machine (domestic goddess that I am)... Is normal non-bio ok to use?

35 weeks today...

Lovely big post wirra I was 35 weeks yesterday, I can hardly believe it. I'm getting excited now.

I have very mixed feelings about NCT, I met some great people, one of my closest friends now was an NCT buddy but the course itself left me terrified about any intervention, I wanted it all to go super naturally so when I was induced at 11 days plus and took 2.5 days to get to 4cm and was taken for an emergency section I felt like a total failure. I really believe had I being chilled out about the necessary intervention things may have panned out differently. Also she spoke a lot of old cobblers about other things.i understand that a natural approach is preferable but there is a very well versed plan and approach for the safe arrival of these little ones that uses the best tools available, bottom line. Your midwife should plan your strep B desicion with you as part of your birth plan.

I'm off to google air purifier [busmile]

Sounds like you are well sorted now wirra, I just used non-bio to wash all the baby clothes.

Glad you are back now zorra and can start nesting.

Is anyone else really struggling to sleep? I am exhausted but only got 4 hrs last nite trying to nap in the day to catch up a bit but would normally need 9 hrs/night so feel really pants. Got a cold too which doesn't help.

Really struggling with name choices -esp boys - cannot find a boys name we agree on which isn't dead popular. Guess we have 6 weeks after birth to decide but would like to at least have a short list ready!!

elly I find girls names are much easier to find something nice which isn't too popular for some reason. Boys names I like the traditional favourites, James, Mark, Thomas, Henry etc. the only trouble is everyone else seems to agree! We've decided on Beatrice for our girl [busmile]

wirra that's pretty awful about your NCT teacher, presumably she should be arming you with the facts so you can make your own informed choice rather than preaching. Non-bio is fine, if you use Napisan just add 2 tablespoons plus your usual detergent. You don't need to use it all the time but I use it if there's anything particularly sicky or we've had a leaky nappy.

bood I completely agree, of course a natural approach is best but the only thing that really matters if the safe delivery of the baby, whatever approach has to be taken. There was a particularly memorable conversation with a MW when I was in hospital with PE before DS was born the night after a programme about women giving birth in Africa with no medical intervention. Anyway, all the women on the ward were talking about these African women in total awe, until the MW pointed out that they don't award medals to women who endure childbirth without drugs, and the African women would probably much rather be giving birth in clean hospitals with access to drugs if the option was available to them.

seven my great aunt was called Beatrice but we always called her Reeny but I don't know. I love traditional names but my DP likes modern ones. We like Elliot and possibly Amelia but definitely want Francis/Frances as the middle name as its both our fathers middle name. It's so hard choosing! Even harder trying to agree lol. X

I bought my first pack of nappies today for the little one (well first since DS was in nappies), and bought some stuff for my bag - jammies, big black pants, etc. Oh and I got something to wear during labour of the water birth all works out , I'm getting really excited now. 8 weeks and 3 days left!

Has everyone else got their bags all sorted out?

catching I've got maternity pads and some first formula (only attempting BFing if I happen to go past 37 weeks as other 2 were both too early) arriving on Tuesday so I'll pack mine some time next week. Got all the baby clothes washed ready though. I've already bought some nappies, during the last few weeks I tend to buy a pack or two of nappies whenever I go shopping or do a tesco order.

bunny I'm thinking if we shorten it she'll likely be Bea. Both of your name choices are lovely and just sound right with the middle name.

Money saving advice for first timers coming up! Now we're talking hospital bags seems a good time to mention only buy wipes when you see them on offer and stock up! I've only ever used pampers, Johnsons or Huggies naturals and i never pay more than £1 a packet.

Hi all never a dull moment here! After what I think tearing a muscle in my back on thur I got incredible pain on fri as think the baby caught her feet in amongst the muscle and ribs - ended up in an ambulance (flashing lights and all) to Kingston maternity - after lots of painkillers they got the pain down (have never ft pain like it) however they have also discovered both proteins in my wee and high bp ... So after a night in the high dependency unit I was told this am by the lead PE consultant I won't be leaving hospital until I have had the baby. They now have the bp under control with meds and I've had the steroid injections for the babies lungs. Am currently 32 weeks and they want to aim to manage me to 34 or 36 weeks but will review daily ... So looks like a 2-4 week 'vacation' in hospital!!!!!! Thank goodness I have been given a private room - will keep you all updated as things progress!!

Moll I know its not ideal but at least you can get some rest in hospital and your in the right place if you suffer anymore pains. Hope you get to as many weeks as possible but baby would be fine now.

Elly I can't sleep with the spd.I get a max of 3 hrs too.Plus I'm exactly the same full of cold.I keep getting a racing heart and breathlessness as I'm not being great at taking my iron.The iron is giving me terrible constipation sorry and I'd rather be breathless than have piles

I'm packing my hospital bag next week.I have washed all the baby's clothes in fairy non bio and comfort sensitive.I have a tankini ready for the water birth.

I have had a lovely Easter break back home.Stayed with my mum and met up with friends.I also got a couple of great baby bargains.Six bottles for £11 and a chicco happy snack high chair in boots clearance for £12.50

MooLL crikey what a day for you, you poor thing!! Glad they got the pain sorted for you at least. Did she get her foot stuck somewhere or was it pressing on a nerve? In a way it's lucky that they have caught the high BP and protein because of this. Sorry to hear you're going through this but am sure a private room in Kingston maternity will be one of the nicest places in London you could be in these circumstances! Chat to us on here whenever you want (or if you get bored), and keep us updated. Your baby will be fine now so relax and maybe get hold of good DVD Boxset to pass the time? xx

MooLL just goes to show how quickly PE starts after all was fine at your appointment last week. Glad to hear they've caught it early and you're in the right place being taken care of, hope the pain is ok now. Were you prescribed aspirin as you'd had PE before btw?

beaut a highchair for £12.50??! Glad you've had a good time at home [busmile]

That must have been terrifying moo, glad you're in safe hands now. Was the pain on your right hand side just under your ribs?

Evening- sorry haven't posted for a while- was conscious. Was starting to moan all the time so stepped back.

Moo- pleased they have caught it and you have the single room.

Wirra- completely agree re group b- I had it last time and WANT antibiotics- in my mind its not worth the risk- problem is that I had at last smear but on being tested few weeks ago I don't have it.... I was asked t self swab and I'm worried I've done it wrong as generally I doesn't seem t go away and m not happy about taking the risk...

Having work probs and need some advice... I'm 32w 3d.. Got another 3.5 weeks at work until leave. I work shifts still and I'm really struggling with SPD and also needing loo breaks. I have really unsympathetic bosses none of whom have kids... I had to wait 4.5 hrs for the loo tonight and when I kind of jokingly said I'd like a meal break ( I never get to leave for my desk for official break as no cover and in emergency service ) Was told don't be ridiculous ', I never get a break!' That from a man who goes out for a smoke every 15m! I'm repeatedly left out of the loop of things as ' you won't be here soon anyway so what's the point' and when I miss the nightshifts I never get any update despite asking. Anyone with ounce of sense can see I'm physically struggling with sitting for ten hrs as i hobble to get up and walk to the loo along the corridor and I really think now why am bothering.... What would Nyone else do?

Sorry you're in hospital, MoLL but glad they caught it! Horrible for you to be in pain and hope it's getting better x

Happy Easyer everyone!

Welcome back Zorra, I bet you are freezing! What does your DS think of the UK.

Scooby - your work sounds terrible. Can you complain to your boss? Do you have an occupational health person who can make recommendations about reasonable adjustments?

MooL - what drama, thank god your in hospital (and in a private room). Was your pain below your right ribs? If so that's classic PE pain and can be agony. I think it's due to liver swelling it something.

Sea - glad you are settling in and can stay in your new home a little longer. Bad luck having to work so long. I'm stopping at 36 weeks.

Wirra - how prepared are you??? Amazing and exciting. I ignored most of what my NCT teacher actually taught? I was there for the social side which was great. Our group really supported each other for the first year.

Back in a mo...

Sorry, phone battery about to go and wanted to bank that post.

I'm a little worried about the baby's movement. For past 24 hours I've felt a massive reduction in movement, still an occassional light tap but nothing strong and no kicks or shifts in position. I'm insure whether I should relax because there us the occassional tap or whether I should get checked. Have been up worrying for two hours and only felt 2 tiny taps. I also have 4 brunch guests and am baking fresh muffins so I'd mess lots of people around my going to hospital on Easter Day. What would others do?

Sorry for typos, rushing to beat the battery!

artichook have you tried lying down. My baby is very quiet when I'm rushing about but if I lie down, it bursts into life after about 20 mins. I read on here that drinking a cold drink can help; I also find that caffeine gets my bubs moving eg a glass of coke or proper tea. I would try these first and try to relax but if still concerned after, phone the mw as you know ur body/baby xxx

Arti, if it were me I would go and get myself checked out, it is probably ok but trust your instincts on this one, don't give brunch or visitors a second thought.

arti I echo the others, sometimes if up and active it's harder to feel their movements but I find lying down usually gets him going after 20 mins or so. Drinking a really cold drink, having a bit of a poke at him and/or drinking a caffeinated tea has worked for me too. My midwife said to try those things if I'm ever worried and if they don't work then to call maternity triage and go in for a check. Know how you feel, it happened to me the other day and is scary, but maybe feed yourself a good dose of sugary hot cross bun and see if that works? Xxx