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

[SevenReasonsToSmile]

Welcome to the new thread, grab a .

Ooo, my brother and sister in law are paying for my mum to come over to the UK from Australia with them for 3 weeks in July. Cannot wait! She has never been out of Aus/NZ before so it's a massive deal for her but it will be so nice. And she has sent me some special heirloom baby gowns that she personalised with embroidery

I'm also starting to feel a bit crap though, 12 days left at work argh baby is 2/5 engaged now and bump has dropped a bit.

Hope all you lovely ladies are enjoying some spring weather. X

My positives are: this baby may still be breech (not exactly a positive thing in itself) but that seems to mean I'm so much more comfortable than I was at thus stage before. No pressure on my bladder, no pelvic pain. He is also being v cute trying to move around and sticking recognisable limbs out all over the place. In non baby related positive news I am off on a weekend away with 5 other friends next weekend to gorgeous hotel that I know I love AND I only have one more week left at work. Finally, it's forecast to be 18 degrees and sunny tomorrow in London and so we are marinating kebabs overnight for a BBQ tomorrow :-)

babygeek that's fantastic news about your mum how exciting!

seasalt are you all settled in back in the uk now?

Sold my car, which I'm really happy about - nice little boost to the maternity leave fund. Was originally looking at taking 9 months but between the car and saving a bit more than I'd realised, I'm keeping fingers crossed I might be able to take a full year

Sorry so many are having tough times right now - but hopefully not for too much longer. (Although am starting to convince myself I'm going to end up with a June baby, for absolutely no rational reason whatsoever...)

X-post arti - hurrah for BBQ weather!

Hi everyone, and welcome back thingie. We've almost finished Dd's room, finishing off the wallpaper tomorrow then we'll book the carpet fitters to lay the new carpet. I've also sorted through all her newborn clothes and put them in her own set of drawers , I'm getting really excited now - 5 weeks and 4 days until her due date!

What are everyone's movements like? I've started to notice over the past few days that she seems to shake now and then, periods of shaking lasting about a minute then stopping then starting again and this will last about 10 minutes each time. Does this sound normal? I'm quite worried about it tbh.

Salt I know the reason I come on here and complain is because you lovely ladies understand. I am the first of our friends in RL to be pregnant, so they don't always understand and I don't want to scare them off having babies I always feel a little better after I've had a moan on here, but I do understand your point.

My positives are I am really enjoying my ante-natal classes as is my DH and it's making both of us feel better prepared for the birth and all the things that will come after that.

Went to a friend's birthday party this weekend and met a new girl there who brought her two children with her. It was really great to see how all my friends loved entertaining the littles ones and it makes me feel happy knowing they will do the same for my little one!

We have glorious weather! So hot the awning has come out and DH is bringing the bbq up from the garage. Oh I love France when the sun shines. Thank goodness we have an emergency suuply of magnums in the freezer.

DD is sleeping, broken night again last night and still ill. I am sitting on the veranda looking at the garden and listening to the birdies singing. Heaven! Long may this weather continue.

Hope you all have sun where you are.

It's meant to be warm and sunny today but still cloudy at the moment. I'm hoping it turns nice as we've been invited for a picnic with DS friend tomorrow, they haven't seen each other for ages.

tiger I've heard about other people experiencing it, it's normal as far as I'm aware. Glad you're nearly organised, I built the Moses basket stand yesterday. The tiny clothes are washed and away, just need to build the cot and order the Moses basket mattress.

babygeek great news about your mum visiting, and the heirloom baby gowns sound lovely.

My positives:
1 Our garage conversion has been signed off, and the bill is £200 less than the quote. We can afford nice floor tiles rather than cheap ones, we ordered them last night and got 15% off. Coming in on budget also means we can hopefully pay someone to do the new fence rather than DH doing it himself.
2 DH has now raised over £4000 for Muscular Dystrophy to run the marathon next week
3 I've emptied the washing basket this morning. I know that's not very impressive but with 2 DCs it doesn't often happen!
4 my mum found an old-fashioned shop last week where there was a very old lady knitting behind the counter, she bought 2 baby cardigans for £9.75.

seasalt you have a good point, I think the last few weeks we just feel so exhausted and uncomfortable and tend to forget the positive news we all have that in a few weeks we'll all have beautiful squishy babies then be moaning about reflux and sore nipples instead

Lovely to hear all your positive news everyone, and thanks for taking my request in the right spirit, I was worried people wouldn't understand, but you clearly do and that's brilliant. I just love hearing about all the good stuff (as well as wanting to support anyone who needs it through the bad bits).

So my positives are:

1. first antenatal class yesterday was really good, the teacher was great, I learnt tons and the other ladies were lovely. I was a bit nervous before going as I didn't know what to expect but I'm so glad we went.

1. The sun is out! Hooray! We are off to see a friend for a nice Sunday pub lunch today, can't wait.

1. we've settled back into being in London post-Singapore - I've had my first appointments (the midwives were great) and have a growth scan coming up on Monday morning - I think they've realised that the transition from Singapore could be hard and have really made me feel welcome and comfortable, which is amazing.

On the downside I have found out a relative is seriously ill and needs a very big operation, not something I want to discuss in detail but it's not a good situation (no mentions on FB please, not that you would!). I also need to gain some more motivation to keep on swimming, it's getting harder and harder to drag myself along to the pool, is anyone else still managing to exercise?

Happy Sunday people!

It's funny, I never felt comfortable posting with last DC despite really needing the support sometimes but everyone seemed to be sailing through their pregnancy. I felt so much more comfortable this time as so many of you seemed to appreciate that sometimes our bodies really break down under the strain. I am in awe of anyone walking for 20 minutes to commute let alone being able to exercise. It's all I can do to get through the day with the 2 little boys. I finished working yonks ago. I think if I was still that mobile I may feel very differently. On the days when I do feel good and less sore and excited I try to come on and offer insights or helpful angles to everyone else as oppose to saying how great I feel. Maybe I should do both.
My positives are my husband takes over at the weekend and I get to sit in the bath at 2pm on a Sunday boiling my pelvis.
My children didn't realise the bird that was'sleeping on the path' just now is the same one that crashed into the bathroom window 15 mins ago and will be asleep for a LONG time. Husband has been able to remove without dealing with bird mortality.
I'm able to say for the first time that I will see my baby next week, a baby that was so unexpected but so so determine to be born that I will do everything in my power to make it the most wonderful life ever x

seasalt I totally understand how you feel, it's great to have the support when things are tough, but it's also really nice to remind ourselves of the positives :)
Yesterday we had a fab day of a sort of date I guess... Went to the food fair on the Southbank, had a mango lassi for the first time in ages, then we walked down to a cafe that DP had discovered that was totally 'me': the Scooter cafe on Lower Marsh St. Came home, cooked a yummy mushroom risotto with the chicken stock he spent hours obsessively making with remains of our roast chook the other day (!) and watched a James Bond movie. Happy days! Nice to have a day out and about enjoying each others company before the baby excitement arrives! Oh and he bought me a birthing ball on amazon because I can't really sit easily anywhere in the flat now, it's all v low down and it arrived yesterday morning, so have been happily bouncing on that and teaching him how to massage me during labour (thanks NCT!).
We have been industrious with our laundry-doing, have set up the moses basket and pretty much are set to go should bubs decide to arrive now. Must remember to pack camera!
Have been feeling a bit like I'm standing on the top of a diving board looking down... I know I've been wanting to do it, and the moment I do it'll be amazing, but looking down in anticipation of the unknown is really quite something to experience.
Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine xx

Hi Bood, really sorry to hear it's so physically tough for you at the moment, it does sound completely miserable and I hope it eases up soon. I do understand (I promise), I lost nearly a stone in the first trimester due to nausea/MS, and was hardly able to walk some days due to lower back pain (which, fingers crossed is on the mend now), plus I had the blood clot, and also lived abroad for 6 months without friends/family (DH excepted). It's strange how different phases of pregnancy hit people differently. PLEASE keep posting here, however your are feeling; as I said in my earlier post it's really important that people get the support they need.

Wirra I love the sound of your Saturday! And I love your diving board analogy, I'm feeling a bit like that too, excited but nervous, scared but curious, I just don't know what to expect (though I feel much more educated following the NCT class yesterday...)

No don't worry seasalt I've been much worse in previous pregnancies, I also expect far less of myself which makes it easier but it's so nice to know you're not alone, which is where Mumsnet is really helpful. I'm one of the furthest along and a few weeks makes all the difference right now. Being home must be fantastic for you and give you a boost. Hope the situation with the relative is not too upsetting or bleak.

Braxton hicks central here, lots of pressure as well. Not that it ever comes to anything !!

Is anyone else watching The Village? Just caught up on last weeks episode and I am now an emotional wreck! Love the scenery, it's my 'hood and I can see our village hill in it

Bought ourselves a pram/stroller today! Eek! Mountain buggy terrain. Quite expensive but DP's parent offered to help us out and it should last for ages. Also a friend gave us a book on pram walks in the Peak District so we are all set for summer.

bood - I'm having lots of pressure pain too and braxton hicks too. The good thing is that in a few weeks we won't have any of this ! woo hoo !

I've had no braxton hicks this time, none with DD either though I did have them with DS. I think she might be engaged though, there's a lot of low pressure, its actually painful when I first stand up, it kind of feels as though she's suddenly dropping down onto my cervix, very odd. Haven't mentioned it to DH, he's worrying enough about me going with him for the marathon as it is.

How tough are the last 4 weeks out of interest? I've never made it past 36, I've heard so many people saying about the end being so tiring and feeling so enormous and uncomfortable, though I've never had that feeling. I guess I should be pleased, just want to be prepared in case I make it to full term.

Was it today or tomorrow beaut was moving? Hope it went/goes ok.

babygeek pram buying is so exciting. Pram walks in the Peak District sounds lovely :)

It seems a lifetime ago I had the diving board feeling you're mentioning. Motherhood is awesome and nothing can prepare you for it. I was terrified before I had DS, I was even still worrying when I was in labour if I had it in me to be a good mother, I'd never changed a nappy or held a newborn for longer than 2 minutes. As soon as I held him though something just clicked and it pretty much just all came naturally.

seven I was 11 days over With my first and 8 with my second. My pelvis was crappy towards the end but I carried so low that it was to be expected. Apart from the boredom it was fine. I was planning my wedding, sending out 'save the date' cards right up past my due date. I was cooking like crazy as well, trying to fill the freezer like some mad woman

Oh dear I think my DD has chicken pox. I had it as a child but am now worrried about it, crikes I don't think I can take much more worrying.

ng when is your due date, or am I right thinking you're having a CS? If you got CP early in third trimester baby would likely be fine. Between 3 weeks and 5 days before delivery baby could get CP but would have received antibodies from you so it would unlikely be serious. It's more risky if you get it between 5 days before and 2 days after delivery as the baby wouldn't have time to get antibodies from you. Having said that if you've had it you're probably immune anyway so try not to worry too much x

The sun is shining so we're off for a picnic in the park today, hope everyone else has a nice day :)

Should have also said I hope your DD feels better soon.

Thanks Seven, my CS is due on 15 May so I have 4 and a bit weeks left. Does that mean baby will get the antibodies? I will be having another scan a week today so can get checked out then. I just don't need this added stress of my poor DD covered in a horrible rash added to her having had a high fever, broken sleep and vomiting since Thursday.

DH is away with work tomorrow and Wednesday and I am not sleeping at all. My parents are here in 11 days. I just hope we make it in one piece till then.

Oh no NG, chicken pox is not what you need. When you say your DD has a rash, do you mean blistered spots or a rash? CP is quite distinctive liquid filled spots but its not very rash like. If she has a rash and is really poorly then do get her checked as it could be measles or rubella which would obviously be more worrying. I hope she is OK.

Seven I think the last month can be quite enjoyable as long as you don?t constantly expect the baby and then get bored and frustrated by the length of time it is taking. I had DD1 at 38 weeks so didn?t go overdue and quite enjoyed the last weeks of preparing and wandering around parks and galleries with my last days of freedom. DD2 came 8 days late and I had thought she would be early and so wasted those last days because I was convinced she would come and thus I did not dare do much. This time I am really looking forward to lying in my garden, doing odd jobs around the house, swimming, going out to brunch with friends etc, basically taking full advantage of maternity leave (and the fact that our nanny is staying with us until the end of May). It?s a nice time of year to be off work.

Sea I am sorry to hear about your relative?s diagnosis. I hope they get the treatment they need. It is nice that you are enjoying NCT and have a good team of midwives. Which hospital are you delivering at?

I have just booked a moxibustion and acupuncture appointment for Wednesday to try and turn this baby. He has been in the same position for two months now so I am not sure whether anything will get him on the move. I have tried lying upside down on a tilted ironing board (!), frozen peas on his head (he wasn?t bothered but it hurt me), handstands in the swimming pool (that did NOT look graceful), 30 mins walk every day (nicer now the sun is out), watching TV sitting on a birthing ball... Any other tips for turning? As I mentioned before, I actually find it quite comfy carrying breech (I don?t even have to get up in the night due to bladder pressure) but I would like to avoid a c-section.

Arti DD has had her MMR jab, would that not mean she was immune to measles and or rubella? That's kind of why I ruled them out but I may be being incredibly naive here....

I went on the NHS website and the symptoms seemed to match up with CP as she had a fever and vomiting for a couple of days followed by the onset of this red spotty rash. It is the first day of the rash so I thought I would see how it develops tomorrow as the NHS site said it starts this way and turns into nasty spots like you said. But my doctor is not working today and I am not able to see anyone else here in France.

ng even if it is chicken pox she may not be very ill at all with it or even notice much. I'd get it confirmed by doc.

art my mum always says scrub all the skirts - that may have just been to get me to clean the skirts. My last was breech til 38 weeks and I used reflexology , ill never know if it was the babies choice or the reflexology but the baby used to jump around and I would get mega BH during and after so it could well of being that.

Morning everyone!

SeaSalt I really enjoyed your little nudge towards thinking positively. It can be hard when you're at that enormous/uncomfortable/still working/exhausted point to remember what this is all about and it certainly made me give myself a bit of a psychological slap .

So I'm still exhausted/enormous/still working but feeling a bit brighter about it all....esp given mat leave starts next week - woo hoo!

Have SO much to do today, like pack hospital bag, iron baby clothes, sort stuff out and clean clean CLEAN and it's lovely having an enforced day in the house waiting for a John Lewis delivery. But damn, am I tired. Like, definitely have a strong nesting instinct right now and really want to scrub and hoover the house but I can't bring myself to leave the sofa right now. And I'm not really a lying-around-aimlessly sort of person. Think I'll give in to it, crack open the biscuits in the cupboard and just accept that some days, especially at the moment, we all need to give ourselves a bit of a break. And that makes me rather happy too.

36 weeks today!