July 2013 - thread 7 - and we're still talking as we enter the 3rd trimester

[Persuasion]

We've managed to fill yet another thread, so here is a new one to keep chatting away on...

And the stats list is here

Morning all. I picked up the little bits from Boots yesterday for my hospital bag. Travel toothbrush, shower get, face lotion, shampoo, conditioner, flannels, little squirt bottle for my face when I'm hot.

I do wish that maternity pads didn't take up half the bag. Geesh. At this rate I am now thinking I will need three bags. What's really they average they keep you in the post labour ward?

If straightforward birth our birth centre aims to discharge within 6 hours - if complicated/csec then usually three days

Morning ladies (and Paolo), been a bit silent lately as work has been manic. So sorry that dinky and thinking you've had problems with your DSs lately. I hope that things have got better over the past few days.

shiv I just want to say what everyone else has been saying- you Oliver and your DH are in all our thoughts and this is still your thread.

Everyone seems very organised with their hospital bags! Need to finish mine off. I was chatting to a mum after school yesterday and she had her little girl 9 weeks early- which is this weekend for me...

Getting BH all the time now. DH said I looked like a slug getting off the sofa yesterday... NHS parent craft course all day tomorrow which I'm looking forward to- if a little scared.

30+6

photographer - I would take max 1/2 days supply of everything and then leave a bag at home with the extras. Unless your hospital is very unusual your DH will be sent home overnight anyway if you do need to stay in, and he can bring back the extras then.

As dinky says - normal birth you could be out in hours. Any longer and there will be plenty of time for re stocking!

Photographer I took 2 bags in, one for baby one for me. Seemed to have enough space round the bed ( though the pn ward has moved now hasn't it?). Was out of hospital next day with both DCs (one vb, one elsc). Am off to boots this morning to do the exact same thing!

Thanks all. shelly I am going on the hospital tour in June. Apparently they are still modernising the delivery suites and dust everywhere. Will ask to have a peak at the post labour ward too. I am probably very much over packed at the moment, and still need to wash all the baby stuff.

Photographer very organised :) i didnt even think of a toothbrush and things like that, i really think im getting my pregnancy brain on haha, havent booked a hospital tour yet, i dont know if my hospital offers it to be honest...

Cheese how did you look like a slug hahaha? Bless :)

I just booked a breastfeeding workshop for next week an as soon as i got off the phone i forgot which hospital its at (one of two that offer classes and have the same booking phone number) and the time, feel a bit foolish so will call up next week to ask!

Good idea dinky I'll try that.

photograper I always end up taking way too much stuff. If you have a straight forward delivery it's usually 6 hours, 2 nights for c-section. I'm hoping for a quick exit but packing a just in case bag for DH to bring in if we have to stay longer. Last time I asked him to bring extra clothes to hospital because DS2 had puked on me, he brought a pj top and a jumper that was too small! So not leaving the packing to him this time

cheese I've got the slug thing going on too. Nearly got stuck down there when I sat on the floor at toddler group yesterday. There was another pregnant lady there, further on than me and much more mobile, not fair!

Cheese - hope work has calmed down now.

Icing - when you go to the bf workshop also find out about peer supporters (mine was invaluable after ds1 was born) and local bf groups as these will be a life line if you find bf difficult in the first few days. And write it down somewhere you wont forget (knows that pregnancy brain feeling all too well!).

Woke up this morning to find our boiler (only 2 years old) has gone kaput - so am working from home today (which I hate) waiting for a sodding emergency engineer. Called them up at 8 this morning and still havent heard back from them- now been on hold on the phone to find out what the frick is going on for 20 minutes. Grrr.

OK pregnancy rage has passed as now have hot water again - hurrah

Dinky glad you have hot water again I think it's funny how bumps can be all different shapes and sizes... I was just picturing you trying to get up off the floor...

Icing I know what you mean about pregnancy brain... It might come back to you in a bit. Whenever I slip up in class my kids just say "pregnancy brain..." It's hilarious.

Feeling a bit teary, tired and hormonsl today... Next week is going to be full on with lots of late nights too... But then it's half term! trying not to think about the 30 odd reports that need writing

Glad I put a smile on your face Cheese Actually I'm a pro at getting off the floor Cheese - just roll to one side, one knee up and gracefully rise in a semi lunge - it helps I've been this bizarre size and shape twice before Sorry you're feeling tired and hormonal and tearful - it doesnt take much to set me off too (in fact I got teary when I went in to see DS1's teacher earlier this week - I had to tell her to ignore me as it is simply the pregnancy hormones setting me off and thank god as a mother of 4 herself she knew what I meant!). I recommend a funny dvd, soothing bath, choc hob nobs (or whatever your favourite treat of the moment is) and an early night if possible.

Ahhh thanks Dinky you always to be full of good advice! Hope things have settled a bit with your DS. If he's had SATs recently they may have made him act in a funny way- the kids in my class have all been a bit different lately as a result of them. Early night and funny film sounds good medicine to me.

Had my 31 week MW appointment this morning & everything's ok, but because we're moving in 2 weeks I have to change GP & MW team. MW said to make an appointment for 3 weeks time, but the new GP surgery won't do anything until I'm actually living in the area & registered, so I'll have less than a week to make a MW appointment. Grrr. My current MW is lovely & really good, so I'm hoping the new one will be ok if I manage to get an appointment.

Totally - hopefully your transition to your new MW team will go as smoothly as Photographer's did.

Thanks Cheese - I think things have settled down a bit with DS1 - he came home today brandishing a pencil sharpener/pencil holder thing he got as a reward for the tidiest desk so he seems switched on to school again. I'm rather dreading what its going to be like when we get to the end of term and he remembers again hes moving schools but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Totally hope it goes well. I actually registered online with my new GP, then called and said I need an appointment with a GP the weekday after I moved. They knew I was moving to the area, I just kept saying that I wouldn't be "settled in" til my moving weekend, They even booked me in with the midwife as well. If online registering is an option I would check and then call saying you registered online, you are pretty pregnant and need an appointment. Good luck I hope it goes smooth!

totally i hope it all goes well for you! Quite frustrating not being able to do anything until the last minute but im sure theyll be able to squeeze you in

Totally Hope it all goes well for you, it must be so unsettling at this point!!

Dinky Glad to hear you have hot water and your rage has calmed! I got really cross with GPs today when they attempted to palm me off with a Wednesday appt to change DD's dressing after her foot operation yesterday...even though the hospital said three days. It's one particular receptionist who is an an absolute bitch.

She refused, had me ring round the hospital, district nurses, and then NHS direct....until I got really mad and rang back shouting and she 'magically' found me an appt on Monday....GRRR. I'm alternately cross and weepy atm!

Ellie good luck with getting the operation moved. I'm entirely with you on the maternity clothes as well. No idea what I'm going to wear when I'm on mat leave as my work clothes won't be suitable!

Dinky I'd have rage too. Glad it's all sorted in time for the weekend. Thanks for the tips on treating Chickenpox as well.

Totally glad your appointment went okay and good luck for the move and transfer to a new team. Sounds like the next few weeks are going to be really busy for you.

Cheese I hope the weekend helps you feel more balanced and the late nights next week aren't too horrendous.

Phie I hope the holiday blues pass quickly and mat leave comes round quickly for you.

Badmiss glad you got your appointment eventually.

Hope everyone has a good weekend. We're in quarantine with DS and it's looking like rain tomorrow so will be climbing the walls, but at least I get to escape to the hairdressers at midday!

Grr at that receptionist BadmissM! I'd definitely have gone ballistic on her too. Hope your dad is recovering well from her op.

Marie - hope you enjoyed your haircut and brief reprieve from the house today. I remember what it was like when ds1 got the pox at 18 months - just before Xmas and had loads planned too. Cbeebies and modelling balloons saw us through it - just! Ds2 had only 8 spots when he got the pox so I fully expect him to get it again at some point.

Had usual manic Saturday - supervising/yelling at ds1 about homework, dance drama footie and swimming for the boys and several loads of tiny baby clothes through the wash - still can't quite believe my two were ever really that small.

Oh wise ones, I need cot advice. We have been given two. One is 90x54cm and in excellent condition (from kiddicare, varnished pine), the other 112x55 and in okay condition (IKEA, unvarnished wood). Both need new mattresses.

I'm thinking to use the 90cm one, as it will fit in our room to begin with. Then get a 140cm cot/toddler bed when Small is bigger (2ish, guessing by my DNs). Does that sound sensible, or should we keep the bigger cot in case Small is tall but not ready for a bed?

So much to think about, and I have fluff for brains.

I'd go for the smaller cot Abzs and upgraded to bigger cot/bed as and when needed.

abzs I think I'd go small cot too. Ds is still in his cotbed at 2.8 but his new single bed arrived today.
He went from a Moses to a crib and then into the cot bed at 14 weeks. He looked very, very small in it and used to do laps in it in his sleep which would have been reduced in a smaller cot I think and therefore a bit less distracting for sleepy time. Great that you've got the choice though

Badmiss we have an evil GP's receptionist here too. I don't get what people get out of being so despicably rude. I think she must be deeply unhappy to be such an utter witch. Glad you got what you needed in the end.

The hips pains at night have kicked in here and it's driving me mental along with Ds going through an unsettled sleeping phase..... Sharks under his bed apparently
I am enormous and if anyone else says "you don't have long to go" I will scream a scream only fit for labour wards
Seems forever since I saw a mw etc but would like a bump measurement as last time she was 3/4 weeks over. Does anyone know where they measure from? Is it start of bump to bikini-ish line??

Hi silverbirdie they measure from top of uterus however I have no idea how you can tell! My friend measured me last week and she did top of bump to just above bikini line and made it bang of for dates so hoping that is right!
Feeling very big as well and also addicted to ice cubes and lollies!
32+2

It's top of the uterus to the top of the pubic bone.