September mums-to-be - the bumps get bigger and we all get more excited!

[HettySunshine]

Here we are ladies. A shiny new thread for us all. Let the chatting continue!

SGJ Re: Home births

Are you thinking of doing a home birth? My sister-in-law is due two weeks before me and is all for it. She's totally against the "medicalisation of a natural process" . I'm not allowed (according to the MW) because we're awfully remote and if anything went wrong the ambulance would have a bit of a job getting to us and getting us to a hospital with any speed. My absolute dream though would be a big water tank in the garden - hippy dreams dashed! On the other hand, I do quite like the idea of someone else cleaning up and the docs and so on being right there in case anything went wrong.

SGJ, my friend had hers last week and complained of a sore arm the following day. She struggled to even use hers, so I'd say it's normal and I'd also say, I'm not looking forward to it!

I was very keen on a water birth, I'm not a fan of hospitals and love the idea of being in my environment. My DH wasn't keen and after speaking to a few people that have had them, decided against it for this baby. Everyone has said both of us need to be 100% behind it. If this birth goes well, I'd consider it again, should we be lucky enough to add to the family.

I could be tempted by a home birth - had nothing but a tens machine and gas&air last time so wouldn't be fussed about pain relief, but don't think DH is too keen and depending on the time of day it might be a bit inconvenient if DD was ar

Grrr... if DD was around, plus don't fancy the clean up afterwards (though I wouldn't care at the time!)
Will probably just head to the midwife led unit at hospital if I don't go overdue again, as I am never ill and would like to make the most of the fact that I've been paying towards the nhs for years!!

Regarding my aching arm - it's now painful to lift and my sister tells me it'll be like this for 24 hours. HOORAY! Good excuse to make DH bring in the dry washing though!

Hi everyone I thought I would FINALLY pop by and introduce myself! I have been reading the posts for about 2months now and have finally gotten the kick up the bum to write something lol! The thought of everyone staying in touch on the new facebook page and sharing their baby news did it for me in the end and I definitely didn't want to miss out after reading about you all and your bumps for so long!

I am 25+1 weeks pregnant with a little boy, due 18th Sep. I had my midwife appointment last week and the heartbeat was fine. I was really worried my bump is still quite small but it measured fine which is a relief. I have the glucose test on Monday along with a growth scan and obstetrician appointment - gonna be a mega day! Also booked the WC jab for 28 weeks.

I have high blood pressure due to kidney problems and take tablets to stabilise it. Everything so far has been fine and its under control. Anyone else with high blood pressure? They want to keep an eye on if baby is growing properly so I will have quite a few scans from now onwards. Me having a small bump has only fuelled my worries on him growing though!

I want to reply to all the recent topics of convo but I think I might be here for days! On the nightwear front, this is something I have been wondering about, what to actually wear at the hospital! I have seen this one which looks good as don't want to spend a lot, hate nighties and only normally wear PJs.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290913652904?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

Instead of me obsessively reading everyone else's updates every evening I might actually now contribute my own lol!!!

SGJ, there's a homebirth in Sept/Oct thread here. The MWs do the clean up for you in your own home, leave you alone in your own bed/sofa, and come back to do your day 1 checks once you've had some sleep. Plus, no infuriating hanging around to be seen by a paediatrician before they "let" you leave, no overheated post natal ward full of other mums and babies not getting any sleep... If it goes well, it'll be the absolute best. We are five minutes from hospital so if things weren't going well I know it isn't a bad transfer, and I also had a longish but straightforward first birth with just tens, pool and G&A... Fingers crossed!

Ps I have requested to join the fb group too, hope that's ok!

Rake, you've just described my perfect birth!! Might have another chat with DH and see if I can quash any fears.

Anybody getting swollen feet? Just noticed mine are quite fat one in particular Its like twice the size, I'm at MW next week so going to mention it then

I think my feet and possibly legs feel swollen the last few days, my shoes were definitely feeling tight. I don't think I had this last time but I think it's pretty normal.

The MW (mines gone and retired) at my 28week appointment a few days ago couldn't believe I hadn't been seen since 16 weeks and did loads of stuff: bloods, wee, anti-d , mat b1... However she didn't mention whooping cough and I forgot so had to text her, and have got appointment at GP surgery in a week or so. Not looking forward to it after hearing about achy arms!

And I wore a size 20 (normally a 12) long sleeveless top thing in labour and in the pool with DD. Took it off right at the end though so MW could see what was going on. I found it today and it looks like it m

Might fit well now this time around as I'm so much bigger...

Welcome Geesescareme!

Welcome Geesescareme to the group!
Sounds like you are being well looked after if your having lots more checks.
No one has mentioned the WC vaccine to me yet - I'm nipping to have yet more bloods taken on Monday so will have to go to the ante natal clinic and ask.

Yes to suffering with swollen feet and legs - I gave a pair of sandals on their last legs which are bliss and a pair if flip flops - everything else feels a bit tight!

Thanks Rake! Once I've finished my super-geeky MN-FB spreadsheet I'll take a look at that thread!

Hooray for the lure of fb bringing out the lurkers

It hasn't even occurred to me to even think about what to wear in hospital tbh! Am hoping for a water birth though. Have you all started packing your hospital bags yet? What are you putting in them?

My bump feels really tight and uncomfortable this evening. Probably nothing to do with the massive bowl of spaghetti & meatballs I had for dinner. My belly button is looking suspiciously shallow though - has anyone else popped out yet?

Oh and I'd like to you to join me in a moment's mourning please, for the loss of.....my ankles I now have proper cankles . mamagnomes I am feeling your water retention pain!

Kitten, I know the feeling, had the biggest bowl of mussels for dinner, belly/bump feeling a tad sensitive. Feel a bit bokey to be honest. Ugh.

Cracker idea fir the fb page, great to put faces to names!

Kitten they feel like they are going to burst open, think the heat and the half hour walk earlier might have something to do with it though

So nice to see all the other bumps on the FB page. So many comments from folk about twins etc that I've been panicking about being too big. Plus my ma going on about weight...

I've eaten chocolate every day for months and I don't even like it normally. D'ye ever feel like an alien has taken over your whole mind and body?!

Anyway thanks you lovely supportive people for making me feel so much better.

Joskar I played a fun game of 'am I bigger or smaller than...' with my DP earlier poor lamb He reckons we're about the same size and I'm only 23+4. I didn't think I seemed big but now I'm worried! Have finally put on some weight, though, which is a relief. Only 7lbs when it should be nearly a stone, but baby is booting me and I feel fine so I hope it's not a problem.

Yy to the heat and walking making the swelling worse. I think know I've also not been drinking enough water so will make more of an effort with that tomorrow. Just so frustrating needing to pee literally every 5 seconds!

Urgh emma I normally love mussels but the thought of them makes me slightly queasy now!

Was going to post a bump pic but decided I looked too ropey after a day at work/long commute! Will do one tomorrow/sat instead!

Seeing everyone's bumps is so re-assuring. About 2 weeks ago everyone was saying how big I was, now all the comments are 'you don't look very pregnant'. Was starting to freak a little as weight gain def slowed last week (am +11lbs at 24+4). I think DH thought I was mad when I shared my concerns with him he obviously thinks I look massive. Anyways, it looks like I'm fairly average compared to the group so can relax a little...will post a pic later as I really should be sleeping right now

Yes, yes to the swollen feet. I've bought new shoes for work that are a whole size bigger so I can still walk when my feet swell. I made a spray thing for them, which is basically a watered down moisturiser with lots of minty oils in. Only helps the swelling slightly, but is very soothing.

As for weight gain, I lost a little to start with, so I've put that back, plus 11lbs! I didn't think I was doing too badly, the MN pages says 17.5lb to 30lb overall. I put on so much last time round, was really hoping I wouldn't go the same way again. (not normally obsessed with my weight, I promise! )

ION, my lower back and hips are very sore today after a busy day at work yesterday where I ended up covering a double shift on the reception desk. :( Will be waddling in today in flipflops with extra cushions.

SGJ - I'm definitely hoping for a home birth, have also signed up with an independent midwife last week! Very exciting.

Rake - I'm going to check out that link too thanks :)

Fl0 - I'm still not "out" on FB, would love to join the group but don't have any clues I'm pregnant on my page just wondering if the group would show on my profile?

Purple I'm pretty sure it's hidden on mine...but then I'm also fairly sure I have a privacy setting that says 'don't share anything related to groups i'm in on my news feed'.

FB privacy has got so complicated nowadays that I'm never 100% so end up going in as my husband to check what other people can see!