Due in September 2006..... into the third trimester.....on the home run

[compo]

Hope no-one minds [smile

I've just managed to catch up with all the posts on the last thread and this new one. It's amazing how much you miss when you can't get online for a couple of days!

I went to see my mw on Wednesday. I see one of two mw's, one is training the other very experienced. I like them both so I really don't mind which one I see. Anyway, everything is fine, LO's heartbeat is strong and I was told that my uterus is about the right size so all fine. I have to go back in 3 weeks then in 6 weeks I have to go see the consultant at the hospital for a check. I had to laugh though as the mw in training is trying very hard to do everything by the book and is explaining everything in great detail. She told me that when you have baby, they believe in skin to skin contact and then you're taken back to the ward with baby and that baby stays with you 24 hours now unlike the olden days when they took them to a seperate part of the hospital. She told me, that way, I can learn all the small signs that tell me when LO needs feeding or changing. I was like - small signs as in bawling their heads off? I had to have bloods done but haven't heard anything back so assume they're ok.

I've been taking the sanatogen pregnancy vitamins right from the start and haven't had any problems with them. I was advised to take them because I had very low iron levels before I got pg and my mw told me that if I take a regular pg vitamin it should stop me having probs through the pg. I'm usually really forgetful when it comes to taking regular tablets but I've been trying really hard to remember these ones!

Homemamma - I can see why you have doubts about moving to Australia but I think it's be an amazing experience - for you and your children. My parents nearly moved to NZ when my sister and I were very young but they changed their minds at the last minute. They've always regretted not going. Just think, I could have been married to a hunky NZ rugby player by now

Pol, I have always said no to DS if he does something to harm himself/others. I try really hard to ignore things that might irritate me, but aren't harmful, as then I'd be saying no constantly (). So I try to pick my battles... Hitting and pinching and biting are battles I'm prepared to fight. And now he's just over 2, he doesn't seem to be doing any of them so much as when he was 18 months.

Compo, your not alone! I went for a walk around the production factory yday & this women who I don't recall ever seeing suddenly pops out from no-where & says "it doesn't seem like two mins since you were pg last time"....so I grin & try & move on but then she says says "your so big", "when are you due", "sure you haven't got twins"....the usual......FFS...I'm pg, leave me alone!!!!!!! Then the accounts manager pops upstairs & just gives me that look & I let rip....much to the amusement of the sales office...well, I was hot & bothered & fed up of poeple speaking / looking before they open their gobs!!!!!!!

All this talk of loo roll...so I have to try all around the bump right?!!! I'm intrigued!!

Liquidclocks, I've been telling DD off since she was about 18 months....she's now approaching the terrible twos...(if she gets them as bad as we're all made to believe!) but she's much more determined to do & say things that provoke - although I'm sure, like everyone's 22 months old, she doesn't realise that she's being naughty as such just that she's pushing the boundaries day in day out through the most part sheer frustration at not understanding why she cannot do something. I seriously believe if you don't start now, what chance when they are 5 going on 15???Maybe I'm wrong but I really hope she'll grow up into being accepted into others people's homes & not be one of those kids who people dread having over..IYSWIM???!!!!

I can sympathise with demanding toddlers... ds is really testing me at the monent - hitting when he doesn't get his way, throwing his toys at me. He thinks it's all a great game but he does cry when put on the naughty step so hopefully that is teaching him something?!!
Glad I'm not the only one getting comments on my size - it makes me feel really self conscious. I'm not one of these people who display their bumps proudly and I'm not loving being pregnant either... can't wait to feel like 'me' again, God when will that be??!! Tbh I would quite hapily go to sleep and wake up at Christmas when the tiny newborn stage and the birth is all over!!

Message withdrawn

Totally agree...I love the end result but hate pregnancy....took a year after DD's birth before I felt "me" again...

I have been cheering myself up by buying lots of pink clothes on ebay
Can anyone remember what clothes to take the lo home in? I was thinking vest, sleepsuit, hat, scratch mittens, cardigan and then a blanket over the car seat. Do you think that is okay? Can't remember if ds had another outer suit on to go home in instead of a cardigan

Going home outfit last time was vest, sleepsuit, jacket (flannel one) and hat. Blanket over carseat. Also got DS to make sure car was warm for when we got in! Personally can't be fussed with scratch mits - only lose them!

Just had chat with midwife. Have tested positive for group b strep infection which according to charity site can be linked to pre-term birth, though when I asked midwife she said it wasn't. Anyway, just going to have to be vigilant, also means I have to have IV antibiotics while I'm in labour - that'll go well with my epidural! Anyone else had this?

Compo, when DD was born Sep 2004 it was bloody hot (not that I realised this as I was in a for a week but DH kept rocking up in shorts every day going on about the weather!). So DD went home in just a babygro without vest....no mittins or blanket etc. Guess it'll depend on the weather where you are on the day!

Was also chuckling to myself thinking why is Compo buying lots of pink things on ebay..then I remember your having a girl aren't you?!!!! Does she have a name yet? (wish I knew sometimes...but my sixth sense tells me it is another girl...not that it probably means anything!)

Compo, I'm with you too. The first 6 weeks were totally insane last time, but I did think there was a turning point at 6 weeks, then again at 3 months, 6 months, a year etc. etc.

Bit worried about jealousy, as DS was not impressed when I held my friend's 9 month old the other day - started clawing at my legs and saying "baby back to his mummy!". Doesn't bode too well.... I've ordered a toddler book about getting a baby from Amazon, and another one I've been recommended, "3 shoes, 1 sock and no hairbrush" about how to cope with 2... Not sure whether reading is a good idea or not!!!

i heard group b strep is another one of those things that as long as they know you have it it's really low risk!

thanks for the advice on first 3 months - DH has these ridiculous plans to go on holiday with PIL at around 6 weeks - by air.....

Pol - was it the one from a few nights ago - I'm more sad for having watched it "live"

off to measure myself with the loo roll - I too popped into work this week and got exactly the same remarks - why don't people learn???

oooh Lysettes, holiday by air at 6 weeks might be rather ambitious... Although then again, it could be lovely - depends where you're going, who with, how supportive etc. etc.. Probably best to wait and see what your lo is like... but I remember at 6 weeks, when you're up feeding twice in the night, and seem to be feeding all day as well, and you're generally exhausted, the last thing I wanted was to be removed from old episodes of Holby City on the TV...!!

Lysettes- yes it was the one on the other night but DP wanted footie on and I couldn't be bothered to go upstairs to watch it, lying on the bed to wach tv only makes me sleep...

We went to a wedding to Scotland by plane when DD was 6 months, that was stressful enough!!! All of the stuff we had to take for two nights was ridiculous and I didn't enjoy it at all. I wouldn't reccommend it unless you're going somewhere home from home or you feel a little peeved that you have none of those convienances you have at home ie. microwave to warm milk quickly for thier morning drink etc... At six am you don't want to be fiddling with hot water- although we got the avent bottle/jar heater which was great if your bubba likes hot milk rather than just tepid.

Just realised I have gone off meat- had our tea of potato skins, salad and duck breast in salt and pepper (from tescos and they are yummy- normally) Except the meat has made me feel ill, the texture and taste. Boo hoo normally love my meat and feeling sad now. Anyone else gone off meat???

i am totally with you all on the silliness of the idea of an overseas trip at 6 weeks! I am going to book us into the b&b we stayed at recently in the cotswolds I think - we had a proper kitchen and lounge so not too bad a set up! And will have the PILs with us so they will be able to help and support

we already have the joys of 27 hours to NZ at 6 months to look forward to, although we will be staying at PILs' so will have all home comforts

on that note, the travel cot arrived today - we got a pop up bubble and i almost bashed myself in the face when it popped up

I think that is a good idea! Going 'away' - away at 6 weeks, I think you wouldn't enjoy it because the spare time you have you either fill it with sleep or wanna flop in front of the tv or in the bath... not go out sight seeing!

I'm sure NZ will be fine tho, just have plenty of bottles to hand for lo and you'll be ok.

in one way it's quite sweet because DH appears to think i am superwoman but it's quite worrying as he is not going to have any idea of what's hit him!

I am more worried of my MIL trying to help and "interfering" - they are staying with us from end August, and at least if LO comes early he will be a couple of weeks old by the time they get here - I am not sure if i could cope with them staying with us right from day 1!

Measured myself - a respectable 9 and a little bit pieces of Charmin ultra!

Birth plan being written - silly question but why are babies given Vit K straight after birth?

I have an interfering MIL but you just get to know how to deal with them not that you have the inclination for a batle when your bubba is a few days old! Still she could be a wonder for you and help with all the cleaning and washing etc... and cooking which no one has time or inclinations for.

Think vit K is given to help them be able to blot their own blood, not sure tho.

Lysettes - experience from last time tells me that (within UK!) travel is pretty easy in the 1st 3 months or so provided you have a very padded carseat (DS got a very red bum on one trip, hence creatis this time) but that after that it gets more difficult. Biggest problem is boot space for all the stuff they need!

Can I just say that I've looked into this group b strep thing now and though I don't want anyone to worry I think this website is something all pg women should read. Also it does sound like there's a small possibility my scares might be linked to it somehow so I'm going to go and see the midwife earlier than I'd planned to have a chat about it. There's also some useful reminders on the site about handwashing, and drying, with newborns and why it's so important that we're assertive mothers and make sure our visitors don't put the LO's at risk. Feeling pretty dumbstruck at the moment that this isn't all common knowledge but also pretty lucky I've found out and can take precautions.

ps, vitamin K is to prevent a rare disease in newborns that can cause bleeding then brain damage then can be fatal. You can ge more info here

DS cried when he had his injection but nothing compared to subsequent tests related to his jaundice. I reckon they soon forget anyway!

My gosh, Compo, what moronic comments from those at work!! Esp. about the diet. My sister is visiting this weekend ? her good-natured, ?wow, you?re so big now!? was different . She & her DH are headed to China for a year ? excited for them but sad DS1 who adores them won?t see them again until he?s almost 4.
Also, like you, can?t wait to feel like me again. That would be British size 8, and NOT size Ds. May take up to 2 years to get back to that ? But have been looking at catalogs and fantasizing about cute clothes I?ll someday be able to wear.
Definitely with you on ?wake up at Christmas.? If only.

Claire, agree with Liquid ? Just hard for them to do a circuit thing, starting then stopping all kinds of fun activities ? there?s a place here called ?Pump It Up?, full of blow-up jumping and climbing toys and slides, and they just let all the kids at the entire room the whole time; it works out well. And Liquid, yes. They understand. Agree with Pol; faster you stop bad behavior, the better.

Liquid - The Gap definitely rocks.

Mandaz ? Have to say it?s with best intentions that baby will be left with you for 24 hours ? we have that choice too, for same reasons ? but mine?s going straight to the nursery so I can eat, and sleep, after labor (like last time). If you are too weak and tired to deal with newborn right away, don?t be afraid to speak up.

Homemama ? There you go ? So you see, trading countries? sizes more fun for y?all than for us.

Re: first time moms left on their own, I think I was so out of it, concentrating on what I had to do, that I didn?t mind, as long as DH was there, during 36 hours of labor at hospital (there had been 12 more at home!) ? sometimes was just nice to be alone in the darkened room. But we knew we could ring for nurse if needed. Traffic is nerve-wracking; don?t blame you for hoping for best logistics. I?m just hoping my water doesn?t break here or in the car on the way ?

Lysettes ? I have a gallery show in mid-October - in Houston! Booked it a year ago. Should be interesting, trying to pull that off. All will need to be painted/drawn/sent by end August ? But staying with my mom & dad; they?ll watch the DSs.

A moment of weakness! Just bought my first piece of 'boy' clothing. Gorgeous little newborn romper suit from ebay!

Yeah liquidclocks... I have been looking there too! I sold all of DD's clothes there as soon as we knew this bubba was a boy!

Have been buying heaps of boy stuff elsewhere tho and looking out for bargains on ebay. Gets me too excited tho and then I want our bubba now.

Brought DD a book by usbourne called the new baby- it's really dweet except now instead of her calling the baby Ben, it's changed to Susie like in her new book. Give him a complex before he's even born!

liquid thanks for the link - very informative and agree we should all have a read.

my hospital routinely offers a BCG injection before leaving the hospital to protect against TB as it's on the rise we are told - has anyone else had to consider this and what are your views?

Are babies immune systems developed enough to cope with such a shot so early on does anyone know, or have you been through this before if you're not a first timer?

sorry, my questions are getting more and more dull each day!

have a lovely weekend everyone!

Not sure about the TB thing, I'll look into into any medical reviews I can find and let youknowwhat I find.

Waking up this morning I found myself just feeling really angry that I never knew about this strep b thing before. It seems from the statistics that it's more likely for babies to suffer complications with this than with downssyndrome, spina bifida etc - and all these things they test for. Grrr. Also makes me angry because I was probably a carrier with DS1 too and they unecessarily put his life at risk

Sorry for rant, just working for NHS and knowing how much money is wasted and this test is so cheap and could save hundreds of lives and prevent so much disability. Ranting again, sorry.

Do hope everyone has a lovely weekend and those of you in the south - enjoy the weather!