THREAD 12 Jan 2014 - The one where we start mainlining raspberry leaf tea and festive treats for "the baby"

[fryingpantoface]

Thought I'd go for it

Afternoon everyone! < PELVIC FLOOR LIFTS REMINDER>

Was at a great group last night called positive birth. Was v interesting- run by two doulas so nice no get the non-medicalised view.

They advised I read more about the risks of VBAC so I understand them more fully before labour so I don't get forced into unnecessary procedures etc. however, first few sites made me more nervous! Got a good one now though which is more balanced. Will still have a lot to read and digest in next few weeks. And def starting the RLT, increasing pelvic exercises and baby turning exercises ( baby transverse this am!).

Down to last few pieces to buy - cot sheets and still pondering baby changing table.

Oh, and addition to the hospital bag list ! HAIRDRIER!

FELIX I'd love to do naff all but I have overwhelming urges to clean and sort and make more lists to check off....! Saying that, if my house wasn't such a mess I'd gladly put my puffy feet up!

I went through a stage of freaking out and having a mass de-clutter a couple of weeks ago and now I'm a bit gutted I've got no more possessions to 'sort.' We have just found out we are moving house in a couple of weeks though so now I have a new challenge of packing all my de-cluttered crap up ready for the new place. I'm sure I can manage it in between my schedule of sprawling out on the sofa and drinking brews like there's no tomorrow.

frying I don't suppose there's any chance of you working from home? I'm doing that more and more (at least 1 day a week) and it really helps

After saying I hadn't felt hiccups I think baby got them today. But worryingly they were near my ribs and also been having kicks lower down so after being transverse, then head down I think he may now be breech. Had 32w apt today but at doctors but she didn't write the way he's lieing. Got growth scan next week so will see then

great news blue!
nah MrsVDB because I work in Customer Services in a call centre I can't work from home. It's not too bad, now I've made the decision I feel good about finishing next week. Just need HR to agree to it

Whoop just ordered a dishwasher. So next week I shall be the proud owner of my first ever tumble dryer and dishwasher yay I feel both of these are legitimate baby purchases

Woo nature where did you buy it from? I work in kitchen appliances...

Hi all...sorry for the dramatic announcement on weds followed by radio silence. I was a bit shocked to say the least. I am feeling more at ease now, although I do wake up haunted by the possibilities and various outcomes and struggle to fall asleep again. I spoke to the surgeon today...I am booked in for a small OP to remove the cancer on weds at half three. He said the main complication is not being able to close up the hole again as I am 'young' so the skin is taut, in which case they will graft. That will look odd for the rest of my life but certainly isn't the end of the world. My poor bump has been quite quiet since weds, hopefully my high levels of adrenaline haven't completely freaked it out. I have also been getting quite mega BHs, almost to the point that I am wincing. Quite repetitive, e.g. Three in ten mins and then they fade again. I wonder whether this baby is going to wait until term (7 more weeks) or come early from all this stress. Beyond that, no bad symptoms other than being highly emotional right now which is understandable! I haven't mentioned the skin cancer to any midwife at all...do you think I should? I am crossing my fingers it is not relevant. Big hugs to all, ESP another and choco and hope you are bearing up in hospital.

I would mention it mythree especially the BH. It might be worth them looking at you

What happens after they remove it, mythree? Is that the end of it or do you have to have any more tests/treatment?

I'd mention it next time you see the mw, but she'll probably already know.

choco, how are you doing? Hope today has been better. If there's anything we can do let us know!
three you are being very brave (sorry that sounds very patronising!)... Hope you're able to rest up this weekend.
4 weeks left at work now, yay! Although still debating how wise it is to finish 10 days before of which most are Christmas week ie. not exactly relaxing. But am feeling pretty good, despite still vomming and nasty heartburn.
Has anyone else noticed an increase in other people wanting to tell you their dramatic labour stories in recent weeks? With no consideration that what they're telling you might freak you out...
Oh and welcome felix! Hope you found the soy sauce!

mythree I'd mention it, for sure. Massive good luck for next weds, and don't worry about radio silence!

frying you are LOVELY and I'm glad you've decided to put yourself first - if you do end up with slightly shorter mat leave (can you then extend it?) once the baby has arrived, well, that's fewer pooey nappies for you to change, eh? I hope HR agree, or offer an alternative which works for you. Don't forget, if you are sick, until 36 weeks, they cannot make you start mat leave. And if you cannot do the job because of pg, they are obliged to offer you alternative work which you can do. HTH.

blue sounds ace - I hope baby turns and you get a peaceful VBAC.

felix good luck moving - we're still unpacking, but I never decluttered pre-move, and I SO WISH I had now. So. Much. Crap.

Once they remove it it gets sent to the pathology lab which takes a week to come back. If it comes back saying they haven't removed the whole thing, I have to consider whether to open it up straight away and cut more out, or not. Interestingly, the doctor said he has a 2% recurrence rate which is lower than the national average and on occasions where the path report suggests there is more cancer there, a lot of the time there isn't. As we're getting quite close to baby due date, I think he'd rather risk not cutting more out but letting it recover and if I am in that two percent then as its slow growing, it will be another year or two before I need to have the second one taken out. Seems a bit cavalier to me, as obviously I want the whole thing removed and the certainty that I am in the clear. But I know he is worried about the physical outcome and that more surgery may well not be necessary. I also realise I will look like I have had one sided plastic surgery...in my seventies my left hand side will be tight and glam and the right will be saggy and wrinkly.

If BHs persist I will call EPU in the morning. I am reluctant to make a fuss as my mum is about to arrive (pre booked weekend) and her reaction when I told her I have skin cancer was 'honestly, there is no need to be so dramatic...everyone has skin cancer these days' not quite the sympathetic reaction I was expecting, and I know she will consider me to be making a needless fuss if I mention the BHs, and frankly I could do without her opinionated presence right now (much as I love her normally!)

mythree hope you're ok. It's a horrible shock - I've had a number of chunks chopped out of me that were in the pre-cancerous stage. You're in the best hands & at least they've caught it now. (Not that it makes it any easier to get your head round!)

mythree - www.babycentre.co.uk/braxton-hicks-contractions

make sure you call them, though your mom could be more sympathetic!

humpty got your email, i'll message when posted. Postie FIL said if it's sent tomorrow you should get it on Monday, Tuesday at the very very latest.

HR have approved me finishing next week. They sent an email saying "Ideally you are required to provide 28 days’ notice if you wish to change your leave date, however I have spoken with NAME OF LOVELY MANAGER re: your request to start your Maternity Leave on Saturday 30th November and as this date falls within the 8 weeks before your due date, this is fine.

You will receive a letter shortly with confirmation of the amended date :)"

YEY!

In other news have been in all day awaiting a carpet fitter. He was due at 10. After numerous calls from us to the shop that should be called 'Carpetwrong' and eventual calls to him it turns out his van has broken down. The shop lied on three calls, telling us he was on his way. He also said he was on his way, but has now phoned to let us know he won't be here today. No shit sherlock. I've just got off the phone to the shop who 'guarantee' he will be with us at 830 tomorrow am. But in case he doesn't turn up are available in the shop at 9am... Strange guarantee!

So angry. We're supposed to be at my parents for dinner tonight. And were meeting people tomorrow am for the last time pre baby.

Not only that but we can't get into the bathroom upstairs and our bedrooms have no furniture in them.

As I mentioned angrily on the phone, an 8 month pregnant woman moving furniture is not ideal...

Grrrrrrrrrrrr. Customer service my arse.

Ffs, mac

Seem to have taken it out on DH a little too much... He's gone to bed in a huff.

Oh dear :(

Could you take him up a cup of tea and -tell him to stop being a baby-- give him a cuddle?

Stupid phone, messing up my crossing-out!

Could you take him up a cup of tea and tell him to stop being a baby give him a cuddle?

That's what I meant!

The good news is he's sorted our bed out.

Could inhale a McDonalds right now.

Mac That's appalling. Why do people lie? It always winds me up more, the lying I mean, instead of the actual issue.

Oh mythree your mum probably thinks she is being supportive by minimising it, but her response would wind me up no end.

I've had a pretty shitty day. Had about 2hrs sleep last night, then dd had an epic tantrum at her gym class. Another mum said to me "are you sure you want another?" which nearly made me cry. She seems so much more temperamental than the other toddlers in her class. It's always HER kicking off about something. She doesn't kick/bite etc and shares nicely but everything is always The End of The World. I'm hoping that once she moves up to the 2-3yr old class she won't be the only tantrummer.

Then on the drive home I was trying to hand dd her drink in the backseat and drove into the bank a bit and dented my bumper and probably need a new wheel. Only replaced them two months ago. Then I really did cry. On the plus side I phoned dh and he worked from home this afternoon so I could catch up on sleep which meant so much to me as he takes his job VERY seriously and has never had a sick day.

So i haven't read any posts as in a bit if a rush but will pop back later to catch up (apologies if bad stuff has happened I am not being rude ignoring it)
Dh got the job!! Starts in Jan and goes til at least August so Yay.

Yaaaaay! What a relief, frizz!