THREAD 13 Jan 2014 - Grab those bags, we're nearing the top of that rollercoaster!

[Toothfairy78]

OK I caved. Here's thread 13!

Well my Dh is home with a d&v bug so I'm trying to avoid him. Need to get a move on with the cleaning as I think I can get downstairs clean and tidy today. Don't know if dh will be able to come to last hypnobirthing class tonight which is disappointing as we were going to go out for dinner afterwards. Never mind.

enormous that sounds utterly unfair of your lecturer to change the goalposts like that. Enjoy your cup of tea and I hope it helps you destress a little.

I think I'm going to defer, felix. I can either get my ucas in or do the essays, not both. But I can spend the year getting more experience and working and just strengthening my application. The lecturer is notorious for being like this, up and down, doesn't stick to schedule, moves deadlines on a whim.
Completely ridiculous and unprofessional. But the upside of deferring is that I can have someone else write my reference.

Good luck curly

Hello everyone!

I have been absent for ages, and it's so nice to read through all the messages! How many of us have given birth already?? I'm due on 24th Jan, so (hopefully!) still a good few weeks to go.

Things have been SO busy at my end, can I just have a little rant please? There's Christmas which I will be preparing myself this year for the first time. My family live abroad, and the airlines won't let me fly anymore! I'm looking forward to spending it with just my DH this year, but I'm a little nervous about all the work and preparations!
I also had a couple of exams and essays for my uni degree to finish over the last three weeks, in addition to doing a full time job and having a really nasty flu for the last two weeks. I only get six days of paid sick days a year, so they will probably cut my pay by about 500 pounds - a real bummer at this time of the year (and just as we'll need the money most for baby stuff!).

There are a few positive too! My placenta has moved up, so I can plan for a c-birth which is what I wanted! Hopefully in the water, if I can hack it at the time.

Also, I'm still measuring small (30cm at 34 weeks) so had another growth scan, but baby measures perfectly and was 2.5kg (5.5 pounds). So all good there at least.

And a quick question: did anyone have stabbing, sharpi pains in their lower abdomen? I get them at night when I turn, or sometimes when I sneeze or cough. Not every time, but every now and again. It feels like a cramp, and it goes away if I let a minute or so pass. Always scares me though, as I'm imagining my muscles cramping up around my baby, suffocating him/her (NOT what is happening of course, but your mind does funny things at night sometimes, doesn't it?).

Hope you're all well!

*enormouse" I know how you feel - essay pressure is tough. I've had to write two instead of one last term, so that I don't have to write any once the baby is here. My uni has been really supportive and understanding though - doesn't sound like yours is! It shouldn't be the lecturer making up new rules! Doesnt the university have some kind of rules about these things? And couldn't you get an exemption anyway?

Deferring is definitely not a bad option - I've been finding it tough to focus on academic stuff, when all my head seems to want to do is think about the baby and all the life changes that are about to happen!

Humpty you make me chuckle!

it's all so different than with ds. With ds my waters broke at midnight on Sunday night, contractions started 10.40 every 3 mins lasting 1.5 mins. He was born at 6.50 having been confirmed in labour for 5.5 hours. (apparently everything up to 3cm doesn't count)

my mom also thinks it'll be a feb baby. Thanks mum!

good luck Curly and hi lal!

enormous how ANNOYING! That's the last thing you need. I'd ask for an email to clarify what she expects of you.

gummi you must hide in the cave until Thursday, and hope no tigers are prowling around

lalunya good to see you again - sounds like you need a rant!

Forgot to add, I've ordered litmus paper. Why? I hear you ask. Apparently that'll tell you if you're leaking preggo juice or water. Something about how acidic the fluid is

Thanks guys, I feel a little better after my rant. I'm just a little disappointed. Had I known this from the start I'd have prioritised things better and planned my time more wisely. But I can get those essays done, providing baby doesn't derail my plans. What's the saying, 'man plans and God laughs'? Should be 'women plan, children laugh and then poo over the plans and laugh a bit more'.

humpty I'm going in to see her on thursday so will get some sort of clarification then, hopefully. I want to call her a demented old bag, but I saw someone post that on a thread in aibu and get their arse handed to them for being misogynistic and ageist. I love your caveman/sabre tooth tiger analogy btw. I think my caveman and child have gone 'hunting' or scouting for milky way magic stars.

lalunya thanks, I know it won't be the end of the world to defer but my college has the organisation of a banana republic. Yep to the pains especially at night and even more so when I try to turn over. It's great you should be able to get the birth you want.

frying that's interesting, would never have thought of doing that. And that's how my labour with ds was.

enormouse, that's all you need right now. If you're not completely happy with the decision you've made (i.e. you've been pressured into it), is there anyone else at your banana republic college that you could talk to?

lalunya, do you think it might be ligament pain that you're getting? I coughed while lying in a weird position last night and felt the same thing. I also get it when walking too fast (aka anything faster than a little old lady might manage), mainly on my right hand side where most of the weight of the baby is.

I can't run away very well, so I'd better stay in my cave to avoid being gobbled up by humpty's tigers

Well latest development on the loopy lecturer front -
I emailed her to make a time to come in and talk and pick up some more work and she's emailed me most of the relevant work and said I can find the rest online. Seemingly, she's doesn't want to meet in person. Have found out she's also done this with a few other people via text and email, so she doesn't have to see them. Very .

I could go over her head to the course coordinator, gummi but I don't know if it's worth the stress. Once I've submitted the coursework and had it marked I think I'll register a complaint.

She sounds rubbish It really does make all the difference when you have a good supportive tutor rather than one who doesn't seem to be bothered in the slightest. I'd definitely make a complaint but you're right to wait until after everything has been submitted as you don't want to rock the boat, if you get what I mean?

Ekkk curly! You get to meet baby curly so soon. Really sorry its not going to happen the way you hoped, but still very exciting! Thinking of you!

humpty big sofas are awesome!!!

enormouse grrrr! I would be super pissed off! Good you are making your peace with it all, but its totally out of order!

Well the NCT ladies have just left after coming round for lunch. Met both babies now.....very interesting hearing about both birth stories and how things have gone since. They couldn't be more different!

Stupid sweep didn't happen cos I have a very slight UTI and they can't risk slim chance of baby coming in contact. I KNEW I SHOULDN'T HAVE LET DH IN MY PANTS!!!! Grr...

AND apparently everything is favourable so it would probably have worked. GRRRRRR!!!

Rubbish extra!
have they rearranged?

Enormouse, she sounds like a tosspot. You've got bigger and more important fish to fry. Hopefully you can just get what you need to done and then put in your complaint.

I've just had a nice massage, got a good deal through a friend. Feeling nice and chilled then got on the bus with a nutter shouting at people. Ugh. There are so many twats about!

enormousethats pretty crap and such a ball ache at this point in time. Sorry you have been messed around.

frying let me know if it works. I was tempted to get some indicator paper to stop me worrying but wasn't sure if i was just overreacting.
I think normal foof and discharge is slightly acidic (4.5-5.5) but af is more alkaline (about 7.5) so there should be a def colour difference between the 2. Just need to make sure you get a good foof sample as urine can be around 7 ish so dont want to accidentally freak out because its pee!!

Oooo curly how exciting that it wont be long until you meet baby. Got my fx crossed for you.

layluna welcome back and feel free to rant away. I seem to do it a lot but its nice to get it out.

extra oh how frustrating. I always think i have a slight uti but my dip test has always been fine. Just think baby is on my bladder all the time. Maybe as everything is favourable things might happen naturally fairly soon so you wont have to have a sweep anyway.
Cant believe how close people are now.

Well last day of work tomorrow!! Cant wait!
I know work are doing a big load of gifts and are most likely decorating my desk (its a bit of a tradition so i know its gonna happen) They kept popping into the boss's office (which is where we always store stuff like that so that as soon as said person goes home for the night everyone grabs all the decorations and gifts and sprays them all over their desk ready for the morning) Its really nice of them but i hope they haven't gone overboard. They did balloons, a card and gave me £180 for my wedding in april and i feel bad if they are spending more money on me so soon.
We are getting a buffet from a local pizza place for lunch as well. Think we get 2 big pizzas, sandwiches, pasta salad, crisps and dips all for £6 each. There are 14 of us in the office having it so it should be nice.
Am gonna buy a cake from tesco as well to take in to say thanks. I expect i will cry a lot as have been there almost 6 years and it was my first job after finishing uni so its strange to really think that i am leaving poss for a year, but poss forever.
It has been a shit job at times and i have def taken on more than my fair share and worked my ass off, but some of the people are really lovely.

Oh well one more day and then roll on mat leave, xmas and baby!!

Good luck curly . Really am thinking of you, you must be nervous but you get to meet your gorgeous baby soon.

Sorry I have just scanned through so havn't caught up properly.

Been at hospital all day being monitored after midwife sent me up this morning as blood pressure was really high, it went lower after a few hours in hospital. Doctors agreed baby is lying in a really awkward position so it's paracetomal and got baths on all fours for me, thanks to everyone for your advice .

Have rearranged for next week but having reflexology tomorrow morning at MW's recommendation. I'm not sure I'm totally on board with alternative therapies but maybe I'll have my mind blown!

Oh god extra what a pain. Maybe the reflexology will work (it is a bit woo though). Please can you report back? As you are favourable, you probably just need a little something to set you off. I tried hot curries and a lot of walking when I went overdue.

sarah are you back home now? Hope you're ok.

frizz your pizza party sounds lovely, as do your colleagues.

Thanks again, ladies, so much for your support over my current woes. Feel a bit now, considering the stuff some of you are going through. Hope to be able to offer you all as much support as I can on the last stretch. Unmumsnetty hugs all round.

extra how rubbish after you'd prepared yourself. How long until they check again?

So tonight, after my mammoth cooking adventure i have decided that i must put my feet up and relax.
30 min sit on the birth ball, followed by 30 min lie on the birth ball and am now lying on the sofa (on my left side) with bump resting on a pillow of course. All hoping this will ensure bubs stays in the right place. God i wish i could tell which way round it was by feeling.

Having hot Mexican for tea! They've said I can book again for next week. Hopefully she'll pop out on her own before then

Yum yum extra quite fancy nachos now. While dh us out do u think I am allowed to eat some of the Xmas cheese and crackers?