April 2014 Thread 4 - We're almost in Trimester 3!

[LeeHandy]

Here's to fantastic 20 week scans, feeling baby move and other exciting milestones and best of all, the end of sickness!

Hello, welcome to the thread Kat and Oli!!

New Year has made this all seem scary close. Am suddenly realising that although hopefully LO will not be here for several months, she could be here much sooner, so I really need to get all my handover plans sorted ASAP!! I hate doing this though ... such a palaver, finding people to take over and making sure clients are happy etc. etc. - including on projects that are sleeping and may well not wake up again while I am away anyway. Makes me feel tired thinking about it!

Did book a decorator for Feb and had a massive clear out at the weekend (bags to recycling and Oxfam, plus quite a bit to the bin, and a couple of suitcases of clothes I can't use until post-baby put away), which was good.

On the downside went to see buggies/strollers for the first time on Sunday... ended up quite confused! Think I might go for a lie flat pushchair that's suitable for newborns (liked the BJ City Mini and Graco Evo Mini), rather than the full on travel system, as they seem so much narrower and more manouverable for public transport (and much lighter, so better for my poor crappy back!) - but initially had a bit of a wobble about whether she would be too exposed like that when she's tiny. Tried the carrycot attachment for the City Mini but found it impossible to get in and out (and my OH could only just do it), so I dont think that's going to be very practical for us - plus it makes the thing very unwieldy.

Did see a couple of small babies being wheeled around strapped into lie flat chairs at the weekend though, and they seemed to be comfy and sleeping happily, so I hope I'm worrying too much! But need to spend a bit of time thinking before I make a decision...

Happy New Year ladies! Hope you all had lovely Xmases..mine was great. I even managed an inch of champagne on Xmas Day (all I could manage after researching WAY too much into whether you should even do that when pregnant....when will I learn to stop Googling..?)

Agreed - it all feels so real now doesn't it? Bump is huge and baby is kicking up a storm every day - now seeing the baby move around in my tummy (particularly on a Sunday evening??!) which is fun!

Had a massive splurge on organising baby thing buying...to the point where (don't laugh) I found a spreadsheet on the internet and then customised it into what we need. It's even more complicated as I will be spending some time at my OH's mum's house (at least every other weekend) so some things I need two of. Man. Anyway, if you want a copy of the world's most ridiculous baby spreadsheet no doubt full of stuff you do not need, let me know by PMing me. On the basis that my OH spends a lot on his car hobby I did not feel too guilty about the spend..

One thing we did do is buy a Bugaboo cameleon v 2 second hand on ebay - there are specialist dealers who safety check and valet them and so much cheaper (having gone into Mothercare and balked at about a grand for bugaboo cameleon 3). We realised lots of them don't have adjustable handles and my OH is quite tall so would be bad for his back. I think we'll get a sling second hand too.

Any views on electric v manual breast pumps? Heard Tommee Tippee Closer to nature bottles and teats are better than Avent...

Other developments (am gathering papers in front of me newsreader style)..

1. Backache has arrived. Absolutely have to sleep with large pillow between legs and even then v uncomfortable on my back. Also had tail bone pain after preg yoga (weird as in that class someone complained of that and I thought what the hec is that and the next day I had it!)

1. Had a session with consultant midwife re natural birth fears and c section desires. Got a psych appointment on Weds which I am having to go to in a bid to convince the hospital I truly do not want a VB but actually my hospital was great and said I can have any delivery I want. Thank goodness. Although with a low lying placenta I may have no choice anyway. If anyone is still considering which to go for, my midwife recommended the RCOG website (royal college of obstetricians website) and the royal college of midwives website for impartial fact based views. Tables 4.2 onwards if you look at the NICE guidelines. I found it really interesting though aimed at a more intellectual audience. I had to engage dusty lawyer part of brain and not the watching Peter Andre/TOWIE/Celeb BB part of brain. In a nutshell I concluded the report says....VB and C section risks and benefits (and bizarrely costs) about the same so each woman should have what they want. There really isn't much in it according to these 2 sources. Personally I am terrified about incontinence/baby being too big/tears...not that I think C section is a walk in the park or necessarily solves all these issues but I do feel the continence thing is better (and having had a load of UTIs in the past I am worried about anything urinary!)

1. Just signed up for NCT classes. Man they are expensive.

1. Trying to have a NY resolution not to work too hard and organise my handover as was super hectic pre Xmas. Also trying to work out when my last day at work will be. I quite fancy end of Feb/first week of March which will give me 6-8 weeks or so pre baby.

1. I also have sacked off preg yoga lessons this week with current class on basis I couldn't stand being told to breathe out misty mornings any more. Hoping I can find one that is less anti c section and hippy.

Toodle pip for now. Hmmn I have got a weird indigestion type feeling now - wonder whether it could be Braxton hicks? I ran out of food while working from home today and had baked beans and eggs (bbefore 19 dec but OH convinced me eggs can't go off unless they are bad) on PITTA BREAD. I think that will be it.

Wendle70 (24+3)

ps anyone else feeling that they might be hamming up the pregnancy thing...I mean some people work out with weights/run mini marathons etc while pregnant don't they?..meanwhile I am waddling around out of breath whale like as if I am about to pop. I lever myself out of seats/roll out of bed. I walk like an obese tortoise. Haven't even dared to weigh myself - reckon must be off the charts with weight gain. Have sneaking feeling this is sub conscious ham acting on my part and I should not be out of breath walking 5 mins uphill from the station...OH keeps telling me to get fitter and walk more eg to tube in morning...but it's sooo cold and my bed is warm in the mornings..

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Hello everyone!!! Haven't been on for a while because I changed usernames and couldn't remember how to change back from my phone! Last post was me checking it worked - nice to be Trinpy again!

I'm back at work but not for long. Hoping to last out next week and poss the week after then I might have to call it a day. Spd is still awful. Just about keeping it together at work but I'm on crutches every evening now. I know what you mean wendle - I'm not even that big but feel whale-like, no idea how people manage to carry on as normal until due date!

Is anyone else getting the constant comments on bump size? I keep getting told I barely look pregnant, bump is tiny, etc. So many people have said it I was starting to get a bit worried, but fundal height measurement yesterday put me at just above 90th centile .

Also if you haven't already thought of it, there are some good bargains in Jan sales atm. Very good time for baby buys .

Hi ladies! I am new here. I'm due on the 15th of April. My little Aries kicks me everyday. I think I've already got used to it by now. It worries me if he keeps a bit quiet for a day. My friends told me that it showed even when I was just 4 month pregnant. And recently I was told by my mother in law that i obviously gained a bit weight and are getting much bigger. I guess I have to take it as a compliment that me and my hubby are doing a good job taking care of our growing baby.

Hi Trinpy, I don't think you should worry about the size of your bump although it's not as big as you expected. When my mum was pregnant with me, ppl said she didn't look pregnant, even before the due date. So you can imagine how small it was. It turned out I was quite a big girl (3.25kg). It seems to depend on the position of the baby.

Welcome jellybean

I've had my 28week midwife appt today, bloods taken :-( whopping cough jab booked. I have also been worried about my small bump! As everyone comments that I don't look very preggers either! But midwife said It was showing spot on average on the fundal chart, so I dont think there's anything to worry about Trinpy I'm sure we will soon look like whales hehe :-) i think I will pile it on wen i go on maternity leave x

28weeks today

There is a girl at my work who is almost exactly as pregnant as I am, and her bump is much more prominent... But so far I've always measured fine, so I assume it's OK. I think maybe it's just because I am tall with wide hips, so there is lots of space for my bump to fit "inside me" if you see what I mean. Where as she is very petite, so the same size bump would get pushed out more. That is my theory anyway!

hello everyone..
I was also a bit worried about bump size and I was getting comments about how tiny I was carrying. but in the last 3 days I have totally ballooned out and now look very pregnant. there's a daily change in the size of my bump and I can feel myself waddling.
wendle I agree that I feel like a bit of a ham complaining about tiredness. I haven't even tried any yoga or any other form of exercise!! I would quite like to see the excel because I love organising my life according to spreadsheets and I have been using Amazon/john Lewis buying guides to shop. I don't how to pm from my phone but will try to figure it out.
I have started panicking about leaving work. I have been in this job for about 2 years only and got it after being out of work for 2 years so I feel like if I am out of work again for a year I will lose my confidence and have to start all over again. dh says I am being silly but I am blaming it on hormones.
my glucose tolerance test is tmw, fingers crossed I won't have to give up dessert!
28+3

Don't worry Lee I'm sure you'll pick it all up again when you go back to work. I've only been in my job for 5 months (still not 100% sure I know what I'm doing some days!) but I think I'm going to ask about keeping in touch days when I go back to help ease me back into it all again. I don't know whether this is an option for you but if not I'm sure no one will expect you to go back remembering how to do everything straight away.

Good luck for the gt test tomorrow. Make sure you bring enough lucozade! I didn't (no one told me to bring the big bottle not the small one!) and I had to panic call dh and get him to bring another bottle to the doctor's for me. Hope it will be good news for both of us. Pregnancy is hard enough without having to miss out on dessert .

i was thinking about bump size yesterday im quite small at 5 foot 3 1\2 and i think I have started to look extremely pregnant the last few weeks and everyday bump seems to get bigger and bigger. My appetite has also grown and i now finish a plate of dinner (this never used to happen) and oh has said hes noticed how much more i seem to be able to eat on a more regular basis but its all gone on bump I dont seem to have put weight on face, arms or legs or bum. I was feeling the top of the uterus yesterday and its a good few inches above my belly button feels really high so im not feeling too bad about how big my bump seems. I have my first doctors appointment tomorrow in Portugal a bit nervous how it will go but ive been given the 'brit' doctor who speaks fluent english and ill have other half with me for any translation problems and its at 9am so not too much waiting either.

Thanks for the welcome. It's nice to have a place to hang out with all the moms and mom to be. The information is so useful for a first time mom!

I was only given a small lucozade at the Antenatal Clinic for the GTT test. Isn't that enough? I'm surprised that we have to bring extra.

Yikes ... you have to take your own Lucozade?! I got mine free at at my last GTT!!! I was glad it was the original one because don't like the other flavour (is it orange?!).

Churros did you find the hypnobirthing super useful? I'm considering a session with a local therapist. This is my first baby but I've been for stays in hospital a lot with another condition and don't have a huge amount of faith in the hospital. Only one choice where I live too. I wish I felt a little more confident about it all.

25 + 5

Can't believe everyone else got their lucozade free!!!

Got a GP appt next week as I'm in agony with my back and pelvis

24+6

I had my first Portuguese antenatal appointment and im apprantly weigh more than i should be meh screw it. Also have to have glucose test as it's done here regardless boo but it's also standard to have a 30 weeks ultrasound so gd and bad

Gosh,how RL takes over sometimes. I have not been here for a while so happy new year ladies, cannot poor you. Hope you feel better soon.
Hope everyone is doing ok under the circumstances. I am still working 7-3 in a very physical job and am on my feet the whole time except when i have lunch. Amazingly i am in such great form it still puzzles me. No swelling, sleeping is ok except when DH snores. Soon he shall be banished to the guest room. I will work till the end of the month and then stop, 2 months sound great for nesting. To be honest i have no idea what i will do with myself. Dd is in nursery and Dh will be working. Clean the house several times a day? I got so bored nesting with dd1 and it was for 2 months as well.

Please give me ideas of what i can do when i am home. Would love to go for walks but this is Norway and outside will be something like -10 degrees so thats a no no..

29+5 today

Blessed, if I have time waiting for LO to arrive my plan is to catch up with doing some photo albums (relive the crazy holidays travelling around unlikely places that I will not be having for a while now ). Would that be any good for you? Or anything arty/crafty you are into?

Sorry to hear about your pain cannot, hope the GP can help.

Oh no cannot, I hope they can help you.

I go my gt results today. All normal. I may have crammed a whole creme egg in my mouth at once in celebration .

Had a 4d scan yesterday. Baby is so cute and plumping up nicely . He definitely has dh's nose too. Still another 3 months or so before we all get to meet our babies...

trinpy I didn't have to carry lucozade either! well I was given a glass of something I assume was lucozade but it was not even a bottle. I know my fears about working are irrational because my manager is really lovely. but I think I feel am feeling worse because I have only been in my role for 3 months and she is already having to advertise my maternity cover.
hope everyone's gt test results are ok. how was your appointment Vikki?
28+5

ooh missed a few messages at the end.
sorry to hear about your pain Cannot!
good to know that your appointment was ok Vikki! are they asking you to be careful about food or was it just a scold?
Kata A 28 inch bump would be more than 2 feet pregnant.. I think I am about 28 cm as well which seems small for my height but the midwife was not concerned.
trinpy I have until Friday before my results come in and there are some chocolate puddings calling my name in the fridge.

Hello, been away for a couple of days for DH's birthday (will be the last trip just the 3 of us I guess, happy and sad...) so just catching up.

Parsons I found the hypnobirthing helpful. I figure there is nothing to lose and it is quite straightforward. A good way to just focus the mind and concentrate on breathing. And helpful in terms of just thinking it all through too. I feel the same about the lack of confidence in the hospital as they messed up so badly last time. Have you been to visit the labour ward or wherever you are giving birth too? I think that is really important too. Have you considered a homebirth?

Cannot hope the GP can help. Are you doing any yoga or pilates classes? It might help (depending on what the pain is I suppose...?)

Is the GT test standard? I didn't have it with my first? I don't have another midwife appointment until the end of the month so don't know how big the bump is but I feel huge! Although still feeling good, no troubles sleeping and no big aches and pains. Just get tired a little easier if I do too much walking. I'm trying to make the most of feeling ok before I get too massive, just realised how close to the 3rd trimester I am and I'm panicking!!! Still haven't sorted anything out, thought of names or done anything really!

Is anyone else self-employed and applying for maternity pay? It's on my list of things to sort out sooner rather than later but it says I need to show pay slips, but I don't have any as I'm self-employed! Do I just send copies of invoices does anyone know??

25+1

Churros Do you mean maternity allowance? I'm not self-employed but I'm applying for this and from what I remember you don't need to send in proof of earnings if you're self employed because job centre can check your ni contributions. You could always check on the dwp website or with the jobcentre though.

And they normally only check gt if you're seen as high risk (such as a family history of diabetes) or if you have symptoms of gestational diabetes.

I'm interested in hypnobirthing but can't afford classes - has anyone used the CDs? Do they work?