February 2014 - all our bags are packed, we're ready to go...

[sunflowered]

Well... we're getting there at least, and definitely ready to meet the first thread baby!

I had so many things planned for the start of mat leave ... (including build cot/decorate nursery... oops) and insteas while I'm cooped up in here my family are doing them to help out. It's stressing me out thinking that I'll go home to a house where I can't find a thing and need to undo all the 'helpful' changes to get things straight

In other news, I appear to have grown udders during the course of today. Need to see if I can borrow a bump measuring tape from the ward to see what size nursing bra to order (and find an online source that delivers pdq...) Tried out breastfeeding for the first time today but she's so small that the ratio of mouth/nipple is still a bit skewed - she got the idea just needs to do a bit more growing before she starts doing it properly and learn that licking the nipple to catch the drops that I'm expressing for her is just lazy

at your description sunflowered Glad she's doing well and getting the idea of breastfeeding! When my milk came in I went up 3 cup sizes - not the 1 cup size that the bra fitting 'experts' at M&S said! Had to send my friend out to buy me some appropriately sized bras, haha!

I will be driving right up to the end... can't get the DC to school otherwise! Though most of the rest of the time I am sitting/ lying down as the pressure on my pelvis and pains in my lower abdomen are hideous. I was helping out in school for an hour this afternoon, and even though I sat down for big chunks of that, I felt like my pelvis would split in two by the time 3pm rolled round! How I'm going to make it through a 6 hour shift at work on Saturday I don't know... Luckily that's my last one I think, though I will carry on my work from home as long as possible - at least I can sit down for that!

Hello all,

Well I have just one day left at work which is Thursday and can not wait. I don't mind being in the office but I have a long train commute and am fed up of it! On the way back today I didn't get a seat on one train - one lady tried to offer me her seat but she was halfway down the carriage and people were standing in the aisles between us so I couldn't really get to it. Another girl who was standing let me have her standing position leaning against a wall which was kind and helped! It was only for 10 minutes and the other 'standers' made sure I got a seat at the next stop but it does make me thankful that I only have one commute day left for 2014

Tomorrow I'm seeing the midwife for my 36 week check (not seen one since 32 weeks) and the consultant where I tell him I definitely want a section at 39 weeks and don't want to try the 'proper' way . Really want them to scan me to see baby's position but not sure if they will or if they need to. I just have no idea which way round baby is. I'd still rather he was head down even though he won't be exiting that way as breech babies can get hip problems from being the wrong way round (although DD was breech and had no problems whatsoever!) but the midwive said it didn't matter if I was having a section, so maybe I shouldn't be concerned!

A friend has leant me her birthing ball and I've done a bit of bouncing. DD thinks it's funny as she has a space hopper she bounces on and she thinks I have a giant space hopper without handles that I can't move with. It's nice to have a bouncing partner anyway!

I have felt over the past few days that I have more pressure 'down below' so wondering if he is head down after all? Or maybe I'm just getting more tired and achy in general.

Anyway while I'm at the hospital tomorrow I will look out for Miss Kat and baby Artemis!(without stalking of course!)

Will let you know how it goes and if I have a section date, although I'm paranoid that something will happen earlier. I've been panic-washing more baby clothes/blankets tonight so I can actually pack my hospital bag! Suddenly feels real that we have proper babies inside us ready to come out whenever they decide!

Good to hear from you Sunflowered - the past few days must have been overwhelming for you! Have they given you any idea of how long you'll be in hospital for? As long as they are looking after you both :)

Lots of news everyone - good to hear!

Anyone else thinking of using reusable nappies? Sorry if we've had this chat already. I've been in touch with www.thenappylady.co.uk/ and she's great. She does a questionnaire about your lifestyle and helps you understand which ones to go for. They look so cute and comfy and obviously better as don't end up in landfill.
The ones I'm thinking of going for will set me back around £300, which sounds good for 2 years, but I'd have to buy the disposable liners at £12.50 for every 300, and 300 might not actually last that long! When you think some nappies on offer only cost 7-8p per nappy, it's actually not much cheaper, if at all when you cost in washing...
Any thoughts?

Not good news:( iron levels still havnt come up enough so back up the hospital on Thursday. Boo. And weekly blood counts until I deliver.

Ooo ch1 thanks for the h&m tip I will satisfy your shopping addiction no problem:)

Really feel for everyone still working:( can't imagine still being at work now and Iv been off for about 2 weeks already. Fx all work issues are sorted tiny! Sounds awful.

Panda Good luck at your midwife appt! (I don't get a 34 week either)

I'm still driving and will be unless it gets super uncomfortable. DH doesn't drive (scowly face - I've been on him to learn since first trimester). Getting past the point now where I wish he could chauffer me around at weekends so I could sit comfily in the passenger seat!

After feeling quite down today about all the potential time I've got left and my general feelings of uselessness, I've decided to try and use this time learning stuff, cooking and being constructive. It's the last time I'll have properly to myself doing whatever I want, and I don't want to regret not using it.

I'm really not sure how the whole redundancy thing works to be honest. The restructure is affecting a couple of hundred people so it's pretty big. My job has gone but there is something similar up for grabs. I'm armed with my 'employers must offer a suitable alternative role without the need to interview' sentence!

I will report back after the meeting tomorrow!

champagne I have sent you a pm, no rush to reply. I'm hoping everything will be sorted tomorrow.

Good to hear from you sunflowered its good you've got some helpers getting your house ready, hope they dont move too much of your stuff!

ch I'm going down that route as well and have been checking out ebay for some second hand deals - much cheaper that way... I still think even witht the liners it works out cheaper, no chemicals for baby, landfill sites etc...

Am so impressed with you ladies still working esp with horrible commutes. You have earned your mat leave!

sunflowered that is so frustrating fpr you but at least the basics will be in place.for you to sort out. Glad bf is sort of going well, you did make me giggle with your lazy baby...bless her!

sunflowered laughed when I read about bf'ing your girl :) Glad to hear she's getting there though!

artistic shame to hear your iron levels hasn't gone up :( does it mean you can't have the birth you want?

Good luck tomorrow tiny!

panda I'm starting to think we might be in hospital forever. Realised today that I haven't been outside for over a week

ch I'm planning on getting some reusables but not sure which kind yet. There's so much choice and it's hard to know what sort of routine the baby will let me get into. Cost will definitely be a factor when picking a brand though.

Can't remember the last time i slept through the night. Boo.

Tomorrow i have another growth scan and i'm also seeing my consultant at the diabetic clinic. Not sure what i'm hoping for or what they'll suggest. I want to avoid induction but the size of this baby is getting a bit worrying....I know size predictions aren't always accurate but I kind of know the baby is already big (she kind of feels like DD did...but bigger). I'd also prefer vbac to elcs but then i'd be running the risk of another emcs. Aargh....basically i want/need to go into natural labour now but i don't think that's going to be the case.

Meh. Night time rant over.....i'll just go in with an open mind and see what they reckon/suggest then me and dh can make a decision.

Dawn best of luck for your appointments today and I really hope things get going naturally for you very soon. Can't imagine the added stress of thinking it's probably a pretty big baby, last thing you need to be worrying about when you're intending to expel said baby from your nether regions.

Sunflowered that must be strange, can't believe you've already been in hospital and not had fresh air for a week! Have they moved her out of SCBU now and is she in with you? Have you had lots of visitors yet and is your DH able to be with you lots? Presume he doesn't get to stay in overnight? Cute mental image of her being so tiny and dainty that she can't quite master a nipple in the mouth, sure she'll be all over it very soon once she's grown a little more.

Not much to report from me really. My nesting bug has set in strongly which means it's all systems go transforming the spare room into the new room for DS so that we can shift him in there (and from his cot into a bed, really hope I won't regret that decision as he won't be trapped any more!) and I can reclaim the nursery. DH has taken today off work to try and finish the decorating - we did the first stint at the weekend and I've done second coats the last two days while DS was at nursery or sleeping. Hoping he gets the final second coat done today and the woodwork so we can start building the furniture.

Oh and I'm off for my maternity shoot this morning with my photographer friend who is doing it for free because she wants to try out some new techniques for her portfolio. Cue lots of frantic hair removal and nail painting last night - almost impossible!

After a few quieter days on here it's got quite newsy! Sunflowered, love your description of little sun's feeding, made me go a bit gooey. I am still commuting and working until the end of next week. I have to say I think there's a direct link between that and sleep - I am sleeping well and don't really have anything to complain about, apart from kind of craving being at home and making things lovely for when the baby arrives. Appts over the next few days to work out how big it is (feel for you Dawn) and how it's going to come out. And nearly 37 weeks! I am petrified of my waters breaking on the tube next week. Not that any of the cockwombles would care too much!

Good morning!
sun is there anyway you can get out for a bit? Just for some fresh air and a change of scenery? Hope the feeding gets established soon.
Good luck with the appointments today dawn. And I have tried to remember my last full night of sleep too but I think its been months. Fingers crossed that we have miracle babies that sleep through from 2 weeks. Yes, I do live in a fantasy world.
lovetobake, have fun today. Will we get to see the pics on FB?
ruey (and everyone still commuting) you have my respect for still being able to get about like that. I moan when I have to get up off the sofa. I wondered on Monday what would happen if my waters broke on the bus and I came to the same conclusion- no one would give a toss. I think I'd get the same head down staring at the swirls in the floor treatment I get when there are no seats left.

Maternity leave is a bit boring now the baby preparation is done. I could have 4 and a half more weeks of this! Saying that I had lots of strong BH's last night and some strong pressure. Groin strain has also developed which, although bloody painful, made me realise that I'm not far away now since I had the same problem a week or two before ds2 was born.

Lovesto when ds went into a big boy bed we moved a stairgate across his bedroom door so he can't escape. He did keep rearranging his furniture to climb over it for a bit but the novelty wore off quite quickly (esp as all that happened was a silent rapid return to bed from me).

I too am on a washing frenzy but seem to be putting off painting ds's new bed which will then free up the cot bed... hmmm.

I have plans to go away for the weekend I hit 37 weeks so definitely don't want anything to kick off until 38 weeks! Myabe that's why I am reluctant to sort out the beds?

Lovestobake - I moved DS into his bed when he was 2 and it took a good 3 months for him to realise he could get out if it on his own!! And he's a bright little thing I promise!

Anyway, even when he did realise he could get out if bed - he didn't really bother he just called for me.

Combination of gro clock and duvet tucked in (we had a toddler bed but used a full size single duvet tucked in width-ways if that makes sense) probably helped.

Good luck dawn, hope baby isn't the beast you think she is!

Sun, Aoife is adorable, you must be so proud, but going stir crazy in the hospital. Any news on when you might be allowed to escape?

Does anyone else feel like they are going to pee themselves when they get Braxton hicks? Or is that just my pelvic floor ruined already at 27 years old

Morning all,

Ah, sunflowered what a clever baby, starting to learn feeding when she is only wee. So glad she is such a tough cookie.

At the risk of bring kicked off the thread, a bit like Shrops this pregnancy has been pretty glorious. I have utmost respect for the SPDers, the OCers and the HGers (and if you have a combo of these or other things then I salute you.)

One thing concerns me, are we supposed to get so fed up by 38 weeks that we laugh in the face of labour? Because right now baby in is definitely more comfortable than getting baby out!

Thanks for the reassurance on bump size guys. Will let you know how it goes later today!

Hope the commuting isn't too bad for you Ruey and Panda. Not long to go now!

Sun hope the BF gets easier for you and you get to go home soon.

Right, better log on and start doing some actual work.

Ch, I'm planning to use cloth nappies too. I did the NappyLady's questionnaire too, found her advice really helpful. I went with one of her suggestions but have managed to pick pre-loved nappies up on eBay and on a FB group that was recommended on MN - Pre-loved cloth nappies and accessories. I've only bought a few though, as I want to see what works for us once the baby's here -I thought I'd buy new then, but the pre-loved ones I've got are in such good condition that I'll probably carry on with that. I've also finally managed to find a very small nappy library (we're not in the UK) that I plan to use to try out other brands. (In the meanwhile, I bought all the other bits and bobs I needed - breast pads, nappy bucket, mesh bags, essential oils, liners, etc etc - from the Nappy Lady to support her service).

Dawn I meant to say good luck today and sending hugs to misskat and sunflowered and the little ones!

Good luck with the scan Dawn.

Good to hear that you and baby are doing well Sunflowered - if not suffering a bit of cabin fever! X

dawn, Harlem, I hope your scans and other appointments go well today.

sunflowered, the tale of mini sun trying to feed is so cute. I hope she and mini kat get the hang of feeding today. Can you get some fresh air today or do you have to stay on the ward all the time?

I had a fab time in London, it was lovely to mooch and not be hurrying from meeting to meeting like normal. It made me miss living in London I had a great time catching up with friends too, I might even have had a sneaky glass of bubbles Just waiting for my train home now.

I'm loving this stage of pregnancy. Even the lack of sleep and ligament pain is manageable now I'm not working. I am a bit nervous that I might have 4 1/2 weeks to go though, I'm feeling the need to be achieving a bit more than just chilling, baking and nesting!

ch I'm also planning cloth, though will probably use disposables for the first month or so while I'm getting my head round everything else. For me it's not really about the cost as much as it's about the landfill - I have a weird thing about how much I hate landfill. Another good site to look at is this one: www.fill-your-pants.com/cloth-nappy-trial/nappy-trial.html

dawn and LPB good luck with the scans/appointments and getting the births you want lined up.

sun sorry to hear you've been stuck inside for so long - is it possible to take A. out for a little walk, or is she still attached to various bits and bobs? I do hope you're being really well looked after by all the staff. No doubt the bf will come as she gets bigger and it sounds like you're getting the milk down her one way or another which is brilliant.

Have a brilliant time at the shoot Loves, looking forward to seeing some of the pics!