Babies due in May 2014 - is this the Definitelies final countdown?

[ClearlyMoo]

WELCOME! This thread is for all Mums-to-be expecting Maybies babies in (and around) May 2014! Please come and join the fun.

Put your feet up, get yourself a (decaf?) cuppa and settle in to hear the aches and pains, trials and tribulations, shopping excitement and hospital bag woes of those in their third trimester.

Hopefully you'll find a listening ear and a wealth of knowledge. Everyone welcome, especially if you're new to MN and are just peeking in as you start your maternity leave.

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If you'd like to know how big your baby is this week the check out The Bump

If you'd like to mark your place perhaps you could tell us who you are and how long you've got to go!

Happy chatting Maybies!

Morning all!
Ugh at another GTT Sarah, that sucks.

I have my 34wk midwife appointment later today, just wondering whether or not I should mention that she never got back to me with my iron test results? It did annoy me, but seeing as I got them from the consultant should I just let it go? It was just iron levels after all?

Hope everything is ok, Moomin!

Bit of trouble here yesterday evening. My lovely DParents have been visiting this weekend, but there have been loads of jobs to do that they've been helping with and we've been doing lots of trips out as a family too. Had a lovely time (and finally have a handrail on the stairs - yay!) but been kept relatively busy.

Last night they were babysitting for DH and I, so we could go out on a date. We went to have a nice meal, but we came back relatively quickly as I started getting strong Braxton Hicks every five minutes. Rested with my legs up at home and they eventually started fading, just as we were wondering whether to call in to the hospital to get them checked.

It was probably just that I finally had a chance to relax, I'd had a cold caffeinated drink and was eating a relatively spicy curry. But still a little scary at the time. They lasted a good two hours or so. I didn't get many BH last time, but this time I seem to be getting them quite often. Guess because my body knows what to do, now!

A bit of all of you looking to meet your lovely LO's in 4 weeks or so. I've likely got at least 7 weeks to go, if not more like 11! I hope you're all going to stick around and talk to us stragglers due at the end of May. No moving to Postnatal until we can all join you-!

I think we should make a pact to keep all chat on this thread until our last baby arrives.

Can't believe how many babies will be here in 3-4 weeks time. That sounds so soon!

I'm having growth scans this time as I'm considered an "older mum "(40) and the consultant that I saw at 16 weeks who scheduled them said there can sometimes be problems with the bloodflow to the placenta in older mums and so they like to keep an eye on it (?). Haven't heard of anyone else on the "older side" having to have growth scans because of their age, so it does seem to be a bit hit and miss , depending on where you are and who you see .. Not complaining though, as it means I get to see bubs a bit more !

When I was pregnant with DS nearly 5 years ago now, I was required to have the GD test as I was also considered an "older mum" then (at 35). Funnily enough 5 years on and aged 40, nobody has mentioned having to have the GD test (different hospital)- surely if I was deemed a risk being an "older Mum " then, -I am positively ancient now !! Again not complaining about not having to have it- baby is measuring bang on average in the growth scans I've had to date, so they are not concerned, but just shows how random it all can be !

It really is random Nicky, I work with a girl sane age and due date as me, different pct's and different tests/policies all,the time. Most odd.

I love the extra scans too though, so no complaints.

24 minutes to go. I'm so rubbish at doing nothing and I'm BLOODY starving ( and i need a poo..., sorry).

Hope you get on ok,Moomin.

Just got a letter to say the Health Visitor has scheduled an antenatal visit at my home for next week. Has anyone else had a/n visits by the health visitor?

I had a HV pop in a few weeks before the birth last time around, impatientlywaiting. I expect they'll do the same again this time around.

It's nothing to worry about, basically they'll just come in and have a chat for 20-30 minutes or so. Introducing themselves, handing over a load of leaflets and information guides from the NHS, etc. We didn't leave the lounge, so my tidying the entire house in preparation was unnecessary.

In addition to that, she was just checking that I had some idea what I was doing, that I'd thought about where the baby was going to sleep and how I was going to feed it, that I knew the vaccination schedules, etc. Also making me aware of how to access help if I needed it for anything, and where some local groups for various things (baby massage, breast feeding, etc) met up and how to get in touch with them.

I seem to remember a casual question about whether everything was going ok with DH/family/friends as well, i.e. checking whether I had any abuse problems or similar. I just said there were no issues and we moved on. Better that they ask everyone than miss the one woman that needs help, I reckon. :)

You hear a lot of bad reports about HVs, but mine was lovely. Really grandmotherly and didn't care what choices I made as long as I felt I had the right information to reach my decision and be happy with it. She basically set herself up as a friendly point of contact if I felt I needed any help or guidance.

I rang her with questions a couple of times and saw her a few times after the birth. It was mostly just like having an experienced friend pop in to visit. She coo'd over the baby, checked everything was going ok, offered advice if I asked and didn't outstay her welcome!

Thanks everyone, protein in my wee but blood pressure is OK. Antenatal unit were lovely, they reckon it's an escalation of the neurology problems though so I need to mention it to them tomorrow.

Got my growth scan on Monday :) still got a massive headache and feel like my hands are exploding :(

And then consultant next Tuesday. Hoping they'll agree to induce me at 38/39 weeks, rather than 40. Really finding it tough now. OBEM last night made me cry repeatedly!!

Moomin I'd be asking them to induce as physically as early as possible! Nothing not even your precious baby is worth the agony you are
Going through :-(

Can I ask a quick question: how do they test for pre-eclampsia in the uk? I know they do it routinely, but is it just a normal urine sample? And what happens if there's protein in your wee, do they do more tests or only worry if your bp is high?

So glad I had the flu vaccine! Someone dh has had a lot of contact with recently just died from swine flu! Might see if I can get ds vaccinated too.

They do a blood test too

Hi Samba, I don't know much about it but the nhs website has some info

www.nhs.uk/conditions/Pre-eclampsia/Pages/Introduction.aspx

All ok?

Sorry, clickable link

www.nhs.uk/conditions/Pre-eclampsia/Pages/Introduction.aspx

impatiently I got a visit as well - I think it was because I have had depression in the past. She was lovely. Just had a chat, she wanted to know what my circumstances were and how I was feeling about the pregnancy and if I was prepared for the baby and all that. She didn't look around the house or anything either, thankfully!

Thanks Spireal and Dobe, I think it must just be routine here as I cant think of any other reason why they would come along?

Sounds like it might be quite useful, I've got no idea about vaccination schedules etc so that will be good to find out.

Glad to hear that I can limit pre-visit cleaning to downstairs and the toilets. Cleaning does not come naturally to me so I would hate to do any when it wasn't needed. DH has must higher standards than me, so I leave all the cleaning to him. Xx

samba urine+blood pressure at the ante-natal visits. Watch out for headaches and swelling too. At my last MW appointment I had trace of protein and my blood pressure was up from previous time (still fairly low) but they were very relaxed about it and explained that they often see this in healthy pregnancies too.

Oh moom you really are going through the wringer aren't you poor thing xxxxxx
Has anyone else noticed that shaving your legs leads to three non-stop days of AGONISING ITCHING? Or is it just me? Must say, I've always had trouble with my horrid tough leg hairs, it's madness, ingrowers EVERYWHERE

On a positive note I've been trawling the intertubes for size 20/22 maternity wear appropriate for a christening in early May, and I've found some quite nice things...wondering if I should avoid dresses because of itchy bastard legs? There are some nice flowing maxi dresses though, I could wear one of them with leggings innit?

Afternoon all.

moomin sorry you are suffering more. Hope it improves

Interesting to hear about HV visits. I've not had any indication that I will get one, but I am only 32+3. I hope if they do, we are allowed to re-arrange, as I need to give six weeks notice for shift changes etc and I am not sure this will actually count as an antenatal appoinment. Do I get a black mark if I cancel etc? I certaininly won't be cleaning etc if they do come.... they can just look at the disaster zone that is my house in horror!

Slept really badly last night and feel rubbish this morning - sore throat and generally quite fuzzy. Baby is moving, but more big squirmy movements rather than kicks. Did anyone else find that movements started to change about week 32, or is it just that we are both a bit tired?

7 hours to go then I am on leave for two weeks. I can't wait. I apologise in advance for the amount of stupid questions I will be asking as I try to get me/nursery/hospital bag etc ready.... We should also be finishing off the majority of the work on the house and starting to put actual furniture in. Woo!

mrsfoo I don't get the itching, but I am having to shave more often. I'm not particularly hairy anyway though. I reckon a nice maxi dress is perfect for a christening - you can dress it up with jewellry etc then it will be fab for summer with your little one!

mrsfoo Last summer I lived in Asda maxi dresses! They do some really nice ones for only £20 ish each. I'll be back in them this summer again - they do hide a multitude of sins!

I'm going to be buying some stuff within the next week or two. So if anyone has any recommendations for the following - I'd be v grateful!

Cot mattress
bedding/sheets for cot
baby gym/floor mat thingy
breastfeeding bras (preferably underwired ones)
sling

I have taken the shittiest notion to paint my living room!!!

I undeniably bored!!! I've had four weeks off and four weeks to go!!!

dobe I got a really nice cotbed mattress from kiddicare. They have a big clearance on at the mo (50% off) - with free delivery and you can get cashback through places like quidco. I also got fitted sheets from them for both the cotbed and the moses basket, and they seem nice quality.

I need recommendations for floormat/bras as well!

I have a friend bringing me some slings from the States (sooo much cheaper) so I will let you know. I am going for either a Moby or a Boba wrap and a Baby K'tan. Am tempted by the Sakura Bloom sling as well...

Midwife appt (33+3) done. MW was lovely. BP ok, baby's heartbeat ok. Baby 2/5 engaged!!!! MW said it might not stay there but it's rare for them to go breech once they've got head in place... Trying not to be too hopeful it'll stay there and just "go with flow" bump now slightly bigger than my weeks but all ok and no growth scan etc worries.

Mentioned weeing to MW she suggested going "more often eg every 2-3hrs" I tried to explain I'm going every 30-45 mins!! Gah.

So other than sciatica and PGP we are tootling on nicely!

Kally sounds similar to my movement changes I'm now 33 weeks and it's squirms not kicks. Midwife said all ok!

MrsFC shaved legs first time in months in bath on Saturday and they have been fine... No idea what to suggest!

That made me laugh re weeing every 2-3 hours clearly - ha, I wish! To be honest I would struggle with that pre-pregnancy.

MrsFoo - I've noticed that my legs seem more sensitive after shaving than normal, but they're not itching as badly as you describe. I had just put it down to needing to replace the razor blade and/or the fact that I haven't been doing it as often.

I don't get so many sharp kicks anymore and tend to get more squirms/slow pushes (eg against my ribs when I sit upright). I'm currently 33+2.

clearly - glad MW was positive. If the baby is 2/5 engaged then no wonder you are peeing a lot!

Thanks for the info on movement changes - it's reassuring.