September 2014 reaching the final stretch!

[ilovemonstersInc]

Last thread was full.
Some of us are in the last trimester and some nearly there!! Eeek not long left!

We've bought all the big stuff now I think, the nursery furniture is ordered (thanks to my lovely mum) but not delivered yet.

I do have an excuse for early shopping in that we are moving house on 1st August so I have pretty much written off July for packing and August for unpacking so I can do it a leisurely pace, and actually label the boxes this time so I can find stuff!

I will try and get a bump pic later, people keep telling me I'm not big enough! But bump was the right size for gestation when I was measured, I think it's just where I'm really tall, baby has a lot of space to spread upwards so isn't poking out that much. I wish people just wouldn't comment, as it makes me worry that baby isn't growing properly because I'm doing to much or not eating enough . Hence the crying after the horrible midwife on Thursday until I could do some research myself to see how big my belly should be right now.

Can't believe how quickly this time is going, seems like not long ago we were all worrying about 12 week scans and driving our DH's mad peeing on sticks every 5 minutes 'just to check' (well I did that anyway

IAteSomeOfThePies were your results were ok? The nurse said that the bloods are tested in the lab on the same day but that the consultant must sign them off the next day (which is Monday). I was thinking that if there was a problem surely the person testing in lab would recognise that and I would have been contacted yesterday? I really hope so. Terrified of GD, it just looks so stressful

The nursery photos are fab. I feel so disorganised, I probably won't even start ours until it's time for baby to leave our room
I would love it for storage though - baby clothes etc.

Ive had quite a few comments on how big I am but the midwife wasnt concerned. I am aware that my eating habits have got out of hand now though and its time to rein it in.

I think Ive said before that our spare room is full of DH music stuff and the house is up for sale. Im still hoping that we can move before our baby is 6 months old and we can sort his bedroom then. I havent got a firm plan B for if we dont move as yet!

I'm surprised at people having to wait for their GTT results. The Health Assistant who did mine, took a blood sample put it in a little red machine, waited 30 seconds recorded result and then repeated 2 hours later!!!

It was that instant.

Surely it must take longer and be more expensive to do it any other way and then ring people if there is an issue?

I realise our nursery will probably not be used for Baby-Boy-Bug to actually sleep in for quite some time! I wanted somewhere for all his things to live and family were very keen to buy gifts that were useful. In their excitement we seem to have everything we need and we are so lucky!
The rest of the house is in need of some serious attention but I have a 6 week break to do that in and it seemed sensible to start with the smallest and emptiest room first =)

I think I might have put on around 18 - 21lbs now =S Although I was in the overweight category before pregnancy I was very active and am still walking a lot. Everyone tells me it's all in my bump (and boobs) but that's a lot of weight!

Thanks, Foodie the results were fine. Same as with RedTooth, the nurse put a drop of my blood into the little machine each time and confirmed the numbers were all OK. She said she was looking for under 6.0 the first time and under 6.8 two hours later. She also collected another test tube of blood, but I don't know what that was for. Maybe they confirm the numbers in a proper lab and some places are extra careful and wait for that result.

I was really worried about GD, too, as there's nothing you can do to prevent it, just try to manage it. I'm sure you'll get good results, but if you don't, remember it's not your fault!

Does everyone get tested for gestational diabetes or do you need to be at risk?

I think you need risk factors. My trust tests everyone whose BMI is over 30.

I'm the same as you Bug in wanting somewhere to store baby's things, no room really in the rest of the house.

Well I had lots of grand plans to get things done this morning but I am still in my pjs and feel sooo sleepy. Somehow managed to choke on my own saliva earlier too Its hard work coughing like mad when pregnant, hope I don't do that again!

Hope everyone has a good weekend :)

I have to admit that I'm a bit annoyed now, you all seem to have been given the results there and then.
But obviously I'm glad your results were ok.

I have the same question: who has to do GTT?
I have my 28W mw appointment on Monday; what does that include? Any blood or wee test? I didn't have any checkups since 12w booking appointment; my friend who is a lot thinner ( fitter?) than me did the test and her sugar was high

Hi nazly, you'll be referred for the GTT if your bmi is 30 or over, if you've sugar in your urine, a family history of diabetes, a previous large baby, if baby is measuring big. There are probably more risk factors too, age maybe but I'm not sure if that's 35 or 40.

I have midwife at 28 weeks as well, I think it's just the usual - Bp, urine, measure bump. Mine also has a little mini scanner, I would like to know what position babs is lying, because I know it has been breech all along.

Oh, I think they might do bloods to check iron actually at this check.

Nazly My 28w appt consisted of urine check, blood taken (sent off to check for anaemia and antibodies) BP check, and first time measuring of the bump. And just a general are you feeling well chat and have you felt the baby moving.

I don't know much at all about GTT tests but there are probably other signs and symptoms that would alert the MW if you needed to be checked if you weren't automatically put forward for the test due to BMI.

I was told they do blood at the 28 week appointment. Except my midwife said she can't do it as the results would go to the wrong Trust. Tried to book at the hospital instead as she said and they were "oh we don't do it". Helpful. (Going to ask at another consultant appointment in a couple of weeks as a result). Otherwise its supposed to be a standard checkup (urine, bp, measuring)

I had GTT because my father and grandfather have type 2 diabetes. I wouldn't have had it based on my age alone (I'm over 35). In all honesty it seemed a bit silly and a waste of time, but reassuring to a degree that I don't appear to have any problems so maybe I'll escape that genetic issue (I seem to take after my father generally)

This morning phase 2 of operation reclaim from my husband the second bedroom was completed. We have now removed 2 estate car's full of junk from there and the shed... so we can get in the door now!!! Probably nearly a car load to go. And we haven't even thought about the loft yet. The hoarding stops here!

Oh it's so annoying when they send you from pillar to post isn't it Red. Reminds me of my flu jab saga.

I have been thinking about whether I should get a nursing chair. I want to be able breast feed somewhere comfortable, which my sofa (low, scatter cushioned backs) and my bed will most probably just not be able to provide. Not having much joy though... they either look like they belong in a Care Home or they are ridiculously expensive: Nursing chairs

Stuff like this they should have procedure in place and its staggering they don't. Especially since you are supposed to be able to choose where you give birth. No wonder women just take the place closest, because navigating the system outside your local Trust is difficult.

It does not make it a national health service. Its a localised service that doesn't know how to coordinate with anyone else. And frankly they need a rocket up their arses about standardising certain very basic things in maternity care, not just to make it more user friendly, but because it has safety implications.

I'm not overly worried about this, at this stage, as I'm doing ok and have no worries, but the fact I am having an ELCS making sure they have my bloods is particularly crucial further down the line.

Oh and it appears I have a competitive grandmother... I got a letter from her today and she was going on about how she had show my scan to everyone and how she had written to my cousin's grandmother to tell her the news.

I can think of no earthly reason why she would tell my cousin's grandmother. I have never met her and don't know why she would be remotely interested. Unless my grandmother is boasting or hinting that my cousins need to get a move on!!!

Hehe. I think grandparents/great grandparents definitely (and I have no problem with this) feel a little bit of pride/smugness when their offspring are first to provide grandchildren, especially if there aren't any in the family. That's what it's like in my family anyway - 0 small children!! Apart from mine now of course :). I have a lot of cousins but hardly any have had children strangely. Neither have my DH's. What's going on?!

It's so exciting for everyone - I can just imagine when baby is actually born my mum will be so excited she'll tell anyone who will stop still long enough to listen! Lol

I would keep pestering and badgering about anything your worried about e.g. your bloods Red. She who shouts loudest and all that.

Saying that, I am still waiting for a letter from my employer to formally confirm my Mat leave & Pay (I gave it in on 22nd April!) It is bloody annoying that they have not kept to the within 28day reply time as stated on the gov. website. But in reality there isn't any system in place to make them sort it out in a timely manner so I'm a bit stuck really. The school have got a replacement sorted though so it is going ahead... I just want to make sure I have my finances in order before I leave. Bah.

I applied for my maternity allowance last week, but I'm worried about it due to the way it was worded on the website saying 'might' all the time. In theory I qualify and I can't see any reason why I shouldn't get it. (Though I only qualify by two weeks by sheer twist of unplanned fate). I'm supposed to get a reply in 14 days but its still nerve racking wait.

We really need the money, if I'm honest, as I walked out of my old job only to then found out I was pregnant, and rather than go through stress of getting a new job whilst being pregnant (and feeling like utter shit most of the time) we decided it would be better for me to get another qualification which would enable me to work part time / flexibly in the future (and more importantly, get paid more for doing so).

We've budgeted on the basis that I will get it, but its still a worry that I won't for some unknown reason. Bizarrely, I got my pay slips returned yesterday from a Kidderminster address (the application goes to Wrexham and the undelivered return address in Belfast which I can't fathom!) No letter or confirmation. Just the payslips!

I've got my GTT on Monday - having it because my dad is diabetic and my mum had gestational diabetes when she was pregnant with me. Suddenly feeling very paranoid about all the sugar in everything!

But jealous of anyone who has their nursery sorted, we were hoping to have moved in May, and are now delayed until end of June... All our stuff is in boxes already!

topmammy I got a rocking poang chair from Ikea for my first and really liked it. It does take up a bit of space but don't think it's much more than the normal nursing chairs. It also can be kept as a normal chair for the home as it looks like the other poang chairs. Just another option for you!
No nursery for us this time as we only have two useable bedrooms so baby will eventually go in with our daughter. Little bit jealous of all the cute things!!

I submitted my application for maternity pay this week but am confident it will all be ok. Ive asked for equalised maternity pay (at least I think I have - will double check that on Monday!) so I get a monthly amount throughout the year. Ive already been in touch with payroll to ask roughly what that figure will be so Ive a rough idea where I stand.

DH thinks Ive lost the plot a bit - I was getting huge kicks this morning that were really making my belly jump so I recorded it on my phone and emailed it to the Grandparents.

Babys movements have reduced a lot today. All day ive felt between 5-8 movements just downloaded the count the kicks app and did it for around 25mins laid on left side and nothing.

I did it after having my tea. Will get up and get something cold to drink and try again

Typical just got a kick lol

Topmammy I got a second hand Hauck nursing chair & footstool from eBay for £40, they retail new for about £150. Like the idea of being able to rock him to sleep after I've fed him.

We've got most things for the nursery now but can't put all the things in there until the end of July as we have friends staying & need the double bed. There is stuff everywhere in our house as a result!