January 2015 Thread #9 - Crossing legs and fingers for the final stretch!

[KateTheHuman]

Welcome to the third trimester ladies!

Stats here

I admire you lot with children! I'm shattered just looking after me & dh!
Sunshine how are you working until Christmas Eve?! Well done you! I'm off from 1/12 (2 weeks annual leave and then maternity).
Having a lazy start to the morning today - diabetes clinic at 10 so not going to work until after that. I get my blood testing kit today and see the dietician for tips on reducing levels.

Nice to see a new thread. I'm guilty of being a lurker and not posting very often, so wanted to mark my place and say hi to everyone again. It's lovely to hear everyone is doing nicely. Can't believe there is technically only 3 months left.

I've had a pretty easy second trimester of it all, after a nightmare first 3 months, so holding my breath for what these last 3 months will bring!!! Finishing for maternity leave just before Xmas, so another 8 weeks to go. My maternity cover has started this week, so showing them all the ins and outs. It's nice to know I'm actually handing it over, but finding it more exhausting as it takes so much more energy explaining why you do something than just getting on and doing it. I'm sure once he's been here a month it will be a bit easier.

On the preparation side, we have most of the big stuff sorted and the nursery is starting to come together, in that the furniture has all been assembled. Although had serious preggo rage the other day, when DP was putting the shelves up in completely different places to where I had said I wanted them. By the time I went up, the holes were already drilled, and was told they couldn't be moved. HATE it when he does that, all because he didn't completely agree with my positioning (one would have hung slightly over the cot and he's paranoid it will fall off!!!!)

Anyway, best get this work day underway, so glad everyone is doing well, and here's too a healthy, fairly easy 3rd trimester!!!

Hula, yep more squirms and wriggles than actual kicks for me recently. Maybe just 2 or 3 kicks a day at the mo.
Chinese, I have a bag that's not a changing bag from Ollie & Nic that was going to be my changing bag. But I am totally in love with the Donna-something foxy print Parker at Mamas & Papas... It's expensive but I have £15 off and it's on 20% sale till this evening... I might buy it while it's chapter and then decide over the next couple of weeks whether I can actually justify keeping it or not! They have a cheaper teal one with black strap, can't remember name, which is also nice and will match whichever pram I end up keeping so I might be swayed by that instead. I feel a bit bad as I already have one I planned to use but they are always going to come in handy so I don't really feel that bad if I end up with two

Sunshine and other overwhelmed-by-work people: I've just emailed my boss (who is away in Houston for work right now) to explicitly say I'm not coping and to identify a big bit of work that's causing me anxiety and needs to be handed over immediately. I think up to now I've been afraid of being perceived as failing so I have skirted the issue or made vague comments and hoped he would pick up on it and suggest something, but that was probably an unfair expectation. If he doesn't respond positively (I think he will) I'm going to speak to GP about being signed off for a week.

I read an article in Stylist magazine this morning about life being busy and overwhelming and how sometimes we make it worse for ourselves by being a martyr. The overwhelming bit is amplified because we're pregnant and I definitely recognised the martyr bit. Reading the article just gave me the kick I needed to be really frank with my boss about what I need.

Morning all. Just. My first sick day today for about 5 years. Very much needed. I've been drinking so much hot lemon and honey and ribena. Still feel rubbish but my appetite is back which is a good sign. Want all the food!

I'm not really getting kicks now. Just huge stretches that make me thing of Alien haha. Made me jump out of my chair the other day as got a huge stretch in the middle down low. Baby wants out I think. Or more room anyway. I've got a feeling bub won't like swaddling haha.

As for getting stuff ready, nowhere near! The bedroom needs painting and carpeting. Then the nursery will be emptied and decorated. Then filled with stuff we haven't got yet

30+6

Hello everyone
26+5 here.
Really feel like my bump has dropped and looks lower today, some niggly ligament pains too.
Really shattered and was in bed for 9pm last night bit could not drop off. Very annoying but I just couldn't switch off or get comfortable
DH must have been fed up of me huffing, sighing and fidgeting as he started stroking my hair....bless him.
We put DD 20 months in her big girls bed last night and she slept through whoo hoo ...unfortunately DD 10 yrs had a nightmare so ended up getting in our bed for a cuddle...why can't they all sleep well on the same night.

Kate my first DD hated swaddling from day one. Due to my insane lack of sleep in the first few days I accidentally told the midwife it was smothering she hated....... luckily she knew what I meant, but OMG!
I think this one is trying to break out through my bellybutton!
Hope you feel better soon!

Sounds like you're doing the right thing SK28 hope you get a positive outcome from your boss. I am certainly finding things a lot harder at work these days. Need to minimise extra stresses where possible I say!

Im in my bed super early and not able to drop off too, when I do its only to have really vivid but boring dreams, such a pain!

I went for my diabetes clinic this morning. It was a "group" session (which I usually HATE) but turned out to be just me and another lady who is 36 weeks pg and being induced next week (pointless appointment for her but there we go)!

I got some useful information out of the session but generally it is common sense. i.e avoid cake, biscuits and sugar filled foods - eat wholewheat carbs and lean proteins etc etc - general healthy eating. She did however say that colds and work related stress can affect your glucose levels which I did not know.

The nurse has given me a testing kit and my reading before lunch was nice and low at 4.1 (anything under 5.0 is ideal). I have to take my blood readings 4 times a day for the next week and I have a follow up next week to review my readings. If there are spikes or high points I have to work out what food triggered it and avoid that but if they remain stable then there is no need to worry. If diet changes don't work then they look at medications but hoping to avoid that obviously.

Due to my diagnosis I also have 2 extra growth scans still to go (with clinic appointments after) on 6 Oct and 4 Dec and a midwife appointment next week - busy times with appointments again but if it means baby is well looked after then that's all that matters.

Speaking to the other lady there who is being induced next week I decided (CRAZY I KNOW) that I want to be given a date for inducing so that I get my baby soon! I'd love it before Christmas but I imagine if I maintain my blood sugars myself then they will let me go until New Year! Wait and see I suppose!

Hi all, it seems like is everyone is busy in this third trimester! In a move that seemed crazily early when it was suggested to us we went to visit nurseries today for child care in September only to be told that we will have to decide and commit this week if we want a place at our first choice! The baby isn't even here yet!!!

Hi guys,

I'd like to join please! Love reading everyone else's stories.

Baby (1st, sex unknown) is due 12.01.15.

Currently on half term then going back for 6 weeks until 15.12, hoping to make it as love teaching and already feeling such guilt and worry for my Yr11's! My school is a state and still haven't advertised for Mat cover...

Lot's of pram talk. We've just got the Silver Cross Pioneer in Sand and can't wait for it to arrive. Seems really easy to use and looks great.

Finding it really hard to drag myself out to social events at the moment. Not sure whether it is laziness or genuine tiredness but just can't seem to face it. Anyone else in the same boat?

Hi Sally, welcome. Teacher here too, have to survive until the 19th December which seems hard work especially with OFSTED looming. Not great at leaving the house either, although once I'm out and about always enjoy it.

No decision on prams yet, I love the bugaboo cameleon in special edition navy, it's just so expensive! DH loves the donkey, and thinks it will save money in the future if we have anymore. I think it's too big and expensive. Decisions, decisions.
Nursery has been started, but nervous nelly here is panicking about something happening and having a complete nursery.
28+ 4

About pram talk, I loved the uppa baby vista, but being a short arse the handle didn't go down quite low enough and made me walk really strangely when pushing it!

Good luck Jones! Secondary or Primary?
Would've worked until the 19th but my school are kicking me out 4 weeks before due date.
The Bugaboo in navy was my other option and I prefer the way it looks however after a few trials decided the handles are a bit square and uncomfortable compared to Silver Cross.

Perhaps the reason I'm isolating myself is that the nearer Jan gets the more baby obsessed I become. Not sure all my (non-pregnant, childless) friends give two hoots about Bugaboo over Silver Cross. As I'm sure I wouldn't have 10 months ago!

Hi Sally and Jones, I'm a teacher too and due the same day as you Sally with my first, also gender unknown :) There are other teachers on here too so I'm sure we can all empathise with looming OFSTED and worries about leaving our classes (as much as I'm on a mat leave countdown the thought of leaving my Y11s to their exams is horrible!) Hope you are both doing ok and enjoying half term.

Good morning all! 31 weeks today! (High fives cheshire)

Still got the lurgy. Now got added cold sores and ulcers. Boo hiss! At least it's friday tomorrow. Yay!

31+0

Woohoo! High Five Kate! 31 weeks!
Been monitoring my blood sugar and it's interesting...I clearly had too many carbs for dinner so my reading before bed was a bit high (6.3 & should be under 5) but over night it has only dropped to 5.4... Will follow a strict meal plan for dinner this evening and see what readings I get later on!
Sorry you're still poorly Kate & hope you feel better soon!
DH has "manflu" so was sent to the spare room last night and oh my goodness I slept so well! Almost feel human this morning!

Hi Sally I'm a teacher too! Why would your school send you home a week before the holidays? I personally am hoping to work till the last day of term (Friday 12th for me!) and start my mat leave officially on the 1st day back. Like this I get my December pay check too

If it's not baby related, it irritates me atm, and that includes going out, working, studying etc. I think it's perfectly natural!

Kate you poor thing are you at least pampered at home?

Hi All,

Looking forwards to Sunday as taking DS to the fireworks, which he loves (only been asking since NYE!!)

Currently 30+4 and really glad its "only" a couple of months left :)

Going to sort out any further (essential) purchases over the next couple of weeks and ensure bags are fully packed and then going to start the washing and putting bits in their temporary home so by 1st December it wont matter if baby shows early.

We are having a bit of building work started in December time, so need that room cleared out, so the baby plan fits in with clearing that room out as is currently the dumping ground.

That way building and decorating should be finished on DS new room by January, and we can slowly move him into the new room at his leisure rather than try and do any changes too quickly - hopefully avoiding any problems.

DP keeps swinging from being on board with this and then saying its not fair on DS he is getting moved - but firstly DS chose the "new room" and the second main reason for this is logistics of the house, the baby will be nearer our room and therefore in the coming months less likely to disturb DS over night - and third reason which was an added bonus is DS current room is neutral so we can put off any decorating in there for a while

Hope everyone else is well!

Oh, and Kate I have a coldsore on my nostril - mega attractive, really annoyed as never really suffer with these except when stressed and I actually feel ok currently!!

Hi Bilbo!
I'll also be leaving on the 12th even though my maternity officially begins on the 15th. My maternity contract came through a couple of weeks ago stating that I automatically go on maternity leave 4 weeks before the due date, hence not being able to work until the 19th when school breaks up for us.

Really feeling for those of you who are ill. Had worst cold ever a couple of weeks back...

Was advised at last weeks midwife appointment to get whooping cough and flu vaccination before 32 weeks. Anyone else doing this?

Sally - getting both this evening. Hoping they don't send me away as look a bit ropey as the next clinic is after 32 weeks

I didn't bother last time round, but wasn't as strongly recommended then (unless it was and I just didn't get round to it!)

Teachers - can I ask, if your local school where you were to send your child was "unsatisfactory" 2013 and "requires improvement" 2014 OFSTED reports, would you avoid at all costs, or still consider as surely this means they need to pump extra attention into the school to raise the standards?

Ah I understand Sally ! It's still a bit annoying you can't start your maternity leave when you want. I had no idea they could do this. Being able to get paid for the whole of December (if DD doesn't decide to come early!) is what is keeping me motivated for the next 6 weeks

sleepisforthetired I'd look at the OFSTED report in detail and look at what aspect of the school has been given satisfactory or lower (ie was it management, teaching, behaviour, etc). You should also make full use of open days to ask Senior Management/governors present what will be put in place to comply with OFSTED demands. The good thing is that the school will be scrutinised very closely but unfortunately, it doesn't always follow that the standard of learning improves Do you know the staff there? Do you know if anyone is leaving and if they are considered good teachers? That would ring alarm bells to me as good staff are always the first to leave when a school is sinking. So basically I'd do a little more digging and if I received satisfactory replies from HT etc, I'd consider it. But I'd be extra vigilant! What would the alternative be? What age group? I have to admit that for me, behaviour and discipline within the school would be my number one priority. Good learning can't take place if these basics aren't in place. And that makes for very unhappy children.

Its for reception (September start) and only thing swinging it as an option is they have 3 children already there with a same additional need as my son so the "outside" specialists already know the school.

I want him to go to an out of area school but the disability isn't severe enough to get preferential treatment, so having to worry whether we would get the "bad school" where it is failing or the "bad school" because they have nothing suitable to offer DS in support of his additional needs

I teach primary, hard hard work. Should have been doing work today but have spent most of it on Mumsnet.
I teach in a school graded 'requires improvement' and as a school we are monitored very closely. There is no leaving us to get on with it, therefore I think our teaching standards are high, we are scrutinised so closely you can't get away with bad teaching. I would certainly read the report and see what the issues are, speak to the head, deputy, see what measures have been put in place to address the issues and just get a general feel of the place.

I didn't know work places could insist on when you start maternity leave, I am due on the 17th Jan and leave on the 19th December, although hopefully maternity leave won't start until the 6th Jan. feeling very nervous about the next few weeks back at school and dropping energy levels and increasing baby brain.

I'm primary too and have done zero school work this holiday... Going to regret that on Sunday night!
How will I cope without my mid afternoon naps ?!
I'm due on 3rd jan but starting mat leave on 1st dec, wanted to keep going till Xmas hols but I'll be 38weeks by then and already feeling heavy at 30 weeks!
Enjoyed this week off without kids coming at me left right and centre!

I also think my baby is trying to push its way out of my belly button- really sore- must be a growth spurt and skin stretching or something...

sallygib I had both flu and whooping cough jabs last week and all was fine apart from slightly tender arms.

My DW has a medical condition which makes her immuno-suppressed, so I'm a big fan of the flu jab as the consequences are quite severe if she gets flu.