Due in Jan 07 part 5: Ladygarden reaching your knees? Welcome to the 3rd trimester!

[2MwahHaHaHappy]

If you could actually see it, that is!

Good morning!
I'm so bored of this not sleeping thing. I've been awake since 3.30am. I so could have tidied my flat, washed the bathroom floor, done some ironing, sorted out baby clothes or something. But no. I have been tossing and turning waiting till 5am, which is a more reasonable to time to get up.
I'm so excited this is my last week at work! It will be the first time I've not had a job since I was about 14. (not that motherhood isnt of course a full time job) I only found out recently that after smp finishes 6 months after baby is born, thats it. No more £. Hmm, not sure how I will cope with that. Need to find a job that I can do either from home, or with baby. How do people manage? Can't believe I've only just started thinking about this.

Has anyone seen this link? (I nicked it from the Due Dec thread)

www.childbirth.org/articles/boyorgirl.html

Apparently there is a 60% chance I am carrying a girl. Which is odd considering ultra sound woman was adament I was having a boy at 20 wk scan! Have 36 wk scan next monday, so will look closely. and maybe lay off buying blue things for a while!

LIzzz, feeling a little tetchy this morning so please forgive thi srant.....that test is a crock of shite!!
It said the same for me, 60% girl but why would the fact that I don'teat the end of the bread mena I'm having a girl??
I've never eaten the end of a loaf.

And actaully my bed faces west so does that I'm having a hippo instead...It bloody well looks like it I can tell you

I've been awake half the night too.....bloody annoying isn't it??

Have youthought about being a childminder? Thats what I did when I first had ds1. registration is alot differnet now but maybe it's something you could look into??
Does you DH/DP work a 9-5 job? could you work in the evenings or weekends? My DH works shifts which vary everyday/week so theres no chance for me to work around him, I'd love it if I could though.

i just did the test and it says i have 52% chance of boy! so, the chinese thing was wrong then? hehe...think i will stick with the sonographer's opinion!

well i didn't think this carpal tunnel could get any worse but my right hand is now almost completely numb. nearly clouted DH last night when he was snoring really loudly and i couldn't sleep cause of my stupid numb hands and him being so noisy! i want this baby out NOW!!!! i'm such an uncaring mother, just thinking about myself.

lizzz - when your SMP runs out you can claim jobseeker's allowance. if you've been working continuously and racking up NI contributions you can claim contribution based JSA which doesn't take into account your partner's earnings. you should also be able to claim tax credits. have a look in the phone book and get yourself down to your local welfare rights office - they should be able to set you straight.

I had a terrible nights sleep, my DD is unwell and the last three nights she has been very distressed and only settled if she was in with us.........I hope that when she starts to feel better that she will sleep in her own room not a good habit to start 4 weeks before I am due
Woke up to find our boiler was smoking luckily our neighbour spotted it he is a fireman so he gave us a contact to get it fixed, so we have no heating today What else can go wrong....! Ummm I could go into labour....!!!OMG!!!

Test shows 53% of having a boy i.e. they don't have a clue! Confused though - pillow faces east, what's the difference beteen a bump that looks like a melon and basketball and I don't care what part of the bread I eat as long as I have lots???!!

Hmm...72% of having a girl according to the test.

Sorry to hear some of you have not been on good form. Hugs to you all.

I'm suffering insomnia, but as it's my first day of mat leave, I actually enjoyed getting up and watching the cricket in the early hours. Then the guilt free pleasure of returning to bed as DH went to work. Just made the Xmas cake in my mad first day off energy.

Oonagh - hope your heating is fixed soon. Our bathroom is awaiting a new radiator, and long leisurely baths are not so nice at the minute.

Any tips on what to pack in your hospital bag? I must do that this week.

Thanks again for all your kind words - and thanks DH, it's reassuring to hear from someone in a similar position, big (((hugs))) to your dsis, too.
Oonagh - I hope both you and your house feel better soon! How much stress do you need shortly before birth, huh? No heating on a day like today, brrr.
Lizzz - another bad night for you , hope you manage some sleep. I was tosing and turning too, but I've got to admit, I didn't contemplate getting up to do housework! Or even hee! hee!

I finished my xmas shopping today!!

LTH... you are definitely having another baby!!!

Hope you all have lovely restful sleep tonight (and me too!)
Oonagh: hope you and family are feeling better.

Hi - its the zombie here! (who needs sleep anyway?!)

R-Gee:

The bounty pack I picked up from mothercare had this list in it from pampers about what to take to the hospital:

For MUM:
Two bed pillows with favourite cases
Unscented lotion or massage oil
Warm socks
toothpaste & mouthwash
Lollipops for a dry mout (why would I get a dry mouth?)
Lip balm or lip gloss
Paper fan (?!why - to throw at dp when he starts on about 'life giving pain'?!)
Soothing picture to use as a focal point (would a Brad Pitt poster count?!)
Wooden back massager (hah - thats the DP's job, he got me into this, he can flipping well stay up and massage my poor back)
Nightdress/es that open at the front for breast feeding
Pants (doh) - I guess cheap ones which you dont mind ruining
Feeding bra/s
Dressing gown & slippers (someone told me to bring flip flops, so they can be easily rinsed if any birth gunk gets on them...nice!)
Shawl or jumper to put over hospital gown for breast feeding (? How will you get your baps out through a jmper?!)
Comfy clothes to wear home
Toiletries and cosmetics (eg. f**k loads of maternity towles, and a ton of make up to make yourself look normal in the post birth photos!)

For DAD:
Snacks for labour (he had better bring me some too!)
Phone numbers or friends and family to call (I read somewhere that if you write them all down and prioritize them, then when he starts calling people, he can tick them off as he goes so you know who he has called and who he hasn't)
Reference leaflets from antenatal classes (yeah right! If you actually manage to get any classes in the first place!)
Change of clothing
Toiletries (is there somewhere for partners to wash in hospitals? I didn't know that)

For BABY:
Nappies
Baby wipes
Going home clothes (including hat and blanket)
Car seat already installed in the back of the car

• I am sure the baby will need more than one set of clothes, but the list doesnt say so.

Hope this helps! x

Urban - thanks for the tips on job seekers allowance when SMP finishes...maybe I will be able to afford to buy shoes after all!

Hi everyone, not been on for a while.

Sounds like most of us are on a downer at the mo. We need to do something on this thread to cheerus all up a bit, don't know what though, I'm not very good at suggesting things!

UD, I have carpel tunnel and went to physio today. Last week it was that bad I ripped one of my nails off right down til it bled and I didn't feel it because my hands were so numb. As the day went on and the numbness wore off it started to hurt! Today they gave me splints to wear for bed-how attractive. They also said running your hands under cold water before bed can help reduce the inflamation. Now I've addressed that and the coccyx pain I think I've got rib flare. FFS!!!

Lizzz, I too have wondered about going back to work etc. Me and DP don't live together at the moment but are planning on buying somewhere together after bub is born, if we move in time I don't have to go back to work but if it takes a while to sell both houses etc then I'll have to get some sort of job to tide me over. Can't face going back to where I am now, although they don't know that! I might be coming back on here in June to ask some advice on what to do!

Had my 2nd ante natal class today, watched the birth video and had to hold back the tears! It was pretty emotional, well I thought so anyway . The MW asked what old wives takes we'd heard that can start labour and one woman said 'drink raw egg' WTF?

Has anyone heard from Magnolia?

Any suggestions for cheering us all up? Just think this is our last full month of been pregnant-

Thank you for all the kind messages. Boiler got fixed at 4.30pm so we now have heating, hooray!!!
RGee, apart from the usual stuff i added tea tree oil and lavender oil for the recovery....a few drops in the bath is lovely.I also packed husbands boxer shorts rather than big pants. old boxers are really comfortable especially if you have a c/s.

Ooghna, or anyone else who has had an CS, did you take any 'alternative remedies' to help healing or bruising? Have heard about using arnica tablets but not sure if they would make any difference?

Well it must be contagious as i'm feeling very sorry for myself too! Had MIL for lunch yesterday and if she asks me one more time if i'm still planning a homebirth and what is going to happend to DD1 when i go into labour i think i will slap her! OH is also immensely stressed at the moment and i was in tears with him in the car this morning and all he could say was "oh god what have i done now". Sent him a long ranting e mail today outlining all the things he has done wrong recently and basically ranting at him and getting it all off my chest. Bless him though he took it very well and apologised and said he does love me and is looking forward to this baby but is terrified of all the sleepless nights again - him and me both! I feel bad moaning as I'm sure alot of you have it far worse than me - tunnel carpel sounds like an nightmare thing to have and my only real complaint is lack of sleep! Feeling ridiculously hormonal and tearful today though and feel so guilty about wanting this pregnancy to hurry up as should just be hoping for a healthy baby.

Dragonheart, I used Bio Oil which I also use to try to avoid stretch marks. After my c/s with DD i bathed with the tea tree oil and lavender which was great initially but I needed something to rub on to the scar as the reddness didnt seem to ever go away. Emu oil is great aswell, a bit expensive over here but if you know anyone going to Oz they can get it really cheap.

Not read the thread to catch up but wanted to wish all you ladies the very best....not long left now and , i prob won't be around much until u have all sprogged (to use a phrase from DP), wishing you all the very best in your last few weeks, labours and births.

MoM xxx

Hope you don't mind me joinig in - have just found this site and thread. I'm due on 21st Jan.

Is anyone else having major issues sleeping? I can't get to sleep for AGES (like - an hour and a half maybe) then I wake up constantly. I am SO tired and still have another 7 weeks to go!!!!! Any helpful tips?

Hi MOM glad you are still popping in and doing okay.

Welcome wilko50 think you've joined just as we are all moaning (saying that think most of u have moand throughout the last 8 months!!!!)

Since I am meant to be resting since my hospital visit last week the house seems to be calling me to do serious nesting cleaning. As I've said before I'm OCD about cleaning but yesterday my dad and dh put the TV on the wall, dh decided to get xmas decs down from loft so had umpteen tons of xmas crap that I didnt want and to top it off dh decided to empty the trpoical fish tank and give it a good clean whilst I was cooking dinner and dd emptied everything out of xmas decs box onto floor aaaargh bloody men!

So got home from work today got dd to bed (dh works late mondays) sorted out all the xmas decs apart from tree and tree decs and few of dd singing xmas toys and put the rest back in the loft as dont want shit everywhere (bah humbug to xmas!) Sorted the surround sound out on the tv and cooked dinner so feeling very pleased with myself and house looks ten times better just putting things ie screwdrivers etc away (why cant men put anything away its always left on the side for him to put away tomorrow)

Anyway rant over going to go to bed in a moment for another crap nights sleep

Hi All! I am new to London; just arrived early November from California with my husband and we are expecting January 29. I am scheduled to deliver at Portland hospital. I'm taking a first aid class there this month with my husband, but we passed on the antenatal classes because they were so expensive. I'm not very worried about missing important information since most of the women I know who have taken these classes said that they didn't learn much beyond the usual information you can find in some of the better books, but I must admit I am worried that I might start feeling a bit isolated having just moved here and now so darn pregnant! This is my first pregnancy too and I am expecting a boy! I am now thinking that maybe I might try a prenatal yoga class to meet some other expecting mums. I live in W2. Any suggestions?

Hello Elliepmummy

Me too - I was in hosp on Tues with contractions/tightening which turned out to be a water infection irritating my uterus (!) so am supposed to be resting but have a serious nesting instinct at the moment.

Roped DH into pulling out the bed on Sunday (it's a big heavy thing from OK - Bed, not DH) so I could clean behind it (WTF??) as it was annoying me because it was dusty!

As for Christmas decs - ours are staying in the loft until the weekend before Xmas! Bah humbug! .

Off to bed too in a moment - looking forward to another two hours sleep!

'OK'???? Meant IKEA - definately time for bed

Hi Wilkie50,

i'm due on the 21st of jan as well!!

I'm having problems sleeping as well. Although what worked for me last night was my dH putting on American Hotrod (car TV prog on Sky) while we were lying in bed . Was asleep within 10 mins.

Can I also join in the moaning. I'm feeling like crap as have a stinking cold. I really want a Lemsip, but not allowed obviously.

Hiya - cool that we are due on the same day!!!

Have you tried just paracetamol for your cold? Hot lemon barley water quite soothing too.

The sleeping thing is really annoying and I don't think tonight will be much better as little one appears to be headbutting my cervix tonight sending shooting pains up my lady. Beautiful!

Morning anbd welcome caliexpat souns like you have most things under control, might be worth doing a search (top of the page) for meet ups near you or anyother MNetter living in your area, if not the yoga thing sounds like a good idea. I'll update the due in jan list and repost it later with the newbies!

Well hope everyone got some sleep last night fell asleep at 10.30 DD creeped into our bed at 12.15 so had to sort her out and then dh woke me at 4.40 to ask if I wanted the car today couldnt get back to sleep so been up since then. Seeing my friend and her dd today and off to toddler group its our last few weeks of going together as her dd starts preschool in jan and not sure I'll be bothered to go with dd and a newborn so going to enjoy my peace there whilst I can.

Spoke to myboss yesterday as I wanted to finish this friday he has 'persuaded' me to stay until next friday as planned but am going to do till 2pm on friday to ocver the lunch breaks all day monday as normal and then to 2pm next friday (and he'll pay me for the whole day so not to bad some of the girls at work asked what I wanted for leaving present and I struggled as got nearly everything from DD so decided a nice new playma or one of thise ring things they can sit in when learning to sit up as DD didnt have one and was always toppling to the floor

Morning all.

Picked up the new car yesrterday...and actually drove it even though I was crapping myslef about driving the thing. It's FAB and now means I can actually get in and out of teh car without almost rolling onto the floor(the old car is very very low, this one isn't).
Picked the boys up from school in it but told them we had to wait another day to collect it because the garage were still doing somthing to it. When they walked around the corner and saw it they were jumping around all over the place. Blimey at 5+7 yr old they are already car fanatics. Seeing all 3 carseat in it with still extra space for the baby carsaet too is really freaky.

Bloody hell....another baby....How did that happen???
(you don't need to answer that BTW )

Welcome to the thread caliexpat, I know what you mean about the feeling isolated thing. We moved 70ish miles from our nearest family last january (butthey are only an hour away so not quite as far as you...lolol), there aren't any ante-natal classes in this area so I feel abit freaked out about having a newborn and having no-one in RL to meet up with who's feeling the same exhaustion a newborn brings.
We'll have to just do it here...for all on Mumsnet to sympathise.

I fell asleep on the sofa last night so when I eventually woke up at about midnight and wentto bed i oculdn't sleep. Then the howling wind and my pea sized bladder kept waking me up, as did DH getting in from work at 2am. And then just for good measure the wheelie bin in the front garden got blown/knocked over either by thew ind or a bloody fox rumaging in it at 5:23am
It should be in the garage anyway but I forgot to put it away last night.....