July 2015 - into the final trimester we go!

[broodylicious]

Hope this works....

Warning - TMI alert ...

Coughing a lot due to a bad cold and indigestion is making me vomit (lovely). I think that I leaked a bit of wee (or something) last night as a result of the strain (even lovelier).

This morning, I had clearish, brown tinted discharge which Dr. Google is convincing me is placental abruption or pre-term labour. It's probably just down to the strain from coughing/vomiting, right? Or should I get it checked out?

zampa always better to get checked out. It could be from the coughing (I feel your pain there I have the same at the moment) but best to be sure. You'll probably only worry otherwise which is also not good.

Thanks Nature. I think you're right, certainly about my peace of mind.

zampa, it is probably nothing, but get it checked out just for ease of mind.

charlie, work sounds very annoying!

My bump is really hard most of the time, as baby is head down with the back pressing against my front. I can move the little one around a bit by placing my hands on the sides of my bump and pushing from one side to the other. My DH thinks I'll wake up the baby when I do this, but the baby also sleeps through walking, cycling, swimming and loads of other movements, so I doubt some gentle nudges from mum will annoy the little one!

Sigh. Rushed back from London today for the health visitor and DH rushed back from work. Turns out health visitor arrived a few minutes early and we got back right on the appointment time, so missed each other. It did say "approximately" in the letter but you don't imagine that means "early" do you?Had to rearrange for 2 weeks time. Now feeling a bit deflated as I had to go into work to give an important presentation before rushing back for nothing.

What a nightmare, small. Sounds very frustrating and a bit of a let down.

Called triage about my discharge and they said it was a show and that labour might come early! Yikes! Might pack a hospital bag this weekend, if I'm over my cold.

definitely pack a hospital bag just to be on the safe side. I've had mine packed and ready for two weeks now. hopefully baby stays cooking a little longer for you!

Fingers crossed fatty! Triage did say it could be a couple of weeks or longer ... Still hoping it's just the stress of my cold though!

I lost my show and came into slow Labour 18 days before DD was born. it may not even mean you will come into labour either. it's just better to be safe than sorry.

Zampa Oh good luck! Yes a bit longer cooking time Big hug!

Minizampa, you are not allowed out yet! Stay in for a few more weeks so your mum has time to get ready!

zampa oh my gosh - you must be nervous/ excited! Good luck for the coming days. How many weeks are you now? You could have the first thread baby.

small that's very annoying about the Health Visitor - they should have waited 5-10 mins past the appointment time. I know how it feels when it's a big mission to get back from london office early and a waste of time!

charlie can you not have a word with your boss about the tasks you would prefer to do? Tell her standing in one spot gives you back ache and you need to keep moving around. She has to listen to you by law and adapt your work accordingly. Just think, there's not long to go and time at work will fly by if you can vary your tasks a bit.

On the subject of Health Visitors, has anyone else in the UK been offered an antenatal HV appointment? I heard it's a new NHS offer, but I haven't been told about it by MW and wondering whether to ask for one. What exactly do they do?

charlie that sounds like no fun. Have you raised it with them and they've dismissed your needs? I'm lucky in that my work is not physical although sitting down all day has its own challenges, but the social aspects of things seems harder than I remember. Hope you get it sorted.

Good question luckystar was just looking at that myself: www.babycentre.co.uk/a1047206/get-the-best-out-of-your-health-visitor-babies

She just invited herself by letter in my case.

Fatty 18 days I could contend with. That would take me to almost 36 weeks (33 weeks now Lucky) and virtually full term. I've been convinced since the start that I'd end up being induced!

Still thinking it might just be the strain of coughing lots and I'll be a while yet ... Fingers crossed.

Thanks for the support and best wishes. It's been very calming.

Also, your plug can regrow. So losing a bit of it now doesn't mean labour is imminent.

Small & lucky my actual manager isn't bothered. He has told one of my team leaders he 'needs to remember I'm pregnant not disabled'
I spoke to next level down from manager, she basically runs the store anyway, she isn't particularly interested. She just like to throw in that when she was pregnant she worked 38+hours and was still lifting heavy stock.
The stubborn part of me doesn't want to give in with only 6 shifts to go.

Zampa hope baby sticks in there

Good link Small, very nice summary.

I work in public health and I am heavily involved with the health visiting service currently (and expecting my own personal visit tomorrow!!!) Here's a bit more info for all interested:

The Healthy Child Programme (HCP) requires Health Visitors to make contact with every pregnant woman. This is the first opportunity to begin a relationship with the family and discuss all
aspects of caring for their baby.

In March this year, Public Health England published a "Rapid review of the evidence base supporting the healthy child programme (HCP) 0 to 5 years" - Google it to find 250 page document or a 40 page summary! This is all the research evidence collated.

From 1 October 2015, the responsibility for commissioning health visiting, and other childrenâ??s public health services, including health visiting services, will transfer from NHS England to local authorities.

The Department of Health (DH) will expect local authorities to provide health visiting (HV) services in five key areas when they take over the role of commissioning the services from the NHS.

As part of the switch, the government will initially make it MANDATORY for local authorities to ensure the provision of the following key elements of the Healthy Child Programme delivered by health visitors;

-antenatal health promoting reviews
-New baby reviews
-Six to eight week assessments
-One year assessments and
-Two to two and a half year reviews.

But as per the baby centre link... They are your resource as and when you need them (not just for those mandated visits). They are not the "health police" they are there to help you, baby and your family unit be as healthy as can be. Do use them!!!!

Zampa hope you're feeling OK in yourself generally though (bar the cough)? Try not to worry which is easier for us to say than you to do! x

zampa, hope you're ok. If you want to get honours of the first thread baby, you're going to have to get a shuffle on before Friday!

I am having period style cramps in lower bump. I expect they are Braxton Hicks, but my womb doesn't go rock hard when it happens!

FattyC I didn't know your plug could regrow! Think that's what will happen here as baby is still transverse and having no contractions, BH or otherwise. Think we'll be a while yet!

Charlie Excuse my ignorance, but can you get a seat at the tills? Would that even help?

It is quite common for ladies to lose their plug and a new one growing in its stead, so don't worry about losing yours now. and to feel better!