It's the calm before the storm (sort of) that is Fantastic February and the March Madness - we did a lot of shagging last summer! We need more JSers on this, our 44th thread!

[ThursdayLastWeek]

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the 44th grads thread... celebrating the success of Just Shagging in getting us viroids upduffed!

For those that don't know, a 'viroid' is from the original JSing thread 1, where someone was trying to type ladies (in reference to all the JSing ladies), but their phone decided to call us all viroids instead!

The name stuck and we've been the JSing viroids ever since.

The 43rd grads thread is HERE

The thread we have graduated from is HERE in its 57th outing. WARNING: they're all a bit kerazy not to mention randy!

There is also a Just Mumming thread HERE
for once your babies come along, or to keep up with the graduated graduates!

There is also a private facebook group (so it doesn't give the game away in your news feed!)... if you want to join to see photos of new babies etc, just ask in-thread!

HERE is the stats list, please update your own spot with any updates. (Except it's not because I don't know how to link to the stats sheet!)

Do you know I'm feeling a bit impatient already jelly so I understand totally!

Don't worry too much about the PN ward Feathered. I might not even be busy when you're there, and if it is...well you're in the thick of it yourself. Most people are just concentrating on their own little bubble.

TBH I was probably then nightmare in my room though

Mermaid. Obv a bit early but I know that Norland nannies used to do free chilcare for multiples as work experience for their trainees. Worth a call in future perhaps?

Jelly I felt exactly the same. You will have a baby! I know it doesn't feel like it at the moment but you will!

Feathered, if I end up in the big hospital again for a future birth I would definitely pay for a private room.

Thanks for the lamaze toy enabling support viroids

Six weeks thurs squee! V jealous of your planned c. Consoling myself that if induction goes tits up and I end up with an emcs I'll be able to demand a planned next time. (Next time?! Wtf brain?!!)

to weepy viroids. Pregnancy hormones are a bitch and it's not your fault.

merm sounds like you are coping well with the surprising news! Well done!

Slept badly and had nightmares again. I think this may be the situation until I go in to have her. Good work, body, make me exhausted before I even start. asshole

feathered my thoughts exactly. Seeing the mh midwives today and one of the things I'm going to talk to them about is my abject fear of the postnatal ward when I'm (and everyone else is of course) feeling vulnerable and raw. We can't afford the single rooms. They are £180 a night.

Mini pretzel has moved round and I think her bum is on the right now. I felt sick a lot last night and I wonder if it's cause she was moving so much. She must be small if she had space to do that? She'll probably be back to back by the time I go for induction, just to go the full depressing whack. Can you tell I'm feeling negative today!

Oh pretz you poor sad thing, I know this is no use to you really, but there's zero point in worrying about things that you might not happen/can't change anyway.

Do you have any techniques you can use to help you relax? I wish I could help, but I guess it's just a personality thing.
What is it exactly that worries you about the PN ward?

Jelly no one has stayed pregnant forever. Sooner or later you'll have your baby. I wish it was sooner for you, but she'll come when she's ready.

Don't fret about PN ward viroids, you might not even stay there at all. I managed to dodge it last time.

Pretzel whatever happens, you'll just deal with it on the day. You have so much inner strength that you're not even aware of yet. You'll get through it on the day. Just keep your eyes on the prize and all the cake you'll be able to eat.

I technically am getting dressed every day rather than sitting in pajamas, but only leggings and jumpers. Although I am protesting and am in a dressing gown on the sofa. (See Facebook)

Jelly I am feeling impatient too, and you're four weeks ahead of me. You poor thing.

I am not looking forward to PN ward, but hope it will be very temporary. The thing that bothers me most is the temperature. I strongly dislike being hot. Strongly

Oh, next midwife appointment is at 37 weeks. Seeing consultants next week after growth scan.

Aw it will be nice to see your little one again honey. The extra scans have been a definite silver lining to the cloud that is gd for me.

Thanks for the reassurance about the postnatal ward viroids. I am worried about feeling very vulnerable in what feels like a public place. I'm sure the other ladies there will be feeling similarly. I am trying to consider the positives eg being around people in a similar position, easy access to midwife help with feeding, meals brought to me.

So... I just got fisted by a midwife! Came in to the antenatal ward to see the mh midwife and told her I didn't end up having a sweep Wednesday and she said Oh I can do that if you like! It wasn't as uncomfortable as I expected, I found it okay. Practised my breathing. She said cervix is soft and 1-2cm dilated, but posterior and still 2-3cm long. I feel encouraged that it is soft and a little dilated because I feel like that is a good start to be going into the induction with - and if something happens before then, so much the better! Feeling brave now, I was almost in tears before the sweep and I got through it. Has also been good to have a vaginal examination before I'm in labour so I know what it's like (although surely a lot less fun when you are also having contractions).

Sorry for the essay!

Yeah, extra scans are good!

Pretzel check you out! Well done, well done! Hope the sweep gets things moving for you.

Go you pret! I'm regretting declining my one, might ask my mw to get a bit of the fist action on Tuesday to find out how un-far along I am!

Thanks for all the sympathies viroids. I know she will be here in at most 18 days so I need to focus on that but it is hard when everyone else is having their baby! And this one is clearly running out of space lol.

I just had an eds diner burger and milkshake. Can't move.

I have spent the afternoon clandestinely looking at nursery furniture on the ikea website....it seems very reaonably priced especially when you need to buy two of eveything and looks nice...

We have had a few offers of childcare help once I go back to work, so I feel a little better (especially as we're talking over a year away!!). My mum has offered at least a day a week, and my sister (who is not well enough to actually work) may be able to do some time as well). If only we could get someone to give us a couple of thousand pounds to buy equipment with!

Handily, two mums with twins that DH knows have added me to some local twin groups on FB - a support one, and a buying/selling one (including resuable nappies), where stuff is cheap!! Huzzah!

Ikea nursery furniture is a good idea. Really no need to spend hundreds of pounds. Cosatto do a good twin pushchair that is lie flat and faces both directions. Think it's called a to and fro? Much cheaper than a bugaboo donkey and is a side by side one. (I hate the ones where they are stacked on top of each other) Nearly new sales will be your fried!

www.cosatto.com/explore-our-range/products/pushchairs/strollers/to-and-fro-twin

Mermaid don't forget about ebay! Start watching items now, even if you don't intend to buy them...it'll give you a good feel for what price things go for.

We got a £65 ikea changing table for £15 on ebay...yes we had to drive to pick it up, but it wasn't far and it was in perfect condition and already assembled. We also got a cot bed given to us by family - that just needs a new sprung mattress, but there's a well-reviewed one on Amazon for less than £40.

Also, look now for when your nearby NCT nearly new sales are. Go to 2 or 3 of them, take someone else with you (it's only a quid or so to go in) and work out what you want...then split up and grab what you want/need (you can always put it back if you change your mind). We spent £50 on clothes, and got stuff that would've cost us way over £200. I also got a baby bath that rests on the edge of our bath (not sure what they are called, but it saves too much bending) for £3.50.

Some items hold their value so well, that they are not worth buying on ebay unless you get a steal (e.g. Chicco Next2Me cots rarely sell for less than £100, often going for £120...but a new mattress is £30, and they cost £150 new!). But remember, you can always sell stuff that you've used.

Also watch out for Amazon flash sales (or Daily deals as I think they're called now). Lots of items come up time and again for less than halfprice (e.g. baby monitors, formula prep machines, bottle sets, breast pumps, etc.).

If you're a Tesco shopper, start saving all your clubcard vouchers for when the next boost is on, and you can get some baby stuff v.cheap.

I'm getting my hospital bag together, babies stuff all done.

I need reminding that it's very unlikely I'll be in for as long this time, and that I don't need to pack as if I'm going away for a week

Nearly new sales are amazing! My nursery is all ikea, as you can see in the photo :) we love it.

Question, coffee the cervix to be ready does it have to have low and soft?

Towards the front and soft I think jelly? But there are all kinds of changes they look at for progress. I've been given a Bishops score (of 4) based on station (how low the baby's head is), how soft my cervix is, how effaced (thin) it is, how dilated it is and whether the cervix is front, middle or back (mine's posterior).

And any of that stuff could happen gradually, over weeks or suddenly in a day, so I don't think it necessarily tells you much! Obviously for me I'm looking for signs that induction wont take three fricking days!

I've just looked at the average prices (outside of London) for a nanny gulp don't think we'll be getting one....

thanks pret, i have no idea about this stuff...im so ready for this baby

As long as the midwives looking after you know the cervix stuff you'll be right jelly

You just concentrate on R&R and getting yourself mentally prepared

Serious lower back pain tonight

no queue jumping thursday!!!

still no news from gouda?

Definitely not that sort of back pain. 100% muscular because I've been on my feet a bit more today.

Nothing from Gouda as far as I'm aware. Has anyone PMed her?