March 2016 Babies #9 - we're on the final countdown!!

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Thread 9!!

Morning all, just checking in. Am loving being on maternity leave...spent yesterday cleaning and popping to primark for last hospital bag bits. Today am doing pregnancy yoga and baking. Find yoga very, very dull but it is good for me so I'm biting the bullet...

Sorry to those still in CSC. Q I get terrible night sweats...wake up soaking wet. Pretty gross. Yet another pregnancy joy!

My heartburn is ridiculous at the moment, Gaviscon does nothing for it. The only thing that vaguely works is milk. Unfortunately I eat a lot of heartburn-causing foods...lots of citrus fruits and tomatoes etc, which I'm not giving up!

35 weeks exactly today. Was meant to get my bloods done after my 34 week appointment on Friday but when I toddled off to phlebotomy there was a sign on the door saying 'closed until 5.45'. Bearing in mind it was about 1pm at this time there was no way I was waiting around for 4+ hours! So I'll pop in sometime this week, I don't expect it matters much as iron levels were fine at last bloods and don't feel weird (apart from pregnancy weird).

oh am also bricking it about childbirth, have been listening to hypnobirthing tracks and reading about it but I am crap at all that for the same reason I am crap at yoga...I get very distracted and don't have the patience. Oh well. Will persevere. Am adamant I don't want drugs and I definitely don't want to be induced unless there is a justifiable medical reason for it.

Got a call just before I headed to yoga yesterday evening saying that they would squeeze me in for an appointment at 9 this morning if I wanted it, took it anyway - and had the joy of finding out that my very small fibroid will probably screw me out of using the birth centre at my hospital because I'll most likely need a managed 3rd stage to reduce heavy bleeding risks.

maybe glad you're enjoying mat leave.. it's wonderful isn't it? Hang in there with the yoga, I honestly think it's what has healed my hip problems and helped baby engage quite early on! And I used to loathe yoga, being the type that prefers to lift weights/run and do anything 'hardcore', never thought id be sold on the yoga camp but I am! And another one here with HORRIFIC heartburn. I literally have a mouthful of acid at any time of the day, feel like I am going to be breathing fire soon. I have discovered, however, that eating a pear especially near bedtime seems to keep it under control, worth a try?
sorry to hear about your fibroid getting in the way or birth plans, trijo.

on another note, who has started drinking raspberry leaf tea? Ive been doing a cup a day at 32 weeks, currently 35 weeks, will up it to 2 cups and tablets at 36 weeks.

Afternoon all.
Being lazy today as off again today, been awake since 9 but haven't moved out of bed. Keep telling my self to move but it's not happening. Just can't be bothered. Need to pop to shops and tidy up a bit but could quite happily lie here all day. Can't be bothered with work tomorrow or Thursday but I'm sure it'll be ok. Feeling sad about leaving still as I miss the people I work with (well most of them) and the banter and social aspect. I've never really been alone before. Before this we lived with oh mum, brother and sister for 1.5 years and before that I was still with my mum and dad. So I've never really been alone all day with no adult company which is odd.
No idea how many toilet breaks I had last night although must of been at least four. Fell back asleep each time though between 10-6:30. Having real trouble though when oh alarm goes off, it's been taking me an hour to get back. So fell asleep at 7:30 until 9 again.
Finally found a new place. Moving hopefully on the 20th feb so a month before due date roughly.

Me- sorry to hear about the crap booking system. The surgery sounds useless.
Maybe- glad your enjoying mat leave
Tri- sorry to hear you might not be able to use birth centre.
Hope everyone else is ok.
Babies had hiccups twice this morning I think. Feels like a constant pulse sensation low down where her head is and lasts for about 20 minutes at a time.

Hi everyone, been away from MN for a few days - in Bristol visiting family and friends over the weekend and been busy with work yesterday/today! I finish next Friday, can't wait! Have been on a mad rush getting things finished (or trying to).

Had a mini panic this morning that I'm 35 weeks and me and DP haven't got round to buying replacement mattress for baby, reusable nappies etc... so did some shopping this morning online . Found these super cheap reusable nappies on Amazon - 8 nappies for £23! the reviews look good as well. We've bought one set and will use that and see how we go, if they are crap or don't work out for us, we haven't spent too much money. you can buy them with out without inserts but we decided to go without as we have loads of inserts for DD1's nappies

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GYBOFOQ/ref=twister_B013Q65VGC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Went to the Aldi baby event over the weekend, got two bambino mio reusable nappies for £7.99 each (almost half price!), loads of wipes and loads of nappies (we'll use disposables for DD2 until she is a few weeks old, and we use disposables with DD1 at nursery and overnight). Annoyingly, the guy at the till put through a pack of nappies an extra time, and we didn't realise till we got home in the evening, back in Reading! so it added an extra £5.99 onto our shop. We still are up on what we would have spent but was really frustrating/annoying.

Need to start thinking about packing the hospital bag! since pay day last week we've been buying like mad so think we've got everything now.. just need to pack it. so exciting!

Have also realised that I'm less than half way through the baby blanket I've been knitting for DD2 and am running out of time... think I'm going to be knitting like mad on my maternity leave and end up giving myself blisters! which was what happened with DD1 haha.

Another one here who has started getting a bit 'damp' down there - apparently it is normal in the final weeks of pregnancy. I've also been getting mad Braxton Hicks the last week or so, didn't get any with DD1 and had a super long labour so hoping this is a good sign.

Anyone else just reach the evening and feel knackered? I'm find during the day but come 7.30/8pm and I'm completely drained. Have been taking iron tablets for a week now but haven't noticed much difference in energy levels. They've also started playing havoc with my digestive system, keep getting stomach cramps and am constipated again. DP said to me last night 'oh I bought some grapes today, they were reduced and I thought why not - also they do help keep you regular'. long term relationships are so sexy/glamorous

RE: presents for children - we've bought a scooter for DD1 which is from DD2. Also DP has said that DD2 has bought me a present - yay. Wasn't really expecting it as he's always been anti 'push presents' but he randomly decided to buy me something so I'm not complaining! he then asked if, as DD1 and me were 'getting presents from DD2' could he get some lego for himself from DD2! haha, sneaky git.

sorry to hear about your struggles getting a drs appt me. it's ridiculous that you can't book in advance. my surgery has same day appointments you need to ring up at 8.30 for, but it also had appointments you can book in advance for non urgent things.

phew, sorry for epic-ly long post! will try to get on here a bit more frequently from now on so I don't have quite so much to say!!

paper haha I know! I've heard such good things about the book but they were some of the first stories in it and I was like .... but going to persevere in the hope I can take something from it! I think indom has mentioned it a few times and I trust her :)

neh sorry you're feeling that way too, it's horrible isn't it. I know the chances are so slim but it doesn't stop your mind going to dark places. The positive birth stories thread is lovely though

Q yep to night sweats - sleeping in a nursing bra and pants at the moment with the window open and still wake up gross!

trijo ah sorry to hear about your birth plans. I was told at 20 weeks I had a small fibroid and it hasn't been mentioned since? Why is it so troublesome - is it where it is positioned?

marmite good effort on the baby stuff!
me hope you're feeling a bit better about it all now - I cry at the smallest things right now!

Not sure ffaux - it hasn't been mentioned at any appointment up to now, it was discovered at my early scan (9 weeks), checked at my 12 and 20 week scans and nothing was ever said after that until today.

Just checking in so I don't lose the thread again!
Lovely to hear what the few of you on mat leave already have been up to, I'll definitely be in the knitting and napping camp 😊
I'm also part of the sweaty crotch crew. Yuck! That said, Braxton Hicks have really jumped up in regularity and strength the last few days so they are probably linked.
Day off tomorrow and thurs, I have told no one and have made no plans so will stay home and wash baby things - bliss!

Thanks ffaux I feel much better now! I am normally such a strong person who doesn't cry much so I hate feeling so emotional about such trivial things!

I've finished my NCT classes now! 4 weeks 3 days until my due date which seems like s scarily short amount of time. My Braxton hicks have stepped up too ohwool - not painful but definitely noticing them a lot more.

I am absolutely enormous now too - the wrap around coat I was convinced would last me until the end is starting to struggle to wrap around the bump! To be fair it is not a maternity coat so I think it's done pretty well. I am going to a funeral tomorrow though and no idea what to wear - I have a black maternity dress but nothing to go over it, the coat is cream so not really suitable!

Oh no me. I'd be tempted to pitch up there one afternoon and stay till an appointment is made.

We've just had to change surgeries and not only can I actually make an advance appointment (some of which I can get to after work!) but I can also book them through the patient access app! I realise I am lucky!

Glad to here it neh!

Q, I've had the night sweats. I remember getting them after birth last time, don't remember them from before. But then it's been pretty warm recently too!

Oh no, Tri. Hopefully your hospital will be able to recreate the birth centre feel though. I was thoroughly impressed when I was transferred. (For the birth bit, at least).

Aww, thanks ffaux! I've got Guide to Chidlbirth - I don't remember the boob rubbing bit , maybe that's in Spiritual Midwifery?! I need to start reading it again (after I finish The Martian).

Sounds like a lush plan OhWool.

I'm 33 weeks tomorrow and still only having the occasional BH. So different to last time. Had the most hectic day today, involving missing lunch, unexpectedly having to pick DS up from school (CM car issues) and then take him back to a meeting where he was wonderfully behaved (phew!). Glad he's asked DH to read with him tonight!

I feel like I should get some work done quick before I crash & burn!

Me I hope the funeral goes alright, no one will notice the wrap coat xxx BHs have become a bit "wincy" to feel.

indomitable after The Martian I heartily reccomend Seveneves by Neal Stephenson. A beast of a book perfect for staying in bed all day with. I work in a bookshop 😁

Having the most healthy of dinners. Chicken dippers, chips and a non alcoholic Becks. Me and DP have both had knackering days!

THANK YOU! OhWool! I don't usually have time to read actual books, but I'm prioritising rest/sleep at the moment, and the Martian is very good.

I used to be one of these people who get a bit panicky towards the last 1/4 of a book, wondering what to read next.

Looking forward to more reading during leave!

Maybe I've been waking up soaking wet too, I thought something was wrong with me be obviously it's normal! Poor Dp!

Scared same here I'm so done with being pregnant everything is becoming such an effort it's unreal, can't even put my trousers on... Arghh!!!
Got one more week at work but next wed and Thursday off so not long now.

I'm feeling all emotional watching an elephant in labour on ITV1 now. Anyone else watching? These hormones are making me crazy. If my boobs start leaking next I will be seriously at myself!

Ch4 not itv1. Also going mad as well as soft it seems.

magpie I get emotional about nature programmes anyway and given my current hormonal state I think it's best I stay away from this one!

Is anyone else absolutely ravenous at the moment? I am 35+4 and today I have eaten: porridge with honey for breakfast, a veggie burger and chips for lunch, half a packet of Percy Pigs, and two full helpings of veggie shepherds pie for dinner. I am now feeling peckish and like I might need a couple of slices of toast before bed! I was hoping not to put too much more weight on but if I continue like this there's no chance for me ...

I'm not there yet, Me, but I did last time. I'm expecting the hunger to reappear at any minute!

I'm starving but I can't seem to stomach anything ;/ Just had a bowl of rice crispys to try and sate myself. Maybe have some toast but that's tempting heartburn... auurgh, pregnancy!

indom It's definitely in Guide to Childbirth - one of the early stories so you have that to look forward to again :)

I'm currently trying to write my birth plan (or rather 'birthing preferences') tonight - it's hard! I've got as far as wanting to move around during labour, not labour on my back, maximum skin to skin contact for first hour etc but I feel like they do all that anyway these days? What else? No idea what to write about pain relief as no idea how I will cope or what I will want!

ffaux I'm also writing my birth plan...I have loads of requests so I'm worried I'm going to sound a bit bossy but never mind. The two main things I reckon I'm going to have issues with are (1) don't want to be constantly examined or told how dilated I am and (2) do not want to be induced.

Re: pain relief, I've written that I want to avoid all drugs where I can but may change my mind. Our plan with pain relief is that if I start asking for it DP is going to ask me 'are you sure? let's revisit in 10 minutes', as don't want transition to fool me into thinking I need an epidural. I've also written that I don't want to be offered pain relief - I'll ask for it if I really need it. I am terrified of all drugs so if I possibly can I want to avoid them. I think just write what you think you want at the moment but say you are keeping an open mind.

Other things I've written are fairy generic, ie want to be able to move around, want to labour in water (and possibly give birth in water), want both my mum and DP there...etc etc.

me I'm constantly hungry. I'm also a boredom eater which is not good news for my waistline. Trying to be healthy...made a smoothie with avocado on brown toast for breakfast. At least if I'm eating heaps I can try to make sure it's good stuff. Otherwise I'm not going to beat myself up about it, only 5 weeks to go!

Maybe - if you don't want to be induced what will you do if you go well over ?

Asking because i went three weeks over last time and don't fancy going through that again

I have woke up stupidly excited about everything! ! We get the keys to our new house on Friday - wohoo!

And our first NCT class is tonight. I'm looking forward to meeting new people & learning lots of useful info. Although am 33 weeks at the mo and slightly worried baby might arrive before end of nct classes :p

What's the deal with the raspberry leaf tea?